enough with the camera

A clear sign your daughter is done having her picture taken:

a "big girl" riddle

What do this...


these...


and her have in common?


We've entered a new phase bloggers. Our baby is more than interested in The Big Girl Potty. She can tell me when she needs her diaper changed. She can say the word "potty" and walk into the bathroom. And she loves to sit on the Big Girl Potty.

I hesitate to label our new phase "Potty Training" (The Big PT!) because she's not consistent in any of the above areas. She's yet to actually go while sitting on the Big Girl Potty. Plus we have no goal of being out of diapers in a week, or anything of that nature. While we want to capitalize on her interest and not miss this window of opportunity, our hope is to do so without rushing into anything or pushing her to the point of frustration. (That will come later in life when she's a teenager and has a curfew. Ha!)

So maybe a better name for our new season would be "Potty Awareness." Welcome aboard bloggers. Here's hoping the ride isn't too messy.

still here!

Hi bloggers! Sorry we've been M.I.A. We have much to tell you, but little time in which to expound. We'll be back as soon as we can. Just wanted to pop in and let you know we love you. Have a great night!

snip, snip

This past weekend Reesie had another first. And last. At least I hope it's a last. Please, oh please be the last. Bloggers, please join me in saying a hearty "Hasta la vista!" to the toddler mullet.

After careful deliberation and a moderate amount of peer pressure, I decided to go through with it and cut the child's hair. Auntie Michelle was in town for the weekend, so she came along for Chica's big appointment.

Seeing as desperate times call for desperate measures, her appointment coincided with nap time. She fell asleep on the ride over, so I wasn't sure how well she'd cooperate.

She sat very still the entire time, too tired to move or even crack a smile.

Miss Janet did a great job and after a few minutes of snipping here and snipping there, it was all over!

Now mullet-less she looks like a brand new woman, and I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner.

Hope your weekend is all party in the back bloggers!

scavenger hunt!

1. First Name.
Rachel.
2. State and Country of Residence.
Mississippi, USA.
3. Husband’s Ministry Title.
Youth Pastor.
4. Length of time in Current Ministry Location.
Three years.
5. Children? If yes, give gender and ages.
An 18 month old wild woman.
6. Number of unique homes in which you’ve lived during your marriage.
Three.
7. Cook Sunday lunch or eat out?
Eat out.
8. Typically on time for Sunday School or not?
If I'm on time it's only because I found the car keys in less than five minutes, put my makeup on in the car and sprinted Marion Jones style from the nursery to the sanctuary.
9. Favorite TV Show.
Right now I love The Office and 18 Kids and Counting.
10. Something you watch/like/do that you would never tell the church people. (Except now you just did…lol)
I don't like beans. Something about the texture or consistency makes it impossible for me to even put them in my mouth. I feel so guilty when church meals have beans in them. If Danny's there I make him eat my portion. If I'm flying solo I fill up on salad and rolls.
11. Most annoying church-related pet peeve.
Florescent lights.
12. One thing you need to throw away but can’t bring yourself to do it.
Old tennis shoes.
13. The one food you can not live without.
Microwave popcorn.
14. Parsonage or have your own home?
Own home.
15. Freak when the doorbell rings or always ready for a visitor?
Freak out!

one in a million

Monday night was the last night of women's fall Bible study. We went through Priscilla Shirer's study called One in a Million. It follows the Old Testament Israelites as they left Egypt, heading for the Promised Land and what happened to them on that journey. Of the two million original Jews who left Egypt, only two of them actually stepped foot in Canaan. Thus the one in a million statistic.

(I was talking to Debs about this study the other night and she said the title made her think of a song in Miss Congeniality. Remember? It's the song that's playing during the pageant opening when they're all dressed up like the Statue of Liberty and carrying around torches and cutouts of their states. Too funny!)

Back to Bible study. It's hard to know what to say about it, or to explain what it means to me. It comes out so trite. So trivial. So not what it is. So I'll show you this picture instead. At women's Bible study we watch the DVD lesson as a big group (I think there were about 60 of us this time around) and then we divide into small groups by age. Except for my big old Sponge Bob head nearly blocking Kim, I think we're pretty cute! Our Fearless Leader Carol is in the front row wearing the navy top.

This is my sixth Bible study with these women. (Please don't be impressed. This sinful heart needs all the Bible study it can get. I only tell you that to give you an idea of what we've been through together.) The group changes somewhat each time around. (We love new girls!) But Carol has been our leader since I arrived on the scene. I christened her Fearless Leader myself and if you knew what a handful our small group is, you'd know the title is dead on.

Very little small group time (if any) is spent on small talk. We get down to business. Partly because time is short. Mostly because we've realized we're all better off getting right to the tough stuff. The sin stuff. The God stuff. We laugh and cry. And laugh until we cry. Any pretenses are left at the door because when we acknowledge that none of us has it all together, it's a direct route to the only One who does. I'm telling you, any one of these girls could blackmail me for what I've divulged in small group. :)

I'm so thankful God's given me this group for this season of life. I respect each one of these women. They've encouraged me and challenged me. They've made me laugh until my sides nearly split.

Only two of the original Israelites entered the Promised Land together. Praise God 13 of us are entering ours. I wouldn't have wanted to get my feet sandy with anyone else.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:24-25

mouse in our house

This weekend we found a mouse in our house.

She was dressed to the nines and on the prowl for something good to eat.

At one point I cornered her, but the squirmy thing escaped my grasp...

and traveled to another home in search of something tasty.

They lavished her with goodies, so she set up permanent residence.

The End.