Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Stinky old flu bug.


"Daa-eee! My pooh is dirdee."
"Oh no. I gots-stick adain."
"Momma. My sneezes is back."

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Not 1, but 2 Drumsets... yep, that's right.






Christmas is more than presents.

It is a celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Just ask anybody. I like to read books to the boys that tell about the night of Christ's birth. And another book, that was given to us from a very generous blogger, The Small One is awesome to read at this time of year as well.

But this year...
This year, Oliver was LOVIN! the presents (my-oh-my, there were gobs of those...)And, as a parent, it has forever added another dimension to Christmas for me. To see the utter delight and excitement. It was great. Just great.

I never want my family to be the big "show-boaty" Christmas type. I like the simplicity of the "reason for the season". I basically want the boys to know that Christmas is not Santa's Holiday. It is all about Christ. And celebrating Him.

With saying that, I do believe that these little boys did a lot of celebrating these past few days.


PS. It is official. Oliver and Liam are spoiled. Just sayin.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Brandon. Goat. Brando. BRB. Barbie.



Merry Christmas!

This is my little brother. He, well, isn't so little anymore. He used to spend so much time at our house. When I was in college, he even came to live with me for an entire summer. He was about 12. I love him. He cracks me up. He is 16 now, and we all know what happens at that age. Cars, friends, and driving around. We don't see him as much anymore... tear. :'(

This photo cracks me up. So, my gift to you, fellow bloggers... a chuckle at his expense.

Monday, December 22, 2008

for mom.



Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the word of Christ. To help us believe God for healing ourselves, our friends and our families it helps to have a good grasp of the Scriptures concerning healing. These Scriptures are small enough to be written on a business card sized bit of paper, carried around and memorized. Let's ring in the new year, with some healing scriptures to carry with us.

1. (Exodus 15:26 NKJV) and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you."

2. (Deuteronomy 32:39 NKJV) 'Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.

3. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV) "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

4. (Psalms 30:2 NKJV) O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.

5. (Psalms 6:2 NKJV) Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.

6. (Psalms 103:1-4 NKJV) Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! {2} Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: {3} Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, {4} Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,

7. (Psalms 107:20 NKJV) He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.

8. (Psalms 147:3 NKJV) He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.

9. (Proverbs 3:7-8 NKJV) Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. {8} It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

10. (Proverbs 4:20-22 NKJV) My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. {21} Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; {22} For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

11. (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

12. (Isaiah 58:8 NKJV) Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

13. (Isaiah 61:1 NKJV) "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

14. (Jeremiah 3:22 NKJV) "Return, you backsliding children, And I will heal your backslidings." "Indeed we do come to You, For You are the LORD our God.

15. (Jeremiah 17:14 NKJV) Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.

16. (Jeremiah 30:17 NKJV) For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,' says the LORD, 'Because they called you an outcast saying: "This is Zion; No one seeks her."'

17. (Jeremiah 33:6 NKJV) 'Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.

18. (Hosea 6:1 NKJV) Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

19. (Hosea 14:4 NKJV) "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him.

20. (Malachi 4:2 NKJV) But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

21. (Matthew 4:23 NKJV) And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

22. (Matthew 8:13 NKJV) Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour.

23. (Matthew 8:16 NKJV) When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,

24. (Matthew 9:35 NKJV) Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

25. (Matthew 10:1 NKJV) And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

26. (Matthew 10:8 NKJV) "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

27. (Matthew 12:22 NKJV) Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.

28. (Matthew 14:14 NKJV) And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

29. (Luke 6:19 NKJV) And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.

30. (Luke 9:6 NKJV) So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.(The twelve are sent out)

31. (Luke 10:8-9 NKJV) "Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. {9} "And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'(The seventy are sent out)

32. (Luke 17:15 NKJV) And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God,(The story of the ten lepers)

33. (Acts 3:12 NKJV) So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

34. (Healing of the lame man at the Gate Beautiful) (Acts 4:29-31 NKJV) "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, {30} "by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." {31} And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

35. (1 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

36. (James 5:14-16 NKJV) Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. {15} And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. {16} Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

37. (Revelation 22:2 NKJV) In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

38. (Luke 8:47 NKJV) Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.

39. (Luke 8:48 NKJV) And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace."

40. (Luke 5:17 NKJV) Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Oh, you're 13 and your boyfriend is 31, no biggie.

You have to watch these videos. This happened in Bloomington and Indianapolis, IN. More can be read here

Thursday, December 18, 2008

blood.

That word just grosses me out.

Blood Type Personality Article

(Just click on the title and it will take you to the page... yeah, Mom that explanation is for you.)

I found this interesting. I don't read horoscopes. I think it is hokey and ridiculously vague. But, I actually read this and it fit both Justin and I. I am type O and Justin is AB. It only entertained me. Obviously, don't go making any career changes based on this information... I certainly don't think I would make a very effective gambling minister.

Maddie turns 5.











Before and After


So, here it is SOOC (straight out of the camera). Not a wretched horrible photograph. Just lacking some "oomph" in my opinion. And well, it is my photo and my boys, so I guess my opinion has some weight in this scenario. :)


And here it is after some manipulation in Photoshop. I think it has some pizazz now. I love the sun-drenched, it's stinkin' hot outside, lazy summer days, essence that it has now.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

by my side.

Sitting in a huddled mess. Body shaking tears pouring down. Feeling empty. Feeling hopeless. Tired and alone.

It is time. Surrender.



I think we all know someone that is hurting. They are fighting to make it through eachday. Thinking that they will fix the problem. Wondering if they are the problem...

This is for you, you know who you are.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

And actually I am thankful because it could be so much worse...

So, I am sitting here on the couch, where I have been all day long.
I have a toothache. I am getting my wisdom tooth extracted on Thursday. The pain is ummm.... intense.

So, I went to the dentist. They were able to get me in yesterday. I am so grateful. I do not have any insurance. The ladies at the reception desk weren't as friendly as they could have been. I paid in full. No problems. Why do grown women act so catty?

The dentist came into the room. I was trying not to cry and failing. It hurt. Bad. He took one look and scheduled me to get it out on Thursday. Then gave me a prescription for antibiotics and pain medication. The roof of my mouth on the left side is puffed out with infection. Disgusting. I can taste it. bleck.

I go home. I had been taking Extra Strength Tylenol and Ibuprofen like candy. I take some medicine and try to get some rest. The throbbing is piercing all the way up into my temple and causing my eyes to swell. Fun.

This morning...
Wake up. After a few hours of sleep. I help Justin get the boys dressed. Liam has a doctors appointment and Oliver needs a flu shot. My amazing husband is going to brave it alone with both boys in Lafayette. God Speed.

I flop around on the couch, unable to eat. Feeling sick. Justin calls. I have to hang up quickly so that I can go barf into the tiny bathroom trash can that already had a dirty diaper in it. That was awesome. Who doesn't love have puke splash back into your face, while you smell dirty diapers?!

I am alive. I am sweating like a beast. But at least I have the puking out of the way. I wait for more info from Justin.

Oliver cried for 20 seconds until he got a sucker after his shot. That is good. The boys are being good. I can relax.

Justin calls again. Liam only gained 2 ounces in 6 weeks. He has gained about 9 ounces in 4 months. Dr. Miller is concerned and wants blood work done to see why Liam was growing in the 90 percentile until he went in for his 15 month appointment. Now he is in the 50 percentile and not gaining. She wants a urine sample. This is all kind of scary. But I am trying to just keep my cool.

Anyway, Justin is in the doctor's office for an hour with both boys. Then he waits for an hour at the lab with both boys. 2 boys= total chaos. They were being really good though. Thank goodness. Then they finally call Liam's name. Then Oliver accidentally knocked Liam down and busted his nose and lip open. The lab lady decides that Liam needs to be seen by a nurse. Back to the doctor's office for another 20-30 minutes. Then back to the lab to wait in line, again.

All of this right around lunch time.

Things that will make Justin angry...
1. Sleepy
2. Hungry
3. Sore Feet
4. Headache
5. Hot

Did you see number 2? Yep.

So, they finally finish at the lab and Justin takes the boys through the drive-thru on the way home (90 minute drive.)

He comes home to me sprawled out on the couch. Useless.

Then he has to make dinner.
Give the kids a bath.
Clean up my puke in the trashcan.
Do the dishes.

All of this to say,

I need my husband more than I ever realized.
I love my husband more than he ever realized.
He is amazing. He is loyal. He is dependable. He is nurturing. He is a long list of marvelous adjectives...

But most of all.
He is mine.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

And so, this is love.






King Liam Edward
Momma's lil Milkweed
Mr. Moo
Miam

(He was annoyed because the sun was in his eyes while I was changing his dirty butt. I don't know if I told you all that I was recently crowned The World's Best Mom... yeah. So, he is making some funny faces and I leave him (in the sun) and run and get my camera. Then, when I get back, he has moved... So I did what any award winning mother would do. I put him back in the sun and annoyed the tarnation out of him in the name of art and memory making!)

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Opinions are like... bellybuttons.

Everybody has one. (Unless you have had some kind of tummy tuck or something.)


Justin has his DACC (Danville Area Comm. College) office Christmas Party on Friday night. It is at the "Knights of Colombus" in Danville. We will be eating dinner, having a raffle and there will be a DJ for dancing. I asked Justin what women wear to these things, and I got a very typical vague "Justin" answer. So, I asked him to ask his boss... (I would have loved to witness that awkward conversation...) He comes back and tells me that the women usually wear slacks and a Christmas sweater. Well, I am not wasting my tacky Christmas sweater 2008 on the DACC Christmas Party! And so, this is my outfit...

My questions,

Which shoes?
Pearls or no pearls?


Possibly relevant information:
*The boots are comfy.
*The boots are hot.
*The flats hurt my left big toe.
*The flats might be easier to dance in.

Basically, which ones look the best?
Pain is tolerable.
Heat is tolerable.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

What did she just say?!



I LOVE SUFJAN STEVENS!!!
This song makes me dance with my buttcheeks in my recliner when I am supposed to be editing photographs!

(Man I need to put up my Christmas Tree!)

Please take 3 minutes and 49 seconds...

And give Him your attention.



This is by far my all-time favorite version of this song.
Gives me chills and makes me teary...