Random Meme

1.What was the 1st car you drove?

My first car was my light blue 1986 Subaru GL-10. The back passenger side door wouldn't open and the brake light was called a "stop lamp"......loved that little car.

2.Who is your favorite author?

That's a tough one. I love Jane Austen, but Charlotte and Emily Bronte are great as well. Syrie James has some excellent fiction books about Jane and Charlotte. I love her writing style.

3.Do you collect anything?

Yes.

If so, what?

Dust.....:) Um. Actually, I stopped collecting because we move so frequently and I hate packing all of the stuff.

4.What is your favorite vacation destination?
Somewhere that I can just relax and have no itinerary. Tropical or Mountainous........doesn't matter. Hot Tub or Swimming pool. Just give me time alone with a book and one of those and I'm in heaven.

5.What season is your favorite?

Fall.

What is it about that season that you like best?

The colors and the food that go along with Fall.

6.What song can you listen to over and over and never get tired of hearing?

Jesus, Messiah by Chris Tomlin

7.At what age did you receive your 1st kiss?

1st Grade. Yeah, I was a play-ah.

8.What fast food restaurant is your favorite?

Sonny's BBQ

Okay, I'm tagging.....

Heather @ This is The Day

Shelley @ I'm Changing My Name To Ouisa

(I don't have 8 people on my blogroll to tag without tagging others who have already been tagged. Redundant sentence, I know. Feel free to answer these questions anyway).

Here are my questions for you:

1. What is your favorite 80's song?

2. Favorite Casserole?

3. Cheesecake or Pie?

4. If you could do one thing over, what would it be?

5. Would you rather read the book or see the movie?

6. Are you a yeller or a talker with your children?

7. Do you prefer to fly or drive?

8. Would you rather go to New York City or California?

I'm in the Mood for a Flashback

Okay, so Pandora is my favoritist new thing. Actually, I've been enjoying it for about 8 months now, but it's still new because I keep coming up with new artists to plug in to it!!!!

My most recent venture was to "Olivia Newton-John" radio.......OMGoodie-ness! What a stroll down memory lane! Music really does it for me. It takes me back to a time when life was so much simpler (or, at least, it seems that way looking back).

So, here are a few selections that came up on "ONJ" radio via Pandora:

Ty From China

A while back I posted about a friend of mine from high school with whom I reunited. I don't know how many of you went to her blog to check out her life, but she is such an amazing woman. It's hard to believe that her and I were once just little high-schoolers who dreamed of being physical therapists.

Amy and her husband, Marc, have just adopted their 3rd child, Ty-age 5, from China. They also have 3 of children of their own! I stand amazed at the courage and strength this family shows as they strive to do their part in helping these children who, might otherwise, remain orphans.

If you have a moment, visit her blog and check out their amazing story! I promise you, it will tug at your heartstrings and possibly even cause you to consider adoption as it has me.

What are your thoughts on adoption? Have you ever considered it?

Has It Been Half a Decade Already?

It's so hard for me to believe that my youngest child is 5 years old! Emily was a surprise in every sense of the word. She came at a time in our lives when we were completely unprepared. Lauren had just turned one, Eric was out of a job, I was overwhelmed with 2 children and staying at home with them. Needless to say, I cried for the first 6 months of my pregnancy.

I've heard some people say, "Once you have 2 kids, you might as well have 3." I want to slap the person who says that. I was okay with 2 kids. Three was never in the plan.

Then Emily Grace came into our lives. I should have known when I was pregnant with Michael that I would have three. My parents called it the "Haynes Family Curse". You see, if Michael had been a girl, he would have been Emily Grace. Then, when I got pregnant with Lauren, I just never felt like she was my Emily. When we saw her, I knew for sure she would be Lauren Elisabeth. So, why was I so surprised when I found out I was pregnant with our 3rd? Because I'm just thick like that, I suppose.

I remember when the nurse handed her to me after she was born. I looked at Eric and said, "Honey, we're outnumbered." That couldn't be any truer. The third child was the back breaker for me. For Michelle Duggar, maybe not, but for this woman here?

Yeah.

Emily was the sweetest, most smiley baby. Then she turned one. Still sweet, but a switch flipped. Don't know why....I just know it did. She was into everything. She started eating, ripping, climbing on and destroying everything. All the while, looking so stinking cute that it was very difficult to not laugh.

There has been many a blog post about her shenanigans and I'm sure there are many more yet to come. She's 5 and spunky as ever. She calls me "girlfriend". What 5 year old does that? We are never short on laughs with her around. She is a blessing from God and I know that this strong will and determination to emulate the Tasmanian Devil will take her far in life. In the meantime, don't stop praying for my sanity to remain in tact. Thank you.

My Bodyguard Is Famous

So a few weeks ago, I posted about Antoine, my new bodyguard. He has recorded a rap song about his adventures in the projects. Here it is: