Photo Hunters: Broken

I joined Photo Hunters. It seems like a lot of fun and several of my blogging buddies are participating. This week's them is "broken."

We went bowling for one of our Girl's Nights Out. Check out Beth's score. She broke her record. I think Milly may have broken hers, too. Look at all those strikes, but please ignore my score. So bad:(

Go to Photo Hunters to sign up or view other bloggers who are playing along.

Weekend Reflection

It's been a harder week. Not a lot of huge things have happened, but I'm still blessed to have a wonderful family, friends, home, church, etc.

Beef and I joined our church this past week and are excited about being apart of some of the ministries there.

Stacy sent me a "30 Days of Joy" kit today. She filled 30 envelopes with something special for me to open one each day. It really made my day. Your a great friend Stacy!

God has given me hope and encouragement through my devotion time.

I started writing Our Love Story, and it has been really fun blessing to write.

Go to Judi's to play along.

Blog Talkers #6

Is parenting harder today than our parents had it?

The emotional distress of parenting was the same for my husband and I as it was for my parents. We are blessed with these new little babies and fall head over heels in love with them. We continue to love them more and more each day and have our heart strings yanked as they walk farther and farther away from us.

It starts with watching them grow from tiny babies we hold in our arms to toddlers who fight to be free of our grasp. Then, they become children who don't want to be hugged or kissed by their mom as the are dropped off at school. I have yet to experience this, but the thought alone breaks my heart and that's not even thinking ahead to when my child leaves home. As parents, we will go our entire lives worrying about our children. We will have to let our children go even though we desparately want to hang on to them.

A few days after Scamp was born, I was up late with her one night. She wouldn't go to sleep, and I was exhausted and tearful. My mom called at 6:00 am to check on us, and I was mad because she woke me up. She could have waited two hours to check on Scamp, but she didn't. She told me the next day that she had been awakened from her sleep with a feeling of dread that something was wrong with ME! She was up half the night and waited as long as she could to call. She was worried about her baby, not mine. I was so ashamed of my thoughts, but yet so blessed to think that my mom still feels the same about me to this day as she did the night she fell in love with me as a baby.

Visit Blog Talkers to play along.

Our Love Story

I've finally decided to write the story of how Beef and I met and how God played a huge role in this process. I'm writing it first because everyone thinks there love story is the best. Secondly, I want my daughter to cherish these memories as I do.

I'm going to try to post a segment of the story once a week until it's finished. Hopefully, this will keep me on the ball writing it. Sometimes, I start things that I never finish, and I don't want this to be one of them.

I'm going to tag the story as "Our Love Story" so that if you are interested in reading it, but miss a part or two, you can catch up. I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.

The Only Man I've Ever Loved: Part 1

My New Beginning

My claim is that the only man I have ever loved is of course, Matt. This is the story of how God brought us together.

First, I do need to begin with a little back story, which begins with where I decided to go to college, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. It was a prestigious school; well, as prestigious as you can get in Tennessee. I liked the idea of fleeing the coop, moving out of my parent’s home and embracing the whole college experience, which included living on campus. I chose the largest and most expensive apartments on campus: four-bedroom, one-bath with three brand new roommates.

Dreams of parent free living started fading fast as they took me for my first on-campus visit. It was a beautiful area. It had the classic state school feel and was in the middle of downtown Chattanooga, which meant mounds of one way streets that where quite tricky to maneuver. And, I hated it. Right out. I just wasn’t feeling it. I hated those one-way streets. I hated not knowing how to get anywhere. I hated not knowing anyone. I hated the entire city, but this was it!! I was going to be a UTC alumnus. No discussion. No way was I going to back out and tell my parents I wasn’t ready to leave home. No way was I going to a smaller, closer-to-home, commuter kind of school. I was going to be a true-blue, dorm-living (apartment, that is. No communal restroom for me!), full-fledged college experience kind of gal!

My parents moved me into my apartment on Sunday night just in time for me to start classes the following Monday. I met my roommates, and they seemed ok. They didn’t really talk to me much, but I just knew we would be friends. I went to sleep that night with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. What had I gotten myself into!
I woke early, took a shower, and went to my first day’s classes. Every part of me tried to shove those sick feelings down, but I just couldn’t shake them. I finished my classes, went back to my apartment, and tried to call an acquaintance for support. We had graduated together, and she was here, too. She gave no answer to any of my several attempts. My roommates where locked up tight in their rooms, so I just couldn’t talk to them. I ended up walking the entire campus, trying to “out-walk” those feelings. I headed over to the Baptist Student Union. I thought to myself, “God, I don’t know if I’m supposed to be here, but I’m going to try my hardest to fit in."

“Don’t knock it, ‘til you try it,” kept ringing in my head. It was the advice an old boyfriend gave me before I left. Walking into new places and talking to new people was a huge phobia of mine, but I was going to this. I was going to stay here. I introduced myself. I chatted a little, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell them about the turmoil going on inside my head. I walked out feeling worse than before. I ended up back at my apartment and decided to call home. I couldn’t get an answer from my parents or my sister, only my brother-in-law, and we weren’t really close. He tried to be understanding, but it just didn’t help. “I’m coming home,” I said. Tell mama and daddy, I’m on my way.”

What would have happened if I had gotten in touch with anyone besides my brother-in-law? They might have tried to talk me into staying, and my life might have been different. All I knew was that I wasn’t supposed to be there. The hour and fifteen minute drive home only took me fifty minutes. I was never going back. A huge burden was lifted off me as I prayed, "God, I'm going to listen to You from now on." God had different plans for me. My life was about to change. I would meet my future husband two days later.

Finally Here

Beef and I joined our church this past Sunday. We have been attending there with Scamp for over a year and a half. It's one of the largest churches in our town, but we have found a small group to help us feel at home, our Sunday School class. Our last church split, and boy, was that devastating. This was a first for me. I knew God had brought me to that church to grow spiritually. I really didn't know about loving God for who He truly is until I started attending the College and Career Thursday night Bible study. Yes, I had been saved, but my view of God was so wrong. I thought of Him more as a distant father who punished my every mistake than as a Dad who cares for me unconditionally while disciplining me with love. I found a Friend in Him and in those in my bible study.

God has slowly allowed us to heal, and we are gradually letting others from our church into our lives. We still meet almost every Thursday with our old group, but just more for hanging out and supporting each other than study. I wouldn't have been able to bear the changes without them. Most of them attend a different church than we do, but we sometimes socialize with their Sunday School class.

It's still hard because I don't want to replace our Thursday night fellowship with new friends. I think somehow God will alllow us to continue to do both. We have been able to so far with joy, and I feel as though our Thursday group will be bound for life.

I am so ready to begin serving again. I was deeply hurt through the split and felt guilt over it myself. I was committted to a group of people, I thought, for the long haul, but through imperfections and selfishness, was quite disappointed. God can heal in ways that I will never be able to imagine, and my husband and I along with our dear friends will find hope in serving Him again. Many have already.

I have a passion for God's work more than any other type of career even though I have a degree in something else. I know the greatest blessings come from God and the most important things in life belong to Him. I pray that God will open doors for my husband and I to serve in our new church home. We have already been greatly blessed by several in our church and hope that we could do the same. God will open doors, and we will see Him work like we've never seen Him before. That is my hope.

Weekend Reflection

What a wonderfully blessed week with my husband!!

My hubby watched Scamp while I had a girl's night with his sisters and friend. We watched Dream Girls at the movies. It was a really good movie.

We had our usual Thursday night get-together and had a lot of fun singing and hanging out with our friends.

We had a Mystery Science Theater 3000 party with a few guests, Beef's specialty home-made pizza, and lots of other treats. I'm not a huge fan, so I was able to catch up on some blogging:)Beef's brother-in-law, Fluff Fluff, was able to come. He had to work late last minute, but ended up making it to our house just in time!

I was able to spend more time with my friend Janice this week. We've had some good talks.

Play aong at Judi's blog.

Scamp's First Snow Day Romp

This is the first "sticking" snow of the year! Beef says he went into work a little late to allow time for the roads to clear, but it really was because he wanted to take Scamp out to play in the snow!! This was the first time she's been in it. She took her glove off, touched the snow, and jerked her hand back fast!! She didn't know it was going to be so cold. She loved every minute though!!

What's On Your Fridge?

Here's the right side of the fridge. We can't stick any magnets on the front because it's stainless. I love pictures, so the fridge is full of them.


This is the left side with more magnets and the cool picture frame Stacy made me. And, check out the Napoleon Dynamite memo pad!!! Beef and I love the movie. It reminds me of my high school experiences.


These are my favorite magnets! We collect them from our vacations. We went to Outer Banks -- the islands outside North Carolina -- for our 3rd year anniversary before Scamp was born. It's the most romantic place, but it took us a good 14 hours to get there! The bear is from Gatlinburg. We usually rent a chalet and spend a few days with my family there.

Thanks for the great idea Stacy!

What's On Your Fridge? Nothing, apparently!!

Well, crud!! I've got three pictures to upload, and it's taking a heck of a long time, and I'm extremely irritated because I only blog while Scamp is asleep! She's about to wake up, and I feel like I've wasted all this time. Hopefully, I'll have those pictures up soon

Blog Talkers #5

Tell us about your first love. What did you learn about yourself from that relationship/experience? What kind of life do you think he/she is living today?

I was 15. He was 16, and we met at band camp. I didn't know he had a girlfriend, or I wouldn't have hung out with him so much. But, after camp, he broke up with her to "go out" with me. He was very energetic, liked to be the center of attention, and was pretty obnoxious about it. But, I didn't mind at the time. He was a romantic, a singer, and played the sax and guitar. He used to sing songs to me. We didn't ever really go on dates but a time or two because I couldn't date until I was 16.

He was very smart but didn't apply himself to his school work. He wanted to work in the computer industry, so that may be what he's doing today. We went out about a year before he broke up with me. He said he felt guilty because he had kissed a couple of girls over the summer while we were apart. I hated him after that, but finally forgave him. He went off to a Christian college, and I think dropped out. He was married and has at least one child, maybe more. I think we live in the same city now.

I hid my feelings a lot in our relationship because I didn't know any other way. But, eventually I learned that I needed to trust people, needed to share my feelings, and could have my own likes and dislikes without people disliking me. I really could be my own person.

Visit Blog Talkers to play along.

Six One Way, Half a Dozen the Other

This is a fun one. I stole it from Stacy.

1. Name six things in your refrigerator. 1 gallon of skim milk, 1 gallon of whole milk, 1/2 gallon chocolate soy milk, Lipton diet Green Tea, 5 packages of assorted shredded cheeses (I didn't know we had any when I bought more), Chinese take-out from last week

2. Name six things in your freezer. Stir-fry mix, Multigrain waffles, 3 packages ground turkey, frozen corn-on-the-cob, chocolate chip cookie dough, Morningstar "chicken" nuggets

3. Name six things under your kitchen sink. 409 Carpet Cleaner, Palmolive dishwasher detergent, Orange All-Purpose Cleaner, Oxy Clean, Spot Shot, tons of Wal Mart bags

4. Name six things around your computer. Cordless phone, stacks of CD-Rs, gaming controller, picture of Scamp holding a Game Boy Advance with her daddy, 8 other computers without monitors, hundreds of other miscellaneous computer parts

5. Name six things in your medicine cabinet. Children's Tylenol, Prescription Cough Medicine, Walgreens brand acetaminophin, Children's Motrin, baby teething medicine, multi-vitamins

6. Name six things on or around your nightstand. Lamp, picture of Beef with his niece, clock radio, Refresh Liquigel, night clothes, lots of dust

Easy Chicken and Potatoes

I made this last night. This is what it looked like before I cooked it. I love eating colorful foods!!

Original Recipe:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
4 medium potatoes -- peeled and cut into wedges or thick slices (4 to 6)

Place chicken in bottom of Crock Pot. Sprinkle with half of the Italian dressing, spices, and the grated cheese. Put the potatoes on top or around the chicken. Sprinkle with the rest of the dressing, spices, and cheese.

Cook on low for about 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is done and potatoes are tender.

*****I used a package of the Tyson boneless, skinless chicken tenders, 5-6 red potatoes, sliced, 1/2 bag of pre-prepared shredded carrots, about a cup of chopped celery, and shredded Mozzarella cheese instead of grated Parmesan. I ended up adding a little more Italian dressing and cheese since I had more items than the recipe called for. I also added dried red pepper as Stacy suggested. It ended up tasting somewhat like my mom's pot roast, which I love. Overall, I liked it and will make it again!

I stole this recipe from Stacy. She also has some great notes on how she bettered the recipe, so stop by her place, too.

Weekend Reflection

I couldn't get the picture to come up, but that's ok.

Beef and I attended a local marriage conference entitled "Love and Respect." It was so funny and very insightful. We learned that women need to feel loved while men need to feel respected, and also learned tips on how to be constructive during conflicts. It was very helpful.

My parents watched Lianna overnight so we could go, and we really appreciated it!

Beef and I have had an exceptional week, and God has answered our prayers!!

Scamp had a rough beginning of the week with a painful trip to the doctor's office. She's feeling much better.

God has been such a blessing in our lives. He has encouraged us this week and blessed us beyond what we could have imagined. I'm thankful for this and for all my praying friends!!

Go visit Judi's to sign up.

Scamp & Elle

We had another Thursday night get-together and had the best time. We played the newest Playstation 2 Karaoke Revolution - American Idol. The best part was when Scamp and Elle (pronounced Ellie) started dancing together while I and my friend Letha sang a duet of "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul. We got it on video. They were so cute!

Here are Scamp and Elle playing with Scamp's cookie jar. Elle is one of Robin and Larry's daughters. Their other daughter is just over 4 months old. We let Scamp stay up late (9:30pm) since she was having such a good time with Elle.

Cheesy Romantic Poems

I'm in the mood for a little laughter. Here's one of my silly poems for Beef! I love you, Honey!

Matt's Love Poem

My Beefy Pot is so sweet.
He takes me out to eat.
He fixes picnic lunches
And gives me flower bunches.
He puts air in my tires
And builds me marshmallow fires.
He takes me on long walks
And listens when I talk.
He laughs at my cheesy jokes
And tickles me with sharp pokes.
He rents me girly movies
And kisses me ‘til I’m woozy.
He chases me in the house
And kills our sneaky mouse.
He throws me on the bed
And rubs me toes to head.
He likes it when I laugh
And when I take his brownie half.
He rubs my back just right
And says sorry when we fight.
He loses poker with a smile
And still forgives me when I’m hostile.
He takes long naps on Sunday
And goes to work on Monday.
He buys me diamond rings
And romantic songs he sings.
He whispers in my ear
And cares for me sincere.
He’ll love me ‘til I’m old
And in his arms he’ll hold
Me ‘til we part goodbye
And meet again in the sky.

Blog Talkers Talk - #4

If you could take one picture out of all that you have to capture your essence, which would it be?



I had three pictures narrowed down. Two were funny because I think I'm a fun hearted person. But, at the suggestion of Beef, I chose this one with Scamp. She was only a few days old, and this is when I was falling in love with her. I also remember thinking at that moment that I was sorry for anything mean or hurtful I ever did or said to my mother. I became a different person after Scamp was born. I love this picture because you can see how much I love her. This picture is of a mother's heart!

Go sign up at Blog Talkers to play along.

The Ultimate Blog Party

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a party! I thought I would invite everyone to come. It sounds like fun and will be a great way to meet new blog friends.

The Ulimate Blog Party starts March 2, 2007 and ends March 9, 2007. There will be a big prize giveaway on March 9.

Just hit the Ultimate Blog Party button on my sidebar, and it will take you right to where you need to go to sign up. You have to add the Blog Party button to your side bar, invite friends with a post, and sign the central Mr. Linky at 5 Minutes for Mom by 12pm Eastern on March 8, 2007 to be eligible for prizes. So, what are you waiting for?!

Pay It Forward

I received my "Pay It Forward" from Stacy. It was for the Pay It Forward meme where you sign up for a homemade gift. Stacy made me a magnetic picture frame! I love to have pictures on my refrigerator. I don't have a picture of just me and Stacy though, so the closest one I found was from 2004 when Jeff and Stacy came for a visit. Pictured as followed: Jeff, Stacy, Beef, me, Bethany, Baby Ian, and Joseph (Beef's sister, nephew, and brother-in-law). Thanks Stacy!

Blog Talkers

I saw this over at Stacy's site and decided to play along.


Do you consider yourself a high-maintenance, or a low- maintenance person? Why?

I am so high-maintenance. I just need certain things when I need them!! Here are a few exmaples:

I have to heat my feet in hot water in the sink before I go to bed because I can't sleep with cold feet. Yes, I sit on the vanity!

I have to wear earplugs to the movies. If I don't have any, we don't go to the movies!

I have to eat! I'm not the kind of person who can go for hours and hours without eating. I get very angry and nasty when my blood sugar is low, so don't get in the way of my snack!!

I can't just sleep anywhere. When, I was pregnant, I had to take my eggshell mattress on vacation even though we barely had room in the car. I also can't leave without my pillows!

I have a very low comfortable zone (body temperature). Beef complains about this one a lot. I have to continously turn the air conditioner/heat on and off, up and down to monitor the temperature in the car.

Just a few. I'm sure I can think of some more! What about you? Sign up at Blog Talkers by Write from Karen. She has a new question every week!

Weekend Reflection

Well, it's a little late, but I have a lot of things to be thankful for. So, I thought I would go ahead and write.

Scamp was sick for the third time in a row, but now she's all better. I didn't get sick this time with her either!

I got to have some good conversations with a couple of good friends over the phone, Janice and Stacy.

I had a great time with the girls as previously mentioned on Thursday night.

My grandma came up on Friday and watched Scamp while I got my hair done. I got it highlighted professionally for $35. What a bargain AND it looks good!

My parents kept Scamp overnight Sunday since we all had MLK day off. Beef and I had a nice date and got some good rest. I have a great family!!

Beef bought me another Karaoke game for PlayStation 2, and Linsey came over and played it with me last night. Another friend, Amelia, is coming over tonight for some more fun!

God answered a huge prayer for me! I am very thankful and sorry doubting God to begin with. He knows my heart!!

I am blessed to have such a great family and friends, and I am very thankful for both. My New Year's resolution is to be a better friend, so I hope I can live up to that:)

Thursday Night Group: Girls' Night

We just had another girls' night last Thursday and had so much fun. I typically get together with my friends from our Thursday night group. Just to clarify, Beef and I have been meeting with this group for over 5 years. It started out as a Bible study for the College & Career class. As we got older, married, and started having kids, our group changed somewhat, but we still get together almost every Thursday for support even though our original church split two years ago Easter. We now attend at least 2 different churches, but we will always be connected. We range in age from 16 to 31, not including the 5 babies, 3 and under.

A typical Thursday is everyone meeating at out house at 7pm for dinner. We watch "Survivor" (when it's on), eat, and play video games. We all love Dance Dance Revolution, but haven't played in a while since our two new favorites are Guitar Hero and Karaoke Revolution.

Sometimes, just the girls get together. We did last week to celebrate three January birthdays: Janice, Letha, and Greyson. Happy Birthday, Girls! We ate at Chili's and went over to Greyson's for games and her homemade chocolate chip cookies. We played the Family Feud DVD game, Scene it DVD game, and watched "The Office."

I'm waiting now for the Snapfish website to work correctly so that I can edit the pictures I took on Thursday and get them printed. What a fun night we had!

Can You Guess Where Scamp Is?

Scamp follows Scratchy under the bed, and today, decided to have a Ritz cracker (or cook cook as she says)while she was under there. No, it wasn't one she found under the bed either, although it could be possible. She finds and sticks a lot of things in her mouth!!

Scamp's Train Ride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucEvCbiLRWw
Click the link to watch Scamp ride.





Beef could not live without this toy for Scamp! Since it was on clearance at Wal Mart, we bought it. Beef spent last night putting it together and was actually late for work today because he didn't want to stop watching her ride. After he left, Scamp and I had breakfast in the middle of the track. Then, she decided she wanted to ride again, so I gave her bites when she stopped in front of me. The video is kind of dark, so I included some pictures, too.

Tell Me What You Think

I stole this from Stacy and Stacy, two very sweet people!

1. As a child, what did you always say you wanted to be when you grew up? I considered several careers when I was little: teacher, basketball player in elementary school, dancer/singer (which I can do neither!) as a middle schooler, then doctor as a high schooler.

2. If you had to choose one thing that you’ve always dreamed of doing, what would it be? Go to Australia. This would be a trip of a lifetime for me!

3. Who is your biggest fan? probably my mom.

4. What bible study or book (besides the obvious-the Bible) has most impacted your life to date? The Purpose Driven Life - I've read it twice, it's impacted me both times.

5. When are you the happiest? when Scamp is in my lap giving me kisses and when Beef, Scamp and I are all in the bed together.

Hope In Me

I've been feeling somewhat hopeless the last two weeks. I have been dealing with some things over the last several years, and a lot of times I still feel like I'm stuck in a rut and can't make any progress for the better. I was thinking to myself and telling others to not have hope in me, but in God, because He's the big guy in charge, and I mess up a lot. I was reading through the book the "Search for Significance" today, and God really spoke to my heart. The book talks about God's unconditional love for each of us, that God doesn't hold grudges, He's slow to judge, is very patient, etc. And, then there it was. Plain as day as I was journaling about my feelings. God has hope in me even when I don't have hope in myself!! We all need hope. We all need someone on our side, and I'm glad God is on mine!

Flashback to the 70s

I didn't realize until Scamp had the outfit on that it reminded me of the clothes in That 70's Show. I love the show. I can't really remember too much about 70s style since I was born in the very late 70s:) I do remember seeing pictures of my dad in bell bottoms, which he wouldn't be caught dead in now!!

I had a day of shopping planned. We had driven the 20 minutes to the mall. Right as I was getting the stroller out of the back of the car, I realized I didn't bring any money, my license, or check card!! I was so frustrated. This happens to me a lot!! I don't carry a purse because I have a mini backpack I use for a diaper bag. I usually just carry my cash in my pocket, but today, I forgot!

I still needed to go to the grocery store, so I had to drive back home, then back out to the store. Poor Scamp was along for the ride, fussing quite a bit. I typically forget my cash when I go to Wal Mart and half the time don't realize until either my cart is completely filled or I have everything loaded up on the conveyer belt. One time, I had to ask the ladies at Customer Service if I could leave me buggy there while I went home. Three or four times I've had to unload the conveyer belt and ask the cashier to keep an eye on the buggy while I hustle to the car to get my money. Really embarrasing and even more annoying now that Scamp is usually with me, and ready to go! Does this happen to you?

Weekend Reflection

I had a wonderful Christmas!! We weren't too rushed this week, and we got to spend a lot of time with all sides of our families.

Lianna was really sick, and now she's better. She spent the night with her Meme and Papa last night, so Beef and I could get a night off. We really appreciate you, Meme and Papa! However, our plans were a little messed up when I got sick last minute, but I'm feeling much better this morning.

We have another Christmas dinner planned for today with Beef's cousins that live in a different state. It will be nice to catch up.

We finished taking down the Christmas decorations. Thanks Hubby for putting up and taking down our outdoor lights.

This may be a little silly to some of you, but I found the perfect pair of jeans that fit and are comfortable. I got them for Christmas. I hate trying on jeans because they end up being too short in the crotch (who invented that style?!!) or are a good fit in the store. But, I get them home, wear them, and they end up stretching out and being too big!!

Now, back to more serious stuff. Thank you, God, for sending your Son, so that I may be forgiven and forever be loved unconditionally!!

Visit Judi to sign up.

Christmas Eve with Santa Scamp

I took so many pictures that I had to make two slideshows. We spent Christmas Eve day at my Grandma's house. Scamp wore her Santa outfit and tried to steal all of Bubby's toys. My Grandma wrapped up an old doll my mom had as a child and gave it to my mom for Christmas. Poor doll -- it had been in the barn since my mom was a little girl. It's hair was all gone (don't let my mom near you with scissors!), and it was splotchy with age.

We went to my mom's house that night and opened all of our presents there. Scamp got a Dora four-wheeler and a homemade toy box from my dad.

We had a pretty small Chrismtas at home. Santa brought Scamp a lamp for her room and a V-Smile game for the TV. I got a DVR and Family Feud DVD game. Beef got a wireless guitar for the Guitar Hero game, Ice Age DVD, and a couple of geek shirts. He still has another present coming. I'm getting a little angry because I thought it would arrive before Christmas. I forgot to take any pictures on Christmas Day at our house, but I got lots of video. I can't believe Christmas is over!!

Christmas Day: Seesaw Frenzy

We went to Beef's family's houses on Christmas Day. Uncle Josh was the hero of the day because he bought all the kids a seesaw to share. Can you tell who had more fun, the adults or the kids?

That night we went to my dad's side of the family and played a little Dirty Santa. No fist fights this year. I walked away with a picture frame while Beefcake got the car jack he brought (which is what he wanted). Then, our nephew Billy spent the night with us. He played video games most the night with Beef. Then, we all went to Chuck E. Cheeses the next day. What a whirlwind holiday. We had a lot of fun!

My Celebrity Look-Alike Collage

I don't know half these celebrities, but I do have a few resemblances! Who do you think I look like? I think Melinda Clarke!

Merry Christmas!!!

I sometimes let the excitement of the season shadow what Christmas is really all about. It's about celebrating the miracle birth of Jesus who came to take away the sin of the world. He was a living sacrifice for my sins and through His death I am able to call Him my Savior, my confidant, my Redeemer, my Healer, my Brother, my Intercessor, and my Friend. God Bless you and your family, and may you have a few miracles of your own.

Getting to Know Me: Johari Window

I'm really surprised that no one put shy or quiet. That's one of the things I've been told my entire life. If you know me, you can add to mine if you'd like and/or make your own. I stole the idea from Stacy.

Arena (known to self and others) complex, self-conscious	Blind Spot (known only to others) able, accepting, caring, dependable, giving, helpful, intelligent, kind, loving, nervous, reflective, religious, tense, trustworthy
Façade (known only to self) introverted, observant, searching, silly	Unknown (known to nobody) adaptable, bold, brave, calm, cheerful, clever, confident, dignified, energetic, extroverted, friendly, happy, idealistic, independent, ingenious, knowledgeable, logical, mature, modest, organised, patient, powerful, proud, quiet, relaxed, responsive, self-assertive, sensible, sentimental, shy, spontaneous, sympathetic, warm, wise, witty

All Percentages

able (25%) accepting (50%) adaptable (0%) bold (0%) brave (0%) calm (0%) caring (50%) cheerful (0%) clever (0%) complex (50%) confident (0%) dependable (25%) dignified (0%) energetic (0%) extroverted (0%) friendly (0%) giving (25%) happy (0%) helpful (25%) idealistic (0%) independent (0%) ingenious (0%) intelligent (25%) introverted (0%) kind (50%) knowledgeable (0%) logical (0%) loving (50%) mature (0%) modest (0%) nervous (25%) observant (0%) organised (0%) patient (0%) powerful (0%) proud (0%) quiet (0%) reflective (25%) relaxed (0%) religious (50%) responsive (0%) searching (0%) self-assertive (0%) self-conscious (25%) sensible (0%) sentimental (0%) shy (0%) silly (0%) spontaneous (0%) sympathetic (0%) tense (25%) trustworthy (50%) warm (0%) wise (0%) witty (0%)

Created by the Interactive Johari Window on 23.12.2006, using data from 4 respondents.
You can make your own Johari Window, or view Shawna W's full data.

2006 Family Christmas Cards

Beef's sisters own Studio Six Photography and make us Christmas cards every year. I put them all on our Christmas tree this year.

This is Beef's oldest sister's family. She does a lot of the graphic artistry.

This is the whole clan!

This is Milly's card. She's best friends with Beef's sisters and is a graphic artist for the Studio. She made our card this year.

This is Boppy and Fluff Fluff's boys -- Aunt Boppy is Beef's youngest sister and is the main photographer.

What's Your Elf Name?

Your Elf Name Is...

Grumpy Fruit Cake

What's Your Elf Name?

I stole this from Jessica.

What Holiday Ornament Are You?

You Are a Tree

You love every part of the holidays, down to the candy canes and stockings. And you're goofy enough to put a Christmas tree ornament on your tree!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

I stole this from Jessica ,too!

Scratchy Paw Paw

Here's my cat, Scratchy Paw Paw, but we never call him that. Usually it's just kitty, kit kat, etc. I really didn't know I was the kind of person to have nicknames for every person in our home, but I guess I am:) Beefcake bought me Kit for Valentine's Day 2003. He was supposed to be an outdoor cat. Neither Beef nor I ever had indoor animals growing up, but when we left Scratchy outside, he ran away and got lost. When we found him, we left him outside again, and he got ran over (but is very much fine, no permanent damage:) So, he is an indoor cat.

Scamp just loves him and follows him around everywhere -- behind furniture, under tables, under the bed!! Scratchy tries to act like he doesn't like it, but he usually waits for her to follow!

Scratchy is the most personable cat I've ever had. He will play with any other cat. He sleeps in the bed with our overnight guests. Just ask Stacy!! I've never heard him growl or seen him hiss or bite at anything! He's very good with Scamp. He loves playing under the Christmas tree and hiding behind presents. So, here's my other baby!!

Meet My Zwinky

I got the idea from Feng.

Weekend Reflection

Christmas has begun. We went to my grandmother's family Christmas and saw most of my great aunts and uncles, second cousins and so on. It was nice growing up knowing all of them and having 4 great-grandparents living at the time.

We went to another Christmas program (the church I grew up in) and saw my niece and nephews in their Sunday School class plays. All the kids were so cute. I can't wait until Scamp is old enough to participate!

We are getting so many wonderful Christmas cards. Picture cards are really in, and I love keeping the momentos.

My husband hung our outdoor Christmas lights. I've been asking him for several years, and he finally has!! Thank you, Beef!!

Scamp and I are sick this week, but hopefully we'll feel better for Christmas. She got to sleep in our room last night, which was a blessing (even though she was sick).

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My Family

I couldn't pick just one picture. We had a Christmas party for my grandmother's side of the family. I think we're going to make it a tradition to have our family photos here every year.

Death By Chocolate

At the request of Stacy, I'm going to share this story about how much I looove chocolate!!!!

I was sick last week with this awful hacking cough that would not go away!! Last Thursday, I thought my cough was about over, but apparently it wasn't. Beefcake bought me some really good chocolates with caramel centers for our anniversary, so I was enjoying one. I was on the last bite, and I got an awful tickle in my throat and started coughing. It was so bad I was gagging and gasping for air all the while thinking, "I hope I don't have to spit this last bite of chocolate out before I can quit coughing!" (Just think -- gag, gasp, savor the bite. Gag, gasp, savor the bite). Luckily I didn't lose one bit!! That's what you call death by chocolate (almost anyway)!!!

A Northside Christmas

The Christmas program at our chuch was such a blessing. There was drama and lots of music. There was an intermission in between the two acts where we all joined in with Christmas songs. The play went through the nativity, the miracles, the crucifixion, and the resurrection of Jesus. I cried during the miracles and crucifixion. The most moving part to me was when the choir sang "Mary Did You Know?" by Mark Lowry.

I really love this song now, especially since I am a mother myself. She was in love with baby Jesus just like I am with Scamp, which brings about another point. What a horror for her to watch her Son be tortured and die on the cross for the sins of others, even her own sins. What courage, mercy, and grace God must have given her to be able to withstand that! I am thankful for Jesus' gift to me. He is truly the reason for Christmas.

Weekend Reflection

Scamp is saying so many new words, and her little voice alone is a blessing!

My sister-in-law, Beth, was a big blessing this week when she watched Scamp while I went to the doctor for being sick.

My church Christmas program is tonight, and I think it will bless the whole Christmas season.

Scamp and I had lunch with a dear friend, Judith. She is an inspiration to me with her ministry to young women.

Beefcake is outside in the cold right now changing the oil in my car. Thank you, Honey!

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Guitar Hero

We love the Guitar Hero 2 game for Play Station 2. We usually have a group of people come over for dinner and a little bit of Guitar on Thursday nights. But when it's just us, this is how Beefcake plays. Rock On!!!

Justified in His Sight

This poem is a testiment to God's love breaking through my chains of despair and lies about my self worth written in Break These Chains on my poerty blog. Sometimes, I do resort back to those lies, but I'm trusting that God will continue to make a way for me to see the truth. He loves and adores me and has made me justified. Like the book the Search for Significance says being justified is not just being forgiven, it's being made righteous and worthy of being in the presence of God. Jesus accomplished that as He died upon the cross for my sins. He took my sin as I took His righteousness and became blameless. God does not see my sin when He looks at me. He sees the righteousness Jesus has bestowed upon me. Righteousness as written in the American Heritage Dictionary is "morally upright; without guilt or sin." What a wonderful way to be viewed by God!

Justified in His Sight
God knows me intimately,
More than anyone else.
He is not deceived by my façade.
The one I created for myself.

He sees me through eyes of purity.
He sees me standing alone
With no covering of imperfection.
He knows me as His own.

He pulled me from the darkness
Helpless as a lamb.
He saved my very essence
From the hopeless Hell of man.

I have been made righteous.
I wear a robe of spotless white.
I carry my Father’s seal.
I am justified in His sight.

I know what Christ has accomplished.
His truth has set me free.
I will walk among the angels
In Christ’s home of victory.

But, I’m not in heaven yet.
There is a truth to be made known
To all those who seek Him
And want Him for their own.

Christ died upon the cross
He bore the sin of all.
He took what was my punishment
And freed me from the Fall.

He has come to give me life
And give it more abundantly.
He sees me as I am
And loves me just as He created me.
Shawna

More poems

Last Days of Fall:(

Weekend Reflection

I can't get the weekend reflection picture to show either.

Beefcake and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary last night. We had a wonderful dinner and saw Casino Royale at the movies (worth watching). The whole night was perfect, and we had a great week together, too. I love you, Honey!

My parents watched Scamp all night. I didn't really appreciate my parents as much as I do now that I have a daughter. They help us out so much with her.

I got a lot of Christmas shopping done Friday with my mom, sister, and grandmother. It's fun to go in a group, and they all watch Scamp while I shop some. She will not come to me when they're around!

Prayer is working wonders in my life. Thank you God, and thank you praying friends!

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