Thanks, Belle. You Warmed My Heart

A conversation in the car on the way home from church Sunday:

Belle: Why am I already almost as tall as you?

Me: (Because God Laughs, baby girl!) Just kidding. I really said...Well...you have your Daddy's genes.

Belle: What?

Me: Well, see...you have part your Daddy's makeup and part my makeup. Your body just took on Daddy's tall-ness. You and your brother both did.

Belle: Don't worry Momma. At least Sissy took on your makeup.

Thanks kid. Thanks.

Greg said that my kid just basically called me a midget. Yes she did.

Spring Break/Day

Since we are taking our big vacation in July this year, we couldn't take off too much time for Spring Break. We did, however, all take off work today with plans for a day 'o' fun at the Museum of Discovery in LR. The weather was supposed to be horrible, but it was BEAUTIFUL! Praise You, Lord!

Why did I never hear of this place when both kids were little? I mean...I knew of it, but always thought it was a froo-froo artsie fartsie place that would hear my voice reverberating down the hall, "Kids stop. Don't touch. Kids NO!"

But, thanks to Kelly, I learned otherwise.

So mom came to join us (which that in and of itself is a praise) and we met Alicia and Camryn.

And let me just add. We were there from 9:00 - 4:00...

...with 3 children...

...2 of whom have 1st child tendencies...

...with ZERO fights, meltdowns or temper-tantrums!

For real!

So, here's some pics of our day at the Museum and the River Market. Enjoy!


Our crowd!





Selling food in the River Market to Mimi


1

Waiting for the "this little piggy went to market" show...VERY good!

Us 4 adults laughed so HARD b'c they had so many things they did and said that only us adults could truly understand.

Luke got a little scared and Belle got a little protective. This photo blesses my heart tremendously

Not scared anymore

That would be a taranchula



Playing with the tornado

Optical illusions with a guitar and drum


We went to lunch in the River Market and this was on our way back. These girls have known each other, literally, since they were born. They have been fast friends ever since.


Yeehaw!

Getting their dental work on. The Human Body experience was very cool! They got to see and learn about all different parts of the body.


Racing Mr David to make electricity

Doing our crafts in the Imagniation Station. The girls made some butterfly crafts (look for Alicia to post those)

And Luke made a helicopter. We also watched the Electric Show but didn't get any pics of it. But it was pretty cool.

After toddling around a little longer, Mom took us to Red Lobster where David chose to only get the molten chocolate chip cookies...as his meal.

Smart Man.


The we headed home and I watched about an hour of this.

Luke is already asleep and Belle is about to be. Tomorrow we have Kelsey's Birthday Party and then we are off to help Mimi and Papa Joe with a project. GREAT Spring Break for us so far!

God's Ways are Higher Than Mine

For those of you who privately contacted me regarding this post, I have decided to decline the opportunity. Thank you all for your prayers and concerns. It was something that I thought I really wanted, but it is not best for me and my family at this time.

So thank you all!

Luke 6:38

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Wise Beyond Her Years

A few nights ago, this was in the middle of Belle's bedtime prayer:

"And let mom and dad know that we are just kids and don't know everything. We aren't perfect kids and they aren't perfect parents. We can sometimes be bad kids and they can sometimes be bad parents. But it isn't about us, Lord. Help me and Luke see that…it's not about us. And even though some people may see us as small….we are a family. And let us keep being family."

If could have even BEGAN to understand that at her age...

It's true, though. The sooner we can all figure out that it is NOT all about us, the better off this world would be.

Philippians 2:1-4

"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."

A Week is a Long Time, Buddy!

So Luke has a new response to just about everything we ask him to do now. Here are a few examples:

Us--Pick up your toys.

Luke--I picked them up last week!

Us--Let's go to school.

Luke--I went to school last week!

Us--Time to get ready for bed.

Luke--I went to bed last week!

Us--Do you need to go poo-poo?

Luke--I pooped LAST WEEK!

I can't wait until he realizes what he is saying. However, I guess I could just flip the coin, huh? Let's try it...

Luke--Momma...I hungry...

Me--I fed you last week.

Might get the law called on me.

Way to Go Belle!

We had Parent/Teacher conferences on Thursday.

And I know she is a very smart kid, but hearing it from her teacher and student-teacher is so encouraging!

Her report card was all straight "+" and "E" and above and beyond what she should know.

But then, Mrs. Jennifer showed us a list of sight words she was sending home with all the parents to use over the summer to get the kids ready for 1st grade.

Then she put it up and gave us a list of more and different words because she already knew all of the other list and Mrs. Jennifer knew she could do it.

It was words that she will need to know by the end of the 1st 9 weeks of 1st Grade.

You go, Girl!

PS--The words "1st Grade" about made me pass out in my short little chair.

Happy Birthday to the First Man of My Dreams!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!



We have been thru a lot together and I really feel it has only made us closer.

You will always be "Baby's Daddy" and I'll always be "Daddy's Baby".

I love you!

This is Making Me Nuts!

As if I wasn't already!

95 words

Speedtest

Ode to Ministers Wives

Beth Moore apparently showed this at her Ministers Wives conference a few weekends ago.

Phunnie Stuff!

Call for Prayer

I am asking my friends and family to pray for me. I have had something come before me that requires some serious prayer to know 100% God's will for my life. The choice that I make will have great affect on my life as well as my other 3 parts living in my house.

Even the dog.

See...God's eye is even on the sparrow.

And right now, I'm more than the sparrow needing His perfect guidance.

Who's That Girl--Revisited

So, it's been almost a year and half since I did this.

And since then it has only changed in little bits here and there. Shorter in spots...sassier in others.

But it was time for a little more drastic change.

So, in McAllisters the other day we see this beautifully young lady who is in there with her dance troop. Now, let me just say that they were all WAY too trendy for me! I mean, they could have all been on America's Next Top Model and won.

Anywho David and I both comment on how cute her hair is. AND she's a red-head. So, I ask her if I can take her picture (that is the same way I got my previous hairstyle) and she says, "Sure, if I can pose for you."

Sold.

Then, this Tuesday night I took the photos to my hairdresser and she said it would look great on me.

And we did it!



I like it, but I kept making the comment that I felt I was too old for this cut. So my hairdresser's daughter (16 mind you) pipes up with, "Well, how old are you?"

"Almost 31."

"Wow! I thought you were, like, 23 or 24."

Bless you, my child. Bless you.

Time to invest in glasses, precious.

Salt Dissolves into a Puddle When Tear-Stained

Remember my post from Monday about my youth pastor?

He left me a note on Facebook...

"Let me tell you, you made my day when you and your family walked in that door. To see you as a Godly wife and mother made my heart jump for joy. I am truly blessed to have you in my life and I will never be the same. Love you guys and if you ever need anything call."

Neither will I, Bro Sam. Neither will I.

This salt is very tear-stained again.

Thank You, God, for your providence. I'm seeing Your Hand in areas from my past that I never recognized before. And recently, You have been opening the eyes of my heart. Please continue, as hard as it is.

Family Night Special Edition #25

Yes, this one was a special edition.

A VERY special edition.

You see, we actually did this on last Tuesday, the 10th. But it can finally be revealed today, teh 17th.

St Patrick's Day...

...aka Rebekah Marie "Gor-Ham what kind of ham is that" Lovell's birthday!

And since she lives so far away she is always very sad that she never gets to be a part of our lives or our fun things. So, this time, it was all about her!

Here is our typical family night photo:



Yes...we will do anything for Becky.

Even putting an unflattering photo of yourself squished up in your loveseat with a buttondown shirt on. Score 55 for me on the friend factor for that one.

Now...we wanted to make sure she felt like she was here with us...celebrating her birthday. So, we did it all in video.

A few things you need to know before you watch it.

1...Everything you see here may look absolutely silly to the normal eye. But to Becky, the birthday girl...it will all have very deep meaning.

2...The cake is a quote from her favorite movie.

3...Becky is a sonic fiend! And all these years she has lived without one where she lives. They finally put one in about an hour away just this year and I think she probably pulled up and got her sonic drink fed to her intraveneously. She is SERIOUS about sonic. I mean, for her birthday last year I sent her a sonic t-shirt. And all she gets this year is this stinkin' video.

5...yes, she LOVES NKOTB and that is a picture of her with them.

4...I'm not a professional video editor and I do not own a Mac. 'Nuff said.

Enjoy!



Happy Birthday, Aunt Becky! We'll be lovin' you, forev-ah...just as long as you want us to be-ee.


PS--Check back later to see her snot and slobber all over the comment section.

For other ideas, check out Whittaker Woman's site.

He Was Salt to Me

I had an amazing experience this morning.

Let me rewind a hair.

Or...oh...14 or so hairs...er...years.

I was 16 years old. My parents had quit going to church b'c the church they had been going to forever was going thru some issues and there was not other church around that met their "needs". (Thank you, Lord for delivering them from that frame of mind.)

Anyway, a friend of mine invited me to First Assembly of God in Heber Springs. I had believed all my life that I was saved and was excited to learn a new realm of 'religion'. And that's where I met him.

Not Jesus (I would encounter Him soon enough), but a wonderful picture of Him.

His name was Sam.

Sam was like nothing I had ever seen. He wasn't the typical let's-just-pump-you-up-to-have-fun youth pastor. He wasn't the typical brow-beater youth pastor. He wasn't the typical boring youth pastor.

He was Sam.

And he loved me.

Unconditionally.

He was dynamic and fun and serious about God and exciting and encouraging and challenging and hard on us and soft on us and an example that we all strove to be like.

And he loved us. He loved me.

The messed up...hard life...stubborn...confused...wretched 16-year-old me.

This morning...14 years later (11 years since I last saw him) I knew one thing...

He still loves me.

Providentially, God has moved my in-laws to this little church in a seedy neighborhood in Texarkana.

And their pastor? Sam Martinez.

He was at a large church in NW Arkansas when he knew that God had called him to Texarkana. But there was nothing there for him. But he knew. So one day when he got the call about a church in Texarkana, there was no question. He took this little church with only about 12 people left in the congregation. It's growing now and let me tell you...

...He loves them too.

I don't think these people know exactly what they have.

I watched him this morning thru sobs. Sobs of understanding that God is so providential and loving that even while I was in my early phases of the regeneration process, He placed Sam in my life. Sobs of wanting to pack up my family and move to Texarkana just so I can be near him again and sit under his instruction. Sobs of hope and prayer that thru this faithful man this small body will grow...not necessarily in numbers but spiritually, because that matters much more to God.

It was funny that he preached on "Please Pass the Salt" this morning. And how we should be so full of salt that people around us get thirsty.

Because, He WAS salt to me...

...and I Thirst no more...

...and am now blessed to be salt to others.

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

--Matthew 5:13-16

A Rare Moment Indeed

I'm sure one of them will wake up yelling at the other in a moment because the other is hogging the covers...

...or pooted.

But for now...this ia a wonderful sight!

I Thought I Named Him Already

Gosh...he is on a roll.

On the way to pick up Belle yesterday he says, "Momma!"

"Yes Baby"

"My name is Duke"

"You mean Luke?"

"No...you can call me Duke."

"Hi, Duke."

"Howdy!"

Ladies and Gentlemen...meet my son Duke.

She Has Always Been a Drama Queen

I'm just now paying for her to put it to good use.

A few weeks ago I realized...Gymnastics is not cutting it anymore. When I talked to her teacher she confirmed that Belle wasn't the same Belle in gymnastics. She wasn't listening, she would do her stuff half-heatedly.

So I asked her one night what was going on. And she broke my heart when she said, "A kid in gymnastics called me fat."

Oh, baby.

We talked for a while as we always have about how she is the most beautiful girl in the world and she is a princess in God's sight. Period.

But it didn't help.

So we suspended gymnastics indefinitely and I began to do further research into something that I was already considering for her. After I talked to the director of it all and found out what they do, I thought this would be an optimal way to build her self-esteem up and give her some more confidence (as if she needs much more). But I really feel she does need more in strange settings.

There is a group in Conway called "Children's Theater to Go"

And she is excited about it!

We headed out to our first class on Tuesday. She was little anxious at first, but then made a friend and said, "Bye Mom!"

She cherishes me so.

Anyway, Daddy brought her home that day and she came in singing and dancing and I thought...Tuesdays should be a blast around here from now on!

So, I asked her what she learned in class today.

"We did nothing but play games...fun ones!"

Hmmm...that much money for games? Surely not. The teachers have degrees in drama!

My daughter does too, just not from an acredited university.

Anywho, I e-mailed the director to just ask about it and here was her e-mail to me:

Hi Billie.

They did play games, but all with a purpose. They warmed up with the name game, which of course helps everyone learn each other's names, and also establishes eye contact and interaction between the students because they have to catch a ball and name one another as they play. Good actors are always aware of one another, and are ready to react quickly and easily to the other actors.

They also did a series of physical exercises to stretch and warm up. Acting is very physical, so they always stretch their arms, legs, faces, mouth and lips. As we go, we work with enunciation exercises as well.

We used Simon Says to begin teaching stage directions. If you're standing on a stage facing the audience, your right is stage right, your left is stage left, toward the audience is downstage and away from the audience is upstage. The director tells the actors where to go with these directions, so we want our students to know what to do if the director says to move stage right, or enter downstage, or move to center and so forth.

The class ended with final bows - we show the correct way to bow, and applaud each person in turn. Theatre is a group art, and all the actors in a play need to be aware of how important every other person on stage is to their own performance.

Karen

Who knew Simon Says was so technical? Anyway, I couldn't help but laugh...she had no idea what was going on. But she was soaring HIGH when she came home.

And that did this Momma's heart good.

And probably just exploded her Aunt Becky's...

Can't wait to see what happens tonight!

Nothing You Could Say Could Tear Me Away from My Guy!

Happy 33rd Birthday, Babe! It's been an amazing 13 years with you.

And as long as you keep staying older than me...the years will contiue to be amazing!

I love you!

A Comparison of the Two 3 Year Olds in My Life

Earlier I posted these questions and how Belle answered them. This time I asked Luke, my 3-year-old and he cracked me up too!

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Take a nap! (the love of sleep runs in the family)

2. What makes mom happy?
I go school

3. What makes mom sad?
You cry

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
...just like that (he actually laughed out loud)

5. What was your mom like as a child?
You go home

6. How old is your mom?
You Momma you 3 like me! (just add a zero)

7. How tall is your mom?
Up to your hair (makes sense)

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Go to work (um, not really)

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Play (it's called working to pay the bills, baby)

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
A house (did he call me a house or I'm famous for building houses? Let's go with the latter.)

11. What is your mom really good at?
You wake up (i guess it's very beneficial for us all that I'm good at that)

12. What is your mom not very good at?
A doctor (he's right...I run when he gets hurt)

13. What does your mom do for a job?
Gymnas'kicks' and clap for me (um...i guess in some ways, I really do make flips at work)

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
Supper (amen)

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
Wake up (he really is focused on me being available)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
You Batgirl...I Batman...cause I can poop (and Batgirl can't?)

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Puzzles (huh? rarely)

18. How are you and your mom the same?
We eat (yes, and we are very good at it)

19. How are you and your mom different?
We gotta go home (yeah...)

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Yes, you my Momma!

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
He's good and he watches me (2 very good attributes)

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
bye bye (that would be HIM who always wants to go!)

Now...there is another figure in my life that I fondly refer to as my other 3-year-old. His name is Greg and he is my friend and he is actually 28. But I think that's a lie. 3 is more germane to him. So I thought...let's see what his answers are...

1. What is something Billie always says to you?
You need an 'I Love Billie' tee shirt (he does AND deeply desires one)

2. What makes Billie happy?
bragging on her kids (he brags too...on Luke...when he moons someone)

3. What makes Billie sad?
Fridays...because she doesn't get to see Greg (tears are definitely shed every Friday)

4. How does Billie make you laugh?
By posting retarded pictures of herself on her blog and by stories of her past

5. What was Billie like as a child?
Crazy...wild...words that Luke can't read (that's actually true, because Luke can't read daity and demure yet)

6. How old is Billie?
30...or 103

7. How tall is Billie?
3 feet tall (oh yeah...you dress like a girl!)

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Get on to Greg (makes my day every time)

9. What does Billie do when you're not around?
Talk bad about Greg (I would NEVER talk about that little hairy twit that way! Never!)

10. If Billie becomes famous, what will it be for?
NASCAR

11. What is Billie really good at?
Surfing the Internet at work (well, I never! I'm a dedicated employee who comes in early and stays late and skips lunches. geez!) oh, and at spaking Luke

12. What is Billie not very good at?
Driving (he better be careful...I transport him to and from work)

13. What does she do for a job?
Surfs the Internet, has meetings and goes to New York

14.What is Billie's favorite food?
Eggrolls (no, that would be greg's desire for me to make FORHIM!)

15.What makes you proud of Billie?
She is a good mommy and good friend (man, he's trying to make up for the 1st 14 answers)

16. If Billie were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Strawberry Shortcake because she has red hair

17. What do you and Billie do together?
Carpool

18. How are you and Billie the same?
we are both excellent parents

19. How are you and Billie different?
I'm smart...(...enough to be friends with Billie...I'm sure he was just so choked up he couldn't finish)

20. How do you know Billie loves you?
She tells me every day (Um...kelly...I swear...I haven't said it once! he's a little stuck on himself)

21. What does Billie like most about David?
He can reach to change the lightbulb

22. Where is Billie's favorite place to go?
Church (well, at least he is FINALLY getting to know me after all these months!)

See...they both act their age even in something this serious and personal!

Sure...

Billie's Needs

There's been this thing going on over on Facebook. Basically, you launch Google and type in your name and needs and then click search.

So, I typed in 'Billie Needs' and here's what I got...

1. Billie needs...to pay a little more attention to Chelsea and less to Bo on Days of Our Lives (i would if i watched it)

2. Billie needs...your help! (just call and let me know what you can do and I'll see where you fit in)

3. Billie needs...a loving family ( I already have one, but I guess another wouldn't hurt)

4. Billie needs...glasses (probably no arguing there, but me and anything with eyes just don't get a long)

5. Billie needs...a friend (will you be my friend...apparently I'm lacking)

6. Billie needs...him (the only 'person' i know that goes by just 'him' is Jesus and yes, I always need Him)

7. Billie needs...new parents (well, i'm sure joe and joanie would take terrible offense to this, but we might all could cash in on this deal if we play our cards right. you in, mom?)

8. Billie needs...a hug by GreenDay (actually, i'll pass...i mean, really...they are creepy with their crazy eyes and all when they sing)

9. Billie needs...a loving home (apparently Google believes Billie is terribly lacking in the personal areas...way to tap in Google)

10. Billie needs...a holiday (Google finally scored! Now, are they gonna pay for it, too?)

Google has waaaaay too much time on it's hands...or is that me?

More Luke'isms

Yes, he was at it again!

Act 1:Scene 1--

I was changing his clothes and when I pulled down his pants, his Batman Underoos came down about an inch too and showed his little line. He says, "Ooops! I look like Belle!"

Those of you who know Belle, are rolling about now.

Act 1:Scene 2--

I was at Grace UMC trying to fill out some paper work on Saturday. There were 2 ladies there helping me. One of them was Belle's teacher there, Miss Tiffany. She offered the kids both a cookie and, in true form, Luke gobbled his down. Then he says, "Miss Tiffany. I like cookies." So, she gave him another one and thought he was oh, so cute.

In the car he tells me about his other cookies and I inform him that I saw his trickery he used to get that cookie.

He said, "Yes. I just talked to the ladies."

I'm in trouble...

Only From Belle

I posted this over on Facebook, so I'll post it here too b'c it's too funny!

Cut and paste these questions and ask your kids their answers....it is a RIOT!

Answered by Belle--6 Years old

1. What is something mom always says to you?
N-O (she spelled it out)

2. What makes mom happy?
Good choices

3. What makes mom sad?
Bad choices

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
She tickles my feet

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Oh, THIS is a hard one but I don't know

6. How old is your mom?
30 going on 40

7. How tall is your mom?
50 feet tall I must say (she exaggerates a little)

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Sleep (she knows me too well)

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
She works and a little of this and a little of that

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
The president to do this and to do that

11. What is your mom really good at?
Being funny

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Being sad

13. What does your mom do for a job?
Well, she carpools! (cracked me up!)

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
Pizza (not, actually)

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
When she lets me do stuff with her

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Minnie Mouse

17. What do you and your mom do together?
I really know this one...sleep (we take Saturday and Sunday afternoon naps together)

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Our feet and our eyes and we act a little the same (a LOT actually)

19. How are you and your mom different?
Your hair is red and mine is light brown in color

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
In every important way

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
He never shaves his beard (she is SO smart)

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Maurices (what, I've been once for my self in my entire life)

Meet My Cuzin

Last week we surprised our dear friend, Tamara, with a great 40th birthday party.

Funniest part was that she thought she was going to outsmart us. But, oh no, TT. "You have to get up mighty early to pull one over on us."

Tamara loves anything Redneck, so appropriately...we threw her a redneck party.

Complete with cuzins who proved that she IS a redneck.


...cuz she is, ya'll!


But apparently, so are we...

We All Know He is a Mini-Joe Anyway...

Belle and Luke were playing in Luke's toy box Saturday and I was cleaning house.

And I overhear this...

Belle: "Boy, Kid. You makin' your Joe Barber face AGAIN?!?!"

Here is the Joe Barber (my dad) face...



...And the personality is a spot-on match too...

And I Can't Even Draw a Stick Figure and Make it Look Real

Remember this post from the other day?

When I got it and asked her what art work it was, she shrugged her shoulders. Then, I got some information sent home on it Friday. It directed me to this link.

Ya'll...I was ASTOUNDED! I knew she was very meticulous in her drawings, but I was so very proud of her! I can see why it was entered in the regional competition!

Go check out that link and over on the right-hand side you will see that you can "Comment on Belle65". So go leave her a note and I'll make sure she sees it.

Go Belle!