Fireproof Defined

...capable of withstanding or preventing damage by fire.

To (almost) quote a line from the movie...being fireproof doesn't mean that a fire won't come, it just means that your marriage won't be damaged in the process.

Yes, we went to see the movie last night...and it was awesome. A tear had escaped my eye before the first scene was finished. There were so many scenes I could relate to and lessons I'd learned the hard way.

Such as, men and women are just wired differently. Men need respect. Women need love. And often the opposite sex doesn't even understand what those needs really are...what they really mean to that person.

Our church is going through a sermon series based on this movie, Fireproof, and Pastor Charles issued this Love Dare to the women (he offered a different one to the men)...

"What makes your husband feel respected by you?" and "What would you like to do this week to make him feel respected by you."

I have some homework to do on this. I think I know what makes Q feel respected, but I want to KNOW. So you know what? I'm just going to ask him. So, how about you? What makes you hubby feel respected?

**ok, I just couldn't not put the guys Love Dare on here...so here's the guys challenge....

"What makes your wife feel loved?" and "What would you like to do this week to make her feel loved by you"

Something New To Perfect

Quentin's brother, Warren, just moved home after 20 years, from Pennsylvania. The kids have never really had an opportunity to get to know Uncle Warren...I think he's been home three times since Mallorye was born...so they're eating up their time with him.

Warren loves music. He had a band in PA and even has written some of his own songs. Well, it's no secret that we love music around our house too...and Warren has offered to teach the kids to play guitar. Blake had his first lesson yesterday and learned the "G" chord. He actually has picked up on it pretty quickly and is working on the "D" chord this week.

Here's some pix...doesn't he just look like a country singer??

Right Kind Of Change

I found a new quote and put it on my sidebar.

"The right kind of change doesn't take you away from yourself, it wakes you up to yourself."

How many times have we tried to change to fit a mold, only to find it takes us further and further from who we really are. I love this quote and the fact that it focuses on change being something that makes you a better person...a better you. Not something that you're not...just you. I love that. It's the kind of change I seek in my life.

Things I know that need to change, to bring me back to who I am, to the better me;

*accountability...being real and transparent without fear of judgement
*hospitality...having friends over, hangin' out, enjoying the company of others
*healthy...it is a must for me to lose weight and start taking care of myself, yoga pants and t-shirts are not things I find attractive for every day wear, just necessary at the moment. Lose weight. Get a new wardrobe.
*date night...hubby and I need this, and it has to become a priority

These are just a few and they're not based on what others think of me, but they're based on things I know that make me a better person. How do I know? Because at one time, I was doing these things...and I liked who I was then. I want that happy, confident, contagious person back.

We're Home!!

It has been a long week. Mallorye (16) went in for her thyroidectomy Wednesday morning...early...5:30am early! By 7:30am we were in the surgery holding area and Mal was talking about Simba swimming through the gates of the Emerald City. Two of our pastors, Charles and Mike, came down and prayed with us, while a host of friends and family waited in the waiting room. All told, Mal had 16 people in the waiting room cheering her on and praying for her and countless people that were in their daily routines stopping to say a prayer. We are blessed, no doubt.

The surgery went well (2 hours in OR and 2 hours in recovery) and we settled in for our overnight stay in the hospital. More visitors. More phone calls. And of course more texts. I found it so amusing that the first thing she said when they got her to her room was, "where's my phone?"....the second? "Do you have a mirror?" Just like a teenager! For me, it was amazing to see that her neck sunk in where the goiter used to be. It's been there for so long and it was strange to see her "skinny neck" in it's place.

Wednesday night brought some pain and a dip in her calcium levels. We still thought we might get to go home, but they wanted to check her levels one more time at 8pm on Thursday before discharging us. Well, Katie bar the door. Her levels dropped again and she started having twitches and tingling in her hands and feet. Before the night was up, her entire body was numb and the doctor paid us a midnight visit. We whammied her with calcium and hoped for the best. She didn't have a drain tube or IV at this point, so we just waited on Mr. Calcium to cooperate. We passed the time coloring and putting together puzzles (thanks Katie W.). Her levels are still low, but they let us come home last night...Friday...a little more than an overnight stay...she was a little bummed...since she had a cute male tech taking care of her. She swears she could get his number given a little more time. LOL!

To spite the low calcium and tingling, she is doing great! I know it's only because so many people held her close in prayer. Thank you all! Enjoy some hospital pix!

A view of Mal's room...look at all the cute gifts she received...loved I'm tellin' ya!

My bed...doesn't it look comfy? Just like the Hampton Inn. Not.

2 days Post-Op and she looks better than I do! Beautiful!!

Model Behavior.

Posing with 2 of her gifts...the bear, Apple Trinity, is from her Small Group at church...the monkey, Molly, is from her brother and Adrienne...and the rest of the Chamber-Nelson gang!

The Wait Is Over

By the time most of you read this, Mallorye (16) will be in surgery and I'll be trying to relax...Her surgery is scheduled for 7:30 this morning and should take around 2 hours. I know this is a common surgery...just not for teenagers...to me, having your thyroid removed is a big deal. So, if you don't mind...would you please lift her up in your prayers this morning?!

We will be in the hospital a few days...at least overnight...so obviously I won't be blogging, BUT I will update through twitter (on my sidebar)

I really do appreciate all of you thinking of us, encouraging us, and praying for us!

Update on my Whining...

...well, it's Saturday morning and since I'm blogging...I guess you can figure out that I decided to stay home this weekend vs. going to the Women's Retreat. It was an agonizing decision, but once made, I felt at peace.

Today's plan: get the house in order for next week!

I know you people must think my house is a disaster. It's not. Only to me. I am extremely OCD when it comes to the house and being organized...so I have some things that need to get done before I can relax. Like laundry! And changing the sheets. And my ever cluttered desk. Other than that, the house is in good shape, but of course I'll dust, sweep, and mop anyway...because that's what I do.

I have some movies to watch later when I take a break and I'm planning on going to the rodeo tonight...so it's not all work this weekend...just hard and heavy this morning.

Greatest Show On Dirt

Last night we were able to relax a little at the Northeast Arkansas Rodeo courtesy of some good friends, George & Colette. They were riding in the Grand Opening and needed someone to sit with their kids...so, we scored free tickets! Yeah!! Mal had a ballgame, so I took a friend from work, Kim...she loves going to the rodeo (and she's secretly ...or not so secretly...looking for a man...what better place) Anywho, the opening was awesome, paying tribute to our Policeman, Firefighters, and Soldiers who sacrifice daily for all of us and a remembrance of a 09/11 seven years ago. It was complete with fireworks, flags, and even a soldier propeeling from the ceiling! Awesome I tell ya!

Grand Opening of the Rodeo...that's my friends George & Colette in their Mounted Patrol uniforms.

This cowboy just couldn't hang for 8 seconds...bronc riding is tougher than it looks!

Not too bad.

My favorite part of the rodeo...the bull riding! Such an adrenaline rush!

Rudy ...taunting the bull...he's been at this for as long as I can remember going to rodeos.

Ava Jo...in a sweet moment!

Ava Jo & Me...please don't look at the double chin!

Katie & my friend Kim

It was a great night and I really needed the relaxation and laughter! I'll be going back on Saturday night when they ride again...I'm sure I'll have some new pix then. I regret I didn't get any pictures of Boden, Blake or Quentin...aargh!