Perspective

I recently started reading the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker. It has changed my perspective. I guess change isn't necessarily the best word. It has shone a bright spot light on what I already knew we should be doing. I have been feeling the need to simplify my life for some time. I am so overwhelmed with...stuff. The Lord has repeatedly shown me through various means that this is indeed the time to weed out and focus on what is important. I have always believed that He uses the bad in our lives to perform something good (ALL things work together for good). The bad in this case is divorce. Micah and the boys moving in with us has been a monumental adjustment for each of us and along with it has come this feeling of being overwhelmed with stuff. We had tons of stuff to start with but now we have her and 3 little boys stuff added in. (And laundry.?! OMGosh. I remember now why we used to say it never ends. Because it doesn't.) All this stuff has emphasized the need to get rid of excess. Stuff, stuff, stuff. Did you get that? Stuff!! Today I have a date with my camera phone and Craig's List. Let the purge begin.

It's working....

About 6 months ago I tried to blog and wasn't able to access the part of the dashboard that allows you to post. It seems to be fixed now. Good. It's been over a year since I blogged. A lot has happened. Top of the list is a new grandson. Noah Lee Kent Anderson was born on March 9th. His Aunt Lo planned his birthday party without even knowing it. She, Mom and I were headed over to Killeen to spend the day with Micah and sprinkle her with blessings when I received a text that said "I'm in labor." Well, what a day we had. Aunt Lo was amazing as she played with the boys and kept them busy while Micah labored in the bedroom. Several hours after Noah's birth, he and Micah came out to the living room and we shared our gifts and words of love and encouragement before heading home with the boys. They have been here with us for the last week. It has been a wonderful experience. It's an old saying but true that God gives us kids in our youth for a reason. I'm exhausted! Micheal took them home today and I missed them the moment they headed down the driveway. :(

Continued

After helping out Micah for a week, we headed home. As of today my ankle and leg still hurt. Pretty tired of that. No, I'm real tired of it. It's very aggravating to not be able to be up on it for very long. I have a lot that needs to be done. Anyway, life goes on. Micheal & I are headed to spend the weekend with Micah & Brandon. Really looking forward to it. I love spending time with family.

The New Year

Yes, I know it's the last day of January but we've been quite busy. Let me back track a little...the wedding was beautiful. Ken & Deanna should do it for a living. It was amazing. The reception was unbelievable. We should have pictures soon. I fell at the reception injuring my right ankle. At least I was outside. You might be wondering what I was doing outside. I was chasing Corbin as he was unknowingly running toward the lake. Scariest moment of my life, by far. I missed the call for the mother/son dance but Kenzie found me outside and helped me in so we could have our dance. It was a very special moment. After the reception Micheal took me back to the beach house where we proceeded to hang out with Scott, Tracy, Shan & Chris. In fact we hung out on the deck every night and visitied. Tracy & I had our plug in blankets. ;) Alas Monday came and it was time to head home. It downpoured the whole way to Brady where the truck decided to break down. The turbo went out. So, we stayed the night at the Holiday Inn. We also met a great christian couple who helped us out. We arrived home on Tuesday afternoon. Did I mention that my foot was majorly messed up? Well, it was and still is as a matter of fact. Anyways...on Thursday Micheal took Mom & I to Micah's for a week since she was having oral surgery. This is really long. More later.

counting down

We are very close to the wedding date. I've been working on the treat bags today. I think they need some bling...I'll be thinking about that. I went on SB diet yesterday. I'm sick of eggs already. Ate 4 yesterday. Had hummus and celery for breakfast. A huge salad for lunch. I don't like to eat cold stuff when it is cold outside. When you don't eat carbs, it makes it hard to come up with lunch ideas. You are left with salad. Or lettuce rolls.....still cold. I am watching food network and Sunny is making a green bean and smoked turkey salad that I think cold be eaten warm. Hmmmm? Might have to give it a try. She is also making some yummy granola. I love me some granola. Good stuff. If you think about it, cold weather food is all about carbs. I would like to drop 10 pounds by the wedding but I waited too late. Go figure....cinnamon rolls are evil. 5 would be nice. I can prolly do that. I need to pack, too. We are leaving Tuesday morning. So much to do.

quiet

We had a great Christmas with Micah, Brandon and the boys. They headed home about an hour ago. All is quiet. I have some cookies to bake and tomorrow evening we will be delivering some cinnamon rolls. Micheal has to go to Ozona tomorrow and I will be getting the house back in order. Lots of dishes and laundry. I have a sewing project I HAVE to get finished. I love being home. If I had to go to work tomorrow I would be so stressed about how I would get all that done and work, too. Again...thank you, Lord.

the dress

Micheal and I went into town last night so he could interview a lady. I read my kindle as I waited and began to think it would be a good time to look at dresses for the wedding since we were by the mall anyway. We had a wonderful surprise in running into DeLana. She helped us shop and even smooth talked me into buying peep toe shoes (I don't buy peep toe shoes....). It was a great time. I have a dress that I can wear to other occasions as it is tea length. It is black and reminds me of the dresses Lucille Ball wore in I Love Lucy. It is fitted to the hip and has a full skirt with tulle underneath. It will twirl beautifully when Micheal and I dance. 14 days til Mackenzie and Lauren say "I do".

Excitement

Mackenzie and Lauren are coming over for supper tonight. Roast Beast with mashed potatoes and roasted brussel sprouts. Presents (just a little one for each of us...tomorrow is the BIG ONE) and then we are watching Warrior. I've been anxiously awaiting the realease of that movie. Mom & I went to town this morning. I got the boys Christmas pj's and a Noah's Ark bath toy for them. I also got Zumba for the wii since it is a pain to find a class if you aren't a member of the Y or another health club. The base is 25+ min away so that isn't a good option either.

Alas, the Tran-Siberian Orchestra concert is tomorrow. We will be leaving around 7 in the morning to head to Micah and Brandon's. We will eat lunch and exchange stockings then head to Austin for the concert. We've been wanting to go for the last several years. We bought the tickets for the whole family as Christmas presents. We decided a few years ago that giving a Christmas memory is far better than giving "stuff".

Well, I better get the roast beast started.

Working on Christmas presents

I had a great day today. After church Micheal and I went to eat lunch and then did some Christmas shopping. We bought Corbin his first bicycle! We are so excited. I have some sewing projects I need to finish. I might work on those tonight. We'll see. Kenzie and Lauren are coming over for supper in about an hour. I guess I better get the taco casserole in the oven.