I C U LOOKIN'

I don't know why I thought of a circa 1989 low rider window sayin' when I saw this picture, but I'm pretty sure Suge has his eyes open, even if it's just a slit.

Love you Suge.

Preschool Graduation

Oh my...I can't believe my very first baby (he's not actually mine of course), just graduated preschool tonight. Before we know it, we'll be crying at high school graduation. Where does the time go?

On My Heart

I know it's been a month since I last visited here with you and I'm sorry. But I promise to make it up to you. There will be pictures galore in my next post, don't you worry. Today, I want to take a few minutes to tell you about a book I've been reading and how it's been working on me.

The book is called Plan B, it was written by Pete Wilson of Crosspoint Community Church in Nashville. The same church Mom, Uncle C and Sweetheart attend. Mom got me the book 2 months ago and I just started it a week or so ago. Anyway... so far there have been many things in the book that have hit home with me but nothing like this passage from Chapter 8 called Darkness:

"Can You Handle It? Like you, perhaps, I grew up in church. And my overall experience with that was actually quite positive. I'm not one who walks around bitter and carrying a lot of baggage from my early church experiences. However, there were several times in my life when well-meaning people spoke what they thought were scriptural truths into my life. But those "truths," which actually were not scriptural at all, just created layers of distortions about how I relate to God. One particular phrase I seemed to hear over and over was this: "God will never give you more than you can handle." It sounds so sweet and biblical, like something my grandmother would have done in needlepoint and hung on the wall in her house. The problem is, nothing could be further from the truth. Where in the world did we get such a whacked theology? Where's that verse in the Bible? Hallucinations 4:32 maybe?"

He goes on to say: "Here's the truth--and this one is thoroughly biblical: throughout life you will face one situation after another that will be completely beyond what you can handle."

He says the Bible is packed full of stories of people who were given more than they could handle and they were forced to make a choice--"either abandon God or worship him in the midst of a Plan B."

Essentially what we are being taught here is that, God wants us to depend on him. He does not want us to think we can do it on our own. And let me say this, I've used that phrase more times than you can imagine trying to comfort someone, I am GUILTY. But doesn't this theology make much more sense? After reading this chapter I couldn't help but think about the families in Nashville that have lost everything, my friend who recently lost a loved one unexpectedly or all those fishermen in Louisiana that are out of work indefinitely. Now, I want to give totally different advice. I want to say lean on Him now more than ever. Take comfort in Him. He wants you to know that you need Him. And I believe He will get you through this.

You can purchase the book on Amazon.

Love ya friends.
Mama Stone

March & April, where have you gone?

So I'm over the whole giving you a report on how bad and/or good I'm doing on my New Year Resolutions. Mostly because I missed March and April is almost over, and I think the ones that I have done well keeping are the same ones I mentioned in February. The ones I need to work on, are the same ones.

Lots has been going on. I did run a race on March 20th. That went pretty good. An old friend from high school came and ran it too, as did Uncle C and Sweetheart. Mom walked this one and got a TROPHY! We went out for pancakes after, that was MY favorite part.

I attended Mule Day for the first time this year. That was actually mine and Wildman's something new we did together this month. I wish I had pictures but I'm becoming more forgetful as time moves on.

Which reminds me, I failed to inform you that I'm pregnant. Oops! Yes, of course it was planned, do you know me? But Suge and I have been talking it over (well I've done most of the talking) for almost a year. He finally gave in, I mean agreed it would be best for our family so here we are. On Monday I got to hear the heartbeat and was informed that I was approximately 10 1/2 weeks pregnant. Wildman is beside himself. He has all kinds of questions. It really has been interesting since I don't really know too many friends that have had their second child when their first child is this age (the curious I want to know and ask everything age). I've been posting some of our funny question and answer sessions on Facebook, so I won't bore you with them here. But be sure to know HE WANTS A SISTER. He had informed us long ago that he wanted a big sister (heaven knows why. my brother sure didn't), but has conceded that maybe a little sister would be ok. I'm still unsure how we are going to break it to him if it does end up being a boy. I've still got to think on that one. I've been feeling lots better these past two weeks and will be glad to get past the 12 week mark.

But, before I get past 12 weeks I must take a quick vaca to Miami with some girls to celebrate Uncle C and Sweetheart's nearing wedding. Can you believe it's one month away? How unattractive could I possibly look in a swimsuit right now. Oh, I'll let you know. I think I'm just going to make the bride look that much more fabulous!

This Is What I've Been Dealing With

I'll post you a really good update soon. Meanwhile if you need a good laugh, log in and look at this crazy guy.

xoxo.

Mama Stone

And she's back...

10 days later and the funk is over. What I have done in the meantime:

I have run, had my hair colored, been a concert goer, had dinner with friends, shopped with Mom and Step-Mom, attended church, life group, and a book fair, and plenty other boring Mom/Wife-like things that I know you couldn't care less about.

I'm looking forward to a 5K on Saturday, since Mom, Uncle C and Sweetheart are all joining in. I think a friend from high school is running it too. I can honestly say that I will NEVER be able to run the whole thing, my running has all of the sudden gone to pot, but I'm excited none the less. It'll be fun.

I think the sun is going to come out today, that always makes for a better mood. When we left the house this morning everyONE was in a good mood. Do you know how few times that has EVER happened? I will cherish the day...

The Funk

Have you ever been in a funk? I think it happens to people a lot at the end of winter. Some call it seasonal depression. I call it the funk. It all started about 3 weekends ago when the weather was really nice and we got to play outside and enjoy the sunshine. Then something happened... At first it was mysterious and I couldn't really put my finger on it. I felt bored, sad, tired and sluggish all at the same time. I was wearing my sweaters again and I hated everything in my closet. Then it hit me...when it snowed AGAIN. I'm ready for spring. Ready to leave the back door open and quit wearing wool. I'm ready to run outside and ditch my friend the treadmill. I'm ready to see that first buttercup and enjoy coffee and cookies outside, all while Wildman digs in the dirt.

Maybe now that I've identified my problem (admitting you have a problem is the first step, right?) I can take action to move past it. If nothing else, I've got the fact that the time changes this weekend.

Today is shaping up to be a pretty day.

I think I'll take a run outside. That's a step in the right direction.