Giving thanks and bugs...



My brother Brandon's beautiful bird stuffed with onions, carrots and rosemary

Well, last week started off super stressful for me.  I was trying to get over a terrible sinus infection and get the energy up to get some things done around the house.  I offered to have Thanksgiving at my house this year which meant a whole lot of cleaning and some cooking as well.  Luckily and thankfully, James took a week of vacation because although I was off from mother's day out, people still want their hair done so I was at the salon Monday, Tuesday and most of Wednesday.  I had only planned on working half a day on Wednesday but one of my clients called on Tuesday wanting to get in Wednesday afternoon.

I am ever-so-thankful for my husband and children.  They all went above and beyond for me, cleaning the house, getting things set up, doing dishes and laundry.  It was truly a blessing to come home from the salon and walk in the door to a clean house and I mean "to my standards clean."  The little ones were beaming with pride when I came home and made such a big deal of how great everything looked.  James even rewarded them by letting them pick something out from the dollar store.  Bless their hearts, they truly earned it.

My brother Brandon volunteered to do a turkey, but since I am a worrier I decided to pick up a turkey breast just to make sure we have enough turkey to go around.  Everyone brought two or three dishes and a dessert.  Everything was perfect, as always.  Amazing food...I don't know if I have mentioned it but we have some pretty amazing cooks in our family.  We truly love to eat and also enjoy the art of preparing the food.  There is so much love involved when cooking, you can just taste it.

My first turkey, breast that is...

Family...I have an amazing, loving and silly family.  It's always a good time when we all get together, lots of love and laughter, talks of old times and past memories, oh and picture taking too!  My aunts have ALWAYS been big picture takers so you know there is always a camera around when our family gets together.




The girls on Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving was wonderful!

The week wouldn't be complete without some kind of craziness though, it just always seems to work out that way.  I got home Saturday night from work and Channing was itching her head like crazy.  The first thing I thought of was lice.  EEK!  I checked her head but didn't find anything so I gave her some allergy medicine and put her in the bath.  Her hair was so tangled that after I put conditioner in her hair I decided to comb through it and with that loose hair came out in the brush along with BUGS!!!!!!!!

My suspicions were right.  I was totally freaked out and so was Channing.  Chayce has never had lice and this was Channing's first experience.  She was scared and crying and I immediately sent James to the store to get treatment...enough for all of us.  All of the chaos surrounding the lice fiasco began around 7:00 pm.  I literally started combing through Channing's hair getting out what I could until James got back from the store.  When he got back I started shampooing us all one by one while James went through the house stripping all the bedding and spraying down all the couches and pillows in the living room.  I had to comb through Channing's hair looking for leftovers.  Camden and Chayce had no sign of it which was wonderful news.  Chayce ended up helping me with one last inspection of Channing's hair and we finally finished up with her and she was able to get in bed at midnight.  James, Chayce and I still were washing and drying our sheets and blankets.  This went on until 2:00 IN THE MORNING.  Bless James' heart, he fell asleep on our bed before we ever even got it made, I had to wake him up so we could get our bed made.

I checked Channing's hair every hour on the hour on Sunday and I am proud to say that every last bug and it's future offspring are GONE!  THANK YOU JESUS!!

Needless to say, it was an eventful week and a half.  Major sinus infection, dr. appt for antibiotics, shopping for our Thanksgiving feast, my family cleaning the house for me, I made my first turkey (breast), had a fabulous time hanging out with my family and our household being totally disinfected due to poor little Chan getting lice.

                                                                  I love my crazy life!

The birth of my love...

My sweet husband had another birthday last weekend.  We didn't do much, poor guy...he always gets the short end of the stick with his birthday being so close to Christmas. 

I cooked him chicken spaghetti and Camden and I made him an oreo trifle rather than a birthday cake.

Camden helping daddy blow the candles out
Camden insisted we have candles for daddy

James, you are a wonderful, caring and loving husband.  It has been an eventful 10 1/2 years with you...you took Chayce and I in and loved us both in a way that we had never been loved before.  You gave me two more beautiful kids to complete our family.  You have always worked so hard for our family, providing for us, going to work sick and rarely ever taking a day off so that you can work overtime to do all you can for our family.  You love me unconditionally, you see the real me and love me anyway.  You make me feel beautiful, you are so respectful of me and I admire that most about you.  Thank you for being so affectionate with our kids and for always being at Chayce's activities.  I see that you have grown spiritually, mainly in small ways but the effort you put forth has given me hope and made me so proud of you.  Thank you for laughing at me when I am goofy, you make me feel like you are my biggest fan.  Thank you for never giving up on me even though I probably have given you reason to.  Thank you for stepping up your game when mine is lacking...together we make an amazing team.  You seem to pick up right where I leave off and I am so thankful that you know when I need you most.

James, I love you so much and I love that you love me in the way that you do...I am forever greatful that God brought you into my life.  Thank you could never be enough.

Happy birthday my love!!!         

A lesson about being humble

Chan is in blue

With children, there is a fine line between positive self-esteem and being humble.  I experienced this first hand on Saturday.

Channing's last soccer game of the season started at 12:00 sharp.  Approximately 30 seconds into the game, our little girl made her first goal of the entire season.  We were joyful and she was on cloud nine!  You should have seen the look on her face and the instant force of confidence that burst into her body.  She beamed with pride the rest of the game.  As a matter of fact, it was her best game all season, she was hustling and getting in on all the action she possibly could.  So much so that she came a few centimenters away from scoring her second goal of the season.  It was amazing, what finally scoring a goal did for her confidence that day.  She was proud and we were too.

Once the game was over she came walking over to us to grab her water bottle and loudly and proudly proclaimed, "ME AND KALEY WERE THE ONLY ONES WHO SCORED A GOAL!!!"

My 'proud moment' kind of fizzled shortly thereafter.  I walked up to her and quietly whispered in her ear that you don't say things like that out loud.  She said "Ok", that's how I KNOW she heard me...then she proceeded to walk over to her cluster of teammates (and their parents) and SHOUT IT AGAIN! 

"ME AND KALEY WERE THE ONLY ONES WHO SCORED A GOAL!!!"

TOTAL HUMILIATION...I just got finished letting her know that was she was saying was not to be said again.

In her defense, I know she was completely stoked about having just scored her first goal, she should have been proud.  But what she didn't understand was that everyone was already proud of her and she didn't need to bring it to everyone's attention.

Channing's soccer team is AMAZING, there are some super talented girls on the team, girls who score 3 and 4 goals a game, girls who are proud of themselves, girls who do not shout about the multiple goals they make from the rooftops.

In steps mom with an opportunity to teach a life lesson. 

"Channing, do you know what humble means?" 

"No."    

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

I talked to Channing about being humble, that God calls us to be that way.  That if we do something good, it is not our job to announce it to the world or to brag about ourselves.  When you do something good, others will notice simply because it is good, not because we bring it to their attention.  I also shared with her that many girls on the team make goals at every game but we do not hear them bragging about themselves.  And for those girls who haven't made a goal, she may have hurt their feelings by pointing out her success.  In short, I told her that it's okay to be proud of yourself but that stays inside your heart.  In order for others to be proud with you, you keep doing a great job it will not go unnoticed.

So, if you walk up to our 7 year old Channing today and ask her what humble means, she will be able to give you the exact definition.

I thank you Lord for the opportunity to minister to my child, to show her that it's not about us.  Our successes all come from you and we are to be proud in our accomplishments but not boastful so that we may honor You.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.      

With a heavy heart, I write tonight...

The 8th grade volleyball team at Chayce's school 'adopts' a 'little sis' from the 7th grade team.  Chayce's little sis is an adorable girl named Alex.  Each of the girls had to fill out a little sheet of paper with things they like, small things like their favorite drink or snack.  So on a weekly basis, Chayce and Alex have exchanged goodies before the game.

I found out this morning that Alex's mother passed away yesterday from breast cancer.  My heart breaks for her and her family...I don't know the details but I know that a 12 year old girl should not have to be without her mother.  She has two younger siblings as well as a father who lives with them.  For this I am thankful, to know that she still has at least one parent. 

I don't know Alex's family, I've seen her play volleyball once and I've passed along a gift to her once.  Not much contact I have had with her but either way I feel the need to reach out to the family.  I told Chayce she should probably write Alex a letter, not that words can take the place of her mother but sometimes words can be comforting.  Chayce saw me lose a very close friend to breast cancer 3 years ago, my mother had breast cancer 15 years ago.  

In this month of October, National Breast Cancer Awareness month, remember to get a mammogram.  Breast cancer does not discriminate against race, age or social status.  

God bless you...      

I am speechless, I cry each time I watch this...

Kudos to David Crowder Band...I loved you guys before, but this is truly amazing.

God bless you.

Celebrity Hair Stylist

What?!  I was...well, for about an hour or so.  On Monday, it was a slow day for me so I signed in to take walk-in clients that day.  I was sitting in my chair visiting with another stylist when our manager came into my room and asked if I could take a walk-in.  I told her "Of course!"

I walk around the corner to introduce myself to my client and I immediately recognized his face.  

Back in the day, (my high school days) I listened to country music religiously...country dancing at clubs and all, not to mention I am a HUGE music fan anyway.  I respect all genres of music although these days my heart sings to praise and worship mostly.

The gentleman held out his hand to shake mine and introduced himself as 'Collin'.  As soon as he said his name, I knew it was him: Collin Raye.  I got a huge grin on my face and had him come in and sit in my chair.  After the client consultation I asked him if he lived nearby.  He said he just moved to a place in town and then I asked "Didn't you used to sing?"  He was tickled that I recognized him and from there on, we just talked about family, fame and music.  He was the sweetest, most personable person.  So down to earth, friendly and just genuinely happy.  He made my day!  It would be nice if he came back but if not, it was such a neat experience to have.

When I got home, I googled him.  I forgot about many of the great songs he sang...positive and uplifting songs.  A great Christian man, he still sings, still puts out an album a year he said.  He has a beautiful voice and a heart of gold...if you haven't heard of him here are some songs that might be of interest:          

A Soldier's Prayer
She's With Me
Love Me
One Boy, One Girl
Little Rock

www.collinraye.com

Seriously?!?!?

I am tired.  I am sick and tired of many, many things.  This is my grouchy/venting/get things off my chest post.  Warning: This may put you in a bad mood, read if you dare.

I am getting fluffy.  I am eating, over-eating, indulging in sweets and candy and all things bad for me.  I need this madness to stop...for instance, last night after eating about 2 handfuls of Reese's Pieces, I made s'mores and I made the whole family sit on a blanket out in the backyard for a s'mores picnic...I know, EVIL!  BIGGEST LOSER MDO, WHERE ARE YOU?!?  If we wait until January, I will weigh another 50 lbs., I PROMISE!   

I wish parents would discipline their children!  Why don't some parents love their children enough to discipline them?  You are doing a disservice to your child and the rest of society if you do not teach them right from wrong or to fear authority!  That is what is wrong with our world today.  As parents, we are too afraid of hurting out children's feelings or inconveniencing ourselves...children need structure and boundaries and expectations...not to mention morals, values and rules.  Our society is steadily spiraling out of control, WE ARE TO BLAME.  Discipline your children, teach them to have respect for their peers and those who are in authority.  UGH!

Teenagers, what the heck is your problem?  Why all the doom and gloom?  Is life really THAT BAD?  Must you whine and complain about everything?  Must your whole day be ruined because you didn't get 45 minutes to apply your makeup?  Must you throw a temper tantrum, the way a three year old does because it's not cute and you certainly aren't portraying yourself in a positive light.  What goes through your mind that you are comfortable with doing inappropriate things at school?  Where is your fear, where is your faith?  What would you do if you got caught?  How would that make you feel?  How would your parents feel?  Where is your respect for yourself, for your body, for adults around you?  Why must you stand in the middle of the road when a car is driving down the street?  What would cause you to bring drugs to school and share them with your classmates?  WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO????

Dear 5 year old bully across the street,

I am so sorry that your parents are never home for you.  I am so sorry that you are home hours on end with your older siblings.  I am so sorry for the lack of attention you get because I know with that adorable face of yours, you would probably be a sweet kid if someone in your family gave you the time of day.  It makes me sad that you have to try to run over my kid with your bicycle or flip off the neighborhood kids because I'm sure if someone loved on you every now and then you might be a happier child.  I hate that you can't get along with any kids on our street and that your brother wrestles with you until he makes you cry.  I hate that I cannot let my children be outside when you are...we are prisoners in our own home at times because I don't want you influencing my kids.  I pray that someone would be an example to you so that you can have a chance at being a good and happy kid.  I have seen you do some kind things so I know that love is in your heart somewhere.  I wish things could be different for you because I fear for your future.  I will continue to pray for you in hopes of seeing a change in you.

Maybe a happier post in days to come?  For today, I am overwhelmed.