Embrace the Camera - 1.20.11

I can't believe I have only blogged once this week and I've been stuck at home! I've been pretty busy in this house I guess. I just can't get these two girls well. I'm calling the doctor it seems like everyday for one or the other. I'm pretty sure I'll be headed to the doctor tomorrow for an ear infection that Audrey has. I've also been cleaning since the 3 year old had total control of the house while Michael, Julia, and I were sick last week.

Today we were just hanging out in Audrey's room. Correction: Julia was hanging out, Audrey was jumping on the bed, and I was cleaning. Yes, I let Audrey jump on the bed. She just now hit the 30 pound mark. Maybe I should rethink the jumping now that she's a whopping 30 pounds. Anyways, are there any other 30 somethings out there that are feeling like teenager every morning when you look in the mirror?! I dislike the idea of putting acne cream and wrinkle cream on together. Does this mean I'm middle-aged? AND I really need to start pulling out my nice camera for these instead of always using my phone!

How to Live

Lately, Michael and I are trying to figure out how God wants us to live our lives. We started this when we gave up cable. I really like how it has shaped our lives so far. I might turn on the tv in the morning to watch the news. I am not watching any shows and it's great. There is not this need to create room in my schedule so I can watch a show before another show comes out the next week. I think it has helped our marriage. Before kids, it was nice to watch some shows with Michael. We had other available time to talk and pray together. But now, with kids in the mix, quality time with each other is limited to say the least. I also like how my girls are used to having the tv off and won't be bombarded with advertising telling them what toy they should have. Then there's all the things that are inappropriate that they won't see or hear. I bought AppleTV for Michael for Christmas this year. It gives us the opportunity to watch a show or two, but we mainly use it to rent movies for home dates. It's also good to find things for Audrey. Right now Audrey is watching a Veggie Tales movie. So, we haven't completely cut it off, but tv has dropped significantly on the priority list.

Now, we are trying to focus on our goal in life. We know that service is going to increase. I want to open my eyes more to the needs of those around me. God wants us to care for widows and orphans, right? I don't know if I've ever done anything for people in that category. How about the poor and hungry? I need to do more. We are studying James with some friends, and we have some ideas floating around on how we might serve together.

Basically, I don't want the only thing that makes me different than the world is that I go to church and occasionally serve. I feel God is calling us to do more, sacrifice more, stretch more. Major changes may lie ahead. We'll just have to see where God calls us.

Five Question Friday - 1.14.11

1. What movie could you watch over and over again and not get tired of?

This is a tough question! I don't know if there is a movie like this for me. I really liked While You Were Sleeping a long time ago. I really liked the original Parent Trap when I was little. I just can't imagine not growing tired of a movie.

2. What's your biggest pet peeve right now?

I can't stand it when people gossip and judge others. It DRIVES ME BONKERS!

3. If you had to describe your best friend in five words or less, what would you say?

I'm choosing Michael as my best friend. He's always mybest friend, but currently we're really leaning on one another.

1. Faithful
2. Committed
3. Family-oriented
4. Caring
5. Fun

I admit I had to end it with a C and F. I'm type A and can't break a pattern.

4. If you did not have to worry about money or go to school what would you do for a living?

I'd be a stay at home mom, which is what I'm doing! Living the dream, baby!

5. What is your one "splurge" item, that you will always buy, no matter the cost?

I dunno. Toothpaste? Blue Bell ice cream? Soap?

Embrace the Camera - 1.13.11

We're sick as dogs over here at our house. Boo! Julia has croup. Michael and I have colds. Michael stayed home the last two days but just had to go in today. Audrey is okay, but the doc thinks she started all of this when he saw her ears during her well-check appointment on Friday. Here's a picture I took on Monday with Audrey. That's when all of this started. Believe me - no pictures have been taken since! I even got desperate enough to use a neti pot!

9 Months and 3 Years Stats

Last night, I informed Michael that I was sick when he came home. He told me the same thing. So we're both home trying to get better quickly. Luckily, Audrey is at school, so I only have to watch after Julia.

Friday, my mom and I took the girls for their well check appointments. If you remember, Audrey does not do well at the doctor's and threw up last time because she threw such a fit. I'm happy to report that all went VERY WELL Friday! There were sighs of relief all the way around, from my mom, to me, the doctor, and to the nurse! FINALLY!

Audrey is your average 3 year old girl. She is 37.5 inches (50%) and 30 pounds (50%). Julia, who was my big baby isn't so big anymore. She's just tall. Her nine month stats are 28.75 inches (90%) and 16 pounds 5 ounces (10%). Audrey dropped significantly in her weight as a baby too, so Julia's just following in her footsteps. Thankful for healthy kids!

Fluffy White Stuff!

If you live in the south, most of the posts you will read today will be about snow. I must follow suit and add to the fun!

UGH! Saturday night, I got up twice every hour with one of the girls. What was going on?!? So, when my alarm went off at 7:00 on Sunday morning, I just turned it off. And when Julia woke up at 7:30, I made Michael get up with her. You know how long I slept in? 9:15! Church begins at 10:15 and we don't live very close. So I checked the weather and it looked like the ice might hold off while we were at church, so we showered, dressed, and arrived at church. We were late, but we got there!

While we were at church, it began snowing! When we got to our car, it had quite a bit of snow on it and I was excited to see more falling. We got home and there was barely any of the white stuff anywhere and the flakes that were falling were tiny. I cooked some food and fed Julia while Michael changed Audrey into some warm, snow-playing clothes. They played for about five minutes before coming in to eat. By the time lunch was finished, the snow started melting. But, Michael and Audrey did make a small snowman. Fun times!

Five Question Friday - 1.7.11

1. What is your current favorite book, and why?

If current means what I'm currently reading, then that would be the book of James from the Bible. I'm not finding the time to read any other book. And James is full of info that one can chew on for a few days.

2. Do you go to the dentist regularly?

Yes. My mom was a dental hygienist, so I went A LOT as a kid. She retired and I didn't go for years. Bad mistake as I had quite a bit of work done when I finally let some stranger in my mouth. We go twice a year now.

3. What is your worst memory from High School?

My worst memory is something I'd rather not share to the world. But I will tell you this. A dear friend taught me a faith lesson that I still use today. If you're losing sleep over something because you are worrying, then you aren't fully giving it up to God. Wow! What knowledge this junior boy in high school had!

4. What do you hope to be remembered for in your life?

I want to be remembered as a gracious person. That I am always willing to give the same grace to others as God has given me.

5. Are you superstitious or do you have any superstitions?

I'm superstitious only in a fun way...like when watching sports. If a team starts losing a game only after I start watching, then I will stop watching so that they will have a chance. Did I have black eyed peas on New Years? No, but I'd do it for fun if the peas were there. I just wouldn't go out of my way to make them.

Embrace the Camera - 1.6.11

Embracing the camera with my girls for the first time this year. I'm excited to do this for a full year and watch how much Audrey and Julia grow in that time. How will I fit another kid in the frame if I ever have another? I guess I'll actually have to set up the real camera and not use my phone. Have I mentioned lately that these girls cause my heart to beat and my lungs to breathe? Yeah, I know God is in full control of that, but it feels like the girls have a lot to do with it!

I'm a Contest Winner!

Mama M. over at Five Crooked Halos hosted a contest to win $65 to CSN. CSN is a site where you can purchase just about anything you can think of. All I had to do to win was leave a comment. I left a comment in about 15 seconds and forgot all about it. A couple days later, Mama M. left me a message that I had won! The only tough part was choosing what in the world to get!

Here are the things that I had in my cart before I finally pulled the trigger on my winning item.

• various hardware for our bathroom
• girl clothes
• shoes for Michael
• snow globes
• ceiling fan for Audrey's room
• pulls for our kitchen cabinets
• Christmas wreath
• outdoor playground
• Christmas dinner plates

There could have been more things, but I can't remember at this point. Some items didn't quite make it to $65 and I didn't want to waste free money. Then other items went well over $65 and I didn't want to spend money just because I won money. Then on other items, I didn't want to spend the money on it when I had not seen it in person. Well, what did I get? Something that I've always wanted to try but would NEVER spend the money on. THIS:

This is a Chaco Flipflop. It was $66. So I paid $1 for a pair of shoes that should be the the most comfortable shoe I'll ever wear. I heard about these shoes on facebook between a pregnant friend and a friend whose father is a podiatrist. The podiatrist said that there was no better shoe for your foot than a Chaco. The pregnant friend ordered a pair and raved about them. I took a look at the website and I refused to pay that much money for a flipflop or sandal, no matter how awesome they are. BUT, I'll pay a dollar for them! I should get the shoes on Friday! Bring on the warm weather so that I can wear these suckers!

New Years Week

I got to eat with some wonderful friends this past week. Lori was my college roommate for the four years I was at ACU. This girl knows me like none other! We were both education majors and signed up to take the same classes as long as we could. We were literally inseparable. She decided that the little, little kids were her thing and I decided middle school kids were my thing - and so our dream of teaching next door to each other ended. It's just like old times when we see each other. It takes all I have to stay in Dallas and not move out to Abilene to be near her. She is wonderful and I miss her. Loved our lunch together - just the two of us - FUN!

Michael and I didn't do anything NYE night. We had plans, but Michael really needed to do some work, so he watched a movie while he worked. I didn't like the movie, so I didn't even watch it. I became frustrated when I realized at 11:04 that I didn't even get to see the ball drop in NY because of that movie. I eventually got over it and then discovered that they replay it at midnight, Dallas time! How do I not remember that from previous years?! Was this the first year Dick Clark wasn't around? He's still alive, right? I missed him for the few minutes I watched.

Then on New Years Day, we met our friends, Mike and Ruth, at the Melting Pot. I could eat just the bread and cheese for every meal until I died. YUM!!! They are quickly becoming great friends of ours. Michael has been close to Mike since college, so I guess I'm the one getting to know them well. Not only do we laugh A TON with them, they help us so much spiritually. We're meeting every week now to study the Bible together. Michael and Mike have been meeting a long time already. They do a ministry thing together. They like to keep it quiet, so I won't go into the details of it. They are just two people that encourage our relationship with God. That's the kind of friend everyone should have.

Christmas

Happy New Year to everyone! Have you kept your resolutions? I never truly make any, but I do try to be more disciplined at the beginning of each year. I am usually pretty successful with it for a few months because I get a lot of alone time during the first of the year with it being Michael's busy season and all.

I have to admit, blogging seems a little overwhelming right now. There is a lot to catch up on. I've decided to do Christmas in one big post. Hopefully, I don't lose you in the middle!

The Saturday before Christmas, by brother and his family came up for a few days. We went to church with my parents on Sunday and spent the day together. The adults enjoyed food and dconversation while the kids enjoyed opening presents.

Papa and Julia.

Mimi.

Nana tearing into her gift!

Perkins cousins.

My girls.

The boy cousins.

Brady's got some killer blue eyes.

Maddie reading to Julia.

Jules.

On Monday, we had a Perkins family reunion. We were able to enjoy my dad's family from all over Texas and we Skyped with my uncle's family in Florida. My aunt rented a jump house for the kids. It was a huge success!

Almost all of the Perkins family.

The Perkins Women.

The kids worn out from bouncing.

(Creed, Macie, Audrey)

Michael and Audrey.

Our family.

On Wednesday, we had dinner with Michael's parents and drove around looking at Christmas lights in a ritzy Plano neighborhood. This was serious business as there were a dozen limos and even a tour bus driving around. The lines into the neighborhood were ridiculous.

On Christmas Eve, we didn't have any plans. That's a first in my life! I tried to do as much as possible with our little family. Audrey and I did a gingerbread house. She just wanted to stay clean and not make mess. The rest of the day was spent making gingerbread men, reindeer cookies, and sugar cookies. Audrey did watch some Christmas movies with Michael. We had dinner at Chili's. Yes, Chili's. It was the only place decent open and it MADE MY NIGHT! I can't explain it, but the Christmas spirit was alive in the restaurant. The staff was amazing and cheerful. Audrey was enraptured by the little electric train that chugs along in the front. Julia was a perfect as can be. We went home, read about the birth of Jesus in Audrey's Toddler Bible, and left cookies out for Santa.

Christmas morning, the girls SLEPT IN! Julia woke up about 8:30 and Audrey woke up close to 9. Audrey loved opening the presents for both her and Julia. Julia enjoyed the playing with the torn wrapping paper. After all of the unwrapping, Audrey played with Julia's toys and Julia played with Audrey's toys. Go figure!

We went to my parents house that afternoon and night and enjoyed more yummy food and fellowship. My grandmother gave me a couple of her recipe books with hand-written recipes on some of the back pages. I will treasure it forever. It was a wonderful Christmas.