100 Things About Me

1. I was born in Northeast Arkansas
2. To an unwed teenage mother
3. Who raised me to be independent...and I am
4. I was adopted at age 14...by my stepdad
5. Then my parents divorced when I was 17
6. I also happened to be 5 months pregnant at this time
7. And had just been voted Homecoming Queen of my high school
8. I graduated in the top 5 of my class
9. There were only 25 people in my graduating class...lol
10. I have a rebel side
11. I was married the summer I graduated high school
12. After giving birth to a beautiful little girl
13. And then later, to a gorgeous son
14. I was saved when I was 27
15. After realizing I'd been living a lie for years
16. Now, I'm a daughter of The King
17. I sing alto in our Praise Band
18. I desire to sing in a Praise Band FULL TIME
19. My husband and I teach a small group in our home
20. This is WAY out of my comfort zone
21. I actually love being an Army wife
22. Even if most consider us part-timers (I happen to think going to war makes us full time)
23. I love organization
24. Ok...so I'm a little on the OCD side
25. My vegetable cans are arranged alphabetically
26. I'm deathly afraid of the dark
27. And thunderstorms
28. Oh, and mice
29. I love the color black..even though some argue it's not a color
30. I'm a compulsive list maker
31. I have an extra bone in the roof of my mouth called a torri
32. I had braces put on when I was 18
33. And wore them for FIVE years!
34. I did not wear my retainer
35. Therefore...I need them again..ugh!
36. I have a tatoo
37. That I got while my husband was in Iraq
38. To mark the hardspots...just in case I forget someday
39. I have also had my belly button pierced
40. I was MUCH skinnier when I did that
41. And I did it on a complete whim during my lunch break
42. I was Mrs. Northeast Arkansas 1999
43. And placed 5th in the Mrs. Arkansas pageant that same year
44. In 2001 I was Mrs. Tri-County Arkansas
45. I did not place in Mrs. Arkansas that year :(
46. I was Little Miss Greene County in 1978..first 4 year old to win
47. I loved to play with frogs, mud, and barbies when I was growing up
48. My first real job was at TCBY
49. I still love yogurt!
50. I'm 1/2 way there!! This is tough
51. I have had a myriad of jobs in my life
52. Secretary for a Lumber Yard
53. ...Secretary for an Attorney (hated that job)
54. ...Cashier at a grocery store (loved this job)
55. ...Pest Control Technician...yes, I sprayed for roaches..yuk!
56. ...Nurse
57. Oh Yeah, I have a license to practice nursing
58. But, I don't use it
59. But because of it, I've been able to touch a human heart...very kewl!
60. And see the miracle of birth many times
61. I love helping women bring babies into the world
62. And even had a co-worker ask me to film his daughter's birth (I didn't know his wife)
63. But, I did it anyway and it was an awesome experience
64. I now work as an Administrative Assistant for a construction company
65. I love to scrapbook
66. And I love taking photographs
67. I have more rubber stamps than the stamp store
68. I love to read..ALOT
69. My favorite book to read is the Bible of course
70. And I'm blown away by pretty much any Beth Moore Bible Study
71. I cannot whistle
72. But I can roll my tongue
73. Blogging is my new obsession
74. And as you can see, I'm pretty transparent
75. I enjoy party planning
76. I am blessed to have several really great friends
77. I still talk to my best friend from high school every week
78. I seen the ocean for the first time this year and thought it was awesome
79. I'm a bit of a daredevil
80. And not much of a rule follower
81. I'm also very blunt with my friends
82. I've never smoked in my life
83. I'm not a drinker either...only on occasion
84. I do have a temper
85. But I don't cuss even when I'm mad
86. I'm trying to give up sodas permanently
87. Because I need to lose 50 pounds
88. No, I'm serious!
89. I'm a romantic at heart
90. And love sappy movies
91. SHMILY is our code word in our family
92. I absolutely love being a mother
93. And I love being a wife
94. My hearts desire is to be a stay at home wife and mother
95. I'm not wealthy (at least in money terms)
96. I don't play the lottery
97. And I'm in debt
98. So, I will continue to work instead of stay home
99. I love my life
100. And if you read to the end...I have some pretty loyal blog readers!

Happy 16th Anniversary

Today is our 16th Wedding Anniversary. I think back to the day we were married...a day that was full of excitement, anxiety, intimdation. I had absolutely no idea how to be a wife, or for that matter, even how to love...but you were so patient and understanding. You have always loved me unconditionally and you waited patiently for God to work in my heart until I could return that love. I'm so thankful that you did. I honestly think that we have one of the best marriages around. We've seen our share of heartaches and hard times, but we've also experienced immense joy and laughter and good times. Just last night I was trying so hard to be stern with you because you had frustrated me and you had me laughing before I could even explain why I was angry. Sometimes you exasperate me, but I love you! These have been a hard 16 years...but I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Happy Anniversary baby....here's to the next year of life, love, and laughter!

Baby Love

My mom made these adorable burp cloths for my aunt to give at a baby shower. Aren't they just adorable??!

Cardboard Testimonies

This may be a bit long...but oh so worth it!! I have chills down my arms and tears streaming down my face....


My cardboard testimony?

Sexually Immoral
Unwed Teeenage Mother

Forgiven
Marriage Restored

What's your testimony?

Random Nothingness...

Tired...

...can't sleep....

.....keep falling asleep at the keyboard....

but....

....when my head hits my pillow....

........I'm wide awake again.....

AAARGH!!!!!!

Confessions of a Slacker

Just finished the Lisa Whelchel Bible Study..."My Story"....ok, actually, the class is over but Ginger is not finished!! I am so terribly behind that my new goal (instead of the original 8 weeks) is now to have my book finished by the end of the year. Is that wrong?

I am such a slacker...but in my defense, I was doing 2 Bible studies...and I'm current with the other one. And I did read several books over the past 8 weeks...just not the ONE I was supposed to be reading...aargh.

Ok, I'll do better next time?!

Blake's 13th Birthday Party!

Temperature's soared into the upper 90's yesterday, but that didn't stop us from having an awesome time at Blake's party. You know, you always worry with these summer birthdays if anyone will actually show up...so many gone on vacation...but show up they did! I think our final count was 22 kids and 9 adults. Not bad for a hot August day...

Group shot of most of the kids

Blake and the Cake

Getting a little payback from Adrienne...nice, ice cold water dousing

Showing off his new picture frame from Aunt Liz

Adrienne, Jeremy, & Justin got him this pink Hollister shirt...he absolutely loves the color pink...here he's telling his buds that real men wear pink!

Jenni, Alexis, Cody, & Evan

Ally, Adrienne, Mallorye (Big Sis), & McKinlee

McKinlee, Alexis, Blake, Alex, & Cody

That'd be Evan on Alex' shoulders...what memories are made of

McKinlee, Jenni, & Alexis...scoping out guys??

Looks like trouble! Daniel, Alex, and Caleb

Sylvia...Jack's granddaughter

My mom and her boyfriend Jack

The cutest nephews in the South...Little Caleb & Little Daniel

Caleb getting pelted by brother with a water balloon...I see a retaliation coming!

The kids had a great time swimming, hanging out, and eating cake...so what better way to end the day than with....a water balloon fight...about 500 balloons to be exact!

Alex, Alexis, Sylvia, & Evan....looks like a group effort

Run for cover!!