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I Love Comments!

One of the best parts of writing Our Story is the fabulous comments I have received from readers. Over at 5 Minutes for Mom they have a fun carnival called Say it Forward that encourages bloggers to give a little shout out to their loyal commenters.

Lawanda has been a reader and loyal commenter forever! I sometimes get a little depressed if three or four posts go by and I don’t see a comment from her. She loves to blog about her family and she loves babies! I love stopping by her site because I can always tell how much she adores her 4 girls and her hubby. I don’t comment back often enough, but you know I appreciate you Lawanda!

Sherry has also been a longtime reader of this site and she is such an awesome commenter. Not only does she comment on my site, when I am visiting other blogs I almost always see a comment from Sherry! I almost met her in person in December, but it didn’t work out. Hopefully we can cross paths again soon! Sherry is a phenomenal cook and she shares some amazing recipes on her site.

Thanks ladies for making my day with your comments!

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by admin -

Our Story ~ Part Four or How to Have a Frugal Wedding

Before reading make sure you read

Our Story

Why I Should Have High Tailed it Out of the Apartment Complex

Why You Should Never Let Boys with Long Hair Take Your Daughters to the Airport

I had just agreed to get married… to someone I hardly knew.

As I left the plane long-haired hippie was not there to pick me up. Where was he, was this all a joke, did he get cold feet, or was this my golden opportunity to come to my senses, take a bus home and go back to life as I knew it.

Before I had time to come to any conclusions long-haired hippie arrived, breathless and carrying a bouquet of flowers. Apparently he took a wrong turn driving to the airport and was delayed. The rest of the afternoon is a blur although I remember driving to the same place I had recently paid a speeding ticket, signing some papers and then reciting something about all my earthly possessions and till death do us part. Honestly, death didn’t seem too far off because soon after I was married (less than two hours after getting off the plane) I came to the realization that….

MY PARENTS WERE GOING TO KILL ME!

Did I forget to mention that my parents had no idea that their first born was secretly plotting to get married to someone she barely knew and who they didn’t know at all? And did I forget to mention that long-haired hippie was an atheist and my parents were former missionaries?

I had only been married about 3 seconds when all of this became very clear. What was I thinking, did I seriously just marry this guy? Am I going to have to move in with blind crazy guy who never brushed his hair? Is long-haired hippie really going to keep his promise of going back into the Navy? Did I just throw away my college plans?

I realized that I had to tell my parents as soon as possible because every second that passed I felt sicker and sicker about the mess I had just created. We drove to my parents’ house, and to illustrate how this is probably the absolute worst moment in my life, even as I type this 16 years later I still feel sick about it! When we arrived, my parents were not home. My little brother was though, so I decided I could tell him and practice the death march.

When I told my brother (who was 17 at the time) a slow grin came over his face. I am not sure, but he was probably thinking that no matter how much trouble he ever got in for the rest of his life, it would be nothing compared to what his big sis had just done. I had just given him a get out of jail free card for the rest of his life!

Telling my brother really did nothing to calm my completely stressed out self, so we ended up going to dinner with long-haired hippie’s family. I spent the entire meal trying to figure out a way to tell my parents that I had just gotten married in a way that wouldn’t upset them. Yes, I was insane at this point. As the meal ended I knew the time had come to meet my fate and go back home (well, I guess it was my old home) and drop the bomb.

Coming soon….  Our Story ~ Part Five or Shock and Awe

by admin -

Our Story ~ Part Three Or Why You Should Never Let Boys with Long Hair Take Your Daughters to the Airport

Do not read until you have read Part 1 and Part 2….

“Will You Marry Me?”

Are you shocked, because I was… after long-haired hippie spoke those words I rambled on and on about why he would not want to marry me. I mean here is the person who I had really only known for about six weeks asking me to marry him. Oh, and did I mention that the whole reason I was at the airport was to fly to see someone else!!! I can’t remember my exact words, but the words “high maintenance” were spoken many times.

I am not sure how much time passed before they started boarding the plane, but it seemed like forever. Time tends to slow down when someone you hardly know asks you to marry them in an airport. When it was time to board I said good-bye hurried to the gate. I then had two hours to contemplate what in the world had just happened. Did long-haired hippie really just ask me to marry him? Was he serious? Why in the world would he want to marry me?

The plane ride is a blur, except that it was the most turbulent flight I have ever been on. People were praying and crying and I think most people thought the plane would crash. I kept thinking that I was going to be the person that should have gotten off the plane, but didn’t. I mean I did have a good excuse to not board… did I miss my chance to escape death in a plane crash because I didn’t say yes to a marriage proposal from a someone I hardly knew?

Obviously the plane did not crash, because I am writing this 16 years later, but the flight did make me start to question the entire situation. When I landed and saw Pennsylvania boy he made the gigantic mistake of not commenting on the outfit I had worked so hard to pick out… I realize this sounds really petty and shallow, but I was 20… forgive me. PA boy then made the second gigantic mistake of telling me he had a great surprise for me… we were going on a camp out with all of his buddies.

I realize I speak highly of camping on this site, but 16 years ago camping was the last thing in the world I ever wanted to do. I didn’t like dirt, bugs, or not being able to take a shower every day, actually I still don’t like those things, but I have gained tolerance since God gave me three boys. The camping was miserable, and I spent the entire time wondering what on earth was I doing there in PA with someone who thought it would be a good idea to take me, camping.

As soon as I had access to a phone (remember life without cellphones) I called long-haired hippie. The conversation went something like this…

“Remember that thing you asked me in the airport?”

“Yes”

“Did you mean it?”

“Yes”

“Okay, well I’m in.”

Then I hung up the phone. Can you believe how incredibly romantic I am? This conversation continued on a daily basis for the rest of the week that I was in Pennsylvania. Although the subsequent conversations went more like…

“Still good to go?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, talk to you tomorrow.”

Finally the day before I was flying home I came to my senses (okay not really, does anyone actually believe I was operating at any level of sanity here?) I called him and said something like…

“When do you want to do this?”

“I don’t know?”

“Okay, well how about you pick me up from the airport and we can do it then?”

I realize by typing this I have lost all of my readers who think I am an example and want to learn anything from me and my life. I also know that my kids read this blog… so kids, NEVER DO THIS EVER! IF SO YOU WILL BE GROUNDED FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!!!!

Part 4 or How to Plan a Frugal Wedding has been published.

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Our Story ~ Part Two or Why I Should Have High Tailed it Out of the Apartment Complex

Do not read Part Two until you read Part 1…

I stood at the door contemplating whether I should start running or start talking. I decided to talk…. before I could say anything a figure appeared down the hall in a green plaid bathrobe and a green facial mask. I was taken aback at long-haired hippie’s new look, but relieved that I had arrived at the correct apartment.

Long-haired hippie invited me in and I sat on the couch nervously as tall, dark and strange continued to stare at me blankly. Finally long-haired hippie was presentable and I was ready to watch the movie and get the heck out of there. As soon as long-haired hippie started the movie and tall dark and strange had disappeared I started talking. “What is up with your roommate?” Long-haired hippie informed that his roommate was legally blind, which explained the strange blank stare. I mentioned something about it would have been nice if I you would have told me that before I showed up at your door… and then started to watch the movie.

The movie was probably the strangest I had ever seen. It had subtitles (which I still dislike) and no plot which I could discern, and was exceptionally boring. I made sure long-haired hippie knew how much I disliked this movie by commenting throughout the movie on how ridiculous I thought it was. After the movie I left, grateful that I would never have to experience that sort of torture again.

Apparently, going to the apartment meant that now long-haired hippie and I were friends. Over the next few weeks there was small talk between the two of us before and after class, but I still couldn’t stand his political treatise with which he continued to monopolize my classes.

Around the beginning of April we were given our final assignment for the class. I can’t really remember what the assignment was, but I remember having no clue what the teacher wanted. I am a “rule” girl. I love rules, facts, deadlines, order, and goals! Since this class was called Post Modern Positions, it had none of those things. I needed an A in this class and I knew long-haired hippie and the teacher were buddies so I begged for his help on this project. He convinced me to create a photo collage and promised me it would secure an A for the class. Over the next few weeks long-haired hippie and I rode around town taking random pictures, I was still unsure how this would get me an A, but I trusted long-haired hippie’s judgment.

The more time I spent with long-haired hippie the less irritating he became to me. Under those crazy and completely misguided political beliefs was a nice guy who was insanely funny. I think I laughed harder during our rides around Orlando than I had in my entire life.

In the beginning of May I asked long-haired hippie to drive me to the airport. I planned on flying to Pennsylvania to visit an old boyfriend who had potential to become a new boyfriend. Both my parents worked and I needed a ride in the middle of the day. He agreed and the week before my trip hung out with me at the mall helping me pick out the perfect outfit to wear on the airplane.

The day of the flight I was nervous (not a big fan of airplanes). Long-haired hippie picked me up and we headed to the airport. During the ride long-haired hippie was talking a lot, and mentioned that he was planning on going back into the Navy. He said he didn’t feel like his life was going in the right direction and thought the Navy life had been good for him before and perhaps it would be good for him again. As he was talking I realized that this person, who I had judged way too quickly, was actually a really great guy that just needed a kick in the pants.

As we sat at the terminal (remember those days) we continued to talk and I told him that I thought it was a great idea to join the Navy, it would provide direction, and money, both of which he needed. This is where the story gets a bit fuzzy…. at some point during the Navy talk, long-haired hippie looked me straight in the eye and said…..

Can’t stand the suspense? Part 3 has been published!

by admin -

Our Story ~ Part One

Our Story (as I remember it)

In 1993  I was attending community college, living at home with my family, and working three jobs to save money and pay for school. I was on track to finish community college, move on to a university and continue my degree in Political Science with hopes of eventually going to Law School and becoming a lobbyist in D.C.

My political science classes were filled with many others who had similar goals, but very different opinions. There was one particular person in my classes who was extremely outspoken in his opinions and unfortunately for me was a teacher’s pet.

So I sat in the back of these classes, dreaming of moving out, going to a big school, and ignoring the long-haired hippie that monopolized the class with his personal political beliefs. I just wanted an A and a diploma so I could move on.

One day in February I walked into class feeling particularly down. I had just broken up with my boyfriend and was having a little pity party for myself. Long-haired hippie asked what was wrong (I think this was the first time we had spoken to each other) so I told him and he replied that he had also just broken up with his girlfriend too. He then jokingly mentioned something about us going out to which I thought, not in a million years buddy, but on the outside smiled politely and busied myself in a book.

February passed and some time in March I missed a class where we had watched a movie. Since we had to write up a commentary about the movie for a grade I needed to find a way to watch the movie on my own. It just so happened that long-haired hippie owned this movie so he offered to let me come over and watch it one day after school.

I arrived at long-haired hippie’s apartment and knocked on the door. I was a bit nervous being a twenty-year old female, alone in an apartment complex, going to someone’s house that I only knew casually in class, and I thought was extremely weird. I waited at the door and knocked again.

The door finally swung open and standing there was a tall thin stranger with dark mangled hair and a crazed stare. I stared at the stranger thinking I was at the wrong apartment and he stared at me, sort of….

Dying to know what happens next? Read part two here and part three here.


by admin -

Weight Watcher’s Peanut Butter Cups

Weight loss seems to be a typical New Year’s Goal. I think this goal tends to get pushed out the window beginning on February 14th. As a walked through the grocery store tonight I didn’t pass an aisle without some sort of Valentine’s Day treat.

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Last week I was given a sample of Weight Watcher’s Peanut Butter Cups to try. I was a bit apprehensive as I am a huge peanut butter cup fan. In fact, I don’t have a sweet tooth, but I love peanut butter cups and peanut M&M’s. I guess I have a peanut thing or something. Anyway, after sampling several (had to make sure I really formed an opinion) I must admit these are pretty darn yummy! The best thing about them is that they are only 2 points each on the Weight Watcher’s plan. This means you can eat the entire bag and still have a few points leftover for dinner… (kidding, really I am kidding).

7522_new_dtI would not torture you by talking about chocolate without giving you some chocolate, so I am giving away a bag of Weight Watcher’s Double Chocolate Mousse candies to one lucky reader. To enter leave a comment telling me your favorite candy. You can enter a second time by tweeting about this giveaway, just leave a second comment telling me you tweeted.

I’ll chose a random winner on Monday February 16th.

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by admin -

Cavity Free Kids

Today we had our six month dental appointments, and once again we had five cavity free kids. The dentist is always pleasantly surprised when all five kids pass inspection.

I am not guaranteeing your children will be cavity free if you use my ideas, but it has worked for our family.

  1. No soda! Soda is beyond a special treat at our house, it is almost unheard of. Soda has absolutely no health benefits so why introduce it to your children. I had no cavities until I became a soda drinker.
  2. No juice. I rarely purchase juice, although my children do love it. My little ones never have juice in a sippy cup or bottle. When you are old enough to drink out of a real cup you can have juice, about 4 times a year.
  3. No gummies, fruit roll-ups, hard candy, and other sticky sweets. I don’t buy them so they don’t eat them. They stick to your children’s teeth and are very difficult for little kids to brush away.
  4. Cool toothbrushes. This might sound silly but kids really do like to brush more often with the help of Hello Kitty or a Power Ranger.
  5. Toothpaste they like. Before I would purchase toothpaste that was the least expensive, and sometimes the kids hated the flavor. While I can find their favorites on sale most of the time I will pay full price if necessary, it’s cheaper than a filling.
  6. Supervision. Kids need help brushing their teeth. Some kids can brush on their own at a young age, but others need help for much longer.
  7. Reminders. Every morning before school starts they are reminded to brush their teeth after breakfast. If I didn’t remind them sometimes they would forget.
  8. Incentive. This may not work for your family or budget but we pay our kids to stay cavity free. For every cavity free visit they are paid $10. This is a lot of money to a six year old. A filling costs us about $35 dollars per tooth, so they are rewarded for being diligent in their brushing.

So far our dental visits have been uneventful and profitable for our children. They like going to the dentist and are working hard to earn their $10 stay cavity free.

 

by admin -

Meeting Friends Old and New

This Thursday I will board an airplane alone, headed to Nashville. It is not very often that I board an airplane without a car seat and a diaper bag. This weekend I am attending BlissDom, which for those of you who have not already heard is a blogging conference.

I am so thankful I have the opportunity to attend this conference. My husband and oldest have offered to take charge of things around here for a few days so I can meet other bloggers and learn more about this whole blogging thing I have grown to love.

And, I am extremely excited and thankful that I will be meeting Joy and Kate for the very first time! Joy and I started reading each others’ blogs about 11 months ago, and then I met Kate via Joy. In June we launched Happy to be at Home which was a spin off of our 3 Moms Kitchen series. Over the months we have chatted, emailed, and talked on the phone, a lot, but have never met in person.

From our initial phone conversations we joked about meeting up one day, but I am not sure if any of us thought it would really happen. Now we are only 3 days away from our first meeting!

A few years ago I would have laughed to think you could actually make real life friends from blogging! I am so thankful for my friendship with these two women I have never officially met. They are always an encouragement to me! It seems as if we have known one another for years, sharing ups and downs, triumphs and failures.

I now realize that this is probably the first of many more meetings we will have over the years. BlissDom here we come!

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For more Gratituesday visit Heavenly Homemakers.

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Drum Roll Please!

And the winner of the 2009 Motivated Moms Planner is…..

Here are your random numbers:

215

Timestamp: 2009-02-02 00:03:12 UTC

Rhonda

Rhonda requested the 2009 full sized page per day planner w/scheduled bible reading.

For all of you who entered and did not win Motivated Moms has offered a $1 off coupon for their 2009 planner. The coupon code is “giveaways.” Click here to purchase your planner!

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