Whirlwind Weekend

Wow, it has been non-stop this weekend. I'm thinkin' I need a day off to recuperate from my 2 days off!!

Friday night, Paragould High School honored our troops at the last home football game. It was a very neat experience. They fed us a bar-b-q plate before the game with all the trimmings AND dessert. The ROTC led the soldiers and families out onto the field to a crowd of cheers. We were the first family on the field, so I think it was even more surreal for us, following directly behind our nations colors. Then the band played 2 songs for us, they introduced each soldier and their family, the cheerleaders did a cheer for us, followed by a dance routine from the dance team.

Saturday was just packed! Mallorye went to her first rock concert. A group of 15 kids from school all went together (and yes, they had chaperone's). It was a general admission concert, so they got up early and waited at the gate for 7 hours!! But, it paid off...they were 2nd in line and made friends with the security guard. They fed him lunch...they had brought picnic stuff...so he had some of his staff hold 3rd row seats for them! How kewl is that??! While she was out playing, the rest of us were doing a little partying of our own. It was my nephews 8th birthday, so we had a party at the house for him...complete with pinata! Then it was on to Blake's girlfriends party...she loved her gift...and we had a great time. Quentin and I stayed and helped out. They had a haunted hayride for the kids...Q went and scared and I rode in the trailer to keep an eye on kiddos. They also played a game..body id...where the kids had to stick their hand in a bowl and guess what an item was without looking....eyes, liver, tongue, and brain...the catch? The liver and tongue were fresh from a slaughtered cow!! His girlfriend is a rancher and they slaughtered a cow that day...so it was fresh body parts! The kids had no idea until it was over...Hilarious!!

Sunday, was church...great sermon on spiritual warfare. I think so many people are unaware of how much warfare goes on in our daily lives and that we can defend ourselves against those attacks. Our pastor did a great job! Last night, we had the Stars and Stripes Welcome Home 875th Celebration...a big shindig at the convocation center. They fed us a meal, had some speakers, and then the Charlie Daniels Band performed. He did a great job...and you've never heard our National Anthem until you've heard it on the fiddle...that was incredible!!!

Can you see why I'm tired??! It was a great weekend. We had a ton of family time. It was humbling to see my husband honored in so many different venues. And it was a joy to watch my children spread their wings this weekend. Well, now I guess I need to get ready for work....

Message Board Instructions

Ok, several of you have been interested in the "how-to's" of making these fun message center's, so I decided it would be easier to just post a blog...and much quicker!! I might mention, if anyone lives in the Northeast Arkansas area, I have a friend who hosts workshops to teach you to do these and walks you through step-by-step.

Materials Needed;
26 gauge sheet metal cut in 24" square
(3) 12x12 coordinating patterned paper
ribbon or cording
(6) self-adhesive laminating sheets
Herma-Fix glue
Tacky Tape (double sided)
Embellishments of choice (optional)
Drill
Eyelet setter

Clean sheet metal with soap/water...allow to dry. Adhere the 3 sheets of patterned paper using the Herma fix. Apply laminating sheets..overlapping the edges about 1". Drill 1/8" hole in top corners and use eyelet setter to smooth sheet metal. Apply ribbon or cording to edges and seams using tacky tape. Thread wide ribbon through holes and knot to hang. Add magnets and other embellishments as desired.

Ta-Dah! Great gift!! And you did it all by yourself! Feel free to email me if you have questions!

Latest Creativity

I made this magnetic message board for Blake's girlfriend....the idea came from the Style Tile System in the PB Teen magazine. The same size sells for $174 in their book (24"x24")...I made this one for under $30 with supplies left over!! You can also write on it with a dry erase marker...it's just a super kewl gift!!

The Wonder Of It All

God is so amazing! I was sitting in the living room tonight..having a bit of a pity party because I don't feel well..and I look out the window and see this amazing sunset. It was such a brilliant red and so absolutely beautiful...as if God was saying, "see what I painted for you tonight?" Sometimes I get so caught up in myself that I miss God's blessings. I'm glad that tonight, God was able to get my attention and that I was able to stop and see the wonder of it all. I don't want to miss what God is doing around me or fail to worship God in the daily things that we so often take for granted. Tonight, I was reminded! Thank you God!!

Role Play

OK, I've decided that I'm one of those sick, twisted women, that actually enjoys housework and finds it....therapeutic and ...relaxing...{GASP}. Maybe I should explain. Q has been home now for 3 weeks and is home ALL day while I go to work each day...a little role reversal of sorts...except I don't recall staying home for 3 weeks since our babies well, were babies. Anyway, he's been trying to keep the housework done...laundry, dishes, you know the drill. And while that all sounds very good, the problem is I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I like things done a certain way and I like my routine. I've actually found myself slipping into a bit of a funk, because I don't know what to do with myself. I'm not sure when I get home if I should sweep the floor that he's already swept or just let it go. Does anyone hear me?? So, last night, I sent him to the store with Mal for a few minutes while I cleaned the kitchen and this morning I intentionally got up before everyone else...just so I could clean!! But, know what? I feel better! I think women just need to be domestic...at least a little...it's in our blood, the way God created us. Just like He made our husbands to be the providers. When we're not fulfilling our God-given roles, then someones not happy. Q still has about a month before he returns to work, so I've got to find a solution to our current role play...cause when momma ain't happy....you know the rest of the story!

Communication--Connecting on a Heart Level

The past two Sundays, our church, has been focusing on Marriage..."Duet or Duel"...and yesterdays sermon was on the topic of communication. I have to agree, that this is one of the most important things you can do for your marriage...learn to communicate.

We were hangin' out with a couple last night and they were asking us how we managed the past year with Q being deployed...so many of our soldiers have come home to find their wives have moved on without them...so, how are we different? How did we escape the true "casualty of war?" Both of us replied, COMMUNICATION! We made it a point to talk every day, even if that meant he had to get up earlier than he'd like or that I stayed up later than I needed to. We sacrificed sleep, lunch, free time...whatever it took...because we knew our marriage depended on us connecting every day.

Now that Q's home, I find that talking...really talking...is more difficult. We get so bogged down with our day to day life, kids schedules, jobs, church...that we tend to neglect each other. We have to be intentional about spending time together and communicating on a heart level. If I learned anything over the past year, it's that I cannot take my husband for granted and that we have to connect daily.

So, my challenge....to find creative ways to make time for each other. Suggestions? How do you nurture your relationship with your spouse? I'm listening.

Tide Commercial (my very own)

At Left, Blake's football pants after the game!!

Above, Blake's football pants after TIDE!

Go Mom! I can't believe I actually got all of that blood out of those white pants! Giving myself a little pat on the back!!

Who Knew Boys Club Football Was So Rough

Warning! Not for the weak stomached...Blake had a bit of a rough game today. He's been battling a carpet burn on his elbow that keeps getting reopened every football game and today's was no exception...and then today he got his finger stuck in a guy's face mask...and well, you see the results of that. LOTS of blood. He did make several good plays and is getting better at blocking....don't think the NFL is going to be knocking on our door anytime soon, but we're making improvements. He also apparently pulled a hamstring...he's been limping around all night. Gonna have to get some meat on his bones and get tough!!

PHS Homecoming

Mallorye (in blue) and one of her friends looked just gorgeous as they headed out for the homecoming dance. It's so hard to believe that this young "woman" is my baby girl! Cinderella is still sleeping, so I haven't talked to her yet...daddy went and picked her up from the breakfast at 1am...another reason to be thankful he's home from Iraq...I didn't have to do the Homecoming shift by myself...woo hoo!! I'm quite certain they had a great time! Quentin, myself, and Blake went to the football game and watched our boys win a homecoming game for the first time in years.....34-14. It was a good game and a great night with family and friends. I am so lovin' my family time!!

A Little Quality Time

Q & I got to spend some quality time together in Little Rock yesterday....he had to go to Camp Robinson for some military stuff and Mal happened to have a volleyball game there last night as well, so we made a day of it. This picture is a self portrait taken outside T.G.I.Friday's...we stopped there for a late lunch. It was a great day just hangin' out and talking without the kiddos.

I missed last week's edition of Thankful Thursday...got distracted by life. I think we all have reason to be thankful and rejoice in our blessings, if we just take a break from our life, for just a few moments, and think on these things. Don't forget to check out Iris' blog at www.eph2810.com for more Thankful Thursday posts.

This week I am thankful for;

*cooler weather....finally feels like fall in Arkansas!

*Saturday date with hubby...it's been a very long time since we've had a date, just us, 14 months

*God's patience with me...I am such a slacker at times, yet God loves me anyway

*Vision...without a vision the people perish..God has been showing Q and I what His plans are for us, slowly, and as I can, I will share them with my blogworld

*my oil painting from Ur...it just makes my heart smile :)

What are you thankful for? Has God done anything in your life this week? I'm sure He has. Take time to notice and then give thanks to God for it. Have a great day!

Gifts From Ur

Quentin had an incredible opportunity while deployed to Iraq and was able to tour the city of Ur, the place where Abraham was born and raised. He walked on the paths where Abraham walked, visited the house he grew up in, and climbed to the top of the ziggaret (not sure about that spelling). This is my favorite thing he brought back from this land...an oil painting on a rolled canvas. I'm going to have it framed and a nameplate put under it that tells where it came from and that it was purchased while Q was in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Another purchase from the City of Ur, was a hand-woven wool rug. Many of the locals make their living by selling their wares to the tourist and they are truly gifted at their trade. And it fit perfectly in my hallway. I don't know if you can see all of the colors, but it's just beautiful. I just think it's so amazing that Q had the opportunity to visit this area so rich with biblical history...this is where it all began.....where the fathers of our faith walked and talked. I'll try to share more pix later, but these two I am so proud of and just had to share with you all....truly gifts that I will treasure for a lifetime.

No Gourmet Chef....

...but, I'm trying! I have to admit, that while hubby was away in Iraq, my cooking...let's just say it was all but non-existent. So, I'm desperately trying to regain my skills and coax my family back into healthy eating and get in some family time as well. Here's tonight's meal...Grilled Chicken, Rotini Pasta, Steamed Summer Veggies (green beans, squash, carrots, peppers, onion), complete with some Iced Lemonade. The box in the middle is something I discovered a few months ago, "Food For Talk" by Julienne Smith, and the kids and I have been doing over our McDonalds meals. It's cards that have a question to prompt conversation. It has been a great way to interact with each other and learn more about what my kids really think. Now, that dad's home, it's even more special. Well, I'm off to church...but I have some pix to share with you all of a few things Q brought home from Iraq when he traveled to Ur, so I'll try to post again tonight...but you know how that goes...may be tomorrow...lol!

Monday Mayhem

Another Monday....I wish I had some earth shattering news...or at least something blog worthy..but it's relatively a boring day around here. Our typical basketball practice for Blake, volleyball game for Mallorye, squeeze in dinner and grocery shopping, work, a little housekeeping, and ready to crash. It's a busy week and I'm sure it will not be without some challenges, so I'm sure I'll have something of interest to blog about later this week. Until then.

My Soldier

I just love this picture of Q! I told you he looked good!

Homecoming Pictures

These are some pix of our family as soon as Q got off the bus...I love the one of us walking away holding hands! My cropping ability on these wasn't too great, I'm used to just plopping in my SD card...but I obviously I didn't take any pix that day...I was a little preoccupied!

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby

Yep, you guessed it....today is my better whole, Quentin's, birthday. I'm so excited that this year we are celebrating together and not miles apart. I can't help but think back to last year at this time at the party I threw WITHOUT the guest of honor. It was fun...a little weird...but fun. We sent him the pictures and decorations and I made him a mini scrapbook of the party last year. Many of those same people will be at the house tonight, celebrating Quentin's birthday and the end of his 14 month deployment. Just a simple gathering with our closest friends and some cake...of course followed by a little football!

To my husband; you are the greatest! I am so proud of you and even prouder to be your wife. You've handled the past year incredibly well and I've seen how you've grown, especially in your spiritual walk. I pray that God continues to bless your life and our life together. I have to be the luckiest girl in the world. I wake up every day wondering how I got so lucky, because I know I'm not deserving...that's "agape" love! Thank you! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Quick Update

Well, I was going to show you some homecoming photos, but my scanner doesn't want to cooperate tonight...aargh! We've had a great past couple of days just readjusting as a family.

Saturday, Quentin's bus came in around 6:30am, so our day started early. He had been up all night, catching a flight out of Ft. McCoy and then the bus on into Paragould, so we all were exhausted and spent most of the day SLEEPING! But it was so nice to finally be sleeping in my hubby's arms. The community turned out in quite a large number even for such an early arrival and the feeling was just overwhelming watching the buses roll into the armory and seeing the soldiers walk down the steps and into the waiting arms of family and friends. Very emotional!

Sunday, we were able to attend church as a family and then we went and cheered Blake in his first football game of the season. It was great that Quentin was able to be there for that...even if we did lose.

Monday meant back to school and work for me and the kids, while Q just relaxed here at the house. It was a slow night...a rarity around here. Mal had volleyball practice and Blake had basketball practice, but that's slow considering most nights.

Today, I stayed home and we took Mal to get her braces off...yeah!...and to the eye doctor. We went and watched her volleyball game tonight and are just enjoying hanging out as a family. Nothing exciting, just normal! Something we've not had for the past 14 months. Oh, how I love normal!

Hopefully, my scanner will cooperate soon and I'll be able to put some pix up for you. Until then, you'll just have to take my word...my hubby looks GOOD!