Category Archives: Randomness

It Was Her Special Day.

John Henry was packing to spend the night with his Daddy Bryan.  Anna was sobbing to go with him.  She pulled her pink suitcase out of her closet and began shoving her clothes in.  Sure, that wasn’t heart-breaking.  Kris and I had already planned a date night out.  I began to question our decision to proceed with our evening knowing I had a little girl with a sad heart.

In steps Nan.  {My Mom.}

Who makes all things good.  Kind of like Jesus.  Just not exactly like Jesus.  But pretty dang close.

Nan assured Anna that she would have a special day. 

And a special day she did.

The heart-mending began with a manicure and pedicure.

Anna - pedicure wp

Nothing cures the blues like a little nail care.  Even if these are your color picks:

Anna - nails wp

Anna later acquired this loot from a little shopping with Nan:

Anna - loot wp

The hair salon diva  Barbie doll was unavailable for this photo op.  However, the loofah and watermelon made it in.  Seriously, who DOESN’T need a pink loofah?  And watermelon?  And cake? 

Thinking I have a sad heart coming on myself.

Oh, Nan!

9 Comments

Filed under disappointment, Kid Stuff, Randomness

The Slacker.

It’s no secret that I was rather slack yesterday – oh, and the day before – with my blog posting.  I could say that I’ve been busy traveling with my children.  Or, preoccupied convincing Anna that her hot pink socks really do not flatter her awesome silver tennis shoes.  Or, making sure John Henry has “Slow Ride” and “By Your Side” on his DSi for the plane ride.  Because, he is well-rounded like that. 

Or, recovering from Anna kicking me in the face with BOTH feet simultaneously in her sleep, because I failed to remember our last night sleeping together.  And, the many violent times before that one. 

But, it’s much more probable that my slothfulness is due to my self-inflicted sugar withdrawals.  One may try to argue that sugar slows the body down; thus, my energy levels should be soaring.  Physically?  Perhaps.  But, Junior Mints produce clarity of mind.  And, they make me happy.  And, isn’t that what really matters?

But, I am saying no to sugar.  For now.  It’s likely that I will fall off of the “Just Say No To Sugar Wagon” any day second now.  Because, I love it.  Luh-huv it.  However, I’m going to try my darndest to resist the urge to enjoy that dark chocolate with a creamy mint center or those delightful, chewy Sour Patch Kids.  Just for a while.  A short while.  A very, very short while. 

In other news, I’m looking into the P90X training system.  Of course, giving up sugar and “sweat-inducing, muscle-pumping workouts” may be a little over-kill.  Don’t ya think?

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Filed under health, Randomness

I Bet Kris Allen Likes Cupcakes.

I can hardly write anything coherent tonight.  It’s tonight.  But, it’s today for you.  You know.  I’m writing this tonight.  But you are reading this tomorrow.

See what I mean when I can say I can’t write anything coherent tonight?

I just finished baking two dozen cupcakes for Anna’s class.  It’s my turn to bring snack tomorrow and being the mother who doesn’t always think things through, I let Anna choose her snack. 

And, what four-year old girl wouldn’t select cupcakes with pink, blue, and green icing with pink sprinkles on the pink cupcakes, blue sprinkles on the blue cupcakes, and pink AND blue sprinkles on the green cupcakes?  Just.Like.That.

I managed to get it all done between attending my kids’ Soccer Awards Night and developing Carpal Tunnel from texting “Vote” to 5702. 

I wish I could write more.  I really do.  But, I’m going to try to roll out of bed in time to hit the school grounds at 7:30 in the a.m. for the uniform swap. 

I said I’m going to try.

So, if you’re actually still reading this ridiculous excuse for a post, tell me….

Who is going to be the next American Idol?

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood, Randomness

90 Never Looked So Good.

Sure, the Treaty of Versailles was a big deal, but this was bigger.

90 years ago tomorrow, Bigmama was born.

Bigmama 90

I’m glad she was.  And, I’m also glad for her salmon patties, biscuits and pecan-less pecan pies.  Oh, and for always pouring half of a can of evaporated milk into my coffee.

She has a faith like no other, virtues that have stood the test of time, and the deepest love for her family.

Happy Birthday Bigmama.  You always make me smile.

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Filed under Favorite Things, Love, Randomness

A Bit of Tuesday Randomness.

Outside my window…Is some very tall grass.  Where in the Sam Hill is my lawn man?

I am thinking… That God deserves my praise no matter what my circumstances are.

I am thankful for… My husband who works very hard to provide for us – and, let’s me hang out with our children and indulge in Junior Mints and chips and queso. 

From the kitchen… I cooking with organic beef I purchased from an itty bitty – and I do mean itty bitty – country meat store.  A big thank you to my friend, Cindy Beall, for leading me to that little gem.

I am reading… 1 Samuel over and over.  It’s the main text for my message this Sunday at Eagles Way Church.

I am hoping… I don’t leave my fly unzipped on stage when I speak on Sunday.  And, that I don’t throw up or do anything else equally disgusting.

I am hearing… My big, yellow lab snore.  I love my big, yellow lab.

Around the house… Is clean.  For the moment.  Oh, only for the moment.

One of my favorite things… Is spending time with my BSers.  That’s my Bible Study gals.  Since we’ve pretty much become experts familiar with the book of Galatians, we are rewarding ourselves this week some fellaship at a new local favorite where I will embarrass myself inhaling the Blessed Banana French Toast. 

Long live breakfast foods and Mexican food.

Feel free to play along.  You can answer one, all or none.

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Filed under Randomness

The Four Year Old Pandemic.


Good Morning Everybodeh!

John Henry finally returned to school today, and Kris and I began the day throwing darts at one another.  Well, I’m probably being overly-dramatic.  I just started saying (apparently yelling) something to him, and he interrupted with a “I’m right here!”

I immediately stopped in mid-flow of my thought, and told him we apparently needed to spend some time in the Holy Word of God together.  He said waking up to me was like waking up to the Word itself. 

I sensed no sarcasm in his voice.  At all. 

Then, I completely forgot what I was going to tell him in the first place.

He went on about his business, and I spent the better part of this morning watching Anna stress over Legos not fitting together perfectly.  I tried to take a picture of her frustration like a good mother.  She refused the photo op, pushed the Legos toward me and sighed, “I’ll NEVER build something!”

I started thinking, “Where on earth does this drama come from?” 

I know, right?

Count your blessings, America.  Your worry over the swine flu pales in comparison to the stress of unassembled Legos on my kitchen table. 

On a more serious note, don’t let fear grip you.  Know that God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  That’s 1 Timothy 1:7 King Jimmy style.

Of course, a sound mind in the Takle house is questionable today.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Randomness

Sometimes, I Create Words In My Sleep.


I have to be honest.  Completely honest.  I have nothing really significant to bring to the table today in blog world.  I’ve been a little busy the past few days.  Not to mention my efforts to beat my high score on Scramble.  Talk about time-consuming.  Oh, then my kids still expect to eat.

Two years ago, I spoke at Eagles Way Church where, somehow, the word “freakin’” came out of my mouth.  It’s taken my dad two years to apparently recover from that.  But, I’m speaking this Mother’s Day again.  Up until yesterday, my message was a stellar sixty seconds.  So, I’m thinking I should put a little more effort into it to maintain the integrity of the pulpit.  Otherwise, my dad will wait another two years before he allows me to speak again.  Of course, he just might do that anyway.

Those thoughts are consuming my mind at this time.  And, creating words on Scramble. 

What’s taking up space in your mind right now?

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Filed under Randomness

Yes, Bearded People Are My Friends.


Yesterday turned out to be an eventful day despite remaining in my house most of the day with a four year old who insisted I rub her back for an hour at a time.  Once three o’clock rolled around, I knew it was time get out of my pajamas and pick up John Henry from school.  Then, after a quick trip to Wal-Mart (insert sigh), I gave a dollar to my homeless guy.  Not sure why I refer to him as my homeless guy other than he’s my favorite one to give to?

Moving on.

“Who is that?”  Anna asked.

“It’s a man who doesn’t have a home,” I ‘splained.

“Well, he can come live with us,” she suggested.  “He can sleep on the floor in your room.”

“I don’t think daddy would like that, and I’d really have to hear from God on that one,” I told her.

So, in jumps John Henry.

“And, people might think we had someone strange in our family if he lived with us,” John Henry added.  (I wanted to tell him that we actually do have some strange ones in our family, but I’ll just let him figure that one out in his own time.  You know.  Kind of like working your way through your own salvation.) 

“Oh, I see.  He’s strange because he has a beard,” Anna said.

Exactly.  Because he has a beard.  Wha?

Sometimes, you just go with it.

Later that evening, we went to John Henry’s Spring Program at his school.  He and his class sang Jami Smith’s “Your Love Is Deep.”  I could have sworn it was just for me.  You know those moments you needed to be reminded of God’s love, and you didn’t even know you needed it?  I had one of those.  God is good.  Yes, He is.

So, even later that evening, I went out to meet up with some of my Bible Study girls.  For fella-ship and to talk about stuff that’s not in the Bible but should’ve been.  Or, perhaps, not.  Anyhoo, when I headed back home, I noticed the most amazing lightening show ev-ah!  Wow.  Things you don’t really see when you’re inside playing Scramble on your iPhone. 

So, that’s pretty much it.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  And, just in case you need a reminder of His love.  I’ll leave you with one of my fav-oh-right scriptures.

…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 1 8may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.   Ephesians 3:17-19

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Love, Motherhood, Randomness

So far this week….


Anna has insisted on wearing two pairs of underwear so she can “hold my pee longer.”

When John Henry and Anna disobeyed and were awaiting their impending discipline, John Henry said, “I forgot, Mom.  Can’t you please understand,” through his pitiful tears.

I had to discipline still, and it broke my heart.

I’ve had to remind myself of the “We Won’t Always Understand” more than once.

I got a little emotional over Matt’s save on American Idol….even though I text my vote for Kris one or one-hundred times every week.  (Not the husband Kris.  I can hardly encourage his vocals in the shower.)

I’ve watched my warrior of a husband get hit from all sides and still draw back his arrow, aim, and shoot. 

I’ve read “Purplicious” more times than I would have cared to.

And, I’ve thanked God that I am a Christ-follower, a wife, a mother, and an American Idol fan.  So, I didn’t thank God that I’m an American Idol fan.  But, I am pretty excited to watch it every week.

And you?  So far this week?

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Filed under gratitude, Motherhood, Randomness

For The Lack of A Clever Title, We’ll Call This One “Easter.”


The Lord knows I’m too tired to write anything coherent and too sugared up to be taken seriously.  Of course, that’s never stopped me before.  We made a quick trip to Georgia to spend Easter weekend with family.  Upon my arrival, I was bombarded by this monster that I apparently created.

He is my dad.  And, y’all, he is on The Twitter.  Now, I will not deny my love for The Twitter.  But watching my dad learn all things Twitter is something I never expected to happen.  When I told him he could just type “w” for “with”, he responded, “Always?”

No.  Only on Saturdays.  Do wha?

Well, I must admit. I am proud of him for joining the Twitter Revolution.  So welcome to Twitterverse @JBurenGoss. 

We had an enjoyable time in Joe-Ja.  (That’s for you Cindy Beall.) 

Here are a few of the grandkids with Farmor, Kris’ mom.  Farmor is Norwegian & Swedish for “Father’s Mother.”  Just so ya know.

easter-1-wp

The kids are always excited to go to the farm.  But when an Easter Egg Hunt is thrown into the mix, it’s like taking a trip to Disney World but without the $29 hamburger and $100 t-shirt. 

And, a few pics from Easter Sunday…

easter-2-wp4

easter-3-wp1

That’s my mom with Anna and me.  Can a sister get a loan on a bottle self-tanning lotion?  I need not show those legs again in public without some serious coverage. 

We headed back to Oklahoma too soon after Easter lunch.  This was the scene by the time we reached three-four-O.  (That’s my fancy pilot talk for 34,000 feet.  Impressive, isn’t it?) 

 

 

easter-4-wp

It was wonderful to spend Easter with my home church family. 

And, it was even more wonderful to celebrate the greatest three words in history:

He Is Risen.

How was your Easter weekend?

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Filed under God Stuff, Kid Stuff, Randomness, Uncategorized