Monday, January 28, 2008

Upward

From www.upward.org:

Upward is an evangelistic sports ministry specifically designed for K5 through sixth grade boys and girls that promotes salvation, character, and self-esteem in every child. In addition to basketball, Upward offers cheerleading, soccer and flag football programs to complete your Upward ministry. Upward provides opportunities for all believers, no matter what denomination, to become meaningfully involved in the ministries of your church.


We began this program at our church this month. Caleb is playing basektball and Madison, of course, is cheerleading. Thankfully, both kids practice for one hour on Thursday night and games are played on Saturday. So, there is not much time involved in this program. And 20 minutes of the practice time is spent in devotion with the coaches and learning a weekly Bible verse.

We have really enjoyed the last three Saturdays watching each of our kids. Caleb has actually learned a good bit about basketball and scored a few baskets, which was VERY exciting for him! And as a previous basketball star myself, I was quite proud of him! ;-)

For me, the cheerleading was a whole new territory. I begged Madison to play basketball but she insisted on cheerleading (thank you Aunt Nicolette). I mean it took me 1 1/2 hours just to fluff the pom-poms! Then imagine my surprise when Madison broke into the splits during her half-time routine....I ensured everyone that I could not take credit for teaching her that!

They both are having a good time learning their new skills, sportsmanship and more from God's Word. Here are a few photos:

(Caleb is #42)






Saturday, January 19, 2008

The White Stuff.....

Well, we woke up a little disappointed in the Isbell household this morning. We went to bed with the hopes of finding 1-2" of snow on the ground, as predicted by our favorite weatherman. Instead, we found our yard in the same condition we left it in last night.....brown and wet. *sigh*

The kids watched the weather forecast and heard the weatherman state the snow would begin arriving around 3 AM. So what do you think those two did??? They got up sometime near 3AM, coincidentally, to check the status of the weather. To their dismay there was no snow falling, so they went back to bed....thank goodness they didn't wake up the old folks sleeping down the hall!!

I must admit that I was just as disappointed when I got up this morning and looked out the window. I had checked all the weather forecasts before heading to bed and all the reports were certain we were going to have some precipitation. All the disappointment turned into excitement as Mother Nature allowed the snow to begin falling around 8:30 this morning for about 2 hours. Before we knew it there were two children in pajamas outside enjoying the snowfall. Despite the lack of precipitation, just the snow falling was enough for all of us. Madison just couldn't keep her mouth closed or her head down while outside. The last time we had snow falling in Tuscaloosa, she was probably a year or two old. So she was quite excited!

I heard the weatherman mention the chances for snow MAY come again sometime next week. Here's to hoping our chances are better, but until next time, the kids will remember the snowfall of Jan. 19, 2008! :-)

Here are a few photos:



Friday, January 4, 2008

You say it's your birthday......

well, it's my friend's birthday too.....nuh nuh, nuh nuh..... oh never mind!

I realize I am going to pay a price for this post, but I am going to continue along with my plan anyway!

It all began back in the fall of 1986 in a small town called Marion, Alabama at a small Baptist women's school called Judson College. My freshman year I met a girl from Selma named Teresa (NOT to be spelled Theresa, which I quickly learned). I don't exactly remember how our paths crossed, but I am certain it was divine intervention.

She studied English and music, I played sports and studied science. She was Miss Judson, I was the Hockey Day Queen-- we both had crowns! She sang beautifully, I did not-- she often would say, "don't sing Panayiotou". She could dance up a storm, I still cannot.

Despite our obvious differences, we developed a friendship that has spanned time and distance over the last 20 years. We still go back to Judson, and each time we meet it's as though we were never apart. Although we don't talk or visit that often, we still have that bond of friendship. We keep up with each other via e-mail and now blogging. I am so glad Al Gore invented the internet! ;-) For a great read see my link to her blog: Livin the Wood life.

So, in honor of one of my oldest and dearest friends I posted this blog to tell her happy birthday. No, it's not a hallmark birthday for her....that would be next year! Since she would expect nothing less than obnoxious from me I decided to make Teresa a little video....I KNOW paybacks are rough. I'll just have to take my due when it comes.

Monday, December 31, 2007

365 days later.....

Well, here we are again on the last day of another year gone by. Wow, I can't believe how quickly times passes when you are a grown up. I can remember as a child thinking that Christmas would NEVER come.

2007 has been a year of many memories. Over the last twelve months, my family welcomed a new little cousin, moved to a "new" house, celebrated a wedding and said goodbye to a beloved pet. We've celebrated birthdays and traveled to near and far- away places. We've laughed and we've cried.

As I think about 2008, the first thing that comes to mind is April 15. Not because of Income Tax Day but it's the day of my 40th birthday!! I don't know what 2008 will hold for us, but we'll just take it one day at a time, and thank the good Lord for whatever may come. May God bless each of you and keep you safe in 2008.

Here's a look back at the Isbells in 2007:



Monday, December 24, 2007

Twas the Day Before Christmas

and all through the house, the Isbells were preparing, the kids and each spouse....

Well, today was a day filled with fun and excitement as we got ready for Christmas Day. Jim headed off to the office for a few hours of work. So me and my folks, who came down on Saturday, had a day to finish up our Christmas preparations.

This morning we cooked a ham and carved a fried turkey. This afternoon, my mom and I took Madison shopping for some new PJ's. After Madison picked out a "pretty" black and red negligee/thong set, I decided it was time to leave the mall for good! Caleb and Papa went to Barnes and Noble to spend some time together over hot chocolate and Caleb's new book on how to train beagles (for our new stubborn beagle mix dog, Maggie).

Once we all arrived back at the house, our usual Christmas Eve festivities began with the making of the Christmas cookies. I had to put a stop to the fun after 10 minutes of decorating resulted in 1 empty white icing can and red sugar all over the floor! Wow, I hope Santa likes icing and red sugar.....and he's not diabetic!







Following the sugarfest, we all got ready to go to our candlelight service at church. It was a wonderful service that included Christmas carols, the Lord's Supper and ended with everyone singing in a beautiful candle lit auditorium. I am happy to report there were no close calls this year with Madison's candle and some woman's Aqua Net hairdo.

After church we drove around to look at Christmas lights. One of the large subdivisions here in town had luminaries out; it was so pretty. We saw some very pretty decorations and a few that rivaled Clark W. Griswold...but who doesn't love Christmas Vacation?! On the way home we traveled to one last house that is famous in these parts for their decorations. They also allow you to get out and enjoy them, so we did....



Tonight we chatted with my brother, Constantine, who is now stationed in Seoul, South Korea. We both had our webcams turned on, so we got a tour of his new apartment and my kids entertained him and his wife by shoving their face in the camera and making crazy noises! Ugh. But the miracle of modern technology brings him closer than miles separate us!



Well, last and not least, the day ended with my first viewing of A Christmas Story. No Christmas eve would be complete without this, in my book. So as we wait for Santa Claus' arrival, I'll watch Ralphie drink his Ovaltine and wear the pink bunny suit!





I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas....remember Jesus IS the reason for the season!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Tagged.....I'm it

Well, thanks to my good friend Heather I have been electronically tagged. I wasn't exactly sure what was expected of me so I did what I normally do.....consulted Google, and this is what I found:

Turns out there is a game of Blog-Tag going around the blogosphere in which bloggers are sharing five things about themselves that relatively few people know, and then tagging five other bloggers to be "it."

Although Heather went with a list of 8 items, I am going to follow my google results and go with 5 items! :-) The pressure of coming up with 8 random items was just too much.


1. I played the clarinet in high school.

2. My favorite dessert is Crème Brûlée.

3. I have a condition called hypothyroidism, which in plain terms means my thyroid died on me when I turned 30. I think the politically correct term would be "metabolism challenged". *sigh* I can't wait to turn 40 next year.

4. I wear a size 9 shoe, which confirms what they say about girls with big feet-- they wear BIG shoes! :-)

5. I've had surgery on my left foot about 3 times because it was not growing properly as a child. The last time was when I was around 13 and no problems since then (see #4).


Well, there you have it. 5 useless facts about me, which took me about 20 minutes to come up with. So, you see Heather, 8 would have cost me the rest of my afternoon!

Now I shall tag my friend Teresa, because she is the only other person I know with a blog! I shall also challenge some of my friends who read this to get started on their own blogs----ahem my GNO buddies!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

'Tis the Season

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....but not feel like Christmas. I believe the high temperature yesterday in Tuscaloosa was close to 80 degrees! While I was out shopping Monday I saw a young lady sporting a tube top sun dress....it's December for crying out loud, isn't there a law against such acts? And no it's not a case of jealousy, everyone knows there is no way I could "work" a tube top dress!

I finally got the Christmas tree decorated and the stockings hung,and I have watched Christmas Vacation twice, so it is officially Christmas season at the Isbell house. It wasn't according to Madison's time frame but I can't live by a 6 year olds calendar!

We've been quite busy with Christmas parties, school and church activities. Last week the 1st graders at our school had a Christmas presentation that involved Madison dressed up like an angel. Well, you know I had to switch my schedule around at work to witness the blessed event! I even made the child's costume, well sorta. I added some sequins to her Princess Leia costume from 2 years ago and fashioned her angel wings out of foam board and tinsel. Check out my little angel:



This past Sunday our church had a Christmas concert that included our children's choir. It was an awesome concert and I thoroughly enjoyed watching my kids sing on stage. So, I thought I would add a few seconds of each of them singing in the concert.....sorry the video is not that great, but I had to take it with my digital camera. The battery died on our video camera from Caleb entertaining himself with it during the first performance!

Madison:


Caleb:

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Holiday Fun

I'm not sure how many of you have seen this, but I have spent the last 15 minutes laughing at how funny this website is. I realize you will all find out how simple my mind really is, and I am not ashamed!

Oh yes, and I feel obligated to inform you that this will be the ONLY time all the Isbells will be dancing together!

So for some simple holiday fun click HERE

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Sugar and spice.....

and all that's nice;
That's what little girls are made of.

I'm sure you have heard various people say "the Lord has a sense of humor". Well, I KNOW he does.

During both of my pregnancies, Jim and I just prayed for a healthy child. There are few true surprises left in the world, we decided to wait until delivery to find out the baby's gender. In May 1999 we were blessed with a healthy baby boy, Caleb Austin. My second pregnancy was exactly like the first, sooo, naturally I assumed we were having another boy. Fast forward to the delivery room....out comes the baby....and my first statement was, "THAT is NOT a boy". My doctor just laughed and said, "no it is not". And Jim was thrilled that we had the little girl he hoped for.

Now, don't get me wrong, I was very thankful for a beautiful healthy little girl. I just really had it in my mind we would have another boy. After all both my sisters had only boys, why would God give me the girl?! I had this tremendous fear in my mind about what in the world am I doing to do with this dainty little girl???

As most of you know, I have a twin sister. Growing up she was all lace and froof and I was all tomboy. I grew up climbing trees, spending most of my time outside, and played every sport from A-Z, and was quite good at them. I had Barbie, but also had GI Joe. I even collected baseball cards. My mother had to DRAG me to the Clinique counter as a junior in high school to buy me some make-up, because that's what girls do. I didn't like dressing up, make-up and my hairstyle was, of course, always plain....not big pageant hair, but just something plain and simple......which, yes, in the 80's was a mullet (but hey, it was the style). I could have been an LL Bean model for crying out loud!

Which brings me to now, and the revealing of the Lord's sense of humor, which began on July 2, 2001. Over the last 6 years I have learned to paint tiny finger and toe nails, put bows in hair on a moving target, pick out dresses/stockings/shoes that coordinate, and my most recent accomplishment: rolling hair in soft curlers. Yes, friends, these things can now go on my resume.....right after "knows every word to both High School Musical soundtracks"!

Thankfully, the Lord has blessed me with a wonderful daughter who is beautiful, funny, smart and sometimes sassy. But she is a great combination of tomboy and prissy, thank the Lord. She doesn't scream when she sees a frog, and has been known to pick one up to show Caleb. She is still the dirtiest child picked up at school. She is a good athlete and beginning in January she will try her hand at cheerleading (*sigh*). On the other hand, her only criteria for buying church shoes is that they are "tappy" on the floor. Then we have our girlie days that involves hair being "just so", princess dress-up, playing with Barbie, painting fingernails, and mixing and matching clothes....BTW ladies, if you don't match your panties to your shirt you are doing it wrong! Some days I get a glimpse of what my future holds.....pray now.

I have enjoyed having the only girl in the family....heaven knows she's not spoiled. Anyway, I hope as she grows up we learn something from each other....I can teach her how to do a jump-shot, but she will certainly have to learn make-up skills from someone else ( I have PLENTY of volunteers). I realize we have many battles to face, but I can't worry about those now. I pray that God gives me the strength I need to raise her not only to be a beautiful young lady, but to raise her to be a Godly woman.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

1980's Flashback....or should I say Flashdance?!

I realize I have not posted on my blog in almost a month due to busyness and lack of inspiration. However, that has all changed this evening.

I am up late waiting for some of my Thanksgiving vittles to cool off before putting them in the fridge. In my state of tiredness and boredom I came across this video, which had me in stitches!! Some of you will relate.....some of you won't!