Humor is a way of life...



For those who know and love me, it is no big shock that I handle everything with humor. Stressed, laugh about it...hurting, crack a joke...mad, okay maybe not when I'm mad but I'll eventually laugh about it. It is because of this that I have decided to share one of my most embarrassing moments. Maybe, just maybe, you laughing at me will help me to laugh a little when all I want to do is cry right now. First off, let me say that I love my extended family, meaning the IN-LAWS. We have a very special relationship that I cherish but it is no big secret that "other guy" and I could not be more opposite. I am still convinced (although, they deny it) that they thought Satan had sent me to corrupt their son. Let's just say that "other guy" and I came from opposite sides of the track...if you know what I mean. I grew up in the typical southern, redneck family...for those of you who aren't familiar with what that means, just check out Jeff Foxworthy's old stuff, the "you might be a redneck if" stuff and that will give you an idea. We had the broken down car in the front yard, we cooked everything in bacon grease and the three main men in our lives were Hank, Merle and Willie. (If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand!) When I first came to dinner at "other guy's" house, I kicked my shoes off at the front door because we rednecks liked to be barefoot. I sat on the arm of the furniture, I talked loud, laughed loud and got a crazy look on my face when "steamed fresh veggies" were served. I mean really, did people really eat veggies that had not simmered all day in bacon grease or with a ham hock?

Needless to say, when the time came to meet "other guy's" friends...well, boy howdy...let's go buy a new outfit, shoes, the works. So there I was, decked out in my fancy new digs headed into the movie theatre to be the typical "trophy" girlfriend. Well, his friends were already at the head of the line so they motioned us to join them as they already had our tickets...No problem, right?!

WRONG!!!! The only thing that stood in my way of cool trophy girlfriend and idiot summer fling was a harmless velvet rope. I mean who could have guessed that such a small, mostly unnoticed object could result in my utter humiliation?

Okay, picture this, "other guy" crosses over the rope, I follow...Velvet rope gets caught on fancy new shoe and trophy girlfriend goes down! When "other guy" reaches his friends, the girl behind the register says, "Uh, is that like your girlfriend back there?" So everybody turns around, "other guy", "other guy’s friends, the entire Saturday night packed movie theatre only to find trophy girlfriend in the chalk outline position on the floor, dieing of painful embarrassment and hurting too bad to get up!

Just think...He still chose me!

Hope it brought a smile to your face...the memory has me cracking up right now!

Peace Out!

Update on Natasha...

It is with a very heavy heart that I give you an update on my sister Natasha. After having her surgical biopsy on Wednesday, they have informed her that she again has breast cancer and is also dealing with the possibility of ovarian cancer too. She has an appointment this Wednesday at 2:15 EST to discuss what the next step is and what course of action they are going to take.

Please, please be in prayer for my sister as she struggles with this. Right now, I think she is in shock but is still doing well. I wish I could be there with her but all I can do right now is pray and put her in God's hands. Please also pray for my family as we make decisions as to when and how to go to Florida to be with her. I am going to make those decisions after the Wednesday appt and will decide whether to drive or fly, take the kids or leave them with my husband and friends.

Here's an oldie but a goodie...a picture of Curly with her Aunt Tashi on Tashi's Harley. Don't you love the "Breast cancer Pink" that her loving man put on her bike! She's such a REBEL!





Thanks for your prayers and your friendships!

Peace Out...Your sister in Christ

Who Am I...That's Who I Am



I love music...and when I say I love music, I mean I love music. My life is surrounded by it. The radio or a CD is always playing, we're always singing and dancing, I'm married to a music major for pete's sake...God knows that I love music. Any kind of music. It speaks to me in ways that are amazing some times. When I was a child, that was how my mom and I would communicate through difficult times. When we would have a disagreement (let's be honest here, when we had a fight!) we'd find a song, write out the lyrics and leave it in a note and then suddenly everything was all better. I love praise and worship music at church, I clap and raise my hands and feel the holy spirit move through me during those times. I am moved to tears to hear both of my children singing the songs from the Summer Breakout (VBS) CD that I have because I taught. Even Moe can clap her hands on beat and asks over and over again for "Peace, Peace" translatation, Prince of Peace by Michael W Smith.

This week I pulled out some CD's that I had not listened to in a while. You know how it is parents, you finally get a moment in the car, by yourself, and you suddenly have the freedom to listen to whatever YOU want to listen to. You stop being the DJ of Mom's taxi service and actually put out a CD that your kids would probably like if they just gave it a chance. Well, I heard two songs that really spoke to me and it's funny how they can be two totally different songs, one country, one contemporary christian but both with similiar titles and both with strong meanings.

The first was "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns. I love that song. I love the opening line that says, "who am I that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt." I also think the chorus speaks volumes:

"Not because of who I am. But because of what you've done.

Not because of what I've done, But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading. Here today and gone tomorrow.

A wave tossed in the ocean. A vapor in the wind.

Still you hear me when I'm calling. Lord, you catch me when I'm falling.

And you've told me who I am. I am yours, I am yours "

Isn't that Great!

The other is "Who I Am" by Jessica Andrews. I loved this song when it first came out but then stopped listening to it because the lyrics were so personal to her that I didn't feel like they applied to me. But, after re-listening, I realized that if you change a few words, it applies to my life now and also speaks to me like the other song. The chorus is this:

"I am Rosemary's grandaughter. (I am Leigh Lahti's great-granddaughter)

The spitting image of my father. (I was created in my Father's (God) image)

And when the day is done, my mama's still my biggest fan.

(Sorry Mom but now, when the day is done my husband is my biggest fan)

Sometimes, I'm clueless and I'm clumsy,

But I've got friends who love me

and they know where I stand.

It's all apart of me and that's who I am."

I know this is really long but just remember that at the end of the day, God answers all the big questions in life. He tells you who you are and reveals it to you in special ways through your relationships. I am a better person simply because of the people He has blessed my life with.

Peace Out!

"Show Me The Money..."




Needless to say, I have had a very busy and stressful week. We've had family in town so lots of time away from home (which, if your kids are like mine always goes over well!), doctor's appt, stressing out over my sister, my grandfather and all the other things life can throw your way. So, it was no surprise when I had a moment that I became agitated with my husband. (Honey, if you're reading this, you're not in trouble and everything is kosher so don't freak out!) You know I don't even remember what it was about or even what day it was, I just remember how God helped me deal with it.

Have you ever seen the movie with Tom Cruise called Jerry Maguire? Well, if you haven't, let me give you a brief synopsis. It's about a sports agent who finally gets a conscience and a football player and his family. Well, the football player's wife is named Marcy and she is a very strong willed woman who has no problem informing people the way it is and the way it's going to be! She is strong, independent and she stands up for her husband. She tells him what works and what doesn't. In my opinion, she plays the "man of the family" for most of the movie. However, there is a point during a game when Rod gets hurt. Marcy is at home with her brand new baby, their other son and their families watching the game on TV. Something happens and she sees him lying there on the field with trainers and doctors surrounding him and I am sure with every inch of her body, she is feeling the need to be there because nobody can take care of her husband the way that she can. Suddenly, the "strong" mask is diminished and the feminine side comes out. She gets on the phone with Jerry (the agent) and begins to cry wondering if her husband is okay. Through her sobs, Marcy explains to Jerry to get Rod home, whatever it takes get him home. And this was the kicker, she tells Jerry, "This family does not work without him, we need him, I don't care what you have to do, get my husband to me Jerry!"

Now it may seem strange to you, that God would use that movie clip to speak to me, but He did. You see even though there are days that I would like to (in the words of my Mother-In-Law), dunk my husband in the nearest basketball goal, this family doesn't work without him. All of him, even those quirky little things that drive me crazy at times. "Other Guy" is the glue that holds this family together, with his humor and his love. The movie also has another quote that has become quite famous, "you complete me!" This quote, in my opinion, is biblical. The Bible says the man shall leave his home and cleave to his wife and the two shall become one. We are ONE flesh, ONE heart..."Other Guy" completes me! We balance one another.

That being said, even on the days that I become agitated by something he did or didn't do, God reminds me that I am him and He is me...we are ONE!

So the next time you have an "agitating moment" with your husband, remember you are One and just laugh and say, "Show me the money!" It will help the laughter come and the tension flee.

(For those of you who don't know or haven't seen the movie, that is another quote!")

Peace Out!

Update...



I wanted to thank you all for your kind words and your prayers. My sister has had a very interesting week filled with a lot of things that honestly just don't make sense! She received a call from her surgeon's office on Monday saying they wanted to cancel the surgery and schedule an office visit. Well, this upset her to no end and she demanded to speak directly to the doctor! (You go girl, it seems as though your little sister's demanding ways, strong will and big, bad temper are wearing off on you!) Well, the surgeon told her he was sorry for the "mix up" but after realizing that she had had a PET scan and after viewing the results, he found the surgery pointless. He said he would rather do a Needle Biopsy in the office since based on the PET scan he was sure of what she was dealing with, he would rather not put her through two surguries. Meaning, he was convinced it was/is cancer.

Okay, let me calm myself for a minute because the head is getting hot, the fingers are getting damp and the southern accent is about to start flying....whhhhewww, that's better.

Long story even longer...he then calls her back yesterday and tells her that he doesn't think the needle biopsy will be sufficient enough and keeps her appt for surgery today. All that being said, she felt as though she were in a complete whirlwind and rightfully so!

I am happy to report that Natasha's surgery went well today. Praise God!! As we speak, she should be on her way home since it was outpatient. (I think that at the rate insurance and medicine are going, it won't be long before we are pulling through a drive-thru saying, Yes, I'll have one c-section with a side order of tummy tuck and boob job...oh and throw in a diet coke too!)

All kidding and temper tantrums aside, I would just like to type again and again and again, that I love my sister...she INSPIRES me and I look forward to the day we see each other again!

Peace Out!

When the Student becomes the Teacher...




I had a moment yesterday that was a classic "aahhaaa" moment with Curly & Moe. As a parent, I think we have all experienced those moments where you just stand in the doorway and quietly observe as your children interact. There was quite a commotion coming from the playroom and I decided to look in and just watch. I've been trying to allow the girls to try to work out some of their own disagreements and only enter the picture when it is necessary.

While Curly was trying to watch a movie, Moe decided to turn on her Leap Frog and try out her vocal range. Needless to say, this upset Curly. With the best motherly voice she could muster, she tried to explain to her sister why she could not play with that toy while a movie was playing. For some reason, this explanation was very humorous to Moe so on top of singing, she decided to start laughing too. Well, can you guess what happened next? Suddenly, I saw a microphone being lowered from the ceiling and a lightweight boxing announcer come up out of the floor. He began in a bellowing voice, "...and in this corner, weighing in at 34 pounds in the pink shorts, let's give a round of applause for the one we all know and love, Ccccccuuuuuuurrrrrrllllly!"

"Now, ladies and gentleman, the challenger, she may be short, she may be little, but here to challenge the big sister, let's give a round of applause for MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMoooooooooe!"

(Okay, so maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but you weren't here so work with me!)

The girls began doing everything in their power to agitate each other and hidden in the doorway, was the mother of the year, laughing hysterically. I was having flashbacks of my own childhood and the tense moments with my own sisters.

The teaching moment came when my older daughter stopped the fight and lovingly looked at her sister and said, "How many times do I have to tell you, I'm bigger so you have to listen to me, I know what I'm talking about!"

At that moment, time seemed to freeze. I had this vision of what God must feel like every time we take a different path. Does He ever say, "If I had a nickel for every time you did that, I'd be rich or How many times do you have to fall before you'll listen to me?"

All kidding aside, I am sure that He weeps for us when we disobey and when we fight with one another. God gave us the gift of freewill and it's our choice whether or not to love and accept Jesus Christ.

What's your choice, are you still fighting with God?

Peace Out

A Time of Need...



I would love to be able to sit here at my computer and come up with something really insightful or better yet, something really funny to type. I wish I could bring a thought process to your mind or at least a smile to your lips. But if the truth be told, I am hurting right now. I am struggling with a range of emotions and every moment feels like a roller coaster.

My sister, Natasha, had what is called a PET scan last week. This is where they inject you with radioactive dye and then scan your body. Any type of "rapid cell growth" is lit up. For those of you who are familiar with cancer, it is a "rapid cell growth".

I am sad to report that the PET scan showed places on her breasts, her ovary and a spot on her spine. She is still scheduled to have the spots on her breasts biopsied on the 23rd and her oncologist has promised her that he will have the results by Friday, the 25th.

Natasha met yesterday with her OB/GYN and they want to remove her ovary.

I'm sure you can understand now why I am struggling. I love my sister! To hear the fear and the hurt in her voice is sometimes more than I can bear. I want so desperately to be there with her now, to give her a big bear hug and then say something really funny to make her smile again. Maybe I could remind her of our awkward years of big hair, neon colored shirts and most importantly our cool "Ice, Ice Baby" dance. Just typing about it makes me laugh!

In these times I am so grateful to serve a God who understands. He is there through the entire roller coaster of emotions. He is there beside me while the ride climbs into the great unknown and He holds my hand and whispers in my ear as I take the plunge into anger, hurt and despair. Most importantly though, He is there to help me off the ride when my legs are too shaky to do it on my own.

Please pray for my sister this week, this day, this moment. I am clinging to the promise that God will meet her there, in her hurt, in her anger, in her despair and love her and comfort her.

Dramatist, Nicole Johnson (www.freshbrewedlife.com), once wrote a skit entitled, "Stepping into the Ring" for breast cancer. She talks about the experience being like a boxing match and at the end when she finally gets the strength to fight, she gives a sharp right upper cut and says,

"You might take my breast but you will NEVER take my SPIRIT!"

Peace Out!

Friendship

First and foremost, thank you all who have responded and/or emailed. Your kind words mean a lot. But, I also want to ask all of you to not use any names, etc. For my family's safety, I am leaving the girls' names to just Curly & Moe...one can never be to careful in the world of the great wide web. Thanks for understanding.

Okay, so I have accomplished the feat of my first blog so as they say, "On with the show!"

Here's a question for you, Is there really such a thing as a limit to a friendship? Let me expand on this before you answer.

I talked to a very dear friend of mine today who said she was feeling guilty about something I did for her. She claimed that I had gone above and beyond and then said, "really, there is a limit to my friendship." However, I think she misspoke. (Sorry, dear friend, but the truth must be told)

I don't believe there is such a thing as a limit to a friendship. There may be limits to who we are as people and what our likes and dislikes are but in a true time of need, I'd like to think there would never be a limitation. I mean really, this is the same friend who once sent me a card that had the following hand written inside (Now keep in mind, this was handwritten. Hallmark does a great job and believe me I have spent many a day laughing inside their stores, but Hallmark ain't got nothin' on a handwritten message from the heart), "...you are one of life's rarest gifts to an ole county girl like me. I may not be your blood but as your sister in Christ, I stand strong beside you. We are bonded by eternal blood - you will always have family in me!" Now correct me if I'm wrong, but does that sound like limitations to you. Absolutely NOT!

So, remember that as you go through your daily routine that we call life. You are a FRIEND to somebody! That means that there will come a day that you are challenged to do something outside of your likes and dislikes, maybe even outside of your box, but never, ever outside of your friendship. And most importantly, never with a limitation.

Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at ALL times..."
Jeremiah 31:3 "...I have loved you with an everlasting love..."

Peace Out!

Hi there, great wild world of bloggers! Well, here I am with my first Blog. Thank you my friend Addie for getting me started. Hopefully, I will live up to all the wonderful examples I have with your Life with Little Women.

I am still really new to this so since I haven't quite figured out how to post pictures on the sidebar yet, I'll post them here. My title lovingly refers to my family. I have two daughters, Curly & Moe and then the "other guy" is the "love of my life guy" to whom I am married.

Okay, so it may seem strange to start out on a soapbox for my first blog but here goes. I want to tell you all a story of a wonderful, courageous woman who has beaten breast cancer and may be once again facing the battle of her life! That woman is my sister, Natasha, whom I love and admire more than she will ever know. She is a new Christian and it fills my heart with praise and my eyes with tears to think of the amazing transition she has made in the last year. So, back to my Soap Box....Please, please, please, all of you out there who think you are too young to worry about Breast Cancer, think again! It is never too early to start self examinations. That is how Natasha found hers and Praise God that she did!

This is her with my daughter, Moe, at her birthday party!

During one of her routine mammograms (you have a lot of those after beating breast cancer), they found something that we are praying is just a calcium deposit. She is due to have it removed on the 23rd of this month so I ask that you be in prayer for her. She is such a trooper and has actually begun praying more for her family than for herself. She says that we are having more of a rough time with it than she is. It is so AWESOME to know that God is giving her such a peace about the situation. A friend of mine in Kentucky, wrote to me and lovingly reminded me that God is bigger than breast cancer and if it is His will that it be nothing, that is what will happen. But should it be cancer again, God will see her through this and use it in an amazing way to help her witness to somebody else. I am excited to see how God is working in her life, it encourages me, it helps me to strive to be a better Christian but most of all, it strengthens my faith in a God that has it all in His Hands!

Well Peace Out for now...