Live Extravagant

Today at church I realized something as the pastor spoke about Mark 14: 1-9. It was about a lady who all she had to give to Jesus in gratitude and worship, before he was to be crucified, was an expensive perfume (perfume she could have sold). Instead, she broke the vase and annointed him with the scent. Before his death, everyone that came in contact with him would smell the scent and wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be talked about in her memory.

Our pastor encouraged us, to every once in a while live extravagant and break our own vases (whatever those vases may be...maybe even our own spirit...let it pour out and touch someone else) rather than tiptoeing around those guarded specialities or saving something for a rainy day. Why? .... because we can, because "it" or "we" may not always be around, and because it means something.

So today after lunch, we came home and I lit a beautiful expensive candle that Chad bought me years ago. It is a special bird of paradise candle (helps me remember details of our wedding day in Hawaii) that I would only light on special events or if we were expecting company. Today my company was my family. The candle burned for about 5 minutes when all of a sudden, Lissy comes down from upstairs, with an excited look on her face, and says, "Mommy, what is that smell, I just love it".

Now its your turn, Break a "vase"!

I Wanna Play!

One of my favorite blogs to read is Maile at "Relish". I have never met her, but she seems like such fun. Plus she is such an inspiration to photography. So I caught her blog today and she invited us to play.

8 Random Facts About Me:

1. I buy cute shoes first, then the outfit.

2. I give my Yorkie (Abbie Gayle) kisses and then tell her "Thank You".

3. Have set my alarm clock for ebay items (more times than I wanna admit).

4. Invest in a new craft and then never find time to do it.

5. I'm afraid of the dark.

6. I have a favorite blankie that is several years old (no Monica, you can't have it).

7. Love to walk on the Hawaiian beaches with octopus' at my feet (long story... ask Chad).

8. I wish I could wear red high heels every day and be comfortable.

I invite you to play.... and share!

Does anyone know what a Snow Cone is anymore?

Last night Lissy and I were at HEB, buying the usual necessities...milk, Lucky Charms, toilet tissue, sweettarts, etc. Now that the rain has finally succumed, it is getting really hot, even at 8:00 at night. So we were walking out of HEB (our local supermarket here in TX) and there is this tiny little snow cone stand. So I asked Lissy, "Honey, do you want a snow cone?" her answer was, "What is that?". I think she saw the shock on my face (she's only had about a million since her birth) then raised her hand and said wait mommy, I know what that is.....do you mean shaved ice? raspa? (that is what they call it in TX) ice with kool-aid? What ever happened to good ole fashioned snowcone? It still looks like a snow cone to me. Oh, how that brings back the memories of chasing down the snow-cone lady in her big white truck as she rang the little bell for $0.25 snowcones...you could even get pickle juice! Yes I know, I am dating my age.

Trippin' Thursday

One of our favorite places to take a "trip" to is Target, they have such cute stuff there! We just got a new one around the corner from our house. Although I hate seeing all of the trees cut down and land flattened, it is kinda exciting to see a Target, Chico's, TJ Maxx, etc. Since my princess will be starting kinder this year we set out on a trip to Target to get her "supplies". I always loved the start of school when I was little. It was so fun to organize things, label, and pack all of the new crayons and pencils. I was surprised that in the past 30 years, schools have certainly surpassed just crayons and pencils. Her supply list for kindergarten included construction paper, clip boards, wet wipes, it is crazy! And...nothing can be labeled with her name! Hummmm...... I am a teacher too, but I guess at HS we are just lucky if they bring their bodies to class :) Happy Back to School Shopping to you, and don't forget the checkbook (you will need it...maybe even the savings acct)!

Wordless Wednesday

A Wordless Wednesday for us!

A P&S camera for Mommy's Purse!

Okay, I can't count the number of times that I was in a perfect "scrapbook" moment and did not have my camera with me (I shoot with a Nikon D70..and love it). You gals with DSLR's know what I mean, we love those cameras but they are so bulky and lenses....etc...etc....so much to carry, most of the time I have to "plan" to take pictures. So I really needed a P&S for those random moments. I am a Nikon girl, but love all the pictures so many of my friends take with their Cannon's, so I took the plunge and got a Cannon P&S (shhhhh...don't tell Mr. Nikon). I have not read any instruction manuals yet, just charged the battery and begin pressing the shutter release. I think I am gonna love this little guy! Hubby is already trying to snatch it to document recruit tattoos, yes, weird I know....must be an Army thing.

What is she going to be when she grows up?

I often wonder what she is going to be when she grows up. We try to make every attempt to expose her to as many different things as possible. This past weekend she has really been into photography. Because she loves to walk around with mommy as mommy finds things to take pictures, we thought, "Hey, she should have her own camera!" So...we got her this cute "Hello Kitty" Camera that actually takes decent pictures 3MP is perfect for her. So this was Alyssa taking pictures of Abbie (our Yorkie) and of a walking stick bug. Such concentration. I can't help to wonder if she just might be some great photographer one day. Although, her latest thing is that she wants to be a dentist (like Dr. Suzie in StoneOak) or on American Idol. Do you see the similarities....us either....that is just the way we like it!