What's in a name?

When Hubby and I found out that we were having our first baby, I immediately began doing what every other woman does --- I bought every "baby name" book there is out there and the search was on -- for the cutest, most unique baby name. A name with meaning. What about a family name? A name that's not too hard to spell or pronounce. Would children find the name funny and tease our child? And Hubby's two name conditions: 1) No names on the top ten list; 2) No names more than 2 syllables. He said that the name would ultimately be shorten by those people (which is himself)who don't want to take the time to say a 3 or 4 syllable name. Well, in the end, I broke both his rules and (ssshhhhh - don't tell him I said so) he was right. Our little girl is nick named Maddy.

Speaking of names, Megan, over at Fried Okra, is having a little fun today. Here's the game:

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
2. You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
3. When you are tagged, you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Sounds fun!

L is for Lazy: Yes people, I admit I can be. Not all of the time. I know, some of you may question me because I run around and talk like 90 miles per hour. But for instance, like now, I'm posting on my blog, while ignoring the pile of laundry that is staring at me . . . yep, lazy!

E is for Emotional: This one you'll definitely believe, right babe? I've been known to be a tinsie bit dramatic. Hey! It's a dirty job but somebody has got to do it! Although, Maddy1 seems to take the cake in that area! I just don't know where she gets it! (hehehe)

I is for Intelligent: Hey, don't laugh. You try to find a descriptive word that begins with an "I". Pretty tough, huh? That's why I'm the in*tell*i*gent* one! Not really, but I try!

G is for Grateful: And I sure am. Especially to my Hubby, who works his rear end off to ensure that I can be at home with our two precious little girls. And to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for loving me . . . and so much more.

H is for Hard Headed: Those of you from the south know exactly what I'm talkin about! For all you northerners, it means stubborn . . . but to the highest degree. I like things my way, no doubt about it.

So, there you have it, my middle name . . . which I am happy to share with my sis in law and my daughter.

So tag, At A Hen's Pace, you're it. And Drama Ditz, you get your turn too! I'll be looking for your responses.

Happy Birthday Babe!

In honor of my Hubby's birthday, I've made a list of "41 Things I Like About My Hubby":

1. He's soooooo handsome
2. He likes motorcycles
3. He's an awesome pilot
4. He has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
5. He's very hard working
6. He's the efficiency manager of our home - he knows the best, most energy efficient, quickest way to do everything!
7. He has a military background which totally explains #6
8. He's way intelligent
9. He keeps himself in tip top shape
10. He's a great father
11. A great balance of discipline and fun
12. He thinks a map is a necessity on road trips. If we don't have one, we'll hear about not having one for the entire trip!
13. He loves his morning coffee
14. He would love to live on a farm
15. But we don't
16. We actually only have about 1/4 of acre, if that, at our current residence!
17. He's well traveled -- (cue song) "I've been everywhere man, I've been everywhere!"
18. He's a great friend.
19. He still keeps in touch with most of his high school friends
20. He is smart with our finances
21. He loves to crank up his old tapes and dance with Maddy1
22. Not sure if he just likes the music loud or if all those years of flying have deafened him
23. He's obsessed with his hair or lack thereof (sorry babe, but it's true!)
24. I tell him I can't see it disappearing
25. He thinks I'm lying
26. But I'm not --- I think he's HOT!
27. And I think he'd still look hot without any hair
28. He's just that good looking!
29. I love his wit
30. But I'd never tell him that
31. Well, I guess I just did
32. He's a control freak married to a control freak
33. Makes for an interesting household!
34. He really wants to be more romantic
35. He says he's just not made to think that way
36. I think he is romantic . . . sometimes
37. He really is a wonderful husband
38. Loving and caring and thoughtful
39. He does laundry and household chores!
40. He's quite meticulous. A place for everything, everything in it's place!
41. He's mine!

I love you, Hubby! Thank you for all that you do for me and for our family! I hope that you enjoy this day!
XXXXX OOOOOOOO!

Wordless Wednesday

For more Wordless Wednesday, go here.

Words of Encouragement

Good Monday morning to you all! We had a guest speaker at our church yesterday. He shared these wonderful words of encouragement -- something I really needed to hear. I hope it blesses you too!

THE RACE

"QUIT! GIVE UP! YOU'RE BEATEN!" They shout and plead,
There's just too much against you now, this time you can't succeed.
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure's face,
My downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.

And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene.
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A children's race, young boys, young men; now I remember well.
Excitement, sure, but also fear; it wasn't hard to tell.

They all lined up so full of hope. Each thought to win that race.
Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son.
And each boy hoped to show his dad that he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they went, young hearts and hopes of fire.
To win, to be the hero there, was each young boy's desire.
And one boy in particular, his dad was in the crowd,
Was running near the lead and thought, "My dad will be so proud."

But as he sped down the field across a shallow dip,
The little boy who thought to win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his hands flew out to brace,
And mid the laughter of the crowd, he fell flat on his face.

So down he fell and with him hope. He couldn't win it now.
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell, his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
Which to the boy so clearly said, "Get up and win that race!"

He quickly rose, no damage done - behind a bit, that's all,
And ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself to catch up and to win,
His mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.

He wished that he had quite before with only one disgrace.
I'm hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn't try to race.
But, in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father's face
That steady look that said again, "Get up and win the race."

So, he jumped up to try again. Ten yards behind the last.
If I'm to gain those yards, he thought, I've got to run real fast.
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight or ten,
But trying so hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.

Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye.
There's no sense running anymore - three strikes and I'm out - why try?
The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had flew away.
So far behind, so error prone, closer all the way.

I've lost, so what's the use, he thought, I'll live with my disgrace.
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he'd have to face.
"Get up," an echo sounded low. "Get up and take your place.
You were not meant for failure here, get up and win the race."

With borrowed will, "Get up," it said, "You haven't lost at all,
For winning is not more than this, to rise each time you fall."
So up he rose to win once more. And with a new commit,
He resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn't quit.

So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been.
Still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win.
Three times he'd fallen stumbling, three times he'd rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.

They cheered the winning runner as he crossed first place.
Head high and proud and happy; no falling, no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line, last place,
The crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.

And even though he came in last, with head bowed low, unproud;
You would have thought he'd won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his Dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well."
"To me you won," his father said, "You rose each time you fell."

And when things seemed dark and hard and difficult to face,
The memory of that little boy - helps me in my race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and down and all,
And all you have to do to win - is rise each time you fall.
"Quit!" "GIVE UP, YOU'RE BEATEN." They still shout in my face.
But another voice within me says, "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!"


Author according to the internet is Dee Groberg.