Video of the Week

If you don't laugh out loud while watching this you've got problems!

Vending Machines and Joshua

Scenario: Womens restroom at Target. I'm in the stall and Joshua is checking out the joint and notices the "special" vending machines on the wall

Joshua: SWEET! Mom, gimme a quarter I want some candy.

I'm All Alone

So, here I sit......by myself......all alone......just me, at the ungodly hour of 10:30pm in a VERY quiet house. My husband is at the fire station tonight and all my kids are camping with the G-man. I admit it.....I'm a little nervous......okay, I'm on the verge of tears!! It has been over 10 years since I have spent the night alone. The phrase "Be careful what you wish for..." is bouncing around in my head right now. I DON'T LIKE IT!
My puppy is just as nervous I think. She keeps barking at every little sound she hears so, I'm convinced the rabid, man-eating zombies from I Am Legend are right outside my door waiting to pounce on poor, helpless little me. It's moments like these I like to call on my killer kick-boxing skills (thanx Deb). I am poised and ready to obliterate any fool who dares come after me and my 3 pound cotton ball of a puppy.

I have a feeling sleep will elude me tonight.

Zumba!

Some of you may have heard me mention that I do Zumba. I thought I'd fill you in on what exactly it is. To me it's like a dance party, it is so much fun it is ridiculous. I forget that I'm actually burning calories. It gives me the chance to "shake it" and woo-hoo like I'm a teenager again. Last friday upon checking my friends calorie monitor we noticed that we had burned 740 calories in one hour! Yeah baby! I've lost 20 pounds doing Zumba. If any of you would like to check out a class give me a call I'd love to take you. I have some guest passes for the Y. Click on the link below to get a closer look....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MirhQhqAXBw

Happy Birthday Ann!

Today is my good friend Ann's birthday. Let me just say....I LOVE HER! The more I get to know this lady the more I realize how alike we are. First of all we have a passion for buttercream, so much so that we are even willing to make ourselves physically sick for the opportunity to consume it in large amounts. Buttercream is comprised of partially hydrogenated fat and about a case of highy refined white sugar....what's NOT to like?
For her birthday I decide to introduce Ganache to my darling friend. So, I skipped out on circuit class at the Y and showed up on her doorstep at 10:00 in the morning with the birthday cake from heaven, otherwise known as the Publix bakery. (Sometimes we have to make these kinds of sacrifices) Needless to say we had a fabulous time and will be paying for it the rest of the day.....HURL!

Banana, I hope you have the happiest of birthdays and the best year ever!!

Books You Should Read

I've decided to start a monthly books I recommend thingy on my blog. (That's the technical name) I love to read but as many of you mom's might know it is difficult to find the time. With all the trash on TV it's a good alternative. I myself feel completely self indulgent whenever I am captured by a great book. I can tune everything out around me and am likely to snap at anyone who disturbs me. This is why I don't often allow myself the luxury very often. I'm starting out this section with my all time favorite fiction book. Redeeming Love is based on the book of Hosea. I was so moved by this story because it reminded me of how patient God's love is. Women especially can relate because often we don't allow ourselves to deserve God's grace and love. We tend to judge ourselves much more harshly than our maker does. I've read this book twice I love it so much. It pulls you in from the first chapter. I usually finish this book in about 2-3 days. Pick up a copy at Lifeway and tell me what you think. I'd love to hear what some of your favorite reads are....

Was Chris Farley a Sperm Donor?

Stuff White People Like

My brother had this on his blog and it cracked me up so I thought I'd pass it along.
It's a blog entirely devoted to "Stuff White People Like" It's scary how accurate some of it is. This is the one that I related to the best, it's about outdoor performance clothes. Has anyone else noticed a surge of North Face stuff lately on people who probably couldn't even tell you what a rock climbing harness looks like? All they know is it was very expensive so it must be cool.

Stuff White People Like #87
As white people get older, they like to make clear boundaries between their professional and personal lives. They don’t mind talking about their personal life at work, but they hate talking about their work life when they are enjoying a weekend or vacation. But with blackberries and laptops, white people could be working anywhere, at any time. So how do you know when they are off the clock? It’s easy, check their clothes.
When white people aren’t working, they generally like to wear Outdoor Performance Clothes. The top suppliers of these garments and accessories include North Face, REI, Mountain Equipment Co-Op, Columbia Sportswear, and Patagonia.
When you see white people wearing these, it is important that you do not discuss business matters. Instead you should say things like “where did you get that fleece?” and “what’s that thing holding your keys to your shorts?” White people will be more than happy to talk to you about their sustainably produced possessions.
The main reason why white people like these clothes is that it allows them to believe that at any moment they could find themselves with a Thule rack on top of their car headed to a national park. It could be 4:00 p.m. on a Saturday when they might get a call “hey man, you know what we need to do? Kayak then camping, right now. I’m on my way to get you, there is no time to change clothes.”
Though it is unlikely that they will receive this call, White people hate the idea of missing an opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities because they weren’t wearing the right clothes.
If you plan on spending part of your weekend with a white person, it is strongly recommended that you purchase a jacket or some sort of “high performance” t-shirt, which is like a regular shirt but just a lot more expensive.

Michael Buble at the Sommet!

Last night some friends and I headed over to the Sommet Center to see Michael Buble. Most of you know I am a HUGE fan of his music so this was a big night for me. For those of you who are unfamiliar with his music, he sings mostly jazz and standards and some pop. His most famous hit is "Home". It was an incredible concert. Buble's vocals and band were on point and our seats were FANTASTIC! (Thanx Gator!) I thought I'd share a few of the highlights.

Naturally 7 opened the show. They are an acapella group from NY and they were AWESOME! At one point Buble jumped off the stage into the audience to greet an adorable 8 year old boy who came with his grandpa and took some pictures with him. When it was time for him to sing his hit "Home" he invited a special guest on stage to sing it with him and the VERY tall Blake Shelton joined him onstage, it was a beautiful performance with pics of Nashville on the screen behind them. Blake has recorded the song and will be releasing it on his next album. During "Save the Last Dance" we all jumped up to the stage and "danced" per his request and he greeted everybody. As Buble was saying his final goodbyes we were on our feet right up next to the stage, he came over to us and Tina swears he looked right at us and bowed and waved. We had a great evening being silly girls not acting our age at all! I highly recommend catching a Buble concert if you ever get the chance. He's hilarious and an incredible performer and his band is soooo talented.

OH SNAP!

I feel like a toolbox! I wrecked into my husbands sweet mini van last night. In my defense I was trying to rush to the pharmacy before they closed to pick up HIS prescriptions and he was parked about a foot over from where he usually parks. Still, I failed to look over my shoulder so, my bad. I think you really find out what people are made of when you see how they respond to a situation such as this. Now it has been about nine years since the last time I wrecked into a parked vehicle. (My target of choice apparently) So, as I moped back into the house to break the news to Steve I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Here's how it went....

Aly (in my sweetest voice): "Honey"

Steve: "Yeah?"

Aly: "I made a mistake"

Steve: (Hesitantly) "What?"

Aly: "I crashed into your van"

unbearable silence for what seemed like an hour...

Steve: (chuckling quietly)

That was definitely NOT the reaction I expected. Although, had that been a newer vehicle I have a feeling the reaction may not have been quite the same. So, here's to our old, tore up, stinky, mini van! Steven, I love you sooooo much and I am so blessed to be your wife!!!!

My Favorite You Tube Video

I'm sure many of you have already seen this but I had to share it. It doesn't seem to matter how many times I watch it it always goes straight to my heart. I love to hear the youth cheering. After I saw this the first time I immediately went to itunes to download the song. It's "Everything" by Lifehouse for those of you who may be interested.

Interesting point....I noticed that this particular version of the video has about 4 million hits. Recently ABC's morning show had the evolution of dance guy on after his you tube video had an amazing 2 million hits.

Let me know what you think...

Shopping

Okay, so many of you I'm sure are aware the Indian Lake Mall is officially open. Can I just say, "Thank You Lord!" I popped in over there yesterday and it was splendid. Not all of the stores are open yet but from what I saw it will no longer be neccessary to make the trek down to Green Hills mall anymore. With gas prices being what they are my hubby is breathing a huge sigh of relief. This morning after I finish here I am off to the new World Market which opens today, Yippeee!!!!! Why I am so excited I do not know because, I am in no position right now financially to buy anything but, it is nice to know it's there. Tiffany, thank you for making this weeks memory verse so appropriate, I am going to try and memorize it while I march up and down the aisles of goodies......

1 Peter 3 : 3-4 The Message
What matters is not your outer appearance--the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes--but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in.

Coupons

Okay, I'll admit it, I have a fetish for coupons. I LOVE them. I anxiously wait for the sunday paper to arrive so I can spend literally an hour or so sorting through the incredible savings. I hoard them, I have a little file of them that I carry around in my purse just in case I happen upon some toothpaste. I always go..."OH, OH, I have a coupon for that!" Yet, I'll go to purchase the product and Lo and Behold the coupon remains in my purse......unused. I don't even really get upset about it I just say, "That's okay, I'll use it next time" Except the pattern is repeated endlessly. Thank God for Kroger! They have trained their checkers to ask if you have any coupons before you check out, the only problem is I don't often shop there. I'm more of a Publix kinda girl. I am only able to admit this because my Aunt (sorry for outing you Aunt Patti) recently confessed the same syndrome. I'm open to any tips y'all could give me to help me deal with my "problem"....

Spring

Let me start by saying, I LOVE SPRING! There is something about this time of year that gets me all giddy. It brings me pure giggly, elation to walk down the Easter aisle at the store. I don't know what it is. Easter candy is the best......peeps, cadbury cream eggs, jelly beans.....yummy! The grass turns the most beautiful shade of green in the spring, it is only that color this time of the year and no other. There is a certain springy smell in the air, daffodils and tulips and flowering trees never fail to brighten my day. Baby bunnies chase each other through my yard, I can't tell you how many times that scene has halted a family meal. I think it is the promise of renewal that brings me so much joy (not to mention my kids can take their racket out of doors)

That is why it is so appropriate that we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord during this season. God is like the ultimate home theater experience....he gets ALL our senses involved in an experience, sight, smell, sounds, tastes and touch. It's all there reminding us of His love for us.
As we draw nearer to this renewing season try and stop to appreciate the experiences for ALL your senses around you. I'd love to hear why some of you may love this time of year.......

Kolby Prays

The other night we were sitting down to dinner and Steve asked Kolby to pray.

Kolby: "Dear God thank you for this beautiful night and please help the black people with all their problems. Amen"

I'm not sure where that came from but um....okay....Amen!

And so it begins....

So I've been talking about setting up a blog for a few months now and today I finally did it! Yaah me! I'm not gonna make any promises here people. I am not the most tech savvy person so I'm going to let you know not to expect too much. (at least at first) The main theme of my blog is basically to share with all two of you who may be interested, the complicated workings of Aly's mind and the fascinating life of a mother of four. Now you're hooked aren't ya? Comment away!