Monday Musings

For today...Monday, February 2, 2009

Outside my window...sunshine, as usual. Beautiful day.
I am thinking...about all that needs to get done today. *sigh*
I am thankful for...the opportunity to stay home and raise my children.  I love it.
From the kitchen...cereal for breakfast, dishes need to be done.
I am wearing...comfy clothes.

I am creating...well rounded children, hopefully.
I am going...to Office Depot to get some sort of a planner for homeschooling.
I am reading...Created to be His Help Meet in addition to the latest Redbook.
I am hoping...that I get a burst of motivation to get everything done today.
I am hearing...Emma brushing her teeth, Brody playing.
Around the house...much to be done.
One of my favorite things...sleeping in.  If only I could have one night/morning of uninterrupted sleep.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study, eye doctor appt. (hopefully), volunteering at church, play dates.
Here is a picture that I'm sharing: 9 months pregnant and I kind of miss it.

Do Movies Annoy You Too??

*Warning: I need to complain*

So the husband and I get the mail today and we have a movie waiting for us.  YAY!  We used to love this...get a movie in the mail, put the kids to bed early, pop some popcorn and enjoy a cheap mini-date.  But it seems that lately, every single movie we watch SUCKS (I gotta keep it real here and cannot think of any other word to better describe it)!  Are we just prudes or do you agree? Either the movie (and we choose the popular ones) is perverted, extremely violent, full of cursing (and I mean every other word) or leaves you asking, "what the heck..." after devoting 2+ hours to it.  We've actually had to turn off a few movies because of how offensive they were.  Don't get me wrong, every now and then a good one comes along, but for the most part we are just left feeling so blah and drained after watching some (most) of the crap thats out there.  

Whew.  I feel a little better.

Game Recommendation!!

Okay, at the risk of sounding like a HUGE dork, I just have to say that if you have never played the game Settlers of Catan, you must!  Finding someone you know who has played it before is a plus, since it is a little complicated - but SO worth learning.  Get the Cities and Knights expansion; its such a better game with it.  

For those of you who enjoy online gaming from time to time you can play Settlers here (its called "Explorers" and that is the only difference you'll find).  To add to my already obvious dorkiness, you may find me playing online from time to time... username: AlieHowie. *wow...did i just admit that?*

Anyway, we just finished a game night with friends and thats why I had to announce the awesomeness that is Settlers of Catan.  Super fun.  Enjoy the picture (I felt it was very necessary for you to get a visual.)

p.s. I have no idea who the man is in the picture and I have no idea what his shirt means......anyone?

Wordless Wednesday

FIREPROOF

Tonight we watched the movie Fireproof and I just had to post my thoughts about it here:

We loved it.  

We are so proud that a nationally shown movie (rated #4 at the box office) captured a typical American marriage complete with common marital issues with such honesty, integrity and transparency.  Fireproof shone a light on the many struggles that a marriage can encounter (financial, emotional, sexual) with honesty that most movies don't show (and movie-goers don't expect), as well as providing the answer that can provide renewal, reconciliation, and healing: Jesus.  

How bold to put it all out there and proclaim the truth that is found in Him.  So many marriages are falling apart and honestly, although Mark and I have been Christians for the majority of our lives, our own marriage was once at risk.  Through the grace of Christ we made the decision to start over and place our marriage in His perfect hands and since then our marriage and love for one another hasn't been the same.  

February, 2007 - We decided to get baptized as a couple.

A renewed marriage in Christ.

If you are in a marriage that is just okay or if things are nearing divorce, I urge you to commit your life to Christ, pray for forgiveness and for God to restore your marriage.  You can start by watching Fireproof.

25 Truths

1. My favorite day of the week is Friday because I have the whole weekend to look forward to.

2. I fell in love with my husband when I was 15 years old...and told my mom that I'd marry him one day.

3. Although I know its terrible, my favorite fast food hamburger is a Double-Double "animal style" from In-N-Out.

4. I used to dye my hair black in college (with the out-of-the-box-crap....not good!).

5. I played the clarinet for over 8 years and miss it sometimes.

6. I still sleep with my baby blanket that I've had for over 27 years (if my house were burning down it would be in my 'top 10 things to grab').

7. I got braces for a year (even though I didn't need them) so that I had perfect teeth and could start my acting career off right.

8. My first job was as a grocery bagger at Big John's Food King; I was 15.

9. I smoked cigarettes for nearly 3 years (18-21) and regret it.

10. When I'm nervous I play with my hair.

11. I am obsessed with perfect eyebrows although mine are far from it.

12. I accepted Christ when I was 12 years old.

13. I love to eat out at restaurants but mostly cook at home.

14. I used to want 6 kids, then 3 and now its back up to 4 (maybe 5?).

15. I LOVE Christmastime. 

16. I prefer dark chocolate to milk chocolate.

17. I don't have a favorite flower but my top 3 are tulips, roses, gerber daisies.

18. My favorite band is the Dave Matthews Band.

19. I do not like heights at all.

20. I've been fired from a job once: Chili's, 2001, I was one of 5 unfairly let go in a two week span.

21. I love my name, it means 'sacred truth'...and I am pretty honest.

22. My parents both speak Portuguese fluently although my sisters and I don't.  I want to change that.

23. I know sign language (although I'm way out of practice).

24. I used to hate beer, but I love a cold Corona every now and then.

25. My favorite season is autumn. 

Monday Musings

For today...Monday, January 26, 2009

Outside my window...a crisp, sunny Souther CA day.
I am thinking...that I have a schedule to write for the week and hopefully I'll keep it.
I am thankful for...my husband; I am married to the best man.
From the kitchen...just came hot whole-wheat pancakes and fruit.  Yum.
I am wearing...jammies.
I am creating...new family goals.
I am going...to the Hume Lake Vision Dinner tonight and am really looking forward to it.
I am reading...Created to be His Help Meet (Ladies, pick this one up, link is on the right under 'Books I Love').
I am hoping...that Mark finds a job in the valley.
I am hearing...Emma eat an apple.
Around the house...there are a few piles that need attention.
One of my favorite things...an organized home.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study, Orphans Care Team meeting, game night w/ friends.
Here is a picture that I'm sharing: Prescott Park, NH - my favorite park.

Foster Care Update

Ironically, I was just complaining to Mark yesterday about how it feels like completing this licensing process is taking so long and how we're never going to get a placement and never have the opportunity to serve in this way.  I have been so frustrated with the fact that our background checks weren't given to us when they should have been and that there were a couple delay's in processing them.  We've been praying and praying, waiting as patiently as we can (okay, as I can).  

Then today our licensing worker called and we FINALLY received some good news.

She received the results of our background check from CT today and is waiting to receive the results from NH (which NH mailed to me and I forwarded to her on Wednesday; she should get them by Monday or Tuesday).  Then she will send our file to her supervisor who will send us our license upon approval.  The completion of this process should take an additional 2 weeks.

We are now expecting to receive a placement within a month or so, but who knows how long it will take.  It seems that everything has taken such a long time...probably because I am impatient.  I'm so nervous/excited about how our family dynamics will change and how God will work in this situation.  Please continue to pray for the little girl that joins our family, even if it is short-term.

My Goal: To Lose That Gut!

Okay, I really need to lose around 10 pounds.

I'm only sharing this as a way to keep myself accountable.  I used to be thin and trim and never thought twice about diet and exercise.  Then I had a couple babies and boy does that change things!  I know that I need to be exercising daily and eating more fruits and vegetables than I currently  do.  If I'm honest, this has been difficult because I'd rather eat Sun Chips with my turkey sandwich (complete with extra mayo) than say, an apple.  I'd rather have one of my yummy homemade banana nut muffins for a snack than say, yogurt and a handful or almonds....which would be fine if I actually scheduled exercise into my day the way I schedule in everything else thats a priority. 

Time to muscle up some discipline (no pun intended).  If I was able to endure the labor and birth of an 8.6 lb. child completely drug free, then surely I can get my sexy abs back, right?

So here is my goal (wish me luck):

Wordless Wednesday