Lend Me Your Thoughts....

A few random thoughts and some need for your input...

~ Halloween is coming, whether we like it or not. Frankly, I don't like it. First, there is the expense of the costume and the candy. And that responsibility always falls on the mom. I'm just not into it. Second, I don't like the ghouls and goblins for a lot of reasons. Ladybug is 16 months old. How did you handle Halloween with a toddler?

~ It's school picture time. Since Ladybug is going to Mom's Morning Out, which is part of the church's preschool program, pictures are next week. We've never taken LB to a professional photographer. We have a lot of shutter bugs in the family and have always had great results with an informal photo shoot with my SIL. I think the school picture packages are too expensive. What say you about school pictures or professional pictures in general?

~ I realize I've been a bit boring here on the blog lately. I apologize. I'm finding it difficult to sit, read, or type a coherent thought with a very active toddler who doesn't like to sleep in. I can't get my brain together in the evenings to write anything worth reading. I'm a morning person and would rather write in the mornings. But when LB is up before the chickens, that's a little difficult.

~ Life is also very busy right now. With LB in MMO two mornings a week, plus the rest of our "normal" activities, we are B-U-S-Y! It's all good stuff, but it doesn't leave much time for catching up with all of my bloggy friends. Follow me on Twitter. That's where I spend most of my time (which isn't much!).

Time's up. LB has been in her crib playing and now she is calling for my attention. Gotta run!!

Psalm 25 - More of Him Monday

Welcome to More of Him Monday! This is a weekly carnival in which we can share encouragement with fellow Christian bloggers. Please read here for participation guidelines.

NOTE: If you have a More of Him post, please link up in the comments. Thanks!

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1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;my God, I put my trust in you; *let me not be humiliated,nor let my enemies triumph over me.
2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
3 Show me your ways, O LORD, *and teach me your paths.
4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *for you are the God of my salvation;in you have I trusted all the day long.
5 Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, *for they are from everlasting.
6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O LORD.
7 Gracious and upright is the LORD; *therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
8 He guides the humble in doing right *and teaches his way to the lowly.
9 All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness *to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
10 For your Name's sake, O LORD, *forgive my sin, for it is great.
11 Who are they who fear the LORD? *he will teach them the way that they should choose.
12 They shall dwell in prosperity, *and their offspring shall inherit the land.
13 The LORD is a friend to those who fear him *and will show them his covenant.
14 My eyes are ever looking to the LORD, *for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Psalm 25

This was the Psalm reading yesterday in church. I love being reminded of God's faithfulness. Maybe because I am the opposite. I'm so fickle. He is so faithful!

There are so many attributes to God. He is all-knowing. He is timeless and outside of what we know as "time." His grace and mercy. His unfailing love. Depending on what I'm going through, I'll cling to a certain aspect of who He is.

What is your favorite characteristic about God right now? How is He using that to make you more like Him?

Thanks for sharing!!

All About Meme!

This week, Lori @ Front Porch Legacy (www.frontporchlegacy.com) tagged for a Seven Random Things Meme. I've done the random things meme twice before - here and here. But, hey! There are more than just a few random things that you'd like to know, right?


1. I love being adventurous in the kitchen. When I was working full-time, I didn't have the time or energy to do anything out of the ordinary. Just this week I have: made my own fajita seasoning; made my own taco seasoning; made cinnamon raisin bread in my bread machine (from scratch); made apricot snack bars; and made homemade graham crackers.

2. I love the Backyardigans on Nick Jr. Ladybug hasn't been too interested in it - until today! She totally loved it, which gives me an excuse to watch it!

3. I was the quintessential band geek in high school - I was drum major for two years! I still consider myself a band geek even though I haven't picked up my saxophone for a few years.

4. I prefer to have the toilet paper coming over the top of the roll. However, due to a certain inquisitive toddler, we have to switch it to down the back. It is taking a while to get used to that!

5. I would like to try canning sometime. My mom canned all kinds of good things when we were growing up. I hated the smell of tomatoes cooking, so I would always leave the house when she did tomatoes. But now, I'd love to have my own stockpile.

6. And I've always wondered why it's called "canning" when you are putting the food in jars. But I guess "jarring" would sound kind of weird, huh?

7. I have developed an addiction er, an affinity for dark chocolate M&Ms and peanut butter M&Ms. I love it when the big bags go on sale at CVS!


Okay, that's seven more random things about me. Hope you weren't bored to tears with all that! I'm not going to tag anyone specific (this post has taken long enough already!), but if you decide to play along, please let me know!!

Thankful Thursday - Grace

Monday I shared about scandalous grace, and I can't get the theme of grace out of head. I think that's a good thing, though. Since I wouldn't be a worthwhile human being if it weren't for God's amazing grace.

15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5: 15-21, emphasis mine)

I am thankful that God's grace is FREE!

I am thankful that God's grace is a GIFT!

I am thankful that God's grace is FOR EVERYONE, no matter where you've been or what you've done!

I am thankful that God's grace RULES MY LIFE, instead of my life being ruled by sin!

Lord, thank You for Your grace. Your grace goes before us. Your grace meets us right where we are. And Your grace paves the way for our future with You.

For more thankful hearts, please visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Wordless Wednesday - Three Little Duckies in a Row

Is it Modern Art? Or are they trying to escape?

And here is the culprit, I mean artist!

Click here or here for more Wordless Wednesdays.

My Debut As...

... a contributor for the Blissfully Wed channel at the new and improved Blissfully Domestic is today!

Check out my first article. Did you have a difficult time with the "to obey" part of your wedding vows?

And if you're not already a member of The League of Extraordinary Wives, e-mail wedblissfully@gmail.com and ask for an invitation.

Scandalous Grace - More of Him Monday

Welcome to More of Him Monday! This is a weekly carnival in which we can share encouragement with fellow Christian bloggers. Please read here for participation guidelines.

NOTE: If you have a More of Him post, please link up in the comments. Thanks!

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Grace. What is it? Why do we need it? Grace has been on my mind recently.

Maybe because I haven't been very graceful, in a physical sense. There was an incident with a very hot pizza roll. Then there was an incident while shaving in the shower. I really don't want to share details, but let's just say, I wasn't very graceful in either situation.

Then this morning's sermon was on grace. Scandalous grace. The grace that sent Jesus Christ to this earth so that we could have it.

Grace and mercy go hand-in-hand. We need them both, and they are similar yet different. The easiest way for me to remember the difference is this: mercy is not getting what we deserve (eternal damnation) and grace is getting what we don't deserve (forgiveness and eternity with God).

Grace is a free gift. There is nothing that we can do to earn God's grace. And that's a hard thing for so many of us (myself included) to accept. Is it because we don't trust anything that is free? If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is, right?

God's grace is too good to be true! But it is true. It is real. And it is for all of us.

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. (John 3:16-18, The Message)

God sent His one and only Son so that we could have an eternity in His presence. And we don't have to earn it. It's free.

I know that accepting something that is a gift, especially a lavish one, is difficult. But accepting that gift starts us on a lifelong journey of growing in grace.

Oh, that beautiful grace! Grace that I need every single day. Grace that is freely given. Grace that sent my perfect Savior to be a perfect sacrifice for my sins. Scandalous Grace.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound!

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found.

Was blind but now I see.

Thought for the Day

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.

Trying to Catch My Breath

This month has been incredibly busy so far! Our days are fairly routine, but jam-packed with Mom's Morning Out, playdates, friends, music practice, and just normal life stuff like grocery shopping.

Ladybug is doing great at MMO, which eases my momma worries. I have church staff meeting one morning and Bible study the other morning. Then I run a few errands and make some phone calls while I wait. I've been able to sneak peaks of Ladybug playing on the playground - so precious!!

Here are a few random pictures of what's been going on lately.

Ladybug's favorite movie is The Aristocats. We watch it at least once a day. It's a good thing both Momma and Daddy like it too! Here's Ladybug chillin' with her cousin Little Mama while watching The Aristocats.

Ladybug loves books! Here she is sitting in Momma's chair with a favorite book.

We had brunch on Wednesday to celebrate the birthday of one of my very dear friends. When I asked if I could share her picture on the blog, she said she also wanted me to give her a bloggy nickname. So this is Petunia and Ladybug. Ladybug was getting a bit cranky as naptime was approaching!

And this week we received books in the mail! I won a giveaway that OhAmanda held last month. We were so excited to get our new books! They're fabulous!

I know that some of you are anxiously awaiting the next installment of Our Love Story. I'm working on it, I promise! I haven't much time to sit down this week.

Thankful Thursday & Happy Bloggiversary to Me!

Today is my ONE YEAR bloggiversary! I can't believe that I have been blogging for a whole year.

I am thankful for blogging because:

~ it has given me a way to interact with others and not feel isolated like a lot of SAHMs do.

~ I have gained some wonderful bloggy friends and stayed connected with IRL friends too!

~ blogging has become a fun hobby for me.

~ I am learning "all things in moderation," even blogging.

~ when I ask for prayer, I know so many of you pray!

~ I have a creative outlet and a place to journal Ladybug's growth and development.

Thanks to all of you for making this past year so much fun! Thanks for your comments and interactions. Thanks for your commitment to pray when I mention a concern. Thanks for coming back week after week and putting up with my rambling!

Thanks for being a blessing in my life (if you're reading this, I mean YOU too!)!

For more Thankful Thursdays, please visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Baby Signing Questions

In response to my post about the new Baby Signing Time videos, Elizabeth at Mommy, Etc. asked about what signs to teach her daughter Tulip. She uses some basics signs, but where to go from there?

I replied in an e-mail, but thought that the answer might benefit someone else too. I'm not an expert nor do I have any formal training. I'll share what I do with Ladybug.

"Since we do a lot of signing with songs and books, those are the fun "motivating" signs that Ladybug has picked up. What are some of Tulip's fave stories? Learn the animal signs that go with those. Ladybug knows BUTTERFLY, LION, TIGER, CAT, HORSE, ZEBRA, SEAL, FOX.

Plus we sign the names of food (the ones that I know!) - CHEESE, CRACKER, COOKIE, FRUIT, BANANA, PEAS, etc.

Here is the online dictionary I use when I need to learn something new http://www.mybabycantalk.com/content/dictionary/dictionaryofsigns.aspx?letter=A

A lot of it is repetition. And as Tulip speaks more words out loud, you can motivate her to continue signing by playing quiet games when only signing is allowed (i.e. no talking). We really want this to be the beginning of a second language for Ladybug, so I know we'll continue to sign more as she grows. I also use sign in leading worship at church, so I know that that will keep her interest as she grows. "

We also watch Signing Time videos on YouTube. I have learned so many new signs this way! And I belong to a few baby signing Yahoo groups.

Depending on where you live, there might be classes that you can take with your baby or toddler. Unfortunately, we don't have any instructors in my area. I would love to become an instructor, but I don't have any formal training.

Hope this information helps! Whether you want to use sign language with your baby just until he or she learns to talk, or you want to lay the foundation for learning a second language, signing with your child is a fun way to communicate!

I Didn't Know He Drank Decaf

I think I have documented my firm belief that outside creatures need to stay O-U-T-S-I-D-E my house. I was planning to have a bug squashing counter on my sidebar this summer. But my wonderful Hubby sprayed insect barrier, and I haven't had many bugs to squash for a while.

Until this morning. And unfortunately he got away.

I did not have my usual quiet morning today, as Ladybug is teething (again) and was awake early. So when I got up, she got up. I nursed her and then proceeded to set up the coffee maker for my morning cup o' joe.

As I opened the basket to put in a new filter and grounds, a large palmetto bug flew out! And landed on my shirt! I screamed. He disappeared under the cabinets.

(For the non-Southerner reader, a palmetto bug is a large - about 3 inches long - cockroach of the non-infesting variety.)

Now, I could understand said bug wanting to crawl in there and eat coffee grounds of the caffeinated variety. But I drink decaf. So why in the world would a cockroach want to eat decaf coffee grounds?

If their plan is world domination, he's gonna have to switch to caffeinated.

New Baby Signing Time Videos

Signing Times has two new Baby Signing Time videos coming out soon! Here are the previews for volumes 3 and 4.






Ladybug has been doing great with new signing. I use a lot of signs with her when we are singing or reading books. Two weeks ago she signed FOUR new signs in ONE day!!!! I was so excited!

I made a little "cheat sheet" for the teachers at Mom's Morning Out so they can know what signs she is using. So far, she has signed MOVIE and MUSIC for them. Those are two of her favorite things to do right now.

I'm also finding that asking her to sign PLEASE is reducing some of the whining, especially at meal times. Although PLEASE looks a little like she's scratching her chest right now. But I know what she means, and she gets rewarded with lots of praise when she uses PLEASE instead of whining. Oh, I hate the whining!

Not According to Plan - More of Him Monday

Welcome to More of Him Monday! This is a weekly carnival in which we can share encouragement with fellow Christian bloggers. Please read here for participation guidelines.

NOTE: If you have a More of Him post, please link up in the comments. Thanks!

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I'm a planner. I love planning ahead.

As I plan the activities of my day or week, I visualize what I'll be doing and how it may play out in my head. I plan conversations too.

Sometimes this is a good thing. Sometimes it is not.

It's not a good thing when the plans I have do not mesh up with God's plans for me. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Jeremiah 29:11 -

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

I have clung to this verse through a lot of storms in my life. When I left full time ministry to pursue a relationship with some guy I met on the internet (now I call him "Hubby"). When we lost our first daughter at 36 weeks. And a lot of other storms as well.

Farrah had a great post this weekend about unanswered prayer. That got me thinking.

How many times have I prayed a prayer that was asking for something that was not in God's plan for me? And what is God's reaction when I pray those prayers?

Sometimes His reaction is silence. Sometimes He gently begins to move me in another direction. And sometimes He gives me a big old shove. Or a konk on the head.

They say that hindsight is 20/20. I look back on my walk with God, and I see the many, many, many times that He has course-corrected me. And I whisper a prayer of thanks. He knows what is best for me. His plans are for my good, not for harm.

And while my hindsight may be 20/20, God's foresight is better than that. And I am thankful!

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

What I Learned on Vacation

While we were in Lynchburg for Hubby's intensive class a few weeks ago, we realized that we had forgotten a few things. We had arrived in town on a Sunday, and after dinner, decided to look for someplace to pick up a few things, including some groceries.


Being in an unfamiliar town is bad enough. Add that the local university was back in session, and that it was the night before school started, it was bedlam. We looked for the path of least resistance and stopped at the first place we saw. It was Wal-Mart.


I am not a fan of the WM. Lots of reasons, one of them being that I go absolutely insane every time I walk into one.


Let me set this up. We live at the beach. People coming to the beach often (always) stop at WM to stock up on necessities that they did not bring for their vacation. One of our local WMs is the busiest on the eastern seaboard. We know this fact because a friend works at that particular store.


The busiest on the entire.eastern.seaboard. We understand insane WM crowds.


Our busy WMs paled in comparison to what we encountered that night. Our first clue should have been the parking lot. It was full. We pushed on.


Oh.My.Word. We encountered a veritable sea of humanity. We hurried as much as we could in a store with an unfamiliar layout. And we breathed a sigh of relief when we were back in the car.


Note to self: do not EVER go into a big box retailer the night before school starts. And when Ladybug is in school, do not wait until the night before school starts to do back-to-school shopping.


Oh, and afterwards, Hubby said, "You definitely have to blog about this!" I love that man.

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for my happy, healthy 15 month old Ladybug. She has never had more than a cold, and her health is something I do not want to take for granted.

A dear friend of mine has a little girl, I'll call her Button because of her adorable button nose, who will celebrate her first birthday next week. Button is small for her age, just the opposite of my Ladybug. But she has also been under going therapy for gross motor delays.

At her six month check up, Button's pediatrician noticed that she wasn't meeting some milestones. At her nine month check up, the doctor recommended assessment by Early Intervention. And Button has been having two therapy sessions a week for two months now.

Her mom is a working mom, and she also has a 3 year old son. Fortunately, Grandma and Grandpa are the full-time "day-care" for my friend's children. That also means that Grandma can help Button with her therapies so that the burden doesn't rest on my friend alone. Although, she feels that burden weighing heavily on her.

Please pray for Button and her mom. Pray that she will gain strength through her therapies. And pray that my friend will allow God to carry the weight of this burden.

When I think of Button, my heart is flooded with thankfulness for my healthy Ladybug!

For more thankful hearts, please visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Wordless Wednesday - Children's Museum

From our trip a few weeks ago. Ladybug loved the children's museum!

For more WW, click here or here.

Randomness on a Wednesday Morning

Just some random things....


~ Ladybug went to Mom's Morning Out twice this week (Monday and Tuesday) and did great! She cried quite a bit when I left the first day. But she settled in and had a good time. I was able to stand in the back hallway and listen. I was worried because she cried the entire time in the nursery on Sunday.

~ Why is it that when I get used to a certain routine, Ladybug decides to change things again? I was enjoying at least 45 minutes of quiet in the mornings, but she has been waking earlier. And she had been napping for at least an hour, but now that nap is down to 30-40 minutes. She has never been one to take long naps anyway, but I was enjoying that downtime!


~ I am ready for the heat and humidity to be gone! I want to have some fall weather, but it is definitely not fall-like here!

~ Why is it that when I sit down to type out all my random thoughts, they all go away? I really had lots of randomness in my brain!

~ I wish I had a camera with night vision. Ladybug is currently sleeping smack dab in the middle of our queen size bed, sideways. Hubby's off to work, and I'm up, but it would make a great picture to share!

~ I've got lots to do today, so I'd better get myself in gear! I hope to be able to blog-hop today. Mondays and Tuesdays are so busy for me that I don't have time for catching up with y'all.

What I Believe - More of Him Monday

Welcome to More of Him Monday! This is a weekly carnival in which we can share encouragement with fellow Christian bloggers. Please read here for participation guidelines.

NOTE: If you have a More of Him post, please link up in the comments. Thanks!

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Have you ever sat down and thought seriously about what you believe about God? It's harder than I thought. This is something that I recently decided to do, mostly for myself.

If you disagree with what I say or how I say, please be kind and do not attack. I realize that this could be very touchy subject, and I've seen other bloggers attacked for spelling out what their beliefs are.

This list is by no means conclusive. It is a work in progress. These are not the only things that I believe about God, but just the beginning.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

1. When we have faith in Christ as our Savior, we no longer stand as condemned before God. Our sins are forgiven. But we need to continue "to belong," meaning that it's not a done deal. We can backslide. We need to continually seek forgiveness.

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

2. We are equal in Christ. The color of your skin, your gender, your ethnicity do not make you a better Christian. As I like to say, "the ground is level at the foot of the cross."

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)

3. There is unity in Christ. Denominations do get you a better seat in heaven. How you baptize does not make you holier than someone else. We are part of one Body as Christians, and we all look forward to eternity with our God.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. (Romans 3:23-24)

4. Everyone is a sinner. No one is perfect (except Christ). Without Christ, we cannot earn God's favor. Christ paid the penalty that a perfect God requires. Without the sacrifice of Christ, we would not have a way to reach God or spend eternity with Him.


I'll stop there for now. I'd love to hear your polite, respectful discussion on these things. And I would challenge you to write out your beliefs, either on your blog or not.

59 Days and Counting...

Subject: Some Thoughts on Our Political Candidates


I have been reading some great posts this week about Sarah Palin and whether or not a mother of five can "handle" the pressures of political office. First, I realize that every one is entitled to their opinion, whether or not I agree with it. Second, I am not trying to be political here on the blog, and I am not looking for political debates by writing this.

Sarah Palin has brought to the forefront (for me, anyway) the topic of "Mommy Wars." SAHM vs. WOHM. Breastfeeding vs. formula feeding. Cry-it-out methods vs. attachment parenting. I purposefully avoid writing about these topics here because I do not want to be attacked for what I believe or do not believe.

While in the United States we are all able to freely express our beliefs and convictions, I do not believe that anyone has the right to attack anyone else for the way they choose to parent their children (with the exception of abuse). Healthy discussion is another thing. But attacks and lack of respect are not acceptable.

Yes, Sarah Palin does have a special needs, breastfeeding infant son. She does have a 17 year old daughter who is 5 months pregnant. Neither one of those things, or any other aspect of her motherhood or family life, disqualifies her as a viable political candidate.

Just like being a stay-at-home mom does not make anyone better than being a work-outside-the-home mom.

What works for you and your family may not work for everyone else. Everyone's situation is different. Everyone's personality is different. We are each unique creations of our Creator.

I would prefer that we discuss Sarah Palin's (or any other political candidate) qualifications for the office for which they are running. Unless of course their personal choices would endanger the people they are representing.

Whether or not Sarah Palin is a choice you agree with, please respect her as a person. Whether you agree with her on the issues, please stick to the issues. She is running for political office, not trying to win a popularity contest.

(stepping down from my soapbox)

Weather Update

Tropical Storm Hanna passed through last night while we slept. It was a non-event, really.

Starting Friday morning, we had intermittent rain and the wind starting picking up. It would come and go. By dinner time, the rain was a little more constant, being heavy at times. And the wind was pretty strong.

We went to bed around 10pm. I heard more rain around 11pm. And I woke up several times during the night, listening but not hearing much.

Hanna made landfall to our north, and she is moving so quickly that there were very little problems. One major road closure due to flooding. And the news reported about 100 homes without power.

We have branches and leaves down in our yard, but everything else looks normal around here.

This was Ladybug's first tropical weather system, and I'm glad that it wasn't a big deal.

Due to the rain last night, we were not having good reception with our DirecTV. Hubby and I both turned off the laptops and sat on the couch. Just talking. It was really nice. We haven't had a chance to do much of that with our crazy schedules lately.

Just wanted to let y'all know how we fared. Thanks for your prayers, too!

Fifteen Months!

Ladybug is 15 months old! I don't know where the time has gone. Yet, I have to look at her baby pictures to remember how little she was when she first arrived.

At her check up today, she weighs 35 lbs and is 33 1/2 inches tall. Still off the charts, of course, but the pediatrician seems much less concerned as her weight gain is tapering off.

She is a very active toddler. She loves to walk and is experimenting with running. She can go up and down a step while holding someone's hand. She jibber-jabbers constantly. It seems like she is lecturing me at times. Pointing her pudgy little finger at me while babbling.

She signs about 25 signs, and seems to pick up new signs very quickly. Her favorite signs are MILK, VIDEO, and READ. She signs PLEASE by scratching both hands on her chest, but at least she's using PLEASE instead of the whining that she had been using to get attention.

What a blessing our Ladybug is! Everyone comments on her beautiful blue eyes. I realize this sounds totally biased as her mother, but she really is a beautiful girl. I pray daily that the Lord will protect her all the days of her life. I also pray that she will grow to love the Lord and desire to serve Him.

Super-Duper Deal!

I just got back from the grocery store. I needed to go today. Yesterday, Ladybug fell asleep while I was doing other errands (the grocery store is always my last stop on the way home). And with Tropical Storm Hanna on her way late Friday or early Saturday, I know the stores will be C-R-A-Z-Y on Friday.

I TRY to be frugal and shop sales and use coupons. I do make purchasing blunders on occasion. Today makes up for a few of those blunders, I think.

Cheerios were on sale BOGO half off, and Yo-Plait kids was on sale 2/$4. I had a coupon for $1.50 off Cheerios and one for $1.50 off the yogurt. And the cashier scanned my Cheerios coupon twice.

So I paid 64cents for two boxes of Cheerios, and 36cents for a 6-pack of yogurt! Woohoo!!

Thankful Thursday

There is so much going on! Which means so much to be thankful for!

~ We had a great trip last week. Hubby's class was intense but good. Ladybug and I had fun exploring the area and hanging out at the hotel.

~ I'm also thankful for the time we had together as a family. Sure, there were challenges travelling with a 15 month old, but it was great just to be together.

~ I'm thankful for the simple life that we lead. Keeping our eyes focused on Christ and the ministries that He allows us to lead.

~ And I'm thankful for my wonderful bloggy friends who left great advice and words of encouragement on my post yesterday.



We're still watching Tropical Storm/Hurricane Hanna. We may not receive a direct hit, but there will be lots of rain, wind, and flooding. When you live at sea level, there isn't any place for the extra water to go.





For more thankful hearts, please visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Momma Worries, Etc.

Last night I was up a little later than usual, watching the weather channel to hear the latest on Tropical Storm Hanna. Looks like we'll be seeing her sometime on Friday, most likely making landfall south of us.

With that and other things on my mind, I really wasn't ready to sleep. Hubby and Ladybug were already in bed. I thought I would lay down and see if I could fall asleep. If not, I was planning to get back up.

As soon as I lay down, Ladybug woke up, and I could hear that her nose was stuffed and she was having a hard time breathing. Fussing turned to full blown crying. Hubby had to get up at 5:00 this morning for work, so I wanted to get her settled back down as quickly as possible.

After a lot of shushing and rocking, the only way I could lay her down and for her to still be able to breath was to keep her propped up with my arm. I finally fell asleep, but woke up two hours later and my right arm was numb from the elbow down because of how I was holding her up.

So I tried to slip my arm out from behind her. But then she couldn't breathe again. So the rest of the night was spent trying to get her comfortable, then get myself comfortable enough to fall asleep.

It was a rough night. I know Hubby didn't get much sleep with the crying and fussing, and he held her for a while.

Both LB and I got a little more sleep after Hubby left for work. But I know he'll definitely need a nap when he gets home!

Just yesterday I was feeling good about our routine. Like I actually have some time to myself for prayer and devotions before LB awakes in the morning. Then the routine goes out the window with the sniffles and intense teething.

One thing I didn't realize about parenting was how absolutely awful teething is. I know I've said that before, but holy cow! This is bad! Combine that pain with a runny nose and not being able to breathe maybe for one miserable little girl.

And it's hard to be compassionate and caring when you are in need of sleep as well.

LB's nose is running a bit today. I'm trying to get errands done before Hanna becomes a real threat. I do not want to be fighting crowds at the stores on Thursday and Friday.

And the reason that I was up later than usual was the worry about LB starting Mother's Morning Out on Monday. I have her signed up for two days a week of MMO so that I can go to church staff meeting and teach a Bible study. Plus run errands and see customers without Ladybug to entertain.

We had orientation for MMO last night. When I got home, I tweeted (on Twitter) that I wasn't ready for this. Thanks to all my tweeps (Twitter people) for your encouragement! I'll just have to take it one day at a time. I don't know if the separation anxiety will be greater for her or for me.

I know she needs to be with other kids to learn social skills. But it hit me that this is just the first of many stepping stones to her independence. Next will be preschool orientation. Then kindergarten. This is all new territory for me.

So mommies, I would love to hear how you dealt with or are currently dealing with the growing independence of your children. Do you have any great advice to share?

The good news that I have to share is that I was able to fix my camera with a piece of masking tape, so I'll have more pictures from our trip to share. (I'm currently typing on Hubby's laptop while LB watches videos on mine.)

Thanks for listening!

Our Love Story - The Engagement

Continuing Our Love Story....

After I got settled living in the home of my future in-laws (except they weren't my in-laws yet, because we weren't even officially engaged yet!), it took me a little while to get on my feet. I earned money with my Mary Kay business. I eventually got hired at Target. Hubby was in school full-time and working at Kroger that summer.

Near the end of the summer, Hubby got hired as a service coordinator for mentally handicapped clients. He was finally in a good routine with work and school. I, on the other hand, hated having to get up every morning at 4 am to go to Tar-jzay.

I battled a lot of depression that summer. We get so caught up in finding our identity in our work, and it was hard to be happy while working those kind of hours at that place. Don't get me wrong, I love Target, and I still shop there a lot. But working there was not my cup o'tea.

Finally, I was also hired at the same company where Hubby was working. Yay! A full-time "real" job, with benefits!

Hubby and I knew where the relationship was going. Hubby also knew that I wanted a Christmas wedding. That was something I had dreamed of for many years through my struggle with being single. (My rationale: the church was already decorated, so I wouldn't have to spend as much on decorations!)

When I was hired to be a service coordinator, Hubby and I sat down with the checkbook and estimated a budget. We said, "Hey! We can afford to get married!"

That was the proposal. No getting down on one knee. No diamond ring. I didn't want the diamond anyway. That wasn't what was important to me. What was important was that I would be marrying the man that I had fallen in love with, and the man that God had chosen to be my soul mate.

Soon, we also found a little house to rent so that I could move out of my in-laws' house. This would be our "love nest." I moved into the small rental, and Hubby stayed at his parent's house until the wedding. The one drawback of the house was the nineteen (19!) steps down to the house from street level. Which was not very fun in the West Virginia winter!

We had exactly 12 weeks to plan the wedding....

In His Presence - More of Him Monday

Welcome to More of Him Monday! This is a weekly carnival in which we can share encouragement with fellow Christian bloggers. Please read here for participation guidelines.

NOTE: If you have a More of Him post, please link up in the comments. Thanks!

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Psalm 26
A psalm of David.

1 Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity;

I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

2 Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.

3 For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth.

4 I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites.

5 I hate the gatherings of those who do evil, and I refuse to join in with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord,

7 singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders.

8 I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells.
9 Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners. Don’t condemn me along with murderers.

10 Their hands are dirty with evil schemes, and they constantly take bribes.

11 But I am not like that; I live with integrity. So redeem me and show me mercy.

12 Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord.

This was our psalm reading this Sunday. Verses 6-8 especially spoke to me.

It hit me that when we approach God, we don't have to come to Him with our sad faces on. When he forgives my sin, I can come to Him with gladness and joy. I can bring songs of thanksgiving and praise.

God's presence should be a place that we love to be. Basking in His warmth and light should consume our thoughts.

I know that's difficult in our real, day-to-day lives. But our aim should be to spend as much time with Him as we can. Soaking up His glory so that we can show His glory to our broken, fallen world. The more time we spend in His presence, the more we become like Him.

I know that I cannot wait for the day when I see my Lord face to face. Heaven is my home, and I long to be there. But in the meantime, I pray that the time that I spend with Him reflects to the world around me. I pray that everyone I meet will see His glory instead of me.

Where have you see More of Him in your life?