Helping hand

True Story:

After dropping the girls off at school this morning, Andy and I were off to run some errands. I have a lot of "to do" things this week in preparation for birthdays and such. So, one of our last stops was the grocery store.

I try to limit my grocery excursions to once every two weeks, so you can imagine how my buggy looks on shopping days. For a family of five the buggy can fill up real fast.

Well, today was no different. I had that buggy maxed out! I don't think I could have fit one more item. I guess I could have tried balancing something on Andy's nose, but I doubt he would have liked that. One of the last things I had to pick up (with an already full buggy) was a new crock pot of all things. What was I thinkin'?

Anyway, the check out went good.....slow, but good! A lot of times I have to watch the check out people so they don't try to just bag 3 items per bag. I end up leaving with 30 bags in what could have been 10. Ok, sorry for the rabbit trail.....back to the story.

So, I've paid and I'm all loaded up. I have managed to somehow balance the crock pot box on the front handle of the buggy. Andy is no longer visible, but I know he's strapped in tight.....and were off to the parking lot.

About half way to my car items start slowing falling to the ground. I of course have to stop, put the crock pot box down, while delaying traffic to pick up my string cheese and lunch meat. So, as I'm hunched over gathering my groceries I hear a man's voice next to me.

"Can I give you a hand?" the stranger's voice says.

"Oh, that would be great. Thank you." I say.

As I stand back up and look his way to make eye contact to thank him further I notice something. And this is the great part.

The helpful stranger is actually smiling at me while handing me my string cheese with his hand. His only hand. The man literally only had "a hand" to give.

I'm sorry, but it took everything in me to not crack up laughing. It's moments like these that I'm glad my mother was not with me. She would have lost it for sure.

Note: My story, in no way should be taken as a chance to laugh or make fun of people with missing extremities. It was just the situation that presented itself.....I couldn't help myself.

My other half is back!

Good news! I got my camera back on thursday. It was being fixed and I was worried it wouldn't get back in time for next week's big events. Also, being that I love taking pictures, it is nice having "my other half" back.

Today was a beautiful day and we started it off by going to my oldest daughter's soccer game at 9am. After, we made a quick trip by Home Depot to pick up some household fixer-upper items. I wanted some plants for my hanging baskets that I just bought.

I spent the rest of the day planting pots. It was very enjoyable....I'm not much of a green thumb, so pray for my plants. I do love seeing all the color, so I hope I can manage to keep them alive for at least a little while.

Oh, more big news! My little man slept in a big boy bed for the first time this afternoon. I took his crib out of his room for good. He's growing up too fast! Where did the time go? I'm posting some pics of him in his new bed. He thought it was so great!

Seriously!.....as if we haven't had enough.

SNOW! AGAIN!

I'm so sick of the stinkin' snow. It's as if we are being taunted up here. We have hardly any snow for what they call the "snowiest" month of the year and then, when we think we have escaped it, and we are enjoying the great warm weather,......we get dumped on again!

I guess I knew it was possible, but I was mainly expecting more rain than snow this time. It rained all night last night (which I love sleeping too), but this morning we started getting the slushy mixture of the snow mixed in with the rain. Poor Peyton had to stand under her umbrella this morning while waiting for the bus. She didn't complain, she really kind of enjoyed it. Luckily, my wonderful neighbor let her ride with her kids to school. She is so much more on top of things in the morning than I am. I hate trying to function in the morning!

Jimmy actually came home before noon this morning because of the weather. I was glad because his car doesn't really perform well in this type weather. As the day progressed it of course just got worse. Right now, at almost 8pm we have accumulated somewhere around 6-7 inches of slushy snow.

I ordered some Belle themed plates and stuff for Emmy's birthday today. Hopefully, they will get here by her b'day next week. (Fingers crossed)

Also, did ya'll know that Oriental Trading had children's apparel. Who knew? I certainly didn't.....at least not until yesterday. They were having a sale on some cute t-shirt dresses, pajamas and hoodies. I grabbed a few for the girls. A lot of it will be perfect for the summer weather. If you've ever been to Colorado in the summer you know that a great hoodie is essential.

Aren't they cute! I was actually really surprised! I got the girls each a hoodie, the blue one above and then a pink one with a hula girl on it. Plus, the orange striped t-shirt dress and some pajamas like the the ones on the right. So, I got 5 things for I think $30 bucks! Not bad, huh?

Ok, I need to go get my kids in bed. Pray we don't lose our electricity and that Peyton can go on her cool field trip tomorrow.

Heroes

I'm so excited! Tonight's the night! We've been waiting, not so patiently, for 6 weeks or more for the return of the greatest show on television.......HEROES!!!

I say all this to let you know.....DO NOT, by any means think it is ok to call me between the hours of 8pm-9pm (MTN time) tonight! I will not answer or give you the time of day.

Also, for those interested in becoming a fan of this awesome show, here's a word of advice:

DON'T WATCH TONIGHT! YOU NEED TO WAIT AND BUY THE FIRST SEASON ON DVD.....GET CAUGHT UP, AND THEN MAYBE WE CAN TALK AND I WILL TAKE YOUR OPINIONS ON THE SHOW SERIOUSLY.

Missing my friends

So, I'm missing my friends.

Don't get me wrong, I love living in CO, but since I'm 1,000 miles away from some of my dearest, and most special people.....it is hard to stay in touch.

After reading some of the "Sisterchicks" books (along the side of my blog) it just makes me miss some of you even more! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!! The books are all about best friends, who have know each other for years. They were best friends is college, they saw each other get married, they raised their children together, they even moved away from each other, and through it all; they are as close as ever! The actual definition of a sisterchick is this:

SISTERCHICK (n.): A friend who shares he deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and provides a reality check when you're being a brat.

The more I read about these "sisterchicks" the more I became aware of who my own "sisterchicks" were. It is funny how your closest friends are in some ways complete opposite of you. I think this just makes the bond even tighter. I started to realize how two people, who may be so different, can bring out the best in each other.

I love how sisterchicks don't have to see each other everyday to have that special bond. I love that their is not an ounce of guilt within their relationship.....they don't make each other feel bad for not calling. The fact that when one of them picks up the phone to call, they just find themselves picking up right where they left off! What a beautiful thing that is!

I want all my sisterchicks to know that I miss you and that you all have a special place in my heart! Go read the books for yourself, they're great!!!!

Ahhhh, to be His Bride!

I would like to just take a moment to say how blessed I feel today! I realize, on this Sabbath day that I do belong to Christ. He is my bridegroom and I am His bride! How remarkable and special is our relationship with our Savior!

Most of you know, I am on leadership at my church. We have been discussing some new changes that will soon be put into place within the church. I, along with many others on leadership are ready to start these new changes, yesterday! Now after reading "Fivefold Ministry Made Practical", and realizing exactly what it means to be a part of a Fivefold Ministry; I can honestly say, as the Apostle that I am...........I am not scared of change!

I want more than ever to see others excited and amazed at God's glory! He is such an AWESOME God! To see others using their giftings, that God alone imparted to them; and using those giftings to spread His Word and advance His Kingdom!!!! What else, but Him alone, do we need! He is all we need! He can provide our comfort....He can provide our strength.....He can provide our love......He can provide our peace! He can do it all, folks! Lean on Him!!!!

Today, during worship I was so blown away at God and all that He is for me! I felt so loved and so blessed! I was also so excited to see others feeling that same way! So many of us, just lost in Him. Lost in His glory, lifting up our praises to Him, as a body. It was beautiful! As the tears flowed down my cheeks, and as I sang praises to my Father I was swept away in His wonderful presence! Oh, how I love my Savior!!!

New idea for this blog

Ok, so I'm getting pretty bad at keeping up with this blog because I feel I have to really have something unique and original to write about each time. Well, no more! I've decided to use this blog as more of a random thoughts and journaling blog. I'm sorry if I bore you with my everyday (maybe every other day) thoughts, but hey, if you don't like it you don't have to read it.

So, here we go.....my first random entry.

Today it started snowing again. If you didn't know, our Easter morning was awful up here because of the snow. Jimmy, my husband actually ran off the road a few times on the way to church. Luckily, all he lost was a hubcap. Anyway, I'm sick of the snow.

I've been really into reading more and more since I started attending a bookclub with some ladies from my church. It is so much fun! It is not that I didn't like reading before, I just didn't make the time to do it. Plus, I never knew what to read. I like having knowledgable people recommend books for me. So far, I've only been disappointed once.....really, I may have been pleasantly surprised if I would have taken the time to finish the book, but oh well.

My latest favorites are posted on the side of my blog. I would highly recommend all of them. I've noticed once I find an author I like, I stay with him/her until I've read them all.

I just signed my kids up on a website called Handipoints.com. It is a free, online chore/task site just for kids and their parents. It is pretty cool, because it is really easy for the kids to use and can be personalized to their age and tasks. Today is the first day we are using it. The site will give you ideas for rewards, or you can come up with your own of course. Go check it out!

Update on Jimmy's party
I mailed the cool invites yesterday. He still hasn't seen them, but I figure I'll show him once it gets closer to the date. Also, I sent out some postcards to 30 friends and family (mostly from out-of-town) assigning them one of the 30 days before his birthday, to do something special for him. The first day was April 5th, belonging to his Mom and, lets just say.....she came through. So far, he has been blessed everyday by some random person. I've been so impressed by everyone's creativeness in surprising him on their day! Thank you to all who have helped make his 30th a great one!

There is one Big......HUGE......GIGANTIC surprise coming!!! Sorry, I can't tell you yet, but it is going to be great! Jimmy is oblivious!