Perfection

If you know me or any member of my family you probably know that we are extremely competitive. We compete at everything. If we can't be the best at something we probably don't want to play and if we are bad at something we have to be the worst. Because if you are going to be bad at something you might as well be the worst which in my mind is being the best at being the worst. Do you get what I'm saying? I hope I didn't just confuse you.

The last 3 years I have really gotten into football. I love it. I'm really intense when I watch it, I scream at the t.v., and get angry when things don't go my way.

My team since I liked football has been the New England Patriots. They are always pretty good, but tonight they achieved something that no team has done since the 1972 Dolphins.

They had a perfect season. They just beat the Giants tonight. Tom Brady (their quarterback) also beat the record for touchdowns in a season. He beat Peyton Manning who plays for the Colts which is my cousin's favorite team. We bet on the game this year. Randy Moss (their receiver) also beat the record for touchdown receptions.

I love that my team is the best. Because that means I win.

I know it sounds crazy or pathetic, take your pick. But these are the things I get excited about.

Meatloaf Mishap

Sarah shared her dinner disaster story so I thought I'd share mine. It isn't as dramatic though, so you might not be as entertained.

Yesterday was a pretty good day and I was looking forward to cooking dinner, I do on most days.

I had meatloaf planned. As a kid I hated meatloaf. I know it's because most people put ketchup in their meatloaf and I absolutely can't stand ketchup. Just the smell makes me gag. I found a recipe on a pouch of onion soup mix. I just omitted the ketchup. I heated up the leftover hot German potato salad from Christmas dinner and made some green beans and we were good to go. Until I took the meatloaf from the oven and saw that it was taking a bath in a pan full of grease. It was so greasy the meat was mush. It had good flavor, but bad texture.

I hate when things go wrong that are out of your control. I couldn't control how greasy the meat was. I wanted to dinner to be nice and tasty for my family, but it wasn't. Maybe next time.

If anybody has any suggestions as to how to fix this grease problem of mine I would love to hear it.

The Wilderness

Do you ever feel like you are in the wilderness, wandering around like the Israelites with no purpose?

To be honest, Butte has been the wilderness for my family. We moved here about 2 1/2 years ago for my husband's job. Things happened and he isn't even with that job anymore. Money has been tight to say the least and I miss my family like crazy. I had never been away from them before. Before you assume this is one big pity party-keep reading.

Even with all that, moving here was the best decision Derek and I made. God led us here. Even though some people said He didn't.

My husband and I are closer than ever and he actually gets to spend time with our kids now. So back to my original point--the wilderness.

My mother gave me this fantastic verse in Hosea. Chapter 2 verse 14 "Therefore, behold, I will allure, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her." There is a superscript next to comfortably that says "comfort, literally to her heart".

Isn't that great? He allured us here, but He didn't forget about us. He speaks to my heart daily. He promised He would. Just like the Israelites I know we are in the wilderness to learn and grow. Because we all know we don't learn when things are going smoothly. I wish it were the case, but sadly it is not.

If you are in your own wilderness right now, I hope you take comfort in this verse. I know I did.

Christmas On Our Own

This was the first Christmas since Derek and I got married that it was just us...and our kids. And I loved it. I loved not having to travel and be stressed. I loved that it was OUR tree that the presents were under. And I loved not going out in the cold. This is Ashley in her Christmas dress. Brian and Danielle got it for her. It's adorable.

This is the giant Tonka truck we got Alexander. He loves it. He has turned into quite the pack rat. He puts things in the back and pushes it around the house or just sits with it. Usually he puts his sippy cup, flashlight, his guns, Mike the buffalo (which he named), and his cell phone. It's pretty funny. Asher didn't get very much. Considering he's pretty much aware of only his hands and feet I don't think he cared. This is him in his santa suit.
I made dinner which turned out o.k. Overall Christmas was awesome.

I'm sad that it's over now. I'm always plagued by depression after Christmas. I've been trying really hard this year to focus on the blessings God has given us. That has helped me tremendously. I hope you all had a blessed Christmas.

Are They Twins??

I don't really have much else to write about so I will write about a recent and kind of funny conversation I had with complete strangers.

This is the second time this question has been asked, btw. After the Santa Clause Experience I was leaving the mall with Alexander and Ashley (they were in a double stroller) when I passed by a lady who was doing the car seat thing, you know piling the blankets on and putting the cover on. Anyway, I heard her baby cry and being the curious person I am (some would say nosy) I asked her how old her baby was. The exchange went something like this:

Me: "How old is your baby?"
Her: "2 months old."
Me: "Oh, I have a 3.5 month old."
Lady next to 'Her': "You have a 3 month old?!?, are they twins (pointing to A&A)?"
Me: "No, he is 2.5 and she is 1.5"
Her: "Wow, you must be busy" and in my mind she said something like "You must be Super Mom"

I get that a lot, not the Super Mom thing, but the busy thing. I am busy and some days it is really hard. But not as hard as some people think. I wouldn't trade it for anything, in fact I love how close my kids are. I love seeing peoples' reactions when I tell them how old my kids are.

It's comical.

The Santa Clause Experience

We got our car back today, Yay! I decided to take the kids to see Santa after dinner tonight. Alexander was excited and Ashley had no idea what was going on, but she was going along for the ride.

As you can tell by this picture they had a great time. They loved Santa. I may be a horrible mother because I didn't rush over and comfort them. I just calmly told the lady to take the picture and then I comforted my kids. I was just thinking that someday we will look back on this picture and laugh.

It's all about the memories.

And The Grand Total Is?

Brian picked Derek up at work and they came and got the car and then took the car down to get a new battery. Then they come and said they are testing some things and that they would call when it was ready. They said it would be $69 for a new battery.

That isn't too bad I thought to myself.

So we are waiting and waiting and waiting for the call. But no call. So Derek calls them and guess what? Just guess.

We need a new alternator because the battery won't hold a charge. Now guess again how much a new alternator is. $350!

Now it is my belief at this point that God is teaching me to rely completely on Him. I know He knows we need a car. So I need to have faith that He is going to work it all out and provide.

I saw Him provide so much when I was a kid. I just need to remember that.