Like Mother like Son...

I looked out the back door yesterday and saw this...

Let me explain...Michael and I are both very OCD about certain (yet different - which can lead to some intense moments of fellowship) things. Michael is OCD about weeds in the yard. On many occasions, I have to go pull Michael inside to keep him from literally crawling from one side of our yard to the other. It's the craziest thing I have ever seen!! We try to go for a walk in our neighborhood, and we can't even get out of the driveway before Michael is crawling in the yard, yet again, pulling weeds. It is so embarrassing and I'm sure our neighbors are thinking that he is "special."
In Michael's defense, I truly think that this problem is not his fault. I have good reasons to believe that it is in his blood. You see, I have walked in his parents house on many occasions and seen his mother doing this exact same thing. She pulls weeds, rakes leaves, and sweeps the kitchen floor...all while crawling around on all fours. She is fully equipped with Roundup, a rake, a broom, and a vacuum. Is it just me or is this not the weirdest thing??

Mac & Cheese is NOT a Vegetable...

If you walk into my house at any given time, you can pretty much bet that the TV that I am watching will either be on HGTV or Food Network. Michael gripes about this CONSTANTLY, but my two favorite pastimes are cooking and decorating! When Michael and I decided to get married, we both had a few requirements that we thought the other person MUST do. I have forgotten all of my requirements (I think one of them might have been that he do all of the yard work, but I now enjoy working in my yard, so he got lucky!), but one of Michael's was that I handle everything in the kitchen. No problem (I thought), because I LOVE to cook...until I realized just how picky my husband is about food. Below is a list of food that he will eat...

Red Meat (Steak, hamburgers, meatloaf, etc.)
Fries
Green Beans
Corn
Potatoes
Mac & Cheese
Pork Loin
Three Cheese Tortellini
Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls
Ice Cream
Chocolate Cake
Cheese Nips
On a side note...each night that I cook, I will ask Michael what vegetable(s) he would like to go with his piece of cow. He almost always says, "macaroni and cheese." Each time he says this (especially after getting his recent lab work back from the life insurance company) I have to go into my speech..."Michael, although mac & cheese is in the vegetable section at Picadilly, it does not grow out of the ground, and is therefore NOT a vegetable. What vegetable would you like?" So, the other night, I decided to surprise him (and Snerdly) with some homemade Mac & Cheese. Bless his heart (literally!!)

Back to my original point...So, after only a year and a half of marriage I am SO SICK of these foods. I feel like I eat at The Cracker Barrel every single night. As a matter of fact, I got very nauseated and my mouth started to water as I typed those foods. Maybe I should have clarified when we were discussing our pre-martial requirements that I enjoy cooking DIFFERENT things. I am at a loss for what to do, but I think I have decided that I am going to slowly try to broaden the horizon of his palette. He better hold on tight...this could get really ugly.

Back From My Blogging Sabbatical...

The last couple of months have been quite busy for Michael and me, and I inadvertently took a long break from the world of blogging. No fear, though, I'm back! I was trying to re-enter the blogosphere with an exciting post, but I have no earth-shattering news or event. So, I guess I will explain what's been going on at the Ford's in the last few weeks.
I have recently poured a large amount of my time into organizing my life, and I am finally feeling much better about the whole situation. It's amazing to me how clutter can cause such anxiety. One little thing can be unorganized (i.e. my closet, car, work bag, lunch box, etc.) and I cannot cope. Is it unhealthy? Yes. Do I need Lexapro? Yes. Does Michael think I need Lexapro? Yes. Am I about to get on Lexapro? Yes. Anyway, my life is 99% organized now, and I am so excited about it.
Also, I am now working the same hours as you people reading this blog! I now have a full-time days position, and I couldn't be more thrilled. I so took for granted the small things like being able to have dinner with my husband. Working nights for a year really made me realize how special things like that are and how easily they can be overlooked. I am so thankful that God provided me the opportunity to have a job that I love so much. When you look at the big picture, working nights was really a small sacrifice considering how great my job is. I definitely have GREAT respect for people who work nights on a long term basis. I would need more than Lexapro!!
Michael and I have been enjoying thinking about what will be coming to our house around January 2010. Chaucer and Colette! We have our fingers crossed! Which reminds me, I have got to talk to my doctor (about the Lexapro) and our breeder (about the puppies)!
I promise I won't stay away as long this time...

Fun Filled Fourth...

As you may have read here, Michael and I spent the July 4th weekend with some friends at Eagle lake. Words cannot express how bruised and sore I am...My co-workers made so much fun of me when I limped around the unit on Monday. They all got a really good laugh out of my misery. No fear though, I've already got a couple of appointments scheduled with the chiropractor, orthopedic surgeon, neurosurgeon specializing in spinal trauma, and massage therapist. I am certainly not near as young as I used to be. I will forever regret yelling, "Show me what you got Big Richard!!!". Besides the soreness, we had such a wonderful weekend. I have said this many times, and I will probably say it lots more, but I truly believe that I have the most wonderful friends in the world! They make my life so great!
This picture was taken approximately 20 seconds after I yelled out the quote mentioned above. It may explain my soreness...

Finally Finished...

Thanks to Kelly's Korner and her tour of homes (in a sense) I enjoy looking at pictures of my friend's homes. I don't think I have the dedication it takes to post pictures of my home every Friday, but I so enjoy looking at everyone elses.

Michael and I moved into our house a little over a year ago, and we have worked so hard to get it like we want it. We had no furniture or furnishings, a master bath that was desperate for attention, and a yard that had not been touched in over a year. I am SO thankful to say, though...that it's complete!! I just love coming home and being able to relax instead of knowing there's a major project hanging over my head. It's the best feeling in the world, and I am so very thankful for mine and Michael's home.

One of my favorite things to do is to entertain in my home. I feel like that is a way that I can share what God has blessed us with as well as fellowship with our friends and family. Nothing makes me happier than to open my home to others, and I hope that I can continue this habbit throughout my life.

I am always so impressed wth my friend, Sarah Denley, and her ability to actually post a picture of her home each week (Stop by and see her precious home...it is great!). I love seeing the diversity in everyone's taste, but it always ends up making a beautiful home. So, here's my one home tour. I will not be posting pictures of Michael's office...it's always a total mess, and I am embarrassed for you to see it. I love my husband with all of my heart, but we do not have the same cleaning habbitts. I may post some pictures if it ever gets clean?!?!?! BIG IF!!!

Anyway, if you are ever on the neighborhood, please stop by and see us :)...

Happy Father's Day...

Here's hoping that you have a wonderful Father's day. Michael and I are so thankful to be blessed with such great fathers and a grandfather. You all do so much for us, and for that, we are so very grateful. I cannot imagine where we would be today without the love and devotion that our fathers have shown us. I am so very glad to say that we are ultimately blessed with the ability to claim our Heavenly Father as our father, too...

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Busy Weekend Ahead...

I will be absent from the world of bogging for the weekend...Michael and I have a busy few days ahead of us. His younger brother, Jonathan, is getting married Saturday!! We are so very excited about all of the wedding festivities, and even more excited about Sara officially becoming a FORD!!! I can't wait to post some pictures from the weekend...