A bad good week.

It has been a really bad good week. (Yes, I meant that, it's not a typo.)

#1. Chad gave his resignation on Tuesday to his current employers. So this was a really bad good situation. He will start his new job on June 1st. It has been an answer to prayers financially. He will become the controller for the business that the state penitentiary owns/runs. Yes, Parchman owns a business. Who knew? Well, know YOU do. Chad will not be employed by the state, but he will get all the benefits of a state employee.... such as retirement, insurance, holidays, etc. Chad will also get a company car to drive back and forth to work everyday. And no, he does not have to commute to Yazoo. His office is local. But, it will still save miles on our vehicles. Our Camry is pushing 215,000 miles, and we've only had our van since August, but have put almost 12,000 miles on it. So, I will start driving the Camry on the days I work and use the van when I have the kids. The boys will have cheaper insurance with better coverage. It's just exciting, but Chad is still a little nervous about his new responsibilities.

This will also open up the opportunity for Chad to start a small part-time business on the side. Every year we have people asking him for tax advice and other things. Where Chad is employed now, he is not legally able to help others with tax returns. Since he will not be employed with an accounting firm anymore, this will give him the opportunity to help friends and family out, and charge a small fee...maybe about $50 or so.....to do their simple tax returns. He's always wanted to do something like that, and have a business, so who knows where this could take us?

#2. We replaced our hot water heater after it burst this week. Another bad good situation. We actually found out about it accidentally. I cleaned out closets this past weekend and Chad and Brennan were putting clothes in the attic, and Brennan said, "Daddy, why is there so much water in this bowl?" (He was referring to the drip pan.) So, thankfully Brennan is very observant at times, otherwise it could have been bad. The plumber said it was a very good thing we had such a good drip pan.... It wiped us clear out of money, but now I'm beginning to think we have been missing out quite a while on hot water. I mean, it gets HOT. We might have to turn the thermostat down in the attic so the boys won't scald themselves on accident one day. I never knew the water was supposed to be that hot!!! I'm in heaven when I take my before-bedtime baths!

#3. My most favorite teacher EVER got a pink slip from the Hinds County school district yesterday. I think this is a bad good situation.... I know it's devastating for her. VERY. But, I also feel like God will open up a bigger and better door than before. She just has to have faith. And I know she does. If anyone does, she does. I am keeping her in my prayers.

#4. So, I had a Tupperware party on Tuesday. It's been about 5 years since I got suckered in to a party like that, but I really wanted some Tupperware and I couldn't afford what I wanted. This was a bad good situation because parties like that are always stressful....such as getting responses to who wants to come to the party, who can't come but wants to order from the catalog, or order online, and deciding what kind of food to serve while people are over, and then getting the house cleaned up, ect., ect. BUT, I closed my party today and I got about $500 worth of Tupperware for $66.50 I know, right? Tupperware is some good stuff, and I am sooooo excited about getting my products in. One set I got was valued at $283, and I got the entire set for FREE. So, thanks to all my peeps who ordered whether at my party or online. Y'all are the best!!!! I got a new Salsa set, so I will have to make everyone some Salsa soon. It's these little things that excite me!

#5. Well, I guess this situation is just all around good.... But, I got an email last night saying that I am now on the PTO board at Brennan's school. I had no idea I had even been mentioned for anything. I will be a first-grade representative for the 2010-2011 school year. This makes me SO happy! I love getting to know other moms and being involved in school functions. It makes my heart happy! I am very excited about what next year holds.... but I am also very sad that Brennan will be in the first grade. I don't feel like he should be turning 6 in a few weeks. But, I don't have the power to stop time, now do I?

Diaper Cake #2

This is a diaper cake I made for a baby shower this weekend. This is actually before I put the finishing touches on it. I have pics of the final product, but have been too lazy to upload them.

It's for a couple who adopted a sweet, newborn baby girl from Louisiana. The theme colors were green and pink and butterflies.

Dear Teacher...

Dear Teachers:

You are one of the most underpaid, under-appreciated, and underrated professionals that this country has had the privilege of knowing. I think it's despicable that this country has treated you like they have for so long, and now instead of seeing the light, states like Mississippi, who are broke and have nowhere else to turn to, are now turning to their greatest assets -and instead of holding on tight to what we should be most proud of and what we need most-- we are giving you the pink slip and a handshake as you walk out the door to your next endeavor.


I would think Mississippi, being behind like they are, would want to cling tight to the treasures that our teachers are. Because my country and my state are too busy having to aid welfare recipients and illegal immigrants (I can't get on my political soapbox right now) MY child... MY CHILDREN, will have to pay the price. My child will lack the educational support and role models that they need to thrive in a school system that will end up struggling just like the rest of the state.

I chose Rankin County because it is known for it's strong teaching curriculum and strong teachers. However, the most thriving school district in the greater central Mississippi area was the first to start handing out pink slips. Teachers who are young and educated and fresh out of school and eager to help raise up the future of this state are struggling to find jobs.

Today Hinds County lost one of their treasures of a teacher. A teacher that was a HUGE influence on me in my preteen years... at such a strange time in my life. She encouraged, she loved, and she left a big imprint on me from the 6th grade forward. She encouraged things like journal writing, which made me discover my love for writing. No, I didn't pursue a degree in journalism or English, but I love to write. Her classroom at Byram Middle School in 6th grade is exactly when and where I discovered that.

Teachers, you deserve what any self-respecting lawyer, doctor, or Congressman makes. You make and mold our future. The future of our country and the future of our states depend on you. I am sad to know that you are the first ones our government leaders turn to when there is a financial crisis. I am sad to know that my children will suffer down the road because of this. Heaven knows, my children's teachers will need a raise just from spending 6 hours a day, 5 days a week with them.

Thank you, teachers. Thank you for who you are and what you do and the passion you have to help raise our children. One day I sincerely hope that you get what you deserve. Not a pink slip, and not a check that won't even pay your bills.

Much love,

A -mom -who- doesn't -envy- anything- about- your- job- but- -loves- you- for -what- you- do.

Brennan's kindergarten program....

Brennan speaking his line.

Singing his heart out.

Having a good time.

Well, today was Brennan's first ever school program. I cannot believe just how fast this first year of school has gone! Just a couple of more weeks and he will be on his way to the first grade! The kindergarten program was so good this morning. The teachers put a lot of effort into it and it was obvious the kids had a great time. I swear I think at one point I had tears in my eyes, but I can't say for sure. I was so proud of Brennan. But, I am also very sad. He is growing up WAY too fast. And come to think of it, so is Ethan.....

The good news....

In case you are wondering, yes, I'm still dealing with my bad day yesterday. However, it's been a beautiful, breezy day full of blessings, and God has yet again amazed me....even after my terrible day and my terrible attitude yesterday.

Let me start with the water heater. The plumber agreed to come down to what our second opinion from someone else had stated. Now, I'm not one for airing my personal financial information.... I never do that, but this is so amazing I feel like I need to share it. Chad and I got a few thousand dollars back this year from taxes. We debated and debated what to do with it. Pay a medical bill off, pay our one credit card off, give the Camry an overhaul? Decisions, decisions. Well, we spent about half of it on the Camry doing things that needed doing such as changing sparkplugs and other engine updates to keep it rolling right on up to 300,000 miles. We did a few other things, and still had some left over. We kept hanging on to it--trying not to make any rash decisions.

In the midst of the good week last week, and the joy I found in some things, our hot water heater burst. It's a very frustrating thing. This is our first experience dealing with something like this (oh, the joys of being a homeowner!) Well, the short of it is this: We had exactly $1,046 left from our tax refund this year. Our total bill after the plumber's left this morning was $1,043. Do I REALLY think that is a coincidence? Absolutely not. There was a reason we didn't spend that money. There was a reason we held onto it. We didn't know what that reason was. However, I know Someone else who did. It just gives me chills to think that what we had left over to replace something that's almost a necessity these days was almost right on the dollar! And remember, we had to bargain with this man for him to come off his price. He came down on his quote and we had the exact amount there.

Again, I don't like sharing with the world our financial issues, but I felt very compelled to share how amazing that is to me. Even though it wiped us out, we were still provided for. This is finding joy in the midst of a situation that is not joyful.

So, today after the plumber's left, I met Chad by his office and we ran an errand and had lunch. (The good news I've been waiting to tell you is just on the horizon.) Chad was really stressed out and I could tell he just wasn't being himself. He wasn't all smiles and he was very preoccupied. Well, for those of you left wondering, here is our good news: Chad has been offered another job at another place of employment. We have prayed for a year over this, and it has been the answer we've wanted all along, yet it was God's timing and not ours. But, here is another example of a situation stealing our joy.... Chad was so upset about giving his notice, (which he was making plans to do when he returned from lunch) I almost thought he wouldn't go through with it. It was like he was having second thoughts and getting really cold feet. He has really loved his job for the past several years, and has gotten so close to several coworkers and clients (which is actually how he was offered this job). The clients Chad deals with every year and every month love him. I mean, really, can you blame them?

But, I could tell Chad was so upset about going back to that office and giving them his resignation. It was a joyful situation, but there was also a joy-blocker. We had to have a pep talk before I dropped him off at his office and I had to remind him, that he didn't decide on this change at the spur-of-the-moment. It wasn't something he did with just his head. We have literally prayed over this for almost a full year and have asked others to pray with us. I don't think God would have allowed this situation to come full circle without closing a door if it wasn't meant to be. We did just as we should as followers of Christ: We prayed without ceasing. We asked others to pray with us. We weighed the options. We talked about it with each other. And the rest just fell into place just like it should have.

Now I know that Satan is after us. We have been blessed and we realize we have been blessed, and now he's coming to distract us in every way possible. He knows just where to hit us and how to hit us. You can take this to the bank, though: God can and will answer prayers. He may not do it when you think He should or how you think He should, but in the end it works out and as long as you don't forget to give Him the glory and the credit, He's going to bless you beyond measure. I am overwhelmed at His goodness and how things ALWAYS, without a doubt, work out when you take it off your shoulders and lay it at the feet of the One and the ONLY One who is in control. You can take my joyful attitude from time to time, but you can't steal my Joy!

Stealing my joy......

So, it's been an up and down kind of past few days. Last week was a good week. Things were going good, we were just sitting on top of the world soaking up our happiness, and we were feeling like we had all the things we needed. I was not smug about it. It was a very humble happiness. Lots of friends, lots of good news, lots of encouragement, lots of things were just going right. However, things usually last like that for a matter of days or weeks, sometimes months, before either the newness wears off, or disappointments start taking over.

Well, let's just say my day started off by getting the news that we now have to fork over $1,200 for a new hot water heater. I mean, really... Does anyone ever feel encouraged first thing on a Monday morning by getting GREAT news like that? Then my day just continued to disgust me. And I wasn't really disgusted with anyone or anything particular. I love my boss, my coworkers, and my patients, but I'm going to go all out and be honest here.... I just wasn't in the mood. Life was irritating me. I didn't feel like smiling, talking, or being sociable. Yet, 85% of my job is socializing.

I come home and do what I always do first thing, and that is check Brennan's binder. Well, what in tarnation do you expect I would find on a day like today? (Yes, I KNOW tarnation is not officially a word, but here in the deep south it seems to work.) I found a note from Brennan's teacher. Not only did his name get moved to yellow, (in case you are wondering yellow is not good) but he had to sit in time-out all during recess. Now, I know none of you knows his teacher, but this speaks volumes on to how out of control my child was acting. She puts up with A LOT! More than I EVER would. Of course, I just said I wouldn't put up with misbehavior, yet my child is the one sitting in time out. So instead of getting to help his daddy mow the lawn this evening (which actually equals fun for my child) Brennan had to sit inside and write sentences. The sentences read as follows: "I will listen to and obey my teachers." He threw a tantrum and squalled like a toddler, but we got our point across. At least for now. Tomorrow is a whole new day. No, actually it's a whole new adventure. I promise, I try to teach my child manners and behavior. I'm going to lose my religion before he graduates from elementary school.

Moving on. Well, I had a good crying spell tonight. And it makes me angry that I did. Which being angry makes me cry even MORE, which then in turn just irritates me beyond words. Crying and being mad is a vicious cycle. And really my crying spell had nothing to do with any of the formerly mentioned subjects. Sometimes people just really disappoint me. I go out of my way to try and help others and do what I need to do when it needs to be done, I try and do favors for my friends when they would appreciate it-- NOT necessarily BECAUSE I want them to return the favor-- but sometimes it is nice to think they WOULD return the favor when asked or needed. I just wear myself down doing for others. It's a spiritual gift, but sometimes it's a nuisance. I cannot tell you how many times I have been inconvenienced due to WANTING to help someone out and going out of my way to serve someone--be it with words, my time, or my money. And yes, 90% of the time, I do so without being asked. So is it really so bad to expect others to do the same? I guess it is. It's selfish of me and it's wrong of me. Not everyone has the same thought process I do.

Sometimes all it takes is a good cry. I know I have some "health" issues contributing to my waterworks and my desire to want to slap someone upside the head, but I'm just plain wore out and tired. And not the kind of tired that my nice, cozy bed will take care of. My attitude is tired. My joy is on vacation. My smile is starting to quiver, and my servant's heart is on a sort of sabbatical. Mrs. Sharon, you asked yesterday what have we allowed to steal our joy? Well, it's only Monday and I seem to have a list a mile long already..........

My week....

My week:

#1. Chad and I have realized how blessed we are beyond measure. We have had some really great things happen to us in our lives this week. Of course, we knew we were blessed before this week, but sometimes it's good to have reinforcement....

#2. I have been asked by 2 different people to make a diaper cake-- one is for a shower this coming weekend. YAY! I am so very excited!

#3. Chad and I totally deep cleaned our house today. I mean, it feels GOOOOOD to have a house cleaned really deep. It's kind of like a spa-day for our house!!! Chad rented a Rug Doctor from Kroger and earned his pay today. Our carpet is as old as the house and I really HATE it, but we have to take care of what we have. We can't afford what I REALLY want, and that is wood floors. So, until we win the lottery or catch a financial windfall, we'll just have to live with what we have. Chad cleaned every room, the couch, our ottoman, and he cleaned the inside of his Camry. It looks brand new. (Note: he didn't bother to touch my van.... he thinks I live like the Queen of Hoarders when it comes to my vehicle... UMMMM, I carry 2 kids with me 24/7. I told him when he finds a mom with 2 kids and a spotless minivan, THEN we can talk.... until then he can shut it.)

#4. It's never a good idea to try and steam clean every room in the house AND clean out closets at the same time.... It's pretty likely that someone might kill somebody else under that same roof.

#5. Referring back to #1, I had to remind myself of that after Chad and Brennan climbed in the attic today and discovered a major leakage coming from our hot water heater. We talked to a couple of people today, and we are hoping it's just a minor repair.

#6. Miracle-Gro does NOT, I repeat, does NOT taste good. It has the potential to involve vomit. Don't ask me how I know that.

#7. The weather was so random today. We actually had lots of sunshine today and not one drop of rain. Then I turned on the news late this afternoon to discover how devastating the weather was so close to home. My prayers are with the victims of the storm. So very sad.

#8. I really hope to reveal our good news in the coming week. To most, it may not seem like a big deal, but to us, it kinda is!!!

#9. I have a winner for the blog. It's in the post below.

And the winner is.........

Well, we have a WINNER! I have no idea how to do a computer generated drawing (if there is such thing on a blog) so I put all 35 names in a hat and let Brennan do the honors. And the winner is: MELISSA!!!! Yay, Melissa! (Melissa Howard)

I really wish I could thank all of my followers in the same way. I can't believe I have 35 readers. I never imagined that I would have more than 2 people reading my blog. Thank you to all of you, and all of the sweet things you say and I love that other people can find humor and encouragement in some of the things I write. It makes my heart happy. Keep reading!!! I plan on doing another giveaway in the future. Giving back to my friends is something that does me good. I love you all!!!!!

New discoveries...

Seriously. This is AWESOME. And I just discovered this by accident today. And at Wal-Mart of all places. I like to drink hot tea in the afternoon (or as the English say, I like to have a spot of tea) and I also drink herbal tea about an hour before I go to bed. Of course, this is black tea, so I can't drink this past 4 in the afternoon or it might contribute to my ever returning case of insomnia. It is soooo good. (Sipping on some right now!)

Now, this picture is not what I wanted to post on my blog, but I couldn't for the life of me find the picture I wanted. Not even on the shoe company's official website. These are called Smartdogs. Can I just say, if you don't have a pair of these, you SERIOUSLY need to run out and get a pair NOW. And I know just where you can get them.... Sam's has them for dirt cheap. However, I didn't realize just how cheap they were until I tried to look them up on the web a little while ago. These suckers retail for $54. YES, Fifty. Four. Dollars. However, I only paid $16 (including tax.) If you are like me (which I assume most in Mississippi from March until October are like me) and you are a flip-flop wearing freak, you need some of these. I cannot describe to you how RIDICULOUS these things are. And by ridiculous I mean these things are indescribable on comfort level. They feel like slippers. My mom has a pair, too. Oh, and I also forgot to mention that they are machine washable! What? Yes, I am so serious. You need a pair of these.

Revelations....

I am so not a fan of Oprah. AT ALL. I can't stomach one thing she says or does. She's highly overrated and I have never understood all the hoopla surrounding her. However, I have heard people say "I just had one of Oprah's A-HA moment's". I assume that it means when something has clicked in the brain and the lightbulb goes off and we either understand something we never thought we would, or something gets revealed to us in our lives from ordinary, day-to-day things. Well, instead of an "Oprah" A-ha moment, I have had a Mandy A-Ha moment. And really, it wasn't even a Mandy moment. It was a God moment. And really, it wasn't even a God moment, it was a God series. Back to back. Lots of revelations in a blinding, side-sweeping, knock-you-off-your -seat, shock-the-socks-right-off-your-feet, moment after moment after moment series of revelations this week.

This past Sunday, our Sunday school teacher asked those of us who felt comfortable doing so, to share something that had happened to us in the past week where God had revealed Himself to us. I couldn't for the life of me think of ANYTHING that had happened where God had shown Himself to me. Try as I might, I just couldn't come up with anything that stuck out in my brain as a revelation to something. Well, I believe in my heart that God was saving this week to knock my socks off. And all I have to say is WOW.

I have emerged from a season of being a dry Christian. We all go through seasons where sometimes we're up, sometimes we're down, sometimes we're drenched, and sometimes we're dry as a rickety old bone. I spent the past 6 months of my life being dry. I love going to church, I pray (sometimes) and I have been kind to others, but I wasn't soaking stuff up. I wasn't growing and I wasn't putting my gifts to the true test. Whether it's because of this Spring fever and all the beautiful things blooming everywhere, or whether it's just God doing what He does in his omnipotence, I feel just like the flowers look outside right now. Things are happening in my life and in people's lives around me and I stand amazed at how I feel God trying to say, "See Mandy? Here is joy. Here is healing. Here is what happens when you truly seek the Desires of your heart. Now, why did you ever doubt for a second what could be done in your life and those around you?"

I can't reveal too much now. I don't want to jump the gun on anything as of yet, but God has answered a prayer regarding a situation concerning Chad and me. (Now, I've said before I believe ALL prayers get answered--there's no such thing as unanswered prayers, but sometimes we just FEEL like they don't get answered because they aren't answered the way we want them to be.) But, Chad and I have LITERALLY prayed over this situation for almost a full year, and have asked others to pray for us. It's been a slow process, but in just the past 24 hours, God answered in a way that amazed both Chad and me. We are ecstatic, yet apprehensive about new boundaries, but God has given us something that is a personal testimony to us both. (And no, we are not having another baby NOR or we adopting... clear that out of your brains right now!) But, it's proved to us good things WILL happen and blessings will be showered upon those that believe, yet it's always in God's perfect timing and God's perfect will, if that's what we seek.

On a similar note, yet another revelation: we have a fairly new family in our church and in our Sunday school class that we have gotten to know and develop a relationship with. Thomas and Carol and their 5 children. Well, Thomas has had a very sick mother. She had a serious form of cancer. From what I understood, she was knocking on death's door. It was severe. His mother also wasn't saved from what I understand, either. Thomas was desperately seeking answers and prayers from everyone. Lots of people prayed and prayed and prayed. They prayed for him, they prayed for her, and they prayed for the rest of his family. I just got a text message from someone else in our S.S. class saying they had received a message from Thomas today. His mother is cancer free. The cancer is gone! This is someone who just 2 months ago almost didn't survive surgery. God is not through in her life. I really don't think that she was miraculously healed and that's the end of the story.

And to add to the growing list of revelations--I had gotten it in my head that I just couldn't make it to Nicaragua this year. I just knew that it wasn't going to be my year, that I couldn't afford one dime towards the trip, and that it just wasn't in God's plan for me to go this year. I was heartbroken, but I knew I would survive. However, just this past week, God has proven me wrong yet again. Things have been put in place for me to go, people have come forward to help me financially, and once again, I am preparing my heart to be able to get on that plane and be used in lives that truly need the Savior.

I'm telling you, I turn on the news and am horrified and scared and disgusted with so many things I see. This week seems to be one of the worst weeks for news-watching in awhile. It starts to get to a soul. Yet, at the same time, God is doing some incredibly jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring, miraculous work. As if the flowers and sunshine He sends us as gifts every spring weren't enough to keep doubt from entering my heart and mind, He still shows us Who He is if we'll only seek Him and believe in Him and the promises He's made. If we'll only let Him reveal Himself to us in the good AND bad.

Let me make one correction: On the last post, I said you could put a name or initial on the small cosmetic bag, but I what I MEANT to say, was an initial will only fit on the bag. However you can still put a name on the tote bag. The bag is brown and pink, in case you can't see the picture well. I knew this and meant to correct it, but I guess I got too tired to go back and change it. I plan on drawing a name at the end of the week--Saturday evening. So, if you have been reading my blog in the past, sign up to follow (you don't have to be a blogger to be a follower) so that you can be included in the drawing. I don't want any of my past readers to be left out if they want to be included.

Giveaway....

Well, after saying I wouldn't do it, and then playing around with the idea again, I decided I would do it.... I am going to do a giveaway on my blog. And I want you to understand, I'm not doing it to make my blog more known or to gain more readers (although, that's always a plus) but I have really decided to do it more as a thank-you to my faithful peeps who read it. I always love the sweet comments and encouraging thoughts you leave either under my posts or on Facebook. (Mainly on Facebook.) I really am thankful for YOU who take time out to read my posts each day or each week. My life is pretty dull to some, I'm sure, but it's so humbling to know that people find what I write amusing and entertaining.

So, here goes:

I have a sweet friend (my BFF from high school, Randi) who owns Tickled Pink, a monogramming/gift company. She has some cute stuff, and I wanted to treat one lucky reader to a tote bag monogrammed with choice of names or initials--the winner can pick what color thread you would like to have to be put on the bag AND a small cosmetic bag with initials or name. If you have been reading my blog faithfully for days/weeks/months/years, and have not signed up to be a follower, please click on the right hand side and click to follow. Very easy to do. Also, I know I have a few male readers, so if you are male and your name is drawn, I will do something in place of the tote bag and cosmetic bag OR think.... Mother's Day is coming up. :-)

Thank you again for taking the time out to read my blog.

Also for more great gift ideas, click http://www.tickledpinkmonogramming.com

Brennan's logic....

So, as my faithful readers know, there is never a dull moment to be had at the Miller household. Especially with a five (almost 6) year old who has an answer to EVERYTHING. So, Brennan was being especially argumentative close to bedtime tonight and wasn't getting his way with his Daddy (or me). I was out of the room at the time, but this is how the conversation went down according to Chad:

Chad: Brennan, just do what you're told now and quit arguing.

Brennan: (with tears streaming down his face) But DADDY!!!!! Do you not remember that devotion you read to me about how God wants us doing to others as we want done to us? Don't you, Daddy? Well, you are NOT doing to me what I would do to you! That's not what God says to do, Daddy!!!

Then, with tears still streaming down his face, Brennan runs into the bathroom where I was (fortunately I was brushing my teeth....) and repeats the whole tear-stained story..... What are we going to do with this kid? I feel in my heart that he is a Southern Baptist preacher without a congregation .....

Ashley's shower....

This is the diaper cake I made for a friend in my Sunday School class. Her and her husband tried a long time and went through a lot of prayers and doctor visits and they were finally able to conceive successfully. Our S.S. class threw her a shower this afternoon. Ashley and her husband, Johnathan were SO excited!

The cake was my first diaper cake making experience. It was so much fun to make. I would love to have an excuse to make another one for someone. I really enjoyed it.

One of the food tables.

The shower was held in the front foyer of our church.

Some of my sweet peeps from S.S. class. From the left: Shelley, Kelly, Valerie, and Victoria.

One table of the goods. She got some GREAT stuff.

Table #2 of the goods.

Most of the females in our class. From the left: Shelley, Mandy, Kim, Kelly, Valerie, Ashley (the guest of honor!), Laura, Sharon (our S.S. teacher), and Angela.

We can't wait for baby Jayden's arrival. Ashley has a great story about the name they decided on. She had no idea what the name meant when they decided on Jayden. It was only later that she looked up the meaning and it quite simply states: God heard. So fitting because of the prayers that were constantly being lifted up for her and Johnathan. They are going to be WONDERFUL parents.

Spring at our house.

Chad did a fabulous job on our yard today. He worked SO hard. And so did Brennan. Brennan was sweating as much as his daddy. So, he will officially get that one dollar bill with the number ten on it. ;-)

What a HUGE difference a little bit of straw can make.

Oh to be carefree and NAKED!

Taking a leisurely Saturday afternoon drive.

Working up a sweat. Notice his flavored water mustache he's sporting.

Brennan's stepping stone we made last year when he started school. Now it has a special place in our yard.

Finished product.

The gardenia tree Chad planted for me. He planted another one by our swing near the patio. Gardenias have a special meaning for me. They are my MOST favorite flower. I don't think any flower smells better or sweeter than a gardenia. It reminds me of my grandparent's house in South Jackson where they used to live. My grandfather would always pick flowers off the many bushes they had and would put them in a bowl just for me. The smell reminds me of being a little girl and the time I used to spend at their house.

Brennan's little "garden". There are green beans, cucumbers, catnip (whatever that is), and peppers. We'll see if anything develops. His MiMi got him these for Easter, so that is one thing we did today.

Brennan watering his flowers that he worked so hard with Daddy on.

Sitting down to have a little snack.

This is Dixie after she had her bath. She was so filthy. And that is HER blanket she is curled up in. She was not a happy camper at this point. But she was also TIRED.

Random Wednesday.

Here are some random facts from today....

#1. I would personally like to thank my husband for the one bad gene he passed on to our youngest. This morning was spent at the pediatrician's office (apparently with every other sick, germy kid in Jackson) so that we could be told Ethan has a severe case of allergies. But, that wasn't the worst part. Oh no. It's better. He also STILL has an ear infection (F.Y.I.--he's been on a $60 antibiotic for TWO weeks that didn't clear it up). But THE BEST part of all is the trip I had to make to the pharmacy. (Yes, I am dripping with sarcasm here.... Can you feel it as you read these words?) I forked over a grand total of $140 for a ONE month supply of allergy medicine and another dose of antibiotics. One of his medications ALONE was $116. Yes, I'll let you do the math. The ONLY good thing about that trip to the pharmacy is that we have now met our prescription deductible for Ethan. Good golly, thank goodness I had on my yellow mineral powder today. Hives were popping up everywhere! (If you're lost on that one, refer yourself to the next blog post down from this one.)

#2. As I was at Wal-Mart today shopping for drugs and other things we use around the house, I was somehow magically transported to the clearance aisle. (I didn't know Wal-Mart had magical shopping fairies who seduced people with their magic, but whatever.) I, of course, found the Easter candy for a whopping 75% off. Hellooooo Cadbury Mini eggs. I bought 4, yes, count 'em, FOUR bags of the things. (But, what I won't tell you is that I also bought 4 bags of the Hershey's version on Monday at the Walgreen's in the ghetto.....oops, did I say that?) Why do I do that to myself? Apparently my fear of becoming Mrs. Fatty McFatty Pants is off on some sort of hiatus. I think my hormones are out of control. That's what I'll blame it on anyway.

#3. Back to the clearance aisle at Wal-Mart--- I can't keep myself away. And I can sniff out bargains like nobody's business, but I'm also one of these people that think just because it's on sale for 75% off, I have to have it because, COME ON, it's a good deal. I bought two scarves today for $2 a piece, bought some sidewalk chalk for Brennan's class at $2 a box, and let's not forget the Cadbury eggs. I mean, seriously, why can't I just walk away. Walk. Away. Put the merchandise down (and NOT in the buggy) and walk away. Wal-Mart, I love you so, but OH, how I loathe you.

#4. Some car commercial is now playing the theme song from "The Andy Griffith Show", so now every time it comes on the television, I jump up to answer my phone because that is my ringtone. VERY annoying.

#5. Glue guns are AWESOME. The end.

Some NEW favorite things!

Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder. I have 7 words to describe this, and it's in the form of a question: WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE???? Seriously. This is the best thing anyone could ever come up with at the cosmetic counter. So, in case you're wondering what this is, and is it really yellow, I can answer both questions. #1. Yes, it's yellow. #2. It's for those of us with not-so-perfect complexions and ESPECIALLY for those of us with fairer skin. I have serious issues with redness of my skin. And of course, lots of things trigger it and make it worse. Especially stress. I break out in red splotches when I get stressed or really upset, and also I think at work, the powder in our latex gloves makes my face break out in these red hives. At the end of my work day I either look sunburned or like a swarm of mosquitoes has attacked my face. The straw that broke the camel's back was when I came home from work last Thursday, and Chad said, "What is wrong with your face???" I decided it's time to invest in some good make-up. (Instead of the Wal-Mart special that I found on the clearance shelves.)

This stuff is great. It's $32 (I got mine from Belk's.) but it comes in a big container and it doesn't take a lot. It will really last a long time. I am so in love with this stuff. Clinique also has a whole line of redness solutions. This was the cheapest, however, and it seemed to work for my level of redness.

Superpowder Double Face Makeup. Again. Why didn't I use this sooner? I LOVE wearing makeup and I LOVE looking like I at least halfway take care of myself. However, I HATE the process of putting the stuff on. Especially the 2 step system when it comes to applying foundation and powder. This cuts that in half. It's foundation and powder in one step, and the consistency is powder instead of that icky creamy stuff. It gives me really good coverage (which says a lot, because I have a terrible complexion.) I totally heart this stuff!

So, went to Walgreen's in the ghetto yesterday while I was out for lunch, (my mission was to find some chocolate candy-coated Easter eggs on clearance) however I found much more.

I just happened to see all these great bottles of nail polish and they were $1.99 a piece. It doesn't get any better than that. I bought 2 different shades, and they are at total opposite ends of the color spectrum. The brand is called Sinful Colors.

This was one shade. (These pictures I found on the internet are not really good in capturing the true colors.) It's a very bright pink with a hint of sparkly in it. A really good spring/summer color for the toes!

This is a color a little more on the wild side (for me, anyway!). It's called "What's Your Name?" Again, this picture doesn't show the true color. It's almost black, but it's really a VERY dark blue. And it has a little bit of blue sparkly in it. I was so excited about this, I painted my toes AND my fingers last night. Note: I have painted my fingernails ONCE in probably 10 years. But, I so loved this color, I wanted to see how it looked on my hands. PLUS, it matches the sapphires in my wedding band. (That made me sound like such a diva, but rest assured I am a far cry from a pretty princess.)

Chad told me this nail polish made me look like a Goth chick. (He doesn't like it.) I asked him how many goth chicks did he see around that wear hot pink lipstick.

So, I've already mentioned this book. But, I want to mention it again. I just finished it last night and it is FABULOUS. I am going to let my mom borrow this, and then I want to read it all over again. I cannot get enough of Max Lucado. (Chad if you're reading this, Max Lucado + Mother's Day= a GREAT gift idea.....)

It hits everything dead on. Fear of not having enough money in the bank, fear of dying, fear of situations we feel we can't control, fear of the end of the world. It's all there plus some. There is actually a small group study that goes with this and I plan on making mention of this to our church staff. Five stars and 2 thumbs up!

Handsome boys....

So, yes! You must check out these fabulous pictures! The end.

http://jennifernicholson.smugmug.com/Children/Brennon-and-Ethan/11580814_m5aPx#815883054_SxrzR

Fish Fry....

Getting ready to head out the door to Dr. Harkins' annual fish fry. Our 4th year to go! Ethan's got his shades on, ready for the long ride!

Brennan is ready for the road trip, too.

Playing and running wild at Dr. H.'s house.

Swinging under the big tree.

Dr. H. is the chef. If he ever decides to quit dentistry, he could make it out there in the restaurant business! He is a great cook and a great fish fryer!

At the lake in Dr. H.'s backyard.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to get a decent picture with these two!

YUMMY!!!! Good fish!

Good fish and good hushpuppies!!!!

Brennan LOVES this thing! It is the highlight of our visit every time.

Buckling the boys in.

Max wants to go for a ride, too! Instead he is being restrained and it makes him so sad!

Max is so tired after chasing them around for half an hour. And now he's waiting for the next ride.

Just chilling.

Such a pretty tree.

Racing.

Mandy and Marie! (Dr. Harkins' sweet daughter)

We had to stop at Sonic on the way home. It was happy hour!