30 Day Film Challenge - Day 10

Day 10 - A Film With Your Favorite Actor (Female)

Again, a hard choice.  This time was a little harder than the male one because so many movies are male-driven.  I love Sandra Bullock - but for this one I had to go with:

Ashley Judd!



30 Day Film Challenge - Day 9

Day 9 - A Film with Your Favorite Actor (Male)

While there are many actors that I like: Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp, Vin Diesel, etc.  There is one that I like virtually everything that he does.

Harrison Ford!!

This movie was a bit a change for him.  He wasn't the "hero", he wasn't a "nice guy"...he was cranky and grouchy but I loved it.  



30 Day Film Challenge - Day 8

Day 8 - The Film You Can Quote The Best

This was a hard one for me.  I'm not a big "movie quoter".  I know a line here and a line there from my favs but I'm more likely to quote something off a television show than a movie.  But, I can usually recognize quotes from this movie fairly easily.  It doesn't hurt that I love this movie!



30 Day Film Challenge - Day 7

Day 7 - A Film That Reminds You Of Your Past

When we were younger, before videos and dvd's and on-demand viewing, you pretty much had to wait until your favorite movie came on TV to watch it.  Thankfully, this movie came on every year and I love it still to this day.  It is also probably why I am terrified of even the thought of tornados.  :)



30 Day Film Challenge - Day 6

Day 6 - A Film That Reminds You of Somewhere

Thankfully, there is a good memory tied with this movie.  I'd hate to be reminded of a terrible place whenever I watch this movie because it is h.i.l.a.r.i.o.u.s!  I just introduced Jordan to this movie a few weeks ago and she absolutely loves it.

Terrance and I honeymooned in Gatlinburg, TN ((17 years ago!!--can you believe it?)).  Our little chalet was called Alpendorf and it was wonderful. 

It had two bedrooms and a sleeper sofa.  We swapped bedrooms about every night and one night ended up on the sleeper sofa watching movies that were left there by the owners.  I still remember Terrance waking up during this movie and wondering what the heck I was laughing so hard for. 

I can't say positively - but this was probably the scene I was laughing at.  It still cracks me up everytime I watch.



30 Day Film Challenge - Day 5

Day 5 - A Film That Reminds You Of Someone

My very first date was with a guy from my church in Ft. Smith named A.C.  I was only 15 so I wasn't technically allowed to date, so my sister and friend came along with us.  Yes, he tried the yawn trick to put his arm around me...and we laughed...but this movie holds a special little place in my heart.  The sparks weren't there for me and A.C. - it wasn't meant to be.  But, I always think about him when I watch this movie.



30 Day Film Challenge - Day 4

Day 4 - A Film You Watch To Feel Down

I wouldn't say I watch this to "feel down" - but sometimes you just need a good cry and this is my go-to movie for that.  I don't cry in the usual place that most people cry...when Julia Robert's character Shelby dies...it's when Sally Field's breaks down at the funeral.  When she loses it - I lose it...every.single.time.  It doesn't matter how many times I've seen it, I know when I need a movie to make me cry, this is it.

On the flip side...one thing I love about this movie is that it will have you crying one minute and laughing your butt off the next.  A good good movie.



30 Day Film Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 - A Film You Watch To Feel Good

For some reason, if this movie is on...I.Must.Watch.It.  It's somewhat embarrassing how much I enjoy this movie.  :)  I have seen this more times than some movies that I consider to be my favorites.  I should also admit that if I'm surfing the TV channels and I find competitive cheerleading on...I will watch that too.  I don't know why it is so fascinating to me - but I love it.  Haha!



30 Day Film Challenge - Day 2

Day 2 - Your Least Favorite Film

Another easy one.  This is, in my opinion, the dullest movie ever made.  I have been trying to watch those movies that people consider "classics" that I had never seen.  You know, those ones that people say, "you've never seen that??"  This is one of those movies.  It took me 4 days to watch it because I kept falling asleep.  Loooooooong stretches of nothing going on makes for a very dull movie.  Although, I must say, there are some iconic lines that people quote that come from this movie and it was nice to finally find the origins of the sayings such as: "I love the smell of napalm in the morning." and "The horror...The horror."

Here's a clip from the movie...don't let the clip fool you though.  This is one of the few exciting moments from the film.



30 Day Film Challenge - Day 1

I am going to attempt to post every day during the 30-Day Film Challenge.  Posting consistently is not my strong suit to say the least.  :)

Day 1 - Your Favorite Film

This one was an easy one...

I absolutely love love love this movie.  I'm not sure what it is exactly - but it is wonderful.  Below is my favorite scene of the whole thing.  Who's up for a "Barbaric YAWP!!!" 

Prayer FIRST...why didn't I think of that before???

I am sick...I hate being sick.  Especially since this is Easter weekend - my favorite weekend of the year.  Good Friday and Easter Sunday celebrating the Lord and His resurrection!  What is better than that??


I started feeling bad on Wednesday afternoon.  Just a little tickle in my throat that - by Thursday - was so sore it was painful to swallow.  Friday was not good.  So sore to swallow still and I was feeling really drained.  I managed to do a lot of nothing...which means I wasn't praying either...


This morning I woke up at around 3-ish am...and I had laid in bed until about midnight Friday night - so the lack of sleep wasn't helping a bit.  My throat hurt - if possible - even worse than Friday.  I could feel how swollen my glands were and was feeling really frustrated.  I got up and went to the kitchen for a glass of milk - hoping that would coat my throat some.  I reached for yet another sinus pill when I realized...I haven't asked God to take this pain away!!!  I've been reaching for the pills first - instead of God. 


I've always been bad about praying for myself.  For some reason, that doesn't come easily for me.  I will pray for the kids, for Terrance, for my family, friends - but rarely for myself.  I'm not sure why.   I guess I feel like I'm not deserving of asking for help myself.  It's stupid...I know.  I really need to get over that!


I got back in bed and prayed.  For God to take away the pain in my throat, to help me sleep and be rested for the weekend coming, to remember to go to Him first and to the drugs second.


I managed to fall back asleep fairly easily - which is an answer to prayer in itself...I usually just lay there after I've woken up.  I didn't wake up again until a little after 7 am - and...it's not cured...but it feels better than when I woke up at 3:00 am!  I actually feel like there's a little energy in me somewhere.


Prayer FIRST!!!

Mark 10:27

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; 

all things are possible with God."

Daybook:::January, 2011

Outside My Window... a little snow left on the ground from Thursday nights snow.  Thawing slowly and very very cold.  I am so ready for spring.

I Am Thankful For...  my family.  They are so supportive of each other in every aspect.  From being excited for each other - to lifting each other up when we're down...we are there for each other - and I know I am blessed to have such a family.

From The Kitchen... Nothing at the moment - the fridge is rather bare...I need to go shopping.  We are out of bread, eggs, bacon - you know - the necessities.

I Am Wearing... a black shirt and camo jammie pants.  A comfy outfit.

I Am Reading... re-reading some Elizabeth Gail books.  They bring back a lot of memories.

I Am Hoping... Myles' other front tooth to come out!  It is just barely hanging on.

I Am Hearing... Myles playing on the Wii and Terrance coaching him on how to fish.

Around The House... The ever-present laundry pile is growing.  It would probably help if I did some of it.

One Of My Favorite Things... Snow days.  I don't like the snow - but I do like staying home with the kids on days they are out of school. 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Supposed to have a GNO dinner tonight - but not sure if we will have to re-schedule it or not...about half of us are unavailable and, since we don't get to get together very often, it's nice if we're all there.

Here Is A Picture Thought I Am Sharing With You... Or thoughts...

Snow...and Jordan's 13 year old pic

Myles toothlessness.

Lord, Give me patience...

Let me just start with the basics...

Psalm 86:15

But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God.  

You are patient and demonstrate great loyal love and faithfulness.

That is what I strive to be like as a parent...like God is with me - patient, compassionate and merciful.

Unfortunately - that is waaay far from what I actually am most of the time.  Is it what I want??  Yes.  Then why can't I seem to do it?  Why do I find myself losing my temper or raising my voice to the kids?

I know it's because I'm not perfect - that Satan wants to feed off my frustrations and my anger - to attempt to wedge himself into my life and my family.  I know that...but it doesn't make it any easier to deal with in the heat of the moment sometimes.

For starters, I just don't know if I'm ready to deal with my daughter being a teenager.  Was I that difficult???  Surely not!  ((but I surely was))  I just have this dreaded feeling that I'm not doing what I should be doing - or saying what I should be saying to raise her into the young woman I know she can be.  I know some of this is paranoia talking - but I still worry!  

Don't get me wrong - she is a great girl...sweet, funny, out-going.  But, on the other hand - she has been showing some signs of changing from that little girl that (almost) always did what we asked - to a teenager that challenges e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g!  Almost every request is followed by "why?"  What happened to "sure, mom!"?? or "ok!"??  The attitude that sometimes slips off her tongue is somewhat shocking as well.  I know that when I was that age, I thought I knew more than my mom too. I think we all do to some degree - but I have just hoped that my mother never thought I was disrespectful to her.  I am just cringing at the thought.  My mom and I are so close now (not that we weren't before, it's just really changed as I've become an adult) - I can't ever imagine speaking to her in a disrespectful way - even though I'm sure I did at some point or another.

I don't what to sound like I'm just dogging on Jordan - because I'm not.  We have a lot of fun together and do a lot of laughing...it just seems like lately - we do a lot of arguing too.  Terrance thinks it's because we are so alike that that is why we butt heads so often.  That is probably true.  I just don't want to see her make the same mistakes that I did when I was younger.  Of course - making those mistakes is what has made me the woman I am today...but I'd like to think I would have turned out pretty ok without all the mistakes too. 

I know I need to call out to God - to ask him for guidance and wisdom...

Proverbs 2. 6-9

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.  He stores up effective counsel for the upright, and is like a shield for those who live with integrity, to guard the paths of the righteous and to protect the way of his pious ones.  Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity - every good way.

I need to check my temper - before it gets the best of me.  I was able to do that tonight - when she got a little much with the attitude - I was able to walk away until I was calmer.  Then later - Myles asked her for some juice (I was already in bed...getting up at 4:30 am does that to me) and she ignored him and...well, I don't really know what happened since I was in bed - but the next thing you know - there's crying and (a lot! of)blood and he's missing a tooth. I just about completely lost it then...I will admit it.

I am trying to teach her about accountability.  We talked this evening - after I got Myles calmed down and back in bed.  I told her that she can't always blame things on other people - that listening to her...things are never her fault.  It's always "they" or "her" or "he" that caused her to do whatever she did.  I told her that she needs to accept what she's done - to acknowledge what she's done - and to ask for forgiveness and apologize for what she's done.  Only then - will she start to make a change.

I see I need to do the same things in regards to my patience with them - especially with her as she enters these trying years.  I need to pray more - before I lose my temper - ask God to help me with my patience and my self-control.  I don't want to be one of those screamy/shouty mothers...but I do want to be heard without arguing all the time - and I do want respect from my kids.  I can already see where her eye rolling and attitude is starting to rub off on Myles.  

I know only God can change me - change her.  I ask that He work in my life - through my life - to help me raise my children the right, godly way.

Isaiah 40.31

But those who wait for the Lord's help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles' wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.

Getting Back Into the Swing Of Things...

I have been so bad at blogging - it seems like all I ever do lately is huge recaps of what's been going on.  Well, it seems like this one will be more of the same.  Although I promise to try to keep more on top of things...

Thanksgiving was another Smith/Gray/Shepherd trip to Galinburg.  It was a ton of fun - as usual.  There was some brutal UNO games, horseback riding, hiking, eating (of course!) and family squabbles over who's turn it was to hold new baby Ethan - plus the obviously required trip to the hot tub.

Plus - dad took this wonderfully fabulous family pic of us all.  ((there was a "proper" one of course, too - but this one says it all!))

Christmas came next - with all the hustle and bustle that comes along with it.  It was a great time spent with family and friends.

Now that the holidays are over, I'm assuming life will slow down for a bit - until softball/baseball seasons start up again in the spring.


I am really ready for the weather to warm up a bit - don't really like freezing my tush off every time I go outside.  But, I have decided to attempt the read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year thing one more time.  :)  I'm hoping these cold winter months will get me into a habit of reading so it won't be so hard in the spring when things get super-busy.


I guess that's it for now.  Sometimes I wish I had some enlightening words or deep thoughts...but I guess today I'm just empty.  I think I'll take a nap...

Daybook:::August 19, 2010

Outside My Window... another hot day for Middle Tennessee.  We had some relief yesterday, when some storms passed through.  But - the clouds have parted and the heat is back!

I Am Thankful For...  Mama Jean.  I have said this before and I'll probably say it again - but she is the best best bestest babysitter EVAH!!!  Today is Myles' last day with her before starting school tomorrow and she has taught him so much - not just schooling but everyday behavior.  Oh...and my wonderful husband that is celebrating 16 years of marriage with me!!!

From The Kitchen... I really have no idea. Myles has a baseball game tonight at 6:45 so I'm torn on whether or not to feed us before we go sweat at the game.

I Am Wearing... A brown skirt and a green shirt.  Thrilling...I know.

I Am Reading... I just finished another Nancy Drew book that I stole from Steph.  Now, I am onto a book that I found in my cubby here at work called Fire & Ice - I've only read about a page, so we'll have to wait and see if it's any good.

I Am Hoping... For a good first full day of kindergarten tomorrow for Myles.

I Am Hearing... Not much.  I just got off the phone with Terrance.

Around The House... Laundry needs to be done...badly.

One Of My Favorite Things... Seeing my kids play baseball/softball...they are doing so good and having so much fun.  I love it!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Baseball tonight...baseball tomorrow night and then...DATE NIGHT!!

Here Is A Picture Thought I Am Sharing With You...

Married 16 Years!!!

Anniversary Flowers!!

First Day of School!

New School

Today was the first day of kindergarten for Myles.  It was just a half day phase-in day for him...but I was nervous for him nonetheless.  

 Waiting to go to class for the first time!

He had his kindergarten screening last Friday and - thankfully - the teacher that screened him is his teacher.  So thankful that it was the one teacher he had actually met.  Her name is Ms. Lombardi and she seems really nice (and young looking!!).

Screening day

It was a hard day for momma...I managed to keep it together until I left him in his classroom.  Terrance had to laugh at me crying in the hallway.  

Learning where our new class is

Waiting for him to come home seemed like an eternity!  I didn't think 12:30 would ever get here.  But, it finally did and pick-up at the school went smoothly.

He said he had a great time and is ready for Friday so he can go back.  Just the words I was wanting to hear.  :)

Catching Up ~ June 25, 2010

So much has happened in the last 2 months...I almost don't even know where to start.  I felt the need to do a little catching up on what all has been going on.  When I last posted, we were getting ready to go on our beach vacation to Destin.  We had such a fabulous time.  I had scoured the almighty internet for different things for us to do while we were there.  We ended up going to the Gulfarium, the Emerald Coast Science Center, a fantastic dolphin cruise, and the Gulf Breeze Zoo.  There was also the beach - which we managed to spend several hours at each day.

The Beach!!

Dolphin Cruise

To cap off the trip...I made a little video.  :)

When we came back, we were in full baseball mode with Myles.  He had a game every Saturday during April and May.  Their team did so good!  We were so proud of the little ones - especially since several of them had never played before.  The video I made for it is such a perfect representation of how each game went...non-stop action!

At the end of May, we got rain...lots and lots of rain.  Nashville had a record breaking amount of rainfall over the first two days of June.  Thankfully, our home - and the homes of our families were spared from the flood waters.  Not everyone was so fortunate.  There was widespread destruction.  We were out of touch with my parents for almost a day when they lost phone and internet service.  Their area of town was heavily affected.  I was a nervous wreck...with flood waters creeping up on our back porch and the reports from the news...I was so glad when the rains finally stopped.

Because of all the rain, Jordan's first softball season got off to a late start.  She did so good for her first season.  She managed to hit a grand-slam home run and a double at her first game!  She ended up playing lots of different positions:  left field, right field, catcher and first base.  She played the most at first and did a super job making some great plays.  So proud of her!

We just celebrated Father's Day last Sunday.  Terrance told me not to spend any money on a gift for him.  I ended up only spending $1.29 to download a song from i-tunes and made him this...

Last, but certainly not least, Myles lost his first tooth yesterday!!

Friday Felicities:::April 9, 2010

Things that make me happy:

• One.More.Day.Until.Vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Taking Jordan for her first pedicure last night.
• An unbelievable teacher/friend Mama Jean that has been working with Jordan to get her back on track!
• Jordan - realizing that everything doesn't have to be a fight/complaint/struggle.
• A wonderful hubby that has stood strong during all the trials with Jordan and worked with me.
• That same wonderful hubby that has planned said vacation!!!
• Great parents that bring over gift cards for Cracker Barrel and Sonic before we leave.  :)
• Spring baseball for Myles - it has been unbelievably fun to watch him learn the game.
• French-manicured toes and sparkly flops - enough said.  :)  :)  :)

Daybook:::April 1, 2010

Outside My Window... Oh.My.Word...it is soooooo gorgeous outside. It is supposed to get up to about 80* today and I am dying that I have to be inside for most of it. Thankfully though, I have a nice window to look out and gaze at the sunshine.

I Am Thankful For... My dad. He took Jordan on a trip this past weekend to the Creation Museum and had a little heart-to-heart with her about her recent actions. I can see the changes in her already. :) He has a way with her like no one else.

From The Kitchen... I really have no idea. Myles has a baseball practice at 5:00 tonight, so it will be late when we get home. Maybe I can get Terrance to pick up some pizzas or something quick.

I Am Wearing... Turquoise shirt and (shock!!) white capri pants with some fabulous blue sparkly flops. I have always been a bit paranoid about wearing white pants - but I have planned my lunch around them...chicken salad - it won't stain if I make a mess. lol

I Am Reading... Believe it or not, I am finally reading book 1 in the Nancy Drew series - The Secret of the Old Clock. Stephanie was a HUGE ND fan when we were younger and she has been after me to read them for years. I finally broke down...and it's not too bad. A little cheesy - but mindless fun reading.

I Am Hoping... For a cure for my friends' darling boy, for safe pregnancies for some friends, healing for a friends dad.

I Am Hearing... Angela typing on the computer next to me...it's verrrrrry quite in here today.

Around The House... I need to get started on my massive clean before our trip next weekend. I absolutely hate to come home to a dirty house even though I'm not a neat freak at all in my normal day-to-day life. Time to start mopping, dusting, and cleaning.

One Of My Favorite Things... The glorious sunshine!!! And...it's Easter weekend. Such a special day!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Myles has baseball practice tonight, some grocery shopping and laundry after work tomorrow, baseball game on Saturday, Easter service on Sunday. I can't wait!!

Here Is A Picture Thought I Am Sharing With You...

Catching Up

So much has been going on these last few weeks, I feel like I needed to do a little blogging to catch up.

Myles has started his "official" baseball practice. He has been practicing with Terrance for a while now but had his first practice this past Monday night. And man!!...was it cold out there! Jordan and I about froze our buns off watching his practice. But, there was no way this mama was going to miss her baby's first practice. :)

Poor thing, he looked like a little lost sheep when he first walked out onto the field - but he quickly figured out what he was supposed to do. We know one of his coaches - Terrance used to work with him. The other two seem like great guys with a lot of patience for the little ones. They started off with a little stretching...


Followed by a little practice running around the bases and watching the coaches on when to stop and when to keep running...(Myles is the blur)


Followed by some batting practice...

They were so cute out there! I especially loved it when the coaches would tell them to stop - as in stop at that base - and they would just stop running...wherever they were. lol Too cute! He has another practice Saturday afternoon and are thrilled that the weather is supposed to be quite a bit warmer.

Jordan has also been signed up for spring softball - but her practices have not been set and we don't really have a schedule for her yet. But, she is ready to play! She really hasn't played much organized sports since she quit playing soccer a few years ago. It will do her good to get out and get playing with a team again.

This past Saturday night was our church's Valentino's. It is a dinner and variety-type show put on by the youth group. Technically, our church only has two high school aged kids - so they enlisted help from the four middle school kids, of which Jordan is one. They serve a dinner of lasagna and salad with tiramasu for dessert. After dinner, the kids put on a show. I was a little worried about the show this year, I admit. Only one of the kids had ever performed in the show before, so I was a little worried that they would be overwhelmed serving all the dinners and then performing in the show. Plus...I was on-hand for the practices and - to put it kindly - it was chaotic!! Also, Jordan's partner in both of their songs was gone for most of the final rehearsals the day of the show because she had a soccer game. But, she made it back in time and they totally surprised me and pulled it all together for the show. They all did a fabulous job! It was hilarious! Jordan's acting classes have obviously paid off. :) What a ham!
Finally, yesterday was my big post-op ear appointment where they were going to give me an audio test to determine how much hearing I had lost. On the good side, they said I had "considerable improvement" in the hearing in my right ear since the surgery. I am not to where I was before I started having all the problems - and probably never will be - but it is definitely better than where I was right before the surgery, since I was basically deaf in that ear. I apparently have an artificial bone in my ear...didn't know that...that they had to put in to replace one of the bones they removed. The doc said the hearing usually doesn't improve much once they put an artificial bone in - so he was pleased with my results.

On the bad side, my left ear drum has started to cave in some. I'm not sure what all that means at this point - but he said there is supposed to be some space between the bones of the middle ear and the drum and there isn't in my left ear. It is not completely caved in - just partially. It is something he said we are going definitely going to have to keep an eye on, along with the possiblity of cholesteotoma re-growth in my right ear. He said if it continues to cave in, he will either have to - possibly - put in some tubes or basically do the same surgery on the left side to rebuild the eardrum. Sounds fun...doesn't it?!? It looks like I will be dealing with this for the rest of my life.

But, all-in-all, I am thankful every day for the ability to hear. My doctor is great and has told me to contact him if there is any problems - basically telling me to never never ever go back to my regular doctor for anything concerning my ears. :) I can live with that.