Please Change the Fashion Code

I have talked about this with so many of my friends that I have decided to blog about it. I am actually convinced it needs to be a published book. I was motivated to write when I caught, sporadically, Laguna Beach and saw how awful those girls looked and that it has even crossed over into swimsuit wear. The girls really look like they bought their swimsuits 3 sizes too small.

To begin . . . the fashion code I am talking about changed some time during the 9 months I was pregnant with Lucy Anne. You know, the "wear-your-pants-so-low-I-can-see-your-underwear" fashion statement. Britney Spears, I would love to have a sit-down chat with you (for many reasons)! First of all, I believe it was meant to be a sexy thing to see your underwear (and, no, Brit doesn't wear Granny Panties) but not everyone wears her type of underwear. And I would like to meet the guy who thinks Plumber's crack is sexy (to put it quite bluntly). I also don't think that bulging hips and belly are sexy either which is another side effect of the low-low wasted pants.

As I mentioned, the style changed somewhere during pregnancy. So, after finally getting rid of my maternity clothes, that I happened to wear a bit longer than 9 months, I went shopping for some new jeans. A higher wasted jean that doesn't make you look like an 80's mom, who can find? So, I went with the more teeny-bopper style because I was so paranoid of "looking like a mom". I got the jeans home and discovered I had no long-wasted shirt to cover those gorgeous, bulging hips and belly! At first, I thought all of this was just because I was "in between" my pregnant weight and my old, girlish figure. However, I have noticed this style looks good on you only if you are anorexic. Ladies, we need to revolt!!! For the sake of our precious baby girls! Not that Lucy Anne will be wearing this style any time soon, but it WILL COME BACK!!! Some how we must erase it from the fashion history pages! I am sure I am a lot of talk . . . I will continue to wear my somewhat low-waisted jeans (what choice do I have) and always remember to pull my shirt down and my jeans up before sitting down. Is there a compromise?!!

Lucy Anne's New Favorite Phrases

Lucy Anne has two new phrases she says. . . "Whoa, Dude" and "Oh goodness". The other day we were shopping and an old man cleared his throat, coughed, hacked up a lung, not sure . . . Either way, I was thinking, "disgusting" but Lucy Anne said it much nicer, out loud . . . "Oh goodness"! Made me laugh!

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Another funny thing she said was while I was trying to put her in her car seat. She didn't want to go and was throwing a fit. Finally, I wrestled her down to where I could fasten the seatbelt and she pointed to the car ceiling and said, "I want God!" In disbelief at what she had just said, I asked if she said "I want God?" and she said "yes" quite emphatically. Of course, I thought, well, He is the only one who can save you now!

Even the Angels are Celebrating

I FINALLY HAVE MY OWN CELL PHONE!!!! A little background . . . since Justin went out on his own (in business) one of the ways we cut cost was to get rid of my cell phone. And many of you know how many different home phone changes we've had over the past year. In McKinney, you are long distance with just a local number which is what we had for a while. Then, we decided to pay for a metro-line (change in phone number) so that we wouldn't have to pay long distance every time we wanted to call our friends or even a mile down the road. So, then, we heard about Vonage (phone over IP -internet) and decided to get that (another change in phone number). However, for some reason our cable or modem or something keeps coming disconnected, so then we are temporarily out of a phone connection (as well as internet). Oh, and if by chance you call and our line happens to be working you will get the FAX on the third ring, because we haven't figured out how to work the fax and answering machine together. All that to say, you can never get ahold of us (or ME). Justin has his cell phone so people can get him. I apologize to all of my friends and family who have cussed me and the phone in trying to reach me! I also apologize to the poor lady who has our old number. Many of you have told me about her. I know the Angels are happy because they have been working overtime to keep us safe. Thank you, my heavenly Father, for protecting us always but especially while I have been inconvenienced without a cell phone. I really couldn't have imagined being broken down or in an accident with Lucy Anne or Hailey or Hannah in my car twice a week. Even being home with these sweet, precious children and no phone line was driving me crazy! So, we can all rest assured, I now have access to the outside world in case of emergency or if you just want to chat. What did we do in the ancient days of a world without cell phones?????

Rita, The Big Tease!

Flash a big red sign saying NO VACANCIES at the Poetel. We have had the visitors lately . . . and we love it!!! We were actually a shelter for some Houston Evacuees this past week! Yes, our good friends the Savells left Wednesday at 8:00 pm to brave the parking lot, I-45. They finally arrived at our house at 4:30 am Thursday morning. They said they stopped for only five minutes. Thankfully, Macey did great, though. Poor Rita, she just turned out to be a big tease. And isn't it weird how disapointed you are when the hurricanes fizzle out. I am thankful that we didn't have another huge disaster on our hands, but there is a little bit of you that is disapointed. I don't really understand it, but all of us here agreed we felt the same way. However, Rita turned out to be a wonderful excuse for the Savells to come see us!!! We had a great time!

The Solution to my Not-So-Perfect Days

As I alluded to on some previous postings, my days have been less than easy lately! Besides a busy schedule, I have not had much energy (less than normal and have had plenty of sleep). I have been downright irritable for absolutely no reason and just feeling a little bit "blue". I know, I know, I hear your assumptions . . . and no I am NOT pregnant! I have discovered I am just malnourished - spiritually! I had ended a wonderful study on the Apostle Paul and for lack of direction (I like guided Bible studies) and being too busy, neglected any biblical ingestion. Yesterday, I started my day (first thing) with a devotional (provided by Beth Moore - online). How refreshing! Afterwards, I immediately had more energy than the previous week combined. I was so productive, got so many things accomplished and had plenty of time to spend QUALITY time with Lucy Anne (she's doing better on her colors, by the way). I hope I have learned my lesson AGAIN. I hate it when God has to teach me things over and over. All along I had been thinking I needed to change my physical diet, but what I needed to do was bulk up on my spiritual diet! Too bad I don't need to bulk up physically! Ha Ha

While I Was Out

While Dad and I were on our walk . . . Justin changed our profile. Can't trust him with anything.

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Here are some new pics (some also occurred while I was out and some of the others are from last night). Also, there are some of Lucy Anne in her time-out corner. How can I effectively discipline my child, after she hit me, if my mother is taking a picture? There I am asking Lucy if she knows why she is in time-out while she is looking at MeMaw and saying "CHEESE"!

Meet Uncle Buck (Our Profile Pic)

Won't Be Eating Today, Tomorrow, or . . .

As I mentioned in yesterday's posting, my Mom and Dad came to visit. As usual, the day was filled with lots and lots of "treats" (as I like to put it). They spoil me with treats when they come, which is why I have a daily treat addiction (a.k.a. Sonic)! The treats started early morning with the SIX DOZEN Krispy Kreme donuts (not at all an exaggeration) I have sitting in my kitchen. They came from our Parents and Pastries party at Sunshine School. We had tried to accurately guess how many donuts we would need but I guess we were way off. So many other people took some boxes too. And I don't know how I ended up with SIX DOZEN! Anyway, I digress . . . I started out with just a bite or two of the donuts (so I thought I was doing well). Then we left the house and dropped by our "morning drink stop" Sonic. However, they were out of the normal cherry we put in our DIET Cokes so they put slushy cherry. ICK!!! We took them back but they were just no good. So we didn't really drink those. We had to run some Cordray Candle (mom's business) errands and then we went to Pizza Hut for lunch. Again, I tried to be somewhat disciplined but I faltered a little bit. (I"ll try not to go into all of the details of what I ate, simply because you probably don't care and I am notorious for getting made fun of for all of those unwanted details I tell in my stories). However, it kills not to tell you all of it. Moving on with the GLUTTON TRAIN . . . We came back home for all of us to take a nap and when Dad and I couldn't sleep we decided to do some more runnin' around. This, of course, included a second trip to a '"better" Sonic for our drinks. Sorry Mom, we left you out! AAAHHH! Finally, the fix I needed at last! We did some shopping and then called everyone else (Mom, Justin, Lucy Anne, and Uncle Landon) to meet us at the mall (since we were already there) to eat at Cheesecake Factory. Brilliant idea, we thought! Again, trying to be disciplined, Dad and I split some funky-named chicken dish. Very good! But, we ate off everyone else's plate, too! Then, we indulged, and I mean indulged, in the best dessert I have ever had!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the name of it was White Chocolate Latte Cheesecake. Words cannot describe! As if that wasn't enough for the day or even a week, we later (after a stroll around the mall) had a White Chocolate Coffee drink from Starbucks! Can you believe all of that?! So, to sum all of this up, Dad and I are going off right now for a 10 mile walk!

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Does anyone know how to turn on my links? I tried to follow instructions in Help but it didn't work or I'm not doing it right.

A Great Laugh is Good For Your Health

I have felt like these last few weeks have been so unbelievably hectic. Just running from here to there all the time and having to say to Lucy Anne, "Hurry, we need to HURRY". It can tend to wear on your emotions! Last night, I had the best laugh I've had in a long time . . . all at Justin's expense (Poor Thing)! It was one of those laughs Iremember having at the end of a very long week in high school after three funerals of my friends who had died in a car wreck. The kind of laugh that you forget what you're laughing at and it just feels so good to laugh. However, this laugh was the result of Justin crashing on his Rasor scooter in the street. We had decided to go on walk, the three of us. I was pushing Lucy Anne in the stroller and Justin was going to ride his scooter (in his flip flops) which I had already questioned him about. It had just rained, too. So, as we're leaving the garage he says, "I'll probably run over my toe." And the next thing I know he had ramped off the driveway, popped-a-wheely, and landed spralled out on the street. I, of course, asked him if he was okay several times before literally rolling on the ground laughing! Again, it felt so good to laugh! He has some pretty ugly scrapes and bruises but no broken bones.

My mom and dad are here today. We're going to enjoy the day playing with Lucy and probably a few Sonic drinks as well.

You and Me up in the TREES

That's for you, Justy! (the title) And for all of you who watch Rock Star INXS. We LOVE it! We are usually avid American Idol watchers, but this show is so much better! These people are true professionals! "Trees" should be on the radio and we vote for Marty. I'm afraid J.D. may get the job, though. It's alright, he's good musically. He just needs some of Marty's cool. I guess we'll find out next week on the finale!

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Let me just squash any rumors my daughter may have started . . . we are not having a baby sister. Lucy Anne just told her MeMaw and PaPa she was "habing a baby sister". She has been a little excited for all of her friends who are getting baby brothers and baby sisters and she thinks she should get one too. However, she'll have to wait a little bit. We went to see a brand new baby brother of one of her friends at the hospital and she kept wanting to hug him and see him. Funny, too, how she only wants a baby sister . . .

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By the way, thank you to the teachers at Ladies Class today who allowed Lucy to stay in the 3's class with Chandler. She really enjoyed it!

CRRRAAAZZZYYY Day!

I don't even know where to start with this crazy day! Only those at Sunshine School can understand the chaos there and I won't go into all of it (see Kristen O'Quinn's blog, Tales from the Zookeeper). Just nuts! But, I really do hope all of the girls who were sick today, feel better! I hurried home to begin cleaning the house (in shambles after a weekend out of town) because a friend was coming for dinner. So, I cleaned, Lucy watched "shows". Justin came home which allowed me to run to the store for just a few necessary items (like things to go with our meal, not THOSE "necessary items"). Thankfully, a few of us girls have decided to make our own Super Suppers and trade so all I had to do was pop a casserole (thanks to Kristen) in the oven. It was delicious, by the way! Anyway, dinner and house were ready, Lucy is hungry, and friend arrives. We were preparing to sit down, almost, when I received a phone call from a friend. And the craziness just didn't stop. What a busy day. However, I am thankful for all the wonderful things that happened today, like seeing kids laugh and play while watching me act like a monkey in P.E., looking at my baby girl SLEEP on her nap mat (first day to use it at school). So proud of her. Good friends had a new baby and other friends are okay after being sick. Just counting my blessings, thankful to be kept safe by Him and loved by many. Night-Night!

Poor Planning Pays Off

I am sure you were on the edge of your seat in suspense waiting to find out what we did this weekend. We left Friday afternoon and headed to Houston to spend the weekend at the home of the Savells! They actually let us in the door! We had a wonderful time as we always do just being around each other. We made no plans once we got there and the only time I left their neighborhood was to take a drive through The Woodlands and to go to church. We, girls, played with the little girls and watched movies while Justin and Chad played video games. Isn't Macey beautiful! Thanks, Chad and Kim for a great time!

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Happy Birthday, Uncle Landon!

Love, Lucy Anne and her parents!

Conversations with a 20 month old!

Tonight on our walk we saw a dog. Lucy Anne started yelling and calling to the puppy, "My puppy". I told her that it wasn't her puppy. Of course, she disagreed until I finally convinced her it wasn't our puppy. Then, she started asking "Where is MY puppy, Mommy?" Then, I have to tell her you don't have puppy . . . over and over and over again! After she realized she doesn't have a puppy (only pretend puppies) she wants to know "WHY?" And I finally realize why I was always answered the way I swore I wouldn't answer . . . . . . . . . . . . "BECAUSE"!

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Also, on our walk, I have graduated in names. My name started out as Mama, then Mommy, then sometimes she calls me Honey (not really sure why unless she picked up from Justin), and tonight she called me just plain ol' MOM!!!!!!

Poor Planning, Our Middle Name

I am currently in limbo awaiting our decision on what to do this weekend. Justin is notorious for being indecisive, especially about making plans. He always wants to wait until the VERY last minute to make committments (to assess what he really wants to do most, I guess). Either way, once again we have a million options and no set plans. A little background . . . the Savells (friends who lived in Dallas and moved to Houston) called months ago to make plans for the weekend to go to the lake in Conroe. We finally nailed Justin down to a weekend (this weekend), sort of, because he still leaves a 10% chance that he won't be able to make it because of the Forney house he's trying to finish. He truly is swamped with work! Halelujah! Anyway, he decides along with other friends that he needs to go help in Mississippi and then proceeds to try to convince Chad Savell that he'll come pick him up in Houston and leave Lucy Anne and I there with Kim and Macey. However, it will only end up that the boys will be actually helping in MS for one day due to other committments and driving time. On the other hand, if Justin decides not to go to MS, we will stay here because of the 10% rule and he needs to work. Poor Savells! They will learn not to try to make plans with us! As it stands now, we are not leaving tonight because Justin is STILL not home! Who know what tomorrow holds!

Colorado Trip with MeMaw and PaPa

I've Conformed

Well, I've decided to join the ranks in the world of "blogging". I've decided this mainly because it is a good way for me to journal and assure Lucy Anne's MiMi/MeMaw and PaPas (that's PaPa plural - she calls them both PaPa) that I AM "writing this stuff down". However, I feel so intimidated by all my wonderful friend's blogs. How will I ever measure up to Lane Fout's "Tag" or to the Mayo's anniversary blog about their love for each other and the list goes on and on . . . I can only tell you that in the Poe household there are bound to be stories told as a result of how well we communicate, make quick decisions (do anything quickly for that matter), and how graceful at life we are! Ha Ha

Just so you know . . . the name of my blog is a play on words that probably doesn't make any sense. Anyway, we call our home the Potel because we have many guests and this, our blog, is our story to "tell".