Seriously.
How am I supposed to work when it looks like this outside:
I know, I know. Never mind the 3 large windows. Or my nice spacious office. Or the other part I didn't even show you which includes pictures, a lucious green plant, and a candy bowl. And yes, that is an Oscar on my windowsill.
What? You don't have one?
Here's to pjs, hot chocolate, a good book, and my pumpkin spice candle tonight!
Lately I feel that I have been bombarded with songs about hope.
Coincidence? Maybe.
God speaking? Probably.
I wanted to share one of Natalie Grant's new songs which can truly speak for so many of us. This isn't the "official" music video, but at least you can hear the music. It's difficult to understand how life can be "unkind" to us at times...how things aren't fair...why things hurt. Fortunately, we have an all-knowing, loving, merciful God who will carry us through our temporary time on Earth until He is ready to bring us home!! :)
Enjoy the music. I pray for all of us to have unchanging hope.
You would think only so much can go wrong
Calamity only strikes once
And you assume that this one has suffered her share
Life will be kinder from here
Sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear
But our hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged
How do we comprehend peace within pain
Our joy at a good man's wake
Walk a mile with a woman whose body is torn
With illness but she marches on
Sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear
But our hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
We never walk alone
This is our hope
Our hope endures, the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
let the earth quake
let the earth quake
let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged
-Natalie Grant
I can't vouch for the quality of any of the pictures in this post, but am super excited because I can take pictures on my phone and email them to myself. Thanks to the sweet 2.0 megapixel camera on the blackjack! And really it's because I just forgot my real camera.
These are a tad old, but several weeks ago we went to see The Woodlands High and College Park battle it out on the field. We were only biased since David coaches at College Park. But we had a great time watching the game, the MARCHING BAND, and learning what teenagers wear these days.
(I'm just kidding about the band...but they were still pretty good!)
Amy & Makenzie cheering on their dad/husband
Georgia & Kim discussing the latest play
I figured this was the closest the score would ever be. I should've just taken it when it was still 0-0 because that probably would have looked better. Oh well.
"Hey old seats at the top of the Zone! Suckas!"
The first and only time we'll probably be in these seats :)You can tell 25 is really taking its toll because we were EXHAUSTED this past weekend. I can only imagine what the future holds. Since we'd both had long weeks - Seth even had a business trip (ok, only one day...baby steps)...we decided to take it easy. Seth threw in the towel and did the unthinkable.
He opted out of the Aggie game.
For a game of golf.
Folks, this is serious. He has not missed a home game since 2002. That's quite a streak. I, on the other hand, am a different story. But this isn't about me.
Anyway, on Halloween we didn't have much luck dressing up Maggie. But I did try our last year's "costume" on Tucker and he loved it!
I know this isn't much, but I'll take what I can get. He posed for pictures all night long!
Technically not supposed to be on the couch. But it was cute and I couldn't resist. I know.
We celebrated Sam's big 3-0 on Saturday night with friends and also got to celebrate the big "1" with Miss Macie on Sunday afternoon! I honestly don't know if I've been to a 1 year old's birthday party since mine (or Emily or Rachel's)...but it was quite the event. She has a rough life. She even got her first pair of Tiffany earrings at the party. Poor girl. I haven't even gotten MY first pair of Tiffany earrings!!!
She quickly realized the cake was gooood stuff
Georgia & Macie opening presents - Happy Birthday!
It was quite disappointing, to say the least, as I read my daily "Hungry Girl (Tips & Tricks...for Hungry Chicks!)" email newsletter. Of course the topic was candy. And she listed 3 Quick Tips for what to do on this particular holiday:
1) DO NOT stock up on your favorite candies
2) Just because the candy bars are little doesn't mean you can have ten of them
3) The best way to avoid the lure of holiday sweets? Eat other things.
And then she goes on:
"For the love of Elvira, DON'T skip dinner so that you can go nuts on the candy! Eight Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures do not equal a meal. Eat normally all day long, have a small treat after dinner, and don't turn that plastic jack-o'-lantern bucket into your personal feed-bag!"
Dang it, she's on to me.
Good thing we'll be passing out this:
...instead of this:
Happy trick or treating!
Nerdy, right?
I actually sunk LOW enough to mention that in an interview when I was just a young buck, yearning for a high-paying, super exciting accounting job after college graduation.
Interviewer: So why did you choose to major in accounting?
Young Mary: Well, it's simple really. Accounting is the language of business!
I thought it was impressive at the time. Now that I'm on the other end of the spectrum, I'm pretty sure the interviewer wrote down, "major nerd. PASS!"
I digress.
I have recently been experiencing accounting nightmares...seeing as both my husband and younger sister are both enrolled in their first accounting course. Ever. And seeing as I'm a CPA, they expect me to have all the answers.
Wrong.
Hello, there is a reason why I passed my classes. I merely have a fantastic memory.
As I'm helping Seth study for his accounting test the other night, I start to shake, and want to bang my head on the dining room table.
Seth: What is the carrying value of a bond?
Mary: Umm...maybe the book value?
Seth: Mary, you should know this. Come on. What would the journal entry be?
Mary: (screaming inside) I DON'T KNOW! I already took the test over this stuff! I don't need to know it anymore!
Now, I know teachers everywhere are shaking their heads and "tsk tsk'ing" me, but come on. I do taxes. I do not need to know, nor do I ever care to know, how to calculate things like net present value or call value of a bond. I have hidden that knowledge very deep in my brain...and thrown away the key. I try to make plenty of room for more important things...like celebrity gossip, TV shows, and fun stuff.
Mainly because...I don't want to turn into this:
See? It would give YOU nightmares too!
God Gives, God Takes, Gods Name be EVER Blessed!
Job 1:21
Many of you may have already seen this video clip. And if so, I encourage you to watch it again. It is a true testament to God's power and what He is able to do. And a wonderful example of a family's unwavering faith. Faith I pray and strive to have.
So often I think I simply cannot handle certain situations. And my fear for what the future holds consumes my daily thoughts. I am learning each day though that God is good and God will provide! And He will never give us anything we cannot handle.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9
1) Why is it I hate to get out of bed every morning...but hate to go to bed every night?
2) If it is in the 40's outside...shouldn't I be allowed to wear a turtleneck and drink spice tea?
3) Halloween candy is ridiculously expensive. I settled for the party mix of dots/tootsie rolls/tootsie pops for $5. Have I become the cheap neighbor that the kids are going to avoid?
4) How many more days until I retire?
5) Why oh why won't my car break down?!
6) I think we should be allowed to wear lounge pants and sweatshirts to work in the winter.
7) What are my chances of still becoming famous?
8) Why do we eat more when its cold outside? Or is it just me?
9) How come candy corn is one of the most disliked candies?? How can you not like the corn and those mellowcreme pumpkins of goodness?
10) Why is it colder in my office than it is outside?
I'm restless today. I know.
On Saturday evening when we took the dogs for a walk, the old lady at the end of the street (who is always outside) tells her friend that has stopped by to visit...
"Hey! That's the dog lady! She takes her dogs on walks but then the dogs end up walking her!"
Oh and they both get a good hearty chuckle.
Is this what I've been minimized to? A DOG LADY?! Just for kicks, I even googled the term...and found this picture.
Oh. dear. Fast forward 50 years??? :)
Seth: I'm gonna go get some bacon at the store.
Mary: More power to ya.
Seth: Can I wear my windpants or is that fox po??
Mary: Fox what?
Seth: Fox po? Like you said on your blog.
Mary: Faux pas??
Seth: Yeah. Fox po.
Happy Saturday!
Doesn't it look fabulous with the paint??
Thank you Georgia!! My windows would be lost without you.
How sweet are they? What a loving brother & sister.
They're not going to know what hit them in a few hours. Their Aunt Rachel and Michael are coming with their cousin Sammy and Dad is coming in the morning with a new cousin, Miki.
Who thinks I'll have to vacuum on Sunday night?! :) Let's just pray for NO rain. We don't need any more mud in the backyard...
I mean really. Who was the lame-o who invented the idea of work?! For EIGHT + hours a day?! Blech.
Oh yes. The weekend started off pretty nice...with MY husband beating the pants of all YOUR husbands in a little game of poker! jk. He probably needs several slices of humble pie now because now he thinks he is invincible! Let's just hope he doesn't take the Anderle savings account to Vegas...
I snuck a picture of the "finalists table" when we stopped by later that night. Probably faux pas for 1) girls to even show up and 2) for a girl to take a picture...but hey, that's my job. To document things. And thanks to Seth for making us $200 richer!
In other exciting news...Kim made me some curtains! We had taken a field trip to the fabric store last weekend and she brought them back tonight and they look fabulous! I owe her a million dollars for helping me with this. We hope to tackle the living room next Sunday afternoon. Just checking off more things on the "things to do before children list"! I mean, heaven forbid we bring a baby home to an un-window treated home. Horrifying. 
Obviously we underestimated the amount of fringe we needed but we went ahead and hung everything up and I am super excited! It looks great. THANK YOU KIM!
Aggies played surprisingly better than usual, but we still couldn't pull off a win.... :(
Such is life.
Oh boy. It's already starting.
I am falling apart.
I really thought I had until at least 40. But it all started last week when I fell off the bed. Those tangled sheets can do a number on ya!
Then, on Monday, I opened a car door into my forehead. Funny, right? Hilarious. I have a sweet knot & bruise to prove it.
Then today, the ultimate happened. Picture this:
I'm walking down the stairs in the parking garage, eager to begin a new day of work. Starbucks in my left hand, talking on the cell phone in my right, purse & lunch bag over my shoulder. Wearing my brown slacks that are a tad on the long side.
Now take this in slow motion and follow my thought pattern:
1) My shoe heel is caught in my pants
2) I can't move and I am about to wipeout down the stairs
3) What is the girl behind me going to think? She will witness the whole thing!
4) My hands are full...what will catch my fall???
note: if you EVEN think I was going to sacrifice my caramel macchiato or my new cell phone you are VERY wrong. PRIORITIES, people!!!
5) Kerplunk. Bang. Pow.
6) I just fell down 2 stairs and landed on my knees. On cement. In the stairwell. Where things echo.
7) Is my coffee ok?!?!?!?!
8) Did I scratch my cell phone?!??!?!
9) I think I broke my knees.
10) I actually think I might pass out.
Maybe it's gross to take a picture of my injured knee, but you had to see. And really, this doesn't do it justice. And multiply it by 2 because this is just one of them. My legs look like a 3rd grader who just fell off her roller skates or new bike!
I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow...
Happy (belated) birthday to me!
25.
I have wanted to be this age...well, forever. It's such a nice milestone. I have high expectations for 25.
On Monday I was instructed NOT to go to work per my sneaky husband. Instead, he sent me for a little spa visit to get a hot stone massage, facial, and pedicure! It was a-maz-ing! (Note: Mary accepts these types of gifts on all days, not just holidays).
I also got the cutest flower bouquet delivered to work on Tuesday from some of my favorite Chi Chi's........
...and Seth sent me one of my favorite flower...lilies!
(yes, please let that breathtaking view of the parking garage outside of my window office soak in...)
I was even surprised with a Vera Bradley cosmetic bag and some super cute jewelry!
Seth & I celebrated both of our birthdays last night at Pallottas and ended the night by tag-teaming his accounting homework. I know...SO romantic! :)
Thanks to all my family & friends who helped make my birthday fabulous! I love you all!
Here's to 25. Only 5 years away from...30.
Twilight releases its latest trailer...on MY birthday! This makes for a fantastic day :)
I recently had the privilege of meeting Emily Maddock. She is a fantastic girl & blessing from God who has a heart for children & international missions. Our Sunday school class helped support her this past weekend at the church missions festival. I encourage all of you to check out her website and read her testimony. She is so creative and started making "Ransom Notes" to help raise money and awareness for human trafficking in other countries. They are symbolic of the ransom Christ paid for our lives. I copied the below statement to give you an idea:
"Millions of women and children are trafficked and exploited through forced prostitution and bonded labor. Ransom Notes are intended to create awareness of this injustice as well as to raise money to ransom victims. Proceeds go to International Justice Mission (IJM), an organization working to free captives all over the world."
It breaks my heart to know that precious children all over the world are suffering, especially in terrible conditions such as these. The above picture shows some examples of the "ransom notes" she creates. They are beautiful and have so much meaning. The work she does to help get these kids out of trouble and into a more stable environment is just amazing.
Her work touched my heart and I hope it can change your life as well. If you'd like to support Emily and her work with IJM, her contact information is on the website linked below.
http://throughemilyseyes.com/
Thank you, Emily, for sharing your ministry with us and reminding us how important it is to serve others.
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:45
The So You Think You Can Dance Tour...not just for teeny boppers!
On Saturday night, several of us girls went to watch the dancing show as they made their way across Texas. I am proud to admit that YES, I did go last year as well. And it was so fun! Almost as good as watching on TV. And they do all our favorite dances from the season. I was thisclose to buying a big poster for the bedroom plus an autographed 8x10 but you know, I didn't want to go toooo crazy :)
Me & Cara eating at Benjy's beforehand
Kim & Traci
The...DANCERS! 
Kherington & Twitch doing the prison break dance
Yeah, we went there. Erika, Traci, & Cara being 4-REAL
Kim, me, & Joanna
"We can't stop the beat..."
Yea! SO fun. Can't wait for season 5 next summer!
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