happy halloween!

Trader Joe's Part 2

OK, my very favorite thing to buy at Trader Joe's is a simple thing....but I'm hooked. It's their organic reduced sugar strawberry preserves.....it's AWESOME. There are rivals out there at your local grocery store, but this one is a bargain.

So add that to your list next time you're heading to TJs, or if you are my cousin Nancy and are interested in any of these things, make sure my dad brings it home with him next time he visits OR you can add it to your shopping agenda when YOU come to see me. I can't wait, by the way!!

soccer

We're at soccer practice this afternoon and after some dribbling practice & goal shooting practice, the girls ran all the way to the other side of the field to kick balls against the wall. My girl comes running back & says "I don't have a ball"... so, we point her way across the other direction of the field to a cart with several soccer balls in there & I believe there were one or two on the ground nearby. And we noticed a man that we thought we knew standing near the cart....we thought he could surely help her. Well, he doesn't know her & she doesn't know him & there was no eye contact so the moms are watching from afar with other, smaller, non-soccer playing siblings and we're all wondering how this will turn out. First of all, she doesn't notce the ball on the ground. She only spots the many balls in the cart. She realizes that she can't easily get to the balls all by herself so she glances at this man, who just doesn't see her...she had gotten into some trouble at home for interrupting me countless times while on a phone call just this afternoon, so I knew she wouldn't dare try to get his attention. She starts her climb into the ball cart. I realize she might need a hand, though I really am curious to see if she can work this out on her own. I start over that way, snap a picture real quick, and lo and behold, she gets that ball out of there all on her own. I'm so glad I took this picture.


Proud momma of a problem solver.

trader joe's take 1

OK, I love Trader Joe's. I cannot think of one thing that I do not love about Trader Joe's. And I've considered posting something like this for a while, because I think TJ recommendations are delightful! There are so many things that catch my eye & I cannot buy them all, so it's nice to rely on the experience of others.....so, on that note, I would like to feature my latest favorite item from TJs.

I bought these Arancini Bites yesterday on a complete starvation shopping experience. I popped a couple of these babies in the oven while the kids were napping just to see how they were ... & my goodness gracious. They were awesome.

"Fontina-filled rice ball – ah, Arancini [ahron-chee-nee]. Yum. Trader Joe’s Arancini are crafted from the finest, natural ingredients and then frozen for your convenience. Ready to enjoy after a mere 10 minutes in the oven, they’re great with a side of marinara for dipping or drizzling. They make a delicious snack, a hearty appetizer or pair them with a green salad and you have a memorable meal"

Not the cheapest things, but still very yummy.

I have a LOT of favorites....so stay tuned.

bulldogs

I will never be one to claim that I know so much about the details of how to play football, but my 41/2 years at Mississippi State sure did burn a love for the game (actually it's mostly only when State is playing but nonetheless) into my heart. And Saturday was a fun game to watch. There was lots of chatter surrounding the upcoming game, not because State was supposed to give the Gators a real run for their money - i think FL was favored by like 22 points or something. No, it was because our coach is the former offensive coach for Florida & good friends with Tim Tebow.
And we didn't pull out a win (though a bad call by the officiating crew may have changed this game dramatically), but we sure gave them our best & I couldn't be more proud ... and it was this play that sent me into that weird laughter that comes when something so unbelieveably awesome happens you think you might actually cry.....not you? Well, I'm emotional.....I cried. Check it out if you didn't get to see it for yourselves.

just me & my boy

Big sister wanted to try her hand at the camera & i would say she did a pretty good job. They both wanted a turn & this is her shot....

and this was his shot.....

a boy & a frog part 2 or 3?

Well, if you've kept up with our incredibly exciting lives here, you would know that my boy has a true affection for the frogs. We ventured out to the gardens today to meet some friends & check out the scarecrow exhibit, which is so fun as a side note. And this was my boys reaction to seeing his pal waiting on that same bench for his return. I pray they never move him.

how sweet is that???

spunky girl

We spent this past weekend at the beach with some friends. Lee's best friends from high school actually. I don't think i have ever been around all 4 of them at the same time & i must say it's not difficult to imagine being in middle school with them. Friendships like that are fun. We had a blast as you can probably tell from the little jig she appears to be dancing on the beach.
It has been interesting to watch their personalities develop (my children, that is). And there are parts of who they are that I see more clearly simply because of the presence of the other 2. Each brings to light something from the others that I may not have gotten to see without the others. I have heard that said about married couples......there's another part of your spouse that you "meet" & get to know when children are brought into the fold. I would say that's very true. I know & love Lee differently & deeper because of the parts of who he is coming out with the birth of & growing up of each child. And each child reflects back something unique. We each have a relationship with each child that is unique. Anyway, that big girl....she's spunky. And she's quick. Her thinking amazes me & scares me. She easily can be several steps ahead of me. She deeply desires to please....that makes me nervous. I don't ever want her growing up believing that our love, or more importantly, that the love of God is conditional....and it's so hard to communicate that when there are certainly consequences for things like knocking her brother to the ground. She apparently doesn't have the desire to "please" her brother :).
There's one thing for sure - I am being refined in this process of motherhood. Patience, understanding......everyday those are my biggest prayers. And am able to remind myself as I remind my kids daily- we have a God who longs for us to call for help. We will never ever get it right......so thank goodness for Jesus.

cute, right?

favorite part of the picture.....that ear caught under her hat. my little elfin child.

really?

How did I get here already? He's 2.

just....

I have found myself in a place where I don't know how to blog what's going on in my heart.....I want to say things, but am unsure as to how. I heard someone say once to beware when you learn you have just one person reading you will find yourself compromising your words to "entertain" that one. I am not sure if that's totally it.....maybe it is....either way, until I figure out my words I'll just "entertain" you with pictures........and boring little stories to go along with them.....like, for instance, please would you check out her little buns on her head! I am learning to braid, twist, bobby pin & hairspray (a product I am a bit unfamiliar with but now my 4 year old uses it)...all of this for a ballet class. But she loves it. And her teacher is precious! She helps these children dance as a form a praise....dancing for an "audience of ONE".....it's a theme for us right now....a tough theme for each of us in this sweet family.
Being present to see her learn in her little world how simple it can be to LOVE the LORD in everything you do..... practice for her growing heart as her allegience is challenged. I find myself challenged & having to sift through all the allegiences I have allowed to creep in through the many years of my life. And I find myself longing for the innocence of childhood. To dance.......for an audience of ONE.