[ blah blah blah ]

That's just how I feel today. We had such big plans, and you know what they say about the best laid plans. Well, ours flopped too. We didn't get headed out to KC as soon as we had hoped. Taylor had worked all night and didn't get home until around 1 a.m. (thank goodness her dad went after her because I was out like a light!), we weren't quite sure if the boys would go on our trip to the city or not. I had told Taylor we'd spend the day together as just us girls and doing some of her senior pics. She had forgotten that we'd set today aside just for her, and unfortunately my little episode with vertigo has left me depending on everyone else to drive me around. I'm okay to head to town for groceries etc., but long trips have me a little leery. Dad agreed to go with us (reluctantly) and the boys of course couldn't stay home that long without killing one another. They were going to go to the show while sissy and I played.

Well, that was the plan anyway. Eric hates to leave to go anywhere without having a schedule to follow and he's definitely not a spontaneous person. He wanted to leave early this morning so we could be back early this afternoon. We left around 1-ish and got home around 8 p.m. Which to me, isn't bad at all! Taylor wasn't ready to go any sooner, she's a later riser. Long story short, our trip didn't start out pretty, and ended fairly quiet. We kicked the guys out at the movie (G-Force) decided our fun was spoiled so we postponed senior pics yet again. :( I think that was more disappointing for me than Taylor. We went to get my new glasses at Lenscrafters and decided to go clothes shopping for the one-hour wait. She got a few new things for school (and pictures--if we ever get them done), got the boys a couple of shirts for school. Old Navy took part of our dough and we found a new store...Delia's! Very cute stuff! Plus we got $10 off just for trying on a pair of jeans! I don't know if that is just for this weekend or if it lasts until the sale is over on September 9th, but it's worth checking out! Hey, ten bucks is ten bucks! Just as we got to the bookstore (our favorite place on planet earth) Daddy called and the movie was over and they were ready to be picked up. So there went our day. We stopped to eat at Olive Garden on the way home. No one in our family (except me) had ever eaten there. They agreed it was worth a second return visit someday.

So, now I'm just surfin' the net (with my new glasses), curled up in my sweats and a fuzzy blankie (it rained okay... too much rain and a/c makes me chilly!),

I'm ready for some fall football weather! Tanner is rockin' the house with some major hip hop moves ;) lol, Daddy is watching pre-season football and the older kids went to hideout in their rooms. Aahhhh Teenagers. :)

Tanner has been begging since he saw the previews to go see G-Force and today he got his wish. I've heard "get your face out of my butt" so many times I swear he could memorize the entire movie. That and "poop in his hand! poop in his hand!" Oiy... and Kindergarten starts in two days?! I hope he learns how to control his sense of humor and his little mouth before school starts. I think the 'cuteness' wore off about a year ago...

So, while I'm surfin the web, I come across this little jewel I think Tanner needs. Looks like a great shirt for a 5-yr-old wouldn't you agree?Seriously have to find some more goodness at their website: Chasing Fireflies
I came across their site from another bloggie friend who ordered a halloween costume for her daughter. MAJOR cuteness! Seriously! I wish I had small kids again just to shop for some of their useless stuff! I *big puffy heart* this stuff! Yep...I'm feeling the need to do something domestic! Do I torture the Cricut Machine or the sewing machine?

[ Friday Freebie! ]

Wow... how did it get to be Friday already?! Oh yeah, I lost a day or so in there with sleep and an ER visit. lol Today has been a long day. My dizzy spells are coming and going, but today has been the worst day since Tuesday evening. I accidentally got zinged in the head with a volleyball doing school pictures so it sent me reeling again after we left the school and I had to sit down and get my bearings. This is going to drive me crazy. I hope it goes away soon. So, there is a prayer request for the day, weekend, next week, month.... whatever it takes. I've had plenty of prayers already and we are to pray without ceasing. My prayer today is that this thing called vertigo will leave me alone or at least the good Lord will teach me how to cope with it. Because I don't like it. Sometimes it's minor and other times it feels like I'm just being spun around like a giant top! AAaahhhh!!! (today is shaping up to be one of those days!)

So, onward and upward to better things! It's Friday Freebie! Did you know that Wal-Mart online has a page for just freebies?! Free samples and free trial offers. They change constantly! Bookmark THIS PAGE and go back to visit often! There are tons of freebies. Maybe something that interests you, or maybe your neighbor or a friend. This week, I think I'm going for the Nicorete Gum and I'm going to send it to my sister. :) I quit smoking over 2 years ago, wow... almost 2 1/2 years ago! And I'm so glad I did. She's tried lots of times, and even if the Nicorete doesn't work, it will be my way of saying, "What the heck are you doing? Would you QUIT already?!" lol She may hate the gum and never chew it, but she'll try to quit one more time. Who knows. The gum may work....and it's FREE! :)

(This is where I'd love to throw in a beautiful scripture verse that would be so fitting for my sister to quit smoking and for my vertigo to go away. But, that would require more reading and my head is throbbing so listen for the Lord's voice and say your own prayer for our needs. I've had enough jumbled letters and words for one day. I think I'll turn in early).

But first, I'll leave you with this little cutie. :) Remember we were going to do some of Taylor's senior pictures at the fair? She's such a goofy kid. I love that she can make me laugh at the drop of a hat. I'll share more of her good shots later. But today, I'm liking the big blue elephant. (He kinda goes with my little blue pills! lol)

Today has been a long day, lots of memory mate pics for school (which I'm having a blast doing....if I hadn't gotten beaned in the head with a volleyball!) lol. Tomorrow I'm heading to the city to the eye doctor to get new glasses and maybe if I'm feeling up to it, we're going to start on Taylor's senior pictures. Kansas City is called the City of Fountains and Taylor is looking forward to playing in them! Wish us luck! If you see someone on the 6 o'clock news laying in the middle of the crown center fountain display, it's just me.... waiting for the world to stop spinning! lol :) See you in the funny papers!

[ Thankful Thursday ]

Today is a day that I can truly say I'm thankful for so many blessings. More than I realize, and not just the simple things we take for granted. I've had quite an eventful week, attending a school board meeting (which I hate public speaking of any kind!), a trip to the ER, an overnight hospital stay, and 'drugs' that are seriously kicking my butt! lol :)

Today I'm thankful that my (our--mine and my husband's) voice was heard at the school board meeting. My youngest son will attend school where his siblings have always gone. Small victory yes, but the battle isn't over. Long story short, his class size was increased rather than the enrollment policy being modified. My work is not finished there...

Today I'm thankful that my favorite doctor (Hi Dr. J!) was on-call at the ER when I arrived. Hubby was worried after a nasty dizzy episode that I might have been having a stroke so he rushed me to the ER. Dr. J participates and practices medicine with Life Connection Mission. His heart shares the same love for a people that have become so important to me. I know his soul and heart better because of his mission work. (Plus he was my family doctor as a child too! I'm kinda partial! But since he's retired I don't have the luxury of his expertise on a regular basis.) lol

I'm thankful that the good Lord listens to prayer. For those who earnestly seek him you'll find him when you seek him with all your heart. :)

Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

--Jeremiah 29:12-13

I'm one of those paranoid nuts that if anything should happen to go wrong (when it rarely does) I always assume the worst. My thoughts of anurisms and other conditions swoop through my mind and are put to rest with a cat scan and a clean bill of health from the doc. However I'm 'cursed' with vertigo. What the heck?! Talk about dizzy! I've never felt so out of sorts in my life! Imagine driving down the road (thank the Lord I wasn't driving) and all of a sudden you wreck, your car flips out of control like a demolition derby and your sent reeling down the road in all different directions....and it won't stop! That's the feeling I had Tuesday night. My mind just kept sending me in flips over and over, AND OVER. Well, about an hour later, some valum, and a little blue pill and I'm feeling fine. :) (insert BIG smiley face). Apparently this is something that my mother has suffered from and my father is cursed with too... to the extreme degree that he has to lay down in the floor and not move because it becomes so out of control. I could claim "what a curse". Instead, I am thankful to my Lord that it's only 'dizzy spells' that can be controled. I'm healthy as a horse. yeah God!

Then, yesterday, it was a trip to the eye doctor. I haven't had a real eye exam in probably close to 20 years. The over-the-counter reading glasses from the local waldo world aren't cutting it anymore. So, yes, old age is starting to creep up on me...I have been prescribed real glasses. (insert rolling eyes smiley face here). lol I'm thankful that I live in a world where modern technology can diagnose so many things and there are remedies to help us be comfortable in this world. I can live with glasses. Maybe i'll start wearing my hair in one of those tight buns and people will think I'm some freaky genius girl! lol I'm just glad I will be able to see what I'm eating, and read what I'm seeing. That was my funny for the week. I told the doctor when he ask that "I wear eating glasses". Honest... serious slip of the tongue. Then I explained I have to wear my reading glasses to eat because my plate is blurry and it gives me a headache. lol So, I wear my reading glasses to eat, and my eating glasses to read. Okay, maybe too much valum and little blue pills. lol But I'm thankful that they give me comfort and relief for my current symptoms of the week.

My most awesome and incredible thing I'm thankful for today is a loving husband who cares for me like no other. God's command for the husband to love his wife as Christ loves the church is truly what he strives for on a daily basis.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her...

--Ephesians 5:25

(Okay, so I spooked him a tad bit), He rushed me to the doctor, babied me by taking care of my clothes and jewelry, and filling out all the nasty paperwork that I was surprised he knew answers to questions I thought he wouldn't. lol He never left my side. He even sacrificed and slept in the awful (uncomfortable) hospital bed next to mine. I can't remember the last time he was so attentive, not even during childbirth! lol :) He took me to the eye doctor (so I didn't have to drive the one hour round trip...not a good idea when the road doesn't go straight in my mind this week!), and he's taken every opportunity to hold my hand when I least expect it. He fixed me breakfast this morning and brought me yummy warm pancakes dripping in syrup and has stayed home with me for the last two days. I love him more than he could ever begin to realize and I am so very thankful to my Lord for giving me such a wonderful gift to care for me and share all my days on this earth with. I love you Eric!

What are you thankful for today?

[ BlogHop Favorite Photo ]

Oh yeah! Today's bloghop is your favorite photo. I have tons of those but these are my favorites of late. I just want to share so much the love of new friends and a peace in my heart. These pictures share that love lately. And I come back to look at them VERY frequently.

During our trip to Haiti we met Olivia. A missionary family currently living in Haiti is in the process of adopting this precious little girl. She was a joy to see and play with and this one picture just makes me think of looking to Heaven to thank our Lord for the blessings we are so abundantly surrounded by. The simple things in life....sunshine, trees, birds, water. The things that are new through a child's eyes. :)

"Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."

--Matthew 18:3

I'm a sucker for feet. Especially kid feet. :) This is my son and my best friends' little boy. Two people in my life who bring much joy and smiles. It's funny to see them or hear them on occasion. I'm taller than you, I'm faster than you....it doesn't matter if your black or white. God loves us all.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God"

--1 Peter 2:9-10

And precious Kristi. Beautiful little Kristi. Surrounded by so many people who aren't like her, wanting to have a tiny little nose, straight blonde hair, different colored eyes. She can't see the beautiful person yet that we all discovered long ago. God made her perfect just like she is. This picture was actually taken before she had her hair straightened. I told her I was going to miss her 'fro braids and fuzzy 'fro hair so she let me take pictures before she had her dream of straight hair fulfilled. Someday she will see just how beautiful she really is. We love her just the way God made her.

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him...so that you are not lacking in any gift.

--1 Corinthians 1:4-5,7

[ matchmaker Monday ]

Okay, so it's almost Tuesday...sue me! :) But after talking to my friend Diane yesterday evening I had an idea. Well, talking to her and reading a bloggie friend's Monday post. Diane was able to speak to members of the First Christian Church and it looks as though they may decide to sponsor another child through the mission. There are so many kids waiting for sponsors, hoping and dreaming of just being able to go to school. The mission is about so much more than just educating the children in Haiti but teaching them about God and showing His love to the people in Montrious. It became a personal goal to tell as many people as I could about the change Haiti made in my life. Finding support for the mission, finding sponsors for the many children. Some of which I had the fortune to meet.

So, I came up with the idea of Matchmaker Monday for my blog! I can feature waiting children looking for sponsorships and maybe in some way, someone who reads the blog will be touched or led to sponsor someone. You never know what one person will see in the eyes of a child. I had a few ideas in mind for sponsoring a child, and then somehow God had a few ideas in mind for me.

I went from seeing this photo on a website and hearing information about a child, her family size, her age, you know... basic facts.

To, knowing this child through her smiles and a loving touch that melted my heart. I know not everyone will ever be able to meet the child they choose to sponsor, but I can't begin to tell you how it can change their lives.... or yours.

Seeing strange faces (not to mention strange new white faces) show up at your home can make one a bit nervous and shy. But after being explained through the translator the reason for our visit, we instantly became a cherished friend. Someone who loved and cared enough to share what God has blessed us with to help one of His children in need. Not only are you just 'sponsoring' a child by sending your money, you are teaching them the love of Christ and spreading his light and love to people in the world. The mission is very strong in teaching the Christian faith through the school and to the children.

Yet another 'face in the crowd' as seen through our sponsorship page. Yet, getting to know the people behind the pictures would tell you....

...that Evaline is one heck of a 'cosmetologist' (of sorts). Trying to earn extra money for her family she takes time to come to the mission house when teams visit to see if anyone would like their hair done, Haitian style. ;o) She graced us with her beautiful smile and personality one evening and we paid her to braid the girls' hair.

I guess to me, seeing who the faces of Haiti really are shows so much more than a face with a name card against a school wall. Evaline is still in need of a sponsor to help her attend school. At the age of 20, being in the 8th grade is quite an accomplishment. You see, in Haiti the grade you're in doesn't depend on your age and simply passing to the next year...you don't go to school unless you can pay for it. So making it to a jr. high or high school level is awesome. But also, difficult.

It's not just about picking out the one with the cutest smile or saddest face. It's about who the children and the people are. Today, I'm sharing just Evaline, giving you an idea of what's to come. I want to share who the children are and hopefully match them with loving, supportive sponsors who want to share the love of Christ with them.

To sponsor Evaline you can click on the sponsor link in the right sidebar or leave a comment to this post, or feel free to e-mail me directly at lookatmepics@yahoo.com and I'll make sure you are linked up with Evaline, or another child of your choice. There's more to come! Watch next week for new faces.