The topic of conversation around our house is...will it snow, will it snow, will it snow!  We certainly hope so.  It is well documented that Justin and I love the snow and don't mind all of the cold weather.  It usually brings amazing fires and lots of snuggling around our house.  No complaints from me.  According to the two weather notices that I've received via TXT from FoxNews states that the snow could begin tomorrow afternoon and go through the evening.  Yahoo!  Who knows what will ACTUALLY happen because it can go either way around here. 

These James lessons continue to really speak to me so much.  James will seriously make you check yourself when it comes to what kind of life you are living.   The lesson and topic of selfishness has surfaced in my life in so many ways.  It is so difficult to first realize {and admit} how selfish that I really am.  In that realization, it is hard to actually say the words out loud and confess and repent of being self consumed.  Part of true repentance is turning away completely and going in the opposite direction.  There is an internal struggle of HOW I become less selfish and walk more closely on that path so that I can truly receive the abundant life that God so desires for us.  This world we live in screams selfishness and that we must do what is best for me and live how I want to live and I should get what I want.  The reality is that God's will is not that....matter of fact according to James if we love the world we are an enemy of God.  He continues to say (v.7)"submit yourselves" and that is the answer to my how do I be a less selfish person.  James also tells us that if we (v.8)"come near to God He will come near to you."  People there it is...we don't have to go all the way.  God is there to meet us and walk beside us, carry us, protect and rescue us.  Isn't that just amazingly peaceful.  So, I struggle daily with surrendering to Him my selfish ways and the more that I think about it and realize what my thoughts are and certainly what comes out of my mouth...It is quite humbling to see just how often I have to surrender and confess of my selfishness.  I really feel God moving and speaking to me in a great way right now in my life.  So much to still learn and I can't wait to see who He continues to mold me into, all for His glory.  So that He can be the source of my joy!

Masterpiece....created on my floor

Total change of subject - Collier enjoys coloring.  This afternoon I caught him coloring our FLOOR.  Yes, right on the hardwood floor.  Apparently he prefers black floor rather than brown.  Yikes.  We'll continue to work on crayon's are ONLY for paper.  I'll have to share soon all of his new words.  I love hearing him say words on his own, is simply melts my heart!

Hope that you are somewhere that you will see some snow flurries.  Stay tuned and I'll let you know for sure what happens here.  I hope that you are staying warm weather you have snow or no snow!  And praying that God can be the source of your joy!

Seventh Annual Butt-Off

This is a serious annual event for us every year.  Justin and Poe started it as a little competition among friends on who could cook the best Boston Butt...but it has evolved into a huge party/event for who can win the much coveted trophy.  This year Poe took it away AGAIN.  I think it is three or four in a row for him and it was a total run away this year!  I will say that the competition was tough because all of them were delicious so  picking a favorite was hard to do.  In addition to the trophy and bragging rights for the best Butt we also award the worst Butt.  It was also sadly a run away...thankfully NOT awarded to my husband. Justin was crushed that he didn't get more votes than he did and I think will result in some tweaking to his recipe through the year this year!  We shall see.  It was a fun day filled with yummy food, amazing friends and lots of laughter...Oh yeah and and a Super Bowl.

Meet Bertha - Justin's cooker

It's so official we have t-shirt and they are always the coolest ever!!

Meet the 2011 Cooks

These were the 'runners' so that no know knew who's butt is who's....

They were kind enough to give their best camera presentation faces!  Aren't they such great sports.

Awaiting Judgement

 

Judging....

Reading of the ballots

THE BEST BUTT.....

THE WORST BUTT....

Yes, the worst is award the toilet seat trophy.  There is pride in holding this 'throne'! 

Brain Dump

Serious Bed Head

Gosh to be in Alabama and have so much ice, snow and freezing rain is simply amazing.  Thursday we had another sweep of ice problems.  I don't think that anyone was prepared for it this time.   The temperatures didn't quite get as high as predicted, actually never got above freezing.  I over heard people complaining about it and how in Alabama we aren't supposed to have so many issues!  Geesh, people enjoy the change!!! I certainly do! After all, we don't have half of what the mid-west is dealing with so I'll just enjoy what we have.  Yesterday morning we had tiny little flurries but of course nothing substantial.   Although we have had lots of cloudy days so the sun shining today is quite a relief.  There is a small chance that we might get some snow this week...we'll just have to wait and see.  Justin and I are both hopefully for as many flurries as we can possibly get.


Mom kept Collier at our house on Thursday.  When I got home she had folded all of my laundry.  Vacuumed the floors and did quite a bit of straightening.   Gosh how wonderful is that?  Not only did she keep my little munchkin but also was a huge help with my house chores!  Nothing is more helpful and certainly greatly appreciated!  Thanks Mom!  You have no idea how nice it was to have your help!


Friday, Collier and I got to go and visit with some sweet friends that we don't see often enough.  It was good and fun to catch up and visit with them.  Having friends who share their love with you no matter your situation is so satisfying.  No matter if you have on the latest trends or old clothes because you couldn't figure out what else to wear.  Or the friends that can come into your house when you haven't cleaned and not think anything less of you!  It sure is nice to have those friends.  Lindsey and Hunter came over last night for dinner and I tell her this all the time....the only reason that I don't mind them coming to my house is because I know that they love me for me and not because of how clean {or messy} my house is. 

I am sort of embarrassed to admit this, but I just took down my Christmas village this weekend.   As Justin was making our fire on Friday night he made clear that he would be perfectly happy if I left it up all year long.  Needless to say I decided to take it down and reclaim my mantel as it should be.  As I put it away Justin also felt the need to remind me that it would only be 9 months before I was putting it back out!  I will admit that I do love Christmas village and I have enjoyed it and intentionally left it up this long because I did want us to enjoy it longer than just the month of  December.   Collier enjoyed plugging it in every morning and seeing the lights in the village.   But I also decided that having Valentines decorations out at the same time as Christmas village that maybe, just maybe, it was time to take down the village.  Now trying to remember what all goes on the mantel! 

Collier is also starting to use his imagination.  Oh it is so neat to watch them learn and discover.  Friday night he was playing with his blocks.  His blocks have pictures of various things on them and on each side is either a number or letter and on other sides it is something related to the number or letter.  On this one block it had 8 stars and he pretended that he was picking one off and giving it to me, and then to Justin!  It was the first time that I saw him actually pretend.  He is saying and doing so much.  Just this morning he has colored, played under the dining room table and is now playing with a flash light.  He is also throwing the 'bawl' with Brink Brink.  He tells her to 'pop' {drop} the bawl as he stomps his foot at her,  and then grabs it and throws it again. Last night ABC Family played both Toy Stories and so I recorded them and we're {I am}watching them as we {Collier} are playing.  I just love Toy Story...can you tell?

Ok, I've got to go and vacuum and shower before Collier's nap time.  I know that most people would wait until their child goes down for nap time.  But I just mentioned that I was going to vacuum and he started jumping up and down squealing in delight.   Today is the Annual Butt-Off.  So stay tuned for pictures of our day and the results of who cooked the best butt!  Justin has had 'Bertha' smok'n since about 7am this morning.

James

We are studying James this semester in CBS.  This weeks lesson was on our tongue and the power that our words have.  According to James 3, our words are evil and cause destruction and will corrupt our entire body.  Kelly (She is our CBS leader and is the greatest bible teacher that I know, she is amazing and teaches in a way that always seems to speak to me) had a few very good points last night that really caught my attention {with some of my added understanding}:

• Once we speak a harsh or unkind word, it is out and we can never take it back.  Thankfully we have a merciful God who will forgive if we can identify and confess our sins.  But think of the hurt that you may cause another.  There are times that we must turn our thoughts toward Godly things instead of our own situation.  If we are allowing God to be in control, including our words, then we can know that we will reflect Him - pure, peace-loving and gentle - instead of our own wicked ways. 
• It is not just words that we speak, but also our thoughts...they are just as bad even if we don't say it out loud - We must 'take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ' 2Cor.10:5b.  Sometime I think an ugly thought and quickly question myself of why I would even think such a thing, I must immediately ask God for forgiveness and allow Him to fill my thoughts and especially my heart!
• What we speak is just an overflow of the heart.  Kelly likes to remind us that we often time use cover words such as 'hurt feelings', 'upset', 'frustrated' that if we get to the bottom of we will see that it is anger.  Anger is a sin that will fester and grow inside of us - it is strictly from Satan.  When something happens and the anger rises in us it just spills right out of our mouth.  We must identify the anger, repent of it and surrender to God that we want His thoughts to be our thoughts.   One thing that jumped out at me was she said that no one can make us angry, it is what is already in our heart!!! YIKES. 

The funny thing is that we covered this same lesson just a few months ago in 1 Peter!  Don't you love when God wants to drive home a point to you?  :)  

I am personally trying to improve with the words that I speak and even more how I speak the words that I do say.  I work with some people who are not believers and I think of my reaction to certain situations and know that if God were fully in control I would have a different/better response.  I want to be different and sometimes I just react and follow in the ways that others are.  I also am paying close attention to my words and actions as a wife and mom.  To be less selfish and more aware of the needs of my men.   God gives us forgiveness, mercy, love, peace, comfort and the list goes on and on....the very least that I can do is to turn around and give all of this to others...but especially my family. 

Father God, please forgive me for the unkind and evil thoughts that are in my heart and mind.  Fill me with your ways so that I am a better reflection of You.  I yearn to be completely inside of Your will, keeping my eyes straight on Your path; guide me Father.   I want to live a life that is pleasing to You so that I may be a light in the darkness of this world and I can only do this with Your help.  I fall short every day, but take comfort that You are my source.  Thank you God for being the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Even when I am not faithful You are, praise be to You.  In Christ Jesus.  Amen. 

Weekend Dids and Did Nots

I did spend the weekend with my sweet little munchkin - who is thankfully doing and feeling better.  We did end up going to the Doctor last week (Thursday) because of his cough, but the Doctor said nothing was of concern and that he felt it was sinus.
I did not have my husband here - instead he went hunting.  I did miss him and am very glad to have him home.

I did get laundry started
I did not get the laundry folded - and after Justin got home and unpacked our dirty clothes basket is full again and it looks like I didn't do laundry at all....except the two full baskets of clean clothes waiting to be folded.  I surrender!  It impossible to get caught up.

I did watch Toy Story 3 (at last) - I did this Friday night since Collier went to bed so early and I didn't feel like doing all that I 'needed' to get done.  I did what I WANTED to do instead.  Veg on the couch and watch Toy Story.
I didn't get the laundry folded :)



Eating the sticker we got from the birthday party....

I did attend a birthday party - Collier and I did...It was a Handy Many Birthday party for Jackson and it was so much fun.  It was perfect for CH plus it tired him out and got him good and ready for his afternoon nap!
I didn't take a nap like I wanted while he was napping...In stead

I did start painting my last two cabinet door's - One needs just one more coat and I can say I am ALMOST done and ALMOST really excited...except
I didn't get a counter top decided on - that should actually read WE didn't. 

I did make two bib's this weekend - All of the bibs that I have are just not big enough to cover the area of destruction that CH creates when he eats.  Well come to think of it these bib's won't either because frankly I would need a sheet sized bib to cover the mess that he makes.  But these are bigger than what he has and I think that they turned out cute.  I plan to make more!

I did vacuum -Collier and I vacuumed TWICE this weekend.  He loves it and I have decided that I should do this at least twice a week to get Brinkley's hair and Collier's crumbs up off the floor!

I also got a little bit of time with Lindsey - She came to visit with Collier and I and I was so glad to have some time to catch up and visit...as much as you can with a wild and crazy toddler.

I did love the weather - we had awesome and beautiful weather - highs in the low - mid 60's and lows in the upper 40's.  Friday CH and I went to the park and let him run off some energy.  We spent a lot of the weekend outside in the back yard; throwing the ball with Brinkley, hitting the baseball, jumping, digging in the dirt, swinging and we even at lunch outside. 



learning to sit on our knee's



I didn't want the weekend to end. 

Catch up

I am curious, is anyone else doing Beth Moore's memory verses this year?  My mom is also doing it, but was wondering if any of you are participating?  Plus I think it would be loads of fun to attend her meeting next January with a group of friends {and family..Mom}.

Last week, Collier was invited to the sweetest birthday party ever...Ms. Hayes turned 2 and it was really so much fun.  Mother Goose came and entertained with songs and dancing.  Collier did really well with her, I wasn't really sure how he would do but he participated better than I thought that he would.  Amy and Nathan did a great job in making it so special for Hayes and fun for everyone else! 

Friday, Mom kept collier for a little while and I used a gift card that Justin had won to get a massage.  Boy was it needed and I was really glad that I took the time to get all of the knots of steel worked out of my neck.  When the massage therapist feels bad for you, you know its bad.  I carry all of  my stress in my shoulders and neck area.  After an hour of just working shoulder, neck and back I was feeling much better.  I love a good massage!

I had a first on Friday afternoon. Collier wanted to outside and for some reason I couldn't get warm and needed a few minutes to warm up inside. So, I sent Collier out into the back yard with Brinkley.  Alone.   He played out there with her for about 30 minutes. I have tried this before and he just wants someone out there with him, who can blame him. But as I sat and watched him {in the warm house} playing outside I had very mixed emotions. A little bit of guilt for not being outside to play and soak up every second that I have with this sweet precious child but also a little bit of relief of independent playing on his behalf. Do you know what I mean? In reading the book 'Parenting by the Book' John Rosemond talks about the stage in a child's life when the parents need to STOP doing everything (serving) for the child and let the child learn independence and even responsibility...Transitioning from the 'season of servicing' to the 'season of leadership and authority'.  It was hard but rewarding to see him being so content outside without me right beside him. 

In case you don't know....we do have a fenced in backyard and I watched through the window the entire time! 

Saturday we had some more time outside {me too this time} and it was so much fun. He has learned how to jump, with both feet. I have a slightly raised flowerbed that he realized that he could jump off of. It was really so funny watching him jump and fall and get right back up and do it again. Watching as he would get his balance and stand right on the edge (the drop is about 4 inches) trying to get both of his feet off of the ground as he jumped off. It was very funny. He loves to throw the ball with Brinkley, too bad she doesn't exactly mind when it comes to playing with the tennis balls. She is very obsessive with it and at times a little rough with Collier. He doesn't seem to care - unless she knocks him down and then he is NOT happy. But I do LOVE to see them play together. Since it was a little warmer, Collier also got to swing and he just loves his time in the swing.  He really is becoming such a big boy and I love watching him develop and grow and learn and explore.  It is truly a joy of being a mom and there is nothing that is as good as being a mom!

Sunday was good, we didn't make it to church like we had planned.  Maybe that was good because Collier has developed a small cough and we want to be extra sure that it doesn't get worse.  Dad and Justin worked in the kitchen hanging shelves on Sunday afternoon.  We are so close to getting our kitchen completed.  We basically just need to decide on counter tops and we're set.  I didn't really know that process would be as difficult as it has been - so many options!  I really hope to at least have a decision on which direction we are going to go in by the end of this week.  Dad and Justin did great putting up the shelves and I can not wait to organize and figure out what I going to put on them.  We may actually get our guest bed back soon....right now it is COVERED with cookbooks and kitchen stuff that has been there since October when we started working on this kitchen.  I will eventually do a before and after of the kitchen.  I can't wait to have it completed. 

Because of Collier's cough and runny nose I decided not to take him to bible study last night.  Mom called me around 4:15 and said that she had put him down at 3:00 for a nap and he was still asleep.  So I went to Mom's so that she could get to bible study.  Well 7:00 rolled around and he was still asleep.  I went up to check (three different times) on him and he stirred but never really woke up.  Poor little man, he must be trying to sleep of whatever it is that has crept into his little system.  I am just praying that God will make him feel all better.  I ended up leaving him with Mom and Dad for the night.  {feeling slightly guilty again} but also knowing that it would be better to let him sleep it off rather than waking him up and him crying the entire time...which has happened before.  The saying "Don't wake a sleeping baby" does have real meaning.  I just talked to Mom and Collier finally woke up at 5:30am with a little coughing and no runny nose.  Sleeping is sometimes the very BEST medicine...in Collier's case 14 hours worth.  I am so thankful to have Mom and Dad here in town and so close to us, and especially that Mom is willing, wanting and able to keep Collier for me as I work.  It is such a true blessing and I appreciate it so much.  Mom and Dad - THANK YOU FROM THE VERY BOTTOM OF MY HEART.  You are so much appreciated for all of your time and love that you pour out to Collier and us!  love you!

Siesta - Memory Verses

Do you read Beth Moore's blog?  If so, then you are also a Siesta {aka sister}!  I love Beth's blog for so many reasons but mostly because she is ON FIRE for the Lord plus she is funny and her words just make me want to jump into God's word and grow closer to Him!  She is doing a year of memory verses through her blog for her readers to participate in...memorizing two verses per month for an entire year.  I don't know scripture like I should and like I want to.  This is my first step in doing something about that so His word is written in/on my heart.   So, on the first and fifteen of each month I will add a verse to her blog post (along with about 8000 other ladies) and commit God's word to my heart and mind.  I will probably be sharing my memory verses with you along the way.  I was a little nervous and I was somewhat hesitant to actually do this.  I am not the smartest person nor do I have the best memory.  But I know that when God lays His hand on what I do... there is more potential then I could ever imagine.  I am trusting in Him and leaning heavy that He will give me the knowledge and memory that I need.  In 2012 Beth will have a meeting in Dallas {that I hope to be able to attend}and we will recite all 24 verses to each other!  Oh my goodness, that make me nervous to even think about.  Again....Lord, I need your help and am trusting in You!! January 1st, I started memorizing Acts 20:24 and I love the fact that only 17 days ago I had written it down and now it is committed to memory. 

I can't wait to see the verses that God lays on my heart and also what He has in store for me over the next year as I work to know and grow in His word.

Saturday I began my 2nd memory verse:  Zephaniah 3:17
"For the LORD your God is living among you.  He is a might savior.  He will take delight in you with gladness.  With His love, He will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

On a totally different note, Collier loves Cedermont Kids Video's (if you have young children I HIGHLY recommend these..although consider yourself warned.  Be prepared to hear them a million times over and over and over)  Although we do listen to them OFTEN, at least the songs are positive and I don't mind him learning and listening them.  Collier knows the order of the video (Justin and I do too) because we have watched and heard it so many times.  Collier's favorite is  the Lord's Army song and he marches around the den pointing to the TV when he wants us to put it on.   If it was up to him we would just put it on repeat and play over and over and he will probably stay glued to the TV...but that would be Chinese torture for Justin and I!



He cracks me up...at the end I wanted him to show his new boots...he normally will put one foot out on his heal to show off his boots and it is so funny.  But when he realized I had the video camera he wanted to see himself on the video camera. 

Baby Emory

Last weekend {before the ice storm} we went to Atlanta to visit Justin's brother and his wife!  They welcomed their first little baby on New Year's Eve...Baby Emory Louise arrived at 11:00pm.  She is perfect and simply beautiful.  Adjusting to being parents for the first time is so overwhelming and hard to take in.  So much change so quick, even though we do have 9 months to prepare it is still a bit of a shock when it actually happens.  But these two new parents are doing awesome!  I loved to see Ryan look at that sweet baby and smile.  You just can't help it; the love that over flows at looking at your own child is just something that is mind-boggeling! Really words don't describe it.

We were glad to meet that sweet baby girl and I wish that I could have brought her home with me.  She is doing great and sleeping good for Mommy and Daddy.   Collier really didn't pay her any attention.  Once she is a little older and certainly once she gets on the move it will probably be a whole new story.  Collier now has three GIRL cousin's, which should make for very interesting family gatherings as we get older! 

Snow and Ice

 As I type this it is snowing again - tiny little flakes.  Sweet snow!  We love it and just simply don't get it often enough.  Weather was predicted for us to get 3-6 inches of snow Sunday night into early Monday morning.  We were thrilled.  Justin pulled out all of his snow gear and split all of our firewood to be sure that we were well stocked, we were certainly prepared.  The sleet began Sunday evening but it never actually turned to snow and soooo we ended up with a lot of ice.  Ice covered everything and it was very slick - not quite as much fun as the snow idea.  Don't work or work from home was the plan on Monday due to all of the ice and dangerous road conditions!  By Monday afternoon we had cabin fever and needed to get a busy little toddler OUT of the house.  We ventured out for a little while into the cold, brrr!  Our neighbor's kids were sledding  down every hill they could find,  Collier loved watching them and then wanted in on the action.  We let him ride it..well I just pushed him across the yard.  He didn't exactly want to get off but the older girls were gracious enough to take a break for him to ride.  Mrs. Sommer took him down the hill on the sled.  I'm not sure if he liked it or not, he didn't cry just wanted Mommy when he got off!  Sort of funny.  I didn't have my camera, so no pictures of all the sledding fun.  We also spent some time in the back yard with Brinkely and Collier thought it was really funny that Brinkley would eat the ice.  One of our neighbors taught him to ball up the ice and throw it...He of course liked that! 

Collier clearly didn't like Justin putting his ski goggles on him....



It took Justin quite a bit of time to get all of the ice off my windshield.  It is still caked on the sides of my car



I loved this....a perfect ice mold of the leaves



We really wished we had more snow and a little less ice...maybe next time.

Tuesday brought more of the same.....patches of tiny snow flurries, freezing temperatures and very little sunshine.  The roads were much better and at least drivable.  I stayed at home and got a bit of work done and ended up keeping Collier with me all day.  I had planned to take him to Mom's for a few hours but just didn't feel like getting in the car.  Although we did make a quick pit stop at Mom's and then went to the grocery late in the afternoon but that was partly because we needed to just get out of the house for a little while.  Justin has kept a constant and perfect fire for the past several days and I am happy to have a man who is so dedicated and good at building fires.  I love it!! Collier and Brink have had their share of enjoying it as well.  Bad news is that we're low on firewood and tonight the low is somewhere around 14!

Today I am back to work and I am missing both of my men.  I have so much enjoyed the extra time at home with them!  Even though the ice is working hard to melt and the sun is trying to peek through the clouds, I have seen more snow flurries today than the past three days...strange!  But, it has officially stopped snowing and I do see rays of sun shining through the tree's outside my office.  Back to a normal schedule and routine. 

War Eagle Baby

I am so proud of those Auburn Tigers.  It was a tough fight and Justin warned me that it would be, but it was well worth it.  I am so proud to be an Auburn Tiger and to FINALLY see them win a National Championship Title.  I love it and am glad to be part of this Auburn Family!

War Eagle.


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