Day 89 of 365

“If you wait to do everything until you're sure it's right, you'll probably never do much of anything.”
Win Borden

5 Question Friday ummmmm....Saturday

1. Would you ever vacation alone?
I scream YES!!! on certain days but will I ever really get to do it?!? (I am not sure.) I kind of feel like I would be letting my family down by experiencing new things without them so.....boy I am not doing a good job at answering this huh?!

2. Do you go the speed limit?
Most of the time since I had the kids yes. Long road trips I still go between 5 and 7 miles over. Bad girl!

3. Why did you start blogging/following blogs?
I started blogging in 2007 mostly because I was super frustrated with an old website that I had for family updates. I found that it was so easy and user friendly then I was hooked!

4. Where do you shop for yourself?
Snort! Hmmm.....now a days mostly Ross and Marshalls with a little Sears and JCPenney thrown in there. I used to love Anne Taylor loft and Express but now my body has changed a bit as well as what I have to spend!

5. What was the song that you danced your first dance with your spouse to at your wedding...or...what song would you like your first dance to be to?
We danced to "I will be here" by Steven Curtis Chapman. We both really love that song. Our other "special request" was "She thinks my tractor's sexy" by Kenny Chesney. (I know 2 totally opposite ends of the spectrum but......

For more on 5 question Friday check out Mama M at http://www.fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/

Day 88 of 365

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Sparrowrose Howard Thurman

Camera experts (I need your advice!!)

Hey photography, camera, picture lovers!
I need your advice......I am trying to save to buy a quality digital camera and would like your opinion on what you like best, quality, price, shooting capability, etc.....
I have looked at several different cameras but if you have any others that you like besides what I have listed let me know!
Thanks y'all!
P.S. I am looking for something that is easy to pick up and shoot quick shots of the kids, quality photos, but also with the ability to change out some settings so I am not just on the "auto" portion all the time!

The list so far.....
canon powershot sx20
nikon coolpix p90
olympus stylus sp-590
Pentax K-x Navy 12.4MP Digital SLR
Olympus Evolt E-620 Black 12.3MP DSLR

Friday Flashback

I am taking it WAY back to 1980 when my little sister Jen was born! How much times have changed! Here we are in 2007 ........

Head on over to Alicia at

for more on Flashback Friday!

Day 87 of 365

“Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.”

Friday Fill-ins

1. Wouldn't it be easy if God woke us up every morning and told us exactly what to do?!
2. My knee is feeling better than ever! (For those of you who don't know me.....I had a torn ACL and a back injury that was making it painful to run on it! Now that I am training for a relay triathlon it is important that it is in great health!)
3. I love the taste of FOOD!! (Seriously everything really except for fish!)
4. Hanging out in the living room is my favorite thing to do in the afternoon. (I love the sunshine that streams in there!)
5. The first thing we're going to do is drop Kendall off at school then onward to Walmart for some sewing supplies!
6. "Ben do you hear the faucet?!" drip, drip, drip; "Ben do you hear the faucet?!" (Sorry best that I could do with this one!)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to just hanging at home with the family (no small group), tomorrow my plans include a baby shower brunch for Erin and Katie then a birthday party for Kendall's friend Sutton and Sunday, I want to FINISH painting the kitchen after church, ministry positions Sunday, and Sunday school!!

week 13 of 52

This is what happens when you play dress up with your children then promise to let your oldest take a picture!

Check out Carin at http://wyomingbarnetts.blogspot.com/ for more information on this and Shoot me!

Day 86 of 365

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”
Charles R. Swindoll

Orders

Hey all!
It looks like we will be staying here in Jacksonville and with 467 for at least another year. (Ben was extended to stay until the summer of 2011.) Obviously as usual, nothing is 100% with the military but it seems that it is pretty firm and ok with Ben's XO and the career monitor. We have mixed emotions about staying but mostly excited to be here for an extra year. Thanks for all of the prayers and sound counsel!

Day 85 of 365

One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering. - Author Unknown

Day 84 of 365

Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand. - Chinese proverb

My Baptism

Family picture before we left for church

Kendall was so excited because she got to come and watch.
My friend, mentor, prayer partner, accountability partner came back with me.
(Kelly and I)

Right before my baptism

Right after waving to my Bug and Benny

Friend Makin' Monday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...it is oh so RAINY and WINDY!

I am thinking....that I would rather not go out in it but I have to!

I am thankful...for the MANY blessings that God has put in my life.

I am praying...for a lot of people today. Especially those that are in Haiti right now.

I am reading...holy beans....."Shepardin your child's heart," "Romans," "Breaking Free," "The Shack," and "Piercing the darkness."

I am creating...lots of crafts!

From the kitchen...I hear the desperate sound of the walls crying "FINISH painting me!"

Around the house...we are working on lots of home improvements.

One of my favorite things...is snuggling with my babies when they wake up!

A few plans for the rest of the week...Kendall's dentist appointment tomorrow (Missing MOPS for it :-(........) getting a few training runs in, ladies bible study, a birthday party for one of Kendall's friends and a few other odds and ends!

Check out Amber at http://amberfilkins.blogspot.com/ for the rest of Friend Makin' Monday

Day 83 of 365

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. - Epictetus

Day 82 of 365

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. - Melody Beattie

Craft time....bow holder

Quite a few months ago, my friend Lindsay won a bow holder during a blog giveaway. I really liked it and the idea behind it. No matter how I tried to organize all of Kendall's hair accessories it never seemed to work. I was going to just do an inital painted up really fun but I went to 3 stores which were all out of the letter "K." I figured that was a sign to try another avenue.
***********************

I began with this unfinished shelf.......

Painted it white to match her bedroom furniture. Hot glued wooden lady bugs to match her other lady bugs and then hot glued the ribbons to the back. Presto!
And here it is with a large majority of her hair accessories on it! I hope that it helps us stay much more organized!

Now I can go shopping for more at my friends stores!!

Lindsay at http://www.etsy.com/shop/perfectforaprincess/
and

Esther at www.honeypiebows.com/

Day 81 of 365

Don't wait for the Last Judgment. It happens every day. ~Albert Camus, The Fall, 1956

Remodeling

We have several projects going at our house right now. We are upgrading several things being that we might have to rent or sell this year.

We decided to start our flooring project in the kids bathroom. After watching a HGTV show, we decided to go with corkwood flooring for it. We are going to look at this bathroom for a bit then decide if we are going to do the masterbath in it as well.

We have a "jungle" theme in there but Kendall loves dolphins so we had to add the rug for her!
Isaac has been very curious about the potty so I caught him in action here. (Right before I put him up on the potty!

There is no corkwood threshhold so we are not super happy with this transition piece but it was the closest that we could find for the color.

***********************************
The kitchen is still a work in progress right now......

We decided to add hardware to the cabinetry. WOW what a difference it made! It was like a whole new kitchen when I walked in there.

Neither Ben or I was fond of the big flourescent light that we had in the kitchen. We decided due to wiring issues, time constraints, and funding that we would buy a trendier looking light fixture. Here is the new one.

This is the final wall color for the kitchen. When we have it completely painted, I will post more pics!

Friday Fill-ins

1. You have a chance to turn your life around so don't wait!
2. I am happy right now!
3. There is a sweet, precious girl waiting for me to read to her and a fun, handsome little boy sleeping in my house right now!
4. I am glad that we do not buy things and pay later. (It is so awesome to be free from credit card debt!!)
5. It's time to go out and train for my triathlon again but I have to wait for that fun, hansome boy to wake up first!
6. Where we will be stationed at next, whether it is this summer or December 1 is up in the air but I am confident that God will lead us and Ben's career monitor where we need to be.....I pray that it is not leaving Jacksonville though!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to game night at small group, tomorrow my plans include helping Ben finish the painting in the kitchen and Sunday, I want to share that I am getting baptizied!

Flashback Friday

These are my high school senior pictures back from 1995. No crazy comments about hair please :-)

Die hard Pittsburgh fan and man did I love Jaromir Jagr!

Check out Alicia at

for more on Friday Flashback!

Links for my mom and dad

http://jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=789240/

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/lifestyles/family/s_662707.html/

These are the links for my cousin's, Terry, recent trip to Nashville and performance at the Colgate Country music show in the Grand Ole Opry. Just in case those of you in PA were interested as well!

Day 80 of 365

Soul-mates are people who bring out the best in you. They are not perfect but are always perfect for you. ~Author Unknown

Just today.....

Out side my window... it is calm and not raining YET!~

The time is... 10:05 am

Today I feel... accomplished. I completed 2 bible studies, a load of laundry, cleaned the kitchen, have a shower, played with and fed the kids, and a few other things!
The weather here... 55 with the chances of rain this afternoon and evening.
I am thinking... about all of the craft projects that I want to work on and what I want to do this weekend.
At the moment,I am thankful... that my husband is not deployed anywhere right now. It is nice to have him here esp. when I need hugs like last night!
I am going...to relax at the house with the kids today. We haven't done that in forever!
I am wearing...a grey pair of yoga pants from my sister-in-law and my favorite grey IUP nursing sweatshirt.
I wish... we could take all of the trips that we want to this year....but its not in the cards my friends!
I am working on... some more baby sewing projects, a diaper cake (I haven't forgotten you Stacy!), a bow holder for Kendall's room, and printing out some pictures to replace older family ones.
I am hoping...to get another day or two done for my ladies bible study and to email my new girls for that!
I am hearing... Kendall playing with the potty training book and silence since Isaac is napping.
Around the house... the kids flooring is complete in the bathroom! (Pictures to follow soon.) The kitchen is still in shambles from us painting. I am hoping we get that done this weekend!
I bet you didn't know... that my cousin took 2nd place in the Colgate Country showdown in Nashville, TN last week!
One of my favorite ...things to do is clean and eat when I am stressed. If we are encountering any more changes with the Marine Corps I am going to be over 200 lbs with the cleanest house in the neighborhood!

Video city

Kendall and Isaac dancing in the bonus room!


Christmas Morning 2009 Volume 1


Christmas 2009 Volume 2


Christmas 2009 Volume 3


Isaac learning his name


Playing toss the baby


Kendall singing her months of the year and ABC's

Jumping on the new trampoline

Week 12 of 365

Ok,ok this was from our November camping trip but I have been slacking on getting in the pictures minus the family ones from Christmas that I have already posted. I will do better for next week!

For more fun go check out Carin at http://wyomingbarnetts.blogspot.com/ for more information on this!

Day 79 of 365

If fame were based on kindness instead of popularity, on understanding and not on worldwide attention, you would be the biggest celebrity on earth. And to my heart, you already are. ~Anonymous

New Book

Kendall has a friend named Emma. (She actually has a few with the name Emma but this one is her own age!) Emma's big sister was doing a project for school where they write a story then it gets published. Lexi wrote about Emma and Kendall's first day of school. Kendall gets a big kick out of reading it and seeing the "pictures" of her and Emma that Lexi drew. How cute is this idea?! We never got to do fun stuff like this in school!

Day 78 of 365

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust

My first sewing projects

Polling for information

Hello Ladies!
I recently took a poll of my Facebook friends and decided that I got so much positive and negative feedback that I was going to ask my bloggy friends as well!

ok Poll #1
For those of you with more than 2 children.....how did the workload, family dynamics, sibling rivlary, etc. change once you added the 3rd, 4th, whatever child?!

Poll #2

We are looking to get a handgun for entertainment and home protection that I can handle. I don't want anything that kicks more than a 9 mm. What is your favorite and the pros and cons?


If you have information that you would like to share with me directly please send me an email. (Just leave me a comment and I will send you my address!) Thanks y'all!

Day 77 of 365

Trouble is part of your life, and if you don't share it, you don't give the person who loves you enough chance to love you enough. ~Dinah Shore

Day 76 of 365

Present your family and friends with their eulogies now - they won't be able to hear how much you love them and appreciate them from inside the coffin. ~Anonymous

Day 75 of 365

Assumptions are the termites of relationships. ~Henry Winkler

Awesome video from Katrina Kension

This lady is an author and her new book is "The gift on an ordinary day." I do believe that I am going to use a gift card from Christmas to go get it! Grab a box of kleenexes and hope you enjoy!

Day 74 of 365

Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away. ~Dinah Craik, A Life for a Life, 1859

Friday Fill-ins

1. The lesson I learned yesterday was AWESOME! (I need to let go of many strongholds keeping me from a glorious gift from God. I can't wait for the rest of this Beth Moore series!)
2. Home is where friends and family meet.
3. All these years with Ben have been fabulous.....I pray for many more!
4. The laughter started when I arrived. (Mostly because I was in shock after Kel told me about the distance of my run for the triathlon!)
5. The truth is I love my life and I am so happy that God has put me right where I need to be!
6. The love of my family and friends is what I remember most from that day.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to small group (if Ben gets home early enough), tomorrow my plans include going to Jen's baby shower & helping with some household projects (finishing the flooring in the kids bath and painting the kitchen) and Sunday, I want to relax after church if we aren't having the Crooks farewell party!

Friday Flashback

This was in 1997 at my pinning ceremony for nursing school.

Check out Alicia at

for more information on where Friday Flashback comes from!

Day 73 of 365

Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand. ~Emily Kimbrough

Grandma, Pawpaw, and Uncle Daniel's visit 2010

Happy 30th Beth and Happy 40th JT!!

Our Friends celebrated milestone birthdays over the Christmas holiday so we decided to surprise them and give them a celebration at our New Year's Eve party. Happy Birthday guys!