13 Things I'm Looking Forward to this Weekend

1. A change in scenery.
2. Going to see Beth Moore in Jacksonville, FL and I know I will leave that place better than when I arrived. I'm praying that my heart will show up ready and that I'll be tender to what God would have me to learn.
3. Getting to be involved in the awesome worship. With Travis Cottrell leading, I know it will be great.
4. Going to St. Simon's Community Church where we used to attend and seeing old familiar faces there.
5. Getting to see St. Simon's new building that we heard about over 3 years ago!
6. Getting to spend some quality time with some good girlfriends on the trip to Jacksonville. Girl talk- Yay! I may even find time to read a magazine- imagine that!
7. Getting to go out to dinner on Friday night with my girlfriends and not be interrupted by children! (You know I love my little ones. Spending time with them is very important to me, but getting a dinner out without them is a rare treat!)
8. Getting to have a much needed "Mommy break". I may just have a nervous breakdown looking around for my 3 blondies, reaching for Elle's diaper bag and feeling irresponsibly indulgent... just for a split second but I'll recover.
9. Getting to eat lunch on Sunday at Barbara Jeans -one of our favorite restaurants in St. Simon's Island. Caleb's been tucking a little away since we started planning our trip to make this happen. He thinks it's a shame to get all the way to St.Simon's Island and not visit Barbara Jean's for one of their incredible crab cakes. I agree.
10.Getting to do some photography on Jekyll Island. I'm hoping to reshoot some of the stuff I took 3 years ago but new and improved. I'm so glad for a do-over and this time I have my new digital SLR!
11. Enjoying a road trip with Caleb. I love the DVD in the van because it helps the kids settle in for a movie and Caleb and I can actually finish conversations, uninterrupted. It's a beautiful thing!
12. Getting to breath in the Georgia and Florida air. For some reason, getting away for a weekend has a great effect on me. I always appreciate home more afterwards and see my old surrounding in a whole new way.
13. Getting to return to our home with my children and husband rejuvenated because I do love them SO much. I love serving them and spending time with them, even though sometimes I just need a little break.

Thursday's 13 ~ Movie Lines That We Use Frequently

These are situations when movie lines are just the perfect response. Here are a few we use around our household:

1. When asked if you remembered something. Like, if you brought the diaper bag:
"Harry, I took care of it." -Dumb and Dumber

2. When feeling envious of someone else:
"Shocks, pegs, LUCKYYYY" -Napoleon Dynamite

3. When something is wearing on your nerves:
"And it makes me compleeetely insane! DING, DING, DING!" -French Kiss (when Kate hits the bell for service in the Paris hotel)

4. When feeling rejected:
"It's because I'm GREEN isn't it???" -The Grinch

5. When in admiration:
"How cute is that?" -You've Got Mail (in that Meg Ryan tone)

6. When irritated by the the people around you:
"I am surrounded by cow turds." -Holes (in your best Texan accent)

7. When desparation sets in:
"We have no food...our pet's heads are falling off!" -Dumb and Dumber

8. When someone says something that you just don't appreciate:
"Don't ever use THAT word again." -French Kiss (after Kevin Kline's character called her ex-fiances new girlfriend a goddess)

9. When you're seriously impressed
"Just when I think you couldn't have done anything more dumb, you go and pull a stunt like this!... and completely redeem yourself" -Dumb and Dumber (after Lloyd sells the dog-mobile for the scooter)

10. When someone asks if you can do something:
"I'm your huckleberry" -Tombstone (Doc Holiday)

11. When you're saying good-bye:
"Have a lovely day (snort)" -Home Alone 2 (in your best British accent)

12. When you see something nice:
"What a lovely family heirloom" -The Grinch (as a little boy, just before he smashed it with a hammer)

13. When you want to call someone a name without using a bad word:
"BABY RUMP KISSER!" -Dennis the Mennace (Margaret calls the little friend this after she tricked him into closing his eyes to kiss her. Instead she makes him kiss her doll's bottom and holds it against him later.)

I'm conviced there's a good movie quote for just about any scenario you may find yourself in!

Thursday's 13 ~ Things About Our Kids

1. Out of our 3 children, only 1 of them can whistle. It's the 1 year old!
2. Delainey is starting to learn the names of letters and the sounds they make. She LOVES to "play school" and "do homework".
3. Tonight at the dinner table Bryant said "Come to Papa" to a sugar-snap pea he was getting ready to eat. Then he accidentally dropped it on the table and he dramatically said, "I just dropped my grandson!". (to him, Papa means grandfather- their interpretation of things is so funny!)
4. Elle has now added "yes" and "Momo" to her vocabulary!
5. Bryant is finally getting good at cleaning his own room and keeping things organized without me having to walk him through every step!!
6. I have yet to meet another kid who is the dominant one around Delainey. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.
7. Bryant was honored to receive the Kiwanis "Terrific Kid" award this month!
8. Delainey recently informed us that she wants us to take her to the airport so she can get on an airplane and fly to Michigan ALONE! She stressed that she did not want us going to Granny & Pops house with her but that she'd be back home soon, as long as she got to go all by herself.
9. Elle has recently learned to walk and has progressed from a "Drunk Orangutan" to a "Sober Orangutan". It is so fun watching her motor around the house with this new found independence.
10. Delainey would rather help me in the kitchen than play with any toy in the world. This makes it difficult to get dishes done or dinner on the table but I am so honored that she loves to spend time with me that much!
11. Elle is finally putting on a little weight and seems much more energetic since we've started giving her iron drops!
12. Bryant just asked a couple of weeks ago if he could be baptized, which we are absolutely ecstatic about!
13. Our computer now is used more for things like barbie.com, lego.com, pbs.org and kid things than the normal stuff like finances and e-mail. I find myself competing with the kids for computer time.

There is never a day that goes by that they don't make us laugh out loud. We hope there is never a day that goes by where we don't realize just how incredibly blessed we are! The choice for me to stay at home with our children has financial sacrifices but I wouldn't trade all the money in the world for the memories I get to make with these precious little ones. I thank the Lord continuously for blessing me far beyond anything I could ever deserve!

13 People Who Have Inspired Me Recently

I'm stealing/borrowing this idea from my friend, Annie. She does Thursday's 13 every week. This is my first time but since today is Thursday the 13th, I felt it was appropriate!

This is in no particular order, just as thought came to me...

13. Bryant's 2nd grade teacher. She is AWESOME! We prayed that he'd have the right teacher and I'm certain she was Hand-picked for Bry! She is so fun but very articulate and firm. She is such a rare balance in a teacher. Usually they're very discipline oriented or fun oriented- she's the perfect blend of both!

12. The instructor for my photography class. He has such a unique approach to photography and the business side of things. It's been a good class to shake up my way of thinking on some things!

11. My girl, Delainey who reminds me not to take myself too seriously. She helps me to see the beauty in simple things and just enjoy each day that I've been given. I love her attitude like when I say, "We're going to buy groceries". She responds, "YAY!" Anything and everything is fun for DJ. I love that!

10. Ted and Karen, the hosts of our small group on Monday nights. I have no idea how they have their house cleaned and presentable, with 3 young children week after week. As inspiring as that is, the thing that really inspires me is their desire to open their home and honor God in such a sacrificial way.

9. My baby, Elle who shows me daily what unconditional love is really about. She thinks I am cool whether I'm wearing name brand or still in my old p.j.'s. She thinks I'm beautiful even before I've fixed my hair or put on make-up. She thinks I'm wonderful just as plain old me. And she thinks it's fun just to ride around on my hip without any additional entertainment. How cool is that?

8. My old friend, Angie who is strong and courageous and just moved to SC a few months ago. She inspires me because she is really having a hard time adjusting to living here. As we all know, moving to a different state with a modest income is HARD! I admire her because she is staying optimistic and continues to trust God even when so many things are scary and unclear. I can't wait to see things work out for her and I know they will.

7. My friend, Amanda, who I know from the Grand Canyon. She is my age, mother of two, very active and fit. Last November her heart stopped and her husband (a paramedic) had to bring her back. She inspires me because even though she has been through SO much in the last year, she stays focused and optimistic. She never feels sorry for herself or dwells on how hard it's been for her and her family. She is an amazing mom and woman. She sets a high standard and I continually use her as an example of the kind of woman I want to be.

6. Jim and June Warren, who are by far the coolest old people I have ever met. I've never known people in their 80's who are so with it and easy to talk to. They remind me of a couple in their 30's or 40's- in more ways than one. Jim and June inspire me in so many ways and have influenced our marriage hugely. They and are such a great example of staying in love through the years. Also, they inspire me to stay in touch with younger generations, no matter how old I am.

5. My friend, Annie , who I think is just wired with a servant's heart. She'll probably get mad at me for putting this on here because she wouldn't ever want any public credit, but too bad. She has been helping me with my girls so I can go to photography class and I continually overhear her offering to help others. Last week she made dinner for us when Caleb was out of town. Yesterday I heard her offer to watch a pregnant friend's little boy because they are moving into a new home. Tomorrow she's making a meal for a mutual friend who's son is in the hospital. Is that an example of a generous person or what? I want to give like that!

4. My son, Bryant. He has inspired me lately by his optimism and child-like faith. As we were waiting for the bus this morning, he said, "I think I hear the bus coming Mom. Will you pray for me before I go?" If he only knew how amazing he is! I love that kid so much!

3. My parents. Both of their pictures are in the dictionary, in case you didn't know. My dad's is under the word(s) "Hard Worker" and my mom's is under the word "Perseverance". I admire them and the attitude they have, especially when they're against all odds. They inspire me to press on in the toughest times!

2. My man, Caleb. What an example of a person with a good heart and good will towards others. I love so many things about Caleb, but his tenderness towards others has really impacted me lately. I love that he has such a soft spot for people who are hurting and doesn't ever want to a source of hurt for anyone. I love that he's man enough to tear up when he's moved by something. And I love that he will talk to anyone and treat them as his equal regardless of their social status, handicap or anything else.

1. My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm realizing over and over again that He really desires a relationship with me and even though it makes no sense at all, He sees me as valuable and precious. He wants me to love Him with all my heart, my mind, soul & strength. How often I worship the gift and not the Giver. "This stuff competes for the allegiance I owe only to the Giver of all good things." -Rich Mullins