What is it about parades?

Kate witnessed her first parade on Sunday. I was so excited! The town I am from put on a parade that passed right in front of my grandpa's house. We were a little concerned because it started at 6:30 pm and we were not sure what we would be able to see. Just to give you an idea... it was definately no Disney parade. There were only a few floats and the parade was mainly made up of cars covered in lights and we saw a couple very sad Santas. One was a blow up Santa that had fallen over on his back.

I do think Kate enjoyed it, but she didn't make it to the end to see the real Santa. I think she had enough. She will be a lot more impressed when she sees her first Disney parade, which by the way, my dad really wanted to take her to Disney this trip (my family loves Disney).. I told him we better wait until she get older.

Here are a couple pictures of us at the parade.

Why do old people move to Florida?

We are in Florida visiting my family for the holidays. I found this picture of Indian Rocks Beach online. It does not do it justice. It is about 72 degrees, sunny and beautiful here.

I have so many memories here on this beach. I think I spent most of my afternoons after school and on weekends laying out, playing volleyball, and hanging out with friends at this beach. I completely took it for granted when I was growing up, but oh how I miss it now.

After leaving 19 degree weather in North Carolina. I now know why old people move here and retire here.

Why do we like playing dress up?

Why do parents and grandparents get their kicks from dressing up their kids? I always said that I would never be that mother who put their kids in ridiculous outfits. I thought I would always dress Kate in trendy outfits, not those frilly girly clothes.
We were taking her picture last night in a pajama outfit my mom sent her and it hit me. She is only six months old and I have already done (several times) what I thought I would never do. The bunny pajamas came with a little bunny hat and everything. We thought it was so funny, so we took some pictures.
It reminded me of that clip from A Christmas Story when Ralphie's mom made him put on that bunny outfit his aunt gave him. I have it posted below. It makes me laugh when they scan to his little brother laughing hysterically at him.
Oh, Kate, I hope we will not be that bad. You can see in these little compilations of her photos. She starts out happy. By the end she is looking at us and I can hear her saying... Seriously people, I have had enough.

Why do things never go as planned?

Have you ever had a time when nothing goes as you planned in your head? This weekend we headed to Fort Caswell Beach with the middle school students from our church. I was so looking forward to the beautiful scenery at the beach and hanging out with the students. (BTW- they are awesome).

Ok, just to warn you the following story is not something you want to read if you are eating or have a weak stomach. My amazing husband probably would not want me to tell this, but since our pastor announced it on Sunday in front of the whole congregation, I figured it was ok.

Justin came home Friday afternoon about 3 hours before they were supposed to leave and he was not feeling well. Have you ever seen someone who was so sick, white as a ghost and clammy? This was Justin. Although he was fighting it, I could tell he did not feel good. He just kept telling me he was fine.

Well, he headed to the church and off to the beach retreat. He was feeling so sick. We were talking on the phone and I asked him if he had a bag ready (just in case he did get sick). He said no and that he would pull over or ask one of the students for one of the fall youth shirts to get sick into. (I knew that was a bad idea - why did he think a cotton shirt could hold throw up?)

A few minutes later, he called. He said that he got so sick and it just came up, he could not pull over. He got sick (threw up) all over himself and the driver's seat of the van. Outback's blooming onion does not look good when it comes back up! Needless to say, the cotton shirt didn't do much good.

Just to give you a picture, he was driving a van of about 14 middle school guys. He had one of them sitting in the passenger's seat. That poor kid curled up into a ball with his head in his knees after witnessing his youth pastor getting sick all over himself. This was only about 45 minutes into the trip. I am sorry, the whole scene still makes me laugh a little (and gag a little). I definitely do not have the gift of mercy.

Justin pulled over at a gas station and came up to me. I couldn't even look at him and I started gagging. It was so gross. He cleaned himself off, changed his clothes and one of our other youth leaders cleaned the van (he is such a trooper). I offered to clean it, but I had to stay with my baby. (I was also afraid that I would throw up cleaning it.) Justin changed his clothes and threw away the dirty clothes (I am so thankful he did that, I was going to try to clean them). He got back in the car and drove those kids to their retreat. (Of course, no one would sit shot gun the rest of the trip - I really think he traumatized those kids.) He was not feeling good all weekend, but thankfully he got through it. Two of our kids accepted Christ and the rest had an amazing time!

To update you from my previous post... Kate's first time on the beach did not go as planned either. It was 50 degrees out and freezing. Here are some pictures below. Enjoy!

Don't you love the water?

I am from Florida and I grew on the water and at the beach.  Just about anywhere you go where I am from you cross over a bridge and beautiful water.  I didn't really notice it when I was growing up, but every time I go home my dad and husband have to hear me say how much I love the water and miss it.  

Well, living in N.C. the closest beach is a couple hours away.  I have only been once - and it doesn't compare to "our" beaches in FL.  This weekend I am going to try the NC beaches again.  I am hoping it is half as pretty as the pictures on their website.  I hope to get some great pictures of Kate's first time on the beach also.  

Who needs a 29 course meal?

I have to admit, I love to eat out.
My husband just surprised me and told me that he wants to take me out tonight. I can't wait. There is nothing better than eating a great meal with my amazing husband (and I don't have to cook or clean it up).
Forbes just released an article about the most expensive restaurants in the U.S. I am pretty sure I won't ever be visiting any of these restaurants. Ruth's Chris (a place I have never been, but want to dine at one day) seems cheap compared to these.
The most expensive restaurant is Masa. It is a Sushi restaurant in New York City. At Masa you get a 29 course meal for around $400 (drinks not included). Really, who needs 29 courses? I went to their site to look up their menu and of course they don't have one on their site, but they do have a $200 cancellation fee if you cancel your reservation. I will admit, I am curious to see what a 29 course $400/person meal consist of... but don't worry, I won't ever find out.

Do you need to laugh today?

Ok, just to warn you I know this song is old, but it really makes me laugh every time I watch it. I will confess that I like rap music (yes, the old school DC Talk song is playing in my head - for those of you who are not DC Talk fans they sang a cheesy song -"I Love Rap Music" -I'll post it below if you are curious - but it is really bad, you may not last long listening to it.) Anyway, sorry for the digression. I have to admit that one of my favorite, classic (very non-Christian) songs is Baby Got Back by Sir Mix A Lot. Ok, so I know that should not be one of my favorites, but I know every word. For those if you who are a fan of the song like me, you will love the "Christian" version. It makes me laugh every time I watch it. Justin played it for the youth last Sunday so it has been in my mind. Enjoy!

Can it get more beautiful outside?

One thing I love about North Carolina is the seasons. I especially love Fall and Spring here. The weather today is in the seventies, sunny with a light breeze. I went to walk Toby on Saturday and it was so beautiful I didn't want to go back inside. I told Justin how amazing it was outside and we decided to take Kate and Toby (our dog) for a walk. There is this great trail right across from our house. I am sorry to say that I had never been on it until Saturday. It was so beautiful that I took pictures and I wanted to share them with you, but something is wrong with my memory stick so the pictures I wanted to post are lost.

I decided to take Kate out today and take her picture by some of our beautiful trees and the entrance to our neighborhood. These pictures don't do it justice. It is so beautiful around here. Thinking of the seasons reminded me of an old Nichole Nordeman Song, "Every Season". She compared how God works in our lives to each season. She sings, "So it is with You and how You make me new with every season's change, and so it will be, as you are recreating me, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring." Psalm 33:4-5 "For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love." I have posted a little video with the song below.

Why is it so hard to leave our baby?

Justin and I decided to take a little trip to Houston this week.  I have heard such great things about this city... especially how great the shopping is.  We are so happy that everything worked out and we were able to leave Kate with my family.  

It was so hard leaving her in the airport.  I fought back tears as I said good-bye to her in the airport... but now I can't fight the tears.  I miss her so much.  Before we had Kate, I had no idea what my friends were talking about when they said that they couldn't leave their kids... now I know.  Well, I know she is in good hands and we have had a really good time.  Justin is looking forward to getting together with one of his really good friends today.  Please lift us up in your prayers.

Here is a fun picture of us playing around with Photobooth on the plane.   A little Andy Warhol throw back.

Does anyone need motivation today?

I don't know what it is about rainy weather, but it makes me want to curl up in bed and do nothing. Ok, well, lately all I have felt like doing is nothing. I have no idea why.

My friend Lea has greatly motivated me. I read a post from her blog last week that I can't get out of my head. Here is the link: blog it all. She made these adorable checklist and pockets for her family. While I am not even remotely as creative as her, she has motivated me to get my fly lady checklist and schedule back out. I am going to work on it now. Hopefully my house will be spotless by 2:00pm today.
Here are some pictures of the amazing system she created.

Why is Kate growing so quickly? Please make it slow down!!

Six months ago today our baby girl, Kate, was born. Justin and I still can't believe we are parents. It is so exciting, fun and scary for us. We have been so blessed with our little one. She has slept throughout the night consistently by seven weeks (she knows her mom and dad need their sleep) and has such a laid back personality (90% of the time). To date she can roll over, eat solid foods, jump in her jumper and almost sit up on her own. She loves to talk to people, laugh, play peek-a-boo, pet Toby and play in her exersaucer.

For some reason we always thought we would have all boys, but we are so enjoying our little girl. Thank you, Lord, for your amazing blessings... and for not always giving us exactly what we ask for. Here are pictures of her today, enjoy. (She is still in her PJs, but we had to put a bow in to cover up her bed head - she takes after her mom in that area.)

When will this election be over?

I am so looking forward to November 5th when all the political ads stop and all the votes are in.  I am not really one who gets into politics, but this election season has been so crazy.  How can I not pay attention?  All the hype has really sucked me in.  I have to admit that I think Obama is going to win and I started getting some anxiety thinking about it.  Is he linked to terrorist?  He is socialist?  The abortion issue really concerns me as well.  With all of that on my mind, I saw this video John Piper did about the election.  I really feel that he puts everything into perspective.  I have posted the shortened version here, but he also does a longer version.  You can go to his blog: Desiring God Blog to see the long version.  I would definitely  take a couple minutes to watch the short version.  I am so glad that those of us who have a relationship with Jesus Christ can rest in Him and know that HE is in control... not a president.