Five adjectives

Jennifer over at Gathering Grace had a great question in her blog today. What are your five adjectives? How would you answer, with a list of five items, the question 'Who are you?'. That sounds like an interesting question to me.

My 5 would be:
Over thinker
Complicated
Controlling
Loving
A 'true' friend

My sweet Bella...

Bella had her 9 month well baby visit this morning. She weighs 20lbs. 11oz., is 30 inches long and her head circumference is 18 inches. She's between the 75th and 90th percentile for weight and head growth, which is the curve she's been growing on since she was born. She's above the 95th percentile for height, which is where she's been since she was born. Dr. Stanley says she's growing beautifully. Even though she's my 3rd child, I have gone into every check up so far with a long line of questions for him. At this visit, I finally felt relaxed and had no questions at all. I think my hormone levels are finally getting steady, after 9 long months.

Does it really matter?

As I was reading a post on one of my favorite blog's today, I really thought about the fact that I am 30 years old. It feels like I was in my 20s forever. I was not worried about 30. I kept telling myself that it was just a number. It never bothered me to enter another decade until today. My Daddy was only 5 short years older than 30 when he died unexpectedly. When I was 12, 35 seemed pretty old. Now that I am 30, it seems like 35 is right around the corner. I know the odds of me dying at 35 are very slim, but it does make me pause and think. It makes me realize that things that I have gotten upset over in the past are minor things. There are very few things, other than spending time with family and friends that truly matter. The things in the past are what have made me into the person I am today. The few things that really matter are that I put my faith and trust in God. And that I treasure and do not take for granted the family and friends that I have. The relationships in my life are so important. It's time to slow down and make the most of every opportunity we have together instead of racing around to do more things.

Shots are such good things!

Bella has a sinus infection. The good news is her ears look much better. Her chest is rattling now. We have stronger medicine and she got a shot, so my fingers are crossed that she's on the mend!

We have had an interesting, trying couple of weeks, but I believe it means we must be doing something right in our spiritual lives to have so many trials. We are learning some things about ourselves and each other. I love to learn!

I read Leviticus 19:16-18 tonight. It says "Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. Do not try to get ahead at the cost of your neighbor's life, for I am the Lord. Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront your neighbors directly so you will not be held guilty for their crimes. Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.". As I struggle with a past relationship, it has given me a lot to think about tonight. It always hurts when a relationship ends and leaves me wondering if it was all me. The Bible reading I have done lately has given me so much peace. I am no longer questioning if it was me. There is a much bigger picture than I can see and somethings end because God allows them to end. Only He knows all of the reasons. I can finally say that I am ok with that. I am not questioning myself and trying to figure out what I could have done differently. We are all different and the Bible tells us to love each other.

Bella's sick

This past week has been crazy and not in a fun way! Bella has her first ear infection. I hated to hear that, but thought ok, we can just get on an antibiotic and be all good and dandy in a couple of days. That was last Wednesday. She ran fever Wednesday morning, then none Thursday. Friday afternoon her fever came back and was higher. She started showing signs of a cold Friday, also. So, the nurse called in a decongestant. She hasn't slept through the night without crying for almost a week. She was up vomitting last night and does not want to nurse or take a nap today. We could use some good thoughts or prayers that she's well soon and no one else in the house catches this mess!

What an amazing husband I have!

I turned 30 yesterday. Ernie planned a lunch date for my birthday yesterday. We had about 25 family and friends join us at Chile Verde. Shelia ruined the surprise Saturday afternoon, but I did not know where we were eating or who was coming, so it was still great! Paula made me a beautiful cake! It tasted as good as it looked, too. I love that icing!!! Ernie and Angel were so great to plan the meal out for me. I don't usually enjoy being in the spotlight, but it was great! Being surrounded by friends and family was priceless!

Someone said I'm full of hot air! It was no problem blowing all of the candles out in one breath!

The wonderful sombrero!

Me and Bella with my Mom and Johnye.

Annalee sitting with her cousins, Bekah and Hannah. You can see the back of Michael's head.

My birthday cake... Paula is such an amazing baker!

Thank you Ernie and Angel! Y'all sure know how to make a girl feel loved! Y'all are the best!

Stupid tax

I'm sure most people have had to pay it sometime in their life. We are paying it right now. A few months ago, that would have stressed me out. I would have been sick to my stomach, analyzing what I should have done differently. Not this time. This time, I know I made a mistake. It's over and done with... dwelling over it cannot change a thing about it. God is changing and rearranging things in my life right now. He has allowed relationships to end. He is showing me that I need him. He is showing me that I need to go to him for comfort. He is showing me that we might fail others and they might fail us, but He will never fail us. Deuteronomy 31:6 (The Message)

6 "Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you."

That verse tells me that there is nothing I should fear. There is nothing I should be anxious about. God is ahead of me and knows exactly what is coming. He will not let me down. He will not leave me. So, why should I waste my time being fearful and anxious? That is wasted time I will never get back. I just told Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Joe on Sunday that I need to have more faith. Maybe today's lesson is teaching me to have faith. All of our messes have a message to teach us. Perhaps that is today's lesson for me.

Weekend wrap up

We had such an amazing weekend this past weekend. It was pretty busy, but full of fun. We went to visit Mae(Ernie's grandmother) Saturday. We love spending time with her. I honestly need to make time to do it more often. Everyone is so busy, but I sure don't want to look back one day and wish I had spent more time with her. She is such an amazing person. She has always made me feel so welcome at her house. She is living with Aunt Jeannie in Ruston now, so it's a little farther to go to visit her, but it is so worth it. When Ernie and I were dating and he could not go to a holiday dinner at her house, I went without him. That was so out of my comfort zone, but they made me feel so welcome. She doesn't care if you are white, black, rich, poor, wear make-up or not, everyone is treated equally. We loved our afternoon with her.

Mae would say her hair looks like "chicken butt" here, but I love the picture of her with Annalee!


Bella was so sweet with Mae!

She loves her great grandmother!

Beautiful park weather...

I do not think this week's weather could possibly be more perfect. We spent the afternoon at the park today. We went early before kids were out of school and met Annalee's friend. It felt so great out. It was quiet on the playgrounds. There was hardly any traffic, so the girls were able to ride their scooters on the road. It was a wonderful end to the week!

Michael hung out with the women and enjoyed visiting.

The girls had fun chatting and playing with their scooters.

Bella sat in the swing for the first time. She absolutely loved it! She would fuss when it stopped. She has such a sweet big brother and big sister, though. They would swing her gently to keep her happy.


It was a wonderful week in the Turner house! Full of many blessings and small moments to cherish. We tried many new recipes this week. Some we LOVED... lasagna casserole with whole wheat noodles, a super easy potato soup, taco potatoes, a yummy new fruit smoothie and some that we did NOT love... applesauce bread with whole wheat flour and whole wheat soft pretzels, but we had a blast in the kitchen.

Blessings abound!

We have had such a fun filled week around here! We have had a great school week. Michael finished his first math book. We will start a new one on Monday. He is more than halfway finished with his English for the year and we are only 8 weeks into the school year. Annalee is almost 3/4 done with her math book. Thankfully I ordered more than one for each of them! I am not a huge fan of the English book Annalee has been working on. I might have to find something different to try. Trial and error can be a fun thing, though!

Bella has kept me in stitches lately. She is growling like a puppy dog. It is hilarious watching her with the other babies in the nursery at co-op. She loves being around other kids. I love seeing her interact with them. The opportunity to go there this year has been such a blessing.

Ernie got an amazing raise at work today at his annual review. He was told that they are very happy with his performance. God is so good!