Ready for Christmas

This weekend we got out all of our Christmas decorations to put up. I was anxious to see what Punky thought of the whole sha-bang. She is in Heaven!!!

One of the first things I pulled out was her little Veggie Tales manger. She was pushing the button to have it sing O Little Town of Bethlehem. She then asked "Mama, can I have the pieces to go with it?" I asked her how in the world she remembered that the manger had pieces and she said "From when I put it away last time!" I was shocked that she remembered it. So smart.

Then she pulled out my fake candy canes for the big tree. I told her she could put them on, thinking I would help her with it later. When I looked a few minutes later, this is what I found.

Too cute for words...I am tempted to leave it this way just to show how well she did (and that only the bottom half is decorated). I love it.

How You Live

I heard this song on the radio today, and loved it. It is from Point of Grace, one of my most favorite female groups. I posted the words below, or you can go to the link to hear the song and see the video (click on title above). Enjoy!

How You Live (turn Up The Music) - Point Of Grace
Verse 1: Wake up to the sunlight
With your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
Have what you want
But want what you have
And don't spend your life lookin' back

Chorus: Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
Cuz it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

Verse 2: So go to the ballgames
And go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth
'Cause you can't get away
Just face it and you'll be okay

Bridge: Oh wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin

Verse 3: So give to the needy
And pray for the grieving
E'en when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
Make peace with God and make peace with yourself

Chorus Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

My Favorite Verse

I have decided I am going to list to the left of the screen, my favorite Bible verse. Now, I have never kept just one verse as my ultimate favorite verse...it is constantly changing. So, I thought I would post each verse as I find them.


Right now it is Psalm 34:4, "I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears."

I sort of stumbled upon this verse one day, and it was right when I needed it. The fact that we, small little mankind, have the honor and privilege to seek out the Lord is amazing. What is even more wonderful is the fact that He hears us - each time we call to Him. And to make things beyond comprehension, He answers us and delivers us.

King David wrote this Psalm, and I sometimes wonder, "Why was David so great?" He messed up "royally" on many different occasions. So why did God have such a special place in his heart for a man that continually made mistakes and disappointed God? While it is easy to judge David, I have come to realize that I am no better than David. I have done many things I am not proud of, but I know God still loves me, wants me to spend time with Him, and love Him in return.

So, to sum it up, my heart is comforted by this verse and all that it means, and I am overjoyed and thankful that I found it.

Candy

Punky just loves the idea that she has Halloween candy waiting for her at any given moment. We really try to limit her to just a piece or two per day (if she is good and eats her meals).

The other day, I told her she could pick one piece because she had been very good in the morning and ate a really good lunch. She picked something, and I left the room to go and do something. She came in to the other room where I was at and asked if she could have the Sweet Tarts that were in her hand. I gave in and let her have them and she left the room.

She came in a short time later and said, "Mama, my tummy hurts." I said she had probably had too much candy and decided to put her down for her nap. After putting her down, I went into the living room and discovered the mess...

Punky had gotten a folding chair from the kitchen, put it up to the counter, and gotten her bucket of candy and put the candy in her purse. She then went into the living room where I found two Reese's Peanut Butter Cup wrappers and a Hershey Kiss wrapper. Little stinker. I wasn't out of the room very long, and can't figure out how she had time to do it. No wonder she had a tummy ache!!! She is getting so smart...and very sneaky too. Wow.

I am thankful for her and that she keeps me on my toes. What did I ever do without her!

First Haircut

Today Punky and I went to the cosmetology school, where I always go to get my hair cut (only $5, and you know how cheap I am). They have teachers there that check the students as they cut. Punky loves to go and is always sooooo good while we are there. We get so many compliments on how well she behaves and everyone just can't believe how good she is.

So this morning, after my haircut as we were leaving, I asked Punky if she wanted Mommy to cut her hair when we get home. See, Punky's hair is something else. It is so fine and thin and the back, long part tries to curl but doesn't quite make it, so she essentially looks like she has crazy hair. N-E-Wayz...

I asked her if she wanted me to cut her hair and she said, "No, mama, I want the teacher to do it!" I was just astonished that she picked up on the fact that a "teacher" cuts the hair. So, I raced home and got my camera, so as not to miss this important moment...her first professional haircut. I have trimmed her hair before, but she has never had someone professional do it before. She promised she would be good and hold still, so we did it! She was very good and her hair does look much better than it did.

I am thankful today for $5 cuts! We both got new doos for only $10!!!

Little Things...

Here are some little things that make me happy...

• Sleeping on newly changed sheets
• New socks
• Watching it snow
• Finding money in a pocket
• Punky's laugh
• Punky's voice
• A good book
• TIME to read a good book
• Shopping with someone who loves it as much as I do...even if we don't buy a thing
• Going to a garage sale...and finding something you've been looking for...cheap
• Looking at old pictures you forgot you had taken
• Watching Hubby play with Punky
• Spending time with family
• Deep conversations with a friend
• Snow days (when was the last time I had that?)
• Knowing someone is praying for me
• Beating "the guys" at Flinch (It will happen someday, Le)
• Date nights with Hubby
• My Dad getting an "A" on his paper (which I typed)

Let me know some of the little things you love!

Psalm 23

This little girl is so cute...you can't help but smile when you watch her...

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9e7c4b40cf5a13cea6ca

My answers...

So, here are my answers to the six questions I asked...

1. I would grab our video camera bag. In it is not only our cameras, but also all of the videos we have taken with it since Haven has been born. They are priceless and irreplaceable. Photo albums and such would be nice, but other people have pictures...we would never again get the videos back...which reminds me, we really should copy those and store them somewhere else...

2. I think I would like to be Punky. I would love to know what she thinks about me and hubby, other people, and see what she truly enjoys. I think I would have a completely different outlook on her (plus, how much fun would it be to be a 2 year old again!)

3. If I had to be someone famous, I would be Oprah...she can meet ANYONE she wants to, she is incredibly wealthy which means I could help a LOT of people, and she has a huge staff to do whatever she wants!

4. If I had to change my name, I think I would change it to Megan/Meg. I really think it is the funnest name.

5. I wish beyone wishing that I could sing well. I would love to be able to sing in church or even record an album. Unfortunately, God did not choose to grant this gift to me! No hard feelings!

6. I know God answers all of my prayers, but if I had one wish, it would be that everyone I love trusted in Christ. It would truly make my heart happier than anything else, because it IS the most important thing in the world!

So, there you have it. I am never afraid of a tough question, so if you have one you would like for me to post, feel free!!!

Catch up...

Just a little catch up from the last time I posted...

I went on Saturday with my mom, dad, and aunt up to Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall for our annual shopping trip. It was too much fun. We always seem to get good bargains and have a lot of fun doing it. I was bummed that Uncle T could not make it, as he was just recently diagnosed with some heart issues, and thought it would be best to sit this one out. We hope he joins us next year for sure...

I found a recipe for Panera Bread broccoli cheddar soup and attempted to make that on Sunday. It was okay, but didn't quite taste like the real thing. It needs a few "tweaks" before it is just right. Maybe next time...

It seems like people all around are getting sick...not just the common cold, but serious things. Infections, illnesses, injuries, hospitalizations seem to be happening left and right. I am so thankful for our health, but I am kind of wondering...is this something new, or am I just getting older and these things are just more prevelant in the adult world? I pray my family stays healthy.

Six Tough Questions...

Here are a few tough questions I am interested in knowing about you...PLEASE leave a comment or email me with your answers. I will post my answers in a few days.

If your house was on fire and you could only grab one item (not a person or animal), what would you grab?

If you could be someone else that you know for one day, who would you be?

If you could be someone else that you don’t know (ie, someone famous), who would you be?

If you were forced at gunpoint to change your first name forever, what would you change it to?

What is something you wish you knew how to do, but can’t do it to save your life?

If you could ask God for one thing that you knew He would grant you immediately, what would you ask Him for?

Tootsie Pop

So, it came time for Punky to pick out one of her daily rations of candy, and she picked a Tootsie Pop (she loves suckers). She had been licking away for quite some time (not sure how many licks) and all of a sudden she made a sad face. She brought it to me and said, "Eeeww, gross! Get this off!" She pointed to a brown speck on the sucker.

I laughed and explained that there was candy inside and to keep trying to get to it. She made a face and said, "I don't want it anymore" and was done with it. I guess she was not quite ready for the world of 2-in-1 candy.

I was just talking with a co-worker today about how awesome these little things are when they happen and that we should be writing all of them down. Well, I am thankful I have this blog because that is about all I am writing down at this point!