Dear Diary...

Alright, I promised you some childhood diary entries, so here are some of the best ones I could find.

I believe these were written when I was in 4th grade (1986). They are presented in original form (i.e. grammar, spelling, etc.)

January 5 - Today is a school day Yuk! Well it is probably not going to be so bad after all. It wasn't so bad. I have a nice teacher sort of. Well I am having a nice year now. School is not so bad. I am having a wonderful time.

I'll take indecisive for 600, Alex!

January 15 - Dear Diary, I went to school and had a good day exept for one little part of music class messed me up! The teacher asked us to write our schelue of the day on a sheet of paper. Now do you really think thats part of music class? The rest of the day was probably uh...fair I'd say. I usually have good days at school.

These entries are from 1991 when I was in the 8th grade:

(This entry is from our trip to to Washington DC for my uncle's inauguration into the U.S. House of Respresentatives)

January 3 - Today we went for donuts at Uncle C's office. There were all these hicks that voted for Uncle C there too. They just got in the way. We watched Uncle C get sworn in. For supper we went to Hogate's. By the time I got my hamburger, I was ready to barf. But it was good. After supper, we went to the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Wall.

I can't believe I wrote that about my uncle's constituents! That's really embarrassing!

February 15 - Today, Mrs. H (my science teacher) embarrassed me and Chris (guy who sat beside me who I had a crush on). I also asked him if he was going to the dance. He's not, he is going to a hornet's game (Charlotte Hornet's NBA team). I would love to dance w/him. Not anybody great was at the dance. I had fun. After it, we went to Susan's house.

February 22 - I'm bored with school except for 6th period because Chris is in there.

March 4 - Today was an ok day. I had a bad headache. Nothing much went on today. I always look forward to 6th period. Chris H. is in there. He is so fine!!!!!! (actual number of exclamation points) I just look into his eyes and about die of overwhelmness. Tell you more about him tomorrow. Talk to you tomorrow. Chow.

Then, there are no more entries. In case you were wondering, things didn't work out with Chris. He was a really nice guy though. I love how I made up a new word - overwhelmness. Pretty creative. Well, there you have it. I'm sure I just bored you to tears. I live such an exciting life, what can I say?

buried treasure

Several years ago, my mom bequeathed to me my old baby book. It actually isn't just a book, but a box filled with the baby book, old pictures, birthday cards, and various memorabilia of my earlier years. There were several precious (and hysterical treasures) in it. Walk with me, if you will, down memory lane.

Exhibit A: Diploma

Not just any diploma, but my diploma from Santa's Land. What's Santa's Land you ask? Well, Santa's Land is the home of Santa and his helpers. Isn't that in the North Pole? Well, no. Its actually in Cherokee, NC...duh. The certificate I have certifies and I quote:

"Caroline has visited Santa's Land and completed in a satisfactory manner the good conduct standards Santa requires to make his next Christmas visit and is therefore awarded this diploma."

Santa himself signed on the line as a witness.

About those good conduct standards...

There would happen to be photographic evidence to the contrary. All the polaroids we have of this glorious trip to Santa's mothership document either Sarah (my sis) or I in tears. One in particular (I wish I had it in my possession) was of Sarah and me (ages 4 and 2 respectively) standing basically in the crotch region of this gi-normous Santa (I keep typing Satan accidentally). In the picture, I am crying and trying to run away and Sarah is sweetly waiting for the Kodak moment to end.

Apparently Santa's back was turned during our visit.

Exhibit B: Self-Portrait

Now this I really wish was small enough to put on the scanner. I'll do my best to describe it to you. The date on this masterpiece is April 1982 - I was 5 years old. This "Piece" was painted, with actual paints (probably that powder paint you add water to - remember that?). I guess I live in the land of perpetual sunburn as my face is RED. I have big bug eyes and long blonde hair reminiscent of the Rapunzel braids. Just for the record, I have never had hair past my shoulders. My neck is basically a square painted yellow. Underneath my neck is my body (reminiscent of a semi-circle), painted blue. The legs are brown stick legs and to finish it off, my shoes are black circles. So, to sum up my self-portrait, I am a sunburned Rapunzel on wheels who happens to be wearing a blue "dress". Lovely.

Exhibit C: Dear Diary

My old journal entries! This will have to be a whole other post. This post is getting too long and I don't want to lose you as the best is yet to come!

Exhibit D: Senior Class Rank

For some reason, I still have the index card indicating my class rank in high school. I think they put this one out during our senior year. I was pleasantly surprised at my academic prowess. I was 43rd in a class of 456. Top 10%! I remember being a little disappointed when I saw this at first, but time has a way of putting things into perspective. There were only 42 people smarter than me at school! WOW. I didn't think I was that smart compared to all those people who took a billion AP courses per semester. I impressed myself!

Exhibit E: Youth Basketball

In 7th grade , I took a gigantic risk and tried out for a basketball team. It was a rec league and I don't think they cut anyone, otherwise I wouldn't have had to play. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing - clearly - I only scored a whopping 4 points all season (8 games)! In my defense, there were a couple girls who, as my dad would say, were "hot dogs". These girls liked to hog the ball and show how much game they had. Thus, the little people like me were ignored and never got the ball. Its quite humorous now that I think about it. Also humorous is our team picture.


That's me in all my 7th grade awkward glory, holding the ball (#13). Funny that Adam was always #13 in baseball. It must have been fate (Ha)! Anyway, I was reminded that one of my bloggy friends also played on this team. See if you can find her. If you do, you'll win the prize.

Just in case you were wondering, the "hot dogs" of the team were #20, #10, and Demi Moore on the back row.

butter me up!

My friend Katie over at wilson ramblings asked a great question regarding one of the fun facts on my fifty-one is tons of fun post.

Her question: Why did your mom smush bread and butter in your face?

Well Katie, it just so happens that I was quite the whiner when I was little (probably around 6-8ish). I came home from school one day and wanted a snack. For some reason, that day I really had a hankering for a piece of bread with butter spread on it. Let me state for the record that I do not know why I would eat this and that to my knowledge I have not eaten a piece of plain bread with butter since this event occurred. A roll with butter...yes, I will eat it. A breadstick with butter...yes, I could and would eat it. But a plain untoasted floppy piece of bread with butter...no. I would not, could not eat that now. I wouldn't eat that with a cow. I wouldn't eat it on a boat. I will not eat it with a goat. Okay, you get the picture. I digress.

The best I can remember it, the exchange between my mother and me probably went something like this:

Caroline: (in a whiny tone) I want a piece of bread with butter

Mom: (in a calm voice) Alright, give me just a minute and I'll get it for you (getting the bread and butter out)

C: (whinier) I wanna piece of bread with butter!

M: (more flustered) okay, okay, I said just a minute (buttering the bread)

C: (really whiny) ButIwannapieceofbreadwithbutter!!!!!!!

(Ending #1) - Not really how it happened

Mom: Caroline, #@$%&*$#@$*$###$%#$!!!!!!!!!!

(Ending #2) - How it really happened

Mom: (with a frustrated sigh, smashes the piece of bread with butter into my face)

C: (with a look of shock, mouth wide open, and whining) WAHHHHHHHHHH! Why did you do that?

That's all I remember. Did I deserve it? Absolutely! Do I constantly remind my mother of this moment? I don't have to because now that I'm a mom, she loves to tell the story to others. I think it was told at my baby showers and anytime that our family gets together. She's smiling on the inside now that I'm dealing with a whiner.

Payback's a b*$#@!

some of my "mosts"

I have been thinking lately about doing a post on my most embarrassing moments. Then, I thought how fun it would be to post not only about those moments, but some other "most" moments in my life. So, without further adue:

Most Embarrassing Moment(s) - many of the most memorable happened when I was younger - mostly because it takes a lot more to embarrass me now than it did in years past.

One time when I was in 4th grade, I wore my really pretty aqua/lavender sweater vest and paired it with an awesome pair of aqua cordouroy pants. I picked out this outfit after changing a couple of times that morning out of clothes that just weren't sufficient for that day. I didn't realize until I was on the bus that I had on RED socks with my aqua/lavender outfit! I had forgotten to change my socks when I finalized my outfit for the day...Oops. I was mortified and immediately took off my socks. I looked like a tool wearing just my tennis shoes and no socks, but at least I wasn't clashing!

When I was learning to drive a stick-shift, my sister took me to our high school parking lot. After a few runs of successful gear shifting, she decided I was ready for the road. We headed out onto a busy four-lane road where (going 30 mph) I proceeded to shift into 1st instead of 3rd. Needless to say, the engine revved really loudly and the car lurched forward. Oh, but this is not the embarrassing part. We approached a very busy intersection where I was the first car at the light. When my light turned green I lifted my foot off the clutch and pushed on the gas. Unfortunately, I pushed a little too hard on the gas causing us to screech off the line! My sister was so embarrassed that she dove onto the floorboard, hoping that no one we knew was around.

Most Favorite Birthday(s) - Since my birthday falls on a major holiday, not many people are around to celebrate. I always bemoaned the fact that I had to celebrate my birthday with countless others at cookouts, watching fireworks and eating flag cakes. I just wanted my birthday and 4th of July to be different instead of being lumped together. One year in particular, I complained so much about sharing my birthday with the 4th that she and several other girlfriends decided they would throw me a special birthday party. They sent out beautiful invitations and held a birthday brunch, complete with a watermelon basket, finger foods, and tea. It was so much fun and made me feel so special. It didn't even feel like the 4th. I will always treasure that day!

Another really great birthday was my 26th birthday. Adam and I had been dating a few months and he decided to surprise me with a trip to Grandfather Mountain. We drove up the morning of the 5th after watching the MOST PITIFUL fireworks show in Charlotte the night before. We did some hiking, crossed the swinging bridge, ate a hot dog, did some more hiking, and finished the day with a dinner at the Storie Street Grille. The weather was cool and a little overcast, but that didn't matter because the day was perfect!

Most Favorite Milkshake (thought I'd throw this on in there) - Mint Chocolate Chip from Cook Out

Most Favorite Scripture - This is a hard one since there are so many good ones, but Titus 3:3-7 ranks pretty high on my list:

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.


Most Favorite Day - That would have to be my wedding day because if that hadn't happened, then my second most favorite day of my life wouldn't have happened - the birth of Wesley.




Most Favorite Trip - I don't know what to say about this one. I been able to go lots of places - Bahamas, Ireland, London, Dallas, LA, numerous states... I can tell you what wasn't my favorite trip. That would have to be our youth group camping trip when I was in the 7th grade. It rained the whole time, our tent flooded, I slept on rocks (ouch), I didn't take a shower for 3 days (that's major for a teenager, but nothing for a mom), and it was cold. Cold. Wet. Dirty. Yeah, like I said, a bad trip.

Most Relaxing Place - Waynesville, NC (if you've never been there, you really must go - and make sure to visit Lake Junaluska and Joey's Pancake House in Maggie Valley)

Most Favorite Musical - Hands Down - Les Miserables. Props to you Cameron McKintosh for composing a musical where all the lines are sung. Amazing. Amazing. Amazing. Love the songs. Love the story. Love it!

That's all I've got for now. More later.

fifty-one is tons of fun!

Here are 51 fun and interesting facts about me - in case you're interested. Even if you're not interested, pretend you are and read this anyway.

1. My birthday happens to be on the 4th of July
2. I'm left-handed
3. I am the middle child - mom always said I was the "special link" that held the family together
4. I'm already having trouble thinking of fun and interesting facts about me!
5. When I was 16 I had major reconstructive jaw surgery to correct an "open bite"
6. My first job was working at Gap Kids - I despised it!
7. My first car was a 1982 Honda Prelude which my sister and I named "Rhonda the Honda"
8. I went to UNC Greensboro and majored in Human Development and Family Studies
9. I still have my baby blanket, but don't even think about asking what "his" name is
10. I once was caught in the Bahamas during a hurricane
11. I thought the characters on stage at Chuck E. Cheese were real people in costumes
12. I used to think 30 was old
13. At a NKOTB concert when I was 11, I wacked a lady's glasses off doing the Hangin' Tough arm swing
14. I get sucked into celebrity gossip
15. I love to be outdoors, especially when its not hotter than 80 degrees
16. I prefer the mountains to the beach
17. One of the members of Hanson literally RAN into me in the LA airport in 1999
18. I love playing clean practical jokes on people
19. I love laughing until I cry, its so cleansing
20. I married my next door neighbor
21. I learned how to do some really good sound effects while I was in college
22. In 2nd grade, I got in trouble for singing the alphabet during rest time - I had to go out in the hall and do 50 jumping-jacks. Fortunately for me we had just learned to count by twos, so I really only did 25 jumping-jacks!
23. I love cheesy teen movies like "Clueless","10 Things I Hate About You", "Bring It On", you get the picture.
24. People constantly mess up my name and call me Carolyn. Before I was married and my last name was Owen, one lady thought my name was Carolyn Ellen...yikes!
25. The combination of peanut-butter and chocolate is oh so good!
26. I ran my first 5K footrace three weeks ago
27. My senior year of high school, my BFF, Stephanie and I sang a solo at youth group. I TOTALLY forgot all the words to one verse
28. I never went to my high school proms
29. I got engaged at the prom (I'll post about this later)
30. My siblings and I used to play endless amounts of "Little House on the Prairie". I was always Carolyn (a.k.a. Ma Ingalls)
31. I used to think Charles in Charge was sooooooo good looking!
32. My first kiss wasn't until I was 18
33. I have traveled to Ireland twice
34. I have had 7 jobs since I was 16. My most favorite job is the one I'm doing right now...Stay-at-home-mom!
35. As a newborn I slept through the night (8 hrs. +) at only 5 weeks old - Mom, you sure were lucky.
36. Also, as a toddler, I would ASK to be put down for my nap or bedtime by saying "Down". Perfect child? I think so.
37. My mother once smushed a piece of bread w/butter into my face
38. I used to think Ghostbusters was a scary movie
39. My first pet was a tiny turtle I named HD (Half-Dollar). I got him from my friend Dusty Pearson and just showed up at home with him without asking my parents. That went over well. HD only lived several days. I guess his blade of grass meal and inch of water wasn't sufficient for his survival.
40. I LOVE roller coasters and am trying to convince Adam to go to Carowinds with me this summer!
41. I used to think the fireworks on the 4th of July were just for me!
42. I love Chick-Fil-A sweet tea
43. My favorite food as a child was McDonald's cheeseburger and fries. Hooray for the Golden Arches!
44. I really did used to think new tennis shoes made you run faster and jump higher
45. When I was young, I also thought I could fly like Peter Pan and attempted countless times to take flight off of a stone wall in our front yard.
46. I once (when I was like 2) stuffed monkey-grass berries up my nose
47. I don't like scary movies (Ghostbusters doesn't count anymore)
48. I love the smell inside the house when the windows are open
49. I suffered two direct hits by the same batter (consecutive at-bats) during a softball game. One was to the side of my knee, the other to my pelvic bone - Ouch!
50. I have never broken a bone (okay, now where's some wood I can knock on)
51. I'm done with this post!

well looky here...

Just in time for my 50th post I got a new look courtesy of leelou blog designs. I bet you're wondering how much this set me back? Actually, a whole lot of nothin'. That's right, F to the R to the double E - FREE! And may I mention its super easy. If I can do it, its gotta be easy! Go ahead, try it, you might like it. I was getting a little bored with the same old same old template. If Lucy can get a new look why can't I? Let me know what you think!

directed purposeful expectancy

Ever since high school, I have written in journals. My journal entries contain a variety of quotes, song lyrics, meaningful scripture, or just my thoughts and feelings at the time. On those many pages I have written possibly hundreds of thousands of words, poured out my heart, and spilled many tears. Journaling is an outlet for my many emotions. It is also a written account of my life and spiritual growth, but most importantly, a testimony to God's faithfulness. I can look back over 14 years of entries and see what He has done in my life.

I love Ephesians 3:20-21.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

How many times has God blessed me with more than all I could ask or imagine...hmmm...let's see...ALOT! I'll give you a few examples.

1) There was the time my senior year of college that I wanted to go to on a mission trip with InterVarsity but didn't have enough money. My parents said they wouldn't be able to help with the whole amount (around $130), but that they could give me half. I prayed for the other half to come in. When I received the money from my parents, there was $100! I didn't know where the rest would come from. Two days before the trip, I got a call that someone had anonymously given $50 toward my trip! I had more than enough (the difference went to help pay another student's way).

2) In 2002, I experienced the rough breakup of a relationship. Fortunately, I would soon realize that it was one of the greatest times of spiritual growth in my life, which I am thankful for. My heart's desire was to be married and I constantly prayed that I would find a husband. A few months later I got promoted at work and decided I should make the half hour move to the town where my job was. Unfortunately there was not an abundance of single men to be found, so in a casual conversation with the Lord one day I said, "Wouldn't it be cool if I moved in right next to a single, Christian guy (who was also good looking)?" Know what? I did move in next to that single, Christian, good-looking guy. We were married a year and a half later!

3) In 2005, Adam and I were looking to buy a home. We fell in love with what we thought to be the "perfect" house. We decided to put in a bid and called our realtor only to find out that someone else had already put an offer on it. We were so upset, but continued looking for houses. The Lord led us to Lucy and we fell in love with her. Come to find out, that "perfect" house had major foundation issues - so big in fact that the person who made the offer backed out of their contract. It also turns out that our payment would have been significantly more than what we pay for Lucy!

As many of you know, we have been praying for several years for a fulfilling, financially rewarding job for Adam. We weathered the years with Parks and Rec and now we're accepting this season with Woodforest National Bank, but we both believe that this is not it for Adam. Unfortunately, neither of us knows what it happens to be and that can leave us feeling hopeless.

In an entry titled Finding Rest and Laughter, I wrote about how I sensed God was telling me to be still and wait patiently for Him. Over the past few weeks since that post, I have encountered this theme at least three or four more times (He just about has to hit me over the head with something in order for me to see it!). On May 4, our pastor preached a sermon about "God's Waiting Room" and it spoke volumes to me. Specifically, I don't know what I'm waiting for, I'm just waiting on God. However, if he's taking suggestions, a new and fulfilling job for Adam would be nice! Johnny (our pastor) said some great things about waiting based on Psalm 27:14. Here are a few nuggets I took away from the message:

* Waiting on God goes against our flesh and against our culture. (This is obvious just by watching the redhead for all of 30 seconds!)
* Don't confuse waiting on God as wasted time
* Waiting is directed purposeful expectancy! I LOVE THAT!!
* Waiting is a readiness to obey
* God works on behalf of those who entrench themselves in Him
* Waiting on God is active, not passive
* Waiting on God is wise
* Waiting on God puts us on His timetable
* If we understand that God is in control, we receive encouragement to press on
* Waiting on God is a time of spiritual preparation and growth. Time spent waiting on God can be the time where we grow the most.
* Waiting on God gives us strength (Isaiah 40:28)

I love the second and third points! This time of waiting on the Lord is not wasted. In fact, I would chalk this time up with some of the best for me spiritually. I also love that waiting is Directed Purposeful Expectancy, there is a great purpose to waiting - do I know what it is? Not yet, but hopefully in time!. So, we will continue praying and see what God does!

www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/people-waiting

We're just waiting to dive in!

where there's smoke...

Around 5:45 this evening, I went for a quick run while Adam fed Wesley dinner. As soon as I walked in the door, I noticed that something smelled funny. It kind of smelled like plastic burning. I thought that maybe something had blown up in the microwave or something, but Adam is pretty proficient when it comes to reheating food and taking care of Wesley, so I really didn't know. I went in the kitchen to see what was melted, but nothing. Adam said, "Well, its kind of weird..." He then proceeded to tell me that while he was feeding Wesley, he heard the washing machine turn on. No biggie right? I do laundry all the time. He said it started getting louder and louder, so he eventually went to check on it. When he walked in the laundry room, he saw smoke coming from behind one of the buttons and then saw something flickering behind the button. He opened the washer to check on the laundry...Empty! That's right, I wasn't even doing laundry when the washer started running by itself! Okay, if I had ever seen a hint of paranormal activity around our house I might be completely freaked out, but since I don't really believe in ghosties, I chalk it up to an electrical malfunction. So, our washer is now unplugged and I'm afraid to plug it back in. I'm so glad one of us was home when this happened, otherwise Lucy might have gone up in flames! YIKES!

We're officially in the market for a new washer. Hey, George Dub-ya, good timing with that economic stimulus check! Siyonara Smoky, hello new washer!

Deep Thoughts by Caroline

Tonight I just feel like doing a post for the sake of posting, but my mind is void of material. Hold on...what you are about to experience are my free flowing thoughts.

Right now at our house, Adam is on the sofa, looking all manly and watching reruns of The Office, a show that we think is completely hysterical, but haven't been faithful in watching because it is in the same time slot as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (the real CSI, not that Miami crap).

Any American Idol fans out there? Come on, don't be afraid to admit it - you're safe here. Can I just say that I am beyond ecstatic that Jason Dreadlocks got voted off this week. I just about peed my pants Tuesday night laughing at his rendition of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff". Not only did I almost pee myself, but I was most embarrassed for him that he actually thought that would qualify as a top four American Idol winning performance. May I also say that I totally dig Simon Cowell, but not "dig" as in schoolgirl crush. I think he's right on with his comments. And Paula, well, we just don't have time to go there. Adam and I cringe when she opens her mouth.

On a completely different note...I got forwarded an email this week. It was an email about praying for different aspects of our lives (i.e. marriages, family, job situations, emotional health, etc.) which was all well and good. Then came the message at the end of the email:

Say this prayer, and then send it to EVERYBODY YOU KNOW.

Within hours countless people will have prayed for you, and you will have caused a multitude of people to pray to God for each other 'Safety is not the absence of danger, but is the presence of God'

A kid asked Jesus... how much do u love me? Jesus replied, 'I love! you this much.' and he stretched his arms to the cross and died for us. If you believe in God, you will send this to everyone on your list. I like you because of who you are to me. I treat you as a true friend. But if I don't get this back, I get the hint, you don't have time.

Send this to all people in your list within 30 min and something good will happen to you NOW.

This is not a fake...apparently...copy and paste this to 15 people in the next 10 min. and you will have one of the best days of your life tomorrow!!!

I don't know about you, but when I get emails like this something inside me gets stirred up and not in a good way. I dearly love my friend who sent this to me and I don't think that me not sending this back to her will affect our friendship in any way. I typically don't respond to these emails and I don't particularly know the reason why. I guess I feel like God blessing me is not dependent on whether I forward an email onto other people. He blesses me because he wants to, not because of anything I do. Another thing...the line "if you believe in God you will send this to everyone on your list" also rubs me the wrong way. Yes, I want people to know I believe in God - more than that - that I am a follower of Jesus Christ, but forwarding an email onto others doesn't necessarily prove my beliefs or anyone else's for that matter. Am I making sense or am I totally off base?

...stepping off the soapbox...

Are You Picking Up What I'm Laying Down?

Ever had a day like this?

Today is one of those days! I knew it wouldn't be good when I heard the redhead whimpering in his sleep several times last night. He eventually would quiet down, only to start up half an hour later. This went on from around 3ish until I got him out of bed at 7.

Despite all the whining prior to 8am, I decided to make today a good day. I needed to go to the bank, the post office, Wal-Mart, and was really looking forward to taking redhead to toddler story time at the local library. As soon as we drove into the bank parking lot, the whining began again. He does not like to sit in the drive-thru line because hmmm, he's 19 months old and he's impatient.
Done with the bank, onward to the post office. That was good. Okay, library time. Started out good, we were looking at books, he was doing his usual wandering with Matchbox car in hand. Then he fell and hit his eye on a bench. Loud crying. Crying calmed by mommy. Story time. We were in there all of two minutes when he wanted to play with another little boy's truck. I explained that the truck belonged to the other little boy and we were there to listen to books. Disaster ensued and the redhead started crying. He cried all the way to the checkout counter and continued to cry - LOUDLY - as I left the library. Won't be trying story time again anytime soon! On to Wal-Mart...whining, whining, crying, more crying.

Honestly, if I were an abusive parent, he'd be black and blue today. Can I say that here? I do NOT hurt my child, nor do I want to inflict harm on him, but I can certainly understand how the parents who abuse their children feel. That doesn't make child abuse right, EVER. Its the parents that have the anger issue, not the kids.

I guess I'm getting payback for being a whiner when I was young. We are also entering the terrible 2's, although every mother tells me the 3's are worse. Geesh, how am I going to make it? Lots and lots and lots of prayer. Often I forget that God is the perfect parent and He knows Wesley better than me. Therefore, he knows what Wesley needs, and He knows how to show me what Wesley needs, I just have to pay attention.

Venting complete. Redhead's naptime...thank God!

Random Wednesday - Volume 8

In all the excitement about my running shoes and Lucy's (our house) new look, I didn't do the Kind Acts of Randomness that at least I (I'm not sure about my readers) have come to love. Instead of posting a picture of complete strangers doing random things, I have a funny picture of the redhead from several months ago that makes me laugh every time I see it.

Here is his best impression of Chris Farley...

Lucy's New Look

I love the name Lucy. It just so happens to be a family name...my mom's grandmother's to be exact. I think that Lucy would be such a cute little girl's name (especially paired with our last name - which I can't say for security reasons of course). Adam doesn't like the name Lucy though. So, since our daughter will never be named Lucy, I have just named our house Lucy. Sissy over at Painting Love names all of her things (appliances, trees, etc.). Thanks for the idea Sissy!

When we moved into Lucy, this was her look (This was the only pre-makeover look I could find).

There's Lijah sitting at the front door, which was black. Cute, but kind of boring. A generic black door. Boring.

We wanted to give Lucy some real curb appeal, so we got her a new door. Not just any door, but a door with a window. My big, strong, handyman of a husband put the new door in (I actually posted about this in the Wesley's "Cahs" post back in February. We definitely didn't want the door to be white (as they come standard), but we didn't want it black either and go back to boring, so we decided to spice things up a little bit.

Here is Lucy's new look.


Personally, I think she looks just dandy. I even told someone she looked "sexy". It gives her a little more umph. And take a look at that green grass. I have to give credit where credit is due to Adam for working so hard for our beautiful yard. When we moved in there was not a blade of grass to be found - all dirt. While I've got your attention, I will also share some interior pics with you. We've had the kitchen finished for a while now, but I haven't posted any pics of it. I'll spare you the other rooms - I'm not an interior decorator by any stretch of the imagination.

Before - this was the way it was when the house was for sale
(Don't they say the kitchen sells the house? Um yeah, We didn't buy it for the kitchen!)

After

I mean, its not super fancy, but for a few hundred dollars we repainted, replaced the cabinet pulls, put in new countertops, bought a new dishwasher, range and range hood, tiled the backsplash, replaced the faucet, and put in a new light fixture! I love my handyman! He's so brave to tackle home improvement projects (I'm so scared of that stuff) - and he does such a good job!

I'm sure he's got another project cooking in that crafty brain of his. But for now, that's all she wrote.

Run, Forrest, Run

As aforementioned (don't I sound scholarly?), I have taken up running - well, maybe not so much running, but jogging. I completed my 5K - check, now I have set my sights on the Fall Festival 10K in October. In order to run and not injure myself, a good pair of "running shoes" was required. Unfortunately, mine aren't the cool Nikes that Forrest wore in Forrest Gump, but they are pretty close. I found these babies at Off N'Running in Greensboro.



They did set me back a little bit, but I feel its worth it if they will prevent me from injuries that would require medical attention and lots of $$$$. I used some leftover Christmas money to buy them. Off N' Running is a great store because they want to fit you in the best shoe for your foot. I tried on several pair(s) of shoes and with each new pair, I got on a treadmill and walked and then ran for several seconds (That just gave them a good idea on which type of shoe would fit my running style). I will definitely go back, they were super helpful and friendly.

Along with the new shoes, Wesley got a new ride. That's right, we purchased a jogging stroller. Of course, its not just any jogging stroller. Its a Consumer Reports recommended all-terrain stroller (Hmmm, wonder who researched that for me?). I don't have a picture to show you yet, maybe I'll work on that for a future post. Its really nice though, with a swivel wheel that can also lock for when I am running. Its a smooth ride and has a child tray for the redhead's "cahs". We have taken it on several walks and a couple of jogs. Jogging while pushing a stroller with a 27lb child is a TOTALLY different ballgame than jogging solo - especially in our neighborhood which is anything but flat. This will be good training for the 10K...if I don't die first.

So, there you have it. The exciting life of a jogging mom, her new shoes, and jogging stroller. And now I'm a "Runnin' Fool".

Blogaholics Anonymous

Writer's block. I'm afraid I've got it - BAD. Truthfully, I can't blame it all on writer's block.

Hi, my name is Caroline and I'm insecure.

What about, you say? Oh, just about my posts in general. I am really bad about comparing my posts to those of others. I'm not a creative writer, I don't have crazy things happening constantly in my life that I can write about, I don't always take really great pictures, I am not a crafty, bargain-shopping Martha Stewart type person whose home looks like something out of a magazine, and I'm not great at writing really introspective and deeply spiritual posts. By the way, I am in no way attacking anyone who is able to do those things (I totally dig your blogs)! Its just that because I don't or can't do those things that I think that my blog is somehow inferior. I know it might seem crazy, but its how I feel. I recognize that there are certain unique elements I bring to my blog, but I still feel as if my blog doesn't measure up to blogs of others. Its PRIDE rearing its ugly head again.

When I think about what to write, I find myself just short of a cold sweat. I think to myself "How will this post compare to so-and-so's?" This is not what my blogging should be about. I should be excited about posting simple, even mundane subjects like what we ate for dinner (In case you were wondering, we ate chicken salad - my recipe). I want to find great joy in writing anything, along with freedom from wondering if my readers are bored or on the verge of deleting my name from their "Blogs I Read" lists.

Hello again, my name is Caroline and I'm also a people pleaser.

Thank God I'm a work in progress and these issues aren't stuck to me like gum in a school-girl's hair.

Okay, so how do I recover from this? Is there a 12 step program for people like me? I think maybe I'll just post what I want and not worry if I'm keeping you, my wonderfully supportive readers satisfied. After all, its my blog...just don't forget to leave your comments, I need the affirmation!

What's in a Meme?

Several days ago, Nan so graciously tagged me for a meme. You might be asking (as I did) "what the heck is a meme?". Well, Nan also so graciously informed me of the meaning of this word. Pronounced as me-me, it is just that, information all about me. This particular meme, I believe, has to do with "Five classes I wish had been taught in school". Here are my thoughts:

As a side note, this has been an excruciatingly difficult post to write because I have struggled so much to come up with 5 things. Who would have thought this would be so hard?

1. Practical Joking - Man, could I have used this to give me a leg up in college! Some of my hardest laughs have come doing practical jokes - clean ones - on other people. Putting Orajel on toothbrushes, tying soda cans to a car bumper, filling a car to the brim with lifejackets, strategically placed fake dog poo...you get the idea. A few more jokes and I could almost teach the class!

2. Sound Effects 101 - These can be so useful in many a situation. They also prove highly effective in entertaining whiny toddlers in the checkout line at Wal-Mart!

3. Driving in Charlotte, NC - Having lived in Charlotte for 18 years, I learned to navigate certain areas of the Queen City with relative ease. I cannot even imagine the turmoil that newcomers experience when driving in Charlotte. One road can (literally) have 5 different names. There is no easy way to get anywhere. There are no courteous drivers (that goes for any city). There's also lots of traffic - UGH.

4. Driving in General - Okay, let me just say that the regular driver's ed is a JOKE! They need to offer Driver's Ed with an Edge. Even though I don't live in a major metropolitan area, I have seen my fair share of poor - no, just plain STUPID drivers. For instance, today, a stoplight was out at an intersection. This intersection isn't that big, but on the busier street, the light was blinking yellow while the light for the other street was blinking red. I was stopped at the blinking red light waiting ever so patiently to turn left when all of a sudden this woman on the blinking yellow street comes to a complete stop in the intersection. I looked at her and waved her on as if to say "Hey, moron, since when does blinking yellow mean stop?" She didn't move. Okay, if she wasn't actually driving a car I might have thought she was blind. The car stopped opposite of me was waiting for her too, but didn't budge either. I helped myself and entered that intersection and went on my merry way all the while thinking, gee, this would be good material for the "5 classes you wish they had taught in school." I wouldn't need to attend this class though because as my mother used to tell me... "Its not you I worry about, its all the other drivers". Exactly.

5. How To Survive All the Unnecessary Drama of the Teen Years - Need I say more?

Now I tag all of you who haven't been tagged for a meme. Write, if you will, on the "5 Classes you wish had been taught in school".