These are a Few of My Favorite Things

I saw this on Crissy's blog and it inspired me to do my own!

30 of My Favorite Things:

1. Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
2. snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Ok, just kidding. That was for Quinn-I'm sure Sound of Music is high on your list of favorite musicals, right?

Now, uh umm, for my real favorites:

1. The ocean
2. Odom family dinners
3. Seeing my children being adorable and feeling proud that they are mine!
4. Tiny babies
5. Fireplaces
6. Reruns of "Friends"
7. Sitting in a coffee shop with my husband
8. Being with my friends in any setting
9. Chocolate in any form
10. My church, my job at the church and the fellas I work with
11. sweatshirt and jeans in the Fall
12. Hearing my children pray
13. Being a woman, being pregnant and giving birth
14. Watching the Travel Channel
15. Cuddling with Cullen on school mornings-neither of us are morning people, so we both just sit and stare into space for about 15 minutes
16. Really good Italian food
17. Communicating with my baby girl-finally being able to understand some of what she says, especially when she says Playdough ("Pelldoe") and "Yes" very properly when you ask her a question
18. A fresh and clean house with candles lit (Haven't had that the way I like it in 4 yrs!)
19. Everything in my hope chest-wedding dress, family heirlooms, love letters from Trace, baby clothes,etc...
20. Being a child of God and knowing there's nothing I can do to change that!
21. Landscapes of Scotland and England, especially castles!
22. Trace's sense of style and how he looks in a good pair of jeans
23. Being my children's favorite person in the whole wide world
24. Making desserts, and eating them!
25. House plans and decorating ( I studied Interior Design and Drafting in college)
26. Fresh, crisp white sheets on a bed
27. Brand new pack of paper
28. Shopping
29. Getting sucked into a good book and realizing that I do love to read afterall (but only a very few books have done that for me)
30. Seeing the Gospel change a person's life

That was fun! I should do that more often, counting your blessings is good for the soul!

PF Changs! Yeah, Baby!!

Last night we went to PF Chang's for a belated birthday celebration with Trace's parents. Oh yeah baby! I love me some Chang's! I always debate on whether to get the Ginger Chicken or Orange Chicken, but the Orange usually wins. And I am certain that there will be lettuce wraps at the great feast in Heaven. But last night we got a dessert called Great Wall of Chocolate, and they weren't kidding! All four of us adults ate on this cake and I brought home enough for at least two more people! Its like 25 layers of chocolate cake with chocolate icing and choc. chips, raspberry sauce and fresh strawberries, blueberries and blackberries! "Oh my yummness", as KimHill would say! So, I've got enough to share if someone gets froggy and wants to come over!
Ok, enough of showing my sin of gluttony. I just needed to post something light-hearted today!

Here's my struggle...

What an incredibly relaxing day! I love the rain when I have no where to go and I can stay home in my jammies all day if I want to! Uh, not that I do that. Anyway, the greatest surprise was that Trace didn't have to work today, but still got paid! Even better! So, he, Ansy and I went to lunch together then came home and they are both napping. Cully is due home in about half an hour and I tried to pick up the house, but decided to waste my precious quiet and alone time on the computer instead.
What's so nice about this day is that its just relaxing, free and not stressful. I'm a stress ball, especially lately and the Lord has given me a much needed break from it today. Thank you, Lord. We've been dealing with all these decisions in our family's life and with the rest of what life throws at you its been overwhelming and stressful. If you're me, you take it all on your shoulders and share none of burden. A dear and wise friend told me a few weeks ago that going into missions is not about going somewhere else to share the gospel as much as it is realizing the gospel in your own life. Wow, that's so true! The Lord is showing me my weakness and His strength during this time. Its not some awesome, holy calling that is more special than others' calling-although I didn't think that it was. This is all about Him and how He is revealing himself and His will to His child and teaching me the gospel each day. I loved that. It really brought it into prospective and helped me deal with things a little better. Not great, just a little better. He is showing me daily that He is providing all our needs.
I changed the first song on my play list to Rich Young Ruler by Derek Webb. It you haven't listened to the words-stop and listen! They are fabulous, and boy, have they spoken to me lately. The biggest struggle right now with planning to go overseas is giving up my stuff. I didn't think I was materialistic, but I am. I was sad about selling my nice, new home. I question whether to sell furniture or take it with us. The real battle is knowing once I sell everything it means I'll have nothing! That goes against everything that's ever been ingrained in me! Aren't we supposed to work and gain stuff and build our little kingdoms and have it better than our parents and give our kids things we never had? Enough! My flesh wants it all-the even better house with the SUV and stocks and security. My God has told me that He is all I need. Ouch! Am I going to believe Him? I covet your prayers.

Happy Birthday to me!

Today was a good day! At 6am, making PB&J sandwiches for lunches, I wasn't so sure it would be good. I hate getting up so early, in fact, I just resent it! But I got the boy off to school and Ansy and I went to the church. Those guys at the church make me laugh-its always fun to go into the office! With Ansy at MDO, I went to Cully's school and talk to him during his lunch. He was Kid of the Day -best part for him was he got to be the line leader all day!

The peeps from church took me to lunch at Cracker Barrell, that was fun. Then, Kim offered to give me a pedicure! I think she's crazy and I warned her that I have rough, always barefoot(but not pregnant) Tennessee girl feet! Boy, she worked hard on them (picturing Dumb and Dumber during their pedicure when the lady pulled out the electric sander for his toenails). Now,that's a true friend! They are soft now! It was a lot of fun. She's always fun to hang out with-a girly-girl friend that you can be brutally honest with and she keeps you in stitches with her quick wit and unexpected comments! Kim, I know you must be excited thinking you're the center of this blog! :)

Well, I've got to get back to reality now and bathe the babes! Party's over! Thanks guys for a special day!

I've been tagged...

The middle name game is cute, thanks for tagging me Page D.-

Amazing family! I love my husband and my super-sweet babies! The Lord has blessed me!

Not enough exercize! I could stand to lose a few pounds, but am lacking motivation!

Not quite 30-I turn 29 on Tuesday!

England-the place we feel God has called our family to serve as missionaries! Its a beautiful place and it needs to know about God's grace! (I didn't mean for that to rhyme, I'm not cheesy like that)

Now, I tag Paige M, Amber Ellis and Jessica Wright! Ready...GO!