Yard Work - Alabama Style!

You may know that my sweet husband is not actually a Southerner.  Gasp!

Everyone knows that Florida isn't really part of the South...duh!  BUT I will give him lots of credit.  That beach-loving Florida boy is now a truck-driving, tree-climbing, deer-shooting Southern-wanna-be :)  

Well...over the summer we have been presented with a few yard related challenges including a broken mower and falling limbs from our giant oak tree.

First, our riding lawn mower refused to start.   After hours of analyzing the problem, attempting to solve the problem, and finally going all Fred Flintstone on that mower, we decided to give the lawn mower to my dad who has been fixing mowers for 25+ years.  But how do you get a broken riding lawn mower from Opelika, Alabama to Columbus, Georgia?  The answer is...very creatively :)  Here is Adam's journey:

Task = Think of creative way to get mower in the truck
Answer = Get the mower on level ground with the truck bed

Task = Figure out what "ground" is level with the truck bed
Answer = The front porch!

Task = Get mower on porch
Answer = Well, you should see this!

First, you attach come-a-long to the mower

Then, attach the come-a-long to the front door.  Sigh...he attached it to the inside of the door to "decrease the chance" that it would rip our door handle off!

Next, crank come-a-long to pull up the mower.


























Note, you may also have to do some heavy lifting to get it over taller stairs!

Next step, celebrate your victory!  but not for very long because you still have to DRAG it across the porch leaving tire tracks that your wife will have to scrub up.

Finally, put mower in truck and vow to stick with smaller mowers in the future!

Our second challenge has been falling limbs from our 100+ year old oak tree.  When I say limbs, I am not talking about small branches that you may put in a campfire.  No, I am talking about limbs longer than the length of our house!!!!!  Granted we don't live in the White House, but these limbs were pretty substantial.

The first limb almost took out Adam's truck because he was parked in the front yard.  Missed it by 2 feet.

The 2nd limb wiped out our lamp post!!!!!!

And the 3rd limb...yes, 3 limbs down over the course of the month...remained dangling!!!  Sigh...the extension agent thinks the tree was struck by lightening.

Well, how does an Alabamian get a limb down?  Strap that baby to your truck, of course!

Here goes the truck vs. the tree!  Guess who wins?  I'll give you a hint: it isnt the one with 4 wheel drive.  Ha.

Enjoy!

Adjustments to Life when You are 8 1/2 Months Pregnant

Lots of people have asked if I still love being pregnant.  The answer is a definitive YES! 

In a lot of ways pregnant women have it made...esp. when you have SUCH a great husband and wonderful friends like mine.

• No one judges the food you eat (unless you try to sneak in a soda, then they pounce you!)
• You get to wear pants with elastic waistbands...again without judgment
• You have an excuse for just about anything...being tired, wanting to sit down, having gas  :)

BUT if you were to ask if I am ready to have this baby, the answer would also be a definitive YESSSS! 

I have realized in the past few weeks that I have had to make several adjustments to everyday life.  Some big changes, some small changes....but all the changes have to do with the squirmy little lady and extra 23lbs. that gather around my mid-section. 

I made a quick list that I call: "You may be 8 1/2 months pregnant if..."

• You measure the exhaustion of your day by the size of your ankles.  Need I say more!
• You have to make a plan to bend over.  These days bending over to get something off the ground is often associated with sighs and groans.  After watching this show of painful bending for a few weeks, Adam (being the helpful husband he is) offered me a suggestion.  Instead of offering to pick up various items for me, he said, "Why dont you spread your legs wide before you bend over, so that your belly doesn't hit your legs when you bend?!"   HA!  Thanks sweetheart.  Don't tell him, but it was actually a great idea!
• You are proud of your "talon toes." Similar to the story above and my recent challenges with bending, I have come to realize that I have "talon toes."  Why bend when you can pick things up with your toes?  This may have been embarassing a few months ago, but these days I am really impressed with my faux ambidexterity.
• You have a debate with yourself if a certain food is worth the heartburn.  Oh, I LOVE hot sauce, pizza, tacos, oranges, hot wings....well, lets be honest I JUST LOVE FOOD!   These foods and most others taste so good, but spicy/acidic foods + a wiggle worm sitting on your stomach = heartburn.  Sigh.  So, these days I have to continually ask myself, "Is this worth heartburn?"  Most of the time the answer is YES :)  As a side note, this would be a great time to invest in Pepcid A/C.  I am keeping them in business!
• You check your purse for your keys, wallet, phone, and SNACKS before you leave the house.  I don't leave the house unless I have enough snacks to feed a small army.  Sudden "snack attacks" can hit you at anytime.  Don't forget the girl scout motto: be prepared! 
• You had to switch to "adult" cereal because eating Lucky Charms and Coco Pebbles in the morning made you shaky.  I did just realize that almost all of my life adjustments have to do with food.  Ba ha ha.  It is what it is, and for me mornings now consist of cheerios and strawberries.  Boring!

I guess life is about being adaptable.  Here's to adaptability (and creative solutions) through these next 6 weeks.   

Come on Adalyn!  Mom and dad are about ready for you :)  Then, we will face a string of new challenges and creative solutions I'm sure!

Recent Updates - Top 10 and NOT So Top 10

We had a glorious great holiday weekend!  Yes, it was spent mostly close to home.  What can I say?!  I am a home-body by nature, so cleaning the house, loving on the family, and catching up on my tv shows is often the definition of a good time.  (Don’t judge me.) 

Well, Adam got his fair share of tv time in too.  So, during about the 100^th episode of Sports Center and the 50^th time I watched Derek Jeter’s “come back game” in the minor leagues, I decided to make my own list of “Top 10” events in our lives over the past couple of weeks!  BUT I think I’ll start with the “Not So Top 10.”  Enjoy…     

Not So Top 10

10. Morning Wake Up Call – Last week, I woke up to a surprising wake up call.  I opened my eyes to find Adam standing over me with a tape measurer!! He was trying to "prove" that I didn’t stay on my side of the bed!!  He said that I was taking up 68.5% of the bed.  How rude.  I tried to tell him I actually have TWO people and a Cookie Monster sleeping on my side, so I just need a little more room, ok?!

9.  Baby’s Room Disarray – I have read that new moms go through a “nesting” phase in which they prepare the baby’s room and have an overwhelming desire to have everything set up.  Let’s just say that I have an overwhelming desire that someone will come over and set up this room.  It currently looks a little something like this…

8.  Bending Over – I few weeks ago in church I realized that I couldn’t see my feet anymore (yes, I opened my eyes while praying…stop judging!).  Well, this week I had to find a new place in the fridge for the milk, chocolate syrup, and strawberries (my current favorites), because bending down there 20x a day just wasn’t working for me.

7. Kick and Shout – I love my little jumping bean (although she is now about 3lbs and the size of a squash).  She kicks and rolls all day long, which I LOVE, but whenever someone else tries to feel her she STOPS!  Ba ha ha.  A woman after my own heart…performs when she wants to!

6.  Roll Over, Roll Over – Do you know how much I’d pay to sleep on my stomach for just one night?!  This current game of “heave, ho, roll” every couple hours each night is not my favorite :)

5. Swollen Ankles – All the praying in the world doesn’t seem to help this.  Heat + humidity + walking + a baby in the belly = Swollen ankles (but they aren’t cankles just yet!)

4.  Midnight Snack Attack – I would be embarrassed if you saw the stock pile of snacks next to the bed!  What had happened was…we eat dinner around 6pm and I have a snack around 9pm, BUT by 11pm I have this attack of hunger (often after I am already in bed with the lights off).  For about a week in a row, I got up and made a little snack.  Finally, I just started bring food with me to bed.  Sorry, Mr. Dentist, I don’t often brush my teeth again.  I’ll work on it.

3. Sticks and stone will break my bones, but words… –  Scratch that.  Words do sting sometimes.  For instance, my well meaning dad said to me the other day, “Mal, I am really proud of you.  I thought that when you got pregnant you were going to get HUGE!”  Ha.  Thanks, dad!

2.  Did I mention that most days are in the high 90’s?  Enough said.

1. Bye, Bye Belly Button – It won’t be long now.  One of my pregnancy fears is about to come true.  I am sad to report my belly button is currently FLAT!  Soon to be…an outie (gasp!)

TOP 10

10. Extra, extra read all about it – ADAM GOT AN A IN STATS!!!!!!!!!  Go sweetheart!

9.  Braves Game – Family fun time + A grand slam/win + fireworks = A Great Night!!!!!

8. Sweet Treatment – You may have noticed that I LOVE being pregnant.  People are sooo kind.  At the Braves game, it started raining, so we went to stand in the breeze way.  I was there for just a second and the usher came out of his maintenance room with a chair…just for me!  Here’s to you, Mr. Kind Braves Game Section 425 Usher! 

7. Test Success – Had to drink Hawaiian Punch on crack to take the glucose test, but passed with flying colors.  Adalyn’s doing great!

6.  First Father’s Day – Recently, Adam celebrated his 1^st father’s day.  Adalyn got him a few goodies and left this note…

(Dear Dad, I love you.  Happy Father's day!  Hope you enjoy your gifts.  I wanted 2 get you a belt, but you know mom has no fashion sense & I needed her help!  Be nice to her & rub her back.  I LOVE YOU.  XOXO, Adalyn)

5.  On your mark, get set, walk! – Adam and I try to walk around the neighborhood most days although it is h-o-t outside.  Most days the best part of the walk is just being done, but last week a lady on her porch shouted, “You go girl!  You look great!”  Here’s to you Ms. Front Porch Encourager!  I’ll be back most evenings.  Feel free to continue your most excellent cheering!

4.  10 Weeks To Go!!!!!!!!!!!!  - 60 inches tall and 40 inches around :)

3.  3 Fireworks Shows in 4 Days – The greatest part of the summer (minus my birthday) is fireworks!  Adalyn was not so psyched about all the loud noise.  I bet she was wondering what in the world was going on! 

2.  Turned in my Qualifying Exam – Next step…dissertation!  After 21 years of school, graduation is within sight!

1.  Baby Shower FUN – Special thanks to Alison, Catie, Nadeena, and Patrick for hosting such a great baby shower!  From sniffing diapers to singing “baby” songs to fabulous food, we are so grateful for everyone helping us prep for Adalyn!

What I LOVE about Being Pregnanct (Part 2) and New Challenges to Daily Life

Tomorrow is June 12th, which means we only have 3 more months/13 weeks to go until we meet our sweet girl, Adalyn, as her due date is September 12th!  Through this journey over the past 27 weeks, I have thought to myself over and over, "I LOVE being pregnant!"  Of course for the obvious reason that God is blessing us with a baby, but also for all the other funny moments along the way.  Here are a few things I love most about being pregnant: 

• Having Adam use my bellybutton as a megaphone to talk to Adalyn.  They "chat" multiple times a day about everything...me if I am cranky, her brother The Cookie Monster, being nice and not jabbing me, the weather, etc., etc. 
• The new way that people look at me.  I get so tickled when I walk by a stranger or someone that I haven't seen in a while.  It isn't just that you make eye contact and smile anymore.  No, now it goes like this: eye contact, look at the belly, back to eye contact, and then usually 1 of 2 responses - smile or a look of horror!  The look of horror may be because my hands are swollen I haven't been wearing my wedding ring or because I work on a campus of tee-tiny, college girls and they cannot imagine their bellies looking like that!  I'm just speculating.  :)
• Laying in bed at night.  I am pretty sure Adalyn is training to be a gymnast or a black belt in karate and when I lay in bed that is when she begins to practice all her flips and kicks!  It is a riot to watch my belly move.  Not quite as funny when I wake up at 3am to her "practicing" but still a fun surprise
• Sympathetic looks and gestures from women who have been pregnant.  For example, I was at a conference last month and between workshops there was a LOONG line in the ladies room.  As I began to wait, the woman in front of me said, "Please go ahead of me...you're pregnant!"  Then the woman in front of her did the same thing over and over until the next thing I knew I was in the FRONT of the line!  Victory!!!
• The new excuse that my sweet friends and family let me have = "It's ok.  You're pregnant."  I seem to hear this line at least once a day. 
• In Bible study last week, I was mid-sentence and then had no idea what I was about to say.  My friend, Katie, said, "It's ok. You're pregnant." 
• Last week, I fell asleep at work in my chair for 30 minutes, my co-worker said, "It's ok. You're pregnant." 
• I burned the grill cheese sandwiches I was making last weekend, and Adam said, "It ok.  You're just being Mallory." HAHAHA
• My newly developed sweet tooth.  Before I was pregnant, I was a 100% salty fan.  I would pick Cool Ranch Doritos over any dessert in the world.  Now, I still have the same affinity for Doritos with an added dose of ANYTHING sweet....cookies, ice cream, popsicles, ahhh!  These sneaky marketing people and their tricky commercials have been VERY effective on this pregnant woman; from their hand-spun milkshakes to the ooey gooey dessert bars they display so beautifully on tv, here's to you Mr. Sneaky Advertising Genius. 

Even with all the excitement, I have found that there are new challenges to daily living associated with growing a human.  Besides the obvious of sleeping and walking around in the HOT June weather with an extra 13 lbs, here are a few other challenges to daily life:

• New wardrobe.  I thought I had this whole summer pregnancy figured out in terms of clothes.  I would just wear lots of sundresses to stay as cool as possible without my clothes clinging to me as much.  That was working out nicely until the last few weeks when I realized that, yes, I am much cooler than I would be in other outfits, but now I have a new challenge as I sit down to work...my belly sits on my legs!!!!!!  Bahaha.  Seriously, you have to just laugh (or you'll cry), so I am going with laughing.
• Bathroom breaks - do I really have to go or do I have a tiny person sitting on my bladder?  My new philosophy is that if you see a bathroom, just go.  :)
• How to stand.  I catch myself all the time standing like a pregnant woman.  You know what I mean...feet apart, hands on back, stomach stretched out!  It isn't glamorous, but it feels so good to stretch your back.  I also catch myself rubbing my belly!  I didnt think this was odd until I was watching Jay Leno last week and saw a pregnant Kate Hudson rubbing her belly the WHOLE interview.  While, I get it (it is fun to feel the baby kick and sometimes you need to reposition her), it just looks so strange!  Ha.  I'll work on it.

Here's to 13 more weeks of laughter at the joys of being pregnant and a lifetime to come of joy with our little girl!

Did you know that peacocks honked?! Our visit to Florida

Ah...the sweet sounds of spring time!  Bird chipping, the waves breaking, and peacocks honking.  You read that correctly.  On vacation, I learned that peacocks dont chirp or tweet; they HONK!  I also learned that not all peacocks are multi-colored; some are albino. 

Chew on that for a minute... 

Recently, we took our annual journey across the state of Flordia (Ok, ok....It was a few weeks ago. I'm behind!).  Either way we squeezed in lots of adventures.  Here are the highlights:

• First, we survived 1,055+ miles/18 hours traveling from destination to destination with a pregnant bladder that needed to stop frequently and a lazy Cookie Monster

• We went on a canoe ride looking for porpoise,  but only saw jumping mullets

• I won a rose at church on Mother's Day for being the "newest" mom
• Adam and Grant re-lived their "glory days" surfing. 

• I read murder mystery books on the beach...in a 2 PIECE!  It was liberating, but you do NOT want to see a picture of that :)
• We went to the beach with friends who had small kids, and I had the profound realization that it may be a LONG time before I get to read murder mystery books on the beach again!
• Adam showed the fish who was boss :)

• We spent LOTS of time with fantastic family & friends

Now on to summer semester...let the fun begin!



Mother's Day & Marriage

There continues to be lots of BIG changes around the Greer household.  Not only does the SIZE of my reflection startle me often :) but I find myself being enthralled with topics that I once bypassed more nonchalantly.  You can probably guess the things I am talking about:

• The debate on which way the car seat should be faced
• Data on breastfeeding
• Should the baby sleep in our room?
• Which garbage can really traps the smell of stinky diapers?

We sat in church on Sunday and while I was glowing from winning a rose for being the "newest" mom, I was also listening to the sermon with a slightly new perspective on parenting....because this was after all my 1st mother's day :) 

A lady led the Children's Church portion of the service as she spoke with about 15 lil' bears in front of the church.  She said that when mommies have babies that God plants a diamond in their hearts that fills then with so much love for their children. She went on to say that only mommies have this special diamond in their hearts....the love never ended...so on and so forth...

For some reason, this just did not sit well with me.  Yes, I know that it wasn't an actual anatomoy lesson and she was trying to break it down so that the kids could understand, but it still ruffled my feathers a little bit. 

Our good friend leaned over to me and said, "I'm glad that my cousin isn't here because he would not understand this message at all.  His mother is hardly around."  Ahh...yes.  That was part of it.  Not all moms develop a deep rooted love for their children just because they carry a baby in their belly for 9 months. 

Then, as I looked at Adam, I realized the other part of that message that bothered me.  It isn't just moms who have a unique love for their children.  It is dad's too, right?!  Again, not all moms and dads exhibit this unconditional love, but I believe with every fiber of my being that men can love their children as strongly as moms do. 

I am blessed to be walking this wild road of parenthood with my best friend and a man who will be an amazing father.  This week, we not only celebrated my first mother's day, but we also celebrated our 2nd year of marriage!!!  What a blessing to be part of Team LG and to be married to a man who is dedicated to marriage, to being a parent, and most importantly to God.   

Do we have the perfect marriage?  Nahh...
Do we still have lots of learn about being paerents?  Sure...
Am I excited about the journey to come and 50+ more wedding anniversaries?  You better believe it!

As we celebrate, I thought I would provide a quick history in pictures for your viewing pleasure:

3 years ago Adam and I started dating.  When his dad came to visit he MADE us take a picture together to show Adam's grandma...I guess to prove that I really did exist :)  We were at church, so he had us stand in front of the church sigh.  We were embarassed as everyone was walking by watching us take this picture.  PLUS, this was literally our first picture together.  I am not sure we had ever even hugged at this point!  Awkward...

Then on our wedding day, we decided to "re-enact" the photo by the 1st Baptist sign for fun!

Now, 3 years later when we added a new Greer to the family we just could not resist another pictures in "our spot!"  :)

Can't wait until September when we get to add the next picture to this series holding Adalyn!

Because life is so FUN(NY!)...

Not sure if I am just in my 2nd trimester glory or if I have just taken more time to "enjoy the view" lately, but I find myself laughing all the time at how fun and down right hilarious life can be!

Exhibit A:

We went to visit my BFF, Erin, this weekend and she needed some help putting up a ceiling fan.  My good looking, handyman husband was glad to help.  I was laying on the couch and decided to see if I could help.  Here is what I found:

Erin's arms were tired so she decided to use a pillow and rest the fan on her head!  Did I mention she is a doctor?

Exhibit B:

We got a baby crib this weekend!!  We found a fantasitc deal on Craig's list when we were visiting Erin, so we drove to Snellville, GA to pick it up.  The family was very gracious and let us come at 10pm as we were leaving town so that we didnt have to drive back to Georgia to get it.  It is beautiful and matches the room so nicely...even Cookie Monster likes it.

Well....we didn't get home until 12:30pm and since I usually go to bed around 9pm, I was exhausted.  When we were looking for the directions to put the crib together the next morning, I couldn't find them, but wasn't too concerned.  I went to make breakfast and found a "suprise" in the fridge.  See anything that doesn't belong on the bottom shelf :)

I found the directions.  I really must have been tired as we unpacked!

Exhibit C:

Yesterday, I was in the restroom (sorry...again...TMI), but I looked up and saw this:

Way up high (out of my reach) was Adam's deodorant!  Hey, we all know that boys' deodorant works better than girls' deodorant.  It is just a fact, but I guess Adam was tired of sharing!  Ha.  Jerk.

Life is funny business :)

First Kicks or Just GAS?!

It has been a HUGE week in the Greer household!   We found out that we are having a sweet baby GIRL!  On Monday, we went for the ultrasound and things looked wonderful or that is at least what the ultrasound lady said.  I had a harder time trying to decipher body parts.  Ha!  I did see 10 fingers, 10 toes, and a wiggly little girl that kept waving at her mom! 

Oh, I can't wait to hold Miss Adalyn Grace Greer in my arms this coming September....ahhh, what a beautiful thought.

I enjoy reading baby books and getting new-mom emails each week to see how she is growing and changing.  Last week (week 17), she was the size of an onion. This is also the week that many moms can begin to feel their baby KICK!  Is it weird that I want to be kicked?!  When I feel any ache or twitch I start to focus to determine if it was a kick : ) 

I asked  lots of moms what it feels like when the baby kicks/moves.  Here are the answers I have received so far:

• It feels like bubbles...no clue how to interpret that
• It feels like anxiety or butterflies in your stomach, but you clearly aren't anxious about anything
• It feels like indigestion...ha, when dont I have that (sorry...TMI!)

I am pretty sure that up to this point I have only felts aches, pains, and stretching, BUT today after lunch there was a different feeling.  A mix between butterflies and my stomach "flipping."  I think it may have been her!!! but...then again, I had just eaten lunch :)  I'll be convinced fully when I feel it again. 

Hope that is soon...

In case you are wondering, next week she will be the size of a sweet potato!  Our little sweet potato :)

What I LOVE about Being Pregnant

I have read quite a few baby books to prepare for pregnancy and most focus on the scary and frankly, icky parts of pregnancy.  Yes, I have had my fair share of heart burn and gas (sorry, its true), but there are quite a few things that I LOVE ABOUT BEING PREGNANT, including:

• Feeling my belly first thing in the morning!  What a way to start the day :)
• Having a beautiful excuse to go to bed at 9pm and sleep 10+ hours a day
• "Allowing" Adam to clean the bathrooms.  It just isnt good to breath in those fumes
• Having a doctor's excuse to avoid deer meat
• Wearing stretchy pants.  It may be hard to transition back to regular pants
• Hearing the baby's heart beat (Thanks, Teresa, for letting us borrow your Doppler)
• Having an excuse to pass gas...again, sorry.  It is just so funny!
• Walking with Adam everyday and talking about what "cool" parents we are going to be
• Getting weekly emails from The Bump telling us how the baby is developing
• Drinking "mock"tails (cranberry juice + ginger ale) in fancy glasses
• Practicing my parenting skills on the Cookie Monster

A Baby Story...

"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O Lord God.."
I Chronicles 17:16-17


This verse has been the SONG of my heart for the past 2 months!!!! What a blessing to share with you that God has spoken about the future of our house and blessed us with the joy of becoming parents.  PARENTS!!

The words still do not seem quite real. PARENTS!!

We found out that we were pregnant in January. After 5 home pregnancy tests and one at the doctor (6 total), some would be convinced that they were pregnant. Me on the other hand, I wasn’t so sure just yet! I wanted to SEE the baby. You can call me doubting Thomas, but two stripes on a stick (sorry if that was too visual...i refrained from putting up that picture) just isn’t the same as knowing that the baby is doing ok!

In February, we went to the doctor for our first ultrasound. Would you believe me if I said my whole world flipped upside down in a matter of seconds when we saw that sweet baby come up on the monitor?! OUR BABY! Did I mention that we are going to be PARENTS?! : )

I laughed and cried as Adam held my hand, and we saw our baby for the very first time. The doctor was incredibly kind and allowed us time to soak up the glory of the moment. As we watched, I knew it was my child because during the whole ultrasound he/she flipped around, moved from side to side, and waved its arms at us! Lots of energy, I am guessing!  The baby was healthy and the heartbeat sounded great.  The doctor even made a joke that the baby has Adam's head size!  Ha

I am now starting my 2nd trimester, and everything looked good at our appointment this afternoon!  If you have been doing the math (January-ish + nine months), you will quickly realize that it is going to be a long, HOT summer for me!

The facts…

• How far along: 13 weeks (out of 40. I wouldn’t have known that before we were pregnant)
• Due date: September 12th
• Cravings: Orange popsicles!!! I didn’t even like them until recently
• Feeling: Feeling awesome! So far, no morning sickness

So, bring on the advice and the hand-me-downs! Both are welcome : )

More baby details to come…

Valentine’s Day – To Hate or Partake?

Ahh…Valentine’s Day! The day when love is in the air and retailers make plenty of money from the sale of flowers, candy, cards, and jewelry.

Legend has it (at least according to the History channel) that this day back in 278 A.D. a holy priest in Rome by the name of Valentine was executed. In that time, Emperor Claudius II wanted an all bachelor army, so he banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

BUT, as you may know, it is not good for your health to defy the emperor! St. Valentine was beaten and beheaded. Before his death, he left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine."   Romantic, huh?

   

As I reviewed my friend’s facebook statuses this morning, I noticed a clear line between V-day haters and partakers. You can take a guess about which status goes in which category:

•  Haappy Vday FB! Its my most favoritist holiday (after christmas of course). Love is great (bc God is love)? Tell someone you luv em 2day. And do something sweet 4em while ur at it. :)
• So blessed to be in love....
• Valentine's Day is not for love. You should tell your significant other everyday how much they mean to you. Valentine's Day is actually a day to remind all the single people that you are NOT in love. And a day to remind you of your ex even though you don't want to think about it. Worst. "Holiday." Ever.
• Shout out to those that have given up on love or don't feel loved. God is love and He would never give up on you. Seek the Lord first. Hang in there! I love you!

So, what do we make of this joyous, fun-filled, industry dictated, love mandated holiday that is full of perhaps unrealistic expectations?!

 

I say we go back to the definition of LOVE found in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a:

"Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails."

Would your friends and coworkers describe you as patient, kind, hopeful, trusting, and never failing or would they describe you as proud, angry, self-seeking, etc? 

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:35

We are recognized as God's people by our LOVE for one another!! So weather or not you have a hot date tonight, don't miss your opportunity to show LOVE to others as Christ showed to us :)

What is a picture REALLY worth!?

We have all heard the saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words."  I would agree SOME pictures are worth a thousand words.  Here are a few of my favorites:

And of course....



Well...I spent most of the month of December gathering my favorite pictures from 2010 and scrapbooking our sweet memories from the past year...everything from my sister's wedding to Adam's 1st Georgia football game to our 11 day trip to see all of our friends in Florida. 

I do, in fact, realize that there is "new" technology that will allow you to make photobooks quickly online by simply uploading pictures, inserting your credit card, and waiting for the arrival in the mail!  BUT I LOVE reliving the memories, cutting fun shapes, and gluing in ticket stubs, invitations, and any other 'scrap' that I saved to inlcude in the book.  It does cause quite a mess in the dining room, but Adam is pretty patient with me.

As I was scrapbooking, I talked to my dad and told him what I was doing.  He laughed and told me about a home he recently bought after a gentleman passed away.  He said that he was going through the attic and found several scrapbooks that this man and his late wife made.  He looked through some, but tossed most things as he had several rooms to clean up before he could rent the house out. 

Then he asked, "What do you think people will do with your scrapbooks when you are dead?" HA!  Seriously, dad!   That wasn't really where I thought the conversation was going.  I guess now that I think about it, I hope that when I die (hopefully in 100 years) that I leave more than scrapbooks and pictures.  I hope I leave a legacy (for lack of a way better word!) of joy, kindness, peace, and patience.  Those are the things can never be tossed. 

In the meantime, I say, "Happy Scrapbooking!"  May your pictures be clear, your cuts be straight, and your books be filled with lots of beautiful memories!

The Jolly-days!

I LOVE the holidays JOLLY-days! 

My ears are delighted by praise songs about the birth of our Savior;
my eyes are pleased with all of the lights and decorations of the the season;
my soul is comforted with the thought that we have been blessed with family, friends, and fun-filled year;

my excitement level peaks with thoughts of the new year and new opportunities to come!

Corny?  Sure!  But if you know how much I love the holidays, this is no surprise to you!  I tried to convince Adam to let me decorate the house the day after Halloween (Nov 1st).  He said that I couldn't do it until December 1st!  We compromised on November 15th and since that was on a Monday, I was able to move it to the 13th, because, of course, I needed the weekend to get everything in its place : ) Ha!

Left: Me and my Christmas elf (Cookie Monster) prepping to decorate in our holiday PJs!!

It was a surprisingly quiet Christmas season as my family all seemed to be in different places - visiting other family or working!  We had a To-Do list (see the previous blog to get my theory of To-Do lists!) that turned into a To-DONE list!  We got a crazy amount of house projects completed and still had lots of time for quality time, snuggling, rejoicing, and resting. 

We even saw snow on Christmas..in Alabama!  If you are from up North, I use the term snow liberally :)  We had enough snow to make a few snowballs!!  Wooo!  Not snowmen, just snowballs! 

And even though presents are NOT the reason for the season, it is always fun to bless others with something that will make their heart smile!  Adam got me the BEST present ever. Are you ready to hear this?!  An all-in-one printer, scanner, fax, & copier!  It does double sides copies & scans.  It can turn a scanned document into a writable word doc!  It is awesome.  A grad student's dream....ahhhh!

Adam got a scope for rifle. I guess it is cool.  I haven't seen him much since he won't come out of the woods!