Help me bring sexy back

I can't believe I just titled this post that way. Josh would be disturbed and a little embarrassed.

"Really, Dana? Justin Timberlake?"


Oh well. Moving on.


I'm about to give you an unsolicited, untouched, real-life tour of our bedroom.

You know, where the "magic" happens.


(please don't throw up...it was just a small joke.)


Now normally, if you were to come to our house, unless you're family or friends that are basically family, this room would be locked and boarded up.


But today, because I'm such a good Christian, I'm putting what little pride I have aside.


(I realize I might be able to get away with that line, except for that fact that most of you know me....but if you happen to have found me by some random google search, please know that the above line is completely true. Really. You should get to know me....my lack of pride exudes. And as you may have already noticed, I am also very self-aware and honest. :) )


And the reason I'm showing you this room is because...

I need help.

This room is very unsexy. And I think the master bedroom should be a restful, peaceful sanctuary in the house. Mine is not. And here are a few of the reasons:

1. It is small.
2. It doubles as our office.
3. We are unorganized.
4. We don't know what to do.
5. We've crammed a lot of furniture into it.
6. I had a small obsession with wedding pictures 6 years ago.
7. I am apparently fresh out of any material that could be used to remove dust.
8. It is small.
9. My husband likes to collect computers so he can one day build the Fastest Computer Mankind Has Ever Seen and take over the world.


("What are we going to do today, Brain? What we do everyday, Pinky...")


So, it's time to make it over. Here's where you come in.


I have a few ideas I'll share with you, but then I want your feedback.


Preferably not feedback like,
"Oh wow. That would suck."
Or "this is just a great reminder of how blessed I am."
Or "thanks for helping me reach a new level of contentment."
Or anything starting with, "bless your heart..."
Or "So just 2 kids, huh? Plan to have anymore? Hmm."


Now, I would like you to remember your good southern manners, but don't lie to me. In fact, a bit of northern directness would be refreshing, but please don't hurt my feelings.

Let's say Virginia....for good balance.


Just kidding. I'm a teacher. I have to give directions or I feel irresponsible but, like my students, you can ignore them.


Let's begin the tour, shall we?


Door to the bathroom:
Printer, filing cabinet, haven for all loose papers, bills, etc:


Office/dresser with tv/computer:
(See? I didn't even remove my breakfast bowl, that's how prideless I am...)

Top o' dresser #2....a subtle shrine to our union:

Stress zone aka office aka the problem:


Closet and life size picture of me in my wedding dress, in case you missed the wedding:


Um, not sure what to do with these. They were on sale right after we got married:

My night stand (Josh didn't get one and sometimes he likes to bring it up):


So there you have it. Now here are a few ideas I've had:

1. Paint the room red (and change bedding). Think Behr Pottery Red or some kind of wine color.

2. Come up with a new system for organizing the office in a way that can be contained and out of sight if we want it to be. And we do. Perhaps a wardrobe or armoire? This would require taking out one of the dressers, consolidating and purging clothes. We're so fine with that.

3. Remove most of the wedding pics, but leaving the one above the bed.

4. Hang this picture I got from Josh's parents for Christmas. I love it's whimsy. It's kind of the inspiration for the direction I want to go in.
5. Do some kind of window treatments. Nothing bulky and preferably not a scarf either.


Oh yeah, and we're trying to not spend a lot (always the clencher, huh?).

So, what would you do?

Go!

Take My Life...

Lots of emotions and tears this morning. Some sad tears, but many thankful, GOOD tears.

And this song, playing itself as a prayer over and over in my heart.

Desperate. Waiting. Longing. Hoping.

"Take my will and make it Thine
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is Thine own
it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord I pour
at Your feet its treasure store

Here am I.

All of me.

Take my life.

It's all for Thee."

Jesus and this drink make me happy

So, here's what happened.

I took both boys to the Dr. this morning. Both have had the crud for 2 weeks now and all of sudden Isaiah can't hear us.

Never good.

Now, I knew going in it would be bad. Isaiah has an intense dislike for any instrument that looks "medical" in any way. He freaks out when I try to take his temp under his arm.

Does he not remember the other way?

We get there and the epic drama begins. He will NOT stand on the scale. We are standing in the middle of the office and he is kicking, screaming, crying. I had to pick him up to put him on it, and, if not for the fact that he's smart and went spread eagle on me, I would have succeeded. It was almost funny that the nurse kept pointing out the Thomas sticker on the scale.

Do you see him??? Really??? But bless her, she was trying.

(Oh yeah, Manny's just sitting in a chair staring at us.)

Then the Dr comes in and it continues at every single step. Temp check, lungs check, ear check...all with full arms, legs and head restraint by none other than yours truly.

She gave up after that, but we're pretty sure he doesn't have a sinus infection.

Sure.

At one point she was saying to him, "No it doesn't hurt. It doesn't hurt! Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do. You're sick and we're trying to find out what's wrong with you! If you don't stop, you're going to time out!"


Now, I understand that that seems to cross a line into parenting that Drs shouldn't cross....and normally, I would agree with you. But ya'll, I was just thankful for any additional help. We needed the full A-team in there at that point, and I was ready to pay her to come home and play Mommy for the rest of the day.

(I wonder what Mr. T is doing today....)


But grace abounds. I woke up this morning with my alarm, spent time in the Word and begged God for grace and love for my kids today. Yesterday morning didn't start well either and I was much uglier. MUCH.

I've had joy and love for those boys that doesn't come from me, and that sweet grace from the Lord is the only reason I didn't have a breakdown in the Dr's office too. (Not because I had a quiet time, but because He's really good like that. You understand.)

And I judge none of you who have. :)

God knew Isaiah doesn't need to have "crazy Momma" written in his chart after all that.


THEN, I came home and saw PW's recipe for Dulce de Leche coffee. Oh how it beckoned me! You should really take a moment to drool over it so you know where I'm coming from.

Coffee. Creamy dulce de leche. Kahlua. Whipped cream. Chocolate.


Let's all take a moment to thank Jesus.


I'm not kidding.


Now, I'm not trying to be the Pioneer Woman. I know you must be a little confused right now because her and I are so similar in our many various talents.

Oh, and our love of cattle ranching.

And previous careers as ballerinas.


But I thought I would show you how I made mine in case you want to make this but do not currently possess a block of dulce de leche in your pantry... if you do, I'm thoroughly intrigued and would like to come over, please.


You can find plenty of recipes to make your own, but most of them involve vanilla beans or a can of sweetened condensed milk. Neither of which I had, but if you do, the SCM (don't feel like typing it out...not sure I just saved any time) version is probably the way to go.

This idea came from a recipe review online.

Now, I'm about to impress you with my ability to explain this recipe in words and pictures. Just like her. Oh, Ree. I love you.



In your LARGEST pot, combine 4 cups milk, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp vanilla.

I emphasize large because my milk stuff overflowed, charred
and then started a small kitchen fire.

Put on medium high heat and simmer/boil for awhile.


It doesn't hurt to listen to Michael Buble either. "Georgia On My Mind" is a very soothing selection after pouring a Brita pitcher of water over flames shooting up from your burner.

The milk will eventually reduce down to a very thick, light brown mixture of goodness. It took mine (after the fire) about 25 mins. You'll need to stir it a lot...especially in the last few minutes.

In the mean time, Isaiah had a little fun with the camera, I guess.

Here's what it will look like. Mmmm.


Please excuse the blur that follows. My camera and I are no longer on speaking terms.

Then you're ready to follow Ree's recipe. Or stay here and check out mine because her and I, we're pretty much the same.

Plop a couple spoonfuls of that wonderful substance into a pot of very hot coffee. Ree says it needs to be really hot so the dulce de leche dissolves.

And I believe her.

Now what you do next is up to you and whether you're a good Southern Baptist or not. :)

For the record, I am not. That's right. Hope you're not disappointed in me.

I just followed the recipe, ok?

And The Recipe says to pour some Kahlua into each cup. I guess how much is up to your convictions, and I'm not telling you mine. Read the beginning of this post for a hint.


Follow with the sweetened coffee and top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

I used Reddi Whip and a shaved Hershey kiss....no shame.

It. Was. Good.

Amen and Amen.


Tilted for a little artistic variety. And yes, that's a beer stein. We don't have those fancy Irish coffee thingys.

I had to pull a Tim Gunn and just make it work.

Let me know if you try it!

After a brief break...

of doing NOTHING....I'm back.

All 4 of us have had the hacking, snot dripping, congestion crud for the last 2 weeks so when I say we've done nothing, that means the boys have done nothing.

Ok, ok... they've done something.


They have played with new toys (oh, the toys!), napped, ate a little, watched tv and napped.


Josh has started a worm compost bin.


I have watched "Julie and Julia" about 14 times; read my amazing, wonderful, brilliant book; poured over recipes, including Julia's Boeuf Bourguignon...again....and then turned my head in fear and trepidation (it took me 4 times to type it but, DANG it looks good); made a month long meal plan and bought the groceries; used a Netti pot more times than I would like to remember; cuddled with my sweet Josh; cooked; played new board games with friends; and celebrated all the holidays.

Ok, so I lied. None of us have really done nothing, but we've enjoyed laying low and having excuses for not running around and doing a lot.


And slowly, the crud is starting to go away. But Mr. Netti pot hasn't yet.


(and PS... if you're in need of some good, cheap entertainment and your husband has never used a Netti pot before, watch him. )


Anyway, thought I would share a few pics taken with a camera on it's way out.

So, you know, don't judge my photography skills....cause they're REAL good. :)


Christmas Eve!

Sadly, this was one of the only pics I took at
Josh's parent's house before my batteries died.
Christmas there is HUGE.
HUGE.

Just plain cute
(I like how he poses while he counter surfs.)

On my mom's side we draw names and make that person
a gift. My mom had my brother's name and worked
for months knitting him a hat complete with detachable
beard and several detachable mustaches.
He was thrilled.

My incredibly adorable, sweet, Godly cousin Tiffany
gently crushing my uncle Jamie's head.
More about him in a later post.

Chaos. We're a big family.

New Years Eve!

Sweet Keziah.
Love spunky little girl.

What the boys did.

What the girls did.

Shawnda with a mug of her
Really Good Mulled Wine.

The Kovacs' are moving in a couple weeks
and leaving us forever to go to Texas.
I'm feeling very dramatic
and sad about it.

Anyway, this was our last
hurrah with these dear, precious friends.
It's amazing for me to look at this pic of all our of
kids because none of them were there when we
met 5 years ago.

What amazing things our God has done!
We love you Kovacs!

Status collage

This seals the deal. I am whole-heartedly in love with facebook.

What I'm loving right now....updated with more thoughts and pictures :)

Just because I'm sure most of you woke up on this Monday morning before Christmas and thought "I wonder what Dana's really into right now?"

Well, wonder no further. Rest your hearts. Take a deep breath.

Cause I'm about to tell you.


I have no idea what kind of order this is. Probably in an order somewhat resembling what of these things I enjoyed last.

I'm known for my organizational skills, btw.


And clear sentence structure.



1. Chris Tomlin's "Glory in the Highest" Christmas album. Kristin told me about it this morning (hi, Kristin) and how worshipful it is. She wasn't kidding. It's beautiful, simple and goes deep into the heart of why we worship Jesus.

Exactly what my heart needs today.




2. Now don't make fun of this one BUT....it's awesome and I don't care what you say. :) I found this extremely realistic, virtual fireplace that lasts for TEN minutes! Crackles, pops, everything. I've fallen asleep to it (and then got made fun of) several times already. It's fantastic. Really.

Warning: there's creepy music at the end when it's over, but put that thing on a loop and you're good to go.


3. And what am I doing while I'm all cozied up next to my amazing, life-like, can-practically-feel-the-virtual-warmth-and-smell-the-virtual-marshmallows fireplace/screen??? Reading THIS.

Um, it's attached to my hand. Right now. Can't....stop....reading.

Actually, it's like Josh says, I can't want to. (Pronounced "caint" and "wawnt.")


And from what I've heard, the whole series is like this.

And please don't mistake me for a reader. I'm not naturally. I enjoy it, but it's not my go-to way to relax. This book is just that good. In fact, everything I've ever read by her is that good.



4. Just made these marshmallows to go with peppermint and gingerbread hot chocolate mixes as gifts... and, surprisingly, they're easy to make and taste great! I didn't know marshmallows were supposed to taste that way!

They're like little pillowy clouds of white delight.


Kinda like me. ;)





5. This hot chocolate mix. Alton Brown must have superpowers. One is called genius culinary intuition. The other he shares with my husband.... awesomeness.

You're welcome, babe.

And don't skip the pinch of cayenne pepper. It makes it sexy.


I've added crushed candy canes for peppermint flavor as well as cinnamon, ground cloves, allspice and a little ground ginger for gingerbread flavor.

I've also never been a bigger fan of using milk from a box. It's what separates this recipe from the sad, thin ones I tried.

Sometimes thicker is just better.


Oh! Let me not take credit for all of these kitchen endeavors.

I am always, always, always accompanied by my trusty sidekick whenever embarking on a recipe that calls for 1 or more cups of sugar.

Putting together oreo turkeys is tricky, but I can assure you....not a head nor body came rolling off. Isaiah is now an oreo turkey artist.



6. Our first REAL tree!!! And oh the smells it fills our house with!

(and needles, but who cares)


(Manny's blowing ya'll a kiss. Hence the pucker. He doesn't always look like that, ok?)


7. This one is the BEST OF ALL. Watching said cutie patootie embarking on the glorious adventure called walking.


More adventurous for some than others (right, sweet little niece of mine?). ;)

I really believe these precious few moments getting to watch the first steps a human being takes is one of the highest privileges of being a mom. No kidding.

I've loved every single second of it. It's just freaking adorable.



Hope ya'll keep loving the stuff you're loving!

Human Weeds???

This is no longer a right-wing, fundamental, conservative ballot issue. Like the clip says, it's a justice issue.

HT: Shawnda

I Am

Today was hard. Nothing tragic....just really hard.

I was given multiple opportunities today to feel multiple people's lack of approval of me. And while that is a particularly sensitive button with me (perhaps the most), I was also given opportunities to press in and deeply sense God's approval of me.

I've been remembering a song that meant a tremendous amount to me in college. I would often close myself in my dorm room, kneel at my bed and just weep, listening to the words as if God was physically there on my bed playing with my hair as I cried in His lap.

That's what I'm doing today. Crying, listening, letting the truth of these words wash over me.


Maybe you need them to wash over you too.

I AM

(Jill Phillips)

Oh gently lay your head
Upon my chest
And I will comfort you like a mother while you rest
And the tide can change so fast
But I will stay
The same through past the same in future the same today

I am constant
I am near
I am peace that shatters all your secret fears
I am holy
I am wise
I’m the only one who knows your heart’s desires
Your heart’s desires

Oh weary tired and worn
Let out your sighs
Drop that heavy load you hold cause mine is light
And I know you through and through
There’s no need to hide
I want to show you love that is deep and high and wide

I am constant
I am near
I am peace that shatters all your secret fears
I am holy
I am wise
I’m the only one who knows your heart’s desires
Your heart’s desires

I am constant
I am near
I am peace that shatters all your secret fears
I am holy
I am wise
I’m the only one who knows your heart’s desires
Your heart’s desires

Oh gently lay your head upon my chest
And I will comfort you like a mother while you rest

Thumbs up or thumbs down?

I needed a change here. You know, something with more than 4 colors.

So? What do you think?


The thing with picking a template is that they are predecided on...meaning you get stuff you don't need. I have NO idea what to do with the fancy-schmancy stuff up at the top.

(Are you secretly making fun of me for calling it fancy? Uh huh. I know what you're thinking. Don't lie about it. I hear your thoughts. I'm everywhere.)


About??

(I loathe filling out anything that asks for that kind of range of information. About what??? How can you expect me to put the entirety of my purpose for existing behind a button you can click on?!? Maybe I could write something about how undramatic I am.)


And Archives???

I'm pretty sure that's what the "official" bloggers do. I'd prefer to read about them and search through their archives.

But, to avoid future embarrassment, I may contrive something just so you don't always come back to this page every time you click up there. Because that would annoy me to no end.

Oh, and the SEARCH button! Geez. Ummm. What to search for...what to search for...

I have no idea.


I feel pressure. :)

I like winning stuff

So, I'm trying to win this....




















(this is MckMama's picture)



Pretty, right?


You can try to win too (but watch out cause I'm just a teensy weensy bit competitive).

Spiritual conversations with a 3 year old that did NOT go well -- part 1

I have a feeling this might turn into a series.

Hence, the part 1.


The scene:

Isaiah was told to take his blanket and pillow to the playroom to get ready for his nap.


I: But Mooommy! I don't waaaant tooooo. There's monsters in they-er. I'm scaaaaay-yerd.

~quick note: if you read my previous post about Isaiah's accent and notice some inconsistencies ("thar" vs "they-er")....we know! It's a complicated phenomenon that we don't pretend to understand. It's taken on a life of it's own. It could very well mean that he's all 7 brands of redneck. Who knows....I'm still analyzing it myself. Ok, back to regularly scheduled programming....



I: But Mooommy! I don't waaaant tooooo. There's monsters in they-er. I'm scaaaaay-yerd.

M: Isaiah, we've talked about this. There are no monsters in there. And you know what? Jesus is always with you so you never have to be scared.

I: Nuh-uh! Jesus does not! live! in my! heart!




See? You feel better about your kids now, don't you?

Well.

You're welcome.


(and if you're still in need of encouragement I could tell you about our, um...nipple situation.)

Silent Monks Singing Halleluia

`Just for a chuckle. This is incredibly creative! Enjoy!

And since you're shopping....

Ok, here's the post I mentioned earlier. This is a compilation of ways to be Jesus to the needy and forgotten AND get someone a Christmas gift.... AT THE SAME TIME (!!!!!). I'm sure I will forget some so I will add to the bottom of each category as I go. This is in no particular order.

Help bring clean water and other life-saving resources to Africa:

--Junk Posse -- awesome, funky jewelry!

--Millepedebead -- be sure to look at listed with "Non-Profit" in the title.


--Water4Christmas -- they seem to adding to their shop daily.


--Swirls of Creativity -- in conjunction with "Water 4 Christmas."

--White Hall Trading Co -- pimp your blog! All proceeds from blog banners go to "Water 4 Christmas."

--Copper Boom -- all proceeds going to "Water 4 Christmas."

**Basically, go to Etsy.com and search "Water 4 Christmas." Lots of shops have teamed up with their efforts and are doing a GREAT job!

--Aprons for Africa

--Saint's Coffee -- skip the Starbucks and make a REAL difference (sorry, Starbucks). I've ordered from them before and the coffee was great.


--Just Love Coffee Roasters -- haven't tried them yet, but I LOVE their vision....like, I want a job with them.

--Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog -- especially if you missed the shoe boxes like I did, which, btw...they say it's not too late yet to pack one!


--Compassion for Christmas -- even if you're unable to sponsor a child monthly, you can give a donation....100% goes DIRECTLY to a needy family

--Sweet Sleep -- provide beds, blankets, mosquito nets and bibles to children in Ethiopian regions that have been war-torn by the LRA.


Help bring orphans into loving arms:


--Sugarplum Boutique


--Jessicasisson

--erbare74


And while I tend to talk a lot about big picture, orphans in Africa...kind of stuff...I was reading in Luke 16 the parable "The Rich Man and Lazarus." What struck me hard about that parable was that Lazarus (the poor, bloody, hungry man the rich man would not help) was laying at the rich man's gate. His gate! Like, his mailbox! There was no way to not notice him. I'm sure he had to walk past him, and intentionally ignore his groans when he left his house.

It just made wonder...who's at my gate? Who has (or will) God bring to my immediate attention? God, give me Your eyes to see and Your heart to love and serve.


Oh! And if you know of other places we can shop or contribute to others who need more, let us know!

Happy Giving!

Straight No Chaser: The 12 Days of Christmas (2008 Version)

I LOVE listening to these guys. One of my favorite Christmas performances each year. Enjoy!

Update: OH MY GOODNESS, the last date of their Christmas tour is in Raleigh on Dec 23rd! That would be an AMAZING show!

Rich people buying other rich people more riches

The title is how I've been feeling about Christmas. Something's very wrong with that. Very.

(and if you don't think you're rich, go here and find out exactly how rich you are. If you're reading this on a computer... and you are :)... you're one of the richest in the world.)

"In 2008, Americans spent about $460 billion on Christmas expenditures, according to IBISWorld. Some estimates show that the average American spends between $500 and $1,000 or more on Christmas gifts and decorations each year."

Our families are incredibly generous and love us very much...so Christmas is big each year. But I just can't get this voice out of my head...

"You need nothing...and they need to live. They need water. They need food. They need a decent shelter. They need a mommy and daddy. They need..."

"Just $20 can give one person clean water for 20 years."

(Water for Christmas)

What do you do with that?

I like this idea: Advent Conspiracy

Watch the video if you haven't seen it. It's 1 min 54 seconds.

I have some thoughts about what this means for our family, and while it's in the baby stages...I'm getting really, really excited about it! The creative juices are pumping through my veins!

It won't mean that we will completely stop buying any gifts for Christmas (at least not this year), but it does mean being more prayerful about how we approach this whole get-more-stuff thing. It means conversations we've never had before. It means an ever-weakening desire for the stuff. It means spending money to help others....and not the "others" who already have what they need to live. It means believing and rejoicing in the truth that "the Lord is my portion and my cup....I have a beautiful inheritance." And knowing "...as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." It means simplifying things.

Funny how what I call "simplifying" could save a human being's life.

How slowing down the whole picking it out-ringing it up-taking it home-wrapping it up process could actually cause someone to live who would otherwise die.

I don't think we get it. I don't.

I have so many more thoughts and ideas about this that need to get out... so another more practical post is coming. :)

But in the meantime, I'd love to have your ideas and thoughts on this. Have you made significant changes in the past on how you spend money at Christmas? Are you planning to this year? Share! I would love the encouragement!

Tha rain and the birrds (somewhare) are very appreciated here

I've been talking to Isaiah a lot about being thankful and having a grateful heart, as well as trying to drive home the whole spirit of Thanksgiving.

("A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" has been surprisingly helpful in this.)

Anyway, we were eating breakfast this morning, and I took the opportunity again to ask him what he's thankful for.

And here's a look into the depth and profundity of our 3 year old's mind....

(Note: imagine a back-country red-neck in a small body and you'll get a better feel for our conversations)

M: Isaiah, what are some things you're thankful for?


I: --Mah rainy day.

--Birrds.

--Tha sink.

--Tha new birrd.
The one outsiide....somewhare.
Thare's new birrds outsiide....somewhare.
I think thar in thar house so they won't git we-yut.

--Tha big gooose sleeping at the parrk down tha hee-ill.

--Mah saaaw-zaaaw!

(This is in reference to his toy saw.
Now imagine someone from "Hee-Haw" saying it and there you go)

--All mah stuuff....for mah rainy da-eez.