"Like, Ever!" ;-)

Jumping right into the picture update:

The photographer at the MWC LifeChurch campus is friends with Josh and made him this awesome collage of T-man's baptism this morning! Love it!! :)

(More on that later.)

But going back to Saturday night - we had a fam get-together at Mom and Dad's because the Texas Mueckes were in town.  We had fun just playing cards and hanging out and being entertained by the kids... I finally got to give Kristin and Frankie their Christmas gifts (the engraved necklaces)... and we had baked potatoes, broccoli-cheese casserole, etc. for dinner, plus some awesome desserts. :)  

Now for some more pictures:

I. LOVE. HER. =)

Such a calm and happy baby.

Jace-man playing golf again...

They took his club away so we could get some pics of him with the twins, which resulted in loud crying and some hilarious pictures!  The confusion/concern on Mitch and Jake's faces is priceless! :)  Perhaps someday we'll get them all smiling together, but personally, I prefer this. lol

Dad got a brick engraved for Uncle Havno at the MWC tribute to veterans, so Mom and I collaged the pics and the TX Mueckes are giving this to him when they get back to Texas. :)

This morning - Josh and T-man ready for the big day :)

Just decided to get a pic of Dad as a greeter. :)

T-man's teacher, Mrs. Garner, came just to see him get baptized - I love that!  (And so did he!)

Sam, Tyler, Josh, and Triston - posing for a pic before the prayer and baptism!

Ready... set...

Go! ;)

Such a great father/son moment, and I love that "Uncle Agim" is cheering in the background! :)

Sammis and Bellsy say hello!  It's still my favorite thing when I get a head tilt!  I love them both so much... if there was a cuteness contest, I think they would tie for first place! :)

They had a lot of fun with their 'Aunt Kelly' this weekend. =)

Thanks to her for puppy-sitting!

And now, a heartwarming cuteness-overload voicemail from Triston.

(I meant to post this last time, but oh well.)  My favorite part comes right after the song.

Random thought for the day:

Sometimes I like to call Josh "Joshua," and the other day, I quoted Rachel from Friends, saying, "Josh. Ua.  Joshua!" and "Maybe you didn't hear about a serious relationship called me and JOSHUA!?"  Then I realized they were a famous "Josh and Rachel," and that made me and Rach happy. :)  That's all. lol

A bit of encouragement for the week ahead:

"Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the LIGHTS in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow."
James 1:17

Reflecting God's Color and Light...

On Saturday night, we went to see Lone Survivor, which I'm not sure I would've seen if Mom hadn't chosen it, but it was fantastic!  I couldn't stop thinking about the brotherhood factor that exists between the SEALS -- where they will pick you up and carry you when you've become more of a burden than an asset and they're already under life-and-death stress, where the leader will not hesitate to die if it might save the others -- it's heroic and inspiring, and it's the strength of community I long to have.  They know the terrain will be rough, but giving up on each other is simply not an option, and I love and admire and aspire to live like that!

Anyway... after the movie, the Parrish fam joined us and we celebrated Mom's B-day at Zios!  This pic of Rach and Jace makes me laugh - he was much too busy coloring to stop for hugs. :)

This cookiecake was awesome!  Tasty, of course, and pretty - I'd never seen the multicolor stars before (the ones in the center), but they're fun!

Some sad news - the Jace-man fell and busted his chin (while in the waiting room at the doctor's office - so that was handy).  It was busted all the way through, which sounds disturbing.  No stitches, but they had to glue it shut.  Now every time he wants sympathy from Mom or Rach, he says, "faaaall" and points at his little chin. lol  No permanent harm was done, obviously, so it's kinda funny listening to him be dramatic. :)

As I was home last weekend, I finally calligraphied the names for Meghan and then made this sign for Rach's house - Josh cut the board down to the size they wanted, and I got the spacing right on the first try, which made me quite happy!  It turned out great (if I do say so myself). lol

My favorite thing about little Missy K is her wide blue eyes.  So sweet.

And this - I always love when babies do this.  I'm the one wrapped around their finger, figuratively speaking.  Just precious!

Mom came to T-town with me on Monday (MLK day) and helped decorate my "library/office room," which I LOVE!  The chevron stripes background is perfect, and the suitcase, crosses, and yellow all make me happy!  We also finally framed and hung my diploma, so that's exciting! :)

And we put up a few Valentine's decorations - planting some happy hearts... ;)

And hanging the new wreath by Rach and Mom - love it!!

The Pom puppies wanted to join us in the front yard, but that's not happening. lol
How cute are they, though!? ❤

My "LIGHT" verse and picture for the week:

In God's character, "THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL."

That is a much-needed promise for me.

...And finally, here's a fake PSA that I highly recommend you watch.  I couldn't care less about sports, but this video made me laugh! =)  The Sarah McLaughlin music is priceless. lol  (*Mom, you should watch this one!)

I have been a fool for lesser things! ;)

1.  Pictures!!

J&K sweet Valentine's-themed pictures - cutest EVER! :)

I really love the center one of them holding hands and looking at each other - precious!

Excited for the Jace-man's birthday coming up!!

Rach addressed these invitations and they turned out so cute!  (I would show the whole thing, but I don't want my address on the blog.)

This one cracks me up - my little "indoor girls" (as Jack Dawson would say) looking very ready to come in. :)  {Dad came and "dog-proofed" my yard with dirt and rocks where they can't get out, so now they can run free without the pen and without me standing there watching their every move, which makes all 3 of us happy - hooray!  Thanks, Dad!!}

I just love my little sue-pups, and I love that we're all learning this new routine together. :)  I took them to the vet by myself for the first time this week, and it went very smoothly (other than them feeling bad after the vaccines).  I'm so thankful that friends recommended Woodland West, an awesome vet/doggie daycare/groomer/24-hour emergency animal hospital that is quite literally 3 minutes away from my house!  Yay, God!! :)

Fun fact:  These puppies have never had tap water.  The breeder told us she gave them bottled water, so I've done the same.  (Don't try to change my mind or I might have to quote you an intense speech from Erin Brockovich.) lol

Sad news:  Sam-Sue has lost her adorable little flopsy ears! :(  They stand up now like Bellsy's, which is probably appropriate and now they look more alike.  And still super cute, let's be honest - I just miss that carefree little expression and the way they would flop while she trotted around! lol

2.  Words of Wisdom encouragement:

Finished reading Divergent this week... so good!  January "Empty Shelf" report next week. =)

My LIGHT verse & picture for the week - I really love this one!!

(Thanks, JEM, for reminding me about it!)

Light.

The opposite of dark.

The opposite of heavy.

More powerful than darkness and heaviness.

2014.

The opposite of 2013. :)

"Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower!?" ~Kathleen Kelly

(This close-up pic of my flower bouquet was part of my 365 Project, which has been fun so far!)

3.  FB Status of the Week:

"I'm thinking the way they settle The Bachelor this season should be more Hunger Games style..."  ~Kelsey Law 
Love it. :)

4.  Awesome Videos:
If you're not quite there yet, then watch this video and GET EXCITED for the Winter Olympics this year! :)  {The excitement of these announcers is hilarious.}


I love this so much - literally everything about it.  Finding the video on youtube was a treat, but I could've played it in my head before that. :)  I remember this season and specifically this performance so well.  Definitely my favorite group medley on any season.  Season 2 was the best of American Idol by far, this is one of my favorite songs, and I just love it when Claiken comes in strong with, "Is how I need you and how you've needed me too..." =)  Fun memories, and still fun to hear!


5.  Quick metaphor: 
I'm allergic to my presh Pom puppies and they have sharper teeth than they know, so when they bite playfully, the tiny cuts are swelling up due to allergies.  To add to that, I pic scabs to a degree that is absolutely ridiculous.  So my hand looks like this when it could easily be healed by now.  So the metaphor is, when something painful happens in life, take care of the wound and then leave it alone and let Jesus "bind it up" and let it heal.  Don't talk about it or dwell on the pain over and over, because that's just like picking a scab, and it might leave you with unnecessary scars.  I'll have to work on that on both counts.

Side note:  I play with Sam n' Ella with my oven mitts on now.  (Seriously.)  It's pretty funny and they love it!  They're puppies and they'll chew whatever's in front of them, my scrunched hair being one of their favorites. lol

6.  My "Main Thought" for 2014:
 (Craig challenged us to choose one central thought to dwell on as we work on taking our thoughts captive and renewing our minds.)

"I will seek You in the morning;

I will learn to walk in Your ways.

And step by step, You'll lead me,

And I will follow You all of my days!"

I chose this because it fits my goals and is simple for me to remember because it's a song.  I want to "set myself determinedly to seek the Lord as my vital need!"  When you're walking in God's ways, you will automatically be in His will - so I want to focus my energy on learning to walk in His ways (hence, studying the fruits of the spirit).  

On that note, happy LOVE month!!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my wonderful Mom tomorrow!

Excited for a 3-day weekend in OKC! =)

That's all, folks! ;-)

Weekend Update!

Tonight (after waking up from my nap at 6-ish), I'm having an awesome Honey Nut Cheerios and Rice Chex mix for dinner, playing with my freaking adorable Pom puppies, and starting a new book (Divergent - I decided to read it before the movie comes out - I went ahead and bought the trilogy)! :)

This has been an interesting week at the courthouse... Laura's first week at work (YAY!) and we have the worst trial that we've had in the 7+ years I've been there!  It was cruel and graphic and hard to hear, but I assured her it's all uphill from there.  Judge and the Clerk's Office all have been impressed with her, as I expected they would be.  It's been really nice having her there! :)

So glad the weekend is here - it's been fun and relaxing so far!  I'm a teensy bit nervous about Monday, because for the first time ever, I'll be a witness at a jury trial, testifying about my car wreck from 2012.  I'll update you on how that goes next post.

Now here goes another picture update... get excited! lol

Women's LifeGroup celebrating Datonna's birthday!

Lauralai Allison's first day at work!! :)

Susie took us out for a celebratory dinner at Los Cabos! =)

Laura's present from her mom! lol  (She'd mentioned on FB that since she's leaving the dental industry, she would now have to buy her own toothbrush and toothpaste for the first time in years.)

My close friend and coworker! :)

I'm going to try to post a "LIGHT" themed verse and picture every week for my word of the year!

The lights on Main Street in Jenks - love it almost as much as I love tree bridges!! :)

And now, a video so you can feel like you were there:

I signed up for this mid-2012 and forgot all about it in 2013.  So when they emailed my "Year End Report," I got pretty cracked up!  Awesome! lol

Celebrating Kristen's 30th birthday at Georgia's Arts & Crafts! 

Group pic!

Sam-Sue has interrupted this blog post to say hello! lol

Bellsy does too, just not quite as enthusiastically. lol
They're definitely a handful, but the good far outweighs the bad!

My verse for the year (2 Cor. 4:6).

Final thought, I got up early this morning for Panera breakfast + seeing a matinee of Frozen with a group of girls... I must say again, I really love it!

Top 10 "messages" that make Frozen awesome:

1.  Don't fall too fast; not every 'prince' is what he seems.
2.  Sometimes loving, well-meaning parents mess up.
3.  Even princesses don't wake up looking perfect. :)
4.  Let go of fear and hiding and embrace what makes you unique.
5.  Isolating yourself from those who love you is not the answer, ever.
6.  Nobody's perfect - everybody's a "fixer-upper."
7.  Snowmen are awesome.  As I've always thought they would be.
8.  Fear causes confusion and panic and makes people cold and hard.
9.  An act of true love will thaw a frozen heart. :)  And that doesn't have to be romantic love -- this movie is actually about the sisters' relationship, not the love story!
10.   As the trolls say, "People make bad choices when they're mad or scared or stressed, but throw a little love their way and you'll bring out their best!" :)

That's all for now - see ya next week! =)