Monthly Archives: April 2008

Lazy Day

This past Sunday my husband and I did something we very rarely do. We spent 80% of the day in the living room watching movies. Of course it takes us twice the normal time to watch a movie because of all the interruptions from the girls, but that’s okay.

First we watched The Departed, star studded cast, but a bit too graphic for my taste. And all but one of the main characters dies, I prefer a happier ending. Did I mention the movie was about 5 hours long? Yes, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but we had been watching it for a while when my son left to go hang out with his girlfriend, it was still on when he got home a couple of hours later, and had more to go.

Then we watched The Sentinel, much better! Without knowing it we saved the best for last, Live Free or Die Hard. Great movie, the special effects were a bit over the top for some parts, but still very entertaining! And of course, a happy ending.

I know these are older movies, and some would say we wasted the day, but the last 4 1/2 years have been consumed with work, law school, and babies. It was so nice to have a movie day with my husband!

Our friend Jean

Hi everyone, I hate that it’s been so long since I’ve been able to blog. Seems as though it’s been a crazy few days. But good days. Last Friday our friend Jean was able to come for a visit. Jean and my Dad celebrated their first birthdays together, I consider her my aunt Jean. Thanks to my Dad we’re able to see her once or twice a year. Usually very short visits, but that’s okay, we’ll take what we can get.

Jean is probably one of the greatest ladies I’ve ever met! She is extremely successful, but comes across very laid back, and personable. You can just tell by being around her how much she cares for everyone. And for German Shepherds. We were watching last weeks NCIS at my Dad’s after church Saturday, in the first scene a German Shepherd gets shot.  Jean immediately looks at my Dad with concern, we assured her the dog doesn’t die so she consents to watch the rest of the show with us. It was so cute. :)

We all love her dearly and can’t wait to see her again!

God is good….All the time…

The church that we go to, Lifechurch.tv, starts every service with everyone saying this phrase: “God is Good All the Time, and All the Time God is Good.” They end the service with this phrase: “Whoever finds God, Finds Life.” The first time we did this I was a bit turned off, it felt almost “campish”. That’s probably not a real word, but you get the idea. Now though, I can’t even think the phrase, “God is Good”, without finishing the sentence. It’s so embedded in my brain that it’s always there. I’m sure that’s the point and what was intended all along. Let me just tell you, it’s impossible to be in a bad mood or frustrated about things not going perfectly when there’s a whole room of people shouting “God is Good All the Time”! I know this because I’ve tried! :)

Something I never expected…..

This blogging thing has turned out to be really great! When I was reading my comments yesterday, there was one from my childhood friend, Melanie. Hi Melanie!! I bet I haven’t seen her in 25 years or so. I do remember that we were very close and I’m thinking we played together every chance we could. Our parents went to the same college and we both lived in the “Old Married Student Apartments”. That was really the name of the apartments. I don’t know if Melanie knows this or not, but I went by them a couple of years ago,  and they had just been torn down. It was kind of sad for me, I have a lot of really good childhood memories from there. Learning how to ride my bike in the quad, hunting for easter eggs, playing with the other kids, all that fun stuff.

Anyway, hearing from someone I knew so long ago was the last thing I expected. But it’s great!! I can’t wait to see what else will come from having this blog!

clipping coupons

Almost every Monday we get the Sunday paper for a discounted price of $1.00. Since we don’t ever read the paper we don’t see the need to pay the full price of $1.75 on Sunday. I know, big deal, $.75, but it makes us feel better. We only get the paper for the coupons, we read the news on line.

I started clipping and using coupons when I got layed off of work and was looking for anyway to save money. It really works. There are some weeks that I save 20 to 30 percent off our grocery bill, you add that up and it can really make a big difference. I’ve gotten to the point that if I don’t have a coupon or it’s not on sale I hate to buy it. It goes further than the grocery store too, they can be used at restaurants, Wal Mart, Target, etc.

Hannah even likes to clip coupons with me, I hope it’s something she’ll learn at a much younger age than what I did. There’s no telling how much money I wasted over the years by not taking the time to use coupons. Happy Shopping!

working out…again

I’m really trying to get back in the habit of working out almost every day. Reagan was too fussy last night, so I didn’t make it, but I tried to make up for it tonight. For anyone who’s read my previous post about the “torture machine”, or the elliptical, you know that it’s not been an easy thing for me to get use to. I have to say I’m pretty proud of myself tonight though. My work out went like this, 10 minutes on the elliptical (at one time, not broken up, I know, I was amazed myself!), 10 minutes on the treadmill, 5 minutes on the elliptical, 10 minutes on the treadmill, 5 minutes on the elliptical. A total of 20 minutes on each machine. The treadmill isn’t a big deal, when I was working out almost every day I was up to an hour at a time, but 20 minutes on the elliptical, WOW!

Considering I had a treat for lunch today, I needed every minute of that workout! I got to go eat lunch with one of my closest friends at Las Maracas Mexican Restaurant. It was sooooo good! I wish I didn’t love to eat so much, but it kind of runs in my family. (I know, that’s a bit of a cop out, but it will work for now :) )

Right to Life

Yes, I’m conservative. I believe abortion is wrong. I have the deepest sympathy for anyone who has decided they couldn’t keep their baby (not judgment, sympathy). Because I don’t think it’s ever a quick fix, and I believe it’s something that the majority of women who have abortions will regret. I believe it’s common in an abortion clinic for an ultrasound to be preformed before the abortion. But I don’t think the mothers see it, if they did, I wonder how many would choose to keep their baby.

In each of my three pregnancies, I had at least two ultrasounds. If I remember correctly the earliest was at 7 weeks. The heart is already beating and the little baby is already wiggling around. True, it looks like a peanut of sorts, but it’s still a living person with a beating heart.

People talk about a woman’s right to choose, but what about the baby’s right to live? What about the blessing that little one could be to others if given the chance to grow up?

I was 18 and unmarried when I got pregnant with my son. I do wish the circumstances had been different, but I don’t regret any part of having him. I can’t imagine my life without him, it wasn’t the easiest road to take, but that’s okay, life is rarely easy! So for anyone who may be reading this who is thinking it’s the only way, please be open to another way. There are places that can help.

For those that think having a baby will ruin their lives, please consider this. I’ve never felt or experienced more love or joy than when I gave birth to my son. Nothing else mattered, I was broke, but money didn’t seem like a big deal anymore. I was in a rotten relationship, but I got the most wonderful gift in the world out of it. Yes, it changed my life forever, but only for the better. I can’t imagine life without my kids, and I wouldn’t want to.

For anyone who isn’t in a position to care for a child, please consider adoption. There are so many people out there who want a baby to care for, but physically aren’t able to have one on their own. Please, Please, don’t end a life to make yours easier. Each and every life is a blessing from God.

Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

For more information on your options or if you just want to know more about the issue, please visit Tennessee Right to Life.

Letters to the kids

I had an idea that was inspired by reading a blog (Dooce) that is written by a mom who writes a monthly update to her daughter.  I started thinking that it would be a good idea if my kids had something to read when they are grown to let them know about all the things they won’t remember. For Anthony I have an on going letter that I save on the computer. For Hannah and Reagan I found really pretty spiral notebooks. Every couple of weeks or so I take a few minutes to jot them a note or letter, especially if they’ve done something really funny or even if it’s something I want a reminder of too. I hope it’s something they will read later in life and know how much they are loved!

Crabby Patties & The Park

Hannah (she’ll be three in June) loves Sponge Bob Square Pants, since  Sponge Bob makes crabby patties,  she now turns everything into crabby patties. Zale found some small frozen hamburgers at the store, thawed them out, took them apart and set up a “station” for Hannah to make her own crabby patties. It’s just the cutest thing!! How many Dad’s do you know of that would put something like that together for their kid? I was so impressed! The funny thing is that she won’t eat them. She just wants to make them. Which is fine with Anthony, he loves them!

So today Reagan was very clingy. For most of the day until about 5 this evening, she and I were in the recliner. She’d play on the floor for a little bit, but mostly wanted to be rocked while she nursed. Don’t get me wrong, I know these days won’t last forever and I do my best to enjoy them while they are here, but I was ready to get out of the recliner! It was a beautiful day today, Reagan finally woke up and was getting restless, we all needed some fresh air, so Zale and I took the girls to the city park. Anthony was at a friend’s house and wouldn’t have wanted to go anyway, so we figured it was the perfect time to go. Hannah has been many times and loves it. I am always amazed with how fearless she is. Scares me a little, but I was such a wimp as a kid I’m glad to see she got her Dad’s adventures side. Hannah loves to swing and slide, not on the little kid stuff either, she goes for the biggest slide there. Over and over and over….you get the idea. On the swing she wants to go higher and higher, faster and faster. I’m having mini heart attacks, but I’m glad enjoys it so much! It was Reagan’s first trip to the park, and first time in the little kiddie swing. But she loved it too. I think she enjoyed watching all the other little kids more though. I hope there will be many days at the park this spring and summer!

I finished up the day by getting a pretty good workout between the elliptical and treadmill. I’ve worked my way up to 10 minutes on the elliptical (total – 5 min then 10 on the treadmill, 3 min than 10 on the treadmill, 2 min). I walk a mile on the treadmill to rest from the elliptical, but I’m determined to get back into a routine and work out on the elliptical without feeling like my legs are going to give out, or that I’m going to die! :)