Lookin' 4 Some Sunshiney Rays

I tried on these  awesome Coach sunglasses at the eye doctors last weekend.  They were kinda cute.  I keep thinking about them.  That's not good. 

So then I found these green sandals (Buckle.com) and thought . . . those would match my glasses! Only the glasses aren't mine. Minor detail.

So then I found a few more pairs of cute flip flop sandals.  Apparently I like sparkly shoes.

Flip flop weather is surely not too far away.  Right?

The Debt

One of my New Years resolutions was to read twelve books throughout the year.  So, I started by finishing a few books that were just layin' around and oh yeah - three quarters finished.  whoops.
The first book I finished was, The Debt: The Story of a Past Redeemed.

(picture for amazon.com)

This book was an easy read, with a good, somewhat predictable storyline.  A pastor's wife with a past she can't forget.  She lives a very high profile life, yet is stuck in a bubble.  She finds she has secluded herself from the rest of the world by doing "God's" work.  This leads to some very conflicting moments within her own heart and mind as well as her relationship with her husband in trying to find her place "in this world, but not of it." 

This book obviously didn't draw me in as some books do.  I was able to put it down for months and even forget a bit of the story line.  Good book, but not a book to leave the kids in their jammies all day while I read :)

Ordinary Days

A moment between brother and sister like this usually doesn't last for long around here.  If I were to take a picture following this it would most likely include tears and something like, "Nat's in my space" being shouted towards towards his sister.  But some days, like this one . . . it's just as it appears.

And this silly girl, cannot stay clean.  She usually goes through two shirts a day.  I tried to salvage the shirt this particular day . . . only to find I had to completely rinse out her jeans as they were completely covered in strawberry yogurt.

Sometimes I come around the corner to find my tough boy watching a cartoon and sitting with his sister's "baby" on his lap - feeding it with a play bottle.  Sometimes he throws the baby and lets out a very loud, "BLAH!"  And sometimes I'll ask, "what 'ya doin'?"  And my sweet boy smiles at me without saying a word.  And the picture truely becomes worth a thousand words.

At the end of the day whether it's been full of fun, filled with tears or just routine laundry, dishes and naps . . . we are grateful for each other and another day together.  Even if girlie woke up her brother at midnight and none of us got much sleep.  Just keepin' it real ;)

Happy Monday!

If you haven't had a chance to watch the show, Modern Family - then you may be missing out on a good laugh.  We have not watched this show regularly, however Baker and I watched this episode last week, and were laughing so hard.  I hope your Valentines Day went much more smoothly than this episode suggests :)  

Anyone Heard of the Canadian Tenors?

I don't watch Oprah regularly but happened to have it on yesterday in time to catch a glimpse of this group.  They are unbelievably talented.  AND!  They are performing at the Olympics!  So, they must be decent :)
 

Happy Birthday Dude!

Baker's nephew (and mine) is turning six today.  He was the first baby in our family and now he is six and in kindergarten!  Mr. M . . . we love you so much and are glad that you are a part of our family.  We love being your Aunt and Uncle and are glad that God chose you to be our nephew.  Happy Birthday Dude!

Free Friday

So . . . in December when I was Christmas shopping with my MIL, I found this awesome Duck t-shirt.  It looked cute, comfy and it wasn't white or dark green - yay!  And while I should have been Christmas shopping . . . (I actually was when I found it) I went ahead and got it.  And get this . . . it was FREE.  That's right.  The last two years, JCPenny's has send me a $10 off coupon before Christmas.  My shirt was $9.99 and I used my $10 off coupon, and whola!  The cashier rounded up my t-shirt to $10 and I walked out of the store paying nothing for a super cute tee.  How awesome is that for a freebie deal?!

Workin' it Out Wednesday

If you have been following my blog for any amount of time then you know how much I ♥ the show, The Biggest Loser.  Super big puffy heart kinda luv!  A new season just started on January 5th I believe, and you can bet your money I've been following this season as well. 
With that said . . . I'm a little disappointed with the season to this point.  I was trying to figure out why this season is different.  The word that kept coming to mind is indifference.  The majority of the contestants on this seasons show got to where they are because they just didn't care.  They've always been fat.  They just kept eating.  They don't know anything different.  At least this is the attitude and impression I have been left with while watching the show.  It has been extremely hard for me to chose a team that I'm drawn too.  A team I connect with.  A team I'm routing for.  Its harder to chose a team to connect with when many of them have very similiar stories. 
Then there was a stirring in my own heart.  "What makes you so different from them?"  Maybe you aren't overweight, but you overeat.  What about you, Jackie?  Your attitude of indifference is no different than their's. What about spending time with Me.  In My Word.  In prayer.  What about sitting on the couch and choosing to watch television and setting Me aside?  How's that for an attitude of indifference? 
Again I am humbled.  It's so easy to focus on one or two aspects or my life such as growing spiritually, exercising, eating healthy, keeping the house clean, working hard, be an attentive spouse, a loving parent, a supportive friend, a caring daughter . . . but to put it all into balance is a completely different story. It's EASY to become indifferent to the areas of my life that are out of balance.  The areas I neglect because sometimes it's all too much and easier to ignore.  So, my question to you is, being a month into the New Year, how are your resolutions coming along?  What is it you do to help keep your life balanced?  

A Small Confession of Sorts

I have a confession to make.  These yummy chocolate peppermint patties may be the reason I still frequent the gym.  If you put them in the freezer they are even more amazing!  And while talking to my brother last week I realized just how addicted I am to these little fellers.  I have consumed five bags of these since October 25th.  FIVE BAGS.  Not to mention a few full size Yorks.  You know the ones you can grab at the checkout counter while waiting in line at the grocery store.  Stupid buy three get three free sales.  If you're wondering why I have a specific date, that is my birthday.  Let me spell it out for you.  One bag for my birthday, one bag for Christmas, two bags at the beach (not a good place for me to be- although I ate half in October, the other half at New Years, bag 2 - half for our anniversary and the other half is waiting for me in the freezer still) and of course we cannot forget the most recent Valentine heart shaped Yorks!  And that my dear friends is why I must frequent the gym.