Monday, April 26, 2010

Photo Fun - Formerly Project 365

April is finally slowing down
and it has been a great month.
A month of celebration,
change,
and challenges.
A photo a day did not happen, but photos were taken several times a week at the most memorable times.
Starting with one below!

My friend, Tricia, was baptized (by Marla and myself) on Palm Sunday!
Here we are.
Don't you know the angels were singing?

We went out to eat lunch to celebrate Tricia's baptism. Fred and I parked next to this pick-up truck. It was so funny that we took a picture. Only in Texas!

My son, Adam, and his girlfriend Thien, arrived in Texas Saturday before Easter!
We are were so excited to have them here for the weekend.
I thought as the kids grew into adulthood that the Easter baskets would decrease...
but this was our table on Easter morning!
More baskets than we have ever had!

The Easter Bunny searched high and low for this particular fingernail polish for Rebecca's basket. It is an O.P.I. color - Mad as a Hatter - from the Alice in Wonderland collection and it is already out of production. I don't know if she knows that it was like a little nugget of gold tucked away in her Easter basket.

(left to right)
Sofia, Aaron, Rebecca, Josh, Adam, and Thien
Here is the reason the table was full of baskets.
EVERYONE was here for Easter Sunday!
Aren't they the best looking group of "kids" you ever saw?
We think so!

Adam flew back the Tuesday after Easter and Thien stayed behind.
She is living with us while she works at her new job and establishes residency in the state of Texas so that she can go to grad school.
One of the American foods that she was leery of but that Adam likes is chicken pot pie.
So, I made it for her.
We did alter it a little as she was very nervous about chicken in a pie shell, so we used crescents instead - this time.
And then we took a picture for Adam to see. (he was quite envious)
And Thien liked it!

Prom is just around the corner and we shopped for a prom dress for Rebecca!
We were successful.
I think I can post this now...it is close enough to prom.
Of course more pictures to follow but we found a dress that fits her as if it were made only for her.

Fred and I were able to get away on a date (double date with our best friends) the weekend after Easter. A local Mexican restaurant was having a "soft opening" and we had an invitation. We had a great time sampling the food and drinks that were served!
Here's to Agave Azul in Flower Mound!

One of the really fun things about having Thien here is fingernails!
Yes, she is a certified nail technician but the best part is she is also an artist.
So, every new nail application will include a floral design. She tells me every one will be different. I thought it would be fun to photograph each design.
This is nail design #1

My gift to her, as a home coming gift, is this squarish vase.
She loves things in the shape of a square or rectangle.
Her first week here was celebrated with these flowers which she put in her room to make it feel "homey".
BEAUTIFUL.

Thien has agreed to prepare Monday night meals.
It is fun having someone to cook an entire meal and really fun to have new things.
She is really such an artist...even her meals are beautiful.
This was last week!
YUMMY!

My sister and niece accompanied my mom on a trip to visit from Tulsa.
Here is Kristin, my niece, and Rebecca and Thien.
They were entertaining Kristin.

We took Kristin and Lynn (my sister) to the mall.
Here is Kristin riding the carousel at Grapevine Mills Mall.

Even in the midst of all this fun at home, I was able to sneak away for an afternoon with a couple of my best friends! We had a fantastic day of shopping!

Feeling quite blessed!

Friday, April 16, 2010

We Remember Virginia Tech

Warning - You Are Probably Fat

Hmmmm.

Don't go to read this article if you are easily offended, especially regarding your weight.

I popped over to one of my favorite blogs this morning - The Resurgence blog and read this very direct article on...well, quite bluntly, being fat. I read it because I have found myself struggling with weight creeping up on me the last few years (turning 40 some time back changed my metabolism greatly!). About a year ago, I decided I was finished with the excess and have been gradually losing weight ever since. Recently, I have found the last 15 pounds to be like concrete stuck to my 5'2" frame and hence my interest in hearing what John Catanzaron M.D. has to say about it. After reading his article I am more motivated - spiritually - to rid myself of the excess weight. Caring for my body, also the temple of the Holy Spirit, has been part of my desire in obtaining a healthier weight, but there are other factors as well. Feeling good in general is important to me. I also hope to spend some good, quality years with my children (and hopefully grandchildren some day). But honoring God with my health was my main reason...or so I beleived. I don't think that I was living that statement based on what Dr. Catanzaron wrote here:
"A person cannot call themselves spiritually fit if they excuse the fact that they are fat! If you are fat, regardless of the reason, your fat is a poor testimony of what Christ is accomplishing in and through your life. Our bodies that God has blessed us with are to be cared for with respect and honor. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

He also says there is no excuse for being fat. True that. Plain and simple, I eat more calories than I burn. Period.

So, with new found motivation, I continue my goal of fitness. A fit Christian is a healthy Christian and that is all inclusive; fitness of spirit, mind and body. All are essential to honor and glorify God in this human body.

I guess I AM going to the gym tonight. :)

Friday Fill-Ins!

(click the picture for more Friday Fill-In posts!)

I know, I know! I do this almost every week....and for you...it is sort of boring! But for me, it is fun! It challenges my mind (I am simple, what can I say!) to fill in the blanks of these little sentences!

Here we go!

1. I'd like to know that all my loved ones know Jesus.

2. One of my most favorite romantic memories is the surprise anniversary that I planned for me and my hubby at Virginia Beach. We had a wonderful dinner out and danced in our hotel room, to Natalie Cole, totally enjoying our time together . And he was SO surprised! (it was one of those events where I left instructions for him to meet me after I was already gone....)

3. Last night, I had Italian Sausage, spinach and pine nuts over fettuccine for dinner.

4. Sorry for the slightly boring blog post.

5. Can we quit worrying about the health care reform now? ( I wish!)

6. One of my worst temptations is over-eating; really good food is simply hard to resist!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to shopping with my son's girlfriend to accessorize her new work outfits, tomorrow my plans include cycling, then shopping with great friends, and my mom, sister and niece arriving and Sunday, I want to totally enjoy hanging out with my family!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Too Heavy for Me to Carry

“History of Present Illness
Chief Complaint – DRUG OVERDOSE. This occurred last night. Toxic symptoms present in ED with nausea and abdominal pain. The patient has experienced situational problems related to work. Has recently lost job. The symptoms are described as severe. He has been depressed. Has had suicidal thoughts. Has highly lethal plan for suicide. The method is available.”

(HIPPA compliant)

I read medical records like these every day. And my heart breaks. Every time. Every single time. These are more than medical records, they are real, live human beings. They are in front of us at the grocery store and beside us at the stop light. And the one who’s record is notated here…the same age as my oldest son. Sobering.

When I left for work this morning, I was upset because my husband made a comment about the untidiness of my shoes in our closet. Something as trivial as shoes had the capacity to ruin my mood the entire day. Until I got to work. My job responsibilities sometimes have the ability to snap me back to a more appropriate way of thinking. (Re-read the medical record above.)

So, I remember what God says about this sort of thing. And I am reminded that even this very morning, as I spent time with Him over a cup of coffee, an hour before the comments that were made about my shoes, I read this verse

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22

Oswald Chambers, the author of the writings in the devotional book My Utmost for His Highest says,

“Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship.”

So, whether it is untidy shoe storage or suicide attempt, sharing the burden that I am under, with the Lord my God lightens the heaviness that threatens to weigh me down.

I wish I could share this with the patient who is trying to carry his burden all alone.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Daydreaming

I love trying L.L. Barkat's poetry prompts.
Sometimes I read them, think about them and nothing comes to mind.
Then, every so often I am brave enough to try one.
This one caught my attention because of the title, "How to Write a Poem" - and I thought...
"that's just what I need, instruction!"
Here is what she says,
"But we have to begin somewhere. Nobody wakes up and becomes Keats or Yeats, or the bard of Beowulf, in a day. Begin with a single sentence, or a phrase. Use a memory or something you see. Maybe pick up a few cool words from someone else's poems and play with them like a kid with a mudpie. Don't worry about what you're going to end up with."

I was at lunch when I read her poetry prompt, so, sitting at my desk, I scribbled on a note pad the first thing I saw...scattered paperwork, and ended up with a poem about retirement. Ha ha!
Here it is:

Daydreaming

Pages scattered
mind the same
jailed, restrained.

Sore from pushing
against the chains

taut with tension
until it pops
and freedom reigns



Friday, April 9, 2010

Friday!!!


It is Friday - again! Last weekend went by so quickly! The week was a whirlwind of activity and transition. My son flew back to his home in Northern Virginia but his girlfriend stayed in Texas to start a new job. She is living with our family and it has been a great week. She has been a trouper as she tries to figure out our crazy family's schedule, pet-peeves, and communication style. She has eaten American food every day (she prefers Vietnamese) and not complained once. The bathroom sharing has worked well between she and Lovely Daughter, except the hair clogging up the bathtub. This will hopefully be remedied that that Mr. Husband is aware of it.

And I am just thrilled that it is Friday and another weekend upon me! (I need it!)

To start things off, I will play my favorite blogging game, Friday Fill Ins! Not sure why I like to do this - but I find it to be a fun and easy challenge!

So, here we go....

1. In 1992, I was in Wichita, Kansas, praying that we would get pregnant with another child. (which happened, but not until 1993)

2. Watching children fill my life with laughter and smiles.

3. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are planted.

4. Mexico is where I'd like to be.

5. The trees and flowers are telling me Spring has sprung!

6. I feel like the battery that just keeps going on.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting my grocery shopping out of the way on the way home from work and then some DOWN time at home, tomorrow my plans include cycle class in the morning, shopping with my son's girlfriend in the afternoon, and a shrimp & crab boil party with my husband in the evening and Sunday, I want to to to worship services at my great church, spend some time getting ready for Women's Home Group on Sunday night and meeting the new ladies who are going to be in attendence!

Blessings to you this beautiful spring weekend!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

T is for Thursday

Tranquil
My heart experiments
Yearning for more
Knowing only He can provide

Trusting
I fear sometimes
Pain is searing
He is faithful to protect

Tomorrow
What is there?
My eyes strain to see
But I close them and look to Him

Today
Full of love
Soaking it all up
Grateful that He gives so much

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Project 365

Since I am not taking a photo a day these days, I am thinking of changing the name of my photo project! Maybe Project 52?
Representing photos of my day to day life -
at least every week!
ha ha
I will think about it.
In the meantime,

Here is what I was up to last week!

When Fred and I moved to Texas, there was a mesquite tree beside our pool. It died the first winter we were here. The following spring, we planted this Redbud tree in it's place.
It is my favorite flowering tree, and represents our home state of Oklahoma.
This spring it looks really great!

For some reason, I always hesitate to plant bulbs. I think it is because we have moved around enough that I fear having to leave behind beautiful, mature, plants!
Why?
I don't know.
Selfish, I guess.
But, I did purchase and plant some daffodils this past year.
The wind was blowing fiercely as I tried to photograph the first blooms.

And these?
Well...these are the peonies that I would not, could not leave behind when we moved from Virginia. I am amazed every spring when they begin to come up. Peonies are not supposed to like Texas! But these do!
Oh, I can't wait to see them and sniff them when they are in bloom next month!

Another new experience...
my pansies made it through the entire winter!
Even with the absurd amount of snow that sat on them for many days!
Normally, I would be eager to pull them out of these pots and plant spring flowers, but they are so happy right now!
So, I am going to wait a couple more weeks.

HAPPY SPRING!
(more later...really!)

Friday, April 2, 2010

Friday Fill-Ins!

Yay! Yay! Yay!

It's Friday!
And since I am too excited to be very creative, I think I will post a Friday Fill-In post!

Here we go....

1. All you need is God and God is LOVE.

2. My family fills me with laughter.

3. Each generation, as it grows up, has more knowledge than the generation before.

4. Hatred and lying (I can't make up my mind) is/are something(s) I have a hard time dealing with.

5. A trip to Los Cabos is what I need.

6. Give and you get back.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to working out (I know....it's crazy!) and spending the evening at home, tomorrow my plans include cycling, shopping for Easter goodies and my son and his girlfriend arriving from Washington D.C.!!! and Sunday, I want to spend time with my entire family together celebrating Easter!

He is Risen!
Celebrate!