Things I Love #4

I Love Paul's art. 

When we first started dating  I was a little scared off by his creative mind. The paintings in his room were on the "weirder" side and reminded me of aliens in scary movies. But his people and his style grew on me and I have come to love his "lanky people"....

 NO...I have come to LOVE them.

I know he doesn't think so, but I think he's talented. He has a perspective not seen in commercial art and it's fresh and different. He has also played with shapes and geometry in some of his paintings and they have turned out really good. 

When he became a pastor he started using art as a media for ministry and even now sometimes will use his paintings in his sermons which is kinda cool.

I love having the opportunity to change the decor of my house based on one of his paintings. Here are a few in our house that I took quick snapshots of.....

I love this painting. Paul did this after our daughter Riley was born. I love 

it so much that it inspired the baby's room........

I have never been able to decorate a room for a baby. 

Jeremiah was born at a time when we lived in Princeton in a tiny one bedroom apt. When we had Riley, she slept in the "office" until she was 3 months old- then she moved into big brother Jeremiah's room. So I had fun putting together a room for our little surprise. Although he was unplanned.....just like the picture, he will be met with much joy when he is finally born.

This is probably my favorite of Paul's pieces.

 The lighting and camera don't do it justice. Paul calls it "Rest for the Weary" and he painted it at the end of a long quarter of Greek while in seminary. When I worked for a printing company, we had a few printed framing it in black with scripture (Matt. 11: 28-30) at the bottom. 

It turned out beautiful...and still waits for us to frame it and put it up.  But I still love the original and it always is up on one of our walls in our house.

Here's a piece currently in our living room. I love all the colors and textures he uses with the brush....wish the camera could show those.

This is a bit of a sentimental piece. Paul gave this to me the first year we were married. He'll probably get mad I even posted this piece. I wish it was out for all to see in my house, but it's been put up in our bedroom on a wall that people don't look at. Maybe at our new house it will have a more prominent place. 

So there's just a few pieces....ones that I love and I would take with me wherever I go.

Things I Love #3

I have a ridiculous infatuation with the tv show Friday Night Lights.

I heart FNL.

I love me some Lost and the Office ( more of my faves), but there is something about Friday Night Lights that captures so many parts of me.

I tell everyone about the show....and I insist they try it out. I even force my season 1 & 2 dvd's on them.  I tell them to give it 3 episodes and  they will be hooked.

You know what? Anyone who I have pushed the show on has absolutely loved it (even a husband of  a friend of mine).

It's not really about football.....but lets be realistic, it can be.

But its more than that.....the story-telling is so authentic and real....you never know what a character will say or not say. 

Yes, it can be "soapy" but not in a bad way. You almost come away believing that what you are watching are real people, dealing with real things.

I read many things about this show and one of things I appreciate is the art that goes into making this show. There is so much room for creativity.....that it allows the actors to ad-lib and have input to what their character might say or do.

Nothing illustrates this better than the amazing chemistry between Coach and his wife Tami. Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton are amazing in these roles and I love to watch them weave their way through the obstacles that come their way.

There is no better relationship on tv that displays such authenticity for a married couple. Period.

I love this show, and I encourage you to borrow my season 1 dvd or rent it from netflix and hop onto to season 3. You won't be that far behind.

Besides the heartwarming stories and good laughs.....there is some great eye candy in Taylor Kitsch's "Riggins"....by the end of season two you will be wishing you were his rally girl.

Btw- FNL is on NBC, Friday Nights at 9pm. 

Watch it....you won't be sorry.

Back Online with Some Ramblings

Sorry about the extended blogging vacation, my mind has been mush and not capable of putting together whole thoughts.

It's actually still not ready, so I have compiled a list of thoughts that have been swimming in my little brain the past two weeks. Here they are for you to enjoy:

1. Did anyone see Grey's Anatomy two weeks ago? The end was ridiculously good. It reminded me of the old Grey's that held depth and meaning. After a 3 episode arc of a serial killer trying to die in the hospital rather that by lethal injection (which I think Eric Stolz, of the old school movie, "Some kind of Wonderful" played creepily and brilliantly) it ended with such a moving scene it brought me to literal sobs. Meredith, our heroine, we are learning has a compassionate side...even for those undeserving people that have no remorse for the horrible things they have done to people. Such is the case between serial killer and Meredith.  A unique relationship develops between the two and without apology they kind of understand each other. Anyway....he asks if she will come to his "death" so "there's at least one friendly face in the place."

She does.....and what happens is an astonishing picture of grace. Our heroine goes to this man's "death", a man who has killed quite a few women without any apology.....just for the fun of it and she gives him a friendly face as he is pumped with enough drugs to take him to the other side. After its over, she walks out to her boyfriend and collapses in sobs. She cries she just wanted to give him a little bit of compassion, and it was horrible.

sniff sniff.

Grace isn't easy. Grace shouldn't be easy.....and at times it can feel horrible to give. Just think back to the most amazing grace ever given.....on a cross......and it was horrible.

Sometimes as believers we sugar coat grace....and I loved that a TV show could actually show an accurate description of what it can be like.

2.  I am a crazy woman for agreeing with my husband to sell my house in the midst of about to have a baby. 

3. If another person tells me that my little circus animal in utero needs to stay in longer to grow, I will punch them. 

Seriously.

It's time for him to come out.....any day little guy.....please today.

4. I wish I had a house cleaner. I think the govn't should pay for house cleaners. It would help our health care system by reducing the number of people being sick from dirty houses.

5. I have the most amazing friends....both near and far. Just the other day a group of girls surprised me with a yummy breakfast brought to my home along with gifts for our little circus animal.

6. I am hoping I can go hear Greg Mortenson talk at Long Beach Wilson. He's the author of , "Three Cups of Tea". A fantastic book if you are looking for  a good read.

7.  I am hoping I can sleep longer than 2 hour periods in the night.

that's all I got.....I know there's more, but the mind has completely mushed.

Til next time dear readers.....

Baby on a Leash

My daughter loves dogs. Ever since she  could talk she has been asking for us to get her a dog.

Every time we say...maybe someday. It will take a long time for my dog hating husband to be talked into such a purchase...but we don't tell her that.  Actually I shouldn't be too hard on my husband because hate is a strong word. He just really dislikes everything that comes along with a dog...the smell and the dirty fur and the slobber that makes him want to wash his hands. He does like some dogs....as long as they aren't his. So until our kids can care for a dog, we won't be getting one.

So my sweet little girl had a play date with a friend yesterday. We arrived at their home to find that they added a new addition to their a family......an adorable dog. I knew immediately this could be bad news for me. Riley spent the whole time at their house in the backyard playing with the dog, putting her leash on and running around the pool and feeding her treats. But her smiles quickly turned to sadness when it was time to leave. 

She came into the house  and cuddled up to me with a frown on her house. I inquired what was wrong and the following conversation ensued:

"Mommy, why can't we get a dog?"

"Honey.....we'll get a dog someday."

"But why can't we get a dog now?"

"Because you'll be getting something better in just a few weeks."

Riley gives me the sad face.

"what's that?"

"You'll be getting a baby brother"

"But Mommy, you can't walk a baby!"

I smile trying to get her to smile....., "Sure you can honey, we can just put him in a stroller and push him along on a walk."

By now..It thought for sure a smile would break across her face.

But no......her reply was this,

"But Mommy, you can't walk a baby with a leash!!!"

huh, nope, I guess you can't.

Dog-1

Baby-0

Things I love #2.

I LOVE this bush.

Yes, I know it's silly...but yesterday and today I couldn't stop being thankful for this very bushy, thorny ugly bush, and I will love it til the day I die.

Why you ask.

Because Wednesday night as I was rushing out of the house  I fell off the porch backwards into these bushes.

And this particular bush caught my big ole pregnant self (if you look carefully, you can see where my arse broke the bush).

So instead of a broken back and possibly putting myself into pre-term labor, this wonderful, beautiful and generous bush gave me scratches and bruises.

Thank you Bush. I love you!

An Apology

So...in my last post I made a comment that I make no apologies.....

but today I do.

While my "crazy pregnant" post was one that was said in sarcastic humor and meant to be funny.....it's been brought to my attention that it can be read with insensitivity and can be hurtful to those who do have large families.

So I apologize. I meant no harm and in no way was i trying to be demeaning in what I wrote.

I was just trying to make funny of a situation many can relate to....and I realize that in re-reading my post that it can be taken in a mean way.  So I am really sorry if I offended anyone.

However.....with  that being said....I was referring exclusively to  the Duggar Family with 18 kids. (even though in my post I didn't really make that clear)

Do I still think they are crazy?

Yes.

But that's because we all have crazy in us.

My crazy just won't manifest itself in being pregnant 18 times. It will probably be something even crazier.

They MUST be on Crack

So I might...

No, actually, I will get lambasted for this post.

But seriously.....women who are pregnant over 8 times (give or take a few) have to be on crack.

This is my third pregnancy...and honestly, I am OH SO over it.

Who in their right mind would WANT to be pregnant that many times?? They say it's cause they want a big family. My response....

"Then Adopt!"

They say it's because they LOVE being pregnant and it's so wonderful. My response....

'You are Lying!!"

I just heard of that show where the family just had their 18th baby...and they have been quoted saying they want more. My response.....

"ARE YOU FREAKING NUTS?????? 

Unless  you look like this....

Then there is no way a woman in her right mind would want to be pregnant that many times.

I make no apologies here..... there is no comment on this post that will make me think otherwise.

There...I said it.....

even if it's tongue in cheek...I said it. There are many other responsible reasons for my opinion.....but I won't get all serious on ya.....I'll just leave it with this very judgmental comment.....

Those women are CRAZY!

:-)

Dear Obama......Here's An Idea...

Today in the Associated Press it announced that Obama has already raised $27 Million for Inaugural Festivities and that they will have no problem reaching $40.

Cough. Cough.

$27 Million?

Seriously?

I think I am having a hard time with this one.

Yes, I get that it's the President's inauguration.

Yes, I understand that THIS particular inaugural will be historic.

I get it! I get it!

But can't it be something more like $1million?

I mean, the most lavish of weddings cost around $300,00- $500,00 right? Can we add in another $500,000 just for security (maybe more...I have no idea what security costs) and call it a day?

I realize that presidents in the past have spent this amount of money....but I guess I am having a harder time with this one simply because of a phrase Obama used during his campaign,

"I am my brother's Keeper"

I believed in this phrase and I believe that he means it.

So how does one go about being okay with spending $27 million on just a party when our country is struggling through tough economic times?

How does one be okay spending this amount of money when there are people on the other side of the world who don't have clean water?

Why do people give so much money for a party...when it can go to better our country.......and our world?

My questions can go on and on.

I say, let's make our country a better place....THEN let's throw a party.

I know it's not that simple.....but I think Obama's inaugural festivities would have so much more of an impact....and would be even more so historic......if he planned a simple party.

A party with out all the fluff.....and instead did something with the millions and millions of monetary donations to help along "his brother".

A Boat

The other night while driving home my kids started asking me questions about how i will deliver their little baby brother. I have explained before a few times the two ways a babies is born, naturally and by c-section. 

So when asked again how baby brother would come out, I said  hopefully naturally.

To this my 5 year old daughter replied, 

"Will he come out in a boat or will he just swim out?

Things I Love- #1

I love to read people's blogs. It's so much fun. And I have to admit it that I love when they come up with something creative that tells me a little bit about the writer. One of my most recent finds is a blog of a friend of a friend and i find her very funny, artsy and well....funny. On her blog she has what's called "I think it's perfectly normal". In these random posts she tells us a little something about herself in a very fun way. I think I laugh every time I read one of the "perfectly normal" posts. It's bring a bit of sunshine into my day.

So instead of making a resolution for the new year that would probably be broken by the end of week one....I thought, why not do something like "it's perfectly normal" ?

So my list, for now until I can come up with something better (if you have ideas....comment my way), is called, "Things I love".

These random posts will be things that I absolutely love, that are probably completely unnecessary to living life, but things I wouldn't want to live without. These are things that could vie for the top spot on the "if you could take one thing with you....what would it be?" List.

So here goes........

My UGGS

I absolutely love my Uggs.  Their soft cushy insides bring joy to my toesies in a way that no other slipper does. They don't slip off and sound like you are shuffling down the hospital hallway. They are also double agents of their  kind. They act like slippers, but once put on and walked into the real world they pass as regular shoes. 

What other shoe does that?

So I ask......Who doesn't want their feet to be surrounded by such sheer coziness that can be used as an accessory to PJ's AND cute Jeans?