Love those funny bath pics!

Why I love him...a birthday tribute

Because he works hard to provide a good life for us...

Because he keeps me in check when I want to spend our money on stupid stuff...

Because he knows me well enough to know if I'll like or not like something...

Because we share a lot of the same feelings on things, thoughts, likes and dislikes, but also have enough not in common to balance each other out...

Because I can be my real self, I don't have to hide any part of myself from him...

Because we are both so silly and life is so much fun with him...

Because he tells me that certain songs remind him of me (like the one on here--it's our song)...

Because he's my hero; he stands for me and protects me...

Because he leads our family well and makes the hard decisions....decisions that I could never make...

Because I have never respected another man more than him...

And because he is a man that deserves my respect...

Because he truly cares for his family above all else and shows that he does...

Because he is a man that I can trust, depend on and have confidence in...

and even for the seemingly annoying things like...

the way he makes a silly face in every picture, so it takes 5 minutes to get a good photo. This bugs me so very much and he knows it, but I secretly love it because it's who he is.

how he rocks back in forth in bed like he did when he was a kid. This, too bugs me, but I so miss it when he's not there.

how he has to have something explained to him visually. I can NOT explain things visually, so sometimes it's hard to get my point across. It's frustrating but, I love it because it's part of who he is.

Babe, there are a million more reasons why I love you, our family and our life together, but I can't write them all. :) You are the man of my dreams, the love of my life and the adventure of a lifetime. I love you so very much and hope you have a wonderful birthday.

Happy 27th birthday, my love!!!

Shawn is ONE!

This past Saturday, Ross, Jude and I traveled the 70+ miles to Eads to celebrate Shawn's first birthday! Here are some pics from the event...

Shawn is a walking boy now! He needs to teach his cousin Jude how to walk...
Parents of the birthday boy
Shawn was rolled out on his plastic 4 wheeler

Yep, his mom made him wear that hat
Shoveling it in!
Mmm, yummy ice cream

Super awesome presents!
Post-swim
Jude and his Pap Paw

Pictures of the guests...





Pap Paw with the boys!
Awww, so sweet.

Happy 1st birthday Shawn!! We were so glad to be able to celebrate with him and our families. It was a super fun time!

Big boys get their hair cut

I took Jude to see Ms. Angela for his first haircut yesterday! He did so well, not crying or getting frustrated at all. All his curls were cut off (which I'm so sad about), but now he looks like a little boy and not like a trashy Arkansan with a mullet! :)

Before, all wild and shaggy...









After, all sleek and suave with Ms. Angela.

Books Galore

I go through times where I want to read a lot of Christian fiction, then times where I want to read regular fiction, sometimes I'm in a parenting book kind of mood, or sometimes I just want to read about a hobby, like knitting or digital photography. Needless to say, I love all types of books. The book store is my favorite store, hands down, and it doesn't really matter which one. I can get lost for hours in a book store. But, my absolute favorite type of book is a page turning, stay up late because you can't put it down fiction book. I love to escape my life for a bit, the laundry and housework and diaper changing part, and get wrapped up in someone else's story...even if it's not real in a sense. Although they're usually not true stories, it's very real to me. The characters become so real to me that I begin to actually care for them, as though they are people I know. Or I find myself thinking I wish I knew someone like _____ (enter character).

This novel was special. I saw it at Barnes & Noble on the shelf thinking that it looked ok and maybe I'd check to see if the library had it, since I didn't really have anything else to read at the time. Well, they had it and I began it, still not having high expectations. I have never really read The Left Behind series (Jenkins's most popular work), so I didn't know if this guy was any good or not. After finishing it, I will have to say that it is probably one of my most favorite books ever. It's one I will remember for a very long time...the kind that sticks with you. It's such an awesome, inspiring story, that I'm not even going to bore you with telling you what its about. Just go check it out for yourself and be forever changed by reading it. Whoever knew that a fiction book could have so much impact?


Currently I'm reading Harlan Coben's new novel, Long Lost, and I have to say, HC does not disappoint. His writing has that sarcastic, biting wit that keeps you entertained. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Go check that one out too, but there are others of his I would recommend first (otherwise this one won't be as enjoyable).






The books I have lying in wait are:
Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian
Midwives by Chris Bohjalian
The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian
The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker
The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner

Anyone read any of those and can offer any likes or dislikes? (yep, I know that's quite a long list of books...I am kind of a freak.)

Mac N Cheese and Pizza

Ok, how in the world am I supposed to lose weight when there are yummy foods out there, like this...


and this...

You see, I love these things. I actually crave them. Yet they are not healthy, not even a little bit. But I can't say no. So, I have both of these things at least once a week and afterwards, I always feel guilty. And then I hate the fact that I actually feel guilty! How do you health eaters do it?? I try to eat healthy, but I can only go so far before I start craving mac n cheese and pizza again...and it doesn't take long before I give into my cravings. I can only fight them off for so long. Has anyone else conquered this? (I'm also a little ashamed that I actually love mac n cheese as much as I do, ha)