C'est Si Bon!

Eartha Kitt is amazing in this history making performance C'est Si Bon. I am a huge fan of the movie Something's Gotta Give with Jack Nicholson and Dianne Keaton. This is where I started falling in love with French music. You can also find a large array of French love songs on French Kiss with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. I encourage to treat yourself to some French Tunes today!!

Rockin' Out Toddler Style!!

I admit I am the type to blare my stereo (well not as loud as I did before I had Pauly) loud and sing along while I'm driving in my car. It doesn't matter whether it is country - a little Taylor Swift and her new song Love Story or maybe it is little techno...Calabria by Enur featuring Natasja - I love it!

It just seems like I can relax and really rock out! Pauly has eventually picked up this singing and head bobbin' type of rockin' out scene from his mother (guilty) as last night we left the t.v. off after dinner and decided to just listen to music. As I was working on my valentines and Ben was surfing the net - I was fortunate enough to catch Pauly rockin' out to the music! It was so adorable the way he bobbed his head around as if he was keeping up with the beat and shaking his little booty back and forth. Oh my, it was adoreable! I just pictured him being that little kid playing drums like a complete maniac driving his mother crazy. I hope I can figure out soon how to put videos on my blog. This will for sure be one I share. :)

ABC Hymnals

A] A Might Fortress is Our God

B] Because He Lives

C] Count Your Blessings

D] Deep and Wide

E] Emmanuel

F] Fairest Lord Jesus

G] God Is So Good

H] Holy, Holy, Holy

I] In My Heart There Rings A Melody

J] Jesus Loves Me

K] Knowing You

L] Love Lifted Me

M] Majesty

N] Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus

O] O Come, All Ye Faithful

P] Power in the Blood

Blessed Q] Quietness

R] Rock Of Ages

S] Stand Up For Jesus

T] Trust and Obey

U] Undivided

V] Victory

W] Wonderful Words Of Life

Come, Thou Long - X] EXpected Jesus

Y] Yes Lord Yes

Z] AmaZing Grace

A lot of these songs are what we all grew up on and I heart them all! We switch back and forth at our church singing old and new - so that is perfect for us. I'm so thankful for my church and our family there. I adore singing these and it truly blesses my life.

Wednesdays with Heather and Phoebes!

Just about every Wednesday we spend the day with Heather Lewis and her little girl Phoebes. We either go to the Library to story time or we go to either her house or mine and spend the afternoon knitting, visiting and laughing to hysterics. I'm so thankful for her friendship. We have a lot of fun and our kiddos are big buds too! Below is a picture I took of little Phoebe a while back. She is such a little treasure and the pink is very appropriate for Valentine's Day coming up. Isn't she cute? Just look at those lips...

Hot Dog! Hot Dog! Hot Diggity Dog!

Yes... we are Mickey Mouse Club House watchers. Along with Handy Manny, Pooh and Friends, and Little Einsteins. Yesterday Pauly started singing the Hot Dog song and it tickled my heart pink. It was so funny the way he sang it in his own little way and bobbed his little body up and down to the Diggity Beat in his little heart. He sang it to his Auntie Jodi over the phone - I was so proud. I would have to say that Pooh and Friends is my favorite as far as morning cartoons but I have a new love for The Hot Dog song :) He is such a delight!

Twinkle... Twinkle...

My heart be still... when I see the twinkling of a twinkle light. I know I know they are just for Christmas. Whatever! I still have my Christmas lights up outside and a couple strings inside too. So what if it may be juvenile and a complete fashion faux pas in the decor sense... I DON'T CARE! I love them and they make me happy! I like it when my boy is in bed and it is just me and my hubby and we're watching our movie at night (as we usually do) and I turn all the lights off except for just them and out of the corner of my eye I can see their happy jubilee twinkling! I heart twinkle lights!

New Start

Even though Sundays are the first day of the week... I always feel like Mondays are. Sundays are for visiting with loved ones, getting recharged for the week and plain ole nappin'! But Mondays... Some Mondays I hate... But this is not one of those. This is a good Monday! I feel recharged and I have a plan! We are all feeling better here as we have finally recovered from our stomach flu and we're ready to go! Got to finish Valentines, set up a calender/weekly routine, make Pauly's Valentine's gift, do laundry and clean up random messes along the way. Happy Monday to you and you!

Perky!

Perk... Perk... Shwhish... Shwhish... Oh the sounds of a coffee maker in the morning. I love coffee as much as the next person. I usually only treat myself to it on Saturday and Sunday and even lately I've been going without as it is said it will cut your possibilities of fertility down. So yes I've been just going without. I decided this beautiful Monday morning I was NOT. I have lots and lots of work to do today and I know I will need every little bit of help I can get. Valentines to finish, laundry to do and messes to clean at a moments notice... (I have a one-year-old :) Happy Monday! I heart a little coffee with my milk and sugar kind of gal...

Some pics I've missed!!

This past weekend Ben got some of our pictures, movies and music off of our computer that is downstairs and is broken. So here are a few pictures I was delighted to see again after not seeing them in about 6 months... Enjoy!!!

Scratchy! Itchy!

Striving...

If you all haven't read this memory verse - Drop Everything and Do it! For us women it is a boost of confidence and a kick in the pants! I was just talking about this with my ma this morning. I have this verse wrote up and is on my fridge. When I'm puttin' around the house this catches my eye and I read it and it keeps me going. I'd love to have it framed up in my house somewhere. Also there is a really cool website just called Proverbs 31 Ministries. It has daily verses that you can get emailed to you daily for free, radio program, a store, and plus they are nonprofit!!! As they say, "We are real women offering real-life solutions to women who are striving to maintain life’s balance, in spite of today’s hectic pace and cultural pull away from godly principles. Wherever a woman may be on her spiritual journey, Proverbs 31 Ministries exists to be a trusted friend who takes her by the hand and walks by her side, leading her one step closer to the heart of God." I know this is something we could all use :) Go check it out! And the verse is below...

Proverbs 31: 10-31

10 A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.
12 She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her,'saying :
29 Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.

15 things...

This is a project that Casi read to me that she worked on yesterday when she was having a rough day... I thought it was very inspirational and I asked her if I could post it on my blog. Maybe it will remind you of a few things about why You are so fabulous!

15 Awesome Things about Me!!!

By: Casi Jean

1. I have an awesome God who loves me!
   
2. I have a Beautiful Daughter!
   
3. I have a lot of natural talent.
   
4. I can cook very well and I can think up a meal quick and with very little ingredients (my friends and family always ask me what they should make for dinner :)
   
5. I can rope and goat tie Really Well!
   
6. I have really nice hair, eye brows (now that I pluck ;), cheek bones, jaw line, lips, skin, and a really cute nose.
   
7. I have, what we like to call, Honor scars from my baby girl that I wouldn't trade for the world.
   
8. I have so many people who love me and want to see me grow and be blessed.
   
9. I have a great mind, heart and soul, I love freely, and give grace in places where I have been given it freely from Christ.
   
10. I forgive easily but may not trust that person for a long time or again in that situation.
    
11. I love everyone and think that anger and hate is a WASTE of time!
    
12. I also think frowns, scowls, and being negative is a WASTE of time!
    
13. I think you should wake up every morning thanking God that you did.
    
14. I think you should love with your whole heart and not hold back. (even if you get hurt)
    
15. I think life is too short to be scared and to precious to be careless. (have to have a balance)

The Lettered Cottage

You may have already visited this website that is listed in the... i heart these! on the right hand side of my blog. This website definitely defines my personal style when it comes to home design and decor. I love all things cottage. If you haven't visited this website do so by clicking here. The gal that manages this blog is very creative, insightful and talented. I hope you find as much joy out of her blog as I do.

Where have you been all my life?

This question has been going through my mind a lot lately. With going to Howe to hold my sweet baby sister's hand as she went through... as she calls it "the big "D" and don't mean Dallas" and also as I looking forward to what her life could have in store for her and sweet Carti girl. I know God has her in a special place in his master plan. I know this obstacle in her life is happening for a reason and what a testimony she has already discovered too. I'm so proud of her strides in this difficult time. She is so strong and beautiful. Fun and Inspirational. But still she feels empty...

She flat out tells me she doesn't want to be alone and that she wants that man that will be able to rope and come in from a hard days work and kneel down by their bed or the bed of their children and pray together. I want this for her too. I know there is a man out there that would want this beautiful Christian women but what I fear is that again it isn't the timing that we/she wants. I do look forward to that day where a gorgeous man sweeps my sister off of her feet and gives her every treasure under the moon, which is what she deserves (what her daughter deserves too) and tells her "Where have you been all my life?"... but for now Case you need to ask yourself that question - as we all do... Where have you been all my life? ... to ourselves.

Often my heart thinks to myself where is that girl... the girl that could ride for days and rope the snot out of a calf (for those of you who don't know - yes I rodeoed - Can you believe it?) or even where is that girl that could play basketball and volleyball. The girl who had self esteem seeping from every crevasse of her body. This questions also applies to Christ... Where have you been all my life... If you say this to the Lord you'll remember you have never been alone - and never will be. So all our lives he's been right there! Pretty Amazing! I've never been right there for anyone not even my son...

So Casi... you may be so thankful that I came and was with you during this hard time this weekend but honestly Thank You for helping me remember what we all need to remind ourselves... When we are feeling a little lost at heart and alone... Where have you been all my life? is the question and you'll find whatever you were ever looking for was right there the whole time.

Super Super Cold!!!

As I said on my last post from yesterday. I am in Howe. I have no idea how cold it is right now but I know it is below zero. SO COLD! I guess I don't remember it being this cold when I was growing up here! I do remember though coming in from riding horses all evening and my legs trying to thaw out and being really itchy from all hives. I don't really understand why they get itchy with hives with they get cold. It sucks though! I remember horse troughs being completely froze solid as well as just the hydrants being froze so we could water at all and we would have to carry water. What a nightmare! Animals freezing to death...

thinking of that I wonder how Dapher did last night in this weather... I bet if she had a tail it would be froze off! Poor girl... maybe tomorrow we'll bring her onto the front porch - I'm sure she would prefer that. She is probably fine warm in one of the dog houses or in the haystack out back. Well maybe it is a good thing it is so cold because the reason I'm down here has got me pretty HOT!

Tattle Tail

So... today I drove to Howe. I left around noon and had to do several errands before I finally left Boise. I got on the road around 12:30 and I was really close to Mountain Home when this little silver BMW convertible came ZOOOOMIN' past us! I caught that he was a 2c but didn't catch anything else. As I watch this little car get smaller and smaller so very very fast... I noticed that the car up ahead - that he was just about even with - put on her signal and moved into his lane as she was ready to pass a huge semi-truck. She must not of realized he was going like 100 mph... when suddenly it caught her eye that he was right on her tail and she jerked over to the right lane. She came very close to over correcting which would of sent us all into a huge life changing disaster. But thankfully... she didn't wreck and he kept on speeding on by the truck and soon he was out of sight.

Me being my law abiding safety obsessive self called 911 and reported his ass... I was so pissed off that he was disregarding all of our lives as if we mean nothing! Just so he could be cool in his speedy little sports car. I had to stop at Wal-mart so I'm not sure if they caught up to him but hopefully he didn't go on to kill change some one's life for the worst! What a jerk!

I love Jesus but...

The Ellen DeGeneres Show is something that I look forward to everyday! This is something I found on another blog and I thought what a great idea. I did see it when it aired and I'm telling you right now this old lady is a hot mess! But, it is a great laugh for the day - I laughed so hard I had tears streaming down my face... I mean HILARIOUS! So get ready... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83JDXXKzOXg

Not Mine...

This blog entry is to bring me some much needed peace with something that I get so worked up and stressed about - and that is timing. Timing is a hard thing! Probably one of the topics that brings me the most anxiety (if I let it). Timing is not up to us and we have no control over it. I like control (don't we all)! When we are anticipating something to happen - when we want it to happen - that "something" and the anxiety of it starts controlling our every thought and inevitably controlling our life. I was thinking... anxiety is most definitely a sin. It is literally sinning against God's timing and amazing planning. It is refusing to acknowledge his unfathomable and precious plan that always works out better than we can ever imagine.

So there are a few things on my mind right now that I am taking this motion to help me turn them over to God and in his timing those things will or may not happen. I just have to be patient and trusting in him and his plans for my life. Praying that his will be done and that he gives me the trust and patients to let his will be done. Hard to do!!!! but worth that moment when the plan will unfold before my eyes and I know it is most definitely better than I could have ever imaged and dreamed. It is his now.

Girls Day...

Yesterday I had a wonderful visit from the past! My friends from High School came over and their kids too! We had a wonderful time. Pauly had 3 extra kids around his age to play with and was just in heaven! It was so nice how us ladies could just start back up from where we left off 10+ years ago. I'm so blessed to have had them back in high school and to have them now is so precious. We had such a wonderful time laughing, visiting and watching our kids play that we decided to do it again next month. So once a month we will be getting together for lunch and a play date and change it between each other's homes. We all got reacquainted via face book - if you haven't looked into I encourage you to do so! It is a blast!

100 things I love!

Since Valentines is creeping up on us - I thought I bet I can come up with a fun list of 100 things I heart!... So here it is in no particular order... well sort of in order but not really...

1. Jesus
2. My husband - He is loving, hard working, and Hot!
3. My Son - you've seen him! He is precious!
4. My Whole Family
5. Dapher Doo (My dog she is a Cocker)
6. Friends (We are so blessed to have so many wonderful, close friends!)
7. Newborn Babies (human and animal :)
8. Memories from Childhood (especially the ones that involve my sisters)
9. Music (Christian, Country, Swing, Oldies, Hip Hop, Pop and Classical)
10. Going to church (we have an amazing church family)
11. Fashion, Design, and Creating
12. Sunsets
13. Watching Movies with my husband and eating popcorn
14. Popcorn w/ Carmel ( My husband makes it for me)
15. My husband's cooking!
16. Listening to my husband sing and play the guitar!
17. My mom/grandmas' cooking
18. My home church in Howe
19. Surprises!
20. Playing tricks on people
21. Sunsets
22. Rainy Days
23. Coffee
24. Flip Flops
25. Doing hair (especially little girls' hair! Always have!)
26. All the old letters, china hutch, and such I have from my Grandma Great
27. My house
28. Watching my boy sleep
29. Holding hands with my husband
30. Holding Pauly while he sleeps
31. Hugs and Kisses from my boy
32. Talking to my nieces and nephews on the phone
33. Chocolate
34. Staying in hotels (they have to have a pool!)
35. Smell of dirt and horse poop (BUT I hate to be dirty)
36. The idea of loving to be dirty and being a green- thumb gardener type
37. Memories of going trucking with both my dad, grandpa and uncle
38. Fall
39. Thanksgiving at Grandma Sally's
40. Christmas in Howe at Mom's and Grandma Pattie's house
41. Easter at Grandma Pattie's house
42. Ice Tea w/ Lemon
43. Venti Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
44. Les Schwab - THEY ROCK!
45. Target
46. Ross
47. Going through my Grandma Pattie's picture boxes
48. Cooking
49. Painting
50. Picnics
51. Taking Pauly to see his daddy at work
52. Going to the Library with Pauly, Phoebe and Heather!
53. My jeep!
54. Getting a letter/package in the mail
55. A room with good lighting, paint and decor (any page out of a Pottery Barn Magazine)
56. Pottery Barn
57. Land of Nod
58. Our laptop
59. The idea of having more children
60. Flowers - Hydrangeas!
61. Lilacs in the Spring
62. Allergy medicine
63. Red Wine (even though it breaks me out into hives)
64. Eating Lamb
65. Fresh cut grass
66. Smell/Eating of BBQ in the summertime
67. Traveling to go see family (especially with good music or Dr. Laura)
68. Dr. Laura
69. Disney Movies
70. Sex and the City
71. Craig's List
72. Arco Advertiser Online
73. Eating Breakfast out on a Saturday Morning with my boys
74. Thrift store shopping
75. Spending the day at Granny's
76. Playing Nertz with Granny
77. Listening to someone sing or play an instrument when they are really good (I get goosebumps)
78. Alone time in the morning before the little monster wakes up
79. The sound of the garbage truck taking our garbage away
80. The Cosby Show
81. Food Network
82. Getting in bed at night when the house is clean and your bed was made with new sheets!
83. Watching Basque Dancing!
84. Downtown Boise in the summertime
85. Shade of a tree on a hot day
86. My dishwasher!
87. My new oven!
88. Cruiser Bikes especially if they have a basket on them!
89. Bardenay
90. Having a cocktail with my husband on date night at The Basque Center
91. Earrings
92. Extreme Makeover - Home Edition
93. Handy Manny "Come on Tools!"
94. Coloring with my son
95. Candles
96. Canning
97. Homemaking
98. Folding clothes! I HATE putting them away though!
99. Bath and Body Works
100. Etsy!