I Made it!

Well, I made it. I posted every day for the month of November, and I'm a little surprised. ElleBee would say that she's not surprised since I almost always finish what I start, but I won't say that it's been easy!

So since tomorrow is December 1, I'll share a little about how our December looks.

This Friday I have MOPS in the morning. Sigh, I don't like MOPS and don't plan to go back after this month. Actually, if I hadn't signed up to bring treats, I wouldn't even go this month. Friday evening we have parents' night out, and the Music Man and I are going to dinner without the kids. Woohoo!

Next Friday, we have the Church-wide Christmas dinner.

December 18 is the Rowell's Christmas party, then on the 19th we leave for WDW. We come home on Christas Eve day, and you know what happens after that!

Because I'm not super social, this schedule, along with our regular obligations and small group, etc, makes me crings a little. Here's hoping it's peaceful!

We're Home!

After a long trip, 17 hours in the car, and far too much food, we are home. I plan to sleep as much as humanly possible before I have to drag my bum out of the house for church. Then I have to work (sigh) before I crawl back into my bed. I'm not sure we'll ever eat again. That is all.

It's Friday!

And thus gift exchanging in my family. Since I only make it to Ohio once a year, my family exchanges gifts the day after Thanksgiving. I'm sorta excited, though I had a really hard time finding things this year. Do you have a gift style? I love to give the perfect gift, and I work hard at it. But when it comes to receiving gifts, the things I really want are thins I would like to have but don't want to buy for myself I'm practical to the core, midwestern and pragmatic. This year my wish list includes a couple of CDs, a mandoline (to use with my dehydrator), and a fire safe. Clearly there's no whimsy here!

So what kind of receiver are you?

Have a great day, hope no one got hurt shopping out there!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Since I turned 29 on my birthday, I figured I'd list 29 things I'm thankful for this year!

1. My baby girl turned four, and she's sweet and smart and wonderful.
2. My precious son turned two, and he's hilarious and adorable.
3. The Look Alike arrived safe and sound and is just a great little thing.
4. The Music Man is working hard to make me feel loved and our marriage is starting to grow new shoots in the dead places.
5. I've lost almost 80 lbs since the Look Alike was born, and I'm getting close to my final goal.
6. We still have our jobs and can pay our bills.
7. We got to take the kids to WDW for the Princess' birthday and had a good time.
8. We have plans to go back a couple more times in the next year, and will have an even better time!
9. I've learned so much about nutrition and feel like we're really on our way to optimum health.
10. My friends, who have stuck with me, even when I suggest drinking pureed spinach and beets!
11. That they admit to liking them (most of the time)!
12. This blog, where I've met so many new friends and been exposed to so many new thoughts.
13. That the Lord has given me a few special people who are changing the way I see Him and everyone around me due to their diligence, love, and desire to re-parent me.
14. Discovering a passion in exercise and a desire to teach Pilates to others.
15. Learning how to eat good, nutritious food cheaply so that we can be better stewards.
16. Staying with my great aunt and uncle when we visit Ohio. It's quiet and Kay is the one in the family who keeps the history and pictures going.
17. I'm taking the Music Man away for his birthday (God willing) in February, and have built in some surprises.
18. Due West UMC's Recreation ministry, where I get to work out and people who love children fawn over mine while I do. For free. How great is that?
19. Tenth Avenue North's music. They're really getting me through some heavy stuff right now!
20. Feeling freer and freer to worship at my church. We have some seriously, um, overt people, and that's always intimidating, but I'm getting there!
21. My friend Mitzi, who I never get to be with these days, but when we're together we just seem to pick right back up.
22. To go along with Mitz above, I'm so thankful for friends who have been in the faith for a long time, whose spirits are quiet and know stuff I don't and don't act like I'm dumb for it.
23. My Pilates instructor, Pam. I just think she's fantastic and is encouraging me to get certified to teach myself.
24. We have a house that is warm and comfortable, when others have nothing.
25. We have two vehicles so that I can get out of the house with the kids, woohoo!
26. I was able to buy extra grain in April, thereby avoiding buying it now that I'm runing low, and paying 25% more.
27. Our cats, they make the house feel warm and loving.
28. We get to stay with family in Ohio instead of at a hotel, which saves us a good amount of money (that we can then spend at WDW next month, yay)!
29. I'm thankful that I get to live another day to praise Jesus!

Today is the Day!

We're leaving for Ohio around 7 am and will return home Saturday night (note: if you are a robber, not only do we have an alarm system, but the police are driving by twice a day and we've booby trapped the place, so don't try it)! I'm cranking out some work before we hit the road. I'll still be posting but won't respond much until we get home. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Stores Closing after Christmas

I saw this list submitted by a Hillbilly Housewife reader, and I thought it was good to know! So here's my PSA for the day:

Heads up that if you tend to give gift cards around the holidays, you need to be careful that the cards will be honored after the holidays. Stores that are planning to close after Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even though the cards will be worthless January 1. There is no law preventing them from doing this. On the contrary, it is referred to as ‘Bankruptcy Planning”. Below is a partial list of stores that you need to be cautious about.

*Also, any cards you may have now and been saving them you may want to cash them in soon.

Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide closing
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, and Catherine’s to close 150 stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down

Just a Question

So I know this is probably a very, very, veerrrryyyy basic question, but I can't seem to find an answer that suits me and satisfies my "what ifs".

We say God is just, right? Now, I'm sure He is because He says He is and all. But how do we figure that God is just when some are saved? I mean, sure I get why some are damned and all since we've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, so why are some saved? Because if you pick some and not others, is that just? Do I just have the wrong definition of the word?

My brain is addled, and now I must work a bit then sleep. That is all.

Almost Didn't Make It

I know it's only 9:35, but it's past my bedtime. I'm broke down tired. This weekend was crazy, and I really just need a nap (and I still need to work before bed). Forgive me for not having anything interesting to say today. There are lots of things swirling around in my heart, things I can't give voice to just yet. I hope to get some clarity after I get home from Ohio before getting lost in the bustle of Christmas. Until next time...

I Heart the Kroger Manager's Special

There's this phenomenon at Kroger, it's called the manager's special. Basically it's just how they mark down aging fresh foods, but since I don't spend time in the rest of the store, save a brief foray into canned goods once in a while, 95% of my time is in the produce section.

Today I needed to use a coupon for yogurt that expires before we get home from Ohio. I was able to get:

Gallons of Horizon organic milk for $2.79 and $3.29
Organic, free range eggs for $1.59/dz
fresh pico de gallo $1.49
egg roll wraps $.99
12 oz of some fancy Swiss-made brie $5.29
italian salad blend $1.79

Now I know that might not sound great, until I tell you that those gallons of milk were $6.49. The eggs are $4.59, the pico is $3.99, the wraps are $2.00, the cheese was $20 ($26.90/lb, can you BELIEVE that), the salad $3.69. All told I saved over $40 on just those things. My freezer is stocked with milk, I'll freeze the eggs in ice cube trays, and we'll have salad for dinner tonight. Woohoo!

The Post That Leads to Nowhere

La la, hmmm hmmm hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

What,you expected me to post today?

Huh?

Oh, that's right, I signed up for this NaBloPoMo thing. Nevermind all of the drama of yesterday, or did you not read that? Or worse yet, you DID read it but still expect me to post today. Or you DID read it and you're ovewhelmingly proud of me for actually doing what I said I'd do on Halloween. Yeah, ok. That makes it better.

So today my new dehydrator came. I have several things in the works; dehydrated almonds, fruit leather, collard green chips, and banana chips. I'll post recipes on the stuff that works later. The stuff that doesn't, eh, we won't worry about.

My laptop is being ridiculous, saying it doesn't want to connect to the internet so at present I'm chained to my desk. I should be working, cooking, or wrapping gifts, but here I am.

OK I really have to work now. But hopefully I'll have something interesting to share tomorrow!

Turkey-Induced Panic Attack

I'm generally fairly easy going. I don't get ruffled terribly easily. I did have a brief freak out earlier in the week because I thought my gifts weren't going to arrive on time for Christmas at Thanksgiving with the fam, but thankfully God intervened and the stuff is supposed to arrive TODAY, when Amazon.com told me it was to ship today and arrive between 11/28 and 12/4.

Since we typically make the trip to Ohio only once per year, we do Christmas with them the day after Thanksgiving. It's lots of fun I think, but it does require some preparation. My folks are sorta fly by the seat of your pants people, and I'm (emphatically) not. I'm a planner through and through, so the fact that I don't have gifts ready and wrapped already, leaving in 6 days, gives me a sick feeling in my gut. Just like prepping for WDW last month, I'm on the verge of a panic attack getting stuff ready.

I like to think it's because no one can do the stuff I need to do, but is that really true? I mean, the Music Man is totally capable of packing for the kids if I don't care what they look like. Since I do, the packing and planning outfits for four of us is up to me. Add to that needing warmer clothes than we generally wear, and there's a little shopping to add to the mix. Pack coats, wrap gifts, diapers for two, everything you'd need for 2 8-hour car rides in a span of 4 days plus packing Christmas gifts for 8 people and shoving all of it into our Hyundai Sonata, well, it's daunting.

Plus I need to find a way to fit in 20 hours of work in the next 6 days (not terrible, but not preferred). Sigh. Off to work or cook or SOMETHING. I think a list is in order!

I'm A Little Worried

About my boy. My son is my only boy so far, and the kid is home with me and his two sisters all day. This manifests in lots of different ways, mostly that he pushes a stroller around the house instead of trucks (which he has, just doesn't play with) and playing dress up with plastic heels and pink purses. And the occasional tiara, sigh.

But today, things came to a head. I was working, sitting on the sofa. My son was pushing the baby doll around in the stroller, said, "she's sad". Aww, he has empathy, he's picking up his baby to comfort her. But what does he do?

HE PICKS UP THE BABY, LIFTS HIS SHIRT, AND STARTS TO BREASTFEED HER.

Sigh. The boy needs a brother, pronto. In the meantime, I'll be tuning in to more Handy Manny and Bob the Builder, as well as butching up his wardrobe. It's all jeans and camouflage from now on! OK maybe not totally, but we'll for sure focus on more boy stuff.

Now about that baby brother, I'm hoping to eek another seven or eight months out of this break, but we'll see. You never know when a baby is coming when you're me, it's like a grand game surprise where someone scares the crap out of you for a minute, until you're flooded with joy at seeing them again!

I Had an Idea

So there's nothing really much fun about my Honoring Hunger blog. I mean really, do you think it's fun to look at what I eat each day?

My friend Nikki (aka Nicole, whatever you want to call her) and I have totally different lives. I've been married for six years, she's single. I have three kids, she doesn't yet. I stay home, she works. I'm a homebody, she's social. I've never been out of the country, she's a globe-trotter in her career with USA Judo. She lives in Colorado, I live in Georgia. And while you know how I eat, she grabs whatever she can and never met a green vegetable she'd be willing to put in her mouth. Did I mention that she's a salt fiend?

At the end of the day though, we both want to drop 20to 25 lbs. We both do the gym thing. So we're introducing our new bloggy collaboration. It'll include our food and exercise journals, yes. But you'll also get to see our interaction. She can critique my freakish food forays. I can judge her lack of plant food. It should be a wild ride, so come join us here!

100 Calorie Insanity

Earlier this week, I noticed that Twinkies come in 100 calorie packs. TWINKIES! Now, I understand that the premise of these snacks is portion control and not health, but really, isn't that taking things just a wee bit far?

To add to my grumblings, the Oreo Thin Crisps? Those things taste nothing like real Oreos. Fat, sugar, hydrogenated oils, all included, but not the essence of Oreo.

So imagine my chagrin when the Orville Reddenbacher rice cakes jumped on the band wagon. I was incensed that they would insult my snack IQ too, but since Walmart.com was mailing free samples, well, I couldn't resist. I'm not sure if it's his midwesternness or his fluffy corn, but I've always trusted the man, and now his incredible popping corn since his passing. Weird, I know.

My mailbox was stuffed with the sample, cheddar cheese flavor. After lunch and getting the kids down, I ripped into the (large) bag. First, the bag is about twice as big as a normal 100 calorie pack bag. Once I got it open, I realized that the rice cakes aren't cakes at all, but rather wafers stamped so that the sides rise up (like a hollowed out Reese' Cup, I suppose). I didn't count, but I'd say there were at least a dozen pieces, and about 3/4 of the way through I felt satisfied with the size of the snack. They were quite salty, but the taste wasn't bad at all, really.

All told, I'd be more inlined to eat these particular 100 calorie packs than others, and I'd definitely try the caramel variety. Let me know what you think!

I. Am. Tired.

Remember that big fight that the Music Man and I had last week (and have had at least a dozen times in the last three years)? That fight, it is exhausting, and wrenching, and causes me to lose sleep.

Well, there's a flip side to getting what you want.

Because I told him that I don't feel loved or valued or safe in the contxt of this particular fight, we've been working hard on trying to make time for each other. This includes doing stuff you don't want to do. Do you see where this is going?

Yep. James Bond. 007.

I am not a fan of gratuitous violence, casual sex, or stomach-knotting plot twists. I don't so much like games of chance or alcohol, and so really, there's not much for me to look at in those movies. I was going to surprise the Music Man with a trip to the theater all by himself this weekend, but when I asked him whether or not he was excited for Quantum of Solace, he said no. Wha-huh? This is the man who read all of the Ian Fleming novels. He owns all but the last three movies for himself. What's going on here? Then he said that he'd never seen Casino Royale. Ah, that explains it. See, somewhere in the midst of having babies, a movie came out that we didn't see.

So what did I think to do? Well, in an effort to bless my husband, I went to Blockbuster on Friday. I didn't expect the movie to actually BE there on the day another was released. When I got up to my turn, the checker guy looked up, really surprised. He said at least two people had asked for the 1 copy the computer showed that had, and they hadn't been able to find it. Isn't God good? Apparently he really wanted me to bless my husband!

So last night at 9:30 he decides he wants to watch it. That's late for me, folks. I like to be asleep before 10 since I get up at 6 to work. Anyhow, so round at 11:45, the flick was over. And really, it wasn't bad. Less sex, not a ton of killing, relatively tasteful for a movie about a guy whose only job is whacking people. And who doesn't love Judy Dench?

So there's my review of Casino Royale. Not terrible.

See you tomorrow!

I Came, I Saw, I Returned Home With Tired Feet

Today I went Christmas shopping. I'm not sure if it's because it was the first really cold day we've had, or because people are realizing that it's less than two weeks until Thanksgiving, but the stores were PACKED. Funny thing happened, too. I saw one of my step instructors from the gym at NY and Company. OK, that's not terribly funny. But then I went to Linens 'n Things and saw my OTHER step teacher there. Isn't that strange?!

So I was able to check a scant few things off of my list. And I have a beef. I went to Walmart, Target, F.Y.E. and Borders and couldn't find the newest Veggie Tales movie for Connor's party tomorrow. They had Lord of the Beans. They had Gideon. They had some other one with a long title (can you tell we haven't watched Veggie Tales in our house?), but none of The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. Since Connor is into Peter Pan and pirates these days, and because I was exhausted and the Peter Pan book was w-a-y too long to expect any parent to read, I got him a pirate book with reusable stickers and some Color Wonder stuff (funny enough, I think I got Cole the EXACT same stuff for his birthday last year. Oh well, it all draws the same).

Anyhow, it looks like I'll be cozying up with a cup of hot tea and amazon.com tonight to finish up!

Who Is Sick of Hearing From Me?

*Raises hand*

Oh, wait...

I'm almost halfway through NaBloPoMo, and I'm surprised to say that I haven't missed a day so far. But since I know it's totally easy to get sick of someone, I thought I'd post links to a few of my favorite blogs, just so you can drop in on my friends:

ElleBee My bestest non-bloggy friend, who prompted me to do this in the first place (yes, you can blame her for it)!

Cynthia is a new friend from greensmoothiegirl.com, we share the same political leanings it seems. She also is a mother to NINE kids (I'm so amazed, even if that could be me someday)!

Michelle is a doll and a half. And though I missed the bloggy get together for Elijah House, I know she'll forgive me some day. :)

Tara writes about food (which I love) her daughter (who is adorable) and keeping her home (which I'd like to do better).

And of course Rae, who thinks and shares and believes the most impossibly beautiful things, even living amongst the poor and least of these half a world away.

Keyword Searches That Led You Here

I said I'd do them, and I really, really love reading the searches that brought you to this page. Here are the most recent!

meinthemadness
You like me, you really like me!

bethea@myhealthwealthandhappiness.com
I don't know how many searches I've gotten for this, but as you can see by its position, it's the second most searched keyword on this blog. I imagine most of those people don't stick around long!

bibbidi bobbidi boutique certificate
The FP got a certificate after her visit. The whole experience was so sweet!

i love my ups man
You and me both, sister. You and me both.

hooked on green smoothies
Better than crack, and you get to keep all your teeth.

sheer peach organza vs nars orgasm
I like both, but the Nars really is just about perfect. Really. However, I tend to use the sheer peach organza because it works better on me.

words to the carol 'i wonder as i wander'
Not really a carol, but here you go:
1. I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die.
For poor on'ry people like you and like I...
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

2. When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall,
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all.
But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall,
And the promise of ages it then did recall.

3. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,
A star in the sky, or a bird on the wing,
Or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing,
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King.
about bethea@myhealthwealthandhappiness.com

old navy size 4 what's real size
Who really knows. I'm a size bigger there than just about anywhere else.

myhealthwealthandhappiness.com
Please, PLEASE get over Bethea and her "health, wealth, and happiness"

raw bread recipe
That is Essene bread, here's a link to a recipe:
http://www.recipezaar.com/Essene-Bread-Raw-Sprouted-Bread-324437

i heart your blog award
Leave me a comment, I might pass it on to you, too!

zucchini bread glycemic index
Far too many variables to say, but using whole wheat flour and agave nectar to sweeten will help quite a bit. So will nuts.

green smoothies for 6 month old
No reason not to, so long as you've tested the individual foods for allergens

zappos for zumba
I'm using the Nike Musique IV, and they're working well. I slid in a pair of insoles because they're not at all cushy.

good evening makeup
Here you go.

make up mistakes lip gloss
This one.

first haircut
The CCM just had has at the Harmony Barber Shop at the Magic Kingdom. It was sweet, he got a certificate, was covered in stickers, and got a free pair of ears. Will hope to o it again for the Look Alike.

nike musique iv & kickboxing
See above.

28.8% body fat
Within the recommended range for a woman my age, but I'd like to get down around 20%

body fat percent navy
It appears that the Navy requires a weight range, not a body fat range. Hmm.

green smoothie regular blender
It can be done, just go slow and don't use frozen fruit!

cynical Christian
I stopped reading this blog in about September, but if you're looking for it,here it is: thecynicalchristian

Stolen from Michelle...

...over at Life With Three. What can I say, it's NaBloPoMo!

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE: I don't actually know. Heather was an awfully popular name from the mid 70's to early 80's.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED:
Sunday night.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING:
No.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT:
Roast beef, it's about the only thing I've been able to find without nitrites, which give me migraines.

DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Three -- the Firecracker Princess (4), the Chubby Cheeked Monster (2), and the Look Alike (8 mos)

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Eh, most of the time, until I get all righteous and clingy and depressive.

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Who me?

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS:
No.

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Eh, probably not these days. It's a calculated risk, and I wouldn't care to do it enough that it balances with the risk that my kids would lose their mom.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Publix brand frosted shredded wheat. Try it, you'll see why. It's not scratchy, more like wheat Chex with a little sweetness.

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Not usually.

DO YOU THINK YOU'RE STRONG?
Yep, physically and emotionally. Getting there spiritually.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Hmm, probably Cherry Garcia.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
I don't really know, I'm sort of a total package gal.

RED OR PINK?
Pink. Red is too wild for me.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My judgmental nature.

WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black yoga pants (size MEDIUM), no shoes. Earlier I was wearing my Nike Musique IV's with these pants.

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
cake. And that could always be an answer around here, I heart cake.

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Tinker Bell the Movie, and the CCM talking to a cat.

IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Cerulean Love the explanation the page gives of "cerulean people".

FAVORITE SMELLS?
my children's hair, baking bread, mulled cider, and cake. Did I mention cake?

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
the Music Man

FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH?
baseball

HAIR COLOR:
Natural? Brown. Purchased? Auburn with blonde highlights.

EYE COLOR:
hazel

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No

FAVORITE FOOD?
Cake? It's up there, at least. And of course green smoothie!

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings, I don't find scary movies to be at all edifying or beneficial to me.

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Tinker Bell the Movie. Before that, I watched Sleeping Beauty. All Disney all the time in this house!

SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer, if I can't choose fall.

HUGS OR KISSES?
hugs

FAVORITE DESSERT?
You know this one, right? Cake!

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
The Sleeping Beauty stories out there

WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I don't have a mouse pad.

WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LATE LAST NIGHT?
Last night I went to bed after DWTS

FAVORITE SOUND?
the cello

ROLLING STONES OR THE BEATLES?
Beatles

WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
physically? Utah. Spiritually? I've been some pretty far places spiritually that weren't home.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Dayton, OH

It is So. Not. My. Day

The Music Man and I had our single argument again this weekend, and it caused some sleepless nights. We hashed it out and finally got somewhere on this banging-head-against-wall perennial fight, and that was good, but apparently when my head hit the pillow, my good vibes ended.

Got up this morning as usual to work, and that was fine. Left about 5 minutes late to go to Zumba, but was making ok time when I got pulled over. Now, let me explain how this went. I was on a local road called Stilesboro. Before the red light, there's a school zone sign, and it was flashing. I got into the left turning lane, and turned onto Due West Rd. About 1/2 mile down Due West, I got pulled over for 43 in a 45 because I was in a school zone. Huh?! You mean the sign ON THE OTHER ROAD?

In his "generosity", the officer knocked it down to 39 so I wouldn't get points on my license. Uh huh. So I plan to fight it when my court date finally rolls around in mid-January. The Music Man said he'd take the day off of work for it, woohoo! Fight the power!

Then we got home and the kids were watching Sleeping Beauty before nap. The Chubby Cheeked Monster has been sensitive lately, but today it all came to a head. He and the Firecracker Princess were sitting on the sofa when she started bawling. I couldn't figure it out until I looked at him and he was holding a fistful of her hair. I was sitting right next to them, she didn't provoke him at all. Then he let one of the cats into the garage. Then he kicked the baby in the gut and her little head hit the floor. THAT was the last straw. He got yet another spanking and got put down for nap without lunch. It was ugly.

But you want to know a lovely thing that happened last night? I went shopping after my Reformer class because I needed a pair of jeans for our trip to Ohio for Thanksgiving. Only one pair of jeans fit, but NY and Company carries active wear again. I bought two pairs of pants, size MEDIUM. Medium!! Angels sang (at least in the fitting room). Woohoo!

I'm A Mess!

*CCM hit "publish", sigh.

Here's a melange of stuff I haven't kept up with since things are busy around here! First, my check-in, a week past due.


June 2, 2008:
181 lbs
39.3% body fat

July 2, 2008:
170.8 lbs.
35.3% body fat

August 2, 2008
160.0 lbs
32.0% body fat

September 2, 2008
151.4 lbs
30.0% body fat

October 2, 2008
146.8 lbs.
30.0% body fat

November 10, 2008
143.8 lbs
28.8% body fat

I don't think that's terrible for a month where I a) went on vacation and gained 2 lbs and b)lost about 15 hours of gym time due to Elijah House and Saturday soccer games, as well as sick kids causing us to skip workout at Due West.

Second, I got the Nintendo DS. I'd been meaning to get one for about a year, then saw a really good deal on walmart. com (I believe they still have it, 2 games, the system, and an accessory pack for $149). That Brain Age game is killing me! It says my brain is 49!! Part of it is the voice and number recognition is good but not great, and still mistakes some of my numbers, I guess lefties write funny? Otherwise, I realize that I actually LIKE sudoku. Who knew?

Finally, I'm still in the weeds for my brothers for Christmas. Ben says all he wants are pictures, and I'm happy to provide that, but I'd like to do more than give him a bunch of snapshots. Any ideas? Patrick, well, he's a big brute of a college football player, and so I got him a couple of Under Armour shirts and a subscription to ESPN the magazine. Arg!

Stay tunes, later this week I plan to do a keyword search piece. I LOVE it when people do those!

More Disney pictures!

CCM meeting Peter Pan. Not a great picture, but the story is hilarious to me. So he gets up there to meet Peter, and the Cast Member says to him, "Hey buddy, you got boogers?". For some reason that struck me as a hilarious thing to say to a kid. But then again, if I were a guy who is 5 feet tall and weighed about 100 lbs with red hair, eh, I'd take my jabs where I could get them.


The Look Alike at the Luau. I just thought this picture was sweet.


CCM did NOT want me to take his picture with the Pluto face. I asked them to do Pluto b/c he was wearing a Pluto outfit which he LOVES, second only to the Mouse himself.


Sleeping Beauty face paint, who is by far her favorite, even though she was wearing a Cinderella shirt.



The Look Alike was fascinated by the costumed characters, she would kiss them and just stare. So sweet.


Cutting a rug during the dance time with JoJo and Goliath.


This was the scene we came "home" to at the hotel room, Mousekeeping decorated Mickey and minnie, then made a water slide for doggie (and boy could he use a dip, he's filthy) and a towel snail. It was sweet, and the kids LOVED it!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

*I really did write this yesterday, but due to internet connection drama, it didn't post until today!

Well, at least in stores. Today I went into Hallmark to buy a wedding card and little gift for my Pilates instructor (because she's just a doll). What did I see? A HUGE BANNER that said "Santa today, 10 am to 2 pm". Apparently people want to get their kids' pictures taken with santa on November 8. Niiiiice.

But I admit, it was nice to go in there, hear Bing Crosby sing songs and wander among the red and green merchanside. Between shopping and seeing all the decorations, putting on Christmas albums, and putting cinnamon sticks and orange peels on the stove, I get all in the sprit once advent starts.

What do you do to get in the spirit?

What I've Learned From Jules

I am a Christian. I believe in the Nicene Creed, that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, came to earth and lived a sinless life, died on a cross for my sins, and rose on the third day. I believe that he ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father. I believe that He wants to have a personal relationship with me.

I know that there are degrees of Christianity. There are "name-claimers", there are "cultural Christians" (especially here in the South and in small communities, mostly rural, dotted along our maps). There are Catholic Christians (gasp). There are Methodists, Baptists, and Seventh-Day Adventists. There are the non-denominationals, and there are Vineyard people like me. People walk in varying degrees of Truth.

But what did I learn from the controversy of yesterday's exchange with Jules? I learned that no one can judge me. Well, they can, but they are in sin and won't be forgiven by the Father until they repent. Yikes! I learned that not all Christians need to like me! And I learned afresh that God really, really hates it when we try to be righteous judges, usurping His role.

I've learned that I don't WANT her to like me. If I'm lumped in with the peace-loving, grace-extending, love-giving "hippie, crunchy, latte-sipping, Volvo driving" Christians, so be it. I thought my tribe could be the Christian community, but apparently that was naive of me. I've learned that I was wrong to seek approval from men, when the ONe whose approval I seek is hidden and secret within me.

Today I'll leave you with Donald Miller's Blog about why he voted for Obama. It's good (as is all of his stuff that I've read).

May grace abound in all of us, and may our hearts be clear of judgment!

Am I Wrong?!

Here was the conversation I had tonight on blog comments. I don't know if I was wrong, I don't think I was. The last comment will be a rebuttal that I didn't post on her site because I didn't want to engage in anymore foolishness. My part is bolded, and starting with her comment that incited the conversation:

“Now in the last seven years we have had the highest corporate profit ever in American history. Highest corporate profit! We’ve had the highest productivity! The American worker has produced more per person at any time, but it hasn’t been shared, and that’s the problem because we have been guided by a republican administration who believes in this simplistic notion that people who have wealth are entitled to keep it and they have an antipathy towards the means of redistributing wealth.” – Jim Moran, Congress-VA Democrat

If you voted for Obama…you’re a moran moron.

Just remember Proverbs 21:1. And please don’t call me a moron. I’m actually pretty intelligent, God-fearing and involved in my evangelical church. And I would hate for you to be judged for your judgment here.

Maybe instead of calling names, you’d like to hit your knees. Here are some suggestions as to how to pray for him:
http://fireinmybones.com/

Heather:

I’m very familiar with Proverbs 21. How about you read 1 Samuel, chapter 8.

jules

I don’t find it to be at all applicable, since the people asked for a king instead of going to God. Those people HAD the Lord as a King, but looked aside. Moreover, the prayers of a righteous man were heard by the Lord, and though we don’t know what exactly Samuel prayed, it’s clear that he was all kinds of mad. Isn’t the prophecy of Samuel what we’ve reaped since the time if Saul’s kingdom? And indeed before that, since the fall, just not in organized fashion? I don’t believe that we’d have freedom from that even if we didn’t have a “king” in this country because of the generational precedent set into motion by the Israelites.

I hope you repent of your name-calling, although I want you to know that I personally forgive you for it. It’s no fun being on the wrong side of God, I’ve been there.

And, that’s where you are right now, Heather.

How do you figure? I prayed and prayed about this choice. I wonder, humbly, how you see fit to judge me. Discerning is one thing. Rebuking is one thing, within the context of a relationship. You’re calling millions and millions of people, some your brothers and sisters in Christ, morons. I say again, I forgive you. I forgive you what appears to be hardness of heart. I forgive you what appears to be your lack of belief that God is indeed sovereign. I forgive you your rage and hatred, however it comes. I hope that you’re able to meet with Him and get some resolution. If you’re really this upset, I hope you’re able to pour your heart out to the Lord and allow Him to be the balm of Gilead. We’re called to joy, and all I hear in your words is grief. The Lord will never turn against a broken and contrite heart.

Father God, It’s clear that Jules is hurting right now. I ask that you would send Your Holy Spirit to ring her peace in this circumstance. I ask that you would make her soft and moldable as she seeks to stand firm for Your ways. I ask that she allow Your gospel to be the offensive thing, Lord, not she herself. I don’t know if she seeks to offend Lord, or if her cannot see her folly. Father, I ask that she not be a stumbling block for others in her vitriol, but that somehow, some way, you would make light out of darkness. I ask you to sweep out any place that has sown hatred and anger Lord, so that she doesn’t not have to reap what she has sown with her words. Your Word says that what is in the heart pours from the lips, so please change her heart. Have mercy on her, have mercy on me, have mercy on us all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you can cast your ballot for a man who openly and proudly contends and defends the practice of slaughtering unborn children while still in their mother’s womb, you are not my sister in Christ.

The blood of those innocents is on your hands, Heather.

You know what, the blood of those innocents IS on my hands. Would you like to know why? Because I had an abortion. Yep, that’s right. I’m a baby killer, a murderer. I was in college, and I did not know the Lord. So throw your stone. Go ahead, I can take it.

Do you think that I haven’t cried oceans of tears for the child I murdered? Do you think that I haven’t looked into the eyes of my living children and wondered what my son would’ve been like? Do YOU think you know ANYTHING about making that choice? Because I’ve made it. And I’ve made the wrong one. And I live with it every. single. God-included day of my LIFE. When my youngest cries to nurse, do you think my breasts don’t long to nurse the one I sent to the grave? When my oldest dances, do you THINK I don’t wish I could have seen my boy off to his first day of school? When my son slings his arm around my neck, do you THINK I don’t weep for the chance to hold him, tell him that I was wrong, and to please, please, for the love of God Almighty, forgive me?

Oh wait, that’s right. Jesus, the perfect One, the holy One, is my pardon. You? You’re a sad and angry woman who I pray will one day learn about grace. The grace of the ONLY perfect one. The only one whose ballot matters.

In disagreements, we “leave a grace space for your former enemy to become your present friend”. I will leave you a grace space. And again I forgive you.

So…let me see if I follow your logic…

You chose to slaughter your unborn child, but have since received the gift of grace which comes from the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Though forgiven, you live with the natural consequences of your sin each day. It is an unrelenting, never diminishing pain which words cannot convey. It is a torture that few can understand and from which you will be freed only when you enter glory.

So, naturally you voted for a man who staunchly defends the right of women to do the same.

I’m not pro-choice. I just happen to prioritize other issues more highly. Social programs, helping the poor and downtrodden. God is a God of life, but life for all. I also think there are much better ways to combat abortion rather than legislatively. Women will still abort even if it’s illegal. And they to will die from botched ones, from sepsis and bleeding out, therefore having no chance at redemption.

I don’t think that people who haven’t faced the choice have any idea what it’s like. An opinion, sure. But an uninformed one. And that’s ok, I prefer that people wouldn’t be in the situation I was in. Make no mistake, unless you’ve been in my shoes, you do not understand. I pray that no one in your family ever finds him or herself with that same blood on his or her hands. In a choice between bad and worse, I’m not a single issue voter. I prayerfully made my choice. I stand by my choice before the Lord with fear and trembling. Because unlike you, I acknowledge that I might’ve chosen incorrectly (in this and many, many other areas), and ask the Lord to make beauty of my mess.

“God is a God of life, but life for all.”

Except for the lives of 48,589,993 babies who’ve been slaughtered since 1973. Thanks to the mess made by loving, non-judgmental, graceful, moral, pious and ultra-forgiving “Christians” like you.

Whoa nelly. So this clearly got ugly, though I tried to be calm, rational, and loving in everything I said. But on my way to Elijah House tonight, I crafted a response I didn't intend to send her, but just to get it out of my body. Here it is:

Thank you! I wondered why I was so invested in you seeing me as a believer, as a sister. Then I realized that your words were those of the enemy. The one who came to steal my joy and destroy my witness. I realized that you were just the devil's mouthpiece, taunting and jeering and seeking to disqualify me. My unforgiveness of self didn't allow the blood of Christ to do its work in my heart.

I don't have to defend myself. I am indefensible. I thank God that, in Christ, I have my shelter, my strong tower. "He who is forgiven much loves much". Like Christ, I'm being persecuted by the religious when I stand holy and blameless before Him. I hope that you've done at least one thing in your life for which you've received deep, deep grace-unmerited favor. Otherwise, you see no need for a Savior and are an idolater, making a god of your own "holiness". The Word says that our righteousness is as filthy rags to the Lord. I wish you grace that your heart knows. I wish you humility, as I don't wish your pride to cause you to fall. I don't desire you to commit the sin of judgment on my behalf, so I bow out. I will pray for your healing, and also for the absoluteness of God's laws to be manifest and visible in your life.

I wanted someone to say, "Oh heather, you're right, she's just mean". Partly because, well, I like being right. Partly because I wonder, am I trampling on grace? Am I outside of the will of God by voting my conscience and not how the religious right would have me vote? Wait, did I just fall victim to voter intimidation after the fact?! Spiritual abuse. THAT is the mark of the enemy. The enemy will use anything, anything, to render us ineffective. Infighting, backbiting, it's all ugly. It's all unholy.

The blood of the only innocent that's on my hands is the one of my own son. I don't choose anyone else's abortion, and each woman who has made that choice will have to give an account for it. If I boast, I boast in Christ. If the Son has set me free, I am free, indeed. Thank you Jesus, For removing my sin as far as the east is from the west. May I, may we all, live in a manner befitting that call.

OK, so I'm not posting the link to her blog to continue the drama, but because she has a copyright on her blog, and I want to do things by the rules. So if you actually want to read this mess, here's Jules

Check it out!

This a bloggy giveaway too cute not to share! Here's the link to these gorgeous clutches, go check them out.

Confession: I (Sorta) Rocked the Vote

So we all know that I'm a Democrat. Open curtains, there's no surprise there. But yesterday I almost didn't vote. Wanna know why?

Because it's a ten minute drive in the opposite direction of where I was going (oral surgeon) and I didn't want to wait. Seriously. Pathetic.

Let me tell you about voting yesterday. I drove up in my car. I walked inside, filled out a two-line form verifying my identity. Was the first person in line to show my ID and get a card for the machine. Walked straight to one, put in all my votes, reviewed them, and cast my ballot. Got a sticker and a bottle of water. Drove to TJ Maxx and went shopping. In thirty minutes, I saw my oral surgeon, drove ten minutes to my polling place, then went shopping.

I wasn't intimidated. I wasn't beaten bloody, almost to death. I wasn't put into an asylum for thinking it should be my right to speak my peace. No one told me I was at the wrong place, causing me to walk nine miles in the other direction, only to be told the original station was my place to vote. Suffering? I know nothing of it.

And I stand ashamed of myself, for taking for granted the immense right that was won on the backs, bruised and nearly broken, of men and women before me just a few generations.

When I was at TJ Maxx buying some new workout gear, the older woman who was the fitting room attendant, after noting my "I'm a Georgia voter" sticker, said, "Well, do you think we'll have a black president or a white president tonight?". As I tried to conceal my shock, I simply said, "Well, we'll see"! As I was walking into the room, she called after me, "I didn't vote, so whatever happens, you can't blame me"!

Sigh. But for the grace of God, there go I.

A Few Pictures

I've been a total slacker with the pictures from our Disney trip, and this post will be in a few parts so as to not overload, well, anyone. Let's get started!

First, a picture the Music Man took of the CCM outside Mickey's house.


Next, him getting his first haircut. The ears are embroidered with "First haircut", appropriately.


When the FP was little, we took her to WDW for her first birthday, and I have a picture almost identical to this, with her on my hip in front of that particular pumpkin.


The Look alike happy in her stroller.


The Princess at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. This was precious time with my baby.


The CCM after having his face painted a la Goofy.


The princess even more dolled up!



That's enough for today, but I'll work on more soon!

'Tis the Season

Yesterday I was able to knock out a good deal of my Christmas shopping by doing my mom, stepdad, and getting one more thing for my sister. Now I just need one thing for each of the girls and boys, which isn't terrible. I don't THINK they read my blog, but you never know, so I won't spill. However, I'm stuck on my brothers. I got Patrick two Under Armour shirts and a subscription to ESPN the magazine, and Benjamin only wanted pictures of the fam. I can handle that, but I'd like to also get him something else. Not sure what to do, and I've still got to find something for each of my sisters.

That's all fine and good, but I forgot how greedy I seem to get! I've been wanting a Nintendo DS for about a year, and I got a sale email from the Evil Empire the other day. Wouldn't you know that I told the Music Man that I wanted it, he agreed, and I bought it plus another game! Sigh. I'll have to be a little more careful next time I go shopping!

Again?!

Last year at this time, I was finished Christmas shopping. I thought it would be blissful, but really it was tragic. I didn't have anything to DO for the rest of the season. This year I haven't even started, but at least I have some shopping to treat myself with.

But I'm sorta stuck. I have siblings, my parents, and my in-laws to buy for. My brothers are 21 and 20, and my sisters are 14. Could it BE a little harder?! So I'd love some ideas. Share if you have some ideas, I'm in the weeds!

National Blog Posting Month

ElleBee roped me into this, so I figured I'd give it a shot. So today is the start of NaBloPoMo, and I'll give it a go. Do they not realize that November is like the busiest month of the year? It's worse than Christmas around here, what with all the shopping, the preparation, the Thanksgiving travel. Never one to shy away from a challenge, here I am, posting for 30 days in a row. Hope you don't get too sick of me!