We finally closed!!

I know it is a little wierd because we have be living in our new house for 3 months. We did a home trade, which worked out nicely for us. It was totally the Lord, because there was no other way that we could have moved to Braselton without this whole home trade deal. But, thankfully, we were working with a company that loves the Lord too, and the Lord blesses obedience. So here are some pictures of our new house!
Well I tried! Pictures to come later when Patrick gets home!

Sick Kids =

...No fun!!
We've been sick for 3 days and we're still going! Just want to get better before vacation next week!

Adoption

The Lord continues to grow my heart for adoption and the children of Africa. Last night I was watching 60 Minutes. Anderson Cooper did a report on something called Plumpy'nut (not sure of the spelling). It is this cool new way to feed the malnurished children in Africa. It is a kind of peanut butter paste that is equal to a glass of milk and a multivitamin for us. This is way to feed babies who can't have formula b/c there is no clean water, and for the mothers who do not get enough calories to produce breastmilk. It also does not have to be refridgerated which is also a problem for these 3rd world countries. Anyway, I just thought it was the coolest thing! I am trying to research it and find out how to donate to organizations that can supply Plumpy'nut where they need it most.

I've been tagged!

I was tagged by MK, who is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We have known each other since 3rd grade, were college roommates, and have helped each other through all kinds of ups and downs. So here goes...
1. I am secretly jealous of girls with curly hair. I would love to be able to change my hairstyle so dramatically just depending on my mood. Am I curly today or straight today? I know that curly hair can be a pain in the rear-end (my sister has curly hair and always tells me so), but I would love to try it. Too bad perms haven't work well for me. It looks like my two daughters may have curly hair, so maybe I can live vicariously through them.
2. I do feel like I am in a hair rut however. I only wear my hair 3 ways - in a ponytail, half up, or down. I have these two great friends that I work with named Jennifer and Carrie. They wear their hair all kinds of cool ways. So this is a goal for them. I will try to wear my hair in at least 2 more different ways in the next month.
3. I have also found 3 gray hairs recently. Can you go gray at 30? And, my son Calen told me that he wants my hair to be gray. I told him that gray hair makes you look older, and he said "no, dark gray looks old, light gray looks young." Should I take hair advise from a 3 year old?
4. I love Tabasco sauce. I like to put it on everything. The hotter the food, the better. I have been better about this though, since my pregnancies showed what true indigestion was like.
5. I am considering running a half marathon. I am not sure though. I have to really stick to a 10 week program and, with my life as crazy as it is right now, it is hard to commit for 10 weeks.
6. I have really low blood pressure. Yes, I know, I work out so that is to be expected. It normally is in the low hundreds/70s, but last time I went to the doctor (2 weeks ago) it was 98/60. I hope I am still alive.

Sorry that most of this was so hair related. My hair has just really been on my mind lately. I am not sure who to tagged, b/c most of the people I would tag have already played this game. Can I retag?

Confession

Too often I look to others for security and approval. I don't know why I do this. There are too many people in this world who don't like me for one reason or another. They don't like for me for reasons that are known and reasons that are unknown. They don't like me for things that I can control, and things that are beyond my control. Whenever I seek approval by man, I am always let down. I need to turn my eyes to Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of this earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His love and grace. You see, He loves me more than anyone else. He created me to be me, emotions and all. He wants me to seek Him for approval and security. What better approval and security is there?

the love of money is the root of all evil..

So tonight, Patrick is starting Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University through our church. This is a great program and it really helps changing your mindset from spending money to saving money. This has been something that Patrick and I have talked about since the beginning of our marriage. It always seems like something unexpected happens and we end up using our savings. So, now that we are about to start this, I have very tempted to go out and spend tons of money.
1. Our camera is broken. Calen was playing photographer and now the lens is broken. It is going to cost a lot of money to get it fixed, but blogging is just not as much fun without pictures.
2. I have to get a new crown on my front tooth. (Never knew that breaking my front tooth roller skating in the 3rd grade would be this expensive!) The dentist wants me (or I want me) to whiten my teeth to match the new crown. Only $400.
3. I have a new house and I am changing color schemes. Pottery Barn was nice enough to send me a 10% off coupon for moving. Too bad that I want to spend about $200, so it will still cost me about $180 for new throw pillows.
4. We went to see Rebecca and Nick Moon's new house last night. They are crazy and, already in the 4 days since they have moved, had the house painted and played extreme home makeover in their girls' new rooms. I felt like going out and buying ten gallons of paint right then.
Satan knows right where to hit me!


** Fun memory from childhood - dinner tonight - english muffin pizzas!

#11 reason why I love my husband..

because when I ask hm to do something, he will do it. This is why I have I have the beatles on my blog. Not a huge beatles fan, but I asked Patrick to put music on out blog. Thanks Patrick. The music is great.

Praises!

So Patrick had to take the Saab in and I was preparing myself for $1,000 car repair. Turns out he just needs a new gas cap. Thank you Jesus. That makes starting Financial Peace University a lot easier.

Also, I had a hellish experience today with my ab blast instructor. I decided to take her body sculpting class. 120 pushups, squats, lunges, weights, rollups, you get the picture. I tell you what, I am miserable while taking the class, but I feel pretty powerful afterwards. Love/hate relationship going on. Anyway, if you go to Gold's at Hamilton mill, try one of Lisa's classes. I am expecting an extreme makeover without the surgery this summer all b/c of her!

A few thoughts on this Wednesday morning..

1. A certain friend of ours was upset that I outed Patrick on tampon runs. However, tampon runs are things of celebration around the Queen house these days! We are pretty proud that we have gone 7 months without getting pregnant!!! That sounds really harsh, but having 2 babies 12 months apart was the hardest thing I have ever done. So I issue a challenge to the afore mentioned friend - which family can go the longest without getting pregnant? Bet we win this one!!

2. Speaking of babies, I think my 7 month old thinks I am into baby torture. I accidentally pinched her arm when I was putting her into her high chair and then I had to clean her very crusty nose. Poor thing!

3. I have such a rebellious spirit. I have a goal this summer of rock hard abs. (I can dream, can't I?) I am taking a class every Tuesday at my gym called ab blast. It is a killer class and I feel like I am at boot camp when I take it. People are literally calling out, "only 15 more minutes!" - I mean it is a struggle to get through this class! Anyway, every week the (like 0% body fat) instructor says at the end of the class, "You can work your abs out all day, but if you go home and eat junk, you won't see any results!" Yeah, so since the class yesterday, I have had 4 double chunk chocolate chip cookies and a sausage biscuit from McDonald's. If she just didn't say anything about food, I think I would do better.

My life in about 10 years...

It's funny when something happens and you can totally see yourself that way in a few years down the road. Calen get asking me at breakfast "Can you see my mustache?" He was drinking milk, but I just knew that in about 10 years he would be asking me the same question and he will not be talking about milk!!

Just Remembering my sweet Ellie before the terrible 2s hit at 18 months....

#1 Husband

OK, so in January, my crazy, but always delightful, friend Patricia went through a rough break up. Her roommate told her that she should make a list of 100 things that she wants in a future husband. I was like man, when I made my list in college after a rough break up for me, I only had about 10 things on it. Patricia did make her list of 100 things! I was shocked, but then I started thinking. There are more that 100 things about Patrick that I love and couldn't live without. So, here is my attempt at a list. It will, however, come in installments, b/c I have three children who won't let me sit down to write 100 things.

Here goes:

1. Patrick loves Jesus.

2. Patrick is hot.

3. Patrick loves me and our family and always puts our well being before his own.

4. Patrick makes the most wonderful coffee and omelets for me whenever he can. He knows exactly how much sugar and cream I like.

5. Patrick will do anything to make me happy.

6. Patrick lets me win when we run together.

7. Patrick will go on dessert runs, clothing runs, and tampon runs for me whenever I need him to.

8. Patrick tells me that I am beautiful everyday, even the days that I don't get out of my pajamas or put in my contacts. That is true love right there.

9. Patrick will go out at 10 o'clock on a weeknight to fill my car up with gas, just so I won't run late the next morning.

10. Patrick makes me laugh.

I love you and appreciate you babe! More installments to come on this!

First Post

So - we do have a lot to say, just not a lot of time to blog. Here is the latest addition to the Queen household. Emersyn Katherine - born on October 26, 2007. She is the sweetest baby ever and a good sport to put up with her two older siblings that want to sit on her, carry her, pull her hair, etc. Fun times in the Queen house!