The Chopping Block

Well today is the day. The big haircut. I've been trying to grow out my hair, but it has too many layers and is starting to be shabby. So, I'm off later today to get it chopped.

Just a picture of the kiddos and their snowman!

Fashion Don'ts

Okay, I don't claim to be a fashionista, but I do have a couple of pointers......

If your hair is white with a blue tint, you should not wear halter tops
If you wear a hair scarf, a back tatoo is not for you.
If you are eligible to collect social security, do not wear embellished jeans(glitter, sequins, etc)
If you wear granny panties, do not wear low rise jeans. (This is a must, however I would rather see this than a thong on you.
I'm sure you can think of more, but these are a few I noticed yesterday while going to ONE store.

Ashes to Ashes, Beans to Beans?

So Ashlyn has an aha! moment yesterday!
She runs in and says,"I get it".
Mommy: Get what?
Ashlyn: Why we are called human beans.
Mommy: What?
Ashlyn: We are made from beans. That's why we are called human beans.

My next goal: Enunciate my words more clearly.

The Ugly Cry

Yep. It came out. I hate the ugly cry. Where you are trying to cry silently but can't. Where you immediately get pain above your eyes. Ughh! But it happened. And it happened while watching the movie, Facing the Giants. Obviously I like it. It really made me reflect a lot. People I know, things I've done, etc. Just a really good movie. So for today, whether it's a good day or a bad day, I'll still Praise the Lord.

Back from the Cold

Well we've started the recovery process from our trip. I can't believe my husband actually beat me posting about it. Oh well. He also mentioned putting some pictures up but I will warn you (and him) they will be censered first! We had a great time and can't wait to do it again! I will say however that I can check learning to ski off of my list. It is NOT my sport. Let's just say the young man operating the lift had quite an entertaining morning watching myself and another who shall remain nameless get off of the snow. We were able to laugh at ourselves, and that's the most important thing! However, if said husband decides to surprise wife with another trip, please make it a tropical location!! A huge happy birthday to husband as well. I am now married to a 30 year old. Uggh! Since he's working afternoons this week, we'll probably celebrate Saturday!

Birthday, Jam, and Bread

Well my birthday this year was bunk. Not sure if that's a word, but that's how it felt. Richard is on days so I got up and got the three kids ready and took all of us to church. A teacher comes and gets me in the middle of class and says Carter threw up. Fun. So I go and get Braden and Ashlyn, load them in the car (it's freezing outside) and pull around to Carter's class. I get him in the car and tell him it's okay, we are going home. He says he isn't sick. He says he coughed a big coff (his words) and that he spit it in the trash. So, he's hungry for lunch. Off to home we go. I made a huge pot of soup. The kids play, I clean. My parents come over after church and we eat soup. I put the kids down for a nap. So Richard gets off work, my family is watching the kiddos and we go to the Winter Jam concert. Our friends drive behind us and on the way into the venue our cars get seperated. We park, pay, and go in. They tell us to find a seats. We can't. They've admitted too many people and the Fire Marshal is yelling for everyone to find a seat. (This was general admission at the door, no tickets) So we call our friends who can't get in because they've closed the doors and said sold out. They didn't want us to leave ( we were a group of seven in our van) and so they missed it. We stood for at least an hour with no seats and let me tell you I was not impressed with the concert. Don't get me wrong, but do you really need a lot of "love offerings" and a sermonette from each performer? So that was it. Bummer. Oh well, I ended up getting new living room furniture as my birthday present and they are beautiful! Thanks hubby.! And we are going on our trip on Friday and hubby is taking me somewhere nice!!! Yea!!
Saturday I made cookie sandwiches (chocolate chip cookies with buttercream in the middle), but Carter couldn't find where I'd put the bread in them! :)
Friday Carter got a papercut and needed a bandaid. Ashlyn said she wanted to do it. Well she thought she was putting Neosporin on it, but instead blood curdling screams erupt from the bathroom. Oh no, Carter was screaming, "my hand is burning". Yep, you guessed it. Ben-Gay. Poor kiddos. Carter cried for an hour while it went from burning to freezing, and Ashlyn cried for putting that on his hand. Oh the joy!

Feeling the Burn!

Okay so this past week I've been running. And oh I can feel it! My legs were on fire and my nose was so red! It was so cold outside. I decided to go ahead and start running outside no matter the weather. I could feel my lungs. I'm not talking about feeling a tightness in my chest. I felt my lungs breathing in and out. I also thought, "Oh, Lord, please don't let me die with snot on my face!" Hopefully this week will be better. I don't know how I'll run today since the sidewalks are all covered in snow. I may just have to do my dance moves (workout DVD) at home! Bummer. Only 1 week and 5 days till we leave for our trip. I'm so excited!

Recaps and Resolutions

Okay so we are all over sickness at this point. Fingers-crossed. We were well at Christmas and then got it again from those down there! Yuck! Anyway, thank goodness we are all well! So we had a great Christmas. Three celebrations and way too much stuff. All of which we love and are grateful for. So Richard surprised me with a trip. Actually let me rephrase that. He tried to surprise me. The company emailed me to confirm the trip and the cost etc, and of course I read what I'm emailed. So I call Richard knowing this is a mistake since I know we are going on a cruise this summer and why would he book two trips like this in one year? But my poor hubby who tried so hard, bless his little heart! Needless to say I'm really excited and have determined (since I have never skiid (sp) ) that I may not know what I'm doing, but I'm gonna look good on the slopes! Yeah for hubby. What a fun gift!
And Resolutions. I didn't plan on any. I never really do. But yesterday's sermon was 7 in 07. And one of them was living a healthy life and giving full control to God. I never really thought about it in those aspects. I can live healthier, longer, and give MORE glory to God. So our preacher announced he's going to run the 5k in June for Race for the Cure. Well, I decided that I am too. I know a couple of you who are laughing at this very minute. Are you picturing Phoebe running through Central Park? Well I'll have you know that I may not know how to run, but it can't be that hard right? So, Richard and my loyal readers are really the only ones that know. I'm not keeping it a secret mind you. But there's just something about saying your Resolutions outloud. At least for me. Another resolution along the same lines is we are totally revamping our food lifestyle. No more eating out. No more quick drivethroughs! It's camping around the kitchen table for us! I'm really excited about this one! Cause you know I like to cook. Now the challenge is converting our not so healthy casseroles and meals to good ones! So feel free to send me your recipes!! So that's 2007. Anyone else doing resolutions this year?

Kenny

My little brother says I never mention his name so here goes. Kenny. He is actually getting married next August and has just turned 21 last week. He's home from Harding on break and has been staying with us and picking up extra work with the company I work for. His wedding website is www.theknot.com/ourwedding/AmandaHarrison&KennyFester. They are just so cute together. Ashlyn is the flower girl and Carter is going to be a ring bearer. I can't wait to see them. So that's my post for Kenny.

Mullet

I think I spelled that correctly. It's not every year I write that word. Anyway, Richard and I were at the Salon today. Me haircut and arch, Richard haircut. Anyhow, a woman comes in and proceeds to tell the stylist what she would like done. I look at Richard, he looks at me, I look at the stylist who's looking at the floor. And what do you know, the Lady wants a mullet. So the stylist proceeds to tell her exactly what she's asking for and if she's sure that's what she wants. And yep, she got her hair cut. A mullet.

Incommunicado

I know, I know. I've been hearing it. I'm finally posting again. Can I just say how much I hate viruses? I hate, hate, hate when my kids are sick. So last week the first boy gets it. Two days later I think the last boy is getting it. Nope, just a tease. Then Saturday the girl gets it. Not fun at our home. And it reeks of Lysol. At least the house got a major scrub down before Christmas! I've been in a clean freak mode lately. Not just a clean, but it has to be CLEAN! Not a bad thing, just not me normally. So we are off to another busy week. Haircuts tomorrow. Last minute shopping!(No, I haven't finished yet), Dropping 2k for a new transmission put me behind. And one more Christmas party. Then it's the Christmas celebrations. The kids have been doing their advent calendar. It's a good thing they are still young because Santa is actually coming to the "W" house on Dec 22nd this year. And then he'll be at Nana and Papa's on the 23rd, and then Nana and Papaw's on the 25th. Carter couldn't control himself this week and unwrapped a present at my mom's house. Too bad it was on my mom's 3 foot tall Santa's bag. Oh well, he was just warming up! I have so much baking to do it's not even funny. Okay, maybe this year some of our friends will be getting a bag of Oreos!! Hope you have a great and Merry Christmas!!
FYI: I need some addresses! I have Christmas cards to still send out! Sorry, had to manipulate our children into smiling while still ill!!! So if you are reading this email me your address! And be forgiving if you get it after Monday!!

Oh and Jenny, I loved your picture. Carter wants to come see Malaya, and Ashlyn has written her a letter! I'll include it with the Christmas card!

Turkey and Ham Overload

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Way too much food here, but hey it's only one day! Well for a couple more weeks then it's Christmas Day!

Wednesday night Richard and I and my two Siblings went to Guns and Hoses. We had a blast. For those of you who don't know what that is let me explain...... Guns and Hoses is a fundraising event for Backstoppers. Backstoppers is an organization that provides monitary, emotional, spiritual, and physical assistance in the case of a fireman, police officer, or emergency medical worker's death in the line of duty. This organization is a tremendous blessing to those in this area. So every year on the night before Thanksgiving is Guns N Hoses. It's a huge fundraising event to help Backstoppers. It's a part of the Amateur boxing league and it's firemen against the police. There are 17 matches and it's so much fun. I never thought I would have a good time at a boxing tournament, but the energy is unreal. There were over 18,000 people there and you had to root on your team. The boxers are from all over St.Louis area and surrounding Illinois towns as well. The best fight of the night was probably the women fighting. We had to laugh at ourselves when it was over, since you are so revved up, you just want to fight someone. You want to be a part of it too!! :) I actually call this event the Mating Ground since it's about 5 guys for every girl in the audience and the girls that are in attendance are probably not of the highest caliber. Obviously I am not talking about myself!! :)
Thursday we dropped the transmission on our vehicle. Talk about a bummer.
I also ate myself into oblivion.
Thursday night we had an outreach dinner at church. We made to go meals for people who had to work and delivered them. We had a blast! I loved this and can't wait to do it again!
Friday...no shopping for me. That whole new transmission thing.
Saturday....We finished putting up the Christmas that we started on Friday. Only one ornament broke in the process. And wouldn't you know it was the Harding one. And no snide remarks from you ACU readers! :)
Sunday..Small group at our house. Well they call it that but it's not really small anymore. Only one incident this week. A child (older) somehow managed to jump through the back sliding screen door. I'm going to have to take out a small group insurance policy for damages. Can you do that? Just kidding. That's the risk you take having people over.
And today....just sitting at work thinking about that silly transmission. (thank goodness my mom and dad let us borrow another car!, Pray Richard's keeps going until mine is returned!!)

Happy Turkey Day (well tomorrow anyway!)!

I know it's a day early, but tomorrow I'll be eating. And eating and eating. I love Thanksgiving! For me it's such a time of relaxation and family and good food! Bring on the potatoes! We are headed to Guns N Hoses tonight (not a spelling error, no Guns n Roses) and this will be our 2nd year. I had so much fun last year and can't wait to do it again!! Hope all of you have a wonderful turkey day!!

This is Ashlyn on her first day of Kindergarten. Yes it was 3 months ago, but maybe by July I'll get Christmas up!!

Hiding

Just some thoughts from some books I've been studying:

Am I hiding by acting like the girl my father/mother has always expected me to be?

Am I hiding by trying to be the kind of woman my husband wants me to be?

Am I hiding by trying to stay in line with the kind of woman I think my kids will want to remember me as? I don't want my kids to grow up wishing for another kind of mom.

Am I hiding by constantly trying to be a composite of many women I see around me-usually women who have skills I lack or personalities different from mine.

Am I hiding by agreeing to fit nicely into the roles I feel are acceptable in my church and social community?

Am I hiding behind what I feel are cultural norms ascribed to women and mothers? Do I have the courage to buck the tide?

Am I hiding behind my own fears? Am I afraid of failing or looking stupid, or being rejected if I raech for my dreams and let my latent true self emerge?

"to live as an authentic, ransomed, and redeemed woman means to be real and present in this moment. If we continue to hide, much will be lost. We cannot have intimacy with God or anyone else if we stay hidden and offer only who we think we ought to be or what we believe is wanted....You have only one life to live. It would be best to live your own."
John and Stasi Eldrige in Captivating

Weekend Update

Halloween is almost here! I just had to throw that in there!

Friday night I got to spend time just hanging out with my husband and children at home! We watched a couple new releases and I folded laundry. Oprah calls that multitasking. Saturday we got the kids up bright and early and drove to my mom and dad's. I had another funeral to attend. This one for a former teacher that I dearly loved! She made 2nd grade my favorite! She was still very young at her death, and this has been extremely difficult for her friends and family. After her service we left the kids at my folks for an overnighter and went to 6 Flags! Now Richard says he's never been there before! I have a really hard time believing that, so Kathryn if it's different, Let me know! He's not really a roller coaster type person! So he held our bags, while the rest of the group went on the rides! Now we did go for Fright Fest, but I can honestly say there was no Fright! The only Fright I saw was a whole section of clowns! I hate clowns! Happy, sad, it doesn't matter! They really freak me out! No I didn't watch IT or any other creepy clown movies, I just get freaked out by them! So a big disappointment that there were no scary things! I really wanted to see Hubby scared just once! So maybe we'll slip in a Haunted House before next Tuesday! Doesn't look too good though!

On Sunday our small group started our new study! We've been meeting for about 5 weeks, but last night we finally started it! It went great!

Before I forget, funny story with my firstborn!
She was helping me fold laundry and I noticed after about ten minutes that she had created a pile of daddy's "underthings". I assumed she just didn't want to touch them. So I asked her why she wasn't folding them and if she needed me to fold them. She said,"No, these have to go in the trash. They all have holes in the front" Poor kid. I choked on my drink. So needless to say Ashlyn had a refresher course in "Boys Anatomy".

No, cute little

sayings so I'll get right to the point! What fun we had this weekend! We planned for our small group to go to the Pumpkin Patch on Sunday so the kids have been talking about it for quite a while! But first I had a Ladies Retreat this weekend and then my brother brought some buddies home for the weekend from Harding and then we went to the Pumpkin Patch! The weather was beautiful and the crowd was minimal! I got alot of great pictures, and hopefully I can put them on here in the next day or two! We all picked out pumpkins and the kids have already put them on the front porch!
Ashlyn has taken a major growth spurt in the last couple of months, so I'm on to clothes shopping! We can't wait until Christmas so I've been scouring the stores. Sadly enough, I've found that for her age the clothing is either really kiddy(like Dora, and other characters-and those of you who know me well know I HATE character clothing! No offense, I just have a huge aversion to it!) or it's very provocative. And so if you have any suggestions let me know! I've checked out Gap (not a lot of selection), Old Navy (really tween look which we don't mind, but she's in their in between sizes, so 4's are a little too small and 5's a little too big), Children's Place (not really impressed with their fall Line) and Target (not impressed here either). Yes I'm picky, but I rationalize that with the fact if I'm going to spend a lot money I would like trendy clothing that fits and covers her and will not look faded and hoosier after one washing! So, since I think everyone who reads this is probably female (Sorry Chad) give me your best suggestions!

Friday Night

After we bankrupted ourselves to our babysitter this weekend! Just kidding! But seriously we had a great time going to the Mark Schultz concert. We went to his first concert of the Broken and Beautiful tour and it was incredible. Big Daddy Weave was with him and I was surprisinly impressed. We had so much fun with great friends and a great trip! I can't wait to do it again! For those of you who have no clue who he is ( I promise you've heard some of his songs on non-christian radio as well) he's worth going to see in concert or listening to on CD! That's my mommy-wiggy guarantee! Well for all that's worth!

Also this week, the dreaded paint project! Ashlyn's Room! Only two rooms left to do in the entire house! Hers and ours. So, she's asked and we've promised. The paint has been bought and we need to complete it! Wish us luck and sanity! It's just so hard to complete things quickly and without interruptions with three kids hanging onto your kneecaps! Thank you God for Baby Gates!

Sidenote: We'll be seeing all of our extended family this weekend as we go to my Great Aunt's Funeral. I haven't seen any of them in 10 years. This will actually be the first time they will have met Richard or my children! I'm sure I'll have some stories to blog on this after the weekend!

The End of September

Well the end of September is near! Our trip is over! It was so quick! We got to see almost everyone and spent way too much time in the car! I'll be happy not to do that anytime again soon! It was in the 90's in Texas and today it's in the 70's. I much prefer the 70's! I'm going to a MOPS meeting tonight! I'm really excited about this group of women! More so that I don't have to plan or organize anything!! Yea! Sometimes it's nice just to join a group and not do anything but go!!

Jenny---I'm praying for Papa-I saw your Dad's blog this morning-I'm so disappointed I didn't get to see him-can you email me his address? And I'm going to a Mark Schultz concert on Friday! I'll think of you!

Fall is Here!

I love Fall! It's my favorite time of year! Hot apple cider. Pumpkin bread. Picking Apples (which we did on Saturday and the kids had a blast!) Football Games (High School and Sunday Afternoon!) Tomorrow we leave for a 7 day trip to Houston, Tyler, Van Alstyne, Tulsa, and a couple other places thrown in. We're going down for a wedding and seeing some relatives we haven't seen for a few years. Can't wait!

Recovering

Well I am officially recovering. I am on a new medication that seems to be working very well. The problem has not gone away so we are still doing tests, but it is manageable for the time being. So thank you for all of your prayers!! The weather has been so cool here! I love it!! Fall is my favorite time of year! To me there is nothing like it!! The pictures are when the Jackson's came up for vacation and we had a little bit of a sleepover!