Right Back at Ya!!

Yesterday my best friend Steph posted this, wishing me a Happy Birthday.

Well, today is her birthday! Sadly, she still isn't as old as me, but I wish her a happy day anyway.

Everything she said in her post about me is exactly how I feel about her, except that she was lying about how great I am. Honestly, I'm kind of a hag. But, she loves me anyway! And that's why we are best friends! What's the saying? "A best friend is someone who knows all the worst things about you, but loves you anyway." I think it goes something like that.

Steph and I met about 8 years ago when Rick and I moved here and started attending the church where her husband was the youth pastor. She has a daughter, Lauren, who instantly became Dawson's best friend. And they are still best friends today, or are they cousins? I can't remember. I do know they share a brain, though. And I also know that Dawson didn't learn to tie his shoes until he and Lauren were no longer in homeroom together. But, I digress.

I got to thinking about Steph yesterday. And, you know, it occurred to me that in all of the difficult times I have had lately, especially in the past two years, she has never once given me any advice. She just encourages me and tells me that she is praying for me. In fact, just a few months ago, at a moment when my life was on the verge of being forever altered, I called her. All I could say was, "I don't know what to do. I need help. I need help!" She said, "I know." She was crying. And then she started praying for me right there on the phone. All I remember about that prayer was her asking the Holy Spirit to speak through me. I know, without any hesitation, that I was able to save the most precious thing in the world to me because of that prayer. Any other friend might have started throwing out advice. But, she didn't. She just held my hand through that phone and helped me gain the strength I needed. I am forever grateful for that!

It's funny. We get together to talk occasionally, or to scrapbook, and there have been so many times that she has been frustrated with her husband, or I have been frustrated with mine, or we are having an issue with one of our kids. The one with problems will start to vent, and before it's all over the helpful one of us has turned the situation around so that the problem one sees her part in the situation and what she should have done or can do better. We have never been the kind of girlfriends who get together and bash our husbands or rag on our kids. Our friendship has always been one of lifting each other up, and setting each other straight.

My greatest times with Steph are the couple of weekends a year that we get together to go scrapbook. Usually we scrapbook our vacations, and it's so fun to share those memories with each other. This year we had the pleasure (was it pleasure??) of planning a vacation together. If you follow my blog you read all about how smoothly that went!! Even despite the detours, we had the opportunity to see some of God's most gorgeous creation together, we had some extreme laughs, and some extreme tears. Although we were apart a lot of the trip, it brought us closer. I will cherish those memories for as long as I live.

So, Miss Stephanie, I want you to know that without you my life would not be the same. I love you. I treasure you. You are my sister. You are my best friend. Thank you for loving my hateful self. Thank you for encouraging me. Thank you for trying to help to keep me sane. Thank you for all the ways in which you help me. Thank you for loving my children. You are one of the hardest working women I know. I admire your love of and devotion to your family. I admire how you are constantly giving to others. God has used you in such mighty ways so far in your 37 years of life and He is forever proud of you, as am I.

I hope that you have a blessed day! Happy Birthday!

Menu Plan Monday

Last week we got a little off our meal schedule, but not by a lot. This week's meals sound good, and I'm trying a couple of new things at the request of my 12 year old, Dawson.

Monday ~ Easy chicken cordon bleu and pasta

Tuesday ~ Chicken and dumplings

Wednesday ~ FFY (Fend for Yourself)

Thursday ~ Enchiladas

Friday ~ BBQ pork sandwiches and cottage cheese

Saturday ~ Miss Brynne's 4th birthday, so we are having her requested favorites of Spaghetti, Breadsticks and Brownies

Sunday ~ Going out to eat because we'll be out of town that evening

Happy Belated Birthday to Me!

When you're the mama, and the one who documents all of your family's memories, and takes all of the photographs and is the only author of your family blog, and your birthday rolls around, then you either play a director of your own blog post or your birthday comes and goes with no one knowing! (At this age, that's not a bad idea!)

Yesterday was my birthday. And, my family made it a great one for me!

On Friday evening Rick told me that for my birthday he wanted me to sleep in as late as I wanted, get up and get ready, and then leave. Yes, he wanted me to go away on my birthday! Well, what he really wanted was for me to have some leisure time alone. So, I left the house at about 11:00 a.m. and headed into town for some solo shopping. I really didn't have anything to buy, but that wasn't the point. The point was to enjoy myself ... alone! That's a strange concept when you are used to someone being with you all the time!

I browsed through Hobby Lobby, Kirkland's and even PetSmart. Then Rick called and asked if I was hungry yet, and met me for lunch at Red Robin ... Yum!! I had a birthday coupon that I needed to use. So I took a break from my shopping spree to meet my sweet husband for lunch!

After I devoured my 'Shroom Burger ...

I went shopping again. This time I went to Old Navy, T.J. Maxx and Target. Of course I bought some school clothes for the kids, some new sheets for our bed, and some birthday gifts for a couple of the kids. I did get myself a shirt and some North Face flip flops (is it strange to anyone else that North Face makes flip flops?) Thank you honey for giving me that time alone! As I told my husband later, hearing all of the screaming kids and impatient parents, it made me love and appreciate my sweet kids even more.

While out, I got a phone call. A realtor wanted to show our house today, the day after my birthday. Figures. We haven't had a showing in over a month and the day I don't want to clean house, I had to clean house. So I came home to get started doing just that. 

The kids had already started cleaning their upstairs (bless them!!) and I got started on my end. Rick was mowing. 

Rick had me take a break so he could give me my gift .. an external hard drive for my computer! That might not thrill some people, but I can store all of my photos on there so I don't lose a couple of years' worth like I did off of our old computer (thankfully a sweet little computer genius was able to retrieve the unretrievable and I again have the photos of my sweet Brynne from the ages of 6 months to 2 years!). The gift was a practical, but extremely sweet one!! 

The kids got me a paperback novel from a favorite author. Now, I thought this was a really sweet gift because I didn't ask for this. Kyndal thought it out and bought it herself. I love that my kids, or at least one of them, knows me so well! They all signed the "card". I also got cards from some sweet friends and money from my parents. (have you noticed how many times I have used the word "sweet" in this post?) And I received several phone calls from other family members and friends. I got some great gifts .. but it wasn't over!

Kyndal and I had run to town to buy some flowers to replace some dead ones in a couple of pots, and to pick up some pizzas for dinner. While we were at Wal-Mart I saw it .. the patio furniture I have been wanting since last summer was marked down half price! Last summer when the price went down we waited too long and didn't get it. When I saw the price reduction yesterday, I came straight home to tell Rick because there were only two sets left! We immediately loaded up and went and bought it. I was so excited!! Patience pays off.

Here I am sitting on our new patio furniture.

All-in-all it was a great birthday! Those seem hard to come by when you're as old as me! But, my family did so much to make it special, and stress-free, for me.

Thanks everybody!

Sweet!

Family Fun Night ~ The Driller's

I scored some free general admission tickets to the Tulsa Driller's minor league baseball game for last night.

We got there about an hour before the game started, to make sure we got a seat, and scored some free Driller's insulated lunch boxes for having 4 of the first 1,000 kids in the gate. We didn't have any expectations of staying through the whole game, just thought it might be something fun to do as a family.

At the top of the 1st inning the score was 9-0. And, no the Driller's weren't winning! At least we got to see some hits and even a couple of home runs! Too bad none of those were by Driller's players!

So we did what we really came there to do ... eat ball game snacks!

The highlight of the game for the kids were the costumed egg roll, hot dog and taquito that raced around the field between innings. The hot dog was the weiner, I mean winner! We left at the bottom of the 3rd inning. I doubt the Driller's were as lucky as the hot dog.

Fun night anyway!!

Rick Rocks ~ Because He Got Me Another One of These

Two years ago for Mother's Day, Rick and the kids got me a porch swing. I loved my porch swing. Kyndal and one of her friends crashed in it a short time after that. Rick fixed it and rehung it. Then at Brynne's birthday party that year, it fell when someone sat on it. Rick fixed it and rehung it again.

And then, this happened, ironically on Father's Day!

So the swing was finally laid to rest.

This week, Rick went and bought me another one. What a relaxing way to spend some time this afternoon. Thanks, babe!

A Trip to the Dentist

Today was Brynne's first visit to the dentist for a cleaning. I knew she'd do great! She was mad last time we were there because she didn't get to have her teeth cleaned.

As you can see from the photos, she did quite well.

Eli had his teeth cleaned, too.

No cavities, super-clean teeth. Perfect!

Ritzy Misfit Giveaway ~ Bachelorette Style

On Jillian's date with Ed in Hawaii she was wearing an adorable initial pendant made by Ritzy Misfit. Well she (Ritzy Misfit, not Jillian) is giving away one of these pendants! I'd love an aqua "N". 

You can go here to enter to win. But hurry, the contest ends tomorrow night at midnight!

Shop It To Me

I am good at finding good deals at stores, when I'm there. But what happens when a good deal slips through my fingers because I didn't know about it?? The blogging community is great for keeping me informed of great deals, but only if I follow the right blogs.

In my Woman's Day magazine this month I came across a website that helps with notifying me when my favorite stores have sales for specific items in which I am interested.

The website is called Shop It To Me. You can register for free, chose the stores/brands you like, choose the sizes you need, and they will e-mail you when they find items that fit your criteria. Brilliant! Check it out!

Balance

If you are a woman, you struggle with it .. Balance!

And if you're a Christian woman, you probably struggle with it more. Why? Because you overeducate yourself about all that you should be doing as a Christian woman, you try to do it all, and you burn out and get more out of balance than ever!

You take a study on being a good wife, a good mother, a good steward of your money, a devoted homemaker, a giving person, one who prays for the needs of others. Then you work at being frugal, exercising, having hobbies so you don't burn out. And then, you burn out.

Welcome.

It can all be so complicated, can't it? How is it that we can have a lack of balance when we are trying so hard to have balance? Frustrating!!!

I want to be a good wife, a good mother, a good friend, a good daughter, a frugal and effective homemaker while also leaving some time for myself. In all of this I want God to be glorified. But I also want those in my earthly life to feel like they have gotten the best part of me that I have to offer them. I don't want to neglect my children while giving to my husband or neglect my husband while taking care of myself. It doesn't do my marriage any good to work at all of the other things in my life all day long, then be so wiped out at the end of the day that my husband gets what's left .. which isn't much!

I love to be in some kind of Bible study. And in the summer when activities increase, my study of the Bible decreases. Then I get really out of sorts! My next scheduled Bible study doesn't start until September 10th!

So, I have an invitation for you. I have just ordered the Bible study book entitled "Living a Life of Balance". It's by the Women of Faith gals. Although it's a 12-week study, I've read reviews that it's fairly light, so I am planning on turning it into a 6-week study to do between now and September 10th.

I have had a couple of you ask for advice about Bible studies that I do. Would you like to join me? Here's a link to where you can purchase the book. (Click on the word "link" and it will take you there.) My thought is that we will do two chapters a week, starting on Monday, and one day at the end of the week we can discuss it through e-mail or some other way. I'm planning to start my day with the study, getting up 30 minutes earlier than my normal time to fit it in.

If you want to join me, it requires you to get the book and fast! I'd really like to start next Monday, August 2nd, if possible. So, go to your Christian bookstore, or Barnes and Noble, or Borders or order it at the provided link asap! Comment if you plan to join me. I hope you will.

Remember, though ladies, that we really are trying to find some balance in our lives. Don't throw your life off balance by doing this study. Make sure it will work for you in your life.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today  ~  July 29, 2009

Outside my window... it's cloudy and appears that it's going to rain AND we're having unseasonably cooler temps (yea!!!).

I am thinking... about balance and priorities.

I am thankful ...  for brighter days.

From the learning rooms... we are learning about honoring your mother and father. And that doesn't just mean children under the age of 18. At our Family Team Meeting we discussed Ephesians 6:1-3 and are each answering questions to a small study of it before our next meeting next Sunday.

From the kitchen... we are having some yummy dinners this week, and I made a double batch of laundry detergent (which will last me 6 months at a cost of about $2.50) and fabric softener.

I am wearing... my p.j.'s.

I am creating... plans for Brynne's birthday party.

I am praying ... for my mother-in-law and ease of her cancer treatments.

I am going... to enjoy the last 3 1/2 weeks of summer we have left, which includes doing some fun things but having the right balance of relaxation.

I am reading... "Broken Children, Grownup Pain" by Paul Hegstrom, PhD, and "No One You Know" by Michelle Richmond

I am hoping... that we have a relaxing but enjoyable remainder of our summer and that school is an easy transition for all 4 of the kiddos.

I am hearing... "Mickey Mouse" on the television, Brynne crunching Doritos (for breakfast) and my coffee pot hissing as it finishes its cycle.

Around the house... I have plenty to do, but no real stress to do it. Laundry will get finished and put away today, but does a super clean and picked up house really matter?

One of my favorite things... (and I've said this before) is reality television. Yes, I'm a junkie of sorts. And I am so glad my favorite was finally chosen on the Bachelorette and that she didn't choose the obvious loser (although this time I don't really think there was an obvious loser)!!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Yesterday we went and saw a free showing of "Hotel for Dogs" at the Riverwalk theatre (cute movie!!) then went to Steph's to swim. Today I am taking Kyndal to get a passport because she is going on a cruise with my mom and sister in November. Then we might go to the big playround. On Friday night we are going to the Driller's baseball game for our Family Fun Night. Saturday is my birthday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing..

Such a sign of the times. First Brynne was just laying in her floor listening to her portable dvd player. (Believe me, it would be an ipod or mp3 player if she could convince us to buy her little three year old self one.) Then Kyndal joined in. Notice they each have an earplug in and Kyndal is texting at the same time.

Get to know other Daybookers at the Simple Woman's Daybook.