Things I Love. . .

• Jesus- I fail daily and He still accepts me as I am!
• Lifechurch.tv Yukon- I have never been apart of a church that is so positive! They are so focused on reaching the lost that there is no room for negativity!
• Jay Robert Dunks- he works so hard so I can be passionate about 1200 million trillion things!
• Lindsey Marie- umm have you looked at her! GORGEOUS!!!
• The weather right now- so cool and warm and perfect!
• My new phone!!!
• My boss telling me my heart is not at work!! A-freakin'-men!! I think MY priorities are getting lined out!
• Staying at home- some days are harder than others but I don't want to miss a beat!
• My job- even though it is not my number 1, 2, or 3 I still love nursing and the people I work with!
• The fact that we have had cable for a month again and I am ready for it to go again!
• Doing Grad school with Lisa! Finally we are getting it right 7 years later!

Best Get Away!

So, quick update: Jay got a new job, Lindsey is out of school for 2 weeks, I am fixin' to start school again, and I seem to be adding more to my plate than when I worked full-time. All that called for a quick getaway! We were planning on going to Branson but those plans fell through so we decided to go stay with Dave and Lisa for the weekend and do all the things that we never get to do!
I am the worst mom ever but we went to the Wild Life Safari in Gentry, AR and I took no pictures! After some ATM drama we had a blast. The weather was gorgeous, no 105 heat!!!! Lindsey was able to pet the goats, kangaroos, a pot belly pig, and some chickens! We drove through the rest and saw some crazy emus, zebras, camels, buffalo, cows, and so much that I was not to sure what it was!

That night we went to the Naturals baseball game! Again the weather was awesome and Lindsey did better than Lisa and I did! We maybe got Lindsey to tell Dave and Jay that she wanted to go home! It was sooo late and she was sooo tired or maybe we were haha!


Lisa and I finally have a picture together where we both looked like we have clothes on! haha I think it is frame worthy!

Lindsey loves Dave and Lisa! I think Dave needs his own little girl! He is so great!

On Sat we went to Pea Ridge Civil War battle field. The weather was not as great as Friday. The tour was a driving tour! The guys just ate it up! They wanted to discover every little detail! Lisa and I liked it for the most part but it was hot and we were hungry! Luckily my sister took Lindsey for the day so we were sans baby! Jay and Dave were so cute, they were like bff's! haha

They discussed everything! The tour was supposed to be 30 mins and they took and hour and a half!!!

This is what Lisa and I did the last hour! Can you say AC?!!!!

That night we went swimming with Lisa's sweet church then headed home early on Sun to get back to church! For such a quick trip we left so refreshed. We came home with our batteries recharged and so thankful for friends that are so loving and encouraging!

Chick-Fil-A

Okay, so it is not really a secret or anything that Chick-fil-a is my all time favorite fast food place. The love started my senior year in high school when my best friend and I would speed from Springdale to Fayettville in like 22 mins to eat at Chick-fil-a. We were cool like that. We would get back to school late and as a result I got so many tickets from illegal parking that my car got towed! Now I bribe my daughter with ice cream so I have an excuse to get my fix! What about this place has me hooked? Is it the awesome chicken nuggets, waffle fries, spicy chicken sandwich, or the Polynesian sauce. None, it is there amazing service! Today I watched this little old couple slowly make their way to the door as they were making their way one of the employees ran to the door to open it for them and then escorted them to the perfect seat. After they ordered he hand delivered their food and then checked in on them. Each time I am there I see them joyfully anticipating needs and acting on them. I mean come on they provide FREE cheerios for babies and a clean place to drop the kids off to play! Imagine how much impact you could make in someones life if you could anticipate their needs and help them. No need for them to ask, just do and make their day! The world would be so much more pleasant! We get so wrapped up in our little lives that we fail to see those around us. I pray that my eyes are opened and I can anticipate needs of those around me! What about ya'll?

"I love my kids but hate my life"

Catchy title huh? On the Today show that was the title of one of their segments. At first glance it broke my heart but as I continued to listen I began to understand and was thankful that they were bringing this topic up. If you think about it when you work you put in your 8-12 hours, accomplish your objectives, and go home. There is a starting and stopping point. Your coworkers and customers for the most part cooperate with the set goal. When you become a parent there is no 8 or 12 hour shift. There is no cooperating participants. There is no neat completion to the day.

One of my favorite sayings is it is all about perspective! If I choose to look at my choice to stay home as little tasks to get completed, or getting Pootie to cooperate 100% of the time then yes my choice sucks! However, if I choose to look at the big picture and focus on the things that Pootie does to make me smile then my day is so much smoother. How can you be miserable when a 2 year old wraps her chubby little arms around me and says hugs mommy hugs! Melts my heart every time!

Also, being confident in your parenting ability is a key factor. I am figuring out that if I care about how other parents raise their child or what they think of how I raise my child then I am going to go crazy. All I should be focused on is am I raising Pootie in a way that honors God and is she a happy child.

I do love my little Pootie and I do love my life but loving my life is a choice that I will make! I will focus on the good and fun and not the mundane. I will not focus on the fits or the battle for a bow in the hairs but I will focus on the hugs, giggles, and broken sentences!

What is your perspective?

Angel Wings

Today, I went to a visitation where I saw the tiniest coffin! I wish that coffins did not have to be made that small. The little angel laid there looking so beautiful and peaceful. This little girl is no ordinary girl. She is a 2 year old miracle. Her mom and dad made a brave decision to keep this child when the Dr.s gave them the news that their baby was not going to be born healthy. They took in what they were told and prayed and believed. Week after week Dr. visit after Dr. visit God answered prayer after prayer. Laynie was not born "normal" but she was not born with all the problems that were thought to be. Lacy and Brad were able to take home this little stubborn miracle that touched everyone they knew and well didn't know. Laynie has over 2,700 facebook friends! She is so famous! Anyone who hears her story is touched. The faith that Brad and Lacey have displayed is infectious. The day that Laynie got her wings I took food to this sweet family's house. When I walked in I was overwhelmed with how peaceful and joyous their home was! I hope you read her story on facebook and take a lesson in faith. God has provided for and blessed this family beyond measure and He will do the same for you if you just trust Him!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Hope-for-Laynie/305610421443

Update!

Well it has been a couple of months since our little life was rearranged. We learned today that the DHS system is incredibly screwed up! How can someone who abuses children be allowed to work in a child care center? We learned today that if I wanted to beat the hell out of my child and get her taken away from me but I am not found criminally responsible I can still take care of kids in a daycare facility! (I do not and will not beat my child this is hypothetical) This teacher will have a DHS file about her but no daycare will ever know because she has a clean criminal record! I honestly am speechless. I hope that we never have to do deal with the Oklahoma DHS system! At least in the end God has used this to help transform our family! God is good all the time and all the time God is good!

Love is in the details!

Have you ever been out to eat and the restaurant just did one or two extra things to knock it out of the park for you? I know that when Jay and I go out yo eat with Lindsey if the waiter can make Lindsey feel comfortable then we are sold. 3 restaurants in the city really know how to do it. The Wedge on Western gives Lindsey pizza dough to play with. When we walk in we never get the look of o crap a toddler. Chick-fil-a has FREE cheerios and a play place that is awesome! Abuelos brings out Lindsey's food just warm never piping hot. The wait staff is always so considerate of Lindsey and brings her different chips and snacks. Nothing that these 3 restaurants do is time consume or outrageously expensive but the little details that they decided to pay attention to keeps us coming back for more.

I was once told by someone I was volunteering with that God had sent him to fix my OCDness. I politely allowed him to tell me how my attention to detail was a negative. (Thank God I have not served with him since)! I see it as a positive. The little things add up to HUGE things. Details do not mean it has to be perfect it just means that you took the time to consider someone else. My goal in this season of my life is not to be perfect but to consider who will walk through my life whether at church, home, or work and do something small for them to help knock their day out of the park!

On a side note my baby is beautiful! Cheryl did an amazing job!