To Kiss or Not to Kiss?

Interesting article found on www.reformation21.org.
http://reformation21.org/Counterpoints/Counterpoints/234/vobId__3713/

Memories

I traveled back into my picture archives and found this. Thought some of you would like to see what we looked like three years ago when we gathered for a celebration. Oh, college days....they were grand! Love you all!

Top Row: Mary, Malisa, Bree and Heather
Bottom Row: me, Cory, Audra and Libby (with Annie)

Girl's Night Out

Only a few weeks until Mary gets married. We love to get together so this gave us another reason to get away. We left responsibility at home (except I brought Luke with me) and got a hotel room so we could sit up until the wee hours laughing, chatting, eating, and reminiscing about our fun college days as roommates. Pictured from left to right: Libby, Mary, Heather, and me. Many adjectives come to mind when I think of my three best friends.....of course, my list could be longer but I haven't the room or time to list them all!

Libby = structured, organized, clean-freak, smart, personable, loyal, funny, and kind.
Mary = crazy, hysterical, laid-back, friendly, compassionate, and fun to be around
Heather = faithful, patient, encouraging, sweet, down-to-earth, germ-freak, and tidy.

What did you do this weekend?

We took a few walks, watched the rain through the window, bandaged some boo-boos, attended a birthday party, played in the sprinkler, went to church, bowled for the first time, ate cookies, had guests over for Sunday lunch, painted a wall hanging, sweated, felt the strong wind against our faces, went to Wal-Mart, bought a stuffed toy lobster, played on the playground, ate at McDonald's, gave lots of hugs and kisses, called grandparents, watched VeggieTales, fingerpainted, decorated with stickers, jumped on a trampoline, sang songs, played the piano at church, went barefoot almost everyday, killed a bug and then flushed it down the potty, visited friends, took naps, and much much more. These pictures captured a few of these moments.

It's Mary's time

After being a bridesmaid in everyone's wedding, it's now Mary's turn to wear white. My college roommate and sweet friend, Mary, is tying the knot. How blissful! Darien sounds like a wonderful man and I'm so happy the Lord brought them together. Mary, it's your time! Mark the date and pray for them (they're having a small, intimate wedding with family only)....Friday, September 8th, 2006.

Leash law

I love dogs....I really do. I used to want to be a veterinarian until I realized all the math, chemistry, and anatomy classes they had to take. I had dogs as pets growing up and I loved them all; especially my mutt, Nikki. She was with me from grade school until college. I'm not a dog expert on the breeds so I'm not sure exactly how each breed of dog is supposed to be "wired", but I do know that some dogs are scarier than others.

Usually, the bigger the dog, the scarier the dog. I haven't always been aware of their size, or frightened to an extreme by the large breeds....until I had children. I would like to think that I can go into my own fenced-in-backyard and not have to worry about the safety of my children; but, this morning, as Andrew was playing in the sprinkler and Luke sitting on my hip, I heard a deep grunt and then a growl. I immediately knew what the sound was but couldn't place the location of the dog. I then turned to my right and saw two HUGE dogs on the other side of the fence. This fence is a simple chain-link that is lower than it should be due to the erosion of the soil...therefore, instead of it standing at its full heigth, it is only half as tall as it should be. The dogs could have easily jumped it and attacked if they wanted. Andrew was about 30 feet away from me but our eyes met each as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. I looked him sternly in the eye as I slowly walked toward him, took his hand, turned toward the house and said, "Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk." It took forever to get to the back door, but we made it safely. I looked back to see the dogs still staring at us and slowly pacing back and forth against the fence.

This was MY territory, though...why should the dogs feel threatened by me? Well, maybe it's because one had some Pit Bull in him and the other looked like a Great Dane. It's just scary to think back on all those times when I've been in the outside laundry room while Andrew has played in the driveway, just a few feet away, without a fence to protect him. Or, when we were in the front yard this past Saturday washing my van and I turned my back to turn on the waterhose. Anyway, I'm just using this space to vent......if you are a dog owner, whether it be a small or large dog, please keep your dog on a leash or behind a secure fence. They may be friendly with you, or when you're around, but they're still animals that can be scary to those with whom they're not familiar.

I would type some sort of spiritual application here, relating the fear of dogs to the safety of God, but I'm too angry at the moment.
Ok, I feel better now.

At the car wash!

"Helping Mommy wash the car isn't all that hard.....especially when she does all the work and I get to goof, oops...I meant, cool off (*wink, wink*)!"

Pirates, Roly-Polies, and stuff

Just took some cute pictures that I wanted to share.

Andrew loves to hunt for Roly Polies....especially when the grass is wet and they ermerge from the soil. I'm trying to teach him to be gentle when he picks them up and transfers them from fingers to bowl, for they are easily crushed. He is learning but a few always end up dead in the process. This is the largest his collection has ever been!

I'm convinced that Chick-Fil-A has the best toys in their kid's meals than any other fast food joint; however, I must say that McDonald's gave out a winner this go round. They are promoting the new movie sequel, Pirates of the Caribbean (which we haven't seen yet but will soon, for sure, thanks to Chad and Chrissy), and gave pirate bandanas in their happy meals. Andrew has been wearing it around the house but Luke wanted to give piracy a try.

No comment.

Cousins playing

"My cousin, Emma, came over to play with me yesterday. Isn't she pretty? It was so hot outside that Mom let us have popsicles to cool us off. Anyway, I really like hanging out with Emma. I hope she comes over again soon so I can take her for another ride in my jeep."

That's hilarious!

I think this picture is so funny. Can you spot Andrew? He's in the middle of the photo, smack dab between all the girls. What a player.

More pictures to share

I love taking pictures and love sharing them even more!

How was your holiday?

We celebrated July 4 by going to visit my mother and extended family. We grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, and ate loads of Lays potato chips. My cousins from Mississippi were also present for the food and fun. We made it home last night in time to watch the city-wide fireworks with Mitch's sister and her family. Today, after getting my root canal (what a relief!), we pretty much stayed inside since it was so hot! Andrew wanted to color, stick, and paint so he got busy at the kitchen table while Luke chilled out in the high chair.

Strolling my blues away

It's so hot! Too hot to even play outside unless it involves getting wet. After it rained a little and cooled off, I took the boys for a stroll around the block while Mitch mowed the front yard. Andrew loves sitting next to Luke in the jogger and Luke simply likes being outside, out of the house. A change of scenery is always nice for us all. I've got another root canal appointment this week so I'm all doped up on the "magic pills" to keep my pain away until it can be taken care of. Every dentist/endodentist in town is on vacation for the long holiday weekend so I'm relying on the wonder of medicine. We're taking advantage of the holiday as well....we're leaving after church tomorrow to visit my mother. I haven't been "home" in a while so it's due time. I love going to her house! My sister and her family will be there, too, so it will be two full days of laughter, eating, visiting, and playing. Hope you have a happy July 4th!