Sunday, December 28, 2008

Taking a Break

I am taking a break from blogging for a bit. My sweet hubby has some time off and since we don't get to be together as a family that often, I am taking some time to spend it with my boys. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and I'll be back at the first of the year.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:9-11

Merry Christmas from The Waters Family




Monday, December 22, 2008

What's The Scoop

Product #1
Indulgence Cookie Cutter 100-Piece Set

Just because I think everyone should own this set of cookie cutters. Its a 100 piece set with several cookie cutter shapes for every holiday as well as the complete alphabet, and miscellaneous shapes like dinosaurs, teddy bears, moons, etc. I have used this set for everything from Christmas dough ornaments, to Halloween and Easter cookies, to using the alphabet cutters to spell out my youngest's name on top of his birthday cake. I've also used them to cut my kiddos sandwiches for their lunches. Its a neat surprise for them when they get to school and open their lunch box to find a dinosaur sandwich or one in the shape of an American flag.
My friend Lori bought this set for me for Christmas one year (if my memory is correct). I'm not sure where she bought it but you can purchase one at Bed, Bath and Beyond for $9.99.


Product #2
Hyper Dash
Saundra got my boys this game for Christmas and they absolutely love it!! Its fun and a great way for them to run off some energy indoors or out. You set out the colored cups- my boys usually set one in each room of the house. The handheld battery operated control tells you what color to find, you run to it as fast as you can and smash the controller on to that color cup, it then tells you your next color and so on. You can have races to see who can finish in the least amount of time. We have played this game with kiddos from 2 years to 8 years old and they all have loved it. There are several different types of games you can play as well. I like that it requires your child to run around. I'm all about burning off some energy!
You can buy it at most of the retail stores and it sells for around $20.

Friday, December 19, 2008

The Best Advice

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received and who gave it to you?

I've received some great advice in my life. If I had to narrow it down to the best, I'd have two selections.

1. Its easy to get your feelings hurt when everything is about you.

My past Sunday school teacher Mike Morris said this in one of his lessons and boy did that smack me right in the face. Ouch! But so very true and to this day if I am in a situation where I'm feeling targeted or hurt, I repeat that statement to myself.

2. The Lord wants us to love everyone but some people you have to love from afar.

Can I get an Amen?! I used to be the Queen of toxic relationships. The Lord does want us to love one another but when the people you interact with daily are negatively influencing your life, especially when it comes to your walk with the Lord, you got to love them from afar.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Difficult Times

It is no secret that our country is going through difficult times. Its most noticeable for most in financial aspects. Its more noticeable for Christians in religious ones. Sadly, I see our country turning away from the very principals and beliefs that this nation was founded on. Its a scary time for our nation. Sometimes I'm overcome with worry about what the future holds for my children but then I'm reminded that it doesn't matter what the future holds because The Lord holds their future and that's all that really matters.
Its sad that during what is supposed to be such a joyous season, there are people who are going through the darkest, most uncertain times in their lives. So many friends and neighbors have lost their jobs and some even their homes. Here in the state of Tennessee, our governor has asked all state departments to cut their budgets by 15%. My husband works for the State and as I was talking to him on the phone this morning I realized that he could lose his job. He talked about being hopeful that only currently unstaffed open positions would be cut but he just wasn't certain. I worried about him having to let some of his staff go and what that would mean for their families as well.
I think what saddens me the most is that our government, the auto industry, the oil industry, you name it- they all have spent carelessly and lived frivolously in extravagance without any care or concern for those people who even made their gluttony possible- the working men and women of this country. So we have the big CEOs who make millions of dollars a year asking for bailouts for their companies. Big CEOs who make more in a month than most of us will make in a year or years, asking that Congress bail their company out because they have gone over their budget. Playing on sympathies, stating that if they do not receive bail out funds, many men and women will lose their jobs and their pensions.
So here we are paying the price. I'm not saying that we are totally blameless. Many of us have done the same things only on a smaller scale. Many of us have purchased homes knowing that we really couldn't afford them. Bought a better car or a bigger tv just because we wanted it even though we really couldn't afford it. In many ways its become the norm in our country to live way above one's means. When will we realize that "stuff" will not make us happy, that "stuff" does not make us better than others, and that "stuff" will not get us where we need to be in the end?
When did we lose sight of taking responsibility for our actions? Why can't that millionaire CEO be forced to put money back in his company to pay his workers, keep their pensions, and ensure his company stays afloat. Why can't we as citizens take responsibility for our actions. If we have a house we can't afford, we need to sell it and get in to one we can. If we own a car where the payment is crushing us, sell it. Let's let go of our pride and take responsibility.
I promise you I'm not preaching because I'll be the first to admit I've made some not so sound financial decisions in the past and I've spent years paying for them. But I did pay for them. Never once did it cross my mind to ask for a bailout. I didn't realize that was an option. I made those decisions and I took the consequences. Its what made me learn a better way.
So, how will big business ever learn a better way or even care about a better way if they never experience the consequences?
I would just ask you to join me in praying for our country. Pray for those that have lost their jobs or their homes. Pray for a better awareness of financial stability both in the individual citizen and in big industry. Pray that our country would get back to the principles it was founded on. Pray because prayer is strong and we pray to a mighty God who hears us.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

What's The Scoop?

A day late and a dollar short- story of my life lately. :) I know that this post is supposed to happen on Mondays but with the freaky "no snow" snow days our county has been getting (at least one a week for the past three weeks), I haven't had time to get typical things done much less post on the blog. What can I say, I live in Tennessee where even the minute threat of snow or ice is apparently paralyzing. :)

Product #1
The Wii Fit

Because its a long story, I won't get in to how I received my Christmas present from my hubby early. I'm so glad I did. My family and I have had the best time with the Wii Fit. It calculates your weight, BMI and your Wii fit age. I can't say I was happy about some of that but it was a good motivator to kick working out in to a higher gear.
So, its fun if you do it by yourself and can really give you a good workout. There's yoga, balance, aerobics, and strength training. And the stuff you do is fun! Yes, I said it- exercising is fun (with the Wii Fit). The best part is that my boys love it. They love it and they don't even realize they are exercising.
One of my favorites is the aerobic hula hooping. I hear you laughing. :) You try hula hooping for 2 minutes straight- it can kick your booty! I also love this one because it is hilarious to watch people on the Wii Fit board hula hooping! My four year old just cannot get the motion but its funny to watch him try. Its really fun to watch Jim (I may have to video him!). I'm certain I'm quite funny to see also.
If you have a Wii and are thinking of purchasing a game for it, get the Wii Fit. Here in Middle Tennessee they have been difficult to find but if you find one, you won't regret it.

My last part of What's the Scoop is not a product. My boys decided to run the one mile Jingle Bell jog at our local Y this past Saturday. Our neighbor and friend, Ms Ashley was running the 5K before the jog. The boys were super excited to get there and cheer her on from the sidelines. It was freezing! The boys put jingle bells on their shoes and took off for the one mile run. Avery ran the entire mile and LOVED it. He's asked to start running so he can run the 5K next year. Aidan had fun too! He didn't quite make it the entire mile but he ran his little heart out. They received "medals" at the end. Check out their pictures here and here. You may have to scroll down to find the boys. It was a lot of fun and at the end, we got to watch the Frostbite Freeze where adults and kids alike took a plunge into the outside Y pool. The temp of the water was a chilly 37 degrees!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Let Go My Legos!

It never fails. Every year one or both of my children ask for a certain toy for Christmas that is super hard to find. And its not like you know months before when the stores have plenty of them that that particular item is going to be the toy or toys that will be so popular. A couple of months ago my youngest asked for a Batman lego set. A couple of months ago every single retail store and toy store had many of this set in stock. It's the Lego Batman Harley Quinn Hammer Truck lego set. For you die hard lego fans, I don't have the set number.
Anyway, why, you ask, didn't I purchase said set months ago? Because its a Batman lego set. I really didn't think it would be that hard to come by for Christmas. Apparently, I thought wrong. I simply cannot find it anywhere. And I have looked just about everywhere online and in store. The only ones I can find are on ebay for $80 to $100. The set retails for $29.99. Why must the sellers on ebay snatch up every single set of something and then price gouge?? I'm all for making a little money and I'd be willing to give you $35 or $40 for the set- maybe even $45. The seller would still make money. But NO, here in the land of greed and money lust, they want more than three times what its worth.
So, no my youngest will not get what he's asked for unless one of the retail stores gets it back in stock. I love him and want him to be happy but I don't think missing out on the Harley Quinn Hammer Truck will scar him for life. Paying $100 for it would; however, scar me and our Christmas budget.
Before I leave you, I have to share what I DID find while I was searching for Batman legos. Just in case anyone is interested, you can purchase a life size lego Batman (yes, I said life size- when put together it stands over 78" tall), at FAO Schwartz for a mere $27,000. But, they're SOLD OUT!!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Hair's The Question...

I am in desperate need of a haircut and a different hairstyle. So help me out. I have never been afraid to try just about anything with my hair so I'm not afraid of very short. Above is the best picture I could find that was close up of me. Be honest. I'm mid to edging in to the late thirties (sigh). Its important to know that my hair is very fine but I have a lot of it. I would say my face is an oval shape. Look at the pictures below and leave me a comment telling me...

A. Which style you like best.

B. Which one you think would look best on me.

C. Do you think I should go blonde?

I really like this one but my major concern is that I'm too old. (I can't even believe I have to worry about that but I do!!) The thing I like about it is how easy would it be??!!! :)

This one is probably my least favorite although its similar to the one above. I think maybe I don't like the longer hair in the back

Its been a long time since I've had bangs but then maybe that's what I'm searching for to change it up a bit.

Ok, this girl needs a bigger shirt but I do like the hairstyle. This may be my favorite at this point.

I like this one too. This girl's hair color is closer to mine than the others.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

MASH

M A S H

1. List 3 boys you'd marry

1. List 3 cars you want

1. List 3 places you want to live

0, 1, 2, 3, 4

Did you ever play this game when you were younger? I remember my girlfriends and I playing this all the time. I was reminded of it because I saw a piece of flair on Facebook. Its hilarious to think back on some of the things I chose to write down for the categories. I'm sure that at least one of the "three boys I liked" was the latest pop/rock guy or the newest teen heart throb. I'm certain I probably had the likes of Ralph Macchio (sp?) and Kirk Cameron on there somewhere. What can I say. I grew up in the 80's. :)
My cars were always outrageous. I remember always putting porsche and lamborghini(I can't even spell them!) and then just for fun, throwing in some normal car. My "places to live" were always some place tropical.
And for those of you who have never played MASH, the M stands for mansion, A for apartment, S for shack, and H for house. The numbers at the bottom- 0,1,2,3,4 were the number of kids you would have. Now, I'm getting old so my memory is not what it used to be but I think you picked a number from 1 through 5. Let's say you picked the number 5. You started at the M and counted each letter and then went through each column. Every time you got to five, you would mark that off the list. You continued to do that until you only had one thing left in each category.
So, it was possible to live in a Shack, be married to Ralph Macchio, drive a porsche, live in the Bahamas, and have 4 children!! :)
So come on girls- did you ever play this when you were younger?

Monday, December 1, 2008

What's The Scoop?

Product #1
Uppercase Living

Have you heard of this or seen their products. I had heard about their stuff and a couple of months ago my friend Sarah invited me to a party she was hosting. I didn't get to attend but she did drop off a catalog. I seriously wanted to buy everything in it. Check it out at UppercaseLiving. What really sold us is that we got a fairly large piece that has the Bible verse, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." The cost was some where around $34. When compared to the price of buying a good size, nice framed picture for a wall which can be in the hundreds of dollars, the uppercase living looked even better. And now that we have it on the wall, we are very pleased. If you do decide to order, I'm certain Sarah would pass on her consultant's name.


Product #2
Shutterfly

I just ordered our photo Christmas cards from Shutterfly last night. I have to say that I've used Snapfish and Ofoto and really only tried Shutterfly because a friend told me about a free deal they were having just for signing up. I love Shutterfly and at least in my experience, their pictures have been better quality.
They are having a deal on photo Christmas cards. Once you've designed your card and are ready to order, add 75 to your basket. It will charge you for the first 50 and the next 25 are free. Be sure to use the free shipping code when you check out on orders $25 or more- code SHIP25. You can also receive a free 12 month calendar if you spend over $50 using the code SECRET02.