happy birthday to me and a photo shoot with Matt...

me: hey buddy sit here while I get the webcam started.
matt: mommy...I don't want to.

me: ok... look at the camera and smile
matt: this is boring...

matt: if i do it, can I have some cake?
Me: ok...

Matt: (bouncing) YAY!!!

taking rest in Hope...

It's Monday morning, I've gotten the kids off to school and Carlos off to work coffee in tow. It's a beautiful and chilly outside I'm under my down comforter propped up on 4 or 5 pillows, reading scriptures, talking to God, and writing (a few of my favorite things to do.) I have been lately feeling an overwhelming sence of gratitude. It's like something just finally clicked with me and I'm realizing how unbelievably blessed I am. I have always been thankful for all I have in my life, and I thought I was hopeful but when I really started to study what hope is I realized that I was wishful. The difference? It seems the first way is circumstantial, the second is virtue of the heart. True hope becomes a part of your character, it's there in the good times and bad times.
A few definitions of hope:

hope (hp)

v. hoped, hop·ing, hopes

v.intr.

1. To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.

2. Archaic To have confidence; trust.

v.tr.

1. To look forward to with confidence or expectation: We hope that our children will be successful.

2. To expect and desire.

n.

1. A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment.

2. Something that is hoped for or desired: Success is our hope.

3. One that is a source of or reason for hope: the team's only hope for victory.

4. often Hope Christianity The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.

5. Archaic Trust; confidence.

God has given me hope as a gift, it wasn't something I could give myself believe me I tried. This scripture I found kinda says it all...

Fair are the places marked out for me; I have a noble heritage. I will give praise to the Lord who has been my guide; knowledge comes to me from my thoughts in the night.
I have put the Lord before me at all times; because he is at my right hand, I will not be moved.
Because of this my heart is glad, and my glory is full of joy: while my flesh takes its rest in hope.

Psalms 16:6-9

matthew being bored...

where's the love?

I once had a goldfish that lived for 13 years his name was fish...he had a friend who died at a much younger age...his name was chips.
Fish moved with me to 3 different homes the third is where he met his demise when my apt was fumigated and I didn't cover the tank to keep out the fumes. I didn't really LOVE fish but I'm a loyal person so I fed him and kept his tank clean...I loved the idea that I could keep a goldfish alive for so long. It always made for an interesting conversations when people saw him...his age showed towards the end when he appeared to have cataracts and he went almost colorless.
I find myself in a similar situation with my turtle "Yertle" She is about 10 years old...maybe 9. My mother had gone through a "turtle faze" after her "finch faze" and she gave us Yertle as a gift. She's been hanging out in her tank all this time with occasional outings. And now I'm starting to wonder if we should set her free.
I think my kids may be sad if we do but I can't help thinking that Yertle is bored and sad. But could she survive in the wild? I'm just not sure. This is the burden of pet loyalty...

a moral decree

I have always been out-spoken...my theory as to why I am this way is because while growing up I had a daddy who always cared about everything I had to say. He always listened attentively and showed genuine appreciation of my thoughts. Imagine my surprise when not everyone else in the world was quite as appreciative, and so began my real world experience. I have sequestered most of my thoughts for many years...I grew so tiered of peoples reactions to my honesty. Until lately I've realized that I'm doing myself and others an injustice by remaining silent...this world needs more honesty. I'm not afraid of people's reactions to me anymore...If I see an issue that needs to be addressed guess what I'm going to address it. With respect, kindness, and honesty...just like my dad taught me.

thankfulness

When I was a little girl my favorite times were holidays at my grandmother's house. The smells, lights, voices...all together equaled a magical harmony. It was perfect.
The times we couldn't be with her didn't seem like holidays at all...they were dull and ordinary. My fascination with these days continued into my adulthood, many conversations pursued between my husband and me about starting our own traditions but I was not open to changing the way things have always been...glistening holidays at MeMaw's house. Carlos would have to adjust, and he did. I loved everything about MeMaw...she was a women with culture with a larger than life personality, she was fabulous in every sence of the word. So imagine when we lost her right before Christmas one year. We've moved on and had some wonderful family holidays...almost all the conversations begin with "remember the time..."

This Thanksgiving was the best in years...my mom came to visit and we cooked and cooked...I broke my toe on Tuesday and it put a slight damper on things but overall it was wonderful. My mom helped me spruce up my house with flowers, and candles...and some other very special touches. My house was glistening! I loved every minute of it. Pictures coming soon.

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving if I didn't mention some things I'm thankful for...in random order of course.

1. holidays
2. my parents
3. good music
4. My MeMaw and Stella too
5. Carlos
6. my kids
7. friendship
8. dancing with the stars
9. burt's bees lip balm
10. hope

saturday night's alright...

well it's definitely the holiday season...when you work retail this takes on a whole new meaning.
It's kinda weird to work at a place that's known the world over. Love Starbucks or hate Starbucks it's huge...a phenomenon if you will. You've got the customers that come everyday, or several times a day, once a week for a treat, or once a year when it gets cold outside and they catch a chill. Though I've worked there almost 3 years I never want to be "starbucks exclusive" or "starbucksfabulous."...it's kinda ghettofabulous to be starbucksfabulous...*laughs*
Few of us in Ablabama are fluent in Italian so I'm never like "VENTI? -insert hair flip-" in response to someone ordering a large...I can comprehend when someone orders a small and without making a confused facial expression, I just ring them up for a tall...it's all good.
This is the time of year when the line is almost always to the door, people take the wrong drink and start a domino effect of disaster, mothers are out shopping with their daughters and stop in to refuel, business owners buy 50 $20 gift cards while the customers behind them complain of the wait, skinny women insist they ordered non-fat while we gladly remake their drinks...it's inevitable that we'll run out of whip cream, eggnog, and gift card holders, drop a whole tray of cranberry bliss bars on the floor, spill dozens of drinks, and wear our Santa hats for the cheer party.
Our slogan last year was "it only happens once a year" and yes, thank God for that. Our slogan this year is "pass the cheer"...for me it's "pass the store-brand knock off Advil please."
And as Eric says..."Happy Non-Denominational Wintertime Holiday"

my back yard...

Is a glowing shade of yellow in the afternoon sun...
the way the sun hits this tree lights up the whole yard
this shot doesn't fully capture it but trust me...
it's breathtaking.

what I loved about this week...

Matt and I went to target to get a copy of Ratatouille...the kids had been counting down until release day.

I "walked in place" during my Oprah times. exercise is exercise right?

Shared some giggles with my daughter when she told me about her manners class and how the book said to always say "excuse me, yes sir, thank you ma'am."

I had several honest conversations, I didn't bottle up my feelings or ignore issues. Everything is better with communication.

I had a moment when I saw Abraham waiting for me in car-line...that boy stands out in a crowd.

I made soup on Wednesday afternoon...I loved chopping the veggies and how good my kitchen smelled while it was cooking.

I watched a comedy by myself and laughed till I cried.

I enjoyed Gunther this week...he is really calming down. We always remark how he uses his front paws like hands, he'll actually wrap them around my neck like he's giving me a hug.

I enjoyed a Sunday afternoon nap with Carlos...he slept way longer than me.

cullman...where best friends are made

here is Gunther looking like a one eyed gremlin.
He really is the best dog ever...ever ever!
*catchy title by Alexandria

hmmm...

airy windy day
all my thoughts may blow away
if I try to say
I'll just keep em' in my head
the phones ringing anyway
such a lovely lovely day
trees like burning red and yellow
the windows up
it's almost 3
times wasting...
wasting me.
memories entwine
I feel so inclined to find you.

willie and the and the cutest v.i.p.'s

the one and only Willie Nelson

no moment too great for Matthew's fake smile

willie braids

I wont let him grow up to be a cowboy

We had an amazing opportunity to attend a Willie Nelson concert the other night. My brother Josh tours with him and they stopped in Huntsville and he got us passes, he made us feel so welcome with the total VIP treatment.