Thanks

So, we had a great sermon at church today. In keeping with the season, the topic was giving thanks is ALL circumstances and being thankful even for the (yet) unanswered prayers. So, here it goes:

I'm thankful for the monster headache I had because it forced me to rest for an hour (which I wouldn't have done), and I'm glad I could hold it together until I put Baby to bed (early). I'm grateful for Hubby (this is hard) going to The Iraq and for the blessings that will flow from it in regard to the growth of God's kingdom and richness and fullness that our marriage and family will experience when he returns. I'm thankful for the incessant whining from Baby because I'm learning to be much more patient and empathetic.

Let's move on and talk scripture. A few verses that touched me today: 2 Chronicles 20:15..."Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but Gods...17...You will not have to fight this battle....Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged...the Lord will be with you." 1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under Gods' mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." Amen!

On a lighter note, check out the fun photos:

today's family photo, notice the new "do"

School project; don't worry baby, there won't be a test! So serious.

Baby having fun on a pony! Third time is the charm.

Today

TGIF! Baby actually slept past 6:30! That made a happy morning for everyone. The big dog ran out to get the paper (she actually had to get Thursday's too), and she had an audience. It always makes me so proud when someone sees her get the paper. Ah, proud of my dogs, proud of Baby. Pride goeth before a fall? Mmm. I hope not.
After breakfast (Baby has taken to eating apple slices AND apple sauce...Momma must need to do some shopping), we went to her gym where she had a ball, just like always. Then we went to the library for story time. And she actually sat through the whole thing for the first time. We came home with 2 bundles of recycling bags and a book on CD for our Thanksgiving trip. I'm gonna have to cut the books on CD out pretty soon due to content and language (not like I listen to "adult" stuff or anything, but my favorite murder mysteries might be a bit scary for Baby...plus it is shocking how many bad words there are when you really listen! Sad, it seems I must be a bit desensitized).
The day wasn't really that interesting. The biggest thing is that I've been asked to participate in a press conference with Pete Sessions. Isn't that a hoot?! I don't have many details yet, so stay tuned. Short story is the YMCA wants to spread the word about the military membership, and I apparently am the only one taking advantage. We'll see what they want me to do (could be just a warm body in the crowd, but hey, it's kinda cool).
Let's see. Man things I've done the past week: talked with the yard man, scooped a dead mouse from the yard, built a fire, and changed the A/C filter (aren't you proud, Hubby?!). I don't recall so many dead mice when Hubby was around. Mmmm.
Cute thing Baby did today: she is very particular about her songs. I sing Jesus Loves Me right before putting her to bed, and tonight she had this adorable little pouty face on shaking her head no! She was holding a book of nursery rhymes and I had to sing the right song as she turned the page. Funny. Plus, she loves, loves, loves, Wheels on the Bus.
I've managed to jam pack my weekend full of activities. 285 days left.

Penny Anderly

Who is Penny Anderly? And why hasn't she told all her contacts that she changed her number over TWO YEARS ago? Even Gramma didn't have her new number (that call was probably about a year ago). But, ever so often we get a personal call (plus plenty of solicitations) for Penny. The most recent one was last night at eleven. I believe I've mentioned before about how tired I am, so that call wasn't welcome. Although I must admit the gal on the other end was really apologetic.

So, Hubby is off in another land. I heard from him this morning from Germany. I'm not sure where he is now. I'll let you know whenever I do. So, for the rest of the day, I believe some retail therapy is in order!

Nothing special

I just sorta felt like writing. You may notice the new layout...whadaya think? I think it is super pretty! Anyone else noticing the ridiculous grocery prices? I mean, a loaf of bread for 3 BUCKS?! I used to think $1.89 was steep. I've been trying to buy some edemame for months, and I've finally located it at the store. Why is all edemame "product of China"? I don't know about you, but I plan to avoid eating anything from China. So, I spent over $100 bucks at the store...for just me and Baby. That is way wrong. I guess I got some stuff that wasn't food (health/beauty/pharmacy), but it still seems like a lot to me. At least the price of gas is going down.

What does everyone else eat? Don't you wonder? Yeah, yeah, I know I'm probably overly fixated on food. But I sorta want to peek into all the kids' lunch boxes at Baby's school to get some ideas. How many tuna sandwiches and boiled eggs can a kid eat? Well, a lot, actually, but I'd like to introduce some variety (hence the edemama).

I have managed to get my back unaligned again, and this time it was without doing anything fun like the wii. I can attribute it to nothing. It just started hurting, and now my whole leg down to my knee is in pain. If I can't work it out in the gym, I guess I better get back to the chiropractor. Am I growing old already? Seems too soon for that.

We have some fun things on tap for the weekend. 2 big things: a visit from Grams and a birthday party with a pony! Oh, not baby's party. We are just attending. Given the last experience with a pony, I'm not sure how this one will go, but I think she'll at least like petting it.

Baby is so smart. She can count. No kidding. She can get to 3 all by herself, but it sorta falls apart after that. She skips 4 and goes right to 5. I think it's because of all the stairs at school. They count them (Grandma counts them too). Anyway. I guess I'll just keep working so I have a reason to send her to daycare. She loves it!

Let's see, what else. Oh, Baby can also work the buckles on high chairs and such. She can't unbuckle them, luckily, though. Hubby will be glad to know that it's just the same 'ole same 'ole around here. I'm still setting off the smoke alarm in the kitchen when I bake. Did you know you can hear the smoke alarm all the way out in the yard by the swing set? The other day I was baking some chicken and I kept hearing this beep beep noise and I was like, what is that? When I went inside I sure found out! And NO, the chicken itself wasn't burned. Goo that's accumulated on the bottom of the oven is what was burning.

OK. I'm going to watch The Office now.

This and that

The big dog has taken to eating the cat's food. This has apparently upset the cat so that she felt the need to kill a mouse and eat most of it and leave the leftovers in the garage. Gross. Man thing I did today: clean up mouse guts.

Today is a beautiful day. For some reason I tend to miss Hubby a little more on the weekends. I live the life I want to live in my head. If he were here we would have gotten out this morning to go to the nursery to get some plants. He would plant them this afternoon and tonight we would go out to eat at Mexicalie. Instead I went to the Y then we went to the car seat check where I learned that my car seat has been installed incorrectly for ALL of Baby's life. Mmm. Turns out I shouldn't use the LATCH system in the middle seat. Who knew? Anyway. Got that set and now I know. So...you should all check your car's owner's manual. If it doesn't explicitly say it is OK to use the LATCH system in the middle seat, you probably should use the belt instead.

Next we did a bit 'o Christmas shopping. Then it was back to the house for Baby to nap, and I got to work on the never ending chair refinishing project. I'm nearly through with my second chair. I no longer have time frames or hopes for when I might get finished. I just imagine I'll finish eventually. I'm not sure what is on the agenda for the rest of the afternoon, but I'm thinking that Baby and I might go eat at Mexicalie anyway.

Lots to update

The biggest update is that Baby, me and MIL made a trek up to Savannah to visit Hubby! We all had a great time, and that flat daddy really has done the trick. Baby wasn't shy or anything when she saw Daddy. We got to stay for 4 days, and thanks to Grandma, Hubby and I had some time just for us in addition to family time.

Many of you have commented that I tend to write a lot about food. I agree. No apologies. So, lemme tell you about the food that we ate. I'll start with The Lady and Sons. Those of you who "know" are jealous and salivating. And let me tell you what! It totally lived up to expectations. I mean, I've eaten a few green beans, and I don't mind them. But these green beans were GOOD! We all just ordered up the buffet like good foodies would do. A little of it all, ya know? Fried chicken, mac 'n cheese, rice, corn casserole, all that good southern food. Y-U-M. Topped off with Paula's Gooey Butter Cake. MIL got me the cookbook...does that mean I'm on for Thanksgiving next year? Hmmm...I hadn't thought of it from that angle. OK, now, for those of you who DON'T know...Paula Dean is a big wig on the food network with her southern food cooking show, and her restaurant is in Savannah.

Let's see. What other foods...traditional Low Country food at Elizabeth's on 37th, some pub food at an Irish pub, oohh...breakfast at Clary's (for those of you who've read Midnight in the Garden of Good ane Evil). Good stuff. Since Army pays for a Y membership (recently learned of this perk...it is so worth it to have Hubby in army...ha!), guess I better get there and do something about all this extra food I just put into my body.
Should we talk about the plane ride with Baby? I think not. Except to say I'm buying her a ticket next time even if she could ride in my lap so I can strap her down with a seat belt.

Dinner tonight...a far cry from the past few days. Can we count mac 'n cheese from the box and canned peas as dinner? I did.

Awe...Daddy and Daughter time

Family pic on the trolley tour

Mmmm...at Cupcake Emporium

Outside our town home. You may see this on a Christmas card.

The Lady and Sons!