It was a VERY GOOD Friday for us.... not for some

I am a firm believer that EVERYthing happens for a specific reason!!  I also KNOW there ARE defining day's in MY life and yesterday was ONE of those days.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q01uAPoaBAc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QP-DOSUc4c

This last link shows the radar/map of the path of one of the tornadoes.  We live VERY close to Walterhill and yes we WERE in the path.  WE are all OK as is our house.  I DID see the tornado (or one of them as there were multiple ones).... no pictures nor video from me as I had a house full of 10 children and 3 adults!!!!  Not to mention I did not have batteries yesterday.  We had all the older kids in the bathtub with towels and pillows (7 kids in total), then my friends and I were all holding our babies (one each).  All three of us were standing on the front porch with a baby in hand accessing the sky.  Kristen was the first one to point out the funnel cloud where we could see circulation.  She went inside then Chandra and I looked again to see definite circulation and debris around it.... her and I then went into the bathroom.

I am not sure if my nature is such or the fact that I have had my own personal devastation on the night of our fire, but all I could think about after Mark got home was to get out and help.  I went to four different locations where shelters and such were being set up and the need for help was good last night.  The efforts last night were still to complete search and rescue along with people accessing their homes and such.  I will be out today to help in anyway I can.  I spent yesterday afternoon calling and texting (calls were hard to get through as the land lines were down and cell tours were overloaded..... tried to stay off the phone as much as possible for emergency personnel) people that I knew lived in the path along with contacts checking on other people I knew in the path.  I have a few friends whose homes have definite damage and then I know of a few people who have extensive damage, along with a few people that I do not know the status.  Bottom line though, all are SAVE!  That really is the ONLY important thing.  However as these people begin to rebuild their possessions/material things, it will likely be hard for them to fully focus on that comfort...... as I know personally how hard it is to see your 'life' in possessions destroyed...... mind you I have NO idea what it is like for these people as my possessions were only destroyed from extensive smoke damage.

PLEASE pray for all that are injured, for the family who has suffered the worst tragic with the loss of life, for all that are in shock seeing their homes damaged and/or destroyed and for all of the community as we all work to rebuild.  While this was bad, I do know it could have been SO much worse.......... as it was Good Friday, all of the kids were NOT in school which I view as a very good blessing!

Reason #101 why I am NOT a shopper

I have always been a 'go in, get it and get out' type of shopper... even pre-kids.  Yes, I window shopped more then, but I have always pretty much hated shopping.  Well, since C was born my hate for shopping is EVEN more true... K always gets bored (canNOT blame her at all there) and C is cool as long as the stroller is in motion!  ;)

So, yesterday I decided to venture to the mall for a little 'shopping'.  Keep in mind, the plan was to go to VS to use a coupon Margie gave me (thanks!!!!) that expired yesterday, eat dinner and go to the play place for a bit!  SO, that is ONE store.. ONE!  Here is how the adventure went.......

In car around 3:15 headed to the mall..... it was raining and the whole talk about 'snow' made people drive like complete crazy's as I was following people going 10 miles UNDER the speed limit all the way, lol.  Get to mall... still raining which means YAY for me getting from car to Penney's door.  I open up the back hatch to see NO stroller!!  Oh yes, I then remembered seeing it in the garage.  NOTE to DH.... NEVER, NEVER take it out of the car and if you do RETURN IT immediately, lol.  Two choices came to mind.... 1. go back home to get the thing OR 2. rent one in the mall (notice there was NOT an option to carry C through the mall... NO WAY, that boy is HEAVY and WIGGLY).  I decided on #2 and thought.. 'this will not be too bad'.   Remember I am parked at Penney's thinking the strollers were not too far (like ANYthing is too far at Stones River Mall, lol).  Go in.... C in one arm (realizing he is MUCH heavier in this situation), bag on one arm (not the backpack which would have been much smarter) and holding K's hand with my free hand.  Go to the Cust Svc counter thinking strollers were there.. nope, they are by CEC.  I asked the lady... do they take cards (debit cards) at the machine... "YES" was the answer.  SO NOT TRUE.  I actually have a $10 bill... so I go to insert it... does not take it... it ONLY takes $1 or $5 bills!!  Oh, still holding wild man and bag and answering K's on going questions about what we were doing.  I asked a few people that were walking by if they had change... nope.  Leave bag and K at the machine... go into Lens Crafters (which is right there) to get change (btw, she shorted me $1 but OH WELL, lol).. back to the machine... get the stroller.. double stroller, yay.  OK, this thing REALLY is a BUS.. well fire truck actually, lol.. but it was HUGE.  Get everything and everyone situated... and off to VS.

Walked in and said I wanted to be fitted and try on a few bras QUICKLY hopefully knowing my 3.5 year old & 11 month old would get restless and I was NOT in the mood!  Got fitted quickly... then it all went down hill from there, lol.  The lady was just on SLOW time, lol.  Not too bad.. just had to hold C while this lady took her sweet time getting me other bras to try on.  There was this strange lady trying on bras that kept coming out of the room w/o a shirt on..... that was disturbing and annoying.. but I digress.  Oh, she measured me as 36A which I was like 'no way', I am a B.  I ended up getting 38B and it FITS perfectly, lol.  Got what I needed and out of VS in 30ish minutes, not too bad!  Well, I decided... heck lets window shop some as I had this fire truck that had BOTH kids in it..... no need totell Kaya to keep walking, etc.  So, we did!  This was cool.. nice to just leisurely walk the mall... again walking this mall takes 5 minutes, lol.  Went into Carlton Cards and got a few Easter things (dang Hallmark type stores, lol).  

Now it is time to eat............. go to the food court and deal with a dude at Sbarro that understood ZERO English.... seriously dude!  Got food and started the process of feeding the wild ones......... key here is to get food in front of Connor ASAP!  This went pretty good.... nothing out of the norm of eating out with two little ones on my own.  To the bathroom where K did her thing and C was like a jumping bean while changing his diaper (nothing new here... just a bigger pain on a changing table... floor works MUCH better).

To the play place............ 5 minutes into playing... K has to go to the bathroom (wonDERful).  Pack up in the fire truck and off we go.  K has diarrhea (GREAT) but we made it to the bathroom so not a big deal.  Back to the play place.  NOT 5 minutes later... K holds her belly and says it hurts and does her 'I have to poo' dance.  Back in the fire truck and RUSH to the bathroom (oh this is a bit of a distance that we are making again).  To the bathroom.. she does not have to do anything.  My only thought was 'diarrhea + play place = NOT happening, we are going home'.  Of course, she wanted to play.. so I said '5 minutes girl'.  Back to the play place.... left C in the fire truck which he was not super happy about as he LOVES to play there too.  K played for 5 minutes and did NOT argue with me when it was time to go (I was a bit surprised.. but very happy!).

Yes the saga continues...... we have to return the stroller.  To CEC area to return the fire truck.  Then to Penney's to go to the car.... now we have a big shopping bag to add to my arms.. YAY.  Get to Penney's and put C in one of their carts/stroller things only to use it to walk to the door going to the parking lot.. sad, I know.  Out of the stroller and outside with TWO bags, holding C and holding K's hand...... oh yes, it is raining... not too bad though.  Home by 6:45ish..... so 3.5 hour adventure to shop at ONE store!  Gotta love it, lol.  One thing I do have to say..... both K & C did well in terms of my melt downs, etc.  They really handle those situations well MOST of the time.   Me..... NOT so much, lol.

OK........ so while I am not afraid to do anything with two kids in tow... meaning I do not let it keep me from doing things.......... SHOPPING is just not something I care to do MUCH of period.... especially with my two wild ones in tow..... and NOW you know why!  ;)

Oh yes, I forgot to mention....

I had an OB-GYN appt last Tuesday with a new doc... LOVE her!  Well, she wanted to get me in for an ultrasound on my breast...... and so I was able to to that on Thursday.  ALL is good!  The radiologist said my breast looked totally normal for a woman my age!!  So, yes... likely the lump that was felt back in September by my PCP was more of a lump from BFing.  I continue to feel lumps here and there.  My doc did say that she felt other areas of concern (thickening and such), so the ultrasound was wonderful piece of mind, no matter what!  It cost me about $80 but totally worth it if you ask me!!  I am supposed to get my first mammogram at 35, so only 4 more years for that one.  I was nervous about Thursday but felt really good that I finally went to the doc about it... oh and that the results were GOOD!

Hmmm..... yeah!

I took a much loved puter break last week.... well, I checked email a few times... but other than that... I was not on the thing hardly at all!  I always go through times where I just get away from it.... and I always LOVE it!

Anyway, I am back on the saddle!  

C was sick all of last week... had him to the doc on Thursday and got some meds... although I really wonder if it is allergy related.  ;)  That kept us home a good amount of the week... missing out on Wed night group and a few other things I committed to.  That is the way it goes with little ones.. so I just keep rolling with the punches as they say, lol.  We did get a ton of outside time in.... of course, lol.  Hmm.... not the best for C if it is allergies, lol.  Hey, you have to build up tolerance.. that is what I say!  K loves her bud Eli (a boy in the neighborhood that is only 4 days younger than her) and lis spending more time with AC (girl who is almost 2... they are so cute together).  She loves seeing her 'friends' more, lol.  The poor kid is always saying 'momma... I wanna play with my friends!'.  Hey, it is a win for me too...... gets me more momma conversations with my friends too!  I really love that I have gotten to know a number of mom's in the neighborhood.. makes it super easy for the kids to play a lot and get some adult time (for all of our sake, lol)... all w/o having to drive anywhere (especially while C naps).

The timing of C being sick and being forced to take it extra easy was pERfeCT though!  As I rolled the calendar over to April, I was reminded that May is the next month and PHEW is what I am thinking about that month already, lol.  My brain always tends to think about things one month at a time... but I HAVE to get some things nailed down for May!!  For starters, I will be having my mom and then MIL visits (filling almost the whole month).  C's BIG #1 birthday is 5-3 (awww... my little boy is SO big).... so I need to plan a monkey boy parTEE (nothing too crazy... although there will be monkey's involved, lol.... I might do a Fri afternoon thing..... blowing up the inflatable bounce house WILL be in order!).  Hmm, what else... I am hosting a baby shower for my friend Sarah on 5/17... I am really excited for Sarah and for her shower... this is her first little one...... SO sweet!  There are a few other *must do* things in the month but my calendar is taking a break from my brain, lol.

At any rate.......... I only have a few weeks to get aLL geared up for above mentioned, so I need to get my rear in gear THIS week!  Like I said... good thing I rested up last week... well, I would not call it that, lol.  DH worked M,Tu,Th&Fr last week at Tarhell... same for this week, urgh!  I canNOT wait for that to be done....... and I am working on more plans for that to happen sooner than later!  Stay tuned to my new money making schemes, lol.  ;)

So... while I am looking at the next few months and saying 'phew'... I am also very exciting for all that is coming!  Today begins Easter week...... and I find myself thinking about all that happened many, many years ago and how meaningful the death of Jesus really was for EACH one of US!  I find myself sad and so happy all at the same time!  JESUS ROCKS!!!  :)

Shout out to my girl Patrice.... thinking about you girly!!!  I saw YOU today at the egg hunt!!  I was too lazy to get up with C while K was watching the kids show..... then when I went to find you, I couldn't.  :(  I was SO happy to see your smiley face!!  I have been thinking about you a TON and been BAD and have not called you, SORRY!  That I will be doing tomorrow... gotta see how you feel with one less organ and figure out when I can paint some bricks!  :)

It IS because of JESUS... I do believe!!!

Something I realized Sunday re: my walk with God......
~baptized as an infant in 1978
~saved at 16 in July 1994
~reaffirmed in Methodist faith at 17 in March 1995
~baptized by full immersion in the Southern Baptist faith at 31 on 3-22-09
~~~my walk has ONLY began~~~

Timing is very timely, I do believe! Both of my decisions to join the only two churches I have joined have both occurred in March... just before Easter... just before the resurrection of Jesus. I truly feel I have come full circle... and my journey has ONLY begun!!



Hubby (really amazing for us to do this together).


On Sunday, I thanked Jesus for carrying me... all those times when I have needed to be carried... like in the Footprints poem. While I have never left Jesus, I am truly blessed to be walking with him more and more!

Dr. Mark's sermon seem to speak to me alone.. have you ever felt that? John 14:1-14.... This scripture has been on my mind so much lately, both as we recently discussed this scripture in my small group... but also because this scripture is SO powerful to me! I also remember this scripture as standing out to me when I did an intense study of the whole book of John (in 1995 as a senior in high school). So meaningful... so much how I follow to be in the world! Here is the link to the sermon (I could not get the direct link to work, lol).
http://www.cbcol.net/page.cfm/1115

Thank you Dr. Mark for such an amazing moment and for your amazing leadership and faith in myself! Thank you to SO many people... both those that have watched my journey at Calvary but also those that have seen my journey to date. I love you ALL!

Kaya and Connor were both able to watch us! Thank you Jennifer for sitting with Kaya! Thank you to all in the nursery who brought Connor to watch us... that really meant a LOT to me! Thank you Jennifer and Joe for taking pictures for us too! Thank you to ALL that made it a truly wonderful day for me!

Painting DONE and TATS!

Well this past week was BUSY.. no other way to say it then just that, lol. Monday night was the start of painting the room at church which we got a TON done thanks to an awesome army of 14+ people! Tuesday AM & PM.. more painting but it was done after just two days! 6 hours in total!! That is amazing!! Considering there are 4 coats of yellow and red (one way is all red and then there are 2 walls with red on top) and 2 coats of all other colors except one! That is the power of awesome people!! We have a wonderful group... this I already knew.. but this past week really made me love them so much more! Thurs, I went shopping with Jill at Hobby Lobby and got a TON of awesome things to help decorate the room! Jill found some really great things before I got there! I am planning to work on the room some next week, but next Saturday will be the real work day! There is some wood working things to be done by the handy men and then painting of all that. It is coming together SO good! I totally forgot to get before pics... but I am going to steal some of other rooms people have taken. Then I will have LOTS of pics when it is all complete as it ROCKS! The kids are going to FLIP! I want to spend time in the room too!! ;)

Mark worked Tues and Thurs night and with church on Wed night, that made for a LONG week of me with the kids! Oh throw in two nights were I got only 4 hours of sleep...... aghh!! It felt so good to get so much done this week though, so I am focusing on that!

Last night, Mark and I went on a date.. ohlalala! Lori watched the kids.... and she is a saint for making us have a date.. thank you so much! We went to Nashville! It is sad... that was really the first time that Mark and I have done that by ourselves. We take peeps into Nash when they are in town and we go with the kids a good amount... but not just us! Of course, I can count the number of dates we have been on in the last year on one hand, lol. We had dinner at Jack's... that place is SO good! Then we walked along Broadway for quite awhile! I LOVE, LOVE city's.. love to be in them and do all the city life....... prefer to not live in them though.. now at least. I still have thoughts to live in Chitown! We went to an Irish Pub and had a drink or two (Mark his one limit, lol) and me two. Then we went to a tattoo place!!! :) I have been itching to start my back for years now and that helped inspire me! I would have gotten the first piece (a heart in the center of my back) if we had the money for it right now. I am going to use some of my bday money, I think. I am not going to cover my back at all... just pieces that symbolize me, Mark and each of my kids!! Yes, tattoos are SUPER addictive... and YES I love them... but NO I do not want many more... maybe, lol.

Tomorrow is a VERY big day for me.. Mark too! I am VERY excited and quite emotional as well! I canNOT wait to get immersed in the name of Jesus!!! :)

Come celebrate with me!

Mark and I will be baptized this coming Sunday (3/22) at 10:30am service! This is baptismal by full immersion, and it happens right at church during service. I want to invite you to come celebrate this HUGE moment with me!

After many thoughts and prays, I feel so blessed to make this step! If you want to join us, let me know and I can give you the address to church!!

Birthday and paint....

It has come to my attention that I am now 31 years old... good to know, lol. I had a really good birthday in all. As in some ways it is just another day... it is MY day and so it was just that! I got some wonderful cards, lots of birthday wishes, a giant cookie (thanks to hubby staying up until 1am making it.... aww).. oh and 31 spanks thanks to Kaya and Papa, lol.

Paint has been on my mind forEVER it seems. As I have more paint swatches on my walls and look at them each day, I will be painting tomorrow night... at church that is. We are in the process of re-doing all the Sunday School rooms and my group is transforming a room into a game room! It is going to look SO awesome once it is done!! Lots of color and fun things all over the walls! I just might have to use some of the colors for my house projects!

While I have busier than usual, I do not feel overwhelmed. When I decided to NOT do the CMM in April, I think that helped take a good amount of pressure off. It is still a goal for me to complete my first 1/2 marathon, but the timing was not right. I have taken a lot of stock of my energies lately and have refocused my time... I feel all for good. As Connor's first birthday is fast approaching and Kaya is changing everyday, I feel like things are right where they need to be. Am I content with all aspects of my life? No. Is it a work in progress? Yes. Is that the way it should be? Yes.

Recipe for Thankfulness...

Thankful Thursday, yes it is. Here is my recipe....
~~blankets (as many as you want)
~~kid(s)
~~imagination

Here is what you get....

Not bad with the tools at hand!

Taking a 'nap' in her jungle tent, as Kaya calls it.

"This is FUN Momma!"

An example of letting your imagination follow in your child's footprints. Kaya was showing me all the "shiny" and "sparkly" stars (aka flowers) on the reverse side of the quilt! :)

"LOOK at this ONE Momma.. it is super shiny!"

Aww... I love Kaya's imagination... and love her for reminding me to use it more!

Pray for us, PLEASE!

OK, so times are tough for so many people... this is true. Well, we have NOT been affected by job loss which is such a blessing... but Mark and I are in some really hard financial times... lots of reasons, some out of our control... a number totally in our control but magnified with one income!! At any rate, I am asking for prayers for my family... for my marriage.... as these things are always hard to deal with and get real about... and this has been VERY hard on us lately.... harder than any previous point in our marriage! We are making progress which is a huge plus and answered prayers already! God is good.. this I know!

Oh, today was a bit of a hard day for me emotionally as Kaya got one of my prenatal vitamins.. you know the ones that have extra iron and such... that are even more dangerous for kids to digest... yes, she got one (which I carelessly left on the table to take but forget.. mind you, I had thought Kaya had moved past this phase of intrigue... not so much) and bit into it and did digest some of it. Well, lots of water and a call to poison control later, I felt assured that she is ok. A little reminder that I need to slow down and refocus?! Yes, I think so! :) Maybe this is why I have been so active with rearranging some money things around today! Nothing like making the money issues seem like nothing though!! ;)