Some Days I'm Blonder than Others!

Yesterday afternoon, Rachel and I left school 45 minutes early (thank you Mrs. B for taking my 8th period class) to make a quick 90 minute drive to watch Hannah play basketball. She only has 2 more games left {sigh} and we don't want to miss a single one. We laughed and talked all the way to Hannah's game. Finally, we made it to the game where we saw plays like these:



The tall blond in red, #50 is Hannah. I just love her confidence to shoot over the top of the defenders and make it!


Here she goes again! Great form....and a foul from the other team. She made the free throw too!

I like the next 4 shots. You can see her determination to get open and make the shot:

She scored 17 points last night and the team won 45-18! And I was thankful that we were there.

I have to share a quick story before I head to school. On the way to the game, the speed limit changed to 75 and since I was in such a hurry to get there on time I was so thrilled to see the new speed limit sign. See it below:

I quickly punched the accelerator, knowing my suburban really likes to go fast...okay I like to go fast....and I quickly hit 75mph only to see, after maybe 10 feet, the next sign below:

I think I said out loud, "Are you kidding me?" as I backed off the accelerator. I heard giggles coming from the seat next to me. Rachel finally said, "Momma, the sign said it is 70mph for trucks. Hit it! You can go 75!" Oiy! She was right...and we have the pictures to prove it.

Yes, some days I am more blond than others. On our way back from the game I stopped at a blinking red light and waited and waited for it to turn green. Yes, I heard the giggles again....it was a four way stop and it would never turn green! It was at that moment that I decided I needed to stop at the nearest Starbucks! Oiy! Ya'll have a great day!

Two Months!

Yesterday we celebrated Rachel's 2 month anniversary. Two months ago she had brain decompression surgery....two months ago the Great Physician came to save the day....two months ago we saw first hand that He still performs miracles today...two months ago....my heart is so full.

Rachel continues to be headache free....no more choking....no more muscle fatigue...no more weakness. Praise the Lord, great things He has done!!!

Before Rachel's surgery, I started Beth Moore's "Esther: It's tough being a woman" study. I took a little break over the holidays but quickly picked the study back up when school started. How fitting that today's study revolved around, "A day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents." Esther 9:19.

Psalm 16:5-6 says, "LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;surely I have a delightful inheritance." Beth explains, "In our own words we might say something like: Lord, in all the chaos and crisis, all the threat and doubt, You caused my life to work out. Instead of me falling apart, the lines of my life have fallen together. Truly I can say that You have given me a delightful inheritance."

She continues, "No matter what life--or satan himself--hands us, the favor God has on His children causes that "lot" to tumble out on the table in such a way that, instead of destruction, the child will discover that her portion turned into destiny one trusting step at a time. When all is said and done, she will see that the portion God assigned her was good. Right. Rich. Full of purpose." Glory! Praise You, Father!

I don't know what you are going through right now, but this I do know, we are dearly loved; you are dearly loved! Keep holding on to Him....keep taking those steps of faith... He is with you. He is our portion, and He supports our lot. And there is nothing like being held in the very palm of His mighy hand!

She Shoots & She Scores!

This Saturday Hannah had another basketball tournament. They won the championship game 45-11. My baby girl scored 18 points....18 points! Remember, she is only 12. I don't think I ever scored 18 points in a game, even in high school. It was a fun basketball game to watch.

Hannah, Mr. Incredible and I were bitten by "the bug", you know the awful stomach bug, on Friday. We were so afraid that Hannah would not feel like playing Saturday morning. Thankfully, she was able to play and wow did she play! She is thinking that she needs to take Imodium before every game. Ha!

We play the same team again tonight. We are hoping the girls play as well, if not better, than they did Saturday night. I think it is our last home game unless the TBA game listed on the calendar comes to fruition. Watching my baby girl play basketball is one of my favorite things to do. We are sad that her season is quickly coming to an end. But, it has definitely been a season to remember.

Texas Hair

Good Morning Ya'll! I have been so bad about blogging this week. I have nothing to write about. You don't want to hear about Rachel's stomach bug....why is it that our children want to be right next to us when they are so sick with that bug? In one of my finest parenting moments, I almost said, "Sweetheart, could you just take your stomach bug with you to your room and text me if you need something." But, I didn't 'cause clearly God is still working in my life! I did follow her around with the Lysol spray because I haven't lost my mind, yet!

I could tell you about the pig sty that my youngest daughter is now calling her room....but I'll just stop there. She respects her basketball coach so much, that I asked him to please tell Hannah to clean up her room. He just laughed and asked if I had seen the locker room at school. Sigh! Judgement is coming Saturday. If a certain dear daughter doesn't get her room and bathroom together, Momma is going to have another cell phone for a few more days, that's all I'm saying.

And just for your information, No I did not take out the family that was saying ugly things about my baby girl on the basketball court last Saturday...and I don't think that I lost my witness either. I had to laugh out loud when my father hollered something to the referee about a bad call. He is a pastor...so I felt better. We both decided that we might just need to meet each other down front during Sunday's invitation. Ha!

Have you seen the new "poof" video. These 2 sisters so cracked me up with their Hair Poofing instructions. You can check them out here .

So, after looking in the mirror and seeing what I am now calling my "Cinnamon buns" because I really enjoyed eating pan fulls of them over the Christmas break, I decided that I needed a diversion. My thinking was that if my hair was taller, then my cinnamon buns might not be so noticeable. And I do live in Texas...and you know how we are about big hair. So, this morning I tried it.

Mr. Incredible had to help me. It was the sweetest moment but I had to giggle when he was helping me with my hair poof. He was so serious that I just had to give him a big kiss. My manly man, helping me with my hair...gave me the giggles and made me love him even more than I already do.

My hair is bigger/poofier. I think I am nearly 2 inches taller. So, I've made a mental note to fix it this way when I see my doctor for, you know, the annual torture! When she (she being the barracuda) weighs me, I might just have her measure my height again. I'm thinking I might just be in a different BMI category. Woo-hoo!

So, it's not quite as good as the sisters' poof but it's getting there. Wanna see?



I know. The picture is hard to see. I was in the car. I used this brush and a big old can of Freeze It spray from Walmart (the sisters suggested it). I like this big, gold, container of hairspray and it says it will hold in any weather and it really does. But, the best part is that it is only $4.


Happy "poofing." Let me know if you try it.

Be Aggressive Be Be Agressive!

*update: game 1 this morning... Our girls lost to a bigger school 49-27. Hannah had 8 points
and....5 fouls. But I have to say that 3 fouls were right but the other 2 were bad calls from the 4-eyed reffs (not that I'm bitter or anything).
We changed seats 3 times because the other team's fans were a bit malicious and were hollering things about my baby girl... And they were not nice things which almost made me lose my witness right there....they need to be nice or I'm going to use my best momma bear voice and tell them how I really feel. I'm just saying! It was not nice! Maybe I should start bringing my earplugs.




I just love to watch my baby girl play basketball! What a season it has been already. Her team is undefeated. Woo-hoo!!Last night they won 54-3 (Hannah had 16 points). That was their first time to score more than 50 points in a game...and they are just 7th graders!

It is so fun to go to their games. Their team has been playing together since 1st grade and wow have they come a long way. I can't believe how much all of the girls have grown.

They are playing in a tournament this weekend with schools from bigger school districts. We are thankful that they won last night and we are excited about the games tomorrow.

I just had to share a funny story with you. Mr. Incredible and I often encourage Hannah to "be aggressive!" Her daddy will say something like, "Hannah, when you play basketball, you need to play like this is my court, this is my house, and don't let the other team keep you from scoring or getting those rebounds!"

Hannah and I have had many a rebounding practice session in the family room or outside at our basketball goal. I encourage her to use her "hiney" to block out.

My dad told me when I was playing basketball for James Martin HS in Arlington, TX, that, "If you are going to foul....make it count!" I've shared those exact same words of wisdom with Hannah.

Last night....she took it all to heart! You know those commercials on tv where the guy is playing paint ball and he fires the paintball at his friend but it is too light and then the next scene shows a ginormous paintball that literally takes the guy out which is too heavy?

Um, that was my precious baby girl last night.

At one point in the second half, Hannah and a girl from the losing team (I don't know where my girl gets her competitive spirit) were fighting to get the basketball. I look down from the stands to see my precious daughter, who we have prompted to be aggressive since 1st grade, punch the girl in the stomach as she grabs the basketball. The referee saw the whole thing so he blows his whistle....and calls "Jump ball!" What???? He didn't even call a foul.

The next play, our dainty darling is trying to post up when her defender starts throwing elbows. It wasn't 2 seconds before the defender hit the ground. They did call a foul on Hannah...and the very words I have spoken to her resounded in my ears, "If you are going to foul, make it count!"

Oh, she was aggressive last night. There were a couple of times where I only watched with one eye. Hannah was definitely being aggressive. She fought hard to get open, to post up, and to defend her girl. She was on fire the second half of the game.

But, when the 3rd girl (from the other team) hit the ground, and the fans gasped, and then the girl paused a few seconds before getting up, I have to admit that I said a quick prayer that went something like this, "Oh, Lord, please help her to get up." And then I wondered to myself if I should take my photo button of my girl off of my sweater and slide out the back door of the gym.

Hannah's coach was pleased with how aggressively she played. I heard other parents comment on how aggressively she played and that they liked it. So, tomorrow, I will once again be the proud momma in the stands wearing my photo button and cheering for my baby girl. But tonight, I think we will skip the "be aggressive" speech and blocking out lesson. Clearly, she has that down!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Brrrrrrrrr! The weather man says that the wind chill is 8 degrees. 8 DEGREES!! With temperatures that cold you would think that we would have at least a foot of snow outside. Not, a chance! Just cold, cold, and more cold. Brr! I'm off to find my hat and my gloves before heading to my classroom.

Ya'll stay warm.

Banana Peeling & Pudding 101

Do you have trouble peeling bananas?
Do you poop out at parties?
(Sorry, my inner I Love Lucy came out-remember Vitameatavegamin?)

My Dad showed us how to properly peel a banana. I didn't know there was a correct way did you? I peel my bananas like everyone else and they are always bruised at the top. Anyway, bruised bananas no more~thank you Dad!

Start with your banana~I have 2 lovely assistants to demonstrate:


Instead of peeling from the top, like I always do, check the other end, like the monkeys do (not my girls~real live monkeys). Pinch the top :


And peel from there. Ah, so much easier and no more bruised bananas!

Would you like a recipe to go with your new banana peel skills?

This is my mom's amazing recipe:

1 14 oz can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 (4 serving size)pkg of instant vanilla pudding
2 cups cool whip
36 vanilla wafers (I never count...just use the whole box-minus a few you might eat in the process)
3 medium bananas


Grab your pretty bowl (it makes it look like you went to more of an effort):


line the bottom with vanilla wafers.

Then mix together you pudding, water, and Eagle brand milk and place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes (or longer if you get caught up in playing Guitar Hero with your girls)


Now add the cool whip~fold it in (I never fully grasped this concept, it is much easier just to mix it in)


Then the fun begins: layer wafers, bananas, pudding mixture, repeat until finished.

To fancy it up a bit, I squished (sounds fancy, right) my 3 remaining vanilla wafers and sprinkled them on top. Refrigerate until ready and then enjoy.

It is creamy, goodness. Enjoy!




I am pleased to post this at Works for Me Wednesday.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

The winner of a new copy of L.B. Cowman's book, Streams in the Desert is................. Rhonda at Blue Creek Home!  Woo-hoo!  (Rhonda, please email me your address and I will be so happy to send you this incredible book) She is one creative lady.  I always adore seeing what beautiful creations she creates.  Go visit her blog; you will be blessed! 

Speaking of Chicken Dinner.....have you been to Belles in Abilene, TX?

Our family drove through Abilene recently and made a delicious stop.  A friend told us that we simply had to have dinner here and we were so glad that we did.  This is what greets you in the parking lot:

The atmosphere is casual and a little ecclectic...the waiters and waitresses did the Hokey Pokey for us.

We feasted on chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, green beans, homemade rolls and salad.  It was yummy!

Ya'll have a blessed day!

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today I posted this:

January 4, 2009:  I'm crying as I type this...my devotion today was simply written for me...although it was penned in 1925 by L. B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert


Here is what she writes:

Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed (John 4:50).

Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe. (Mark 11:24)


When you are confronted with a matter that requires immediate prayer, pray until you believe God--until with whole-hearted sincerity you can thank Him for the answer. Never pray in a way that diminishes your faith. You may tell Him you are waiting, still believing and therefore praising Him for the answer. There is nothing that so fully solidifies faith as being so sure of the answer that you can thank God for it.


The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. George Mueller.

Faith is not a sense, nor sight, nor reason, but simply taking God at His word. Christmas Evans.

This is the time to look up through the storm, and among the trembling, frightened sailors declare, "I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me." (Acts 27:25).
I love this! I'm clinging to this with every fiber of my being! I believe God is who He says He is and He can do what He says He will do. (Beth Moore, Moore) I'm choosing to believe God!
If you would, please remember us tomorrow as we visit with the pediatrician at 11:30. We are praying that he recommends the right neurologist and neurosurgeon and that we would listen to the Lord's leading every step of the way.

From this momma's heart, I thank you so much for your prayers. (Crying again) You'll never know how much your generosity in prayer means to us!

And Today:

I read the same devotion this very morning and remembered this post from last year....how incredible to be on this side of it all.  To look back and see how marvelously God worked...in so many areas.  I am so humbled by Him....by His perfect timing....by His perfect plans....by His tender mercies and grace. I don't have words to properly show my great love for Him!  How awesome to be His child.  How do people do this thing called life without out Him?! 

What an awesome God! Rachel is back to school today.  Glory, hallelujah! 

(I'm giving away a copy of my favorite devotion book:  Streams in the Desert.  You still have time to enter my giveaway~see last Thursday's post to enter or click here. You have until 8:00 pm CST tonight)

PS  Traci is giving away a Lisa Leonard gift certificate!  Wow!  Lisa's designs are gorgeous. You can see them here.  Go visit  my friend Traci to enter this fabulous giveaway!

Saturday Delight

It's a lazy Saturday morning around here.  I'm still in my favorite pink robe,

the washing machine is humming us a song, Hannah is still snoozing (after an all night party the night before), and Mr. Incredible is making his famous omelets.  Ahhh, lazy Saturdays, they are few and far between but moments worth savoring. 

What are ya'll doing today?

Numbers...and the One that Counts the Most!

My mind is reeling with numbers today:

365 new days

A new year (how long will it take me to stop writing 2009)

The few number of hours of sleep last night (the number of snores I heard from my sleeping man)

The number looming on my scale (I just can't go there today)

The number of days since I last exercised (sigh)

The number of wrinkles I am finding on my face (oops there is another one!)

The big 4-0 (am I really?)

Number of followers to my blog (I am so thankful for all of you, my sweet followers, but it is easy to get caught up in the numbers, isn't it?)

The number of posts I have made or not made this last year

The number of emails and phone calls that I need to return

The number of things that I need to add to my new, 2010 calendar (I always love doing this)

Should I join facebook-will I have a huge number of friends like my husband (silly thoughts, I know but I still wonder)

The number of giggles I hear around my house this morning

The number of ways my family expresses their love for me (do I show them how much I love them too?)

Our world is full of numbers...expectations too~do we measure up:

The number of fruits and vegetables we should eat (I much prefer chocolate these days)

The number of times we should brush our teeth, wash our faces, hug each other, laugh, eat....
    too many number things to count.

Numbers can drive us crazy if we let them.  So, this year, instead of trying to focus on numbers or the number of resolutions that I might make and break, I want to try to try to focus on numbers from a different perspective.

"How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways." Elizabeth Barrett Browning penned those words, but hear them in a fresh, new way from your Heavenly Father.

Numbers are important to God too.

He loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son (John 3:16)
He paid the price for our sins, in full, while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8)
He numbers the very numbers on our head  (Matthew 10:30)
The Bible is filled to overflowing with important numbers...so many more than I could possibly list here.
             
The numbers in scripture that I know are:

3 which symbolizes the Trinity and so much more

6 is the number for man
                                                                            
7 means perfection

8 symbolizes "consistently above perfection"  It is perfection plus One....it is Jesus! (Thank you, Dad for teaching me this-I love this new truth!)

Numbers are important.  But what numbers do I value or put the most emphasis on?

I may try to define myself by the number of friends that I have, the number of followers and friends who drop by my blog, the number in my checking account, the number of loads of laundry I have waiting for me, the number on my scale,the number of times we ate out instead of in, the number of times I wished that I had stopped to think before I opened my mouth, the number of missed opportunities to tell someone about what God did for me, the number of times I chose to be defensive instead of humble, the number of times I laughed at myself, the number of hairs that I found in the shower (I have stopped bleaching my hair-why will it not stop falling out), the number of minutes I spent in prayer, the number of hours I spent watching tv or surfing the internet (ouch)....so many numbers that truly don't shouldn't define me...but that I still focus on.

Instead of focusing on the One that does matter and does define me!  I'm going to try to listen as He counts the ways that He loves me....and try to focus on the numbers that He defines me by. 

Rachel brought this scripture to my attention today and I love it.  I thought you might want to read it today too:

Psalm 40:5 "Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare."

Which reminds me of this one:  Psalm 139:17-18, "17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake,
I am still with you.and the One who loves us so!"

And all of my "numbers" fall at the feet of the One who loves me in more ways than I could possible count! What an awesome God!

(Don't forget to enter my giveaway-see yesterday's post if you missed it!)