So sad.

I was very saddened yesterday after reading this story:

  Former ORU President Richard Roberts Arrested on DUI Complaint

As you may know from reading my blogs or knowing me, not only did I graduate from ORU, but Beau worked for Richard Roberts in the television department for years. He had many conversations with him and he and I each have always held him in high esteem, even despite some negative reports heard in the past few years. He was nothing but kind, understanding, and just an all-around good guy to us. He's prayed for both Beau and K Belle before and spoken many wise words to Beau. He taught one of my classes called "Holy Spirit in the Now," which I thoroughly enjoyed and learned quite a bit about the charismatic movement. We've always liked both him and Lindsay (whom we also had many interactions with).

I took the news years ago about the Roberts leaving ORU and the alleged inappropriate behaviors in stride. It really didn't change my opinion of them.

And, now this.

When I read the article last night, I was just sad. Plain sad.

Not because I was disappointed in him (which I may have been a bit), but sad for him. Sad for whatever he's facing and even sadder about what he's about to face.

I thought about how his name is associated with my degree that hangs on my wall at work. That made me a little sad too. But I still remain proud in my accomplishment and what an incredible university ORU was and continues to be. If my girls said they wanted to attend ORU, I wouldn't hesitate to send them there (if I had the major moolah). I am confident in the awesome education they would get and the even more awesome relationships that would be built there. ORU has a huge sense of community and unity. It's pretty awesome! Oh, yeah ... I already said that.

I also thought about how there will be many people that will have a heyday with this. Bring on the naysayers! And those who said "I told you so."

My mind always goes to David in moments like these because he's so easy to relate to for me ... actually for everyone. He had struggles. He fell multiple times. But what amazes me is how the people never turned against him. 

I'm sure Richard Roberts will not have that kind of support despite all the positive things he's done for people and the great things he's done for God.

For that, it's sad.

I want to make sure that I'm quick to offer grace because I need SO much!

Moms cry for the darndest things.

Confession time: I cried over my child making a bad grade last week.

There's gotta be some other loopy moms out there that have done the same. And, yes, I literally have cried 2-3, maybe even 4 times this school year over grades. I know ... Insane. (Don't ever pray for God to make you more sensitive.)

I may or may not have also go into this whole rant about how important grades are (which they are) and something about throwing your life away (which they will if they don't make good grades). A little over the top. Or maybe not. (Do you see how I may be a little bi-polar?)

Right now, I'm just living from break to break. I ask myself at the end of the last school break, "When's the next break?"Only a few more weeks until we get another one. Hallelujah! Mardi Gras is just around the corner and summer's not far behind it.

There's way less drama in the summer.

Between the waking up at 6:00 AM and having to patrol homework & grades, I'm not sure I like when the girls are in school at all. 

Oh, but how I whine and complain two weeks into summer vacation about how it's time for them to go back to school! I secretly like them being home. ;) (as long as I hear no "You're being a jerk." or "You're acting like a brat." which is pretty common around my house lately)

So despite the fact that we are not Catholic and do not celebrate Mardi Gras, aside from the eating of the king cake, I anxiously look forward to this holiday. Bring it on so we can get a break!

In celebration, be looking for my annual Mardi Gras giveaway coming soon!

Some of the Dumbest Things I Heard This Week

Mark Wahlberg said this week that if he would have been on one of the planes on 9/11, he basically would have killed the terrorists and saved everyone. How insensitive and purely stupid! Click here to read the whole story and how he apologized. Well, thank God for that. That was dumb, Mark, really, really dumb.

Equally dumb was Newt saying he wanted an "open" marriage to his second wife. Now this second-ex-wife (what a title and a statement) comes out with all kinds of negative stuff about the speaker. Newt, I'm sure you realized all this would be found out. You should've been nicer to this ex-wife. And, really? An "open" marriage? That's just dumb, Newt, really, really dumb. (It really makes me not like Calista.) (Story here.)

A Ron Paul supporter backed up traffic for hours with this hot air balloon. The balloon was set up in the middle of the road during rush hour. Duh. I'm pretty sure if I was on the fence about whether or not to vote for Ron Paul, this would have made it a definite NO. (Don't worry. I was never a Ron Paul fan.) Way to go, guys, way to go. Dumb. (Story here.)

And, on the home-front, I haven't run since Saturday (unless you count the lame mile I ran at a snail's pace last night ... I've lost my mojo.) ... dumb, dumb.

You can't live their lives for them.

Everyone knows being a parent is hard.

It's the hardest job I've ever had. "Job" isn't really the right word. I do consider it a privilege that God has given to me. I do not take it lightly.

As my girls get older, it just gets harder. Sorry, parents of babies and toddlers. There are days I pray to change a diaper or have a sleepless night. I miss those days.

But, also, as my girls get older, they get cooler and even more fun to be around (not that they weren't before). Their personalities really start to shine through, as well as their temperaments. And, there are times when I see some of the values I've instilled in them put into action and notice a hunger for the things of God.

Honestly, each age has its challenges, but I find the middle school & teenage years harder.

I am in a constant struggle to get not worked up about things that I can't control. That's pretty much key with everything in life.

I can only control so much. 

I can control their environments & their consequences, but I cannot control their choices. Only they can do that. That's when I start to get scared and pray they've gotten something from their parents all these years.

I spend a lot of time praying. A LOT.

It's pretty much my only "control" over their choices. 

I pray that God would keep them and they would hold onto Him, never letting go. I pray that they would have a hunger for Him and the things of Him. I pray that God would put a drive and ambition in them to do something great in their lives for Him, and not settle for anything less than His best. I pray that God would give them wisdom ... so much wisdom. I pray for protection and guidance.

And, I pray for SO MUCH MORE WISDOM FOR ME. This stuff is hard.

In the end, it is THEIR choice, THIER life. 

A lot of times the only thing I can do is pray, then trust that God always knows best and loves them even more than I do.

Fingers crossed that I'm doing an OK job because God knows it's not awesome. Also praying that they'll need no therapy later on.

One thing's for sure. I stinkin' love these girls.

Can't wait to see what God has in store for them!

Am I the only girl whose heart flutters when I know another GOP debate in on?

Weird, huh?

Because I'm pretty sure I'm the only one watching these debates. Geez. There's been like 17 of 'em.

But, I LOVE them!

And, now candidates are dropping like flies. First, my girl, Michele (I loved, loved, loved her, knew she wasn't going to get the nomination, and am glad she finally gets to blink! See video for explanation.
HI. LARIOUS.)

and now Huntsman (who I had actually thought dropped out a long time ago because he was so forgettable and really irritated me).

After seeing all these debates and listening to what the candidates have to say ... (I'm just gonna put it out there even though you're never supposed to talk politics with your friends.) ... I've grown to really like Rick Santorum. I didn't even know who he was before the debates, but he makes a lot of sense and stands strong for his beliefs. I don't think he'll get the nomination, but he's good, ya'll. Really good! I would vote for him.

Ron Paul ... Whew! When he starts to talk, I get scared. I really think he's crazy.
(Can't get this image out of my head every time I see him.)

Rick Perry ... Never liked him. Never will. Not much else to say about that.

Newt ... Love him. Super smart & quite sassy. I do like that about him. He ain't scared! But ... not sure he can win against Obama. In a debate ... YES, but in the election ... not sure.

And, then there's Mitt ... or as I like to call him, Republican Ken. Seriously ... does he not look like a Ken doll?

(and if you google "Ken doll Mitt Romney" you'll something like this ... obviously I'm not the only one with this view)

I like Mitt. And, yes, he will most likely get the nomination. He's also very smart and is good in the debates. I just wish he wouldn't be so plastic and perfect. I want to see him loosen up his tie and get jiggy with it. That's definitely one of the things I think people liked about Obama. He was a little more human and approachable.

OK. So there it is in order of preference:

1. Santorum
2. Romney
3. Gingrich

The rest ... no. I hope they drop out soon too.

Is it weird that I totally understand this woman's thinking?

I read this story yesterday: 

Pastor's Wife Sends Body Double to Sit Pleasantly on Front Pew

(Please click the link to read this. You won't be disappointed.)

Ridiculous, right?

Then, why do I so sympathize with Trudy.

There's a huge spiritual lesson here. I'm sure you all can see it.

You know ... It's all about her feeling like she was under a microscope, being judged, never truly being able to be herself, yadda yadda yadda. It really is a shame that we feel like we can't be accepted at the one place we should feel accepted. Women do this to themselves a lot.

And, then there's those days when you just don't want to leave the house or want to see anyone. It's just the simple fact that everyone needs downtime, right? We really do. And, that's OK.

There are times that I honestly don't want to do something just because I really want to do nothing at my house. How true is this!

So ... Trudy, I hear ya', sista! No matter how totally insane what you did is.

But, here's my problem with her plan: 

If I were to get a body double, I would not find one at Kohl's. I would shoot a little higher. And, make that body double quite a bit better than my own body since no one's really going to see me anyway. Shoot ... They didn't know it wasn't her for two years. TWO YEARS!

What was she doing during this time her body double was at church with her family? Catching up on laundry, her soaps? What in the world?

And, really? Her husband didn't realize it wasn't her in two whole years? I think I'd want to get rid of my husband if he couldn't figure that one out.

I do, however, think her plan was clever. Although absolutely CRAZY.

I think I'll start looking for my own body double tomorrow. She can head over for my next visit to the DMV or OBGYN. Now, that's worth it.

UPDATED: (Just found out that this story is not real. Guess I need to check my facts better. The site is dedicated to satire. Awesome. Did make for a great post topic though. Boy, do I feel dumb now.)

Jesus and Football

(This picture literally made me snort.)

This is a very dangerous post, especially if you live in the South, and even worse Louisiana. I feel like football has become our lives. It's getting ridiculous.

I have nothing against football. It's fun to watch just like any other 6th-grade volleyball game.

But, we seem to be going overboard. I understand what it means to be a fan. You cheer on your team. You wear the t-shirt on game day. I even own those t-shirts. And, you talk about the previous night's game with your friends. I get it. I played sports, you know.

My Facebook is clogged up with status after status about football, like these individuals are actually on the field and know better than any of those "stupid" coaches. Ugh. And, when the team's doing well ... great posts. But, when the team's losing ... they know what the team should be doing instead. Makes me laugh.

It also makes me stop and think.

How many of these same people don't promote a thing about their faith? Or their church? With the same amount of enthusiasm?

In the end, it really is just a game.

How many of these same people talk about and invite people to non-football-game events at their church? Probably not many, but they would invite those unsaved friends to games out of town and skip church altogether.

Listen ... I am NOT a football-hater. Not at all. I think it's fun and great and I enjoy watching.

I just feel like it can get magnified too much in our lives over things that should be magnified more. Get it?

Just last night, Beau and I sat at home and watched Denver play Pittsburgh. It was a great game. That's it. A. Great. Game.

Now, back to life. 

I guess I'm just irritated when I open up my computer and that's all I see ... FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL.

Is there a way to be a fan in moderation? Geez.

When someone looks at my life, I would hope that they see way more than just being a certain sports' team fan. I would not want that to hold my identity. Not be what I'm all about.

So ... football fans ... cheer on your team, wear your shirts, eat your chips and queso. But, please share that same enthusiasm for Jesus and your church.

Whew. I may get some flack for this. Ah, well. Ce'st la vie!

(And this post on the night where LSU plays Alabama ... Ha!)

And, now for your viewing pleasure ... (Don't take offense if you already haven't. Just a little humor.)

Those Dreadful Resolutions

(Ha! This just made me giggle. Definitely something a woman would say!)

I've already posted before about how I don't make resolutions. I just don't.

Resolutions are just something I'm destined to fail at so I spare myself the disappointment.

My real "resolutions" take place every day. 

I resolve to be a better wife, mother, friend, child of God each day and then the next day I do the same. By grace ... that's the only way I can be good at any of these things. Trust me. It's only by God's grace. And, even then, sometimes I choose to go around that grace and do my own thing, which is when I fail miserably.

Thank God for that grace He gives me. He's SO good to me.

I think if my number one "resolution" per say would always be to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, everything else will just fall into place. Then, there would be no reason for those dreadful other resolutions we always make each year.

This verse pretty much sums it up:

He must become more important (increase), and I must become less important (decrease). John 3:30

So as I do make plans to organize quite a bit of things in my house and life, I want to keep that one verse in mind. Not just in mind, but put it in practice.

Now ...

speaking of decreasing, I'm hoping to make my return to the gym this morning after a long sabbatical. I'd like to decrease in multiple ways. 

Hope you and yours have a prosperous & blessed 2012! 

Burning the cabbage on New Year's Day is OK, right? It's not a bad sign at all.

Even Jesus only had one Christmas.

I am officially Christmas-ed out.

We had Christmas dinner with the girls' godparents, a Christmas Eve drop-in with friends, Christmas Eve gumbo & presents with my parents, Christmas Day stockings & lunch at my house, Christmas afternoon visiting with Beau's family, Christmas Leftovers' Party with friends Monday night, Christmas dinner and more presents with my dad's family last night, AND ... can you believe it, Christmas at PF Chang's with my mom's side of the family tonight? How else does a typical family celebrate the birth of Christ but with great Chinese food?

Let's count that.

Um ... that's 8 Christmas events. EIGHT.

Wow. That's enough.

I am officially done with eating.

Well ... I guess after tonight I will be.

I'm terrified to step on the scale. TERRIFIED. So, I probably won't. At least for another month or so after I get myself back together.

I have not worked out regularly since the week before Thanksgiving. Horrible. Shameful. Sure, I did a run here and there, but nothing consistent and it's finally catching up with me. My clothes are tight. I'm uncomfortable and could give myself a kick in the you-know-what.

So ... you would say, "No problem, Mama Belle. Just start up Thursday or even Friday."

But, I have this pesky little minor surgery on Friday morning. No big deal. One of those drive-through, in-and-out surgeries. I'm sure I'll be home by the afternoon.

The only part I'm not crazy about is the getting-put-to-sleep part. Thankfully, my mom, the best nurse I know will be there. I requested her to be there so that the other nurses or doctors don't kill me. All those medical dramas have ruined me. I've seen a woman wake up in the middle of her surgery or even worse not wake up from a surgery. Uh ... Too much to think about.

Anyhow, I'm sure I'll be up and ready to go for a run this weekend. Some time. At least I hope so.

In the meantime, I'll give you a taste of what we've had to endure from Roxy's latest Christmas gift (of which she has 3 of). Lord, help us.

Hope your Christmas was blessed!

You're welcome.

Christmas is right around the corner. Like everyone else, I'm equally swamped with preparations for Christmas day and multiple family celebrations. 

Add to that, fielding numerous daily questions like, "What's abortion?" from my 11-year-old (long discussion ensued), and ensuring my 14-year-old still has a pulse due to her massive amount of sleeping. Beau continues to run around and get his last-minute gifts, persistently refuses to use the "GUIDE" button on the remote, and is repeatedly watching YouTube videos by Dirty Loops (It's constant, ya'll. Same songs, over and over again. He's listening to one right now. Dirty Loops, can you please re-make another song for my sanity). I've just been trying to avoid getting out at all and wishing there would be at least one good thing to watch on TV besides those terribly crummy Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movies. But on a good note, I actually have had a clean house for about a week now. Best accomplishment of the week! (which reminds me I have to put the clothes in the dryer ... be back in a minute)

I was thinking about how nice it would be to have ALL family members from every side at one place at one time. Wow. That would be so much easier. I mean, can't everyone just make things convenient for me? Geez.

When you get together for these things, each time food is involved and usually, you have to bring something. Last night, I pulled out this recipe from Picky Palate for a small get-together at my house.


Um ... they were devoured despite the accidental overdose of condensed milk. Oops.


So easy. Mine didn't turn out as pretty as this picture, so I stole it from their site. Very rich and delicious!

White Chocolate S'mores Gooey Cake Bars
1 large egg
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
4 1/2 full graham crackers
10 ounce bag white chocolate chips
2 cups mini marshmallows
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 box yellow cake mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with tin foil that’s been generously sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure foil goes all the way up and over the edges for this one. It will be a full pan.

Place cake mix, egg, and butter into a large mixing bowl. Mix with hands (THIS IS MESSY & I think a spoon would be OK.) until a nice dough forms similar to a cookie dough. Press half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Layer with graham crackers, white chips then marshmallows. Top with remaining half of dough pressing evenly. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk over top then bake for 28-33 minutes, until cooked through and golden brown on top. Remove from oven. Let cool for 5 minutes then take a plastic knife and run along edges to loosen marshmallow (this will make your life easier when pulling foil out of pan to remove bars. Let cool completely (IMPORTANT if you want them to look decent) then remove bars from pan with foil edges. Cut off all edges if desired, about 1/2 inch each side. I save the edges to snack on too. Cut bars into squares and serve. They are delicious room temperature or chilled.

Merry Christmas to you and yours! 

Take time to enjoy your family and remember to thank God for the precious gift of His Son!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
   from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7


Now on a totally different note and to make sure you're in the-know...

Dirty Loops - Re-make of Justin Bieber's "Baby". 
(Go here to be even more pleased when you hear what they've done to Brittany Spears' "Circus".)