I PLEDGE...

In response to the I Pledge video produced by Demi and Ashton that demands "service" to our President and his agenda I've written my own I Pledge (of course, there are no Hollywood superstars and no "freaks" so the element of drama may be a little less but I can assure you my Pledge will not make you quesy (other than the reference to diapers)!

I PLEDGE...

...allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, one nation under God
...to raise my children in a home based on Christian values
...to expose my children to a variety of experiences
...to protect my children from immorality and deceit

I PLEDGE...

...to establish rules and consequences
...to teach my children personal responsibility
...to nag when people don't flush after #1 or #2
...to recycle grocery bags by using them for stinky diapers and soiled clothes

I PLEDGE...

...to never use "the environment" as an excuse for my personal agenda
...to never support a cause whose goal is to increase Government
...to not sacrifice my salvation, my morals or my integrity
...to pay my taxes and demand transparency in return

I PLEDGE...

...to love my Jesus, my husband, my children and my country
...to serve only God
...to vote with conviction
...to eat red meat; and
...to never spend one cent of my hard-earned money on a Demi Moore production!

A Quick (not so quick) Challenge

Okay, I have to admit and come clean and confess that I have never stuck to my guns and read the entire Bible in a year. But, there's always a first. It's with great trepidation that I am posting my latest effort on this blog so my readers (all 2 of them) can keep me honest, ha!

If you're interested, I came across a neat site that provides choices for your "reading plan" and gives you the direct link to the scripture for each day. I elected to read the Bible in chronological order (which is NOT necessarily Genesis through Revelations) but there are other plans, too.

Since it's the 1st day of the month it's a great day to get started - who knows, there may be several posts on here along the way.
So, if you feel up to it click the link above "site" and join me - I'm sure we'll learn something new together!

God Bless,

What's Your Style?

So, which type of new humble abode would you prefer if you were one of the two lucky winners of the Mega Million Jackpot Lottery this past weekend and were going to split the money ($ 166.5 million each):

A $43,000,000 estate in Aspen:



Or, a $25,000,000 estate in Connecticut:



Maybe, you'd prefer your own island in Emerald Cay for $48m:



Or, perhaps, you're a city girl and would rather spend your $48m on a 6BR condo in San Francisco:



You may decide to maintain your Southern roots and drop a mere $31,500,000 on this property in Maysville, Georgia:



No fear, the good news is that you shouldn't have any problems finding a cool new house even if you take the lump sum and have the taxes withheld (no matter what your style is)!

Random

That about explains it for the weekend - "random". The activity level, emotions and tone of voice have been all over the board. So, in an effort to try and sum it up:

1. I went to: the little league football game, the grocery store and church.
2. I didn't go to: the mall or anywhere else that had something for me.
3. I should have: gotten my hair cut and my eyebrows waxed.
4. I should not have: eaten that chocolate muffin for dinner Saturday night.
5. I wanted to: get some exercise and take a brisk walk/run by myself.
6. I did not want to: go for a walk with ALL of the kids in tow.
7. I regret that: I yelled at K2 for saying "But, Mommy" for the 267th time.
8. I wish that: for a day no one would refer to me as "Mommy".
9. I was impressed when: K2 ate an entire ice cream cone without spilling or dripping any of it.
10. I'm tired of: washing bottles.
11. I thought about: how amazing God is when I watched the sunset on Saturday.
12. I never considered: how quickly our kids will grow up.
13. I loved it when: all three kids piled in our bed Sunday morning!

Hope your weekend was great!

Have You Ever Wondered...

...who you'd be if you weren't you?

Really.

Not in the sense of being schizophrenic or having mutliple personalities - but more in the sense of daydreaming of an alternative career choice (come on, I know you've dreamed of being something else). Ya know, what would it be like if you had moved to Hollywood at 18 and tried out for American Idol; dropped out of college and just hung out at the local homeless shelter and devoted your time to helping others; or, maybe, just maybe, your daydreams are more along the line of fancy cars, long blonde hair that put's any Pantene commercial to shame, a diamond ring that makes everyone wear shades and a body that denies even Halle Berry a moment of pride!

I actually heard a talk show host say this morning that he thought about law school but decided against it because he considered his eternity more important and he wasn't sure lawyers made it into Heaven. Wow, that's some heavy stuff! Truth is I'm very happy with my job and my career choice but it is always fun to let my mind wonder. For years, my alternative career choices were "Official House Flipper" or "Travels by Tracy"...I love to look for a good deal whether it's a house or a vacation. But then reality sinks in and it takes a lot of money to buy houses and a lot of babysitters to travel without three kids (let alone a husband with a sense of adventure outside of his suede recliner and three remote controls).

Now, I've added Amateur Photographer to the list (and trust me, amateur is an understatement). Below are some of my favorite shots from yesterday's outing - I've numbered them so be sure to cast a vote for your favorite shot!



#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14

#15

The Angels are Rejoicing!

Our precious daughter (they're all precious but this post is about the oldest, K1) went to the alter this morning to make public her acceptance of Jesus into her heart - yeah, girl!! Her Daddy and I are so excited and proud of her - she has been beaming from ear to ear all day!


After church, we went to Aldridge Gardens to have her cheerleading pictures made with her squad. I've posted a few pictures of her below (since this is her day). Next post I'll share more pictures - I'm really digging my new computer and would love to have feedback regarding what pictures you like best - so be sure and come back tomorrow for more photos.


But, for today, we love you K1!!

A Meal With Mrs. Rosie Lee Lewis

It's a running saga in our house that I don't routinely prepare meals for my family. Honestly, routinely is not the right word. Truth is I rarely prepare meals for my family. My analysis concludes that it's just not worth it - the girls eat like birds and while Heath eats like a grown man, he rarely appreciates the fact that there is a lot more to "making dinner" than simply standing in the kitchen for 20 minutes. It takes quite a bit of preparation, a trip to the grocery store (and all the trauma that comes with that experience), then the 20 minutes in the kitchen - next you move on to washing the dishes which is inevitably a daunting tasks with a family of five. Usually (on the rare occasion I have prepared a meal) I have to listen to tons of whining at the table about how nobody likes the food choices, etc etc etc. You know the routine - and, it's flat out not worth it. It's much easier, and typically cheaper, to pick up fast food. We can eat at Little Caesar's for $9.18 (pizza, crazy bread, sauce and a 2-liter), or we can get 5 sandwiches at Arbys for $5. We can get Sonic on Tuesday's for 1/2 off....

So, the next time someone thinks about saying something sarcastic about my failure to "cook a meal" I hope he remembers this article and the wrath of Mrs. Lewis:


Authorities: Wife whacked husband with frying pan



Posted: Aug. 18, 2009

Enfield, N.C. — An Enfield woman was being held in jail without bond Tuesday after Halifax County authorities said she beat her husband over the head with a frying pan.

Deputies responded to an assault call Friday morning on the 5000 block of Justice Branch Road and found paramedics treating James Lewis, 85, for head injuries. Lt. Stevie Salmon of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office determined that Lewis and his wife, Rosie Lee Lewis, 71, had argued over what she had cooked for breakfast.

The couple continued to bicker as Rosie Lewis cooked another meal, Salmon said, and the argument escalated to the point that James Lewis raised his cane as if he were ready to hit his wife. Rosie Lewis then hit him on the head several times with an iron frying pan, knocking him to the ground, Salmon said.

Rosie Lewis was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, and authorities said she was being held without bond because the charge stemmed from a domestic dispute.

James Lewis was taken to Halifax Regional Medical Center, where he received 50 stitches to close his head wounds, Salmon said.