menu plan monday

March 8th, 2010 by PC 1 comment »

okay, so the organizing junkie hosts menu plan monday. i planned for two weeks this time.

Monday: Meatloaf, Potatoes, Broccoli

Tuesday: Chicken, Stirfry Veggies, and rice

Wednesday: Leftovers (if there are any!) or grilled cheese & soup

Thursday: Spaghetti

Friday: Pot Roast or Steak – this is the only meat i have bought since I like both fresh

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Chicken Fettuccine, broccoli (what can i say my kids love it)

Monday: meatloaf, potatoes, green beans (or peas?)

Tuesday: grilled chicken, veggies, rice

Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday: Deep dish pizza casserole, salad

Friday: Chicken Fettuccine, broccoli

Saturday: Leftovers–OUT???

Sunday: Spaghetti

Can you tell I got a smokin’ hot deal on meat last week?? Obviously I add extra veggies. Trying to make sure its as much beef, chicken, beef, chicken as possible. Personally, I’ve grown a slight aversion to meats in the last month or so, so I’m interested to see how I handle cooking for my “where’s the meat?” husband.

All of these recipes are EP approved. They are bland and basic because that is how we eat when trying to lose weight. Blah! :) Pays off in the end.

my joy is complete

March 8th, 2010 by PC 5 comments »

I want to convey just what is in my heart today and please bear with me if I seem all over the place. I have started this blog a thousand different ways and when I went to EP frustrated and then started preaching he told me to shut my mouth and write it..here goes…

I’m having to deal with some things today that I just don’t like dealing with. It happens. But, as I was praying about it a reoccuring theme kept running through my head, my joy is complete in the Lord. My JOY??? I wasn’t feeling joyful, I was crying….so I decided to seek out the scripture that was repeating itself.

John 15:9-12

9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.


So many things going on in this scripture. First, nine and ten give us the requirements to have this full joy. To remain in God’s love, we must obey his commands. Hence, we must be staying in His Word. We must be reading, hearing, doing, and studying this Word of Life. How can we possibly obey if we don’t know what we are to obey, right? Verse 11 gives us the result of abiding in His love by obeying these commands — OUR JOY MAY BE FULL!!! How cool, right?? To be full of JOY! Joy in this scripture is the greek word chara – happiness, gladness, rejoicing!!! (I certainly wasn’t feeling like rejoicing).

Verse 12 (and later verse 17) tell us his command, “Love one another.” So when you are loving others, you are enabling this completion of JOY in your life.

Back to today, I was not loving my situation and I was not loving the people involved. I was filled with envy, selfishness, and pride (not love characteristics according to 1 corinthians 13:5-6). By reading this I was reminded, by loving those people, by ridding myself of the selfishness and pride, my joy would be full. I was hindering the Lord from working in me–from receiving full joy.

By changing my heart – by obeying his command to love others, my JOY will be complete. It isn’t always easy, but that isn’t to concern us. God will handle the details….our job is simply to love through it.

Tutu Fun

March 5th, 2010 by PC No comments »

:) Home today when Starlet wanted to touch her tutu that was hanging. She was fully dressed so I put it over her clothes. Then she started playing so i ran to get the camera and started stripping her clothes off….it didn’t last long and for once her wasn’t done —argh!!  My sister-in-law made this sweet tutu for Starlet for Christmas.  :)

DSC_0005 DSC_0007 DSC_0009 DSC_0010 DSC_0011 DSC_0012

And then……

DSC_0016 DSC_0018 DSC_0023 DSC_0025 DSC_0029 DSC_0031

Rodeo

March 1st, 2010 by PC 1 comment »

Way late post. Tory, my brother-in-law, and I took SB and the negotiator to the rodeo a month ago. :) It was very last minute but so much fun!

When we got there we checked out the tractors…

.DSC_0045 DSC_0050

Then we hit up the rodeo. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the rodeo. I got goosebumps and teary when it all started. I have such fond memories of my parents taking us to those events. ANYWAY, the boys liked it for about 45 min and they were DONE! I think cotton candy was the bigger hit. Also, they really freaked at the indoor firecrackers during the national anthem. SB HATES loud noises. I was really shocked he didn’t cry.

(i love this gummy smile)
DSC_0051

(great shot of my BIL)

DSC_0052

(why, oh, why can’t i get them all to look at me)

DSC_0055

This is funny – obviously it looks like we are a family, so a lady offered to take our picture telling me she hates that daddy is always the only one in the pictures since mommy is always taking them…HA! I really didn’t know if I needed to correct her or smile and nod.

DSC_0056

DSC_0057 DSC_0058

Stomach Bug 2010

February 26th, 2010 by PC 1 comment »

So, remember how I was supposed to go out of town this weekend? Well, while I know Satan is the source of our sickness, I know God knows the right plans for us. I was supposed to stay home….I just have to laugh. Well, I wasn’t laughing at ALL last night, but today, I just have to laugh. I mean, Wednesday, I write about my rough day and on the same day write about a wonderful emotional experience at Church. Then – BAM!

At breakfast yesterday morning SB stopped eating suddenly and said is tummy hurt and “can i go play with my trucks now”? He told me one other time that his tummy hurt when I asked him about finishing his breakfast – we’ve been through this go to school hungry bit before. I didn’t argue. I asked if he needed to stay home and he said he wanted to go to school. I told his teacher that if he said his tummy hurt to call me and I’d come get him. You just never know, right?

Now, I wasn’t feeling 100% either but didn’t really think about it. I was getting Starlet dressed to go shopping when I got the call. SB had thrown up at school. I think I ran to my car. The thought of my poor baby throwing up with anyone besides his mommy had me so sad. I got there and didn’t even take Starlet out…they were all right there. Apparently, he mentioned that his tummy hurt, they sent him to get his temp taken and it was fine. When he got back to class he started saying, “I want my mommy” ((insert my heart breaking here)) at that point they were walking up to call me when he threw up. :(

When I saw him I could tell this wasn’t good. The assistant director (who cleaned up after him bless her heart) said she thought it was a fluke and just a bunch of drainage…I wasn’t buying. We got home put him on the couch, laid hands on him, gave him a cracker, and a sip of water. I knew that this would be the tell. If he threw up within ten minutes we should brace ourselves. Within 5, it all came back. GREAT.

Meanwhile, I’m trying to figure out what to do with Starlet. I can’t send her to my parents as my mom is still ill. My mother-in-law was really busy and is slated to leave town tomorrow so I couldn’t really risk her getting sick. Plus, she brought up the excellent point that Star was already exposed as it was. Right. So, I spent the afternoon, keeping Starlet busy behind the couches and running in front to catch the vomit.

Knowing that I hadn’t been feeling right and now seeing that SB clearly had a bug and knowing that I has slept with SB the night before, I stopped eating. Well, I shouldn’t say stopped because since I hadn’t felt well all I had had was a scone. Best decision ever.

My dad made two runs over with various supplies. Gatorade, bananas, saltines, clorox wipes (can you believe I’m out) and lysol. While he was here around 4, I begged him just to hold Starlet and love on her a bit. I had been avoiding holding her and making too much contact since I knew I didn’t feel well. I also had been giving both of us large doses of Collodial Silver about every 30 min.

Then it started. My stomach gurgled and I could tell this was it. I wanted to beg my daddy to stay but I knew he needed to go. I couldn’t risk him getting sick and esp him carrying anything home to my mom. I seriously felt like crying as he walked out the door.

The next few hours are a total blur. I remember that I did things but I hardly remember them. I fed Starlet with my bucket, I bathed her, dried her hair, and then she started crying–a lot. There was nothing I could do. I knew she was crying because she wanted me but I just couldn’t give her that love. I didn’t want her to get sick!

At 6:15 (maybe a bit sooner) I made her bottle and put her in bed. This is slightly earlier than normal but I couldn’t do it anymore. She cried. Hard. I ran to the bathroom and as soon as I was done SB comes up behind me saying he’s thirsty. I just cried. I could hear the baby crying, I wanted to sit by the potty, and SB needed and drink and I had to give it to him. I had to press on.

I made a pallet on the floor with buckets, sanitizer, lysol and a bottle of water. We slept on the floor. I say “slept” but I’m not sure I did at all. SB – out like a LIGHT!

5:45 SB wakes up, “Mom, I feel ALL better, can I please have a drink I’m so thirsty?” Bless his heart. We walk through the living room on the way to the kitchen and he says, “wow, mom, we were realllllly messy yesterday.” I had to laugh. Since SB wouldn’t go back to sleep, we took that time to wipe every toy down, bathe, clean the bathrooms and all the linens — all before Starlet woke up. By 11, SB was running LAPS around the house, you would have no idea that this child was sick less than 24 ours ago. Children are so resilient. Starlet has shown no signs of being ill.

And me, well, I’m just happy I survived. I feel better but not 100% I think I just need good sleep tonight. Last night, I knew I’d make it but I felt like the worst mom ever. I couldn’t believe that it was happening and I was all alone. UGH. I’m pretty sure I can conquer anything alone about now. :)

I have also found out that six of our friends also got the bug around the same 24 hr period. :( BOO!

So, officially, SB has had 4 stomach bugs in his 4 years of life. 9 mo, 2 yr, 3 yr….2009 was our only non-stomach bug year. I have caught all but one of them.

(Sorry if you feel I shared to much, remember this is my journal.)

for laughs

February 24th, 2010 by PC 2 comments »

every time i watch this i laugh…


This one was in November (?) . Yes, she is VERY loud! (No clue where that comes from?)


Consume me.

February 24th, 2010 by PC 1 comment »

My cry in prayer for the last week or so has been ‘consume me…i want to be consumed with You’

I had a rougher day, as referenced below. What I didn’t mention, nor will I now,  was the few spiritual things I was really dealing with and rejoicing over but all day I have felt God –so in tune–so clear…I almost knew going to church was going to be special.

I was sobbing the whole way to my mother-in-laws before Church tonight singing this song.

I wept in preservice prayer. I couldn’t get it together. If you know mw at all you know that I am NOT a crier…period. This softening was/is even taking me by surprise.

In preservice prayer, what was hindering me was made clear, I had yet to lay it all down. Yet to lay down MY emotions, MY hard feelings, MY opinions, MY pride, MY will, MY dreams, MY fears….I hadn’t let go of me.

When this song started again in our service, I couldn’t hold it in. I went to the alter and I let it all go. I laid it down. (and a few hundred tears)

I’m not picking it back up.

It’s time to become consumed.

breaking point

February 24th, 2010 by PC 2 comments »

During every film we shoot, there comes a point where I break down. Usually, this point hits about 1 week before the shooting ends and aprox. 2 weeks until EP is scheduled to be home.

Breaking point is the point when I feel “done.” It’s the point where I once again realize I can’t do this alone. And I know I’m not “alone” because of my relationship with Christ. I get that. I’m talking about alone like I’m the only adult present in this house.

The days are long and busy and you don’t really realize it then. Besides, if your husband was working you wouldn’t see him anyway. It hits when I’m trying to make dinner and the baby is crawling at my feet and my preschooler is begging for me to fix something. It hits when I’m trying to bath and put everyone down. It hit in the morning when I’m trying to get breakfast on the table and everyone out of the door. And it REALLY hits when I sit down on the couch alone, again, with no one to talk about the day with.

On the flip side I feel so needed….or maybe its that I’m taking on all of the needs myself that the burden is heavy. My kids need me every second of the day. It’s funny to in one paragraph say, “i’m alone” and then in the next to say “i want to be alone.” :) But its true. I need a break. I want to be alone, with not having any time constraints just alone.

See, that’s one of those joys of both parents being in the house. Need to run to the store after the kids are in bed, no problem. Want to hit the gym when the kids center is closed? Need to run to the mall? When both parents are home there is a shared responsibility. You CAN leave if you want. I don’t have the option. I have to ask family to watch the kids….now double the burden. And while they don’t mind, I always feel myself rushing around to take advantage of every last second that I hardly enjoy the fact that I’m doing it alone.

Sorry, I’m just super emotional today. I was supposed to go to Tulsa to see EP alone on Thursday. I was so looking forward to every minute of those two 5 hours drives ALONE. I was looking forward to seeing my husband ALONE. I was looking forward to a full day of not being needed. Unfortunately, my mom, who was watching the kids, was diagnosed with walking pnemonia yesterday. Obviously, her healing means much more to me. I’m honestly not upset at all, but I think emotionally it just reminding me how done I am with this shoot.

And its so funny, because earlier today I was telling my usual, “Since God called us to this it makes it easy, etc etc etc…” to someone who asked, “How do you do it?” You know, every bit of that is true…even in these complaints, I know we are doing the right thing. It isn’t always easy or how I want it to be but it is good. And let me also say, God has so been using that time at night with no one here. I’ve been pressing into the Word more and more and that is right where I’m supposed to be.

EP will be home in about 10 days. I know I’ll make it. I always do, but I started this blog to record the journey of shooting and life at home and I have failed to do much of that. I haven’t explained the films we do nor many of the processes that at first i thought I’d share. I will, but for today, I’m just sharing my heart.

9 months

February 22nd, 2010 by PC 1 comment »

I can’t believe she’s nine months old! Where had the time gone. Seriously, you can’t get through the first 6 months fast enough and then BAM they are closer to one than zero.

Starlet is an amazing baby. She has a super laid back temperment compared to SB. Even our doctor asked me if she was always so calm. :) I’m so glad. I attribute that calm nature God’s way of confirming EP and I are doing the right thing. Without it, there is probably no way I could handle being alone so often…or travel for that matter. This child can travel! Kentucky, North Carolina, Tulsa (twice in a CAR!), and you now it isn’t slowing down. Every trip amazes me.

She’s a good sleeper. In bed nightly between 6:30 and 7 and up between 7 and 7:30. Bed time is determine by naps. Bad afternoon nap = early bedtime. Late nap = late bedtime. Its a double edge sword, great to have her up and well rested later in the day, but later means less “me” time at night. (Yup, I’m kind selfish about that as its my only time since I have no help).

Presently, we are trying lots of foods. Pretty much whatever I’m eating, she gets. We do some jarred food for ease of use while out (church, MOPS, etc), it just makes life easier. Restaurants, I’m doing my best to give her stuff. It’s a horrible time to start solids as we’ve been eating so weird without EP. I’ve done lots of research/reading on feeding your baby lots of variety in the first year, but we seem to eat the same old stuff. (I really need to get out of the rut.)

Speech. Okay, this is an obvious place to see difference. I haven’t transfered my old blog yet, but Stunt Boy was severely language delayed (I could go on but I’ll just move the old post). As a first time mom, you really don’t know what to listen for. SB made noises that I assumed was babbling (well at first). Having Starlet NOW I know what I wasn’t hearing. Girlfriend talks all.the.time. Mama, baba, dada, gak, gahgah, oh oh….mixed it was a ton of other random noises. I also know that second children tend to talk earlier hearing the older child speak, but still, SB didn’t do anything like this. Ever. Not even after therapy. Not only does she babble, she does it very LOUD!!!

She claps her hands and waves bye-bye. Also “praises the Lord” by raising her hands in the touchdown position. Often, she’ll wave in that position which reminds me of Lane Frost’s wave in 8 Seconds after getting off the bulls. Okay, that’s random. (But, I looooved that movie and had it on cassette!! Loved me some rodeos in high school!)

Mannerisms. Starlet knows how to work a crowd and especially her daddy. :) If you say “oooooh” Starlet cocks that head to the side like, “who me?” She also does it randomly looking at strangers they think its awesome and I glow as the proud mommy.

photo

Starlet loves SB. That sums up a ton. She follows him around the house. She wants what ever he has, wants to do what he is doing, stares at him in a daze like, “wow. you. are. cool.” She almost never plays with her toys. She’ll take a car over her purse any day. SB is amazing with her. Sure he tries to take things, keep stuff away from her, but so often he’ll open his bedroom door and say, “Starlet can come play now.” :)

Life is good.

YAY!

February 22nd, 2010 by PC No comments »

The cat is out of the bag! My baby sister is having a baby in September!! Remember when I said my sister needed to give me a gift for my birthday?? Yeah, it was a note telling me that I was going to have a new niece or nephew! :)

Yall, it was honestly the hardest secret I have ever kept. I guess knowing how important it was too her made me not even squeak until a month ago when I was allowed to tell my in-laws and a few close friends…always having to say, “don’t congratulate her yet!!” since she didn’t want in on FB or email, etc…Ugh. Its like a weight is lifted off my chest.

{{I did log in to Facebook today to announce it. It felt weird. Honestly, I hardly miss it. }}

I’m super excited to see my sister transform both physically and mentally. When you become a mom its like you have an instantaneous bond with every other mom in the world. We already have such a fantastic sister bond – I can’t wait for our relationship to have that bond as well! :)