I didn't grow up in the "Bible Belt." I didn't go to school with anyone who went to my church. I would say the majority of the people I have known and do know are not members of the Church of Christ or any church for that matter. When I meet someone and the question of religion or church comes up I am either explaining about the Church of Christ to someone who has never heard of it or I am on the defense......No, we don't have instruments, No I don't believe members of the CoC are the only people going to Heaven, Yes, Sunday morning/night and Wednesday night, Yes, I know that is a lot of church time for one week, yadda, yadda, yadda. When you do find someone, out of the blue, that has also grown up in the CoC it is so nice to have that unspoken connection with them. Of course you have to get past the big questions like clap?, praise team?, small groups? Harding, Freed, or ACU? and the occasional kitchen? :-) But, even if those answers are different, there is still an underlying connection.
Today at school while chit chatting with a 4th grade teacher I had that experience. Quickly it went from Where did you and Jon meet (Church Camp) to What church do you go to (Rolla Christian but grew up CoC) and then BAM!! She has a "SHUT-UP" moment and informs me that the 3rd grade teacher she rides with goes to a CoC and even graduated from Searcy, Arkansas (Harding I corrected). At that point I had my own "SHUT-UP" moment and informed her I graduated from Harding too. Then we found out that they both play in the Ne-o-tez golf tourney and the CFS golf tourney, the 3rd grade teacher attends Lafayette CoC. The rest of the afternoon, well during her kids' bathroom breaks and stuff, there was much discussion from different people we knew, how we knew them, all the way to Accapella. It's amazing how one conversation (spoken and unspoken) can change a relationship so much.
BTW, I realize that I used a capital "C" for Church in Church of Christ, and also CoC for Church of Christ, that is the way I have always written it, if you have issues with it.....get over yourself!! :-)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Hodge Podge
Rebate Checks
So I was all excited that those checks were to start being dispersed this week, not that it is for anything but the savings account, but still I was still excited to have it in my possession, until I found out...we will be the LAST group to get our checks. Apparently it goes by the last two digits in your SSN, Jon and mine both are in the 90's, plus we filed our return through the mail, oh well, July 11th is when our check will be in the mail, I hope they don't run out of money before then!
Taylor Swift
My girls LOVE Taylor Swift, the country music singer. Jon bought the CD and the girls and I have been rocking out to "Our Song" and "Picture to Burn" everyday on the way to school with the windows down and sunroof opened. It is so very cute to me to hear them sing grown up songs. Of course it took the first 500 times of hearing "Picture to Burn" (it says "stupid" in the chorus) before Gracie stopped letting us know that we shouldn't say stupid.
"I want to change to a boy!"
When we got into the car this morning Lexi told me that she will love it when she is a grandma and a mother. (I know totally random.) Then Gracie told me she would love it when she is a daddy and a paw paw. I informed her that she couldn't be those things because she was a girl, so she informed me, "I don't want to be a girl, I want to change and be a boy." I had no answer to that, she will figure it out on her own. Why argue?
Hair
So my hair isn't completely blonde, I guess that statement was a little misleading. I got highlights, but apparently in this town highlights actually means please put blue bleach on 70% or more of my entire head. Not really what I was going for, but luckily I am not that picky about my hair. As soon as Fonda gets me a copy of the prom pictures from last weekend I will post them so you can see it for yourself (Vic, the only one who actually cares).
School
So just now, after I had to listen to another issue here, I have decided that I am done with school this year. My brain has officially checked out. Only problem with that is we still have 17 more days left. UGH!!
So I was all excited that those checks were to start being dispersed this week, not that it is for anything but the savings account, but still I was still excited to have it in my possession, until I found out...we will be the LAST group to get our checks. Apparently it goes by the last two digits in your SSN, Jon and mine both are in the 90's, plus we filed our return through the mail, oh well, July 11th is when our check will be in the mail, I hope they don't run out of money before then!
Taylor Swift
My girls LOVE Taylor Swift, the country music singer. Jon bought the CD and the girls and I have been rocking out to "Our Song" and "Picture to Burn" everyday on the way to school with the windows down and sunroof opened. It is so very cute to me to hear them sing grown up songs. Of course it took the first 500 times of hearing "Picture to Burn" (it says "stupid" in the chorus) before Gracie stopped letting us know that we shouldn't say stupid.
"I want to change to a boy!"
When we got into the car this morning Lexi told me that she will love it when she is a grandma and a mother. (I know totally random.) Then Gracie told me she would love it when she is a daddy and a paw paw. I informed her that she couldn't be those things because she was a girl, so she informed me, "I don't want to be a girl, I want to change and be a boy." I had no answer to that, she will figure it out on her own. Why argue?
Hair
So my hair isn't completely blonde, I guess that statement was a little misleading. I got highlights, but apparently in this town highlights actually means please put blue bleach on 70% or more of my entire head. Not really what I was going for, but luckily I am not that picky about my hair. As soon as Fonda gets me a copy of the prom pictures from last weekend I will post them so you can see it for yourself (Vic, the only one who actually cares).
School
So just now, after I had to listen to another issue here, I have decided that I am done with school this year. My brain has officially checked out. Only problem with that is we still have 17 more days left. UGH!!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Branson pictures
Sorry, Alissa, I was having issues with downloading pics last night. Maybe you needed a mini lesson in patiences?! :-)
We started our weekend off with a little place we like to call Lamberts. I haven't been to a Lamberts in years (there are only 3 in the whole US). Kinda weird that Jon was at the Lamberts in Sikeston, MO with the baseball team at the same time we were at the Lamberts in Ozark, MO. We found out later that we even ordered the same thing too. It was fabulous as always and we all left stuffed.
Lexi and Kalista
Gracie and Isaac
Lexi, Kalista, and me
After we checked into the hotel in West Branson, we headed to Celebration City. When we got there it was like we were in the Twilight Zone, there was only like 5 other people there. Love that!! It was a little chilly, but not too cold, so it was a great night, we stayed all the way through the fireworks.
Alissa and Kalista
It looks like Alissa had all the fun, but if you could have heard Kalista giggle, you would know how much she loved it too.
I found out that, like their father, my kids do NOT like heights! We were all in line to ride the Ferris Wheel and Gracie said no way it was too high. Lexi did ride, but did not like it. So, Gracie suggested the airplane ride, only a few feet of the ground.
Gracie and Isaac actually got up a little higher then the big girls.
Funny this about the frog ride. Gracie has ridden this before, but today she was by herself and a little tired so....after three times around she lost it and was crying so hard they stopped the ride and got her off. So we went on the lady bug ride next and I wouldn't let her ride by herself.
Too cute, Lexi
Grace and Kalista
Another favorite is the Saloon Show. I have shared with you before my life-long dream to be a saloon girl in this show, some dreams never die!
We started our weekend off with a little place we like to call Lamberts. I haven't been to a Lamberts in years (there are only 3 in the whole US). Kinda weird that Jon was at the Lamberts in Sikeston, MO with the baseball team at the same time we were at the Lamberts in Ozark, MO. We found out later that we even ordered the same thing too. It was fabulous as always and we all left stuffed.
Aunt Lissa and Grace
Lexi and Kalista
Gracie and Isaac
Lexi, Kalista, and me
After we checked into the hotel in West Branson, we headed to Celebration City. When we got there it was like we were in the Twilight Zone, there was only like 5 other people there. Love that!! It was a little chilly, but not too cold, so it was a great night, we stayed all the way through the fireworks.Alissa and Kalista
It looks like Alissa had all the fun, but if you could have heard Kalista giggle, you would know how much she loved it too.
I found out that, like their father, my kids do NOT like heights! We were all in line to ride the Ferris Wheel and Gracie said no way it was too high. Lexi did ride, but did not like it. So, Gracie suggested the airplane ride, only a few feet of the ground.Lexi and Kalista
Gracie and Isaac actually got up a little higher then the big girls.
They loved the swings too.
Gracie's face doesn't look too thrilled, but she told me this was her favorite.
Saturday morning we took cold showers, ate crappy breakfast, (our hotel only cost $45 what did we expect) and then headed to Silver Dollar City. We we got there about 30 minutes after the park opened, it was already SO crowded!! Instantly we decided that is the reason why we will go back to ALWAYS eating breakfast in the park before the park even opens to beat the rush, and it's good food.
This picture was actually taken right before we left.
Gracie, Isaac, Kalista, and Lexi
Gracie, Kalista, and Lexi, Isaac was on the pirate ride with Alissa.
Funny this about the frog ride. Gracie has ridden this before, but today she was by herself and a little tired so....after three times around she lost it and was crying so hard they stopped the ride and got her off. So we went on the lady bug ride next and I wouldn't let her ride by herself. Too cute, Lexi
Grace and Kalista
Another favorite is the Saloon Show. I have shared with you before my life-long dream to be a saloon girl in this show, some dreams never die!These girls were not in the show, they were just going through the line taking pictures with people for you to buy them after the show. No, I'm too cheap for that, I'll take my own thank you.
All the kids did get to go on Fire in the Hole (indoor roller coaster ride) for the first time, Lexi, Kalista, and Isaac LOVED it. I told Gracie it was a roller coaster and she wouldn't like it, but she still wanted to go. It has three hills...she didn't cry till the last one right before it was over, and it was a hold-your-breath-death-cry, so everyone felt sorry for her because her mean mommy made her ride a scary ride, give me a break!
As always, I took some silly pictures to thank them for letting me take good pictures. At this point our day was over and we were right at the exit to the park eating some chocolate chip cookies.
I think everyone had a great time, and we already have another trip planned for the end of May.
All the kids did get to go on Fire in the Hole (indoor roller coaster ride) for the first time, Lexi, Kalista, and Isaac LOVED it. I told Gracie it was a roller coaster and she wouldn't like it, but she still wanted to go. It has three hills...she didn't cry till the last one right before it was over, and it was a hold-your-breath-death-cry, so everyone felt sorry for her because her mean mommy made her ride a scary ride, give me a break!As always, I took some silly pictures to thank them for letting me take good pictures. At this point our day was over and we were right at the exit to the park eating some chocolate chip cookies.
Gracie told me I had to take one more picture of her and her Isaac, this is what happened when I told him to put his hand around her shoulder.
I think everyone had a great time, and we already have another trip planned for the end of May.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
No Time
Sorry no pictures of last weekend yet. We have had stuff every night. I will try to get them done on Thursday during Survivor. I will leave you with this to ponder....
I am now blonde.
I am now blonde.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Bring back the "one-tripper"
When Jon and I first got married we use to carry in ALL of the Wal-mart bags in one trip, and so was born the "one-tripper." It didn't matter that we only go paid once a month and we would make a HUGE Wal-mart run, Jon would load my arms (and of course his) down and everything made it in on that sole trip to the house. I know, what's the big deal? Well, it then turned into a game and the more bags the more of a challenge it was to make the "one-tripper." Once Lexi came around it was harder to accomplish, but occasionally we would still get real excited if we could make it. After Gracie it became impossible. Today after Wal-mart I could not even tell you how many trips it took us to get everything into the house. Seriously, we had so much stuff it took us 5 minutes in the parking lot of Wal-mart to close my trunk, and all that was in there was what we bought today. Now, keep in mind we still only get paid once a month and it seemed this month we ran out of everything at the same time (detergent, bleach, toothpaste, lotion, etc.), but still we had a TON of stuff. Oh how I miss the "one-tripper" but I miss the smaller bill much, much more.
Funny Wal-mart story...
Walking into Wal-mart today we were all four holding hands, Jon on the left, me on the right and the girls in the middle. As we were crossing the parking lot Gracie started pulling on my hand to get me to stop, me, not wanting to get run over, pulled back to make it to the sidewalk as quickly as possible, at the same time as she was pulling on me I was hearing some honking, which I ignored because of course it wasn't directed at us. Well, we made it safely to the sidewalk and I look down to see what the problem was and I see Gracie's shorts around her ankles! Nice! She was flashing princess underware to God and everyone the whole time. That girl has no booty!
Alissa and I did take the kids to Branson for the weekend, as soon as I find the time to upload pix I will.
Funny Wal-mart story...
Walking into Wal-mart today we were all four holding hands, Jon on the left, me on the right and the girls in the middle. As we were crossing the parking lot Gracie started pulling on my hand to get me to stop, me, not wanting to get run over, pulled back to make it to the sidewalk as quickly as possible, at the same time as she was pulling on me I was hearing some honking, which I ignored because of course it wasn't directed at us. Well, we made it safely to the sidewalk and I look down to see what the problem was and I see Gracie's shorts around her ankles! Nice! She was flashing princess underware to God and everyone the whole time. That girl has no booty!
Alissa and I did take the kids to Branson for the weekend, as soon as I find the time to upload pix I will.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
7 Random Things
My good ol' Harding buddy, Rachel, tagged me to make a list of 7 random things. Since my posting has been minimal lately, I thought I should step up...here we go...
1. I am attending funeral #2 today for this week. We had two of our teachers' dads pass away this week. (No #3 is not on the way, we already had a para's husband die this year, so we have already hit the magic number 3. Speaking of that, why do they always happen in threes, weird?)
2. This week we have attended Lynn and Jerry Jones' marriage seminar at our Church. This is the second time we have attended this seminar, the first time was in O'Fallon, MO. I asked Jerry if we got extra points for attending twice, he told me maybe this time around I might "get" the specific points Jon had outlined to him the he needed to cover. Funny Guy. (It has been great, but we are all so tired, a lot of crying this week.)
3. I have not worked out since last Friday (busy week), and today I was up 2 lbs. Not happy about that.
4. I have two evaluations on my desk right now that I just don't want to look over. I am ready for summer.
5. I am wearing the Jergens natural glow tanning lotion, and I HATE the smell. I am walking around just wondering if other people think I stink.
6. I have piles of folded clothes on my living room floor that have been there since last Friday, since we haven't been home I haven't had time to finish the task, so they sit. (Marriage thing tonight, so they will wait till tomorrow, what's another day at this point?)
7. I'm a reader now! I know shocking! Last year I read My Sister's Keeper, and loved it. At our yard sale Fonda was getting rid of 3 books by the same author, I took them and I am reading them. So, I am a reader, of course I will never be a speller or a grammarer, sorry about that.
I am now tagging
Andrea
Cheryl
Fonda
Henley Family
1. I am attending funeral #2 today for this week. We had two of our teachers' dads pass away this week. (No #3 is not on the way, we already had a para's husband die this year, so we have already hit the magic number 3. Speaking of that, why do they always happen in threes, weird?)
2. This week we have attended Lynn and Jerry Jones' marriage seminar at our Church. This is the second time we have attended this seminar, the first time was in O'Fallon, MO. I asked Jerry if we got extra points for attending twice, he told me maybe this time around I might "get" the specific points Jon had outlined to him the he needed to cover. Funny Guy. (It has been great, but we are all so tired, a lot of crying this week.)
3. I have not worked out since last Friday (busy week), and today I was up 2 lbs. Not happy about that.
4. I have two evaluations on my desk right now that I just don't want to look over. I am ready for summer.
5. I am wearing the Jergens natural glow tanning lotion, and I HATE the smell. I am walking around just wondering if other people think I stink.
6. I have piles of folded clothes on my living room floor that have been there since last Friday, since we haven't been home I haven't had time to finish the task, so they sit. (Marriage thing tonight, so they will wait till tomorrow, what's another day at this point?)
7. I'm a reader now! I know shocking! Last year I read My Sister's Keeper, and loved it. At our yard sale Fonda was getting rid of 3 books by the same author, I took them and I am reading them. So, I am a reader, of course I will never be a speller or a grammarer, sorry about that.
I am now tagging
Andrea
Cheryl
Fonda
Henley Family
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Aqua-globe
Please tell me you have seen those commercials for the aqua-globe? You know it's the "handblown" glass globe/tube that you fill with water and then shove into you plant and it automatically waters your plant, not too much and not too little.? Well, that commercial just came on TV and Lexi said, "Hey mom, do you like that?" Me, "I don't know, I don't know if they really work." Lexi, "Yes, they do. Look (the commercial was still on) it is just that easy. I think you should get some." (End of commercial.) "Oh, man, it is 14.99. You can't get it now, you don't have that much money." We have trained her well!
(At 3.39/gallon for gas, her answer is oh so true.)
(At 3.39/gallon for gas, her answer is oh so true.)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Baby News!!--UPDATED--For Real!
Well, Ella called me a few minutes ago and told me she had a new baby brother. Then David gave me the important info:
11:43am
7lbs 4 oz
19in. long
and what we all want to know NAME......
still unknown!!
(I know they are killing me too! I told David that was unacceptable they had 9 months and 5 hours to have already figured that out. He told me he would call us later.)
He also told me that Ella has been a GREAT big sister so far. (She had only been there for 45 minutes. I didn't ask how long he thought the "honeymoon" would last, but it will end, it always does.)
So check back in to find out the name soon, wait, it may not be soon...just check back in and hopefully I will have a name for ya.
So it is Friday night and I still have no name (I have even texted him and nothing)...so really I have NO update. Made ya look!! Man, I am just like a 3rd grader, why are you friends with me? :-)
Heather called me at 7:50 tonight to tell me they finally named new baby boy Earnhart.
And
his name
is.....
drum roll please.....
Nicholas Alexander Earnhart (sweet name).
Baby and mom are still doing great. To read more check out their blog here. She was working on it when she talked to me at 7:50, so it should be updated soon.
11:43am
7lbs 4 oz
19in. long
and what we all want to know NAME......
still unknown!!
(I know they are killing me too! I told David that was unacceptable they had 9 months and 5 hours to have already figured that out. He told me he would call us later.)
He also told me that Ella has been a GREAT big sister so far. (She had only been there for 45 minutes. I didn't ask how long he thought the "honeymoon" would last, but it will end, it always does.)
So check back in to find out the name soon, wait, it may not be soon...just check back in and hopefully I will have a name for ya.
So it is Friday night and I still have no name (I have even texted him and nothing)...so really I have NO update. Made ya look!! Man, I am just like a 3rd grader, why are you friends with me? :-)
Heather called me at 7:50 tonight to tell me they finally named new baby boy Earnhart.
And
his name
is.....
drum roll please.....
Nicholas Alexander Earnhart (sweet name).
Baby and mom are still doing great. To read more check out their blog here. She was working on it when she talked to me at 7:50, so it should be updated soon.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Garage Sale-UPDATED
I love garage sales! I enjoy going to them, if it is a subdivision sale and I don't have kids with me, but I really LOVE having them. I don't know what it is, I mean it's a lot of work and you have to get up at the butt crack of dawn, but to clean out unused items in your house, hang out with friends all day and make money doing it, it's fabulous!! This will be my first garage sale to have at my own house in a long time (The last time was when we lived in Cape Girardeau in 2000). In St. Louis I had wonderful success at Vicki's house and then also at Cheryl's house, I am not expecting a 300 dollar profit like I got once in STL, but even 50 dollars I would count as a success here. It's our city-wide garage sale, and the weather is supposed to be sunny and 63, so we have that going for us. My friend Fonda will be joining me, so wish us luck, or stop by if you find yourself in our neck of the woods.
Without one single sign, no add in the local paper, and we GAVE a ton of stuff away, Fonda and I still managed to walk away with a combined profit of $100.35. I call that a success! Almost all of the city-wide garage sales took place on the other side of the RR tracks so we were not bombarded like they were, but we still managed a steady flow most of the day. We started at 6:30, slashed our prices (from .50 cents to .25 cents) at 10:00ish, and changed our prices to FREE around noon. (In STL I was use to packing up around 10:00.) I had a great time, I know I am crazy, and I only brought half of a Rubbermaid tub back into my house.
TOTALLY UNRELATED:
I am expecting to become an aunt again sometime this week, I am hoping today. Heather is scheduled for a C-section, but they are THOSE people who like to drive everyone crazy by not telling ANYTHING (date, time, names, sex, etc.) before the actual birth. All I know is that Heather's mom arrived in Chicago last Friday, and we have not heard anything yet, so please keep them in your prayers. I will post something as soon as I hear.
Without one single sign, no add in the local paper, and we GAVE a ton of stuff away, Fonda and I still managed to walk away with a combined profit of $100.35. I call that a success! Almost all of the city-wide garage sales took place on the other side of the RR tracks so we were not bombarded like they were, but we still managed a steady flow most of the day. We started at 6:30, slashed our prices (from .50 cents to .25 cents) at 10:00ish, and changed our prices to FREE around noon. (In STL I was use to packing up around 10:00.) I had a great time, I know I am crazy, and I only brought half of a Rubbermaid tub back into my house.
TOTALLY UNRELATED:
I am expecting to become an aunt again sometime this week, I am hoping today. Heather is scheduled for a C-section, but they are THOSE people who like to drive everyone crazy by not telling ANYTHING (date, time, names, sex, etc.) before the actual birth. All I know is that Heather's mom arrived in Chicago last Friday, and we have not heard anything yet, so please keep them in your prayers. I will post something as soon as I hear.
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