Has it been that long?

It's already Thursday? My last post was a week and a half ago? Wow. We'll we're certainly having fun!

It's a mad dash to Valentine's Day with Clearly Vocal and Group Therapy. So far Group Therapy is ahead with a couple of gigs under our belts, but Clearly Vocal will win out after tomorrow. We have nearly 20 singing Valentines lined up with some others in the works. We decided to do them tomorrow when most people are still at work. We're singing for doctors, lawyers, policemen, teachers, widows and everyone in between! We show up with a card and a rose and sing a fabulous 5-part love song. We have ten to choose from, if they want to choose, or we'll just pick one. THIS is so fun.

So tonight Group Therapy sings at a retirement center and then we run over to the church building to sing for our "Pure Gold" group from the area churches. Tomorrow we start our singing Valentines at 8:30 in Hideaway (about a 40 min drive)!

Meanwhile, my poor children are being shuffled from one babysitter to the next! Thankfully, they think this is the best week ever, too, getting to play with so many friends. And we are SO grateful to our friends who are like family, the Deans, the Rambins and the Keeles! I do not know what we would do without our church family.

Meanwhile, Stefanie (CV soprano) and I are planning the 2009 Glenwood Ladies Retreat that is coming up the last weekend of February. We only have 15 available spots left, so if you're on the fence about whether to come or not, sign up! 'Cause when the spots are filled, they're filled! Katie Burnett, our Women's Minister who is going to be our featured speaker, has a passion for the women of the Bible, so Stef and I went with a "diamonds" theme. The title is "Diamonds In the Rough: Women of the Bible." It's a full weekend at the Lakeview Baptist Assembly and Conference Center in Lone Star, TX. But what I'm most excited about is my mom coming down to share her story with the ladies! She truly is a diamond in my life and with do such a good job!

Meanwhile, someone asked me to make a wooden personalized name wall hanging. Of course, I said 'yes,' but it's going to have to wait until next week. Then she told me that she wanted a different font for the letters, so I'll need to run around town to see if I can find something close to what she wants, which is just a little tricky with three children, but doable.

Praise God for having the opportunity to do so many things I love! What a ride!

Interesting Little Tag

Except I don't think I'll tag anyone. It's a great way to kill 30 minutes if you need a distraction, so feel free to cut and paste!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes. My middle name is Joyce after my great-grandmother, Joyce DuVall Kell.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Two nights ago.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? For the most part.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Chicken

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Three. Boy-girl-boy

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I'd hope so, but no guarantees. I'd probably drive myself nuts.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? I think technically sarcasm is intended to hurt, but I do like to be facetious.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? What's the reward? Just the jump? No. Cash? Well, let's talk.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Cinnamon Toast Crunch

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Dark Chocolate Almond

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their eyes and smile

15. RED OR PINK? Red, deep and rich

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My temper

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Papaw Curtis

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Plaid Harding flannel pants, no shoes

19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The refrigerator humming and a clock ticking.

20. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Red

21. FAVORITE SMELLS? Fresh chocolate chip cookies, honeysuckles, fresh linens, newborns

22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Stefanie

23. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Gymnastics, Bull riding

24. HAIR COLOR? Various shades of brown

25. EYE COLOR? Blue

26. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Not anymore. Hooray for Lasik!

27. FAVORITE FOODS? Marinated grilled chicken, Kung Pao Chicken from P.F. Chang's, pound cake with strawberries

28. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Can't I have both?

29. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? John talked me into watching the most recent X-Files last night. Talk about lame! Any hour-long CSI is better than that movie that they tried to stretch into almost two hours. Wow. So lame.

30. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? black

31. SUMMER OR WINTER? summer

32. FAVORITE DESSERT? pound cake with strawberries

33. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Romans and Galatians: The Spirit of Jesus, a meditative study by Gary Holloway

34. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? No mouse pad

35. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? The Superbowl (great!) and X-Files (lame-o)

36. FAVORITE SOUND(S): laughing babies, the ocean, thunder, cows mooing, birds chirping, and any sound The Real Group makes!

37. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Who?

38. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? New Zealand

39. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? procrastinating, singing & scrapping

40. WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING? laundry, cleaning up kitchen, picking up toys, etc!

Completely Random Happenings

Recently I've had my sad little camera handy for whatever happens. Most of our happenings happen in the kitchen and living room areas. Just seems to be where we spend most of our time. So, here are the random happenings since Wednesday.

Random Happening #1: Johnathan let me take a decent picture of him.
Random Happening #2: Kalleigh found her sunglasses
Random Happening #3: Third Child Solutions
Random Happening #4: Cooking Lessons

Random Happening #5: Kalleigh stops whatever she is doing to watch "The Real Group."

Random Happening #5: More third child solutions.



Random Happening #6: John surprised me with tulips!
Random Happening #7: The Draining Duo

Random Happening #8: My Favorite "Last Second Casserole," with recipe.
Mexican Casserole -- Laurie Bishop

Brown 1lb ground beef with 1 chopped onion (or a bunch of your favorite "minced onions," salt & pepper. Drain. Put some Doritos i bottom of square or oblong baking dish. Pour meat mixture over chips. On top, add 1 can of your favorite beans, 1 can of Cream of Mushroom soup, 1 can rotel and top with and top with layer of grated cheddar. Heat in microwave (HI) for 15 minutes. DONE!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

It's so quiet!

I went to Wal-Mart to pick up a prescription (for my ridiculous sinusitis!) and noticed how amazingly quiet it was in the store. At first I couldn't put my finger on the strange lack of noise, but as I got my cart, wary as I was because I ALWAYS get a bad one, I noticed that it was brand new! No large dents in the wheels, no gum or string wrapped around them, and remarkably clean! I looked around and realized that ALL of the carts were new. The silence was the lack of clanging carts or squeaky wheels! Who knew what a difference that would make? I actually had a pleasant shopping experience there, probably mostly because I kept marvelling at the quietness. Way to go, Wal-Mart!

Just a spoonful of cinnamon and sugar ...

... helps the rice cereal go down!

In a most delightful way!

Gwinks, chepchup and pinch fries ...

...are just some of Kalleigh's words these days. She also like to dress up in Johnathan's "Eena Jones" costume as well as dressing up in her own "booful dwesses" with boots. She daily tells me things like, "I yike a arm, Mommy," or "I yike a hair, Mommy." Her prayers begin, "Ghee God, Mommy, Daddy, Joffin, Kowleigh, Baby Jonas," in the middle is, "Help a to obey; sorry to 'sobey," and end with, "In Jesus' name a pway, A-MEN!" At McDonald's the other day, I asked, "Do you want chicken or a hamburger?" "Yeah!" "No, there is chicken and there is a hamburger. What's your favorite?" "My hat!" At supper, Johnathan said, "I'm full!" Kalleigh held up two fingers and said, "I'm two!" And just now I heard her say, "Sorry I cake a toy away, Jonas!"

However, the quote of the day goes to Johnathan. The scene is set in the living room. Johnathan has just given Kalleigh a Wii remote beause she told him she wants to play "Shar Vars" with him. He then says, "Kalleigh, this time when I say, 'Hit the bad guys,' don't just hit the TV with the remote!"

Life is good. :)

Tiffany Rose Photograpy

Project

You know when you think you could do or make something, but you just have to try to prove it to yourself? Just to see if you could be proud of what you did?

You know when you have several other pressing things that need to be done so you blow it off on something you'd rather be doing?

These two "you know's" came together today, and this was the outcome:


I could add a bow, and probably should, but when I get to a stopping point, it's really hard for me to start up again. I think it's going to be just fine. And now I have a winter wreath that I didn't have before!

I found a couple more spots!

Poor puppies!

Why I can no longer feed the baby

Because whenever I do ...

Stuff like this,

And this,

And this happen.

This time it's lavender paint ...

From the inside of a homemade ornament that did the trick.

Did you even have to ask who did it?

Victory in Jesus

My Papaw, Dean Curtis, went to be with God on Christmas Day. My mom and my Mamaw were there to hold his hand during his last breaths. I miss him so much, but I am so glad that his body is now more than cancer-free--it is a new creation--perfect!

The ceremony was beautiful, and my Uncle Randy did a great job directing the service. All twelve of us grandkids were together for the first time since 1995! We and some of our spouses sang "Thank You (For Giving to the Lord)," arranged by John, at the service, which was very meaningful. And what a great blend of talented voices! There are just not many groups who can throw a tricky arrangment together the night before and sing it nearly flawlessly the next day! Here's the crazy bunch:

We have had so much fun together!

I'm in AR this whole week with the kiddos. John graciously agreed to leave us here while he goes back home to work and then comes back to get us this weekend.

Here's the slideshow that we showed at the visitation. I added a few of my own pictures in as well. What an amazing man. I can't wait to see him again!

i .... actually have time to do a tag

And I'm so grateful! The show is over and Christmas is nearly here. All three children are asleep and I'm catching up on some much needed down time!

So here's a tag that is a little more introspective than most. I really enjoyed it. Thanks, Tiff!

*i am in my pajamas.
*i want the fourth book of the Twilight series.
*i have eaten more spinach in the past 24 hours than I probably ought.
*i miss the warmer weather.
*i fear my children being rejected by anyone.
*i hear the dishwasher ... and nothing else ... seriously, that thing is so loud!
*i search for my missing keys or phone just about every day.
*i wonder how long all three children will actually stay asleep.
*i regret how much Dr. Pepper I've had over the past few, uh, months.
*i love Dr. Pepper ... too much.
*i forgive John for not being able to read my mind.
*i ache when my children are hurting.
*i always drive.
*i try to get as much done with as little effort as possible.
*i seem to think that the laundry will get done by itself by the way I let it pile up.
*i know that God is with me.
*i feel relieved that the dinner theater is over.
*i dance, but only if I've practiced and I know exactly what I'm supposed to do.
*i dream more when I eat something right before I go to bed.
*i give in and say 'yes' more than I should.
*i listen too critically to music.
*i sing tonight with Clearly Vocal at Atria Willow Park!
*i laugh when I don't know what else to do.
*i can't look at my own living room objectively to figure out how to decorate it.
*i cry when I laugh too hard.
*i sleep less than I should.
*i am going on a date Friday night!
*i see shaped notes and know what they mean.
*i need both busy times and down times.
*i should have done my Christmas shopping earlier.

Feel free to copy this and examine your own state of being!

Seeking Sanity

Glenwood is doing "Christmas at Uncle Phil's Diner" this year.

My to-do list is a mile long, mostly because I'm an incredibly good procrastinator.

Clearly Vocal is singing at a brunch today. Childcare for my children. Check.

Dress rehearsal is tonight. We have a small crowd coming to help us out. Dessert and coffee for them tonight. Check.

My house is a complete catastrophe and my sitter is coming over today. Well, she'll have to be understanding. Not-checked.

Errands after I pick up my kids--so I'll have all three in tow--include the Dollar Store, Kinko's, Wal-Mart and Goodwill. Checkable.

And about 20 stage-related items that really did have to be done at the last minute. Checkable, with some help.



I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay!

I forgot one or two

I knew there was one more of Johnathan's that I meant to include yesterday ...

I was holding Jonas who had the hiccups and was drooling. Johnathan looked at us and in a concerned and somewhat panicked voice said, "Mom! He's hiccing up on you!"

-----------------------

The tree is up, though I was dragging my feet to do so. Johnathan kept asking every day when we were going to put it up. So there it is. No ornaments yet and I'm not even sure if we're going to make it that far. Oh, of course we will. But I'm only putting on the pretty ones this year. For real this time. I mean it.

The Jim Brickman Christmas Romance cd is playing. I love it. Even Johnathan said he liked it. It's a good one to chill out with after you've grumbled and groaned the whole time you were hauling the massive (but gorgeous) 9-ft pre-lit tree in four pieces out of the attic, dodging children and laundry baskets along the way. Hypothetically, of course.

And a couple of nights ago, Johnathan was making sure he knew Santa's plan to come down our chimney and fill our stockings. In his prayer he prayed that Santa would not burn his bottom in the fire. How thoughtful. :)

Sayings of the young

Some of my favorite quotes from the past week or so ...

Kalleigh: "Shew-ee! Poopy diaper is lucky!" (yucky)

Johnathan has trouble saying "message." It always comes out "meches."

Kalleigh: "I 'na put milk in a fee-faylor." Translation: "I want to put my milk in the refrigerator."

Johnathan, after sitting on the potty for some time: "Man, I wish I had diarrhea. This is taking way too long."

Kalleigh, singing, "Mary had a little man, little man, little man ..."

Nice Tie

I just love that Preacher Jeff wore his Led Zeppelin tie Sunday morning and made absolutely no reference to it.

This wasn't exactly it, but pretty close. :)

I mean, how many preachers can get away with that?

Glenwood is great.

What did I tell you?

Is Chelsea good or what?

I'm a sucker for black and white pictures, so that's what I made for this slide show. If you want to see these in color, I'd be happy to show you!

Blatant Advertisment

If you live in East Texas and you want your family pictures made for Christmas at a great price, you need Chelsea Rambin to be your photographer. Click on her link for more information. Here are some examples of her work:

I can't wait to get our family's pictures done!

Trip to AR and Papaw update

I ran up to Searcy early Tuesday morning because Papaw was having surgery. He had gotten sick again and couldn't keep anything down. The doctors ran a test and sure enough there was blockage, but they couldn't really tell how much until. They scheduled the exploratory surgery for Tuesday morning. It was one of those times when I just felt like I had to be there!

I wanted to get going early, so I had to wake Jonas. Of course, he's still only nursing, so he had to come with me. Here's what I found when I went in to get him:

We have a problem! Pacifier shunned and thumb in place. Fantastic.

Johnathan and Kalleigh stayed home with John while I was gone. Chelsea kept the kids part of the time and the Deans kept them the rest of the time while John was at work. We could not make it without our church family!

On the way there, I thought I'd take a little video with my camera. This way none of you will feel like you missed out on the trip there:



Now, wasn't that exciting?

I got to Searcy and picked up lunch for Mamaw, Mom and me. They were still waiting for Papaw to get out of the surgery. Having Jonas there was a good distraction, I think. It kept our minds off of worrying so much about the surgery.

They finally called us to a room nearly three hours after the surgery was supposed to have started. We waited forEVER for the surgeon to come in, but at last he did. And told us the yucky, yucky news. Papaw's cancer has indeed come back, but nobody expected the mass to be as big as it is. It has taken over the lower abdomen as if someone had poured cement and filled his abdomen up to his bellybutton. They were thinking they might need to do a colonoscopy, but the surgeon couldn't even get to the colon. It would've done so much damage to try to remove the tumor that they decided not to do that.

Papaw has about three feet of good intestine before it turns down into that tumor. So, the surgeon did a jejunostomy, and brought the jejunum, or upper small intestine, over to the abdomen wall and created the stoma (hole in the side of the abdomen connected to a bag) there to relieve the pressure from above and below. The problem is that now there isn't enough intestine left to process the nutrients from food that Papaw needs to live.

He made it through the surgery just fine and felt better, except for the surgery incision, so that was good. I spent most of my couple of days there at the hospital right by Papaw because I didn't want to be anywhere else! Thank you for your continued prayers. Specifically pray for wisdom, courage, peace and comfort!

Here was the crew yesterday morning right before I left:

Papaw's room is always hopping! The nurses comment on what a wonderful family we have. They're absolutely right!

And now for the drive home. I tried to keep my mind from worrying, so I took pictures to document the drive home. Again, you'll feel like you were right with me!

The daunting AR sky.

The impressive Little Rock skyline. :)

Why I hate I-30.

Seriously? Look at them all!

C'mon. That's ridiculous. I think I could count 21 trucks that I could see right then.

We made it to Texas!

Jonas enjoys the view.

The nasty Dairy Queen in Linden. Don't forget to pick something up in Atlanta to eat, because between there and Gilmer, this is it. Seriously, try not to stop here.

You think I should wash my windshield?

Bison sighting in East Texas. No, they're not cows.

The projects in Avinger ... and my TxTag ... and the Little People's School signs with my kids' names on them and what color room they're in. Who thought of that, anyway? What a great idea! I digress ...

Lake-O-The-Pines. Really, that's what the sign says!

Texas tree weeds.

Look at this logging place. Each one of those is telephone pole-size!

Charming little town of Winona. Where you have to slow down all the way to 30. For like 30 feet.

I told you we have a problem.

So we're home sweet home. But now the laundry is taking over our bathroom. It fills the garden tub. I refuse to put a picture of that on here. So I'd better get to it ...

Thanks again for your prayers. We do feel them!