Spirit Week

Evangel Heights had a spirit week last week with a theme for each day. I thought I would share two pictures of Elijah. The first one is 'mix match day' and the second is 'pioneer day'.

Dear Rocky,

After being held hostage for 9 months my captors have decided to release me. It will be a long and lonely trip back down to Nashville, but I am looking forward to seeing you again. I hold no grudge against you for abandoning me at a strange house full of far less superior clothes. Please look for my arrival in 4 to 5 business days.

Sincerely,

Brown Alfani Sweater M.

No fun Like Snow Fun

We had snow much fun this afternoon!

What's your Roe IQ?

My friend Margie posted a Roe v. Wade quiz on her blog. I took it and didn't do so well; I really thought I knew more about this ruling than I did. I wonder if more people actually understood this ruling, or even just read it, would they still be so strongly in support of it? You can take the quiz here, or you can read the ruling here.

Margie posted about Roe v. Wade because the ruling was decided 35 years ago on January 22, 1973. If you have a moment take the quiz and read the actual ruling, you might just be surprised by what you don't know.

Also, if you would like to see some amazing Embryoscopy and Fetoscopy pictures you can check them out here. Or check out this developmental timeline that includes pictures with each week. I'm not sure how anyone can look at pictures like this and still deny that it is life. However many, many people across the nation will celebrate today. They will be celebrating the, so called, right Roe v Wade gave women to deny life. To deny it, and to actually terminate a life.

Stupid Man Tricks Revisited

Yesterday, Adam and I finally decided that our Christmas decorations had been up 2 weeks too many. Tree and all. Pathetic - I know! Part of the reason they have been left up is because our attic has not been officially cleaned out in 8 1/2 years. Why - that is exactly how long we have been married - what a coincidence!

Anyway, it was a mess up there and the closet to get to the attic was not much better. It's one of those things you know you need to do, but keep putting off until it gets so bad the Christmas decorations are left up half way through January. I would have taken pictures but then I thought, I don't go snooping into other people's closets and attics, I'll keep my mess to myself. It's not a mess anymore because Adam and I (OK mostly Adam) spent yesterday cleaning it out. I did get to throw the junk out the window, though.

When Adam was up there he came across some of the things he brought home from Hawaii. (He went to school there for a year) Among them was a can of Spam. A 12 year old can of Spam. He come down from the attic holding it and asked if I ever had any. Um...yeah - who hasn't tried Spam? Apparently, Adam. He lived in Hawaii for a year - where it reigns supreme - in case you didn't know. He has had a can for 12 years - even brought it to our house 8 1/2 years ago to store in our attic, but has never even tried the stuff. Is it any good? He then asks. Um... no... and probably not after 12 years. So he wipes the dust and dirt and dead bugs of the top of the can; then he opens the can and takes a bite.



As I sit there and try to contemplate what just happened and the speed with which it happened, I realize Adam is now on the phone. He actually called the spam hot line listed on the back of the can. After an automated voice saying the call may be monitored, a woman actually answered with "Spam hot line, this is Kathy, how can I help you?" Here is how the rest of the phone call went down:

Adam - "Um... yeah... I have a question about the shelf life of a can of spam."

Kathy - "OK, what is your question Sir?"

Adam - "How long does a can of spam last, what is the shelf life?"

Kathy - "Oh, spam doesn't go bad Sir"

Adam - "Oh, good. So your saying a can of spam will be fine to eat after sitting unopened say... 12 years?"

Kathy - "........ Um well... the flavor will be .... compromised... but the ... the spam should still be good."

Adam - "I see so it's an issue of flavor and the actual meat wouldn't be compromised?"

Kathy - "Well, we don't usually recommend letting it sit unopened for more than 3-5 years because then you run into flavor issues and the spam won't taste as flavorful. We suggest eating it in at least 3-5 years"

Adam - "OK, I see. But if I did eat it some that had been in, say, an attic for 12 years, I wouldn't get sick off of it?"

Kathy - "Oh.....um...no...uh, again the issue is just with the flavor -

Adam - "So your saying the Spam is fine?"

Kathy - "Yes, but it does lose it's flavor after 3-5 years. Is there anything else I can do for you today Sir?"

Adam - "No, that is all. Thanks so much, Kathy, you've been a big help."

Kathy - "OK, thanks for your call." - CLICK.

I wish Adam had recorded the conversation himself so I could post it. It was the funniest thing in the world. Poor Kathy, she couldn't wait to get off the phone! I'm not sure if she thought Adam was serious or not. I still wonder what was going through her head and if she thought it was some sort of prank. Nope, it was just my husband and one of his stupid man tricks - that made my stomach hurt from laughing so hard.



So, what's been hiding in your attic?

Party!

Thursday Adam and the boys made me dinner and a birthday cake. Adam put so much thought and time and energy into that dinner. He makes it no secret that he is not familiar with everything in our kitchen. So for him to make me a dinner and a cake is a big deal. He did a great job, though! Then Saturday night a group of us went to Bravos and Dave and Buster's to celebrate my 30ness.

30

Well, today I'm 30. What does that mean? My twenties are over and the scale reads a little differently and the mirror shows me I don't look like I'm 20. BIG DEAL! What does it really mean?

Well, yesterday I was starting to focus on the things I haven't done yet and had wanted to do by now. Like my degree, for example. I never thought I would be 2 semesters away from a degree for nearly 5 years and counting. I also just imagined some things working out differently through out the years (yes, many years to those of you thinking it!!)than they have, or did. But then I started to think about all I have been blessed with. Not just my husband, children and families, but the places I've been, the people I've met, the friends I've made and how it has all shaped me. I would not be who I am at this very moment, on my 30th birthday, without every part of my past. I have made some huge mistakes and gone through some tough failures and not gotten to finish things I've started, but I have grown and learned because of it. I was born into such a loving and supportive family and I am blessed because of that too. If not for my Mom and Dad's love and support I would not have gotten to do many of the things I refer to. They also gave me a firm foundation in Christ, that I lean on and continue to build upon in my life now.

I am not the girl I was 10 years ago. The Lord has put people and paths in my life that have not only been unexpected, but have changed me and molded me a tad bit closer to who He created me to be. I am not perfect and I will always learn some lessons the hard way. But I realized this morning all the things I was so worried about last night are small potatoes compared to what I have done. The Lord doesn't always give us what we want, or what we think we need and He often has to lead us back to the direction He intended for us to take. (One way or another!) So what if everything hasn't gone how I imagined it would? I wouldn't change it and nothing about it surprised God. I haven't done anything because of me.

I'm 30. Thank you Lord for giving me these years and for allowing me to be shaped by you. Thank you for the many blessings I so far from deserve and thank you for never letting go.

Wordless Wednesday

Hmmmm.................

Wordless Wednesday