Please…

When walking by the bumper sticker rack at the Christian book store…

JUST Say NO!

I’m sure these were very nice people that parked next to me at Wally World this morning…

But, there is an epidemic on our hands concerning the abuse of bumper stickers. 

Come on people, these aren’t even on the bumper.

This is serious.

If you are addicted to religious stickers and cannot go cold turkey…

Please… try to use moderation.

(I do give these people credit…they support our troops and that rocks and they have nice friendly bumpers stickers…The worst is angry Christian bumper stickers on a car…ugh…stop the insanity!)

This can be filed under things that made my week…

Yesterday John got a text message from God.  I’d like to say we did realize the text’s were not actually coming from God (just in case you were concerned) but we couldn’t recognize the number and God wasn’t fessing up to his true identity.  We had it narrowed down to a few dozen people that may have been guilty…(I can’t remember it word for word, but it went something like this)

God- John.  This is God.  You need to move back to Canton and take the Youth Pastor Position that just came open at New Life Ministries.

John- Who is this???

God- God.  Where are you?

John- Can’t you see me?  Just one question God.  Why mosquitoes?

God- idk, but there are less mosquitoes in Ohio.  Move there.

 thanks God

As a card carrying member of the pasty white girl club there have been some important things I have learned about skincare.

How to use self tanner has not been one of them.

It all started when I was a teenager…with the invention of the the self tanning lotion.  THAT was the biggest disaster ever.  I never could get it right.  I can follow the directions exactly and every time I looked like an orange stripped zebra. 

 Following these failures (that’s plural because I kept trying it expecting different results) I returned to the tanning bed.  (I know, bad…)   And… after having kids and my money had more important places to go than my skin tone…I settled for ghostly whiteness.

Until last week. While stocking up on sunscreen…I noticed a tanning product I had never tried.

Micro mist airbrush sunless tan.

And, it was expensive so it must work..right?

This is what I ended up with…

Orange Feet. (that’s a new one for me.)

Apparently I didn’t consider washing the bottoms of my feet after using the micro mist spray that apparently had coated the wood floor in my bathroom causing me to have horribly discolored feet as I walked across it.

So, what goofy thing have you done lately?

If you don’t want your perspective on life to change…stop reading this.

Every so often you hear or read something impacts you so greatly that you know you’ll never forget it.

I first heard the story of little Audrey Caroline’s life yesterday and it’s all I can think about.

What an amazing life this little one had.

I’ve tried to think about other things, but my mind just keeps running back to this story and this little girl.  It has impacted me.

The tone in my voice has changed…my attitude has changed…my perspective has changed.  It made me stop, take a breath and talk to God about what is really going on with me.  It made me break down and cry like I haven’t cried in years.  It made me feel less jaded and hard than I have felt lately.  It made me grateful.

 I want to share this story with everyone I can…that’s why I am posting this.

 Read ROCKED_TO_MY_CORE… the video is there also. (it’s about 25 minutes long so be prepared)  Todd and Angie Smith the parents of little Audrey share their story.

If you can’t watch the video read Angie’s blog here.  If you have the time, do both.

This is a story I want you to hear.

This is going to sound like the blondest thing I have said in a while, but…

I had no Idea that the Kentucky_Derby was such a big deal down here. 

(yes, yes…I do know that I’m actuallyin Kentucky.)

I thought that the derby was just a horse race.  The Derby is actually the end of a two week festival. (and they go all out.)

 Live and learn I guess.

David’s Kindergarten class had their annual Kentucky derby today.  It was WAY too funny.  The first few groups of racers didn’t get the concept of a race track at all and ran straight  toward the door… Forrest Gump style.  There were tons of spills and chills…ESPN seriously should have broadcast this one! At the end of their race they all got roses from the “Mayor”. (or the librarian..whateva)

I would like to say that my little jockey won his race…

(and It doesn’t count that the really fast kid that should have won didn’t because he lost his little Jockey hat and had to go back for it!)

 See if you can spot him..number 30 on the inside lane.

Yesterday I took my 4 almost 5 year old daughter shopping for her summer wardrobe.

WOW.

That was a pretty interesting time.  I usually don’t let her pick out ANY of her own clothes, but I thought I would let her help this time.  With a few rules…

1. Charaters are for P.J.’s only. (and tennis shoes if I am in a good mood.)

2. No Mini Hooker clothes.  (It makes me crazy to see little girls dressed in things that I wouldn’t let a teenager leave the house in.  It’s just not cute…or appropriate.)

3. Mom has the final say…on everything.

These are a few things I learned.

1. My daugter would wear Hannah Montanna from head to toe if allowed.  I’m lucky we got away with one t-shirt…it could’ve been much worse. (and that does break the character rule..I know, it’s a “play shirt”.)

2.  Jellies are back.. and Why are back?  Those were the worst most uncomfrotable things to come from the 80’s and apparently my daughter needs them.

3. You can never have too many pairs flip flops…and if they have glitter straps you need even more.

4. Red is for boys.

5.  You can never have too many colors in one outfit… (and if it’s rainbow it’s perfect.)

6. Pink Camo is on most of the clothes found at J.C. Penny’s. (thank goodness for mom veto power)

7.  You can never have too many sequins.

8. Don’t even bother asking, the answer is…the pink one.

9. No matter what the outfit, if it comes with accessories you have a fight on your hands. (and I have also decided that girls are born with the ability to accessorise)

10. Girls are expensive!

It’s going to be a very bright and sparkly summer.

While over_here…

I happened to run into an old_friend…

It really has me convinced that it is a small world after all.  (or at least blog world)

This is the second time something like this has happened to me this week. (and by this I mean a random run in with someone I haven’t seen in a very long time under unusual circumstances.)

and…

for some reason…

It’s really made me think about heaven. 

 Which, isn’t something I generally think about.  (no particular reason for that…I just don’t)

I am usually consumed with work here and keeping up with my everyday life which includes my dishes. (and my kids, jobs, and so on) 

There are so many people that have come in and out of my life and I don’t get to spend time with them anymore for what ever reason. 

So many amazing people.  

And there are many that are already there that I would love to see again.

 It made me realize how cool heaven will be….  Maybe there will be a huge game of Six_Degrees_of_Kevin_Bacon when we get there. 

While looking for some pics for a friend, I came across a CD of pictures from my wedding that I’m pretty sure I don’t ever remember seeing. 

I’m pretty sure I never saw them because I would have destroyed them. 

 Now, they are just funny.

This picture is probably only humorous if you were actually present at this wedding…

What I wouldn’t give for some of these right now.

And while in this picture it appears that my maid of honor and I are giving my sister in law the look of death I assure you it was directed way past her…  (and I assure you that we were all much happier than we look in these shots…thankfully!)

ahhh. memories.

Every summer right before school starts the church I work for has a BACK TO SCHOOL BASH.  The women’s group puts it on and has every game and fun carnival type activity a kid could want. 

The idea is for the kids to win the school supplies they need for the upcoming school year.

 (and to connect to the community…and be loved…and have lunch…and play games..and play on lots of bouncy toys…and get your face painted…and the dunking booths and so on…) 

There is a large need in our community for this type of outreach. 

 (and with the economy shifting I believe this year may be even more important for families.)  

The church is in contact with the local elementary schools who helps identify parents and children that may need help.  (I also wanted to add that is isn’t just for families in need… This is for all of the families in our community and church.)   The women also canvas the neighborhoods surrounding the church inviting all the kids. 

Alright…this is where I need the help…

This year John and I will be in charge of the ministry portion of this day. (with lots of great children’s workers to back us up.)

The Women’s group is already working hard on everything else.

I thought I knew what I wanted to do, but I’m second guessing my plan and could use some fresh ideas.  Yes…I’m praying about it as well, but I’m calling on a little help from my  friends. 

(or children’s ministry veterans…or parents…or kid’s workers…pastors…creative people in general, or pretty much anyone who has an opinion on the matter)

With a little less than 4 months to go…I need to work this out soon. (I’m not a down to the wire kinda gal)

This is what I am looking at…

-A carnival type setting…

-The women are asking for a gospel presentation …the format is open.

-Most of the children are elementary age. 1st though 5Th

-this will be a first impression our our church for a lot of families..I want it to be a good one.

-it can be one presentation or broken up through out the day.

-(personal conviction)  I want to keep what ever is done to be less “preachy” more “we care about you and Jesus Loves you.”…because we do.  I want to be careful that it doesn’t turn into something unattractive or forced. (especially for parents who might feel uncomfortable…)

Any ideas? 

Any sugestions that may have worked well in a similar event your church has had in the past?

I want anything you got! (from the games, to the outreach and the what not to do’s…)

 You can comment me here or send me a message.

Thank you guys!

You rock!

(p.s. just incase you might be worried…I never use my church’s name…location…or any ones full name in my blog…I’m just weird like that. better safe than sorry right? )

You could seriously start to think I hang out at goodwill…

I promise, I don’t. 

It’s just that I find something every time I go…

This time… 2 Mark Baker Prints $5.

bakerimages.com

last time…

this fun black and white stripe couch for the youth room at the church…

And…it doesn’t even smell funny. :)  I do plan on shampooing it though… Because as one of the kids brought up there is a possibilty that an 80 year old man had been sleeping on this couch naked last week.  While I found that doubtful, better safe than sorry.

and the time before that…

I found THIS.

Who knew shopping at the thrift store could be so much fun…

And who knew I liked black and white so much…

And…Who actually answers these questions in their head…