Not me Monday!

Whew! It's been way too long since I've done a Not Me Monday post...so here we go!

Are you feeling guilty for spending the entire day in your pajamas? Hope no one saw you when you ran in the grocery store without a bra on? Overcome with embarrassment when realized you had two different shoes on? Well don’t be! Not Me Monday is designed to get those imperfections off your chest and reveal a few moments you’d rather forget. It is oh so refreshing!

It was totally not me who was adamantly against getting a Wii for the house because really…isn’t one gaming system enough? It wasn’t me who finally gave in and bought one for Hubby for Christmas. And most importantly, don’t believe for a second that it is me who has raw, peeling thumbs because of my new found passion for the Wii. Nope, it isn’t me who begs Christian to get out of the way and let me have a turn. No sir…I refuse to be sucked into those silly games and I definitely don’t waste hours at a time playing when I should be cleaning or cooking!

It isn’t me who pretends to be asleep in the mornings when Lexie starts to whimper and needs to be taken outside, no way do I go temporarily deaf in the mornings between the hours of 6-8 am. I would never practice my acting skills, forcing hubby to finally give in and get up to take her outside. Nope…not me.

And last but not least, I did not think it was hilarious and pretty smart when Adlee told me that it would be okay to wear her tiger face to church because Jesus loves animals too! I did not stop for a minute and try to come up with a legitimate reason why she would have to wash her face, only to declare “you’ll just have to talk to your mommy about that one.” Nope…I am much more firm when it comes to dealing with three year olds.
And just because she is so freaking cute…Here’s Lexie

Simplicity

My friend over at Kelly’s Korner is sharing her favorite simple pleasures in life, and I thought I’d join her!

My top 10 simple pleasures in life

1.) Holding hands with someone you love
2.) The first sip of a beverage when you’re thirsty
3.) Sleeping in on a rainy day
4.) The feeling you get when you scratch off the last item on your to-do-list
5.) Fresh, clean bed sheets (even better when someone else did the laundry)
6.) Relaxing outdoors on a sunny day
7.) Hearing the right song at the right moment
8.) Fresh, hot out of the oven chocolate chip cookies
9.) When your dog tinkles on the floor cause she is so excited to see you
10.) Waking up and realizing you have more time to sleep

Because truthfully… it's the little moments that make life big.

Our God is Bigger...

I was recently given a book called "Intervention". It was an awesome, Christian fiction book about a mother struggling to deal with an out of control daughter addicted to drugs. I couldn't put it down.

Turn on the tv and I am drawn into this show about a young, pregnant mother who is addicted to pain medication and desperately trying to get off of them in order to save her baby.

Heard from a friend who was struggling with desiring the love and affection of guys. Longing for intimate relationships, but being left with only regretful memories.

All these situations really got me thinking...we are just one step away from Satan's trap. He is such a sneaky bastard. (Sorry mom...I felt that the word was necessary in this instance). He doesn't care who he hurts or whose life he ruins, he just wants to destroy us. He will use whatever tools necessary to lead us down the wrong path towards destruction. Oh how my anger rages at his disgusting ways.

When I was in the 6th grade, I began to take notice of the difference between myself and other girls. What I now know as just being different stages of development, I took as something was wrong with me. I have always been determined (Christian would call it stubborn) so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I began to go days without eating. Nothing. I would not allow a single morsel to enter my body...and boy did I see drastic results. I felt that I had found the secret to being thin. Just don't put food in your mouth. I would go on these 3 or 4 days of no eating about every few weeks and in the meantime I was eating little to nothing. Let me just stop here and reflect. I was 11 years old. I didn't know about eating disorders. I just wanted to be skinny like my friends. What began so innocently as a child, would develop into a life long battle. I get so angry with the devil. He didn't care that I was young and naive, he just took it as an opportunity to entrap me in bondage.

Right after my 12th birthday, I was placed into a hospital for treatment. I was in groups with teenagers and adults who were struggling with lifelong eating disorders. I sat in on these sessions and listened to devastating life stories of women who were using these crazy eating habits to cope with life. Even though I was put there to receive help, really I just walked away with more crazy ideas and ways to lose weight.

Eating and food would become my addiction. I didn't realize it then, but I was steadily choosing to follow satan down the wrong road. I struggled with hiding food, taking laxatives, refusing to eat, exercising profusely, and striving for some unobtainable goal.

Throughout high school, I faced these issues on a daily basis. I never touched alcohol, never went near drugs, remained pure in relationships, but I never let go of my eating disorder.

After I graduated college, I went into a deep struggle with my eating. Lost a ton of weight and was fully engrossed in my struggle. I was so underweight, my doctor told me he was going to put me in a hospital with or without my consent. I gained the minimum to stay out of the hospital but continued to obsess and struggle.

Slowly...very slowly through much prayer, I have begun to see the evil and wrong of my ways. I am beginning to see the destruction and lies for what they really are. I am beginning to realize that I have not had control all these years...but rather had lost complete control.

God is teaching me that I am His and my focus cannot be removed from Him. We will all struggle with sin and strongholds throughout our lives, but that doesn't mean we can't find victory each day. We are living in tough times, our lives are daily battlefields. But our God is so strong and victorious. He is mighty and willing to face the battles head on for us.

Fast forward a few years and here I am...married to the most amazing guy in the world. Wonderful family and friends. Awesome job, adorable puppy and just loving life. Don't get me wrong...I still struggle on a daily basis but I am more aware of the evil and lies that surround us. I know the devil is after my joy. He wants me back in the bottom of the pit. But dog gone it...I am fiercely determined to make sure he is defeated.

Why do I share all this...because each and everyone of us has some struggle that the devil uses to gain control. He may use alcohol, drugs, sex, obsessive habits, desire for control, food, shopping, or low self esteem. He will wedge his way in our lives using whatever method he can find.

I want to encourage you and myself to cling to God's amazing power and strength. God is such a light in a totally dark world. He has never left my side, and He won't leave yours. Whatever your struggle...whatever your stronghold...our GOD is bigger. He is stronger and He will prevail.

Ahh...Life is Good

The Four Stages of a Newlywed

So hubby and I are celebrating 4 1/2 months of marriage and I can honestly say this has been the best 4 1/2 months of my life. Nothing can compare to the thrill of marrying your best friend and beginning a life together.

But I have become very enlightened over the course of the last few months and I feel compelled to share my thoughts with anyone who will listen. Perhaps I am the only newlywed in the course of history to experience these milestones, but I feel strongly that I am not alone. Hold on...this could get kinda messy.

Stage 1: The Adorable Stage- This stage was so fun...the stage where upon hearing his car in the garage, makes butterflies appear in her stomach. In this stage, the hubby can do no wrong. His dirty socks on the floor were adorable. The un-rinsed dishes in the sink makes her smile. The alarm clock going off for an hour before he actually got out of bed...just precious. This stage was so wonderful because it also was without any bodily functions being heard throughout the house. Nope...silent as a baby sleeping. Trust me...this stage is short lived.

Stage 3: The Awareness Stage- During this stage, the female begins to see her hubby in a more...shall we say natural light. She comes to the realization that this boy is not going home. He is here to stay. He has moved in and set up camp. That toilet seat will never be down again. The pantry will never be full again. The laundry will never be caught up. Now is the time of full awareness. The love blinders have been lifted.

Stage 3: The Amusing Stage- This is the stage when the female has made amends with the fact that this odd boy is here to stay. She realizes and accepts that her new hubby will be hers to deal with for a lifetime. The only possible thing for her to do is laugh and find the humor in his charming quirks. Isn't it hilarious when your hubby politely mentions that you folded his shirts wrong? Don't you find it hysterical when he runs and dives head first onto a freshly made bed? Doesn't his ability to burp louder than the tv just seem so darn entertaining?

Stage 4: The Appreciative Stage- There comes a moment in a newlywed's life that she realizes that in spite of the huge appetites, the unending dirty clothes, the unbelievably expensive obsession with golf, the intense love of all video games, the globs of toothpaste in the sink, the un-rinsed dishes and yes...even the burps...that she has married a jewel. The cream of the crop. The greatest thing since sliced bread. Yep...she begins to appreciate the incredible gift that God has given her, and most importantly she begins to get those butterflies in her stomach all over again!

It's a tough life...

It's tough trying to entertain my dad...It's tough being cute 24/7...It's tough keeping this soft purple bunny warm...

But somebody has to do it...

He is just amazing like that

Whew...life sure has hit us hard this past week, but tough weeks make you savor the good ones even more!

Our first New Year's Eve was planned and ready to be perfect. Marinated Steaks. Check. Sparkling white grape juice. Check. Freshly baked red velvet cupcakes. Check. A romantic candlelight dinner. Check.

Our New Year's Eve dinner was truly a delight. But it was short lived. Very short lived.

Around 11:45, as I am preparing to give my hubby a big smooch, he begins to feel nauseous. (For those of you who don't know me...throwing up is like my ultimate nightmare. I hate it. With a passion. I will do anything to avoid vomit or anyone who remotely feels sick.)

Next think ya know, I hear my sweet guy in the bathroom, um...how do I say this nicely...getting rid of our delicious dinner. Yep...dear hubby and I rang in the new year in separate rooms. He was in the restroom and I was in the den...as far away as possible!!

Poor thing was sick all night. By 6:30 the next morning, he was as white as a ghost and I insisted that we go to the ER, where they gave him 4 bags of fluids and 2 shots of Zofran.

He spent the next few days recovering, and is just now getting back to 100%. But I have to stop and give the Lord praise because seriously, this was my nightmare. But as soon as I heard Christian getting sick, instead of panic taking over, I felt a wave of peace and calmness come over me. The Lord poured His strength over me and I was able to keep it together and assist (from afar) my hubby. The Lord showed Himself to me in a mighty way last weekend. He showed me that our greatest fears can diminish with His power and strength. The Lord WILL supply us with the necessary strength to get through anything, even our worst fears. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is amazing like that. I know, without a doubt, His shield of protection was around me and He went above and beyond to show Himself to me.

Whatever your fears...He knows them and He cares. He will walk with you through each trial and give you over and above what you need to get through the tough times. He is just amazing like that.

It's a Weinerful Life

If our lives weren't crazy enough, we decided to throw in a puppy to the madness! Introducing Lexie Lou Moots...weighing in at 1 pound with redish gray hair and big brown eyes, she is totally stealing our hearts!

We had an unbelievable Christmas. I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful our families are and how much fun we had just hanging out with loved ones! We spent Christmas eve with Christian's family and let me just tell you...they are a hoot! We wore pajamas all day which I think should be something we do 365 days a year.


Christian had to work on Christmas so I spent the day with my family! My brother and sis got a puppy as well, they got an Old English Bulldog named Jersey! This little puppy has more wardrobes than I do...she even has pajamas!!! Isn't she adorable?? My brother said that English Bulldogs are very gassy...like clear-the-room kinda gassy, but hopefully little Jersey will mind her manners...at least when I am over there!!!

I hope each and everyone of you had a wonderful Christmas. Let us not forget that Jesus is the reason we celebrate, for without Him, we would be nothing.

Trial Parenting!

So last Friday, my brother asked if we would watch the girls for a few hours while they went out to eat. Of course we said yes, who wouldn't want to watch those two little cuties. For some reason, staying home with the babies just didn't appeal to me, so I decide we should all take a trip to the mall for some food court deliciousness, a glimpse at Santa, and perhaps even a quick play on the soft, matted play area.

So, my brother leaves us the huge SUV with the girls' car seats and wishes us good luck...I mean goodbye. So off we go on our fun filled evening with Aunt Ashlee and Uncle Christian. In the pouring rain. About 30 degrees outside. Two weeks before Christmas. With a one year old and a three year old. Yeah...I didn't really think the plan through.

So we arrive, park what seems like 5 miles away, manage to unbuckle the girls and bundle them in our arms so they don't get wet. Or catch pneumonia.

We arrive at the food court. We manage to get dinner down the girls but only by bribing them with cookies later. How else do you get a toddler to eat? So after a few bites of chicken, we head to Great American Cookie Company. All the "I'm full" we heard from the girls at dinner apparently disappeared as they scarfed down cookie after cookie. Did I mention if you buy like 67 cookies they give you one free! Seriously, just don't even bother with a coupon if it is so unobtainable.

We head to the soft, padded play area and enjoy a few minutes of crazy-make your head spin- kids everywhere-poopy smells abound-hollering toddlers with moms on their cell phone-fun. Until Myla falls and busts her chin...blood starts flowing and we start packing. Yeah...that was us, fleeing from the scene as quickly as possible without someone calling CPS on us. We try to calm the girls down from our quick departure from the playground by promising a fun ride on the carousel on our way out.

After cleaning up the wounded, we head for the carousel. We are greeted with a sign that has to have been scribbled by a teenage boy that reads "closed. be back at 7:30" um... no...that is so not acceptable.

At this point we decide it is time to call it a night...we tried...we failed... but we tried.

SO what have we learned from this fiasco, you ask? We are not having children anytime soon. Perhaps we will get a puppy.

Just when I think...

Just when I think I am making progress in teaching my hubby to be romantic and charming...
He pulls me close, embracing me gently in his arms...and burps in my ear.

Just when I think my hubby is learning good grocery shopping skills...
He calls me at work and tells me he is going to Wal-mart to get soup and milk and wanted to know if I needed anything. Later, I received a call from him and he was so giddy because he couldn't believe what all he had bought at Wal-mart for only $11.00. "Baby, I got relish, eggs, a Christmas wreath, a bow and tuna for only 11.00, isn't that awesome?" To which I reply "that is great babe, but what about the milk and soap?" On the other end of the phone I hear "aw crap."

Just when I think my hubby really knows me, that he really is learning all there is to know about his new, wonderful wife...
He out of the blue says to me, "hey babe, I didn't know you used a blow dryer" I stop what I am doing to make sure I heard him correctly. Was my husband, the man who gets ready with me in the mornings, in the same cotton picking bathroom, really asking me if I used a blow dryer. Let me just pause to inform you that I blow dry my hair every stinking day. Same routine. Wash. Blow dry. Straighten. Never fails. I reply calmly, "what do you mean sweetie?" He says, "I just never knew you blow dried your hair." Has this man been living in the same house with me these last 3 months? Being the calm, cool wife that I am, I just replied gently, "yes baby, I use a blow dryer." His response... "huh, I didn't know that".

Just when I think my precious spouse is reducing his stubborn streak...
While shopping for a gift for Christmas, Christian goes to Academy Sports. He finds the gift that he is looking for and proceeds to find the price. Without any luck in finding the price, instead of doing what you would think would be the correct response in finding a salesman, or even bringing the product up to the register for a price scan...my hubs decides he will exit the store, get in his car and drive 30 minutes across town to another sporting store, and purchase the same exact gift over there. His response..."I shouldn't have to search for a price tag, I sure showed them, didn't I baby?" Oh yes love, you sure showed them who was the boss.

Just when I think this boy is driving me crazy...
He flashes that beautiful smile at me, my heart melts, and I realize that I have the most amazing, sweet, precious husband in the world and I couldn't love him anymore than I already do.