A New Adventure

That's right -- I am now a Tastefully Simple Independant Sales Consultant. I am having so much fun giving girls night taste testing parties, meeting new friends and making some extra moolah in the process! No, this doesn't change anything else except adding one more thing to the plate. But I'm ok with that because I am having fun doing it!!

Have you ever heard of Tastefully Simple? It is awesome food products! A few of my favorites include the key lime cheeseball, beer bread, onion onion seasoning, garlic garlic seasoning and now the potato soup! I just ordered me some tender pot roast sauce and I can not wait to try it out on a roast! The food products are great - awesome to cook with, entertain with and just about anything. There are some awesome drinks, hot chocolate, chi tea, slush fruit drinks, etc.

So - if you or someone you know would like to help a friend out, let me know and we will get you a tastefully simple taste testing party in the works. Check out our website to see some of our great products!!

~Randi

{Semi} Wordless Wednesday - Mommy Needs Help!

I'm linking up today with Daphne from Flip Flops & Pearls for her weekly {Semi} Wordless Wednesday. Most of the other links are "pins" from Pintrest. While I do love Pintrest (and will partake in the pintrest pins next Wednesday) but I caught my son out of his bed last night and thought this was adorable!!

Noah is trying to transition to his toddler bed but he won't go to sleep in it. And if he does, he doesn't stay all night. We tried to "cry it out" last night but this is where I found him when I went to bed ... yes, that is tucked in my bed (I thought he had quit crying a little too easy!) Sweet baby! At least he knew where he would get a good nights rest!!

Any advice on transitioning to a toddler bed is GREATLY appreciated!!!

~Randi

A Whole New Wardrobe

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

~Colossians 3:12-14

I learned something last night -- I need a new wardrobe. A complete new set. I must be walking around naked!

Our ladies group at church has just started a new bible study -- Kelly Minter's "The Fitting Room". From one session I can already say this one will be eye opening. If you have not figured out yet but my new wardrobe will not consist of physical clothing (though I do wish!) Our character clothes us - and by character, I mean what people see on the inside of us. Sometimes what people see is also not the real clothing. I know that I am guilty (100%) of putting on a front that looks like I am this or that when honestly I may be completely broken inside.

One of the key phrases last night that was discussed was "Most of us know WHAT we should do but not HOW to do it! We need more heart TRANSFORMATION." (thanks to Mrs. Nancy for being an awesome bible study leader!) This hit me like a ton of bricks. How many of us also know what we should do but don't know how to do it and do not want to do what we have to do to have the transformation? 

God quickly threw a verse in front of my eyes last night and again, quickly showed me what I needed to change. Verse 5 of chapter 3 says:

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming."

OH, WOW!! Boy, have I been guilty of that or what?? During this "time of transition" (time of Keith without a full time job) I often look at people and wonder what it would be like to be financially sound. I know Satan has worked his magic and let my mind wonder why have things happened to people for them to get certain things? I know that made no sense whatsoever, but let me elaborate (and let me stress that I am not judging in what I am about to say!) It's no lie, Keith is looking for a full time ministry position. We know of people who this time 3 years ago were not living their lives according to Christ. Through a certain life situation, the man in that family is now serving in a church with a full time position. His wife is able to stay home with their children and all is well. My mind has to ask HOW? How in the world is it possible that this person is serving in a church before my husband. (This is where God threw this verse in my face!) It is so easy to be discouraged during this "time of transition" - a time of wondering IF when will Keith will get a full time job, where will it be, what will he be doing, etc, etc. My greed could not be any more. God is truly teaching us me a lesson. I can't tell you exactly what that lesson is right now, but I know that we will come out so much stronger on the other side.  

I am so excited to see what God will teach me through this new bible study. I am ready to wear a new wardrobe, one that is filled with "forgiveness, peace, kindness, humility, compassion, and patience, with a sassy feather of joy in our hearts." (Kelly Minter).

I'm gonna close with one last quote from Max Lucado that Mrs. Nancy gave us last night. He says "God loves you just the way you are but He doesn't want you to stay that way."

Waiting ~ Willing ~ Able

~Randi

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I decided to link up with This Kind of Love today for her "What I'm Loving Wednesday." I think this is an exciting post because I can put all that I am loving on this beautiful fall day!!

I'm Loving these 2 boys more and more each day! Did not know it was even possible but I do. I love that Keith likes to spend time with Noah even if it is just to sit on the pier while Noah "bishes".

I'm Loving this baby girl - even in all of her glory. My Maggie will forever be my "first child". I love that she snuggles with me and hugs me (yes, a dog can hug) and I love the excitement she gives when I get home from work each day. Makes a tough day happy!

I'm Loving getting to know Joon. Each day gets better and better. He is such a sweet young man and I am certainly going to miss him when he moves to his permanent family. We sat and talked for a couple of hours last night, and MAN IS HE COOL!! (By the way - this picture is his first kick off for Clay Chalkville! He is the one kicking with the lime green shoes!)



I Love that this Saturday is mine and Keith's 11th anniversary of dating. I know that you don't count a dating anniversary, but 11 years ago this Saturday, my life changed forever and I had no clue what I was in for. For that, I do consider it worthy to count! 



I'm LOVING my "Brother Jack". (Yes, I named my sewing machine!)

Jack and I are still learning to get along but we are certainly getting there. He's not quite the model that I want but he's all I have right now and so he will have to do. I do plan to upgrade to "Brother Frank" one day. (Brother Frank would be Innov-is 1250D Sewing/Embroidery Combo Machine!)

I'm Loving that my craftiness is finally coming out of me. It has taken it 30 years to come out, but here it comes! I saw a picture somewhere and fell in love and decided to make a ribbon wreath. NOW I have a few people interested in purchasing them. This one was made for Rinda for her lake house! ROLL TIDE!

I'm Loving the material in this wreath that I made. It is called a "Rag Wreath". I got the idea from an Hobby Lobby customer while I was trying to figure out a cheaper solution to my ribbon wreath. Let's face it, ribbon ain't cheap!! I'm working on a fall rag wreath -- I can't wait to show it to you when I finish it!

I'm loving so many other things as well but I figured this was a good place to stop. Let's face it - I like this "link up" stuff and I'll be doing it again next week! Let's see what I can come up with for next Wednesday.

~Randi

One Small Step for Man; One GIANT Leap for Noah!!!

We had a milestone weekend - it's been a while since we have done that! But boy was I excited!! Let's just say we now longer have a baby bed being used in our house!!!

That's right. Noah gave up his crib Saturday night. I am SO proud of my big boy! Now if I can just get him using the potty consistently and we would have it made!! We've tried the big boy bed several times with zero success. He just did not care. It was a game to him. Dr. Miller had told us it was fine to keep him in the crib until we needed the crib (HA!) or until it became an issue. Not once (thank goodness) did Noah try to crawl or climb from his crib. Yes, he could have if he wanted it, but he never tried!

So, what was the trick this time?? Honestly, it was simple! We have had his big boy bed frame in his room for about 6 months now. As you can tell, it is not the biggest space so it was quite cramped! But I pulled the mattress from the crib Saturday afternoon and when Noah fell asleep in my lap for his nap, I laid him down in the big boy bed. He napped there for almost 2 hours and woke up in his big bed. I think that was my key. We talked the rest of the afternoon about his big boy bed and he went to sleep in it that night. Fortunately he only got up once when he first went to bed. He did our usual "Mommy, I need more b's" (paci!) and then was in bed. He would always try to distract from going to sleep by asking me to get him more "b's". I would answer "ok, buddy!" and he would conveniently go to sleep after, thinking I was looking for more b's.

Yesterday, Noah, Joon and his Daddy took down the crib and stored it under Joon's bed. We officially set the big boy bed up, rearranged some things and viola! A big boy room with LOTS of room to play!! GrandDanny is working to make a bookshelf for both Owen and Noah. We are in desperate need of a bookshelf for our many books that we have scattered everywhere!

Getting Noah's crib down has just made me itch for more cleaning, organizing and rearranging of our house. Poor Keith -- I am sure this will start many projects to come!! 

Here is his bed a little closer up! He has a mixed bedroom theme going on here - Lightening McQueen and the Alphabet from his infant bedding! (Thomas and Salty are on the floor beside his bed!)

Noah and I were taking self portraits and this is what I got! He was keeping his eyes on the football game - must have been a bad play!

Then we decided to make funny faces -- but he still had to keep his eye on the game!!

~Randi

I'm just a passenger in the car!!!

Those of you who know me really well know that I am not a reader. My daddy has always tried to get me to read and it has never worked. It once took me 3 months to read a book - a book that I was not forced to read but one that I had chosen to read. Sad, I know. I have just discovered a passion for reading, and would you believe that I read an entire 5 book series in just 6 weeks.

The women of mom's and dad's church go on a retreat/conference each Spring and I have had the privilege of going the past 2 years. This year we had the opportunity to hear Karen Kingsbury speak. I had read one of her books but did not really grasp who she was. I know my mom has always enjoyed reading her books so I attributed her to a "mommy author". Well, I am now hooked into reading those "mommy books." Karen's speaking at that event was phenomenal. She had me intrigued the whole time. She talked about her famous serious of books that became known as the Baxter Family Series. She talked about the time that she was writing one of the books and her husband came into the room and she was crying. He instantly asked her what was wrong and she replied "Irvel died." He gives his sympathy to her and proceeds to ask who Irvel was -- come to find out, it was one of her characters in her book. Well, my curiosity had me and I had to find out who Irvel was.

The first book I set out to read was "Redemption." This book is the first of 5 Baxter family books. I was instantly drawn into the book. Could not put it down. Would you believe that I read that book in less than a week! Would you believe that I ended up 5 days behind on watching my soap because I read at night instead of watching "One Life To Live".

Karen has an amazing way of describing the characters in a way that you know exactly who they are. You feel like you have known the character your entire life. And she does a great job bringing a twist on new on a new story line.

I just finished the final book in the Baxter family series. It was called "Reunion." It was definitely the most intense book of the series for me. Not to give too much away but Elizabeth, the mother, is diagnosed with cancer. Karen does an amazing job detailing Elizabeth's illness and puts you in the minds of all of the characters as they face this trying time as a family. She also does an amazing job introducing the next series of books by incorporating the same Baxter family.

Karen does use lots of scripture in her books - and that I truly enjoy. In this particular book, she uses an analogy that really hit me hard. Here is what she says in the book: this is Elizabeth remembering something her father had told her as a little girl. (I hope I am quoting it correctly since I am taking it from Karen's book!) " ...her father told her, 'Sometimes things just aren't God's will.' And then he'd given her a word picture she remembered still. 'God's will,' he told her, 'is a little like taking a Sunday drive with God behind the wheel. God's driving.'"

" 'He might turn where you don't expect a turn or go through a valley that feels too dark,' her father said. 'But you don't have to worry about a thing, because you're just the passenger. Whatever happens, God will get you home in the end as long as you let him drive.' He patter her on the head. 'That's God's will.' "

These words hit me like a ton of bricks. Keith and I keep praying for a job situation to open up. He gets an inquiry from a church and I instantly start researching. But then we get discouraged when nothing comes about it. These words made me realize that our life is GOD'S WILL - not ours! It is just not God's time for us to be serving in a church. That does not mean that Keith won't get a phone call tomorrow and off we go, but for right now, we are where we are supposed to be. So, I have turned everything over to God and told him "Lord, your driving this car that we are in. Yes, the road may be bumpy at times and we won't like it, but we are with you. We know that you will not take us down a path that we can not handle because we have you on our side. Lord, you have taught us so much over the past month. You showed us that we were too far out in the ocean and you have reeled us in. So - here we are. Take us. Use us. Lead us. Your driving, Lord and we are ready to ride!! We are in the passenger's seat with you driving and we are ready for this adventure you are taking us on!!"

~Randi

Wednesday Wisdom

I'm not sure if you will take much "wisdom" out of today's post, but you will certainly take some laughter with you. My first story will be about Joon with my second about Noah.

Life with Joon is very opposite from life with Ahmed. That is a good thing for me because I miss Ahmed so much! Honestly, my first couple of days with Joon were near emotional for me because it reminded me what it was like to be a family of 4. So - anyway -- not to make any more comparisons. But one I will do is food. Ahmed ate a lot like Keith does. He does not eat many veggies and he will eat any form of chicken. And he did not eat pork - not because he did not like it but because of religion, and I respected it! Well, Joon will try just about anything. Momma and I took him and Noah for an outing on Saturday to sight see downtown Birmingham. We drove through Northside, saw the Alabama Theater, drove through Southside, saw Railroad Park, UAB (hospital and school) and eventually made our way to Dreamland BBQ. We introduced him to good ole southern bbq. He really enjoyed the ribs, bread and sauce, baked beans and potato salad. I have learned with all exchange students not to ask if they like something - they will probably say no as they do not understand what you are asking. This was the case with baked beans - said he didn't like them but ate a 2nd helping. SO - anyway - back to my story. Last night we had a pork tenderloin, pasta salad and fresh veggies. He saw the meat and asked "what is this we eat?" I explained it was called a pork tenderloin. He told me he didn't understand and dummy me said again "pork tenderloin" as if he didn't hear me. DUH! So he looked at me with a huge question look on his face. At that point I realized I needed an explanation of pork but I did not want to say "PIG". He said "well, I will google it later and learn more about it." Then, I  laughed!!! I finally said "PIG" and he said "OH! ok!" Then I explained that it was the same kind of meat as dreamland the other day. Why did I not think of that at first??? I'm sure I scared him when I said "PIG"!

I just wonder how many things is he really not understanding and turning to google for? Then my brain really gets the best of me when I think about how amazed I am that he (and hundreds of other students, Ahmed and Elle included), at 17 years old, packed up and moved half way around the world, away from his family just to be able to go to school here in America. How scared would I be if I had moved to another country, one where you don't completely understand the language; one where you have to trust the people who you are told to live with. What a process. I know that I would pray hard for God's blessing on me or my child. Praying that they would be with a Godly family, one who would take care of them or me as if I or them were their own. Kind of a humbling thought.

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Now to my Noah story. I was in the process of taking Noah to bed last night (about 9:10ish - later than his bedtime!) when his Daddy told me that Noah had mentioned wanting to sleep in his big boy bed. Yes, Noah is 2 1/2 TODAY and he is still sleeping in his crib! Dr. Miller had told us that it was ok to let him sleep in his crib as long as he was not trying to climb out. Fortunately Noah has not tried to climb out once (knock on wood!) Well - Noah heard his Daddy mention "big boy bed" and off he took. He did not listen to the rest of his daddy's words when he said we would take the crib down this weekend. I found myself taking his mattress out of his crib and putting on the toddler bed. Let me tell you - we fought for a hour and a half. I was SO tired. Finally about 10:40 I had had enough and gave him a small dose of benadryl and put the mattress back in the crib. Against his better wishes he finally caved and laid down. I'm not sure if I will try it again tonight (if so, it will be much earlier in the evening!) but I may just wait until Friday night where we can all sleep a little late if need be! And let's just say that I got a lot of reading done in that time frame of waiting on him to try to go to sleep. I sat in his room at his request for 30 minutes or so trying to to talk him into going to sleep. He would get real close and then pop up. Several times he made fake snoring sounds (which sounded so funny!) so that I would think he was asleep. Little stinker!!

So - any words of wisdom from my mommy friends would be greatly appreciated!! I have no idea how to tackle this! Next tackle will be the "b" or paci as some people call it! We keep talking about giving it to Owen when he joins the family in October. I just hope he will leave the "b" at the hospital for Aunt Jennifer to give Owen! BUT I will have a spare just in case!!! If that doesn't work, snip snip for the "b"!!!

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Well, this post ended up being all about wisdom after all! Wisdom of knowing to go look for something or research something that you don't understand (which I admit, I am not good at! Fortunately my bestie is a bestie with Google. I can always count on their tight bond to pull me through!!) And also wisdom that I need from experienced Mommies. We can always count on depending on each other's past experiences for future advice!!!

~Randi