Snow Day

Nationwide was on my side this morning. Work was called off! Definate A+ in my book. The downfall is we can't go outside and we have to keep a 2 year old occupied during the day.

We started off by making waffles! They were amazing! Whip cream and strawberries for toppings! We all had a nice cup of cocoa also.

We then had a little fun and made a ginger bread train! It came out of a box but it was still a load of fun and it kept Jake busy for 2 and half hours!

 

All done!

We then made cut out ornaments tags for gifts!

We did eventually make it outside for a bit

 

He loved the snow

Her, not so much

All in all in was a pretty good family day off! Now, I would like the temperature to raise up to the 40's!

Let the Holidays begin!

Oh the weather outside is frightful

Snow.

Snow..

Snow...

more Snow....

We have been hit with the "storm of the century." That is per the weather experts! It has also been labeled by the weather channel as "vicious and unforgiving." I would like to say, driving...it is just horrific. A friend of mine felt guilty for not coming in to work today...I applaud them! These conditions are not worth cubicle life. I left early today but then we got out at 2:30! It still took me an hour to get home! Good grief! It was the most stressful I think I have ever been in the car. I witnessed people sliding off the road. That alone is heartbreaking. I did see someone slide with style into a pole. Again, pulled on the heart strings. Not to mention the numerous cars that were already in the ditch, on the side of the road or facing a completely different direction. I white knuckled it most of the way. When I got to that lovely stretch of Meredith...I just wanted to close my eyes and pray my car would make it! I love not being plowed! Makes my life. Here is a photo of what the main street aka Meredith looked like. 4LO was used to get home at this point!

Not Cool!

As someone who use to drive a compact car and now has an SUV, I would like to say to the people who think they own the road...look out for the little guys! Be considerate for your fellow drivers! Here are a few tips.

1) Turn your lights on. I don't care if it's cloudy, it's snowing, turn on your lights

2) Please clean off your front AND your back windows. I do not understand how you can drive "safely" with just your windshield cleaned off and none of your side or back windows cleaned off. You can't see me.

3) While I am at cleaning your car off. Clean the "poof" off. Cars do not need bump-its! They blow off on the interstate and I do not like having to dodge huge chunks of snow/ice as they fly off your car!

4) Be considerate for the people around you. Little cars can be intimidated by SUVS and Semi's. Something I have always done, is if you are in two lanes that turn, let the little car turn first. It keeps them less nervous and if they slide or you slide, you won't slide into one another.

5) Try not to fly by people. No matter what size vehicle they or you have. When you fly by everyone on the interstate going 75 when everyone else is going 55, one, you look like an idiot. Two, you spray all sorts of crap up on everyone.  Three, I will not feel that bad for you if I see you on the side of the road a mile down.

6) Stay away! The rule is what, 3 car lengths in normal conditions? Double that in snow! Do not tailgate me. I had someone tailgate me all the way in on Tuesday and I was not a happy camper. Not only then I am watching out for my car, I am now watching out for yours. I do not want your car to become BFF's with my bumper!

I have a few more but these were my main requests! Now if the snow would just be done and it would maybe go up to 35 degrees!! 0's!! We are in the 0's tomorrow! Crossing my fingers that we get out of work!! Be on Our Side Nationwide!! Be On Our Side!

Even when you fall sometimes

If this doesn't make sense, I am sorry ahead of time.

How do you turn something around that you can't really fix? What if, no matter what you do, someone always remains the same. Even when you try and show them their ways may be a little out there. I am not one to try and make someone act or behave differently, but there are some times that it's taken to far. Things are done and said that never should be. You can't ever take them back, they are there, burned into the soul of the other person. Especially when you have hurt them over and over. I am by no means perfect, but I at least will take criticism and try to change. How do you tell that person, who is scorned and bruised, from the other side, that it's okay? How can you show them, prove to them, that no matter how they handle the situation or how they "fix" it, you are behind them. Everyone has a breaking point. What would you do if you reached your breaking point more then once a week? Maybe once a day? I can't even think of it. But then again, I can. No one deserves to be treated like this. I sit here, I think about maybe people who have hurt me in the past, I would never wish this upon them. To me, there is something really wrong. God put us on this earth to praise Him and be servants to Him. Not to be servants to others. Don't you think that God would also want you to be happy? If you were in a situation, where you were not happy, had no where to go and not very many people to turn to about it, what would you to change? Here is where the whole "Christian Like" thing comes into play. I do believe we have commandments to obey and some things are just common sense but again, what if it's honestly the best fix for everything? What if something that could be wrong in some people's eyes, could be the right thing? To me, being frustrated with life, isn't something you should take lightly.Especially when health comes into play. Even if you end up with nothing, you can always start over. I wish I could express how I feel better. It's just that, this person, I love you. I am behind you in everything you do and I will support you in everything you choose to do in the future. I just want you to be happy and enjoy your life. I know who you really are and I love when that side of you shows! 

Anyways, so to wrap up this week. I do feel like I have been put to the test a few times this week. I also feel that I passed. Lol. The week has been all over the place and I am really just ready to stick my head up and move on.

Weekend - Where does time go? I swear, the weekends just fly by! Friday, I don't even remember. Oh, yeah, Christmas shopping!! I think we checked almost everyone off the list!! We only have 2 people left! =) Such a relief! I even managed to get a few of Michael's birthday gifts with out him knowing! That is good!

Saturday. I didn't spend much time at home. I woke up early and headed up to SC with my parents. It was good to spend time with my grandparents! Normally I have an energetic 2 year old with me. It was nice to spend time talking and especially talking with my dad! That will never get old. He will always be my sun in a stormy day! We went a little over in the time we were suppose to be there. Sorry Mikey! It was a good trip!

Today. We went to church, went grocery shopping and then just hung around here. We have been extremely tired this week and we just needed a mental health day. I'm getting sucked into Falala Lifetime and all the movies on the Hallmark channel and Fox Family! I'm such a sap but they usually have adorable endings and leave you with smiles! It's also snowing! Lets hope it slows down and I can drive tomorrow! =) That is the only thing I do not like about snow!

Well off to get a few more things done before this head hits the pillow and zonks out! To keep it going, I heard this song 3 times on the radio during the work week and then twice this weekend. It really sums up this past week.

That's What Faith Can Do

*Kutless*

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise 

I am seeing a trend

Ironic. I am not sure. I was reading "Death by Love" last night and it had a reference to Matt. 15:17-20. For some reason I noticed that my new Bible has what Jesus speaks in red. I have only had this Bible for 6 months and only read it at least 4 times a week. Goodness Sarah. I realized though, that when I read a passage with Red letters, I tend to read it more then once and take it in a completely different way. I believe that I take more notice because it's words coming directly from His mouth. I also feel like, sometimes, He is saying them to me directly. Yes, yes I know He is and that is the point but, sometimes I feel like he is starring at me saying "Hello, get it?" Back to my "Woah" moment, again, I came into work, turned on my computer, logged into my phone and turned on my iPod. I am still in my "Love" playlist. Two songs in I came upon "Red Letters" by DC Talk. I sat there for a short moment and couldn't believe how the night before I sat there, dwelling on the fact I took these Red letters differently. This song completely wrapped up what I was feeling. The best part, I kept bugging Michael last night, trying to remember this song. I guess it was meant to be.

Red Letters

Pages filled with a holy message
Sealed with a kiss from heaven
On a scroll long ago
Phrases, words that were bound together
Now have the power to sever
Like a sword evermore

Heed the words divinely spoken
May your restless heart be broken
Let the supernatural take hold

(chorus)
There is love in the red letters
There is truth in the red letters
There is hope for the hopeless
Peace and forgiveness
There is life in the red letters
In the red letters

One man came to reveal a mystery
Changing the course of history
Made the claim He was God
Ageless, born of a virgin Mary
Spoke with a voice that carried through the years
It's persevered

Heed the words divinely spoken
May your restless heart be broken
Let the supernatural take hold

What You say moves me, revelation, come and take me
The more I look [the more I look] the more I see [the more I see]
The Word of God [the Word Of God] is what I need

Oh yeah, oh yeah
Yeah, it's the book of love
Yeah, yeah, yeah
It's the book of love
That moves

Speak to me, breathe in me new life

Let Him in your heart

There will be a day...

As a normal start of my day, I turned on my computer at work, logged into my phone, and turned on my iPod. I was listening to my iPod and this song was in my "Love" playlist. I have about 200 songs that I can never get sick of. I have been jamming out to holiday music lately but it was just one of those days today.

This song came on and I had to listen to it twice. It brought me to tears in my cubicle world. Always a pretty embarrassing moment because someone usually busts you! Of course with my luck, I did get caught. I just said my eyes hurt from being away from the lovely florescent lighting for 5 days. So the 2nd part of this year has been a tough one for our family.  We have been through so much, on both sides. Why does it seem that when you are hit with the bad, you never look for the good? We always seem to find more of the bad. God did say He will never give us more than we can handle. I need to focus of that. Things happen. People pass away, friends change, jobs are lost, finances may overwhelm, but it's not anything we can't live through. One thing I do need to remember for myself, personally, is that my human life, my life on earth, is short. Yes 100 years (if you live to be that long) seems to be a long time if you look at it through a looking glass. Once you pull away, and see the whole picture, it's a very short time. I need to focus more on my forever, not just my earthly life. There will be a day, when the things of this earth will seem so small. There will be a day when there will be no worries and no pain. Until then, I need to remember, better is one day in Your house, then thousands elsewhere.

There Will Be A Day

By: Jeremy Camp

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth,
that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

(Chorus)
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long
You feel you’re walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you’ve walked out all alone

Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

I can’t wait until that day where the very one I’ve lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery this is why this is why I sing

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day, He will wipe away the tears,
There will be a day.

There's no place like....hoooooooooome

We have made it home. No matter where you go or what you do, home is home. It's always nice to come home. We had a very successful trip home and a fantastic trip overall! It seems every trip we ever go on, I learn new things about myself and about the things that are important to me. On my way home, I compiled a list of these facts I have learned over the past few days:

1) You can always count on it being warmer down in Bella Vista, even if it's only 3 degrees, lucky for us it was 20 degrees!

2) No matter where you stay, the water pressure is non existent and hard as stone down there.

3) A sunrise or sunset will always amaze me and bring me closer to God

4) I am very fortunate to have a very well behaved child, I need to remember that

5) You can never throw a football too much, even when your arm is screaming out you, always keep going

6) My child will leave the house if no one is watching. Fantastic.

7) My husband is a stud! He makes my heart soar to places I never thought it would.

8) David gets me in more ways then anyone I know. I swear, it's his gift.

9) We need to really sit down and plan out baby #2, if there will be one, since both sisters are PG and asking

10) Jake and I are alike in more ways then I thought. It's me, but 25 years younger. Watch out.

11) It can never be too quiet.

12) If you turn on the GLEE soundtrack, your car will turn into karaoke 101.

13) Feeding the ducks will always be a favorite past time of mine, along with skipping rocks.

14) The boys (nephews and my son) are blessed with a very energetic "Papa" that is willing to wrestle with them and chase them around for hours

15) I can read 226 pages of a kids story book 4 times and survive. I have got Curious George down!

16) My child will never be a napper in the car, no matter how long the drive be.

17) Gerald's abs in 300 are better than I remembered or ever gave him credit for. Thank you!

18) Gigi, no matter what in her past, loves her family and would do anything for them. She is a very special woman.

19) I am very glad that Jake is not a messy eater. I think my gag reflux hit it's high peak this week

20) Arkansas Wal-Mart experiences could generate about 5 of those photo emails. It's called a mirror people.

21) Laying on a blanket, with the sun beaming on your face, will always be refreshing and should never be taken for granted.

22) I could spend my 401k on the "Twilight Saga" table at Barnes and Noble. (downfall again)

23) Angel food cake with vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries is a little taste of heaven.

24) Make sure to always check when Mizzou and Kansas play one another, traffic can be a pain in your backside in KC.

25) I missed my dogs, my cat and my house. But most of all, being the 26, almost 27 year old, married with a child woman I am, didn't realize how much I would miss my mommy and daddy!

Until next year, Arkansas 2010. We will have another Olsen on board, which will make it even more interesting! 

Yellow friday

Since it is black Friday, I am changing the name to Yellow Friday. Mostly because the sun was shinning bright, high in the sky all day long! 68 degrees and perfect!

We awoke early and the guys and myself headed out to brace the crowds. One bonus about Bella Vista, it's a retirement community so not too many people are out and about that early! We hit a few hot spots and made bank! We spent $150 at Old Navy and bought 27 items. What in the world?! That is some insanity! Everyone back at the house was trying to log onto Kohls.com, well the website was basically shut down. I felt bad for them! Sounds like they weren't the only people that could get online.

We spent the morning walking around the lake, feeding the ducks, reading out on the deck or dock. Just soaking up the sun. We headed to Gigi's for lunch. Good ole leftovers. After lunch we headed outside yet again. We hung Christmas lights for her and some of her neighbors. We picked up another few hours of throwing the football around. While some people napped, Jake and I sat outside on a blanket and read 215 pages of Curious George. It was so nice. He wanted to cuddle, hold my hand and read. I love that little boy. I am so blessed with him. He is honestly, one of the sweetest most well behaved children! After laying out in the sun, we played some games and had an early dinner. We said our goodbyes and game back to the house. I still can't believe we are already leaving tomorrow morning! This evening we have Laurel a break and are watching the boys. She is taking a trip to Target with her mom. I sort of feel bad because I got them down for bed by 8! Now, Michael, David, Andy and myself are watching 300! Lovely Thanksgiving weekend movie. Not really. Plus they are heading out to go see the Ninja Assassin movie at 10 tonight. Looks like I will be doing a lot of the driving tomorrow!

This has been a great mini vacation! The weather was amazing. More then I could ever hope for! The company was great and we had an amazing time together as a family! I give this trip an A+! Now if only David would get his papers graded!! =) I just let him read this line!