This is for all of you former OBU'ers who read my blog or for anyone who loves Beth Moore. Go here and read her blog today. Beth is in Africa right now but her daughter, Amanda, is on her way to a camp in Missouri and she stopped through Arkadelphia to see her mom's home town. It's fun to hear her talk about seeing FBC. Go and read!

Also - you should read Amanda's blog "Baby Bangs" - it's on my links. It's one of my favorite blogs to read as well.

Yard Work

Before

After

Since Scott has been working constantly, he has had no time to do yard work. Luckily he cut our front yard short a week ago so it still looks pretty good.

But our back yard is a different story. The grass is so thick back there and it is WAY overgrown. Poor Dawson could almost get lost out there. So Friday night I decided to surprise Scott and mow it. I haven't mowed since we have been married and Scott is pretty particular about the yard so I wouldn't normally even try because yard work is not my forte. Well - he had the cutting height WAY too low because I started off and just scalped the first section I tried to mow. So I spent an hour trying to get it raised and I finally got 2 wheels to raise but the mower wouldn't start. So I eventually gave up.

Last night I tried again for about 45 minutes to get the wheels raised and just couldn't. So I told Scott if he would raise the wheels - I would mow tonight. It made me so mad - he went outside before he left this morning and in 10 seconds and with no effort - all wheels were raised. UGH!

So it took me almost 2 hours - but I got the yard mowed. Needless to say - I will not be going into the landscaping business anytime soon. I had to give me and Dawson baths afterwards and I managed to cook dinner sometime in between. And now it's 8:30 and I'm still waiting for Scott to come home.

Weekend Wrap Up

Chris and Carrie and the deer in my parents yard
Mom and Dad hanging out at Cracker barrell
After lunch

My brother and his fiancee came home this weekend so I decided to go home too and see them. Scott couldn't go because he is once again having to work. I stayed home Friday night because I wanted to spend some time with him but he didn't get home until 12:30 a.m. and then he had to go back at 5 a.m. on Saturday. Bless his heart - he worked from 5 until 7 p.m. yesterday and has been there all day today and finally got home at 9:30 tonight. The good news is in 10 days - he starts a new job on a different team. I'm SO glad for him. God just worked everything out for him. The manager of his new job e-mailed him and asked him to apply. It was God's absolute perfect timing.
So on Saturday morning - I went home. Chris and Carrie went to Silver Dollar City for the day. Mom, Dad and I headed to Branson around 2. We hit the outlet mall where I got a very cute dress at Banana Republic. It came a huge storm while we were there so we went to Cracker Barrell to meet up with them for dinner. Except that because it was a monsoon - everyone left SDC at the same time so C&C were stuck in the parking lot for over 3 hours. And my brother had no gas - so they had to sit in a hot car for all 3 hours. So we just ate and went home without seeing them.
This morning I went with my mom to the nursing home before church (which she does every week) and then I helped her in the nursery during Sunday School. We went to church and then I finally saw C&C and we ate brunch at 178 club. It was good to see my family. I just wish Scott could have been with us. My dad pointed us out in church (which mortifies me) and since he didn't mention Scott and I was there alone - I figured the rumor mill would be going around that I was getting a divorce. ha!

EDIT: HE GOT HIS PASSPORT! GOD IS GOOD!

If you think about it - please pray for my dad. He is scheduled to go to India a week from tomorrow to teach a school/seminary to Indian preachers. He was able to do this two years ago and loved it. But he had to send off his passport to get his visa to go and the Indian Embassy will not send it to him because he is a preacher and they don't want Christians going to India. So right now he is on a plane flying to Houston to the embassy to try to get it in person. Pray that they will give it to him and let him go.
Also pray for his safety as he goes next week. It's not the safest country or part of the country that he is going to. They do persecute Christians there and pray for all of those preachers he will be training. How difficult a job they have. Pray that God would empower them to do great things.
Oh yeah - and my dad will be at children's camp all next week and is leaving straight from camp to go on a more than 24 hour trip to India. Yeah - he's nuts. Just crazy for Jesus.

One of my favorite parts of my day this summer has been in the mornings when I take Dawson for a walk. He LOVES walks. He wakes me up every morning just ready to go. It's funny how excited he gets. And it's such a nice time of the day - the sun is just coming up, no one is out, it's quiet and still kind of cool. While Dawson smells every blade of grass he comes in contact with and pees on every other one......it's a good time for me to spend time talking to God.
I'm always hoping none of my neighbors are looking out their windows because there I am every morning in my pj's (with a jacket on) moving my lips like a crazy woman talking to herself with her crazy dog.

Scott got a new desk for his office last year and he has a big blank wall behind it so we have been looking for something to put on that wall. I finally found this picture of the stadium. So we are going to get it framed to hang on his wall. I really like it! I figured it was that or this:

I ate lunch with Laurie and Emily today at Gusano's pizza. Our husbands were appalled that we were eating pizza for lunch. They have been working out in the mornings and eating on a strict diet for the last few weeks. Too bad their wives are more interested in food than being skinny.
We had a good time. Emily was dancing and smiling through the whole lunch. My camera broke after a picture or two so this is all I got. It was a fun lunch!

All nighters and cat bereavement

Well, this won't go down as the best weekend in history but it wasn't the worst either. Friday night, Scott said he would probably work late - so I came home and cleaned a little and cooked dinner. Our internet had gone out earlier in the week and we got the cable guy out at our house that afternoon and he said we needed a new modem. So I got that plugged in and we still didn't have internet. So I spent over an hour on the phone with the cable company and the router company (when I thought that was our problem.). I married a computer nerd for a reason - so I wouldn't have to make these phone calls. It was so frustrating when they answered me question after question that I didn't understand until finally the last lady said - "Can you just have your husband call when he gets home?" UGH.
At 8:30 - Scott still was at work so I drove to his office to take him dinner. It was neat to finally see where he works. They have SUCH a neat office. I came home and thought he would be home soon so I watched TV and at 1 a.m. - he STILL wasn't home. So I called him and he said it would be A FEW MORE HOURS! Are you kidding me? So I tried to sleep but I was worried about him and he finally got home at 4:30 in the morrning and we both went to sleep.
Saturday morning I had to get up early and go to the church because the hostess committe had work day at the church. We cleaned out and inventoried our huge closet of table cloths, vases, etc. It was actually pretty fun. Then last night Scott and I were so tired we just ate and went to bed early.
Today was church and I have a funny story from this morning. I was going in to Sunday School this morning and I ran into one of my friends. She said "I am a little sad this morning - you can probably tell - my cat died yesterday". I thought she said "my DAD died yesterday". So I started going on and on "oh my goodness, I'm so sorry" and I hugged her. I asked her if it was unexpected. (I'm sure at this point she either thought I was crazy or that I really really loved cats). (and I HATE cats). So then I said "So did your dad live here?" and she said "My dad? Did I say something about my dad? Why are you asking about my dad?". And I said "didn't your dad die" and she burst out laughing - "no - my CAT". Anyway - I've been laughing about that all day.

Last Sunday, Scott and I were part of a group who were asked to film a video explaining what Sunday School means to us that will be shown next month as part of Sunday School emphasis month.
I only spoke for about 30 seconds (and I was mortified and beat red for those 30 seconds) but I could have probably talked for about 30 minutes on why we love our Sunday School class. And as a good preacher's daughter should ..... I think I'll list why and I'll use alliteration.
1. First Impression
Scott and I were so nervous to visit Sunday School that first few weeks and we used to sit and have pretend conversations with one another so we wouldn't have to make small talk with strangers. (which is why I try to make a special effort to be friendly to visitors). But everyone was so nice and inviting from the very first week that we kept wanting to go back. And after we went to our first fellowship and everyone was so easy to talk to ......we were hooked.
2. Fitting In
If we had never joined a SS class - we probably never would have gotten so plugged in to the church and never had found out how well we fit in with the church. There are 20-25 couples in our class who we just adore and it has give us other opportunities to join committees, meet other people and to have service in the church.
3. Fellowship
The couples in the class have TRULY become our dearest friends. I can't imagine our life without the people in our Sunday School class. There are some of the most REAL Christians I have ever met - some of the most Godly people. Also some of the sweetest people. Some of the most hilarious people I have ever met. Some of the most talented people. It's a true picture of when Jesus illustrated the body of Christ - where each person has a different gift and/or task and as a whole can do so many things. And we just like being around them. They make us want to be better people.
4. Food
We love to have potlucks, go out to eat, and like good southern Baptists - if you have an illness, a death or a baby - our class jumps at making you meals. That is such a ministry.
5. Faith
Since being in our class (and church) - my relationship with Christ has never been stronger. It's a daily process but I'm finally having a consistent quiet time, reading the Bible, praying like never before, tithing, trying to witness, and basically just trying to be more like Jesus. And Scott's salvation is a direct result of being involved in our church and the influence they had on him.
P.S. This picture is only of about half of the couples in our class - just the ones I happened to have pictures of on my PC.

HALLELUJAH!

Well, my 10 weeks of torture have finally come and gone. My boss came back to work today. (and the heavens opened up and the sunshine poured out!)

I made it and it wasn't that bad. It was a very educational experience. Of course - it's still no cake walk. No we begin a transition period where she is sleep deprived and not used to being at work and everything has TOTALLY changed since she has gone from strategies to personnel to customers. So I have a lot to educate her on. And we have to figure out how to pass over everything I have been working on. It's not just a "you're back - here you go - see you" kind of trade off.

But I can feel the stress being lifted as I write!



I really can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!

Going to the chapel

My recently engaged brother is and always has been EXTREMELY creative and funny.
He made this web site to tell about their engagement. You'll have to check it out and look at the link at the bottom for pictures and read all the captions. You can see that he got the funny gene in the family. He has always made me laugh till my sides hurt.

Fun, Food and Friends

Nathan and Robert getting after it on Wii

Scott, Steve and Emily

The girls (minus me)

This is where we kept Emily for the night (just kidding)

We went over to a cookout tonight at the Leah and Wes' house with 3 other couples. We ate hamburgers, my dips, and some great fruit and strawberry cake. The guys played Wii and the girls visited and Emily entertained. It was a very fun night.

Big Dipper

We are going to a cookout tonight and I was asked to bring chips and dip. Right up my alley! If I had to pick one food to eat for the rest of my life - I believe it would be chips and dip. Of any kind. Salsa, cheese dip, spinach and artichoke dip, ......... you get the picture. I absolutely love dips and I'm always looking for new recipes. So I was excited at my task because I saw this recipe recently on a web site and after reading the comments where someone said "if they could make sweet love to a dip - it would be this one" and "they had been dreaming about this dip" - I thought it had to be good. So this morning I made it. Here is the link to the recipe.
I have to say - it is pretty good. I bought some kettle chips to go with it.
And just in case people don't like onion dips (which I have to say our house has the lovely aroma of onions now).....I am also making a white cheese dip which is a new recipe and I'm not sure it will be such a hit so I'm keeping that recipe to myself.

Here comes the Bride...............

I'm getting a sister-in-law!

My brother finally popped the question after 4 years of dating Carrie! He did such a good job. He flew to Corpus Christie a few weeks ago to ask her parents permission (without Carrie knowing) and this week they are in NYC and he proposed there tonight.
Carrie is so sweet and pretty and she will make a great wife for Chris. I'm so excited for them. I think they plan to marry next summer.
The Martin kids take our time getting married......we both dated a long time and got married/will get married in our 30's. I blame it on the fact that our parents and grandparents had such good marriages that we take it very seriously and didn't want to settle until we found the same thing for ourselves! I hope Chris and Carrie will always be as happy and in love as they are tonight!
These are a couple of recent pictures of the cute couple!

I had you read Big Mama's blog last week because of one of her usual funny posts - but today she just has the neatest story posted. You have to go read it here.
She really does have the best blog ever - you should read it every day - it always makes my morning.
P.S. I went to Sonic this morning and got another free drink - from a different girl! This girl used to be my morning Sonic girl and then she started working the night shift but she's back and I told her I was glad on Monday and today she told me she was glad and gave me a free drink.

Scott had a desk that we have been trying to get rid of because it just takes up space in our garage and I've listed it in the paper several times with no luck. I finally got a taker yesterday and I arranged to meet this lady at our house right after work to help her get it loaded.

I called Scott and told him I had sold it and that I was meeting this lady. I gave him her name and where she worked in case he came home and I was missing - he would know who to suspect. (you can just never know these days).

Anyway .... I also told him that if I did end up missing - to make sure and pick out a flattering picture of me to put on the news and in the papers. I've thought about this before - when people are missing - their family members sometimes post the most random pictures and sometimes they are like six years old. I told Scott if I ended up in People magazine - I at least wanted a decent picture. So then I was trying to think of what picture I would want. There aren't that many flattering ones of me ......so I finally decided on this one. This was right after we beat Tennessee this year on ESPN on a very cold night. It was a happy time and not too bad of a hair day. Ha ha ha! This is the kind of useless stuff I actually spend precious moments of my life thinking about.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my mom! I love you sooooo much!

We all scream for Ice Cream!

The next time you see me you probably won't recognize me. Because I'll most likely be about 30 pounds heavier due to the fact that I bought the above last week and it is the best thing I have ever had. I had a coupon so I decided to try it out and I had to admit to Scott last night that I had eaten the entire carton by myself in one week.
It's a sickness.
I just got home from Wal-Mart and somehow another carton mysteriously appeared in my buggy when I checked out. How did that happen?
You have to try it - you won't be sorry.

Happy 4th

We had a nice little middle of the week break this week! And for once it was a pretty sunny day too!

We had just a nice quiet day. We took Dawson to the park for a walk and a swim. (well - a forced swim). Then we spent most of the afternoon in the yard. Scott mowed and I pulled weeds for what seemed like hours. That night we went over to the Lawsons to watch the fireworks since they live next to the park where they display them.

It started out to only be 4 or 5 couples going and ended up being over 50 people so it was kind of a circus. I missed the fireworks because I decided I would rather stay inside and play with the little ones and their moms. I got to hold the Kay's sweet baby. The babies under 2 were not thrilled with the loud noises so we stayed inside where it was cool and quiet. I had planned to take lots of pictures and these are the only two I got - but they were two of the prettiest girls at the party anyway. Go here to see how much they have both grown since last 4th of July.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful father-in-law! We love you!

BM

If you never read "Big Mama"'s Blog ......then you need to go here and read it today.
I look forward to reading her every day because she is absolutely hilarious but her post today was probably the funniest thing I have ever read.

First of all ..... this is a blog that I enjoy reading. She is a friend of a friend that I've never met but she's a fellow OBU'er. I made this for dinner tonight and it was VERY good. Scott even said it was "pretty" when I served it on a plate.
Yesterday was one of my favorite Sundays of the year. Celebrate America day. I love 4th of July and all things patriotic. I just feel so blessed to live in America and to have the freedom we all enjoy. And I love patriotic songs and the red,white, and blue decorations. I love singing the national anthem (I nearly always cry) and doing the pledge. And I love when we recognize veterans and my very favorite thing is when we sing the songs from the different branches ..... you know "Anchors Away" and "From the halls of montezuma" while the veterans stand. It always makes me think about my grandpas and how proud I am of them for serving in WW2.
Our church puts on a very special service each year on the square and promotes it so the whole community will come. They put so much work into it and it is so well done. Unfortunately, it has turned into Seattle here in NWA so they had to move it indoors last night. The church has never been so packed. We ended up having to sit in an overflow room and watch the service on a screen and it was packed to capacity. We had several special guests like the new Miss Arkansas and the guy from AR who was in the top 12 or 24 of American Idol last year and Willie Ames was the host. (He used to be on Charles in Charge and Eight is Enough (Scott has never seen either of these shows?) and now he's in the ministry))
There is always a lot of controversy about the war and about church and politics - but I am so thankful for all the men and women who have served our country so that we can have the freedom we have today and I'm so thankful for the men who started this country "under God" and based on a Christian foundation.

You might be married to a computer geek if.....

You know you are married to a computer nerd when:
1. Copies of MacWorld arrive at your house each month
2. Your husband lies in bed at night reading books about programming code
3. You travel to Las Vegas to attend a Microsoft (nerd) conference.
4. While other people are out on Saturday nights watching "Pirates of the Caribbean".....you are at home watching a copy of "Pirates of Silicon Valley" (the story of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs)

Oh yes - that is what we did last night. I learned all about the formation of Apple Computers and Microsoft. Please don't be jealous.