Good Friday and 5QF (5 question Friday)

This was sweet baby boy around Easter last year- I'll post a pic of him this year later today- or maybe after church Sunday.

My employer is recognizing Earth Day today and has encouraged us to wear green. I think every day should be Earth Day- taking care of what God has given to sustain us. But today...today is special because it is the recognition of the crucifixion of the Savior.



Yesterday I came across a Bible verse that I know I've heard before but is more significant to me at this time in my life: "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30). I think it is so simply said but so profoundly true. I fail at this often- I'm ambitious, I want to boast my accomplishments and it's easy to get lost in focusing on the things I want for myself (can we say self-centered??)versus putting the focus and praise on Him- where it belongs. I truly know and believe that nothing I do is because of my own organic ability or talent- God affords me the blessings I have. For more of an explanation of what this verse means- go here.


I look forward to celebrating the "fun" parts of Easter with baby G; but I look forward even more to sharing with Gavin how much his heavenly Father loves him and what this means.


Now- on to 5QF:

1. What is your favorite Easter tradition?


Time with family. I want to start a new tradition of reading together as a family more about the Biblical significance of this season. Gavin's Aunt Gammy (my Aunt Laura) sent him such a great children's book (just got it last night- thanks Aunt Gammy!!) that talks about celebrating Jesus at Easter. We'll be reading this tonight.

2. Are you a "shower" or a "long, hot bath" kind of person?

I WISH I could say I was a long, hot bath kind of person. I immediately thought about Tootie when I read this question because she is the ONLY person I know who is definitely a bath person (maybe not long, hot bath- but definitely bath). I never really took baths after I was proably about 5 or so (?)- so I guess I'm a shower person. I must say though- I was a warm bath person while pregnant, especially 3rd trimester- it felt SO good. Haven't taken a bath since the little guy was born.

3. Can you parallel park and if so when is the last time you did it?

Tentatively saying yes, but it definitely can be anxiety producing- especially if you're talking about in between two other parked cars. I was really good at this at one point- after a trip with a group from UF to New Orleans- all we did was parallel park and I was the designated driver- learned out of necessity. Last time: probably about a month ago downtown.


4. What is your favorite Easter candy?

Amazingly don't have a favorite Easter candy; however, the mini cadbury eggs were pretty tasty last night when I was making the treat for Gavin to take daycare. (Side note: after posting yesterday about the CUTE treat I was going to make for daycare and making it last night- I realized that the eggs could pose a choking hazard for my son and the other little guy!! Did I mention I'm a first-time Mom??) ;) Daycare provider is going to take the eggs off for the little guys.


5. Easter: do you go all out with the Easter Bunny or focus on the religious part of the holiday?

I don't "go all out" but usually have some fun with the commercialized part but trying to make more of my focus on the death and rising of Christ.

hot mess Thursday

I just went to use the ladies room and realized momma looks a hot mess today! Yikes! I had on the "perfect" necklace with my shirt at first- and then buggy boy decided he liked the necklace, too- pulled a little too hard and broke it :( So, alternative necklace is ok but probably adding to the hot mess situation. haha- laugh it off, right?!

On a better note: I'm planning to make THESE for daycare Good Friday/Easter party tomorrow- yum and cute, too. We'll see how it works out- doesn't look easily ruined, though.

I PROMISE there will be a post with pictures coming soon; I've been taking pictures but just not taking the time to post. I know pictures are what REALLY make a blog interesting- not babbling about nonsense ;)

5 Question Friday

I recently discovered THIS blog and am participating in her 5QF, so here it goes: Rules for 5QF: HAVE FUN!! Oh, and copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP! Questions for Friday, April 15th: 1. What is your favorite sign of spring? The sun staying up later- after baby G goes to bed (another option to get a workout in if I was too lazy to go during lunch). I also love the few days we have in Florida with high's of 70-75 before we go straight to the 90's. 2. What was your best birthday ever? A few special memories: turning 13- the morning of my birthday before I went to school, my mom and step-dad revealed my gift: a stereo with cd player! I LOVE music (didn't care for a t.v. in my room) and was so excited about this gift! My 21st b'day, which is bittersweet because it was only 5 months after my mom passed away. However, my stepdad, my aunt, my hubby (then boyfriend) and a few of my friends all went to a small local fishing town (Cedar Key), spent a couple nights and had a great time making a fool of ourselves at the local honkeytonk bars! My hubby also knows that he can't lose with getting me a gift certificate to a spa on my b'days. 3. What is your favorite dessert? Oh geez, um- just put one in front of me and I'm usually good-to-go. :) Currently since Sonic has come back near our house, I've been craving Sonic Blasts- but have (thankfully for my weightloss efforts) only indulged once so far. Chocolate is my usual go to- I'm more of a sweets versus salty type of gal. OOHH- OOH- I should mention here that hubby and I have recently discovered NUTELLA- this stuff is amazing (why didn't we try it before)!! 4. What is the best excuse you've ever used to get out of a ticket? Haha- (bowing my head in embarrassment): I was speeding to get to work on time (worked at the local Sheriff's office) and a police department motorcycle cop (yes we have both sheriff's office and police department here) pulled me over. I motioned to my badge and star on the back of my car that signify I work for law enforcement. He gave me a warning and I thankfully got out of it. I was surprised he didn't just say "so what" since our police dept. and sheriff's office aren't the best of partners all the time. 5. Do you wake up before your alarm, with your alarm, or after hitting snooze several times? For me- the key word is not MY alarm but my husband's; he has to be up before I do. Baby G has been sleeping until 7am (hallelujah- he used to wake up no later than 10 past 6am!) this week so it would be nice if I could at least sleep until 6:30 without interruption, but such is not the case. I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning and will be praying that buggy boy continues his trend and that the damn dogs (one in particular) also sleep until at least 7am. When I used to use an alarm- I turned it off after it initially went off; no snoozing- that's annoying. I think I learned this from only getting one wake-up call (and knowing I BETTER get up) when I was a kid. Fun times in mommyhood: my little guy presently has what I thought was pink eye (it still could turn in to that) but is a bit miserable with the crust on his eyes. We're hoping it's just exacerbation of allergies and have started some eye drops. Fingers crossed my employer does not fire me (not really but just sucks I've had to miss some work) for having to take off days/partial days with a little one when he is sick, etc. during my probation period. I have NEVER been this unreliable in getting to work on time- missing work, calling in to work- until having a child. Definitely makes me putting something else on my checklist of what to look for in a boss/employer. Happy Friday!! My outlook is especially uplifted presently because I have a beach vacay to look forward to with my BF in early June- yipppeeee; the stars aligned!!

Holding hands

One of my present pleasures of motherhood: now that my little guy wants to walk everywhere, he likes to hold my hand when he's walking outside in a new place. We usually spend at least 15 minutes or so at the end of the evening after dinner outside. Lately G likes to walk down our driveway and out on the street (thankfully we live on a cul-de-sac with little traffic)- holding my hand. I'll hope that this lasts a LONG time but I know that his growing confidence and quest for independence will make it shorter that I'd like it to be. For now- I look forward to seeing him reach his hand out for me and feeling those small, chubby fingers hold on to mine. ;)

Mommy made it through a triathlon

:) Yes- I delved bravely back in to the world of triathlon yesterday. I finished the TriGator Super Sprint triathlon for the second time. The first time was back in like 2007- before baby, before post-baby weight and when I had more time to selfishly devote to training! All of those are excuses--did you catch that?? ;) Anywho- I thought this really short tri would be a good one to welcome me back without too much residual pain. And...it went fine. I wasn't the fastest and wasn't the slowest; didn't drown in the pool, didn't fall of my bike and didn't twist an ankle on the run! SUCCESS! And...drum roll----here's the best part: I BEAT MY TIME FROM 2007!! Note: there will most likely be NO pictures posted of me from the race. ;)