Ok lest you think that all I've been doing today is blogging...here are some before and after shots of the cleaning I did upstairs.

Our bonus room is one of our favorite rooms in the house. Anyone that's been here will tell you how comfortable our sectional couch is (and it's never leaving the room since we had to practically take off the door frame to get it in there!) But it's the last place we are at night before bed so I'm usually too tired lazy to take the dishes and other miscellaneous items downstairs so day after day it becomes a total mess. Today I said "No more!" Take a look...

Bonus Room - BEFORE

Yeah - it's pretty bad.

AFTER - Ahh! Clutter free!

AFTER - Can't wait to hang here!

I have a love/hate relationship with our bedroom. On one hand, we have a beautiful set of furniture that some friends of ours are long term lending us because they moved to Kenya. It's great that everything matches and we have the whole Africa theme going on. However, it's a ton of furniture so I feel claustrophobic sometimes and someday I really hope to pick out my own decor with bedspread etc. But things are at least improved now that I have thoroughly cleaned it. I can't believe how much dust there was - I'm so embarassed!

Bedroom - BEFORE

BEFORE - Messy, messy!

Bedroom - AFTER

AFTER - Is it nap time yet?

Now I do have to say that none of this would have been possible without my wonderful mother-in-law. She's watching James today. I could never get this much done in a mere 2 hours with a toddler running around!

*NOTE to the dear husband - "No back muscles were strained or otherwise injured in the cleaning of these rooms!" :)

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Yes - that would be my front porch. I love going to coffee shops, but with gas prices and latte prices I have found that I can grab my laptop, journal and books and sit on my front porch with a cup of Keteppa chai (a delicious tea from Kenya). I'm effectively "getting away from my house so I can think" but yet I'm not spending money, which for me is sometimes difficult. So yeah - as long as it's not too hot in the mornings - this will be my regular table.

My Regular Table

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Yes - I'm way behind but last week we got to meet up with Hannahbanana and family (minus Todd who was working - dang that man and his work ethic! j/k!). They were as wonderful as they were the last time. Libby was so great with James. She will be a wonderful babysitter - if only we lived a bit closer to Indiana so I could take advantage of her services! Here's a few pictures but I think Hannah has a much better camera so you can see hers here.

Libby and James

James at the Nashville Library

The Nashville library is really very cool. They have a great Children's Floor and James loved sitting in the kid-sized chairs they have.

That's Libby's finger in the picture pointing at James

We had a wonderful time and hopefully we'll get to visit them in Indiana one day and they can show us their city's sites!

Aren't we cute??

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I recently bought this devotional book called The Message Remix: Solo, An Uncommon Devotional. It's a daily devotion that takes a short passage from the Message version of the Bible and then gives you four things to do with it - Read, Think, Pray, Live. It's very thought-provoking and it's making the Bible come alive for me again. The Message version has such a fresh look at the Bible. It's really been encouraging me to go deeper in my walk with God.

I was reading about Jacob wrestling with "a man" all night right before he was to meet his brother Esau for the first time in years. He told "the man" he wouldn't let him go until "the man" blessed him. The devotional used the word "desperate" and asked me to consider what I desperately want from God. I stopped to consider the word.

Dictionary.com gives several definitions for the adjective "desperate"

1.	reckless or dangerous because of despair or urgency: a desperate killer.

2.	having an urgent need, desire, etc.: desperate for attention.

3.	leaving little or no hope; very serious or dangerous: a desperate illness.

4.	extremely bad; intolerable or shocking: clothes in desperate taste.

5.	extreme or excessive.

6.	making a final, ultimate effort; giving all: a desperate attempt to save a life.

7.	actuated by a feeling of hopelessness.

8.

having no hope; giving in to despair In reading these things I was trying to remember when was the last time I wanted something "desperately" whether from God or anyone else.  I think to want something desperately you have to be at a certain place in your spirit - a debt, a loss - otherwise how could you identify with "desperately"? My life is so comfortable. I have all I need and most everything I want. God has been so good and faithful to me. I want to feel something more for Him than I do now. I'm not necessarily dying to be stripped of everything so that I can better appreciate what He's done - or anything like that - yet I would like to have a taste of "desperation" in my walk with Him. I know that I've had that in the past. There were times when it felt like I would not make it through the day except that God was totally sustaining me and encouraging me. I don't want to look back fondly at passionate moments in my past with God. I want that now and in to the future. And I know that He hasn't changed - He never changes. As Hebrews says, "He's the same yesterday, today and forever."  So where do I go from here? I think I desperately want to know and I believe that God has the answers for me.

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Has anyone heard Coldplay's new album Viva La Vida? Of course you probably have since most of the folks in my 'hood are very music-savvy. Me - I'm always behind the times. So I just got it today - well technically Jim got it but since we share everything...

I've only listened to about half the songs but I already really like it! It's rare that I instantly enjoy a CD so I'm especially psyched. I just love Chris Martin's voice and musically the songs are so appealing!

So far my faves are the title track, Viva La Vida and Violet Hill.

Viva la Vida

Coldplay

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You Are a Cappuccino

You're fun, outgoing, and you love to try anything new. However, you tend to have strong opinions on what you like. You are a total girly girly at heart - and prefer your coffee with good conversation. You're the type that seems complex to outsiders, but in reality, you are easy to please

http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofcoffeegirlareyouquiz/

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Thursday we dropped Jim off at work and went to the Polaris Mall. This place is huge and really, really nice. Much nicer than our malls in Nashville. There was a huge play area for toddlers so I took James and we stayed there for awhile. Then we walked up and down the mall and I basically just window shopped because I was certain that all these stores were way out of my bank account range. We did make an exception for KayBee Toys (which was one of the few stores I recognized) and James played with some of their stuff. He was especially enamored with an oinking, plush pig that I'm sure he thought was real. Then he got to ride the escalator and I think that made his whole week!

We had lunch at Ted's Montana Grill, one of my favorite places. I had the brick chicken sandwich, green and hot - so yummy! James was still eating bland food (peanut butter sandwiches and crackers) because of the throw up incidents the night before. I did give him a few peaches but thought nothing of it....(until later)

Back to the hotel for a nap and then off to pick up Jim from work. This time we made it all the way back to the hotel parking lot before James upchucked in the car. It wasn't quite as bad as Wednesday's fiasco and at least this time we were prepared with paper towels and such in the car. He was happy as a clam afterwards so Jim and I were pretty sure that it wasn't a stomach bug. I think that he was getting car sick.

I have never been car sick in my life so I don't really know much about it. Apparently Jim and his sisters and mom have all been car sick at various times growing up. It's never happened here in Nashville and we're on the go quite a bit so we think it was the combo of a different car and carseat that rides lower than he's used to so he can't see out the window and tends to strain to look around.

So after getting cleaned up we scrapped our plans to go to Easton since it was further away from the hotel and we went to J. Alexander's for dinner which was 5 minutes from the hotel. They have the best spinach queso ever!!!

Friday James and I went to Caribou Coffee after dropping Jim at work. That place has GREAT coffee and cheaper than Starbucks. Not to mention that their tall drinks come with two shots (so of course I had to go half-caf but it was so yummy!) and they give you a chocolate covered espresso bean on the lip of your coffee lid. I was very impressed.

Then we went to Kroger and Barnes and Noble to play with the train set one last time before going back to the hotel to pack. We had lunch at The Claddagh (oh how I will miss that place!) I had a really yummy Guinness onion soup and of course the BBQ Chicken Boxty which I'm determined to figure out how to make here in Nashville.

James took a nap while I finished packing (and took a nap) and then we were off to the airport. Our prayer the whole way was "Please, God! Help James not to throw up!" And thankfully our prayers were heard and we made it to the airport with no problems.

Thank goodness I am pregnant and was able to preboard again as we got great front row seats. James did a great job on the airplane (again) and we made it back safe and sound to a rainy Nashville.

We crashed on the couch and watched 4 episodes of LOST before collapsing into bed for the night.

Jim got up early Saturday and headed to Charlotte for the weekend. He was checking out Morningstar Ministries church services and is coming back on Monday only to hop a plane for Ohio again to have an exit interview on Tuesday since his boss was on vacation this past week. He'll get back late Tuesday night and have the rest of the week off - hooray!

I'm still getting unpacked (almost there!) and planning my week. I can't believe it's already mid-June. The summer will be over before I know it! Ahh!

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Everyone seems to be taking this test so I thought I would too! Not sure about the results but here it is...

Social Realist (SR)

(Just visiting? Take the free test and determine your personality type!)

Social Realists are popular persons full of energy. They are reliable, well organized and helpful. Traditional values are important to them. Founding a family also plays a central role in their life. Social Realists have a marked social streak. They are always ready to listen to the worries and problems of others and spare no effort when they are asked for help. With empathy and understanding, they can sense what other people need. Social Realists are always willing to highly regard the strong points of the other person and to excuse that person’s weaknesses. They are the most sociable of all personality types. Social contacts are very important to them.

Social Realists find it very difficult to cope with conflicts and criticism - harmony is their elixir of life. Acknowledgement and esteem are very important to this type. Differentiation on the other hand is not necessarily one of their strong points. At work and in partnerships, they are loyal, committed and always there when needed. They find it easy to make friends due to their open, warm manner and they have a large circle of friends. In love, they are faithful and attentive and care for their partners with a great deal of imagination and sensitivity. Social Realists show their feelings openly and honestly. Should a relationship break up, they tend to blame themselves. That is why they find it very difficult to end a partnership even if it has not fulfilled their requirements for some time.

Social Realists are more conservative types. They have a set system of values and rules which is orientated to the prevailing traditions. They prefer clear, structured surroundings and work processes; they find too much change und unrest unpleasant. Their strong points are carefulness and reliability and not so much flexibility and spontaneity. Social Realists are open-minded towards anything new only to a limited extent. But, should one be looking for someone to fulfil a task reliably and exactly, they are the right persons.

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Ok so I did the whole post on Jim's vox and am too tired to move it so here's the link. Enjoy!

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So I started my day at 5am this morning since Jim's mom was picking us up at 6am to head to the airport. We got there in plenty of time. As I was standing in line to check our bags, I was lamenting the fact that Jim told me the day before that Southwest no longer pre-boards people with small children. You actually have to wait until after the A boarding group (which is 60+ people) unless you check in online and get a number. I did check in online 23 hours before the flight and I was still #55. As I stepped up to check my bags, the lady checked our ID's etc. and then said "Be sure to check in with the gate so they can tag your stroller and also get a blue pre-boarding pass since you're pregnant." I was puzzled so I asked her how she knew I was pregnant (and yes, I am showing but sometimes I feel like people might just think I'm fat, not pregant) She replied "Oh honey, you're showing. I can tell." I'm not sure what I was more happy about - getting to pre-board or finally realizing that I look pregnant as opposed to fat.

So we got to our gate about an hour early. This was after a trip to Starbucks (finally BNA has added a Starbucks!) Although I ordered a tall vanilla latte and a bottle of water and the tab was $9.61 - yikes! When I got to Columbus and looked at my receipt, I realized they charged me for 2 lattes - what a bummer! I'm thinking about telling them about it on my way back to see if I can get the other latte then.

The other people at the gate were not so helpful or happy about my pre-boarding pass. When I first asked for it, the lady wasn't sure she believed me that pregnant folks get it. But she finally gave in. Then as I'm standing in front of the A group waiting to board behind a guy in a wheel chair, the attendant was about to start letting everyone else go even though I'm waving the thing in his face while holding James. He asked "Is there a reason why you have a pre-boarding pass?" I'm thinking - OK do you think I swiped it from behind the counter. I didn't see you interrogate the guy in the wheel chair? But I politely responded, "Because I'm pregnant" and he waved me through with an annoyed look on his face. Oh well. I was just glad to get on first because James and I got to sit in the front row and we had an extra seat since the flight wasn't full. He was really good on the plane - played with the window, the armrest, the magazines. He could stand and sit on the floor in front of me which was nice. I even changed his diaper in the airplane bathroom. Let me tell you - that was quite an experience and I really would not have done it were it not completely necessary!

We met Jim at the baggage claim and went to meet some of his co-workers for lunch at The Olive Garden. On the way James fell asleep in the car and we're using Jim's mom's car seat and it's not really equipped for him to sleep in so this was what he looked like.....

Sleepy James

All you can eat soup, salad and breadsticks at Olive Garden for $5.95. You just cannot beat that! Yum!

Then it was back to the hotel to unpack and take a nap. They hotel had a pack-n-play that they provided so we didn't have to lug ours. The hotel is great except that there's a train track right behind it and our room overlooks it so about every 30 minutes during our nap the train flew by - blowing it's whistle and scaring me awake. Luckily James didn't notice and slept great.

We went to The Claddagh for dinner. It's an Irish Pub that I'm sure rivals Nine Irish Brothers that Hannabanana always brags about. We ate too quickly to get pics but we'll be going again so I'll have to show you the incredible BBQ Chicken Boxty - oh so good!

Then we window shopped at a couple of places. At Barnes and Noble they had a really cool Thomas the Train table with a whole wooden train set that James loved. He cried when we had to go. I'll definitely be taking him back. Free entertainment - plus good coffee - can't beat that!

Tonight Jim and I will kick back and watch a movie and tomorrow James and I have shopping plans and then some time at the pool in the afternoon. The weather here is great. Hot but not sticky, humid like Nashville.

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