Favorite Things Thursday

Look at me go! Two weeks in a row for FTT...nevermind that 3-4 page memoir I need to write...or that looming Math test...or the other 47 (seriously) books I need to read for Children's Lit...or sleep...I have things I need to share!

I guess I could have waited to share my love of these until today...but I couldn't! I HAD to get the urge to buy more out of my system ASAP. My husband probably would have fainted if one more cardboard box from them showed up on our doorstep!

I made these guys for Super Bowl Sunday and oh man...yumm-o! They are pretty rich though so just a small piece did it for me!

We're teaching our children responsibilities...and of course along with responsibilities comes rewards and consequences. We had a handy dandy dry erase chore chart for them UNTIL they got a hold of the Sharpie and wrote on it. ;) So, I was looking online for a new one and found something even better. It allows the girls to log in and check off their chores and as they do this they earn "points" which in turn allows them to "buy" different things from their parents or they can set up a savings goal. It's really cool and I think the girls are going to love it. You can customize it to fit your family!

And as our little ladie's are getting older and wanting to get on the internet to play games I've found this to help protect them. Of course we are never far when they are online but we all know how easy it is to stumble across things online. Our computer is in our family room so we can always see the screen but it's nice to know that this program will block even unwanted ads! And best of all...It's totally free!!!

That's all for today! Please...tell me your favorite things!

Deer Alert?!

This is a real e-mail from my university...It made me laugh. I'm NOT a deer killer, but the fact that they had to e-mail every student with a "Deer Alert" makes me laugh. I do love seeing the deer on campus...and I am sad to hear people are being careless enough to hit them and kill them...considering the speed limit it already 30mph...but still....anyone else find this slightly amusing?





DATE: February 11, 2009 13:00:05 CST Deer Alert

Be Careful of Deer in Our Roadways
Please be on alert as you drive through and around campus. Over the past week, three (3) deer have been struck by vehicles on campus and killed, not to mention causing significant damage to the vehicles involved. It is mating season and the deer, particularly the bucks, are not as careful around people and traffic as they normally would be.

The abundance of our deer population is a unique feature on campus. Please safeguard yourselves and our deer population by driving at least five miles below the posted speed limit, even slower if you see deer along the roadways. And stay alert.

If you discover an injured deer on the roadway or strike a deer on or near campus, please call the UHCL Police Department at 281-283-2222.



Paul Willingham
Chief of Police

Wallflowers

**Updated with some pictures from my own collection!**


This is no joke...in our linen closet we have 52 Wallflower refills...fifty-two! My husband has threatened me...if I buy ONE more there will be serious consequences. So, I was very upset when I got an email today from Bath and Body Works saying Wallflowers are on sale for $6!! Someone...please stop me! I hope you guys take advantage of this sale because apparently I'm going to have to sit this one out. I'm heart broken...BUT I just happened to stumble upon another exciting website that I will share on a Favorite Things Thursday with you guys! But for the time being...someone please go buy some $6 Wallflowers to make me feel better!!




This is obviously only a portion of our Wallflowers...but I just wanted to share how far my addiction has gone.

I Am...

I Am A Fireman's Wife

The table is set, the meal is prepared,
and our guests will soon arrive.

My husband once more disappears,
with the hope of keeping a child alive.

While waiting at home alone,
our plans have gone awry.

My first response is to
sit right down and cry.

But soon again I realize
the importance of my life,
When I agreed to take on the duties
of being a fireman's wife.

While there may be drawbacks,
I'll take them in my stride,
knowing "My daddy saved a life,"
our children can say with pride.

The gusting winds and raging flames
may be his final fate,
But with God's help I can remain
my fireman's faithful mate.
-Anonymous

Please take a few minutes to watch this video. It's beautiful.




I've just been thinking a lot lately...about all kinds of things...and one of the things that has been crossing my mind the most is my husband. I'm so proud to be his wife. When we first started dating and things were becoming more serious I had to consider his profession...a firefighter...it means many hours away at one time, many missed birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, children's school plays, and it also means that he can be taken away from me without even a moment's notice. I know this can happen to anyone but his job increases the chances of this greatly! I had to think about if I could handle it...emotionally and physically. I won't lie, when I am on the phone with him in the evenings that he is at work and I hear the alarms sound my heart literally stops...knowing THIS could be the last time I hear his soft voice say "I love you babe, gotta go." I've spent plenty of nights waiting for him to call just to know he's safe. I've felt the real fear of turning on the evening news just to see a blazing three alarm fire in his district...knowing MY husband and our children's father is IN that building engulfed with huge orange flames. I've seen "the look" on his face when he has come home from a long night...and some body's life was lost. I see the pain in his eyes and the guilt that he shouldn't feel. I've heard him say "but they were JUST babies...they shouldn't of had to die." And I've seen the burns on his face....and the charred bunker gear because the fire was just THAT hot...and I've heard the stories he will never tell me..."the ceiling caved in on him." My husband is a very quiet man...a man of so few words. He tries his best to never bring home his work. He doesn't brag that he's a firefighter...he doesn't wear his fire t-shirts just so people will know what he does. You won't hear him sit around with the guys and tell "war stories" on the weekends...I believe he does this to protect his family. He doesn't want US to know what happens inside of those dark, smokey, hot buildings...because he knows this wife of his would never sleep a wink again! I worry about my husband and his fire brothers from the time he walks out the door until the time he returns. I'm so thankful for him and all of the other firefighter's that aren't given enough credit. These guys save life's everyday!! Only to be treated poorly...you never hear about the burned bunker gear, the skin burns, the missed meals, the no sleep in over 24 hours part of their job...all you hear on the news is "it took the fire dept too long to get here! That's unacceptable!" You try driving a fire truck through heavy traffic...and through traffic where nobody yields for your screaming sirens and flashing lights. You try getting through iron burglar bars on doors and windows. I encourage you all to stop for just a second and say a prayer for these everyday hero's. Our firemen, policemen, and EMT's are so under appreciated....and far under paid. I think many people would be SHOCKED to hear a firefighter's salary. I love you honey...and you are MY everyday hero!

Favorite Things Thursday

I know I'm coming at you guys a little late on this Thursday evening but I wanted to share a few more of my favorite things!

Since I've already proclaimed my love for Lush bath products...I wanted to share this sweet website. Seriously, how cute are those cupcakes?! I haven't tried them YET, but I assure you I will soon!

My sister (matron of honor in my wedding) bought these super cute invites for my bridal shower. There are so many cute invitations, announcments, stamps, stationary, and much more on this website!

My little ladies love to play online games here every once in awhile. Of course I'd rather see them play outside but this mama doesn't always get her way! Evidently they play on this website at school because my oldest lady showed ME how to log in using her username! Not sure how I feel about the school setting up any type of account online for my children....::sigh::


I really want my sister to have a baby boy just so I can buy him this bedding! C'mon, you can't tell me that's not adorable?! I'll be ok if she has a girl too...because I can always buy this.

Now, I'm not a scrapbooker...but I wish I was! I do love stamping though! My sister and I go to stamp camps together quite often. We already know what we're going to make as a favor for her baby shower that her best friend and I are throwing! They are super cute and I will share pictures at a later date.

Hope you enjoy a few more of my favorite things! Tell me, what are some of YOUR favorite things??

Wordless Wednesday

In honor of our 4 month wedding anniversary!

Not Me Monday!

I skipped out last week...but I'm here now to play along with MckMama!

I most certainly did not post THIS link...shamelessly asking for donations for a WONDERFUL cause!! And I'm still not asking for you to find it in the kindness of your heart to donate to our team!

I did not cut a huge chunk out of the steak hubs made me yesterday and throw it in the trash while he wasn't looking because I was already full. I'd Never waste food like that!

I did not lay in bed Saturday morning and wish that my children and pets would sleep until at least 8:30am...because I love waking up early every morning.

I am most certainly not reconsidering my college degree...well not the actual degree but the classroom setting. I mean I've been working towards this degree forever!!