Coconut and a Cause

Ahh..we are here!  Beautiful, warm Florida.  And guess what my honey does as soon as we land (and get our rental car)?  He goes to get me my favorite...coconut M&M's!

this is Love.

Does he know my love language or what?  I don't think this is exactly what Gary Chapman was thinking..but it means so much to me (which IS what he meant!).
Guess what else he brought back to the car?  A real estate guide! :giddy excitement:  We always talk about buying a vacation home (and they have some for $110 in Central Florida!), then when our kids are out of school, we'll retire (and hopefully our house down south is paid?) to sunny Florida (and we pledge not to wear white shoes or polyester!).  Come visit us-and bring your families! : )

I have to say, even in the rush to leave town-it's been a marvelous day.  Skipped lunch to get it all in: special time with the kids this afternoon (knowing I'd be leaving soon!), and shaving, nails done, little personal shopping, and some tanning.  I know, I know, but it all happened in one day (on the same day!)..how often does that happen?  That's some special right there!  So, so thankful for little getaways and for Mom watching the kids! : )  We come back so refreshed and energized ourselves; we are ready to parent better! : )

I'm reading another great book (*love* airplanes)! I just love to read-I'm so thankful God gave me the enjoyment and passion for reading-I didn't always have it.  It came easily, but it took a while to find my reading niche.  Anyway, it's called The Cause Within You, and it's written by Matthew Barnett.  He is an amazing man following the prompting of the Holy Spirit-he's allowed God to lead, and check out what he's doing in Los Angeles-in the worst areas-he's changing lives, and it's contagious.  I'm definitely praying for God to reveal what cause He wants me working on these days.  There are four types of people: educators, organizers, leaders, and managers.  I'm the first two, now to narrow it down...families, kids, moms.. (what are you?)
And to quote him, "It doesn't take a person with unusual training or ability to change the world.  All it takes is a heart that cares, a mind that's determined, a spirit that's willing, a cause that matters, and a person to help." (yep, I had to read it a couple times too!)
So, my prayer is for God to speak, show me who to help (what I pray with the kids every week!), and for it to be His plan, not mine.  I love when I can feel God move-it's orchestrated beautifully, and I just happen to be in the right place at the right time, and it definitely stirs my heart.
While I'm in the waiting...is there anything I can do for you?  What do you need?  (and if you don't need anything, is there someone you know who needs something?)  Maybe we could work on solving their problems together.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:33

Palm Trees, Milk, and Coconut M&M's!

Made it to Florida, yay!  We have crappy internet, so Ches is really frustrated-he wants to work! (only small giggle, as he's serious!)  We paid for the hotel here in Tampa/Clearwater, so it's hard to leave.  I don't know how it would work...
We have tickets to a Phillies game today at one, and I think they are playing the Pittsburgh Pirates (they are-I checked!).  Ches wants to leave an hour early-you know how traffic is!  The rest of our day is open, so hopefully it'll contain ShOpPiNg!  Little for him, little for me...  He actually needs new dress shoes and a new belt, among other things.  I can shop for anyone, so it's all good for me.
Ok, I went down to the breakfast area and got some cereal to eat in the room (and got Ches some too), and I ate it in front of the computer (as it was dark and Ches was still sleeping!), (yes it's 9:30 and totally daylight, but you-know) and I spilled it on the pants I am wearing today!  Ugh.  We packed all "light" so we wouldn't have to check bags (and we ended up having to since we were on the second row, and maybe there was no more room?), so I have one more "extra" pair of pants (since I had *extra* room in my *carry-on* suitcase after I packed!!).  I guess I'll wear them since the milk stain isn't drying so pretty.  The last time I wore these (umm-over three years ago!), I must have had them dry cleaned or I washed and starched them.  They were all perfect, creased, and smooth.  Now the milk stain screwed up my crease, and it has icky lines around where it meets the clean fabric.  Gross.
It will not get me down.  I have a beautiful pool outside my window, and amazing sunshine streaming in on my desk.  Happy!  Oh, and palm trees..everywhere!
And guess what my wonderful husband found me last night?  Yep, coconut M&M's!  We went by a CVS to get him some snacks/drinks for the room (while I sat in the car, yes by choice, while a strange man loitered by our car and the CVS door creeping me out!!).  He came out with three bags of the coconut kind, peanut, and peanut butter (thanks, Mom-they are on my mind again!).  Ahh, so sweet.  Actually he was sad on the drive yesterday that I didn't have any chocolate for him, so it may not have all been heroics and chivalry.  But I'll take 'em!
Um, do you realize it's been over a year since we've flown out *alone*?  We used to go all the time (a few times a year!), but now we're all Settled Down.  Huh.  Wonder when that happened?

Surprises!

What an exciting day!!  I found a surprise in my mailbox today after church!  Are you guessing?  It was those scrumptious, melt-in-your-mouth coconut M&M's!  They were like tasting Hawaii again...(maybe that's my fascination with coconut?).  Ahhh..thanks John and Christine!!  Now, if you can just tell me where you got them!! I MUST have more!  They were so good.  I shared the bare minimum with the kids, Ches gave up his offering (sweet man knows where his bread is buttered!), and I ate the rest.  I have to say, there aren't many in there.  Really.  I read that there is about .3 ounces less than a regular bag, and each one is a bit more rounded-kinda like a peanut butter M&M, so maybe there were 18?  Don't worry, they really are gone.  I just had to eat them all, then they can't haunt me in my sleep.  See?  I'm thinking!
Tomorrow is another ultrasound.  Just to make sure everything is okay.  I'm excited and nervous all over again.  I just want to know they are alright, and normal.  I should get more pictures, and get to ask my doctor all my crazy questions.  Apparently there is a higher risk of preeclampsia, but I've already had it once.  Do you ever get it again?  And I really, really want to know if there are two placentas.  If so, good news, and less to worry about.
I did NOT realize that the academy awards were on-I have to go-I can't concentrate!  Congrats to Precious for the best adapted screenplay!  I'm just tuning in..I'll have to play catch-up now! : )

Cuckoo for Coconut!

Ok, brief rundown:
Friday: Clay-playdate, Mary Claire-devastated due to no play date, we went to Stations of the Cross at church, burritos at home!
Saturday: Ches and Clay went door to door and handed out bags (for cub scouts) for food donations (next Saturday they go back around to gather up the bags)-they didn't actually go to our neighborhood since they said the front doors are too far apart-they are bugging other neighborhoods! Mary Claire and Ethan went with me to Lowe's (sans make-up!) to get flowers-it was too nice a day to not be outside!  
Saturday night: Ches and I had a date tonight, and for one of the first times ever, we didn't see a movie!  It was nice to just have time.  We went to a million places looking at baby stuff-there was only one double stroller in all of Fayetteville, btw!-and plants, and we got some food...just plenty to do!
And Guess what I saw?? Coconut M&M's!!  I didn't buy them since I found them at Sam's, and it was a 40-package pack, and I'd eat them ALL!  I love Mounds and Almond Joy, and M&M's, and oh...how awesome they must be...  So then, at all the different stores we were looking for a single pack-they don't exist!  So watch the local vending machines-and get me one if you see them! : )
Here's a link to a review-apparently they've been out for a while-how did I exist without knowing about them?  One thing I learned: they are coconut-flavored solid chocolate, not coconut-filled.  Lowers my expectations, slightly disappointed, but would still like to try them!
Ok, after more (unnecessary) research, I've discovered I may actually prefer the Almond Joy pieces, since they actually contain coconut (and bits of almonds, but I can handle that-after all the Almond Joy I enjoyed tonight contained 2% of my daily calcium, only 49 more bars to go!)
Ok, after boring you with my candy obsession, I think I'll go obsess online over double strollers!  G'night!