Minnie Moments

Calling All Bible Scholars!!

2007-12-11T02:24:00.001-06:00

I couldn't sleep tonight. Well, really GOD would not ALLOW me to sleep tonight because He kept poking at me and stirring some questions up in me so I would have no other choice but to drag my butt out of bed and go read His Word for the answers. But instead of answers, I just got more questions!!

And Ya'll, my head hurts from trying to figure it out, so I'm calling on you, Sweet Internet Friends, to help me answer the following question because, HELLO!, it's 2:45am and I have kids that do not care that I was up pondering scripture in the wee hours of the morning, they just want breakfast!

But first you have to read the verse that made my head split open and caused my brain to fall kersplat onto my freshly mopped floor.

Luke 19: 11-27

The Parable of the 10 Servants

11 The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was
nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the
Kingdom of God would begin right away. 12 He said, “A nobleman was called away
to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. 13 Before he left, he
called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of
silver,[b] saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’ 14 But his people hated
him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want him to be our king.’
15 “After he was crowned king, he returned and called in the servants to
whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were. 16
The first servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made ten times
the original amount!’ 17 “‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good
servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will
be governor of ten cities as your reward.’ 18 “The next servant reported,
‘Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.’
19 “‘Well done!’ the king said. ‘You will be governor over five cities.’
20 “But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money
and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. 21 I was afraid because
you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops
you didn’t plant.’ 22 “‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own
words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and
harvests crops I didn’t plant, 23 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank?
At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ 24 “Then, turning to
the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant,
and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ 25 “‘But, master,’ they said,
‘he already has ten pounds!’ 26 “‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those
who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do
nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 27 And as for these
enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’ (emphasis mine)

So here's the question:What in Sam Hill does verse 27 mean?? Please OH PLEASE would someone explain it to me? Because I really don't think it means that Jesus wants us to walk up to Him and execute people right in front of Him "in His name", so to speak. And if that's what it means, I'm a little troubled by it because it would seem to contradict everything else He taught us.

Someone please come to my rescue before I pop a blood vessel in my brain.

Hand Me Your Milk and Get Back A Milk Shake

2007-11-27T10:25:00.000-06:00

Nearly two years ago I was diagnosed with Epilepsy. Through tons of failed medication, lots of trips to the doctor, weeks at a time hooked up to wires trying to figure out what was wrong with me, I finally decided to step out on faith and just accept that God was going to heal me. And He did. For a year-and-a-half I was seizure-free and felt great.

About two months ago they came back and came back with a vengeance. My seizures went from being Complex Partial seizures to Grand Mal seizures. Do I think my healing wasn't real? Absolutely not. I still know that I am in the sweet spot of God's hands and He has already taken care of this whole situation. But here is my dilemma: I don't want to go back to the doctor. Not out of stubbornness or fear, but mainly because the last go-round proved what I had always suspected; that doctors are really just playing a huge guessing game and I was their guinea pig. Through all of the testing, anti-seizure medication, etc., I was still being plagued with seizures. All the medication did was make me numb, dumb, and took away my ability to feel them coming on.

I have kept my condition a secret for a while. My friends and family didn't know anything until just recently. I hated how everyone looked at me with pity before and it seemed like my health was the only thing anyone ever wanted to talk about and the thought of going through all of that again made my stomach churn. Plus, I hate the unsolicited advice, no matter how sincere it may be. As soon as I tell people that my seizures have returned I get barked at to go to the doctor. I know it's because they care about me and want the best, but I'm not being stupid and I'm not going to risk my safety. This is a decision that has to be between me and God and I'm at total peace with that.

So here's the question:

How do I convince my friends and family to just pray for me and have it stop there? How do I get them to NOT look at me with pity? How do I convince them that I know what I'm doing? How do I get them to understand this whole faith decision? Or do I not bother at trying to convince anyone of anything? Because it's seeming like a big fat waste of breath and energy.

You tell me.

Hello, Old Friend

2007-11-09T13:03:00.000-06:00

I highly doubt any of my old readers have kept me on their Bloglines subscriptions, and I'm pretty sure the rest of my old readers stopped checking in a long time ago to see if I had posted anything new. As you can see, it has been an entire year since my last post and BOY! has a lot happened in that year!

God is bringing me on a journey that is both exciting as well as petrifying. I was apparently a little too content and comfortable in my little world, so He thought I needed a little shake-up to make things a bit more exciting.

We were swindled out of a ton of money by my husband's old boss at the end of last year, and from there we have sort of been swirling the drain. At first it looked like things would be fine, but as time went on, we realized that swirling seemed to be getting faster and faster and we were about to go under.

In the past few weeks I have had to sell my beautiful car, we have had to put our dream home on the market, and now we are trying to figure out where in the world God is taking us next. At this point, I'm up for anything! He has managed to humble me to the point that none of the things I found so important before hold ANY importance now. I'm without a car, but I don't seem to care. I'm about to have to give up my dream home, but instead of being devastated, I'm excited to see where God is going to take me. 6 months ago I would have thought it was the end of the world and wondering what I had done wrong, but now I realize that He is bringing me to my knees so I will be focused solely on HIM. Not my house, not what's in fashion, not what kind of car I'm driving. Just Him.

So here I am, God! Bring on the change!!!

We Wanna Meet 2006 - Pictures!!

2006-12-06T12:46:00.000-06:00

So, remember that little weekend shindig I attended, oh...6 weeks ago? Well, I'm sure you think I have forgotten it since I've turned into a total Slacker Blogger. BUT! Lo and behold, here are the long-awaited photos from the oh-so-eventful weekend.

Enjoy!!!

Click here to see the entire set

[Insert Witty and Remarkable Title] because after seeing this I am at a total loss for words

2006-11-08T00:35:00.000-06:00

Think your house is in disarray? Feel like it's a "Pig Sty" because you have some dishes in the sink and a few loads of laundry piled up?

Then feast your eyes upon this atrocity, my dear Friendternets, and feel ashamed no more.

------------------------------------------------

**I had a fabulous post written covering all of the great fun we had last weekend, but Blogger seems to hate my guts and my post was lost. I'll try again after I regain my composure. Or after a few stiff margaritas. Whichever comes first.

WHEW!

2006-11-05T20:10:00.001-06:00

Okay, so I promised a post covering any and all details from our fabulous Bloggity Weekend Get-together like, what, a week ago? But life happened, y'all, and I'm just sitting down at the computer for the first time in 6 days, so please love me through my tardiness and easily-distracted behavior.

I had every intension of posting all of my wonderful memories last Wednesday, but I decided to instead start painting my drab, white office. It is beautilicious, my friends, in all of it's pumpkiny goodness. Makes me hungry for pie. And equally happy that I can sit in my office and not feel like I'm in an institution.

Then the plan was to wake up early Thursday morning, finish painting and work on my post, until I glanced through Jacob's school binder and found a note thanking me for chaperoning their field trip. THAT DAY! I arrived frazzled and thrown together only to find out one of the kids placed in my care was the fastest talking little girl this side of the hemisphere. Don't believe me? Watch the following. But grab some Advil first.

Wow. Head spinning? That was just 30 seconds of what I endured for over 5 hours. God definitely has a twisted sense of humor FOR SURE!

So, long story long, I've been super busy. I will be working on my We Wanna Meet post RIGHT NOW for your reading enjoyment. I PROMISE!!!!!!

(Unless I get distracted again)

We Wanna Meet - Stories and Pictures coming soon!

2006-10-31T08:41:00.000-06:00

I have SO MANY stories to tell about my awesome weekend with the girls at We Wanna Meet (along with a ton of incriminating pictures), but today is Halloween, laundry day, and grocery shopping day, so I promise I will have a full synopsis of my weekend tomorrow! Check back then!

Cue The Pointer Sisters

2006-10-27T15:13:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it! I'm about to lose control and I think I like it ~ OH YEAH!

Just Four more hours until I'm stuffing my face with food and then spitting it back out from laughing while I hang with some of the coolest chicks in all of Bloggetyville at this!

I'm sure we'll all be blogging in our heads the entire weekend. I can't wait to see how big of a fool I make of myself! Would you expect any less out of me?

A New Blogger in Da House!!

2006-10-23T03:49:00.000-05:00

My very good friend, Erica (whom I just reconnected with after a million years) (is it 'who' or 'whom'?) just started her very own blog! (After I ~~held a gun to her dog's head and demanded~~ gently encouraged her to start one)

So go read her first few posts and keep going back to read her unbelievably awesome story (the one that she will be sharing very soon - AHEM!).

And be sure to smother her in bloggity love and let her know you stopped by!!!

**End of shameless plug. More witty sarcasm and disgusting stories coming soon.**

You might be a Redneck if...

2006-10-22T23:56:00.000-05:00

If you've been reading my wildly entertaining and witty little blog for very long (please know that statement is drenched in sarcasm), then you know I come from....how should I put this....a long line of Hillbillies. Trailer Park dwellers. Country Folk. Good 'ole Boys.

You get the picture.

As mightily as I've tried to instill The Ways of the Suburban Yuppie into my children, giving them nary a glimpse of living in the sticks, only having neighbors with 5 teeth, and having a driveway consisting of dirt and potholes (that you should NOT drive down after a rain storm if you plan to leave again before the ground dries), somehow they have still managed to show off their hillbilly roots.

Kale more blatantly than anyone, what with his constant urges to drop trow on our front porch and pee into the yard. While traffic drives by. Did I mention our house is at the end of a cul-de-sac that butts up to the main road in our neighborhood? Or that we live directly next door to the school? And that he does this while he waits for Jacob to get home? And that all of the super-uptight moms that actually walk to the school to pick up their kids instead of stay home and watch t.v. see him and almost pass flat out behind their double jogging strollers and land on their velvet-jogging suit-clad behinds?

What was I saying? Oh yes... My Jeff Foxworthy-aspiring son.

The other night as I stood in my kitchen ~~cookin' supper barefoot~~ preparing the evening meal, Kale ~~ran around shoeless and shirtless with fudgesicle and snot dried on his face~~ played contently in our backyard on the kids' swing set/fort thingy. *What DO you call those monster, wood contraptions every backyard in suburbia has towering over our nicely stained privacy fences?

Anywho, he was playing in the backyard, I was cooking, and The Two Jakes were at wrestling practice. After they got home, I called Kale in for dinner.

During dinner, the following conversation ensued:

Kale (excitement oozing out of every fiber in his body): "Guess what!?"

Me: "You want to grow up to be a bazillionaire and buy your mom and dad a house in Italy and support my shopping hobby for the remainder of my years." (Hey. A girl can dream, can't she? I have an undying love for Italian shoes like any self-respecting fashionista.)

Kale (with a VERY proud grin plastered across his face): "I pooped in the back yard!"

(I swear I'm not making this up)

Jake and I in unison: "You did WHAT!?"

Jake (with me laughing uncontrollably under the table while he glared at me in disdain because he blames me for our boys' love of bathroom humor.) (Come on, it's FUNNY!!!!): "Well did you clean it up?"

Me (still snickering and giggling like the mature adult I am): "Dude. It's dark outside. Besides - how are we supposed to decipher dog poop from kid poop?"

Kale: "That's okay. The dogs ate it anyway." Followed by a big, satisfying belly laugh.

(GAG!!!!!!!!!!)

Yes, people. That's right. Hillbilly IS genetic. No matter how hard you try to keep it from rearing it's toothless, mullet-laden head, there's no use in fighting it.

I'm pretty sure it's just a matter of time for him to clear out the sink before he pees in it.

And what a proud Momma I'll be on that day. Because it will mean he is not doing it on the front lawn.

Product Review: O-Cel-O Scrub & Wipe Sponges

2006-10-07T11:17:00.000-05:00

In my house we go through many 'o sponges due to the countless cheesy, egg-y dishes I scrub clean, the ginourmous counters I have to wipe down daily, plus all of the other surfaces requiring a squeaky clean shine.

Yesterday I waltzed into my beloved neighborhood Super Target to purchase dinner items and, yet again, replacement sponges for the kitchen. For years I have used Scotch brand No-Scratch blue sponges for my kitchen cleaning, but I have to replace them constantly.

Upon searching for my normal sponge selections, what do my wondering eyes should appear, but a colorful and lovely new invention that made my heart skip a beat and made me weak in the knees.

Behold, Dear Friendternets, the O-Cel-O Scrub and Wipe Sponges! They are two-sided with the first side consisting of a scratchy surface, only this time it's made of vinyl and rubber making it RINSE CLEAN after you scrub melted cheese off of pans or caked-on eggs off of your favorite skillet. The opposite side is made of a soft, plushy wash cloth fabric enabling me to wipe down my granite counters and leave them beautilicious and streak-free. Did I mention the fact that they RINSE CLEAN and don't hold on to yucky food gunk??

Since purchasing the first one to test, I have now returned to purchase 4 more to place around the house in all of the bathrooms. This is how much I love me some Scrub & Wipe Sponges! Now GO! Put them on your shopping list! You'll thank me for it. And I'll be thanking 3M for coming up with yet another ingenious product that I can not live without, with the Post-It being on the very top of that list.

"Come in Planet Flip-Flop, we are ready to land!!"

2006-09-28T19:11:00.000-05:00

Brain Dump

2006-09-26T13:41:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I've been a HUGE Bloggy Slacker for the past, oh, several months. Especially these past several weeks. But I have been BUSY y'all! And when I haven't been running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I haven't really had anything profound to write about. Today is no exception, but you're getting a post from me anyway. So here's what's on this little mind of mine:

Jake has been working out of town in Kansas for the past 2 weeks and will not be back until this weekend. He did make it home for a few days this past weekend for a VERY important event (you'll see in a minute) and left again this morning before the sun even came out. All I have to say is my appreciation for my mother and all other single moms, military moms, and moms who's husbands travel has skyrocketed. I always knew it was hard on my mom raising me alone, but I had NO IDEA how hard it truly is to be the only parent 24-hours a day. And I'm not even trying to juggle a job and go to school while doing this Mom Thing! Last night was my very first time to be truly alone, and that only lasted about 20 minutes while Jake took the boys with him to go grab a bag of potatoes from the store. I am SO READY for a break!

As some of you know, Jacob prayed this past summer at Kid's Camp for Jesus to take up permanent residence in his heart. Well, on Saturday he made his faith public by getting baptised! WOO HOO! It was one of the greatest moments of my life. I got to actually witness my baby boy being Born Again. Words can not describe. I got some great pictures and video that I'll post later.

In regards to my last post on my indecision of whether to go Mac or PC on my next computer, I am really leaning towards Mac. There are several reasons, but the biggest ones being that Macs aren't susceptible to viruses, adware, and other yucky stuff I don't want creeping on my computer. Plus, I can do WAAAAY cooler stuff on a Mac. BUT! My final decision still hasn't been made. I still may end up getting a "Dell, Dude!". Honestly, anything is better than this piece of you-know-what I'm working with now. So for all of you that gave me some really great pros and cons on both, THANK YOU! Because Lord knows I am NOT technically gifted.

After struggling to keep my house in order for the past year (and failing MISERABLY, I might add), I decided to finally try out "The Ladies". The Ladies are here right now and I can't begin to describe my love for them. Before they came over I was in a tizzy grabbing any and all clutter, random blankets laying across couches, papers laying all over any flat surface, and what seemed to be my entire shoe collection strewn across the house (but in reality it was only a small fraction) and just threw it all into my big 'ole bedroom closet. I thought "Oh, they'll never clean my closet". Well, I was wrong. Dead wrong, my friends. I went into my bedroom to find my closet, my bathroom, by bedroom all SPOTLESS and Picture Perfect!! They had taken every blanket and folded it neatly in a nice pile in the closet, lined up every pair of shoes, neatly stacked any and all random papers laying about, and hung up all of my clothes that were haphazardly draped over my clothes rod. I am officially The Ladies Fan Club President and I will be offering to pay them double what they quoted me simply for the amount of hair they have prevented me from pulling out of my head over the stress of trying to keep up with this monster house. Do you think they might find it offensive if I try to give them a big, huge hug before they leave?

I'm currently reading A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George for a Women's-Only bible Study at church. I've heard about and seen this book eleventy-million times before, but always shrugged it off as another one of those "feel good" books. OH MY GOODNESS was I wrong! I love her writing style and her amazing view of scripture, not to mention her ingenious allegories. I highly recommend picking this up. You'll be glad you did.

I realized this morning that out of the past, oh, 14 days, I have not worn a baseball cap for 4 of them. This is a big no-no in my personal appearance handbook. But I have been either too lazy or too busy to actually take the whole five minutes out of my morning to fix my hair. Seriously, y'all. It only takes me five minutes to fix it, yet I haven't mustered up the energy to do it. What's next? Not brushing my teeth? This is going against every moral fiber in my body that says I MUST be put together when I leave the house. But I've been telling myself it's okay because I make sure to wear some sassy earrings and slap on some lip gloss before I walk out the door donning my grungy baseball cap for the 6th day in a row. I need my husband back home. I'm turning into the Frumpy Housewife I swore I'd never become. I've realized he is my only motivation to look like I give a hoot about my appearance. So, Jake, get back home already so I can have a reason to look cute again!!! (And so I can smooch you.)

That's all that's rattling around in this pea brain of mine. I promise to come up with something a little more profound next time. Or not. We'll see. I'm off to sit and gaze at my spotless shower doors and roll around on the pretty carpet that I haven't seen in months and almost forgot existed.

HELP!

2006-09-13T12:05:00.000-05:00

I have a dilemma and I am turning to you, my dear friendternets, to help me solve said dilemma in an effort to prevent my head from exploding.

I have a VERY old computer. As in 'it was brand new EIGHT YEARS AGO' old. Needless to say it has paid it's dues and it is SCREAMING at me to put it into retirement (while I am screaming right back at it at least 100 times a day when it decides it's going to be fickle and just shut down for NO. APPARENNT. REASON. *GRRR!* ).

I know I want a laptop so I'm not tied down to being in my office. But here is where my little dilemma comes in: Should I go MAC or PC?

Jake is a die-hard Dell guy, but I'm totally open to what would be the best fit for me.

I only need it for my bloggity pleasure, being able to actually download music (which I have never been able to do on this piece of poo), and doing pretty things with pictures, video and such, BUT! I still have a need for those pesky spreadsheets on an almost-daily basis.

So you tell me: Which version have you found to be better and more cost-effective? I'm begging you - help a girl out, pretty, pretty please with sugar on top!

Check it out!

2006-09-12T21:20:00.000-05:00

Check out the new 'do, courtesy of the oh-so-fabulous Karen! I guess you could say it's a bit, ummmm, RED! Hey, a girl's gotta have a hobby. Mine just happens to be a hair hobby.

Just promise me you guys will still let me come to the We Wanna Meet shin-dig in October. ;o)

me-me-me-me - Meme!

2006-09-05T09:46:00.000-05:00

Saw this meme over at BooMama's pad, so I thought I'd partake....

1. If you make sweet tea, do you use Luzianne, Lipton or _______ whatever your brand is?

I use Luzianne combined with a few bags of Lipton Mango or Blackberry to give it a little kick. **And it MUST be sweet. It is a mortal sin to make unsweetened tea. Look it up, it's in there.

2. What brand of toilet paper do you buy, and is it the larger rolls or regular?

Ultra Quilted Northern, double rolls, Baby! We have a lot of tushes to wipe 'round here and we likes it soft!

3. Which brand of bath soap do you use? Is it body wash or bar style?

Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash (LOVE this stuff!!)

4. Which cereal do you buy for yourself?

**Okay, promise you won't roll your eyes and make fun of me. I am one of those freaks that eats organic and all-natural food, but I promise I have bags of chocolate and I do partake in some heavy-duty Mexican food intake. And I don't look down on people who don't eat like me!

Kashi Organic Promise Strawberry Fields (my FAVORITE!!!) or Nature's Path Organic Optimum Zen (cranberry & ginger - YUM!)

5. What brand of dishwasher detergent do you use and is it liquid or tablets?

I use the Cascade 2-in-1 tablets. LOVE them!!!! Just pop one in and shut the door. And no squeezing and shaking the bottle like a spastic lunatic trying to get that last blob of liquid detergent to make it's way out.

6. What is your favorite fruit to eat?

MMMM....hands down Mangos. I could live off them. I even bought this handy dandy mango slicer. It's a must-have for the mango lover.

7. Which brand of clothes detergent do you use?

Liquid Tide or Woolite (depending on the load)

8. Do you like chocolate?

Does a good dog hunt? Why, yes, I consider it a very important food group, thankyouverymuch.

9. Are you right-handed or left-handed?

Right

10. Do you still write checks or use a debit card?

I am the debit card QUEEN! I never carry cash and I can't even remember the last time I wrote a check (I couldn't even tell you where my check book is). I don't understand the reasoning behind people still using checks. It's such a waste of time (and paper!).

Jeana and Carol, you're it next! So get crackin'. And if anyone else wants to join in, just let me know in the comments section so I can swing by and check you out!

Peace out, Homies!

Praying for Baby Eliot

2006-09-05T09:15:00.000-05:00

Sometimes we run across stories that you can't help but allow to give your faith a huge jolt and remind you of the amazing, loving, sovereign God we serve. This family's amazing story did just that for me this morning.

I was forwarded a link to the family blog for this sweet, sweet baby, Eliot. He was born with a condition known as Trisomy 18. The condition is fatal and the babies diagnosed with it are usually stillborn or only live a day or two.

Baby Eliot has lived for 46 days now! Praise the LORD! His sweet parents have a birthday celebration for him every day and have been sharing their amazing journey thus far with this small bundle of miracles they've been blessed with.

So GO NOW and read thier phenomenal story and be sure to fill up their comment box with your prayers!

Baby Eliot

Nanny, Nanny, Boo, Boo! Guess who I got to MIRL with!

2006-09-01T15:46:00.000-05:00

For the last several months I have been lurking on a certain person's blog, commenting once in a while (but always intimidated to do so because she is a TOTALLY GIFTED writer, sucking me in daily with her mesmerizing accounts of everyday life and occasionally causing me to spew whatever beverage I'm consuming all over my desk and computer screen), and secretly wishing I could "MIRL" with her.

Well, Ladies and Gents, I am here to state that God cares about even our teeny-tiniest desires and He is willing to make them happen!

At the beginning of the week I got an email from this "certain person" asking ME if I would be interested in joining her for lunch. *commence loud squealing* I calmly and coolly responded that, yes (Ohmygoodness!), I would, in fact, love to get together. I never vocalised to anyone that I was interested in meeting her, but God knew. He also knows I'm too chicken to have ever asked her myself. That's why the Good Lord brain-washed her into thinking she would want to meet me. HA!

So yesterday I nervously walked into a local restaurant and was greeted with a warm smile and big ole' hug by the oh-so-famous Antique Mommy. Before I met with her, I was a little nervous if she would take me seriously or judge me by my appearance. None of that ever took place. In fact, I felt like I was sitting down with someone I had known my entire life. She's way cool, comical, witty, and told me a bit of her story that has me completely blown away and yearning to hear more.

I can't wait for many more lunches and more great conversation! (By 'conversation' I mean me babbling on incessantly not giving her a word in edge wise)

Her account of our lunch date is entirely more compelling than I could ever conjure up, so be sure to read her version here.

Must-Reads!

2006-08-28T08:58:00.000-05:00

Nothing I have going on or have to say can top these amazing God Moment stories I have come across the past few days. Get the Kleenex ready and be prepared for some major goosebumps!

A Much Bigger Picture - Rattling Around
First, Some Questions - BooMama
There and Back Again - A Broad In Athens

Now GO! And be blessed by these incredible stories!!

Ode to G-Nelly

2006-08-14T19:58:00.000-05:00

***WARNING! WARNING!

Sappy post ahead!!!***

In my life I have been blessed with many friends. My oldest friend, Tiffani, for instance, has been one of my best friends since the 7th grade. We still talk often and giggle over the phone just like we were still in middle school. She was there for most of my life's tragedies and turmoil. *I miss you, Tiff!

My husband says he can always tell who I'm talking to on the phone because I have a special "voice" for all of my friends and some of my family. (Please tell me I'm not the only one who does that!)

My best friend, GiNelle, is no exception. We are two peas in a pod, The Troublesome Twosome, kindred spirits, sisters by choice - you name it.

We met over 10 years ago when we worked at the same restaurant waiting tables and we've been inseparable since. Her family treats me like part of the family and mine does the same with her. In fact, I can go as far as saying my family treats her much nicer than they treat me when we're all together. But I'm not bitter. :o)

We have made road trips together that put Thelma and Louise to shame. Seriously. Every outing ended up being some outlandish story. Every outing...even trips to the store. We have been through horrible boyfriends, crappy jobs, getting married, and starting families.

GiNelle and I are life-long friends that will still be giggling and acting juvenile when we're wrinkly and old (NOT grey - that's why God created hair color, Y'all!). I am so thankful for all of the memories we have made over the years and I can't wait to make more over the years to come.

I just wanted to exploit my blog space for a little ode to my dear, sweet friend and tell her how much I love her and how much she means to me. Thanks for enduring the sappy post. I promise I'll be back to my snarky, sarcastic self in the next go-round. ;o)

Love you, Girl!

*How adorable is she?! Pregnant with boy #3! YIPES!

Health Update

2006-08-11T14:42:00.000-05:00

Several people through both the blogging world and real world have graciously reminded me that I'm a huge slacker and I haven't given y'all any updates on my health issues in quite some time. As embarrassing as it feels, I have lots of news that should have been shouted at the top of my lungs for weeks now, but I've dropped the ball because I let summer activities and day-to-day busyness take precedence over my blogging in the past few months.

So here I am to bring you all up to speed and poor out my very humble THANKS for all of your prayers. I am so truly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing, faithful friends and I could NOT have made it through this without each of you.

On April 18th I was out running errands with our youngest son, Kale, and had to be rushed to the hospital with what we later found to be Complex Partial Seizures (a form of Epilepsy). Through several medications, a new Neurologist, another week-long stay at a different hospital for observation, and many, many debilitating seizures to follow, I began to pray some very bold prayers. Every time I picked up my bible, every time I sought wise counsel, I was being led to specific scriptures that gave me no choice but to KNOW that God was telling me something (something that many people may think crazy and foolish, but, frankly, I don't care how foolish they think I am. I know when God is telling me something and who am I to ignore it?). He was telling me "I've got it under control, Chica. Lay off the mind-numbing stupid pills and let me handle it." So I did. I started praying to Him thanking Him in advance for healing me and believing it like it had already been done.

These are the scriptures I have been meditating on and praying over:

Jonah 2:2-10 In this passage, he is in the belly of a whale, y'all (or in my case, in the middle of dealing with a life-altering illness) , yet he is thanking God for saving him from it. Thanking him as if it has already been done. And, well, you already know the outcome.

Matthew 21:21-22 21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (emphasis mine) Hey, when Jesus says "I tell you the truth." and "If you believe, you will receive it" then you can just consider me a straight up believer, Baby!

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (emphasis mine)

May 28th was my last seizure. On June 5th I went to my last doctors appointment. He prescribed me a third try at medication but I never even filled it. I had a burning in the pit of my stomach that told me I was not to fill that prescription. I have been off of medication since that doctors visit. And since then I have not suffered from ANY MORE SEIZURES! Did you read that? No medicine and no seizures my friends! For 10 weeks and counting!!!! And I feel perfect!

So for all of my fabulous friends who committed to praying for me, who took the time out of their busy lives to visit me in the hospital, bring me cool presents, make meals, take care of my kids, tote me around, and just flat out be there for me, I'm sending you a big, huge smacker! MMMMMMMWAH! Your prayers have been felt and, more importantly, they have been ANSWERED!!!

So spread the news: God is GREAT and it is only through Him that this has been done.

I'm Still Here!

2006-07-14T11:49:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to drop in an say hi and let you all know I'm still alive and kickin'!

Okay, so I've been Super-Slacker-Blogger as of late, but who can blame me when I have this, this, this, this, and this to enjoy right in my own neighborhood? (Amanda, you need to get your butt in a bathing suit and get over here STAT!)

Today is the first day this week that we haven't made it down the street to swim (the day is still young...that could easily change). But I promise I haven't forgotten all of you! We're just enjoying this phenomenal blessing God has given to us and not missing a moment of being able to take advantage of having such an amazing facility right at our fingertips. Besides, what other ways are there to entertain yourselves in the middle of July in the blistering Texas heat? Anything without water just doesn't appeal. Also, it's a good way to keep the house somewhat clean when there's no one here to mess it up. Although it does interfere with meal planning. The fact that I fed my kids cereal for dinner the other night is a great example.

In other news, I have officially been off medication (against my doctor's best wishes, of course) for 6 weeks and have remained SEIZURE FREE! Did you read that? SEIZURE FREE my friends! With NO MEDICINE! This was something I prayed HEAVILY over and every scripture God led me to told me that He was going to take care of it - that medicine was not the answer. This explained heartily why I was still having so many seizures while on anti-seizure medication - because I wasn't supposed to be relying on it, but instead relying on the Lord for healing. All glory goes to Him. Thank you all for your prayers for me and my family. They are being answered!! :o)

Now I'm off to shower (and possibly swim - who knows)!

Happy Day!

The Best Day EVER!

2006-06-29T10:31:00.000-05:00

Monday morning Jake and I dropped Jacob off for his first year of Kid's Camp for church. Sunday night we colored his hair red (to match his team color) and got him all packed up. He could hardly contain himself he was so excited.

When I dropped him off I silently prayed for this to be an experience of his lifetime; something he'd never forget.

This morning I received a phone call from my very good friend, Corrie. She was telling me how she had gone up to the camp Wednesday night to help out with some things and she saw my sweet boy. She said he was happy and having a great time.

Then she gave me the news.

Wednesday night was the night they gave the message of Salvation. 150 kids raised their hands to say they were ready to accept Christ!!! Isn't that INCREDIBLE?! Want to know what's even more incredible?

My Jacob was one of them!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even describe the emotions going on inside me right now. I haven't stopped crying since she told me. I guess a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Perhaps this is a confirmation that Jake and I have truly turned our family down a much different path than the one we were raised on.

I always promised myself that my kids would have it different. That I would do all it takes to raise them in a godly home and give them a better life than I had.

I'm not talking material things, I'm talking about growing up with an actual family with a mom AND a dad, with unconditional love, with strong moral values, with an undying love for Christ. All the things I never had growing up.

We are soooo blessed to be a part of Fellowship Church. If it weren't for their decision to share Jesus in a creative, relevant way, I never would have given God a second thought, nor would I have continued to come to church. And if it weren't for their dedication to age-appropriate teaching for kids and keeping church exciting and fun, I'm certain Jacob would not have made the decision he did.

This is truly one of the happiest days of my life.

Come rejoice with me!!!

Mexico Pics

2006-06-21T11:44:00.000-05:00

Our Mexico pictures are up - finally! You can check the set out here.

Works For Me Wednesday: Keeping My Bathroom Tidy

2006-06-21T09:40:00.000-05:00

I used to have a huge problem with clutter in the bathroom that drove me (and Jake) crazy. Hair dryer, hair products, toiletries, make-up - you name it - was strewn all over my counter top. It was embarrassing.

So, I went to the store and bought a tub with a handle in the center and put all of my daily items in the tub. When I'm finished using them in the mornings (or whenever I decide to drag my butt in the bathroom and do something with myself), I stick the tub in the cabinet under the sink out of sight and VOILA! I have a neat and tidy bathroom!

It Works For Me!