The Weekend Update

My 'highschool' long time buddies: Deawn, Heather, Linnea, Holly, Me, Melissa, and Thea. The only girl missing is Maria who now lives in VA beach. Eveyone else besides me are in the metroplex. We had a wonderful time anticipating the arrival of Holly's little girl. We will always be friends and seem to just pick back up where we left off every time! We all went to different colleges except Holly and I at ACU and Heather and Deawn at TCU. We used to have a camping trip every year post highschool but when we got married and especially started families, just not as easy to do. We still have a holiday party every year and I am able to see everyone just about every time I come in town and have fun play dates and dinner and such. There are also about five or six guys from our little group too and the majority of them are still in that area too with the exception of two but they still occassionally make the Christmas Party. We all got really close during Young Life our sophomore year of Highschool. Holly is now the director in Arlington! Our leaders Bob and Debi still come to our party every year and various showers. We have been through a lot together and these people are very close to my heart.

I also was able to enjoy a lovely dinner with my old college roomie Jodi and her husband Mike, also very much a part of our fun college days! Man, seeing people you don't get to real often just makes you miss them even more.... like a big tease!

The eyes: third week seems to be a charm! I woke up seeing great today! Road signs and all! Every day is getting better. Looking at the computer however is the worst thing and brings the fuzziness back. That being said I am signing off.

Linnea's Birthday

Today is my oldest, not by years of her age but by years of our friendship, friend's birthday! I posted this picture back in the summer but this is the only recent one I have that is digital. I will change that this weekend. Linnea is the one in black with her babies, Parker and Holly is holding Drake. My friend Linnea and I met each other in first grade and have grown into women together! Our birthdays are almost exactly a week a part so we spent many years celebrating together. We live in different towns now, both married with two children, and still carry a bond that will never be broken. So glad you entered this world sweet girl and blessed to have you as a friend. Looking forward to seeing you this weekend!

Be patient....Be patient Don't be in such a hurry.....
Amy Dickey (Smith) used to sing this song to me often when we lived together- in fact she taught it to me. Okay .........Okay!!!!!!!!!!!! God is teaching me and I am now forced to be. Today is the best day I have had yet. I had an appt. today and they are healing! There are a few dry spots on my eyes right in the line of vision which have been obstructing my view and adding a nice little glare to everything. I am legal to drive now but not for long distances b/c of the number of times and amount of drops I have to use in my eyes which is crutial to healing. So.....my sweet parents who came in Friday will be assisting me in my track to Arlington this weekend. The original plan was they were coming to help with my children while I attneded Defensive Driving Saturday and then would take Ty back with them for the week and I would meet up with them Thursday. Well........... My dad is leaving Tomorrow and my mother will be staying to make the drive with me Friday since Trent gets back late Wednesday and then leaves again on Sunday. I don't want to completely miss seeing Trent so I will at least get a day with him.

Speaking of ole Trent, I didn't mention our little Valentine date last week! In the midst of losing Grandmother, he still made my birthday and Valentine's Day special. He let me sleep in on my birthday and completely took care of the kids and then took us all out for a fun Sushi lunch, its my favorite. Well sort of.......... I am not a REAL sushi eater because I only eat rolls and seaweed salad. Its so much better than it sounds. Wednesday, one of the sweet girls from his women's team came and kept the kids while we went to eat and to the movie. I was still having a little trouble seeing the huge screen at that point but had no trouble seeing the blood and gore of Smokin Aces. Don't waste your money. Still.........it was nice to laugh about it and enjoy a night out on the town with such a hottie. So fun that I get to call him my husband! Man, I sure miss him! He is in San Diego with the men's team for the first tournament of the season. I would say lucky dog, but he is experiencing cold wet weather while its 72 and beautiful here! Well, almost beautiful, of course there is always this fun wind we get from Jan-March every year. Oh the joy, and soon we will enjoy the dust along with that wind and the rain of mud! Its a small price to pay for the awesome dry heat and actual enjoyable spring and summers we have. .... at least that is what I keep telling myself :)

Well the screen is a little too bright for my eyes and still VERY fuzzy to read so this will be a quick update. I am closing my eyes as I am typing so it might be filled with errors! This is a very slow frustrating process. I hope I can say I am glad soon. I have had to really learn to be ptient and to depend on others which has been very hard for me to do. I had an appt. today and they took out my contact bandagees. My left eye is progressing faster than my right. I can see very clearly for about thirty seconds after putting my re-wetting drops in and I do that every half hour. I still cannot drive for another week which ahs put a real damper on some plans. .

A lot of other sad things happene this week too. Sunday evennng Trent's grandmother passed away. She had been doing bad for the past week but had really started to go down hill over this past year. The funeral was yestreday and it was harder than we all thought it would be. Trenat and I had a lot of discussion last night about that and how death is still just so beyond comprehension. I hope I don't have to live woithougt him. Gerandmother was so blessed and blessed everyone she knew as well. Trent was SO blessed to have her all this time. I lost my paternal Grandmother whome I was very close to in sixth grade and my maternal a few years ago, however she had been ill for a long time and never met my husband or children. I sort of took Grandmother as my own. We used to have Thursday night dates with her every week when we moved here. We would take her out to Acuff steak house, meet at the DQ in Idalou for a coke, and out to eat numerous times. I sure will miss her but am so happy for her for where she gets t ob e now.

I also sturned 33 on Tuesday, not my favorite birthday but it was still good. My MIL is one of the neatsset people I know and how blessed am I to have such a wonderful relationshipe with her. With all she is going through, dealing with het passing of her mother, seh still got me and my BIL a cake for our birthdays and gifts that Tuesday evening after the visitation!!! There are so many ways that I want to be like her but her loving caring giving spirit is just incredible.

Well if there is anyone out there who has had PRK, please let me know how your recovery went. The doctor seai everything is looking good and normal but it could be 6-7 weeks from surgery before I am totoally 'normal'. I knew it would be long but I thought it would be SO much better by now. I want to wear my glasses so bad but they don't make a difference now b/c of thesc cells forming on my eyese which is part o fhealing.


Thank you for your prayers.

Tomorrow "I will See the light"

Many people have been asking me the difference in PRK vs. LASIK. I found an article:
http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/prk.htm

This article explains it well and have copy/pasted it below. I am sure my parents will be the most interested in this information since of course they are the most concerned. Everyone else can just ignore if they choose, however I find it very interesting. Beware that it is sort of lengthy but just takes a minute to read. There is an animation you can click on to see how it works.

Again, I would GREATLY appreciate your prayers. I have butterflies in my tummy and have all day. I feel good about my decision to have it done but am nervous about the recovery. I know God will see me through it and I am praying for peace and a good night's sleep. The only thing I am looking forward to during recovery is the fact that I HAVE TO REST! That just doesn't happen real often for me so I am looking forward to the forced sleep :)


It may be hard to believe these days, when everything is "LASIK this" and "LASIK that," but PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) used to be the most common refractive surgery procedure. Both are grouped under the umbrella "laser eye surgery," but each is a little different when it comes to advantages and disadvantages. LASIK patients have less discomfort and obtain good vision more quickly (with PRK improvement is gradual and over a few days or even months), but many surgeons prefer PRK for patients with larger pupils or thin corneas.
PRK was invented in the early '80s. The first FDA approval of a laser for PRK was in 1995, but the procedure was practiced in other countries for years. In fact, many Americans had the surgery done in Canada before it was available in the U.S.

PRK is performed with an excimer laser, which uses a cool ultraviolet light beam to precisely remove ("ablate") very tiny bits of tissue from the surface of the cornea in order to reshape it. When you reshape the cornea in the right way, it works better to focus light into the eye and onto the retina, providing clearer vision than before.

Both nearsighted and farsighted people can benefit from PRK. With nearsighted people, the goal is to flatten the too-steep cornea; with farsighted people, a steeper cornea is desired. Also, excimer lasers can correct astigmatism, by smoothing an irregular cornea into a more normal shape.

Before Surgery
If you are considering PRK, your first step is to choose a surgeon. [Read our article on how to choose a surgeon for advice on this subject.]
Your doctor will examine your eyes to determine exactly what kind of vision correction you need and how much laser ablation is needed. A corneal topographer will be used; this is an instrument that photographs your eye and creates a kind of "map" of your cornea. No one has a perfectly rounded cornea, and the topographer will display the corneal irregularities and the actual steepness or flatness that the surgeon must address.

During Surgery
PRK is an ambulatory procedure; you walk into the surgery center, have PRK, and walk out again. In fact, the actual surgery usually takes less than a minute, and you're awake the whole time. Occasionally, the doctor will give a mild oral sedative beforehand.
Most people don't feel pain during PRK. Your eyes are first anesthetized with special drops. The doctor will have you lie down, then make sure your eye is positioned directly under the laser. (One eye is operated on at a time.) A kind of retainer is placed over your eye to keep your eyelids open — normally, this is not uncomfortable. It has a suction ring that keeps your eye pressurized and immobile.

The doctor uses a computer to adjust the laser for your particular prescription. You will be asked to look at a target light for a short time while he or she watches your eye through a microscope to make sure it remains in the correct position while the laser sends pulses of light to your cornea that painlessly remove the tissue. It's important to keep your gaze fixated on that target light in order to get the best results.

The laser machine will make a steady clicking sound while the laser pulses are happening, and you may smell a faintly acrid odor during the tissue removal. Don't worry, that's normal.
The higher your prescription, the more time the surgery will take.

The doctor may prescribe medication for any postoperative pain, but many people feel no more than mild discomfort or "scratchiness" afterward.

The surgeon has full control of the laser and can turn it off at any time. After the procedure is finished, you will rest for a little while. If you're having both eyes done the same day, the surgeon will probably do the other eye after a short period of time. Many people choose to have their second eye done a week later.
After PRK

As with any kind of eye surgery, it's important that you follow your doctor's instructions to the letter. Get proper rest, fill and use any necessary prescriptions, and call your doctor immediately if you suspect a problem. What occurs after the surgery can affect your vision just as much as the surgery itself.

Immediately after PRK, the doctor will have you rest for a bit, then you can go home (someone else must drive). At home, you should relax for at least a few hours.
You may be able to go to work the next day, but many doctors advise a couple of days of rest instead. They also recommend no strenuous exercise for up to a week, since this can traumatize the eye and affect healing.

Avoid rubbing your eye . In fact, you will be examined just about every day to make sure the epithelium is healing properly. You will probably wear a special "bandage" contact lens, use antibiotic drops for a few days, and apply anti-inflammatory drops for several weeks.

My Ground Hog Day

- Woke up to snow covered ground, and icey roads. Roads were fine by noon but there is still some snow in our yard.

-Took my kids to my sweet friend April's house at 8:30, in their pajamas and a blanket. Whew! A cold day to be getting out so early!

- Went to my pre-op appt. for FIFTEEN more tests on my eyes. They are SUPER thourough!
I am scheduled for PRK a week from today at 10:30 in the morning. I would appreciate some prayers. This is very similar to LASIK but instead of creating a flap with the laser, it reshapes the cornea. Same outcome but I do not have enough tissue to do LASIK. The bad news is, I will not be seeing great at first, in fact it will be quite blurry for at least three days! I did not realize how much you cannot do after surgery. My MIL will be taking the kids for the day of surgery and Trent will be home all weekend to take care of me. They want me sleeping and putting drops in almost constantly until that Tuesday! The other bad thing is there is usually more discomfort than with LASIK but should be better by that Tuesday. I am just glad to finally be getting it over with. I have been in glasses for almost four months now.

-Had lunch at April's and a nice visit to finally do some catching up.

-The rest of the day was quite a challenge with my three year old and girl is sick and clingy. They both have runny noses but girl has had fever on and off. She is now sleeping pleasantly with the help of some Benedryl :)

-Watched one of my favorite teeny bopper movies, "Ten Things I Hate About You."

-Watched another Heath Ledger, "A Knight's Tale."

-Been dreaming about a house we found that we love and just praying that it all works out. I know God will put us where he wants us but it fits our needs perfectly and is actually the right price and I hope that its His will for us to be there. If not, I hope that the looking period is not too long and that the selling time is even shorter. I would appreciate prayers about that as well.

-Finally going to bed to snuggle with my little man because his dad is off recruiting.

Hope everyone had a nice winter day! Hope the Ground Hog is NOT right!!!

For Pop & Cita

Our Morning Ritual, Milk and snuggling














Liv playing Babies















Why are dog toys better than our toys?
Side View of the haircut I gave Liv.
Ty is peeking in!

I love watching them play when they
don't know I am watching.












I tag Em and April on the 6 weird things you do! I meant to do that last time. I am just encouraging you to update your blogs!

Wierdness Tagged By Candice

Okay, big time procrastinator here, I was tagged over a month ago- I checked back it was December 11th. I have so many wierd things about me that it is hard to narrow it down to just 6 and I did this a while back sharing five others (April 6 '06 on Quirks) so I had to decide which ones are not TOO embarassing to include this time. Here is a shot at it:



1. I have a fire, thanks to the inherited gas logs from my aunt Mimi, almost every morning regardless of the temperature outside. Its easier to get away with these days since its darn cold here! But even if it were late spring and less that 70 out, it would be lit!

2. I have decided to keep my manger scene up year round starting this year. The head has been missing off of Joseph for two years now and I just glued his pewter head back on AFTER Christmas this year. Its a rustic little set and looks great with the rest of our stuff so its not real 'Christmas-ey" but are we not supposed to celebrate His birth year round????

3. I say "Praise George" after hearing a George Strait song on the radio- after all he IS the King of Country music.

4. I occassionally watch "Vegas" if we happen to be home only to get a glimpse of the guy from "A Date With Tad Hamilton". What a hottie, I have no idea about the story line its shearly a lust thing. Yes Trent is okay with that. Its the same reason we watch things with Ashley Judd in them.

5. I put things in a "special" place in order not to lose them. The place has been TOO special on too many occassions. For instance, one year we never found our tickets to a concert that we had received in the mail before hand, thank goodness for the will call booth. Also, when we moved here before our house sold in Lewisville, I mis-placed the key to my passat. I had the neighbor in Lewisville looking in all sorts of weird places for the extra one. We did not want to go to the expense of getting another from Volkswagon because it was knife key. We ended up finding it when we moved in the recipe box! I have no recolection of putting it there. I am curious if we will end up finding those concert tickets when we move this time-among other things!

6. Love Onion rings, or purple onions on supreme pizza--Tomato Sauce for spaghetti or hot sauce for chips, or sun-dried ones in pasta. Hate onions or tomatoes on burgers by themselves or on anything else. I used to like foods that I now don't like ketsup and like things now that I never used to like egg rolls, peanut butter, avacados, squash, sweet potatoes, coffee, sweet tea, and just occassionally a glass of wine. I guess my tastes have really changed. Is that weird or normal?

To the anonymous person who asked about Liv's crib, I commented on that post with the info.

I know I am doing a lot of blogging here several days in a row but I got this in an e-mail from our East Texas friend Sharon and thought instead of doing a mass forward I would post it here. I think its very interesting considering that the country is trying to take Religion out of politics.

One detail that is not mentioned, in DC, is that there can never be a building of greater height than theWashington Monument. With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc... This is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this historical information. On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less. Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. But these words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched top the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America. Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world. So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!" Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo .......Praise be to God!" From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ... a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God! When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy . "One Nation, Under God." I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on! "Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Laus Deo! When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", its location, or the architects, but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1) It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother, or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never see this because someone failed to send it on.

Appt. Update

We met with the Endocronologist and his dietitian today. Everything went great and basically we just have a skinny girl! No concerns from the doctor since she continues to gain and is thriving and where she should be developmentally. She did great letting he and the nurses check her out, smiled the whole time! Not a big surprise but also a releif. We go back in three months just to make sure she is still progressing. Thank you for any prayers that might have been said. We really are SO blessed with this little girl.

These are random and for no reason really. The first one is obviously after bath time. The second is a month or so ago actually but shows her with two of her favorite things- her baby (the favorite one-I love that it has dark hair like she does) and the blanket that our friend Denise made her before she was born. Its just the right weight and is oh so soft. She loves to snuggle up in it.

On a completely different note lots of things going on around here. A very busy week!




Tonight, the dreaded pictorial directory pics. We had to re-schedule from 5 to 7 because all those
games Trent was supposed to ref were cancelled b/c of snow and ice and changed to tonight. He won't be done until 6:30, just enough time to change and be there. Should be interesting.

Thursday at 9:15 we head over to the Health Sciences Center to see the Endocronologist. Olivia ended up with another ear infection last Friday and actually lost some ounces- normal-but none the less not great.

Thursday night, a baby shower briefly and Trent stating basketball games. I will probably be missing our women's study because I have no where to put my children.

Friday afternoon, we meet to sign papers and do all the other stuff that goes along with putting our house on the market! I am a little nervous about this for many reasons. I need some prayers for the stress that goes along with that as well as for me not to put so much identity into a house! I am super picky and after all, its just a house. I should just feel blessed to be able to live in one regardless of what it looks like. I know it will all work out. I think I am cursed with my background in Design! I need to post some pictures in case any readers in town might be interested! We have outgrown the space and would also like to be able to have a place for my parents to be when they visit. Its just a good time for a change in this way. Trent would like to be closer to the University because our church is on campus too and we are there almost every day of the week, well he is for sure except for Saturday but lately that day too with stating games! Its not a must, its only 15 minutes to get anywhere in town so it doesn't really matter on location.

Ashley, you inspired me to make time to read. I have started doing so after kids are in bed at around 9 every night. I am reading a short one right now by a lady that goes to our church and spoke in Ladies Class last year. She is also a professor at the University and several of you would probably know her who went there. It has been so long that I read any lenght of time that my eyes blur when I look up! Anyway, thanks for the inspiration. I have been doing a lot of organizing in my life and its so freeing. Having to get the house ready has made me do so and also prioritize my time better. I guess change isn't so bad afterall!

Congrats to Scott, Krista, Kayla, Caroline, and Kaitlyn on having a baby boy in May!!!!! I cannot wait to see you next month!

Fun Pictures While Trapped In The House

This is my view out my backdoor. Notice the ice-cicles from the basketball rim? My plants bit it in the first freeze :(

We also had some fun in the bathtub with sissy's hair!

They did this for HOURS! I finally put a stop to 'strolling' on the tile floor and limited them to the carpet. Today I amm vaccumming the tracks! Yes, this is supposed to be for dolls. It was our present to Olivia on her first birthday.



















On a side note: I stopped by the pedi for a weight check today and girl is up to 17lbs.15oz.!!! SLOWLY gaining weight! She eats like a horse since all those teeth came in and has filled out in the cheeks and the thighs but the scale is just not showing it!!! The nurse said if she were hers she would turn her around in her carseat since she is close to 20 lbs but I am a scardy cat. She is 31 inches long and almost the right height but the sheet says her weight has to be up enough also. The poor thing is bored to death facing backwards and watches movies upside down, but the is a small price to pay for safety as far as I am concerned!

P.S. Trent is STILL sick!!!! Say some prayers for the poor guy! Also, I am dying to put something in the crockpot but Ty and I can't eat it by ourselves! Chili and stew, or beans and rice not so good for someone with a bad tummy. Also pray that we don't get it. I had it four times last year. I really am praying the kids don't.

What's Going On Around Here.....

Everything is iced over here, not even 32 degrees yet, and my in-laws are on their way to Hawaii for three weeks.........for the second time this year..............yes I am jealous.

My husband was up all night sick and still too weak to leave the bed after like three bath's with muscle-ache soak. This is all after reffing THREE games last night!!! The poor guy.

My tree is STILL up and lights are STILL on the house because Trent has been gone everynight but Wednesday and the weather has not been permitting to taking them down! Its un-decorated but STILL drives me crazy. I won't open the shutters because I don't want anyone to see it standing in my living room. My goal today is to at least get it all out to the garage. My dining room looks like a storage facility.

My little girl is somewhat talking! Her new words: Mamma, Dadda (more often), "G" (Trent's Dad), Hi, Ty, duck, dog, and bye.

Ty is now obsessed with superman, and already saying he wants to be him for Halloween next year.

Yesterday was a very sad day. My good friend Sandy laid her mother to rest. She passed on Tuesday un-expectedly and was only 61. Such an incredible wonderful lady.

I was able to go to my class's girl's study Thursday night last minute and left SO blessed by it as I always do.

I don't know if I will get out of my pajamas today...........really not seeing a need for it. I did however put a sweatshirt on!

Man, would I give anything for stuff to make chili right now!

Looks like an organizational day today since its not really safe to leave the house............oh joy!

My Favorite Holiday Moments Captured on Film

- My mother and Ty at 'rest-time'














-My Grandfather playing babies with my daughter














-Celebrating my Mother's 60th Birthday















Staring at my tree that was a gift from my parents last year, the gift that keeps on giving! We were gone a lot and I did not get to enjoy it near enough this year!




















Sharing this time of year with LOTS of cousins! I am so glad that my children are able to be around their cousins so much and I feel so blessed to be these kids aunt!














Watching my children play together in something that would never fit in our house! This will be staying at Pop and Cita's!














Grandmother sharing Christmas with us. She has been ill and we were fortunate she was home!

In Pursuit of True 'Happyness'

As I mentioned earlier, I had the pleasure of seeing The Pursuit of Happyness last week while in the metroplex for the holidays. It was very moving to me. Everyone I have mentioned it to replies with, "Isn't he homeless or something?" That is not the point of the movie. Its actually a very small part of it and only a few nights is that what happened.

Everyone seems to be focusing on how everyone can get a job and help themselves, etc. I guess that is one way to look at it. However Chris Gardner had a job in sales and was an incredibly intelligent man. He was first in his class in highschool and went on to join the Navy and had success in the military. All this can be learned from his biography. Anyway, I only mention that to say that this guy was not a loser.

I do agree that everyone can do their part to help themselves and not just take hand-outs, but what I took away from this movie was so much more. I was very convicted in my own determination and character. I was so moved by the way he reacted to various circumstances within themselves, but also as a parent!!! I get so flustered by the smallest things and I embarassed to say that I let my attitude be effected. I know for a fact that I would not have been the parent that he was through all that he endured. His humor and faith played a major role in that.

I have had the incredible blessing of not having to work very hard for everything I have accomplished. I was blessed with a college education, all of which my parents paid for. I have never done without a meal because of money. I have never gone a night without a warm bed to sleep in. In reality, I have been really spoiled. If I have made a poor decision financially or without being responsible, there has always been someone (my parents or husband) to take up the slack and I did not have to pay real consequences.

This man was such an incredible example to me of how I want to be and what I want to teach my kids as far as determination, character, and grace go. I realize that I am given an even more incredible example in Jesus, whom I have learned so much from. I guess it just helped to see it in a more modern world in circumstances of which I can relate to after becoming a parent and working in corporate America.

There are times that I miss being in that world, because I think I placed so much of my identity in it. It saddens me to think about that because I want to find my identity in my relationship to Christ and how that overflows into every aspect of my life. I am so effected by movies, which is why I can't allow myself to watch just anything. I was reminded in this one of who I need to be and that I must not be pouring enough in for it to be pouring out.

I do not know much about Chris Gardner's faith or his relationship with Christ except that he is a Christian because his faith is mentioned in his biography. He endured a lot more in his life than the film depicts and before this part of his life took place. I guess my whole point in this post is how much of an encouragement and inspiration we can be by example, as he has been to me, regardless of how much we share about The Word. Not that we should not share, we are called to do so, but seeing this Love is just as important.

(Warning do not read next paragraph if you have not seen it)

His attitude showed this in various circumstances from giving his last $5 to a corporate millionaire for a cab despite his own situation, and with a smile while doing it. He showed everyone respect even when done wrong. I have a hard time with that I am sorry to admit. He turned a subway station bathroom into a cave to get away from pretend dinosaurs to make it not only easier but actually fun for his five year old son! Just an amazing strength of character to me. He made it back to an internship after being hit by a car and losing a shoe! I milk a runny nose! Just a few examples in the film and in true to his life.

(Safe to continue if you have not seen it)

Christmas has really lost its meaning to the majority of Americans, even believers. We make it so much more about gifts than celebrating Christ's life. Although we are not wealthy by any means, thanks to grandparents and friends our children have so much more than they really need. Kids really do not need SO much to play and be happy. I felt a little sick while looking at it all this year and being reminded (Holly :) ) that 80% of the world lives on less than $2.00 a day! Our (my little family) life has become filled with so much excess that it is border line ridiculous.

I hope that by sharing my own convitions that someone reading might be convicted as well and look to God in all His glory to be more of what he expects and calls us to be. If so, maybe HE will puit you in REAL PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

God Bless and Happy 2007.

Pursuit of Happyness-SEE IT

Yes, that is how its spelled. Starring Will Smith and his son Jaden now in a theatre near you.

I have been thinking about it ever since. I don't want to give anything away so I will not describe it but you NEED to see it. If you ever think you have 'done without'............you haven't. Don't take for granted anything you have.

This is a perfect movie to see right after enjoying the excessive-ness of Christmas. I will post more on this later.

Part II

Here is our last night at dinner. We didn't take any of the formal night. We really did not take very many total. To the left of us is Beth and Tom and to the right are Angel and Eyleen (sp?). I have not unpacked yet and looked at their information so I apologize if I have mispelled! Its definately back to winter here. High of 33 today and freezing rain! Ty and Trent are off to see "Charlotte's Web" and I will be taking Olivia in to the doctor at 2. Our little 'sleeper' has started waking at 5 and fussy as all get out! She does fine when she gets up for good but I am afraid she might have an ear infection so we will be on the safe side. I am a little overly cautious after my experience with her big brother!!!

Carribean Cruise

The next day his dad and I left for a cruise (which Trent surprised me with a month ago) on the Celebrity Century which left from Miami. We had a long day of flights to get there. Once we were there we checked into our hotel, napped, and headed out on the town for dinner. We went just north of "South Beach" to Lincoln Drive. It was so nice just hanging out and being a couple. We had late appetizers and sat out on the patio doing some of the best people watching ever. It was actually a classy joint but lots of guys.......you know what I mean. The next day we headed out to the boat and set off for KeyWest and then Grand Cayman. It was very relaxing for the most part and we enjoyed sleeping in every day. The food was great. Trent got a spa package for each of us and each night at 9 we were in pure heaven! Trent got massages every night, I had the asian package which was a full body massage, facial + massage, ginger wrap, and scalp massage. I did great until about day three when we were no longer able to call home! This was the first time I have left Olivia for even over night and it was for 8 DAYS!!!! She was walking by the time we returned!

We met some wonderful people at our table, Beth and Tom from Chicago and Angel and Eylene from Orlando. They were too fun and made every night so enjoyable. We hope to stay in touch. What a perfect time to get away and we had a wonderful time. Now onto Christmas shopping! I have done some but have a bunch to go!

Side note: not all my pictures will post for some reason. I will try part II later :(

Ty's Third Birthday

It was December 9th, we had a Thomas party!

He got to go to McDonald's for lunch, then to pick up his Thomas Cake, with a tunnel, then to petsmart to pick out his new fish he named "Nemo". He then crashed and woke just in time for burgers and a party! He got some fun items like the game Candy Land, a set of 'real' golf clubs, a real 'putter', a big doodle board, some fun new clothes from Meme, and aunt Mimi, some Thomas slippers, and a Christmas Percy! Wow, I can't believe its been three years!!!! He had a great day and is the best little boy in the world :)

More pics

Okay, sorry..........it takes several times to get anything done! Here is my sister-in-law Emily and brother-in-law Tim, AKA Bum and Em. Two of my favorite people and especially Ty's. A precious precious couple and one of the reasons I am so glad we live here now. We have been here four years!!!! Its amazing how fast that went! Anyhoo...........will try to post some b-day pics tomorrow night if I get time. We leave at the crack so it may have to wait until we get back. Hope everyone is enjoying the season! Oh, I have to tell you how blessed I am by Alisha's latest post, check it out if you have a chance. There are some awesome suggestions on how to stay content which I think we all need. I have changed my mindset because of them! Miss you Alisha!

More Pics

Em sent me more pics!

We are all actually looking ! Right: Whole gang

Above: Meme and G and grandkids
Above right: Classic Hampton :)

P Family Thanksgiving

We had originally taken pictures to be our Christmas card but there were about 20 people trying to get attention of us individually, therefore in every shot we are all looking different directions! This was the best one with just Olivia looking away but I don't know how to crop so probably not going to happen.

Also, wanted to include one of Trent's oldest sister, Tamara and her family just because they are all so dang precious. I did not get any entire group shots on my camara, those were done by the professional lady for Meme and G's Christmas card