I am such a klutz!

Granted, this isn't a photo of my toes, but you get the idea....

Guess who fell when stepping off our deck last night?


Yep, that would be ME! I missed the paving stone and landed on my foot. At first I thought it was just barely hurt, but when the pain woke me up during the night I decided that I might ought to see a doctor. So today I did! After x-rays with double-layered protection on my belly, it was determined to be a bad sprain. I have an air cast on, and it is helping the pain when walking and moving around quite a bit!

Only *I* could fall and sprain my ankle while pregnant!

Don't you wish you were so lucky?!?!
Photo credit: CellPhoneSusie

My sweet little Nixie

It seems like only yesterday that we brought her home as a tiny little puppy. She was the runt of the litter, which was the only way we were going to have a full-bred Boxer! She never did get to be full Boxer size. She was blind in one eye, too, but we didn't see her flaws, we just saw her as our cool new dog!

Now four years later, she is gone. She had been losing weight, so Chris took her to the vet on Monday. He asked for bloodwork to be done, and his feeling that something was wrong was correct....her kidneys were failing. Since she was always kept in the pen, the vet thinks that it was just something genetic.

So he took her back today to relieve her of her misery. I can't believe we've lost two dogs in less than a year. It breaks my heart!

Please pray for us while we deal with the loss of a dearly loved family member!

Have you noticed?

I'm in a blog slump!! I remember losing interest in online activities when I was pregnant with Isaac as well, and don't really remember what changed to get me out of it...maybe it is the tiredness, I don't know. But I just don't have the interest right now! Have you been there? What do you suggest? I don't want to give this up, but at the same time, I can't seem to think of anything worth saying.

Here's hoping stating it will help me get out of it.....

14 weeks: baby update!

We're still plugging along! That bout with the flu ended up having me feeling pretty rough for a while. I went back to work last Tuesday, though I probably should have stayed out at least another day. Today is truly the first day when I have felt NORMAL and had somewhat like a normal appetite. It really knocked me on my behind! Given all that, I'm still torn as to whether or not to take the H1N1 vaccine. The way I see it, I've already had the thing, so why should I be vaccinated? My doctor (and my husband) beg to differ. I can get a shot this week through the health department, so I'm praying about it right now. If I feel like the Lord is leading me to get it, I'll do it--otherwise I will follow what I think makes sense. I don't know a better way to determine what to do that as for His guidance!

I went to the doctor today, and by my calculations I've still only gained about 3 pounds! Woo hoo! He said that I was measuring right where I should, and though we didn't get a heart rate, the heartbeat sounded strong. My little baby doesn't want to stay still long enough for anyone to hear much by the Doppler!

How I'm feeling: I haven't been sleeping as well lately, but I did get me a body pillow today so I'm hoping that helps me get more comfortable. Like I said, I've felt pretty awful for almost 2 weeks, so now might not be the best time to ask! LOL I got sick several times over the flu period, which was really yucky since I had been feeling so much better. I'm wearing maternity clothes pretty much all the time now but am still able to get away with a few non-maternity shirts. I had to buy some better fitting bras! All in all, I can't complain! I'm just SO thankful that I'm getting over this awful flu!! I would appreciate any prayers you might could send my way concerning whether or not to get this vaccine.

I'll update again soon!

When it rains, it pours...

Here's how our week has gone....

Chris was very sick but stayed at school all day on Monday. He went to the doctor on Tuesday and has a bacterial infection. He's still not feeling too well.

Tuesday they sent me home from school because there were several cases of flu in both of my schools. That evening I started coughing, and Chris insisted I go to the doctor yesterday. I don't have walking pneumonia, so they started me on Tamiflu. I think I had a stomach bug on top of that, because I couldn't keep anything, not even water, down yesterday. Thankfully that part is better today, but I still feel pretty cruddy.

2:00 today the school nurse calls and Adam is running a fever. I rush up there to get him and the ped's office says they'll work us in. Then at 3:30 the nurse calls my cell and Isaac is there with a 103 fever. Chris rushes to get him, cancels his basketball practice (Chris is the coach) and rushes him to be worked in at the ped's office too.

So now they both have Type A flu.

Just lovely.

My mil is on her way down here to keep them at her house here in the county so they are away from me, even though I've already been around them....hoping maybe between that and the Tamiflu I won't get it full blown.

Calgon, take me away!!!!!!!!!

If you keep up with me on message boards, sorry if you read this more than once. I didn't have the strength to write a new witty post!

Flashback Friday--Do the Moo Shu

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We got chicken from KFC last night and when we got home, Isaac started singing the "Do the Moo Shu" song with popcorn chicken, fried chicken, etc. in as the lyrics, and it reminded me of how much he LOVED the Veggie Tales when he was a little bitty boy! He loved watching the Silly Songs video to the point that we also bought the CD so he could listen and sing along when we were in the car! Thankfully, it didn't drive us nearly as crazy as some things that he was later obsessed with (Elmo or Blue's Clues, anyone?!) so we would laugh right along with it. We may have to pull out the old Veggie Tales CD when this little one comes along!

Our kids grow up so quickly, don't they? Seems like it was just yesterday that Isaac was singing along with this, and now he's my big basketball playing, TaeKwonDo punch throwing boy!

Happy Friday!!



I'd love to have you play along! Due to my lateness getting these up and downright LACK of getting posts done lately, I've not seen as much traffic, and I'd love to see that pick back up! C'mon, it is fun!! Just write up your own post and come back and link it up here so I can find you!

I miss you

Tonight, your mama said to me, "Thank you for taking care of her...."

But that is what family does. I'll never forget the day that my sister and your uncle got married. Bryan and I accidentally left you as we walked down the aisle. I didn't even realize it until we were to the narthex, and I was mortified! I thought sure I had either scarred you for life or messed up the whole wedding. Then when the pictures came back, there you were, grinning (as always) walking along with your uncle Dennis and Suzy. Always happy go lucky. Always resilient. Always finding a way to smile.

And that day as you all left...I was sick with the flu and didn't even make it to the reception....your mama said, "Welcome to the family!" and I have never been so honored, and never have I felt so loved by a family that CHOSE to call me their own.

Whether we were playing games on the floor on Thanksgiving or teasing each other about who had had their hair more colors lately, you were always my friend. Even when I probably wasn't the best friend to you, you were always caring to me.

You took pictures of my baby Isaac on his first day of preschool when I had to go to work. You made my boys' birthday cakes. You even spilled cupcakes all over your car trying to get them to me! That's a friend, I'll tell ya!

I'm so glad that we had that great conversation a week before you had to go to Heaven. I'm so glad that you followed your instincts to come pray with me. You don't know how humbled I felt that you had come to share that with me. I was thinking just minutes before I heard that horrible news about after Meadow was first born and we didn't know yet if I was having a boy or a girl, that you had lots of girl clothes to share if I needed them! Mom has a picture of us all that day...so happy.

I was so blessed by you, August. I've been attending events at Holston View my entire life, and never have I seen such a crowd as I did tonight. You were loved by so many. We all hate that your life ended so soon. I know you're happy there with your Mawmaw, though you miss your babies. I know that the last thing you wanted to do was to worry us. This happened so fast.

Know that you are loved. Know that you are missed. Know that we are all better because we knew you and were loved by you. I love you, Augie.

Wordless Wednesday--Because there ARE no words

I have to go to a funeral today for a dear friend and family member. She was killed in a car accident early Sunday morning. August was only 30 years old, and had her whole life ahead of her. She left behind many family members and friends who loved her dearly, but most importantly, left behind two precious children who will have to grow up with out a Mommy.

Please remember August's family members and friends in your prayers, esp. those who will be attending her services tonight. My father will assist with the service and my sister is singing as part of the trio she sings with at our church.

I'm heartbroken and anxious today. In a few minutes I go back to the school where I last saw her on Friday, and where her children attend. Given my already emotional hormonal state, this is not going to be easy.

I love you, Augie, and miss you so much.

Flashback Friday--U Got the Look

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Ahhh, the late 80s.....I was in high school, living near a large (by my standards) city, and had so much more to my disposal than I had in small town Southwestern Virginia! High school had its ups and downs, but this song brings back a fun memory! One Saturday night, some friends and I asked our parents if we could go to the local teen club called "Thriller" where they taped a tv show each week that would be shown the following week on Saturday morning. It was one of those situations where I asked my parents and told them that Amy O.'s parents were letting her go, and she told her parents that mine were letting me go! LOL We had such a good time, and it was such fun watching ourselves the next Saturday! I also remember friends calling up and saying, "Is that YOU, Christi?!" How fun is that?! I even taped it on the VCR! I think I still have it around here somewhere! LOL

So without further adieu, here is one of the songs we danced to that night long ago....U Got the Look!

Prince - New Music - More Music Videos

So what about you? What do you remember today? Good or bad, we'd love to hear your memories and the song/tv show/movie/commercial related to it! Please come share!



TGIF!! Thanks for reading!

A few things....

Once again, I missed Flashback Friday. I have just been soooo durn tired!! I promise to try to do better!

Second, I have a post here today! If you aren't following @worldprayr on twitter, please do so...and if you feel so led, we'd love to have you join our team! This is an amazing group of Christians who want to use twitter to spread the love of Christ. I'm very honored to be a part of this group, and would love to have you join us, or at the very least, follow our tweets!

Third, my nephew is recovering nicely! He will be out for the rest of the season, which is stinky...but if he rests and does well with physical therapy, he'll be back on the field not only as the kicker, but also in other positions for his Senior year.

Fourth, if you could lift me up especially over the next few weeks, I would be so appreciative! I'm starting to feel the affects of going without my anti-depressants. I have only come off them for the first trimester of each pregnancy and am determined to make it through the next 2 plus weeks until I can take them again, but man--it isn't easy! This is a chemical that my body NEEDS, and to go without it while also dealing with serious hormone changes is just hard. I talked to my doctor about it, and he says (of course) that if I can go without them, then try to do so (ummm, knowing myself and my history, no thanks), but if I become suicidal, to take them immediately (not there either, thankfully!). So hang on I will until the 13 week mark.

I am soo blessed to have the support of my family and friends, which makes it so much easier. If I had a husband that didn't understand how difficult this was, I don't know what I'd do. He has picked up the slack for the many, many days that I just crash as soon as the boys get to bed, if not sooner. He is very concerned about me, and doesn't complain when I'm crying over something seemingly insignificant over being out of milk for cereal or when my clothes aren't fitting comfortably. I am very thankful that God has blessed me with Chris as my partner!!

So that is a pretty current update from this household! I'm sure there is more that I could report or ask for prayers concerning, but we'll suffice it at this. I love ya'll! Thanks for reading, and I really am trying to keep caught up on reading your blogs as well!

Wordless Wednesday--Warrior

He's a trooper! He just had surgery and did it mostly for his love of the game.

I'm so proud of him!

Baby update--9 weeks, 4 days

Everything looked good! I am so relieved! It was soo good to hear that little heartbeat and see the little bug squirming around in there like crazy! I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me, and I was just praising the Lord when the tech left the room!

The heart rate was 171, and the due date looks to be spot on. I am getting set up for an appointment with the perinatologist. When I went to see the lady who schedules the outpatient appointments, she asked, "Is something wrong with the baby?" and I answered, "Nope, I'm just OLD!" She cracked up. At least I can have a sense of humor about this advanced maternal age!

One of my coworkers had her ultrasound right before mine, and they're having a boy!

Please keep my nephew in your prayers. He's having a second surgery on a torn miniscus (shoulder) tomorrow. They're hoping to do it arthroscopically but will more than likely have to do an incision. This is made more difficult by the fact that my sister is out of town for most of the week and feels very bad that she is not gonna be there, but nothing could be done as her trip/visits to other schools had been scheduled months in advance, before he re-injured his shoulder. Bless her heart, Bren had trouble getting to her destination yesterday--missed a connecting flight! So while you're at it, keep her in your prayers as well!

So there we have it....update on baby #3!

Flashback Friday--Waterfalls

<img alt="http://christis-blahblahblog.blogspot.com" src="http://tinyurl.com/5zzwl8" />

Oh, this song was the ultimate cool back in the day! I loved TLC! This song was one of the first that I remember that addressed such social injustices as prostitution as a means of making money and about AIDS. Little did we know that TLC themselves would face problems such as domestic violence before Left Eyes early demise. The world lost a great woman when we lost her! No, she may not have made the best decisions, but we're all guilty of that.

The most distinct memory I have of this song is listening to it with my niece, who was in middle school at the time. We were such good friends at that time...I had just graduated from college and had moved home. We have so many great memories surrounding music!



So what about you? Do you have a memory you'd like to share with us today?! C'mon, it'll make this pregnant lady suffering today from nausea so happy!!

Putting a rude man in his place

So here's the story:

First, let me preface this by saying that I have had to come off my antidepressants for the first trimester of this pregnancy. This affects my mood somewhat, most notably (by me) in that when I get upset/mad, I get MUCH more so than I usually would. So when Chris and I had a disagreement on the way to the ballgame last Friday night, I am certain that this contributed.

So we're heading to the line to get our tickets to get into the game. There was a man standing several feet back from the line fiddling with his wallet. Yes, I realized he was probably heading for the line, but he had stopped quite a bit away from it, so I proceeded to slip past him and get in line myself with the boys. Soon after, I hear a snide comment behind me of,"You better watch it, they'll just jump in line in front of ya..." Given the mood I was in, I tried to be calm, but I'll admit...I'm not good about hiding how I feel from showing on my face. Ask anyone who I've ever been mad at, and they'll tell ya. *blushing* So I may have looked how I felt as I turned around and told him to go ahead of me. He refused, so I continued to insist. He then goes ahead to make what I think is a pretty stupid statement..."Oh, I don't mind!" OH, REALLY?! And that is why you made a snide comment about it??!
So I pointed this out with a smile...."If you don't care, then why did you say anything?" He was obviously uncomfortable by this point, as he should have been. If you don't want to be called on your smart ass statements, don't make 'em! I asked one more time for him to go ahead of us, and he again refused. So I walked to the end of the line, giving him no choice but to go ahead since it was so important to him only moments before. The person who was at the end of the line (now right on front of me) apparently got a kick out of my 'show' and turned around once again to look at me. I commented again, "If he didn't care, he should have kept his mouth shut!" I know I embarrassed my husband, but it just hit me the wrong way.

The moral of my story:
If you don't want to be called on your rude vocalizations, keep 'em in your head where they belong!

So there's my story!

September 8: International Literacy Day

As a Reading Specialist, this is a cause very near to my heart. It saddens me to think that in this age of instantaneous worldwide communication that there are far too many people out there who cannot pick up a book and read it if they wish.

I find this startling:

Some 774 million adults lack minimum literacy skills; one in five adults is still not literate and two-thirds of them are women; 72.1 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out.

Folks, I know that if you are reading this, that you have not only basic reading skills but also basic computer skills. But so many people don't! Let me tell you something: IT IS NEVER TOO LATE FOR SOMEONE TO LEARN TO READ!! It is most definitely my 'calling' to help others achieve this goal. I have been very blessed to help offer this gift to first graders over the years, but for those who, for whatever reason, did not easily acquire this skill at 6 or 7 years of age, I'm doubly blessed to be now have the opportunity to help those who struggle with literacy.

Is there someone in your life that cannot read? Encourage them! Tell them that it is never, NEVER too late to develop this skill! There are programs and monies available out there to help! This is one 'epidemic' (to use an over-used term) that can be eradicated. Please do your part to help!

For more information, please visit here!

I'm so sorry, ya'll...

I didn't get FF up yesterday, and I'm feeling like CRUD today. We were literally minutes from leaving for Emory & Henry to watch my nephew's college football debut when the dizziness and nausea hit. I've slept most of the day, and still can't move my head too much or else I'm sure it will hit again. If you read this, please, please pray that it is a fluke. I can't possibly work/do classes if I feel this sick. I can't even walk, for Pete's sake! I've been so blessed so far, I really really don't want to have to deal with this!!

Pregnancy at 36 means one thing to me right now: I have to do what I HAVE to do, but it doesn't leave much time for things I WANT to do, like blog, keep up with friends, etc. I'm doing all I can to have the energy to work, take care of my family, and do school, and I hit the hay as soon as the boys are down. So if I'm not around, please know that it isn't because I don't want to. I just don't have the stamina right now. I'm at 8 weeks, 3 days, so I'm hoping some energy hurries back with the second trimester.

Oh, and somebody remind me to tell you the story of the redneck who I called on his behavior last night. I really hope he was very embarrassed, because he should have been! Right now I'm gonna try to lay down and read my fascinating standardized test manuals that I need to have read by Tuesday! Hope I can stay awake!

Random things I've come to realize

Teachers can be very inflexible, and it is so nice when they are not! When specialized teachers are trying to help a student become a better reader, it is helpful for classroom teachers to realize that this will only HELP them in their job. Work with them, and you'll be amazed at the benefits you'll see!

Nickelsville Elementary has arguably the most beautiful view from its vantage point! From either side of the building, you can see lovely rolling green fields, mountain peaks, and a sky that looks like it never ends. I love it!

I am really enjoying my job. I know even more now that God has placed me here where He needs me to be!

I'm still feeling amazingly good with this pregnancy, and am so thankful for this!!

Anyone want the deets?!

Sorry that I posted the exciting news and then left you hanging without any details! By the time I got home each night this week, I was worn out. I had a bad headache on Wed. night, too, so that wasn't much fun! The tiredness is the only complaint I really have right now, other than some minor breast tenderness....but NOTHING like I had with the boys, esp. with Isaac!

Let's see....we found out last Friday. I knew that I was late and honestly was thinking I was taking a test just to reassure myself that it was just stress causing me to be late. WRONG! Let me just tell you, even if you think you're NOT pregnant, DO NOT take the test before you're supposed to head to work! It can wait 'til the weekend, I promise!

So at 6:30 on Friday morning, I was showing Chris the results and bawling my eyes out like I had been shot. The first thing Chris asked was,"Did the birth control not work?!" and I was like, "Well, obviously!" Bless his heart, he wandered around in shock most of the day, I think! He went on to work and I stayed home. I called my asst. principal, and she later told me that she thought someone had DIED, I was crying so hard! LOL

I wasn't able to get in to see anyone at my OB, though I think the lady really felt sorry for me and found me something as quickly as she could for Tuesday. I then called my 'regular' doctor, and did get in to see her that morning. She went ahead and did a blood test, and a friend of mine took pity on me and put a STAT order on the results. I knew, though, by this point, that it was a definite. The home test turned pink IMMEDIATELY, so I knew it was a done deal. My sweet, wonderful friend Robin met me for lunch and even brought me flowers! I don't know what I would have done without her that day, because she was able to show me that it would be okay, and remind me that this was a blessing. I didn't want to call anyone else before I knew for sure, so other than Robin, I felt pretty alone!

Poor Chris, though, kept taking the 'blame' himself, and lamenting the fact that he didn't go get the vascectomy that I suggested time and time again. I reassured him that I did not blame him, and that God is bigger than any birth control or even operation, and if this child was to be born, then He would make sure it was! That makes dealing with it much easier in my heart....knowing that God has a purpose for this child, and that He will bring me through this! HE will get the glory for what He's done in our life by bringing another child up in the faith and to know about Him.

The doctor's office called with results late Friday afternoon, confirming what I already knew. I won't lie and say that we were immediately all butterflies and praise, cause we weren't. We did, however, decide we'd do the best we could to celebrate this. We all went out to dinner, where I had to gently remind Chris that if he was going to try to cheer me up, he was gonna have to actually TALK to do so. Overwhelmed is the best word I know to use to describe how we were both feeling! After dinner, we both let our parents know what was going on, and they were all very tickled!

Saturday was still a day of fog and confusion. I called my sisters and filled them in, and their reactions struck me as funny: Suzy cracked up and kept laughing, and Brenda was in disbelief. She kept saying,"You're kidding!" and "This isn't why I thought you had called me!" LOL But they were both happy too! Chris called his brother on Sunday, and it took him a while to get the message across that we hadn't planned this!

By Monday, we were both telling our bosses (well, my boss at one school knew, so I had to tell the other principal...who is expecting herself!). Chris' principal was so excited that she wanted him to tell everyone in the school so she could talk about it! LOL We had open house at the boys' school--my former workplace--on Monday evening, and word was spreading like wildfire while we were there. SOOOOO we went ahead and told the boys on Monday night. They were both fine with the idea once we explained that Dad could come home and spend the night here at the house while I was in the hospital instead of staying with me and the baby there. Isaac, our worrier, was concerned about that! LOL

That leads us to Tuesday, when we went to see my OB. The only thing that concerned me about that appointment was that he wants me to go see a perinatologist because of the increased risk of Down syndrome because of my age. The verdict is still out over whether or not we want to do this. It won't change anything with the pregnancy...we will still carry it to term, so I am not sure that I want to do that. However, I am trying to be open to the Lord's will on this instead of relying on my own. I would appreciate your prayers as we think about this decision.

My GP went ahead and set me up a schedule to wean myself off my antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications. All in all, I will have to be totally off meds for about 5 weeks. Not that bad, but it took me about 6 weeks to feel the affects once I started taking them again when I was pregnant with Adam. Again, please keep me/us in your prayers about this.

Everyone at work has been super-understanding and supportive. That is a big help. It is a huge blessing that I am NOT in the classroom while going through this. Though it is stressful to try to learn a new job and go to school while baking a little one, I know that with God's help I can do it! I start back to school on Tuesday, and already have an assignment I will get to work on here in a few minutes.

So there you have it! The story of baby #3 has begun! Our due date is April 16th, and the boys would both like to have a little sister--shocking to me! So think pink thoughts for us, and I'll definitely keep you updated! We have an ultrasound and appointment in 2 weeks.

Flashback Friday--Ghostbusters

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First, folks, so sorry that this is late going up! We overslept Friday morning, and then the boys had Parents' Night Out at TaeKwonDo last night, so I wasn't home much yesterday! Better late than never, right?!

Who can forget this iconic movie of the 80s?! I remember it well...I was in 6th grade when it came out. I remember that summer going to stay with my sister for a week where she was working as a Summer Youth Worker at a church and going to the children's choir week there at the church. I went to a water park for the first time that week, and one afternoon I stayed with a family from the church while Suzy worked. We were watching MTV (still didn't have this lovely in our house!) and the video came on for this song. The boy went on to describe the movie to me in great detail as only a child without much filling up his brain can do (or maybe it is just a boy thing? Cause my husband can still do it!) I did finally see the movie months later!



So, even thought I'm late with this, what are you remembering today? Are you taken back to this same time of year when you were younger? Or did you hear a song or think of a TV Show that took you back? Share it with us please!

Positively surprised!

Shocked, absolutely shocked! But it is sinking in, and I'm starting to get used to the idea! We should have a little addition to the family mid-April.

More details later....little babe is making Mommy not feel so great right this moment!

Take a Fresh Look

This was in the September '09 Guideposts Magazine. It hit me like a ton of bricks.

How do you see yourself? You might say,"I'm not the creative type. I'm a business person. I'm good with numbers." or "I'm a teacher, not an entrepreneur." There's a certain comfort in holding on to the identity that's defined you for years. But when change happens, what God is asking you to do is go with the change.

Step away from the labels you put on yourself. They limit your thinking. They don't let you see the possibilities God sees for you....Is there something you've told yourself you can't do? Well, why not?

Look at what you're going through right now--whether it's a job loss or a change in a relationship or a new life stage--as an opportunity. You're being given the change to see yourself differently, to develop more courage, more resiliency, more faith...whatever you need to make the most of your life's journey.

--Ariane de Bonvoisin is the founder of first30days.com and author of The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Making Any Change Easier, now available in paperback.

Flashback Friday--2 memories in 1!

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I was originally gonna remember the song, because I heard it on the radio the other day, and it reminded me of my first experiences going clubbing as a college freshman. Then when I looked at the video, it was Color Me Badd on The Arsenio Hall Show, and boy did that bring back memories! He was the STUFF when I was in high school/college!

This song, though....I remember going to The Odyssey on Wed. night and dancing to my heart's content. The picture that comes to mind when I hear this song is my next door neighbor to me in the dorm on crutches dancing a bit in the corner to this song! I remember having the 'remix' version of the song and playing it really loud as I drove to my boyfriend's house the following summer. Ah, how easy life was then!




So what about you? What are you remembering today?



Write a post and link it up for us! And enjoy the weekend...TGIF!

We survived, and other good news!

The first day is done! We all survived with very little damage!

I dropped the boys off early and walked them to their rooms where they deposited their bags. Then I walked the to the cafeteria and choked up as I told them goodbye and that I loved them. I know this wouldn't have been nearly as difficult had I not been leaving the building to go to another school! But I did it, and it will get easier from here on out, I'm sure.

Both boys had a great day! They were competing to tell me about things that they did or saw or said on the way home. I helped out in Kindergarten all day, and am again grateful that I was never asked to be a Kindergarten teacher. Even though it wasn't MY classroom, I still came home exhausted! My hat is off to those of you who teach Kindys day in and day out!!

Chris had a somewhat stressful day, but it was nothing he can't handle. He and the boys have gone to TaeKwonDo to release some energy and get some exercise while I stayed home for a while hoping that the OTHER good news would be delivered!

AND IT WAS! Check out what I got from my new best friend, the FedEx man!



SQEEEEEEEEEE!! He tried to deliver it on Thursday and Friday--Murphy's law that it was the first week I wasn't home all day, every day--my new vacuum! I can't wait to give it a spin!! And another shout-out and THANK YOU to the lovely ladies from whom I won it--the Wii Mommies!

All in all, it was a pretty good day!!

Today's the big day!

Wish me luck! Off to take my boys to their school...Adam's first day of Kindergarten...and then to help out in another teacher's Kindergarten classroom at one of my schools. I'm fighting tears, and really hoping I don't throw up!

Hopefully, with God's help, I'll be back this afternoon to tell you how it went wonderfully and it wasn't that big of a deal! :)

Fingers crossed and prayers welcome...

Flashback Friday--Hole Hearted

<img alt="http://christis-blahblahblog.blogspot.com" src="http://tinyurl.com/5zzwl8" />

Since my nephew is just starting college at my alma mater, it takes me back to 18 years ago when I was in the same place! Though it seems almost unbelievable now, my roomie and I did not have a tv in our room! (Oh, the horrors!) We watched regularly across the hall in our friends' room. We waited each day to watch the top videos (maybe it was Top 5 at 5? I don't remember) on MTV. THIS video was one of our favorites that fall. In fact, Allison made it into a funny as we always went straight to dinner after watching these shows:

There's a hole in my stomach that can only be filled by food!

Ah, those were good days. I can almost see the bright colors of the campus all over again just remembering that carefree time. I was quite innocent and in no great hurry to grow up and branch out quite yet. It was a difficult adjustment to make to have so much freedom at my disposal! At one point in those first days I wondered if I had made the right decision to attend school 4 hours away from my parents, but I soon realized that this WAS a good thing. So much of who I am now was formed in those four years, and though part of me wishes I had known then some things I know now, I wouldn't trade those years for anything in the world!

Enjoy the video and remember a time of carefree fun in your life!



What about you? Any song driving you NUTS running through your head? Share it with us! Simply write up YOUR flashback, and link up to us here so we can check it out!

Wordless Wednesday--30 Years Ago

I'm the little one in the dress, flanked by my sisters and oldest sister's roommate. Today she (the blonde) takes her oldest to college. How time flies! Please remember them in your prayers!

So honored!!

Imagine my surprise and delight today when I was asked by one blog to consider contributing an article, and then awarded a blog award by another bloggy friend!



Mamapedia apparently thinks I'm worthy of their attention! I'm definitely going to contribute something after these first few crazy weeks of school. Yes, we teachers went back to work today! I THOUGHT that I'd be less stressed this year about going back to work. WRONG! I think I've been worse than ever! But I do feel better after one work day under my belt.

But back to Mamapedia! I'm thrilled to have any other blog recognize that mine is worth reading!!





This lovely award came from Maria at Personalized Sketches and Sentiments. If you haven't visited Maria's blog yet, you need to do so! She is funny and engaging, and is a very talented artist to boot!

According to Kathie at my net finds, she recently created the award for the following reason:

I made this award for the special bloggers who take the time to not only read my posts, but also leave comments, respond to comments, form blog friendships with and support others, answer blogger questions, etc.....the ones who are a real "gem" in the bloggy world. The bloggy world wouldn't be the same without you!

The only rule for this award is that to accept it, display it proudly on your blog for all the bloggy world to see your greatness and/or pass it on to other bloggers as you see fit.

So if you are reading this, folks, I want to bestow it to you! I've come to realize that many more people visit my blog than actually comment. I'd love to change that, and hear from you personally--each and every one!

Well, maybe not if you're gonna be mean to me.

But everyone else, let me know who you are and where you're from so I can visit you back! I'm very honored to not only be a recipient of this award, but to get it only 4 days after it was created! I feel incredibly special!

These forms of recognition were certainly the 'blog hugs' (as Maria referred to them) that I needed to feel right now! What a blessing the bloggy world is to me!

The multiple reason that I'm freaking out

If I can laugh about it, it helps, right?!

1. I'm all torn up about the fact that my baby is very obviously not a baby anymore and is going to Kindergarten. I have sat and cried,"I don't want to go backwards, I don't want another baby, so why am I crying over this??!" Never did I think it was gonna be this hard, and it isn't HIM, it is ME! I think that the following have everything to do with why I'm having a hard time....

2. I've gone back up to the boys' school--my former workplace--twice over the past week or so. The first time, I cried after I left the building. The second time, I didn't cry, but even thinking about heading down the hall where I taught for 12 years brings fresh tears. I feel like I don't really 'fit' anywhere right now, cause I don't know my new coworkers, but I don't feel as though I'm part of my former faculty either. It is a very lonely place, actually.

3. My oldest nephew is leaving for college Wednesday. This is the child of my oldest sister, so I worry about and feel for her, too! Though he's not going far away to school, and I'll be on campus myself once a week starting Sept. 1, it is just a big change, yk? Every time I think about how Adam going to school is affecting me, I think about how much harder it must be for Bren! I'm THRILLED for him and so excited that he's gonna be experiencing the same college as we did because we all loved it so much, and hope that he does as well!

4. I've been having my bout with insomnia again this week. I *think* that I've figured out a pattern that it happens approximately every 2 months. I'm gonna try to better document when it is happening to see if I'm right. So sleep deprivation is contributing for sure.

5. Going back to work is always hard.

OK, well that should about do it for today! LOL

Flashback Friday--Tab

<img alt="http://christis-blahblahblog.blogspot.com" src="http://tinyurl.com/5zzwl8" />

Long before there was diet Coke, there was TAB! It was bottled by the CocaCola company. I remember thinking that people must be 'cool' to drink that soda out of a pink can!

I had the idea when I was around 9 to change the word "TAB" to the world "GOD", so that the jingle would go like this:
God
What a beautiful thing
God
For beautiful people
God
You're beautiful to me

So my best buddy and I performed this at a camp talent show!

Cheesy, but something I'll never forget!




So what about you? Surely you have some song running through your head you'd like to share!

Blog Hop: Encouragement

This post started taking form this morning before I was completely awake. I had not thought much about participating in the Blog Hop, but this post fit in perfectly, so why not?

We have a friend who has in the last 6 months started attending our church and coming to our Sunday School class. We've become fast friends! She is a real treasure, and is bringing something extra to our class that is definitely needed. She recently went on a mission trip to Belize. We asked what we could send with her on the trip, and she suggested tennis balls.

Tennis balls?? On a mission trip??

Yes, we wondered the same thing! But those going on these trip each year throw the tennis balls to kids who are waiting by the side of the road. It is the only toy that many of them will have for an entire year. They play with that tennis ball until the next year when new missionaries come by with new balls.

Think about that....I mean, my sons are most definitely spoiled with too many toys. They cannot even fathom what it would be like to have only one toy. But to these children, a yellow tennis ball completes their need for a toy--for an entire year!!

So last Sunday, my sister coined a phrase related to this: She encouraged us to have a "Tennis Ball Outlook" on our lives. We need to be thankful for what we have and grateful to the Lord for our many, many blessings. We have been blessed to be born into a country of much prosperity where we have many opportunities, and even if we are born into a lower economic class, with help and work, we can bring ourselves success and betterment. We have homes, food, clothing, and even have extra to spend on such luxuries that we consider 'needs' as computers and internet access.

So are you looking at life with a "Tennis Ball Outlook?" If not, why not? What do you need to change to do so??

Funny thing happened on the way to pick up the boys..

from TaeKwonDo! I was in my new Jeep (have I mentioned that I love it? Cause I do!) and since I was all alone, I had the radio cranked, the sunroof down and the windows partially down. I was loving it! So I pull up to a red light, singing along to Prince, and there were 17 year olds or so in a little car in the turning lane beside me. They turned around to see the 'old lady' who had her music loud! I had to laugh! I waved a little, they kind of dumbfoundedly waved back, and when the light changed, I floored it!

I so wanted to say,"Ummmm.....you didn't invent loud music, and I have the money to have better speakers!"

Ahh, sweet revenge for those days when I had to drive my 1973 Impala!!

I'm anxious tonight

For no apparent reason....I'm not exactly sure why. I have my ideas about why, but voicing them at this point will only make it worse I'm afraid. Suffice it to say it is the same type stuff I blogged about yesterday.

I mentioned on Twitter that I was feeling this way, so my friend Heather says that she reads Psalms when she is feeling this way. She mentioned Psalm 27 in particular. I'm gonna share it here to help calm myself down, and then if someone reading it needs to see it, I will have shared it with someone else in need as well!

Psalm 27

Light, space, zest--
that's God!
So with him on my side I'm fearless,
afraid of no one and nothing.

When vandal hordes ride down
ready to eat me alive,
Those bullies and toughs
fall flat on their faces.

When besieged,
I'm calm as a bay.
When all hell breaks loose,
I'm collected and cool.

I'm asking God for one thing,
only one thing:

To live with Him in His house
my whole life long.
I'll contemplate his beauty,
I'll study at his feet.

That's the only quiet, secure place
in a noisy world.
The perfect getaway,
far from the buzz of traffic.

God holds me head and shoulders
above all who try to pull me down.
I'm headed for his place to offer anthems
that will raise the roof!
Already I'm singing God-songs,
I'm making music to God.

Listen, God, I'm calling at the top of my lungs:
"Be good to me! Answer me!"
When my heart whispered,"Seek God,"
my whole being replied,
"I'm seeking him!"
Don't hide from me now!

You've always been right there for me;
don't turn your back on me now.
Don't throw me out, don't abandon me,
you've always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me,
but God took me in.

Point me down your highway, God,
direct me along a well-lighted street;
show my enemies whose side you're on.
Don't throw me to the dogs,
those liars who are out to get me,
filling the air with their threats.

I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness
in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
Take heart. Don't quit.
I'll say it again:
Stay with God.

Flashback Friday--Nothing Compares 2 U

<img alt="http://christis-blahblahblog.blogspot.com" src="http://tinyurl.com/5zzwl8" />

I'm feeling a bit melancholy today--has to do some with the nasty weather, some with some strange dreams I've been having lately, some with just plain feelings I've been having lately, and some with coming down to wire where I'll be reporting to different schools here in a week. It is a very hard place to be: I feel like I don't totally fit in with my former coworkers as they discuss things that will be happening at school when I'm not going to be there...and I don't even know who I will 'hang out' with at my new schools. Shoemaker has always been known as a very close faculty, and I know I'm gonna have to adjust to that not being the case everywhere. I know that they will always be my friends, but I also have moved enough times to know that though you remain friends, it is never quite the same.

I was telling Chris last night that in a way it is worse than moving because I still see them and am around them, but just not with them. It is not easy, that's for sure. But then know that I have attachment issues after having to move and change schools so many times! LOL

So to the flashback for this song....this song came out when I was going through a rough but stupid breakup in high school. I don't even know why I went out with the guy. He was bad news from the beginning! But he was the #1 bad boy I was attracted to back then. I don't know, maybe I thought I could 'reform' him! LOL Either way, the breakup was definitely against my wishes, and I remember driving around crying to this song many times.

I will admit that it felt good to know I was over him the following summer. In the end, I put him in his place when he showed up at my house out of the blue! I was actually looking for another guy who was supposed to be coming over. Steve picked up on the fact that I was jumpy, and questioned me about it. So I asked,"Why did you even come up here?" and he said,"I just wanted to see you..." and I answered,"Well, you've seen me!" Oh, that made him mad! He started cussing me (as he often did back when we were dating--can we say verbally abusive?!) and peeled out. I only saw him one other time after that, and truly, fear went through me that last time. Looking back, he was very much verbally and emotionally abusive. Real winner of a guy huh??

And added plus to this song is that it was written by Prince! Need I say more?!

You may be thinking why is she remembering this loser she dated back in the day? He's ancient history! It reminds me of the first time I realized that I was stronger than I thought I was. It reminds me of making good choices in the end. It reminds me of the start of a very good time in my life and the end of a very foolish and painful time. It reminds me that God is good if only we will Trust Him!

So there ya go. Hear the song and think of me!



So now that you've heard my story of victory, you want to share your own, no?? C'mon, you know you wanna! Write up your own post and use this awesome little MckLinky to let us know where yours is!

Mama's Got a New CAR!

And that mama is MEEEEE!

Yep, we took in my '99 Olds Brevada with over 101,000 miles yesterday, and using the Cash for Clunkers incentive, got a sweet deal on a '09 Jeep Patriot! I am loving it!

Truly, ya'll, if you need to trade cars sometime soon and ESP. if you have a car that you might not get much out of on a trade in, you need to go check this out! Chrysler is matching what the government is offering on trade-in! They don't PUT Jeeps on good sales like this, so otherwise we never would have gotten to buy a car this nice for such a great price!

Chris kept laughing at me last night cause I kept clapping my hands in glee at it! We really didn't want to have to have another car payment right now, but my car was gonna take several thousand dollars to fix up to where it wasn't hazardous and/or drive me crazy! Currently here were there issues:

--the driver door had to be locked immediately on entering or the interior light came on. It also couldn't be locked anyway BUT manually upon exiting. Auto lock no longer worked on that door.

--Gas gauge didn't work properly and had a tendency just to wave at me sometimes! LOL I had to keep an eye on how many miles I'd driven and fill it up after approx. 200 miles.


--Rear window defroster had come loose on one side, so therefore didn't work properly

So in order to fix these issues it probably would have cost us at least $1500! Instead, we just got a new one! LOL

Hey, it is still cheaper than what we were paying for daycare per month!

Wordless Wednesday--Crooked House

This house stood across the street from the school where my husband attended elementary school, which was also the school where my mom taught at the time. I had recently shared that mom was his teacher in Kindergarten! I am now going to be teaching there 2 days a week. Pretty cool, huh?

This house has since been torn down and a cabin is sitting there. But seeing this pic recently on Chris' cousin's facebook pics brought back memories, so I thought I'd share!

Wanna see Adam in his new glasses??

Sure ya do!! Not the best quality pic ever, but it is what I have on hand! I went to a Facebook party last night for Tricia Goyer's book Blue Like Play Dough, and we were encouraged to add pics as party of the party! Adam was hanging out with me, so a picture with him is what we took!

What do you think? Do you agree with me that he looks handsome and smart?!

Please pray for this precious boy!

Little Stellan has had a rough go so far in life. His parents were told initially that he wouldn't live, but he has, against the odds. His heart is struggling to stay in the proper rhythm, especially the past few days. He's a very sick little boy.

I firmly believe that God has a plan for this child! He has allowed this child to live for a reason, and I know that little Stellan has already touched so many lives. Please take the time today to visit his mom's blog and to lift up prayers for this child!!

Monday, Monday....

One of my last few before going back to work!

I've posted at two other sites today and one yesterday if you're interested in checking them out!

I have a new book review up at BlahBlahReviews....



A new meme starting out on Sited and Blogged....






And several Bible study posts at Showered by Blessings!



Hope to see that you've stopped by one of these soon!

Let's not leave anyone out!

I'm loving that those of us who aren't at BlogHer are getting lots of parties in as well! I wanna be part of ALL of them, so I need to let you know about BlogHer@Home! This great party even encourages me to drink and take bewb shots if I want! (Not very likely, but I like that I've been given permission!)

So for those of you that don't know me...I'm Christi, a Christian 30something wife of 11 years to Chris and mother to Isaac, 8, and Adam, 5. I am a teacher, and am getting ready to start my first year as a Reading Specialist at two elementary schools. I'm also a grad student, as I am halfway through my Master's cohort in Reading. I love reading, blogging, hanging out at parenting message boards, and I love to nap when I get the chance!

And I'm a fighter. Wanna know what I fight against?! I fight such things as illiteracy, mad parents in her classroom, chocolate, overeating, the battle of the bulge, liberals, non-Christians, and the clutter in her house. I've also been known to battle fibromyalgia and the pain it brings on, depression, and people who mistreat my family and friends.

So if you got through all this and still want to stick around, welcome! Glad to have ya here! Can't wait to get to know you better--bewb shots and all!

Flashback Friday--How Will I Know

<img alt="http://christis-blahblahblog.blogspot.com" src="http://tinyurl.com/5zzwl8" />

Ah, the early Whitney days! Weren't they the greatest? I knew it was bad news for her when she hooked up with Bobby Brown, though I loved his early work as well!

But I digress! The memories that this song pulls up are numerous and not ALL wonderful! I remember hearing this song one Friday when I was in 7th grade. As it turned out, there was a cute 8th grader who supposedly was crushing on me just like I was on him, and was apparently gonna ask me to 'go with him'. Yes, now you must insert the question that every adult had to ask...where are you going together?! No, no, no--that just meant that we were a couple! This was a real cutie, a popular boy, so I was loving the possibilities!

But alas, things didn't turn out that way. As it turned out, he decided to 'go with' one of my good friends instead, partially because even at 13, she was stacked where I obviously wasn't! Oh, the heartbreak! Oh, the drama! I remember crying so hard when I found out that I couldn't even respond...I just handed the phone to my sister and she had to tell my friend that I'd talk to her later. And it really wasn't as much about the boy as it was that this friend had betrayed me. She had known that I had a crush on him, and she broke 'the code' and went with him anyway.

Funny how now I don't even remember the boy's name, but I know that when I forgave my friend after she apologized, it was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. She realized that a)she shouldn't have done that and b)that I was a true friend, and we started right then becoming much closer. I truly couldn't have made it through the next several years without her friendship! It even lasted me moving 4 hours away and many many long distance phone calls! I'm blessed to say that I even met up with this friend a few months ago with our kids!

Obviously, this story had a happy ending where two friends realize that their relationship is much better than anything a passing BOY can offer them!

I wouldn't want to mention this period of my life without giving respect to another friend at that time who is no longer with us. Allen Gibson was SUCH a nice guy. He was good buddies with the aforementioned boy, and hung around some with the rest of us, too. I ran into him years later when I was working in a neighboring county, and he was just as nice then as he had been in middle school. Sadly, he will killed on the job about a year later. He was a Virginia State Trooper, and was shot by someone he was trying to apprehend in a crime. This was the first time that I had actually known someone my age who died, and it was such a tragic waste! So know that this memory comes with a tiny bit of sadness as I remember the great man Allen did not get the chance to become!



How about you? Link up your favorite memory relating to something in the past here! We'd love to have you join us!

You've GOT to see these reviews!

If you don't see the Tiny Prints review, you're gonna miss out on some fantastic deals on all your stationery needs! This is one fantastic site, so you're gonna want to see this!



While you're at it, I've done quite a few reviews lately, including a great book review day that you are gonna want to see. AND don't forget to check back, because I've got some awesome giveaways in the works very soon as well!

TGIF, ya'll! Have a great weekend!

Why yes! Yes, I'm not at BlogHer, thanks for noticing!

Yes, I'm upset about it, but because of all the other great ladies that happen to be staying home as well, we're gonna have some fun of our own! We've got a pity party, a blog hop, a not at blog her get-together, a BlogHer@Home site with fun....hey, we're cool with this!

If this is your first time visiting my blog, then welcome! I'm Christi, the Christian 30something sole writer here! I have been happily married to my best friend Chris for the past 11 years and am proud mama to Isaac, 8, and Adam, 5. I am also in grad school to get my degree in Reading at the same college where I got my undergrad. It is hard work, but it is so worth it! I am a teacher, and teaching reading is my love. I taught first grade for 12 years, but now am going to be a Reading Specialist at two elementary schools in our county.

Education is very important in our family....I am sister to 2 teachers, sister-in-law to one, daughter of one, and daughter-in-law of one as well. The other thing that is very central in our life is our faith: my father is a retired United Methodist minister.

Chris and I are also very blessed to live in the same town/county as most of our family members. Only Chris' parents live temporarily in Southside Virginia, while everyone else lives around here, including our siblings and nieces and nephews. We enjoy getting to see them and spend time with them often.

Let's see...what else?? We have 3 cats and 1 dog, and we lost a dog we'd had for 12 years earlier in the spring. My boys are all 3 (yes, 3....hubby as well!) yellow belts in TaeKwonDo as of earlier this month. My nieces and nephews are active in sports and dance, so you'll hear me brag on them sometimes, too!

So I think I'll close out now....but please come back soon!

Boy, what a day!

Adam and I left the house before 10 thinking we'd have an easy morning/day. We had to go get his Kindergarten shots, but it didn't turn out to be nearly as easy as we thought!

Everything started fine....typical checkup, with filling out paperwork and HIPPA agreements and such. We realized that in '06 we had put off him getting his Chicken Pox vax, so we ended up having to get that in addition to the MMR, Polio, and whatever he other one was...I can't remember! Dr. F decided to go ahead and do a urine and blood workup as well, not only for a lead test for him to enter Kindergarten, but also to check for anemia, which he has had in the past. He weighed 42 pounds and was 45 inches tall.

So....we proceed to the shots...4 of 'em! Then I had Nurse V. to look at a place on his leg that was suspicious, and I'm glad I did since it WAS poison ivy! I also talked to Dr. F about the fact that Adam did not read 20/20 on his vision screening. He said that we could either wait or go ahead and get him checked out. Since we have a family history of vision problems, I opted to go ahead and get it looked at. More about that later.

So after the shots, we proceeded to the lab, where a very small amount of blood was drawn from his finger. Adam was brave through it all!

Until.....


I was signing out, and he started leaning toward me. I said,"What are you doing?" and he didn't answer me, and the receptionist tells me,"He's passed out!" So 2 nurses assisted us in getting him sitting in a chair, and he quickly came to. He was not sure what was going on, and was very pale. One nurse went ahead and laid him down in an exam room again, and laid a cool cloth on his forehead. He was also saying that his mouth hurt. So we waited for a few minutes to make sure he was okay. I stayed calm, but truly....it scared me to death!! I wanted to cry like a baby!!

I had promised Adam that we'd go get him a toy since he'd done so well at the shots and blood draw, so we went to Target to get him some anti-itch for his poison ivy and he picked out a toy. He wanted to go ahead and visit the optometrist before lunch, much to Mommy's growling stomach's dismay!

We saw a nice doctor, who told us that Adam has an astigmatism as well as being slightly far-sighted. We decided to pick out some frames since they were running a special (buy some frames and get the lenses free for anyone under 17--check out Lenscrafters!) The frames we picked out were more expensive than I normally would have allowed, but given the special, I let him get them. We're gonna go get Isaac's eyes checked, too, while they have this deal on so if he needs a pair, we'll get 'em cheaper!

Here's a pic of the frames. I'll get one of Adam IN the glasses so you can see how preciously handsome he looks in them!



We got lunch and went to do a little bit of shopping for ME while waiting for the glasses to get done. Unfortunately there was a machinery problem, so it ended up taking about an hour and a half instead of an hour, but hey--we're flexible!

However, after all this unexpected stuff in one day, I'm worn out! Adam and I took a nap when we got home, and now they're in TaeKwonDo! I realized that I can access free wifi here, so I'll be much more apt to bring my laptop and stay while they're in class from now on!

So....here we are! *insert pic of me with my tongue hanging out!*

Pray for Me, Pray for Others

We participate in "Pray for Me... Pray for Others" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to add your prayer request. Join a community of friends who care about you, and hope you will care about them.

Hi, all....I found this great way of linking together our prayer requests by the creator of the great new blogger tool, MckLinky! I love the idea of working together on the web to lift each other up in prayer! Please check it out, and don't forget to pray for the folks listed!

Remember....where two or three are gathered, there He is also! That includes here on the blogosphere!

It just gets old

It gets frustrating to have plans, and then be hit out of the blue by some physical symptom that leaves you not feeling like doing what you'd planned. I HAVE to go on during the school year, but when I didn't HAVE to go work at one of my schools today, I had to change the plans I'd shared with my 5 year old. He was disappointed, but with stomach cramps and runs to the restroom, I just didn't feel as though it was the most opportune of times to go try to get some work done. Then in comes Isaac from a day filled with fun at day camp, upset because I now say that we might not make it to the local slushie seller.

Yes, it makes me feel like crap to let them down. But you know what? I never asked for this crap called fibromyalgia. I didn't ask to fight anxiety, depression, pain, irritable bowel, and insomnia. I didn't want to feel like I'm 80 some days at 36.

Some days the logic in me flies away and I want to scream, "Why me?? What did I do to deserve this??" It was hard enough dealing with the depression from the age of 15 or 16. Add the rest of the crud to it and it is just NOT fun. Today, it is my elbows. Who has ELBOWS that hurt?? What in the world?? I cannot imagine how I might have strained my freakin' ELBOWS! It is insane.

When I've stood on my feet all day and they hurt, I get it. When I have pain due to lack of movement or stress, I get it. But what has brought this on today? Worrying about something? Nothing? The air being cooler than normal? Who freakin' knows?!

I try not to fuss. I am trying to improve my health by getting rid of bad habits and eating better and exercise, and by stopping when I feel my limits being reached. It is when I am doing those things and I STILL hurt that I start to get frustrated. It just stinks!

Love Chris' heart, his solution is to send me to the doctor. I went yesterday for a med check. There is nothing more they can do. I have to break down and take more meds even though they sometimes make me feel loopy, and otherwise I just have to tough it out. There's nothing more to do. I guess for a man, who just wants to fix his wife's problems, that is very frustrating too. I am so blessed to have him. I folded and sorted several loads of clothes today--yes, I'll readily admit I've been putting it off--and he put them away so I could play with (read: entertain) Adam since Isaac was gone to camp today. He's a sweetheart!

This isn't even what I was blogging about earlier today. But maybe that is what has contributed, me fighting that struggle. I don't know. Whatever it is, I just wish it would GO AWAY!

Until a better day and a better mood.....

I need your prayers

I'm not sick, no one in my family or circle of friends are sick, we all have jobs, no one has been lost or hurt....but I'm feeling very attacked by the Enemy lately. I hate to be vague, but I also don't want to verbalize this to give him any more fodder in his fight against me. The Lord knows the need, and just know that I need prayers to gird me up right now. The Lord is my strength and my shield, and HE will give me the strength to fight in this battle!!

Thank you in advance for your prayers!

You know you're a sister when...

I am very blessed with two real-life sisters. I am also blessed with several friends who I consider my "sisters of another mother." But most recently, I have discovered that I belong to another sisterhood....a sisterhood that didn't exist a mere 10 years ago. You see, I'm a blogging sister, and therefore have a digital kinship with other women who choose to share their lives 'out there' with the world online.

How do I know that these people are my sisters??

I know they are my sisters....because they GET me.
They understand why I put myself--all the ugly, secret, hurting, happy, silly, crazy things that make up ME--out there for all the world to read.

I know they are my sisters....because the SUPPORT me.
On those days when I'm not quite sure how I'm going to put one foot in front of the other...on the days when I am distressed because of a real life situation....on the days that I request prayer, but can't even verbalize why....they are there. My blogging sisters let me know that they, too, have been there, and that they'll be here for me no matter what.

I know they are my sisters....because they KNOW me.
And I mean it in this way: they know the deep inside me. They don't know the me who weighs more than I did in college, the one who teaches, the one who is kin to so-and-so, the one who goes to that church, or the one who I've heard did that. They know me from the inside out. They might not recognize me right off if they saw me on the street, but if I wore a t-shirt sporting the front page of my blog, they'd be the first to run up and hug me! They know me by my words, and that is to know me in a profound way!

If you aren't part of this sisterhood, you don't know what you are missing. But I also don't know how to explain how this sisterhood has enriched my life! I have laughed til I cried, I have wept for the pain of others, and I have hit the ground face down in prayer to my Jesus over words I've read from these ladies.

They ARE my sisters...and that is all I know!

If you'd like to more know about The Sister Project or the contest that inspired this post, visit the hyperlinked pages in this sentence!

Flashback Friday--Annie

<img alt="http://christis-blahblahblog.blogspot.com" src="http://tinyurl.com/5zzwl8" />

I'm late! I'm late! Sorry for that, ya'll! I'm sure you've been hanging on your seats waiting for this, and chewing your nails to the quick! LOL At least I can imagine!

Annie! I am not sure how many times I saw it in the theater, but it was several! I LOVED this movie! I wanted to BE Annie! It started before the moving even came out when my sister saw it on Broadway....I am thinking it was when Sarah Jessica Parker was playing the lead.

I remember going to see it one time (in the theater, again!) with my mom and grandmother, and my grandmother telling me about the comic strip. I distinctly remember her saying that she was surprised that there wasn't more action in the movie since Annie was always getting into some adventure in the 'funny papers'!

Then in college we did a lip sync and dance routine to "It's a Hard Knock Life, which was fun! We did some of the same dance steps from the movie. We won the contest, by the way!

So here, for your viewing pleasure, is "It's a Hard Knock Life!" Enjoy!



So what about you? What are you remembering fondly tonight? Surely you would love to share it with others! All you have to do is make up a post and come back here and use the MckLinky to share it with us!



Have a GREAT weekend!!

Three Things You Don't Know About Me

I decided earlier that I was gonna do the blog hop from my other blog, but now I wanna do it here, too! LOL Is that cheating?! So now if you go to both, you'll know 6 things you didn't know about me!

OK. Here goes.

1. My mom taught my husband in Kindergarten. We both moved away from the area, then were set up on a blind date by 2 of my friends--his aunt and cousin. We went on our first date in August, and were engaged on November 17! Hey, when you know you've got a good thing, why waste time?! We were married the following July. Here we are, 11 years and 2 kids later!!

2. My sisters and I all graduated from high schools in different states. Yes, trivial, but I'm stretching here! Since our dad was a United Methodist minister, we moved as needed. Brenda graduated in Virginia (where we all three live now), Suzy graduated in Tennessee, and I graduated in Georgia.

3. My mom and I were on a plane once with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor! We were on our way back home from visiting my grandmother in Florida, and for some reason she rode in to Charlotte (I think!) on our little puddle jumper plane! I didn't have the nerve to go try to get her autograph, which I would have been able to get away with at 8 years old in the early 80s, and I've always wished I had.

OK, so now you know these things about me....don't you wanna leave a comment about one of them?!

New FIRST review--and I LOVE this book!

The book is Blue Like Playdough by Tricia Goyer, and it is soooo good! It isn't very long, but I have related to what she is saying in such a powerful way. I just have to share a couple of things from the book with you, and please go read the tour review as well! I promise you won't be disappointed!

This quote is SOOO me! I think I'll copy this and hand it out to people, esp. those who shall remain nameless that talk about how dirty my house is.

It's been said that a messy house is evidence of a messy heart, but it was just the opposite for me. The more I got my heart in order, the more God urged me to move beyond my safe, happy little world...The more I served God and saw Him working in lives, the less concerned I was about a dust-free existence or with how others saw me. I didn't need to impress anyone else because deep down I felt God's approval....I've come to realize that those things (referring to the house being neat) don't matter as much as people--whether it be the people in my house or those in my community and my world. Like my friend Twyla says,"You fight dirt your whole life and then they bury you in it."

Amen and Amen!!

Do you Technorati?

I'm on it finally. Yes, I'm slow to these things! I'm also getting on the Sited and Blogged technorati list as well! If you'd like to know more, check it out at Sited and Blogged!


It's time to repost our list.
If you want to join, follow these simple steps.






~Copy and paste this blog post into a new blog post on your site.
~Come back here and leave a comment with a full link address to direct us to your post.
~Your link will then be added to the list.



When the list ends in late June, come back and update your list with all of the members. We are atttempting to limit this list to 100 blog links.

SitedandBlogged
The Contest Hub
I am Harriet




Lifes Perfect Pictures
Diana Rambles
Insanity and Bliss
Lolas Diner
Life is Sweet
Happy Healthy Families
Five Monkeys
http://www.mftawk.com/2009/05/
http://www.ilikeitfrantic.net/2009/06/technorati-list.html http://theredheadriter.blogspot.com/2009/06/technorati-list.html http://yesiknowwhatcausesthat.blogspot.com/2009/06/technorati-list.html
http://apocketfullofbuttons.blogspot.com/
http://outnumbered3-1.blogspot.com/2009/06/technorati-list.html
http://twoprettylittleskirts.blogspot.com/2009/06/technorati-list.html
http://valeriegail.blogspot.com/2009/06/technorati-list.html
http://mainfo.blogspot.com/
http://anniekelleher.blogspot.com/
http://eclecticschooling.blogspot.com/2009/06/technorati.html
http://atticgirl.blogspot.com/2009/06/technorati-list.html
http://iheartfrutopia.blogspot.com/

http://frugalcreativity.blogspot.com/2009/06/technorati-list.html
http://supermommytotherescue.com/technorati


http://pennypinchingpenguin.blogspot.com/2009/06/technorati-list.html
http://aaensons-lifewithatoddler.blogspot.com/2009/06/technorati-list.html
http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/06/technorati-linky-love.html
http://flyinggigglesandlollipops.blogspot.com/2009/06/its-time-to-repost-our-list.html

http://canwestopthis.blogspot.com/2009/06/technorati-list.html
http://happilyblended.com/2009/06/sited-and-blogged-the-technorati-list/
http://www.fairyblogmotherblog.com/2009/06/technorati-list.html
http://psychicmamaindigochild.blogspot.com/2009/06/sited-and-blogged-technorati-list.html
http://snipsandsnailsboutique.blogspot.com/2009/06/technorati-list-at-sited-and-blogged.html
http://thedivinemissmommy.com/2009/06/05/sited-and-blogged-technorati-list/


http://www.josieswindow.info
http://alittleoftheother.blogspot.com/2009/06/site-blogged-technorati-list.html
Confessions of a Moody Mommy
http://www.ageorgiaangel.com/blog/?p=1092
Penelope's Oasis

Please overlook: Technorati stuff

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How ya doin'?

Whaddaya think about the new look? I am loving it! It feels cleaner to me...and easier to see!

I haven't done a general 'wassup!' update in a while! Nothing too exceptionally exciting is going on around here, and that is WONDERFUL! It is GREAT to just get to hang around the house doing chores and playing with the boys and just BEING. I've had time to get in much more reading and Bible study, and doing more blogging focused on reviews and Bible studies, plus contributing 2 articles a week at Sited and Blogged. I have also started taking part in a FANTASTIC ministry based through Twitter called World Prayer. I get to be the moderator to re-send prayer requests sent through @worldprayr for at least 2 hours a week. This is a dynamic ministry that is still in its grassroots stages, and if you'd like to join in, just let me know, and I'll get you more info!

I am loving having a break from classes, though I keep dreaming that I'm supposed to be going to Emory and I'm not! LOL In my last class, I did get the opportunity to make some plans for working with kids other than first graders, so that has helped me get ready for my new position. I really need to go into the schools, but I've been putting it off--I'm just enjoying spending time with my boys and spending time at home!

Chris has built some shelving in the basement to store stuff, and has gotten lots of junk cleared out! That has been such a big help! This week he and Isaac are gonna take a camping trip all by themselves in a tent! I'm excited for them but Adam and I will miss them!

All three guys are loving their TaeKwonDo classes! They all did wonderfully on their rank test and have moved up to the yellow belt level. Isaac is REALLY into it, and got mad when he realized that his dad went on Thursday and he didn't! Both boys are missing their friends, so going to classes and going to some day camps over the next couple of weeks will help out with that, I'm sure.

And guess what Saturday is?! Mine and Chris' 11th anniversary! 11 years ago on the 18th, I married my best friend. I am so thankful that God led us to each other! WE are very blessed. We've already got a baby sitter (my niece) and we're planning on going out by ourselves and at the very least getting a meal together!

So there is what's going on around here....it is blissfully boring! I'm so glad that we have this time to recharge our batteries and get some time to relax and enjoy each other!