Easter is upon us

We are all ready for Easter around our house -- even my tulips decided to FINALLY bloom on Saturday!

Below is just one of the 100 bulbs I planted in the front bed -- LOVE THEM!!

It's amazing what God creates out of a very not pretty "rock looking" bulb!

Here is a little recap of our Sunday (kinda long post -- sorry).

So, yesterday was Palm Sunday and the BBs walked into church waving their Palm branches so angelically! I thought everything was going smoothly until Reed spotted Rob who was in the back of the church because he was an usher. Reed ran over to him to give him a hug and Rob then told him he better go on down to the front with all the other children. Well, Reed did not like that one bit and proceeded to cry all the way down the aisle -- and when I mean cry, I mean SOB. We were almost to the end and ran back to the back to Rob saying, "Daaaddyyy." After the older kids sang a song, he must have decided it would be okay to back down for children's church. The children's sermon  was about Easter and Reed whispered to me, "JESUS DIED!?!?!?!" {They had already discussed this at preschool}. So I reminded him that "yes, he did die but he rose from the dead, remember, to save us from our sins?" "That's right mommy..." Pretty cute conversation in the middle of children's church.

So I get Luke to the nursery and I'm back to my seat just in time for the sermon when Laura whispers in my ear  that Luke was hysterical in the nursery. Went down and they said he had been screaming for "Ree, Mama, Da-dee." (he says "da-dee" kinda like Auntie Em when she is looking for Dorothy during the tornado scene in The Wizard of Oz, and just about that loud!! Da--Dee). He was NOT HAVING the nursery today, so we went back up to the back of the sanctuary where I thought he might would sit in my lap and let me listen. Not having that either. He kept screaming through his paci "um, Ree, um, Ree" -- so against my better judgement, I went into "big" church with the little one. He saw his brother and da-dee and finally no crying. It went OKAY, other than Luke yelling "nandy" -- Luke lang for candy -- then Reed did not want to share the "nandy" -- typical. SO after several mini-meltdowns in the middle of the sermon, I did (God does perform miracles every day, and this was one) manage to get three key verses out of the sermon. This is them:

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Romans 8:1

I tried to write something about this verse, but Paul puts it so simply, yet so much is being said -- I absolutely LOVE this verse. And like I said in an earlier post, I'm a music girl, and this verse was the inspiration for this song, Forgiven and Loved, by Jimmy Needham

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our sins; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isiah 53:5

Listen this very verse in this song by Mac Powell (and others) of Third Day -- By His Wounds

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

WOW -- what Jesus did that day on the cross is out of this world, and as Bro. Mike said, "very hard to wrap your mind around" -- and we won't until we get to heaven. But while here in our earthly lives, the great part is, we don't have to -- Jesus died to take away our sins and that's all we have to know! The more I read and re-read this verse, it is so hard to grasp but there is a peace about it brought only by God's grace.
Another thing I did hear Bro. Mike say (during our candy "situation") was that when Jesus praying in the garden and asked God to "take this cup from me" he was probably not only thinking about the physical pain of the cross, but the mental pain (think about all the sins running through His mind from over the span of time--this is also very hard to wrap your mind around) that He would go through on the cross as he bore all of not only my sin, but all of humanity.

This week I am really going to focus on Easter -- to be thankful for salvation and all the blessings I receive each day!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all Creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

oh -- and here are a few pics of the BBs after their nap yesterday afternoon

Luke has taken to sleeping with this bunny that is bigger than he is (told y'all we were ready for Easter)

Reed has also added a rabbit to the multitude of stuffed animals he calls "my people" that he sleeps with 

Date night @ Market Cafe!!!

We are so lucky in our little town to be such a thriving community! We have a bustling downtown area and wonderful downtown merchants. Rob and I had the pleasure of a rare weeknight out with some friends at Market Cafe a few Thursday nights ago. Check out this article from the Columbus Dispatch about the establishment and its proprietors, Johnny and Alice Wooten. They stay open on the "Third Thursday" of each month for dinner and it's something we are kinda making into a tradition if we can find enough babysitters to go around. The food is just wonderful! Johnny and Alice are the chef/owners of this restaurant in our downtown area which is in a newly renovated historic building just off of Main Street. On a personal note, their little boy Jesse is in Reed's class at school and they are the best of friends. Anyway -- onto the food: I had the Cajun Ribeye (Certified Angus Beef blackened with a crawfish sauce and Rob had the Grouper Bienville (Gulf grouper with a shrimp and crab Bienville sauce)-- both amazing! Alice and Johnny also have Ala Carte Alice which are gourmet dip, soup, cheeseball mixes -- all of which are delish! Anyway, a good time was had by all! Go see them for lunch or on a third Thursday...yummy!

Johnny Wooten, owner of Market Cafe (and me!)

Music makes me smile (some tunes on my run playlist)

Okay, so this is going to be a very random post...but anyway...here it goes...

Many of you know I started running about a year ago and now I'm kinda addicted. I trained and ran the St. Jude 1/2 marathon in Memphis back in December and had a ball doing that.

Here are a few pics from the race:

LC, me, and Laura pre-race (it was C-O-L-D, about 28 degrees)

The husbands "pre-race" -- our #1 cheerleaders

Us after the race!!!

(No pic of hubbies after since the looked about the same =-)

Anyway, other than a few weeks of inclement weather (i.e. snow and rain), I haven't really stopped running since. I love being outside -- running through our little town as well as running through a lot of the countryside when I was doing my longer runs while training for the 1/2. But I think the main reason I love it so much is b/c I get to listen to music --uninterrupted-- for 30 minutes to an hour when I go and I LOVE MUSIC -- all kinds (too many kinds for that matter)! We do listen to a lot of music around the house, but the "little blonde boys" are normally in control of the remote to our docking station, so there is no telling what 20 second snippet of a song I will hear -- Reed already has his own ideas of the type music he likes!!

So to movitate myself to run, I download new music. ---- And I must admit (mini rant here) I did download that Ke$ha (I can't believe I just typed that name with the $ in it -- ha, why would someone think it is cool to do that) song Tic-Toc and I hate the way she pronounces her name Ke-sha, not Key-sha, as one would think ---- anyway, like the beat and melody to the song, hate everything about her name.

Now -- back to the music I really love.

Two words -- Amos Lee -- I have been listening to him for a while now and I am just about in love with him (second only to R.O.Y--hehe). Southern Girl is one of my favorites of his, and here's why:

Something about a Southern Girl

Makes me feel right

in a Mississippi morning

she's my angel in flight

in a blink of an eye

she'll be out of your sight

something about a Southern girl

I always wonder if Amos found him a good 'ole Mississippi girl somewhere and she broke his heart -- I would love to know the background on this song. He probably just used Mississippi because the alliteration sounded good with morning! I will probably never know but this Mississippi girl thinks the song is great no matter what the story is...

Anyway, if you like mellow rainy day music give him a listen...you will NOT be disappointed. Oh -- and then there is Ray Lamontagne -- another fave... Anyway, this is what is on my playlist right now:

Southern Girl by Amos Lee
Philosophy by Bed Folds Five
Trouble by Ray Lamontagne
Outside Villanova by Eric Hutchinson
Leave your Boyfriends Behind by Leona Naess
Wagon Wheel by O.C.M.S
What's Been Going on by Amos Lee
Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
Last Goodbye by Jeff Buckley
Please Forgive Me by David Gray
List to the Dark Side by Charlie Mars (shout out to Broken Arrow, freshman year--Mississippi State)
Colors by Amos Lee
Use Me by Bill Withers

SO yes, I listen to Ke$ha (so hard to type that stupid $) and Amos Lee...but it's not just about the music or the person singing the song. It's what it means to me. Just about every single song on this playlist reminds me of someone or some fun memory. I think that's the main reason I love music -- it brings to my mind lots of special people and wonderful memories. Makes me smile every time I hear that song....

Welcome Spring!

Over the weekend, we have enjoyed being outside and enjoying the spring weather!

Luke saying cheese...then proceding to spill a full bottle of bubbles!

Reed running after the football -- getting his "muscles big"

Until Sunday, it truly felt like Spring! I think it actually sleeted some Sunday (the actual 1st day of Spring) -- crazy weather!

A few days ago, Reed told me that I had a flower tree outside my window (he's turning into quite the observant child). Anyway, I do and it is lovely! I've always called them Tulip trees but I think the actual name is Japanese Magnolia. I climbed this tree all the time as a little girl and now Reed is starting to climb it too.

I also planted 100 red/yellow tulip bulbs in a bed in the front of our house and they are about to bloom -- I can't wait to see them. Luke and I were walking around the yard Saturday afternoon and I started thinking about the beauty of spring. God's creation is so amazing. We are all new creations when we believe in Him -- the old has died and the new has come. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

The transformation of nature is amazing and here it is from our own back (and front!) yard...
This is our tulip tree back in January when it snowed and now

This is the bed where I planted the tulips when it snowed and now

And here are a few more shots of spring -- To God be the Glory!!!

I think this is Japanese quince? SO so pretty

I'm continuing to play around with my sewing machine. I have always LOVED fabric, ribbon, fun paper, etc. I work in a town that has the most incredible fabric store, Main Street Fabrics, and I find myself walking down there at lunch time to just look at all the fabrics and patterns. I try not to buy anything unless I've got a project in mind (this is very hard to do). It reminds me of  Hawthorne Threads online, except in real life. AND as I mentioned in an earlier post I found an adorable Amy Butler pattern for a dress for me -- which I have completed (after SEVERAL midnight sewing sessions)!! Stay tuned for our Easter pics to see the finished product. It is this pattern -- I can't find the fabric online so you will have to wait and see. I also bought this fabric to make the same dress again because I loved the fabric and it was on sale!!!

Oh well, now I'm off to catch up on the 1,500 episodes of Idol, Biggest Loser, and Kell on Earth -- I'm sure there are some other Bravo shows out there I need to become addicted too!

Whatever is lovely

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Philippians 4:6-8

This scripture is one that has been on my mind A LOT lately. I tend to be anxious about a lot of things. Wondering, wishing, hoping, dreaming (like about my kitchen "redo") -- Rob has helped me to be a little less anxious over the years because he IS the most laid back person you will ever meet. I have to remind myself on a daily basis not to be anxious, but to pray about everything and hand it over to God. That He created me and my family (and for that matter, everything in the universe) and He can handle any situation better than I can. Why would I think I can handle it better? Silly silly me!! The awesome part is, when I do pray about things, and hand problems over to HIM, I feel "the peace of God that passes all comprehension." And I love the word lovely. I just do. It is such a pretty word. I love all of the words that He tells us to dwell on true, honorable, right, pure, good repute -- I'm going to dwell on these things...

The Good St. Patrick

Happy St. Patty's Day!

This morning the BBs (blonde boys) reminded their daddy that they needed to wear green today (which I'm sure they talked about at school yesterday!!). Daddy was a little frustrated since they told him AFTER they were already dressed in something else -- but he obliged and they both have on their green tees today! They were in the middle of feeding Lilly, our beloved (and sometimes be-disliked) Beagle.

And that got me thinking, Bro. Mike, our preacher tells the wonderful story of St. Patrick and I was hoping I could find it to share. This morning as I checked my e-mail, it was in our mid-week newsletter (I love how God brings thoughts together). Here it is:

On March 17th, many churches, especially those with a large Irish population, will celebrate the life of St. Patrick. He grew up in a Christian home in Britain, but wasn't very religious until a major event changed his life. As a teen, he was captured and sold into slavery in Ireland, but escaped to Gaul (France) after six years. The years of enslavement strengthened his faith. He later wrote, " in that strange land (Ireland), the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes." He was led by God's voice to return to Ireland where he converted people to Christianity tribe by tribe. 

 Because Ireland is called the Emerald Isle, those who celebrate St. Patick's Day will wear something green. Some Christians will even color food or drink green. Many Christians will also eat corned beef and cabbage and decorate tables with shamrocks. Shamrocks are actually three-leaf (not four0leaf) clover plants. Legend has it that St. Patrick used the three leaves to teach about the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

On a TOTALLY different note, I was bound and determined to finish my latest sewing project -- a dress for me!!! It turned out very cute -- the only minor glitch is that the arm holes are about 3 inches around and will cut my circulation off if I wear it too long. The good part is: that can be fixed!!! I will try to post some pics of it soon. In the meantime, here are some pics of the BBs in some of my creations!

The boys in their shirts -- I cut the appliques out of old t-shirts I was too lazy to take to Goodwill

Big BB WOULD NOT Cooperate with me to take pics of the shorts I made to match the jon-jons for little B. Him laying down with the blanket was about the best I could get. The funny thing is, Rob keeps asking me when I'm going to make his jon-jon. Of course that is a huge joke because he's always told me I could dress them however I wanted until they were 2 and I've extended that just a wee bit. I had to throw that in there because it makes me laugh out loud everything I think about the image of Rob in my mind!!
If you know him, you will too...

Till next time!

Oreo Balls and BLAKE!!!

So this is a very RANDOM post, so bear with me.






Little BB decided he would help me in the kitchen!!!

OREO BALLS

We had some Oreos left over from something and I thought it would make some Oreo Balls. The recipe came from my sweet friend, and wonderful cook, Debbie. So here it goes:

Crush Oreos (I used a large meet mallet -- kinda fun!)

 Next, mix with 2 blocks of cream cheese (I sent Rob to the store and he got fat free --- by "mistake" I am SURE)!!!

Then you mix everything together and roll it into balls (I put mine on a cookie sheet). The little BBs and I all tasted (and wore) the batter and we couldn't even tell the cream cheese was Fat Free -- YAY!! Next, put them in the freezer for a couple hours until hard. 

Big BB tore himself away from our marathon of home movies (will post about that tomorrow -- hilarious!) to see if he could lend his stirring services -- this turned into little bits of oreo all over the kitchen PLUS a sweeping session. Next Big BB decided he wanted to take pics of me with our very nice camera -- I may have promised him his own camera at this point, I can't remember. Okay, now back to our recipe:

Next, take chocolate almond bark and melt it in a saucepan over low heat (follow package directions -- says it takes about 8 minutes). 

AND...........

WAL-LAAA ----- OREO BALLS -- and let me just say, they are YUMMY (even with the ff cream cheese).

On to BLAKE -- Blake Mycoskie, that is, founder and cheif shoe giver of TOMS SHOES. Just found these pics on my camera from the night he spoke at State (brought to you by the Ladies of Delta Gamma, whom I am one of the advisors for). He is a doll and has a wonderful story www.tomsshoes.com

The above picture is of Blake at the DG house. Anyway, will post more on his visit later!!! Just thought y'all might enjoy the "eye-candy" on this Tuesday!

Coveting and Judging -- "Stepped all over my toes"

Yesterday Rob and I went to early church because we wanted to get back in time to watch Mississippi State play for the SEC Basketball championship (which we lost in overtime by one point -- =-(. Brother Mike has been doing a series of sermon's on on the Ten Commandments, this week was the 10th Commandment -- Thou shall not covet. Was I convicted!!!??? I have been wanting/planning to redo our kitchen for several months now and Rob hasn't been to excited about it. He asked me the other night why I couldn't just be satisfied with it the way it was -- he (and the good Lord) knows I LOVE a project, and that is what I told him. Well, during the sermon, Brother Mike said the same thing and my new and improved kitchen came to mind. My motives have not been to glorify God, they have been for my own self-preservation. It made me realize that we need to be satisfied with what we have and it will all come in God's time. My big prayer for this week is going to be contentment -- Lord help me to glorify YOU in all my works...

James4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Then in Sunday School we are studying the book of James through a Max Lucado study. Yesterday's lesson was about judging -- yet again, "Stepped all over my toes," as our Claire (our Sunday School teacher) put it. Here are the verses:

11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? 13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

When we judge people, we are only trying to ignore our own shortcomings and point theirs out to make ourselves feel better. I am SO SO guilty of this -- UGH -- and I hate myself for it. I must remember that God is the only judge and we are all sinners!

And speaking of the Book of James -- Laura and I are teaching the 1st through 3rd graders on Sunday nights at church and this was our memory verse a few weeks ago:

James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.

One of the boys (we have 9) said the verse and then said "Jim 4:8" -- ha! I have also been trying to live this verse too! God's wisdom is bountiful!

Yet another wonderful verse from James that I wish I had remembered as Reed was throwing a major TEMPER TANTRUM this morning:

James 1:19: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."



Tonight Rob is out of town, so I am going to try to upload some pics of the boys from our weekend, recent projects, and my wish list for projects around the house!!!

First blog post EVER -- YAY!

I have been wanting to do this "blog" for a while, but have been struggling with what to call it. Well, today it hit me! Spring Avenue Bliss -- we are living on the street (and in the house) that I grew up on and are so blessed each day to be where we are. Two precious little boys, a wonderful (and patient) husband -- blessed each day by our Father in Heaven -- BLISS!!!! I hope to share all the fun and silly things happening on Spring Avenue in our little "bubble" and some projects I have planned for the house!!! Stay tuned!