I just realized that this month is my one year birthday of Stop Squeezing The Cat!
I honestly never believed I would commit to...well.....anything.....for a whole year. I can barely commit to watching a full episode of Andy Griffith.
So in honor of this very minor accomplishment I am giving some lucky reader a Birthday Gift!
Leave a comment (either on the blog or on Facebook -- making sure you leave your name!) of what your favorite blog post has been. Then on Wednesday I will randomly choose one of you to win a gift basket of some of MY favorite things!
Things like a
Target gift card
Ghiradelli chocolates
Starbucks Coffee
and other randomly useless, but oh so enjoyable, goodies!
Happy commenting and good luck!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Hodgepodge
Great day in the morning! It has been ages since I last wrote. Okay, it is more like 3 weeks. Still, haven't you been on the edge of your seat?
Since Sweet Yahoo's birthday we have been busy making memories. Good things like jumping in leaves and carving pumpkins and enjoying our first hot chocolate of the year.
I also managed to squeeze in a field trip.
Being able to write that sentence makes me feel like a superwoman.
Because I don't do field trips.
I stink at taking the initiative to get things done, I am anti-creative in coming up with interesting trips, and even if I get one planned I do not follow through well at things. Especially things that require me, 4 kids, and a long car trip.
But on those few instances when I do overcome my weaknesses and actually take one it is so well worth it.
This lastest one was a trip to Perryville Battlefield. In all my years I have never been there. But seeing that some of my bunch are such history buffs and also semi-obsessed with all things militia, I thought this would be the perfect trip for them.
All around the country different battlefields are celebrating the 150th anniversary of some of the battles of the Civil War. Perryville was no different. We got to watch a reenactment of the battle, see some living history of how people lived during that time, and to top it all off we got to hear Abraham Lincoln speak. Not the real one, of course, but close.
Here's a few shots of the day.
A big shout out to my Mama who went with us. She is such a helper! The Honey was in Seattle during this time so I was going to have to single mom this trip. But thankfully The Mom stepped up. I couldn't have done it without her. Well, I might could have but I think I would have been much grumpier and felt more like Joker Phillips after the Western game when the day was done.
And then this weekend The Mom, Sister and I got to take a long weekend to visit Savannah. It was a great trip! Savannah is a city rich in history and beauty. We shopped and ate and shopped and ate. And then I got to watch American Pickers and HGTV all night. Nothing better than that!
I got back last night and jumped in full force into the schedule for the week. School catch up. Then this afternoon we got to celebrate my Granny's birthday.
She is 85 years young. And she is beautiful and wise and funny. I love her so much. She is always looking on the bright side and always finds the humor in things. She loves children. Even mine. She loves farming and working and a good piece of chocolate. And she is strong. So much stronger than she thinks she is. She lost the love of her life almost 2 years ago.
Mission Impossible: Continuing to breathe and eat and live and be without the one who holds your heart there living with you.
But she has. She has continued on. Living gracefully.
So a very very happy birthday to My Sweet Granny!
I would also like to make side note about this picture. The smallest child here is NOT the youngest. His cousin to the left is around 3 months younger than him. But my Baby sure is a looker, though. Barefoot and all. Don't you think?
Finally, I would be a terrible fool to not mention the last post on my blog. If you have not gotten a chance to read it and you would like to get a glimpse into how absolutely wonderful The Honey is you should take a peak. I would like to say after reading it (as if I didn't already know before) that he is too good for me. And this love story of ours is sure to be legendary.....at least in my book. So thank you, Dear Honey. I love you to the moon and back.
Since Sweet Yahoo's birthday we have been busy making memories. Good things like jumping in leaves and carving pumpkins and enjoying our first hot chocolate of the year.
I also managed to squeeze in a field trip.
Being able to write that sentence makes me feel like a superwoman.
Because I don't do field trips.
I stink at taking the initiative to get things done, I am anti-creative in coming up with interesting trips, and even if I get one planned I do not follow through well at things. Especially things that require me, 4 kids, and a long car trip.
But on those few instances when I do overcome my weaknesses and actually take one it is so well worth it.
This lastest one was a trip to Perryville Battlefield. In all my years I have never been there. But seeing that some of my bunch are such history buffs and also semi-obsessed with all things militia, I thought this would be the perfect trip for them.
All around the country different battlefields are celebrating the 150th anniversary of some of the battles of the Civil War. Perryville was no different. We got to watch a reenactment of the battle, see some living history of how people lived during that time, and to top it all off we got to hear Abraham Lincoln speak. Not the real one, of course, but close.
Here's a few shots of the day.
A big shout out to my Mama who went with us. She is such a helper! The Honey was in Seattle during this time so I was going to have to single mom this trip. But thankfully The Mom stepped up. I couldn't have done it without her. Well, I might could have but I think I would have been much grumpier and felt more like Joker Phillips after the Western game when the day was done.
And then this weekend The Mom, Sister and I got to take a long weekend to visit Savannah. It was a great trip! Savannah is a city rich in history and beauty. We shopped and ate and shopped and ate. And then I got to watch American Pickers and HGTV all night. Nothing better than that!
 |
| In front of The Lady and Sons Restaurant. MMMM! |
 |
| Mom always on the prowl for a mailbox. She believed they were the architectural backbone to the city. |
I got back last night and jumped in full force into the schedule for the week. School catch up. Then this afternoon we got to celebrate my Granny's birthday.
She is 85 years young. And she is beautiful and wise and funny. I love her so much. She is always looking on the bright side and always finds the humor in things. She loves children. Even mine. She loves farming and working and a good piece of chocolate. And she is strong. So much stronger than she thinks she is. She lost the love of her life almost 2 years ago.
Mission Impossible: Continuing to breathe and eat and live and be without the one who holds your heart there living with you.
But she has. She has continued on. Living gracefully.
So a very very happy birthday to My Sweet Granny!
I would also like to make side note about this picture. The smallest child here is NOT the youngest. His cousin to the left is around 3 months younger than him. But my Baby sure is a looker, though. Barefoot and all. Don't you think?
Finally, I would be a terrible fool to not mention the last post on my blog. If you have not gotten a chance to read it and you would like to get a glimpse into how absolutely wonderful The Honey is you should take a peak. I would like to say after reading it (as if I didn't already know before) that he is too good for me. And this love story of ours is sure to be legendary.....at least in my book. So thank you, Dear Honey. I love you to the moon and back.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
The Honey Writes A Post
THE HONEY MAKES A POST
Mama Yahoo left for a weekend get away so I got to fill her shoes. Yes that's right, I did a little B&E on the site for this special edition so I, "The Honey," could share some thoughts.
I thought it only fitting that if I was going to play the part of Mama Yahoo for the weekend, that I make an entry on the blog. You see, she comes back tomorrow. The house is in order, laundry done up, and now her blog will be up to date. So let me share some very important things I learned during this experience:
Mama Yahoo has big feet!
All I can figure out is her feet must be huge because filling her shoes has been an incredible task. There was the cooking, cleaning, refereeing, loads of laundry, shuttling all the yahoos around, dishes, sunday morning get ready and out the door...to include a pony tail........which I had absolutely no idea how to do......that was loads of fun.....and of course one kid with a sick stomache that puked in the car last friday. That's right puked in the car. I should have known when Mama Yahoo handed me "the list" of instructions that spanned multiple pages that it was going to be an "experience". And before we get too far down the road just know that I didn't even man up and do half the things on the list. I bailed on school and called in support at least one of the nights. I also didn't get to spiritual feeding of the kids, I did well just to stay in the game, let alone advance the ball down the field. How does she do this?
Mama Yahoo, you are one tremendous and gifted individual.
A Lesson on Oneness
Through the first half of this past week I was on business travel. So Mama Yahoo and I were like ships passing in the night. I came in, got my orders, only for her to pack up and head out on her excursion. In total we have now been apart for 9 days. That doesn't sound like much, but for us it's the longest we have been apart in over 12 years. What I have found is there is something very unique about this thing called marriage. Over time you become one in all aspects of life.
"For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh." Gen 2:24
As the yahoos and I sat at the table for dinner or when we road to church there was just something missing for me. It wasn't sadness or even loneliness that I think most struck me, it was the shear dependency that existed. Could it be that the dependency we have with our spouse only shows us how incapable we ourselves are. Sounds like a picture of Christ and how our sin and falleness shows us the great dependence we have on Him.
Mama Yahoo, let me say thanks for walking with me. Not only in the day-to-day stuff but also in those deeper, spiritual moments. I'm incredibly proud to call you my wife.
Leaving a Legacy From The Buffet Line
When it gets right down to it, not much we do in the present lasts that long or really matters. Where our fruit will really show up is in the legacy we leave behind. For those with Yahoos its all about the legacy we leave in those we are trying to raise. There was this moment today at lunch, right after church, that I got glimpse of something incredibly special. Given I had done enough dishes (okay 1 load in the DW, but that was enough for me) I decided to take the kids to the Depot. We pulled in and got our table. I instructed the 3 older yahoos to watch baby yahoo while I went to buffet line to get baby yahoo's food. I figured the sooner he had something to occupy his attention the better off we all were. And no I did not just use this as an excuse to go first and get my food. After 3 days with the yahoos I quickly learned you have to focus on baby yahoo or you are done and ready to tap out!
As I made my way over to the line I could see the table where we were sitting and had one eye on them and one eye on the line. What I saw was 4 very well behaved and disciplined children. But there was also more, one had already moved a seat closer to baby yahoo and was entertaining him. Others were interacting with the waitress and serving one another the right drinks. They were smiling, laughing, and talking amongst each other. Just the 4 of them.
It was incredibly precious and something that did not just show-up on its own. It was genuine and not forced. You see its a reflection of a teacher investing in her students lives. Mama Yahoo has done well spiritually feeding these children and I got a glimpse of that today from the buffet line. Now don't get me wrong there were tons of fights this weekend and a few required corrections along the way.......but in this moment I saw the work of Christ in our children's hearts.
Mama Yahoo, know that your long hours of what sometimes seems pointless is making a difference. The investement in these yahoos is going to be your legacy and a fine legacy it will be. You see, you are giving them the tools they will need to sit around a table when we are long gone. When it is just them they will be just fine if they recall the tools that Mama Yahoo shared with them through the Grace, Knowledge, and Wisdom of the Father.
So Mama Yahoo, let me close with this. This post is your tribute. Thank You for all that you do. Now get back to work, I need a nap!
- The Honey
Mama Yahoo left for a weekend get away so I got to fill her shoes. Yes that's right, I did a little B&E on the site for this special edition so I, "The Honey," could share some thoughts.
I thought it only fitting that if I was going to play the part of Mama Yahoo for the weekend, that I make an entry on the blog. You see, she comes back tomorrow. The house is in order, laundry done up, and now her blog will be up to date. So let me share some very important things I learned during this experience:
Mama Yahoo has big feet!
All I can figure out is her feet must be huge because filling her shoes has been an incredible task. There was the cooking, cleaning, refereeing, loads of laundry, shuttling all the yahoos around, dishes, sunday morning get ready and out the door...to include a pony tail........which I had absolutely no idea how to do......that was loads of fun.....and of course one kid with a sick stomache that puked in the car last friday. That's right puked in the car. I should have known when Mama Yahoo handed me "the list" of instructions that spanned multiple pages that it was going to be an "experience". And before we get too far down the road just know that I didn't even man up and do half the things on the list. I bailed on school and called in support at least one of the nights. I also didn't get to spiritual feeding of the kids, I did well just to stay in the game, let alone advance the ball down the field. How does she do this?
Mama Yahoo, you are one tremendous and gifted individual.
A Lesson on Oneness
Through the first half of this past week I was on business travel. So Mama Yahoo and I were like ships passing in the night. I came in, got my orders, only for her to pack up and head out on her excursion. In total we have now been apart for 9 days. That doesn't sound like much, but for us it's the longest we have been apart in over 12 years. What I have found is there is something very unique about this thing called marriage. Over time you become one in all aspects of life.
"For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh." Gen 2:24
As the yahoos and I sat at the table for dinner or when we road to church there was just something missing for me. It wasn't sadness or even loneliness that I think most struck me, it was the shear dependency that existed. Could it be that the dependency we have with our spouse only shows us how incapable we ourselves are. Sounds like a picture of Christ and how our sin and falleness shows us the great dependence we have on Him.
Mama Yahoo, let me say thanks for walking with me. Not only in the day-to-day stuff but also in those deeper, spiritual moments. I'm incredibly proud to call you my wife.
Leaving a Legacy From The Buffet Line
When it gets right down to it, not much we do in the present lasts that long or really matters. Where our fruit will really show up is in the legacy we leave behind. For those with Yahoos its all about the legacy we leave in those we are trying to raise. There was this moment today at lunch, right after church, that I got glimpse of something incredibly special. Given I had done enough dishes (okay 1 load in the DW, but that was enough for me) I decided to take the kids to the Depot. We pulled in and got our table. I instructed the 3 older yahoos to watch baby yahoo while I went to buffet line to get baby yahoo's food. I figured the sooner he had something to occupy his attention the better off we all were. And no I did not just use this as an excuse to go first and get my food. After 3 days with the yahoos I quickly learned you have to focus on baby yahoo or you are done and ready to tap out!
As I made my way over to the line I could see the table where we were sitting and had one eye on them and one eye on the line. What I saw was 4 very well behaved and disciplined children. But there was also more, one had already moved a seat closer to baby yahoo and was entertaining him. Others were interacting with the waitress and serving one another the right drinks. They were smiling, laughing, and talking amongst each other. Just the 4 of them.
It was incredibly precious and something that did not just show-up on its own. It was genuine and not forced. You see its a reflection of a teacher investing in her students lives. Mama Yahoo has done well spiritually feeding these children and I got a glimpse of that today from the buffet line. Now don't get me wrong there were tons of fights this weekend and a few required corrections along the way.......but in this moment I saw the work of Christ in our children's hearts.
Mama Yahoo, know that your long hours of what sometimes seems pointless is making a difference. The investement in these yahoos is going to be your legacy and a fine legacy it will be. You see, you are giving them the tools they will need to sit around a table when we are long gone. When it is just them they will be just fine if they recall the tools that Mama Yahoo shared with them through the Grace, Knowledge, and Wisdom of the Father.
So Mama Yahoo, let me close with this. This post is your tribute. Thank You for all that you do. Now get back to work, I need a nap!
- The Honey