My NYC Trip

I had such a great time in NYC! My sweet husband got me first class tickets for my trip, and I am so grateful. Although I hated being "looked at" while the coach passengers loaded. I saw some sweet famous people who had to sit in coach, and it made me feel bad...for a moment. ha! Paul and Teresa picked me up from the airport in New York, and we headed straight to their apartment. Their building is right on the Hudson River, with a beautiful esplanade that runs right along the river. It is so picturesque.

After I gave Teresa her necklace (James Avery's Four Seasons on a black cord) and her CD (of our favorite songs, thanks to Randi and Tara's idea), we headed down to my favorite pizza place for a slice. The tears started then for both of us. It's was just so good to be there.

That night, Teresa and Paul's friends had a "family dinner" to meet me, followed by American Idol and Wii playing. I am SO hooked! I've never laughed so hard! Oh my word! We also popped outside to see the eclipse...that was so great! Click here to see a video of that night:

Thursday, Teresa and I headed to Times Square to take pictures especially for Addi. Enjoy Addi - we had such fun taking them! We then went to Toys R Us to get gifts for my babies. That was one amazing store. A huge ferris wheel was in the main area, and enormous lego display's everywhere. Even a giant T-Rex!

Friday and Saturday were so laid back. We just hung out, and I loved it. I told Teresa it's so nice not to have an agenda or a list of places to go. It's like she lives in Abilene and I went to visit her for a week. We cried several times, it seemed, every day...but laughed 100 times more than that. Lots of walking dogs in the dog run, enjoying the snow, shopping, playing Wii, dinners out and reconnecting. I did manage to find Emma a beautiful Easter dress, and myself a Coach bag in Battery Park. I wasn't going to go to Chinatown, but some guys were selling them while we were out taking fun photos. So I thought, why not? If you've never tried Patsy's pizza in Chelsea, it's a must the next time you're in the city. It's my new favorite!

My sweet babies called me about 10 times a day; I loved hearing their curiosity about what I was doing. Emma asked me several times a phone call, "Mommy, are you coming home now?" It was nice to be missed!

Teresa, my heart, I love you! Thank you for an amazing week in NYC. For the laughs, the heart to hearts, the memories. You are and always will be my best.

I'm Back!

I am back...and oh so tired. I'm happy to be home, but sad to have left my best friend behind. I had an absolutely fabulous time, and will post pictures, videos and memories tomorrow. For now, I simply must post these pictures taken specifically for my birthdaughter, Addison. She requested that I stand in the middle of Times Square, holding a sign that declares my love for her. So I did...and then added a little somethin' somethin' Elizabeth style. :-)

NYC Video

It's snowing! And oh so lovely. Here is a link to a video Paul made of our morning in the snow:

Snow Day

Enjoy the movie!

Update

I have much to update on...but still no pictures! It seems quite impossible to update without the accompanying images, so I will wait. I can tell you that my trip to Winters, TX was memorable, fun, relaxing, and precious to my heart. The kids played hard, needed a good scrubbing bath each night, and my aunt and uncle were worn out in a good way!

The conference I went to last weekend was the best conference I've ever been to, second only to a Beth Moore conference. Too many times I leave a retreat feeling like I've had a good time, but that's about it. Too much fluff. This conference was the choicest meats presented beautifully on a silver platter. I am so full, convicted, inspired, refreshed. I will share more next week. But let me say this, if you've never been to a Sally Clarkson conference, you must go next year. In the meantime, read one of her books. So, so good.

Most importantly, my man came home late late Saturday night. His connecting flight from LA was delayed several times over. We got home around 11:30 Saturday night. It is so wonderful to have him home. He brought the children gifts, and lots of pictures of kangaroos and koala bears on his camera. Again, pictures are critical and I will share soon.

Finally, I leave in the morning! Wahoo! 5 days on my own. Pray for my husband and my babies, that they remain peaceful and happy while I'm gone. If I can, I'll update while I'm in New York. Love and blessings!

Whole Hearted Mommy

Tomorrow and Saturday I am going to attend a Whole Hearted Mom Conference by Sally Clarkson. If you've never read any of her books, you should definitely check them out...very inspiring! My sweet friend, Amy, and I have been looking forward to this for a while. I so wanted to go with her last year, but it didn't work out. And this year it seems has been a struggle to actually get there, but God's got my back! :-) With Scott gone, my being sick all week and now sick kids, babysitter conflicts, and what had been the threat of ice...I was about to give up! Now all is well and I can just look forward to resting, fellowshipping with a dear friend, and gaining some godly insight into raising my babies.

Amy, I'm looking forward to our girlfriend time together! I'll bring the DDP and you bring the chocolate! :-)

And did I mention that Saturday night my precious hubby comes home? Can I get an AMEN?

An Email

I received an email about two days ago from my sweet friend Teresa. Only 6 days until I go to see her!

The email said this:

I'm looking forward to your visit. Seriously, Teresa

Then she attached this picture:



I have no idea how old this picture is. But I LOVE it! Good times await! :-)

More Stuff About Me...and I AM Weird!

My friend Amy tagged me, I have to come up with 7 things that are a bit odd about me. That should not be hard, and leaves me asking...only 7? :-)

1. Every night before I go to bed, I read the news on my cell phone. Yep, even if I've just read it on the computer or heard it on TV, I have to check in one more time before I sleep. I read news, check the weather, and catch up on celebrity gossip. Gotta make sure everyone's alive and well I guess.

2. Sometimes when I can't sleep, I will look at the time on the clock and then make the numbers total 7. For instance, if the time was 12:32, I would do this: 1x2+3+2=7 get it? Or what about 8:23 (the time now). 8 divided by 2 = 4, + 3 =7. Sometimes I have to get really creative with my math, but it works!

3. I always associate smells with vacations/trips. A sniff immediately takes me back. This is true of every fragrance I've ever worn. For example: Imari by Avon, London in College; Lubriderm lotion (for extra dry skin ha) London with Scott; Tiffany - New York City with Addi and Scott; Skin so soft bath oil - my grannie ruth's house; anything with coconut...jamaica with Scott (the resort we stayed at had this great bath and body works bath gel that was coconut, they unfortunately don't make it anymore).

4. Wow, I could mention some things here that would make you think I need some serious couch time at a therapists...ha! I won't indulge you though. Okay, I love to make lists. Of everything. Doesn't matter if I ever get to cross things off, or actually do any of the things on the lists. I just like making them. Hmmmmm, reminds me of someone else I know! But I think she actually does the things on her list. :-)

5. I hate tomatoes. No, that's not weird. But this is: I LOVE tomato soup, salsa, ketchup, anything tomato based. Yep, that's some good stuff there! Especially Heinz, right Amanda?

6. I went through a stage as a young girl (3-5th grades) where I seriously thought I was Wonder Woman. Bustier, golden rope, head piece and boots. You laugh? Well, one day I was looking out the window of our trailer house, and saw my brother getting in a fight across the street at the park. So I ran out the door of our trailer, standing near the porch, and did the special "twirl around" that Wonder Woman did. I was transformed. I raced over to my brother just in time to see him get knocked to the ground. Aw yeah, I'm invincible I tell you!

7. I love office supplies. LOVE THEM. I could spend hours at Staples, just browsing all the different types of pens. Dividers? Can't get enough of them. And sticky notes...oh, my, word! Just give them to me!

There you go people, I'm a nut. :-)

I now tag: Emily, Addi, and Michelle

My Amazing Husband

We are back from our wonderful trip. Lots of memories and pictures to share...but my husband has the all important USB cable with him in Australia right now. :-) So I will share more later.

But I did have to share this: Scott sent Emma and I flowers today for Valentines Day! They are so lovely; carnations, roses and daisies. He is so, so precious to remember me even from so far away. It just so deeply touches me. I love him!

This traveling thing is hard. I miss him. I miss his companionship. He truly is my very best friend.

I'll take pictures of the flowers, but I can't share them until the weekend...when he comes home with the cable.

And We're Off!

Well, not actually. We'll be off tomorrow just after lunch. My hubby is in Australia (or will be tomorrow, he's in the air just now), so my mom and I are taking the kids to West Texas. Aw yeah. Nothing like it in the world. Mesquite trees, dust, flat lands and horney toads. :-)

My mom's sister and brother-in-law (Aunt Glenda and Uncle Cooter) live in Winters. It's about a 3 1/2 hour drive from here. We're going to visit them for the weekend. My Uncle Cooter is a farmer. He's harvested cotton his whole life; well, except for the time he earned his degree from Texas A&M. Whoop! My Aunt Glenda works at a factory. She used to work on the line like my Grandmother and my mom, but now she's a secretary.

Winters is a very small town, I think maybe one stop light. No sonic that I'm aware of. Huge issues there. :-) But it's my heritage, my family, my history. I want my kids to know it well. My dad grew up there, picking cotton and playing football. That's where he met my mom. That's where my Great Uncle Rob used to write Southern Gospel songs on his little Peter Pan piano. When I was very little, he would bounce me on his knee and sing "Hey Diddle Diddle." And my sweet Great Aunt Sister taught English and Bible studies. She used to correct the grammar on my letters to her. :-) And she even once told a boyfriend of mine who was not saved that he was an infidel! Oh my! It's also the place we gather just about every Thanksgiving, at the Lions Club building near the cotton gin. The kids play in the cotton and the grownups reminisce.

We will eat great country home cooking, attend a Church of Christ service, visit with cousins and second cousins, breathe fresh country air, probably play with some farm animals, and definitely check out some junk stores on the way to Winters. Memories will be made and good times will certainly be had.

A Meme

So, I too, have been tagged by Amanda. I'm to complete this meme. But first, I just want to know what a "meme" is anyway? I mean, that's what my kids call my mom. Meme, or Mimi. Hmph. Well, I'm all about talking about me, so maybe that's what a meme is. Some of my links are from my old xanga blog...anyway, here I go!


THE RULES:
** Post about the meme and link back to the person that tagged you.
** Go back to your archives and link to your five favorite posts.

Link One: must be about family

Link Two: must be about friends

Link Three: must be about yourself

Link Four: must be about something you love

Link Five: can be anything you choose

** Tag five other people (at least two must be new acquaintances so that you can get to know them better).
** Let the person know that you tagged them by leaving a comment saying something like: I've tagged you. Check out my blog for details.
** Readers, don't forget to read the posts and leave comments - lots of comments.

Link one: I had to chose one entry for each of my babies, including my sweet birthdaughter. Couldn't choose just one! Ian Emma Sam Addi

Link two: Sadly, most of my posts have been about, um, me! :-) So please don't be offended if you are my friend and I don't link you. I chose these two friends because they are both dear to me, and are both now in New York. It's very cold in New York. Texas is WARM. :-) Hannah Teresa

Link three: As much as I love to talk about myself, I did have trouble finding a favorite post about moi. I chose this one, because this is primarily what God is working on in my life right now: Obedience

Link four: If you've read anything of mine lately, you know that I adore Jane Austen. This post is about a time when I was so, so sick, and Jane healed my wounds...sort of. I adore Music and this is a post about some of most poignant memories. Mostly, I LOVE My Man. This is one of my favorite pictures of him...taken on vacation a couple of years ago.

Link five: I love it when God speaks through others, and confirms the word over and over. This is a post about just that: A Good Word

Man, the whole tagging thing is hard because everyone I would tag has been tagged already (or will soon be tagged by those previously tagged), except for two who I don't even know will do it, but I will tag anyway. And how many times can I use tag in one sentence? :-)
I tag:
Addi
Brandi

Sleeping Beauty

When Emma was a baby, she would always tuck a feather behind her paci (that's a soother for you Canadians - heh). She would fall asleep that way, or walk around the house toting a feather for comfort and for show. Tonight I went to check on her and tuck her in, and found her asleep like days of old. Feather tucked in just so. My sleeping beauty!