As a guest

Our chapel is being renovated for the next several months. During this process we have been meeting in the Tallahatchie Baptist Church in Oxford. Already there has been one embarrassing moment. Read Alisa's HERE

Today during the last speaker in sacrament meeting Eden covers her mouth and saids she has to throw up. At first I didn't believe her (assuming it was a ploy to get out and go to the bathroom). After a few minutes her hand was still over her mouth.

Just as we approach the isle she starts THROWING UP! I pick her up and run down the never-ending isle with David trailing behind. Can it get worse? Barf all over in someone else's church!

We have recovered. Although I feel bad for everyone who had to endure the stench of throw up for the remainder of church. I think that is the worse part.

Bunk buddies

The kids have real beds!







We are on a trial run with the beds stacked. I am skeptical. That David is too adventurist to be up there all by himself.

Compensate

You know when you say something bad about someone, you usually follow up with something good? (to compensate for the bad thing you said)

Here you go David. All nice and sweet things about you.
Daddy might be a little worried with your obsession with my make up bag. You're love for the diamond castle singing Barbie and the way you sit through a WHOLE Barbie movie with Eden. And when we say "dance" you twirl in a circle.

(notice he is wearing ballet dancing shoes)
He might be worried BUT seeing:...
that your head never goes two days without a bruise, bump or big gash on your lip. You have impeccable hearing for the garbage trunk. Every Monday and Thursday morning we hear you scream: "trunk, trunk" while you run upstairs to look out the window. You can climb on top of anything...I mean anything. You love to scare us and wrestle.

No need to worry, you are perfectly balanced.

Update on David...

he has been doing a lot of this lately.

Forgotten

Lisa & I crack up at Eden's face at the very beginning (blink and you might miss it). You are privileged to see her happy & grumpy face all in the same second.

Doesn't this make you want to fly down and visit us?

Grumpy talk

Yesterday after being in her room for an hour NOT taking a nap (and waking up David), this is what she said:

"Mom, we are awake. Don't be grumpy to us. Be happy like this (shows a smile). We are happy. See?"

(I wonder where she learned that phrase? Nice try lady. Using my technique)

I spy...

a blessing.

For the records of my family. I believe in the law of tithing.

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. " Malachi 3:10

Those words are true and I testify when we pay an honest tithe the Lord blesses us.

In my life I credit most of my blessing from tithing to be spiritual. However recently I am overwhelmed with the little financial blessings that have been poured upon us. One example: a couple weeks ago I made a cash deposit at the bank. I counted the money twice myself. The teller reported that the "counting machine" had calculated an extra $100. Of course I was shocked and lost confidence in my counting skills. As I drove away I knew it was a blessing from paying my tithing.

I am not one to share miraculous stories about myself to boast or showcase my obedience.

Tonight I feel so grateful to Heavenly Father for commandments. They protect and guide us. I do have miraculous stories to share with my children. I want them to know that if they obey the commandments the Lord has given us they will be blessed. I know that to be true.

One hour

I have been yearning to do a little sewing project. I know myself: it is takes more than one evening, I usually loose interest (and patience). Last night during American Idol I made these matchy-matchy outfits. Oh so easy, one hour. Again, another great project to cover up stains or use up shirts that never get worn.

I really tired to get a good picture of them together...impossible.

Trapping them in my legs was the best way.

Bob

Eden's hair is fine and all different lengths. After a couple years of those tiny rubber bands she has broken hair all over. Ugh. She got her first hair cut. Well, I cut it first. It was just a blunt cut and I wanted it to be a little stacked. I didn't want to ruin anything so we got in the car and went to Wal-Mart (I know, I should have know better..wal-mart?...but I wasn't about to spend over $16 on a childs cut anywhere else). So what happened at Wal-Mart? The lady did the exact same thing I did. Lesson learned: I can cut hair just as good as the hairstylist at Wal-Mart.

Before:

After:

The Bob (after a blow dry)

"happy face"
The Bob
"grumpy face"

The Bob

"excited face"

Nourishing the Underweight Child

This is the title of a pamphlet I received at the health department. Of course I had to laugh. The title sounds so desperate, so insensitive, so heartless. However, I can't help but feel a tiny bit worried when there is a huge "declined" stamped on my WIC recipe. Declined from graduating on to skim milk. Of course I will not take it personally when they question me about what David eats, what I offer him (all while they look at him like a sick cat). Just doing their job. I am thankful for that. Just because I look like the perfect mom (thank you, that was very kind of you to say so) doesn't mean I get special treatment.

Turns out in the past 6 months David has grown 2 inches and gained 1 pound! When the dietitian told me, I laughed out loud (probably not the best thing to do). I don't know what got into me. Maybe it's the overcrowded gym...seriously people, you can stop with the New Years resolutions...you are crowding my Pilate's class. Or the fact that Paul started a diet on Monday and is starving.

I was advised that in the next six months he needs to gain at least 3 lbs...or else? I'm not sure what will happen. They will probably send me to a pediatrician before allowing use to get boxed milk, string cheese and canned fruit juice.

What to do???
Add butter, sneak in cream, sprinkle cheese, introduce a late night snack, ice cream, whole eggs, granola, nuts, bacon, chocolate, peanut butter.

Now I know why childhood is bliss.

P.S. I remember Lisa saying when Sarah was underweight sausage did the trick. We bought sausage today :).

Back

Ok people. Paul is back in school. Although it was depressing to get up earlier and drop him off, it is also refreshing. It is time to get back in a routine and finish school. Is he graduated already?

I have had a month of not thinking, not doing...just being with a family. I haven't planned meals, clipped coupons, or washed baseboards. I have been working a lot, which is exhausting. Being a waitress is fun but goodness gracious, I think I am getting too old. There is a reason I only work twice a week.

I have finally been able to do some reflecting on last year. I am proud that I attend the gym regularly (I haven't really lost weight...only been more hungry) although I know I am stronger and healthier. I am proud that I have survived without the Blaus & Yamniks, you have no idea how lonely it has been. I am proud that we borrowed less loan money and lived off our tax return this summer. I am proud of Paul for working so hard, getting scholarships and being great. I am proud of Eden who now loves to say prayers. I am proud David will fold his arms and say "amen".

What about this year? I will:
give All homemade gifts. I have a sewing machine. I can copy any easy idea. I have some creative talent and I love making things. I want this year to be meaningful. This also means I won't be looking in the stores to please myself or others.

Auntie

Eden LOVES Lisa.

Who won't? She is fun, beautiful and loves to wrestle. While saying goodbye Eden had tears in her eyes and said, "mom, I don't want Lisa to go on an airplane."
I love these pictures, they tell the whole story. Thank you Aunt Lisa for coming and playing with us. We love you dearly!

Things we did

Paul went to New Mexico for a few days to help his brother with his bookkeeping. I knew I would be lonely (and scared) without Paul, so Lisa came and stayed with us. It was a blessing.
We found a great deal on a flight and the timing was perfect! What did we do?
1. Gym: my sister is very athletic. She is one tough cookie. After our 2 hour workout on Wednesday, even she was sore...hee hee.2. Play: I know I have adorable children, you don't have to tell me. Of course our family agrees so I didn't have to persuade Lisa to play with the wild ones.
3. Graceland: not only did it stop raining but it was Elvis's birthday. They have strict picture taking rules, however we managed to sneak a few in. Side note: Elvis lovers do not take great pictures. It was amazing the sign is actually in this one. 4. Memphis Zoo: Eden commented in the 'animals of the night' exhibit: "mommy, this is scary for Eden." They mainly wanted to go to the playground, as long as their happy...I'm happy.
5. Taylor Grocery: Famous for their catfish and sharpie signatures, this place is packed every night. It is a shack! The image of what Americans picture when they think of Missisippi. Live folk music, mounted animal heads, wooden doors and the friendliest people around.

Eden had plenty of names to read while going potty.

6. Shopping & The Square: our courthouse reminded Lisa of the clock tower from Back to the Future. We window shopped on the Square and went to a movie.
Last and least...
7. Watching David pick his nose: any ideas on how to get a kid to stop digging for gold mines?

Goodbye - Hello

This week we said goodbye to Paul and hello to Lisa!

Christmas 2008

The morning presentation. Santa came!

Dad Ordyna used to say to Paul: "Seeing you open presents is a present enough".

This year we had a little taste of that saying. It was so fun watching the kids. We had the batteries, tape and screwdriver ready. This marks the first Christmas all by ourselves. We made Julie's pumpkin waffles with buttermilk syrup. Jamie made them for us in Dallas. They are so yummy. It was a Merry Christmas.