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Spring Fever Come On!!!

That's it, I've got it. Spring fever!

I found myself driving home from class last night with the windows (in my very uncool "mommish" minivan) down, my radio turned up, and just breathing in the spring night air. What is it that makes the air smell different at night in the springtime? When I was growing up, on nights like those I used to sleep with the windows open and fall asleep watching the curtains just billowing in the moonlight. I'd wait in anticipation for each gust of air that would sweep through the room. I'd listen to the wimperwills and crickets and fall asleep at peace every night (except for the nights it was so hot and my sister and I would take turns laying in front of the box fan in the window, did I mention we didn't have air conditioning?). We can't sleep with the windows down in our suburban/urban sprawl neighborhood. Too many barking dogs, neighbors, potential murderers, etc. I really miss living out in the country where you could go outside and walk for miles without seeing a single soul. I guess for now, at this time of year all I can do is think back fondly on the years in our cozy house in the woods.

Easter Weekend

So, my wonderful baby sister and I conspired to get her down here for Easter to surprise my parents.

On Friday afternoon, she got to my house, and we headed over to ma and pa's. Baxter, myself, and the girls went in like we always do at least once every weekend to mooch off of my parents hospitality. My sister waited outside, and let mom and dad think nothin' special was going on. She then just opens the door and walks in. I could tell my mom had the "intruder" face when the door handle was jiggling. It was classic to see her and dad's face when they recognized her not as a knife weilding maniac, but their youngest daughter.

We had a lovely weekend, and watched the razorbacks win, and lose (argh). There were many surprises that cruised by, and we really will remember this Easter for a long time.

Here are some pictures of "Razorback night" lol.

*we were not wearing makeup, nor do we, or did we care about our appearance from this night. But we do not normally look this terrifying.








and to show that I don't look like that all the time, here. But, I'm not vain...

Friday funny.

It is so Good.

I can't use my own words to effectively describe what this day should mean, so I'll let the Bible do the talking.

Matthew 1:27-50

Then the Governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and the twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" They said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha. There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charce against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right, and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!"
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others, they said, "but he can't save himself! "He's the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, "I am the son of God." In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?-which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah"
Immediately on of the ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

If it ended there, what a sad story this would be, wouldn't it? But three days later, we all got victory. I can be this flawed and frail, and totally lame person I am because God Himself saved me when that beautiful man died for us all. It is so good. Have a great Good Friday, and a spectacular resurrection Sunday!

A random conversation

Taylor: "Kayleigh, I like your picture, why'd you color it that way?"

Kayleigh" "Well, Taylor, that's just how I roll..."

a little baby powder goes a long way...

here's what you get when you leave Ella and baby powder alone for 1 minute...

warning: pontification coming

pon·tif·i·cate (pn-tf-kt, -kt)-
intr.v. (-kt) pon·tif·i·cat·ed, pon·tif·i·cat·ing, pon·tif·i·cates
1. To express opinions or judgments in a dogmatic way

Okay, so apparently we now have 3 choices. A far left liberal, a self proclaimed "progressive", and a not so conservative conservative. I'm at a loss.

I guess it's going to be the lesser of the three evils. (I'll reserve naming him or her until later.)

But what I really want to ramble on about right now is where I believe this country is, and why it infuriates me.

(1). How have we become a country with such a feeling of self-entitlement? Do we really deserve to have the government swoop in and bail us out when we screw up with our mortgages? Where in the heck is the personal responsibility? You learn from mistakes... Oh, yeah, and it's a great idea in theory to provide everyone with health care, but have you been to the dmv, or any other government office? There's a model of efficiency and customer service for you. I can't wait to take my kid to the E.R. in the middle of the night and deal with the beauracratic red tape that awaits...

(2). Are people really voting on the issues? I'm thinking no. I have to say this (I'm going to get flamed), the general public are stupid sheep. Most people could not tell you who the speaker of the house is and/or what she does, much less what the candidate they are voting for ACTUALLY stands for with specifics. Let's get swept up in this great tide of change, and have the audacity to hope for nonspecific ideals and plans. But it's okay, we trust you, we just like your message.

*please note, if you have researched your candidate and believe in the issues he/she represents, you are not a stupid sheep.

I'm just at a loss. If someone, anyone, can explain to me why the government having even more control over our lives, and "shared wealth" is good, I'm really open to listen.

okay, I'm done.

p.s. apparently, if you are a Christian and believe that you have had a gift given to you by Jesus, you're a crazy. I just read this on a blog that I frequent (the name of which will not be posted). How's that, again?

cabin fever and cheesy smiles

so yeah, it's not the most flattering picture of me. but Ella is what's important.