Friday, May 30, 2008

Did You Ever Make These?



When I was a child in Kentucky we'd take these wild weeds, you know the ones with white fuzzies on top that you blow in the wind, and make necklaces, headbands, and bracelets out of them. Well, they're here too! I taught the girls how to make them... and waa laa! What a fun craft to pass on to my kids. Did any of you do this too?

Thursday, May 29, 2008

"How To Wash the Dog" by Gabriel T

Well in the shower of course!


I don't know if Charley got very clean but the pile of towels and rugs from the aftermath did!


Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Yeast Be Gone!

Ready for a long story..... Back in fall of 2005 I did a radical cleanse after being fed up with feeling like garbage for 7 years. It was a three month yeast/parasite cleanse using Valerie Saxon's products. Worked wonders. I felt amazing, lost 20lbs, and had so much energy. The various odd symptoms stopped after 7 years. I slowly added breads and other yeast ridden foods back in my body. I stayed healthy for about 2 years..even did a marathon. Well... We moved this last year and through the stress of moving I resorted back to my old ways. I love chocolate and it brings me great comfort to eat high carb,high sweet food. Guess what? I feel like garbage again! I'm ready to tackle this yeast thing one more time! I went to the Vitamin Cottage today searching for a good cleanse and this is what the gentleman said to me," Your stressed and looking at your skin you have yeast issues." I said sheepishly, "We did move recently and I did suffer from this not so long ago." So here I am with supplements in hand ready to start again. I had two things at home already: multi-dophilus and enzymes. I bought the para cleanse for kids for Lina. She craves sugar so badly. The Stevia has been a staple in my home for 3 years. If you haven't tried it, you should. I'll keep you posted on how I'm feeling. Feel free to email me if you want to know the ugly symptoms that I was speaking of.... not sure you want them all on this here ol' blog.

I know it's God's desire that we take care of our bodies as much as our Spirit. My prayer is that I can do both. Here I go.




This is me now, Spring 2008.





This is me then with my friend and marathon partner, Holly.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Angelina's New Do


Well, I did what I said I wouldn't do until Angelina was 13. Tradition means something to me. Becca had her hair cut at 13, Boo could have, and Lina was supposed to wait too. But, as the wind blows so traditions change. Lina was ecstatic to say the least. Isn't she cute!? T even came to watch the big moment; his baby is growing up. We saved enough hair for Locks of Love.

I do like cutting the girls hair. It is one of my simple pleasures still. I don't have too many with the kids any more as they get older.

So, here we are. Growing up and making changes.


Monday, May 26, 2008

Mt. Herman Hike...Monument, Co


Today is a good day for a hike. Of Course, any day in Colorado is a good day for a hike.
We went with Robby, Joanna, and Kadence to Mt. Herman trail system. This fantastic trail system is oh...5 minutes from our home. Love it!

We found this old abandoned building in the middle of no where. Doesn't it make you want to know who lived there? Does me.


The clouds were just hangin' over the mtns. today. So cool. I know you're wondering where T and Gabe are, right? On their bikes of course!

Narnia: Prince Caspain... A Must See

We took the kids to Narnia after church yesterday. The movie was sooo good. There are so many spiritual lessons is this movie. Child-like faith. Putting on the Full Armour of God. No Weapon formed against me Shall Prosper. God's Sufficiency. On and on.... If you haven't seen it.. go.

So my husband, sweet man he is, refused to take a photo with me. I think I photoed him out last week in Florida. Some how Angelina, my photo queen, missed out on the picture taking time.

Don't know if you can see it but my eyes are still swollen from all the crying I did this weekend over the Chapman's loss. Make-up didn't help any.




Sunday, May 25, 2008

We Made It Home!


So glad to say we're home safe and sound. No issues with the flights. No issues with the kids. No issues with the house. Kids did a great job taking care of everything while we were away. Yah!


It was really good to see them last night. I had a melt down on the plane and on the way home. I knew the Chapman's were burying their baby as I flew across the states to get home to see mine. I was a mess, a controlled mess, but a mess just the same. Then as we flew into to Colorado and I saw the mountains out the window, fell apart again. This weeping thing is tough to do quietly.


So... I'm back in my spot. Computer on the little built-in desk thingy I call mine.


We're going to church this beautiful morning after many cups of coffee and hopefully to Narnia in the afternoon with the kids. A new theatre opened up this week. Whoo hoo! It's so much closer to our home.
That cute picture on top is by my daughter. She made it on paint before we bought our home. Just a little trivia there for ya....


Have a blessed day!

Thanks for listening...

Friday, May 23, 2008

TnT Get Away Day 6 and 7


Enjoy the photos.... I will update with stories later. We are on our way to dinner! The Internet has been down. Boooo!!!

Ok I'm back... here's my saga for the last two days.

We went to Universal's other theme park yesterday. Not much to speak of; we went on one ride that was cool, browsed the park and left. We ended up at Jimmy Buffet's Maragaritaville for lunch. I had my first ever fish tacos. They were really good. We got a free dessert out of the deal due to the long wait for our food. The highlight yesterday was definitely the Blue Man show. So cool! Very Kinestetic. Crazy fun things happening that you least expect. I thought of my brother often this week as we observed shows and places with different lighting. He would be in his element here. Lights make the place or break it here. I have had a hard time sleeping though last night I did better. We really miss the kids. Throughout the day I keep thinking about the Chapman's and my heart aches. It has put a cloud over me since it happen. Life is precious.

Today we hung out here and then went to the Y. After a short workout we came back to lay by the pool. It was so warm today. I soaked up my vitamin D supply for the month in 2 hours. I have some great tan lines that will have to last until we go to Hawaii next year. Great swimming weather, that is until that cloud came by and dumped! Everyone scattered for a couple hours. I felt like Noah...one minute it's sunny, the next minute it's pouring. We have met some out of towners that have been nice. I pray every morning for a divine appt. Not sure if anything we say has been for anyone but I'm open to God's leading. Speaking of divine appt's: We almost had one tonight with Jesus. A guy literally went from one side of the road to the other and almost sideswiped us. My amazing husband avoided it with ease. Thank the Lord for his driving skills. THEN... we try to turn into our resort and another lady tried to pull out. Not the right thing to do. She was not looking either. I'm ready to be back in Monument with far less people.

Gabe finished his last day of school today. It's official: I have a Senior in my home. Did you hear that? My son has one year left of high school. He celebrated tonight with his girlfriend Lara and other friends by going out to the movies. The girls haven't been well this week unfortunately. Tonight they are with Auntie and Uncle hanging out. I'm glad.

I hope you have enjoyed my view of our vacation. Tomorrow we get on the plane and travel back. Tangent 1: Spend time with your spouse this weekend. Hold their hand, hug them, kiss them, tell them you love them. Make your marriage count. It's good.

The next month is going to be crazy busy for us. All good but crazy busy.I have the Walk for Life in a couple weeks with my family. It's a good cause. The square in the upper right hand corner will tell you about it if you click on it.

Thanks for listening,
As always... Tuna Jones













Thursday, May 22, 2008

Pray for the Steven Curtis Chapman Family


(Left to right Will Franklin, Maria, Steven, Shaoey, Mary Beth, Stevey Joy, Caleb and Emily)

MARIA SUE CHAPMAN, DAUGHTER OF STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, DIES IN ACCIDENT AT FAMILY HOME

NASHVILLE, TN...5/21/08... At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Thursday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.

More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles.
>>Enter website

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

TnT Get Away Day 4 and 5





Today is an update for the last two days. I know you're wondering what happen to me, the faithful blogger that I am. Vacation happens!
We slept in. Those three little words say so much, don't they? We had our quiet time on the porch, made a yummy breakfast here, and headed out to Universal Studios for the day. We saw some things that were great and other things that were just okay. I wouldn't put my children through it unless it was cool outside and off season. There really isn't enough to enjoy there for children. We went out to City Walk, which is in between Universal Studios and their other amusement park. We're going there tomorrow sometime. Anyhow, City Walk is a great place to hang out and people watch. We got a margarita refill in our blue cup and enjoyed the breeze. The humidity drops off in the evenings and the breeze picks up. We thought of Becca on the Jaws ride. (It wasn't very good Becca) and actually the end had some steam machine blow on us and it hurt...not just a little either. We came back to the resort, made dinner, and watched Idol. Did you see it last night? They were both so good! The bummer of the day was to find out a few of our kids weren't 100 percent. :( Mom and Dad took great care of them over the weekend as well as Auntie and Uncle. Thank you!!!!!! Auntie and Uncle are on duty the rest of the week. They went from one (almost two) to five overnight.



























Today we went to the local Y to work out. I got in 2 miles running, yes you heard me right, running on the treadmill. Yah me! It may take time but those clothes in my closet WILL fit again. This Y is wonderful. Very big. I was surprised how many people were there at 11:30 am. Doesn't anybody work anymore? T's shoulder is giving him fits right now. No, It's not from me... :) He fell down boarding this winter and he's hoping it's gonna be okay. He worked it out at the Y either determined to help it or make it worse. We then went to get a Subway 6 gram sandwich, cutting where we can this week. You know those desserts and truffles call my name everyday! And we finished up the afternoon by the pool basking in the sun for a couple hours. I love, love, LOVE the sun. Oh...T did have one brief meeting today. Tonight.... I'm gonna get a tattoo. What do you think? Any ideas? Better hurry with those ideas!

Monday, May 19, 2008

TnT Get Away Day 3: Emeril's

Monday morning we got up bright and early (7 am) to go to a meeting we "thought" was informational about this wonderful resort....WRONG! Three hours later we walked out telling three different salesmen NO, we don't want another timeshare! We were kind and patient but by the time the third man came over we were spent. Afterwards it was back to the room for a nap. Tonight we went to some outlets to browse and then off to City Walk for dinner at Emeril's. It was de-lic-iouis! The service was awesome, couldn't ask for better. I had Halibut and T had a mix of Pork and Sausage. We chose a piece of Banana Creme Pie for Dessert. They make these homemade rolls that were so light and fluffy. We came home with 6 extra rolls...thanks to the kind server. The moon was full and the night air cool. With a gentle breeze and a cup of Starbuck's we finished the night on a terrace overlooking the lights and action. Perfect.