DON'T BE LATE...FOR A VERY IMPORTANT DATE...

MY HOUSE tonight AT 7:30 P.M.

LOVE AND RESPECT STUDY

Funny thing about Bloggerland...is that you just never know.


The other day I'm in line at McDonald's and someone yells, "Hey Tara, do you have plenty of gas?"


Hahahahaha. Belinda...you're so funny! I really am glad you pulled up behind me because I did need to be sure and get gas that day...so THANK YOU!

Irresponsible or just an honest mistake?

I thought I might type this quick post while my husband is sitting in the den wanting to yell at me!

I just finished taking my cousin home after we watched "P.S. I Love You" (soooo good btw) and I ran out of gas. Yep, in my 2 week old Tahoe I ran out of gas by the police station and FBC! I didn't have my purse or my cell with me and it was 10:30 at night. Plus, my car is more in the middle of the street than off to the side and I can't find my hazard lights. I can't walk anywhere because I think Chris would be more upset with me for leaving the new car unattended so I leave my lights on, lock it up and trot up to the police station. The people working don't know me and when I ask to use their phone they tell me they don't allow the public to use it. I want to laugh out loud. I also wanted to say, "I work for the County Judge," but who really wants to be that person. Some guy I didn't know was talking to one of the officers and let me use his cell phone. I call the house and no answer...I leave a message, "Hey honey, it's just me. I ran out of gas by the police station and the church. Okay, thanks, bye." I tell the people thank you and walk back to my car.
Not too long after that the officer is leaving and he pulls up beside me to see if I need any help or if he can help push my car out of the way. The poor officer gets out and pushes my huge vehicle out of harm's way, I tell him who I am and that my husband is going to kill me. We laugh and he tells me he'll come back by in a bit to check on me. I tell him I should be fine, but then I start wondering, {What if Chris doesn't get my message and just goes to bed? I'm going to be in sooo much trouble} Then my knight in shining armour pulls around the corner with gas in hand. I'm trying to be cute and apologetic at the same time, but he continues to tell me how bad this is for a fuel injected car! I'm quick to point out that last night I had 40something miles left and last time it took forever to reach empty and for some reason it tells you how many miles you have left when the gas light first comes on but after that it just reads "Fuel Mileage Low" .... my excuses were not flying at all as Chris says you had 40 miles left last night on the way home from Wellington!!!! Oh yeah. I promise not to let it happen again and to get gas as soon as the light comes on if not before! I feel so bad, but the feeling I had seeing my husband come save me left me happy especially after watching that sad movie!

Etiquette for Spotting Loose Cattle on the Highway

1. Call the Sheriff's Office or the landowner if you know who it is

2. Pull over to make sure Bessie doesn't try to move from the shoulder into oncoming traffic

3. Patiently wait for an officer or the landowner to arrive

4. Bravely try to get Bessie back over the fence

Last night was Date Night. We had such a great time. We made arrangements for Olivia to stay with her MeMe (Tonya) and we headed to the Ritz Theatre in Wellington to see "The Dark Knight." The movie was so good. I love Batman movies and Heath Ledger did an eerily, awesome job as The Joker. It's sad he is no longer on this Earth to see his work.
Ever since I was a little girl going to the movies has been by far one of my favorite things to do. One of the first movies that I remember going to see was "Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer" back in 1985. I was 5 years old and my parents took me when we lived in Wichita Falls. In junior high I saw "My Girl" at the Palace Theater here in Childress 3 times. It's hard for me to find someone to accompany me to the Lone Star 4 these days because it's not exactly the best movie experience, but I love going so much that I'll go by myself if there's a great chick flick showing. Nothing beats a night at the movie theater with some popcorn and a Dr. Pepper. Another great movie I saw recently was "Sex and the City." Now there were definitely some graphic scenes I could've lived without but overall it was such a fantastic, girly movie about love, friendship and fashion, of course.
Alright, so back to Bessie the cow.
On our way back from Date Night Chris noticed a cow on the side of the road. So we call the Sheriff's Office and I learn what your supposed to do in these situations. I had no idea. If I had been by myself I would've kept on driving, but like the officer said he would much rather come out now and get Bessie back to her home instead of coming out at 2 a.m. for a fatality accident. Bessie went right back over the fence which made me happy because at this point it was already 30 minutes passed my bedtime.

This is the only pic I have from my 10 year reunion....I'll try to get some copies from some other classmates.

My conclusion is that I'm soooo happy to be 28 instead of 18!

There was drama, drama and more drama.

It was good to see everyone and meet some new spouses...

July is flying by

This weekend is my 10 year reunion...I'm looking forward to seeing everyone...I'll post some pics next week. I've been helping plan it and I just hope it's fun for everyone and we have a great turnout!

WE WILL be having our Bible study this Sunday night....hahaha....I picked Paige up for the study this past week so there weren't any cars in front of my house....so no one else came...at least that's what I'm telling myself...and I know lots of people were out of town for the holiday. We'll be doing Chapters 3-4 this week!! Hope you can make it!

Next weekend we are off to Bridgeport for my brother's wedding shower. We're going to go see the new batman movie on Friday night. Fun, fun. I'll be back in time for our Bible study next week also!

I'm still trying to get ready for my garage sale which will be on August 2nd....if you know anyone that needs little girl's clothes 9-24 months, toys, etc. send them my way! So sad to get rid of some of this stuff, but it MUST be done!

We have decided on the name Jonah for our baby son. The middle name is still undetermined...any ideas??? Speaking of Jonah, he is quite active right now and my sleep is getting disrupted....but I'm ONLY 25 weeks! So we will continue this journey and hope I can find some more pillows that will help.

I've enjoyed stopping by Ballyhoo this week for a delicious iced coffee!! It's been the highlight of my mornings...

Well, with a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T I got a new ride this past week....now if I had been asking Chris a million times if I could get a new car I promise you it would've been October before we got one! So this time I didn't say a word....when I told Chris about this little observation he laughed and said I was probably right. So now we have a new Tahoe that will hold 2 car seats and then some...

Last weekend while we were car shopping we went to see my Papa who is still at BSA doing rehab for his stroke. The poor guy still cannot talk or use his right arm. Chris and I had him laughing so hard which was fun and Olivia sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider." Leaving him was so hard. It just broke my heart. I hope he gets stronger and able to use his voice with more rehab.

Here's a few recent pics...



Liv at her 2nd Birthday party


Kaleb getting his first taste of "moodiness"


Playing with her new BUBBLES

(yes, that's my kitchen....)


On Mother's Day

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Sometimes I can be a brutally honest person. Most of the time I am an open book to those that I am close to; however, I'm not close to very many people. This blog has presented a struggle for me in regards to how much to share. I don't lie or like to sugarcoat things so I just tell it like it is. On a blog I posted last week I felt like I shared way too much and some of you don't know me that well. I appreciated your sweet comments and knew that they were in the best interest of me....but that blog went in a direction that I had no intention of it going. After posting I honestly had inner turmoil....I thought I did not show my husband in the best light and I felt like it was unfair to him for me to post that blog without him being able to defend himself. I don't want to act like my marriage is peachy-keen 24/7 that's just not who I am...but I do want to share my heart completely while continuing to be respectful to my husband. More than anything I want this blog to be uplifting while still being able to share myself and my heart openly and honestly with you all!

I Just Thought I Knew What Respect Was

Last week I started a blog with the question....Sometimes don't you just want more? I never got around to posting it...but I'm here to tell you that my little void has been filled! With none other than our new Bible study on Sunday nights over the book, "Love and Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. I feel so energized and renewed!

The whole basis of the study is based on a verse from Eph. 5:33, "Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." (NIV)

I have read that verse several times but didn't quite remember the part about respect. Everyone talks about love these days...hardly ever respect. I had to ask Chris what were some ways that I could show him respect...his reply was, "Maintain this messy house of ours (of course, his #1 need, desire, want), listen to him and trust his decisions (financially and other). Okay some of them I knew but it helps to actually hear the words come out of his mouth in case I forget.

A few weeks ago I brought home a marriage book, "The Five Love Languages," for Chris and I to do......and most of you know exactly how well that went over. To him I was saying, "I don't like who you are, please change, let's read this book together so you can be exactly the way I want you to be, oh and I'm perfect by the way." Well, after beginning this "Love and Respect" study I told Chris I really didn't want to make him do something he didn't want to do. He was filled with pure joy and relief. After this study last night I know that I don't need to force my husband to do a study so my needs can be met....they are going to be met through this ladies Bible study....but maybe one day we will do a study together...just for the right reasons and because BOTH of us WANT to.

I have learned that once I take that first step and respect him in return he will be loving to me. Even though it sounds so simple it isn't. It takes daily prayer and application. After a few days I'll forget and get wrapped up in my own mind. I will have to constantly remind myself to put his needs first and respect him.

This morning I wake ready to start another work week, feeling so good about my marriage, etc. Then guess what happens? If there's one thing that can make me feel like an inadequate wife it is my husband asking me if I'm going to get to something...as in cleaning, organizing or just picking up. Yesterday I did a million things between going to church, potty training Liv, getting ready for my Bible study, laundry and I began going through my office for garage sale items. Needless to say, I left the office a wreck because it's going to take me a while to go through all of my junk. Chris comes in this morning before he leaves for Dallas and asks, "So are you going to finish cleaning up this office?" WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Tears immediately stream down my face and I become a crazy wife.....saying, "I could do a million things to make you happy but you're always going to focus on that one thing I didn't do." I was beyond hurt and shocked. We had just had this wonderful study the night before and I thought I was well on my way to "respecting" my husband. After my little meltdown I remembered one of my favorite parts of chapter 1, pg. 22 where Emerson, states that, "But Sarah (his wife) is able to see me in a more positive light because she has decided to believe that I do not purpose to be unresponsive and unloving, not in my deepest soul." Okay, so I have to begin assuming that Chris is not purposefully trying to be unloving. He means well...on some level. Right?

This morning also reminds me of another part of this study. It's in chapter 2 on pages 32-33, Emerson is talking about how men see, hear and speak in Blue and women see, hear and speak in Pink. When we talk to our spouses sometimes they don't quite "get" what we are saying. However, when we talk to our girlfriends they are totally on the same page, can relate and even have similar stories to share. So I'm going to take this little episode this morning and remind myself that even though I was hearing, "You're a horrible wife, you can't do anything right, you don't do anything that makes me happy -" maybe that's just what I was hearing but not really what Chris was saying. Understand? Yeah, it's a little confusing. If you're not reading this book I suggest ordering one....it's pretty good with a simple lesson that is somewhat easy to grasp. You just have to trust God and not your pretty little head.

Sunday Night

Our Bible study on "Love and Respect" will begin tomorrow night at my house 8 o'clock sharp!! Tomorrow night will just be a casual get together to discuss our upcoming study. This will give everyone one more week to order their books, read Chapter 1 and do the workbook questions!
I hope you all will join us tomorrow night for dessert and discussion.

WOMEN OF FAITH INFINITE GRACE CONFERENCE
DALLAS, TEXAS ~ AUGUST 22-23

What's This All About?

It’s two days, 10½ hours. It’s refreshment, reality without reproach, and relationships. So what does that mean?

Refreshment – Imagine getting together with your closest girlfriends for a weekend. Think of the laughter you’d share, the tears you’d shed, the FUN you’d have. Now multiply that by 10,000 or so. You’re starting to get the idea.

Reality without Reproach – We’re not perfect. We don’t expect you to be perfect, either. Our speakers are real women who share stories from their real lives. We’re here to encourage women, not to condemn anyone. Even those who have never set foot in a church feel comfortable at our conferences. You can check your mask at the door. You’re welcome just as you are.

Relationships – Connecting with God and with each other. At Women of Faith we believe that God loves you – no matter what your situation in life may be. We also believe that He wants a personal relationship with you. Through our conferences, more than 150,000 women have indicated decisions to start or renew that relationship. Relationships with each other are important, too. At a Women of Faith conference you’ll have the chance to connect with other women – even if you go there alone!

Over the course of the conference, you’ll have the opportunity to:

**Renew your spirit with messages of hope and humor from the Women of Faith speaker team

**Recharge your spiritual batteries with drama that tickles your funny bone and touches your heart (at the same time!)

**Rejoice with music from top Christian music artists

**Reconnect with God and each other as the WOF worship team leads an arena full of women in praise to God

**Revitalize your life with resources that will help keep the conference experience alive all year

**Relax in the comforting knowledge that God loves you – right where you are


Speakers and Special Guests

**Allison Allen**Stephen Arterburn**Patsy Clairmont**
**Louise DuArt**Natalie Grant**Nicole Johnson**
**Max Lucado**Mandisa**Marilyn Meberg**Nicole C. Mullen**
**Sandi Patty**Anita Renfroe**Jan Silvious**Luci Swindoll**
**Sheila Walsh**Ayiesha Woods**


Conference Schedule

FRIDAY
5:30**Doors Open
7:00**Infinite Grace Conference Opening
9:30**End

SATURDAY
8:00**Doors Open
9:00**Session One
10:30**Break I
11:00**Session Two
12:30**Lunch Break
1:30**Session Three
3:00**Break III
3:30**Session Four
5:00**End


"I Second that Emotion Pre-Conference"

The Pre-conference is held from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm the Friday of the Infinite Grace conference, usually in the conference arena. It’s a more intense, in-depth time of learning. Often women find it’s their favorite part of the whole weekend.
Do your feelings have you tied in knots? You’re not the only one! Join Patsy Clairmont, Anita Renfroe, and Jan Silvious for a day of laughter therapy and solid biblical teaching on understanding your emotions. Learn to enjoy your rich emotional design with perspective from God’s Word on what to do regardless of how you feel. Bring your tangled wad of emotions with the anticipation of smoothing a few out.

Hotel Reservation Information

You can call and ask for the special conference rate by calling by the reservation date and letting them know you will be an attendee of the Women of Faith Conference.

HOTEL NUMBER ROOM RATE RESERVATIONS MUST
BE MADE BY:
Marriot Suites 214-905-0050 $125 July 31st 2493 Stemmons Fwy
Dallas, TX 75207


The Indigo Hotel 877-846-3446 $104 August 18th
1933 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75201


Adolphus Hotel 214-742-8200 $125 July 31st
1321 Commerce Street
Dallas, TX 75202

Hyatt Regency 214-651-1234 $129 August 1st
300 Reunion Blvd W
Dallas, TX 75207

Three other hotels...Renaissance, Courtyard Marriot and the Fairfield Inn & Suites are already SOLD OUT!!!!!


(All information taken from http://www.womenoffaith.com/)

IT'S A BOY!!!!

LET'S GO....

http://www.americanairlinescenter.com/events-and-tickets/event_details.php?eid=652

WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE, AUGUST 22-23, DALLAS, TEXAS

To tip or not to tip...

What are the new rules? Childress is not like Dallas but does that matter? People here are doing the same job, it's just that people that live here are not used to tipping. I used to wait tables so I always tip at least 20% when we eat out. Unless they are horrible and then I sweetly leave them a tip that says, "I don't think waiting tables is your cup of tea, maybe you should look into another field." Just kidding, I would never do that...but I only leave them 15%.

So what about other services....the person that cleans your house, does your yard work, does your hair, gives you a massage, delivers your mail??? I have always heard that, for example, in a salon you don't tip the owner, just the other workers.....is this true? Or am I just being a horrible tipper?

What about holidays? Do you give these people a bonus or a Christmas gift? I usually give my housekeeper a bonus and I'll take my hairdresser some fudge or some other goodie, but that's it. Am I slacking?

I don't want to be a horrible customer and them think I'm not appreciative of their services, but I also want to save as much $$ as I can.

SUPER MAKEUP SALE!!!

Nordstrom is changing the logo on their makeup, so they're selling everything that says "e.l.f." for $1! (you still have to pay shipping, but it's worth it – especially the brushes!!). Standard shipping is $6.95!

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/shop.asp

The make-up line E.L.F. ( Eyes, Lips, and Face) has been bought out by Nordstrom and will be re-packaged with the Nordstrom name on it. They are getting rid of all the make-up in ELF packaging. They are selling everything for $1. YES ONE DOLLAR. You do have to pay shipping, However, even with that charge it's cheaper than buying make-up anywhere else and it is fun to try things when you don't have to worry about the cost! They have powder, mascara, brushes, nail polish, you name it .. Just thought I'd pass along the good deal.

Sono news...


Well, our stubborn baby or shy and modest rather...had it's legs crossed throughout the entire sonogram. We go back in a week to try again. Very interesting that everyone voted BOY...we shall see.

On the home front, things are good for the most part. Last Tuesday my grandfather had a massive stroke and we took him to BSA in Amarillo. The next morning while we were visiting him I fainted and had to spend the day in the ER. No big deal, just stress and need to slow down. I feel terrible because I haven't been back to see my grandfather, but he would be the first person to tell me to take care of myself and my babies.

I'm marking things off of my to-do list and getting excited about the upcoming Bible study in June. I just know we are all going to be so blessed!

Olivia is going through a total Mommy phase...which is sweet, but boy is she getting heavy! She'll run up to me and say, "Mommy, I hold you," wanting me to pick her up! I don't want her to stay 2 forever....but I want to hold onto to these memories...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET OLIVIA

I can hardly believe that it has been 2 years. You have brought so much joy to our lives and like many other parents feel about their own children there are no words to describe the love we feel for you. I love the way you light up in the mornings and your sweet giggle, your gorgeous blue eyes and I'll admit it...your dramatic ways! You are so stubborn like both Daddy and I, you're a little bit of a perfectionist like your Daddy and sorry but that drama came from your Mama.

I hope you feel like a princess today!!!

Before you purchase those books....

We have changed the study we're going to start in June......

Charla visited with her sister-in-law Dawn over the weekend about the "Marriage on the Rock" study and decided it was more geared for couples......Dawn's group is also studying "Love and Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and they love it....so we're going to do that one instead.

You can buy the book/workbook for $21.99 at http://www.christianbook.com/. Charla looked at amazon.com and half.com and found the christianbook website had the best price.

So....

"LOVE AND RESPECT" BY DR. EMERSON EGGERICHS

Get your books ordered and start getting excited...

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20 KJV

For those of you that are interested...

We will begin a summer ladies Bible study called "Marriage on the Rock" beginning June 15. It will be held at my house on Sunday nights at 8 o'clock. This study is 10 weeks long.

You can purchase books at http://www.marriagetoday.org/. The book retails for $15 and the workbook if you want it is also $15. You can find cheaper books at http://www.amazon.com/ and http://www.ebay.com/.

We're also getting a DVD to go with it and if you want to pitch in for that you can, but you're not obligated to.

I can't wait to start this!!!

Praise to the Lord!

I am finished with this semester and it feels soooo good!!! I have spent countless hours studying, stressing, praying, procrastinating....I thought May 5th would never get here, but alas, it has! I won't be able to go to summer school unless I move to Canyon (ha! yeah, right Dr. Hargrave) and taking classes this fall would be crazy because this baby will be here in October. I wasn't disappointed though; a nice break is what I need for my sanity and my physical health. I'm so excited to have these months to focus on my pregnancy, my family, my friends and my home! I didn't realize how much time I actually had until it was taken up by school. I have a big lists of things that I want to get done.

Here's a short version of my To-Do List:

Go through all of Olivia's toys/clothes
Figure out where the baby and Olivia's rooms will be
Have a garage sale
Help my mom with her garage sale
Canton - 1st weekend in June with Jenny, my soon to be sister-in-law
Go to Lubbock to help Jenny with her house hunting
Organize my pictures
Start a ladies Bible study in my home
Redo all of the files in my office at work
Vacation to South Texas to hang out with my hubby and do some antiquing
Blog more
Lots of home projects...too many to even name!
Get ready for my brother's wedding in September

What are all of your plans for this summer?

44 ODD Things about Me!

1. Do you like blue cheese? yes
2. Have you ever smoked? Ever? yes
3. Do you own a gun? nope
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? idk can't remember the flavors
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? sometimes
6. What do you think of hot dogs? They are okay..
7. Favorite Christmas movie? How the Grinch Stole Christmas
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water
9. Can you do push ups? yep
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring
11. Favorite hobby? golfing
12. Do you have A.D.D.? nope
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? my bluntness
14. Middle name? Kathryn
15. Three thoughts I am having? I need to be studying. I can't wait for these finals to be over. I want some water.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly consume. Water, soda, water
17. Current worry. my finals tonight
18. Current hate right now? ummm idk
19. Favorite place to be? caribbean
20. How did you bring in the New Year? with my hubby who was not nearly excited about the ball drop as i was
21. Where would you like to go? Italy
22. Name four people who will complete this? ????
23. Do you own slippers? yes my mom got me some Nick & Nora bunny ones for Easter
24 What shirt are you wearing? some ugly maternity shirt....it's my least favorite but it fits..
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? sometimes
26. Can you whistle? not very good
27. Favorite color? green
28. Would you be a pirate? No
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? the same ones i've been singing since high school...
30. Favorite girl's name? Olivia
31. Favorite boy's name? ?? hope i get to use it soon...
32. What's in your pocket right now? lipstick
33. Last thing that made you laugh? how sad i can't remember
34. Best bed sheets as a child? Care Bears....i still have the pillowcase
35. Worst injury you've ever had? i've been very fortunate...no injuries
36. Do you love where you live? sometimes
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2
38. Who is your loudest friend? ???
39. How many dogs do you have? 1
40. Does someone have a crush on you? nope
41. What is your favorite book? The Notebook
42. What is your favorite candy? Reese's
43. Favorite Sports Team? Packers
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? i have a few...