How Does One Celebrate A Birthday?

By having a surprise party with everyone 'stranded' on a tropical island!

This has been my planning for the last month, and I have spent my entire Friday (which I have had scheduled off for an entire month, but Cary thought I just did this today) running around, cleaning the apartment and getting the decorations. All with eating lunch with my hubby!

The idea comes from 'if you were stranded on an island and had only one movie/book/cd/game...for the entire time you are there, what would it be?' Well, the party plans haven't developed that much, so it will consist of a bunch of stranded people sitting around a table in a comfortable apartment playing games and just enjoying each other's company!

I spoke with my sister-in-law on the phone just a little earlier, and our niece is ready to act stranded!!! And even Chester will become a 'native'!

The decorations are simple, with green helium balloons and gold ribbon that are there for 'trees', an inflatable monkey, and starfish tossing game. My favorite 'decoration'? the coconut glasses mom and I found at Party City!!!

The food tonight consists of pretzel dogs (if they turn out), blue punch (non-alcoholic of course!)chips/dips, and banana splits!

Well, it is 8 minutes until Cary leaves work and drives to school for his final exam in Ethics. The 'shipwrecked' (also known as family members--I feel like Benjamin in LOST!) will be arriving around 5:30 or so, and get ready to surprise him. The hardest part of this entire planning process is not telling Cary everything, like having off today, but I hope he understands once this is over. I also hope he enjoys this!!!

Happy Happy...

Birthday to the world's (well mine at least) greatest husband!!!!



I've known Cary for about 2 1/2 years, and this is my 3rd birthday to spend with him. And every year I try to top the one before...I wonder how I'll do this year?



I love to hear the stories that his family tells whenever we get together, all about Cary, his birth, and him growing up. One of my favorite laughs? That Brad got a spanking the day Cary was born!



Happy birthday to my greatest love. May your day (week) be memorable!!!

I Weighed In Today...

And after about a month of eating healthier, like fruits and granola bars for breakfast, salads and Special K for lunch, and a very sensible dinner consisting of chicken, veggies, and rice (2nd week into brown) the results are in: 1 pound lost.

That's right--1 lousy pound. I've even cut out sodas--including diet! If I have any soda at all, it is once a week at dinner out. And it's been replaced with 140 fl. oz of healthy clear H2O daily...

Oh yeah--and 3-4 times a week of going to play tennis or walking/jogging for 45 minutes...

I'm on a positive track, right?

The only hope that I have lingering after a long day is that when I weighed in, it was at 4:30 p.m., as opposed to 10:30 a.m. That's a 6 hour time difference. Just enough for 90+ fl oz of water and a lunch of a (delicious!) cajun chicken sandwich--a treat from Cary for good obedience for a while.

I am having a talk with myself and trying to say that everything will work out for me. But with London just around the corner, and not to mention the thoughts of children have me scared. I want so bad to be healthy; for a lifetime of adventures and fun with the ones I love.

So I end tonight with a sad, hurt heart and a low self-confidence. Tomorrow I will take myself to Kohl's (alone so Cary doesn't have to see me in tears) to buy a new outfit for a meeting with an executive on Thursday. If I don't find something that fits and makes me look somewhat decent, maybe I'll call in sick on Thursday....

A Change In Perspective...

Coming back to work after an incredible lunch with my Cary (he brought me cajun chicken and sweet potato fries!!!), I briefly heard a story on KLTY, which is one of Dallas' Christian radio stations.

This lady called in because they were discussing stress and she wanted to add her story: Her baby, Caroline, is 4 weeks old and has yet to come home with her parents. This baby is in Children's Medical NICU, and her mommy drives 60 miles each day to see her beloved baby.

This, as so many stories do, gives me a change in perspective. How truly blessed am I to have the family I have, to have a husband I am crazy about, to live only 5 minutes from home, and not worry about debt and stress right now? My evenings are spent watching tv, reading, playing with my dog, or taking a walk without a care.

Along with the radio, I read so many blogs; and so many have felt pain or a loss, or are facing loneliness while their husbands are fighting a war in another country. And no doubt that these families are in my prayers.

I try to keep a reality check by reading these, and remembering to turn to God in every event, no matter how large or small it is.

These blogs that I read and follow (Bring The Rain, Kelly's Korner, Confessions of a Yummy Mummy, First Comes Love...then comes Marriage, and so many others) help me see how strong His followers are, and they are an inspiration to me.

I may never know these people individually, just be a follower of their blog, but I feel like I have made life-long friends that I can only hope I will be like if ever faced with situations they have overcome.

My prayers are there for you, and I lift each of you up, and praise the Good Lord for bringing you into my lives. Thanks to Him who continually blesses me and keeps me, my family and friends, and keeps us in His loving arms!

Beaver

I still look for you every time we go by, Beaver.

I live in hopes that you have hibernated for the winter, and

look forward to seeing you again in the spring.

Pintu's Taken Over!

Oh dear...I should have known this would happen someday.

First he was in a silly little video Clay and I made with Steve's camera in Finland (Hotel Adventures with Pintu), then he took over my myspace page, and now he's discovered that I have a blog!

For those who don't know Pintu, he is the bunny (and lone souvenir) I brought home from Europe. I looked today--they actually still sell them in Finland! Don't be fooled by the 'hug bunny' description--he's a bit mischievous !

If you see him, please tell Pintu that I'm looking for him...

Inspirational post

I found a great blog, titled Refine Us, that has had a series of incredible messages that I stumbled upon through one of the blogs I follow (Brandi & boys). The series is called 8 Things That Destroyed Our Marriage. It is an 8 message post that speaks to the heart, and you can find it here.

While now I am head-over-heels in love with my hubby, I do realize that sometime in the future there can be disagreements, and while I can, I want to make sure I focus on what is important to him, to me, and to our family, so that it is habit now, and not a future problem.

The blog inspired me. Especially Part 7. It says to write at least 20 things that you love about your spouse to help you remember the good things, not just focus on the bad. So between the calls today, I have sat at my desk and started writing. And I have almost 30! To some, they may not be much, but to me, they mean so much, and Cary is my rock.

Thank you Justin and Tricia for your honesty in these posts, no matter how difficult they may have been to write down. And thank you for helping me to know what is important!

He's Done It Again!

My incredible hubby, Cary, never fails to make me smile, laugh, or get emotional with his love.

He's created another video, and you can find it here.

I am so truly blessed to have a very talented man in my life that knows how to make every moment of our lives great. I know that there is not enough expression in the world to say how much I love this man!

I want to encourage 365 days of love, not just one on a "Hallmark Holiday", so kiss your loved ones everyday and remember that Life Means So Much (thanks Chris Rice!)

Call Me Bold...

In case you're dying to know more about me...
Here's the rule:
Bold the things you've done & post on your blog!

1. Started your own--what?
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band--EKJ ROCKED!!!
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

I'm Happy To Report...

Babies here, babies there, babies EVERYWHERE!

I found out that a couple of weeks ago that one of my best friends from high school, Steve, is expecting his first child with his beautiful wife, Marika. This baby already takes after Steve in being mischevious, because several sonograms, and they don't know what the sex is!

Then last week, I found out that one of my current best friends (and honorary Maid-of-Honor in my wedding) is expecting her first child, a little boy! He is due to bless this earth in early July.

Along with a co-worker (expecting a little boy in June), another co-worker whose sister is expecting their first, and my cousin (due to have her 3rd girl in March), there are babies all around!

Congratulations everyone for their new blessings, and I can't wait to meet them!

Adventures in Sleeping

So, as any newly married couple know, sometimes its not easy to adjust to sleeping in the same bed with someone. Well, I have been very interesting for Cary since December 15, 2007. There are nights that he loves to tell the story over and over again...

And don't worry. This is rated G...completely innocent, but very funny.

1. One night, Cary was sleeping very comfortably when I suddenly raised my arm, pointed at the ceiling fan and said, "What's that?!". Cary jumped, and suddenly very awake, asked me what I saw. I rolled over and mumbled something about, "Oh nothing. It was just a dream."...I distinctly remember feeling his heart pound very hard for the next few minutes as I calmly went back to sleep, but left him feeling like something truly happened and we were in trouble.


2. Another night, Cary was dreaming that there was an intruder in the apartment, and he was trying to get up and fight him. The next morning he was telling me this very vivid dream he had had and how it still was affecting him, even fully awake. "I was trying so hard to fight this intruder, but I couldn't move because you were holding on to me..."At that point, I asked, "So, is that why you were kicking me?" He had woke me up that night kicking me (luckily not very hard) in the middle of his dream!



3. Chester went through nights that his tummy was not acting right. Sometimes I had to get up in the middle of the night to walk him, and sometimes a second time. And it never failed--I had trouble going back to sleep afterwards. My brain would wake up, and I would toss and turn, and think about work, church, my family, and Chester....Let me say that I'm ready for a doggie door! Well, after about a week of going through this, I decided to try to get Cary to walk him during the midnight madness, just so I could fall asleep more easily again. One night I walked Chester about 2:00. Well, about 4:00, Chester walked over to the front door and rang the 'door bell' (we have some bells hanging down so he can tell us when he needs to go). This time was Cary's turn. I started saying his name, but because I was so tired, I had a very difficult time of getting the word out. Finally I did, but not before I was elbowing him beside me. When Cary stirred, I said, "Chester rang the doorbell"...so as a wonderful husband that he is, he crawled out of bed to dutifully walk our dog. However once he did this, I realized that Chester couldn't have rang the 'door bell', because we close our bedroom door to keep him in the bedroom! Also, Cary later told me that when he got up, Chester was snuggled comfortably under the bed...



4. One evening last week we were sleeping very comfortably. Around 1:00 in the morning, our upstairs neighbor gets home, waking up Chester. He gave a bark, as he for some reason can't stop going crazy at the noise made upstairs. Cary raised his head off of my arm to say 'no'. For some reason I thought that Chester was laying on my arm, so I pushed Cary's head back down. Then I realized that his hair did not match Chester's fur. Still in a sleep-daze, I mumbled, "Sorry...wrong dog"...

Stay tuned for more midnight madness in the McFadden family! :o)

Traveling In February

Whew!!!  What a weekend!  And it's only Saturday!

The last 2 weekends have been spent travelling to Sulphur Springs to see Cary's family (actually Mema, because Brad, Faith, and Helen got sick the night before, and we didn't get a chance to see Granny), and then my family in Paris, TX.

I have not been to Paris in over 2 years, and it was good to see my family again.  Sondra, Aunt Louise, and Uncle Jimmy joined us at Sondra's, where Cary, dad, and I actually surprised them 

because mom didn't tell them that we were coming.

Both trips were long and very draining, but seeing family is always very special to me.  I do hope my family in Paris (and everywhere else for that matter) knows how much I love them.

What did Cary think of his first trip to the Paris country?  Well, he lived there when he was in the 4th grade, but after meeting my family and seeing my cousin's farm, he asked:  "So, can we have a goat?"

I'll leave you tonight with my favorite picture:  Look at the smile on this doll!!

Job 9:27

If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile'

Thank you everyone for your support with my frustration yesterday, and leaving comments of encouragement. So far today has not been too bad, but I am definitely ready for the weekend!

Thank you to Blue-Eyed Bride for putting the above verse on her blog so I could see it. I will smile today, for this is another day God has given me, and yesterday is the past. Today is a great day!

:o)

A Moment Please...

I would like to take a moment to express myself. Most times I am able to hold it in, and let the embers burn on the inside. But not now. Not after this week I'm having.

I hate rude people. H.A.T.E. God is probably wincing at that word, but right now I feel this intensely in me.

I don't care if you are older, more attractive, or have more money than me, but you do NOT have the right to treat me like scum on the bottom of your shoe. I am a human being, just like you, your mother, father, siblings, and spouse, and YES, I do have feelings.

The worst part about people like you are how you push your way to get what you want, whether it is a return on an object that doesn't exist in the store you are trying to return it in, or if you are demanding immediate answers for something that cannot be delivered immediately. People are doing their jobs, and by denying you these immediate pleasures, keeping what they were trained to do, and keeping their jobs. Because you think you are better, you whine like a baby and throw a temper-tantrum. Get over yourselves.

Learn to wait in line like everyone else, and also to pay attention to the things you are doing. Perhaps it will keep you from experiencing the frustration you have, and pointing fingers (remember that saying--point 1 finger, 3 more point back at you).

Smile and be courteous to people around you, and understand that they may not have the training, or the position to do what you are requesting. And breathe deep. Count to 10. Walk away. And find God. If you think you have found Him, think to yourself, "Would He treat anyone like that?" I highly doubt it.

Ok. Back to work. This week has been full of nothing but rude people, and I just needed to get that off my chest before I told someone that to their face (or ear).

A Little About Cary:

Saw this on another blog & enjoyed it. And since this is February, and this month is about Cary, thought I'd share some info about him with you!

1. He's sitting in front of the tv, what is on the screen? The Ovation Channel, or Brit Coms

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Caesar

3. What is one food he doesn't like? Olives and mushrooms

4. You go out to the bar. What does he order? Doesn't really drink. But he says he wants to try a martini

5.Where did he go to high school? Plano...Shepton and one of the Seniors....(too many Plano schools!)

6. What size shoe does he wear? 9.5

7.If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Planes, Planes, Planes!!!!

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? I think turkey, but he really likes to change it up!

9. What would he eat every day if he could? Hot Dogs!!!

10.What is his favorite cereal? Multi-Grain Cheerios or Honey Nut Clusters (or something along those lines...)

11.What would he never wear? Women's pajamas...oh wait, he's done that!

12.What is his favorite sports team? Hmmm....Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, Montreal Canadians...I don't know if he has an official favorite...

13.Who will he vote for? Didn't vote (sorry--this survey is a little old)

14.Who is his best friend? His dad

15.What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? Pick on myself

16.How many states has he lived in? Just Texas so far!

17.What is his heritage? he is a nice mix, but McFadden sure does give away some of it!

18.You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?Chocolate...lots of chocolate

19.What could he spend hours doing? making videos for youtube

Advice Please!

For anyone who's had a puppy or currently has one they are training--Do you have any good advice on how to get them to stop chewing???

Chester has a bed for himself, actually this is the 3rd one, and it is looking not-so-good now...We have tried things from:

holding up the fluff he pulls out and saying "Bad Chester" (he literally crawls under our bed and sulks for a few minutes)

spritzing that 'Bitter Apple' (or other brand) stuff on it, and other things (he seems to enjoy it though...)

And even taking the bed away and make him lay on the floor (or hard crate bottom).

My uncle Bill solved his puppy Nina's problem by removing all cloth/fuzzy toys from her. He said she was cured of the chewing habit within 2 weeks. Cary and I have removed all of Chester's cloth toys (he now only gets Kong-type toys), but still decides to chew on his bed (which was taken away from him for several months), and tries to find other soft, cloth things to chew on!

Any advice anyone???

I know! The first post of February, and it's about THIS!?!??!?! :o)