A Wii bit of fun!

Ok, so I'm out of town and I've really missed my Wii Fit. Seriously! We've been looking for one since they came out months ago! Kevin surprised me last Sunday morning when I saw one advertised in the paper. I saw it and told Kevin we needed to go see if Target had them in because it had been weeks since they had even advertised them in their flyer! The next thing I know - I go downstairs for more coffee....and BAM...there on my coffee table is a Wii Fit. So fun! Let's just say we all enjoyed Wii Fit that day....some of us more than others. Its becoming obvious that our youngest finds this to be more work than fun. He likes some of it...but I think he prefers the 'old school' sit and veg games to the active Wii. If you have one of these you know what I'm talking about. Two days of Skiing downhill....my thighs were amazingly sore! Embarrassingly sore actually. I thought wow....all of this pain because I was playing a video game. Pretty cool.

Anyway, The funniest part of this whole experience for us is when we each made our health profile. On the Wii, you create people to look similar to you and use that person to play the games. During the health evaluation, we found that not only did we give them our height, but standing on the Wii Fit Board gave them our weight and overall BMI. I was first - we didn't know what to expect...or I would NOT have been first in front of my boys. Let's just say my cute little Wii girl dressed in a pink tshirt on my HUGE tv set......plumped up just a bit after I completed my evaluation. I thought...what the heck. Why make the Wii person gain weight? I mean, couldn't my girl look thin on the Wii??? After the big reveal about weight and where you should be based upon age / height - you learn that as you play the Wii Fit and as you weigh each week and lose weight...your Me person does to! So, now I feel responsible for not only myself....but my sweet little Wii Me dressed in pink to! Insane....ingenious and incredibly fun! I just wish some of you could have been with us when this happened in real time. The boys totally cracked up when my gal changed sizes. It was funny. Kevin had this inner conflict going on. Laughing....unsure if he should enjoy the laughter...but still laughing! Again, this was a gift for me right? Was it supposed to insult me too? HA! Oh, and that picture above is not our family. Our would be the entire clan...the five of us....and they all look pretty similar to us as well!

I thought I would post a few pictures of the Wii Fun. Just for fun of course.

The picture turned out kind of dark. I'm still learning to use the settings on my camera. But Kevin was loving this. Hula hooping is actually harder than you think!

Scout was a pro! He could actually do everything great and when this thing evaluated his sense of balance...he was pretty much dead on! His Wii Me did not get chubby....Duh....

Honestly....I miss having fun with my guys tons more than I just miss the exercise. Its things like this that we do together....and continue to knit us together. Sounds corny....but it is so true. Whether its cards at the table, watching the Packers together or playing Wii Fit as a family - even when Nick says he so doesn't want to do this! He does. Its family time and is always fun. Makes me thankful for my family and all that we can share together. One day, we'll be sitting around a dinner table one holiday....and one of my boys will recall how hard they laughed watching their mom's game character plump up on the TV and how funny that was. And we'll all laugh again.....I think. I hope I'm just not in full blown menapause and begin to cry....ha! Just kidding..... I hope I can always keep a good sense of humor with my kids no matter how old we get or how crazy I get.

Psalm 128: 1-3

1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your sons will be like olive shoots
around your table

I read that verse in my quiet time earlier this week and I thought...you know, that is me. I love my life and am so thankful for the many blessings the Lord has given me. Enjoying my family is one of those blessings. I thank God for my husband, who loves me like crazy and my boys who love me and enjoy life with me. God is good...all the time...and all the time...God is good!!! And...so is exercise on my Wii Fit!

Fall, Football and Fun!

Ok....so tonight was the perfect football night. There was a chill in the air and there were friends and fun.....but there was no win for the JV at Spain Park. This past Friday our Varsity Team was killed by Mountain Brook. Tonight, the JV lost to the JV Mountain Brook team at the very end....by a hair! It was painful!

Though the loss was really bad...there were a few things that made me laugh. I thought I would share.....



Kevin and I love to read these signs. Somehow they never seem quite fierce enough. We typically see something like, Hook the Bucs, Pave over the Panthers....but tonight.....the misspell sign totally owned us. I still don't get it. I really, really don't. But somewhere.....earlier today, there was a cheerleader who thought it would be a great idea! For the record...I apologize in advance if I am talking about your daughter...I am sure she is really cute. Seriously....



This picture just seemed funny to me because its like they all heard the play call and said, "What???". I liked that. Seriously, look at them all....in sync.

I like this next picture too...not because its funny - but its really cool. It's not from tonight...it's from our last home varsity game. You know how most football teams tear through the paper sign and run out yelling toward the other team? Well, the Spain Park Varsity Team likes to walk out in one big mass, almost marching in military style, to some really jamming music. Welcome to the Jungle by Guns 'N Roses is a popular song.




Cool- fun for the Varsity guys. I guess a big step up all the way around from JV ball in many ways. Wow, they don't even threaten to misspell another team's name. That's something right there!

* Thanks to my girl Mel who called me this am (laughing) and told me I misspelled...misspell. Yeah....its edited now!

Blink

Um.....its Thursday? Where did my Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday go? I truly feel in the blink of an eye I lost 3 days! I am on day 4 in my week. Seriously....I don't remember everything I did! I do know that we've attended a JV game for Spain Park, I am looking forward to another game tonight and one tomorrow night, attended Nature Night for Weeblos, worked on two trifold board projects and a power point......I might have worked a bit.....did I eat or sleep? Not sure....but I think you get the picture. Whew...I'm tired.

It's mornings like this I have to ask myself...did I enjoy my family so far this week? If I haven't...I need to make that a priority. Did we laugh..play...or do we need to run away and make that happen? Spontaneous get aways are great for that. Sometimes that family time I crave can only happen when we leave everything behind. I am getting that feeling. The only problem is...the older my kids get, the more responsibilities they have that don't allow them to just pick up when we get an idea to run away. Nick has football games every Friday night and works most Saturdays. We are part of a church plant group that has commitments every Sunday night. Hmmmmmm, when are we going to run away? We'll just have to note it on the calendar and choose somewhere close so we don't spend our time away....in transit!

This week also held a 'Big First' for us. Nick has had a really good friend (a girl) since middle school. They've been in classes together since the beginning of high school. They've talked each other through girlfriends and boyfriends.....and made fun of each other for 'liking' him or her. Well, this week Nick told us that he has more than just friend feelings for this girl. He's felt them for a while....and now he wants to let her know. But he's scared because she really is one of his best friends and he doesn't want that to change like it can when you date. His hopes are that she stays the same...they can still be silly...fun and try dating at the same time. This girl is sweet, a Christian that loves to share her love for Jesus and an active member of her youth group at church. She also cheers on our Varsity squad so they see each other all the time. Well, he is asking her to Homecoming today. Gulp...I am nervous for him. He says he's not nervous about asking her...but I think he is. So, while we were busy with lots of stuff this week, Nick was busy trying to think of how to ask her to Homecoming. You see, now days, you can't just ask the question...the pressure is on to do it creatively. Kevin gave him great ideas as he is the 'King of Romantic Ideas'. Nick wrote a song that he has been telling his friend about. She has asked him repeatedly to let her hear it. He told her last week he would record it so she could. Well he did.....and in the middle of the recording, he stops playing the guitar and says, "________ Will you go to Homecoming with Me?" I kind of thought he would say something more....but it was short and sweet. I wonder what she'll think??? I'm not worried too much about the outcome though. I have the inside scoop that she has felt more for him for about a year. My source? The mother.
I love this pic. Kind of cool - he could spend hours in the guitar store. He and his friends actually go there to hang out and play guitars. In my day...we hung out in parking lots. Yeah.

So....it may go by fast....but I'm trying to hang on to each happening and enjoy the moment. This whole week makes me think about that Country song, Don't Blink by Kenny Chesney. Sounds corny....but the lyrics are pretty good.

Don't Blink

I turned on the evening news
Saw a old man being interviewed
Turning a hundred and two today
Asked him what's the secret to life
He looked up from his old pipe
Laughed and said "All I can say is."

Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink

I was glued to my tv when it looked like he looked at me and said
"Best start putting first things first."
Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand
You can't flip it over and start again
Take every breathe God gives you for what it's worth

Don't Blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink

So I've been tryin' ta slow it down
I've been tryin' ta take it in
In this here today, gone tomorrow world we're livin' in

Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster then you think
So Don't blink

Naw, don't blink
Life Goes Faster Than You Think

Happy Grandparent's Day

Today is Grandparent's Day. I have had wonderful grandparents and great grand parents that have loved me dearly. The funny, wonderful lady in the picture is my Nana. I love this picture. I think it shows so much of her personality. I hope I am like her in that way. She loves life!!! She is a riot and has always made my life fun! I feel blessed to have a Nana that loves me the way she does. She has always been present and active in my life. I remember when I was younger, my sister and I would spend the night with her often. My Nana always had satin sheets on her bed. We thought that was the best thing in the world. It was the 70s and that was the trend. Anyway...when we would spend the night with her, she always made sure we would get satin sheets on our bed. We loved that. I remember playing in her jewelry box - almost no limitations, and trying on her long dresses for impromptu Debbie Boone shows. How many times did I sing, 'You light up my life' while my sister pretended to play the piano. We also had a great rendition of 'Don't go breakin' my heart' by Elton John and KeKe. (was that the girl's name?) Anyway, my grandmother....my Nana is so special to me and I thank God for her and what she has been in my life. Soooooooo special and still is. She is in her 80s and battles Alzheimer's. I cannot tell you how hard that is. I don't see how my parents manage some days. Though she can't remember alot of what happens on a day to day basis....one thing she has never forgotten is me. Each time I see her, she can recall to me exactly the day I was born and what a special day that was for her. I made a mark on her heart....and in turn, she made one on mine by always letting me know how much I am loved.

My kids with Nana

Nick and Nana playing the piano...she will often chime in on something he plays!

I love what I have with my grandmother and I am thankful the boys have two sets of wonderful grandparents! Grandma and Grandpa Johnson love sharing time with the boys. They wish it could be more and so do we. Its a shame that we get so busy it is a challenge to drive 5 hours to see someone...but that is the way our life is right now. In the past, the boys have enjoyed weeks in the summer by themselves with Grandma and Grandpa Johnson. They have great memories from those trips. Visiting their home in North Georgia is always wonderful. Walking to the ABC store - where you can find anything is a highlight. Its like a town store - and Grandma and Grandpa Johnson always have a few dollars for them to spend. A highlight from their house was when the boys, mostly Nick, was given the OK to shoot the squirrels on the porch that were getting into Grandma's bird feeders. Ha! It was squirrel season. Anyway...enough of that story for now...but they had fun. The boys enjoy playing games and talking with them, catching them up on whatever is going on. I know that even though we may not see them as often and they see my parents, they never fail to remember to pray for my boys and we always look forward to our visits!!!

Grandma & Grandpa Johnson with their sons and families! (could my boys not keep on their suits...just ONE more minute? they are just not suit kids!...can you tell?)

Mema and Papa....aka my Mom & Dad

Its a Southern thing. As I named my grandmothers (because I'm the oldest grandchild...and the words just came out...) Nick named his. I think my mom wanted to be called Meme - but as the word Mema came out of Nick's mouth - my mom was in love. That became the name and she was more than fine with that. So, Mema and Papa it was. I am amazed at how my mom has adapted to her grandsons. She raised two girls...so the boy thing was amazingly new to her. She learned to fill her house with tinker toys and boy stuff! She now has a baby girl to love on too. Peighton was born this past May and is the only grand daughter. She will be spoiled for a while to come! She is precious. And though she loves that....she is also the grandparent that has been able to score two Joe Nammoth autographs for her grandson Scout - believe me, she gets the boy thing now!

My mom and the boys

Mom and Peighton

My dad is a great Papa. If you know my dad, you know he loves his whole family. I was recently at a local restaurant and was walking through - when I noticed this man staring at me. Kind of creepy I thought....but proceeded to walk through anyway. He reached out and touched my arm - and I thought...Oh great....what now? He then asked if I was Wayne Ratliff's daughter. When I said yes...He told me he was a good friend of my dads and that my family's picture was all over my dads desk. That fact is evident in the way my dad shows up to almost every football game the boys have had. I guess we are running on 5 years now. Seriously, my friends even notice how frequent he is. He has taken them aside to discuss girls, grades and obedience. He takes them fishing, for burgers.....and like yesterday...the driving range. Anything he thinks they'll be interested in, he'll try it. I think this is his way of getting 'boy time' since he raised two girls with my mom. He is making up for lost boy time!

Dad grilling at Nick's 16th Birthday party.

All of that to say that I am grateful for the grandparents in my life and my children's lives. They are a blessing and make our lives so sweet.

So, Grandma and Grandpa Johnson, Mema, Papa and Nana.....we love you! Thank you for making our lives special. I can't imagine life without you!

The words on that sign...say it all, about last night anyway!

Well, it was out first home game at Spain Park and we were so excited! Tailgating in the parking lot...wearing my jag shirt.....thinking we would celebrate a victory. Ah....not so much.

The Pelham Panthers put up a huge fight. GREAT GAME. I had heard the sports casters say that from our 6A division, Hoover, Spain Park and Pelham were the teams to watch. To be honest....I was surprised Pelham was there. I mean...Pelham? Where did that come from. They played strong against Oak Mountain and won last week and last night. They were on! We tailgated with some friends that have kids at Pelham. They were great enough to sit in the 'blue' JAG side with us, but that didn't stop them from cheering. And truly...that had every right....their guys were playing good. At one point in the 4th quarter, the Jags ran a touch down that would have won the game for us. Only to find that a flag would be called on the play....and that would seal the game. Ahh....

Well, here are some pictures for you to enjoy. We had a great time...but honestly....the best part for me was definitely, the hanging out with good people. Oh! And the people watching for sure. My dad likes to say that I take pictures just to prove I was watching part of the game. :) Maybe....there is some truth to that. I do enjoy my watching...and the talking too!

Hanging with some friends! The kids loved throwing the football and just hanging out. If you come to a Spain Park game...look for us early!

Kevin grilling some really tasty hot dogs.

Nick is #35. Go Nick! So cute...I mean manly.


This is right before the second half of the game.

The pep talk after the loss....it breaks your heart to see those big guys come off the field with tears.....whew....can't everyone win? That is why moms aren't coaches!


Max and his buddy at the game. There is a story I'll blog about later...who knows its raining and I might even do it later today. I don't plan on being out and about today!

No rush to leave after the game!


Ben & Josh after the game. I wonder if Ben is thinking, 'Dude...don't get that paint on me! I prefer Pelham gold and green!'

The Peace of Christ

Sometimes you just need something to make you laugh. My friend Laura told me something that really did happen to a friend of hers last week at a church here in Birmingham. I just died laughing! But...it made me think too...

There was a woman who visited a church recently with a friend. She was somewhat nervous, as she had never really been much of a church goer. She was unsure of what to expect, what to do and possibly if she would look painstakingly awkward as if this was the first time EVER she had been in church. As she wrestled with her nervousness, the friend who had invited her tried to calm her down by telling her it would be ok and gave her a simple word of advice,"Relax, just follow what the preacher says and do what the other people do...you'll be fine".

As the service began, the pastor welcome everyone and it eventually came to the point in the service where the congregation was to welcome each other and visitors. The woman had never seen anything like this, but it looked wonderful. At the pastors request, all of the congregation stood with smiles on and began shaking each others hands and giving hugs, they were also exchanging a phrase with each other that she could not really understand. As the man in front of her greeted her and shook her hand, she heard him say, "Be surprised"..... "excuse me" said the woman. She heard the man once again say, "Be surprised" as he smiled at her. Wow! thought the woman, I like surprises. So, she went on her way meeting new friends, all the while greeting them with a loud, "BE SURPRISED". She was enjoying this and was all smiles, although she did notice people seemed genuinely 'surprised' to receive her greeting...but that did not stop her. Her friend who had invited her to church overheard her greeting the congregation and as they began to take their seats, he asked, "What are you saying????". She told him that she was just repeating what all the other people were saying...."Be Surprised!". Hearing that, he just smiled at her - (probably laughed at her) and said "NO! That is not what we were saying......It's Peace of Christ not Be Surprised!"

As they were greeting each other with the Christian encouragement of Peace of Christ, she had heard Be Surprised. But was that an accident? Or...was that God's way of surprising her with a word just for her. She had walked in that church nervous, anxious and feeling like she did not fit in. God wanted her to feel at home....in his house and he knew her. He created her and knew how she felt at the very moment, and what she would appreciate.

I like to think that God knew she enjoyed the gift of laughter and fun...so he spoke, "Be surprised"....and she heard him.(even if it was through someone who might have had an accent, saying peace of Christ) She heard those words and saw a glimpse into the body of Christ, the church. She saw that there is laughter, a welcoming spirit and peace that truly does pass all understanding. No need to be cautious, guarded or nervous. He wants all of us to be surprised at the gift waiting there....

Phillippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of Christ which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

My life is gooooood.....quote from Nacho Libre.

This weekend, we went to Nashville to my brother-in-laws 40th Cuban Bday Bash. It was GREAT! If you know my sister in law - you know the decor was FAB and the party scene was like something out of a magazine. Very FUN! I am sure my sis-in-law Kelly will post some pics on her blog soon, if not already. She took some great ones! The party was awesome and even included a tribute to Ken with videos and pictures - awesome stuff! The cups for the party were custom made with a picture of a pig being roasted and the line...My Life is Gooood, by Nacho. If you have not seen that movie...staring Jack Black. You've missed a fun one. Now, I will warn you -- major boy humor and lots of 'gas passing'. BUT...I cannot tell you how many times that movie is quoted in my house. And as you can see, its a family thing - over in Nashville too! Don't count it out...its fun if you have older kids and you like pointless, silly humor!

I took a few - not many...and plan to play them on a slide show and add to my facebook for fun too. But for now...here are few just for fun of what we did yesterday.

The birthday boy is the one on the left - my brother in law Ken. As guests arrived, the men received Fedoras and the ladies, flowers for their hair or to pin on their clothes. Max still has his on today!


To make this an authentic Cuban Party, they built a pit for a whole pig. Yes, they went and got the pig...carried it home....gross....had to do some stuff to get it ready....and then...it was eaten. I will say it was amazing and everyone loved it. Just gross to look at!

Ok..this one is totally for my friend Laura. I am laughing now thinking of your reaction!

Nick and my nephew Alec playing yard games. I think this is funny - because both of them...have really girly mom's that like to look cute...like to MATCH for goodness sake. They did not get their fashion sense from their mothers. Kelly...can I get an AMEN????

Like I said...it was just a great time...wish it could have been longer! But...we'll enjoy time with them again soon I hope! Oh...my nephew who is a Sophomore at Ravenwood High school in Brentwood, TN - is playing for the Varsity Team there. If you click on Kelly's blog, you'll see some great pics of him too! Don't you love blog surfing and coffee at night????? Alright....bye for now!


My dog Abby - riding shotgun while Nick and Max slept in the back. What is she saying? "My life is gooooood....rrrreeeaaaaalllll good".

Something to laugh at this morning

Need to laugh out loud? Try this....I love this guys stuff... visit his blog for more laughs...



Tuesday, June 10, 2008
#287. Father Abraham had many sons - the VBS tape

http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com

I hate advertising.

On some levels I love it because it's what I do for a living and it's what enables me to buy Clifford the Big Red dog products for my daughters. But on other levels I hate it, and the commercial for the Kidz Bop CD reminded me of that.

Kidz Bop is a CD with popular top 40 songs sung by 10-year olds. I’m cool with the idea of kids singing, my 3-year old daughter loves to sing in the car, but the songs they put on these albums are clearly not written for little kids. Take these lyrics from Hinder’s “Lips of an Angel” found on Kidz Bop volume 11. It’s a heartwarming, childhood favorite about getting a phone call from an ex-lover while your current lover is in the other room:

Well, my girl’s in the next room. Sometimes I wish she was you. I guess we never really moved on. It’s really good to hear your voice saying my name. It sounds so sweet. Coming from the lips of an angel. Hearing those words it makes me weak. And I never wanna say goodbye. But girl you make it hard to be faithful, with the lips of an angel.

What 10-year old can’t relate to that song? What 10-year old hasn’t cheated on his girlfriend a time or two? You know how it is. You’re on one slide on the playground, your lady is playing hopscotch and an old flame winks at you from the swing set. What’s a kid to do? Thankfully Hinder and Kidz Bop have prepared you for this moment and upon taking a long, hard pull from a cold chocolate milk, you can stare off into the distance and wistfully say in a voice that hasn’t gone through puberty yet, “Girl you make it hard to be faithful with the lips of an angel.” (There's some debate about whether Kidz Bop changes the lyrics on their version, but it doesn't matter it's still a song about sex.)

I wish I could punch Kidz Bop in the face. But I can't because it's just a CD and that would look weird to see me in a parking lot just punching a CD over and over. What I can do though is make an amazing VBS mix tape for my daughters. That way when we sitting on 22s and rolling through the drive thru at Chick-fil-A the cops won't catch us riding dirty and we can bring the new flava in ya ear like Craig Mack. (Whoa, that sentence was raptastic!)

Here are the song categories you need to keep in mind when it comes to a great VBS mix tape:

1. War themed songs.
I've written about this before, but what can I say, we love teaching our four-year olds some military-flavored songs. My favorite two are probably "God's Army" and "Onward Christian Soldier." I like God's Army because it gets specific and actually mentions things like the infantry. I dig Onward Christian Soldier despite it kind of sounding like something that might have been sung during the Crusades.

2. Size and dimension songs.
We absolutely love measurement songs. From "Deep and Wide" to "My God is so big" we can't get enough of songs that speak to the size of things. Think I'm wrong? How about the song that says, "Zaccheus was a wee little man." It's probably one of my three favorite children songs that focus on someone's lack of height.

3. Happy happy joy smile songs
A lot of Christian children songs are like sunshine deep fried in cotton candy served on a plate made of sugar and rainbows. That is, they are happy. From "Joy, joy down in my heart" to "this little light of mine" we bring the happy when we sing. Even things like the flood that killed most of mankind gets the smile treatment. How can you be depressed about the cleansing of the planet when you sing, "God told Noah there's going to be a floody, floody." I think Donald Miller talked about that in Blue Like Jazz. And on a side note, adding a "y" to the end of any word makes it a little happier. Flood becomes floody, which is makes it kind of feel silly. Maybe next time I get fired, I'll say I got "firedy."

4. One love
Two of the most popular kid songs are "Jesus Loves Me" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children." That second one is funny to me and reminds me of something my daughter said. One day she came home from school and innocently said, "I had a fun time playing with that girl with the brown face on the playground." She was referring to an Indian friend and was being four, not racist. That's kind of what happened with the song "Jesus Loves the Little Children." It's got a verse that says, "Red and yellow, black and white, they're all precious in His sight." (The first site google returns if you search "Jesus loves the little children lyrics" lists the words the way I originally had it in this post.) Yikes, not the most politically correct verse, but I am sure there's a remix out there that cleans that up.

Those are the four key categories, but I promise I have left out one or two. What about "He's got the whole world in His hands" or "the B.I.B.L.E., yes that's the book for me?" I hope you'll share your favorite song but remember, the greatest VeggieTales song ever is "the Cheeseburger Song." That's not opinion, that's