I could have cried - Embarrassing moments

Well, I do NOT like to carry around "most-embarrassing" experiences to remember and feel bad about so this will be an attempt and putting them out there to hopefully let them go.  Silly things happen all the time and they are usually not that hard for me to forget but recently, two different things happened that make me feel pretty sheepish.  Or at least super unlucky and indeed, very embarrassed.

Backstory for experience number one.  I needed some new clothes and I have been trying to balance buying some classic, quality pieces with my tight budget.  In my online shopping, I noticed that boys and kids clothes tend to be a little less expensive than women's clothing.  It occurred to me that I could potentially find a nice shirt or two in a size XL from a boys line of clothing that I could use for now and then maybe pass along to Will when he is big enough.  Sure enough, I found two very nice boys shirts at Crewcuts that I would wear, a denim shirt and a gingham one.

Feeling pretty cute in my new denim shirt the other day, I took Tyson to his cello lesson.  His cello teacher was there to greet us and as I walked up, I saw that he was grinning a pretty huge grin at me.  I didn't think a lot of it until I was nearly done with a conversation with him when I happened to glance down and see my shirt in an awkward pucker.  I quickly realized that this cute shirt was made for boys and not nursing mamas in the buttonal region.  I did a stealthy grab of the purse across my body to hold it closed, finished the convo real fast, and turned and marched out while trying to button up.

That dude never stopped grinning.

At home I of course had to recreate the shirt experience for the mirror to verify the cause of the grin, and sure enough, one button gone awry on this top creates a giant portal into my personal space.  Oy.

Got me some new snaps to sew into the shirt now...

Experience number two.  Jared took a day off this past week to spend some time with the boys on their spring break.  We decided to take them to a local indoor swimming pool.  Gathering all the gear necessary for four kids and two adults to take swimming is pretty ridiculous... so imagine me carrying two or three bags and a baby, Jared corralling the other boys and carrying some loot too.  We got to the bleachers next to the pool and dropped the bags and sat down with the baby in arm.  As I did, I felt my cover-up slip right down.  I guess its really not a big deal because I was wearing a bathing suit but instinct directed me to pull it back up.

Well, have you ever sat on something and then tried to pull it up with one hand?  As I absentmindedly tried the impossible, the fabric of my cover-up slipped out of my hand and I literally punched myself in the jaw, with blinding force at that.

You can imagine how stunned I was, having just had my trash kicked by myself.  I hit myself so hard that the left side jaw muscle instantly cramped and locked and I got a sharp stabbing feeling in my left ear.  I completely panicked and tried in vain to tell Jared what had happened.

And OK, I admit it.  I totally did cry, just like a baby.

Several Ibuprofens later, it was still too painful to chew but I made it through the night and woke up to no pain at all.  Phew.

And now that I told you about it, I feel better.  Thanks.

Just sayin'...

I am shocked by this world we live in.  Today I feel like we are living on some alien planet.  

Today I feel like so many things that I think about

just aren't important.  

I feel the need to focus and simplify and work and prepare.  

I think someday the words to one of my favorite hymns will become exceptionally poignant to us:

Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When, with a wounded heart, anger, or malice
I draw myself apart searching my soul?

Where, when my aching grows?
Where, when I languish?
Where, in my need to know?
Where can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.

He answers privately.
Reaches my reaching.
In my Gethsemane, Savior, and friend.
Gentle, the peace He finds
For my beseeching.
Constant He is, and kind.
Love without end.

{J. Kirk Richards}

Spring baby

I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to have my three older kids' birthdays all back to back and interspersed with holidays and RSV season!  I was so proud of the fact that this last time, I planned to have a spring baby so that his birthday would not add to our September to December mayhem.

Well gosh darn it, that baby came early!

And I just realized his first birthday will be on Easter this year.

He's so cute.  I will forgive him.

Tyson's new passion - Golf

He is hooked.  Ty had his second lesson today and I can see it in his eyes... that boy already loves the game.

Tennessee springtime - 2011

Look at this tree!  Its so pretty... I had never seen one like this until I moved east of the Mississippi.  I do remember seeing something similar but the blossoms were more yellow and green than pink and white.  This particular tree is located at Traveler's Rest, a historic plantation here in the Nashville area that Tyson went on a field trip to.  I was thrilled to get to go too and to snap this pic.

{yes I took this while driving but no I did not take my eyes off the road}

Springtime is everywhere here right now, with "popcorn trees" aplenty.  Even my little tree out front is starting to get some little blossoms.  The kids are probably sick of me going on and on about Tennessee's beauty when I drive them to and fro.  "Look how green it is!  Look at all those daffodils!"  Oh yeah, and the kids don't want me to call them popcorn trees anymore.  "Bradford Pear Trees!!!!"

And though I love the beauty of springtime, I am inside today fighting allergies.

I am having the boys help me with a plan for Spring Break, which will include trips to the farm and trips to my allergist for more shots.

Yesterday was kite day for the Kindergartners.  I handed Zach his kite and he instantly bolted, sending his little kite into the sky.  He ran and ran and ran then he finally stopped and panting said, "Phew!  My kite is tired!"

Zach just had his first ever soccer practice too.  Its so fun to see him learning the game.

Stay tuned for upcoming spring break haps and other randomness via me. ;)

Whoa! It's Miss A Fashion time again!

OK so life is pretty much bulldozin' me all over the place right now.  I cannot believe how fast time flies and still I feel like I am trying to swim through cold molasses...

Anyway, check out this cutie!  She was supposed to wear red, white and blue for a school program and I think she pulls it off like a champ.

Love the haircut too!!

Its Miss A. Fashion Wednesday!

Today's ensemble was cute as always but I mostly love that shock of blue in her hair!  Its just a clip in... and she totally rocks it!

I ♥ great music! - I Believe in Christ

I played this song for my kids in the car this morning as we drove to school.  I didn't say anything to them; I just let it play.  They all paused what they were doing and saying so they could listen.  The whole thing is amazing and as you listen too, you will likely notice that there is more to it than just great music.  There are certain songs out there that seem to literally awaken the spirit within.  When the song was done, Will asked, "Why does it do that?"

"What?" I asked.  

"Why does that song make you feel like that?"

I told him I think its because it is such a simple and beautiful expression of an intensely powerful thing; a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I told him that I know that when a testimony of the Savior is shared, the Holy Spirit accompanies that expression, witnessing to hearts that hear that indeed, God lives and that Jesus is the Christ.  

"It feels like that when I listen to Handel's Messiah too," he said.  

"Me too, Will"

I don't very often share the things that are the deepest in my heart.  I created this blog as an attempt to do so, as I am often very shy about doing it at all.  It felt like an outlet that I could use.  But more often than not I realize that I am only sharing my surface feelings and loves with you here.  I am sure that will continue to be the norm for me, but I do want it said here and I would like you to know that I know of a certainty that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.  

I know that we were spiritual beings before we were sent here to gain physical bodies and that we continue as both spiritual and physical today.  I see people who are not "religious" still feel the need to pray, if only in times of great pain or trouble.  To me, that primal urge to entreat our Heavenly Father is evidence of our nature and a clue as to how we can know truth.  

Do you remember September 11th?  What did the people of our nation do?  I remember how it seemed like everyone hit their knees, religious or not.  What does that say?  How can anyone think that we are not spiritual beings when in situations of duress our instinct is a spiritual one?  Sure, you could try to explain it away but why not try to experiment with it instead?  

Humor that spiritual instinct long enough to know.  Open your heart to your maker in honesty and sincerity, putting doubts and fears aside, even praying them away if necessary.  Better still, be consistent about it.  I know from experience that this "seed" can grow into a thriving tree, full of sweet fruit.  A seed cannot thrive with one watering only, nor can our bodies be fit with just a week's worth of exercise.  Commit to humbly following the admonition to experiment upon the word and to come unto Him.

{Every Knee Shall Bow, by J. Kirk Richards}

Alma 32:27-28 - But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breast; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

Mathew 11:28 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Be consistent.  The spiritual knowledge and strength seems to grow exponentially, a witness of the goodness and generosity of our Heavenly Father.  I strongly feel that there will soon come a time in our world where the voices and influences for evil will be so loud and convincing so as to cast a shadow over faith and hope.  So grow your light and make it strong!  Even the smallest light can pierce the darkest dark.  I cannot say strongly enough that the need to be well trained in hearing the Spirit is immense.  I know that our choices now to stay close to the spirit and invite the spirit into our hearts can even make our break us in the coming tests of time.

Listen to this song... Great music is one of many ways to invite that spirit in.  Notice the feeling and make a mental note.  Then listen and feel for it again and again.  I believe this ability to be "in tune" is powerful beyond our comprehension and can even save lives.

I am especially fond of the key change around 3:30.  Gorgeous!!  Thanks for reading & listening!

-Stacey


I believe in Christ; he is my King!
With all my heart to him I’ll sing;
I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy,
In grand amens my tongue employ.
I believe in Christ; he is God’s Son.
On earth to dwell his soul did come.
He healed the sick; the dead he raised.
Good works were his; his name be praised.

I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!
As Mary’s Son he came to reign
’Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,
To save them from the woes of sin.
I believe in Christ, who marked the path,
Who did gain all his Father hath,
Who said to men: “Come, follow me,
That ye, my friends, with God may be.”


I believe in Christ—my Lord, my God!
My feet he plants on gospel sod.
I’ll worship him with all my might;
He is the source of truth and light.
I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,
And I shall live with joy and love
In his eternal courts above.

I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!
From him I’ll gain my fondest dream;
And while I strive through grief and pain,
His voice is heard: “Ye shall obtain.”
I believe in Christ; so come what may,
With him I’ll stand in that great day
When on this earth he comes again
To rule among the sons of men.

Copycat Fashion - Miss Pandora

I am not an original fashionista at all.  But I really appreciate those who are and and today wanted to sincerely flatter Miss Pandora with my little imitation.  I spotted her on Refinery 29 and of course I like her red hair and Ray-Bans.  :) I would love to find a flowy, pink or peach dress like hers but I have to work with what I have, which is just a flowy, ruffly pink top from Target.

Here is me, photo credits to the Jare Bare:

For me, fashion is fun.  Its a delicious little distraction that I love.  So while you will rarely see me dressed like this during the week, I love to play dress up from time to time.  Blame it on Barbie Fashion Plates...

And here is cute Ollie, doing his best "Risky Business:"

{Post Edit} - - 

Per request, a photo of the accompanying shoes that nearly killed me...