Moments like these make it all worth it....

After Luke's party on Saturday we had a lazy afternoon. We played 632 games of Bingo and I am now the champion at Barrel of Monkeys because I picked all 13 monkeys up....thank you very much.

At dinner the kids all decided that they wanted Kid Cuisines to eat. So I made them one by one in the microwave and when I gave Madyson's to her, I noticed that she immediately bowed her head and prayed. I'm not sure if she thought we weren't doing the blessing or what because we ALWAYS say the blessing in our house.

I can honestly say though that I have never been more proud of her. Every single academic accomplishment paled in comparison to that moment. I love knowing that she knows to acknowledge that all our blessings come from God.

I asked her if she remembered to pray at school before she ate her lunch each day. She told me she did but she didn't understand why her teacher didn't pray with the class before they had lunch. Her Kindergarten teacher did. She said "I guess that's what people mean by taking prayer out of schools."

I'm so proud of how she sees things and how she realizes the importance of prayer.

Pizza Rolls

So, I thought I'd start sharing simple recipes that are easy to make, don't involve 237 ingredients and that also taste good.

This is a recipe that I've made a few times and the kids LOVE it! The best part? Only 5 ingredients.

You'll need an egg.

Separate the yolk and the white. Put the egg white in a bowl and beat it until a froth forms on top. Set aside. Place the yolk in a mixing bowl (see above.)

Add 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Next, add 1/2 cup of diced pepperoni.

Finally, add 1/4 teaspoon of oregano.

Roll out one 8oz. can of crescent rolls. Smooth all of the perforations and tears to make one large dough canvas.


Smooth your mixture on top and roll from one end to the other. Begin cutting at one end and making pizza rolls.

(Please look away from the overused baking sheet) Your pizza rolls will look something like this. Hopefully yours may even look a little better. Brush the tops of them with the egg white.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

The finished product will look something like this. YUMMY!!

Four years ago.....

So, I've had this cough. And it's not the kind of cough that people would mind being around. It's the kind of cough that people look at you for a brief moment and then scatter because they are sure you have some sort of plague.

Since I have this cough, it goes without saying I wasn't able to sing on Sunday. I started praying so hard last Friday that God would heal me because I HAD to sing Sunday. I know I've said this before, but God surely must laugh at me often. He knew exactly what He was doing.

On a regular basis I feel discouraged or like I'm just not doing well enough. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the amount of opinions I receive about song selection or the job I'm doing. I am often so uncertain of my abilities and whether everyone was happy with the job I was doing. Notice all those Is?

Can I tell you all of that faded away Sunday morning as I was sitting in the congregation. (No, God didn't see fit to heal me before Sunday.)

As I sat there my mind flashed back to four years ago. It was the last Sunday I would be spending in my former church. I started Zion Hill the first Sunday in October, 2005. I remembered how unhappy I had been and how close I had come to just walking away and giving up all together. I remembered how happy I felt at Zion Hill and how God used that church and the people in it to show me that He was still working in my life. In either late December or early January I started singing in the choir. I had never sang in an adult choir before. This was a first for me. I had always traveled and sang with my mother and wasn't necessarily accustomed to being a part of a group.

Can I tell you something I realized almost immediately? I loved it. I loved being a part of the group. I still love being a part of that group.

Someone told me recently that they didn't realize I was a music director because when I referenced our choir, they just assumed I was a choir member because of the way I spoke of them. I replied "I am a choir member. I will always be a choir member."

The truth is, I don't set myself at an elevation and don't want anyone else to do so either. I love our choir. We're a family. Sure, I have a little more responsibility than they do, but that's ok.

So back to Sunday. It suddenly dawned on me while I was sitting in the congregation listening just why God didn't choose to heal my voice in time for worship. He needed to remind me of my love of our choir and for what I do. He needed to show me that it's definitely not about me....ever....and the worship can continue without me.

There's a song our choir is going to sing for Christmas called "It's all About Your Glory." That's exactly what it's about. It's not about me, or my emotions or any single person in that choir. It's truly about Him. My job is to follow His guidance and allow Him to use me to guide our choir and lead our church in the act of worshipping Him.

I'm so grateful that I'm not where I was four years ago.....physically or spiritually. I'm so glad God allowed me to find the wonderful church home I am a part of now. I'm also so glad He has allowed me to be used in ways that I would have never though possible in my wildest dreams. Isn't God cool like that?

Thank you Lord for my calling. Forgive me for my unthankfulness. Thank you for reminding me how blessed I am.

FYI: I did finally go to the doctor yesterday. I have whooping cough. Three shots, two free samples and four prescriptions later I will either be cured.....or dead.

He never ceases to amaze me.....

I've sobbed for the last week over circumstances beyond my control.

Things changed this morning.

Once again, as He always does, God has shown up and sent encouragement into my life in three different ways this morning.

I mentioned in this post that some friends put together an awesome gift basket for me before my surgery. In that basket was a book of daily devotions. This was today's:

Break Strongholds

For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,...and we lead every though and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One.) 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

The Bible teaches that Satan tries to build strongholds in our lives. One way to identify the strongholds in your life is to watch for repetitive situations that pull you down in spirit. We all know inside when something is not right in our life or is getting out of control. If that happens to you, seek God early to find out what is going on. If a negative behavior becomes repetitive, that is a signal that Satan is building himself a stronghold in your life. God will destroy the devil's stronghold within you, if you draw near to Him.

The second thing that I was blessed by was this. I really appreciate people like Kelly who have struggled and after God has answered their prayer, don't forget what it was like to walk that path. Although she is now married and has been blessed with a beautiful little daughter, Harper, she hasn't forgotten the long, painful road that finally led to the blessings she is now enjoying. Take a moment to follow the link from Kelly's blog. You will be blessed...I promise. Don't look at it and think it doesn't apply to you because it is about having children. We are all hoping for something in our lives and this message is so encouraging. (You may want to listen when you aren't going to be expected to answer a phone or anything.....People walked by my desk and saw me boohooing and we won't even talk about what the people I spoke with on the phone were probably thinking!)

Each morning I have certain blogs that I read without fail. There are others that I don't always get around to reading. I realized this morning that it had been a while since I had read MaryBeth Chapman's blog and caught up. I knew exactly why when I read this post from August 22. God always knows when to lead you to something. The quote at the end by James Hudson Taylor sent me into more sobbing fits:

"May this be your experience; may you feel that the Hand which inflicts the wound supplies the balm, and that He who has emptied your heart has filled the void with Himself."

This morning I am trusting God for the strongholds Satan has on my mind to be broken, for my hope to be continually renewed and for His presence to be felt with me at all times.....even when things are bad. He will fill my voids with Himself....what a promise!

Blessings to all!

Who is this woman and why is she telling us all her business?

Most people formally introduce themselves in their first post or two.

Me? No.

Because I like to walk on the wild side.

Yep, that's me.

Actually, I'll be totally honest with you. I just totally forgot. I originally began keeping a blog on my myspace page and then transferred it here, and well, here we are.

I am totally going to rip off MckMama's introduction method, but I thought it was neat and it's early and I don't have an original thought in my head at this moment. Sorry.


In July 1984 my parents welcomed their second child into the world. A little girl they decided to name Sunni. I am their only daughter and the last child they had.


At 6 months old I begin attending the church my parents met in and were married in. My parents do not attend with my brother and me.


1986: We move a couple of miles away to a home my father totally remodeled himself. We still live there. Around this time my mother starts working and I stay with my aunt and cousin. He is an only child and I am happy to have someone to play with since my brother is in school. It is during this time I develop a habit that I still possess today. I would announce my trips to the bathroom and create a frenzy within Nick to run and sit on their only toilet. We still laugh about this at family gatherings.


During the fall of 1989 I start Kindergarten. I like my teacher and announce on the first day that I have a boyfriend. I am asked to play the part of "mommy kissing Santa Claus" in the Christmas play at school. I refuse the part because I don't want to kiss the boy playing Santa. I am an angel in the church Christmas program.


Fall of 1991: My parents are concerned that I'm in second grade and haven't lost my two front teeth yet. At the first sign of a slight wiggle, they pull them. It takes two years for them to grow back. They are huge and I hate my teeth.

Winter of 1993: I get a perm. My hair will never be straight again.


I start 5th grade in the fall of 1994. I begin to fill out and put on some weight.....a drastic change from my former tiny, petite body I've always had until that point. I will experience boys teasing me for the first time about my weight.

December 24, 1994: My great-grandmother is buried. I become aware of how money affects people for the first time and become appalled by my family who goes to her house right after the burial for the reading of the will. For the next few years at family gatherings my family will sit around and discuss oil checks and inheritances. I am disgusted.

June 1995: I get glasses and dread being picked on when I start the 6th grade.

July 1995: My pastor introduces us to the plan of salvation during a Sunday School lesson. I think about his words all week and finally surrender during the invitation at church the following week. I am the first person in my immediate family, and most of my extended family, to accept Christ.

August 1995: I am baptized on Children's Day in a river with four other people.

I start 6th grade and become obsessed, along with my best friend, with reading Goosebumps books. The constant teasing from boys in my class about my weight starts to affect me. I begin to think very negative thoughts about myself but refuse to go to anyone for help because I'm embarrassed.

1996: I sing special music in my church for the first time along with two other ladies. The song was "Blessed Assurance."

1997: My grandparents both accept Christ and they, along with my mother, start going to church with me. I start the 8th grade and during this year discover I LOVE wearing different and weird things. I go to school with orange and green hair. I become obsessed with Hanson.

One of the older guys in my youth group gets married and there is finally a younger female at our church. Brooke becomes such a major influence in my life. I am devastated when she is in a wreck and breaks her jaw and leg.

Princess Diana dies and I record the funeral for Brooke.

Christmas 1997: I play Mary in the Christmas program at church. I will remain Mary for the next 4 years due to a lack of young girls in our church.

January 1998: I begin teaching a Sunday School Class at my church. I am pressured by my church to change my choice of attire. I oblige and being wearing only skirts and dresses. The teasing from classmates has decreased. I land the lead in Hansel and Gretel along with Mac. I learn my lines very quickly and become annoyed with "Hansel" for not learning his. This is when I became aware of my controlling nature and extreme OCD.

May 1998: We are invited to a singing. I fell in love with the group and it's members. I quickly became friends with them and they become great encouragement in my life. They also introduce me to the world of Southern Gospel and I begin to pursue singing that music.

August 1998: I start high school. Everyone in my class has changed and everyone gets along. No one teases me anymore. We are all friends. I begin piano lessons.

Early 1999: I begin going to other churches to sing. I finally realize the call God has placed on my life and passionately pursue it. My brother graduates from high school. I am excited because I hope he moves out soon. I need the closet space.

Summer 1999: My mother accepts Christ and we soon begin singing together after that. We become known as "The Moyes." I go to Tennessee for my birthday that year and become friends with other singing groups. I meet someone who would become one of my best friends.

December 1999: I go to LaGrange for a week and my grandmother freaks out because I won't be home when the new millennium arrives. She is concerned a catastrophe will occur and I just want a break from my family and to stay with my friend.

I call home before the week is over for my mom to pick me up. She is sick with a virus and has burned her hand. My grandfather picks me up and I vow to never stay away from home over a week again.

2000: I am in the 10th grade. I switch piano teachers and love the new one. I begin learning at an astonishing rate. I take driver's education. I am one of only a few students with only a permit because I am still 15. I am allowed to go on the annual Christmas shopping trip with my mom for the first time on the day after Thanksgiving.

Early 2001: I am in 11th grade. I have my license and my parents buy me a Honda Accord. I am on the yearbook staff. I begin taking college classes. I become a teacher's aide at the elementary school. I realize during this time I enjoy office work. My grandparents buy me a sound system to use while I travel.

Summer 2001: One of my favorite uncles dies. During this time I become very close to an older cousin and I visit her church with her often. There I am introduced to praise and worship music and fall in love. She also introduces me to their piano player. We go on a couple of dates and part ways.

August 2001: My Senior year in high school begins. Two weeks later I receive a phone call in the middle of the night. My other favorite uncle died. I am racked with guilt wondering if I did enough to witness to him. I am burdened over his soul because I am unsure whether he knew Christ or not.

I begin playing piano at another church. I still teach Sunday School and leave in time to make it to the other church's morning service. I attend this church on Wednesday night for choir practice as well. I am introduced to a doctrine different to that I have always known. It sparks a lot of curiosity and I begin questioning much of what I've been taught.

December 2001: My friends and I have one last Christmas party together. I meet a friend from West Virginia for the first time in person.

January 2002: I am in the last half of my Senior year. I am still on the yearbook staff and our sponsor begins sneaking pizzas in the window to us. I resign as piano player at my "second church" and attend my home church exclusively.

February 2002: My home church splits and my family and I leave to attend a new church started by our former assistant pastor. I am devastated and confused. My brother proposes to his girlfriend.

April 2002: I am excited about graduation. We plan a party. I am looking forward to an event being about me and for once being in the spotlight instead of my brother.

My brother and his fiance announce they are getting married in a couple of weeks.

May 2002: My brother gets married. Two weeks later I graduate. My friend from West Virginia is able to come down. Even the people from the church I played piano for attended my graduation party. Their presence reminds me of the questions attending that church brought to my mind. I begin studying my Bible more than ever seeking answers to my questions.

June 2002: I start my first job in an office. I like working and decide to put college off for a while. I'm still putting it off. I buy my first cell phone.

I buy my first pair of pants in over 5 years in the fall of 2002. They were khaki. I feel like a rebel and like not being told what to wear anymore.

January 2003: I become an aunt. I am in the delivery room as we welcome Madyson into the world. I am over the moon and fall in love with her instantly.

October 2003: Due to undesirable circumstances, I change jobs. I am now working at a cotton gin as a secretary. I am like an alien in this environment. People here find me amusing. I become friends with the coolest person I've ever met. I will never again work with anyone I like as much as Renee. My job is temporary and my boss has another job set up for me at a bank starting after ginning season.

December 2003: We celebrate Madyson's first Christmas.

January 2004: Madyson turns one. My sister-in-law announces she is pregnant again. I find out Renee is having surgery and I will be staying on at the cotton gin for a while longer.

March 2004: I find out I can stay full time at the cotton gin and I am thrilled. While working here, I shock myself by developing a crush on a farmer. He eventually asks a friend if she thinks I would go out with him. I chicken out and tell her to tell him no. I later regret it.

October 2004: Luke is born. I stay home to keep Madyson. I drive her to the hospital just in time for his birth and to meet her new little brother. She likes him until we bring him home. He is referred to as "it" and "that baby" for the first 3 months of his life.

November 2004: I vote for the first time during a Presidential Election. I vote for George W. Bush.

June 2005: We take Madyson to Disney World for the first time. She is afraid of all the characters, including Mickey. Renee and I closely followed the Michael Jackson trial and while in Orlando I receive a text message with the verdict...not guilty. She calls me to make sure I've heard the verdict. We are happy. I have concluded I do not agree with the doctrine I have been taught according to my study throughout the Bible.

July 2005: I turn 21. I spend my 21st birthday at a singing with The Hoskins Family. I receive my first ipod from my mother. I am so tired of church and church people I want to give up and quit. However, I am not tired of God. I officially begin a search for a new church.

September 2005: While having my nails done, my hair dresser invites me to visit her church.

October 2005: I visit Zion Hill Baptist Church for the first time. My family does not like that I am searching for a new church. Luke turns 1.

November 2005: My family stages the first of many interventions thinking I have set myself on a path leading straight to hell. They scream. I scream. We all disagree. They stop talking to me. They will not speak to me again for 10 months except to scream or tell me I'm wrong.

February 2006: I become a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. I experience the first peace and happiness in church I have known in years. My mother and I finally complete the last of our bookings singing together as "The Moyes."

May 2006: I leave my job at the cotton gin to go back to school for cosmetology.

July 2006: I celebrate my 22nd birthday without my family. The only cake I have that year is a chocolate cake bought by my pastor.

September 2006: I become Assistant Music Director. My family is speaking to me again, but things aren't the same. I feel like our relationships will forever be changed. However, I find myself closer to God than ever.

October 2006: I realize I miss working in an office. I look for a new job. I begin working for an attorney. This is during the real estate boom and I feel as though I'm going to have a nervous breakdown.

December 2006: I sing in my first Christmas Cantata.

January 2007: We find out that my sister-in-law is going to have another baby.

Sometime in the spring, we find out that the third baby is a boy and Madyson cries. She does not want another brother.

Benjamin is born in August 2007. Once again, I take off from work and bring the two big kids to meet the new little brother. We are surprised to learn that Luke actually likes him. I start a new job as a receptionist.

I become Music Director in September 2007. I am excited and scared to death.

Spring of 2008: Health problems that I have experienced for a very long time begin to worsen. I begin to battle depression. I fight to present myself as happy and like I have it together.

August 2008: Madyson starts Kindergarten. I write my first post on my blog I started on myspace.

Fall of 2008: I join an online dating service determined to find someone to date in an attempt to please my mother by finally dating. My depression worsens. I also feel like dating will take my mind off my problems.

October 2008: I meet someone and we begin talking to each other regularly. We finally meet in November. One week later I meet his parents.

December 2008: We have an outdoor live nativity Christmas program. We nearly freeze to death. I feel guilty that my new relationship may have taken some attention off the choir and the program and that I may have let them down. I make an appointment to see a doctor.

February 2009: I see a doctor and begin a long journey of medication changes and doctor visits. My depression is finally controlled and for that I am thankful. I move my blog from myspace to this address permanently.

May 2009: My relationship comes to an end. I decide to not consider what others think of my social life. My attitude was and remains again, it'll happen when it happens if it happens. I'm ok with that.

July 2009: I spend a week in Destin and find out a week later I will be having surgery.

August 2009: I have my surgery. I blog about it. At my checkup I'm told by my doctor that if I want children I need to go ahead and have them within the next couple of years. My treatment options are not optimal. I feel uncertain and deeply disappointed. Once again God shows me that His plans are not mine. I learn to praise Him even when things aren't good.

Present: So much has happened in my life. I'm sure there were things that have happened that are more major than the ones I highlighted. There were things I left out and things I was embarrassed to share. There were good times and bad times. There were times I was angry and times I was overjoyed. If I have learned anything in my life, it is that God's love is true and He is ALWAYS faithful. I'm so grateful for His faithfulness in my life. While I don't know what my future holds, I do know that I won't have to face it alone.

Ironically, this is the very first blog post I ever wrote on myspace. I thought it was fitting for the post I introduced myself in. It was originally written August 23, 2008.

On Sunday morning as my pastor was preaching from Luke 18, I looked over and saw Luke 17:32, "Remember Lot's wife." I made myself a note to go back to that verse because something told me that there was something there for me.

We all know the story of Lot's wife. We know how God spared Lot and his family from the destruction in Sodom and Gomorrah. We know how they were instructed not to look back and yet, she did.

The last several years have been such a struggle for me. I've been tempted to look back a whole lot. And you know what? I have several times. If this is an area you struggle in, take it from me. Don't look back. There's nothing good that can come from it. I don't think you'll turn into salt or anything, but I'm sure the results still won't be of any help to you. We read stories in the Bible of people who looked back such as Lot's wife and the children of Israel and we judge them. We look at their previous circumstances and think "Why would they want to go back to that?" The truth is: We're no different. The only difference is that we know their whole story and we don't know all the details of the end of ours.

We're still serving the same God though and He's promised us good. He won't lead us into anything that isn't for our good. Why can't we just trust and not look back. Why do we hold on to those things that weigh us down? Holding on to old things holds you back. Let go of the past! Keep pressing on!

Hardships will come. Tests will happen. I think of Job. I can honestly say I, nor anyone I know, has ever suffered like Job. In the story of Job, I would probably be playing the part of his wife. (You know...just curse God and die) Job reminded her that we cannot have all good and expect to never endure hardships. How easy would it have been for Job to just wallow in all he had been through and to bring it up every chance he could get? And yet he didn't. I read once that consistent faith is the way to defeat Satan. Job didn't look back...he pressed on.

A verse that has been so much of a blessing and yet so convicting to me is Philippians 4:8. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

I think Job had that verse conquered before it was even penned.

Don't look back to your past of slavery. When you're tired of wandering in the wilderness and weary of the uncertainty of where God is leading, be assured that He will lead to a place better than you can imagine. It's up to us to fully surrender and say we're not dwelling in the slavery of our past but instead we will choose to dwell in His presence. Psalm 16:11 says "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

I choose to dwell in His presence.

It was like switching from Daylight Savings Time.....only not.

Today is mom's surgery which meant I had childcare duties in full force on my own this morning. Since Madyson's bus comes at 6:30, they usually wake up around 5:45.

Being the planner that I am, I had the whole strategy outlined before I closed my eyes last night. I would wake up around 5:15ish, take my shower and then start getting everyone up and ready. The plan was going wonderfully. I had taken my shower and applied my makeup.

I feel I need to explain now that these kids are more sluggish in the morning than I am.....and well, that's BAD. VERY BAD. They insisted it was NOT time to wake up. All the while, I was pulling covers back and pulling their feet to the floor leading them to the kitchen for breakfast while Luke continued to ask "Is it nighttime?"

Because I channeled my inner June Cleaver (insert sarcasm), they had a nutritious breakfast consisting of Fruity Pebbles......which reminds me that we forgot to take our Flintstones vitamins this morning....oops.

Anyway, hair was brushed (or spiked for Luke), teeth were brushed, clothes were worn and shoes were put on feet.....and with 10 minutes to spare thank you very much. This gave me time to dry my hair.

6:30....Time for the bus. No bus.

6:45.....Still no bus.

7:00.....Guess what? Still no bus.

GREAT!!! Frantic rush to finish getting dressed and brushing my own teeth.

7:10....I begin gathering lunches, snacks and backpacks and rushing to the car to move stuff around and loading up to take Madyson to school myself.

7:12....I walk back through the kitchen door to notice the time on the coffee pot......6:12.

Yeah, that's right. We were up and at 'em a whole hour early. Did you hear that? An HOUR early!!! I cannot stress how important sleep is to me. It is what I love to do most. It is essential to my functioning throughout the day and I just lost a whole hour of it.

This may also explain why it was still dark when we were waiting on the school bus. I'm not sure, but it's just a theory.

Apparently after our lights went off yesterday during a storm, I reset the clock a whole hour later. No, I still don't know how that happened. Perhaps I should have caught the bus with Madyson and repeated the first grade to, you know, learn how to tell time and all.

Looking at the big picture, I really may not be the best person to leave your child with.....you know with all the unhealthy breakfast and not taking vitamins and all.....

......but they'll be on time!

Are you smarter than a four year old?

This morning while we were waiting on the teachers to show up for preschool Luke and I had a conversation of the type I LIVE for. There is nothing more fun than to hear a little kid's perspective on things of life.

This was our conversation.....complete with the speech exactly the way he would say it.

Luke: Hey Nunni. We planted punkins yestaday.

Me: REALLY? That's really neat.

Luke: Yep. We're gonna paint them. But first they have to turn gween and yewow and owange.

Me: Wow. That sounds like fun. Are you excited about watching them turn colors? (Not sure if that is true or not and totally embarrassed that the four year old knows more about something than I do.)

Luke: Yep.

Me: So what else happened yesterday? What was the Bible story about?

Luke: About some guy that got beat up.

Me: (Searching my head for a Bible story that could match "some guy got beat up".) Was it David and Goliath?

Luke: Uh no. (Looking at me like THE dumbest person ever.)

Me: Well, who then?

Luke: They threw him in the ditch.

Me: The Good Samaritan?

Luke: Uh.....Yeah (Still looking at me like I should have got that 10 minutes ago.)

Me: Oh look.....your teacher just pulled up.

In my defense it was before 8:00 a.m. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some studying I need to do.

La La La La...Elmo's World....

Saturday our house was transformed into Elmo's World. Frankly, Elmo's world isn't that appealing to me. I mean, have you heard the song? "Elmo loves his goldfish, his crayon too....That's Elmo's world!!"

Finally I have found someone who has a sadder world than me. Boy, imagine if all you had to look forward to was a goldfish and A crayon. He doesn't even have a whole box of crayons....poor guy.

But, as sad as Elmo's world is, we still celebrated with the furry little monster for this little monster:

Anyway, to say I was challenged is an understatement. I still had not fully recovered from the surgery, so the cake wasn't one of my finer moments. The fondant just didn't happen as planned. After the icing....I was pooped.




It is so much fun to see the difference from the first and second birthday. They don't get the whole, blow the candle out thing, but he blew his candle out about 6 times. I guess that means he's twelve???

Of course, what's an Elmo party without Elmo presents?

He now has the furry Elmo hands. Sunday morning I opened my bedroom door and a flash of red hands went blurring by. He also received an Elmo see'n'say with shapes, a new bike and some clothes.

I also have to mention the worst gift I've ever bought. I bought him a new jacket and a pair of shoes. However, Ben, is not a fan of shoes. AT ALL.

This is where I broke a vow I made 6 1/2 years ago when Madyson was born. I swore then I would NEVER.....NEVER.....purchase character shoes. Three kids later....I broke the vow.

Look at our new shoes that we love and refuse to take off!

It was such a fun day. I love celebrating each of their birthday's and showing them just how special they are to me and to our whole family.

Fun was had by all.

But before I end this post, I have to show you the coolest thing I found at Party City. They had balloons with names on them. Of course, I had to buy them. How cute are they???

Dear Bejamin

Dear Bejamin,

Today you are two years old. That's unbelievable. You should still be that enormous baby the nurses brought out. I still remember them unrolling your from your blanket and we all gasped. You were HUGE! HUGE! You had little rolls all over....but you were the cutest little thing. Who would have known that little 8 lb 0.5 oz baby would have brought so much excitement? And excitement it has been.....along with some mischief, wild antics and just plain craziness.

To put it simply...you're wild. You walk in the room and you let it be known that you are present. I wonder where you get that from? ;-) I worried when you were born that the bond Madyson and Luke had with each other would make you vulnerable to their plots against you. HA! They run in fear of you. You take nothing from no one. I think you're still getting even from all the pokes and prods you received from your first meeting with them.

You are without a doubt the funniest little kid I've ever known. You make me laugh daily. For that, I'm so grateful you are in my life. You're also bossy and impatient. If you didn't have that little finger to point, I'm not sure you could talk.

It breaks my heart sometimes to think that you're the last of the babies.....and today you're no longer a baby. You're a toddler. Even though it's sad that you're not a baby, I'm excited to see the little boy you are becoming. I love you more each and every day.

I love you Buford!

Love,
Nunni

It all started when.....

< So I know I've been noticeably absent from the blog for a little while now. I've had a perfectly good reason though. A little thing called life. I honestly have no idea how to even approach the task of catching up on all that has happened. I know this will become known as the longest post ever written on a blog....ever. I suggest a bathroom break and grabbing a snack right now. So the main reason I was absent was I had a minor surgery last Tuesday. I knew the whole experience would be blog worthy after the 3 hours I spent doing all the pre-op stuff on the Friday before.

I walked into a room FULL of people (and not a one of them under 65 I will add) and sat down in the only empty chair in the room. Luckily, it was next to an irate, profanity screaming lady who liked to talk to herself. I'm no expert, but I've watched a lot of Dr. Phil and my diagnosis was turrets. She explained to the whole room that she had only stopped in there for directions and now she has to wait all day to see someone. Um, yeah, because when I need directions, the first place I go is to the pre-op of a hospital.

I was finally called back to a cubicle to talk about all my business with a lady, and let's be honest, everyone else in the surrounding cubicles. This made me ask "Whatever happened to patient confidentiality?" Luckily, they were trying out a new computer system which made the whole process last twelve and a half times longer than it would have normally lasted. All of the documents are now signed on the computer and the lady was impressed beyond words how well I had signed. She said I had signed better than anyone else had. It probably has something to do with the fact that I've signed my name on a credit card or twelve or it could be that all of the other people that had been at her desk were 106 and probably don't have the most steady hands in the world.

I was then sent back into the waiting room to wait for one of about 4 old men to usher me to the room where I knew torture awaited.......the blood work.

Little did I know, the actual torture would take place on the walk to the lab. Not only did my little old man usher me to the lab, but he also had another couple to walk there. Grandpa, bless his heart, couldn't keep up and I'm pretty sure I had my 26th birthday during the time it took us to walk down the hall. During the walk the lady asked our "leader" what she was having done. I couldn't help but think this was something you should know BEFORE you got there. He informed her she was having a mammogram. It was then I knew I had to make sure he delivered the right paperwork to the nurse in the lab. As much as I was dreading the blood work that awaited me, I knew I had NO desire to endure a mammogram.

After arriving the in the lab I completed yet another form that included all of the same questions I had just answered. This sparked another question. If everything is on computers, why am I answering the same thing over and over and over again?

I endured the weigh in. She started in the 120s. I went ahead and helped her out by just moving the scale to the other end and telling her she shouldn't waste her time.

I was then lectured on the need for me not to wear make-up or deodorant the day of my surgery. Um, what? She also seemed to have questions about every other area of my body except the area being operated on. After asking a very personal question about that area, and the nurse not having an answer I had to ask her if she could please read my paperwork to me so I could be assured that they did indeed know what end of my body was being operated on.

To cut to the final chase of that horrible, never ending day....yes, the blood work was miserable and painful and I sported a bruise on my arm for a week and a half. Also, there is no feeling like walking down the hall of a hospital with a cup of your own urine. Yeah, I was sufficiently grossed out.

I cannot go on to the day of the surgery without sharing a very inadequate pic of the most awesome gift basket ever! I've said it many times, but I have to say it again.....I have the most amazing friends. This basket was totally full of the best books, magazines, snacks, lotion and other goodies ever.....including the BEST gingersnap cookies on the planet made by Kerrie. I'm so bummed I didn't get a better pic of it.

Thanks Tammy, Kerrie, Bryan and Crissy!!!

Fast forward to the day of the surgery. I was weepy. Not entirely because of the surgery though. I was missing Madyson's first day of First Grade. We have a First Grader now. I was so upset I was missing a milestone. Let's face it, I'm the milestone queen. I'm there for them all and have the pictures to prove it. Even though I wasn't there, I still have the pictures from the morning.

In case you're wondering about the shoe picture, those are Twinkle Toes by Skechers. We, I mean I with Madyson constantly nagging me, searched high and low looking for those shoes in her size and without a skull, thank you very much. These are actually some cute shoes in person. The tongues are hot pink and black zebra print....how cute is that?!?! I'm so relieved because I think she's going to have my sense of style.

So while Madyson was going to first grade, I was laying in a hospital bed with nothing between me and the seemingly 50 other people in pre-op but a hospital gown and curtain. Yeah, it was pleasant.....Especially the moment that I had to be assisted to the bathroom to keep my backside covered by a blanket and to have my iv carried. Call me difficult and high maintenance, but I like to take care of my business ALONE.

My very kind pastor showed up and I can't express the comfort he and my grandmother provided while talking about death and planning funerals while sitting on either side of me before I went into SURGERY. I know it was a minor procedure and all, but you know it wasn't really the topic of conversation I would have chosen for the moment. It actually provided some comic relief for the moment though when I expressed my thoughts on their distasteful conversation.

Waking up from surgery is no fun. My first memories were of the nurse sitting with me listing my bandages and other "stuff" to someone on the phone. Although I could never pick her out of a lineup, she was my favorite nurse. She took the goofy hat off of me they made me wear into surgery and fixed my hair....because even though I just came out of surgery and at the moment I did NOT care, I am eternally grateful now. She also gave me ice, which doesn't sound like much, but since I had not had anything since midnight, the ice was good.

After leaving recovery, the next nurse was not so much of a favorite. She told me I had to go to the bathroom to be discharged. Well ok, that wouldn't be so much of a problem if I was certain I could feel my legs and you know, walk. I declined her offer to leave and went back to sleep. I was awakened every few minutes by my "helpful" grandmother who continued to feed me ice and nearly choked me to death. I finally made it out of the bed and into my clothes and was discharged.....but not after asking me to sign something. Um, yeah....I don't know what I signed, but I'm pretty sure my signature looked something like the infamous Michael Jackson signature on this document. For all I know I signed away my first born and my first born's first born.

That night we had a pretty bad storm and lightening struck our satellite. I don't have to tell you what a horrible thing that was. Especially since it happened on Tuesday and they weren't sending anyone until Saturday. Luckily, three of the four boxes were hit and the one that wasn't was mine. Hey, I had just had surgery.....maybe God just felt like cutting me a break that day. It still presented a problem because while I could watch all my night shows, what was I going to do during the day while I was sitting in the recliner in the living room? I'll tell you what....I had a Reba marathon. I knew having all the seasons on DVD would pay off. I do feel like I need to insert here that if you are in pain, watching a funny show isn't always a good thing. Oh the pain.

And finally......We have a preschooler now. That's right. Luke is a big boy now. I can't even begin to express how hard it is to leave him every morning. He's always been the "baby" of the three and it's just hard leaving him. I am very relieved though that he loves it and gladly stays when I drop him off every morning.

You didn't think I wouldn't have pics of his first day did you?

We know nothing about nothing.

One of the kids' favorite things to do is look at a picture album I have that has pictures of all their births.....nothing too graphic mind you. Madyson and Luke were looking in it a couple days ago and it sparked one of the funniest conversations I've heard in a while.

Madyson: What is that stuff on me? Is it lotion?

Jessica (her mom): Um, no.

Madyson: Well, what is it then?

Jessica: Um, I don't know.

Madyson: Mammie what is it?

My mom: Ask your mom.

Madyson: Nunni, what is it?

Me: Blank stare.....

Madyson: Good grief! Well, somebody HAS to know what it is!

I'm sure we've now left her with the feeling that no one in her family knows anything about anything....especially her birth.

I'll start saving now for the therapy bill.

Birthday Recap

As everyone so lovingly pointed out to me, yesterday I reached the "halfway to 50" mark. That's right, I'm 25. I had a wonderful birthday. In fact, I'm thinking about turning 25 again next year.

The kids decorated and threw me a surprise party when I got home from work yesterday. Here are a few pics of their decorations.

Madyson designed a birthday cake for me and helped mom make it.

These are my grandparents. My Papa was a cook in the National Guard and he makes the best pancakes in the world and as a birthday treat for me, he's making some tonight! YES!

These were my birthday tulips sent by a great friend who remembered they are my favorite flower. It was such a pleasant surprise!!

I was also treated to a wonderful birthday lunch with some wonderful friends yesterday, but forgot to take pics so I took a few of the gifts they gave me. All of the gifts were so perfect! They really know me and my style!


This was the gift from my friend Crissy. (A necklace and some Love Spell from Victoria's Secret....it smells so good!)

These were the gifts from my friend, Tammy. A really pretty necklace, bracelet and earring set. Black....not that I wear that much...HA! She also gave me a hot pink purse. I can't imagine why I did not already have one as much as I love pink, but I'm so glad I have one now.

This is my jewelry from my friend, Kerrie. I'm actually wearing this set today. She always manages to find the most unique jewelry. Love it!

I also got some cash, a gift card from work, and some really cool shoes from my mom that I had wanted.

It was such a great day and I really appreciate all of my friends and family making it so special!!