Archives for 2012

Tenth Birthday Party and a Few iPod Touch Rules

November 26, 2012 by Amy 9 Comments

Whew, a four day weekend is just what I needed. Bookcases were organized, rugs were cleaned, trees were decorated, turkey was eaten—all in a good Thanksgiving weekend.

Since I took a little bloggy break I haven’t told you about Emma’s 10th birthday party last week. I cried my little eyes out on Monday about it, but Tuesday I held it together–it was time to celebrate!

She loosely had a dance-themed party so the girls played Just Dance on the Wii and made up their own dances to perform.

A few notes on the pictures:

You can see in the top left, somehow I scheduled this party on a night Scott had to work so I had all the giggling girls to myself for most of the night. I finally had to come sit in the room so they’d go to sleep.
In the bottom left, you can spy Emma reading some clues to her BIG present. The girls LOVED the scavenger hunt we threw together last minute.
The girls are putting on makeup there in the center. I love that girls do that naturally. I didn’t teach them to get in a circle and apply makeup but somehow girls + sleepovers = makeup sessions.
Had to include a few of Emma with her candles getting ready to blow them out. And yes, I whispered goodbye, single digits.
The cake is from Sweet Scene Cakes! She did a fantastic job taking our simple idea and incorporating themes from the party.

The highlight of the night was the new iPod Touch.

Emma has been asking for one of her own for years but since the girls got their own Nintendo DS a few years back it just didn’t seem necessary. At the time, we told Emma she could have an iPod when she turned 10. It seemed like forever away. Turns out it wasn’t.

I kind of wish now we’d just have to started out with the iPod Touch. Yes, it’s more expensive up front but by the time you buy a few DS games, you are spending the same, if not way more with the DS.

The difference, of course, is the Internet.

Emma was one of the last of her friends to get an iPod Touch so she has 5-6 friends she messages. If the last 5 days are any indication, it turns out 10 year olds don’t have that much to talk about.

In fact, Scott and I have enjoyed messaging her the most and it’s just another fun way to connect with her. I liked being able to message her while she was at a sleepover over the weekend and let’s face it, it’s nice to message instead of yelling across the house if I know she’s on it.

We let her get an account on Instagram. She has a blocked profile and is only allowed to connect with females she knows.

And of course, she uses it to play all the games that she normally tied my phone up playing. Lexi no longer has to share when we’re in the car. A to the men for no more fights.

She doesn’t surf the web and has no need for it. Even at home, she usually is only on for school work or playing games, which don’t do well on Apple devices. I don’t think she’s opened Safari since she’s had it.

Given all that, we still had her sign a contract. It may seem like a little much, but we want to be clear and up front about expectations and have something to rely on if things go awry. One of her friend’s mom sent me a phone contract she found (Thanks, Sarah!). I edited it for an iPod and added a few rules of my own.

Here is a glimpse of the 17 rules:

1. My iPod Touch must be turned off by my bedtime and placed in the living room. It is my responsibility to be sure the iPod Touch is being charged when necessary.

2. During family meals, my iPod Touch will be turned off or silenced and in my pocket or placed away from the table. I will not check texts or play games during meal time.

3. I will practice proper etiquette when using my iPod Touch in public places, and be conscious of how my usage affects those around me. I will make sure my iPod Touch is turned off or silenced when I am in church, restaurants, or other quiet settings, and I will not take texts or play games during those times.

If you’d like a printable version, here ya go: iPod Touch Rules (PDF).

I’m actually pretty glad we are able to spend a few years with iPod practice before she gets a full-on cell phone.

I’m curious. What age were your kids when they got their first cell phone? Already time to start setting expectations!

What I Wore Wednesday 11.21.2012

November 20, 2012 by Amy 2 Comments

Today’s the day I share my outfits from the week with The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore Wednesday. I pair my outfits with inspirational photos. Read more about that here.

We’re cleared to wear jeans at work the rest of the year but I just can’t seem to wear them without heels and a blazer. Why this animal print reminded me of a horse, I don’t know. I think it was the brown and black combination.

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After looking for pictures of horses, I felt like wearing leggings and boots. Even though animal print rain boots wouldn’t do for horseback riding, they’re brownish and it *was* raining that day. Why do I not wear leggings more often? That outfit was the most comfortable one of the week. I went zero places so it was perfect for my day at home.

I rarely mix animal prints like this but I’m ok with this one. I think. And yes, this still reminded me of horses.

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And yes, another horse.

OK, up to this point of the post, I wasn’t understanding why I kept picking horses, but I realized there was a reason. Jump to the bottom and I’ll tie it together for you.

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OK if you want, hang with me on a little story and I’ll explain all the horses this week.

Yesterday I wrote about my daughter turning 10 and how she’s made me brave. I realized as I was picking these inspirational pictures through the week (and before I even thought about what to write) that I was constantly drawn to horses. Which, if you know me, is surprising because I’ve always hated horses. OK, not hated horses. I loved horses. Cried when they got hurt in movies. But ride them? NO THANK YOU. I wrote a little about it in this Weekend Recap.

Then Monday, when I was writing that post, I realized that not only had I been wearing a lot of black/grey in a sort mourning, I realized that I had been picking out these horse-related pictures and there was a definite connection to Emma and my post. I don’t think I ever wrote about it here (maybe?) but I finally rode a horse this summer in an attempt to get Emma to ride it. See? She makes me brave.

The horses were a sort of metaphor for the courage I’ve found as her mother.

But wait, there’s more.

Monday night after I’d written that post, I realized Emma had her birthday pin she was going to wear to school on my nightstand. I knew if I didn’t put it with her stuff that we’d forget Tuesday morning. So I slid out of bed and went in her room and decided to pin it right on her shirt she had picked out for her birthday. Guess which shirt she had picked out? The only one she owns with a horse on the front.

I’ve been looking for God in these inspirational pictures and this week, I found Him in spades.

Ten Years

November 20, 2012 by Amy 9 Comments

Twenty-four years ago I sat at the head of an oak dining room table with ten candles atop my cake. In the chairs sat my sister and a few friends. My mom and dad crowded around, taking pictures and singing. I looked at my cake, closed my eyes and whispered in my mind to no one in particular, “Good-bye, single digits.”

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“I did it. I really did it.” Those were my first weepy words to my mom 10 years ago as my first tiny baby was passed around the birth room. I had been scared to death of giving birth but somehow by God’s grace, my body cooperated like so many others before me and had birthed a tiny little Emma Grace.

I spent the next few days trying to figure out nursing, fielding visitors with this new grandbaby girl, and managing pain. When the last day arrived, we dressed in her little outfit and Scott put us in the back seat of our black Chrysler. I realized amidst all the activity in the past few days, months really, that I had this tiny little person in a really big world I was responsible for. I think I cried the whole way home and then sat on the couch in the living room and did the same.

I was scared to death.

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A few months later, a friend who had known me since college was chatting with me and he said, “You’ve changed since you had Emma.”

“Changed?” I asked, “How do you mean?”

“I don’t know,” he fumbled, “You just have.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant exactly, I mean, I’m sure my conversations were different, but I still felt like me.

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“I don’t want to depress you,” the doctor said at the end of our check-up last week, “but I think I should point out that you’re more than half way done with your time with Emma at home. Make sure to enjoy your time.”

It was too late to depress me. I’ve been counting down until 10 for 10 years. What is it about 10? Maybe because I had remembered so distinctly turning 10 myself. It felt like a turning point of sorts. The numbers look a lot like teen ages–a lot like the years when you start kissing and driving and working and more to the point, leaving.

I birthed a tiny Emma Grace but she won’t stop this growing business.

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I read this post from Lisa-Jo yesterday and a line broke me.

There is no book knowledge that can prepare you for the act of creation or how brave you will become.

Brave. Yes. That is the change Emma has made in me.

I was just a scared little girl in a Chrysler not sure how to take care of a fearless little girl.

I realize now I had birthed Emma, but she birthed a mother in me. I was an infant mother, starting on a path to bravery.

She’s changed me these past 10 years. She’s made me brave.

I’ll endure pain when necessary, have tough conversation that scare me, check dark closets when I’m not sure what awaits, fight when there’s a need. I’d walk in front of a train for her.

Yes, she’s built courage in me.

And a lot of other things.

She’s made me more brave and selfless and disciplined and loving and patient.

All 10 years she’s been making me a better person.

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Emma’s name Emma Grace means “full of grace”. She’s that to everyone but she especially has been a gift of grace from God to me. God knew to make me more like him, I needed a tiny girl full of grace to teach me, change me.

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I’ve been putting my What I Wore Wednesday post together for tomorrow and realized every day I’ve been wearing grey or black. Looking back, I think subconsciously it’s been a sort of mourning week for me.

It’s been a week of saying goodbye to her first ten years with us for certain, but also a mourning of me. A glorious, wonderful mourning of the old me my love of Emma helped me conquer.

My friend was right. I am different. My tiny little Emma Grace has changed me and this week of celebration of both her birth and Thanksgiving, I cannot think of anything I am more thankful for than 10 years of hard, terribly draining, wonderfully changing years with my Emma Grace.

It turns out that love does conquer all.

Tomorrow I’ll watch as she blows out her own 10 candles and in my mind, I’ll whisper to no one in particular, “Goodbye single digits.”

2012-10-19

Baby girl, I love you and your giggling at boys, and sarcasm at your daddy, and your frustration and love of your sister, and your reading past bed time and your loving of little babies and crazy dancing and mismatched clothing and your teaching at your white board and your curly hair and your hazel eyes and freckled nose. I love every single inch of you. Thank you for changing me. You fill me full of grace and I thank God every day for making me your mommy.

Weekend Recap

November 19, 2012 by Amy Leave a Comment

My weekend ranged from closing the sparkly chapter of my life with the Breaking Dawn finale Friday night to spending a few hours at the Southern Women’s Christmas show in Charlotte yesterday.

I haven’t done a weekend recap post in quite some time and it seems like a good weekend to share.

Breaking Dawn

Friday night my sister and I saw Breaking Dawn Part 2. In the past year or so my obsession with the Twilight franchise had waned but I needed to see this last movie for closure. Yes, it was a thing that needed closure. I went into with “I just hope it’s better than the first.” This movie franchise has left a lot to be desired, yes? I’m already wishing for remakes. But ya’ll, I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, more than surprised, I was downright satisfied.

Finally Bella and Edward seemed to fit in their own skin. I think partly because they were portraying now-equal and happy characters and partly because Kristen and Rob had grown has actors too. It was a beautiful thing to see. The movie hit on all the important moments—Bella meeting Renesmee, Bella knocking Jac0b around, the cabin, Charlie. And yes, the final scene with the Volturi. I refuse to spoil it but I think it might go down as one of my favorite movie viewing moments ever. EVER. It was genius what they did. The final scene when Edward finally sees Bella’s memories and we could experience them too was just a perfect ending. I’m walking away from Twilight a happy participant to all the madness.

Training Tucker

Saturday morning we took Tucker to dog training. Did I tell you yet we put him in training? Turns out Tucker will do just about anything for a treat and he is one of the best in class. He’s a smart dog. Just too much energy for his own good.

Serving Thanksgiving

Saturday afternoon the girls and I served with Serving Meals Ministry. We passed out Thanksgiving meals to a low-income section of town. It was one of my favorite hours of the whole weekend. We thought we were going to be serving at tables in a fellowship hall but we actually took meals in to-go boxes door to door. It sounds kind of scary and campy but let me assure you it was not. When you have something to offer for free that is good, it immediately takes the pressure off. The residents were grateful and extremely nice.

I’ve had this concept of lights for the past few weeks. As a handful of us were each taking a door in one of the sections of the townhouses, I could not help but think about light. You know when you’re going into a dark room and the door is opening and as the door opens, each thing in the room is illuminated bit by bit? That’s what I saw when a group of us went door to door. It was like a door was opening on the townhouses, each home being illuminated as we visited. A beautiful picture of God’s light shining into the darkness and one that I will not soon forget.

I’m only sharing because I want to first share that it’s not scary and in fact, very fun, and second so locals might be aware. Serving Meals Ministry does this once a month and needs volunteers. Let me know if you’re interested and maybe next time we can go together!

Playing Chuck E. Cheese

Saturday evening I took the girls to Chuck E. Cheese. Lexi’s birthday was a few weeks ago and Emma turns 10 tomorrow. I’m having small break downs as I go about this matter. I can’t handle the double-digits apparently. I still remember sitting at our oak table blowing out my own 10 candles thinking to myself, “Goodbye, single digit years.” It feels impossible that Emma is turning 10. To cope, we’re doing lots of celebrating.

We went to Great Wolf Lodge last month, I took them to get their nails done at a kids spa last weekend, they each are having sleepovers and on the spur of the moment, I took them by myself to Chuck E. Cheese Saturday night.

I realized it’s highly likely that Chuck E. Cheese isn’t going to be cool soon and as maniacal as that place is, I really was going to miss their excitement over it. So we played skee ball and they wasted their coins on fake ID cards and we ate bad pizza and drank soft drinks. It was everything people love to hate about Chuck E. Cheese. And since my wallet was screaming for more punishment, we hopped down to the shopping mall strip to Party City where we got all the supplies for Emma’s party tomorrow. I can’t say I regret a single penny.

Shopping Christmas

Sunday after church we went to the Southern Women’s Christmas Show. Somehow I had managed to skip this event all my life. But wow, Charlotte knows how to put on a Christmas Show. For the uninitiated, it’s just a bazaar type thing but that actually have it decorated so it looks like you’re walking through a village of shops. There are full rooms decorated and Christmas scenes and it’s just very pretty and exciting and inspiring, albeit a bit much for the kids. Three building full of vendors literally put Lexi on the floor. They were definitely ready to go after three hours but if you ask, they loved it as much as we did. I bought some sparkly red decorations to add to the tree and I’m really excited to decorate this year.

Watching Hart of Dixie

And between all that, I was obsessively catching up with Hart of Dixie. And that’s a whole other post. Seriously, I want to do a whole other post on it.

Hope you guys had a great weekend and are preparing for a lovely Thanksgiving weekend. I’ll be back tomorrow crying all over my keyboard about Emma’s 10 birthday!

Hobby Lobby, The Bible and Me

November 15, 2012 by Amy 2 Comments

So, you know Hobby Lobby, right? It’s the arts and crafts store with all the pretty accessories too? Hobby Lobby is owned by the Green family. Steve Green has been the CEO since 2004.

In 2009, Steve started collecting biblical artifacts which now includes over 40,000 items and called The Green Collection.

In 2011, 400 items were put into a traveling exhibit of biblical artifacts called Passages.

Passages exhibit opened in Oklahoma City, moved to Atlanta and most recently, I found out somewhere on the Internets that Passages moved right here (here for me, not you. well, maybe you.) in Charlotte.

And THEN I realized that the exhibit is literally next door to my office complex (one exit passed IKEA!). When I was at the office yesterday, I realized I could see their building right through the trees.

So yesterday at lunch, I threw my lunch plans out the window and headed over to Passages.

When you walk in the lobby, you’re greeted by displays from Wycliffe and The Voice of the Martyrs. I could have spent a ton of time there alone. The Voice of the Martyrs had these large journals set out where visitors could write sections of the Bible. They had a stand for each Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I randomly chose to write Luke 22:27-30.

Mm. That’s good stuff.

So once you get passed this lobby section, you go get your ticket in the gift shop. I could have spent lots-o-money. They had books and Bibles and prayer shawls and paintings and all sorts of good stuff. Just love.

With a Christmas special they have right now, I was able to get $5 off my ticket plus an audio tour on an iPod touch which was big points in my book, don’t ya know.

Unfortunately, I was not able to take pictures of the displays but let me share a few things I really liked seeing.

In the first exhibit they had an exact replica of a scroll of Isaiah completely rolled out. It was the original paper stitched together in the original Hebrew. The paper was probably 20 feet long. The scroll really put into perspective what the Bible originally looked like. I mean, I knew it logically, but to see it in person was something different.
They had some original containers that housed The Torah. Jews believed The Torah was literally the face of God so they had very ornate containers. Some were metal and some were ornate fabric.
They had cases and cases of Bibles, all from different countries and times. As an American, I of course have this tendency to believe the world evolves around us. The displays were a good to reminder there have been thousands of years of translations and differing formats. Some Bibles had pictures, some were large, some were small, some had clasps, all in different languages.
They had this one small scroll still bound by a leather strap, probably 6” wide and rolled into about a 1” cylinder. The audio said that’s what one of Paul’s letters to the churches would have looked like. Amazing. You just don’t think of it that way.
They talked a lot about how the Bible has been reprinted and had a lot of emphasis on Gutenberg’s Press. They had a working replica of his press and I was able to get a live printing of 1 Samuel in Latin. It’s so cool, you can actually see Abigail’s name when you look closely.

Unfortunately, I was having to speed through the exhibit. I didn’t listen to the majority of the audio. They had a ton of cool video you could stop and listen to and even printing activities you could participate in. I’d definitely donate several hours to viewing it properly. The site told me so but you know, I had to fit in what I could.

One special moment occurred when I got caught up in a senior citizen group touring the exhibit. The exhibit was pretty empty besides their group and a few of us other straggling individuals. This sweet elderly lady turned to me with the biggest grin and started talking like she knew me. “Isn’t this wonderful? I just didn’t all of this existed.” I made some more small talk with her and moved on. But it reminded me of how we’re always learning about the Lord. We’ll never “get there”. And more than that, it was definitely one of those “this is how Heaven is going to be” moments. We’ll all just know each other and rejoice in the things of God together.

I can’t recommend it enough for everyone in the area—or even close to the area. Definitely take advantage of their Christmas special that is going on now until the end of the year.

This isn’t a sponsored post, just wanted to share!

*picture source of entrance and display cover to Passages Facebook

What I Wore Wednesday: 11.14.2012

November 14, 2012 by Amy 9 Comments

Today’s the day I share my outfits from the week with The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore Wednesday. I pair my outfits with inspirational photos. Read more about that here.

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Sow a Seed

November 13, 2012 by Amy 2 Comments

Last week I was in my backyard watering a vine my parents gave me from their garden. My version pales in comparison to theirs, but it doesn’t resemble chopsticks yet so I keep watering it.

Beautiful purple flowers are actually blooming, but what caught my eye last week are the seed pods. They resemble a pea pod but in a rich plum color.

I started thinking about how beautiful the seed pod was and just could not let it go. God could have created that seed pod any old way he wanted but he made it this pretty plum color. How awesome is God that he does that? I mean, God could have made its reproduction mechanism in a thousand other, boring ways but he didn’t.

Just a day or two later I ran into this amazing set of Pinterest boards. I wanted to print every board as a magazine, grab a cup of coffee in front of our fireplace and flip through slowly.

I ran into one particular board that left tears streaming down my face.

The title of the board is Nuts, Pods & Seeds. I’d never really thought much about nuts, pods or seeds much but given my fascination with my vine just days prior, I was glued.

So many beautiful, unique ways for these plants and flowers to reproduce. I can hardly stand it.

I started thinking about God’s Kingdom and all these seeds.

In Luke, Jesus teaches a parable about seeds. He says the seed is the word of God. The word of God is planted in a person’s heart and for those that seize it and hold on, it reaches a harvest.

Before His ascension, Jesus sent us on the Great Commission to make disciples—to plant seeds and reproduce.

But he never really said how.

In the same way he gave these plants unique, beautiful ways to reproduce, he gave us each a beautiful and unique way to reproduce and fulfill the Great Commission.

Just think about the one that writes

or the one that speaks

or the one that gives

or the one that paints

or the one that listens

or the one that encourages.

Each gift plants a seed of belief in others. But more than that, just like these seeds and pods, it’s never, not once in the same exact way.

Some writers are fragile and some are tough.

Some speakers are meant to fly and some are meant to dig deep.

Some painters paint with color and others are plain.

Some giver’s gifts are plentiful but others are not.

Some encouragers are spiky and funny and others are soft and small.

You are as unique and beautiful as these nuts, seeds and pods. And just like these pictures brought me to tears in awe of our Creator, you and your unique gifts will do the same.

He could have designed this process in a thousand other, boring ways but he didn’t. Aren’t you glad?

Fall TV Update

November 9, 2012 by Amy 17 Comments

For goodness sakes, it’s Friday. Let’s forget about all the junk going on and live in TV land for a few minutes, yes?

I posted my Fall TV plans a few months ago and we’re well into the season now. Let’s gather around the water cooler and talk about how it’s going.

Once Upon a Time

The first episode of the season really freaked me out with that dementor thing so I turned it off half way in the ep and swore off the show. But then Mary assured me at Allume that the dementor thing had gone away and the season was good.

So I gave it another try and sure enough, this season has been great. I’m not sure I love Mulan or the fact that Snow is separated from Charming but they definitely have been able to keep it going even after everyone realized who they were. The addition of Hook has been fabulous and I am enjoying some more back story. If nothing else, I watch so I can read SortaCrunchy’s recap posts every week.

Revenge

I was doubtful about Revenge but I’m so glad I hung in there. It’s been a fantastic season. There was an episode a few weeks ago that was so good, it could have been a great season finale. I like the addition of the new character. I like the addition of her mother. I like the drama with the pregnancy. Well done, folks.

Parenthood

By far, this season is Parenthood’s best. Great storylines, great acting. Makes me cry. Just brilliant. I’m so entirely thrilled for Matt Lauria in his new role on there. Ryan York + Amber FTW! I just have to post these pictures because oh my goodness, I just do.

I knew him first, Amber, ok? If you have no idea what those are about, go read here.

And before you think there was any funny business going on, I’m obviously happily married and so is Matt. I was hugging Luke, ok? Luke. Who wouldn’t want to hug Luke Cafferty? Matt is actually very awesome and has a BEAUTIFUL and TALENTED wife Michelle Armstrong we got to meet as well so go check her out.

Modern Family

Modern Family continues to keep us in stitches. I wouldn’t say it’s the best season but the Obama line the other night made up for it in spades.

Nashville

Hm, what do I think about Nashville? Intense. Very intense. The acting is superb, really. The storylines live up to its dramatic name. But I kind of hate that the main couple is falling apart. Neither really are faithful to their partners. Both are a bit selfish and shallow. It seems everyone is just chasing money. I miss the rock solid relationship of Coach Taylor and Tami in Friday Night Lights. But the singing and the chemistry. Oh, it’s all so good. I do wonder what you Nashvillian folks think about it?

Oh and since I mentioned Coach, why not another FNL picture?

Someone get Kyle Chandler back on my TV screen, please.

Arrow

This show wasn’t even on my radar this year but I’m so glad I checked it out. This is a fantastic drama/action series. The acting can be a bit sketchy by the main character when he’s trying to play his old character but it has definitely improved over the last episode or two. I enjoy the idea that the main character and Laurel both fight for the good of their city. Above all, the action scenes are just tremendous and worth the watch.

Last Resort

While I’m not on the edge of my seat each week this this show, both Scott and I enjoy watching a show together. I appreciate the intensity and the action and feel more like I’m watching a movie than TV series. Scott Speedman and Andre Braugher are just such great actors, they make me believe in it. Unfortunately, I think the two female characters played by Daisy Betts and Autumn Reeser are weak and if there was any area of improvement, that would be it.

Shows I’ve axed

Elementary

Well, this was no Sherlock. The show was interesting but I found it hard to follow and lacking enough wit for me to enjoy.

Revolution

Bad acting. Bad characters. Horribly slow storyline.

Chicago Fire

It wasn’t a bad show but my Wednesdays were already busy and there weren’t too many characters to like very much. Perhaps I should give it another chance. Anyone really enjoying it?

Mob Doctor, 666 Park Avenue and Animal Practice were too bad to even go into detail.

I still haven’t checked out Beauty and the Beast. Anyone? How is it?

OK that’s it. What say you? Which of these are you watching too and what do you think?