Candy Crush Saga

Well, it happened.  Mr. T and I joined the ranks of millions who became addicted to Candy Crush Saga.  That innocent little game started out so fun.  Crush those little candies, break up all the jelly, keep the evil chocolate from spreading, and what's better is that we were working together to jump from one sugary level to the next!  

At one point I asked Mr. T if he would like to play a board game or something.  He replied, "It seems better for our marriage if we are working together on a game than playing against each other."  So true.  There have been many a game played in our house that have ended in me trying to climb out from under a mountain of depression and regret.  "If I would have only played the 'X' in that double word score instead of trying to hold out for a triple word score, I would have won that game of Scrabble!!!"  It's terrible.  Games started in the name of fun end with me stomping up the stairs leaving Mr. T left alone to clean up the kitchen by himself. 

Anyway, Candy Crush was different.  We weren't playing against each other.  In fact, I experienced a new level of grace from Mr. T.  There were times when I played a move too fast and missed an opportunity to line up 5 candies to make a sparkle donut, and if you know anything about Candy Crush, you know how important the sparkle donuts are!  And Mr. T would forgive me.  We were quite the team.  If not for him, I would blow through all my moves without strategizing and never get anywhere.  Without me, Mr. T would stare at the game for hours and never make a move.  It was the perfect picture of what God intended marriage to be.  Oh, except that we were staring at a screen for hours instead of doing something that really mattered.

At first we were in denial that we were addicted.  That is until I found myself thinking things like, "I don't have a problem," and "I can quit anytime."  Well, I did have a problem.  Mainly, the problem was that we finally reached a level that we couldn't get passed.  Regardless, today I pulled the plug and deleted it.  I've never felt so free!  

A 9 Month Old's Perspective

Hi, it's me, Tidytot.  Mom is being awfully slow about posting pictures, so I'm taking over the computer to let you know what I've been doing this past month!

First of all, I really like to crawl around the house.  Mostly when I'm on hardwood floors I do an army crawl.  When I'm on carpet, it's all fours for me!  I also love to pull myself up on the stairs.

There's so much to see and do.  Here's a picture of me exploring one of the nooks and crannies in our house.  Mom runs a pretty clean ship, but if there's dirt to be found, I find it! 

I also like to do really silly things.  Here's a picture of me in a funny hat that Grandma T bought.  It's the perfect thing to wear when I'm brushing my teeth.

Sometimes I like to tilt my head way over to one side.  People are always asking me why I do it.  I don't really know why.  It's just fun!  Here at supper Mom took a picture of me and my friend, Andy.  I would take a bite of food and then tilt my head, take a bite, tilt...you get the picture.  I'm so weird!

It's not all party, party, party around here.  I have to do my part to help out around the house.  Here I'm helping Dad with some computer problems he was having. 

It's a good thing he has me to help him navigate this thing called the "world wide web".

After work, I like to relax by curling up with a good book.  I love reading!  Whether it be with Dad and Annie,

Grandma and Grandpa T,

or just by myself,

it's one of my favorite things to do!

And after all of that, I'm usually pretty tired.  Looks like it's time for a nap.

You should take one too!!!

The Birthday Email, Year 33

(Disclaimer - this is an annual email written mostly for the entertainment of it's readers.  It's not meant to be serious.  It is serious, but since it's also slightly outrageous, I feel I should add this disclaimer as a buffer.)

For most of the year I was under the impression that I was only 31.  Imagine my shock when I realized I'm turning 33 in a couple of weeks.  A whole year lost!  (As if that would be possible.)  I don't really think it is.  This past year has certainly been quite memorable.

This is the year I started to really learn what it means to love something more than myself.  And to become painfully aware of just how much "self" is rooted in my heart.  A year of knowing bone tired, true joy, deep gratitude, insecurity, and an ever-present need for God's grace.

My first year of motherhood.

It's common for churches to give out little gifts for Mother's Day and Father's Day.  I came from a church that would give carnations to mothers on their special day in May.  It's funny really.  Especially at first when you're taking care of a newborn.  When days and nights blur together and the little one's needs are so relentless.  When you're walk into walls tired and have no idea how everyone else makes it seem so easy and thoughts plague your mind like "Why is it that our baby is the only one that cries during church?"  When it's just so darn hard, comfort can be found in knowing "Well, at least I'll get a carnation on Mother's Day."

Certainly churches can't give gifts worthy of a mother's love and sacrifice throughout the year.  I don't know if such a gift exists in material form.  The reward of being a mom is just that - to be a mom, a witness to sweet smiles and a comforter for unfortunate bumps and scrapes.  A teacher, a guide, a warm hug, and a giver of countless kisses.  Motherhood is a gift in itself.

The same is not true when it comes to birthdays.  For birthdays, I want presents.  Like in material form.  As in wrapping paper, delicious food, pampering, the works.

For although my heart is full of love and blessed by a wealth of wonderful family and friends, my "self" would like a few more cute clothes and a hot body to put them on.  

I am aware that as I age my "hotness" level is decreasing.  I get it.  A while ago I told my husband I was sorry about all my premature wrinkles.  He replied, "Oh honey, I don't think those are premature."

We are so in love.

Okay, now for the list:

Gym Membership (1 Month unlimited at Fit-So-Fly)

Blouse (size M)

Money

Guitar Lessons
Coffee pot
Cute shoes for winter

Giftcards

JCPenney
Target

Amazon