An Apple A Day

Whatcha got there, big sister?

I think I want it!

Let's share it!

It's yummy!

Who wants formula when you can eat your sister's apple!

A Tender Heart

I thought I would only have one post today but I am compelled to share tonight's prayer time before bed. We say our prayers then we have a list of Most Important Things that we repeat. Our first one is this - God loved us and sent his son Jesus to die for our sins. The second one is this - We love Jesus because he first loved us and died on the cross for our sins. The first two sparked a conversation about Jesus. Puddin' said "you know Momma, Jesus did not have to die on the cross. He made the choice to get on the cross for us!" I'm thinking, "wow, she knows he volunteered!" We discussed this point then she said, "and he rose on the 4th oops I mean 3rd day. And all the disciples even Judah got to see him and the ladies at the tomb." I then got to delicately explain why Judas not Judah did not get to see him. She remembered that he was the "bad" disciple. Then her face changed and she looked concerned and said "maybe Judas was a bad boy and grew up to be a bad man? And there is a little boy that was in my class and he is a bad boy and maybe he is going to grow up to be a bad man and he will not get to go to heaven because he won't know Jesus! She's crying by now! Her heart is grieved about this boy, J. She proceeded to tell me some of the bad things J has done at school. He has apparently been moved to a school for bad kids now. I asked her "why do you think J is so angry and does those things?" She said "because maybe nobody loves him at home." I'm weeping by now. So, we prayed for J tonight that he would be safe and that somebody would show him love and that he would find Jesus. Thank you Jesus for showing us Puddin's tender heart! Stop and say a prayer for J too!

Toe Tapper

Even before Sugar made her debut into this world she has been dancin' and toe tapping to the beat of just about every song. I recall taking my preschoolers to music class and a bulge would appear on my right side. It was Sugar's foot tapping to the tunes. She is almost one now and still loves to dance and tap those toes to songs she likes! It looks like she is shaking her head to say "no" but she is really shaking her head to dance. She also likes to wave her hands like she's directing the band - she's taking after her Momma! ;) I told Daddy Boy that I wanted to video her dancing and moving and then speed it up a bit and play that Johnny Cash song Get Rhythm because that is the tune that comes to my mind as I see her enjoying music "come on get rhythm". Sometimes when she is fussy, I will bring her into the office and we will listen to tunes on the computer. She gets especially excited by the green moving bars on the Windows Media Player.

So in honor of Sugar's toe tapping talents, we have added some tunes to our blog. I like all kinds of music so you will see a wide variety over time. We especially like old country stuff which is not easy to find or the renditions are not so great on Playlist.com (no Orange Blossom Special worth a flip, no Bob Wills - what is wrong with these people!). I did manage to find a childhood favorite by Dolly Parton Mule Skinner Blues(click on it below to listen). (No, I was not raised by hillbillies in Appalachia somewhere! No, I have never fallen off of a turnip truck! Yes, I have all my teeth and I am not currently wearing overalls, barefoot or chewing on a hayseed. Yes, I did watch my fair share of the Dukes of Hazard and Hee Haw! LOL!). My dad and grandpa always loved music(Daddy Sang Bass was one of their favorites). They did not play instruments but always enjoyed listening to those who could. When my grandpa was a boy/teen, he would hang out at the edge of town listening to the Black folk play the blues and sing gospel. He was a character and I just imagine him dancin' a jig while listening. So, Sugar and I have come to enjoy music honestly. Here's a few random tunes we enjoy so we hope you enjoy too! Feel free to click on your favorite! Make sure you listen to Love Song! I guess I also need to Get Rhythm on this playlist!!

Little Marble

Little Marble,

You went to be with Jesus last Monday in the wee hours of the morning. We got to see the surgery pictures and there you were, our little marble, snuggled up in the wrong place. We all wished that we could just scoot you down to the right place so you could be with us in a few months. I'm sorry that it doesn't work that way. I'm glad I got to see you as painful as it is. I don't know what Jesus does with little marble babies. Maybe you grow and play Red Rover and hopscotch with all the other little babies that went to heaven before you. Knowing my children, I'm sure you have climbed like a monkey to the top of the tallest tree! I will look for you and your sibling there when I get to heaven. Until then, I am sure that Jesus has a rocking chair and He is taking such good care of you right now. You are loved. You are missed.
~Mommy

Magnificent!

We have been patiently waiting for the butterfly to emerge from his cacoon. I checked on him yesterday and he was still hanging out. I walked by this morning and noticed the poor thing struggling to get out of the little cup he was in. We took him outside to release him and this is what we saw! It was amazing to look at all his intricacies - the subtle shades of blues and browns in a wild pattern on one side of his wings and the bright orange on the other. It is hard to believe that this all started with one ugly fuzzy black caterpillar. Puddin' was delighted!!

Happy Birthday Amanda!!!

Here we are on our way home from Austria

many many years ago!

Lots of fun memories were made that week!

Amanda, I hope you make new memories today and remember all of your fond ones from days gone by! Happy B-Day!

Throwback Thursday!! Ode to an old friend!

When I was in the 6th grade....

(yes, I needed a fashion consultant, didn't we all?)

I made a friend in beginner band! Her name was Jenny! Today, she is turning thirty something! Let me tell you a few little known facts about Jenny...

1. She was voted most likely to steal a car at our HS senior banquet (it's a long story)

2. Her name was almost Cookie

3. She once was asked out by one of the cutest boys in the band (he was voted band beau our senior year) and she said "no"

4. She loved the Donnie & Marie Osmond TV show as a kid

5. She is an excellent scorekeeper for most sports - that way she doesn't have to actually participate in the sport

6. She is an award winning car dancer

7. She has a master's degree

8. She loved the same boy our entire high school and college years!

9. She busted out her two front teeth out in the PE locker room in 6th grade

10. She loves Dr.Pepper

11. We were the drum majors of the Humble High School Military Marching Band

12. She played the flute

13. She helped me pass computer math

14. She has been to Europe more times than I can count

15. She hates cockatiels but they love her

16. She had gravity defying hair in HS thanks to her giant can of Aquanet hairspray

17. She hates tomatoes

18. She does a stunning impersonation of the Statue of Liberty

19. She can drive a car with the windshield shattered

20. She can order her food at Whataburger in French

21. She's a Phantom of the Opera fan

22. She owns the world's heaviest dictionary

23. She once played a boy in a classroom re-enactment of Return of the Native. Our friend John played the girl (Eustacia Vye) and our English teacher was not happy about it! Needless to say, it was funny!!!

24. She once owned a Bobby Brown cassette tape and put My Perogative on her answering machine

25. She used to think LL Cool J was a hottie

26. I HAVE KNOWN JENNY FOR 26 YEARS!!!

We have had our fights!

But we always made up!

Thanks for all of the fond memories Jenny! I hope your birthday rocks!!