God's Moving in me, yo!

Oh, wow. I just realized I haven't been on here in over two weeks. My bad, dawg. I really considered making "Update Blog daily" a New Year's Resolution, but since I tend not to keep those anyway I thought the point was moot. I know it sounds cliche' to be all "things have been super busy, blah, blah, blah" so I'll at least spare you that. You're welcome.

In the past few weeks:
~I made no resolutions.
~Swaid has gotten like a mouth of shark teeth. They just seem to be appearing everywhere.
~Brogan is sassier than ever and I'm pretty sure her mouth is going to get her places.
~MP has hunted, and hunted some more.
~I have done laundry for what seems to be eternity.

~I have become involved with Decision Counseling at church on Sundays and really enjoy it. I'm pretty sure that with my "diverse" background (see ALL PREVIOUS POSTS), it's a good fit for me. Plus, if all my baggage can be used for God's glory then really, HOW AWESOME IS THAT?! I can be all, "In your face, Satan!" and it feels good. True story- on the night before my Mentor meeting, I was filled with self-doubt. Satan was all, "you are no good, you're a loser, look at what you've done. You ought to be ashamed and so on." So I said (out loud), "You know what? Suck an egg, Satan!" or something of the sort and immediately, the weight of guilt and regret was lifted. True, it was not my finest choice of words, but it was effective. Plus, it's Satan, not the Queen of England. He gets no respect from me.

~I ALSO have a mentor now.....thru church. I guess I should have clarified that when I made mention of that on Facebook, as my sister-in-law thought it was a cry for help and called me thinking I was in need of psychiatric assistance. Bless her. Tis not the case at all. My mentor is nothing short of AMAZING and I'm pretty sure I'll love her forever. Plus, she said I was cute and since I can totally be bought with compliments I think we'll make it just fine. If any of you ladies are considering the Mentor/Mentee relationship- "JUST DO IT!" Consider that my audition to be the next Nike spokesman, despite my lack of athleticism. The next session is in May and I'm pretty stoked about it. I will probably sign up to be a Mentor next go 'round, well not the next one in May, but the one after that.

~God's moving in me. For a long time I'd gotten "stale." I'm not proud of it, but it's true. The past few weeks I have been overcome with God's presence. He's been leading me to get involved with Decision Counseling and Mentoring. I truly feel He's preparing me to lead young girls?, teens?, old people?, SOMEONE. I'm nervous, but excited to see where I am placed to serve. I know I have gone through a lot of bad things in life, things I wouldn't wish on anyone. But you know what? I came out just fine. I walked throught the fire and was not burned. I passed through the water and was not overcome, as promised in Isaiah 43:2. I know He's preparing me for something, I'm just not quite sure what. He has given me a love of writing and thru that, He's allowed me to write some things that others have used for their Teen church groups. There is nothing better than to get emails asking if they can use your post as a tool for God's glory. Not in a selfish, "look what I did" kind of way, but in a "OMG- I can see God using me RIGHT NOW and through Him I'm able to reveal His love and mercy and break it down on a teenager's level to where they understand because we ALL know what teenagers are like these days BLESS THEIR HEARTS.. OMG. Wow. Like totally." You guys- God's working thru me and HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!

On a side note:

~Um. Our fish are doing well. I realize not knowing that would have kept you up at night, so there you go.

~MP remains the best husband/baby daddy in the world. Hands down.

~I can't update Facebook from my iPhone anymore. Apparently, when I updated the latest version of Facebook on my phone it had some kinks in it- the program, not the phone. In the meantime I'm using Twitter and it seems to be working out well. I did not realize my relationship with Facebook was a co-dependant one. Who knew?

~I started running again and actually changed my work hours to accommodate it. How sick is that?

~I still love dentist visits, despite the whole "drill in my tongue" incident.

~My caffeine addiction is now at its finest since the addition of "Keurig" or as I like to reference as "Our Third Child".

~I still think tattoos are awesome, despite having none myself.

~This morning I had a stern "talking to" with my washer and dryer. No lie.

~My children are still "silly pickles"

I had really planned on penning more; however, I suspect that "goat-bleating" coming from the back bedroom isn't actually a farm animal, but rather my son who has risen and is declaring, "The time is now, woman." so I must go for he waits for no one.

Holla!

Busy Busy Busy

So as of late, I have begun running during my lunch hour. And by "late", I mean "yesterday" and by "running", I mean really more of a walk/jog combo. I am totally not kidding about that either. Anyway, yesterday Nat and I were able to put in 2.2 miles and I thought I was going to die. For serious. I needed an inhaler for breath and a chip/sprite combo to fight the nausea. And plus, for a little while during the run I had decreed us "not even friends anymore" because she is in shape and I am not. SHE MADE ME RUN HILLS AND SHE SABOTAGED THAT BY SUPPLYING ME A COUGH DROP WITH FILLING IN IT AND I DID NOT KNOW UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE AND SAID COUGH DROP EXPLODED IN MY MOUTH AND CAUSED ME TO GAG AND ALMOST VOMIT. I HATED HER FOR A MINUTE OR TWO. REALLY. I DID. I should mention that I have not run in, quite honestly, I CANNOT TELL YOU WHEN. I literally have no idea, but I can say with absolute certainty that it's been several months. Maybe 5, maybe 8 - I DO.NOT.KNOW. I survived though. And then? Afterwards? I felt like a million bucks. So fast forward to today. We decided to run nearby and we ran a different route, one that should have been an easy 3 miler. It was not easy. In fact, it was not even 3 miles. I just google-mapped that "easy" three mile run to find out that I actually ran FOUR. FOUR WHOLE MILES AND I FEEL GREAT. I was actually back in my office, IN my office working clothes AND full makeup within the hour.

Can I get a what? what?

So, that's gonna be my new thing, I think. I hesitate to say that because then if I decide I hate it, I'll look like a quitter. Whatever. It's good for me. See I very rarely leave for lunch anyway and I never ever exercise, so doing this a couple times a week should do me good- Both mentally and physically.

What else?

That's about it- HOLLA!

Life Lesson

I might could get behind the whole "if its yellow, let it mellow" if I were at home. Alone. But this is never acceptable for the WorkPlace. It does not make you earth-friendly, it makes you gross. Also, if its brown- its ALWAYS down. Please take note Second Floor Residents.

Thanks

Things that Crossed My Mind Yesterday

Things that Crossed My Mind Yesterday:

1. Giblets have no place in gravy. Ever.

2. I don't even know what gizzards are.

3. How many different type of pickle can there be?

4. If Thanksgiving dinners were "Biggest Loser" challenges, I'd totally have immunity. Even Tracy would hate me.

5. Burping after a meal so delicious is affirmation that the meal was, indeed, delicious. It's like yelling "Amen" to a southern gospel preacher after a "hellfire and brimstone" sermon.

6. You're getting up at what time in the morning? To do what?! It's gonna be 29 degrees with a FREEZE ADVISORY, YOU MAD WOMAN. No. Don't call me. I'll be in bed. Oh, I'll get up at 2:00 AM alright, but it will be to pee. Maybe if my house was on fire, I'd get up for that too. No deal is worth all that. Ever.

7. Four different kinds of pie should be criminal.

8. I better volunteer to change this diaper, because I am most certain that I do not want the one generated by the boy AFTER he eats all this food....

9. Maybe MP won't catch on to my plot to leave him with the stinky....

10. I love this family so much my heart hurts. I love my husband with a love that Edward and Bella could only dream of. Yeah. I went there. And these kids? I am without words.

So thankful

Brogan is thankful for her "pray house"

MP and I are truly thankful for this family.

Aside from faith, family and friends, I am thankful to be waking up in the house we moved into 6 years ago today. It's a home filled with love & laughter & one that keeps us warm in winter, cool in summer & dry in the rain. It holds all our clothing & toys, allows us to prepare meals, & has hosted parties a plenty. We may not be featured on "Cribs", but to me? It is better than any mansion on any hillside anywhere. It's really more than I deserve.

*For some unknown reason, Ionly have pics of the back of our house? I don't know why- regardless, I am thankful for it...and my camera too!**

No time to post, but look how cute my kids are.

I know- could just just DIE at all the cuteness?!
I go bananas for these babies.

Seriously? No, SERIOUSLY?! He's got "Heart Breaker" stamped on his forehead.

Doing Something Phenomenal

I kinda want to do something phenomenal today like write a book or deliver a baby in a taxi cab, but I'll settle for scrubbing all the toilets in my house. That's life-changing enough, right? No? I didn't think so either.

I feel like I've got a million things I NEED to do and like three things I really WANT to do. The grown up in me is all, "Chores before playtime! Set a good example for your children! Grocery shop! And for Pete's sake do some laundry, Woman, so your husband isn't left wearing the holey socks this week!" On the other hand, the kid inside of me is screaming, "Hush that nonsense, Crazy British Lady (I don't know why, but the adult in me is ALWAYS British)- let the kids fend for themselves. I wanna read a REAL book that doesn't involve Elmo or primary colors. And go run 3 miles while listening to anything but Barney songs. And go shopping, but not for groceries. And I'd really like to take a bath ALL BY MYSELF". And nowhere in my kid brain does it mention cooking, cleaning, bathing someone else, reading to someone else or laundry. NOWHERE. What to do? What to do?

Then we've got the third list of "Things I Both Need And Want To Do". Posting this blog was one of the two things that fell on this list. My dedication to you all led me to post this before doing anything else so consider that a big group hug. Your welcome. Plus, MP practically cattle prodded me to update with his friendly reminders of "People are going to quit following you if you never update." Wise words, indeed, but updating takes time, yo. Time that I have to sacrifice elsewhere. Methinks that "elsewhere" will be laundry today. I feel better already. I think we all know how much I hate "the laundry".

The only other thing that fell on both lists is running. Sigh. Running.... how I curse thy name upon thine lips and hate thee with a passion that burns brighter than that of ten thousand suns, yet strangely adore the way you make me feel immediately after. It's perplexing really. So, here's the thing. I have GOT to get healthy. I know I've posted before about the importance of healthy body images. Having said that, let me say this. I am not entering a downward spiral of unhealthy eating and excerise habits for the sake of "looking good". Not at all. In fact, I am perfectly comfortable with myself (AND the extra 15 lbs generously gifted to me by my children). However, I am NOT comfortable with the fact that I will be 31 years old on Tuesday (gifts not required, but always appreciated. Thx) and have both high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Not cool. Not cool at all. I have always been "borderline" even back when I was eating like Bob & Jillian, running regularly and training for half marathons. It's hereditary (Thanks mom and dad! I would have preferred a trust fund, I'm just sayin'.) so it's something that I've dealt with, BUT I have been allowing myself to excuse exercising because I am "too busy". I have been eating "junk" because it's convenient and that alone is not healthy at all. If I lose weight as a by-product of exercising and eating clean, then great- so long as I am healthy.

Getting started again has been tough though. When I first started running several years ago, it was exciting and new. I couldn't imagine what running 13 miles would be like, but I was determined to find out. Then when I did it, I was stoked because I'd just conquered a mountain. Now, four years later, I KNOW what it feels like to run 13 miles and I distinctly remember how much it hurts. Knowing that makes it much harder for me to commit to another half marathon, but I did and I plan on running the New Orleans half in Feb 2010.

So, now that I've had a minute to myself, I am going to put my running clothes on and am logging 3 miles today. That's not a lot, I know, but I have 16 weeks to race time and am starting back out as a newbie. I've been running 1.5 a couple days a week, so I'll just be thankful if my heart doesn't give out at mile 2. Wish me luck!

Christmas in October! WHEE!!!

I just want to go on record right now and confess that, yes- the rumors are true…….

I totally put my Christmas tree up this past Sunday AND DECORATED IT TOO!!!

I don’t bother with Halloween decorations because, well as much as I do love a good Trick-or-Treat (that was totally not supposed to sound dirty, by the way), I just don’t really get into that particular holiday. One reason is that candy corn is disgusting. And another reason is that costumes ain’t cheap, yo. It pains me to spend cash money on a costume that I would probably never wear again. It is not conducive to my Dave Ramsey budget and to be honest with you - I’m cheap that way.

Christmas; however, ROCKS MY SOCKS OFF! We own more Christmas decorations than you could shake a stick at. (*edited to add: who came up with that saying anyway? Why shake sticks? Why not something cool, like turkey laigs? or feet?) Each year, my collection of Santa Claus’ grows by leaps and bounds, which is cool except that each year it takes longer and longer to put them all out, which is NOT cool because THEN it takes even longer to UN-decorate and seriously challenges my commitment of even decorating to begin with. I shall prevail though. I shall PREVAIL! This year we are doing things a little differently because Swaid (aka Buddy Love, Sir, Big Sir, Happy Jack, Smiley Joe Peterson, Thigh Roll, Big Love, Bug, Tater, Swaider-Tater, Becks, and most recently, Goat) is in fact, very much goat-like in his behavior in that he quite literally eats everything and anything not nailed down. One day I'm gonna find out that he has PICA - that disease that makes people eat dirt and coins and rubber bands and I will not be surprised. That being said, we’ve had to be a little more careful in staging our very own Winter Wonderland. We did put up the tree, which is basically the best part about Christmas with the exception of it being Jesus’ birthday and all, but we only hung the ornaments that allegedly “don’t break”. We’ll see about that. They have not met my son. We are also putting out the Santas, but will place them high atop the kitchen cabinets to ensure their safety. I’ve put a few other things here and there, but overall it’s a festive, scaled down version of last year. That's about all we'll do too, I think. I would LOVE to go Griswald outside and blind everyone with a quadrillion lights and giant inflatable snow globs and reindeer on the roof, and maybe a giant mechanical Santa that's all "Ho! Ho! Ho!" as he dips head first into a fake chimney top leaving only his behind in the air and his little feet kicking, etc, but we don’t own any of that stuff and even if we did, no one would be able to see so it’d be a moot point..... UNLESS, we buy land elsewhere and build ANOTHER house, but this time closer to the road and not have a driveway that’s 42 football fields long so EVERYONE could see our LIGHTS! But that’s a tall order and sure seems like a lot to ask of my husband, so we’ll make do.

Open Book, Closed Case

Recently I’ve begun receiving a popular “teen” magazine through the mail. No, I did not subscribe to it – I believe it is a “courtesy”, if you will, from the kind marketing folks of said magazine. To be perfectly honest, I usually do not read it. Most of the time, I don’t even birth it from its womb of sheer recycled plastic. I just throw it away. I hate being wasteful and before you criticize, I should point out to you that I am a married, thirty year old working mother of two toddlers. I cannot wear neon leggings with a tuxedo vest and still maintain my dignity. I just can’t do it. However, there was something about this most recent issue that caught my eye and I submitted myself willfully to those pages. The cover caption “3 Super-Models Spill Their Secrets” intrigued me so I dove in wholeheartedly. I mean, if there are Super-Model Secrets to be shared, I NEED TO LISTEN! After perusing through pages upon pages of advertising and twee little outfits, and oh! That one model classically posed with cupcakes? She had a virtual pastry in her hair. I was almost ready to give up, but well, “Whimsical” is the most appropriate word I can think of to adequately describe what I saw and I’m not going to lie to you - I like whimsical.

Scurrying through the pages like a mouse on its quest for the finest cheese, I couldn’t help but notice how the magazine practically yelled at me to “GO NEON!” It offered me nuggets of information such as “How to Rock Your Military Jacket” and sadly informed me that the 80’s are making a comeback. Really? Of all the decades to choose from, we picked the 80’s? Feeling a little depressed now because I vividly remember jelly shoes and how they blistered my delicate third grader feet, I trudge through because after all - there are Super-Model Secrets to be revealed!

The next thing I noticed was how tiny all these girls were. I was struck by their protruding cheekbones and non-existent backsides. “What is this promoting?” I asked myself. Before I could even start to answer, I’d reached an article on how the Internet is the reason for teens developing eating disorders. All I could say was O.M.G. I found it a little ironic that I’d just flipped through 165 pages of scarily thin girls only to be informed that the “Internet” was to blame. Hmm? So, I stopped and read it. See, several years ago, personal demons of my own led me to develop an eating disorder so I could relate to some of this article. However, my reasons didn’t involve what the television and internet promoted- I did it because I was trying to fill a void in my life.

After years of struggling, my void was filled when I was saved by grace. I was twenty one years old and for the first time ever, I truly felt beautiful. I was God's Super-Model. He literally whispered the words to me and even better – I believed Him. I knew He loved me for who I was. I was finally able to see myself through His eyes. This body that I loathed and complained of, He gave to me and allowed it to bring forth two precious babies. During my “woe-is-me” years I couldn’t understand why He was allowing difficulty to prevail. I soon realized that He had not only allowed me to walk through fire, but He graciously prevented me from being burned, as promised in Isaiah 43:2 (NIV).

Genesis 1:27 (NIV) says, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

What do those words speak to you? Do you understand that God created us in His likeness? That we should be compared to the Lord, in any way, shape, or form, is astounding. If we are created in His image, how can we think we are anything but beautiful? Yet apparently we do. Every day the world projects unhealthy images onto us. Celebrities boast about being size 0 and the healthy ones wearing average sizes are labeled “fat.” Among us are people that torture themselves because they do not meet the world’s standard of beauty. But, you guys? When you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior, you shouldn’t adhere to the world’s standard of beauty. Our culture is so focused on our exterior that they fail to address inner beauty. Proverbs 31:30 (NIV) says, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised“. Isn’t that better than what we’re used to hearing?

The Secrets of the Super Model were never revealed to me. In part, because I couldn’t find the article and partly because I decided that I didn’t really care to find it. What difference would it make? If God our Father loves us with all of our imperfections, then who are we to question it? Do the opinions of teen magazine editors carry more weight than that of our Creator? No. No, they do not. To Him, we are all beautiful. He gave us a purpose and in order for us to effectively fulfill that, we cannot allow society to undermine His intentions. We can; however, spend a little more time with our Bibles opened and our teen magazines closed.

Workin' for the Weekend

Hi. My name is Christy. In case you've forgotten.....

I would be updating a whole lot more if it weren’t for this thing called a JAY-OHHH-BEE. That spells JOB, for those of you that are a leetle slow. It’s ok, this weather has us all a little flummoxed. And hot. And wet. And cold. And sticky. Then hot again. I’m gonna lay it out for you- I hate this weather. There. I said it. And while I’m confessing, I should also let you all know that I hate football too. Whew. It was like a weight has been lifted. In truth, I might possibly enjoy football if I knew the rules. But I don’t and the fact that I don’t like it enough at this point to even learn about it pretty much ends it for me. I do watch the Super Bowl though, even if it IS strictly for commercials and potential boobie flashes.

Besides, UFC is my sport of choice.

Hey- Have you ever heard of the Phatwater Challenge? Anyone? No? Well. My husband, MP, will be in it tomorrow. He will be competing against 100+ people in a kayak race down the Mighty Mississippi for 42.5 miles. You read that right. I’m borrowing my sister-in-law’s SWEET camera to take some cool pics and I’ll be positing them prolly next week or so. MP’s initial goal was to finish in under 5 hours; however, after months and months of training he has now set his sights on somewhere around the 4:30 mark. I’ll keep you posted!

Holla!