Saturday, February 17, 2007




Ryan is now 9 months old... as of Thursday. Where did the time go?

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Favorite Smell

My favorite smell is pipe smoke. I know it sounds weird but it's true. I could have written about how I really like the smell of carnations and how Adam always purchases those for me because he knows they are my favorite flower to smell, but I really like to smell a pipe burning.

I guess the reason I like the smell pipe smoke is because it reminds me of home. I can remember walking down Bay Street as a child and seeing old men playing chess or checkers on the sidewalk. They'd always be smoking pipes. Pipes and old men just seemed to go hand-in-hand and I couldn't wait to marry and get old so my husband could sit on the porch in a rocking chair and smoke a pipe.

Also pipe smoke reminds me of the Atlantis hotel piano lounge where my friends and I spent many a Sunday evening after church playing spades. So many people were either smoking cigars or pipes in there. Those times of playing cards with friends are some of my most cherrished memories of home.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Favorite taste

This favorite was a lot more difficult than I first imagined. There are a lot of things that taste good.

I discussed this with dear husband and he helped me come to my senses. It's curry. I love curry, especially curry chicken. But I like curry in general. I love the spicy flavor. I like curry in Indian, Jamacian and even American foods. I just like curry.

When my parents come to visit, mom must make a big pot of curry chicken. At this point, I don't even have to ask anymore... it's on the menu that week. I can eat the entire pot, but won't. I often find curry tastes better the next day when the spices have had time to get, well, spicier!

A fond memory of a particular curry dish is that my mom always made it when we had guests over. Everyone loved it. I love those family gatherings. I love people so I also loved it when she prepared it for missionaries who visited our church. My husband says we sit around the table too much in my family, but to me that's where it all takes place, where you find out about a person's day and about that project at school. And it's even a better event when there's curry.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Favorite Sound

I love that sound when someone walks up to a chalkboard and takes their long finger nails and just scratches from top to bottom.


Just kidding. Typing that gives me the shivers.

I do, however, enjoy the sound of a full choir. I'm not even sure it would matter what they were singing as long as there was that harmony that comes along with a choir... a good choir.

I have a huge confession to make. For all of you who are GC grads... please no laughing... but sometimes I go online and listen to WGRN when it's time for chapel in hopes that the choir will be singing. I know, I know... all those years of cursing having to go to chapel and here I am years later sneaking in via radio... well the internet. Once when I was listening, to my delight, it was the choir. I loved the GC choir. I loved the Messiah production. I loved every song they ever sang. To me it's the most beautiful sound in the entire world. To me anyway =-)

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Favorite thing to see

My first post is going to be about sight. I decided on sight because recently I have been experiencing vision loss in my left eye that is pretty much unexplainable. I've been to two doctors and have no diagnosis so far. I've told Adam so many times that I'd rather be deaf than blind because while I wouldn't be able to hear anything I wouldn't miss seeing him or Ryan or any of the other pretty things in the world. Plus I know sign language so that's a plus. I'll blog more about sight loss in a few days... maybe when there's more to tell than this.

My favorite thing to see is a sunset on the beach. I particularly like the sunsets seen in the Abacos while vacationing with my family. I can remember being really young and going up to the second floor of my grandmother's house in Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, opening the shutters (there are no real windows) and waiting the sun set over the water. I did this very thing the day she died. I was 15-years-old then.

Since that time we've made it back to the Cay numerous times. I've photographed MANY sunsets on the water. Many of them have sailboats in them. I love how each sunset can be different. Some are very yellow, some orange and some a beautiful hue of red.

I think seeing a sunset if very peaceful. I can't ever remember a stressful vacation on the Cay. Days are spent reading books, fishing, snorkeling and driving around in a golf cart. Nights are spent playing card games and talking with family.

I also like sunsets in Nassau at the beach. We often went to the beach in the late evenings during the summer and we'd be walking to the car at sunset. It's just a really pretty event that isn't duplicated in any other sunset I've seen.

I wish I had a photo to post here, but none of them were taken with a digital camera. But that's my favorite sight and I hope I am able to see many more of those in my lifetime.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

A Week of Favorites

My friend Kathleen is doing a week of favorites on her blog. I like the idea and figured I'd steal it. She stole the idea from her friend
Bree

Anyway I thought it was a great idea. I'm not sure if I'll go with the five senses as much as I think I will just post some of my favorite things this week.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

That's all she wrote

I haven't posted anything here lately. It's probably because I don't really know what to write about. Nothing seems blog-worthy. I suppose an entry need only be a few lines, but I feel compelled to write more when I am here.

Maybe I'll just put some randmon items here and that will be good enough.

@ Christmas was quite and small. It was perfect! Loved the food. Loved being with the family.

@ The sister-in-law is three months pregnant. The mother-in-law had a dream about someone having twins, but as of today at sister-in-law's fist ultra sound, there is only one baby in that womb. They will be finding out whether it's a girl or a boy at 20 weeks. Father-in-law, of course, wants a girl. Brother-in-law wants a boy.

@ Allison has arrived. She has been with me for two weeks now. Babysitting her is so different from Ben. I love how her parents are so interested in EVERYTHING and that they show up the same time EVERY DAY! She's a grazer though, eating one or two ounces every hour. That's the only thing driving me nuts. She's wicked cute.

@ Ryan is jealous of Allison. When I'm feeding her, he's trying to get up onto my lap.

@ Ryan has mastered crawling and is pulling up on things. He's getting so daring. I can't believe he's 8 months old already. In some ways, I'm don't want him to learn how to walk on his own. I just want him to stay little.

@ Husband has two new job offers! The man is confused, as I think he should be, so prayers are requested here. Both are great jobs, but if he leaves WM again I doubt they will EVER hire him back... this would be the third time if that's what he decides. Sigh.

@ Been trying to lose lbs from the pregnancy that is now 8 months past. Managed 4 so far. It's not easy when you have a love affair with chocolate. And low-fat and sugar-free chocolate are not the same!

And that was all she wrote =)

Sunday, December 24, 2006


Ryan at yesterday's party wearing an Elf bib given by a great aunt and playing with the Barbie SUV... he was playing with the convertible first, but this was cute. He just wants a car to play with... doesn't matter if it's girly.

CHRISTMAS EVE

It's Christmas Eve! Maybe there should be no "!" at the end of that sentence. While I am happy, I am also wicked tired. On Friday night we were out 'til 2:30 and dear young Ryan woke up at 6 the next mornining, or the same morning. We were with friends and it was well worth being up so late. I loved every minute of our visit.

I managed a two hour nap and then had to do the mommy and wife stuff. You know, cleaning bottles, packing a diaper bag for later, cleaning house. Then we were out again. Off to a family party for Adam's grandmother. It was nice. We played poker and won. Well, the first game Adam's mom got me out on the first hand. Then Adam came in second. The second game Adam and I were the last two and we just split the money. The game had been going forever so we just ended it. But while we were there Ryan of course got hungry, so I went to get a bottle and there were none! I had left them at home on the stove. I had formula though and lucky for us we were in a home with lots of babies. Thank heaven Ryan was a good baby that wasn't picky about which type of bottle his milk came in because we would have had to drive home 40 minutes with him screaming. He just drank it like a good boy. Then I went to change a diaper... had diapers, but no wipe. I felt like disorganized mommy.

While we were there Ryan ate some Banana Yogurt... the baby stuff. The kid is so sensitive to milk and I never thought he would get sick if I gave him this stuff. He did great. Ate the whole jar! Loved it! We wake him up for his 10 p.m. feeding and he pukes and pukes and pukes! I felt so bad for him. We were standing him up in the tub and he was shivering and we were trying to get him all clean and everything, but it was awful!

This morning he's better. And it's a busy day. Church this morning. Out shopping this afternoon because dadda hasn't finished his shopping yet. Then church this evening with the grandparents. Then dinner at the cousins and home again!

I've enjoyed this weekend so much. I got out of the house! More to come next week too since I don't have Ben anymore. Though it won't necessarily be getting out of the house as it will be seeing friends. Kathleen, my friends Marie and Tanya are coming over for a knitting lesson! Maybe I'll actually master purling!

Merry Christmas all!

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Just in case you never read the comments... this person kindly helped me figure out where the thing on GC was... enjoy!


Blueis said...
You can find a link here...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633/

Then on More students going to christian colleges.
GC on The Today Show

Our dear old Alma Mater was on the Today Show this morning. I just happened to turn it on at the time when they were mentioning something about Christians and Christian Schools and there was Greenville College! Our old neighbor Eugune Dunkley was there. Old Dr. James Lang (back in 1982 when I was in Atlanta I tested a peanut for Jimmy Carter) was there teaching a class. There was the old Methodist Church, which I know has some new name now and there was the Library and many other things! Nothing is on their website about it and I couldn't find anything on the Today Show website either.

Anyway, just thought I'd share.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

I FINALLY GET IT!

I got one of those Christmas forwards where you’re supposed to fill in the blanks. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate? You know what I mean. I filled it out, but was really stuck on question 14. I wrote and wrote and wrote and question 14 was two pages. So, I deleted the other stuff and decided I would share question 14 with you.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

Especially this year, the most important thing is that the real meaning of Christmas not be lost in all the “hustle and bustle” of the holidays.

In my devotional this week I’ve been reading about how John the Baptist was so important in the story of Jesus. He was the one who pointed the way to the Messiah… he paved the way. We’re supposed to be the same. Our lives should say, “Look not at me, but at the other one, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.( John 1:29)” Adam and I are the ones who will point the way for Ryan to see Christ. So, the meaning cannot be lost or muffled. We are now the voice crying in the wilderness. We are the ones who, by our example, show that Christ is the real meaning of Christmas. And though Ryan’s so little I hope he gets some meaning out of the story of Christmas this year, even if it’s that Mary had a baby and he was special to the whole world.

While last Christmas I identified with Mary being heavy with child on her way to Bethlehem, this year the entire story has a whole new meaning for me. I see it in a different light. I think I finally understanding the waiting in hope for a savior. The entire story, from the time that God made the covenant with Abraham to the birth of the Messiah finally clicks. These people were yearning for HIM. Just look at Simeon. In Luke 2 it says he was a righteous and devout man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel… waiting for the Messiah. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die till he saw His Savior. So, he’s waiting in the temple and Mary and Joseph bring Jesus and he says, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” This guy’s whole life was devoted to waiting and looking for the savior. He waited and waited and then, the savior came. How happy he must have been!

This Advent, I truly understand the meaning of this waiting. Just think of all the hymns. Think of the words to “Come thou long expected Jesus” and “O Come, O come Emmanuel.” I bet these writers had a moment like I am having this year. The light just came on for them.

A hymn I truly love is a Catholic one, at least I think it must be because I have never sung it at my non-denominational church. It’s called Waiting in Silence and I feel like this hymn says it for me when it comes to understanding Advent. I’ll share the first verse with you…

“Waiting in silence, waiting in hope; we are your people we long for you, Lord. God ever with us, Emmanuel. Come, Lord Jesus, Maranatha!”

The rest of the hymn talks about thirsting, longing and seeking for the Messiah.

That’s how it was for the Israelites. They felt they truly needed a savior and they were looking for him anywhere. They were desperate.

This should be our lives!

Let’s face it though. The Messiah came, he saved us and we go about our lives. We’re too busy to spend time with him. We’re too busy to spend time with the one who loved us so much that he would die for us. How absurd!

That was my excuse and because I am not perfect, it could be my excuse again. Then I decided this Advent that I would make time. I mean, I make time to watch a movie with Adam. I make time with read books to Ryan. I make time to play games online. I make time to cook and eat. That’s all for my physical life. And my poor spiritual life was dying. It was starving. I think my hunger brought me here though. I wanted to fully understand what I would be teaching Ryan. So, at church I picked up a Christmas devotional that was free and I can’t put it down. I had to make myself not read the entire thing the first night. But through reading that and reading the scriptures that go with it – I feel I fully understanding now.

So, Come thou long expected Jesus, o come, o come, Emmanuel!

Saturday, December 16, 2006

A Picture is worth a thousand words


Well I hope so becuase the images below are filling up space and making up for not blogging very often. I hope you enjoy. Here's our Christmas tree. It's a little one this year, but it's just right. It's on a small end table so that Ben and Ryan won't destroy it =)



I clap my hands (a trick I learned from Ben) and then I eat them... yum!


"Hey, only one person at a time in the laundry basket, mum."


Ryan playing in the laundry basket.



Ryan on the move... he's good at crawling!


Ryan eating the lense cover to my camera.


Ryan eating a block.



The story is below, but here are more of the lights!



Adam took me to see Christmas lights in Lebanon on Thursday night. He saw this house on the way home from Rochester on Tuesday and wanted me to see it. I can't believe how many lights and lawn decorations these people put out. The photo doesn't even capture it all. It was COVERED. And there is a house a garage and Mike's Takeout all on the same plot that were just covered. They had every inflatable Christmas lawn decoration ever made plus tons of lights, a nativity, a santa, a grinch a sign that said "Santa stop here" and that's not even a dent into the decorations... it was pretty, but imagine the electricity bill!