Divine Love

"God's love does not love that which is worthy of being loved, but it creates that which is worthy of being loved."

-Martin Luther

Works for Me Wednesday #2

Works for Me Wednesday
Here's our instructions:

WFMW: The Great Parenting Advice Edition. What parenting lessons have you learned the hard way? What would you tell a first-time parent? Save us all some headaches and share!

I really don't have some great parenting advice. My girls are young and I'm still learning so much. But . . . here it goes:

Maddy1 has an aversion to green foods (i.e. beans, broccoli). Anytime we sit something green on her plate, she licks it and says, "No, no" and proceeds to hand it back to me. So, my husband thought of this great idea. Maddy1 loves fruit smoothies. Daddy adds some veggies to the fruit smoothie and she eats it up! It's a great for her to have a tasty, cool treat this summer while also fulfilling her veggy quota.

Meals Make Memories!

I'm participating in Fried Okra's "Meals Make Memories" carnival. Head on over there and check out some other lovely stories.

My most memorable meal . . . well, this will sound silly and it's pretty simple in nature. I was a young girl when my parents divorced. We spent a week with each parent, rotating throughout the year. My Dad did the best he could to take care of 3 children on his own. I think he did very well -- but that's another post altogether. Anyway, one night, my brothers and I asked,

Us: "What's for dinner?"

Dad: "It's a surprise!"

Us: "What is it daddy?"

Dad: "I told you, it's a surprise!"

We sat down at the table to find little hotdog franks wrapped in dough. It wasn't much, but they were so good! Little did we know, our surprise was actually pigs in a blanket.

From that day forward we asked for "surprises" atleast once a week.

Thanks Dad for taking the time to make something so simple into something so special.

Muted Monday

My version of Wordless Wednesday. I didn't have time to post, so I'll just share this pic. Pay close attention to her shirt :-)

Daddy's little girl

I thought that family (and some friends) might find this funny!

Maddy1 has gotten into the habit of blaming her Dad for things that she does that she knows her Mommy thinks is unacceptable. For example, the other night, it was just me and the girls (Hubby happened to be out of town) hanging out in the living room, near bedtime when all of the sudden, I heard someone pass gas . . . break wind . . . whatever you want to call it. Well, knowing that it was not me, and knowing that I was holding Baby Lulu and didn't feel any vibration come from her, I knew that the source of the sound had to have been Maddy1. So, here's how our conversation went:

Mom: "Maddy, what was that?"

Maddy1: Looking surprised . . . "Oh!"

Mom: "Maddy, did you just toot?"

Maddy1: Shaking her head . . . "No . . . Daddy!"

She is her Daddy's girl!!

My little beauty secrets

I've always been a girlie, girl. Despite the influence of two brothers and a mother who is always in jeans and a tshirt and never wears a drop of makeup, I somehow turned out to be a prissy little thang! It's funny, the girls at the office would say that I was the only woman who was 9 months pregnant wearing 2 inch strappy sandals. Hey -- a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

So, I thought I'd share a couple of new little inexpensive beauty items I've found at my local drugstore. If you've got a moment to pamper yourself, you might want to try these:

1) Dove Energy Glow Daily Moisturizer with subtle self-tanners - I know! I know! I live in Florida and get my tan from a bottle. Hey -- I'm not all about getting skin cancer, even if it's in the name of beauty sake! My laying out in the sun days are over! I love this product! It's an all over body moisturizer with just a hint of self tanner. It gradually enhances and evens out your natural skin color and adds an extra glow. I like it because unlike a lot of self tanners, no one can tell I'm wearing it. And I've had dozens of people comment on what a great tan I have. So, it's about $8 for a 8.5 oz bottle -- pretty inexpensive.

2) Sally Hansen's French Manicure Pen - I love french manicures. However, with two children and a husband that is gone most of the month, I don't have time (or a babysitter) to head to the local nail salon. So, I found this product in the store one day and thought I'd try it. The process was a lot easier than I expected. The pen is designed to make the white stripe on your nail for the french manicure. By using a pen, it's alot easier than trying to brush on a straight line with nail polish. It works great and I found it was so easy to use on my toes also! If you buy the entire kit, it comes with the natural pink polish, the french manicure pen and the clear coat. It runs about $8 to $10 for the entire kit -- not even what one manicure would cost at a salon.

3) Botanics conditioning clay mask, complexion refining toner and purifying face scrub (same brand but 3 different products) - I love this Botanics line. I picked it up at Target. I first apply the purifying face scrub. Then the conditioning clay mask. Then the toner. I love the fresh smell of the products -- it's subtle and earthy. My skin felt so smooth and young after using these products. Each product ran about $6 to $8.

So, with that being said, take a few minutes this weekend for youself and enjoy some of these products or maybe even some favorite products of your own. If you do, I'd love to hear about your 5 minutes for you! And if you have any products that you'd like to share with everyone, please leave a comment.

Highschool Meme Time

Ok, I was wandering in bloggity ville and ran across this meme. I thought it might bring back some good memories, so just humor me on this one, please.

1. Who was your best friend?

Well, actually, I had two, Andrea & Amy. The three of us tried to pick the same electives and classes so we could be togther. We still keep up with each other and get together from time to time. I still consider them both close friends of mine. (Note to self * schedule a get together with Amy & Andrea!)

2. Did you play any sports?

Not during highschool. In middle school, I played softball and loved it! I sang in chorus and dinner theater in highschool.

3. What kind of car did you drive?

Oh . . . my heart flutters. I loved that car! It was a 19 something, champagne Camero. I lusted after that car for years. My Dad's sister owned it for a couple of years and I remember telling my Dad that when I turned 16, I NEEDED that car! I turned 16 and did not get a car immediately. In fact, my brother is 15 months older than me and he had his driver's license - so I went everywhere with him. I turned 16 and had no interest in getting my license. I remember that my Dad kept asking me when I was going to study to get my license. Little did I know . . . he had that Camero in storage waiting for me. Seven months later, I finally got my license and he surprised me with the car. I LOVED THAT CAR!!!

4. It's Friday night, where were you?

Probably at a Panther football game. We had our own little cheer section -- "the doghouse!" Man that was fun! Sweating . . . makeup running down your face ('cause you know you weren't going out in public without it), hair drooping from the weight of the hairspray and Florida humidity. Good times!

5. Were you a party animal?

Not in the least! My parents kept me on a pretty tight leash. I was in church everytime the doors were open. And our youth group had get togethers all of the time --- I preferred being there!

6. Were you considered a flirt?

Ok, if were being honest - yes. I was quite flirty. In fact, I remembered I was "goin out with" two guys at the same time during my senior year. I used to eat lunch with one of them in the cafeteria and the other guy sat outside with his friends. Well, one day, the outside guy, decided to come inside. As he sat down at our table, it was obvious to everyone (except the two guys) that I had been busted. So, I did what any lady would do . . . I got the heck out of there! No kidding. Just excused myself as if everything were normal, stood up with my girl friend Crystal and walked away.

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir?

Sang in Music Makers and dinner theater at school. Sang in the choir at church. Played the violin for eight years (started playing in the 4th grade)-- betcha' didn't know that!

8. Were you a nerd?

I don't think so. Not unless people were saying that behind my back and I just didn't know it. I made very good grades . . . but was too blonde and well . . . flighty to be a nerd.

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled?

Nope . . . but me and my posse decided that we were going to toilet paper our rival school the night before the big game. We got busted by the cops! We didn't get in any trouble. In fact, I've got a picture of all of us posing in front of the police car. He even turned the siren and lights on for us.

10. Can you sing the fight song?

Um . . . (clearing my throat) . . .

Cheer, cheer for old Milton High, raising our banner high in the sky,
We will win this game tonight, while our Panthers, fight, fight, fight!
Whether the odds be great or be small, old Milton High will win overall,
While our loyal boys go marching onward to victory, rah! rah!

**I knew I still had it in me!

11. Who was your favorite teacher?

I had so many great teachers.

Love you Mr. Barnes -- he was the coolest! He'd bring his guitar in and sing sometimes.

Mrs. Wilson (who just happens to be Andrea's mom-in-law now) made chemistry fun. We learned a simple way to polish silver. Funny the things you remember!

Coach Peacher -- he was just an all around fun guy! We played cards in his class when we finished our Algebra problems.

12. What was your school's mascot?

The mighty Panther!

13. Did you go to Prom?

Absolutely! Although, a bit controversial, because I grew up in the Southern Baptist faith and my parents believed that girls my age should not dance -- it leads to other things. Well . . . they were wrong . . . didn't lead to anything -- not even a kiss :-)

14. If you could go back, would you?

Nope . . . I like it just fine where I am!

15. What do you remember most about graduation?

My friends and I sang "I'll be your candle on the water" (from Pete's Dragon) at commencement. Seriously, we did! Why in the world we chose that song . . . I'm not sure!

16. Did you have a job your senior year?

Promise not to laugh? I worked at the local Piggly Wiggly. Hey, you said you wouldn't laugh!

17. Where did you go most often for lunch?

Duh . . . the cafeteria - where else. Let me clarify, though. I would have never been caught dead eating their food . . . I always carried my lunch to school.

18. Where were you on Senior Skip Day?

At the beach . . . shah! I do live in Florida!!! Every knew would have skipped because the next day, we were all sun burnt to a crisp!

19. Have you gained weight since then?

Yes . . . I was 98lbs in highschool.

20. What year did you graduate?

1995

21. Who was your senior prom date?

Jonathon. He was so cute and nice. I think I may have been a little mean to him. Jonathon, if you're reading this (I think not), I'm sorry for being such a brat! We did have a good time, though!

22. Who will repost this after you?

I have no idea. The chain probably stops here since I'm new to this blogging thing!