"Aunt" Stephanie

Stephanie is a teenage girl who is a member of the congregation we worship with. She has a hard time finding a ride to worship some days so Chris and I, often, pick her up and take her. She is a really great girl. She is very polite, fun, responsible, and was very excited when I told her I was pregnant with Hannah. Before Hannah was born she asked if Hannah could call her "Aunt" Stephanie. Of course we told her that she could. This summer "Aunt" Stephanie went to London and brought Hannah back a shirt. Isn't it cute!!!?

(London -- Isn't that where Oxford is? Wherever Oxford is that is where Aunt Stephanie went. I can't remember anything these days.)

"New" Car

Excuse me, Chris will correct me I meant to say truck... NOT car. We are now a 2 vehicle household again!! Yippeee!

Favorite Friday

When I married the most wonderful man in the world, I also got a great father-in-law who helped me to discover my favorite pen. I think that anyone who has to use a pen on a daily basis discovers they have a favorite. My favorite pens are the ones that my father-in-law gives me from the NC DOT. I can't get enough of them AND I always know who stole my pen at work because I am the only one with these.

When the Stokes lived with us this summer, Elizabeth told me that one of the boys said .. "they sure do have a lot of these orange pens." I have them EVERYWHERE!!!

Thanks Poppa Bob!

Thankful Thursday

#1
I am thankful for vacations. Chris, Hannah, and I leave for FL a week from today and will be there for over a week. We can't wait!! (This may be on my Thankful Thursday list next week too!)

#2
I am thankful for husbands who love and respect their wives. It is amazing the things that some men say at the work place when their wives are not around and they are talking to other men. I know that all men are not like this. I hate that the rotten couple of guys give the whole group a bad name. The men, however, who love and respect their wives, even when they are away from them are awesome!

#3
I am thankful for cell phones. I know that there are a lot of people out there who are using a cell phone for conversations and there are complaints about them being in schools and talking while driving and ringing in the work place and blah blah blah.... I know there are some bad things that have come along with cell phones but I really enjoy having one. It is nice to know these days that I can talk to people who don't live in my town and not have to worry about money. It is nice to I know when I am out if something happens on the road I can call Chris. It is nice to know that my husband can contact me anytime anywhere (as long as I hear it :-) ). I will say it. I like cell phones.

Saucy Italian Pork Chops

Yummy! We tried this new recipe tonight and Chris thinks it is his new favorite! It is Very Easy so I thought I would share. (This is obviously not a picture of mine. This is from the magazine I got it from.)



Ingredients

• 4 bone-in pork chops(1 1/2 lbs.)
  
• 1 pkg (16oz) frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 tsp dried oregano leaves
• 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
• 1 can (14 1/2 oz) Italian-style dices tomatoes, not drained
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat large skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat. Add chops and frozen veggies; cook 2 minutes or until bottoms of chops are browned. Turn chops over.

Sprinkle with oregano; drizzle with dressing. Cover with tomatoes. Bring to boil; cover. Reduce heat to low; simmer 12 minutes or until chops are cooked through; stirring occasionally.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Cooking suggests that you serve it on top of rice but we didn't. Chris says that it is so good you don't need the rice.

Five Factor Personality Profile

SO, I found another interesting quiz on Blogthings again. (Actually I saw it on someone else's blog) This is my Five Foctor Personality Profile. Kinda interesting. If you want to take the quiz I think you should. Just click on the title below. If you have a blog you should really post it so we can all see. It will be fun.


Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion:
You have medium extroversion.You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party.Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences.But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time."

Conscientiousness:
You have medium conscientiousness.You're generally good at balancing work and play.When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done.But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it.

Agreeableness:
You have high agreeableness.You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly.Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone.You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance.

Neuroticism:
You have low neuroticism.You are very emotionally stable and mentally together.Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly.Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure.

Openness to experience:
Your openness to new experiences is low.You're a pretty conservative person, and you favor what's socially acceptable.You think that change for novelty's sake is a very bad idea.While some may see this as boring, many see you as dependable and wise.

Interesting Article

I was telling the girls at game night last night about this neat article on why men and women laugh and why they laugh at different things. It is really interesting so I thought I would share. I would have shared last night but we had so much fun and I was so tired that I went straight to bed when I got home. Hope you enjoy!


Why Men and Women Laugh Out Loud
by Doug Colligan

What Does a Chicken Say?

Our Sunday Pictures

Yes, she has on her white sandals. It was hot. Thank you to everyone who said I could do that! he he he!

Favorite Friday

Yes, I am late once again!!! I am sorry. I will get it right soon!

This week's Favorite Friday is favorite laundry detergent. I don't know that I have a real favorite however, there is a good story about this. Chris and I tend to get the cheapest of something (anything) on a regular basis. My mom finally told us that we should really get a little bit better laundry detergent so our whites would look more white. She showed us what she uses and said we should think about it. Well, Chris went to the grocery store the next time we needed laundry detergent and got us Gain with bleach. This is great and we really like it. BUT, he got the powder, exactly like my Mom uses. My dad makes fun of her all the time for not using the liquid laundry detergent and now we don't either. Does anyone else use the powder?

The reason I think no one else does is because when you go to the grocery store to get some you have about an eighth of the isle to choose from for powder detergent and then the rest of the isle for liquid. (However, if you knew what a Laundry Queen my mother is, you would do whatever she does too! This is a compliment. I wish I was more like her in this manner... Chris wishes I was too.)

Thankful Thursday

#1
I am thankful for Infants Motrin and I feel that in the future I will also be thankful for Children's Motrin. When those stubborn teeth are coming in Motrin really helps Hannah out and makes her teacher's, Chris', and my life much easier(and quieter).

#2
I am thankful for that little pebble ice. Some people call it rabbit poop ice. You know the kind that is in the little oval balls. Anyway, after a crazy day and then you go out to eat somewhere and surprisingly they have it, it just makes my day better. I went up tonight and got a refill of ice. You can find this ice at Bar-B-Cutie, and Mo's Southwest Grill. This is also the kind of ice they have at the hospital when you are having a baby. I just loved it! The shape really does make a difference.

#3
I am thankful for my husband's ability to make our Hannah smile. We can be anywhere and he is willing to do anything (make funny faces, prance around with her on her shoulders, chase her around something, make funny noises, anything) to help get her to be happy. He is such a wonderful Daddy. I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband who is a wonderful daddy to Hannah.

Bath Time

Hannah loves her bath time. These are some recent bath pictures. No we do not have this big of a tub at home. This is from when we were in Atlanta. Look at how long her hair is!!

FYI

Going to the grocery store at 9pm is fun because you can really hear the 80s and 90s soft rock love songs that they play. I sang all thru the store tonight! It was fun.

In Case You Hadn't Noticed..

.. I like taking Sunday morning pictures. There is something fun about a Sunday morning when we are all happy and getting ready to worship God. This outfit is a 12 month and we thought we wouldn't get to wear it this season since it was also long sleeve but Sunday was just the right day. Perfect for a long sleeve but no tights. Chris and I just thought it was such a cute outfit!

I Have A Dream!

Ok, so don't laugh but I have always wanted to write a book. I imagine it to be an "inspirational" book for women about the scriptures.

This may help you to picture it better. Maybe I should say that I want to put together a book... Not write it.

I am in the training department where I work and I just did a training workshop for all of the managers in the department. The workshop was based on the book Monday Morning Leadership by David Cottrell. The book is about a man who was once successful at what he did but he has gotten into a slump and can's seem to get his head above water. He decides to call a successful man that was friends with his father that does consulting and see if he would be willing to help him. The man agrees to meet with and counsel him for 8 Monday mornings in a row. (Hence, the name of the book.) Anyway, the first thing the Successful Consulter tells the Struggling Man is that he is not unique and everyone has these tough times.

As I read and taught on this I realized that one of my weaknesses is that sometimes I feel that I am the only one who feels a certain way or is having a problem or struggle. I am actually probably not the only one.

One of my struggles is getting into the scriptures enough and then, when I do, understanding and doing what they say I should. It is hard sometimes to put into action or live every day to honor those words of our Lord.

All that to say, my dream of a book is to have a scripture and then simply put down different people's thoughts or struggles or successes with that scripture. I want to know if someone else has a hard time with a scripture and then I want to know those who don't, and the things they do to honor that scripture. I want to know a man's perspective of a scripture or what other women think and feel about it. I want to know if there is someone else out there who doesn't remember a certain verse that was there, and is shocked. I want to know what others think.

As I have been thinking of this and blogging I have been thinking of all the things we use blogs for. Some use them as a journal, some use them as a way to share pictures and videos with loved ones, some use them to get out their frustrations, some use them to show others what they think of what is going on in the world, some use them to share recipes, some use them to keep accountable of loosing weight.... I could probably go on and on. Why don't we all use it to look at the scriptures together?

Here is my thought. (I know we are all very busy.) I will start a blog and every Sunday I will put a verse or group of verses on there. I will make it available to EVERYONE to comment. (even if you don't have a Google account) Thruout the week I will, at least 2 or 3 times, write something else about that Sunday Scripture. For example, another verse that correlates with it, or a definiton of a word, or history about the scripture, or anything... Thruout the week we can all try to focus of the scripture. On Sunday you may want to comment about what your first reaction to the scripture is... "this is difficult" "I have tried to study this verse before but it is so hard" " I do ____ every day to help me to honor this verse" Whatever! And then as your week goes on and you reflect on it yourself and what I find, comment and tell us what you have done this week regarding the verse or what your studies on the verse have found... or whatever.

OK, I feel like I have made this sound long and complicated when I meant for it to be something easy and fun for all of us. I will start it and see what you think. If it doesn't work, I will do something else. This just could be a way to keep each other accountable for getting into the scriptures on a regular basis.

The blog is www.StudyingGodsWord.blogspot.com.

Favorite Friday

Sorry that I am late!!

School as started and so this week's Favorite Friday is Favorite Elementary School Teacher.

My favorite was my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Cathey. I remember that she always talked to us like we were people and not just little people. I remember that she did a great job of showing us that she loved us but also making sure we knew that she was the teacher and in charge of the class room. I loved math and she let me do some math with 4th graders because I was bored with the 3rd grade math. She was beautiful to me. She was so nice and kind. I think her and my mom got along also which always helps!

I still think of her sometimes and I kinda wish I could see how she is doing. It is funny how people can stand out to you and the reasons that they do.. even after 20 years.

Thankful Thursday

#1
My grandparents are in Ireland right now. They have been doing mission work there since I can remember. It makes them so happy to be there. Sometimes I think that if they had it their way they would take all the people they love here in the US, pack them in a suit case and take us all to Ireland to live. Anyway, I am thankful they were able to go this year. It has made them very happy.

#2
I am thankful for authors who write good love stories. It really helps me to have something for my me time.

#3
I am thankful for the photographer who takes Hannah's pictures, Julie. She is the best. She talks to me about what I want, she lets me get all kinds of pictures of Hannah and us, and she is flexible about when she can meet with us. I am looking at one of her photographers here in a frame on our desk. It is of our whole family. I just love it. I am so thankful she does it.

Another Complete!!

I have finished another book. I read a book that my Grandmom gave me from our book swap at our Family Gathering. It is called Finders Keepers by Catherine Palmer. This is yet another love story.

This is from a series of books that are "inspirational" which just means they may talk about God and it is rated G for the most part. This means anyone could read it! It was very good, I really liked it.

Next, I have decided to do something for work. That stinks. SO, for the next month I will be reading my AIC (Associate in Claims) Book. This is the first test I have taken to get my AIC. There are 4. I take my test on October 19th so anyone who sees me between now and then, please remind me to STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!!

I have 2 or 3 books waiting as my reward for when I have finished with the test and can read what I want again.

Wild Hair Day

This is how she was when we picked her up from school.
(No, I did not send her to school in a red shirt and pink flower shorts!)

This is how she went to worship tonight.
The bows didn't make it very long, though.

What Crayon Are You?

I went to blogthings.com tonight and found this quiz that tells you if you were a crayon, what color would you be. Here is what mine said.

You Are a Green Crayon
Your world is colored in harmonious, peaceful, natural colors.
While some may associate green with money, you are one of the least materialistic people around.
Comfort is important to you. You like to feel as relaxed as possible - and you try to make others feel at ease.
You're very happy with who you are, and it certainly shows!

Your color wheel opposite is red. Every time you feel grounded, a red person does their best to shake you.

Pretty interesting. Weird thing is that my dad really really hates the color green... hummm... Maybe this will change his mind! I think we should all do it. Go to BLOGTHINGS and take the quiz and let us know what color crayon you would be!!

Is it still true?

Is it still true that after Labor Day you can not wear white shoes?

If it is still true, does that include white sandals?

If it does include white sandals, does it include them even when it is hot?

I think Hannah would have been so much more comfortable on Sunday with sandals than those brown shoes because it was hot but all her sandals are white so I wasn't sure if it was OK for her to wear them...???

Favorite Friday

I know this is Monday. Sorry that I am so far behind.


My favorite cartoons growing up were the Smurfs and Alvin & The Chipmunks. Seriously, I did not look at Sara Jo's before I decided on this. Really!!


Mom, what do you remember me liking?

Seriously.....

... In just one short Saturday morning a little 14 month old girl can make this much of a mess? How can this be? I am not sure Stanley even knows what to do with this.








































Oh well, at least she is smiling. right?

Hannah's New Thing

So, when we were on the Marta in Atlanta there was a pretty young guy (I may even call him a kid) sitting in the seat across the aisle from us. He was NOT interested in anyone. He didn't look at anyone. He didn't want to have anything to do with anyone and would especially not entertain any children. Well, you know who Hannah wanted to look at, wave at, and talk to -- right? This Guy!

He found what he wanted to listen to on his CD player, slouched down in the seat, crossed his arms, and looked at the window. Hannah looked straight at him arched her back a little and crossed her arms very emphatically! It was hilarious. Chris and I tried not to laugh and tried to get her to look at someone else. We didn't want him to see her mocking him.

In the car later I sat with my arms crossed and I looked back at her in her seat and she was staring at me, and this picture shows what she was doing. Crossing her arms. She is mocking us, a lot. We have to be careful.

Just a Reminder

I am counting down the days!!

#1 New York Times bestseller Nicholas Sparks turns his unrivaled talents to a new tale about love found and lost, and the choices we hope we'll never have to make.

• The Choice,
  Available
  SEPT 24, 2007

THE CHOICE
(Available Sept. 24, 2007)

---

Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life -- boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies -- he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the appealing redhead seems to have a chip on her shoulder about him...and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn't help. Despite himself, Travis can't stop trying to ingratiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, The Choice ultimately confronts us with the most heartwrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?

Fun New Game

I have found a new game. It is called Seekado. It is a word search game but they don't give you the words, they only give you the name of the puzzle, the category. You also get 4 hints on the words so if you don't really know what they are meaning you could try to do the hint ones first and then you may be able to see more.

One of the coolest things about it is the at the top of the screen, you have your game and then at the bottom of the screen it searches the word on the internet that you found in your puzzle. The other day my puzzle name was "_____ Tape" so of course duct was one of the words I found. Well, when I found the word, the game searched it, and this is one of the pictures that came up..... Isn't it hilarious. I can't believe it. Give the game a try when you have a moment. It is fun.

Black and White

I see so many people have these beautiful black and white photos of their children and I wanted some so this weekend I tried to make a couple that I thought would be good in black and white. These are my artsy pictures... Don't make fun! I thought they turned out alright. (I didn't take all these pictures, Chris took one of them too.)

Go Braves!!!

On Sunday we went to a Braves game before heading home. We were very sad that they lost but I was very excited to see John Smoltz pitch and I was very excited that my hubby got me a John Smoltz t-shirt. Hannah did OK but the game time was right in the middle of her nap time and she would not fall asleep on the Marta on the way there so she and I were a little loony. She decided at the game that she wanted to be independent for a minute. We are really going to have to watch this girl!

Someone came up to us and asked if we wanted our picture taken for the fan pictures on their website and, of course, we said YES! so go the braves website and you should be able to find us under game day shots in gallery three for September 2,2007.

We were very lucky that Hannah liked being on Chris' shoulders. If she didn't then we would have both been worn out even more than we already were ... (I did mention we forgot to bring a stroller - right?)

The Bed

Final Stop for Saturday... The Bed! We were all exhausted.

The Varsity and The Pool

Second Stop .... The Varsity. This is one of the, if not THE, biggest hot-dog stands in the world. The Varsity holds a special place in my heart so we try to go there every time we go to Atlanta. This was Hannah's first experience and so, of course, she HAD to have a hot-dog and a hat.

Third Stop .... The Pool. After all that walking we did around Atlanta we had to go back to the hotel and get in the pool to cool off. Chris and I had not taken Hannah to the pool a lot lately and were a little worried that she may forget or not like it as much if we don't keep her familiar with it. To our delight, she still loves it and is still not afraid to stick her face in and blow bubbles. I think Chris is going to have her swimming by next summer... Well, maybe not that soon!