Our Very First Christmas Ornament

I am having a terrible time with blogger...I had to upload this picture 9 times before it loaded correctly...arrrggghhh.  Needless to say, I can't upload entire stories or series until

I get this problem fixed.

Anyhow, when David and I first started dating, I received this little

mouse in a tennis shoe from David's mother, Bonnie.

It has gone on a Christmas tree every year since.....

Did I tell you I started dating him when I was just 15 years old?

I married him at 19 years old.

I love him more today than I could have ever imagined!!!

Vintage Hairstyles

I have always had a passion for all things vintage.

I remember in high school, wishing I could wear poodle skirts

and saddle oxfords.

I was afraid of what people would say....

I tried to raise my children in a WEIRD way...

go against the norm.

"See yourself through God's eyes, not the world."

I love my girls and love their desire to please God.

I love that they accept my vintage style and also

find some things they try themselves.

I regret that I didn't step out from the norm when I was

younger.....I am so glad my girls do not have this fear.

Seeing how cute their hair is...makes me want to grow

mine out.....NAH!  I just like the short better....plus, I

get headaches too easily with long hair.

24 Years Ago Today.......

I was 19.

I was young and in love.

I didn't know what love really was.

I married my high school sweetheart.

I am pretty sure people didn't expect us to last this long.

I remember on my honeymoon, having

a mini-panic attack.

I was repeating to myself....I can just get

a divorce if it doesn't work out.

I made myself sick...literally.

I was sick for our entire honeymoon.

I survived.

We managed to graduate college.

We managed to raise three beautiful girls.

We managed to go against the cultural norm

of divorce.

We've managed to stay married.

I almost feel sorry for those who haven't experienced

a lengthy marriage.

I know I can honestly say, I am truly, madly

deeply in love with my "Carl".

No, our interests aren't the same....he has his

hobbies and I have mine.  We appreciate that

about each other.

It works for us.

We've grown up together....we've been with

each other longer than we were with

our own parents.

We are ready for next year...the big 25!

We are going to just hit the road and check

out some diners, dives and drives!!!

SQUEAL!!!!!

I love you Carl!!!  I really really do!!!

I would say I DO all over again!!!

Do You Participate in Lent?

I do believe that Lent is a great time to be more intentional in my spiritual growth.  Each year, I pray about my growth and ask God to lead me to where He wants my focus.  Usually, I am leaning towards "sacrificing" something...such as no soda pop, no chocolate....but this year was different.  This year, God said, "Don't give up, just GIVE."  Hmmmm....give?  So, here is what I did.....I choose to be a blessing to others INTENTIONALLY.  I listened to God's small whisper to guide me.....sometimes I heard it loud and clear, others....I think I might have ignored it.... :(.  I am not going to add pictures to this post because it is certainly LONG enough with NO PICTURES.

Day 1: I took some pictures and blessed 5 families with copies of their pictures. I also made a batch of rolls and took them to GLOW and gave them to the first person who asked about them and in turn, they shared with others.

Day 2 Blessings: We drove through McDonald's drive-thru and paid for the people behind us. I did NOT expect them to drive up beside us and STOP....that threw me off. I just rolled down the window said "I'm passing on the love, know God loves you." They said they knew and thank you. :)

Day3 Blessings: I prayed for each car that passed me while I traveled to OKC. Many people were lifted yesterday. :)

Day 4 Blessings: For our housekeeper at the hotel. When I returned & got in bed, the note was neatly folded and place INSIDE my pillow case..LOL Was that to let me know she got it?

Day 5 Blessing: Because I wasn't sure if the housekeeper spoke english, I got a little more creative and wrote note in spanish. If you can't tell, the $5 is made into a dress..looks vintage doesn't it?

Day 6 Blessing: A little more spanish a little more origami and a little more joy in my life.

Day 7 Blessing: It was rather simple, I resisted an urge to not really scare a woman who walked around the corner while I was crouched on the floor looking at something. If you know me, you know how hard it was for me! So really we were both blessed.

Day 8 Blessing: I blessed 2 girls with the ride of their life touring Bricktown on Segways! Once again, I was blessed as well

Day 9 Blessing: I made a homemade pizza for Carly since she has been such a blessing and watching the house while I was at OKC. (I am back early because David's grandfather, Coy Baker, passed away.) Thank you Carly for blessing others. I love you!!!

Day 10 Blessing: I let 2 people move ahead of me at the check out even though they had full carts and I had 2 items. :)

Day 11 Blessing: I admit, it won't sound like much, but it was a BIG deal for me. I held my tongue when I was ready to jump up and scream at some people. I am not an actor and never claimed to be one. People can tell when I am upset or disagree......I managed to bless someone by not saying anything. The names shall remain anonymous. :)

Day 12 Blessing: I sent ice cream to youth last night!

Day 13 Blessing: I gave a roll of quarters to an unsuspecting person. :) Do you know how easy it is to drop those in someone's purse?

Day 14 Blessing: I put together 2 trash sacks of clothes for the Love Closet on Saturday from 9 - 2 at the First United Methodist Church! If you have extra hangers or paper bags, we could use them also. We will be at the church Fri. night at 6pm to set up

Day 15 Blessing: I drove through Taco Bell's drive thru and paid for the people behind me. This time, I made an escape before they were able to drive up beside me! A blessing for me is hearing that my friends are trying to pass on blessings as well....makes my heart swell

Day 16 Blessing: I shot some pigs. :)  (Before you freak out, it was a photoshoot)

Day 17 Blessing: I took an hour to pray for people who have requested prayers. Please know that each one of you were lifted in my prayers.

Day 18 Blessing: The LOVE CLOSET! We gave away over 200 bags of clothing! Save your clothes, we will have another one before school starts back.

Day 19 Blessing: Wow.....I didn't intentionally do a thing....must do 2 today!!! tsk, tsk......

Day 20 Blessing(s): I bought a gallon of milk for a stranger. I was stopped by a train and for every car that passed, I prayed for each person that God placed on my heart. To that certain person who was brought up more than once, I specifically prayed for your depression to be lifted. ;)

Day 21 Blessing: I chose to allow cars to get in front of me....and then I prayed for each one.

Day 22 Blessing: I made a batch of rolls for a family. In this, I discovered that if I let the rolls rise longer...they are much more fluffy and I like them better. :)

Day 23 Blessing: I bought a few packages of panties and socks to give away at the next LOVE CLOSET in July. We were really shocked at how fast those thing went at the LOVE CLOSET. Every person should get to enjoy the feeling of new under garments.....not hand me down ones. :)

Day 24 Blessing: I bought lunch for some special friends. I also supported a fundraiser. I shall not mention that I also pulled an April Fool's joke on my "nameless" hairdresser.....who knew letting out a blood curdling scream while she is ripping off my eyebrow could get a reaction like that..... :/

Day 25 Blessing: We bought dinner for some new friends. I gave random hugs.

Day 26 Blessing: I used a blessing God gave me to bless a family with some family portraits.....and they turned out half decent even with the wind blowing 500 mph!

Day 27 Blessing: I changed a program I was going to give at a group yesterday by listening to my heart. I encouraged the group to write down their "story" and share it with others. We have a woman in the group who is turning 100! She said she didn't believe anyone would want to hear her story! What is something about your life you would like to make sure is passed on for others to remember?

Day 28 Blessing: I went barefoot all day to encourage people to think about those in the world without shoes. I believe I got at least 5 pairs of shoes to be donated to our LOVE CLOSET!

Day 29 Blessing: I spent some special time with the XS Group yesterday. Although, I do believe they are more of a blessing to me. :) I don't think a time goes by without laughing. Wait until you see the train pictures....bahahahahahah.

Day 30 Blessing: I gave a small sack of soap, shampoo, toothpaste and some change to a person standing on the corner needing help. :(

Day 31 Blessing: I bought 2 more packages of socks for the LOVE CLOSET. I encourage you to do the same please. Socks, underwear and bras were some of the first things to be gone at the LOVE CLOSET. The next closet is July 30th.

Day 32 Blessing: There was a lady at an estate sale who ran out of cash and I paid for her items. :)

Day 33 Blessing(s): We bought lunch for some people. I shot some photos of some girls. I helped with a Sunday School class. I did NOT scare the girls after watching a scary movie...because they made me PROMISE

Day 34 Blessing: I failed....must. work. on. it. today.

Day 35 Blessing: I mailed some random people cards to cheer them up. Making up for Day 34, I took someone's cart back to the little cart parking spot for them at the store.

Day 36 Blessing: I parked at the back of a parking lot and as I walked into the store, I prayed for each person and/or car I passed. I prayed God's abundant blessings and the wisdom to recognize them for each one.

Day 37 Blessing: I judged some FFA Creeds last night at the District Speech Contest. Glad I went....they were having a hard time getting all their judges with the storms. I believe in the future of agriculture.....

Day 38 Blessing: I blessed my Carl with a wonderful romantic night at home.....sigh....The rolls were part of the dinner I planned...Chicken Alfredo....yummo!!!

Day 39 Blessing: I attended a benefit event that supports a medical clinic in Ecuador where American physicians provide care to indigent families... and train local medical residents. I also blessed a woman by paying for her dinner. :)

Day 40 Blessing: I made cinnamon rolls (from a can) for the children's camp fundraiser at church. I also helped Amy while she teaches jr. high sunday school.

Day 41 Blessing: While at Braum's I let a woman go ahead of me. When I got my item, it was rung up wrong.....at least $3 less than what I owed. I corrected the cashier and paid the correct amount. She said, "Wow, that is a first, I've never had someone tell me they owe more than they were charged." she thanked me and thanked me. That broke my heart.....why do people think that is ok to cheat business?

Day 42 Blessing: I gathered stray carts at Wal-Mart and put them in their little parking spot. I know, it is lame.... I shall do better today. :)

Day 43 Blessing: Apparently I didn't take the cart pushing blessing seriously enough. I kid you not, I had to run into Wal-Mart and didn't notice the carts.....til I walked into one! I looked around, and they are all over the place! So, guess what day 43 blessing was? I promise, I will not underestimate the blessings God puts on my heart.....pinky swear!!!

Day 44 Blessing: I went through the drive-thru at McDonald's and paid for the person behind me. One thing has really surprised me each time I've done this....it has been less than $10. I was actually paranoid I was going to have someone who had a $20 order or something....actually only one time did it go over $5. This is one blessing I think I shall continue beyond the Lenten season. :)

Day 45 Blessing: I dropped a $20 bill into a woman's purse as I walked past her....she was busy looking at something on a bottom shelf. (Next time, I will do an origami design) It was just a spontaneous thing....making mental note: carry origami bills in my purse. :)

Day 46 Blessing (Final Day): While grocery shopping, I helped 2 women do their shopping...one was in a wheel chair. I got them a cart, which they didn't have and I gave them one of my shopping bags. I also helped them get to their car.

Final thoughts:  I do believe I was blessed far more than I actually blessed!  This kept me focused through the Lenten season....I felt closer to God this year than any other previous year.  Thanks for letting me share with you!  I hope you had a beautiful Easter!!

God loves you....oh YES He does!!!

    

Go Green! Be a Tree Hugger!

Yep!  It is that time of year again...the annual Christmas Parade!

For the 6th year, my sister, Terri, and I dressed

as characters....I know, I know, we are ALREADY characters...

who needs to DRESS as characters.

We've heard it all before so SAVE YOUR BREATH!

Terri started off the very early morning by foaming!

Let's go down our list of the different characters we've been...

1.  Mr. & Mrs. Incredible (YES! We wore SPANDEX)

2.  Big Bird & Cookie Monster (We do NOT like wearing the big heads)

3.  Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum (We were often mistaken for the 3 pigs for some reason)

4.  Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum (We here hoping the kids would remember us, they did not.)

5.  Santa's Elves (This was by far our favorite, we were easily recognized...DUH!)

6.  Christmas Trees.  (Even the schools had our pictures all over the place!)

We discovered a slight costume malfunction....

Hair!  What do we do with the HAIR?

We are ready to go......

Uh oh....something ain't right with that lion back there behind us.

I SWEAR WE DIDN'T DO IT!!!

This is the largest group EVER!

See how Terri and I planted ourselves right there in the FRONT?

We had some new characters this year....pretty sure that is Fred or Barney's foot.

Terri and I were supposed to the some presents as shoes....

complete failure of the costume designer....NO CAN DO.

Our organizer, Janie, found us some silver shoes to go with our silver

garland....she does amazing things like that!

We must start with the PRESIDENT of our fan club, Chelle (Shelly).

She was elected as the president AGAIN.  We won't mention

that she is our ONLY fan.

Chelle is the GREENEST person I know!

No, seriously....her maiden name was GREEN.

This girl carries her own dishes with her if she thinks she is going somewhere

that there is Styrofoam in use.

She uses a LIVE tree every year and plants it after Christmas.

She recycles EVERYTHING!

She is AMAZING!

She is the FIRST OFFICIAL TREE HUGGER OF THE DAY!

My hair is holding up quite well.....just had to show you.

Here is Cooper, he is a tree hugger!

Terri and I take time out to pose with one of our cousin.

This cousin didn't smile because she is jealous that we are

MOBILE trees and she has to stay put at this daycare.

We tried to make her feel better by telling her

how much prettier she is with all her bling.

I don't think she bought our sincere lies truth.

Here we are AFTER all the madness of the day traveling to

every school, daycare, and nursing home.

We take time out for some spaghetti at the annual

Catholic Church Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction.

Before we head out to parade around some more.

We pause to take a picture with our beautiful MOTHER.

Mom is soooo proud of her trees.

They are the shiniest brightest "STARS".

Even the clowns are tree huggers.....he loved me so much, he

let me drive his HOT ROD!

Show the trees some LOVE!!!

Senator Kim David is a TREE HUGGER!

Terri tried to make the Highway Patrolman a tree hugger.....

He just wanted to be a tree CUFFER.....

Her bail was set at PRICELESS.....

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR SISTER!

The county became a tree hugger!

They also became a tree HAULER.....

The football coach, Moose (AKA my brother-in-law) became

a tree hugger!

By the way, our football team is heading to the state championship

on SATURDAY....GO DAWGS!

The Mayor became a tree hugger......

Our local news anchor, Craig Day, became a tree hugger!

High school senior, CW, and family became TREE HUGGERS!

Dana, mom of one of my XS Group girls became a

TREE HUGGER!

It took some work, but I finally got my dear husband, David

to become a TREE LOVER!!!

Oh yes, he has stepped over the hugging and and truly

LOVES ME!!!

Turkey Hunting.....

 Meet my 3 turkeys!

Regan, Carly and Sydni.

I probably took 15 pictures of this pose....this is the ONLY

picture where all three are somewhat looking in my direction!

 I gave up on open eyes......

 There were some turkeys who actually wanted their pictures taken.....

 This turkey is really hard to capture....she never stops talking.

She also does NOT like having her picture taken....I think

I proved she can take a good picture.

 This is our family portrait....yes, I am the glamour queen on the ground in

the front.  I had to set the timer on the camera and it was a very

very long run to reach the group....

that is as far as I made it before the camera CLICKED.

I was quite impressed I was even in the frame....

Mental Note:  Must. Exercise. More.

 My sister, Julie and her husband, Donald.

I really should put the picture before this...he was

really BITING her face....and that got the

laugh response!

 My mother and step-dad.

I just wanted to see what silly poses I could

get them to do....

It sure wasn't hard...they just jumped on

whatever I said to do.....

We laughed so hard, we might have

let out a little pee in our pants.

 Sister again with her daughter, Laura.

Three generations....almost.

My twin nieces, Cortney and Lindsay.

They are such sweet blessing to this family.

Not just a "gansta" pose.

Laura, on the left, is preggie with baby #1.

Brittany, on the right, is preggie with baby #4.

They are sisters-in-law.

The twin, Lindsay with her husband, Stuart and son, Tristan.

Like I've said before....please don't judge them by their

choice in clothing.  They are family and we will love them

even when they wear such despicable clothing.

My sister, Terri and her husband, Vern.

As you might remember, Terri is the

one I force beg to do the Christmas

parade thing with each year.

I wonder if he even realizes the cougar woman is about to attack....

 The other twin, Cortney and her special guy, Chris.

Such posers.

I must admit, 2010 was an awesome Thanksgiving holiday!

I had a wonderful time laughing, loving and sharing with the families.

Thanks guys for sharing with me!