anatomy of a snow day

In case you weren't aware, Oklahoma has been in a bit of a lovely winter storm.  It started Thursday at 9AM with ice and sleet that lasted all day and turned into snow overnight.  We woke up Friday morning to a white winter wonderland in the front yard.

Unfortunately, this means we've been stuck in the house since Wednesday night.  I did go to the office Thursday morning, only to be told we were closing at 9... so I stopped at the redbox and stocked up on some movies for us.

As a result of being cooped up inside for entirely too long, I took photos of things we've done along the way... so I give you- the anatomy of a snow day.

 

We build lego farms

 

We bake (and eat, obviously) the only cookies we have supplies for

 

We watch movies 

(He's on the laptop while JM is watching a kid show on TV)

For example:

-Monster's Inc (at least 5 times, no joke)

-Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

-Bolt

-Veggie Tales

-The Proposal

-(500) Days of Summer

-Twister

-

*obviously, kid shows win in our house...

  

We play words with friends obsessively

  

We read books... lots of books

(this is to counteract the number of kid shows...)

We build snowmen... and yes, our snowman has a mustache...

what's it to ya?

I can't complain about being stuck inside.  My parents who live south of here haven't had power since it hit them Thursday afternoon, and it looks as though they won't have power until the middle of next week.  At least we've had power and water.

We did venture out of the house today to eat lunch with friends and I went to see "When in Rome" with the girls.  Fun times.  The roads are already becoming a mess and we don't have church tomorrow.

Now, if you'll excuse me- Monster's Inc is on and I have some words waiting to be played.

money, money, money... MO-NAY

I'm terrible with money.  There.  I just admitted it.  You know how there are spenders and savers?  I'm a spender- through and through.  When I was younger, I would get $2 from each set of grandparents and $3 from my parents after each basketball game to "get something to eat".  That's $7 per game.  And I would spend it ALL at the concession stand.  I mean, I know I could put away the food back then- seriously.  I had money, I had to spend it. 

I just like to buy things...  clothes, groceries, toilet paper...  I'm not picky!

Over time, my spending may or may not have become a bit of a problem.  As in- we don't have money, but I was still spending.  Overdraft charges, bounced checks, debt... nothing really phased me.  In case you were wondering- this is BAD. NEWS.

After far too many years of failed attempts at budgeting, we knew something had to change.  So we enrolled in Financial Peace University.  Um, Dave Ramsey- he kicks booty!

We watched the videos, set out our budget, put cash in the envelopes and got excited.  In case you were curious- budgets= a spenders worst nightmare!  When the cash is gone- no more spending.  But I have come to realize  that I don't have the self control to just "not spend."  So davey to the rescue.

One area we knew we could seriously cut back on was eating out.  It's so easy after a long day at work or church or napping to just pick up a pizza... or tacos... or chick-fil-a.  But (being the spender that I am) I always buy tons of groceries with lofty goals of gourmet, homecooked dinners every night.  Those dinner- yeah, not so much.  Fancy food quickly turned into lots of taco bell.

So, for the the month of January we decided no more eating out.  I set a menu plan (thank you e-mealz for this wonderful concept!), got groceries and determined to eat dinner at home. 

WE DID IT!  Oh my word, I'm embarassed to even tell you how much money we saved by doing this.  But for the sake of the blog (and humility) here's the lowdown. 

This month we spend $99 at resaurants (that's $1 under budget, yo!).  In November/December we spent (I'm embarassed to even admit this...) $589.  On food.  In restaurants.  RIDICULOUS.

That's $489 we saved just eating at home (and who even knows how many calories)... this doesn't include the $15 trips to target and all those times I would've hit the sale rack at Old Navy.

So, I'm planning on chronicling my journey from becoming a spender to a saver here on the blog.  If any of you have some fabulous tips for a newbie like me, PLEASE leave me a comment!

the same power

"Jesus Christ is able to untangle all the snarls in my soul, to banish all my complexes, and to transform even my fixed habit patterns, no matter how deeply they are etched in my subconscious." -corrie ten boom

I read this today as I was doing my quiet time.  I was struck yet again by the reality that it is CHRIST in me that creates change. 

Reading this has lead me to sing a song from hillsong all morning-
"The same power that conquered the grave lives in me"...

WOW!  Why would I ever try to fix things myself or make myself "better"?  I have the power of Christ living in me to work out my salvation.

It is my prayer today that I would let Him.

told ya

This was our evening last night:
JM- "Mom, I'm hungry.  Can I have this?"
Me- "No, John Mark... that's really old cornbread."
JM- "Oh.  But I LOOOOOVE cornbread"
Me- "No you don't... besides I don't remember when I made that."
JM- "Oh.  Well, what can I have?"
Me- "How about a sandwich?"
JM (jumping on the counter)- "YES!  I'll get the peanut butter."

I proceed to make the sandwich and cut it into a heart.
Then I threw the heart remnants into the trash...

About 15 minutes later (after inhaling the sandwich),
JM walks in holding bread...

JM- "Mom, can I eat this?"
Me- "NOOOOO!!  That was in the trash."
JM- "Oh.  Well, I'm starvin'... Dad, can I eat this?"
Micah- "No."
JM- "Why not?  I'm starvin'"
Micah- "Because... you're not a goat."

eating me out of house and home

seriously.
This kid can eat like nobody's business.
Let me tell you what he has eaten today:

BREAKFAST- 8:45ish
*big bowl of fruity cheerios
*banana
*cup of milk

I'M STARVING- 10:30
*some hershey kisses (unknown by me)

I'M STILL STARVING- 11:00
*string cheese
*juice

LUNCH- 12:30
*4 chicken nuggets
*applesauce
*pretzels
*half a HUGE orange
*more pretzels off my plate

AFTER NAP- 3:30
*animal crackers
*juice
*fruit snacks
*about 5 cups of water
(he was being a magician making water "dis-da-ppear")

SUPPER- 6:00
*5 huge raviolis
(to give you perspective- I had 8!!)
*peaches
*string cheese

BIRTHDAY PARTY- 7:00
*big bowl of yogurt
*juice

HOME- 9:00
*more string cheese
(maybe I should invest in string cheese stock?)
*glass of milk

Like I said- ridiculous.
To put it in the words of a mom of 3 boys-
"Just wait til he's in the 7th grade-
then your grocery bill tops your mortgage."

7th grade?  Try Kindergarten!

2010

A new year has dawned and with that comes thoughts of where I want to go in my life this year.  We had the most inspiring message at church today- we were encouraged to focus on what we ARE, rather than what we DO.  It was a most timely message.

A while ago, I sat down with my sweet friend Sara and we were totally upfront about some things that we had been struggling with- idols, if you will.  I could tell that the Lord was beginning something within me, but I wasn't sure exactly what that was.

Fast forward a few weeks and my boss was telling me the way she determines her focus for the new year.  It sounded so incredible, that I hopped on board with her, Sara and a couple other ladies.  I sat and prayed, answering questions about myself and reading things others had to say about me.  I wasn't shocked to find that my answer was exactly what I had felt God saying to me earlier in the year.

So, it is with great anticipation and (to be quite honest) a little bit of fear that I embark on this new year with a new focus- humility.  I feel a little silly even admitting that because it seems counter-intuitive to "announce" a focus like humility.  But the one thing that I want to learn more deeply in 2010 is just Who my God is- how big and mighty and powerful and awesome... and how SMALL I am in comparison to Him... that I can do nothing apart from Him.

I have a "plan" to help encourage myself in this walk:
1.  Memorize- scripture throughout the year that involves humility.  REALLY memorize, not just learn it for a week and then move on.  I want the Word hidden so deeply in my mind and heart that I breathe it.
2.  Give sacrificially- one of the "practices" of humility was stewardship.  I want to be a better steward with the gifts God has given to me.
3.  Learn how to REALLY study the Word of God.  I want His Word to be my LIFE.
4.  Submit.  Submit.  Submit.  To the Lord.  To my husband.  To those in authority.  I allow myself way too many excuses for not submitting.  It's time to get over myself and let go.

I suppose that last "point" should really be number 1.  Because without submitting to the Lord, I will just be trying to get better.  And that's not what I want.  I want a life that is so immersed in Him, that I am daily on my knees surrendered to Him.

I leave you with my first memory verse- the verse that sums up beautifully what I want to be true of me:

Isaiah 66:2
"Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?"
declares the Lord.
"This is the one I esteem:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit,
and trembles at my word."

Jesus, give me a heart that trembles at Your word.  Teach me daily to surrender to You.  Show me more of Who You are.  I love you.

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!