Music Monday - Old School

Y'all know I love music, but I heard a lyric yesterday that I said, "Yes! Exactly!"  I can't remember the exact words, but it was something like, "A melody is like hearing a memory."  It's so true for me.  I can hear a song and it's like I'm right back in the moment where the event or time is happening.

Today's Music Monday is like that for me. One of my earliest musical memories is of this work.  My dad would put it on during Thanksgiving at our house, and it would play all through the Christmas season.  My parents always asked people who didn't have anywhere else to be on Thanksgiving to our home to share the meal with our family.  So although our company changed through the years, this piece of music was always with us.

Handel's Messiah.  Most people know the Hallelujah Chorus, but the entire work is amazing.  The orchestration gives me chills.  It is a work describing Jesus as our Messiah.  For us as Christians, it is a triumphant work, reminding us that He is, He was and He is to come.  I have so many "favorites" in the work. The Amens at the end of the work are what I envision it to be like when Satan is defeated and Jesus is done with him.  Amen, Amen, Amen.  At the end of the Messiah, Handel wrote S.D.G. for Soli Deo Gloria "To God Alone the Glory".  It means much more to know that the writer of this work believed what he was writing.

If you haven't gone past the Hallelujah Chorus in The Messiah, please do.  You will love it, and may find a new "favorite"!

Music Monday - All is Well

This weekend has been hard for everyone I think.  I haven't been able to get online, watch the  news or listen to the radio without getting choked up or even crying.  The tragedy in Newtown, Conneticut, is one we will never forget.  I happened to be at home on Friday watching the news as it unfolded and I went through so many emotions, but fear and anger seemed to be at the forefront.  As a former first grade teacher, and the mother of a kindergartener, I absolutely could not wrap my mind around what was happening.  And although I went and spent the night with my best friend from high school, and we went and saw the Broadway show Mary Poppins (which was so much fun), my heart was heavy all weekend.  

Yesterday was Sunday, and I woke up not wanting to go to church.  Not a good thing to confess, I know, but I really just wanted to be home.  I felt God reminding me that we need to be together and I needed to be in His house, so I went.  (and the fact that we just don't stay home from church just because)  Our church choir performed their Christmas cantata.  It was absolutely what I needed.  Music can soothe and touch my soul like nothing else.  The songs told the Christmas story of course, but they did more than that.  They worshipped and exalted the name of Jesus.  They reminded us of what and who is our peace in this crazy, messed up world.  And they reminded us that we know the end of the story!  Jesus wins!  Isn't that awesome?  I hardly had any mascara left at the end of the service, but the one song that I think everyone felt was perfect for the day was the last one.  All is Well.  It's so true.  All is really Well.  Maybe not on the surface, and it doesn't mean that horrific tragedy, sickness, famine, and all sorts of sin aren't surrounding us daily, but All is Well if we know the One who is and was and is to come.  He is our peace.  Truly.  My favorite line in the song says, "For tonight darkness fell into the dawn of love's light."  Darkness can't stand amid the light of Jesus.  I'm holding on to Him as my light and my peace right now, because there sure isn't any in this world of our's.  Hold onto Him too, my friends.  He is everything we need.  

A little kindness

I am in the middle of the Advent Study from Good Morning Girls and one of the things that we have been encouraging each other in is doing random acts of kindness.  I also read Courtney's blog and follow her on twitter and she has this event called Light Em Up.  It is a way for our families to light up our world(s) during the Christmas season.  It has some very fun ideas, and though our family is not going all out with it, we are doing some of the activities and talking through some of the idea behind it. My kids love to pay for the people behind us in drive thrus.  I think it feels sneaky and it is cool for them to think about.  So that is one thing we have done.  

Today however, I was on the receving end of a bit of kindness.  It was a small thing.  The person giving this kindness probably thought nothing of it, but it made my day.  I had my carpets professionally cleaned today (Hallelujah!) and one of the men who was cleaning them came over to me as they were finishing and said, "I just want to tell you how I love all the scripture throughout your house.  I really appreciate the respect you have for it."  Well, I almost started crying.  You know, as a mom, sometimes it seems like I am floating upstream without a paddle.  And that man just reinforced that what I'm trying to do matters.  Those words of Jesus will sink in, and my children will appreciate it and love it.  I still remember the scripture verse that was on the wall of my childhood bathroom for years and years because I saw it so much.  So anyway, I just wanted to share that a quick word of encouragement could be just what someone needed.  Say it.  Do it.  Don't be afraid.  

Music Monday - Momma Style

Today's Music Monday is coming to you Momma Style.  My sweet, precious, way too big eight year old had his first solo in church yesterday in the children's Christmas program.  My sweet friend Jennifer suggested yesterday after I posted his picture on Instagram that his solo should be my Music Monday selection, and she was right!  I mean, who else could be better for me to feature?  

With my musical background I have always loved for my children to sing with and without me.  I would never have dreamed that my son would be brave enough to do a solo though.  This is the boy that only a couple of years ago wouldn't even walk down the aisle to carry shoeboxes at Christmas time.  He hated to be at the center of everyone's attention.  I was absolutely shocked, blown away, gobsmacked, etc (you get the picture) when his grandma, AKA Golly, told me he wanted to do a solo.  We practiced and practiced.  He was so nervous, but not nearly as nervous as his daddy.  

And even though I am his momma, and certainly biased, I think his first solo was definitely a success.  

This song is very fun too, "Jesus is here.  The light has come."  What a celebratory message!  You will be tapping your toes and humming it all day if you listen to it!  So thank you for indulging me for a Monday.  And thanks to Jennifer for the great idea.  

Music Monday - Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Today I began a new Bible Study from Good Morning Girls.  An Advent study designed to help us keep our eyes on Jesus during this busy holiday season.  I am so excited about it. 

Advent by definition means "a coming into place, view or being; arrival".  I love the Advent season.  The anticipation, the excitement and the remembrance of our Savior, Jesus Christ coming as a little baby is amazing.  When I was on staff at a church as a music minister, one of my very favorite traditions of the church happened during Advent.  Each Sunday, the choir would process in from the back of the church through the pews singing, "O Come All Ye Faithful".  It was majestic and reminded us to come along, and join in the worship of not just the baby born at Christmas, but the Savior and Lord of all creation, Jesus Christ.  I love this hymn.  I think we should sing it year round.  I can hardly sing it without getting all choked up.  So if you see me not singing when we sing it in church, you will know why.  

This version with Josh Groban and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is wonderful.  This hymn is still great sung by a soloist, but truly majestic when sung by a choir.  This version is on my ipod, and I know will be played over and over this Christmas season.  

New Study

I briefly told you about starting the new study from Good Morning Girls.  I have been going for 3 days now and am loving it. It is so amazing to really dig in and study one book of the Bible.  The last study I did was Beth Moore's study on the book of James, and I felt the same way about it.

We are in the book of Colossians.  My group was started by my very dear friend Jill, and is comprised of women in several different states.  I think overall there are 11,000 women worldwide doing this study at this time.  That is awesome.  We are only through the first few verses, but already I am learning.  The message of the book of Colossians is hope.  Faith and love come from hope.  We as believers have hope that the world doesn't have.  This should produce faith and love in abundance.  Today the Good Morning Girls posted this picture.

And so far, that is what we have learned.  The early church swept through the world because the first believers showed such faith and love the hope was evident.  Convicting and exciting all at the same time.  I'm linking up and loving this study!

www.goodmorninggirls.org

New Sister

My new sister!

This past weekend our family was blessed to gain a new member.  My brother-in-law got married.  He followed much of his brother's (my husband) path by dating his new wife for 7 years before getting married.  It was a long anticipated event, and it didn't disappoint.  

Hal and Jessica chose to get married at Lake Burton at the Lake Burton Club.  The Higgins have had a cabin on Lake Burton for years, and it is a special place to all of them.  The Lake Burton Club sits high on the hills above Lake Burton with views stretching for miles.  It is breathtaking.  I had never been there, but it was amazing.  Friday night was the rehearsal dinner and it was fun.  Lots of stories from both sides of the family, good food, and much laughter.  

We stayed at the lake house for the weekend so we didn't have to drive back and forth.  Saturday we were able to sleep in (as much as possible for a family with 4 kids between them) and relax on the dock.  The 4 nieces and nephews were in the wedding, so it was so much fun to get them all fancy and ready for the big event.  The boys were so cute in their tuxes.  They loved the shiny patent leather shoes.  And the girls looked like princesses.  The four of them are so close and love each other so much.  Times like these just bring it out even more. 

Relaxing after the ceremony. Thankful for the pool table and movie theater downstairs!

D. was in the wedding too, so I met him at the Club with the kids.  I found a fun orange dress (my favorite color) and some really high heels, which I never, ever, ever wear.  It was a fun change, but since several of my toes are still numb 3 days after the event, I probably won't wear them often.  

The ceremony took place at 6pm on the porch of the Lake Burton Club. It overlooked the lake and the surrounding hills.  It was absolutely beautiful.  The ceremony was a great reminder of the covenant made between us and God when we stand before Him to be married.  With all the talk in this political season of what marriage is and is not, it was a sweet remembrance that it truly is a covenant not to be taken lightly.  God was in the ceremony.  It was so special, and I know that Jessica and Hal felt the same way.  

After the ceremony, the dinner and dancing were fantastic.  We got to sit with Jessica and Hal for the dinner, which was a neat time together hearing their feelings and relief.  The reception was so much fun.  Everyone danced (with a few exceptions including my D.) and laughed a lot.  The newlyweds left under a shower of sparklers and drove away in a vintage Model T car, much like the Ramblin Wreck of Georgia Tech.  Perfect for the pair of Jackets just married.  

check out those heels!  ;)

I have been so blessed in my life with such special sisters, biological and by marriage.  Jessica is a sweet addition to my life, and I'm so thankful for God for the wonderful weekend and the new family addition.  

Music Monday

Today I started a new Bible study on the book of Colossians.  I am doing it online with the Good Morning Girls.  I am so excited about it.  There isn't a local study right now that fit into my schedule, so I am so thankful for the internet and the ability to still study God's Word even though I can't physically go to a study.  

Today my song for Music Monday is Ever Lifting by Christy Nockels.  I have loved Christy's voice and music since her days in Watermark, and am loving the music she is doing by herself now.  This song has become a fun favorite for me, but the words are so good too.  I chose it today because the study I am starting is just one way the Lord lifts me up.  He is so, so good and so faithful to keep us lifted if we let Him.  

I will be back tomorrow (ish) to share pictures of the wedding we were in this weekend.  So special and so much fun!

Salty enough?

This past Sunday we had a guest speaker at church.  He is a resort ministry missionary.  He is in Big Sky, Montana, and he skis, snowboards and ministers to people on vacation and working/living at the resorts.  Sounds fun, huh?  

One of the main points I got from his sermon was to remind us that we are to be salt in the world.  I never really ate much salt until I moved to Georgia.  It seems here that salt is used with everything!  So, I have learned a little about not having enough salt or having too much salt in my cooking.  One thing that I really thought about after church is that if there isn't enough salt in something it can be bland - and it doesn't change the taste of the dish.  Jesus telling us to be salt is like telling us to change the flavor of the world.  If we taste more like the world than we taste like the salt of Jesus, we can't flavor the world. It is a thought that convicts and challenges me.  Am I being salty enough?  Hmm.  That may be my new motto.  What do you think?

Music Monday

Music Monday is back from it's long summer's break.  I first heard of Andrew Peterson when his song Dancing in the Minefields came out.  It is a sweet song about being married and loving each other through the years.  So I was extra interested when I heard this song.  It is called Rest Easy and it speaks to me so strongly.  The lyrics say, 

You don't have to work so hard,

You can rest easy.

You don't have to prove yourself, 

You're already mine.  

The verses are powerful too.  I hope it speaks to you the way it does to me.  Reminding us that we can't do any more or any less to make God love us and accept us.  We're already His!  Doesn't that just make you want to cry with thanksgiving?

Andrew had a contest for a video for this song and this was the winning video.  You may need a kleenex nearby.  I did.

Comparison

I'm back from a long hiatus.  Lots going on here.  Spring Fling, Pre-K graduation, End of School, Camps, and now my husband is running for our local Board of Education.  The first thing to get neglected is my blog.  Hoping to become a more regular blogger in the fall when both kids will be in school.  Can't think of that now - I'll start crying.  ;)

But, lately I have been reading and thinking a lot about comparison and friendship, and I wish I could remember where I read this last week, so if you know, please comment.  Someone said something to this effect.  When we compare ourselves to others we are comparing our insides to their outsides.  Basically, the thoughts and inner musings of what we would like to change about ourselves to the best parts of others that they let people see.  So it's a really losing situation.  It has made me think a lot about that.  One of the other things I have been trying to remind myself is the quote "Comparison is the thief of joy."  Boy is that true.  You can make yourself crazy reading blogs and looking on pinterest.  While I love to do both of those things, I am constantly reminding myself to be thankful.  Thankfulness can quench comparison and self doubt/self defeating attitudes.  Being thankful in everything.

Print by girlheartscamera

Today I was reading a favorite blog, gypsy mama, by Lisa Jo, and she has a beautiful printable called  The Tired Mother's Creed.  It is wonderful.  Go check it out and print it out like I did.  She is such an encourager, and this was just what I needed.

Let's remember to encourage each other, be thankful in everything, and compare ourselves only to Jesus, who is perfecting us in Him every day.

Color Run Atlanta!

Weeks ago I was visiting Stacy Julian's blog and she was saying how fun she thought this race called the Color Run would be to do.  I have been running - ish for a while now so I thought I would check it out.  I found out that the Color Run was coming to Atlanta and I got an idea.  I sent an email to my running girlfriends and asked if they would like to do the run and make a girls' weekend out of it.  They all thought that was a great idea, and a plan was formed.  

This past Friday 3 of my sweet friends, Kimberly, Mary Kathryn and Heather, and I went to Atlanta.  We had a fabulous night out on Friday, eating, window shopping, and laughing together.  We got to stay at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, which was a very difficult thing for the 2 UGA graduates in our group to do.  This of course delighted me to no end. ;)

Saturday morning was warm and overcast, perfect for our race.  We walked to Piedmont Park and couldn't believe our eyes.  There was a sea of white shirts as far as we could see.  That was part of the race - you start out in a white shirt and they cover you with color throughout the race so you are a rainbow piece of art by the time you are finished.  The race organizers said it was the biggest race they had had so far.  There were approximately 10,000 people there.  The race did not disappoint.  We had so much fun getting blasted with color.  By the end of the race and celebration, there was really not a part of our bodies that wasn't covered in color.  We loved it.  

Having sweet friends to laugh and have fun with is definitely one of God's best blessings in life.  

Music Monday

This week's Music Monday song is one of my very favorite hymns.  I love hearing it at any time, but it is especially poignant and meaningful this Easter week.  Sometimes I think we focus so much on the Resurrection that we forget the agony and anguish Jesus went through in the crucifixion.  This version is done by the Choir of King's College in Great Britain.  I hope the words and tune remind us all this week of what our Lord went through to save us all from sin.

On the nightstand

You all know I am a huge reader.  I usually read at least one book a week.  I don't always love the books I read.  I used to feel that I had to finish a book.  Now, if I don't like it, I put it away and get another one going.  I did that just two days ago.  

I also lead a book club at my church.  Last month we had the privilege to read Tamera Alexander's book, A Lasting Impression.  Believe me when I tell you I couldn't put it down. I love historical fiction, and this book is set at the end of the Civil War when Reconstruction was happening.  It takes place at the Belmont Mansion in Nashville, Tennessee.  The Belmont Mansion is a real place that is still standing today.  I won't tell you too much about the book, but please run out and get it and read it.  

The extra special part of our book club this past month though, was getting to video chat with Tamera Alexander!  We all talked after the chat about how we think that an author might be hoity toity and super intellectual, but how Tamera was so sweet and easy to talk to.  It was like talking to our neighbor.  She is, of course, super smart, but she was extremely gracious and told us all about her research, extra info about the Belmont Mansion and one of the main characters in the book, who lived at the Mansion.  If you ever need or want to read really good historical fiction, please check out Mrs. Alexander's books.  You won't be disappointed.  I am eagerly awaiting her new book coming out in November.

I also love to read to my children.  My parents read to me a great deal while I was growing up.  It was such a fun, special time for us.  So naturally I love to read with my kids.  Right now I am reading The Mysterious Benedict Society with Aubrey each night. It is a long book - about 475 pages, but full of mystery so we are enjoying it together.  Neither of us want to stop reading when we need to!  

If you ever need book recommendations, please let me know.  I love to talk books!

Music Monday

Today's song is one my kids like.  Being someone who loves words and wordplay, I have thought this song was very clever ever since I first heard it quite a while ago.  It's fun.

Music Monday

Yesterday our church celebrated our 125th anniversary.  We invited back all of our former pastors who are still living and any relatives of former pastors who have passed away.  We had pastors and relatives from all over come back to celebrate with us.  Several of the relatives were related to pastors who had pastored in the late 1800's or early 1900's.  

It was such a special service.  Our church's theme this year is Walk by Faith and all the former pastors spoke of walking by faith during their time at our church.  The stories of God's provision and direction were amazing.  We laughed and we cried.  I was so encouraged by these men of God who were still listening to Him and following Him late into their lives.  They were so sweet and encouraging to us.  

I started thinking about Music Monday and what I wanted the song to be.  After yesterday this song, which has always been one of my very favorites immediately came to mind.  I think the lyrics echo our service yesterday perfectly.  

Music Monday

Last night we watched some of the Grammy's.  It is always a spectacle and last night was no different.  Of course, much of the show was a tribute to Whitney Houston and her too early passing.  I wanted to post a Valentine's Day love song here and since it is appropriate I thought I would post Whitney's Greatest Love of All. I was in about 5th or 6th grade I think when this came out and thought it was the best song ever.  My prayer is that Whitney knew the truly Greatest Love of All, Jesus.  

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!  I hope it is filled with much love.  

Book Review Tuesday

Tonight I am leading the women's book club at my church.  I have been leading it for over 5 years now.  It is one of my loves.  Actually reading anything period is one of my loves.  I have always loved to read.  It started young when my family didn't have a television.  Not because we couldn't afford it, but because my parents believed it wasn't good for us as children or for us as a family.  Can you even imagine your home without a television?  I never knew what I was missing.  We read through series of books together as we read every night before bed and any time we couldn't wait to find out what happened next in the book.  We played lots of board games together as a family.  And we went on bike rides through our neighborhood in the summer with my sister and I on the back of my parents' bikes.  It was good.  I learned to love to read and it has stayed with me.  We finally did get a tv when my grandfather came to stay with my sister and I when my parents had to go away on a trip.  He wouldn't stay without one!

I thought it might be fun to review the books we read for book club so if any of you out there want to read some good (mostly) Christian fiction you can have some recommended to you.  Tonight we are discussing Not A Sparrow Falls by Linda Nichols.  It isn't a new book, but it is fabulous.  It is about a young woman who is saved as a child, but her family falls apart and she ends up in a very bad situation.  She manages to get out of it, start anew under an assumed name and meets a prominent minister's family who is struggling to hold it together after the loss of a family member and the demands of a high profile ministry.  Their lives connect and intertwine.  Ultimately it is a story of redemption and how nothing is too awful for God to redeem.  My favorite quote of the book is "You cannot out sin the cross."

Next month we are reading A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander.  I cannot wait to start it!  Let me know if you ever want to join us in person.  We'd love to have you!

Music Monday and an Important Reminder

I was just over at Gypsy Mama, one of my new favorite blogs, and she has a post today about being who we are and appreciating what we are good at instead of what we are not.  This is one thing that has been on my heart concerning my blog.  It is hard to blog about yourself and your life. (at least for me it is)  I never ever want anyone to read my blog and feel less about themselves or their lives.  I have friends who don't read blogs because it makes them feel bad about their life.  I hate that, and it's one reason I quit blogging for a while.  I

I have always been one to get excited about things (even very small things)  At Christmas or birthdays growing up, as soon as I got a new purse or new shoes I would put them on and show everyone.  Not because I was bragging or thought I was so cool, but because I was genuinely excited.  I'm still that way, but now I worry when I get like that.  I never want people to think I think I am better than anyone else.  I hope that comes through in my voice and I know that people who truly know me understand that.  But, if you ever read my blog and hear any haughtiness or pride, please let me know.  I never, ever, ever want that to be what this blog is about.  

This song for Music Monday sums it up.  All I ever have to be is who He Made me.  He knows our hearts. I'm so thankful He does.  

Valentine Decor

I got a frame at a local thrift store months ago and have been trying to decide what to do with it. When I started thinking about Valentine's Day decorations I decided I didn't know what or how, but I was going to use it. I began by spray painting it ashiny red. Very Valentiney (You didn't know that was a word? Well, it is now.) I was going to put a big heart in the middle or a set of X and O that I am going to glitter, but when I found x's and o's at the Target dollar spot my wheels got going. I was thinking of how I could string them to hang when I thought of my frame. So I strung pink and white baker's twine and then glued the x's and o's and hearts on the baker's twine. I am very happy with the way it turned out. It kind of reminds me of stained glass. So easy, and incredibly cheap - two of my favorite characteristics of a great craft.

Linking up with SixSistersStuff Strut your Stuff Saturday!

Music Monday

This week's Music Monday is a song that is one of my favorites right now. It is by Kari Jobe, and again, there isn't anything I've heard by her that I don't love. This song is so challenging and reminds us of what we are - the light. If we don't shine, no one will know who we belong to. I live up on a hill and as I was listening to this song I thought about how we can look up at the lights on a hill and see them shining in the dark. It's beautiful. Are we shining?

Music Monday (and success!)

Ok, before I get to Music Monday, I have to tell you that not only did we catch one mouse last night, we caught 2 mice!!! Excuse the exclamation points, but you have no idea how excited I am! Especially since Sunday morning I found all the peanut butter eaten off the snap traps again. I felt defeated. But a little cheese and we are in business. Thank you for indulging me on my mouse rants this week.

Onto Music Monday.

You all have probably heard of Jamie Grace. She's everywhere on Christian radio right now. She is a fun girl who loves Jesus and is cool while doing everything! I love everything by her. Her song "God Girl" is my ring tone right now and it says how I feel.

I'm a God girl, that's who I be

From the top of my head to the soles of my feet

No I can't deny it, wouldn't even try

I'm your girl in a crazy world.

That's what you hear when my cell phone rings and I hope it's what you see when you look at my life.

Now what?

In my Monday post I told you all about my mouse situation. Well here is the rest of the story.

On Monday I got the heavy duty mouse traps, baited them with peanut butter (since the mouse apparently loves peanuts) and went to sleep. Tuesday morning - more mouse poop, no peanut butter and no mouse. I was not happy. Tuesday evening D. and I had to go to church for a meeting. I was gone for an hour. Came home - more mouse poop and no peanut butter, no mouse. I declared war. All I had was glue traps though. So, we put a couple of sunflower seeds smack in the middle of them and left them there.

Tuesday night we went to bed around 9:45. At 10:30 I got a text alert from my phone (which was in the kitchen) and that is unusual so I got up to check it. I also checked the traps. There was a mouse in one of the traps!!! I almost shrieked with excitement. It was still moving so I left it there. I figured it would wear itself out and it would be there in the morning. I did try to tell D., but he was sleeping and didn't want to wake up. So, I get up the next morning and NO MOUSE and NO TRAPS!!! Yes, you read that right. Part of the problem is that the back of the cabinet has come away from the bottom in the back leaving a 2-3 inch opening to the floor under the cabinets. Well, I could hear the mouse under there, but I was livid! How dare that stinkin mouse? D. got his gloves on and a coat hanger and fished out one of the traps. It was chewed to shreds on the ends. Un. Be. Lievable. I was so freaked out that the mouse would die under there stuck to the other trap. So D. came back home soon after he had left with real snap traps and poison to put under the house. He also fished around some more hoping to get the mouse. But, all he got was another glue trap chewed to shreds on the ends.

The crazy part of the story is that we have had the snap traps set ever since then and no mouse! And all of my mixing bowls, placemats, mixer, etc. is still on my counter. So what should I do? Put it back and risk having to wash it all again? I dread that thought. But how long is long enough? Ugh. I just don't know.

If you have any suggestions I am certainly open to hear them! And if you made it this far, bless you.

Happy Day!

Today's post isn't about me or my kids. It's about another member of our family. Today, January 12th, is my nephew Jay's 5th birthday! You know the Southern saying, "I could eat him up!"? That's how I feel about Jay. He belongs to my sister Leah and her husband Chris. Jay and Mallory are 6 months apart, so it has been fun to have him and Les grow along with my kiddos. Even though he and Mallory are close in age, he adores Aubrey. Now that their family lives close, we try to take full advantage and see them as much as possible. All of the kids love it!

Jay is one of the funniest kids I have ever known. He says the funniest things and does the funniest things. He tells his mom, "Mom, you're the best mom, but I love Aunt Sarah the best." I mean, who wouldn't love a kid like that? Jay also loves his brother and cousins to pieces. Someone recently hurt his brother Les and as Jay was going to bed that night he told Leah, "The next time I see that boy I am going to punch him in the stomach!" Of course Leah told him that was not ok, and although she loved how he loves Les he can't punch people. I just thought that was so sweet. Then this week before we were going to meet for Jay's birthday dinner at ChickfilA (our favorite meeting spot) Jay wrapped a few Lincoln Logs up for Aubrey in tin foil and tape "because I love my cousin so much, Mom". What a sweetie!

He is such an active boy. He goes 100% in everything he does. Smart as a whip, always asking questions and wondering about things. Wheels always turning. Honest to a fault (he never lies when in trouble, often getting him in more trouble!) Rough and tumble just as a boy should be.

All this to say, our lives are so blessed to have Jay or "Birdie" as he is called much of the time (Jay"bird") in them, so I wanted him to know how much his Aunt Sarah, Uncle D., Aubrey and Mallory love him. Happiest birthday to you, Jay! You are so special and wonderful to all of us! We love you and pray God's richest blessings on you as you grow!

M stands for...

It has been my semi-traditional tradition to have Music Mondays. However, this Monday,

M stands for "MOUSE". I'm not talking about the cute black ears from the magical place down south. No, I am talking about the destructive little bundles of fur that get into your house and make you crazy. Well maybe they don't make you crazy, but they are making me cr

azy. (see picture to the right) About a month ago we realized we had a mouse under our stove. (our
stove vent goes under our floor to the outside b/c our stove is in the middle of my counter) I cleaned everything out, and by everything I mean everything - all my mixing bowls, my Kitchen Aid stand mixer, all my kids' placemats, my toaster (last time I threw it out) and a few other things. I cleaned like nobody's business because I was so grossed out and we put a mousetrap under there. We never saw anything under there again that would make us think the mouse was back. Until. Last. Night.

D. had gotten a huge bag of peanuts from Sam's. It was so big it wouldn't fit on my pantry shelves. So, we put it under the stove. I know you are probably thinking, "What? Under the stove?" And in hindsight it wasn't a good idea. But it was ok for awhile. D. had some peanuts last Thursday and all was well. Last night he got the peanut bag out and peanuts started falling out. D. said, "I think the mouse is back." We looked into the cabinet and peanuts, peanut dust and mouse droppings were everywhere! Aaaahhhh!!!!!!

So today I am cleaning. Again. And I got some even heavier duty mousetraps. I am praying they do the trick. And yeah, we won't be putting peanuts down there ever again. So this is the segway to my Music Monday post. This song, "One of Those Days" by Joy Williams has become a favorite of mine. We have all had them. This one makes them sound almost fun. I am definitely not crazy about the video to it, so maybe just minimize your window while you're listening! Check her out though, because she has some really fun music.

One Word

I'm back to the blog. I really want to blog on a regular basis. It's one of my goals for the year.

I'm hoping to get here at least twice a week. We'll see how that goes.

Each year for the past few years I have chosen a word for the year to focus on. I got the idea from Ali Edwards I have taken a good amount of time thinking and praying about which word to choose each year and this year was no different. I also decided last year to find a verse to go along with my word. Last year my word for 2011 was "heart" and my verse to go along with it was Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

This year for 2012 my word is "strong" and my verse is Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I am really working on being physically strong, but I also realized there are other areas in my life where I could use a little (or a lot) of strength. So that is my prayer and focus this year. I need a lot of prayers and encouragement in this area!

I am hoping to be back here later this week! I have so much on my mind I want to share.