Thursday, February 26, 2009
Real Estate Soap Opera - Part 2
I have to stop and say right now that even before we put an offer in we started covering this decision in prayer . . . . a constant prayer in our lives we have always asked God to open all the right doors and close all the wrong doors because we want to be in the center of His perfect will . . . not to the right or to the left, but right smack in the center.
After going back and forth with the seller we settled on a price. When the listing agent would update me on the progress of negotiating I asked him one day could I do my rah-rah dance. He told me during one part of the negotiations to hold off on the rah-rah dance for now. When the seller accepted our final and best offer, the listing agent assured me I could do my rah-rah dance. Jon and I both were ECSTATIC!!
Immediately Jon's head flooded with ideas for the house. He spent so much time looking things up on the internet. We've been going over the things we like. Thankfully we have a lot of the same taste. We would go over there all the time planning, dreaming, envisioning. We met counter top people, flooring people, etc. When we picked out our counter tops the lady was amazed at how quickly we agreed on one. She said that most couples fuss and fight. We've picked out paint colors. Our kids have run upside and downside all through the house. Max even peed on the carpet (which we will replace, of course). Jon and I EVEN went on a run through the neighborhood. We've taken several family members by there. We just can't wait until we get closed and start giving the place a face lift.
There were a few bumps in the lending process which made Jon and I nervous. The lender we are dealing with is one of those types you don't feel like you can trust as far as you can throw. However, we're already in this thing and to start over would be tedious and long. My friend, Suzanne, used to work in lending so I have consulted her many a time about different issues that have come up. She has been a great help and has eased my mind LOTS!
Monday of this week I called the attorney to check on the title. . . . to make sure it had cleared. He informed me that he had just got back from the courthouse researching it, and he found MAJOR title issues . . . . like the previous owner still owns part interest in the house, which was due to a HUGE oversight by another attorney. There is also a $9,000 lien on the house that is unresolved. Pretty big stuff!! We can't buy a house where the owner still owns part of it. The former owners are well known in our community and so I have been asking around about them. I hear they are good people, so I am hoping and praying that if anything is required of them they will cooperate. Our attorney assured both Jon and I that as soon as he heard something he'd let us know. Poor Suzanne, she has legal experience also. . . so Monday night at basketball practice she hears my sob story of what's going on. Thanks for all your help Suz!!!
Jon's Dad is a retired real estate attorney and when our current attorney was telling Jon about all of these issues he knew that Jon use to do title work for his Dad. Jon asked our attorney, "Who is the numskull that messed this up?," Our attorney hesitated, and then said, "Well, you and I both know him." The attorney then told Jon the name of the attorney who messed it up. Jon started laughing and said, "For a minute there I thought you were going to say it was my Dad." (It wasn't) They both got a good kick out of this!!
The listing agent, our friend from church, has really, really impressed me. Jon called him Monday night on the way to our dance lessons and left him a voicemail telling him all that is going on. He is ALL over this. He has already contacted the seller and the seller's attorney who are also working on the issue. He assures me this is a big deal and can take anywhere from days, months, even years to resolve. He is working very hard, and I am just so very thankful God has put people we can trust in our path where we feel and know we are in good hands.
So from here on out it is a waiting game. We are waiting and praying. . . praying for God to still open all the right doors and close all the wrong doors.
I've been so hesitant to talk about this house on my blog. . . thinking, that if I talk about it, it may not happen. . . almost like afraid to get my hopes up. But, you know what? My hopes have already been up, and my blog is my journal, and this is life as I know it right now.
I did tell the kids the other day that there were some house issues, and there is a possibility we may not be moving. I have told them that I am so thankful that we have a nice home NOW and live in a nice neighborhood NOW. Then from there I told them what was even better is that we had a place to keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer, no matter how nice or not nice it is . . . and, we're all together. Those are the things that matter.
We have been so blessed with things no amount of money could buy, and to be upset about not getting our "dream home" would truly be acting like a spoiled brat!!
My mom is coming this weekend, and she hasn't seen the house.
Will I take her by this house and show it to her? You betcha!
Will I be excited as I walk her through it? Oh yeah!!
Will I tell her all of our plans and where I am placing furniture and which bedrooms the kids will get? Of course I will.
Will she pick at her place to live in the house for when she gets old and gray so I don't have to send her to the nursing home? Oh, you KNOW she will!!!
But. .. what if the deal falls through and we don't get the house? Then that is okay too because that just means it was not God's will, and THAT is where I want to be, right smack-dab in the center of it!!!
I'll keep you guys posted. . . look for part 3 . . . whenever that may be!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Real Estate Soap Opera -Part 1
About 3 years ago God provided us with a decent-sized savings account, a book given to us by a friend of Jon's Dad, and an amazing opportunity which included meeting a complete stranger on the courthouse steps who educated Jon about the world of flipping houses. He was one of these guys who talks alot about what he knows. Jon soaked in all he could, like a sponge. God's hand was all over it. . . and we have absolutely no doubt about that!!
During that period of time, Jon and I started talking about sacrificing and sacrificing things in order to, as Dave Ramsey says, "Live like no one else today, so you can live like no one else tomorrow." We decided to look for a foreclosed home and sell our current home we were living in. We were just assuming in order for it to be sacrificial it had to be smaller, in a less desirable neighborhood, etc., etc.
Well God blessed us again. He provided us with a sacrifice home that was about 500 square feet bigger and in a nicer neighborhood . . . all with a lower house payment. On top of that, after putting our house on the market for 2 weeks, we had a contract (I didn't have my real estate license at the time). Jon often teases me about this being a sacrifice home and just how much I've sacrificed *smile*. I just always tell him it is the favor of God. Praise His name!! This is the home we have been living in for the past 2+ years.
I should back up a minute and say at some point when we were living in our old house . . . this must have been before we talked about sacrificing things in order to build our business. . . we purchased a little over 6 acres. It again was a total God thing. It was land that had been foreclosed on, and we literally got it for half of what it was worth. Once we started talking about buying a "sacrifice house", we decided that after we built the business up we would sell the "sacrifice house" and build our dream home on our land.
Okay. . . back to present day. . . back in January, I saw this house in the MLS that I knew had been foreclosed on with a local builder. . . in a very nice neighborhood, bigger, all the bells and whistles. I told Jon we should go and look at it, just to dream and get ideas. We did and then took his parents by there. They were both very excited, as were we. I really needed Jon's Mom to help me convince him to take a chance, and she very much thought it was a chance worth taking.
However, at the price it was listed we were afraid the bank would not come down to what we needed for them to. So, Jon did what he does best, he started researching. He told me the only reason he was even considering purchasing another home for us (not the business) was that because NOW is the time to buy. Interest rates are super low. The market is flooded with foreclosures. All at this time, we were still in "dream land." I knew us buying another home for ourselves was very far fetched and not really a reality.
One morning Jon told me he found a house he wanted to go and look at. It was in one of our towns nicest, more established neighborhoods, and was a good bit cheaper than the house we had looked at originally. We looked at it and I fell in love with the floor plan. I absolutely loved the neighborhood and it was only 2 miles from his parents. Jon, at that time, wasn't quite as enamored as I was. He was really unsure as to why I liked this house more than the previous one. This one needed LOTS of elbow grease and a really good face lift. The other one was move-in ready. It literally looked like a house that could be a feature home . . . very, very, very nice. I would just tell him, "This one seems more feasible to me, and I just can see our family living here."
So, I did what I do best, I started putting the pressure on him, "Have you called a lender? Have you called a lender?" We were concerned with us being self employed what a lender would say about us carrying 2 mortgages until we sold/rented/leased our current home. Jon went back to the house by himself a 2nd time, and this time he returned home just as smitten with the house as I was. So, so many things would really have to fall in place for us to get the seller to come down to what we needed them to, us to get financing (remember our business is in real estate, which things really aren't selling right now), selling our house. We were still in "dream world."
I will continue with Part 2 tomorrow. Until then I want to leave you with this scripture.
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Celebrating All Things Tiffani
33. She has a great sense of fashion. She makes me super proud!
34. Simply said. . . she's just plain wonderful!
I love you, Tiff!!! I don't know what I'd do without you. I hope this is your best birthday yet - Celebrate ALL week, girl! I wish you were older. . . I had so many other things to say about you *wink* *wink*
Monday, February 23, 2009
Memorization Monday
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding." Daniel 2:21
Weekend in Review
I met mom Friday evening and then came home to get ready to show my house. I've mentioned a few times our house is on the market, and we are in the process of buying another home. It really deserves a post of its own, but truth-be-known, I'm really just afraid we are not going to close on the house. Just being a little Negative Nellie I guess. . . I think it's because I want it so badly. Anyhoo, we put our house up for rent and I showed it Friday night to one girl, and I spent Saturday morning showing it to 4 other couples.
After everyone had gone Jon and I ate at our favorite pizza place here in town, then we went to pick out light fixtures for the new house. We didn't buy anything yet though. We came home, watched a movie, and then went to O'Charley's for dinner. We then went to his parents house to check up on them.
Sunday morning we woke up and I had to do my long run before we left to go to my mom's for lunch. Jon said he'd run 3 miles with me. It was cold, cold, cold, so we bundled up good.
Mom, as always, fixed a wonderful lunch. We brought Max with us, and it really grosses my Mom out that the girls will let Max kiss them. We had so much fun with the girls getting kissed by Max then they'd go and kiss Mama.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Hands-On Homeschooling
- lots of preparation
- lots of time
- lots of organization
I will go through spurts where I am a better teacher than others. But, last week the kids and I both got to experience hands-on homeschooling . . . and I didn't have to do a thing . . . well, show up on time, but that's it.
I'm a member of 4 homeschool groups. . . I know, talk about wanting to give your kids every opportunity out there. One of the groups I'm a member of had a field trip a local veterinarian's office. It was one of our best field trips yet!!! We got to see a cat get spayed
We then got to see all sorts of things they passed around the room . . from eyeballs, to heart worms, to huge ticks . . . it was very interesting. Here is an eyeball Ash wanted me to take a picture of.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Capture the Flag
Get a good hug before you start . . . you will need it when you play 5 kids and a dog.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
I JUST HAVE TO VENT
Work is on my case . . . I'm making mistakes like crazy. Homeschooling is behind this week, 1/2 marathon training is behind also. I should have run 4 miles yesterday and didn't get to it. I tend to be a stress eater, so my jeans are too tight. Trying to balance it all, all by myself is very hard. Jon is working a lot lately. Praise the Lord for that. But I am practically a single mom and have been for the last 3 weeks. He leaves at 5:30 AM and isn't home until 8:00, which is the time we try and get the kids in bed.
I'm trying so hard to be upbeat and peppy, but between balancing ballet, basketball, soccer, and swim (which is 30 minutes away), ballroom dancing lessons, train for a 1/2 marathon that is 2 weeks away and my longest run has only been 9 miles, being behind on homeschooling, trying to be an attentive mom to my children, I feel like SCREAMING!!!!
Oh yeah, the dog chews on every. single. thing he sees. My house is a wreck. Church is tonight, and church in itself is a WHOLE other issue. Honestly I don't want to even darken the doors right now. There is ALWAYS something going on and sometimes I just get to a point where I am fed up and I want to go to a big church where I don't know what goes on behind the scenes. But I sure do love Jesus and I want to be obedient to Him. If it were not for the smiling, sweet faces of the children Tiff and I teach on Wednesday, I'd just stay home tonight.
One more thing . . . our house is on the market, the stress of renting/leasing/selling it while we are trying to purchase another house. The lender needs all of this paperwork and I feel like a complete idiot because I don't even know where to find what she needs or what it looks like. Jon handles all of this stuff. I had to confess my ignorance to her yesterday. I really felt small AND stupid. The worries of being a real estate agent and knowing that you can get to the closing table and not close on the house of your dreams. UGGHH!!!
Thanks for hearing me vent. Sorry if I've been a "Debbie Downer" or "Grumpy Gracey" today. . . but unfortunately these days do come . . . and . . . Praise God . . . they do GO!!!
Wordless Wednesday
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Celebrating the Ones I Love
We made love notes for one another. Everyone had a heart with their name on it and we sent our hearts around the table for everyone to write something nice about one another.
"Happy Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine's Day." You get the picture.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Memorization Monday
"Daniel said, 'Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him.' Daniel 2:20
Friday, February 13, 2009
Peas, Carrots, and Roast Beef
One day as Hanna was rubbing his belly she saw his boy parts. She told Jon, "Daddy, Max has peas, carrots, and roast beef." I'll let you guys use your imagination and decide which part is the peas and what part is the carrot. This is another one of those things that have just 'stuck' . . . Max has peas, carrots, and roast beef.
Yesterday we took him to get neutered. The day before Max was to go to the vet the kids had lots of questions about him getting neutered. I started explaining to them how it takes a male and a female to have a baby. A male has sperm and a female has eggs. A sperm has to fertilize an egg in order for a baby to be formed, and the vet was going to make it to where Max couldn't participate in having babies. . . . blah, blah, blah.
Yesterday morning, as we were hurrying to get out of the house to take him to the vet, the following conversation took place.
Alec: "Mom, are they going to cut Max's peas off?"
Me: "No, baby. They are going to leave his peas and his carrots. They are just going to kill the sperm."
Ash: "Yeah, Alec. They are just going to make it where he can't be a fertilizer."
**Shows you what I know . . . I've had a terrible "blonde" moment (I don't have a hint of blonde in my hair but I DO think like one) . . . . I just assumed neutering was like a vasectomy. After talking to my mom yesterday she informed me that "Yes, they do remove the peas." Oops! Better go tell the kids:)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
I Came, I Saw, and I Conquered
Laundry is the never-ending chore around here. . . between working, homeschooling, ballet, basketball, ballroom dancing lessons, swim practice, and church, it is so hard to stay on top of it. . . at least we're out living life, right?
But today, I went downstairs and saw it, but before I conquered it . . . it erupted with this little one hiding from her big sister.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
My 100th post
1. I play with my hair when I am tired.
2. I have always wanted to be a mom.
3. When I was little I always wanted to have glasses, braces, and a broken arm. I never had ANY of them.
4. I used to hate having red hair, freckles, and being tall and skinny as a teenager. Now those are the things I love the most about my appearance.
5. The beach is one of my most favorite places in the world to be. I can literally be out there from sunrise to sunset.
6. I love running. It is some of my best time with the Lord. It is the only time of day when I am all by myself. Running gives me time to pray and LISTEN. I love especially running outside where I can gaze at God's masterpiece of creation.
7. I grew up eating deer meat, squirrel, dove, and quail. My stepdad loves to hunt. I actually loved squirrel. One day my Granny told me it was a rat. I disagreed heavily with her, then looked it up in the dictionary. Beside the picture of a squirrel it said rodent. I have never eaten one since.
8. Well water is some of the best tasting water in the world to me.
9. I never could have imagined marrying a man as wonderful as Jon. He really is my Prince Charming and my best friend.
10. Jon and I met where we worked. He had graduated from college, and I was a freshman. He was my boss. We were great friends for a long time. At that point in my life I dated LOTS of people. I started dating this guy I really liked alot. Jon knew this. He decided to make his move. The rest is history!!!
11. Our first date was to The Roxy in Atlanta to see Candlebox. Honestly it really was not a very good date until it was time for him to take me home. I told him I was sorry that the date hadn't turned out so well, but I really valued his friendship and I didn't want anything to mess that up. He replied by asking if he could kiss me . . .
12. My parents divorced when I was 3 and my sister was 1. Growing up I resented this alot. I can remember telling God that if He'd make my parents get back together I would give up all of my Christmases for the rest of my life. Now, as an adult, I am glad they did. If they didn't, I would have grown up in a home where my dad was abusive to my mom. I would have never had the privilege of being loved by my stepdad, who means so very much to me. I love him as much as if he were my biological father. I would not have my little sister Kristen either.
13. I was a majorette in high school. My senior year I twirled knives.
14. I bleach my teeth way too much.
15. I obsess at times about exercise and food. I go through periods where I really have body image disorder and pick my body apart.
16. I love to laugh.
17. I love children, not just my own, but other children also.
18. When I found out I was pregnant the first time I knew I wanted a boy. I didn't grow up around boys very much and thought a boy would be lots of fun.
19. I gained 40 lbs. my first pregnancy and thought I'd be able to wear my regular blue jeans home. I actually packed them in my suitcase. Imagine how upset I was when I tried Jon's on and couldn't even wear his!!!
20. To lose my weight I wanted to take diet pills. Jon said no. I then had to learn about the healthy way to lose weight. . . . exercising and dieting.
21. I have white eyelashes and I look very different without my mascara on. It is the one makeup item I must have.
22. My mom has the best cooking in the world. I love going home to one of her home-cooked meals.
23. I love my stepdad dearly. He is such a great Papa to my kids. They all are just crazy in love with him. Nanna and Papa's house is one of my kids very favorite places to go.
24. I tend to keep myself busy. I think I thrive on busyness. I used to think it was b/c I had LOTS to do. I now think alot of things I create myself to keep busy. I struggle with what Beth Moore calls the "captivity of activity."
25. I watch really little TV. If I had to total my hours of TV watching in a week I would probably guess 2 hours or less, unless we pop on a family movie. I fall asleep easily in front of it.
26. All of my kids names have stories behind them. I love a good story!
27. The first apartment Jon and I lived in was a DUMP! I don't even think it had a name. I just remember calling it Mrs. Parker's apartments (that was the name of our landlord).
28. I love living close to my family, even though it is an hour away from my parents.
29. I wish my parents would move closer to us. I love the town we live in, and although I love going back and visiting my hometown, I would never want to move back there.
30. My mom married my stepdad when I was 5. The first memory I have of him is he bought Melissa and I a doll called, "Tippy Toes."
31. When I was little my Grandmama would tell Melissa and I that we would be the best of friends when we grew up. We fought like CRAZY with one another. I would tell Grandmama, 'NEVER, EVER'. . . . Grandmama was right.
32. I have great memories of my grandparents growing up. They instilled in me alot of the values I have to this day. Some of my favorite memories are . . . watching Braves baseball, The Price is right, Tom and Jerry, and Sanford and Son with my Papa, putting Dippy Do in his hair, painting his thick, yellow, crusty toenails (YUCK), waking up to the smell of my Grandmama's cooking, her listening ear when I was sad about my parents fighting, she always dolling Melissa and I up in pretty dresses, going to the nursing home with her to see my Great Grandmother.
33. A good salad is one of my very favorite foods. Growing up we had a salad at every meal.
34. I had never eaten chicken wings, feta cheese, or mayonnaise on saltine crackers until I met Jon.
35. I quit college with only 8 months and student teaching to go before having my Bachelors in Education to be at home with Alec. I have never regretted being a stay-at-home mom.
36. I never in a million years thought I would homeschool my kids.
37. I never knew I could love a dog like I love Max.
38. I wish I were more organized. Getting organized is not the problem. . . staying organized is.
39. I drink lots and lots of water, most always with lemon added.
40. I have to repent alot about my feelings for my Dad. I wish he would change. There are some days when I feel like his biggest cheerleader and others when I never want to see him again. I have to depend on the love of God to love him. He seems to get worse and worse as the years go by. I have always held onto this hope that he would get better.
41. I wish I talked to my little sister Kristen more. I wish I made more of an effort.
42. I would love to travel anywhere and everywhere. I have a taste for adventure.
43. Growing up I was a daredevil and afraid of very little. When I had Alec I became afraid of just about everything. I am slowly, but surely breaking free of that.
44. I have a selfish side of me. My children teach me about 'dying to self' everyday.
45. I drive a Yukon Denali that we call "Noah's Ark"
46. I have been to Disney World 8 times as an adult and once as a child.
47. I love to play board games or cards with my family.
48. I love to read.
49. I love blogging and reading blogs. I really need to control this addiction of mine.
50. I tend to be a very driven, motivated, and disciplined person. Those are all good traits; however, I tend to couple all of them with being stressed out. I wish I could be these things and still be carefree, silly, and laid back. . . . that is the balance I am trying to obtain.
51. I love Jesus with all of my heart, soul, strength, and mind. I truly don't see how people make it without Him!!!
52. I serve in the Children's ministry at church. This is where my heart is. I love each and everyone of those children dearly.
53. I straighten my hair with a straightener. If I don't, it will be frizzy-izzy and BIG!!!
54. I love laying out in the sun by the pool in the summer.
55. I love to paint rooms in my house. . . weird, huh?
56. Growing up we had these neighbors that we thought were so weird. . . . they homeschooled their kids, they put honey in their tea instead of sugar, they were very strict about what their children could see on television (including commercials) . . . . little did I know that I would turn out to be just like them!!!
57. I am grateful that I moved away from home. I miss my mom, but I believe moving away allowed me to grow and develop my own identity in ways I don't think I would have if I'd stayed at home and had the same environment, influences, friends, etc., as I did in high school.
58. I love to decorate.
59. I don't like cooking, but I think it is because my kitchen is super-tiny.
60. I started drinking my coffee black about 4 months ago and I love it.
61. I use coconut oil as a moisturizer.
62. I take off my makeup religiously every night. I started doing this once I read that it ages your face 3 days for every night you sleep in your makeup.
63. I am an avid flosser. If I don't floss my teeth before I go to bed it drives me crazy.
64. I very rarely dream at night. If I do, I don't remember them.
65. I wear way too much black.
66. I kiss and tuck my kids into bed every night.
67. I wake up during the middle of the night to check on them.
68. Then I get up at 4:00 a.m. to work.
69. Jon and I pray with our kids every night.
70. My constant prayer over my children is this, "Lord, where I fail them or others fail them in life, I pray you will use that for your glory." It helps me deal with "perfect mom syndrome."
71. My first name is Anna, and I am called by my middle name. I am named after my Granny (mom's mom) and my Dad.
72. I love to scrapbook and sew.
73. Very rarely do I remember mom cooking dessert growing up . . . it is probably why I could leave it or take it.
74. I will never forget the day I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I was 10-1/2 years old. It was in July. I told the lady at church who prayed with me that my Dad is on drugs. I can't remember a time in my life where I have not hurt for him.
75. I remember visiting my Dad one time in jail. My Grandmother, Faye, took Melissa and I to see him. She was a special, special lady. I named my Ashley after her. She taught me about the love of Jesus and took me to church and to Sunday School. I believe she is the one who instilled in me a love for children.
76. I picture myself growing very old and teaching aerobics in the nursing home.
77. Jon and I didn't have cell phones until 3 years ago. He hates monthly payments and we never had a need for them until we got into real estate. I think it was a happy day for Mama, Tiff, and Melissa when we got them!!!
78. We had a ski boat growing up and I LOVED to ski. I looked like a Q-tip on skis. These are some of my favorite childhood memories, being at the lake camping and skiing.
79. I have memories of my Dad being abusive to my mom and stepmom. He never ever was physical with us, but I remember being very afraid of him as a kid. My Grandmama and Papa's house was a safehaven for Melissa and I.
80. I have prayed many, many prayers over my Dad. I have fasted and prayed. I've prayed scripture over him. I've read books on spiritual warfare. About 2 years ago my prayer became very simple and has stayed that way, "Lord, please do your will in my Dad's life."
81. Jon and I always wanted 4 children, Hanna cured us of that.
82.. There are times when I feel my family is not complete . . . that thought really scares me! My mom would kill me!
83. I LOVE being a homeschooling mom and I wouldn't trade all the tea in China for it. Watching my children learn and grow is a precious gift from God.
84. I tend to overextend myself ALOT.
85. I tend to be a worrier. I have to take my thoughts captive to the truth - what God says in His word.
86. I am so addicted to coffee and really wish I wasn't.
87. My church has A LOT of ups and downs, and at times I get frustrated and am ready to throw in the towel and go somewhere else. . . I am thankful that Jon is a committed person. Our church is an extension of our family and I love each and every person there dearly.
88. Melissa, my sister, knows me better than I know myself. She can call me out on things in 2.2 that I would even deny to myself.
89. I love PEOPLE - all kinds, those who agree with me and those who don't,those who are like me and those who are not. I don't consider myself a judgemental person at all. People tend to energize me! I tend to make friends easily and am definitely a social butterfly.
90. When my children are grown I would love to be a personal trainer or teach aerobics at a senior citizen's center . . . to help people get healthy and be healthy . . . like Bob on Biggest Loser. I'm not tough enough to be Jillian.
91. I am a priss-pot. I love to wear my high heels - EVERYWHERE!!! I refuse to become a frumpy mom.
92. I hate going grocery shopping. I spend way too much money and have absolutely no fun doing it.
931. I love my Mom deeply and don't know what I'd do without her.
94. I love having a son. Most of the time I don't understand boys, but I love him to pieces.
95. I hope and pray as my children grow I will remain a steady and constant, positive influence and role model in their lives. I pray that our family of 5 will be the best of friends with one another for our whole lives.
96. I love to study the word of God. I would spend hours upon hours if my day would allow. Kay Arthur Bible studies are my favorites (they teach you to dig into the truth yourself and not rely on what a teacher says) and I really enjoy Beth Moore a lot too.
97. I have wonderful in-laws. I really don't like the word "in-laws". It sounds so forced to me, like you just HAVE to be family with someone. I prefer to refer to them as my "parents by marriage". They are wonderful, wonderful people and love me like one of their own. They teach me more about the love of God than they could ever know. I am very privileged to carry their last name. I feel the same way about my "sister by marriage" Holly. She's a great big sister and I look up to her and lover her just as much as Jon does. The same goes for my "brother by marriage", Lee. I love having a brother. He is such a great guy. I'm so glad he is happy.
98. I tend to overextend myself ALOT, and I have a hard time saying, "No."
99. I really like for people to like me and if they don't, it bothers me.
100. I love my girlfriends dearly. They mean so very much to me!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Memorization Monday
8 "Now then, listen, you wanton creature, lounging in your security and saying to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or suffer the loss of children.'
9 Both of these will overtake you in a moment, on a single day: loss of children and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and all your potent spells.
10 You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, 'No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me.' Isaiah 47:8-10
Gotta go Memorize!!!
More Kid Talk
The girls very rarely see this side of Jon and were somewhat in shock. We got in the car (the girls and I) to head to Jon's parents house. Ashley was ranting and raving about how grumpy her daddy was.
Hanna: "Mom, are you and Daddy going to get a divorce."
Me: "No Baby. Just because Daddy and I disagree or get into an argument doesn't mean we don't love one another. We really aren't fighting. Daddy is just aggravated with Mommy. I'm not upset with him though. No, Hanna, we are not getting a divorce."
Hanna: "Well, if y'all do, I'm goin' live with you because Daddy is being mean."
After Jon was in a better mood, I told him about this. We both just laughed!! Art Linkletter was right when he said, "Kids say the darndest things."
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Kid Talk
When I was leaving church today his Mimi stopped me and told me about the following conversation they had:
Benjamin: Mimi, I saw Ashley the other day at the basketball game and she was looking hot.
Mimi: Benjamin! You'd better not say that to her mother or she might get mad at you. That is not a word that a young boy should be saying.
Benjamin: Well, Mimi, what if I said Ashley looked like a foxy mama?
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The Results are In
Meredith, I counted your first vote, since it was your FIRST one and it agreed with ME!
Rhonda, I counted your vote as olive green too since it agreed with ME!
Melanie, your comment meant so much to me. I tried to find you in the bloggy world to let you know how very sweet you are, but I couldn't find you. Thank you for your encouraging words. I love that there is another mama out there wearing high heels and funky earrings to soccer games, ballet classes, and mommy & me classes! You make me smile!
Tiff, you were all over this girl. BUT, I only counted your vote once since it agreed with Jon.
Before I let y'all know what the color the sofa is based on the vote of the people I had to copy and paste this thread on facebook. It had me laughing so hard. It is really indicative of my personality because I can jump from one subject to a totally different subject in a matter of 2.2.
Nicole at 8:54am February 6
camel
Melissa at 9:02am February 6
It's kindof a tan with a greenish tint. Why?
Michele at 9:03am February 6
read my status
Melissa at 9:04am February 6
what color do you say it is?
Michele at 9:07am February 6
I'll tell later. I'm going to blog about it. Don't you dare call me a dork!
Scott at 9:09am February 6
I am thinking Tobacco.
Melissa at 9:10am February 6
I'm going to take a picture of my sofa today too. Who knows, I might blog about it.
Michele at 9:12am February 6
Scott and Melissa, y'all are so funny! I am laughing so hard right now!! I don't know what color tobacco is? My memory has escaped me from the time Melissa chewed it when she was in 2nd grade (she's my little sister, Scott)
Stephanie at 9:12am February 6
LOL at Melissa!! I think we should all take pictures of our sofas and blog about them!!
Tiffani at 9:12am February 6
taupeish/brown, dear.
Scott at 9:13am February 6
Tobacco is pretty much the color of..... your sofa!
Melissa at 9:13am February 6
me too. tiffani thinks your sofa is NOT green.
Melissa at 9:15am February 6
seriously, tobacco? it's not that dark. by the way michele that tobacco was peach flavored. james tempted me with the peach flavor. he just wanted to see if i'd throw up.
Tiffani at 9:15am February 6
I think it's a little lighter than tobacco, Scott. But, def. NOT greenish at all, Melissa! I'm sticking with TAUPE...it's a little darker than ACTUAL taupe but not dark enough for just BROWN!
Michele at 9:17am February 6
my kids are starving and i can't seem to pull myself away from this computer b/c y'all have me laughing so HARD!! Next week I'll post carpet samples for our new house
Scott at 9:18am February 6
Clarification... cigarette tobacco. No idea what peach flavored chewing tobacco looks like... EWWW!
Melissa at 9:18am February 6
i think i'm right. i have to stare at that thing while i'm laying on the chrisitan women's center mattress everytime i spend the night
Tiffani at 9:20am February 6
Melissa, PEACH tobacco may actually BE that color!! You Jones Co. girls are certifiable! :) That couch is in the DING DANG brown family no matter WHAT tobacco you chew!
Michele at 9:21am February 6
For the 200th time, Melissa, those mattresses DID NOT come from CWC. I bought them from Teresa. We see with the same eyes Melissa. It must be from all the deer, brains and eggs, squirrel and dove growing up . . . uh!oh! I'm telling WAY too much about our childhood!
Melissa at 9:21am February 6
i agree in the brown family, but it does have a green tint
Melissa at 9:22am February 6
or maybe it's our lack of all that yummy stuff as adults.(jk) you do know that when we came home i ate some squirrel just so i wouldn't seem snobby. never forget your roots:)
Michele at 9:24am February 6
Yuck. I can't muster up enough to do that since Granny told me it was a rat. Definitely has a green tint!
Tiffani at 9:24am February 6
Scott, while chewing tobacco is a bit darker, cigarette tobacco is more chocolate brown with hints of gold....this couch is not DARK...how can one look at this couch and not think "taupe"??? Melissa, however does have the upper hand while laying on the Thrifty Mattress, but mind you these girls drank the same water growing up... :)
Michele at 9:25am February 6
Well water that is!
Melissa at 9:26am February 6
definitely a green tint. I know. i was trying not to gag.
Michele at 9:27am February 6
Will you email me your profile pic, please Melissa? I want a copy of it so I can order an 8 x 10.
Melissa at 9:27am February 6
oh my goodness. i love mama's water. it's better than dasanti.
Melissa at 9:28am February 6
you want me just to upload it somewhere for you. the quality will be better.
Tammy at 9:28am February 6
Yall are cracking me up, Michele I hope you are getting the answers you are looking for (NOT)! I agree with Tif, its in the brown family. And if you chew tobacco you will turn green!!! :)
Melissa at 9:29am February 6
please go make my nieces and nephews breakfast. i can hear alec right now in that southern voice."mawma, we're starving"
Michele at 9:29am February 6
Upload it to Walmart.com. you know my password.
Michele at 9:30am February 6
Actually is it Hanna who is starving.
Tiffani at 9:30am February 6
TAMMY GOT IT!!!! You girls chewed the tobacco so that is WHY you see it GREEN!!!! hahahahahaha! And, Michele this stream of comments cannot be about emailing pics...we are on a roll here!
Michele at 9:31am February 6
Tiff you know how easily side tracked I get. For the record, I never chewed the tobacco, but I do remember Melissa throwing up from it.
Michele at 9:32am February 6
Scott, where are you? Is cigarette tobacco your story and you're stickin' to it?
Jennie at 9:35am February 6
brown
Melissa at 9:41am February 6
I uploaded that picture. It should be ready in an hour. I put for you to pay in store.
Michele at 9:43am February 6
Did you do an 8 x10? Sorry Tiff we've changed to subject on ya! Love you bunches though!
Terri at 9:49am February 6
Definitely camel...
Melissa at 9:49am February 6
yes, you should get an email confirmation
Haley at 10:42am February 6
Girl....who would have thought so many comments about ur couch color in such a short time. I am sticking with the dark khaki.............of light camel.
Melandie at 10:55am February 6
It's actually the same color as my living room sofas... it's brownish with a dark olive tint...(That's my official opinion)
Nicole at 11:02am February 6
Looks like a brown/green/yellow color
Nicole at 11:05am February 6
maybe take a picture without the red pillow...sometimes it can pick up hues from something else on top of it...maybe that's where the confusion is coming in LOL
Suzanne at 11:39am February 6
light brown....what a controversy!
Monica at 2:23pm February 6
I think I have those same pillows....but as for the sofa color...I am going with olive green with a hint of khaki!
Molly at 3:22pm February 6
My mama has these couches and, I definitely agree with the olive green part... I'd say med/lt coffee with olive green!!! Ya'll are too funny with all the "Wayside" talk... I grew up there too!!! Completely understand the well water and deer talk!!! DO ya'll remember Mac having the squirrel stew every year???
Christine at 6:26pm February 6
lol I asked Robin what color the sofa was, he's usually pretty good at colors, he looked and said "Gray or Brown or Tan". So much for his opinion
Christine at 6:53pm February 6
Here's my two cents worth - I'm going with warm golden brown
Christine at 6:53pm February 6
or.. that could be worn golden brown
Robin at 8:44pm February 6
that definitely has a greenish tint...i would not call it taupe
For the results. . . . drumroll please. . . the winner is . . . BROWN!!!! Jon won. Brown had 13 votes. Olive had 12. It was a close one. But, if anyone at all said greenish tint, I counted it as olive so it probably wasn't as close as it looks. I guess I've just discovered I'm color blind:)
Thanks for participating everyone. It was alot of fun!!! You all made me laugh!