so long, 2009

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."
Psalm 126:3

As I've sat here trying to think of ways to sum up this past year, all I can think of is this verse.

We are so blessed by our health and family and jobs and LIVES.
I know so many out there have had difficult years,
and to be quite honest with you-
I feel a bit like I'm bragging by saying we had a good year.

So I will just say this about our year-
we serve a God who is good.
And we were SO blessed in 2009.

But if 2010 brings rain and storms in our lives-
HE doesn't change.

This is my prayer for the new year-
*to worship Him more fully
*to grow in knowledge of Him
*to recognize the total vastness of my God
*that my actions would reflect Him to all around me

I pray that your new year is filled with joy.

dramin' of a white christmas

If you haven't heard, Oklahoma is in the middle of a teeny-tiny blizzard.
Seriously.
There are drifts by our house up to my thigh!

John Mark could hardly wait to play in the snow...
This morning was too nasty to even THINK of playing-
sleet, crazy wind, just nasty.

But after nap, it had calmed down a bit.
We spent 15 minutes getting "bungled" (bundled)-
and then lasted maybe 10 minutes outside.

Actually, they probably would have been longer-
but I'm a weenie and worried about frostbite.

We came in an warmed up with some hot chocolate,
and now we're watching The Santa Claus marathon.

Later we're going to open our Christmas Eve gift,
then put nart to bed and get everything ready for tomorrow.
I hope it clears off so mom and dad can make it here
and we can all make it to my aunts!

I leave you with the TRUE reason for the season:

"That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.  The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12

Merry Christmas, friends!

santa, baby

I had a party with my 8th grade FLOCK on Saturday.
We themed it "little kids Christmas"-
everyone wore pajamas and slippers,
and brought a "little kid"gift.

I came home with "Santa Spud."

Without further ado- I give you:

Santa Nart

John Mark loves Mr. Potato Head...

He loved it so much he wore it out...

in public...

with Kelly!  (This is Baby Darryl's first santa shot.)

Don't worry- he saved some kisses for Mommy:

This little boy couldn't be any more excited for Christmas day!

christmas time

Have I mentioned that I love Christmas?
This year has been SO much fun already with John Mark...
He wakes up every morning asking-
"Is it Christmas day yet?"

Earlier in the season, he helped us put up the tree.

He had a big time hanging up his ornaments
(he picked a Veggie Tales for this year!)

and putting on the "Jingle Bells."

He asked every two minutes-

"Can we put the star on now?"

It was so sweet!

After we were all finished,

we snuggled up with some hot cocoa,

sat on the couch and watched Veggie Tales Christmas.

(Are you seeing a theme?)

Please ignore my odd color combination-

I can't be held responsible for the things I wear at home.

Last week, my good friend Sara Wheeler gave me a sugar cookie recipe.

Her recipe came with three very specific rules I had to follow in order to use the recipe:

1.  I must let John Mark help me make the cookies.

2.  I must take photos of him helping make the cookies.

3.  I must do this every year from here to eternity.

Well, I'm doing good so far...

We'll see how I do next Christmas!

I have a ton more pictures to show you,

but I'll save those for a different day.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the Earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart

Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring

By Thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne

-if you haven't heard the Chris Tomlin/Christy Nockels version of this song, go download it now!

Christmas Card Carousel

I love Christmas cards! 
It's the highlight of my day to get the mail and have one in there!
I love sending them too.

So you can imagine my excitement when I saw this:

So the deal is you post your card and then link up from this website above.
Then have fun seeing everyone else's cards!
This year, we had the lovely Sara Wheeler take our photos,
and our card was designed by Sissy Bird.

So hop on over to walk by faith and take a look around!
Maybe post a card of your own!
PS- I'm totally late in getting these out, so sorry if this ruins the surprise when you open yours!

that just happened

John Mark is funny.
But that's no secret.

Recently, he's been coming to the office with me before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This always provides endless entertainment-
both for myself and my co-workers.

He really enjoys taking the silver ruler from my hole punch-
it's his hook,
his sword,
a gun... you get the picture.

Today he decided to use it as a ruler.
He was measuring the walls,
his hands, the desks...

Then Kelly (who is quite pregnant) asked-
"How big is baby Darryl?"

He took the ruler-
held it up, down, sideways...
all around Kelly's belly and said:

"I think... GIANT."

it's the most wonderful time of the year

I love Christmas.
I love the music...
the smells... the cider...
the lights... the trees...
the presents- both giving and receiving.

I love the plays...
the carolers... the food...
family and friends-
all gathered together.

I love the parties...
the excitement in the air...
the anticipation of what's to come...

But most importantly,
I love the promise:

"For to us a child is born,
to us a Son is given-
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And his name will be called
wonderful counselor,
mighty God, prince of peace,
everlasting Father...
And of his kindgom there will be no end."
Isaiah 9:6

this is my confession

I've never seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
Whew- I feel better already.
All these years, I've been living a lie.
No more.

can't get enough of...

*GLEE- Mallory and I were trying to explain the show to some friends today and our description went something like this: the acting, terrible- the story line, weak- the air- cheesy... but the music, OH the music... seriously.  Go buy the soundtrack- it's like crack.  I can't even listen to Christmas music because I love this music so much.  And the halo/walkin on sunshine remix- best running song EVER!

*Reese's Peanut Butter bells- not the cups, not the minis, not the trees... it has to be the BELLS.  Let's just say that I singlehandedly took care of the candy bowl at the office last week.

*Settlers of Catan- Hi, My name is stephanie and I am a nerd, addicted to a nerd game.  There, I feel better already just confessing my obsession (that's possibly too mild of a word) with this game.  It's like a combination of risk, monopoly, cards... we play at least 3 nights a week and when we're not playing, I find myself thinking in terms of settlers boards.  Wow.  I am a DORK, but I'm okay with that.

*Christmas spirit- I. LOVE. CHRISTMAS.  This really is the most wonderful time of the year.  We put up our tree on Sunday evening and ended the day with hot cocoa and veggie tales Christmas movies.  John Mark's eyes were all lit up and he was SO excited about Christmas.  And there's not even a single present under the tree yet.  But the presents... oh dear, my guest closet is OVERFLOWING with his gifts.  Thank you black Friday!

*This weather!  Don't get me wrong- I love warm weather... I'm probably one of the biggest wimps when it comes to being cold!  But it's hard to feel Christmasy when I'm wearing shorts and flip-flops!  I'm glad it's finally getting cooler.  It's perfect for snuggling on the couch with a blanket and a cuppa tea!

thankful

"for all that you've done I will thank you
for all that you're going to do
for all that you've promised
and all that you are
is all that has carried me through...
thank you for loving and setting me free
thank you for giving your life just for me
Jesus, I thank You."
--dennis jernigan

lately

So... posting everyday hasn't so much happened.  This past week was crazy around our house- we had JM's last soccer game, a party, small group, church, a thanksgiving feast, NEW MOON MIDNIGHT PREMIERE, girls retreat... needless to say- I haven't been home one night this week to even think about posting!!  But it's been an awesome week and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

For starters- John Mark ended his soccer season last Saturday.

It was such a fun "season" if you can call it that.
Did John Mark actually PLAY soccer?
Of course not...

But he did learn a thing or two about paying attention.

And following the rules.

And teamwork.

And he got a shiny medal,

which of course is the best part.

Oh, and snacks.  He loved the snacks.

Not gonna lie- food was always my favorite part too!

And let's see... that Monday night we had a party with some ladies from church.
I love the women that I get to serve with.
They are such a blessing to me-
more than I could put into words! 

Thursday was John Mark's Thanksgiving feast at school.

They made Indian headdresses and cute necklaces.
Then sang some fun Thanksgiving songs.

But did John Mark sing?  Of course not.
He has this funny little way of NOT doing anything we want him to do.
His teacher said he sang the loudest every time...
until we were there.......

After singing their songs, we moved to the gym.
We ate turkey (deli meat) and sides.
Lots of cookies...

And then the boys ran around.
And around.
And around.
That poor teacher...
I hope they just played outside for the rest of the day!

This is turning out to be long, so I'll review NEW MOON and tell about the retreat in another post!

best friends

Ten years ago when I moved to Edmond, I started going to the BCM on campus.  I met a lot of people there and had a ton of fun.  A friend and I would always make up random nicknames for people and never called anyone by their ACTUAL name.  A couple of years into college, we met a girl (I'm using the term MET loosely- observed from a distance and never spoke to would probably be a more accurate term) who we named "Robin's friend."  All I knew about her was that she was Robin's friend (obviously) and that a few years later she was dating our friend Chris Howell.  I didn't DISLIKE her, but I wasn't really looking to be her friend either.

Four years later, we both ended up teaching 8th grade girls at (shocker) Henderson Hills.  We ended up talking a lot every Sunday and actually kind of, sort of becoming friends.  I knew Chris from my BCM days and so we were actually kind of friends.  We all got engaged and married at the same time.

At the end of that summer of weddings, she called me up and invited me to come to a newly married group she and Chris had started attending.  We went and really enjoyed the people and leaders.  One couple in particular seemed "appealing" to us to seek out.

Here is where I will let you all in on a little secret: I'm actually quite shy when it comes to meeting people.  I have a HUGE fear of rejection and I also seem to assume that everyone hates me until I get to know them.  Talking up a person I don't really know is probably in my list of top 10 fears!  So what happens next in the story is a little shocking actually!

One night (probably a month or so after the idea had entered my head, I had to work up the courage to actually DO IT) after FLOCK, I walked up to the girl and just blurted out "So, we all work kind of close together.  I think we should do lunch sometime."  She almost jumped up and down and said "YESSSSSS!"  I think that maybe she was as hungry for a friend as I was!

What started as one lunch turned into lunch once a week.  Those lunches turned into fun nights hanging out together and we would cook dinner every Sunday night after church together.  Over probably three short months, the three of us became SO close.

Five years later- enter my very best friends- my kindred spirits, the sisters of my heart: Jamie and Natalie.

The three of us have walked through some of our lives darkest moments together.  We've shown up on each others porches, crying our eyes out.  We've confessed our hurts, fears, sins to each other.  We've rejoiced over babies being born.  We've cried over things that have hurt deeply.  We've driven hours just to be together when we needed each other.  We've spent many nights in each others houses, studying the Word and just being together.

 

Have you ever had a friend that just "got it" with you?  The three of us just clicked and I couldn't have asked for more from a friend.  These girls have taught me the meaning of unconditional love and TRUE friendship.  When I read "a friend loves at ALL times", I think of these two girls.  I know that we will be the best of friends no matter where life takes us.

Love you girls!

work girls and other randoms

Beyond being blessed by my job and my bosses, I am so thankful for the sweet friends that I have there.  When I started working at HHBC in January of 2005, there was only one other girl there my age.  Now I'm blessed to be surrouneded by friends my own age (although, a couple of them are BABIES and make me feel old... MALLORY).

That's Mallory, Jamie (who isn't a work friend, but will probably be given a post all to herself someday here in the near future!), Sara Wheeler (you have to call her sarawheeler) and Lauren.  These girls are beautiful from the inside out and I love getting to be with them 4 days a week.  We have so much fun just hanging out- eating lunch (most often in the breakroom), chatting at the copiers, laughing at each other and our dumb moments.  It definitely helps having such fabulous friends that surround me.

Since I'm on a work theme, I'm also thankful for Pandora radio.  If you haven't discovered this little beauty of a website, you haven't lived.  It allows you to choose what kind of music you want played.  So if I'm feeling like Broadway showtunes, I play my Wicked station.  If I'm feeling country, Brad Paisley.  If I want Christmas music in July, I turn on Mariah Carey "All I Want for Christmas is You."   You get the idea.  It's a FREE way to satisfy my ever changing musical tastes.

And finally- I'm thankful for a fully stocked refrigerator of drinks and coffee that I can enjoy everyday.  I know that sounds like a small thing, but I really do forget what a thoughtful thing that is.  I'm telling you- this is a great place to be!

my job

I am so blessed, ya'll!  Seriously- how can I ever complain about my life again??  Taking a long hard look at myself and the things I am thankful for has really made me step back and reevaluate my sometimes (read: far too frequent!) bad moods about my life.  I couldn't ask for more!

Today I am especially thankful for my job.  I have the privilege at working in the children's ministry at my church.  Not only do I work right down the hall from Micah, but I work for the greatest women!  I LOVE my boss, Wendy and the fact that she wants me to first be a MOMMY.  Not only is she the best boss EVER, but I consider her a very dear friend.

Ms. Amy is one of the kindest, quietest, most caring women I know.  I love coming into the office and seeing her at her desk.  She is such a mentor in my life, and I love knowing that whatever crazy thing John Mark may have done that morning, one of her boys has probably done something just as crazy!  She encourages me in my walk with the Lord and I love her dearly.

Kristen and Callie are the energy and creativity of our bunch!  It is seriously such a privilege to be a part of a team with such talent!  And along with their talent is great humility.  Each of them have the joy of the Lord flowing from them and it's contagious! 

When I went back to work a little over a year ago, it was a very difficult decision.  But now I couldn't be happier or more content with my job.  I love these women and count them among my week's greatest blessings!

thankful 7, 8

With this post I will finally be caught up to the day of the month... woo-hoo!

Today I am so thankful for my church.  When I moved to Edmond 10 years ago, I went to Henderson Hills on my very first Sunday in Edmond.  Now for a little background- I grew up in the smallest town, smallest church ever- think 150 on high attendance day... and for those of you who don't know of Henderson Hills, well- let's just say that the student ministry alone is SIGNIFICANTLY larger than where I come from.  So yeah- it was a LITTLE overwhelming.  I walked in, wanted to cry through the whole service and ran out the door as soo as it was over.  It was at that moment that I SWORE I would NEVER, EVER, EVER go to a big church- I just wasn't cut out for it.

3 years later, enter Micah and an internship at- GASP, Henderson Hills.  I was going to a much smaller church in the city at the time, but I knew that if I was going to marry Micah, a larger church might be in my future.  So I started going with him from time to time and fell in love with the worship and the teaching... and over time, as I began serving- fell in love with the people. 

Today I can't imagine being a part of any other church.  We've been here since 2003 and it truly is home.  While it is still HUGE, I've learned the secret to big churches- involvement.  It was once I found my place- student ministry- that the church began to get smaller.  And the more involved I've become, the more people I meet and get to be a part of their lives.

To be a part of a church that so unashamedly preaches the Word and has such godly leadership is SUCH an awesome blessing.  Being part of the staff- both as a wife and assistant- I am amazed at the godly men and women God has brought to this church.  I love that the families of the staff are a priority; that we as wives are encouraged to be the best we can for our husbands... I have learned, grown and become who I am today because of this wonderful place. 

This flows directly into my thankfulness for my ministry.  When I was a junior in high school, I felt a definite call on my life from the Lord.  At the time I just assumed I would probably marry a small town, small church preacher and do preacher's wife sorts of things.  Later in college I worked in the children's ministry at my church and loved that.  I knew that whatever God wanted me to do, I was CERTAIN that student ministry would NEVER be part of it... funny how God has a way of changing our plans!

But I love students- especially awkward, nerdy middle schoolers!!  God has totally changed my heart and I am so glad.  I love teaching- my small group girls, large groups of girls at retreats- it makes my heart sing to share the truth with these students.  I want so badly for them to know the TRUTH. 

I am so very thankful that God changed my heart- and that I was finally open to allow Him to move in my life.  Henderson Hills and their student ministry is where I've found my place and the thing that brings me the greatest joy- besides my family.

thankful 4, 5, 6

Posting everyday is hard!  I've had this post floating around in my head since yesterday and just haven't had a chance to sit down and type it! 

Anyway, things I'm thankful for parts 4, 5 ad 6.

I am so, so, so, SO unbelievably blessed to have been given the family that I have.  See, two months after I was born I was adopted. 

*To answer the questions that statement always brings I will say this: I've just always known, I've never met (nor do I really have the desire to) my biological family and I look just like my daddy.*

So the first aspect of my family that I'm thankful is a woman I've never met- my biological mother.  Without her and her sacrifice, I wouldn't be here now.  I'm thankful that she chose to give me LIFE and that she made the most difficult choice to give me a BETTER life.

I had a couple of friends growing up who were also adopted.  I've often wondered if my life would look like theirs if I had been adopted by THEIR family... but that's a question only the Lord knows how to answer. 

That thankfulness flows directly into my parents.  How blessed am I to have been adopted into a family who loves the Lord and seeks Him wholeheartedly... who taught me of Him from an early age... who loved me as their own without any hesitation? 

My parents have always supported me and wanted the very best for me.  Have I always believed that- of course not!  I was a teenager too, you know!  Have we always gotten along beautifully- no.  But I have NEVER once doubted their love, never once doubted they would be there to pick me up when I fell.  I have always known and FELT their prayers surrounding me.  I couldn't ask for more than that in parents.

I remember when I was in the first grade, a girl who knew I was adopted said to me- "you know, you're mom isn't REALLY your mom."  I immediately burst into tears and ran away... when I got home from school, I collapsed into my mommy's arms crying.  When I told her what my friend said, she took my chin and wiped my tears and said to me: "What is a mommy?  Let's make a list..."  She walked to my desk and got a pad of paper and began to make a list.  We sat there on the bed for an hour, writing out all the things that SHE did for me day in and day out... at the end of the list she wrote: "now THAT is a real mommy." 

Even now, 21 years later, tears fill my eyes as I remember that night.  I can close my eyes and SEE my mom's handwriting, I can picture the list.  I still have that list and would have to say that's one of my most prized posessions. 

My daddy took care of me like no one else could!  To this day, I believe that my love language of "acts of service" stems from my relationship with him.  It was obvious that he took his responsibility of taking care of his girls most seriously.

While some dads were too busy to be at their kids activities, my dad never missed a single basketball game, piano recital, church play... he was always sitting there proudly with my mom (and usually a couple of grandparenst!) and was happy to be there.  That's something I'm sure I've taken for granted far to often.

Ephesians 1:5 says "God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ..."  I've always thought that it was so cool and such a privilege to have been adopted twice. 

things I'm thankful for parts 2 & 3...

I'm a few days behind on this whole Thankful November, so today I'm doing parts 2 and 3.  These two really go hand in hand, because they are completely intertwined.

First up- Micah... my sweet, godly, husband- the best husband in the world, I might add.  You know, when I married him 5 years ago (that's a long time- good grief!) I never would have dreamed where our life would take us.  If you read in Ephesians where it talks about the husbands love for his wife, it's described as Christ's love for the church.  Micah is the picture of that sacrificial love.  Seriously.

Not only does he love me more than himself, he shows that love to everyone around us.  He is wise and discerning; he is caring and always puts the needs of his family before his own.  It's obvious that his family is the priority to his life after the Lord.  These aren't just words.  This is HIM.

So to sum up thankful thing number 2- Micah, a man who loves the Lord and loves me.  I couldn't have asked God for a better man.

Thankful item number three is my precious baby... What a whirlwind came into our life 3 years ago when John Mark was born.  I've always said that you don't realize how selfish you are until you get married- and you don't realize how selfish you STILL are until you have a child.

Being a mommy has taught me so much- about faith and prayer... about love and sacrifice... about the importance of life and love and showing the love of Christ in everything.

I will never forget the first time I held John Mark.  I was struck with the realization that as much as I loved him and as much as my heart was wrapped up in that tiny (or not so tiny, as our case was!) body- he's not mine.  He was placed on this earth as a gift entrusted to me from the Father.

I pray that the love he receives from me, the love he sees between his daddy and me, the love that surrounds him everyday points him to Christ.  Because that's what matters.

I have been blessed by my precious boys beyond my every hope and dream.  Isn't our God good??

national blog posting month

So the word on the street (the blog street, that is) is that November is national blog posting month.  I'm not sure entirely the POINT behind this, I just know you're supposed to post everyday.  Maybe it's to raise blog awareness... Anyway, I know that I'm 4 days behind, but I have a good reason- I've been racking my brain to find something brilliant to blog about EVERYDAY for an entire month.

But now I have it.  Since November is also the month for Thanksgiving, I've decided to blog, wait for it... things I'm thankful for!  I know, I know- you never saw that one coming did you?

First and foremost, and no list of things I am most thankful for would ever be complete without this-  is my sweet Jesus.  I'm sure that sounds cliche and there are people who hear that and might roll their eyes.  But I know without a DOUBT that I wouldn't have survived this crazy life without Him.

On Monday, the ladies I work with and I had the opportunity to hear from a child evangelism specialist.  We started the morning off by going around the table sharing how each of us came to know the Lord.  As I sat there listening to these beautiful, brilliant women that I admire so much and hearing their stories- all unique and personal- my heart was deeply touched.  The thought that the Lord, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the One who holds the stars in His hands and knows the cattle on a thousand hills- would call ME His child?  My eyes are overflowing with tears just thinking about it.

And while I asked Jesus into my heart at the young age of 7, it wasn't until many years later that I was able to understand.  And many more years later that I found a faith to call my own.  But I know, without a doubt, that the cold night in January, kneeling beside my blue bed in my bedroom with cats on the walls, after talking with my daddy, is the night Jesus saved me.

And I've never been the same.

the night we met PDUB

If you have facebook, you've probably seen that last night I got to meet a blogging hero. Her name is The Pioneer Woman, but we refer to her lovingly as P-Dub. She writes a fabulous blog that I've been reading for years... and just recently she was able to publish a cookbook.

Last night, at Full Circle bookstore, she and her family were there for a book signing. Jamie, Mallory, Sara, Lauren and I loaded up and went.

We got there at 5:30, signing started at 6:30 and we thought we were good. We were in line into the mall, but still relatively close to the front of the line. We had a fabulous time in line... And I'm pretty sure that we kept the ladies around us entertained.

For example, at one point during the wait, Lauren noticed PW's husband (who we in the blogging world know as Marlboro Man) was walking through the mall, right toward us.

Jamie has a fancy camera and we wanted her to take a picture... but she was on the phone with Chris. So we stood there yelling at her and jumping up and down... This is our recenactment of the moment later-

Later in the evening, her daughters came walking through the crowd. They walked right by us and Sara was bold enough to ask them for a picture. At this point we were all giddy, but still being oh-so-smooth....


Mallory said to them "I like your boots"... Then turned to us and immediately said (in the highest pitch EVER)- "I totally froze!!!" We all CRACKED up and somehow it turned into "BOOTS... PUNKS... RANCH" for the rest of the night... the lady in front of us was even quoting it by the end!

Her husband and two sons walked through the crowd a little later. Sara and I followed (read, hunted them DOWN) and were able to get a pic with them. Jamie, Mallory and Lauren were SOOOO jealous!

We finally made it INTO the actual bookstore and started to get excited... but the excitement turned into more waiting... and waiting... and waiting...


But finally... it happened- we got to meet P-DUB!

She is as cute and as sweet in person as she is on her blog. She chatted with us and commented on all of our clothes.


She loved us so much, she even put us on her BLOG!!


Anyway, to say it was the night or our lives would be putting it mildly.
And now you can all say that you know someone famous. ;)

want to bless someone?

Sara over at sara e photography is hosting a contest.
The prize: a FREE one hour photography session and a CD of high resolution photo files... but not for yourself.
Go to her blog and leave a comment nominating a deserving family who wouldn't otherwise have fabulous family photos available to them. The contest ends October 31, so go now and sign up!

What a great way to start off the holiday season!

And in case you forgot, she took this awesome photo!

back from vacay

We had a FABULOUS trip to Grand Lake this past week. Micah and I started off the week with probably the highlight of his life (besides marrying me and having little boy) which was seeing U2 in concert!! Not only did we see U2- we were up close and personal with them.

I'll post a recap and photos later, just wanted to let everyone know that I am, in fact, alive.

ideas

I need your help!!

Dilemma #1- My old comforter set got ruined... let's just say it involved a leaky pull-up and a tragedy in the washing machine. Anyway, it died. Inspired by Natalie over at The Pettijohns, I ordered a fluffy white duvet set from overstock.com. Um, how have I missed that place all these years?? It's glorious!

Now- what I need your help with is this- I now have a blank canvas of a room! My furniture is black, my bedding is white- I NEED SOME COLOR!! How should I add some color to my room?

Bear in mind the following things:

• I am poor
• I am fairly boring and bright colors scare me
• I have a 3 year old tornado son who thinks it's his job to destroy anything in his path.

SO- the cheaper, calmer, sturdier your suggestions, the better!

Dilemma #2- We're going on vacation next week (WOO-HOOOOO!!) and my all-time favorite vacation activity (besides sleeping) is reading a good book. Last year on our 3 day vacation, I read the entire Chronicles of the King series. Yeah, I read kinda fast... so- I'm looking for an interesting series/author to read through! Please give me some new ideas!

Dilemma #3- Any good road trip needs fabulous road trippin' music! What should we listen to??

Ready, set, GO! Solve my problems! :o)

how could i forget?

I forgot to post my favorite picture of the little boy yesterday!

family photos

The lovely Sara Wheeler took awesome photos of us last weekend. Not only is she a talented photographer, but also a dear, dear friend of mine.

Now I can't wait to see what Sissy Bird cooks up for our family Christmas card this year... I mean, look at these great images she has to work with!