And in other news...

In a previous post, I asked you to pray for a situation that Justin and I are dealing with that is very serious and very difficult. I am doing an "all call" for anyone and everyone to pray for us. You don't have to be specific, but just pray that God will watch over us and protect us.

Also, in addition to the people we are praying for, please add Wanda Mann. She is my Mom's best friend and is pretty much a second mother to me. She had a lump of cancer removed from her breast today. Doctors will know the outcome once lab tests come back. Pray the surgeons were able to get all the cancer and that she will be strong.

We appreciate the prayers!

Hitting the Grindstone...

I'm 26 years old, right? So, why is it that I already see ripples and bumps where they're really not supposed to be?! My thighs, for example. I'm tall, and relatively lean, but I have just recently discovered that area just below my behind that is just a little on the bouncy side… okay, maybe more than a little. And also, my hips are becoming boxy, yes, like SQUARE! Is that normal???!!! I don’t think so! So, I am confessing my "sin" and repenting. Repenting requires ACTION, right? Okay, so here’s my plan…

OBJECTIVE:
To lose the jiggle and to not be embarrassed in a bathing suit.

ACTION:
1. Exercise.
a. MWF morning spin class or walking/jogging.
b. Th afternoon spin class.
c. Take Tues, Sun, and Sat off.
2. Eat better.
a. Take my lunch to work.
b. Eliminate the chocolate runs and eating the yummies that our gracious homeowners bring us.... okay, that's impossible. I'll change that to one mini candy a day and if a homeowner brings us something yummy, I will have one small taste. I'm not looking forward to that part.

OBSTACLES:
1. Bad habits.
SOLUTION: Accountability. Kate will be my accountability partner at work. Ashley R. will be my exercise accountability partner.
2. Laziness.
SOLUTION: Know I can never let Ashley R. down by not exercising, and remember the ultimate goal and how good I will feel.

Okay, does anyone have any suggestions or words of encouragement?

I've got a peaceful easy feeling...

Rarely does something happen in my life that revolutionizes my spirit instantaneously! So, you can imagine my surprise when, after only one month of having a housekeeper, I am lighter in spirit, happier, and more rested!!! I know, I know, you must think I’m crazy. A HOUSEKEEPER? After all, how much trouble can it really be to juggle my responsibilities – my job, my pets, my husband, God, church, etc.? Really, I don’t have any more on my plate than other women do… perhaps even less because we do not have children. But of all the things in life that I need to do, cleaning ranks absolute last. Most likely because I would rather have a root canal, run 5 miles in the sweltering Alabama heat, or smell my husband’s dirty socks (well, maybe that’s stretching it a bit) than clean my house. Some women love it. I detest it. Debra, our housekeeper, has come twice now. I have discovered that I LOVE living in a clean house. AND I have more motivation to clean between cleanings than I have ever had before! The best part of having a housekeeper is that “peaceful easy feeling” I get when I come home after a long day. When I’m watching a movie with Justin, I no longer have to worry about what I should be doing in order to keep things straight in our home. Justin is also much happier living in such a fresh home. So, if a service like this fits into your budget, I would highly recommend it. In fact, I would give up entire meals if had to, in order to keep Debra… my new best friend.

A call for prayer...

It seems that there are a lot of people in my life who need God to step in on their behalf. Please remember these people in your daily prayers.
1. My uncle Jimmy was just diagnosed with malignant lung cancer.
2. My sister-in-law's brother, Shawn, is undergoing treatment right now for alcohol dependency.
3. Justin's cousin Benny has a very rare condition involving internal bleeding and several surgeries. He has been in the hospital in Michigan.
4. My co-worker and friend, Andy Lange had an accident a few months ago and crushed his leg from the knee down. He has already had several surgeries, and another could be in the wings. We are praying he is able to avoid this and any future surgery.
5. My good friend Roni has a good friend named Shea. We were bridesmaids together in Roni's wedding. Doctors found two tumors on Shea's mom's brain. She is a breast cancer survivor. She is having a very concentrated radiation treatment tomorrow and hopes the tumors will react. Surgery could alter her mom's lifestyle forever because of the tumors' proximity to the portion of the brain that controls speech and motor skills.
6. Justin and I personally are together, fighting a battle that I can't really share anything about, but also keep us in your prayers.

Thank you for stopping for a moment and taking time to call upon God to help my friends and family.

Let's Play "Mom and Dad!"

So, we spent the night in Mobile Thursday night. We got there late, but everyone was still up – Scott, Hilary, Meghan, Caitlin, Hilary’s brother Shawn, and Hilary’s friend Marla. Friday night, Meghan and Caitlin woke us up early. They knocked on the door and crawled in the bed with us for a few minutes while we were getting used to the morning. We played and danced a little before packing everything up and heading to Gulf Shores. We weren’t really sure how the girls would handle being away from their parents for 2 nights, but they did great!!!

Friday, we went to the beach, ate hamburgers, and visited our friends Daniel and Dana and their new baby, Chase. Meghan got a new boogie board, so she spent most of the day in the water… except for the hour that she refused to get in because I told her I saw ANOTHER sting ray! I don’t know why in the world I have gone my entire life spending weeks out of every summer in the gulf and am just now, at 26 years old, seeing sting rays. Caitlin was afraid of the water, so she spent ALL day in the sand. Every inch of her little body was COVERED. Caitlin was sleepy from dinner through our visit with Dana and Daniel, but she didn't fuss too much. Meghan is like a little adult, so she loved seeing the little baby.

Saturday we lathered up in sunblock and went to the beach again. I was paranoid that the kids were going to get a sunburn (their skin is fairer than mine), so we reapplied 45 SPF multiple times throughout the day. Our biggest accomplishment was getting Caitlin to get in the water. By the end of the day, she was splashing in the gulf and asking me to bend down so she could get wet! It was the first time anyone was ever able to get her in the water, much less enjoy the experience! We were so proud. ;-) After the beach, we went to a cookout at Dana’s and Daniel’s house. We got to hold the baby (who fussed a lot), and Meghan “earned” two dollars by winning a bet she made with Justin and Daniel.

We made the “Kid Exchange” on Sunday. We were 20 minutes late for church, but considering we had to get 2 adults and 2 kids, up, dressed, packed and taking the hour drive into considerations, we think we made pretty good time. ;-) We left right after lunch in order to make it to church in Birmingham Sunday night. We always spend Sunday nights with the youth group at church. This Sunday, we cleaned the church bus. If I had known that beforehand, we might not have rushed back to Birmingham so quickly! Just kidding… not really. ;-)

This week has been typical. It is officially summer, as temperatures climb into the mid-90s. Walking houses that don’t have power yet (a huge part of my job), is pretty miserable, but at least I’m not jailed in a cubicle all day. I really can’t complain!

Sorry no pictures to post this week. I will be getting a new camera soon!

Dreamer of Dreams...

Last night, I had a dream, bear with me...
Justin and I were in New York with my family staying at the Waldorf Astoria. We were attending a political fundraiser for Candice Bergen at Madison Square Garden. A local boy had been kidnapped, and was found inside a locker in one of the locker rooms there at The Garden. The police asked me to get the boy out of the locker, that he was harmless, but scared. I opened the door and there was a chubby little black boy squeezed inside. I got him out, but he was all but harmless. He tried to hit me and bite me, but I was finally able to hold him on the floor by standing on his back and holding his hands. He continued to get one hand loose, and would grab my bottom, which really really irritated me. Finally, the police took him off my hands and I went back to the fundraiser.

Back upstairs, most of the political hoopla was wrapping up. Justin was there and we were talking to some of the local politicians, including the lady of the evening, Candice Bergen. After we left, I realized I had left my cell phone and needed to go back and get it. Justin didn't want to come with me, so I went alone... begrudgingly. On the way, I called Michael Moore. A friend had given me his number. I asked him to go with me to get my cell phone, and he DID! When I got there, Justin's phone was right beside mine, so I got his, too. He didn't even know he had left it. Michael Moore walked me back to my hotel and we talked about dogs and politics. I asked if his dog was a Republican. I'm pretty sure he said no. He was very nice and gave me a hug when he dropped me off.

Any ideas on what this means?
Here are a few tips...
1. I've never been to the Waldorf Astoria (wasn't even sure it was in New York)
2. I had to look up Candice Bergen on the internet to find out who she is! (Murphy Brown)
3. I have never been to Madison Square Garden.
4. I HATE Michael Moore (the anti-patriot).
5. I love dogs (mine are Republicans).
6. I love my husband (and I hope he wouldn't make me walk back by myself to pick up my phone)