35 Random Road Trip Questions

In order to kill time on a road trip a couple of days ago, I found some questions for Drew and I to answer.   I thought it would be fun to turn it into a blog post and document our answers.  Here it goes... (Drew's responses are indicated with a "D--"  and mine are with a "H--".)

1. What movie deserves a sequel?  D--"The Incredibles"; H--:The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and "World War Z" (although I think there may be a sequel coming for the latter)

2. What one toy would you like to throw repeatedly at a brick wall?  H- Ha, there are none that I would like to throw at a brick wall, but some that are quite annoying.  Luke has a race track that is large, you have to put it together every time Luke wants to play with it (and then disassemble it and put it away when done), calls out the winner extremely loudly (no volume control of course) and sends the metal cars racing into our baseboards (leaving marks on them of course).    It really is a fun toy, but can be a pain for mommy. 

3. What is one thing a woman should never do?   D--Grow a beard  H:  be more concerned with what people think of her looks, than her heart

4. Who would you hate to see naked?  H-ummm...never thought about this one, and thinking about it now is making me a little sick. 

5. What is your favorite kind of cereal?  H--my homemade chocolate peanut butter granola--I eat it err-day.  D--homemade granola

6. What is one thing you always wanted as a kid, but never got?  H--Trampoline   D--Jet Fire Transformer

Jetfire transformer

7. If you were in a witness protection program, what would be your alias?  H- I would go for something fairly generic, like Amy Allen, or Bethany Brown.    D--Jeven Jackson

8. What is the nicest thing someone else has done for you?  H-Cooked meals for our family and brought them to us when I was going through chemo--it truly is a sacrifice knowing they have busy lives and also families and small children to feed.  Also, Drew's massages are very sacrificial and also healing--such a sweet act of service.  Oh--one more--when Drew's parents have come up to help us move, watch the kids so we can have a night out or watch them while I had chemo (so Drew could work).  I'm just so thankful for so many nice things people do for me regularly.  D--Heather cooks me nutritious meals and snacks every day. 

9. Where do you not mind waiting?  H--Honestly, this may sound weird, but I don't mind waiting at the doctor's office (when I am without the kiddos).  I consider it relaxing, since I am all by myself without the kids to take care of, even if just for a little while.  Also, I catch up on what is going on in the entertainment and health/fitness world by reading the waiting room magazines.  D---anyplace that I am without the kids and am not needed elsewhere.   H--Actually, I ditto Drew's answer.

10. What is your favorite potato chip flavor?  D--sea salt vinegar or sea salt black pepper.  H---I am not a chip person--but I do like tortilla chips (organic, non-gmo) with homemade black bean, corn, mango salsa

11. If you could project yourself into the past, were would you go?  H--I would go back to the 1940's or 50's.  Life seemed to be much more simple back then.  D--I would go back to when Apple stock was super low and buy a ton of shares (around 1999 or so)

12. What is your most impressive car repair skill?  H--nothing too exciting---changed some fuses and changed flat tires.  D--I change my own oil regularly....that's about it.

13. What is the best sports stadium/arena you have been to?  D--the Horseshoe (Ohio State Football stadium).  H--The old Dallas Cowboys football stadium.

14. If you were home on a rainy Sunday afternoon, what movie would you want to see on television?  D--Something I have already seen so I can take a nap;  H--a cheesy chick flick that I could watch while Drew is napping (not happening any other time--ha!)

15. What historical figure would you most like to have a discussion with?   H--Paul (from the Bible);  I would love to hear his vivid description of his conversion, as well as life before and after it.  I bet he has so many interesting stories to tell that were never documented.

16. If you could close one fast food chain, due to disgusting food, what would you pick?  no brainer here, but I pick 3:   H:  McDonald's, Wendy's, and Kentucky Fried Chicken  (barf)   D--I'll pick 3 too:  McDonald's, Taco Bell and Long John Silver's. 

17. What is one thing you refuse to share?  H--my chocolate peanut butter granola when there is just a little bit left in the storage container.  D--my underwear

18. If you could be on the cover of any magazine, what would you choose?  D--Sports Illustrated  H--some Health and Fitness magazine

19. What makes you really sleepy?  H--watching golf on a rainy Sunday afternoon D-  driving to Tulsa, OK (about 7 hours or so) at 2pm on a sunny day.

20. What do people do too much of today?  H--too much sitting and also eating unhealthful, processed foods  D--look at their smartphones

21. What is the most inspiring movie you have ever seen?  H--"Click"--ha! at one time after seeing that I actually said it was "life changing".  After watching it years later though it was a little more cheesy, but still has a good message.   

22. What household chore have you never done?   H--I am pretty sure I have done them all!  D--I have never cooked an entire meal for our family.  I have helped before, but never prepared it all by myself.

23. How do you like to relax?  H--This is hard for me to do.  But, I would say I find it relaxing to be away from the home by myself to shop or just hang out at home and watch a cheesy movie all by myself.  (Alone time is very, very rare for me).  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my family, but caring for a 5 year old and 3 year old all day every day with only breaks when Drew is home and I am working out is not "relaxing."   D--playing golf or basketball

24. In what part of the world would you hate to be by yourself?  H--Afghanistan;  D-I haven't been to enough places to know. 

25. To what would you like to devote more time?  H--more time in God's Word and in prayer.  D--serving others

26. What is the scariest scene you remember from a kid's movie?  H-In "My Girl" when Thomas Jay climbs up into the tree and gets stung by hundreds of bees-to which he has a major allergy--and dies.  Awful!!!  

27. If you could dis-invent one thing, what would it be?  H--Fast Food  D--Pesticides  H--Actually, Drew's is great, I ditto that and factory farming. 

28. What is the greatest pain you have ever suffered?  H--ummmm, probably a toss up between Labor pains and the bone marrow biopsy.  D--emotionally, Heather's cancer diagnosis 

29. If you could buy one object to complete your home, what would it be? H--a vintage velvet loveseat for our our formal living room, that I want to make into a fun, comfy reading room. 

30. What was your favorite childhood game?  H--I loved playing backyard volleyball and softball with my extended family and friends  D--playing Uno with my Grandpa 

31. If fat, calories, cholesterol, etc were not an issue, what two foods would you feast on?  D and H--Chocolate (especially homemade mocha fudge torte) and H--House Pizzeria Pizza!   D--also Taylor's Gold Pears

32. If you could be a member of any TV-sitcom family, which would it be?  H--The Huxtables  D--Not really a family, but I would choose to be one of the "Friends."  

33. What is your favorite movie line or scene?  D-In "The Natural" at the end when the main character hits a home run and breaks the lights. 

34. Do you have a place where you would like to go and think? If so, where?  D---Golf Course  H--I love taking a long bike ride by myself--lots of peaceful time in nature thinking and praying 

35. What profession have you always admired?  H--teachers---now as Homeschool teacher of my 2 kids, I admire those teachers even more.  What a tough, yet very important job!  D--surgeon

Just Playing and Exploring

At the end of year Awana cubbies party, Luke got a special prize for doing all his extra credit work.  In addition to his prize he got to select with his regular Awana dollars, he also got a "bubble blaster".  The kids were super excited about it.  So, the next morning after Awanas, we headed outside onto our driveway and tried it out.  They had a "blast."

Since the toy was Luke's he got the first turn using it.

But, everybody has fun when someone has their hand on a bubble blaster!

lots of fun!

 

Big brother is very nice to his little sister though. He let her have lots of turns as well.

Which gave him a chance to attempt to pop the bubbles with his mouth.  He was successful, but quickly moved away from that method of popping due to getting some of the nasty taste in his mouth.  Yuck!

Abbey was proud of herself for making so many bubbles.

Earlier that morning we had gone to the pool store for some chemicals.  I had a great coupon for $15 off if I spent a certain amount, plus a coupon for buy one get one free pool noodles.  I needed to spend just a couple of dollars so I could use the $15 off coupon and guess what was sitting right by the register and happened to be that amount? ...the buy one get one free pool noodles.  I grabbed a couple of the noodles, which quickly got confiscated by the kids.  The kids then began using them as swords in the pool store. I was a bit embarrassed, but the pool store employee reminded me, "You had to know they would be using them as anything but pool noodles, right?"  He was so right.  Those things have been used in so many ways--none of them how I am sure they were intended to be used.  I guess it's good my kids are creative though.  The pool noodles happened to be sitting in the garage within sight, so the kids took a bubble break and began fighting as knights with them again.  Then, when I pulled the bubble blaster back out, the noodles became a wonderful tool for popping bubbles.

Abbey wanted the last turn.

We also recently checked out a new park.  I had offered to capture some photos for a friend as a baby shower gift.  She recommended a park that she frequents and it was one to which we had actually never been.  I planned on just arriving a little early to check it out, as I always like to do thorough location scouting before shooting pictures for someone other than my immediate family.  But instead, the kids and I headed to the park that morning for a little adventure.  We didn't get to stay that long, because the kids got hungry (and a bit hot), so I ended up getting there a few minutes early before the shoot and scoped it out a little more thoroughly.  Here are some pictures though from our little trip there the morning of the photo shoot.

Such a serious look!

my sweetie pie.

checking out the donkeys

Berry Springs Park and Preserve in Georgetown happens to also be a huge pecan Orchard. 

I can tell Abbey will always look up to her big brother. 

I might have said something a little silly.

And, of course, Abbey had to be silly.

checking out the map.

There were lots of different fun footprints to check out.

And Abbey can always find something to serve as a "balance beam."

Of course, once they found the playground, we were there the rest of the time.  So, we are going to definitely head back there soon and explore more.  I found some beautiful areas there while shooting photos for my beautiful friend.  I am excited for how they turned out too--and I hope she enjoys them as well.  :-)

Catching Up--What's Up!

As I mentioned in my last post, we have been super busy.  I thought I would use a post to catch up on what we have been up to lately.  As I mentioned, Luke and Abbey just finished AWANAS, and we just finished BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) as well.  We have only lived in our home for a couple of months, so we have been slowly moving in, organizing, decorating, and remodeling.  Our house actually included a guest house/pool house, which is really wonderful.  But, it appeared to have not been touched since the 80's (as far as flooring, lighting, wall colors, etc. goes).  So, we spent a lot of time these past couple of months remodeling it.  We replaced the vinyl floors with mostly wood laminate, tile in the kitchenette and bath and carpet in the bedrooms.  We also brightened it up by painting all the woodwork white, we removed the popcorn ceilings and we painted the walls a nice neutral light color.  Want to see a couple of before and after pics?

Main room in the guest house--a before pic from the original house listing

After

another after picture

the biggest bedroom before

Before picture, looking into the kitchenette and bathroom area.

We still want to eventually replace the countertops, sinks and faucets.  But, a fresh coat of paint and new flooring make a huge difference!

There are two upstairs loft bedrooms which we also painted and replaced the flooring, light fixtures and door hardware.

We painted black the stairway rails that were originally beige and the flooring installer did a great job replacing the old carpeted steps with stained wood.

One of the loft bedrooms before the remodel.

Here is one of the loft bedrooms after the remodel.

Outside of the pool house/guest house

We still need to replace some of the windows and window coverings, but we decided to wait a little while, since the renovations we have already done cost plenty!  Plus, we just need a break to enjoy it for a little while!

And, we got the house ready just in time!  15 of my family members from Oklahoma came to visit us last weekend.  On Memorial day, just a few days before they arrived though, we had the craziest rainstorm I have ever seen.  It was a night that we were expecting friends over to celebrate the Holiday with some fellowship together.  But instead of fellowship with our friends, we watched rivers (literally rivers) flowing from our home's front yard all the way down the back of our property.  Never in my life have I witnessed rain coming down so hard and for such a great length of time.  The whole city was flooded.  It was the first time I have heard the "flood emergency" warning signal (usually I just hear the flood watch or the flood warning signals).  It was so bad that there was a raging river that went through the black mulch we threw down a few days before around our backyard trees and picnic table, and the river spilled out right into our pool.  So, when the rain was all finished, we had a black (I'm not kidding) pool!  The pool was full of dirt and mulch.  So, I had just 3 days to get the pool back into working order before all my family arrived.  After a TON of hard work (including tons of vacuuming, tedious instructions for when to do which step) and lots of chemicals I finally got it looking normal again.  Oh--we also had a lot of flooding into our front formal dining and living room, which warped our gorgeous hardwood floors.  So sad!  But, I know a lot of people who lost much more, so I really cannot complain.  On Thursday night, my family began arriving.  My brother Jason, and his family were the last to arrive around 12:45am.  Then, at 1:30am, we lost power due to another crazy storm that blew through the area with over 60 mph straight line winds.  It was a rough night--most of us getting little to no sleep.  And, when we awoke, we realized a tornado must have come down our street.  Every home on our side of the street suffered some big tree damage.  These were not weak trees--these are huge, old live oaks.  We lost enough limbs out of our large live oaks to create a new tree!  The power didn't come on for 12 hours later--so we just stayed away from the house until then.  We have a well which provides all our water and that runs on electricity.  So, no well meant no water and no flushing toilets.  That's not the most ideal time for that to happen when you have 15 guests in your home.  But, it didn't get us down.  In fact, when we came back from doing some fun things away from the home, the power was on and the weather was just perfect for swimming.  So we did that.  And, we did a LOT of it.  We all had a blast and enjoyed the rest of the weekend!

Here are some of the photos of just some of the fun we had.  I didn't get the camera out much--we were having too much fun!      

There were pool races.

Abbey chatting with cousin, Lilly.

our sweet nephew sawyer, enjoying some relaxing time poolside. 

Our sweet niece, Natalie.

Abbey was pretty much attached to cousin, Kaylee the entire time!  :-)

And while the little kids were all enjoying some pool fun, even the "big kids" were having some pool fun.  My brothers, brother in law and hubby, Drew, practiced many times to get the following ball throw trick down.  It just wouldn't be right if I didn't include a video of it in this post--ha!

We hung out most of the time at our house.   Here's a photo we took on the bridge behind our house right before taking a little hike:

It looks like Natalie and Abbey were less than thrilled with the photo op!

We get to see all these wonderful people again really soon when we travel to Oklahoma for my cousin's wedding.  I'm so glad we get to all hang out more frequently than usual over the next couple months.  My mom's health is really deteriorating quickly now.  She was diagnosed with something called Creutzfeldt-Jakobs disease (CDJ) earlier this year.  Although, we are actually awaiting confirmation on the diagnosis from the experts on the disease out of California.  We are all praying it isn't that, but rather that it would be something treatable.  My mother can no longer care for herself.  She can't speak well or form thoughts.  When she does speak, it usually doesn't make sense.  She has a lot of difficulty walking and uses a wheelchair when going out and about.  It is such a strange disease.  It is aggressive.  I really miss my mom.  I miss our daily phone calls.  My heart breaks for my mom, as I am sure it is awful to watch basic skills deteriorate rapidly like that.  And my heart also really breaks for my dad who has to endure the stress of taking care of my mom (showering, dressing, cleaning up messes, etc), and taking care of the home and their small business.  My mom used to work 12 hour days at their business just before her sudden diagnosis.   She did all the grocery shopping, and cooked all the meals.  My dad is having to pick up all those responsibilities she once held while also on a chemotherapy drug that makes him feel ill every day. Please pray for relief for my dad (good at-home care for my mom), and that they can find a suitable buyer for their small business.  Also, prayers for healing for my mom would be greatly appreciated.   Thanks as always for reading and for your prayers!  They really help immensely. 

Anyway, that's what we have been up to lately.  More posts to come soon! 

Another year of AWANA--Yay!

We have been super busy these past few weeks.  I figured it was about time for a blog post!

The completed "A" on his cubbies' vest stands for "All", because all have sinned.  The completed "C" stands for "Christ" who died for those sins. 

Luke and Abbey just recently finished another year of AWANA.  Well, it was Abbey's first year and Luke's second.  Abbey was in the adorable "Puggles" class for 2 and 3 year olds.  Luke was a "Cubbie" again.  In case you are wondering what the "AWANA" program is, here is a little blurb from their website:  "Awana is a global, nonprofit ministry with fully integrated evangelism and long-­term discipleship programs for ages 2 to 18 that actively involves parents and church leaders. Each week, more than 2 million children and youth, 330,000 volunteers and 260 field staff take part in Awana in 30,000 churches around the world. Offered through local churches, Awana reaches kids where they’re at and walks alongside them in their faith journey."  For Luke as a Cubbie, it involved memorizing scripture each week for the past two years.  I love that it requires a lot of involvement from the parents, which means that I am reminded of the awesome gospel truths as well throughout the year.  The kids also do activities during the week at home in preparation for the weekly AWANA club meetings.

I am so proud of Luke these past couple of years.  In the past 2 years as a "cubbies" he has recited 85 verses at club, memorizing 49 unique verses.   He is so serious every week about making sure he has his verse memorized.  This makes momma happy, as I know that the verses that I memorized when I was 3 and 4 are still hidden in my heart.  In fact, those first verses taught are the ones that come most frequently to mind.  Here is a fun throwback video clip of my brothers and I when we were little, reciting verses we had memorized.  My brothers were 11 months younger than me--I'm not exactly sure how old we were in this clip.  I would guess we were around 2 and 3 or 3 and 4. My sister was probably in my mom's belly, just born or a little baby and I am 3.5 years older than her. My siblings and I were very close in age and played together a lot.  I am pretty sure we developed our own language.  At least our parents could understand us!  We also had very thick Texas accents!  Ha!

Also--I love the "ever Latin life" (instead of everlasting life) for John 3:16 in my rendition!  And of course, we have to debate the actual verse numbers--so competitive even with Bible verse reciting!  And then there is Jeremy pestering Jason just like he still does. That video is just the best! 

Flash forward about 34 years or so and here is a picture of Luke and Abbey, who just finished another year of AWANA:

Here is Abbey in her Puggles shirt and Luke with his fully completed Cubbies vest.  He received an "emblem" for each completed milestone--which includes several weeks of verse and Bible truth memorization, and activities for each emblem.

And, here is Abbey....being "Abbey".  And making Luke laugh, as usual.

In case you are interested here are a couple of little videos from their awards ceremony.  I love how Abbey seems to be really feeling the beat in that Puggles song--ha!