My Partner in Crime

Today is Day 3 of the 30 Day Shred. Jillian Michaels is kicking my hiney. I love how P has been doing the 'esercise' with me. Last night he even went to go get his shoes on and was lying on the floor with me during the abs portion. He really helps my morale. And he makes me laugh.

He also likes to sit on the couch and hold my hand weights up in the air. Ok, I realize they are not heavy hand weights since my 3-year-old can lift them, repeatedly. However, after about 20 curls or arm raises in which I am also doing lunges, they FEEL like they weigh much more. :) 

Here's Mr. P showcasing the dreadful awesome dvd. I think his face says it all.

Back to the real world

Joel went back to work today, after having 6 days off! We had such a great time in Branson and definitely want to go back someday!! We got to see 4 shows and one movie! Our time there was jam-packed and kinda rainy so we opted not to do Silver Dollar City. Hopefully next time! :)

On our way into Branson, we stopped off at a discount ticket place that was being advertised on a Branson radio station. They asked where we were staying and we told them which resort tour we were doing. The guy was like, 'How about you skip going on that tour, and come stay with us. We'll give you 3 nights instead of 2 and 4 show tickets!' Um...okay. After being reassured that we would get no cancellation fee with the other resort, he 'convinced' us to stay with the Grand Crowne Resort. Really, it was too good of a deal to pass up! After the 3 hour sales pitch for the time-share (or partial vacation ownership as they called it) we were able to really enjoy our time in Branson! The sales presentation wasn't too bad, just way longer than the min. 90 minutes that we had been told. Guess it was worth it to get 3 nights and 4 shows, which we would've never been able to do. The shows alone would've cost over $200! 

We got to see the Redhead Express-a family singing/instrumental group from Alaska! They were amazing!! We really enjoyed it and now own 2 of their CD's. :) We also got to see Yakov, a Russian comedian, who had us in stitches for over 2 hours. He was hilarious and also had some heartfelt stories that moved me to tears also! Yakov actually painted a huge beautiful mural that was hung on a building near the 9-11 site and paid $100,000 out of his own pocket to get it there. He has an incredible life-story! We also saw Pierce Arrow, a singing group. They did some Gospel and a lo

t of early 90's music. Joel really enjoyed them! Lastly we saw Kirby & Bambi VanBurch, magicians that performed some incredible illusions that left us wondering, "HOW did they do that?!" :)

Our last day in Branson we went to the Hollywood Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe it or Not. Both were pretty impressive, and we got some pretty fun pictures at the wax museum. 

Our fun time in Branson was a good distraction for me from what happened on the WAY to Branson. I was driving, and had the cruise set at 72 (in a 70 mph zone.) Joel had been watching a DVD and had it angled towards me. Took my eyes off the road for a moment, looking down at the movie. Felt the car slip off the road. Scared, I panicked and over-corrected. Lost control. Slid sideways down the shoulder of the interstate. Our car struck a steel highway marker and plunged down the embankment. So grateful to not be hurt or have hurt anyone else. It honestly happened SO incredibly fast and left me wondering what happened?! We took the car into a local tire shop there in Lamar, MO and had the tires examined. It was driving BUMPY but it turns out it was just because of all the mud in the tires. Guess that happens when you do extreme off-roading in a car. The tires were FINE and the guys didn't even charge us anything. So we gave both of them a tip. We talked about it after the fact-ok, I talked about it a LOT...and it is just incredible that we didn't roll the vehicle or get hurt, and were so thankful that there were no other vehicles involved. Nothing was hurt...except my pride. Big time. 

I don't believe that I have ever felt so protected. It may sound crazy, but it was as if God had us in the palm of His Hand, and safely placed us at the bottom of the embankment. Joel and I have said that it is amazing that we didn't feel 'jarred' at all...All of our stuff was in place, nothing had bounced around. A semi had just passed us. His protection amazes me. It was honestly a mindless activity for me, to be driving with the cruise set, etc...and I had NEVER expected anything to happen. It all happened so fast, yet looking back it almost seems like things were in slow-motion. We had just passed a long section of road where there were rumble bars on the yellow line, on a hard-shoulder...This was a soft shoulder, that dropped down, with lose gravel. A simple 'mindless' activity turned into a major wakeup call! I am unbelievably thankful for the Lord's protection! Also I am grateful for my husband who helped me feel alot better after my stupid move. And I am thankful for life-in general. 

Here are some pics of our Branson trip and a couple from the Zoo on Monday!

Jennay and Forrest :]

Going AWAY!

I can't wait. Wednesday morning we are leaving for Branson! It's all part of a luxurious vacation package that my wonderful husband purchased...for just over $50. ;) Ok, so it might not be luxurious, but I don't really care! We're going AWAY! Sure, they are going to try and sell us a time-share, but as long as we 'just say NO' we'll have a pretty inexpensive vacation...including 2 nights at the Radisson. We'll also earn $50 in gift cards to Bass Pro Shops, for completing the resort tour (making the vacation lodging pretty much FREE.) There are a LOT of things we could do in Branson, but topping my list is Silver Dollar City. I've been there before, 'Fire in the Hole!' but it's been a while. I was about 15 or so last time we went as a family. 

Preston is staying with my parents and I will miss him like CRAZY! I already know there'll be tears (on my part) but as Joel reminded me, I'm with him 99% of the year, I can at least be away from him this 1%, right? Right. I'll try. :) 

Last time Joel and I were away together we went to Vegas-last Summer. It was fun, but I'm not much for HUGE crowds everywhere and accidentally seeing a little too much (or a LOT too much) skin on someone that I don't want to be seeing! Our hotel there was cheap, but NASTY...I'll never forget the blood-spattered walls and the sheets I was afraid to touch...EW. I'm thinking that the Radisson will be a LOT better, but I guess you never know.

About as random as I can be...

Last night we had a party for my Mother-in-Law's 50th Birthday. I used our lil' George Forman grill to cook the burgers (which took longer, yes...) but with wind gusts at over 40 mph, we kinda thought that using the charcoal grill was not a great idea after all. We had a fun time, and of course some yummy (storebought) cake. Unfortunately I didn't buy candles, forcing me to use what I had. I put a 3 and a 9 on the cake. Just making due with what was on hand. Either way, she turned 39 again, so hopefully that was ok with her! :)

Sometimes as a parent, I wonder about the impact I am making on my child's life. I try to limit the amount of time he spends with his beloved PBS and we read to him, Bible stories and LOTS of books, teach him, train him, try to make sure he has proper social interaction (or playtime with other kids:) and hope and pray he will turn out to be a man of God with strong character, willing to stand for the things he knows to be right. The other night he gave me a glimpse of what he hopes for the future. At the tender age of 3...I was excited to hear what he had to say. "Mommy, when I get big...I can reach the candy." Well, yes son. You definitely can. We keep the candy (mainly from Easter) in the cupboard only we can reach at this point. So you see, he has a worthy goal. And that is the first step, right? 

Potty-training has been going well!!! Just as I was at the end of my potty-training rope, hanging by just a tread-bare strand, it appears P has finally grasped the CONCEPT. I used to ask him if he had to go potty, and he'd say 'No, maybe tomorrow.' Well, that's great and all, but it's a pretty long time to HOLD it. But the past few days he's been keeping his pants dry...for the most part. And I am super proud of him! We're not at the end of this road yet, because it'll be a while before I'm comfortable taking him out and about in his 'big boy' underwear. But, I now feel like we are getting CLOSE and it's not some unattainable goal for us any longer!

We had a good Easter, and it's great to get to spend time with both of our families living in the same town now! As a Christian, I feel that Easter is the most exciting Holiday we can celebrate!! Christ is Risen! That is cause for celebration. Yes, we did the Easter egg hunt(s) and ate way to much candy and yummy food but the reason for the celebration was of course the exciting part! Saturday evening Joel and I were talking about the Easter 'season' and how it signified 'new life', and I realize that as a born-again believer, I have a new-life or new-beginning in Christ. Sunday morning on the way to church, out of no where, a large pheasant slammed into the front of our car. It was DEAD. Even broke our headlight! I was horrified to see a feather sticking up in the air. Yes, the pheasant rode the rest of the way to church with us, stuck in our headlight/hood. When we got to church my Dad gave us a curious look as we pulled in and then we popped the hood and Dad rescued the poor dead pheasant. I told a friend that we'd just been discussing Easter signifying this 'new life' and now we'd brought a dead bird to church. She pointed out that we could eat it...Well, yes! The Lord had provided an Easter dinner for us after all! It was so tasty. I'm kidding of course. We didn't eat the pheasant. But I'm pretty sure that P wanted to keep it. When we went back to church on Wednesday, he was concerned that the bird was gone. I'll close with a photo of the unfortunate pheasant (because I'm sure everyone wants to see it.)

Here is P having a 'picnic' with a friend...NOT having pheasant. :)

Shopping Cart Laughter

I was reading a devotional the other night, called Joy Breaks, by various Chrisitan women authors who spoke at the Women of Faith event several years back. I borrowed the book from my Mom, and I read it-pretty spuradically. But the other night it was talking about the importance of laughter. The author used an example of hysterical laughter that had happened to her and a friend...she wanted an outfit dry-cleaned-in the one hour dry-cleaning. Which is not normally a problem, unless you are WEARING the outfit you want cleaned (and you don't have a change of clothes with you.) Her friend took her to the dry cleaners, and took the outfit in for her...while the author (Luci Swindoll) tried not to be seen, and ducked down in the car, holding a purse in front of her on the way home, while her and her friend Marilyn laughed all the way home.

This reminded me of the time Noelle and her friend Jeremiah came to visit back in 2004 and we went out on the town for a good time. No, I did not go to the dry-cleaners...but we ended up at Target, where Noelle thought I should get in the shopping cart, while she would push me around the parking lot. Really? I don't make a habit of that. But, we were all goofing around, and sure enough-I got in the cart. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard-she pushed me FAST through the parking lot, while Jeremiah snapped some pictures. (Oh yes-there ARE pictures!) Thankfully my scanner does not work...:o) The devotional I read challenged me to do something today that will make me laugh...it said to, "Dare to embrace something a bit risky and wild. And don't put it off until tomorrow. How do you know tomorrow will ever get here?" The reference was Proverbs 27:1, "Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth."-New King James Version. 

While I don't intend to run to Target and jump in a shopping cart (which would be FUN...) I do want to try to not take life so seriously! In this time of economic hardships, the uncertainty of the job market, and trying to lose weight (again) there are a LOT of things to be concerned about, yes...but I do believe that LAUGHTER is the best medicine, and I WANT some of it. :o) 

Making me laugh today-is Mr. P-who is 3. He told me this morning that he needed some coffee. What a riot. Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! 

Romantic Notions

Since I posted pictures of my gorgeous roses, I feel it's only right to expose the 'other' side of Valentine's Day at our house. Since our second year of marriage, Joel has brought me home a lovely little singing creature-the day after Valentine's Day (hint: 50% off-which is a good thing. :)

I tried to capture their vitality and spirit with a photo-but did not accomplish it. My favorite is the green frog, who wiggles his hips from side to side, while opening his jacket and croons, 'you're UN-believable...' Magical, no? 

In fairness, I'll admit that our first Valentine's Day as a married couple-I was guilty of giving Joel the little hamster with the Elvis haircut. His little cheeks light up as he dances and sings, 'Ain't too proud to Beg'. It's heart-warming.

Notice how I've kept several of these cute lil' creatures in the original packaging. One might think I was getting ready to sell them all on Ebay-as one lot, to make a few bucks. No, I wouldn't do that. But-I am wondering what we'll do with them all in say another 20 years of marriage. Maybe build an addition? A room just for them? Or put them all in a lovely display case? Ha!! Until then, they'll all be huddled up on the top shelf of the closet until next year, when we can bring them out to laugh and entertain ourselves. Ah, who said romance was dead?!

Roses are Red...

Six gorgeous roses were delivered to me on Wednesday. This has never happened before. Flowers-delivered! I was impressed. A friend was over, and urged me to read the card-to make sure they were from Joel. ;) (They were.) He amazes me. I love them-so I had to capture their beauty, before they begin to wilt...(they already have.) But-it doesn't matter, I have pictures! And I will remember them forever.