Sep. 1, 2009 - Win A Family Pass to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival!
I am so thrilled to announce that a dear, sweet, long-time friend of mine, Natalie Wickham, has a fun contest going on right now in conjuction with her new book, Pajama School: Stories from the Life of a Homeschool Graduate (which I highly recommend reading, by the way), that you won't want to miss!
Here's the scoop...
The Contest
Create a 30-60 second video promoting the book, Pajama School: Stories from the Life of a Homeschool Graduate.
The Giveaway
A Family Pass to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival on October 28-30, 2010
- OR -Admission to the Advanced Specialty Filmmakers Bootcamp in February, 2010
Another Giveaway
Even if you don’t produce a film, you can be entered in a drawing for a great giveaway package by simply helping to spread the word about the contest.
The giveaway package will include a copy of Pajama School, a DVD of Come What May, the soundtrack for Come What May, and a $25 gift card for the store of your choice! You can enter the drawing multiple times – once for each of the following things:1. Post about the contest on your blog/website. Link to the Contest Page.
2. Twitter about the contest with a link to the Contest Page.
3. Update your Facebook status with “Win A Family Pass to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival!” and a link to the Contest Page.
4. Include a contest announcement in your print or e-newsletter or in a special e-mail to your mailing list.
5. Grab the code for one of the Pajama School banners and add it to the sidebar of your blog/website.
Natalie is such a Godly young woman with tremendous talents and gifts from the Lord. I am thankful to count her a close friend and sister in Christ. Her book is a wonderful resource for homeschooling students and families, as well as anyone even just interested in what homeschooling is all about. I hope you will be sure to stop by Natalie's blog and the official contest page for more details on her book and this exciting contest!
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Aug. 29, 2006 - Pickles and Waffles
Yet another wild tale of my pregnant mommy cravings...
My watch read 12:30 PM as I pushed my shopping cart through the Wal-Mart aisles, just as quickly as I possibly could. Unfortunately, that wasn't very fast considering I was doing my best to avoid preoccupied little children and slow, yet sweet elderly women who kept stopping in the very middle of the aisles in front of me. Each time it happend I smiled sweetly and uttered an "Oh, I'm sorry - excuse me," as I politely manuvered around them, telling myself there was no need to grow impatient. However, I could feel my stomach growling and churning with hunger, and our little baby boy was squirming around quite a bit inside me...no doubt as hungry as I. With each pain of hunger, I could feel my nerves slipping a little bit more. As I tried desperately to hurry and finish picking up the last few items on my grocery list, my mind was racing with succulent visions of what I might eat for lunch just as soon I could get home.
I don't usually shop for groceries when I'm hungry, but I thought I could make a fast run since I had just finished my first class of the semester over at the college, and Wal-Mart was just a hop-skip and a jump away. But alas, my quick little shopping excursion had been plagued with many tiny little obstacles at every turn, and time just didn't seem to be going in my favor.
My cravings were at last, satisfied.
Now, all I could think about was sleep.
Sweet, sweet sleep...
My eyelids were drooping lower and lower.
I could feel the delightful voice of sleep itself calling my name as I staggered blindly into the bedroom, completely forgetting my other bags of non-cold groceries sitting neglectedly on the kitchen table. I barely remember pulling the covers over me and curling up with a pillow clutched between my arms. My mind was shutting down. Before I knew it, this little mommy and baby boy had, at long last, slipped into a deep, peaceful sleep...thanks to our good friends, pickles and waffles.
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Aug. 6, 2006 - Faith on the webcam
in this cute little webcam video!
...Isn't she just the sweetest?
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Jul. 6, 2006 - Sure a lot of taggin' goin' on!
I haven't been tagged for a while, so I guess it's about time! I was tagged twice, so this is for my sweet friends, SuperAngel and Krowned14Him...
1.Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line 4 and write what it says.
Aha! Took me a sec to find one (I guess we don't have very many books in our office - go figure! 
)... It's a magazine (hopefully that still counts): As Your Baby Grows - From Conception to Birth. Line 4 reads: "Your baby's back starts to straighten now, and his arms and legs are long enough to bend at tiny elbows and knees." Ahhh, what a sweet line! That's actually for month 3 in your pregnancy - which is where I am now! * huge grin*
2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch?
Our little black file cabinet.
3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
Commercials.
4. Without looking, guess what time it is.
7:30 AM??
5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?
Oh my word, it's exactly 7:30AM!! Woo, am I good or what? 
6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
Not much...an occasional bird tweeping outside.
7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
Last night when Travis and I went to the Library together.
8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
Huh, that's an interesting question. I suppose, HeidiHomeschools blog.
9. What are you wearing?
Hee hee, ya caught me! I'm still in my PJs and robe. 
10. Did you dream last night?
Yes, but I can't remember what I dreamed now. I dreamed yesterday that our baby was born, and he was the biggest, cutest, most bald-headed, blue-eyed newborn I'd ever seen! 
It was awesome.
11. When did you last laugh?
Right before I fell asleep last night, talking to Travis.
12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Umm...nothing? We are still looking for the perfect things to hang on the walls. We know what we want, we just haven't found it yet.
13. Seen anything weird lately?
*LOL* That's a funny question! Hmmm... We did find a huge piece of green chewing gum stuck to the front of our mailbox the other day. And it was still wet! I had to chuckle at it. I had just gone out to check the mail, like within the last hour, and at that time, it wasn't there. Then I went out to get in the car a little while later and saw that humongo wad of gum plastered on there. I couldn't imagine who would be walking down the street and decide to stick their used chewing gum on our mailbox?! Was it supposed to be a joke? Or some kind of spiteful thing? *L* Whatever it was meant to be, I thought it was weird and pretty silly. Maybe that's not weird to ya'll, but it's the best I could come up with on the spot! 
14. What do you think of this quiz?
I've not done this one before so it's fun!
15. What is the last film you saw?
King David
16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
Oooo, that's a tough one. I would first of all tithe, then I would give to charity, next I would talk to my hubby about buying a home, and then invest for our future and our children's educations.
17. Tell me something about you that I don’t know.
I'll eat anything you put on the plate in front of me, but two of my least favorite foods in the whole world are raw broccoli and cauliflower.
18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
I would want all people to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!!
19. Do you like to dance?
Sort of, but I'm totally and completely uncoordinated, so it kind of takes the fun out of it! 
20. Comment to George Bush:
We're praying for you!
21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
Haha, nooooo... You can't get me to tell!
22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
You're tricky, but we're still keepin' that information a secret. 
23. Would you ever consider living abroad?
Sure, if that's where the Lord leads us.
24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gate?
"Well done, good and faithful servant."
25. 3 people who you would like to do this quiz in THEIR blog:
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Jun. 28, 2006 - Yankee or Dixie?
So, we're headed back to Kansas for this 4th of July weekend to visit family and friends... It's always very interesting for me to go back to my former state of residence after living here in Texas for "nigh on to" a year now. I've grown to love TX and all of the wonderful people here, but I still have a soft spot in my heart for Kansas and all of the amazing people there as well! I've just been blessed to live in two great states.
If asked, I call myself a native Kansan, who is now a Texan - or, at least trying to learn to how become a proper "TEXUN!" *L* Sometimes it's really different down here, but at other times it's not.
I took an awesome Yankee or Dixie Quiz that I found verrry interesting... My score?
The proof is as follows:
- I adore sweet tea (although everyone drinks the non-decaf kind, which, unfortunately, I can't drink, so I always have to look like a northerner and request plain ol' water!)
- I have officially adopted the phrase "ya'll" and use it in daily life
- I'm much more likely to shorten my words ending with "ing" to "in" (i.e. goin', livin', drivin', etc.)
- I have adopted the phrase, "Way out to BAGOTA!"
- I put green peppers, garlic, cilantro and jalapenos in every dish that I can get away with
- I have my very own pair of Justin boots to match Travis's (thanks to my sweet in-laws!)
- I now know what people are talking about when they refer to traffic or weather in the "Metroplex" area
- I realize that many people around here don't think true Texans come from Austin
- When someone asks for a "Coke", I understand that I need to clarify what kind of coke they'd like (i.e. Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, Coca Cola, etc.)
- I'm used to seeing 50 ft. long Texas flags flying from nearly every flag pole across the state
- It's no longer a novelty to eat at Whataburger or Jack in the Box
- I understand the need to load every glass to the brim with ice cubes
- I now know what Aggies mean by "The 12th Man"
- I know what it feels like to be bitten by a real Fire Ant
There ya have it. I very well may be even closer than ya'll thought possible to being a Texan! What I love most about Texas is the people I've found here, and one in particular, I'm sure you can guess!! That's right, my handsome hubby, Travis. He's the absolute BEST part about living in Texas.
So ya'll, take the Yankee Vs. Dixie Quiz, and lemme how YOU score!
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Jun. 9, 2006 - Friday morning smiles
) 
I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of our dear "old" family friend, Chase, who was married back in my home town on May 19th to another sweet friend of ours, named Tiffany. (I've known Chase as long as I can remember! He has always been close to Travis as well, and was an usher in our wedding.) It was a beautiful wedding! I couldn't help but remember the last wedding I went to in that wonderful church, nearly 10 months ago... (Although, I wasn't a spectator at that one!
)
They make a CUTE couple, don't ya think??
I just happened to be standing in the right spot when the happy couple started the receiving line, so I got to be like the 2nd person to see them and give them our congratulations. We truly do wish them all the best!!
One of the joys of coming back to my old home town is getting to see all of our friends and catch up a little on their lives. Here's my darling, long-time friend Chandler (sister of the groom and gorgeous bridesmaid). I love Chandler like a sister, and was sooo happy when she just sat down right next to me during the reception and started telling me all that's new in her life.
And here's my precious brother and amazing wife (Marc's got that typical impish, silly grin on his face!
), who are anxiously holding their breath until their dear little son or daughter decides to arrive. Please keep them in your prayers, ya'll!
I was so glad to be able to see three of my closest friends as well (left to right: myself, Nicole, Natalie and Trisha)! I hadn't seen all three of them together since the week or so before Trisha's and I's weddings (we were married on the same day, just 2 hours apart), and two weeks before Nicole's wedding (which was exactly 7 days after me and Trisha's). By now I hope Trisha's little one has made an appearance.
I love you girls and thank God for bringing you into my life!
Aren't these just the CUTEST things you've ever seen in your life?!
These tiny Converse All Star tennis shoes are for our precious little baby Vinson, from his or her awesome Uncle Thomas! Hee hee, and they are just like his...
*smiling*
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Apr. 25, 2006 - Memorable Presidential Quotes
In the mean time, I thought ya'll might enjoy these quotes I ran across from some of nation's presidents! 
- "Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation. It is better be alone than in bad company." - George Washington
- "Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order." - John Adams
- "One man with courage is a majority." - Thomas Jefferson
- "I know only two tunes: one of them is 'Yankee Doodle,' and the other isn't." - Ulysses S. Grant
- "I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm." - Calvin Coolidge
- "Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field." - Dwight D. Eisenhower
- "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." - Ronald Reagan
- "Some folks look at me and see a certain swagger, which in Texas is called 'walking.'" - George W. Bush
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Feb. 23, 2006 - Baby Giggles...
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Feb. 9, 2006 - An Unwanted House Guest...
Okay.
So I have been hearing strange noises when I'm home alone during the day...
It's not like the first week we lived here where I nearly jumped out of my skin every single time I’d hear the “Patter, patter, patter, patter, patter” of our little silly neighborhood squirrels running and jumping on our roof. Made my heart leap every time. I've now finally recognized that sound and it doesn’t startle me anymore.... well, let's just say as bad as it did! 
I also have somewhat gotten used to the weird sounds all of our hundreds of neighborhood dogs make during the day. Why they have to grunt, squeal, bark and growl all day is beyond me. And why is it that everyone lets their dogs run free in our neighborhood?? Aren’t there laws about keeping dogs on chains or in back yards when you live in the city? Now, growing up a country girl all my life, dogs ran wild all the time, but I thought that when I started living in town that little doggies would stay in their own yards where they belong. Hmmmm, I thought there were ordinances for this kind of thing. The sad thing is that they're not even cute dogs... They are all such sad looking dogs.
But even more than the doggie and squirrel noises....I've been hearing... shall we say, other noises in my house...
Like the other day I came home from class and put my keys on top of my backpack on the couch, and walked into the other room. I had only been out of the living room a minute when I heard this PLOP. It sounded a bit muffled, like maybe my keys had fallen off the couch onto the carpet. In fact, that's what I thought it was. I walked in to check and see if I was right, and there were my keys, still sitting happily on top of my backpack -- right where I'd left them. Not wanting to let my mind get away with me, I looked around the room to see if there was anything else that may have been the cause of this noise. Not finding anything, I tried to dismiss it as something my silly ears made up to entertain themselves.
I went on with my day, but later I was in the office working on the computer when I heard something else....
...Rustle...rustle....rustle....
Hmmmmmm.... Could it possibly be that there was a slight draft in the house blowing on some tissue paper in the spare bedroom? I cautiously went to investigate, not knowing if I would find wind...or something else entirely. To my surprise, I found neither.
*que eerie music*
Getting a little shiver up my spine, I swallowed the beginning-to-freak-out-ness that was welling up in my throat and decided to talk to my strong and fearless husband about it when he got home from work.
I told Travis about these rather intriguing noises I've been hearing in the house during the day. Trying to comfort me, he sweetly assured me it could just be the house trying to settle and making a few strange noises. He reminded me that there are lots of people who hear funny sounds when they are home in a quiet house. Feeling much more safe and knowing that my mind has played some really good trickes on me in the past, I purposed not to worry about it.
But I did wonder......Was I going *gulp*........ insane?
Then, last Sunday we happened to pick up our bag of bread to make some toast for breakfast and found a very small rip in the back and a little chunk that had been taken out of the last piece of bread. Goose bumps began to run up and down my arms. Oh my WORD! This was at last a definite sign!
Yep, folks. We had a..... MOUSE.
Sure enough, when I looked behind a few cans in our pantry, I saw the *ahem* signs where he had been. Oh, GROSSE.
Just knowing that some stinky, smelly, dirty little rodent had been crawling around our pantry, our kitchen, OUR house, made me soooo angry! 
I felt violated somehow by this silly little creature. What right did he have to come in and rustle our papers and eat our bread and leave his droppings in OUR pantry?! Who did he think he was?! HONESTLY. Hmph. The nerve.
As quickly as I could, I ran out and bought the necessary entrampent devices to catch this coniving little googie in the act. For a moment, I contemplated picking up a rat trap, just because it looked so honkin' big and foreboding. That'll show the little turkey...I thought to myself. But, on second thought I put it back. Afterall, I didn't want to scare him, I wanted to catch him. He was probably far too little for a scaled down bear trap like that. Besides, there was such a thing as over kill.
We set two of the traps up...one in the panty and one between the wall and the refrigerator. Rubbing my hands together gleefully and grinning to myself about the brilliance of our little scheme, we went to bed.
I slept like a baby until about 5:15 AM, and then for some reason I couldn't go back to sleep. Since our alarm was going to go off in fifteen more minutes, I decided to just lay there until then. But... at exactly 5:21.... I heard the long awaited
SNAP!
AH HA! We had at long last NABBED the thief. YESSSSS, our trap had worked! He was a goner, I just knew it.
And sure enough, when we got up a little bit later, there he was.... snagged by his own gluttony. My, my, my...the things a mouse will do for a bit of peanut butter. Haha, I thought to myself... I bet the little monster doesn't feel like such a Mighty Mouse now, huh? I felt that we, the humans, were the masters of our home once again.
Travis bravely scooped up the trap in a dustpan and threw him out. Then we proceeded to mouse-proof our house. We wanted absolutely no more rodents coming by for a visit. And, just to be sure... we left the second trap set between the wall and the refrigerator. You know... just in case.
Ahhhhh, my days are much happier now. I find myself smiling more as I work around the house. I am much more relaxed during the day. I no longer fear that I am going insane or that my mind is playing tricks on me. I'm able to live my life with the absence of strange noises coming from various places in our house. I also sleep much more peacefully at night. All in all, my existence
*contented sigh*
Life is gooooooooooood.
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Jan. 30, 2006 - Rodeo Time!
Just wanted to share some fun pictures of the Ft. Worth Rodeo we went to last week! It was soooooo much fun! Trav's cousin Brooke and her husband treated the whole family to it. (Isn't that sweet?!) 
Kristen (Travis' sister) and her sweetheart Jacob -- I think they're adorable!
Our awesome "little" brother, Thomas
David and Donna (Trav's sweet folks)
Travis and I's feet -- Check out those new, spiffy matching boots!!
Our little second cousin, Karlie
Uncle Billy and Aunt Michelle
The opening ceremony
The "calf-catching" contest for the kids
I actually took a whole lot more pics of the bronc and bull writing and such, but they were so blurry it wouldn't be worth it for me to even post them here. Oh well!
Ran across these "cowboy-isms" and thought they were appropriate in light of the subject...
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Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction.
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Don't judge people by their relatives.
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Talk slowly, think quickly.
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Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
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Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.
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Don't interfere with something that ain't botherin' you none.
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It's better to be a has-been that a never-was.
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The easiest way to eat crow is while it's still warm.
The colder it gets, the harder it is to swaller. -
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
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If it don't seem like it's worth the effort, it probably ain't.
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It don't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.
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Sometimes you get and sometimes you get got.
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The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with watches you shave his face in the mirror every morning.
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Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.
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If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try
orderin' somebody else's dog around. -
Don't worry about bitin' off more'n you can chew; your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger'n you think.
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Always drink upstream from the herd.
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Generally, you ain't learnin' nothing when your mouth's a-jawin'.
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Tellin' a man to git lost and makin' him do it are two entirely different propositions.
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Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
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When you're throwin' your weight around, be ready to have it thrown around by somebody else.
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Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back.
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Always take a good look at what you're about to eat. It's not so important to know what it is, but it's sure crucial to know what it was.
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The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back into your pocket.
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You can't tell how good a man or a watermelon is 'til they get thumped. (Character shows up best when tested.)
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Never miss a good chance to shut up.
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If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen are defrocked, shouldn't it follow that cowboys would be deranged?
Here's hopin' all you buckaroos and buckarettes have a right fine Monday! ! *grin*
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