Thanksgiving 2010

My awesome, $400 camera (5+ years old) is done. The battery clasp broke so the battery cover is holding batteries on with the strongest tape you can find but considering my camera takes 4 AA batteries its still in many cases not strong enough. Also the USB port isn't working which is preventing me from uploading photos. But that's ok right? Because you guys read this blog because my words are so profound. Surely, none of you just peek in to see the little ones, ha!

Anyways, this Thanksgiving was really great. We decided to stay put this year because life is just so busy and sometimes the holidays can become more hassle than enjoyment when you try traveling ESPECIALLY with two little ones. Both kids were wonderful and we joined church family at our pastor's house. It was a peaceful day and I must brag on myself for making my grandmother's french silk pie in edible white chocolate cups. YUM! They were soooo good that my stomach was upset after eating them.

My son had a little playmate at their house and Cola was so peaceful. She fell fast asleep on our pastor's chest. It's always nice when my arms get a break! Dalen told my dad all they fed us was "Cheetos and butter" which was far from the truth! HA! He is too funny!

Maybe it's because I have two kids now but has anyone noticed just HOW MANY toy commercials are on TV? It really puts the pressure on us parents, huh? After every DVD commercial or toy commercial Dalen says can you buy for that me? My answer-probably not bud. lol

This year I am super thankful for a great opportunity to be in ministry with great people, at a wonderful church in sunny Orlando! I am also thankful for friends who have stuck by me even through the distance. I am thankful for family who loves my kids and who cheer us on. I am thankful for kids in good health who make me a better person. And of course for my great husband who is my biggest fan!

I'm Walking On Sunshine

To catch you up as quickly as I can, here goes nothing.

My sister visited last week, cons my son into begging to come back to Tennessee with her and of course after being a stay at home mom for 7 months it didn't take much begging. I flew in for a friends wedding on Friday, witnessed them say, "I do" on Saturday and have been enjoying the company of family and friends for a few days. C is with her Dada and doing great.

So, I haven't flown since the latest security checks began. I spent the whole 30 minute ride debating "aggressive" pat down or full body scan? Our airport "opted" out of the new security features which I didn't know was even possible. I felt as though I was walking on sunshine as I glided through the airport with my ONE carry on, purse and THAT'S it! No diaper bag, baby on hip or toddler at my heels! I must admit it was quite nice only removing one pair of shoes to get through security. I am sure you are all interested which I would choose full body scan or pat down...After two children the scan would be too cruel, especially if my stretch marks showed up. Everyone is so perturbed about the eye candy the security guys are getting...come on peeps! The poor guys are wanting to scream, "Don't flatter yourselves so much folks! We aren't too impressed with what we are seeing!"

Ok enough about that...Have I mentioned how much I love weddings!? I mean I just LOVE them. This wedding was one of my favorites. Small, intimate, beautiful and original details that I won't forget. This friend is one of my childhood friends that has been through so much. I kept telling myself I will not be a dork and cry. When I looked around to find a crying dork to laugh at I then realized everyone was crying and my tears were released in much company. Great is thy faithfulness serenaded the waterworks and my favorite lines of from the officiant, "May the devil stay out and the Holy Ghost stay in!" "Well, hallelujah for what I feel in my soul right now!" Gotta love Kevin Wallace...one of my favorite speakers! I also loved how the bride and groom allowed their son and daughter use the aisle runner as a running track/slip n' slide. We were totally entertained! May the Lord bless them and keep them always!

The Shadow

Ok, so I have been wanting to write this post for some time now BUT I was a little leery of doing it because I don't want people to think it's a "Pity Party for Me Post" because the root of it is quite comical. All of my friend readers will laugh throughout this post because they know just how true these funny yet slightly disturbing instances are. For all of you who don't know me I am happily married and love my kids and you will just have to trust my word on that.

Since being FULLY thrust into full time ministry alongside of my husband my heart has rapidly grown sensitive towards P.W.s (pastor's wife). We are SO overlooked! And to be honest I would much rather be serving than to be served so for the most part that's ok but I mean can people at least learn my name??

Any of you who know my husband know that he has this natural gift of getting people to love him. You know that line, "You had me at hello"?? Yeah I think that was birthed from my husband because he walks in a room, simply introduces himself and leaves with a multitude of friends who then ask him to speak at their churches, call him for advice, want to hang out and so on. Yeah, I don't have that gift. You all know it's true!

So the other day we are out at the movies and see a young adult who has visited our ministry a couple of times. My husband already had our seats and I was running to the bathroom when we lock eyes and I smile and say, "Hey C!" She looks at me smiling and says, "Pastor Mario's wife!" Uhh, yeah I am proud of that BUT I do have a name. So what she forgot...she was off to find my husband so that her husband could meet him before ever asking how I was or kindly apologizing for forgetting my name.

I have also learned that my identity is totally void when my kids aren't with me. I go into a card shop EVERY week, EVERY WEEK folks and just the time I go without Dalen the owner has no idea who I am! She knows both of my kids by name, even gives them free snacks and treats but when they aren't with me I must just become a "new" customer! I mean seriously I am the one dropping $10 weekly on cards to send to friends not my kids.

I don't know what it is about me that is just not memorable but it's not there. I just know my friends are laughing at this because it just so true! Don't worry I am laughing too because honestly I am done trying to figure it out. Oh, and of course I can't forget our usher at church WHO STILL doesn't know I am P. Mario's wife. Literally every Sunday she tries to escort me to a pue in the back when we sit in the same seat in the front every week! One Sunday our conversation went like this...

Usher: Hello, follow me!
Me: Walk behind her dreading the awkward realization that I am not a newcomer I am the youth pastor's wife. So I keep walking and let her know yet again I already have my seat on the front row by my husband's reserved paper.
Usher: She quints, tilts her head and says this (no lie!) Well, I guess it is you! You have just gotten pretty!
Me: Thinking-Hmm, JUST GOTTEN PRETTY? What was I our first Sunday....CHOPPED LIVER?? lol

So if any of you youth pastor's wives are reading...from one Y.P.W. to another you are loved and appreciated! God sees everything you do and knows everything about you including your name!

In what ways do you think PWs are overlooked and how can you make them feel appreciated??

A P.M. Post

I typically blog in the mornings because I find that around 5 p.m. my mind is crazily circulating random thoughts and I don't have enough sanity left to make sense of them. But I thought I would be brave and write a P.M. post.

My three year old is snuggled cozily RIGHT UP AGAINST me. The CMAs are blaring and though I don't much care for country I do appreciate it. Dalen keeps talking about how pretty Carrie Underwood is and I TOTALLY agree!

We are hosting a guest pastor and some of his young adults for our BIG service tomorrow night so Mario is at the church doing last minute things. Not long after he left this conversation took place...

D: Sorry Daddy left for work, Mom.
Me: Yeah it's fine.
D: Sorry that you miss him.
*silence
D: Mommy? Don't you miss him?
Me: of course!

So cute. Then he snuggles waaaay too close for comfort next to me and this takes place...

Me: Dalen do you have to sit soooo close??
D: Yes, Mom I just...just do.
Me: But why?
D: Because I do...
Me: But tell me what you feel when you sit so close?
D: Like, it just feels, a lot better close.
Me: What do you feel better about?
D: Mom, you so immature! Just better about everything!

Yes, he is 3. I will not let my mind wonder and guess what he will be saying at 15.

Anyways what was the point of this post?? Oh there isn't one. Enjoy a few pics of my hot hubby and kiddos.




So Dalen took this pic to send it to my Dad. I was instructed to send a text with it that said peace out homie. Oh my if you know my dad...lol

D pretending to break Mario's arm and Mario pretending to scream.

Cola's new scrunchy face. My fav!

The touch. The feel. Of cotton. The fabric of Dalen's arm.

Dalen finally has a permanent cast! I found the most convenient WALK IN orthopedic office ever! I have never even heard of a walk in orthopedic doctor but they exist. The doctor and cast technician were fast and incredibly nice and patient. Here are a few pics of Dalen getting his cast and the process.





Dalen began with a color wheel to choose his color of cast. He had already chosen orange before we even got there but it was a fun distraction while we waited.



And orange it is!


The begin with what they call a thumb sock. Which Dalen thought was super funny.



And the cotton begins! Tons of cotton!



After his arm was fully smothered in cotton Dalen looked down and said, "Hey this is gonna be nice...really nice!" lol



Then she wrapped the cast in fiber glass and then in the orange.



Yay, for Dalen who was such a trooper and actually seemed pretty interested in the process.



Daddy is the first one to sign the cast.



I am second.

The break is on the radius head and the doctor says it appears to be a break that will heal quickly without complication. I was soooo shocked at how much cotton it took to wrap his arm! Two huge rolls were used to wrap it. Let's pray we can keep water out of the cast and that it can be removed ASAP!

Only Dalen

Only Dalen would be playing with friends, fall off of their bed, break his arm, complain and whine a little and then sleep all night on it. And only Dalen would cry more about having to miss basketball season than the pain or broken bone.

Only Dalen would pass the time (6.5 hours) at the ER by preaching at the doorway, checking the temperature of my toes, knees and belly button. Only Dalen can tell the nurses and doctors they take WAAAAAY too long and get away with it. And only he could rare back at the doctor while they moved his broken arm and yell, "You hurtin' me man!"

Only Dalen would suggest he could still play basketball and dribble one handed. Only Dalen would kick the wall out of anger when he realized that he can't play the drums with both hands because of his cast.

This is his first broken bone. The cast is already driving him nuts and we are using super skinny glowsticks he got for his birthday to stick in the cast to scratch his "itchies".

The update of a slacker

I have been such a slacker the last few weeks. I am realizing it's easier to keep my blog updated every day then to get behind and update about the last few weeks. But here goes nothing.



We celebrated Mario's 26th birthday on the 25th of October. We went to Cheesecake Factory and it was then I realized all dining experiences with children are FINE. It never exceeds fine. Dalen wanted to know why the lights were so dark and kept getting darker and Cola was super ready for bed. Wonderful food though!



Dalen started basketball last Saturday. After watching his super nice coaches trying to teach him how to dribble I can only say one thing...BLESS THEIR HEARTS! Dalen argued with everything they said, huffed, rolled his eyes and then asked for a break after the coach insisted on him dribbling the right way. Oh well, we tried.



Our Halloween was spent at our church for a wonderful event for families. Trunk or treat, snacks, art activities, discovery bus, Thomas the train, bounce houses and my husband as the emcee made for a very fun but miserably hot night. Dalen wanted to be Superman for Halloween. The only problem was that I could only find a Superman costume in his size made of fleece. He didn't even wear it the whole day it was soooo hot! But he had a GREAT time anyway. Cola was supposed to be a cow but with the heat in mind and no nap all day...yeah you get the picture-she never made it in hers either.



Cola is now cutting her two front top teeth. She is so cute! She makes a new scrunchy face that mades us all crack up. She crawls so fast everywhere and knows how to say mama, dada, and more. She takes 3 naps a day and sleeps for 10-12 hours a night. She is every mother's dream except I enjoy her while I am awake.




Mario was also ordained under the covering of our Bishop during our fall conference called Faith Fest. It was a REALLY special night for him. God used some very trusted voices to give him Godly advice and prophesy that we are so moved by. I will just say we are certain the best is yet to come!

So there's what's been going on in the Hood Home. What about yours?