Happy Halloween!

Flashback Friday...

head on over to kelly's and check out the Halloween edition of show us your life friday!!! I put some picture from last year on here! The boys were the Imagination Movers!!! They had a blast at a neighborhood party and loved thier costumes!!!










FYI, if anyone is interested, I am selling the "only worn one time" costumes half off! Let me know if you are interested and I will give you the details!!!!

Be safe and have fun this weekend!

This is...

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

M,M&M (Part 3) Waiting

A month had gone by since that fateful elevator "meeting." We had passed for a moment and didn't realize that it would be the beginning of something special. We were introduced by a fellow nurse on the unit and had exchanged pleasantries on many occasions. I was working days and he was scheduled on the night shift. Day after day, I found myself getting antsy as my shift neared it's end, wondering, and then hoping Mr. M would be walking through the doors to work that night. I learned bits and pieces about his life but he seemed mysterious, almost shy at times. The buzz was that he was very much available and there were many people we worked with who started talking that we would be great together as a couple.

Now at 23 I had been very good at living the single life. I graduated from nursing school, moved home, bought my first place on my own, and settled into praying and waiting for what God had for me. I have to admit that the thought of going out on a first date with anyone scared the living daylights out of me. My heart would race and my palms sweat at the mere thought of being alone with a man on a date. I felt like a giddy school girl and would try to suppress the butterflies as my mind would wander to the "what ifs" every time I saw Mr. M.

Another month went by and Mr. M and I still were only chatting at work as the shifts would change. He had an amazing smile. White teeth, fabulous lips, the whole nine yards. And that mattered. Oh yes. It's funny how being single for so long had resulted in me making a quite extensive requirement check list in my head for my future husband and what I wanted. Top of the list right after a heart that seeks Christ was "a great smile!" Yep, call me vain, but that was a big make or break feature. One that I could check off with flying colors about Mr. M. When he laughed or smiled, I secretly melted. A feeling that would also occur just at the thought of him walking into the room in those royal blue scrubs! But we won't go into details about all of that.

Another requirement was he had to be smart. I know, I'm shallow. Not really. I wanted someone who was motivated, inspiring, strong! I soon found out that Mr. M also fit that and beyond. He would take great pleasure in teaching me new things about complex ICU patients and I swooned at his knowledge and ability to explain things so they could make sense. I will never forget the time he asked me if I had ever heard a heart murmur. I said no and he said, "my patient has one, wanna come listen?" My heart lept at the thought of him teaching me! We went into the patients room. He held his stethoscope on the patient and then placed it in my ears. We were only 2 feet apart, if that and the last thing on my mind was the murmur I was trying to hear. Mr. M smelled heavenly and I couldn't think about anything except that. There were days of moments like this that seemed to indicate he was interested in me.

And yet another month went by and I felt like Mr. M and I had a connection that was special. I would let my mind wander to what our first date would be and started wondering if he was ever going to ask me out. Being the old-fashioned type, I was standing my ground and waiting for him to make the first move. I thought for sure he would catch me after a unit meeting or something. Was I missing signals? Was I making it all up in my head. He really did seem interested...I thought. I resorted to the school girls games of asking so and so if so and so had heard anything about if he liked me. Or tell her to ask him what he thought of me. But don't make it obvious! etc. etc. I had even stooped to blatant flirting. Touching up my makeup before report. Taking my long hair down from my clip as we talked about our patient load. Horrible, I know. But I really liked this guy. REALLY.

I prayed for patience, wisdom. Dear Lord, is this the one? The waiting was tortuous but would soon pay off...just not soon enough.

Not me monday...

I certainly would never have waited until the day before the Fall Festival to run around town (just like last year) looking for the perfect cowboy attire for my kiddos so they wouldn't be disappointed that they were the only ones not dressed up. And I never would pay full price (an arm and a leg) for the cutest cowboy hats I found at the halloween store, just so my 5 year old would be happy that he was a "cool cowboy!" That would just be crazy!!

I certainly did NOT let my child go to school looking like this because he hates haircuts and it has been long overdue!

And I would never have let him go to a special event like fall festival for school looking so disheveled.

I would never have waited until yesterday when my hubby was taking a nap to bribe my child with unlimited amounts of candy to sit still long enough to cut that mop of hair! Nope, NOT ME!

I love fall...

I love fall, especially when we have cool, breezy days like today that make it feel so wonderful! I always like to do yard work but enjoy sprucing things up and re-mulching for the fall and winter when I don't have as much blooming in the yard. A few pumpkins and some leaves always make the front look inviting but I can't wait for christmas time when the lights and everything go up too!! Hope you have a great weekend! And don't forget to jump over to www.kellyskornerblog.com for more fall fun.

wordless wednesday (a day late)

M,M&M (Part 2) Just the Beginning...

This is such a great idea! Thanks to Rachel, I will be attempting to give our story half the entertaining quality as she has over on her blog! But like she says, it is God's story and we are just living it and sharing! Hope you enjoy.


1999 was coming to an end. Y2K was the buzz. The world was wondering what 2000 would bring. I had no idea that this would be the year that changed my life forever. I had graduated nursing school in May of 1999 and moved back home to Louisiana after being more homesick than I had anticipated. I had only been 2 hours away, but now that the craziness of school was over and I was entering the grown up world, my heart longed to be back home with the support of my parents and sisters. I had initially taken a job near the University I graduated from and a month into the stressful world of being a registered nurse, I turned in my 2 weeks notice and packed my bags for home. Little did I know that God was already orchestrating the path that would lead to meeting the future Mr. M.

December 31st was a crazy day at work. Everyone was freaking out that the computers would crash, monitors would shut down, and the intensive care unit where I worked would be incapacitated as the year rolled to 2000. Administration was sending out notices and everyone was on alert. Someone else was on alert that day too, but for a different reason. The sweetest, kindest, most caring and God-fearing lady who occupied her 60 year old self as the patient representative at the hospital where I worked had heard a rumor that a new male nurse had been hired and would be starting work on the unit soon. Miss "M" had her eye out for poor ole me who had yet to see a date in my years since praying for that special someone to be dropped in my lap. I had become her little pet project to find a mate, or at least a date, in the new millennium. She squealed with delight in hearing an "eligible" and handsome new hire would possibly be a "match" for me. I giggled at her matchmaking attempt but deep down my stomach fluttered at even the thought of meeting someone new.

It is crazy that life's curve balls can be God's plan. Or maybe God just finds a way to make himself known in spite of life's curve balls. For Mr. M, life had been full of hurt and heartache. In his 26 years of life to that point, he had experienced love, loss, hope, fear, success, pain, rejection and so much more than anyone should have to handle in so few years. It was through all of that, that his path grew closer and closer to crossing mine. A series of painful events led him into town, in search of a job, looking for a new chance, a new start, a new beginning. He, however, had no idea that what he would find here, was not what he had come searching for.

January 3rd, 2000 ended up being just another day to wake up early and come to work. Y2K was nothing. A whole lot of nothing. Nothing happened to the computers. The world didn't come to an end. Life went on just as it had before. I got up, took a shower, and headed to my day shift position in ICU. I had forgotten that Miss "M" had mentioned that the new guy had started and would be finishing a night shift as I came on. I hadn't given any thought to the buzz that Mr. M was "all that" and people were talking. I had not even anticipated that day to be any different than any other day. That was until the elevator stopped on the 3rd floor, the doors opened, and there he stood. Tall, dark, and, handsome. Tired from the night shift he had just finished. My heart jumped as I stepped out of the elevator and he stepped in. We brushed arms as we passed each other. My mind raced, wondering if it was HIM. Was this the new guy? (whoever he was, he smelled good!) It had to be. It was only a second, a mere instant that came and went. Our paths crossed and we had no idea that it was just the beginning.

Fall Fun

We just got back from an amazing saturday of fun filled fall favorites!! We found an awesome pumpkin patch that features acres and acres of corn mazes to navigate. They also have hayrides, pony rides, games, food, pumpkins, and so much fun! Here is a sneak peek into our day that ended up being colder than we expected. The boys had a blast and it was worth the hour drive to see their smiling faces!

Favorite Foto Friday...

so hot out here...

There is something very wrong with the fact that I just went out to mow the lawn and had to come in as to not suffer from heat exhaustion! Where is it normal to be 86 degrees with 99% humidity on October 15th??? Crazy. Not to mention the fact that it has been raining for the last week and the ground is soggy and muddy. I had to come running inside and strip my clothes off in the laundry room after realizing that the fire ants had crawled over my tennis shoes and under my jeans and once they started biting I looked down to see them all over me! Dear God, what is the purpose of fire ants????
Anyway, just got a COLD diet coke and hot shower and am feeling better, minus the ant bites that itch like crazy. Hope you all are enjoying more seasonable fall weather where you are!!!

...and I missed it

Saturday was just another weekend day...or was it. Daddy was home from work. I worked friday night at the hospital so I came home and got ready for bed just as everyone else was waking up. I drew the curtains (nice dark-out lined ones), put in my ear plugs, and gently place my aromatherapy mask over my eyes and drifted off into a wonderful, peaceful sleep. I woke up at noon to a silent house and assumed everyone was gone somewhere to let me sleep in a quiet house. I went into the living room to find logan on the couch watching a movie with daddy and burning up with fever. I then notice the absence of my oldest child. I asked my husband where he was to which he casually replied "at his soccer game"! HIS WHAT??!!! You see jackson just had his follow up appointment with the pediatrician to clear him after he broke his foot and got his cast off. Friday! Saturday morning gramma calls to see if Jackson wants to go to him game and meet his team. He had been cleared to play and had never been to a practice or game yet this season. Not only did he go watch, gramma and grandpa took him to the store, bought him cleats, suited him up, and threw him in the game!!!! He LOVED it and did great. Only one problem!! I WAS AT HOME, IN BED, SLEEPING!!!! I MISSED IT!!! His first soccer game EVER!! And he even scored a goal (well it was in the wrong goal!) But he has never played before and jumped right in. My heart lept for joy at his excitment in recounting the whole game to me when he got home, but also sank into my stomach as I was sad I missed the first soccer game of his life. And dad missed it too as he was home taking care of our youngest who we now know has the flu. I am sure there are hundreds of more soccer games in our future. Gramma did great snapping some shots! Here are a few.










Way to go man! We are so proud of you!! Great job.

Meetings, Marriages, and Memories (Part 1)

So I think this is a wonderful idea and will try to link up with rachel every week to share my story. Actually, more like God's story for me! I don't really know where to begin or what to include so I guess today will be an introduction of sorts. A little background to start the story of me and the one I love.


I was home schooled from 1st grade through the 7th grade. I loved it. I have 2 sisters very close to me (a twin and the other only 13 months younger) We all stayed home together and I have amazing memories of our mom pouring her heart and soul into our little lives every moment of everyday. She was a wonderful mom and great teacher. It was during those early years that we were taught about the Bible and given an invaluable foundation of faith for which we still stand today. Being raised in a christian home has been a joy and a blessing and I cherish the rewards our lives have received because of it!
Anyway, all that to be said, I had a strong sense of faith and who I was in Christ even as an 8th grader starting out in public school for the first time. I was different. I stood out. Sometimes that bothered me. Most of the time I didn't care. My value and worth was not based on what the world thought of me. It was based on my savior and I knew He loved me! I also learned that he had a plan for me. That plan was a special one that began to take shape long before I would meet the man of my dreams. I placed my heart, soul, and purity into God's hands as a young teenager, desperate to be faithful to the truths held in the Bible. With a promise ring on my finger and a request of God to never have to date, I set out on years of high school, college, nursing school and then a career as a nurse, all without the trials and emotional roller coaster ride of love and break ups. I simply asked God to please show me who I was supposed to marry when I met him and not have to worry about all the messy relationship stuff that I had seen so many around me fall victim to. I just wanted to know and that would be that!

Our life stories were worlds apart but things fell into place year after year and God's plan unfolded into an amazing and wonderful love story. One day I was a single 20 something, the next day it all changed...

Not Me Monday!

Check out www.mycharmingkids.net for Not Me Monday and see where it all began!


It certainly was NOT me that shoved 4 loads of clean clothes back into the dryer all at once because I hate folding laundry and I really hate folding cold laundry. And it definately had NOT been sitting on the couch for 3 days without being touched. THat would be crazy since I have to stare at that couch everytime I check my email or facebook!!

Show your life...Tailgating edition! Go DAWGS!

I have to say, I'm a military brat and married into a family of Mississippi State Bulldog fans. It has been a tough team to cheer for more often than not, but those are some dedicated fans. We did go to the Independence Bowl when State made it and it was in Shreveport, Louisiana. It was crazy! New Years Eve, 2000 and it SNOWED! Yep, in Louisiana! We FROZE! I just kept thinking, I can make it four quarters. Then it went into overtime!!! I thought I would die of hyperthermia (us southerners are wimps!) IT was worth the trip and the overtime as STate won by 3 in a crazy and wonderful game! Here are a few pics ( and yes, some more cheezy scanned in ones)!

WINNER!!!

Yeah! This is exciting! The winner of the Pink Package giveaway for October (an my first ever giveaway) is jenna! Check out her cool blog and family at www.thejacksonfivefamily.blogspot.com!

thanks to all 5 of you who commented! The winner was selected out of names in a hat by my wonderful hubby!

Jenna, I will be in touch to get your address!

odds and ends...

check out this video. i can't even imagine. she is an inspiration and makes me think of things a little differently today.

http://www.oprah.com/media/20090924-tows-stephanie-struggle-crash


today is the last day to get your comment in for the giveaway! I will pick a winner tomorrow around 7am! go to the giveaway below and get your entry in!

Gap is holding another kid casting call with some cool prizes. So get out those cameras and submit a pic of your cutie pie to be the next gap kid!! www.gap.com/castingcall
through october 22!

not me monday!

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check out http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ for mckmama's Not Me Monday event!

I most certainly did NOT in any way forget to look in jackson's folder this weekend and totally miss the fact that he had a book report due. Nope, not me! I am a totally organized, wonderfully responsible mom who always stays on top of homework and projects :/

MY FIRST EVER GIVEAWAY!!!!

Ok, so I thought I would try out a little giveaway just for fun. I got the idea from here, so jump over there and check out her site, but come right back to see what you can win here!!

Today is October 1st. For a lot of people it means getting ready for halloween, looking for pumpkin patches, settling in to enjoy some fabulous fall weather and spiced apple cider. But for a lot of other people, it is an amazing month of remembering and recognizing breast cancer awareness month. If you are reading this blog, you are most likely someone who has either had or known someone close that has been touched by breast cancer. A mom, sister, aunt, friend, gramma, or daughter. Everyone has a story.

I had a little scare 2 years ago. I found a lump. It is scary, horrible, and happens to so many. I had it check out. My doctor thought it wasn't anything to worry about, but I still worried. So i had a mammogram and ultrasound! Turns out it is just dense, fibrous tissue. Whew. But now I know what is "normal" for me and I will be able to detect a "change" in my breast tissue during a monthly exam because I know what feels usual for me!

So to kick off this month, I am giving away an entire PINK PACKAGE!! It will have all kinds of goodies in it. A t-shirt, a breast chek kit, stickers, and some very helpful breast health info for you and to share with someone you love this October! It will be a value of over $100!! And it's my first giveaway!!!

Just leave me a comment about what October means to you, or if you have been touched by breast cancer in any way, share your story!! I will select a random winner next week and get back to you! make sure there is some way to get in touch with you on your comment!!

And just because it's my blog I am going to give you some info to remember!!!

-Breast cancer affects 1 in 7 women! (yikes)

-A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 3 minutes.

-Most women do not perform monthly breast self exams (early detection is key!)

-Exercise, eat right, and perform monthly breast self-exams, it could save your life!

-If you are over 35, talk to your doctor about a mammogram!

I look forward to hearing from you! Happy October 1st!!!