December 18, 2008 · 6:00 am

Where is your heart?

This little man, dear friends.

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Has quite the heart.  And, sometimes, he amazes me with the bits of wisdom that oozes out of his little spirit.  He must get it from his momma.  Or his daddy.  Or his other daddy. 

At the dinner table, John Henry asked, “It’s Jesus’ birthday.  We have to get Him a present.  But, He has everything.  What do we get Him?”

I responded, prepared to give him Mommy’s wisdom, “Do you know what Jesus wants more than anything?”

And, before I could answer my own question, John Henry said, “He wants our heart.”

I was going to answer with “love one another.”  He answered with the greatest commandment.

Our heart is where our treasure is.  It’s where we invest the most time and energy.  It’s where our first dollar goes.  It’s in our daily routine. 

There are times I am quite certain that Jesus has my whole heart.  Other times, I give Him just a wee bit, because I’m busy with less important things like my recent Twilight Saga addiction.  Which, of course, has been a catalyst for me asking Kris various questions about vampires, and Kris responding with “You do know that vampires aren’t real.”  Then, me assuring Kris that if he were a vampire, I would want him to bite me so we could be together forever. 

It’s all very sick.  I love it.

Back to you, God.

But, He wants my whole heart. 

More than anything.

 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  Matthew 22:37-38

 

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December 17, 2008 · 6:00 am

I love Jesus and Santa Claus.


The title of this post is courtesy of a comment my dad left on my blog yesterday.  In the spirit of Christmas traditions, Dad simply said his favorites were “Jesus and Santa Claus.”  Way to go, Preacher.  Way to go. 

Unfortunately for Dad, he probably won’t love Santa Claus this year due to some serious financial cut-backs and such.  I reminded Dad of the recession at the North Pole.  He responded with a resounding, “I have everything I could ever want.”  And, the readers say, “Awwwwww.”

Truth be told, many are feeling the effects of our current economic climate.  Howevah, we still live in the most blessed nation on.the.planet.  Perhaps, this is a good holiday season to think beyond big, bright packages with ribbons and bows and enjoy the people God has placed in our lives.  

This year, why don’t we all decide to make some extra indulgences into spending time with those who make our world go ‘round.  Maybe use a little less sarcasm with a family member.  Tell that friend WHY you love her.  Play an extra game of UNO with your son.  These are the moments that last.  All of the tangible gifts will fade away. 

“’Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn’t come from a store.  Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more.’”  – Dr. Seuss ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’.

And, a big Happy Annniversary to Mom and Dad.  My greatest two examples of living out a life rich in things that really matter.

How are you going to enjoy the people in your life this Christmas?

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December 16, 2008 · 6:00 am

Favorites Tuesday – Week Four

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Celebrating Favorites Tuesday again with Kim over at Deliberate Hope!  Today’s FAVORITE is a favorite Christmas tradition.

I really don’t have a “favorite.”  I tend to enjoy all of the festivities, foods, and fun that the season brings.  But, I thought I’d share a Scandinavian tradition that I inherited when I married the K.T. man. 

What you see here is a sorry excuse for a Christmas tree that I purchased at my beloved Target last year.  Once again, I opted not to go all out with all that decoratin’ since the family would be heading south for the holidays.  What you also see by this here tree is a Yule Goat.  I know it resembles a straw, under-fed Terrier, but it’s not.  Mkay?  It’s a goat. 

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Now, I’ve been told by my blonde, Scandinavian family members that the Yule Goat watches over the gifts under the tree.  I learned a whole lot more when I visited Wikipedia.  I recommend you do your research there on the history of the goat instead of me leading you astray on this very random blog.

Kris grew up with the Yule Goat always by the tree.  We carry on that tradition.  Sort of.  Maybe not this year with my lack of festiveness in the house.  But, I have managed to convince my children that our neighbor’s outdoor lights are ours, too.  I just wished they’d stop asking me to turn our lights on before they figure out the Takle yard is bare. 

I know I can’t pull this off much longer.

What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?

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December 15, 2008 · 6:00 am

Out of the mouth of babes.


Happy Monday Y’all!  I hope your Sunday Experience was a great one.  The UCO (University of Central Oklahoma) Ebony Gospel Choir performed at Lifechurch.tv.  That choir is where it’s at.  For real. 

Back in the Peach State, my dad is doing a new series called “reDiscovery.”  Yesterday, he talked about rediscovering our youth.  I realize I wasn’t there for the message, but I do read over his messages QUITE.A.FEW.TIMES before the Sunday Experience.  I can hear dad reading this post now.  “Oh, using my notes for your blog, huh?” 

Uh-huh.  I am.

I believe we can learn a lot from children in how we present ourselves to our Heavenly Father and how we do life.  Dad talked about {at least, he was supposed to} several desirable traits children have.  One of those being “forgiveness.”  I was reading Anna the story of Adam and Eve from her Beginner’s Bible the other day.  I finished with,

“It was a sad day when Adam and Eve left.  God sent an angel to the garden.  The angel held a flaming sword.  He flashed it back and forth so no one would go back into the garden.”

Anna immediately responded, “That was mean!”

Most of us would argue that they deserved it because of their disobedience.  And, well, since it WAS God’s decision, we can’t really say He missed that one.  But, Anna’s willingness to overlook other’s mistakes here is what really spoke to me.  How often I can have this judgmental, you had it comin’ to ya attitude.  When in reality, God has called us to be like a child, always forgiving and a springboard of grace and mercy. 

We can leave the flaming swords to Him. 

He is God.

We’re His children.

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December 12, 2008 · 6:00 am

Prayers kids pray.


Our children take turns saying the prayer before we dive into some, I’m sure, delicious meal I’ve prepared.  John Henry not only blesses the food, but he also blesses every ailing person he knows and doesn’t know.  He threw me off Wednesday night when he added this:

“And, I bless that God and Jesus have a good day today in Heaven.”

I feel purr-ty certain they did.

What funny things have your kiddos prayed for?

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December 11, 2008 · 6:00 am

These Stones.


When Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan, they crossed the Jordan River.  God backed up the river all the way to a town called Adam, allowing them to enter into their promised land.  After they had all crossed, the Lord spoke to Joshua about the stones in the place where the priests were standing in the middle of the Jordan. 

4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel.  5 He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God.  Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.  6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’  7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’  These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”  Joshua 4:4-7

God wanted the Israelites to remember where they had been and where He had brought them.  Something so significant in this story is the Jordan River had been backed up to a town called Adam.  What do you think of when you hear the name Adam?  Beginning?  Everything that had happened from Adam until then was cut off.  And, God had made everything brand new.

I have stones in my own life.  They represent what I’ve gone through.  They represent that what was meant for harm has turned out for good.  They remind me of His faithfulness. 

I bet you have stones in your own life.  I bet you have crossed your own Jordan.  You may be crossing one right now.  But rest assured.  You will make it across.  And, God will back up that river all the way to your Adam, and make all things new. 

One day, when my children ask me how I endured my own difficult times and crossed my own Jordans, I will show them my stones.  And, they will know how great and mighty He is.

Do you have stones that remind of you how God made something good out of your mess?

Are you crossing a Jordan right now?

 

 

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December 10, 2008 · 6:00 am

Love and Marriage.

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Kris and I recently had one of those sit down, let’s talk about our relationship talks.  No need to go tellin’ tales out of school.  We are doing just fine.  We’ve just let a few of those important marital-like things fall to the bottom of the list.  And, no.  I’m not talking ‘bout sex.  I am talking about those moments where you shut down computers, cell phones, and children and just enjoy each other.  You know.  Connect. 

It’s so easy to let life go by and time pass in a marriage and not have conversations with your spouse that make you pull in the reins, breathe deep, and take care of the things that really matter.  Each other. 

Monday night, we had a little date night.  We ate sushi and didn’t even talk about airplanes or children or if my jeans made my hiney look big.  ‘Cause y’all know he is going to mess that one up, albeit unintentional.  Then, we laughed together through Four Christmases. 

It’s funny.  That little conversation gave our marriage a lift.  We immediately returned to taking the time to connect.  Kris is good with those conversations.  He is just as comfortable sharing his heart with me as he is in a cockpit.  I love that about him.  He takes good care of us.

Hmmm.  What’s a good scripture to put here?  Oh, I know.  “He who finds a wife, finds what is good,” (Proverbs 18:22.)  Tee-hee.  I’m just funnin’.  Okay, not really.  But, let’s make this fair.

Oh, never mind, I can’t find a scripture I like.  Wait.  That didn’t come out right. 

I’ll just end the way my daddy has concluded every wedding ceremony for the past thirty plus years.

 “Let not your voices lose the tender tones of affection, nor your eyes forget the tender ray with which they shown in courtship’s day.  And, greatest of all, let God be enthroned above all else at all times.”

What do you and your spouse do to connect? 

* Keep it clean.  This is a family blog.  Most days.

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December 9, 2008 · 6:00 am

Favorites Party – Week Three

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Today’s FAVORITE is a favorite kid story.  Seriously, Kim.  Just one?  There is no doubt that in this adventure called parenting, dull moments are rare.  And, really you all hear a big-sized portion of my children and their shenanigans.  From John Henry peeing on our dog to Anna’s unending artistic expressions, it’s hard to pick just one.  So, I thought I’d share an outrageous kid story and the links we went to for Moosie and Mimi.

Bloggy World, meet Moosie.

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And, Mimi.

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John Henry’s Swedish Uncle Olov gave him Moosie when he was ten months old.  Mimi was a gift at a baby shower when I was prego with him.  He hasn’t parted with either since.  These are what we in parenting land refer to as his “lovies.”  Bedtime is not complete without either one.  They have traveled near and far with us.  And, we neveh EVAH check them in, ‘cause that’s one bag that we just can’t afford to lose. 

So on one trip to Cabo San Lucas, Moosie and Mimi were M.I.A.  We left our car at the Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City.  We did the usual TSA check which is always an adventure with children.  Because, if Anna isn’t pulling her pants down to walk through the metal detector, then John Henry is up to his own covert operations trying to smuggle in Hot Wheels. 

Once we boarded the plane, I took my seat.  Then, it happened. 

“Where are Moosie and Mimi?” I asked. 

“I lost them.”  John Henry told me with the saddest looking blue eyes I’ve ever seen. 

I rushed up to the head flight attendant and told her my story.  A mother herself, she understood my dilemma.  At this point, even the Captain was involved.  Next thing I hear is the Captain alerting a TSA agent asking if Moosie or Mimi were there.  That’s right.  He called them by name. 

No Moosie or Mimi. 

I called Falon, who cared for our kiddos, and asked her if she could drive to Will Rogers and search our Tahoe.  Falon, knowing how vital these two bedtime lovies were headed straight for the airport.  God bless Falon Barnes Yost.  And, then, our plane took off for our connection in Dallas. 

In Dallas, Falon informed that Moosie and Mimi were indeed safe and sound in her loving arms.  She over-nighted them to my mother in GA, who in turn gave them to Kris’ dad who would be meeting us in Cabo.  Whew. 

The great Dr. Takle later gave us the “attachment” lecture.  We just smiled and nodded.  We didn’t really care at this point.  Moosie and Mimi were enjoying Piña Coladas with the rest of us south of the border.

And, that’s all that mattered.

What’s your favorite kid story?

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December 8, 2008 · 6:00 am

Upsets, Victories & Campfires.

Friday evening I went out ALONE, Praise Him, to acquire emergency food items such as milk and Sour Patch Kids.  When I returned home, this is what I found. 

 

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Kris built them this “campfire” and served them up some hot chocolate – which was basically cold milk with Hersey’s Syrup poured in.  I later joined the fun and added a few marshmallows to roast.  “Gross,” sums up John Henry’s response to the toasted treats.  Oh well.  More for Anna and me. 

Kris flew to the Big 12 Championship on Saturday.  “It’s work,” He always defends.  Bless his heart.  I did a little Christmas shopping and somehow ended up spending more money on those stupid sausages and cheeses at a mall kiosk.  They get me every year.  The holiday shopping completely took my mind off of Anna’s decision to wear four shirts that day, causing her to resemble an Alabama line backer. 

I soon learned of the Crimson Tide’s upset.  {Sorry, Mikey Bo Bo.}  Then, I geared up to watch my own team.  The Oklahoma Sooners.  Yes.  That’s right.  They’ve kind of grown on me this year.  I figure if you can’t beat ‘em.  Well, you know.

Kris came back home Sunday evening.  But, not before I nearly lost my sanity with two children who apparently care more about their own exploits than my peace of mind.  After Anna knocked over a huge bin of dog food, I knew it was time to get out of the house.  Then, I remembered it’s against the law to leave two young kids at home by themselves, so I went back and got them.

I jest.  I would never do such a thing on the Lord’s day.

We all headed to the nearest Sonic and self-medicated with Sonic Blasts and Cream Slushes. 

Later in the evening John Henry informed me that Noah was powerful like God.  A bible story that we apparently need to work on.  And, Anna told me that God was more powerful than Santa.  Perhaps, she should start telling God what she wants for Christmas.  Because, only He can afford her wish list which is pretty much every single commercial you see on the tube. 

That’s it.  That’s my weekend.  How was yours?

 

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December 5, 2008 · 6:00 am

Treasure Hunting

I had quite the response after this post on saving money on my big, fat turkey.  Judy, my loyal commenter, requested that Kitty {treasure-hunter extraordinaire} share some of her treasure hunting secrets.  Judy isn’t playin’ when she comments.  Buh-lieve me. 

 

We can all learn a thing or two from Kitty on being frugal with our money.  Her intent on acquiring a bargain isn’t so she can hoard her money.  Quite the contrary.  It’s so she has more money to give.  But, that’s an entirely different post.  So, without further ado, I give you Kitty Grubbs.

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As most of the local friends know….Joey and I lovvvvvvvvvvve a good bargain!  We shop high and low (sometimes very low) to find the best buys on food, restaurants, home decor and clothes!  Joey has recently accused me of making ridiculous offers (much to Kristen’s embarrassment.)  But, I usually get the item I want for the price I want.  One of my proudest moments lately was over hearing Bobbi Jo [a family friend] make a half price offer at a yard sale!  And she got the prize!  My sister recently acquired a great coverlet set and beautiful pillows ($5) from my yard sale stash.  My recliner in my living room ($40) was one of our great finds recently, along with my new water feature ($5) for my porch. 

 

Aside from yard sales, we hop over to RiteAid for FREEBATES (items you purchase and are reimbursed the full price for!!) We also use RiteAid’s free cards that give you discounts on the first Tuesday of the month and a 15% discount on their brands every day.  They are also having a special right now where you get a free $30 gift card for every prescription you transfer to their pharmacy.  I got $150 in free gift cards!  Check out RiteAid online for all of these great deals.  CVS and Walgreens also offer free items to get you in their stores.  

I shop all of the grocery ads online.  I buy ALL of my meat on sale and put it in the freezer.  I recently found 80% lean ground chuck on sale at Ingle’s for around $1 per pound.  I called all the locals and we stocked up on ground chuck. I browned 15 pounds of ground chuck, put it in 1 pound bags then straight into the freezer.  This way, I just pull them out for chili, spaghetti, tacos, soup, etc.

 

I also shop CouponMom.com for coupons.  I love their restaurant coupons they put on sale.  I recently acquired a $25 coupon for DAILEY’S for two.  Joey and I had a great evening out!  (Thanks, Sharon for telling me about this website.)  I am also big on bartering for services, and I LOVE to shop for others.  People always let us know what they need, and we often find it.  Speaking of which:  I ALWAYS send out an email when I need something for around the house.  Somebody probably has what you need and would be glad for you to use it!  I recently needed to make some big purchases at Lowe’s and I sent out a “HELP” for a coupon!!  My friend, Jeff Williams, had one and he let me have it!  Saved me $25!!

 

Anyway, I obviously could go on and on and on.  Hope you learned something!

 

I sure did.  Thanks, Kitty!  I’m actually treasure hunting this weekend myself.  I am hoping to find a nightstand for John Henry’s room.  I figure if I stare at Kristen’s blog photos long enough, her talent will jump on me, and I’ll have that sucker looking fantastic in no time.

 

For more deals, hop on over to Christi’s 2 Cents.

 

Happy Hunting!

 

 

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