Keeping Me Laughing...

I love my dear husband. He makes me laugh in a way that no one else can. No matter what kind of a mood I am in, what we are doing, what we are talking about...he makes me laugh.

Take last night for an example.

After dinner, we headed to a church that was about an hour away for an adoption meeting. It was a meeting for all waiting families, and the topic was race awareness. It was really beneficial to us and brought up some things that we have not thought about before. We did some activities and met some new friends who are also adopting (some domestic, some international). I was especially excited to meet a couple who are adopting from Korea and who hope to have their baby home by Christmas!

Anyway, all of that was besides the point. It was just a great meeting so I thought I'd share!

On the way home, Brad and I were talking (once again) about if we should travel to South Korea or have our child escorted here (when the time comes - obviously we don't have to decide today!). We were weighing the pros and cons and thinking through different aspects of it. Then we started talking about what it would be like if we had them escorted and met them at the airport.

I asked Brad who he would like to have at the airport.

I expected some kind of response like, "Our parents" or "Our families" or something along those lines.

Brad, in all seriousness, paused for a moment and then turned to me and said "Rusty Wallace."

I am laughing again just thinking about it. He said it so seriously that I just sat there with my mouth open! (For those of you who may not know, Rusty Wallace is Brad's long-time favorite Nascar driver.)

But our families don't need to worry, he quickly changed his mind and said that Rusty's commentary of the event would be much too difficult to listen to!

And all my Nascar buddies are laughing because that is SO TRUE :)

Needless to say, we did not reach a resolution on the travel/escort issue!

Random Things, Part One

Welcome to my special blog series entitled, "Random Things Found in Brad and Rachel's Basement"!!

I give you exhibit A:

No, I did not find a crazy man in my basement!

That is actually my darling husband wearing his bright orange welding beanie (which apparently goes under a welding hat) that seems to go very well with his first pair of glasses!

In case you are wondering, Brad got those glasses in the seventh grade...which is why he felt the need to hold up seven fingers. Just in case you were wondering!

Stay tuned for more random items...

Why, Oh Why, Oh Why?

Why, oh why, oh why do we have so much stuff?

That is the question I have been asking myself for the last 3 years every time I went to do laundry in the "back room" of the basement. I open the door and see this:

And this:

And I think to myself, "Where on earth did this all come from????" The answer, of course, is that it is a compilation of my life, Brad's life, my teaching stuff, camping gear, decorations, books, toys, and other random things that never seemed to fit anywhere else in the house.

Brad and I have been talking for YEARS about sorting through it and organizing it, but it has always seemed so overwhelming that we've never done it.

Until now. Gulp.

Yes, we started the project. We knew it would not be a one day project, and we were okay with that...but after working diligently for hours on Saturday we still had barely put a dent in the pile! We have already gotten rid of a ton of stuff (or are planning to donate it) so that is good. Unfortunately, next Saturday is really the next time we have to work on it again.

And now every time I come down to the basement, I think to myself, "What have I gotten myself into????"

There is no turning back now!

Tomorrow I will begin a new blog series entitled, "Random Things Found in Brad and Rachel's Basement." I already have a good one - you will not want to miss this!

Meeting a Bloggy Friend in Real Life

This is the first chance I've had to blog about my fabulous Thursday evening...so if you read Rachel, Kristy, or Wendi's blogs I realize I am too late!

For months now, I have been reading a blog called "Bring the Rain" written by a lady named Angie. I can't even remember how I found it, but I am so glad that I did. Through her blog, Angie has shared her heart as she has walked through some very dark and difficult times. Her blog often makes me cry...and laugh out loud! She is truly a gifted writer who has such an obvious faith in the Lord. She has encouraged me and helped me to have a closer walk with Jesus time and time again. And all this without me even meeting her!

So imagine my excitement when we found out that she would be coming to a church that is only an hour away! You see, her husband is a singer with a fabulous group called Selah, and they were having a concert not too far away. Rachel, Kristy, Wendi and I decided that we were definitely willing to make the trip, so last Thursday our long-awaited girls night became a reality.

The concert was...amazing. I absolutely loved the music, the harmonies, the beautiful voices, the familiar old hymns, and the chance to praise God. It was truly a blessing.



Following the concert, we rushed around the church looking for Angie. There was a lot of giggling going on and even though we realized we were being a little "stalker-ish" we continued on with the hopes of getting the chance to meet someone who has influenced all of our lives in different ways. We got to meet the members of Selah, including Angie's husband, Todd, who was not all that surprised to find out that although we really liked his music, we were looking for his wife! Apparently this is not the first time that has happened to him!

A favorite memory - we found Angie in the foyer, but there was a line of ladies waiting to talk with her! So we stood right behind her, waiting patiently, and trying not to look too crazy...

That is Angie with her back to us and Wendi ready to burst with excitement!

We finally had the opportunity to meet Angie and to talk with her a bit, and she was so great! She was so real and even funnier in person than on her blog (and if you have never read her blog, you have to check it out - she is hilarious!). We had a great time chatting with her and she didn't seem at all freaked out by us, so that was good! I loved spending time with the girls and am so glad we had this opportunity. It was definitely a memorable evening!

Tuesday Tidbits!

Happy Tuesday....

I got this blogging idea from my new bloggy friend, Rachel! She tagged me a week ago but for some reason I've been having a mental block and couldn't think of 6 things to share!

Disclaimer: I did one of these a while ago so if I share the same things, please bare with me!

Here are the rules...

1. Post the rules on your blog
2.Write 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post (or however many you want)
4. If you are tagged, just do it, and pass the tag along!!

Here are my 6 random tidbits (notice I did not say they were exciting or anything like that!):

1. I love love LOVE salt and vinegar chips. I could eat a whole bag by myself (oh who am I kidding, I have eaten a whole bag by myself! Yes, in one sitting!)

2. I did not learn how to balance a checkbook until I got married. I think this was a bit of a concern for Brad but he was very good about teaching me and now I am the one who balances our checkbook :)

3. My favorite verse is Deuteronomy 4:29 - "But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul." I still find it amazing that the God of the universe wants to have a relationship with me, and that I can know Him.

4. I love board games, card games, really any kind of games except the kind where I have to act things out or talk in front of people.

5. I married a non game player.

6. I have a lot of pet peeves that have to do with feet. Toe nails that are too long - ewww. Dry feet that get stuck on socks - hate it. Stepping in water with my socks on - sends me into a panic until I can get the sock off!

I know, I know. I'm weird.

I am tagging: Kristy, Renee, Angela, Tamara, and Megan.

Are You a Couponer?

I love love LOVE to save money! I don't buy big items unless they are on sale, and usually at the grocery store I go for stuff that is on sale. But for some reason, I have never been a "Couponer" (one who uses coupons). Yes, I made that word up. Well, I shouldn't say never - I always use the JoAnn Fabric and Michael's coupons :) But for grocery items, I never used coupons. I have some friends who use coupons and I always thought that it would be a good idea, but I never knew where to get them and thought that I'd just end up using them for things that I wasn't going to buy, which would cost me more money rather than saving me money!

My perspective on this, however, has been transformed! I saw a show about a lady who used coupons and saved tons of money, and she explained how she does it. She has a whole complicated process that I don't think I will ever do, but I have started to apply the basics and it is working! I got the Sunday papers last week and this week, cut out coupons of stuff I buy on a regular basis, and started reading the ads. Last week I made my grocery list and I ended up saving about $40.00! Not all of that was in coupons, though - some of it was from buying stuff on sale. I never thought about waiting until things are on sale and then using the coupon as well to get it really cheap. It's a bit like a game now - trying to match up coupons I have with things that are on sale!

My most exciting purchase was today (wow as I typed that I realized how lame that sounds! I have got to get a life!!!). I just ran out of body wash, and while looking through the ads I found a $1 coupon off a brand that I love :) So I got the body wash that was regularly $4.50 for under $2.00! Yes, I am cheap.

I wondered if there are other people out there who use coupons and if you have a system. Any money-saving ideas are welcome :)