Mud On The Tires

Funny title. huh? But in reality it's not. See, when W and I were dating, Brad Paisley's song Mud On The Tires appropriately described our relationship. He was a country boy. I was a city girl. Yet somehow, someway (fate maybe?) our paths crossed. And pretty soon, this city girl was head over heals in love with that country boy. Every waking moment I had, I wanted to be with him. Every breath I took, I wanted to take them with him.

That has not changed. This city girl is still head over heels in love with that country boy. Except now, I'm more of a country girl than a city one. And he made me that way. He took me out of my city house and put me in a country one. He taught me that riding 4-wheelers was tons of fun. That fishing is fun (though I still refuse to bait my own hook or remove the catch from the line), that swimming in the river and the lake aren't bad at all, that sometimes it is ok to get dirty, and about a million other "country" things.

No matter where we go or what we do, I'm happy as long as he is by my side. No matter what we face or what we have to overcome, we can because we are together. We've had our moments. Lots of moments. But we've come through, stronger, better, than we ever, ever were. I am thankful, I am blessed, and I am loved. By this man. He is my rock. He is my fortress. He is my strength. He is my other half.

My Sunshine

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey, you'll never know dear how much I love you, so please don't take your sunshine away!

Meet my sunshine. This is A. She is playful, tomboyish, sassy, serious, artsy, adventurous, beautiful~inside and out, my heartbeat, my reason for breathing, smart, amazing, silly, a dress-hater, a t-shirt and jean short wearer, softball player, part little girl~part big kid. 100% amazing.

A is a good mix of her dad and I. I like to think she is the best of both of us. She's serious but silly. She's a thinker, always has been. She was the best baby. She is the best big kid.

I used to sing the "sunshine song" to her every night as I gave her her bedtime bottle. It was OUR time. I still get to sing it occasionally as somehow bedtime as turned into her and her Daddy's time now. Which is ok. I'm here with her all day (I'm blessed), he's not, so if bedtime now belongs to him, then I can accept that. Though I do love the nights he is away (for whatever reason) and I get bedtime. And on those nights, she always requests the "sunshine song".

She is the sunshine of my life. She is the best thing ever, and I thank God for her every.single.day.

Can I Have a Moment?

To discuss the fact that after this Friday, Friday Night Lights will be gone? FOR EVER? That after this Friday, I will no longer spend my Friday evenings with the good-looking specimen of a man known as Eric Taylor? (Or, in reality, Kyle Chandler?)

Really? How could you let this happen America? How is that a country can embrace the Kardashians or Snooky or Paris Hilton but you can't get on the bandwagon of one of the greatest television shows ever?

I love football. I especially love high school and college football. I'm not really a fan of the NFL because I feel like once you get paid megamillions to do something, you no longer play with the same heart and passion you played with before. And here, here was an honest show set in a football-crazy town (and yeah, I live in one of those) centered around the star players and the super hot coach. It was classic TV people. Yet somehow the people of this country never embraced it. The fact that it survived 5 seasons is almost a miracle.

So on Friday night at 7:00, I will hold my own little memorial service for this amazing little show. Or maybe I'm not the only one?

source, source, source, source

Just A Pinch....

Do you have a recipe that you could never actually write down for someone? You know, one that they would have to watch you make? And one that would require them to know what a "pinch" and a "smidgen" and a "dollop" are?

My mashed potatoes are like that. I could never actually write down exaclty how to make them, because I never make them the same way. Sometimes they require more butter or more mayonaise or more sour cream. Tonight I had to add more salt.

Isn't it funny how recipes like that work? You can't write them down, even though the ingredients are always the same. I always use mayonaise, butter, sour cream, salt, pepper, and a "smidge" of ranch dressing. But sometimes it is more mayo, sometimes more sour cream, and sometimes more butter. But NEVER more ranch. I've never actually added more than just a "smidge" of ranch.

Funny thing about these mashed potatoes though, I learned to make them from my Grammy. But I LEARNED to make them. She didn't write down her recipe, she taught it to me over time. And now, I am teaching A to make them, as she is the official mashed tater taster around here.

So what recipes can you not write down?

source, source, source, source

Crayons and Pencils and Rulers...Oh My!

I'm linking up this post with Tickle Me Tuesdays over at Yes Teacher!

Since A will be starting the Third Grade in less than one month, school supplies are tickling my fancy this week.

I love school supplies. Always have. I remember how excited I was as a little girl when my mom would take me shopping for new pencils, crayons, construction paper, and a ruler. It didn't change when I got older and crayons and construction paper were no longer on the list. Why? Well because then I got a Trapper Keeper, and I thought I was the coolest kid.on.the.planet.

And now I get to take my very own munchkin shopping for school supplies! I was positively giddy when I went to Wal-Mart last week and saw them beginning to put school supplies out.

But please, don't get me wrong. I am not ready for summer to be over. I am not ready for A to actually NEED these supplies, just to buy them!

So, what's tickling your fancy this week? Let me know and then link up with Yes Teacher!


source, source, source

Plans

~"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11~

This has always been a favorite Bible verse for me. When W went through a big shake up at his former place of employment (and thank God was spared), it gave me comfort. When an amazing job opportunity opened up for him in September, it gave me peace. When I was struggling with my former job and how unhappy it made me and how much time it took away from my family, God provided it to me again. When we took a huge leap of faith and I went back to school, there it was again.

And now, when we are dealing with some other things, it is back again. God always seems to put it in front of me when I need it. Nevermind that it is printed out and taped to my dresser mirror, it was the Bible verse and topic of my daily devotional today.

Just when I think I need to do things "my" way, God reminds me to slow down and do things "His" way. To wait for him. To listen to him. To seek his guidance. To remember what HIS plans are. To remember that HE has a plan, and HIS plan is to prosper me and my family, to give us hope and a future.

Isn't it funny how God works sometimes? Just when you think you have it all figured it out, He throws in a wrench. Or he provides when you feel you are at the end of your rope and have no where else to go. I've often heard that if you want to hear God laugh, just tell him YOUR plans. Because most of the time, our plans aren't necessarily GOD'S plans. God is so good, all the time. We just have to remember to be still and listen. To be patient and wait for his timing. This is not easy for me as I am a "want it now" type person, but just when I try to get ahead of myself, God slows me down. God reminds me that HE is in control, not me. And isn't that just a wonderful thing? He provides, He loves, He gives. And He has a plan. It might not be MY plan, but that is not what is important. HIS plan is.

~He says, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10~

Tickle Me Tuesdays.....July 4th Edition.

Welcome to Tickle Me Tuesdays, brought to us by Yes Teacher, where we discuss what is tickling our fancies this week.

For me it was 4th of July-inspired food. I love the red, white, and blue. I was obsessed with creating the "perfect" 4th of July party food for our family get together. In the end, I went with easy and we did strawberry, blueberry and whipped cream parfaits. And they were delish! But here's (some) of my inspiration:

Red, White, and Blue and very yummy-looking cake:

source

Another red, white, and blue cake with berries. I LOVE fresh berries.
source
Or finally, what I went with. Hey, it was easy! And it was yummy!

source

So what about ya'll? What is tickling your fancy this week? Please share with me and then go back and link up with Yes Teacher!

And I hope that each of you had a safe, fun-filled, wonderful Fourth of July. Happy 235th America!

Happiness Is. . . .

finding out that, this week at VBS, your daughter accepted Jesus Christ into her heart to wash away her sins.

Yep. That about sums it up. I am one very proud Momma right now.

Is There Anything Worse....

.....than a summer cold?

I don't think so. And I have one. A yucky, ears hurting, throat hurting, head feels like it might explode, summer cold.

Boo. Hiss.

So, because of this, today's agenda is pretty boring. I'm working a bit this morning (because my docs don't care if I'm sick), then I'm gonna curl up in my bed, take some medicine, and get better now. Darnit. Here's to hoping that A will be down with this. I'd let her have a friend over, but I don't think that other mothers want me exposing their children to whatever yuckiness it is that has invaded my body. So, I hope she's down with a day on the couch and some movies.

I seriously DO NOT have time to be sick. Do you hear me body? I don't have time for this. I've got fun things to do. An 8-year-old daughter to hang out with. Pools to swim in. It is summer for goodness sakes. I am NOT supposed to be sick. Not. Not. Not. Maybe if I keep repeating it, my body will actually LISTEN to me. No time body. No time. No time to be sick.

But yet, here I am. Sick. My ears hurt. My throat hurts. And my head is KILLING me. Seriously. I feel like it might explode into a million pieces at any moment. And part of me wishes that would happen. Why? Well because then it wouldn't hurt like the devil anymore. Not sure where I picked up this particular ray of sunshine that has invaded my body, but I sure as heck wish I'd missed it, that is for sure.

Being sick sucks. Being sick in the summer sucks worse. Here's to hoping that this yuckiness is VERY short lived. VERY.

I'm Here to "Pump You Up"

source

Remember these guys? Hans and Franz? From Saturday Night Live? For some reason, I have them stuck in my head. Well, the reason is because I've started a new workout called Body Pump, and now all I can hear is Hans and Franz telling me they want to "pump me up". Not that I'm doing much "pumping up" right now. Right now? I'm just managing to not d-i-e while doing it. I'm managing to not fall out while doing one million squats.

Exercise? Yeah. It ain't fun. And it ain't pretty. Or it least it isn't when I do it. Which is why I prefer the comfort of my own home as opposed to embarrasing the mess out of myself at a gym. Maybe one day I'll work out in a gym. You know, one day when I'm not 30 pounds overweight.

So, here I go. Ready to get "pumped up". Which now brings up a stupid high-school football cheer in my head. Well, maybe between Hans and Franz and my inner cheerleader, I'll actually be able to do this.

Time to tell those 30 extra pounds where to go. And it ain't my hips.

Family Time

This weekend, my little family and I had some much needed family time. Much needed. It was nice to get away from it all and just be us.

It was so nice to not have a schedule. To not have to be anywhere at anytime. We did whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. We had pizza for breakfast. We had steaks for lunch. We just were. Together.

I saw my husband relax. I saw my daughter smile. I heard all of us laugh hysterically.

I can't even begin to tell you how happy it made me for us to just be together. We left everything behind and just hung out. Just us. We thought about letting A take a friend, but in the end decided that this time it would just be us. We're going back to the lake this weekend and she can take a friend, but this time, this time? It was just us. And it was just perfect.

What about ya'll? How do you unplug and reconnect?

I'm Better Now

So, yesterday I ranted a little (ok a lot) about things around here. I was hormonal and needed a pat on the back. Two certain someones (finally) got the message. Sometimes huffing and puffing and being a pain in the butt will get you what you want. Sometimes. I don' recommend it often, and I don't usually do it, I'm usually much more straightforward, but yesterday? Yesterday I wanted (ok, needed) them to acknowledge it ON.THEIR.OWN. So I was quiet. Well, kinda. And guess what? The dish? It got washed, and not by me. The clothes? They got put in the hamper, and not by me. The toys? They got picked up, and not by me. The breathing? Well, they are both still breathing the morning. I went to bed. I NEEDED a good night's rest. And this morning? I feel MUCH MUCH better.

So ya'll got to see me at my worst. Or me being honest. Either one. Sometimes (and just sometimes) being a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom SUCKS. Plain and simple. And sometimes, I just need a pat on the back. Ok, maybe all the time would be nice, but I'm not expecting miracles here people.

But today is a new day. And so far, no ones breathing is annoying me. No dishes are unwashed and no toys are on the floor. Of course, W is at work and A is asleep, so there is still plenty of room for this day to go downhill, but I'm better today. Sometimes, a little sleep is a good thing. Most days I can go, go, go. But after taking the kids to Alabama Advenenture with my sis on Monday, I was worn out yesterday. And I had to work. And the house was a disaster. And I felt like I had NO help at all. None. Zero. Nada. So, I had to rant. I had to pitch a hissy fit. Because sometimes Momma needs a break!

Thanks for listening. And not judging.

Is It So Hard?

-to wash the dish you just put in the sink?
-to pick your toys up off the floor?
-to actually put your dirty clothes IN the hamper, as opposed to on the floor?
-to acknowledge that I spent ALL.FREAKING.DAY. cleaning the house and that it looks good?
-to understand that the sound of you breathing right now annoys the crap out of me?

Sorry. I must be hormonal or something today. Just need a little pat on the back every once in a while. Capice?

Father's Day

This man is an amazing father. He is an amazing friend. He is an amazing husband. I am so blessed to have him to share my life with. I am a lucky girl. Scratch that. I am a BLESSED girl.

Happy Father's Day W. I love you to the moon and back.

VBS!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; You're works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalms 139:14

This week is Pandamania VBS at my church. Pandamania. Where God is wild about YOU. We are learning about how God made each of us unique. How he knows everything about us, down to the number of hairs on our heads. Even the little boy in my group who said "what about me? I don't have much hair!". See, he's got an adorable little crew cut going on. But yes, even you L, God knows exactly how many hairs you have on your head. And he knows everything about you! Isn't that great? Isn't that AWESOME? The premise behind Pandamania is Psalms 139.

I have an amazing group of soon-to-be first graders and an even more amazing youth helper. Thank God for her. I'm not sure I could wrangle all those kiddies without her! It is amazing to see God work through us (the crew leaders, drama teachers, craft workers, and snack leaders) to be a shining light to so many amazing children. I preay that they are learning something new about God, something that they can take with them.

I love Vacation Bible School. LOVE IT. Loved it when I was a child, love it as an adult. It has been (and still is) one fo the highlights of summer for me. And I love hearing all about A's day on the drive home. We do the same things, just not together, so I can ask her all the right "open-ended" questions. It is amazing though to see what she takes away from it. I love a child's perspective. I also love hearing the perspectives of my group. They are some precious babies!

So, tomorrow is another day at VBS with Pandamania! Another day of hearing how God knows each of us. Another AWESOME day of praise with some of the greatest kids on the planet!

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; your perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalms 139:1-2

**photo courtesy of Group.

It's Treat Time!

And this one is oh, so easy! I don't bake. I don't even really like to cook that much. So usually, when a well-meaning friend passes along a recipe, I just ignore them. I'm not one to try something new, plus there's that whole "not liking to bake" thing. But this one? So easy even I can do it. And yummy too!

You know something is going to be easy when it involves 3 (yes THREE) simple ingredients:

And when the directions start off with "pour peaches in pyrex dish":

(I did cut them up into bite-sized pieces though)

And the next step is "top with cake mix and melted butter". Yep. Easy.

And viola! This comes out of your oven! And your house? It smells yummy!

So here's the full recipe:

Peach Cobbler:
2 cans of canned peaches in heavy syrup
1 yellow cake mix
1 1/2 sticks melted butter (butter, not margarine)
Pour peaches in pyrex dish. Top with cake mix and melted butter. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes until gold and bubble.

Easy peasy Japaneasy!

So, since I now bake (ha ha ha), share your EASY recipes with me!