Blog Inbox

Let me just say this.. I love reading all your blogs, I really do. BUT it is a lot of clicking from my blog to yours, back to my blog to someone else, back to mine.. so on and so forth, until I have caught up with all your latest activities. Not to mention, sometimes I notice on Twitter or Facebook that you guys tell me you updated your blog, so I go to mine and it tells me it is still on your previous post. Therefore, it results in me not being the faithful, up to date blog follower of yours that I want to be. In addition, this delay hold up really messes with my OCDness that I fight with constantly throughout the day.

Until yesterday. Goodness gracious!! Maybe I have been living under a rock or something, but had no idea Google Reader existed. -- OK, that is a white lie.. I did.. I just didn't know how to work it. After a very helpful blog post by Mrs. Jones.. my google reader was up and running, and the obsession level is out of control. I love it. It is the most organized way to stay caught up with all the blogs I follow. Its like a blog inbox.. It reminds me very much of GMail and is literally, fabulous. I'm addicted.

If you read as many blogs a day as I do.. please, save your pointer finger and/or your mouse and do some looking into Google Reader. You can thank me later!

Happy Sunday!!!

beginning to get restless

Above was my entertainment for the day. Lazy? I would think so too if my car didn't have about a foot of snow on it and was frozen shut. Awesome, I know. So needless to say the most productive part of my day was taking a shower and finding a clean pair of new sweatpants to put on.

Last night was an exciting night.. about 6:30 my parents decided to get us all out of the house and go grab a pizza. I felt like this was such a treat, having been stuck inside all day. And it was a special outing, it isn't often we all get to go out to dinner together with everyone's different schedules, so it was lovely. The roads were covered in ice and snow and my Dad's huge truck slid quite a bit, but it was so nice to have a change of scenery.

This snow storm has been very relaxing. It is nice to not hear trees snapping and falling every five minutes. I'm very thankful the firemen didn't have to come rescue our home like last year. Very fortunate to have the power on the whole time. And it is very peaceful feeling to look out the windows to tons and tons of snow. Even the ugliest things are always so pretty covered in snow; at least I think so!

I do believe the chance for more snow is unlikely, and that is pretty much fine with me. I'm beginning to get pretty restless around here.

Hallie Mae's day was just as hard as mine..

I hope you've had a blessed weekend yourself!

Ready or not..

Well.. it's started. The roads are slick. The public schools and the University have already called off class for tomorrow. Freezing rain and snow are taking over the atmosphere outside.

Here we go. Ready or not, these next few days might be very interesting. So here is your heads up if you don't hear from me; the ice and snow won and the chances of lost power are high at fault.

If you aren't in NWA, count your blessing. I envy you.

Stay warm!!

Totally Random..

Don't worry. I'm still here. I've been in quite the blogging rut lately. Here is what has been going on..

1. I subbed Monday morning in a 2nd grade classroom. Oh. My. Gosh. Having done my internship and having my whole college degree wrapped around secondary aged kids, I have quickly forgotten how oh so cute little kids are. Bless their hearts. But man do they make you tired! There was one little boy I could have taken home with me in about.. oh.. 2 seconds!! He was totally precious and made me laugh all day long. He was a spitting image of Buckwheat's best friend (I can't think of his name and it is driving me crazy).. Anyway.. this little man was so cute. Every time he talked he had a big smile on his face and would tilt his head just like the little guy on Little Rascals. During Science we were talking about matter and examples of it. He raised his head with a big grin on his face and says in a slurring voice, "Excuse me Ms. Posey, let me get this right.. so are you telling me that the United States of America is made up of matter? And what about France?.. and China?".. Hilarious. I didn't even bring up countries.. I was talking about apple juice and their desks and steam off of boiling water... Not real sure where he connected the US and France and China.. but whatever, we went with it.

Buckwheat is on the left.. and the little boy in 2nd grade looks just like the one on the right.

2. Monday night at 9:45.. I thought that was setting the record with my bed time, until last night hit.. UM.. this is kind of embarrassing.. my computer and I got in bed with Cinderella at 7:30.. and all I remember seeing is up to the part of Cinderella feeding the little animals outside. For those of you that aren't Disney fans.. that is about 15 mins into the movie. Needless to say I woke up this morning with the DVD menu playing. Oh lovely!!

3. I went to the Doc this AM to find out that I am sick. Allergy sick. For those that know me, this shouldn't surprise you. A good ol shot in the hip and a round of antibiotics and I'll be good to go. According to Dr. A "If you don't have allergies right now.. then you are just weird!" I guess their just terrible right now. He also informed me that there is a 24 hr stomach bug going around.. so if you have been feeling a little under the weather, hopefully I just solved your issue. (I am far from a DR though, so you might want to see a real one)

4. I have not had a carbonated drink in about 2 weeks. Sonic Happy hour is being greatly missed, but I feel so much better.

5. Lets talk about this ice storm that is suppose to hit this weekend. Seriously? The words "Ice Storm" just make my stomach roll over and really makes me want to throw up. Makes me want to pop an anxiety pill (and I don't even have anxiety issues). For those of you reading this from NWA (for those of you not from NWA, don't be jealous).. I know not having power was terrible.. I know trees falling over was terrible. I know your kids being out of school for over a week was terrible.. I know the roads were.. well, terrible. But what about your house catching on fire? Because thats what happened at the Posey household. Attic fire. Flames. Smoke. Alarms going off at 3:30 AM while sound asleep. Stuff totally ruined. Rent house for 7 months. Total reconstruction of our house. Seriously? Thank you electric company for turning our power back on, but not so much for giving us too much power and bring us to flames. To say the least, it literally has almost been a whole year since the last ice storm. Must we need another one at exactly the year mark later?.. whatever.. I don't understand. Needless to say, bring on the weather. Thats fine and all, but please don't take my house away that is just now becoming back to "normal" finally. This was our backyard.. I'll do fire pics on the 29th..

Most random blog post? I do believe so!

I hope your little world is wonderful.

Happy hump day!!

Wisdom

Please pray for the people of Haiti.

I can't quit thinking about the orphans. I want to bring them home with me.

My heart is weak.

Bachelor watch Party

So the Bachelor... I don't even know where to begin.

Drama.

Lots of uncalled for tears.

And I get quickly embarrassed for almost all of them.

Thats really all I have to say about that.

The best part of the show is the fact that this fabulous friend of mine, Lauren, can throw one heck of a Bachelor watching party.

She has thought of everything! And it is all so wonderful and so fun.

(This is Lauren with her Birthday cake in front of her amazing scratch off sign for the girls when they get kicked off)

A big group of girls have met now twice to watch this season's drama filled episodes at her house. We have so much fun talking about all the drama, laughing at the craziness, and everything that the show entitles. Its quickly becoming a highly of my week.

I hope you have been watching, if not, you a missing out on some free/great laughs!

Hope you had a magnificent Monday!!

Thank you for the pictures Lauren!! : )

walk

" For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you will my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

I hope you are wonderful.

Put a brick on their heads!!

I have not talked about my sweet boys in a while. Here are the latest adventures.. these pictures were taken awhile ago.

Tyler is now walking. Crazy.

And he in mesmerized by the TV.. Ha!

Cooper L-O-V-E-S Power Rangers.. TOTAL concentration. Ha! For sure has the "man TV look" figured out

And this is Cooper's "hey I'm listening to you, but these power rangers are pretty awesome" face. Precious.

Pretty cute, huh?

I went about 2 weeks without seeing these little guys. And I come back to Tyler walking, a bunch of new Santa toys, and Cooper with some new funny comments. Lets put a brick on their head, K? Growing up a little too fast!

I hope you had a great Monday!

Mr and Mrs Schaefer (To Be)

Yes, I have blogged twice today. I'm bored. I thought I would share with you my Saturday evening.

A very good friend I have grown up with since elementary school got engaged just before Christmas, Lindley. Her bridesmaids got together and threw her and her husband to be, Brett, an engagement party to celebrate the fabulous news. We have all been so lucky to have grown up together, and to still keep in touch after all these years. It was so fun to see everyone and talk about all the past times. It is a very exciting time for Lindley and Bret and I'm so thankful that I can be apart of special events like this one.

The future Mr and Mrs

Friends after all these years..

More juicy details are here.

I hope your day has been wonderful!

You

Hope you have a fabulous Monday!

"He's just not that into you.."

So.. with this snow and all.. I have caught up on my movie collection that I feel has been highly neglected. I'm one of those people that buys movies instead of rents them. Yeah, I know, thats not a very money smart decision, but whatever!

Todays selection was "He's just not that into you!" I've kind of been hesitant to watch this one, wasn't really sure how I would react to it. But I gave into it today. Fell in love.

I feel as if my life has been documented in several different ways. I related to every single situation at some point in my life. I literally laughed through the entire movie. Never have I related so well with a movie.

But yeah, I'm glad my life has been recorded, titled "He's just not that into you," and sold on the shelves. Glad I could help! If you haven't seen it, go grab it in this snowy day. I think rather you are male or female, anyone can relate to this one. Its a good one!!

Shoot, I might just watch it again!! Hope your day is wonderful..

Feelings

He listens

Its funny how God works. How He speaks to us. What he teaches us, and how. Sometimes in my daily walk with Him I try too hard to figure out my assignment for the day. Try to hard to listen to my direction. When really, I just need to be still. Just listen. I find that normally when I receive a "clear" teaching is when I usually have my mind on a different track then the one I was originally focused on. Its not that I think He doesn't listen, nor that I am suppose to know just everything He has planned. That is the wonderful thing about having faith in Him. He surprises us constantly. With the most perfect plan. At the most perfect time. He does listen. Constantly.

Lately my heart has been heavy. It seems that there is so much going on in my little world with those around me. My thoughts seem so caught up about those close to me, those I don't even know, and those so far away. My heart is heavy to help. Heavy to pray for each and every soul on my list. I find myself questioning "Why," "Why now," Why to them?" I can't help it. I can't help but tear up. I can't help but get frustrated with the "whys." Hard times like these make moments of blessings and thanksgiving seem foggy. How selfish is that? I'll admit it. That is just selfish of me.

I am quickly reminded how truly blessed I am. I think about how selfish I have been this past year. How selfish my thoughts and writings have come across. I may have had a total broken heart, but I'm alive. I lost a lot in a house fire, but I have a family that survived. I questioned everything. Prayed constantly. My timing and God's timing were far from the same path. I contemplate my feelings from this past year and all that has happened, and I never thought a year later I would truly thank my perfect Lord for all he has done. He has blessed me with a wonderful understanding of His love, of the true meaning of love in general, the value of a strong family, and poured blessings upon me through wonderful people and friends. He has taught me the total power of prayer, and the strength behind it. The undying love that he has for me. He has never once left me, nor forsaken me, just as he has promised. He is a God of Grace and Mercy. A God of patients and justice. I can't even begin to explain the countless lessons and the strength He has provided my heart. He has PROMISED to make my path, to plan MY life, and for me to NOT worry, to only trust. He yanked precious things from my life to straighten me out, to draw me nearer and closer to Him. I see that. I see how all the bricks fit so closely together. I am truly thankful.

I've climbed mountains this year. I have witnessed God's mighty power work over my heart. I truly believe he can do anything. No prayer is ever too big, or too long. He hears them all. But the key we fight is the response. It might not always meet ours, in fact it usually doesn't. Sometimes our desires and His are really quite different. But isn't it funny how everything works out perfectly? Isn't it funny how when we look back and we are able to see how all the pieces fit perfectly together, how that one thing makes perfect sense to lead to the next? He's a perfect God. With a perfect plan for each of us. He loves us.

Tonight I remind myself of His love. I've spent the day with a confused heart. I feel like anymore I am constantly adding something to my prayer list. I pray constantly for those I know in the hospital. For Mary Drake, a 16 year old beautiful girl, that was in a horrible car wreck, and by God's grace alone, with no medical reasoning at all, she is alive and currently recovering in Little Rock. I pray for a very special person's grandmother that is very ill in the hospital and is just waiting for Jesus to take her home. I pray for God to provide him strength, for clear understanding and comfort to him and his family. I am thankful for the doctor's knowledge and their hands that are constantly trying to physically heal her. I constantly think and pray for the children in orphanages around the world. For the precious faces that are without families, those on the streets without food and shelter. Lately my heart has been heavy around the holiday for those families that celebrated without loved ones near. Holidays are so special and so traditional, therefore not having those special people around makes it so much harder. My heart goes to those people; my heart is weak for them. I pray for the men and women fighting for my life around the world right now. That God will put each under his wing, and if it is in His will, and His will alone, they will return safely to their families. I pray for my best friend, that God will pour out crystal clear direction and amazing strength. I praise Him for her talent and faithful friendship. I pray for the little kids I keep, that God will work wonders in their little hearts and lives. I am truly thankful for how he uses each little child to touch my life. The list goes on and on... With knowing the ability behind the power of prayer now makes my heart so heavy to not forget a situation. Not to forget others.

In the midst of dwelling on this today, I was at the point of finally being distracted by something else, by His word. In Bible Study, He taught me. Crystal clear. Our memory verse for this week was Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God." Just what I needed to hear. Be anxious in NOTHING but in EVERYTHING by prayer.

I just smiled. Thank you Jesus. Thank you for speaking to me. Thank you for all your blessings, for all your teachings. Thank you for your love that endures forever.

I am truly thankful. So thankful that He listens to little old me.

Book worm

Its pretty exciting that snow is on the ground. Not so exciting that the temperatures outside make me want to scream! And makes me kind of wonder if these temperatures are really going to get as low and terribly freezing as they say over the next few days.. High 12, low -5 on Thursday.. HA.. excuse me??

So in the midst of preparing for this blizzard (Lord, please don't let us have another ice storm, we were just about to celebrate it being a year!) I did some wondering around the book store yesterday. This past year I can honestly say I have never done so much reading in my entire life! Its like I couldn't get enough of it! Call it old age, call it growing up, call it being bored.. whatever you want to call it, I love it! For instance, I sat down Sunday (as it was starting to snow) and thought I would read a few chapters of Dear John by Nicholas Sparks.. 200 pages and a book completion later! Needless to say, making a run for a few more good books was a must.

My Aunt reads a lot. And when I say a lot, I mean like several books a month. She HIGHLY recommended "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. She said it is the best book she has read in a few years. Sign me up!! I also grabbed the "The Lucky One," which is the only Nicholas Sparks book I haven't read. Highly recommend that man. Love him!

So yeah, I think I am good to go. Bring on the snow! I'll let you know how these two selections turn out.

Have a fabulous day!

And thank you so so much for all your sweet comments! It makes my day when you guys say the things you do! It defiantly makes me smile so big!

Strength

And a little something I compiled together...

"The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." (Romans 13:11,12) Because "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, they have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) "For Grace and Peace to you are from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God, to whom be glory for ever and ever." (Galatians 1:3-5) Therefore, "the one who is throwing you into confusion will pay for the penalty, whoever he may be." (Galatians 5:10) BUT REMEMBER TO "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgives and loves you." (Ephesians 4:31,32) And in EVERYTHING "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding!" (Proverbs 3:5)

"For I put my TRUST in Him" (Hebrews 2:13)

Happy snow day!! Stay warm!

Handbook

I'm usually anti-email forwards. I'll be the first to admit when I see one, I just delete it. Note to self. A few weeks ago my cousin Clare emailed me one, and she knows how I am, so I thought it must me worth while. It titled "Handbook for 2010," and included about ten things to go by on the topics of Health, Personality, Society, and Life. Some of the suggestions were kind of obvious, but some I really enjoyed and thought I would share with you.

{Health}

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..

Read more books than you did in 2009.

Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day

{Personality}

Don't over do. Keep your limits.

Dream more while you are awake

Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

{Society}

Each day give something good to others.

Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

Try to make at least three people smile each day.

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

{Life}

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

God heals everything.

However good or bad a situation is, it will change..

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

When you awake alive in the morning, thank God for it.

I put my tip-top favorites in bold.

Come to me 2010..

TA DA!!!!! It's TWENTY TEN!

I am SO excited about this year! I feel wonderful blessings and awesome new adventures; and I can't wait! I began this year out with wonderful high school friends last night. And finished it off with reminiscing about the night with Kirsten over our typical Mexican food meal today.

Life doesn't get much better than where it is right now.

Kirsten and I when the clock struck 12AM!

Here are a few little ways I am looking at 2010... and of course other ways too..

I hope you all had a very safe and wonderful New Year! I look forward to sharing this year and excitement with you!

God is TRUELY amazing.