They're Baaaaaack! Church Bulletin Bloopers

Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or announced in church services:

1. Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.
2. Announcement in a church bulletin for a National Prayer & Fasting Conference: "The cost for attending the Fasting & Prayer conference includes meals.
3. The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
4. Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.
5. The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
6. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community.
7. Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
8. Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
9. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
10. Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
11. Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.
12. The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing: "Break Forth Into Joy."
13. Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
14. A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
15. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?". Come early and listen to our choir practice.
16. Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
17. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
18. Please place your donation in the envelope a long with the deceased person you want remembered.
19. Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch.
20. The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
21. Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
22. The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
23. This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
24. Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
25. The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
26. Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
27. The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
28. Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
29. The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours".
30. The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.
31. Evening massage - 6 p.m.
32. The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.
33.Ushers will eat latecomers.
34. The third verse of Blessed Assurance will be sung without musical accomplishment.
35. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
36. The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to the delight of the audience.
37. During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.
38. Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on "It's a Terrible Experience."
39. Stewardship Offertory: "Jesus Paid It All"
40. Due to the Rector's illness, Wednesday's healing services will be discontinued until further notice.
41. The concert held in Fellowship Hall was a great success. Special thanks are due to the minister's daughter, who labored the whole evening at the piano, which as usual fell on her.
42. 22 members were present at the church meeting held at the home of Mrs. Marsha Crutchfield last evening. Mrs. Crutchfield and Mrs. Rankin sang a duet, The Lord Knows Why.
43. A song fest was hell at the Methodist church Wednesday.
44. Today's Sermon: HOW MUCH CAN A MAN DRINK? with hymns from a full choir.
45. On a church bulletin during the minister's illness: GOD IS GOOD Dr. Hargreaves is better.
46. On a church postcard:
I have received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
I would like a personal call.
47. The service will close with "Little Drops of Water." One of the ladies will start quietly and the rest of the congregation will join in.
48. The 1997 Spring Council Retreat will be hell May 10 and 11.
49. Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to church secretary.
50. The choir will meet at the Larsen house for fun and sinning.
51. Next Sunday is the family hayride and bonfire at the Fowlers. Bring your own hot dogs and guns. Friends are welcome! Everyone come for a fun time.
52. Hymn 43: "Great God, what do I see here?"
Preacher: The Rev. Horace Blodgett
Hymn 47: "Hark! an awful voice is sounding"
53. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
54. The rosebud on the alter this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.
55. This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.
56. Tuesday at 4:00 PM there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
57. Wednesday the ladies liturgy will meet. Mrs. Johnson will sing "Put me in my little bed" accompanied by the pastor.
58. Thursday at 5:00 PM there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All ladies wishing to be "Little Mothers" will meet with the Pastor in his study.
59. This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.
60. Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the new carpet will come forward and get a piece of paper.
61. Following this morning's message will be a pubic profession of faith.
62. The Senior Choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.
63. Sermon Outline:
I. Delineate your fear
II. Disown your fear
III. Displace your rear
64. Today, Christian Youth Fellowship House Sexuality Course, 1 pm-8 pm. Please park in the rear parking lot for this activity.
65. The church is glad to have with us today as our guest minister the Rev. Green who has Mrs. Green with him. After the service we request that all remain in the sanctuary for the Hanging of the Greens.
66. 8 new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some of the older ones.
67. Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Alan in preparing for the girth of their first child.
68. Next Thursday, there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
69. If you choose to heave during the Postlude, please do so quietly.
70. The 'Over 60s Choir' will be disbanded for the summer with the thanks of the entire church.
71. Newsletters are not being sent to absentees because of their weight.
72. Let us join David and Lisa in the celebration of their wedding and bring their happiness to a conclusion.
73. Helpers are needed! Please sign up on the information sheep.
74. Diana and Don request your presents at their wedding.
75. Hymn: "I Love Thee My Ford."
76. Bring one dozen coolies wrapped for Christmas.
77. Next Friday we will be serving hot gods for lunch.
78. Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
79. The Lutheran men's group will meet at 6 pm. Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread and dessert will be served for a nominal feel.
80. Karen's beautiful solo: "It is Well With My Solo."
81. Our next song is "Angels We Have Heard Get High."
82. Mrs. Johnson will be entering the hospital this week for testes.
83. Volunteers are needed to spit up food.
84. Don't forget that elections for Head Deacon and Dead Deaconess will be held at next month's business meeting
85. There will not be any Women Worth Watching this week.
86. Child care provided with reservations.
87. I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirty and you gave me drink.
88. The visiting monster today is Rev. Jack Bains.
89. Boars of Trustees
90. We are always happy to have you sue our facility.
91. The activity will take place on the church barking lot.
92. Hymn: I am Thin, O Lord.
93. New Missionaries: Tim is a pilot and flies missionaries and supplies
into the bush.
94. Jean will be leading a weight-management series Wednesday nights. She's used the program herself and has been growing like crazy!
95. We pray that our people will jumble themselves.
96. Sign-up sheet for anyone wishing to be water-baptized on the table in the foyer.
97. The Advent Retreat will be held in the lover level of St. Mary's Cathedral.
98. Lent is a period for preparing for Holy Weed and Easter.
99. For the word of God is quick and powerful...piercing even to the dividing asunder of soup and spirit.
100. We have received word of sudden passing of Rev. Smith this morning during the worship service. Now let’s sing “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.”
101. Lift up our Messianic brothers and sisters in Israel who are suffering during our prayer time.
102. Glory of God to all and peas to his people on earth.
103. Applications are now being accepted for 2 year-old nursery workers.
104. Brother Lamar has gone on to be the Lord.
105. The pastor will light his candle from the altar candles. The ushers will light their candle from the pastor’s candle. The ushers will turn and light each worshipper in the first pew.
106. Song Lyrics: What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and briefs to bear.
107. “There will be no Moms Who Care this week.”
108. This one said during the congregational prayer when leading prayer for our unsaved loved ones: Father, we just want to pray for our unloved saved ones.
109. Please welcome Pastor Don, a caring individual who loves hurting people.
110. A woman's blouse was found at a table in the middle of the servant appreciation dinner. If you lost your blouse, please come to the church office.
111. Overeaters Anonymous meeting will be held at 8 pm in the large room.
112. The ladies in the style show will meet with their dresses down in front after morning worship.
113. A worm welcome to all who have come today.
114. The lovers in the exhaust fan are not working...
115. [explaining why all but one bell of the church carillon is not working] "...its lone peal will summon the faithful to worship while the others are being dismantled and repaired."

This just in...

Yoda has a blog. No, I am not kidding. It is a totally funny experience! A blogfriend had the link on her blog (Moo Alex). Her favorite quote was:
"And tell you let me, look good in his "tighty-whities" Kenobi does not!"

A must see this is. Disappointed you will not be.

Master Yoda's Blog

I am a Star Wars fiend

Ok, not really. But notice I said fiend, not geek. There's a huge difference. I sooooo can not wait to see the last installment of the Star Wars saga that has spanned 4 decades. Yes, I know technically that it hasn't been 40 years between films but it started in the 70's, and it's now the 00's. the 70's are one decade, the 80's are the second, the 90's are the third, and the 00's are the fourth. Anyone have a problem with my math theory here? K. So, here we go then. I took the TV Guide Jedi test and this was my result:


Does that mean that I've a luvah not a fighta? Actually I do like the result b/c in reality I am an empath. No, I'm NOT talking about the supernatural, metaphysical mumbo-jumbo. I mean that in a lot of cases I can feel what someone else is feeling if they are going through some intense emotions. Sometimes it's difficult for me to keep a cool head on my shoulders when dealing with other people's emotions, but it also helps me to understand what they're going through and where they're coming from. I've noticed that it helps me to be able to better help them figure out a solution to their issues, or at least direct them on the right path. God's pretty cool like that. He gives everyone their own special and unique gifts and talents.

Speaking of Star Wars and God, here's some trivia for you regarding Star Wars and George Lucas:
In the April 26, 1999 issue of Time magazine, Bill Moyer did an interview with Lucas in the article "Of Myth and Men". He asked Lucas about the underlying regious overtones in Star Wars and Lucas replied, "I put the Force into the movie in order to try to awaken a certain kind of spirituality in young people — more a belief in God than a belief in any particular religious system. I wanted to make it so that young people would begin to ask questions about the mystery. Not having enough interest in the mysteries of life to ask the question 'Is there a God or is there not a God?' - that for me is the worst thing that can happen. I think you should have an opinion about that. Or you should be saying, 'I'm looking. I'm very curious about this, and I am going to continue to look until I can find an answer, and if I can't find an answer, then I'll die trying.' I think it's important to have a belief system and to have faith."

I think that is a very profound statement on the most basic of levels. What are we here for? Who put us here? How did all life begin? How was the universe created? All of those questions add up to only one answer. It is stated with four little words in Genisis 1:1 - In the beginning God. God what? Next comes the 5th word - created. God created. Everything. You, me, the stars in the sky, the wind, the earth, the sun and moon. Everything was created by Him. Yes, I believe that with all my heart. It's the only belief I've known or tried to find that doesn't ring hollow or false.

Ok, so now for some humor, I got a real kick out of this one:

The Top 14 Things Bill Clinton Would Say If He Were In "Star Wars"
14. "Well, it depends on your definition of 'father', Luke."
13. "Who knew the Jedi Mind Trick could work on 250 million people all at once?"
12. "I *absolutely* support the use of droids in the military... Okay, now I don't."
11. "Oh-h-h, you're looking for a little *WOOKIE*... Well, that's different."
10. "Luke, I am your father. Obi-Wan, I'm your father, too. And that Queen chick? I'm her daddy for sure. And Leia's. And Lando's, Boba Fett's, Jabba the Hutt's, Chewie's..."
9. "Wretched hive of scum and villainy? Woo-hoo, count me in!"
8. "I think the American people would like a little more bass in my theme music."
7. "Dispose of that troublesome young Jedi, Vince Skyfoster -- and make it look like a suicide."
6. "I did not have sexual relations with that wookie, Ms. Chewinsky."
5. "It's a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away -- and I'm still a lyin' weasel."
4. "Cholesterol does not concern me, Admiral. I want that Big Mac -- not excuses."
3. "Sorry about that lightsaber, Sugar. Just consider it laser dental work."
2. "These are not the droids you're looking for, Ma'am. Say, it's getting hot in here -- you might want to take off your top."
1. "She's my sister?!? Well, back on my home planet of Arkansas, that ain't an obstacle!"

And last but not least, here is the Kevin Smith review of Sith. You may know him from his movies, if you watch them. I know some visitors here don't or haven't. This is CHOCK full of SPOILERS so don't click it if you don't want to know.

HDQ = Hump Day Question

This is the first Humpy Day Question, which shall henceforth and forevermore be known as HDQ. This first one will be easy. I'd like to see your answers to this question.

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Me, steak. A perfectly prepared centercut beef/beefalo/buffalo tenderloin. Cooked medium rare-medium. Steak is my all-time favorite food. I could never grow tired of eating it.

Now tell me what yours is.

The Princess Diaries - Part 1

Ok, so this is the part of the week where I post pictures of my darling Emily. I got a couple of emails thinking that Isabeau's picture was my Emily. No, no she's not. Beautiful pic though and, actually, looks a little like Em when Em was a baby, but no, that baby pic is my friend Roshel's daughter. So, here are some random pics of my Princess Emily AKA Drama Queen who shall henceforth and forever be known as the Princess of Quite A Lot or PQAL. At least for this post. Since this is the first princess picture post, yes, there are going to be a lot of pictures.

Emily will be 4 at the end of September. She physically looks like a 6 year old right now. 43" tall, 10½-11 shoe, 6x-7 clothes. I have birthed an Amazon Warrior Princess.

These are in order of age, the last two picture were taken yesterday. Almost all of them were taken on a camera phone.


Peek-a-boo Hula Girl


It's the Pumpkin Patch Princess, Charlie Brown. Holding court on her pumpkin throne.


Gosh, there's a lot of room in here! That's not what this is supposed to look like.


But I want to give you a kiss, mommy!


You can almost hear the belly laugh in this one.


She only thinks she's the Queen of Everything here. Hollywood, here I come!


It's the drama in action folks.




Instead of Ozzy biting the head off a bat, we have Emily squeezing the neck of a unicorn.


Sleeping Beauty waiting for a kiss from her Prince Charming. Um, hon, not until you're 30 ok? And if you go complain to daddy, he'll say 40.


The little flower girl

Pink cowboy hat with pretty rhinestone tiara attached to it that my mom got for Emily from Target: 14.99
The pictures and the drama that have ensued since then from a 3 1/2 year old girl that already has a PQAL complex: PRICELESS




Still think I was kidding about the part where I said that I thought the sonographer jinxed us with the Drama Queen comment?

Monday Meals - Chicken Enchilada Casserole and Spanish Rice

Ok, so I decided that I was going to do the recipes on Mondays. B/C Monday Meals sounded so much nicer than Thursday Tastings or some other such dribble. Today is the truly delish dish Chicken Enchilada Casserole and Spanish Rice ~ OLÉ! Why casserole and not an actual enchilada? Well, my hungry dears, two things:

1.) Time - it is much LESS time consuming to just layer than to dip and roll.
2.) The stinking tortillas. Corn tortillas are one of the MOST stubborn food substances known to man. Phyllo dough is a very close second. But we're doing casserole, not baklava. Mmmmmmmm, baklava. My favorite little desert. My problems with corn tortillas are this. Even when you do the oil dip thing to "soften" them up, they STILL break when you roll them. Little pissers. So I found out it is easier and a whole lot faster to layer the tortillas with the filling.

This dish makes enough for several people or for a whole week of lunches and some dinners for 2-3. As I have said before, this dish is NOT for those looking for low-cal, no-fat meals. I don't believe in those and think those are a travesty to tastebuds everywhere. This recipe is one that I piecemealed from several other recipes. In other words, nothing I saw was what I wanted so I chose my favorite bits from each and schlepped it together to make this!

So, are you ready for some yummy num-nums? It looks like a lot, but it is SUPER EASY! If it's complicated, I don't cook it. I love, love, love to cook, but not if it's going to take me 3 hours to get it done.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Cook your chicken ahead of time:
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1½ cups White Wine Worcestershire Sauce
garlic (1 tsp powder - not garlic salt or 1 minced clove)
2 tsps cumin
Let it cool so you can shred it later.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176.7 C for those using Celsius)

You will need:
To cook:
1- 9x13 pyrex or corning ware cooking dish coated with sauce
tongs for tortillas
large cooking spoon
1 bag of shredded cheese - your choice with the exception of mozzarella or parmesan (those don't taste right with the casserole)
20 count bag of yellow corn tortillas

For the enchilada sauce:
3 tbsp flour
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp ground oregano
½ tsp cayenne
1½ tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder or 1 garlic clove minced
1 can sweet corn nibblets
2 cans chicken broth - 14 oz (I like Swanson's best)
2 cans tomato sauce - 8 oz (put aside 2 oz of sauce for the rice)
1 lime - roll lime before cutting in ½. It releases the pulp and gives more juice when squeezed
2 8oz microwave softened cream cheese - you can use either original or 1/3 fat (told ya this wasn't for the health conscious. Only the taste conscious.)

In an large pan sauté flour in oil for one minute, then add the spices and cook for another minute.
Add the cream cheese, mixing together with the oil and spices.
Add the broth, tomato sauce and lime juice, stirring frequently to mix the cream cheese with the liquids. At this time, go ahead and coat the baking pan with the sauce.
Shred the pre-cooked chicken and add it to the sauce along with the corn.
Bring to a boil, stirring frequently then let simmer for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.

Assembling the casserole
Take 8 tortillas and lay them side by side in the pan. The tortillas should overlap to prevent the chicken and sauce from getting under them.
Take the spoon and scoop out a good portion of the chicken and sauce and evenly spread it over the tortillas.
Take 6 tortillas and lay them on the mix
Take the remaining sauce mixture and pread evenly over the tortillas
Take the final 6 tortillas and layer them on top of the mix.
You may want to take the tongs here and coat the top tortillas in the mixture below so that both siced are covered.
Take the bag of cheese and spread it evenly over the top of the casserole - use the whole bag.

Put foil over the top and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Take the foil off and let bake uncovered for another 10 minutes.

Take it out and enjoy with the rice and some yummy, nummy margaritas!

Spanish Rice
This will make you rice for the week if you are making this for a small group, or just yourself. I always do this while the casserole is in the oven.

To cook:
Skillet with lid
Spoon
Ingredients
2 cans chicken broth - 14 oz (Swanson's is best)
2-2½ cups rice (I used enriched white rice but you can use whatever kind you want)
2 oz tomato sauce* (saved from chicken sauce recipe remember?)
1 clove minced garlic or 1½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder

Mix broth and spices
Add rice
Cook covered until tender.

That's it.

*You can add blanched diced tomatoes to this as well along with the sauce

Easy Desert:
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Butterscotch or Caramel topping.

There you have it. The first Monday Meals recipe!

If you try this out, please, please comment if you liked it or not and why so I can know if it's any good. I try these out on myself and my family, but rarely has anyone else eaten it. Ok, that sounded bad...what I mean is I haven't cooked most of these recipes for anyone else but my family, so nobody else has had the opportunity to eat them. My family loves it though! Remember, the spices are to taste, so you may prefer more or less of something. Also, you can put onions in the casserole. I don't b/c I'm very allergic to raw onions. Even partially cooked ones will give me hives and an asthma attack.

As I ponder this new life, I celebrate yours

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart...
~ Jeremiah 1:5

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
~ Psalm 139:13

A newborn baby is truly a miracle. Whether yours or someone else's, every child is a gift from God. I received word four days ago that my dear friend Roshel delivered little Isabeau Sheally Rose Fuller on April 28 at 2:33 in the morning. Little Beau decided that May 17 was not soon enough to come out and greet the world so she decided to say hello a little early. This is Roshel's 4th child and her first girl. What a blessing she is to Roshel, who has wanted a girl so badly for years she would ask her friends if she could adopt their girl children - jokingly, we think. I wrote about her fervant desire for a girl in a previous post Baby Showers, Book Ideas and Boogers.

It's funny how some things work out. Roshel would have taken my Em in a heartbeat and, before I had Em, I would have taken one of Roshel's two boys, she only had two back then, without a second thought. My fondest wish for children, other than having a house full of them, was for my firstborn to be a boy. A boy that I could name after his maternal grandparents just like I was. Nicole for Nicholas and Jenise for Jenny. My son-to-be's name was supposed to be Matthew Garrett. Matthew for my mom, Matilda, and Garrett for my dad, Gary. (B/C - no offense to anyone out there, but I'm not naming any girl Matilda and you can't really feminize Gary, except to use it as Jeri or Geraldine. Try making that name just roll off your tongue and make it pleasant to the ears. No, really, go ahead and try it on the count of 3. 1...2...3...Matilda Geraldine. Sounds like the name of a naval ship or one of those heavy duty cars from the 50's, when they still knew how to make them to last and survive any wreck with nary a scratch.) Anyway, I had already picked that name out in Jr. High and, by God, that was going to be my son's name. No way, no how, no sir did I want a girl first. I had grown up playing rough and tumble games as the neighborhood's token tomboy. And I was good at it too. I would much rather be playing football than tea party or, *gag*, dolls. What was I going to do with a girl first? A girl who likes...dare I say it...pink.

Well, my 35th week, I had my last ultrasound b/c my baby had been head down the whole time, instead of the normal "head up" position. They turn pretty much right at 34 weeks from head up to head down. Well, not my child. B/C I had been a breech birth - head up with feet coming out first - they wanted to make sure that my child had not turned breech during the 34th week.

Ultrasound time. I really, really wanted to find out the sex of the child and I was just "sure" that it was a boy b/c during my previous ultrasound, which my husband, my mom, mother-in-law and sister-in-law attended, the baby was "hiding" itself. Both hands cupped down there.
My SIL and MIL said: "Oh, it's a girl b/c she's being so modest".
Me: "No, it's a boy. He already can't keep his hands away from that area. Typical male."

So, Matt and I go in all excited to see how my little Mexican Jumping Bean was progressing. (I'll post the story about that name at a later date). We get to hear the heartbeat and see this miracle that is growing inside of me move around and - I now swear and will stand by my story that the sonographer jinxed us by saying the following words: "Looks like you're going to have a little drama queen".
Me, heart lurches a bit at those words: "Scuse me, huh, wha? What are you talking about?"
Tech: "Yeah, see right here? That's the back of the baby's hand resting against the forehead."
Me, nodding wisely: "Ah, preparing for the great entrance."
And as I look, you sure enough can see that this baby is doing a damn good rendition that is worthy of a great Scarlett O'Hara scene. Drama queen, or, I'm still hoping, king, indeed. We still have that picture b/c she clicked a pic and printed it off for us (plus you can see it on the video). Little did I know just how apropos the description "Drama Queen" would be.

So, the moment of TRUTH has arrived.
The sonographer utters those fateful words: "So, what do you think you're having?"
Me - almost before she can finish the question: "BOY."
Tech: "Nope. Girl"
Me, heart in my throat and not in a good way: "What do you mean? Where? Are you sure?"
Tech: "Yup. See, right here?" She circles the "area". "That is a female part."
Me: "Oh." pause...pause...pause, then weakly, "Really?"
Tech: "Yup."
Me: "Oh."

It hit me hard. Like a ton of bricks. There was my dream of my firstborn being a son going down the drain. It took me three days to get used to the idea of having a girl. Not so bad, since I'd had 15 years to plan having a boy first. 3 days vs. 15 years. So, because I had already prepared for the contengency of having a girl, just on the off chance, we already knew her name. It was going to be Emily Abigail. Now that name rolls right off of the tongue in a delightful way. But really it was a deliberate choice meaning something. Not a random, "We'll see what sounds the best". Emily is for Matt's Abuela who had passed away the previous year. She was full of spunk, even at the end with her Alzheimers. (My maternal grandmother had Alheimers too the last few years of her life.) Matt loved his grandmother and I thought this would be a nice way to honor her and keep the name in the family. And Abigail we chose b/c it means "my father's joy". So we were going to have an Emily Abigail Boedeker instead of a Matthew Garrett Boedeker.

And God looked upon us and called it good.

Hindsight is 20/20. God knew what He was doing when He gave me Emily. Of that I have no doubt. Emily has changed my life so wonderfully in ways a little boy never could have. I don't have a little boy, so I don't know that, but I'm willing to bet the ranch on it. I LOVE being the mommy of one precious 3 1/2 year old girl who, it just so happens, LOVES pink. It is her favorite color. She also loves to play tea party and has more dolls than most girls her age should have. I would not trade Emily for any little boy, whether it be one boy or ten. If I could go back and have a re-do I would choose Emily every single time. She is bright, compassionate to all people that she meets, sweet, generous, loving, extremely intelligent, gregarious, has a beautiful heart, funny and her laughter brings me to happy tears every time at the glorious sound of it. She has a very unique belly laugh and I swear I could pick it out among any group of kids. I could go on and on about all the wonderful things that she is and never run out of words. But do you want to know the most wonderful thing that she is? I can sum it up in one word. MINE! She is most likely the only child I will ever have and that makes her all the more precious to me. I wanted a whole house full of children. I was given one - and she was a true miracle.

I got pregnant after 10 years of being on the pill religiously - before you jump to any conclusions...my mom put me on it b/c I was so irregular in high school that she said she was tired of living with such a b!tc#. It straightened out my cycle and cut the mood swings. So, me getting pregnant on the pill was a real shock. The even greater shock came afterward when I bled heavily for 7 months. I went to a new OB/GYN and she diagnosed me as being anovulatory. Meaning, I ovulate so infrequently, she said that I'm lucky if I ovulate 4 times a year. Which is the reason my cycle was so irregular and my hormones are so out of whack off the pill. Basically, I was informed that it was nothing but a true miracle that I got pregnant with Emily and it would be the equivalent of lightening striking twice or winning the lottery for me to getting pregant again. So, me being on the pill for 10 years + being anovulatory + getting pregnant anyway = ONE BIG MIRACLE.

So, Emily fair. Darling dear, light of my life, honey bunny, sugar boogar, silly goose girl. I love you deeper than the oceans and farther than the stars. And as I ponder this new life that is Isabeau Sheally Rose Fuller, I celebrate the miracle of yours!

Isabeau Sheally Rose Fuller

28 April 2005
2:33 a.m.
7 lbs 0 oz ~ 22"

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Something New to Start the Week: A Top 10 List...

I'm going to be starting something new on different days of the week(when I have the time to do so). Starting the week off on Sundays I'll have a top 10 list of little bits of fun, practical and inspirational advice, observations and suggestions from here and there.

One day during the week, still TBD, I will be posting an easy meal recipe. Now, BE WARNED, my recipes are NOT for those looking to have a fat-free, low calorie meal. My recipes are flavorful and robust and easy. Prep time is usually less than 30 minutes and serving sizes are typically made to accommodate at least 5 people or make several servings for two during the week. So I'm thinking either on a Thursday or Friday I will post these so they can be prepared on a Saturday or Sunday for the week.

On another day it will be picture day. I might start posting amusing pics of my sweet little girl, a photo single or series that I find or a cartoon that catches my eye. It just depends on what strikes my fancy.

And finally, to borrow a couple ideas from a friend, Fridays will be Field Trip Fridays with new links posted to interesting, thought-provoking or funny places that you wouldn't find otherwise and Wednesdays will be HDQ day(Hump Day Question). Wednesday is considered the Hump Day of the week, especially the work week as it's the top of the pinnacle, getting ready for the slide into the weekend.

So, here is the first Today's Top 10 List:

1. Compliment three people every day
2. Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards
3. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday!
4. Be careful that your marriage doesn't become a duel instead of a duet.
5. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
6. Decisions can take you out of God's will but NEVER out of His reach.
7. Your friends are like buttons on an elevator. They will either take you up or take you down.
8. A person's true character is revealed by what they do when no one is watching.
9. Hug your children after you discipline them.
10. Conscience is God's built-in warning system. Be very glad when it hurts you. Be very worried when it doesn't.

My #1 Dream Vacation

I took a "What Is Your Inner European?" test and the results are just excellent to me b/c I love all things Irish! In fact, that is my all-time #1 Dream Vacation - to take a drive for a few weeks in Scotland and Ireland and visit the smaller, non-tourist towns that have authentic pubs with old men speaking Gaelic and live music from the local townspeople.

Your Inner European is Irish!

Sprited and boisterous! You drink everyone under the table.

Who's Your Inner European?