Randoms

So, I am going to type out all my random thoughts… without correcting. I am at a blogging standstill. I think to get the ball I am going to try to blog everyday for a month, okay, maybe a week. Small goals here.

* I am home by myself (well, Harper is here) and I am watching football. Weird. Chris is at the Titans game so that i *why* I’m watching, i guess.

* I want to get rid of TV

* My list for Christmas seems longer than it ever was when I was little. Why?!?!

* Today was 48 degrees and I froze and I never left the house.

* I really need to go to the grocery store.

* I think that Jon & Kate (plus 8) should meet up with the Duggar family. They could learn a lot from each other. But I think it is weird when reality shows cross paths… so maybe that idea is bad.

* Harper is crying out for the second time. Let’s see if she will settle herself back down.

* I already know what I’m going to do for Harper’s 1st b-day party.

(PAUSE) Must go rock the crier. She is probably standing up.

Okay, I’m back. She was standing up, screaming at the top of her lungs, yet asleep. How does she do this? Anyway…

* As I was sitting in her dark room, I began to think about organizing her closet. Mom is coming this weekend, and I am SO EXCITED about doing this! What a treat. If I remember, I will take before and after pictures.

* I have so many pictures to upload on the computer.

* I need to get an external hard drive. I have a fear that I am going to lose all of my pictures; therefore, I am scared to upload them on my computer. But that is a stupid fear because I could more easily lose my camera.

* I have one more load of laundry to fold and then my goal will be met for the day!

Okay, those are my random thoughts for the day…

Pictures to follow…

The Monday Blues

(I decided to post this afterall… I remember why I didn’t.. I was trying to find my old license picture to post & compare my old pic with my new pic. But, it is somewhere in my office pile-o-stuff. I will probably find it this weekend during my clean out project!)

Well, I usually LOVE Mondays. I have a new start to the week, we’re back on schedules after weekends usually disrupt them, but yesterday, was a Monday I didn’t like!

The day started with me attempting to become an official Tennessean. You may be thinking… haven’t you lived there for almost a year?!?! Well, we’ve been meaning to get our driver’s licenses changed for a while, but we couldn’t. We had to have two pieces of *official* mail with our new address on it saying we lived here. Since the church was responsible for our apartment, we received no bills for the time we were in it. So we were still unofficial. (You may be thinking – no bills for almost 9 months…delightful! Uh, not true – we still have our *empty* house in GA that we are paying for!!)

So, now that we are in our VERY OWN place, we had to make the change. AND, yesterday was the LAST DAY to register to vote(which you can do at the DMV)! I wanted to be an upstanding citizen and not skip out on the election, so off the DMV I went. Well, Chris offered to stay home with Harper while I got ready and then went to get DL. Mind you, (and as shallow as it may sound), it takes much effort to have a good looking DL picture! I always got many compliments on my last picture, so I had much to live up to. (oh the silly pressures we put on ourselves – you know you do it too!) Anyhoo, after I tried on 3 shirts, put on makeup, and did my hair, I was out the door. I had all my documents, and was ready to become official.

As I arrived, I noticed the line was out the door, but I decided to stand in it anyway. After about 10 minutes, it was my turn. I had my SS Card, my GA DL, and 4 pieces of mail (you only needed 2) to prove I live in TN now. The girl checks me off, gives me a number and a form to fill out. I waited about 45 minutes when my number was finally called! Yippee. I had already re-applied my lipstick so I would be ready for the picture when it was time. I walked up to the counter and handed over my form along with all my ID & 4 pieces of mail.

The man looks through all of it, and says in his sweetest voice (NOT!): “Uh, you don’t have a birth certificate or passport here.”

Me: Well, the lady who checked me in said I had all I needed.

Man: Well, you don’t.

Me: Well, I have my SS card and my marriage license… don’t those count.

Man: No.

Me: Okay, well what do I do?

Man: Go home & get your birth certificate.

Me: Okay. Do I get to skip up to the front of line when I come back?

Man: NO.

(hey, didn’t hurt to ask)

Man, I was bummed out! I drove home and vented to a dear friend most of the way. Once I got home, I sent Chris to work. Harper had just woken up from her nap when I walked through the door. Our afternoon was okay, but I didn’t get much done because little one was clingy and didn’t want me leaving her. I put her down for her nap at 3:30.

Chris came home at 3:45 so that I could attempt the DMV once again. I was determined to vote! I had everything this time – except my *polished* look. An afternoon with a teething (almost) 8 month old somehow takes that away :-). However, I successfully achieved my goal of a TN DL!

Once I got home, Chris said that Harper had woken up at 5:00 screaming. Oh joy! Well, she proceeded these screaming/crying fits every 10 minutes from 5-10pm. She would cry really hard while rubbing her left eye for about 5 minutes. Then be calm and happy for 5 minutes, only to start it up again. It was so strange. Her eyes were pretty swollen last night, and her little cheeks were all red. I called the DR and they thought it might be an ear infection, and told me to bring her in in the morning. One thing I’ve figured out though, is when my baby is sick, I am quite dramatic. This is something I will plan on working on the next time around, but I hope that won’t be for a LOOOONNNNGGGG time. It was terrible. She finally zonked out on Chris at 10:00 and we put her to bed after a bottle w/ motrin. She did fine! Slept the whole night. I called a friend of mine last night to see what I should do with Harper. After we spoke, she texted me this…

“U are a great mom! As good of parents as u are, don’t forget the true Parent that holds your sweet baby. Thankfully He knows exactly what she needs and will lead her mommy – trust Him. In all the world, you were chosen as the best mommy for harps.”

That was so comforting to be reminded of that. The Lord does know what is best for my baby. After all, she really is HIS baby, not mine.

So, after my stressful & draining day, we have had a much better Tuesday! So thankful that the Lord’s mercies are new every morning! Great is His Faithfulness!

Birthday Weekend

Our weekend began on Friday with Chris having to work, and me trying to get the house in order for our visitors – Chris’ parents, Jo and Randy. Here is the first glimpse of our new townhouse… The GUEST ROOM! This is my furniture from when I was growing up, so each time I sit in that room it takes me back to high school!


We were so excited for the grandparents to come and visit! (I even IRONED the sheets for them! Have yall ever done that before? I always thought it was a stupid idea, but it makes you feel like you are staying at a hotel!!! I don’t usually do this… only for special occasions) Friday night we went out to Loveless Cafe. A great country cookin’ place in Nashville (featured for their biscuits on the Food Network.) It was so good! I love that while we were waiting to be seated, we were getting COLD outside! My favorite season is here! I left my camera at home, so no pictures of this night 🙁

Saturday AM we woke up to coffee and cinnamon rolls. We hung out in our pj’s for most of the morning playing with Harper and doing odd ends around the house. We were very thankful for Grandy because he is the best fix-it man in the world! Chris and Grandy went to Home Depot to get a few items while I went to TJMaxx. Grandmama Jo kept Harper. I found some great things at The Maxx … I was looking for some antique looking plates to make a design on our wall above our bed. Since we moved from our ginormous bedroom in our GA house, to a much tinier one, we had to forgo our beautiful sleigh bed in order for all of our furniture to fit. It is in storage until we move into a home with a bigger Master bedroom 🙂 (which won’t be for a while). I will post some pics of our finished room and my *finds* later on – once I finish the room. I also got some really cute Franklin Covey accordion files that are cute and match our living room. They originally were $40 and I got them for $5 a piece! Hooray for deals!

Later that evening, Chris and I went on a date for my birthday. We went to see the movie Fireproof. Okay, if you haven’t seen this movie, GO SEE IT!!!! What an incredible challenge this movie gives. I really can’t say enough about it. I bawled my eyes out to the point where Chris and I were laughing because I was crying so much. I never cry in movies, but this one was real and good and challenging. I want to be a better wife. I want to be selfless. I want to love Chris the way Caleb loves his wife (in the movie). After the movie, we went to Lifeway to get a copy of The Love Dare book (featured in the movie). Then we went to grab a quick bite to eat at Sonic with a Reese’s Blast for dessert – YUM TO MY TUM It was a fun date night with my hubby to celebrate my birthday!

Sunday, we went to the early service at church. We got to hear Monti’s testimony – a guy who had be radically changed by Jesus Christ last June from a lifestyle of addictions. He stood on the stage as a completely changed man speaking of what Jesus had done in His life… a life that he never thought would change. He sang an amazing song about his changed life, and how he is completely dependent on Jesus every day. Of course, the church stood and applauded for this miracle that we could see.

Our pastor then BROUGHT IT by preaching a sermon about Peter preaching and having 3,000 people come to know the Lord. He said while this is amazing, the part of the verse that floored him was when it says, “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47) Not only were 3,000 people saved… that is A LOT of people. Think about it. But, more were added daily. THAT is the transforming power of Jesus Christ. He then asked us a question/ made the statement that we should STILL be seeing this happening more often. Why don’t we? God hasn’t changed! We are te selfish ones and keep the gospel hidden in our hearts. He said we should be hearing stories like Monti’s on a regular basis because THAT is the God we worship. I know that I am not the best at sharing my faith, but I have really been challenged lately to tell what God has done in my life. I’ve been reading a book by James Choung called True Story. It is a way to share your faith that condenses it down into a simpler/ not so scary approach. I have several people I am praying for that I hope to share this amazing gift with. Please join me in this journey… If you want more info on this book. Here is a website about the book.

On a lighter note, all throughout the church service, there was a man yelling “AMEN” after EVER-Y-THING our pastor said. As our pastor was wrapping up, I started getting really angry because the *amen-er* was being so distracting, but then, I got so tickled at this man that I almost laughed out loud. I mean, come on! We get it.. you agree!

So after a power packed and convicting service, I got to choose our place to eat since it was my b-day. I chose…Genghis Grill. Later that afternoon we hugged the grandparents bye and took naps on the couches while Harper napped upstairs. Once we woke up, Chris asked me what our plans were for the evening and what I wanted to do. We went to Home Depot (not my choice, but had to go exchange something) and then onto Publix to get the Sunday paper. I have decided to start a new job… THE GROCERY GAME! I’ll be posting more on this later because its kind of my new addiction (thanks TARA!) It hopefully will save us hundreds of dollars!!! 🙂

After getting the paper, we were then onto McDonald’s! For some strange reason, I wanted McDonald’s on my birthday! I know weird and gross. But, it’s what I wanted, and it was my birthday so calories don’t count. ha! In a kind of a weird way, it took me back to being 4 and made me feel young again. But, let me tell you this Mickey D’s was swanky!!! I took pictures. They didn’t turn out as great as I remembered, but maybe you can see some of the modern features it has.

The *silver* M on glass…

Notice the circular booth style seating behind Chris… as well as the light fixtures…

My Birthday Dessert… apple pie, ice cream, and coffee… very inexpensive, but tasty!

And the birthday girl with her *cake*…

All in all I had a great birthday weekend, but come Monday… a whole different story. There is already a post in action about my lovely Monday. Will be up soon…

We’re Baaaaaaaack!

My, it has been FOREVER since I’ve posted anything (due to no internet for about a month)! Here’s what’s been goin’ on with us…

* We are moved into our new townhome and loving it! It is so cozy, and we’ve settled in quickly due to wonderful help from friends and family. Just a few more boxes to unpack. I’m determined to unpack ALL of them! I will post pictures later on in the week of our progress.

* Harper is growing so fast! She is almost crawling. She inches around like an inchworm going up and down from her knees and hands to her tummy. It’s real cute. She hasn’t quite figured out that she can crawl (which I don’t mind!) 🙂 We are getting great sleep at night now that she is in her own room! She now says DaDa and MaMa. It’s so cute. She doesn’t do it consistently, but I think she knows that I’m Mama because if I leave the room she will call my name… mom mom mom mom – it’s just adorable. She said Dada first, but then once she learned my name, she really hasn’t said DaDa again. Poor Chris thinks it’s rejection, but I assure him it’s not. I’m just the one with the food – hahaha!!

*We just got back from our Metro Associates Conference (MAC) last week and had a wonderful time visiting with friends from other churches and Nancy and Will (they kept Harper) – if you haven’t seen Nancy’s facebook pictures of the weekend, go look at them because they are HILARIOUS! 🙂 Nancy’s AlbumWe were so encouraged at this conference (for student ministers). It was a great time to be around people who are on the same path of life that we are. We had great teaching and quality time! Oh, and we also went rafting – this is an entire post on it’s own. Just think… Mary Lindsey gets stuck in a raft all by herself on the biggest waterfall – at the top – ALONE. Over all it was a great time! (and I didn’t die)

*And, for your viewing pleasure…. this little video of Harper cracking up. (Ignore what I am doing. You will do anything stupid to make your child laugh)

upside down

is how my life feels right now. I am a person who thrives on order. Everything is so very crazy with this move right now. My life is in piles and boxes. And guess what I am doing? Getting ready to go on vacation to Georgia (celebrating Chris’ Dad’s birthday). Am I crazy?!?!

Well, sort of vacation, being that I will have others to help me with Harper (which is very welcomed!) However, when you have a baby, vacation is out of sight for a few years. The problem is sleeping. Sleeping = vacation to me. So, sleeping this weekend may be a little bit of an issue (no vacation), because Harper is a homebody! She likes her crib, her sounds and smells, her routine. She is an orderly child.

So, say a prayer for me that I don’t come back completely wiped out from this trip. I need energy and focus because we have so much to do.

While I’m on here… let me find some pictures to share with yall of my sweet darlin’…

Playing on the bed

Trying so hard to crawl

Laughing at herself

She loves loves loves bathtime

Playing with Daddy

Not so sure about prunes,Mom (I’m not either, baby!!!)

Our sweet little cupcake

Me and My Girl

Where she spends most of her time at the townhouse… in baby jail

She loves sweet potatoes!!!

How I find her in the mornings

And last but not least… a funny little clip of her “helping” me with dinner. I tell her she is helping mommy when she plays while I cook. Couldn’t you just eat her with a spoon? Oh, and while she may sound like she is pooping… it is just her deep concentration voice – charming, isn’t it? I hope she grows out of the growling phase before kindergarten…(Oh , you will have to turn your head to the side, to watch it because I don’t know how to turn the video up and down. So sorry.