random...

It is supposed to be REALLY cold and icy here this weekend so I am, at this very moment, doing all the laundry up and baking various muffins and making meals to heat up, just in case the power goes out from the ice. I may sound crazy but we have been here before with no power for almost 2 weeks!!! We have electric appliances so I am getting prepared!! (We can use electricity for short amounts of time with a generator. Actually, it's a welder, lol)

Last night, I started a new book. I do not usually have time to read fiction but made an exception because I absolutely LOVE Karen Kingsbury books! In about 3 hrs. (with distractions from hubby and kids, lol) I read the entire book, "Between Sundays"...all I can say is, WOW.. Awesome book. Awesome message. I love books of redemption. There's a story in itself there, maybe someday I will share it. :)

We received an unexpected gift today. Can't say more about it at the present time but wow, God works in the every day. That's all I can say. He truly works. :)

Reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan for the third time. Reading it with my hubby this time. Amazing life-changing stuff. Really makes you think and sweat.

Eating a zero candy bar and drinking a Dr. Pepper/ haven't had a coke in 2 weeks and right now it taste so good, I don't care about the calories. That and I have a sinus headache so the coke helps. :)

I have become disenchanted with Jillian Michaels. I still believe her stuff is great and I still do the shred when I make the time but her attitude this season on The Biggest Loser???? Well, let's just say, she needs to can it. There is NO reason to talk to someone like they are trash. NONE. 'nuff said!!

And, that's my list of random for you! Hope you have an awesome weekend!! Praise God for all HE has done in your life.... 

Love,

~Julie~

things about me..

I've done these before but it's been quite a while and I am bored and it's been a rough day so, here goes...

                                              Lily & Mama on the swings at the city park last year..

* I LOVE Coldstone Creamery's Cake Batter ice cream. Plain. Just the ice cream, no toppings. It's my husband's fave, as well.

*I make cake batter & cookie dough just to eat it, not bake it. (sometimes)

*I am doing a surprise birthday party for my Mama tomorrow and I am really nervous. Here's the menu: chicken spaghetti, olive cheese bread, salad, red velvet cake. Does that sound good to you??

*my shoe size is huge. 10. It was a 9 but then I had children. lol

*I am almost 5'8 so I guess my foot is not that big.

*I love brown. It is one of my absolute favorite colors. And red.

*I am reading 6 different books at one time. A little bit of each one, here and there. I have a problem with focusing. lol

*I LOVE gospel music!!!! My all time favorite group is Selah. Their newest CD is amazing!!

*My favorite author is Sally Clarkson. She's so inspiring and motivating in such a peaceful, wonderful way.

*I love goofy fuzzy socks. :)

*I still use the same brand of cleanser on my face that I used in High School..Neutrogena?? ( I don't know, I would have to go look!) cream. (the white kind in the blue jar)...I love the smell and the tingly feeling. :)

*I love snowmen. I love to decorate with them.

*I love to do laundry but I hate to fold it and put it away.

*I love sweet tea.

*I love too hard, sometimes.

*We homeschool.

*It's bugging me to write so many I's....

*I love the book of John.

*Also, Psalms & Hebrews, are some favorites.

*I heart Cruel Girl Jeans.

*I have a tracfone.

*I am one of the cheapest, tightest people with  money that I know. 

*We are dedicated Dave Ramsey followers.

*I wish I were craftier but I have learned it will come with time. First things, first.

*I got married at 18.

*We were married 7 years before Claire was born. Then proceeded to have 2 more children in the next 3 years.

*We are still pondering that one... lol

* I love Dr. Pepper but it doesn't love my hips.

*I have tried to do the shred with Jillian Michaels but it is an off and on relationship. Currently, not going so well.

*I love fashion and clothes and makeup.

*My favorite book right now is "The ministry of Motherhood." I refer to it almost constantly.

*We belong to a wonderful amazing homeschool group!

*My favorite food is my husband's guacamole & pico de gallo and a nice juicy steak. Dessert would be cheesecake. Yum...

Well, that's enough for now! I am getting bored of myself. Pray for those in Haiti and give if you can, at all!!!

8 things about Julie.....

*I've read these on a few different blogs before and I have been tagged at some point and just didn't do it but today I just felt like I needed to relax and do something mindless, so here goes:

These are not neccasarily in any particular order, just what popped in my mind first! :)

8 TV Shows I Watch:

don't have 8. we don't have cable(gasp!) But, here is what I do watch, when I watch T.V.:

*Food Network
*Project Runway
*What Not to Wear
*Jon & Kate plus 8
*Sports/ESPN/Nascar



Favorite Restaurants:

1) Papa Pablano's
2) Pete's Place
3) Red Lobster
4) Olive Garden
5) Steven's Gap
6) Ringold Cafe
7) Lin Cuisine (seriously, it's not Lean Cuisine, either)
8) don't have one... we don't eat out much!

8 Things that Happened to Me Today:

1) I got up at 8:30 am (which NEVER happens).

2) It started my day off terrible.

3) I made a loaf of apple pie bread with Claire & Lily

4) I rocked Drew to sleep multiple times because he wouldn't go to sleep on his own today (he feels bad with a cold and his gums)

5) I did 4 loads of laundry this morning in between everything else

6) I put chicken breasts in the crockpot for supper tonight(I think) I will post that recipe later

7) I read my Bible(Psalms 2 and Proverbs 2) and a chapter of Created to be his help meet and my days in The Love Dare

8)sang church songs with the kids.listened to Claire "read" the baby Jesus story to Lily. :)

8 Things I Look Forward To:

1) Having a fun day with the kids tomorrow. We are going to get Daddy's check and out to lunch. Also to buy "Fireproof" as one of Charlie's romantic surprises (see :The Love Dare)

2) Reading Psalms tomorrow; LOVING Psalms!

3) Getting my running shoes SOON!!!

4) Date night with Charlie this weekend (hopefully) we haven't gotten to have one in over 2 months. WAY overdue!

5) Going to see my sister and her family soon!

6)Going to church & seeing family(hopefully) tomorrow night or this weekend!

7) Claire's 4th Birthday (February 15th) Having a Princess party!!

8) Going shopping in Texarkana & in Tulsa/Fayetville/wherever with my little sis!!!!

9) My sister coloring my hair (AGAIN) when did I start going GRAY?!!!

8 Things I Wish For:

1)that my children will love Jesus more than anything in this world!!!

2) God to give my husband a CLEAR direct answer on some things he is praying about right now!

3) For a NEW computer (probably will get one in the next couple of weeks; YAY!!!)

4) That God will use me to make a difference!

5) For God to help me not take the attacks of others so personally. For me to be more understanding and forgiving when others attack me or have something against me. To pray for them and look into myself to see where I may have caused this reaction from them and if I did nothing, just let it go...


6) That I could show my husband more and more how much he means to me. He is the most important person in my life. He is my ROCK.... He is the most amazing blessing God has ever given me.. I love him so very much....
7) That my children will grow up to be best friends. Always.

8) That I can love ALL types of people. Even those who don't love me.(see #5)

8 People I Tag:

*Denise

*Crystal

*Darcy

*Sarah

*Paul (made you blog, didn't I?) Ha! :)

*Charlie (you'll do it for love, right, baby? lol) :)

*Lori Anne

*Rebecca

*Frazier Baz

*Amy

*Tara

*Malisa

(That's more than 8 but well, whatever! And, whoever else wants to, go ahead & do it! Let me know so I can read it & comment)

Ya'll have a great day!

Love,
Julie

31 things....

1. Where is your cell phone? buried in my purse? (oh yeah, everyone, I finally got a cell phone, lol)

2. Where is your significant other? At work

3. Your hair color? Brown(light ash brown, according to my colorist, who is also my older sister, lol. =) aren't I lucky?

4. Your mother? amazing & her name is Phyllis

5. Your father? awesome & his name is Douglas (he prefers Doug)

6. Your favorite thing? HUGS, from my hubby, my kids, people I love

7. Your dream last night? I was shooting free throws & doing suicide drills to "HEY" warm up music in our high school gym. (longing for my glory days, eh?)

8. Your dream/goal? To be the wife, mom, friend that God wants me to be

9. The room you're in? the dining room/working on menu plans

10. Your hobby? baking and photography

11. Your fear? That my children will choose not to trust in Jesus

12. Where do you want to be in six years? with my family :)

13. Where were you last night? home with my family.

14. What you’re not? alone

15. One of your wish list items? A new pair of Pro Babys (boots)

16. Where you grew up? Southern Oklahoma (30 minutes from Texas state line; 30 minutes from Arkansas state line and about 1 hr. from Louisana; so I AM southern; don't argue with me, ya'll) :)

17. The last thing you did? fed my sweet baby boy; gave Claire & Lily a fun size M&M's out of their rationed Halloween candy stash. :)

18. What are you wearing? gray OSU t-shirt & dark denimn jeans ; gray and orange striped socks, watch & wedding rings

19. Your TV? Veggie Tales, of course :)

20. Your pet? Boscoe & Joe (dog & cat)

21. Your computer? ancient

22. Your mood? tired and a little bit worried (Phil. 4:6) =)

23. Missing someone? Charlie

24. Your car? 2005 Nissan (hard to fit all car seats in it but we are paying it off; trading it is NOT an option. we are getting out of debt.)

25. Something you’re not wearing?make-up (it's 5 pm and it's worn off)

26. Favorite store? Target. Not really big into shopping anymore, although I do LOVE yard sales & Goodwills! :)

27. Your summer? don't really remember; hugely pregnant and miserable?

28. Love someone? of course, my family

29. Your favorite color? red, orange, greens, brown, I really LOVE all colors. I am wierd that way. except bright or neon; hate those.

30. When is the last time you laughed? this morning at Charlie

31. Last time you cried? this morning. thinking about Charlie & his dr.'s appointment. (Phil. 4:6)

*If you want to do this feel free to join me! It just looked like fun and I needed something to take my mind off stuff for a few minutes! =)

Love,

Julie