We made a quick trip to Searcy this past weekend for Spring Sing. John's sister, Laurie, and her daughter, Brenna, came up from Atlanta. It had been over a year since we'd seen them last! We stayed with John's mother, and so did they, so it was good to have some catch-up time with them.
The hosts and hostesses were fantastic, and perhaps I'm a little biased since Logan, my second cousin, was one of the hosts. He did an outstanding job!
We did get to eat one meal out at the farm. There were 14 people around the table including Mamaw and Papaw, Mom, Aunt Donna, Uncle Kevin and Aunt Kathy, Pat and Deborah's family and also our family. It was so good to be together, even if just for a short while! I wish I had remembered to take pictures of our lunch!
John and I hung out a little while at Mom's house after the show Friday night and got to spend some time with Kreg and Keleigh there, too.
The slide show below is from Easter Sunday as well as some pictures from Searcy, thanks to Laurie!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
We're pulling out the blue again!
That's right. We're having another boy! His name is Jonas Dean, after Papaw Curtis, and he was measuring about 10 days ahead of schedule. The sonographer said that he didn't' think I'd make it to my original due date, which is convenient for me since going into labor early was my plan all along. :)
I don't have any pictures, but we did get a VHS recording. I've commissioned John to magically get it on the computer so I can post it, for those who want to see.
Hooray! Now the fun planning and shopping can begin!
I don't have any pictures, but we did get a VHS recording. I've commissioned John to magically get it on the computer so I can post it, for those who want to see.
Hooray! Now the fun planning and shopping can begin!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Friday, March 07, 2008
Proof of snow
Yes, we get snow in Tyler ... occasionally. This is the first time all winter that the snow has actually stuck to the ground. It's SO wet and heavy! Good for snowmen, if it's still on the ground when Johnathan gets home from school. Yes, they had school. The roads are fine.
We let Johnathan enjoy the snow this morning before we left for school. Notice the matching yellow boots ... uh, bags. :)
Catching snowflakes on his tongue.
We let Johnathan enjoy the snow this morning before we left for school. Notice the matching yellow boots ... uh, bags. :)
Catching snowflakes on his tongue.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Kalleigh picture update
Belle enjoys Kalleigh's playing.
Hard at work.
Precious little hands!
A view from the keys.
Setting the ball.
CRACK!
"Did you see that, Mom?!"
Proud of her 4-inch hit!
We've been enjoying the scattered pretty days outside!
Monday, March 03, 2008
Shannon Etheridge Conference ... and Ms. Joan
This past weekend I went to a women's conference/retreat at Pine Cove, a local camp. The guest speaker was Shannon Etheridge, author of the best-selling Every Woman's Battle series. This conference was about her newest book entitled Completely His: Loving Jesus without Limits, which focuses on the bride of Christ/bridegroom relationship we have with Jesus. Our Ladies' Bible Class is studying this book this semester.
Five ladies from Glenwood went: four of us in our 20's & 30's, and then one lady who is 77, Joan. We younger ladies were hoping that Ms. Joan would feel comfortable with us, but none of us had ever really gotten to know her very well. It could be awkward or great. Well, let me tell you that Ms. Joan was hilarious and fit right in! She reminds me of Mamaw, though (as I told Mamaw on the phone this morning) she opted out of the zipline, and I knew Mamaw would've gone on it with me! But she is quick witted, adventurous, and none of us had any idea that she was 77. I was thinking maybe mid-60's? Boy was I wrong! And you know what she and her husband do for a living? Lecture on cruise ships. Now how awesome is that?
The weekend was outstanding, but I think most of all I'm thankful that I got to know Ms. Joan better. I look forward to spending more time with her in the future!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Words
Kalleigh's vocabulary has taken off. Isn't it amazing when they round that corner and realize that this language business could really come in handy in getting what they want?! Here are the latest words just within the past couple of weeks:
"Pie-pan": Spiderman
"Pee-boo!": Peek-a-boo
"Nana"
"Beh-boh": Bellybutton
"Nooo" (said low, with furrowed eyebrows--great.)
"Hee Doh": Here you go!
"Hi-eee!": Hi, with two syllables. Do we live in TX or what?
"See-saw" (said rhythmically anytime she's rocking, swinging, and of course" see-sawing")
Clearly Vocal sings a Real Group song called Words. (The link is to a Real Group clip ... not us!) I love the words!
Words.
A letter and a letter on a string,
Will hold forever humanity spellbound.
Words.
Possession of the beggar and the king.
Everybody, everyday, you and I we all can say words.
Regarded as a complicated tool.
Created by man, implicated by mankind.
Words.
Obsession of the genius and the fool.
Everybody, everyday, everywhere and every way.
Words.
Chorus
Find them, you can use them,
Say them, you can feel them.
Write them, you can read them,
Love them, fear them.
Words.
Transmitted as we're fitted from the start.
Received by all and we're sentenced to a life with words.
Impression of the stupid and the smart.
Everybody, everyday, you and I we all can say words.
Inside your head can come alive as they're said
Softly, loudly, modestly and proudly.
Words.
Expression by the living and the dead.
Everybody, everyday, everywhere and every way.
Words.
"Pie-pan": Spiderman
"Pee-boo!": Peek-a-boo
"Nana"
"Beh-boh": Bellybutton
"Nooo" (said low, with furrowed eyebrows--great.)
"Hee Doh": Here you go!
"Hi-eee!": Hi, with two syllables. Do we live in TX or what?
"See-saw" (said rhythmically anytime she's rocking, swinging, and of course" see-sawing")
Clearly Vocal sings a Real Group song called Words. (The link is to a Real Group clip ... not us!) I love the words!
Words.
A letter and a letter on a string,
Will hold forever humanity spellbound.
Words.
Possession of the beggar and the king.
Everybody, everyday, you and I we all can say words.
Regarded as a complicated tool.
Created by man, implicated by mankind.
Words.
Obsession of the genius and the fool.
Everybody, everyday, everywhere and every way.
Words.
Chorus
Find them, you can use them,
Say them, you can feel them.
Write them, you can read them,
Love them, fear them.
Words.
Transmitted as we're fitted from the start.
Received by all and we're sentenced to a life with words.
Impression of the stupid and the smart.
Everybody, everyday, you and I we all can say words.
Inside your head can come alive as they're said
Softly, loudly, modestly and proudly.
Words.
Expression by the living and the dead.
Everybody, everyday, everywhere and every way.
Words.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Molasses Bread
I kept meaning to post this recipe for those of you who asked. Here it is ... finally! It's from Kendra--thanks!
Mix together the following and allow to cool to lukewarm:
1 cup oat flakes
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. molasses
1Tbsp. honey
1/2 stick butter
1 Tbsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 1/2 cups boiling water
When cooled a little, add:
1 1/2 cups (7 3/4 oz) wheat flour
4 cups (17 oz) white flour
1 Tbsp instant yeast
Mix until well blended. It will be sticky. Allow to rise in a greased bowl, covered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled. Then place into two bread pans and allow another 1 hour to rise, covered. Then bake for 35 - 40 minutes at 350degrees. You can also make rolls in a muffin pan.
Makes great toast, cinnamon toast, grilled cheese, etc. Can refrigerate as well.
Kendra uses instant yeast which doesn't require proofing. I would guess that you could use the same amount of regular yeast and dissolve it in the same amount of warm water rather than boiling. Maybe sprinkle the brown sugar and salt over it to submerge the yeast? Then I'd just mix it in with the rest of the ingredients, except the flour, and of course, stir the flour in last. She doesn't say to knead the bread, but she also uses an electric mixer with special "kneading" beaters. I'd tend to knead it. Maybe not mix in quite all of the flour it calls for and knead the rest in?
Maybe I should have attempted the recipe myself before telling someone else how I would try it?!
Mix together the following and allow to cool to lukewarm:
1 cup oat flakes
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. molasses
1Tbsp. honey
1/2 stick butter
1 Tbsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 1/2 cups boiling water
When cooled a little, add:
1 1/2 cups (7 3/4 oz) wheat flour
4 cups (17 oz) white flour
1 Tbsp instant yeast
Mix until well blended. It will be sticky. Allow to rise in a greased bowl, covered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled. Then place into two bread pans and allow another 1 hour to rise, covered. Then bake for 35 - 40 minutes at 350degrees. You can also make rolls in a muffin pan.
Makes great toast, cinnamon toast, grilled cheese, etc. Can refrigerate as well.
Kendra uses instant yeast which doesn't require proofing. I would guess that you could use the same amount of regular yeast and dissolve it in the same amount of warm water rather than boiling. Maybe sprinkle the brown sugar and salt over it to submerge the yeast? Then I'd just mix it in with the rest of the ingredients, except the flour, and of course, stir the flour in last. She doesn't say to knead the bread, but she also uses an electric mixer with special "kneading" beaters. I'd tend to knead it. Maybe not mix in quite all of the flour it calls for and knead the rest in?
Maybe I should have attempted the recipe myself before telling someone else how I would try it?!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Out of the blue thankfulness
Every Monday morning I do my habitual act of erasing the previous week on our family wipe-board calendar and adding a new week. As I looked at the schedule for this week I realized that four out of the seven days this week, our evenings are free!! I do not intend to fill those evenings, but rather protect them. This means I will be cooking dinner for the first time in a while! The only reason I might be willing to compromise one evening is if John and I decide to go on a date ... not a singing gig, mind you. A real date.
So, I am thankful for free evenings and being able to cook dinner this week!
So, I am thankful for free evenings and being able to cook dinner this week!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Clearly Vocal
It's the name of our somewhat newly formed a cappella vocal jazz group. Members include Danny Burgess, Stefanie Albright, John and myself. We all go to church together, so that helps with scheduling practices and such. Plus we can use the building for rehearsals, which is nice.
We had several "gigs" around Christmas time, mostly for parties and dinners. Danny is the front man for a band called "Group Therapy" that had played at Mario's, a local Italian restaurant, for about eight years. They recently stopped playing there to persue other opportunities. What Danny had done over Christmas was basically to add us to the program of his Christmas gigs. The band would play a set, then we would do kind of like a "halftime show," and then then the band would finish the evening. Most of those gigs were for exposure purposes. Danny is in front of many influential people who hire live music for various things and who give money to good causes!
Since then, we found a donor who gave us the money to purchase some very nice wireless mics and in-ear monitors! Danny already had the speakers and a lighting system from his band.
During this Valentine season, we will have performed five shows! Our big one was this past Friday evening for a party at the high-end country club in town. We brought in an 18 inch tall stage that was 12 feet across and 8 feet deep, set up a rear-projection screen behind us and ran visuals during each song. We set up the light trees and used four big speakers surrounding the room. As the guests were finishing up their desserts, our show began. We sang for about 45 minutes, and I think we really "wowed" them!
Another show was a band-us-band format again. We did well again, but then during the second band set, John and I joined the band as additional singers. So fun!
We sang for our church's widows/widowers banquet Monday. It's the only "freebie" we're doing this season, but certainly for a good cause, and of course, they loved us. :)
Then Thursday and Friday nights, we're scheduled to perform at Pico de Gallo, another local restaurant here in town. When we're not doing our show, Danny's band will be playing. We're singing for two seatings Thursday night, and then I think just one Friday night, unless we have two full seatings that night. Who knows?
We do have a website: http://www.clearlyvocal.com/. John created it, and I desiged the logo:
What we're really missing are sound clips. That's #1 on our to-do list after we make it through this week, so hopefully in the next month we'll have some samples of what we sing.
John and I are so fortunate to be able to do what we both love and do it together! We hope that the group's success continues to grow!
We had several "gigs" around Christmas time, mostly for parties and dinners. Danny is the front man for a band called "Group Therapy" that had played at Mario's, a local Italian restaurant, for about eight years. They recently stopped playing there to persue other opportunities. What Danny had done over Christmas was basically to add us to the program of his Christmas gigs. The band would play a set, then we would do kind of like a "halftime show," and then then the band would finish the evening. Most of those gigs were for exposure purposes. Danny is in front of many influential people who hire live music for various things and who give money to good causes!
Since then, we found a donor who gave us the money to purchase some very nice wireless mics and in-ear monitors! Danny already had the speakers and a lighting system from his band.
During this Valentine season, we will have performed five shows! Our big one was this past Friday evening for a party at the high-end country club in town. We brought in an 18 inch tall stage that was 12 feet across and 8 feet deep, set up a rear-projection screen behind us and ran visuals during each song. We set up the light trees and used four big speakers surrounding the room. As the guests were finishing up their desserts, our show began. We sang for about 45 minutes, and I think we really "wowed" them!
Another show was a band-us-band format again. We did well again, but then during the second band set, John and I joined the band as additional singers. So fun!
We sang for our church's widows/widowers banquet Monday. It's the only "freebie" we're doing this season, but certainly for a good cause, and of course, they loved us. :)
Then Thursday and Friday nights, we're scheduled to perform at Pico de Gallo, another local restaurant here in town. When we're not doing our show, Danny's band will be playing. We're singing for two seatings Thursday night, and then I think just one Friday night, unless we have two full seatings that night. Who knows?
We do have a website: http://www.clearlyvocal.com/. John created it, and I desiged the logo:
What we're really missing are sound clips. That's #1 on our to-do list after we make it through this week, so hopefully in the next month we'll have some samples of what we sing.
John and I are so fortunate to be able to do what we both love and do it together! We hope that the group's success continues to grow!
Monday, February 04, 2008
He's cracking me up these days
Two more from yesterday ...
Johnathan, regarding Kalleigh's "blow out" situation: "Oh no! Kalleigh had a blow up!"
Then from lunch, referring to his enchiladas: "These chicken chihuahuas are yummy!"
Johnathan, regarding Kalleigh's "blow out" situation: "Oh no! Kalleigh had a blow up!"
Then from lunch, referring to his enchiladas: "These chicken chihuahuas are yummy!"
Friday, February 01, 2008
It must be in the genes
So we were sitting at dinner last night when Johnathan, a whopping 3 1/2, took a bite of his bread, furrowed his brow and asked, "Is there cinnamon in here?" much to my shock and amazement! "Why, yes there is, Son!"
Then I looked at the recipe to see just how much there was in this loaf of my new favorite homemade "Molasses Bread."
1/2 teaspoon
I was so proud!
Then I looked at the recipe to see just how much there was in this loaf of my new favorite homemade "Molasses Bread."
1/2 teaspoon
I was so proud!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
"Five Things" Tag
Five things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Trying to convince John to break up with his girlfriend and go out with me.
2. Attending many Spring Sing rehearsals for my Shantih Sports show.
3. Taking my first business classes.
4. Being thankful for our 11pm curfew, knowing it was the only time I'd get my homework done.
5. Awaiting the arrival of our Good News CD that we had made in the fall.
Five things on my to-do list today:
1. Take Johnathan to school. (DONE)
2. Do ONE load of laundry. (Almost Done)
3. Organize songs to lead at a Ladies' Day at West Irwin. (DONE)
4. Not talk too much since I have a very sore throat. (Shot)
5. Take Johnathan's friend, who had his tonsils out, a card. (Plan in Progress)
Five things I will do when I am a millionaire:
1. Pay off all debt!
2. Fill college funds for all the kids.
3. Give generously to the church and to families who need help.
4. Take family to a remote island for a month (at least).
5. Buy a working ranch, with all the ranch hands, and ride horses everyday.
Five things I will never wear again:
1. Contacts
2. Short shorts
3. Side ponytail
4. Tight-rolled jeans ... I don't care if they come back in style.
5. Crimped hair
Five of my favorite toys:
1. Adobe Photoshop
2. Laptop
3. Coffee Maker
4. Digital Camera
5. Piano
Five banes of my existence:
1. Dirty bathrooms
2. Blinkers, those that are not used when they should be and those that are left on when they shouldn't
3. Laundry
4. Sweeping/Mopping
5. Sales Calls
1. Trying to convince John to break up with his girlfriend and go out with me.
2. Attending many Spring Sing rehearsals for my Shantih Sports show.
3. Taking my first business classes.
4. Being thankful for our 11pm curfew, knowing it was the only time I'd get my homework done.
5. Awaiting the arrival of our Good News CD that we had made in the fall.
Five things on my to-do list today:
1. Take Johnathan to school. (DONE)
2. Do ONE load of laundry. (Almost Done)
3. Organize songs to lead at a Ladies' Day at West Irwin. (DONE)
4. Not talk too much since I have a very sore throat. (Shot)
5. Take Johnathan's friend, who had his tonsils out, a card. (Plan in Progress)
Five things I will do when I am a millionaire:
1. Pay off all debt!
2. Fill college funds for all the kids.
3. Give generously to the church and to families who need help.
4. Take family to a remote island for a month (at least).
5. Buy a working ranch, with all the ranch hands, and ride horses everyday.
Five things I will never wear again:
1. Contacts
2. Short shorts
3. Side ponytail
4. Tight-rolled jeans ... I don't care if they come back in style.
5. Crimped hair
Five of my favorite toys:
1. Adobe Photoshop
2. Laptop
3. Coffee Maker
4. Digital Camera
5. Piano
Five banes of my existence:
1. Dirty bathrooms
2. Blinkers, those that are not used when they should be and those that are left on when they shouldn't
3. Laundry
4. Sweeping/Mopping
5. Sales Calls
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Straight up to the Pipers
A brief conversation between my son and me:
Johnathan, sitting on potty: "Oh mommy! My poopy!"
Me: "Was it big?"
Johnathan: "Yeah! It goed straight up to the pipers!"
Now what's that supposed to mean?!
Johnathan, sitting on potty: "Oh mommy! My poopy!"
Me: "Was it big?"
Johnathan: "Yeah! It goed straight up to the pipers!"
Now what's that supposed to mean?!
It's for real now
All those cravings, all the time, that tummy bulge, the rapid mood swings, the overwhelming exhaustion ... and finally today I heard that heartbeat. I know it's my third and I half expected to just listen to the heartbeat and smile and go on home. But with each child, the first time I hear that precious little heart beat, tears just stream down my face (and into my ears, of course, since I lying down).
Now, I had figured my due date on BabyCenter.com, based on certain dates the we're all aware of, and BabyCenter came up with August 21. I'd be 10 weeks today. Well, I gave the midwife (What?? Wait ... I'll come back to that.) the same dates as I entered on BabyCenter, and she came up with August 12 and that I'm a little over 11 weeks along. Can it really be that different? I'm going to have her figure it out again when I go back.
Yes, I'm going the midwife/birth center route this time, and I'm so excited about it! I'm just ready to be in control of my own birth this time with out a needle and tether (IV) and WITH the actual people I know as opposed to nurses I've never met and an on-call doctor I've never seen. I don't want to be told not to push when I'm at a 10 and then have the doctor I've never seen fuss at me for having the baby before he got there. Yes, there are risks, of course, but the hospital is less than 5 minutes away just in case.
The midwife gave Johnathan a little plastic figurine of a 12 week old fetus to take home so he could see what the baby looks like right now. He was completely fascinated by it! It's fun since he understands a little more with this one than he did with Kalleigh. He talks about and prays for the "new baby" all the time!
So, I'm almost in the second trimester (maybe?!) and feeling great. Thanks for your prayers!
Now, I had figured my due date on BabyCenter.com, based on certain dates the we're all aware of, and BabyCenter came up with August 21. I'd be 10 weeks today. Well, I gave the midwife (What?? Wait ... I'll come back to that.) the same dates as I entered on BabyCenter, and she came up with August 12 and that I'm a little over 11 weeks along. Can it really be that different? I'm going to have her figure it out again when I go back.
Yes, I'm going the midwife/birth center route this time, and I'm so excited about it! I'm just ready to be in control of my own birth this time with out a needle and tether (IV) and WITH the actual people I know as opposed to nurses I've never met and an on-call doctor I've never seen. I don't want to be told not to push when I'm at a 10 and then have the doctor I've never seen fuss at me for having the baby before he got there. Yes, there are risks, of course, but the hospital is less than 5 minutes away just in case.
The midwife gave Johnathan a little plastic figurine of a 12 week old fetus to take home so he could see what the baby looks like right now. He was completely fascinated by it! It's fun since he understands a little more with this one than he did with Kalleigh. He talks about and prays for the "new baby" all the time!
So, I'm almost in the second trimester (maybe?!) and feeling great. Thanks for your prayers!
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Snagged
So often when listening to Jeff's sermon on Sunday mornings I hit a snag. It's like putting on hose when, rip! Your fingernail gets snagged in the hose and then there's this runner, and it's all you can think about. Unlike the runner, which is a bad thing, I'm usually caught on something really good and my thoughts run away from the sermon and form their own little sermon in my head. (Sorry, Jeff.) :)
This past Sunday, Jeff was up there preaching about grace. He said that it ought to be a given that we extend grace to our fellow church members, but that, of course, we need to extend grace to everyone else. And I don't remember much else after that.
Is it easier to be gracious to our church family than to the rest of the world? Maybe sometimes. But for me, at least in this stage in my Christian walk, many times it's harder for me to be gracious to the people with whom I'm closest. I mean, "those worldy people," we're supposed to extend grace to them. Jesus said to! Everybody's doing it! We don't gossip about them ... we don't even know them! Besides, they didn't really do anything to affect us personally. We'd just as soon keep our distance. It's safer.
But my church family? Christians? They know better! How am I suppsed to be gracious to them if I have to see them every week, and sometimes more often than that! It's hard to pretend like everything's okay if I really have to come in contact with them. It's a lot easier to gossip about them and get people "on my side" than to actually talk to them.
To truly be gracious ... even when "they know better" ... now that's really something.
I'm still working on that one.
This past Sunday, Jeff was up there preaching about grace. He said that it ought to be a given that we extend grace to our fellow church members, but that, of course, we need to extend grace to everyone else. And I don't remember much else after that.
Is it easier to be gracious to our church family than to the rest of the world? Maybe sometimes. But for me, at least in this stage in my Christian walk, many times it's harder for me to be gracious to the people with whom I'm closest. I mean, "those worldy people," we're supposed to extend grace to them. Jesus said to! Everybody's doing it! We don't gossip about them ... we don't even know them! Besides, they didn't really do anything to affect us personally. We'd just as soon keep our distance. It's safer.
But my church family? Christians? They know better! How am I suppsed to be gracious to them if I have to see them every week, and sometimes more often than that! It's hard to pretend like everything's okay if I really have to come in contact with them. It's a lot easier to gossip about them and get people "on my side" than to actually talk to them.
To truly be gracious ... even when "they know better" ... now that's really something.
I'm still working on that one.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
The Obligatory Christmas Post
Three Christmases this year:
*Curtis -- Searcy, AR
*Hodges -- Searcy, AR
*Kell -- Dallas, TX
Lots of laughter, food and fun! Happy New Year to all!
*Curtis -- Searcy, AR
*Hodges -- Searcy, AR
*Kell -- Dallas, TX
Lots of laughter, food and fun! Happy New Year to all!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Expecting the Unexpected
What can I say? Just 5 weeks along with a long way to go. Keep us in your prayers!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
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