Mental Notes for Christmas Decorating

don't put batteries in all of the animated christmas toys...too much noise

don't reveal to 2-year-old that candy canes are candy until it's time to take the tree down

don't reveal to 2-year-old that the foot pedal on the cord coming from the tree turns the lights on and off

stuffed Mr. Hankey Poo figure is a valid potty training tool *

*Yes, I know South Park is evil, I haven't watched it in years. My son is excited about Xmas now that we have the decorations out. If poo with a xmas hat is going to make him excited about learning to use to potty, so be it.

Actually, it is pretty easy...

So I've decided to go green...not that I wasn't greenish before... I guess technically, I'm going greener.


Anyway, a friend introduced to me a great line of environmentally friendly products, which are safer for the earth and my family. So, I'm getting rid of all of these cleaners seen below. I have inherited or been given an ungodly amount of cleaning products so there is plenty to go around. Some of the bottles have never been used. This deep cabinet is full, all the way back!






I'm also getting rid of these baby products, same reason as above.





If you're a local reader and are interested in getting any of this FREE stuff, email me (yourpalheather@yahoo.com) or call me.

BTW, so far I've been thrilled with the new products I've been using. If you want to hear more about them you can contact me about that too. I'm not selling them but I have a friend who is.

Party on!

Today is the anniversary of my dad's death...and I'm fine, better than fine...actually full of joy! Why are you such a flower of joy, one might ask. Well, because God is sovereign, that's why. God didn't just know the day of my dad's death, he orchestrated it. And there is one thing I know for sure... He is good. My dad's death glorifies God, just like everything else in the world. So I am rejoicing today, in that the Lord used my dad's death for His glory.
Take note, this is not me saying what one is suppose to say. This is genuinely how I feel. Today I celebrate!

To Do

1. Focus on God by
a. Reading the Bible more and praying more
b. Stop obsessively checking email and facebook
c. Avoid websites that were created for gossip and making fun of people
d. Watch less TV

2. Be a better wife by
a. See 1a-d
b. Reduce sarcasm, no matter how hilarious I actually am
c. Don't be clingy when Mr. Crookedtoes needs alone-time or guy-time

3. Be a better Momma by
a. See 1a-d
b. Limit TV time for my son
c. Read more (bible and fiction)
d. Increase educational and crafty activities
e. Say "no" in the toy aisle

4. Be healthier
a. move more
b. eat less (God help me)

5. Blog more (This whole Dear Diary thing is good for me)

6. Print To Do list and post on fridge

Groove is in the Heart

I went to my cardiologist today to find out the results of my echocardiogram. My pulse was at 122 when I got there and I told the nurse I was anxious. When the Doc came in, he asked what was going on. I told him I was scared, he was compassionate and then I cried like a crazy person. Long story short, my heart is healthy and normal. There is no need for me to take meds unless my pulse stays high all the time when I get pregnant. Good news.
This ordeal has been emotionally draining but I have had some significant spiritual growth during this time.

Comic Relief

There is a certain level of sophistication that one has to have to be able to pull off a...

chocolate goatee

and a bubble beard.

I like it up here.

I had my echo cardiogram today. The technician said that he didn't see any aliens or problems but, "the doctor would be able to read the results better." I'm taking that to mean that everything looks normal, but he had to put in the disclaimer to cover his butt. On the way there I prayed to be *"seated in the heavenlies", which I am, and to be filled with His peace. I was very relaxed and making jokes with the ultrasound technician. We even had a short exchange about how amazing the heart is and that there is definitely a God.

Outcome: Yay God! It was a good day.

I have a follow up with the doc on Wednesday.

BTW, I think that it is amazing that everyone was given fingers with perfect proportions to their nostrils and ear holes. Think about it, everyone's fingers will fit into their own nostrils and ears. Other people's nostrils and ears may be too big or too small for your fingers, but your own are just right. Yep, intelligent design.

*Eph 2:6

Just between you and me...

Dear Internet,

This week I go for an ultrasound on my heart to be sure there is no damage. I'm a little scared. It is uncommon for IST to cause heart damage but possible, the ultrasound is really just a precautionary thing, but still a little scary. The less I think about it, the better I feel. It's not like there is anything I could do about it if there was damage, plus "who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life" (matt 6:27)

I've had a good week, but today I'm feeling a little melancholy.

Sugar High

Making Daddy's famous candy bar cake with my kid.

There really is no better way to celebrate my dad's birthday.

A Broken Heart

There is a lot of unpleasantness surrounding today.

Today is my dad's birthday, he passed away almost 2 years ago, I still miss him terribly. He was a wonderful father and great friend.

My son is sick. This is the second night in a row that he was up most of the night.

Yesterday I found out that I have Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia, which means that I have an abnormally high heart rate with no explanation. The good news is that it won't kill me or shorten my life span and it is unlikely that I have heart damage. The bad news is that it makes me anxious and there is a small possibility of heart damage...which makes me anxious.

All things considered I'm in a pretty good mood.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7

BTW, while I was typing this my son stood up at the end of his VeggieTales dvd, started clapping and said, "Yay, good moobie."

OK, I am going to go figure out how to celebrate my dad today.

but first.... a good morning peek-a-boo

An apple a day does not keep the doctor away.

I miss my dad. I think I always will, until I see him again in heaven. Grieving is such a difficult thing. Someone told me once that they believed losing someone was so difficult because we were not created to experience death. And if you think back to Genesis, that is absolutely true. Death was a part of the curse.

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

Genesis 2:16-17

At least heaven is going to rock!

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ²I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Revelation 21:1-4

whoohoo!

Move over Martha!

Today I finished making a set of sheets for my son's bed. I also went to the grocery store and saved $29.82 with coupons. I'm so domestic. If only I enjoyed cleaning.

It goes great with toe jam!

Last week we went to the Zoo and went on an Elephant Excursion. We got to go into the elephant enclosure and do lots of fun stuff.

• We got to pet the elephants' trunks.
• The elephants greeted us by smelling our feet. There was one lady that was wearing sandals that they especially liked. I'm convinced she used peanut butter as a moisturizer.
• The elephants threw footballs and kicked soccer balls to us.
• One of the elephants picked up a penny with its trunk and gave it to my husband and son. If you look closely you can see that the penny is pinched, not suctioned in the trunk.
• They also did some tricks.

Fun was had by all!

Photos courtesy of momma.

Deep Thoughts by Crookedtoes

This is day 3 on facebook and I'm proud to say that I'm not being petty, envious, or nosey. Score one for me!

I don't have any interesting or quirky stories so today's post will be the thoughts that were in the forefront of my mind today.

1. Mom's bday. Happy Birthday to Momma.

2. Giraffe's aren't very fuzzy. Instead of fur it's more like horse hide. (Saw one up close at the zoo today)

3. Why are non-Christians so hostile when posting about Christianity on the internet?

4. Patrick Swayze died today. TIME OUT (opens iTunes window to listen to NKOTB, Dirty Dancing, it has a Swayze/Baby reference, bobs head)

5. Money sucks. The love of money IS the root of all evil.

6. What's the deal with prayer? (This is one I've been contemplating a lot and I am interested in others' opinions. I'll save the details for another post it would take too long for this one.)

7. I wish the stink in the kitchen could magically disappear.

Help... I can't get up.

So I think today's topic is Christ. I know, pretty heavy for second day back, huh? Nonetheless, here I am being transparent. I am a Christian. By the world's standard I guess I am a "good Christian." I tithe, go to church, go to other church group thingies during the week, and am a good person (far from perfect but good.)
By biblical standards I suck. Well Paul talked about not doing what he wants to do and hating what he does. So I guess I'm in good company. I pray daily but my soul's desire is to be in constant conversation with God. I lose my patience too quickly. Self-discipline...what a joke, where do I begin? I spend too much money on things and not enough on feeding hungry people or providing for orphans and widows. Blahbedeeblah, I could go on all day about where I'm lacking, but truthfully, what I want..what I need... is simply more time sitting at His feet, looking into His face.
I think we (Christians) will never be "where we want to be" in our relationship with God until we are in heaven. We live in a fallen world and we live in fallen bodies. That won't keep me from pursuing Him though.

Rose colored glasses are transparent, right?

Ok, so a couple of posts ago I talked about my arch nemesis, facebook. I have stayed away from facebook for a long time. I'm pretty proud of it because you can reactivate your account at anytime. I know this because I did that a couple of times to get an email address and then closed my account again. Anywho, I'm going to reactivate and practice restraint. I am also going to be transparent.
I think facebook is stressful because I write about the good stuff... because I want to look as good as all the other people... who post only the good stuff.
Also, I'm going to start blogging again. Most of the time when I'm not blogging it's because I feel like no one would be interested in my day-to-day going-ons. So if your going to follow my blog be prepared to be bored sometimes....

....and be forced to look at gratuitous pics of my lovey.

Five Magical Years

Five years ago today I stood in the sanctuary of my church cursing like a sailor because I kept stepping on my wedding dress as I practiced walking down the aisle. Ahhhhh, what a beautiful day.
Anyway, Yay for me and my husband!


How could you not be madly in love with that?

Dear Tree,

The reason I quit facebook is because of the whole high school friends thing. I had several high school friends and slowly started having high school thoughts.
"Oh my gosh! She is divorced."
"What a joke, THEY married each other."
"I can't believe she posted that picture, what a slut?"
Am I sick or what? Anyway there were a few really good friends from high school that I miss seeing how they are doing but I had to quit for integrity sake. Facebook is evil. If you will see my previous post you will note that I believe 98% of the internet is evil, entertaining, but evil.
Why did you do it AL?! WHY!!!!!?!!!!!!
Respectfully,
Crookedtoes

Why did you invent the internet Al Gore, Why!?!

The internet is black hole. A vacuum that sucks away time, energy, and all things holy.

For the record...

...the first time your kid poops in the tub it's pretty funny. The second time, not so much.

Seye-Bo-Willy-Bong

I thought my mammaw was going to die today. She went by ambulance to the emergency room this morning. Her symptoms were practically identical to those of my dad the morning he had his heart attack and passed away. Long story short, Mammaw is fine, stomach virus or something.
This mornings drama led me to think of my dad a lot today. There were lots of deep breaths and heavy sighs as I thought of him. No tears, mostly warm fuzzies followed by empty aches.

"Yes, Lord."

I was reading scripture today....OK, some of you are rolling your eyes and about to surf away.... this is important to me so don't surf if you're interested in learning more about the core of who I am.

So, I was reading scripture today, John 21, where Peter is reinstated. If you will remember, earlier Peter denied knowing Christ 3 times, just as Christ prophesied. Well in John 21, Christ appears to his disciples and asks Peter, "Do you love me?" Peter replies, "Yes." Christ asks him 3 times and Peter responds 3 times. I love that Peter had the opportunity to look at Christ and tell Him that he loved Him the same number of times that he had denied him. And I love that Christ sought out Peter to give him this opportunity. God is so good to follow us around and ask, "Do you love me?" Who in this world can say that they know Christ solely on their own acts or merits? None of us. Who in this world is holy and blameless by anything they have done? None of us.

God is so good because every time I start to walk away from Him, He finds me and asks, "Do you love me?"

Blogworthy

Ok so I've been MIA through the holidays. My sister and brother-in-law stayed with us and it was fabulous. We also have a contract for lease/purchase on our home. This is not as good as selling it but it puts money in our pocket and we will close within a year hopefully, two at the most.
While this all should be blogworthy, it didn't get me running to the computer like this next nugget. My son pooped in the tub. Nothing says motherhood like fishing poo out of the tub. I drained the water, refilled the tub and ....... he pooped again. So this pic is one elmo tub mat, one dinosaur toy, and three tubs of water later.