I need a face lift . . .

Ok, not me . . . but my blog seriously needs one. This picture under my header has GOT.TO.GO! I'm not sure what I'm going to use to replace it. But, I'm going to try to do a little lift here, a little tuck there, a little nip over there! So, stay tuned and let me know what you think. And if you have any suggestions, please, please leave me a comment. Unless you're one of those people who just lurk . . . I'm not naming any names . . . cough! Teena cough! Hey . . . just kidding! I love visitors -- lurkers, commenters, whatever!

I'm Back!

I must apologize for being gone so long having not given notice or prepared you. I know thousands . . . ok hundreds . . . ok all two of you who read my blog, have probably been wondering what's going on. Well, I'll tell ya, I've been one busy bee. I've been trying to complete an online course. It is a timed course and I'm required to be "logged in" 63 hours. So . . . that's what I've been doing. Well, that, along with my other wifely, motherly, husbandly . . . well you know, all that other stuff. So, I guess some updates are in order.

Hubby is still gone. We are missing him sooooo much. The girls and I have become accustomed to him being gone no longer than 12 or 13 days at a time. But this time, he will have been gone three weeks upon his return! We are having serious withdrawals. Maddy's asked about him frequently. I've been relaying her messages to him via phone. The girls are growing up so fast. Maddy has become quite the little talker. And I'm not talking about the baby talk she was doing just a week or two ago. No m'am. She's a real little person now . . . and talking like one. I love this age. It is so entertaining. She keeps me in stitches.

Baby Lulu is also reaching milestones. I went to get her from her crib after naptime and she was standing. Yes . . . I said STANDING in her crib. She was the cutest thing ever! She wants so badly to walk. She's constantly pulling up on furniture. And I'll have to admit, I haven't encouraged her. I really want her to wait and let her Daddy see this acheivement. So, I'm playing bad mama for a couple of days so as to keep her my little crawling baby for just a little while longer. Daddy . . . come home soon!

My ex-father-in-law has really gone down hill. He is basically sedated now and they are just waiting things out. The family seems to be hanging in there. I spoke with my ex-husband today and he sounded like he was handling things as best as someone can in that kind of situation. Please continue to pray for them.

Ok - now back to me. I could hardly wait to share this. Get ready to clap . . .
I wore my skinny jeans yesterday! Yes! Yes! My prepregnancy, size 4, very stylish, been missing for two years, jeans! I'm so psyched. I'm not sure what brought about this miracle, but I was able to button them and they fit just as good as ever. I was expecting to have a bit of a "muffin top", but guess what -- I didn't! Icing on the cake girls . . . just icing on the cake! I've been wearing maternity clothes for the last two and half years-- I've been soooooo ready to wear stylish, hip, form fitting outfits. I would have taken a picture for your viewing pleasure but my camera is with hubby right now. So get ready huney! When you come home, you might not even recognize me. I'll be that sexy, hip mama greeting you at the door with a big 'ole kiss --- atleast that better be me, mister!

Well, I promise not to be gone so long again. Thanks for coming back . . . you are coming back, right? Please come back!

This and that . . .

Well, I thought I'd update you all on a couple of happenings:

#1: Hubby is back from Germany safe and sound. Unfortunately, his work scheduled started the day of his return, so I've still got two more weeks until we meet again. To my hubby -- I miss you and love you!

#2: I visited my ex-father-in-law yesterday. I was surprised to walk through the door and see him there, standing, waiting to give me a hug. It was as if nothing had changed. He was feeling good -- no pain (he's on a high dose of morphine). He said Hospice came in and took care of everything. His wife, Virginia, said that she asked him why he was getting up this morning. He said, "Summer is coming over and I need to get ready for her visit." So, he got up, showered and shaved -- just for me! Virginia said that he had not been so active for a while. So, it certainly makes me feel good that he was looking forward to my visit. However, I hope that he didn't overdo it by getting up and moving around so much. We had a wonderful visit. We (my ex husband, his sister, Virginia & John) all sat around and talked for a couple of hours. I feel much better having seen him and spoken to him. I hope to get out there again to see him within the next few days.

#3: Baby Lulu is teething. She currently has 4 teeth breaking through the gum. After these four teeth make their appearance, she'll have six teeth - total.

I'll leave you with this . . .

William Tell Overture for Moms

Oh - this is hilarious! Enjoy! Thanks to Musings of a Housewife for pointing me to this.

Wordless Wednesday

Like Father, Like Daughter!

(This was a picture taken during our trip to the Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum)

For more Wordless Wednesday, go here.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away

So, I just received some bad news tonight from my friend. Sometime around the 1st of this year, his Dad, John, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. There was a tumor. It was removed. The doctors were sure that they had gotten it all and that the cancer had not spread. It's been an uphill battle ever since. Well, this past week, John was admitted into the hospital. He was running a fever and just didn't feel good. The doctors said that he's in kidney and liver failure right now. At first, they couldn't explain why. And unfortunately, due to the frailty of his body and his condition, they were unable to run the necessary tests to find out what caused it. The family has been told that in order for him to live even a month, he needs dialysis. And unfortunately, they can't guarantee that he'll live another month even with the dialysis because his liver is in such bad condition. The doctor's conclusion: The cancer has spread to both organs. John's options: Have dialysis and maybe live a month. Or call in Hospice, go home and enjoy his last two weeks of life. They say his kidneys won't be able to function more than two weeks without the dialysis.

I guess I should tell you, for those of you who don't know, this "friend" is my ex-husband and John is his Dad. Yes, that would make my current marriage my second. But that's a whole 'nother post in itself.

I tell you all of this because for 7 years, this man was my father-in-law. I'm asking that you please be in prayer for this family. They've had some hard knocks and they need God's mercy, peace and strength. I don't think they know how great our God is --- that he'll carry them through this difficult time. Please pray that John will come to know the Lord before it's too late.

When I call on Jesus, all things are possible

Well, I climbed out of my bed this morning, still reeling from the funk of last night. It was raining out . . . hard. Downpour. I got the girls up and had resided that I was not going to church. #1 -- it's raining. I'm in a funk. I'm all alone. We attend a mega church. How on earth will I trek a mile through the parking lot with the girls and get them inside without getting wet? IT'S.JUST.NOT.POSSIBLE. And just as the words flew out of my mouth (yes, I was talking to myself. I do that alot -- ask my husband, he'll tell ya!) the rain stopped -- completely. And I stopped in my tracks. "Ok God, I get the picture. I'm getting the girls up. We're going."

So, I got the girls up and in a mad rush managed to get them both fed, both dressed and both diaper bags in order and we were out the door on time. That, my friend, is a miracle in itself. I'm never on time. IT'S.ABSOLUTELY.IMPOSSIBLE.

So, as I drove to church, I felt convicted. I don't feel like worshipping, I'm in a funk and now I have to go, try to sing and worship with this nasty attitude. So, I gave myself a good talking to. I said, "Look woman. Wake up! You've got a loving husband. Two beautiful children who are healthy and happy. You've got a beautiful home and family and friends that love you. Get a grip. There are people out there who have far worse situations and circumstances than you do. How about those people with cancer and other terminal illnesses -- you have NO RIGHT to mope! NONE! So, get yourself together and get your heart and mind ready to worship Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior. He has done great things for you. You have been so blessed!"

So, I went, I worshipped and I was filled. The spirit spoke and I listened.

"Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me! "
Text: Adelaide A. Pollard, 1862-1934
Music: George C. Stebbins, 1846-1945
Tune: ADELAIDE,