VACATION

Greetings from my amazing summer vacation week. This is the first time in over 4 years that I can remember that we have had a full 8 days without ANYTHING scheduled. Therefore, we have escaped the hustle and bustle of life and are rotting on the beach in beautiful Amelia Island. This is where I vacationed every year with my family growing up. I have watched this little town turn into a thriving well.... a bigger little town. I am very exticed about being back. We stay at Amelia Island Plantation and it is the most beautiful, fun, activity filled time. We have had both sets of our little ones "grandparents" down with us. We are having fun and not really in techno world so no post for awhile.

Cell Phone Companies

OK, so it seems that everyone I know is upset with their cell provider. Today I talked to 2 friends that had just recently gone to "upgrade" their phones and their respective companies told them that they weren't elibigle for a cheaper phone, even though they had been with the company for over 5 years. Not loyal enough I guess. Just as this was going in in their state it seems my husband and I were attempting to do the same thing with the same result. Needless to say, I was outraged. If I were a new customer they would roll the red carpet to have me sign there beloved contract! Yet, b/c I have been a customer for SO long they won't help me out. Has this ever happened to you? Well needless to say this company that we all were with no longer has our cell service. Instead, we each have registered at new companies, have better rates, fancy new "upgraded" phones, better promises (yeah right) and a better feeling about our cell phones. Do you think the love will last- I DON'T. But for the now, I am happy to learn about my nifty new all in oneTREO 650 !! Happy talking.......until the next "upgrade"

The Paper

Recently I have realized the importance of the daily paper. We live in a town where there is always something going on. It is a smaller town with street fairs, etc. Well, if you don't get the "paper" you don't know what's going on unless you hear it around town. Therefore, we are now happy subscribers to The Tennessean. This is our local paper with a smaller section devoted to our county every day. Now I won't miss that bake sale, or the latest scoop. Of course, the paper is also a valuable tool for finding out the important things in life. I'll be honest and say that I normally read the front page of each section and move on, but at least I'll save money. On Sunday is coupon day!!!! Grocery stores BEWARE! In reality in this age of e-commerce it is still nice to sit and read the days events with a good ole' fashioned honest to goodness gettin' the ink all over you paper. If you don't subscribe - you should! Remember as well to recycle that paper.

When I Grow Up....

When I grow up I want to be..... How often did we think this as children? Well, I wanted to be a professional tennis player, a fashion designer, a lawyer, a teacher. Here on my vacation we have run up against Hurricane Arlene. She has decided to give us 3 glorious days of RAIN. Well, with a toddler, 7 year old and 10 year old you can imagine the creative days we have had. My aunt found this incredible place for the "boys" today. It is called Wannado City. Here you can decide and try out all of the things that you want to be when you grow up. You can be a pilot, Dr. , Fireman, paleontologist, Criminal Lab Specialist, TV personality, and many, many more. Check this place out. It is great and amazing! Now kids can actually get "hands on" experience and ideas of what they really want to be. The only problem is the only one of these parks is in Ft. Lauderdale at Sawgrass Mills Mall. If you are in South Florida with kids and a hurricane try it out. What will they think of next?

What will they think?

Today as I sat on the beach here on our vacation I was reminded of the freedom of children. I was watching my two cousins play in the sand. Of course, being the good parents that their parents are, sunscreen had to be applied. Well, my youngest little cousin had his sunscreen applied very patiently. As soon as his dad had finished he took off running full force, arms flailing in the air toward the area he and his brother had been playing. As I lay there, I thought, WOW what self esteem he has to be so care-free. Then I thought, no, it is not his esteem, he just doesn't care. He has yet to enter the world of wondering what other's might think or say behind your back. This post is just a reminder to all of us (who would never be caught dead running on the beach with nothing on but our bathing suits) that WHO CARES. Christ loves us and that really is all that matters. He loves for us to enjoy life and have fun. What if someone saw my post-baby body running crazily down the beach. Let them think what they will. Let's have the freedom of a child. The care free life of sand, toys, and playmates. Try to do something uninhibited this week. It can be in private or in public. I think if we release our bonds of "who's looking" then we might just find we feel a whole lot happier with life and ourselves. Let's take back our "freedom"!! Who's in???

Family Tree

This week I am spending time with my extended family in Ft. Lauderdale. It has been really neat enjoying the laughs and funny memories that we have regarding all the times we are together. I know that most families are so dysfunctional that they cannot even imagine spending a night together much less a week. I am so very thankful that I have a family that I enjoy being around. We actually get along, watch movies, play golf and eat as a family unit. Time here is very active. There is little down time between the activities. You feel as if you haven't been on vacation, but you are so relaxed and jived once you leave. All this is to say. Enjoy your time with your family. You never know how precious it is. Even if you don't have the fun and love that we have you can make an effort to have things be better.

"Lost"

Too many days have passed since my last post. I have been terribly busy and life has been fairly hectic. It is hard to post on a blog with a toddler climbing on you and coloring on the walls. It seems the only "reality" I have had recently has involved a furry little red guy we affectionately call "momo". The rest of you know him from Sesame Street as Elmo. To get to the point I have been a little Lost. Yet, not without my TIVO. This brings me to my post point. "Lost" the TV show has got to be the coolest thing I have encountered as of late. So much so that I have found myself wandering on the message boards of the show. I know, I know total geek, but these people take this very seriously. Some of the "easter eggs" you find are funny, some creepy and some downright addictive. If you are familiar with the show you know about the plane that crashed. Well, there is this really cool website about "Oceanic Air "(the "name" of the airline). If you sneak around on this sight with the help of some of my new found buddies at the "Lost" message boards you will surely entertain yourself. So, to conclude. Should you need a break from your reality I encourage you to go get "Lost"

40 Days of Community

My church has started the Rick Warren, "Forty Days of Community". I was not there on the first Sunday, but our class has been given a challenge!!! Who doesn't love a challenge? Well, we are to show an act of kindness, etc. to someone on staff/volunteer, etc. at the church. We went "behind the scenes" and chose the cleaning crew. Have you ever thought about that? The church is always clean and neat. I never considered that someone has to keep it looking that way. Well, we have now determined that it takes 30 man hours to clean the church. I figured it would be some cleaning crew, but no, it is a couple named Tim and Carol Williams. They have been doing this for 10 years. That is totally amazing to me. OK, so we as a class let them know that we are giving them the day "off". We are going to tackle the cleaning of the church. Wow, this kind of scares me b/c the church is pretty stinkin' big. When the Williams family heard of our "community" service, they were thrilled to say the least. Carol wept and thanked us b/c in the 10 years noone has ever called to say "good job" all they ever here is if something was wrong. What a sad state. Makes you think about all the other people who do things behind the scenes. Such as the cleaning ladies at hotels. (That is a post for another day). By the way, did I mention that Tim goes in for double knee replacement surgery this week. Isn't the Lord's timing impeccable? Well, I will have to update you when we get to the "nitty gritty" literally. The reason I am posting is to say, this week let's all take time to give a little back. There are so many people that never get the praise they deserve and so desperately need it. Take a minute and smile, say thanks, or take the load off someone else. My guess is that you will be rewarded with a great sense of "community"! Have a good one and keep us in your prayers. That church is a big job and we don't want any complaints!

Saturday Night Live

For those of you who are fans of this show; but like me can't seem to make it past the monologue, here is the answer. If you know a certain skit you want to see, just search it- such as: Debbie Downer, "I need more Cowbell!!', or you can search the celebrity name or just "Saturday Night Live". The "sleepover" skit with Lindsey Lohan is a riot. Anyway for those of us with little time and warped minds this sight is great. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I have. Of course when all else fails there's always TIVO .

Stomach Flu

Ok, so this topic is not the most sanitary or ideal. Ye with weak stomachs please be wary. This is the season of stomach flu's for my family. Sadly, I got this lovely "virus" about a week ago. It has been running rampant through our church and is highly contagious. That said, I was wiped out for a whole day. My husband was having a party he had to prepare for and he had to care for a sick mama and baby girl toddler. Welcome to motherhood, right? I was very impressed with his coping with all of this. Although, between trips to the bathroom I think I remember our "nanny" coming over for a few hours. This must be why he was so patient through all of this.
With having a little one, we thought it best if I avoid her for 24 hours as not to get her sick. This seemed to work out just fine. Mama recovered and there was little sickness in the family. UNTIL..... We had decided to take a little vacation to Disney. The day after we arrived, my baby girl got sick. She had it, then the next day daddy got it. Later that day guess who else got it..... MAMA. Twice in less than a week. I was the lucky winner. The second time was really bad. It came about on Sunday and now on Thursday it has still been creeping up on me. Although, I must say it has been a really great "weight loss" plan. 7 pounds to date. I guess when you can't eat, you lose weight.
I thank you for reading my sob story, but there is a point to this madness and it is to say. If you or someone you love comes down with the "stomach flu", be sure to check out this link it really will help you out. Take care and stay well.

Keeping Baby Safe

As a new mother I have realized the importance of keeping your child safe and guarded from all harm. You find yourself wondering if someone is out to get them, are all the doors locked, did they wander off to the other aisle and someone got them, etc, etc. I have also found that this is very normal for new parents. I assumed it would subside as the months went by. Well, it has a little, but just recently I heard something that makes me wonder again!!!! Late Night Talk Show host David Letterman has recently been in the news because someone who worked on his home decided they would kidnap his 16 month old child (same age as my daughter) and the child's nanny. This made me reflect and wonder. Here is a wealthy celebrity with all the money and protection he could afford and yet even still his little one insn't safe. We really need to be careful and make sure we protect these babies. I guess the only way to feel totally sure is to daily pray for that hedge of protection around our little ones. Keep them close and be careful who we allow into their little lives.

Friends, Fellowship and San Antonio

Well, it has been a few days and no posts. I know that this blog thing is new to me and I can't seem to stay on top of it yet. I guess it doesn't matter. This is my deal and I don't have anyone to answer to, right? We took a family trip to San Antonio Texas for my husand to lead music in a vesper service at Max Lucado's home church Oak Hills Church . Let me tell you the people at this church love the Lord and love each other. There was so much happiness and true Spirit around these people. I was touched at the realness that eminated from this group of people. There is such a love that is very evident and overflowing. It touched me to my soul and made me want to be a better person. I know that is is the Lord's light shining through them. Max's wife is such a gem. She prayed over us one night and the Holy Spirit was shining like a beacon from her soul. What a beautiful woman, inside and out. I met a lady named Cheryl that had to be the most gracious hostess ever. She was prepared for whatever request we had. I am displaying these feelings with such affection to say with all the love from my heart... "THANK YOU". Thanks to the church staff for taking care of us. Thanks to the Lucado's for inviting us, Thanks to the Green's for dinner and fellowship, and mostly thanks to the Lord for allowing me to meet the friendliest people in America! (by my vote- and here, it's the only one that matters.) My husband Mark has a great summary of Max's service on his blog

Got a question?

Get an answer at this most amazing website. I have found a place that truly knows it all. Try it out, for free! Ever wanted to know about seahorses (my favorite marine animal), need to know the population of a certain city? Want to know how to juggle (this was my husband's request)? This website will tell you about anything you have a question about. It is aptly called www.answers.com. Go ahead ask away. I find the information about Barry Manilow very intriguing. Ok, I know you are asking yourself - what??? That's for a later post. Let me know what you are asking about and maybe the most interesting question will win a prize. I know I will award them with an amazing recipe (isn't that very "housewife" of me!) Have fun and be careful.

What's in a Title

Wondering why I would choose such a common title? The answer is twofold. I love TV and I love the show. That is the obvious. Secondly, I am a stay at home mom a.k.a housewife and most of the time I am deseperately seeking something. Time, energy, patience, organization, affirmation. But mainly I seek to be a super mom and amazing wife. I know in my life this and all other things will not surface unless I am desperate in my pursual of a relationship with Christ. There you have it. Understand now? Now I have included you all in this new blog thing. We'll see how it lasts. It has been strongly encouraged by my dear blogging husband who totally believes in it. Check him out at marklee.typepad.com. So this is pretty fun and maybe it will last if not- who cares! So you now have a little insight into me and my life. Who knows maybe we can strive to be better together?