Weekend Update

I can't believe it's Monday already! We had one of those whirlwind weekends, but it was so worth it!

Friday Night--Blake spent the night with a friend and Mallorye had a volleyball recruiting "thingy" to go to, so hubby and I went out for a nice dinner. We'd been given a gift certificate to eat The Candlelite Steakhouse (local restaurant, very classy), so it seemed the perfect opportunity to enjoy it. Q had steak and I had the grilled chicken and it was absolutely the best...either that, or I'm just way tired of Hamburger Helper and fish sticks..lol!

Saturday--busy! I worked till noon and then we all went to Blake's baseball game. My mom and Jack came and cheered him on. Unfortunately, the game went up as a loss, but the boys played well. Mom and Jack came back to the house and we just hung out for a little while. Mal babysat for us (Blake would kill me if he knew I said that!) while we went to see Sugarland and Little Big Town in concert with some friends from church. It was awesome!! I'd seen both of them in concert separately while Q was in Iraq, but together was just incredible. The highlight was the end, after the encore, this curtain came down and when it lifted there were these 2 huge clear beach balls...and they were in them!! They rolled themselves across the audience that had floor seats...which was us!...we were on the 7th row! Oh, it was just way too kewl! I wish I had pictures!!

Sunday--I was up bright and early...had to be at church at 6:30am for sound check and warm up...it was my weekend to sing. I was 10 minutes late, but we managed to run through all of the songs even with me being late. whew! I visited my friend Sydney and her daughter Kyleigh after church. I haven't seen them much since the guys got back from Iraq and I MISS HER! We became really close during the deployment and I just miss the comraderie that we shared. We promised to get together more often. I hope we stick to that!

Sunday Night--small group at our house. I'm really enjoying getting to know the Turner's. We're starting a new book in about 3 weeks..."Defending the Military Marriage." Please pray for us as we lead this discussion. Satan is already attacking and I don't want to give him the satisfaction of distracting us.

Well, that sums up the weekend. Today is a crazy Monday for us...busy, busy. Hope you all have had a wonderful weekend! Welcome to the work week!!

Creative Block

Ok, I need some help for those willing to tackle it! I really want a new blog design and title. Hubby has said that I can get a new web design for my Mother's Day gift!

The problem. I can't seem to come up with anything catchy that I like. The best title I've come up with is "Life....it's what I do." I really want something that better reflects my life and who I am...as for design, I'm thinking on the fun, whimsy, funky side.

So, any suggestions?! I'm thinkin' there's a prize in it for the person that has the most creative suggestion! ;)

What Will You Do?

Crystal over at Money Saving Mom was talking today about how long you'll wait to turn on the AC and it prompted me to think about the ways our family is lowering our expenses.

For one, we're planning on not turning on our AC until May 10th...we'd really like to hold out till June, but we're starting with a small goal and then we'll take it a day at a time from there. 16 days to go!! I'm hoping this will be a significant boost in our savings.

Another thing we've done is disconnect our home phone (actually did this today...been talking about it for months!). We rarely used the house phone and I honestly can't remember the last time I actually talked on our "land line." We all four have cell phones and most people we talk to are in our network of free mobile-to-mobile. This one step is going to save us $65 a month...woo hoo!!

We've been eating at home and have only ate out twice this month. Huge improvement! Even at McDonald's, our bill is around $20, so another big way to save...and I'm actually enjoying cooking and planning meals frugally. Baseball season has started, so it's a little challenging on game days to get supper on the table and get to the game on time...but so far we've done pretty well. I've also been taking snacks from home to work. Another way I'm saving on our food expense is byalso taking part in Krystal's May Grocery Budget Challenge. My goal is $100/week for a $400 total for the month of May spent on groceries. That's about a $50/week cut from what I normally spend and a savings of $200 for the month of May.

A few small "changes" equals a little more "change" in the pocket! So, how about you? Are you feeling the economic crunch? What are you doing to "save for the rainy day" or just make it to the next month?

View From My Front Porch

Every morning the first thing I do is look out my bedroom window....to check the gas prices! Is this pathetic or what?? If this is a "slow down" in the economy, I don't even want to think what a recession would look like.

The Camera Dilemma

Blake's Latest Ballgame...Record 4-1...Go Kiwanis!!

I think that might've been a strike!

Way to watch!!

Ok, here's the thing...I really need a digital camera!! I'm using Mal's P&S Kodak with 5.1 megapixel because it's instant "gratification." I can get the pix to my blog quickly, but the quality stinks!! My sports pictures especially! They're either too fuzzy or too dark! I have a camera that I love...my 35mm...but I have to wait until I've taken the entire roll, have it developed, and then scan the pix to the computer. Very frustrating!!!

So, does anyone have any suggestions on what I need to purchase?? I'm saving for this purchase and hope to be able to at least have camera in hand by the kids birthdays in July!

Just Because I Need A Happy Post...and a PICTURE

This is Caleb. My little nephew.

He is so adorable and funny...most mornings, he just has to come in and see Aunt GinGin when mommy drops brother off (he catches the bus here at our house) but then acts all shy. I love that! I love that he wants to see me in the mornings.

He has a very vivid imagination and vocabulary to match. He's all boy...and then some, but somehow...can't stand to have his hands dirty.

He knows right where I keep the basket of toys reserved just for him...and helps himself!

He has a smile that just makes me melt and beautiful eyes to boot!

This picture was taken one afternoon while he was hanging out with Aunt GinGin and Uncle Q...having a little juice and snack (sitting at the "big boy bar").

Three?

I've heard that tragedy comes in three's, but this is just too much. I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around what is going on with our youth. For the 3rd time in a week, the life of one of our teenagers was snuffed out early. Last night, another teenager was killed...this time as he was walking he was struck by a vehicle and killed. Both schools in Paragould have been affected by the weeks sadness.

In trying to process it all and find meaning in what seems a senseless death, I have found God's hand at work.

(1) the Pastor's of this community have been allowed into the schools to help with the grieving process, thus allowing God in!!

(2) there was a city-wide Memorial service held this past Wednesday at one of the schools. Over 400 students attended and 10 gave their life to Christ.

(3) our students are being challenged to live their faith out loud, not knowing what tomorrow may bring.

Those of you that are prayer warriors, I'm begging you to keep our community in your prayers. To experience three deaths of our teenagers in one week, all unrelated incidents, is just more that one can fathom. I know nothing else to do, but to pray and ask God what He wants to show us in the midst of all this pain.

Update of a Week Gone By

Updated; Another teenager (8th grade) at Mallorye's school was killed in an auto accident after school yesterday (Friday). Her mom is in critical condition. This is several kids in the past year and a half that have been killed or critically injured. Please pray for our students.

Where has the week gone!? It's been busy here, to say the least...

Baseball season has started and Blake had his first game on Monday. We lost 2-4, but Blake had an awesome hit that landed him a single. He's playing short stop for the most part...some third base...and a little pitcher. He has a game tonight, so wish us luck! (I'll try to get some pix) He's also getting ready for the 5K Ram Run at his school near the end of the month...his legs are so SORE!!

Mallorye's in the midst of EOC's (end of course exams) and getting her schedule ready for next year. She's having some friends over tonight to watch movies and hang out. They really need some down time, it's been a tough week. One of her friends, an acquaintance really, was killed this week in an auto accident. Her boyfriend was critically injured in the wreck as well. They were both well known and well liked kids and it's really tough on the community. They had a memorial service on Wednesday at the high school.

Quentin and I have just been trying to work and keep the house running...that's a job in itself!! Our ladies at church started a new Bible study on Monday that I'm going to..."The Frazzled Female"...you have to laugh! Oh, how I need this study!!!

Ok...everyone keeps interrupting my thoughts, so I'm gonna just end here. Hopefully, I'll be able to post this weekend at some point!!

If not, have a great weekend!!

In Need Of Some Prayer!

It's been quite the day around here...especially for Quentin.

He had his appointment to get his stitches out this afternoon (you know, from the whole sharpening knife incident) and his finger is not healing properly. So, they put steri-strips on it, but they're not wanting to hold very well. Looks like a nasty scar will follow.

While at the appointment, I had him mention his excessive snoring since being back from Iraq...so he's now set up for a sleep study at the end of the month. He's having a few minor issues since being back...some digestive trouble, hearing loss (he is getting hearing aids next week from the VA), back pain, and difficulty with his ankle (he injured in Iraq).

Please pray that his health issues will be resolved soon....he's normally not a person that gets sick or goes to the doctor very much at all, so this is difficult for all of us.

Also, his granny promoted to Heaven this evening. She lived a full life of 98 years! His mom is having a hard time and as an only child, I know Q feels a sense to "make it all better."

It's been alot for one day, but I know God has it all in control.

Time For Some Manual Labor

I can certainly tell that I'm not used to "manual labor." whew! My Monday thru Friday job is at a desk, and although I work my brain very hard, my body doesn't get much of a workout. All that changed yesterday!

In an effort to help alleviate some of the financial strain on our family as a result of soaring electric bills, I got a part time job on Saturdays. It's just a few hours, but those few hours were WORK! I'm cleaning a commercial account for a local cleaning service. Now, I clean my house every day, but this was different for some reason. I guess, because I made myself clean for the entire time with no breaks (like I do at home..you know? stop and have a soda, blog a bit, etc). Anywho, I am sore today! Wow! I thought I used my muscles more, but I guess I was wrong. I did find it very satisfying to be working hard and I loved that I was able to clean without interruption...that doesn't ever happen at home!! LOL!

Time to get ready for church...I'm praying the hot shower alleviates some sore muscles!

You're Gonna Miss This

I think as I get older and I watch my children growing up, this song just really hits home. How many times do we wish this particular time in our lives to just hurry up, but it's true...you'll miss it. You'll wish for the carefree teen years. You'll long for the fun-loving newlywed stage. You can't believe your babies are getting ready to fly on their own and you'll yearn for the time to cuddle with them. You'll miss the midnight feedings when you're waiting for your daughter to make curfew. You'll miss the snoring of your husband when he's serving half way around the world in Iraq.

The lesson? Live the moment!!

Here's the lyrics...and be sure to check out other great inspiration through song here!

TRACE ADKINS Lyrics - You’re Gonna Miss This

She was staring out the window of that SUV
Complaining, saying “I can’t wait to turn 18″
She said “I’ll make my own money, and I’ll make my own rules”
Momma put the car in park out there in front of the school
Then she kissed her head and said “I was just like you”

You’re gonna miss this
You’re gonna want this back
You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you’re gonna miss this

Before she knows it she’s a brand new bride
In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by
He tells her “It’s a nice place”
She says “It’ll do for now”
Starts talking about babies and buying a house
Daddy shakes his head and says “Baby, just slow down”

Cause you’re gonna miss this
You’re gonna want this back
You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you’re gonna miss this

Five years later there’s a plumber workin’ on the water heater
Dog’s barkin’, phone’s ringin’
One kid’s cryin’, one kid’s screamin’
She keeps apologizin’
He says they don’t bother me.
I’ve got 2 babies of my own.
One’s 36, one’s 23.
Huh, it’s hard to believe, but …

You’re gonna miss this
You’re gonna want this back
You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you’re gonna miss this

You’re Gonna Miss This - Lyrics TRACE ADKINS Song Words

Song Words by Artist / Band : TRACE ADKINS
Song Lyrics Title : You’re Gonna Miss This
Taken from Music Album : American Man: Greatest Hits Volume II
Single Released : December 25, 2007
Music Genre :Country Music

(Music Song Data Information taken from : wikipedia)

Shout Out!

We have been working on Mal's schedule for next year...her Junior Year!! Ouch, that hurts. Ok...proud mama moment coming...consider yourself warned...

After speaking to her counselor, this is what we know;
*she has a 3.52 GPA
*she is ranked 34th in her class...out of 210
*at her current schedule, she'll graduate from high school as a sophomore in college with 31 college hours received either by concurrent classes or AP classes

She has a tough schedule lined up for next year, but she'll do fine. We're still looking at different college options. She really would like to go to Baylor University in Texas, but may have to settle for the hometown Arkansas State. There are so many more scholarship options in-state. It's just crazy thinking that my little girl is getting so close to leaving my nest!