Thank you

It's true. We don't say it enough. I usually say it with a card or with another gift. But this time, I'd like to thank my friends and family for loving on me, even though I really am, at times (more times than not) "the least of these". I'm not that loveable. I can throw on the charm at times, but really, when it comes down to it, I'm a lot of things I don't want to be.
One thing that really blesses me is when someone is thoughtful. Like buys me peanut butter bread with chocolate chips in it (from the specialty store..eh-hem Marilyn) for my breakfast and not only does that, but cuts up a few pieces of it, puts a place setting, makes decaf coffee for me and then writes me a note so when I wake up (and she's off to work) it will be ready for me.
And also when a sister calls me and tells me like it is. Like just is honest with me and then listens to my response and still loves me.
And then another friend who gives up sleep and a needy husband (we all know how they are in the evenings) all the while tending to her 5 kids and my 2. Then takes me out to dinner (and spends her gift certificate on ME), buys me special treats and asks me to "tell her stories" just so she can hear me talk (what? who does that???!!) eh-hem Juli.
And then my MomSpace team who emails me to let me know they miss me. I'm so blessed...sooo blessed. Thank you for loving me..really, thank you.

If I had a million dollars..

I'd buy you a house..If I had a million dollars..I'd buy you a monkey...and so the song goes. I think if I had a million dollars, I'd first replace my undergarments and then move on to other items such as a camera and some photography lessons. I recently told our couples group (we call ourselves COPA..couples, parents..you get it) that I'd pay $1,000 for one perfect shot of one of my kids. I'm not kidding. Some of you are reading and are praying for my soul as I can, at times, lack in the self control department. But I love photography. I go on photography websites (yes, of people I don't know) and look at angles and such. So, anyways. To the left are pictures of some of the people I love. Sorry I cut out a couple people, I don't know how to fix that and it's getting late and I need to take my contacts out and wash my face and nurse my youngest.

Beautiful Scents

Recently I was combing my young friend Alyssa's hair and I told her, "your hair is gorgeous and you're so beautiful". Then I said, "but I want you to know that you must keep obeying God and your parents so that you can become even more beautiful on the inside and out". I read that verse in Proverbs the other day about becoming more beautiful as we obey His commands. I want to be more beautiful, but often need to be reminded that all that plucking (eyebrows, lip, chin, etc.) is necessary and worthwhile.
I recently viewed a video promoting The Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney. He had the scent and look of Christ. I wanted to look at him and hear him talk, more and more. If you have seen him, which some of you have..he's not a super attractive person, in most people's standards. But I'm captivated by him because of who he is captivated by.
Recently in MomSpace (my women's meeting on some Fridays) we peeled an orange (as a spiritual exercise) and gave reflections on it. One thing that Kara said was that after you peel an orange, the scent of it is on you for days. That's like Christ..when we're with Him and people who love Him, His scent stays on us and people know. That's what I want.

Grateful For Even The Smallest

One of the greatest things about my life is that I sometimes (if I don't wake up to the alarm, which my youngest usually wakes up about 2 minutes before it to nurse, but anyways) am still in the bedroom when my oldest wakes up. He comes bounding in the room, almost tripping because he's running in so fast. He says in his most enthusiastic voice, "Momma, there's a little orange light peeking through!" "Common Momma" "Hurry, hurry". God must be so pleased. He makes these for us everyday and how often are we that way. So, from me and Skye, God, we say that we noticed this morning. Thanks for my son's enthusiasm and our home and your Son.

About my miracle children

Here are some funny things Skye (my 4 year old) has said recently:
1.Mom, do you know what 'stinky elevasia" is? I say "no" and Skye says, "it's where all the skunks live and you go there and they stink you." Yep.
2. Mom, I'm smarter than a turtle.
3. Mom, I love you more than grass.
4. We were at the ocean (bay side) and Skye noticed while we were there that the tide was going out..he says to me.. "momma, that's the scoot-up shore".
5. Skye says, "o.k. mom, are you ready for a story?" (I say yes) then he turns to Alan and says, "dad, turn on your mouth and start talkin..everybody else, put your ears to listen."
6. Alan recently gave me tulips and I asked Skye, "do you know what these flowers are called?" he says "no" so, I say "tulips" can you say "tulips?" he says, "I know another word 'tulips'" and points to his lips.
7. We were shopping a sale possibly looking for camping equipment. I say to Skye, "can you say camping gear" (or something like that) and he looks back at me and says, "Momma, can you say 'tent'?"!!

If it ever was a confirmation

So my friend Juli (she doesn't refer to me as her dear friend in her blog, so I will just pay her back with the same simple title, friend, altho we all know she is one of my dearest) said that I need to get one of these. I have always wanted to blog and have thot a lot more about it recently. The more I thot about it, the more it became clear to me that I think I already had created one like 3 years ago. Oh well. I'll just create another one. So, I stayed up one night thinking of a really 'catchy' name and came up with "3 Orange, 1 Blonde" which I thought was pleasantly perfect (and smart). So, I entered all the info in (barely keeping my eyes open as it was like 11ish) and what to my wandering (ha!) eyes to appear, a something-something-something and a tiny reindeer..nope, not that. It was 3 blogs. So, the "ever confirmation" comment refers to my roots (the blond roots, not the family roots). After all, I really am a bit A.D.D. and a lot blond. And yes, I spell it with an "e" at the end. Don't know why that is either.
For those who are just starting to get to know me, I'm pretty spicey..hey--you signed on to read this!