FOOD!

Seems like when you can't or shouldn't eat things you crave, they always come at the worst times. That's me, I realize that I'm not the only woman out there who finds that special little time for munchies...that desperate need for sugar every now and again. But my cravings have gotten so bad...that I've started to dream about food! I've obviously denied myself quite a bit...or others would argue that it's the antithesis of certain foods I'm denying myself from. Well now that must have some psychological ramifications associated with that. Dreaming about food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously!!

Yes, ladies, I've been dreaming about food. Not just, hey I'm hungry; but rather, spending countless hours in the kitchen cooking for people. Why is that?! Now I love a good party, but I'm even looking for reasons to have parties just to cook to curtail this passion or rather this insane desire to eat what I'm cooking. Really?!?! Maybe it's because I've run my diet so rigorous that anything other than what I normally eat is saying...lady we're done with you!

Surely, it must be games my brain is playing on me. I've never heard of a sugar addition, but in all fairness I do try to keep the sugar to a low growl. I don't drink regular sodas and even diet I don't drink as often as I normally would. And really, there's natural sugar in my diet, fruits and veggies. It's all been very strange. I won't be able to indulge until after SOS, and Friday is the last day to find out if I'm going. Justin mentioned having pizza when I get back as most of you know, I love PIZZA. But, it's been lean pockets for me which is the closet I'm getting to pizza. But a short reality popped up in my husbands attempt to make me feel better. My thought was, but we really shouldn't be eating pizza. He said, "well it's not that bad for you once in a while." I love Justin's mind which is one of the many reasons why I married him. But, I still have thoughts on this...if I've given it up, I don't have to eat it anymore. I won't be worried about having a slice like I am now and where those fat cells move to, but really... why eat it. See my struggle...want it don't want it...manifested by dreaming of food. Folks, I think this woman has lost it!

So for my mind's special I want to make the following:

**CUPCAKES! Lavender lemon cupcakes with lemon icing.
a wonderful delightful cat fish sandwich with tartar, spinach and arugula with tomato and cheese.
Fresh lemonade & a twist of lime
**
Anyone want to join me?!?! :-) Has anyone ever felt this way before? hehehe!!

Texas

On Friday we're off to visit family in Texas. I'll have pictures to update, but just wanted to share some fond memories I have about that family.

There is no greater joy than sitting down with family and just talking; reminiscing of things and stories of the past. Learning something about one another or finding the story that makes you laugh until you're in tears. This is what I remember the most about this family. One of my uncles, AL whom is no longer with us use to sit and invite you to join him. A.L. would begin telling a story and you knew you were locked in for several hours; A true story teller!!

One of my simple joys and pleasures is sitting down with mom and granny after not seeing them for a few days. It recharges my batteries, Justin will even come and listen to us talk as he reads. We tell stories on one another, things from the past or even current life stories that we want the other one to enjoy. Same concept, laughter, tears, fears and encouragement! If there is a trait to be learned by Cyra I hope it's to slow down long enough in life and enjoy the wisdom of every age present.

I'm excited about the time to sit and enjoy the stories and I'm excited to see Granny with her siblings!!

Pictures to follow--lots of fun to be had!!

Took a break, breakin' bloggin' back in!

Much like Anitra, I took a break from blogging. For me, things were picking back up and I had to get a schedule under control. Boring isn't so much in for us right now; we've had a lot going on.

As some of you know; I'm preparing for a military class to attend at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. I'm looking forward to the opportunity as it is very selective, only 100 Air Force Civilians are selected to attend, and I was one of those 100. However, it does come with it's share of difficulties. Because it is a military course, I must be in the best physical shape I possibly can. I am responsible for passing a physical fitness test with a score of 75. There are those that will argue, that's not hard, but the AF got a lot meaner with their fitness standards. I have been taking a boot camp class here and it's kicked my butt! But in a good way! :-)

My run has improved drastically, but still has much to improve. As those around me prep their bodies for the changes of pregnancy I consistently ask God to help me with my physical inabilities with meeting these fitness standards. It's a prep and it's been difficult! It's a struggle and a battle. Being fit and healthy are one thing, but I'm learning our bodies stabilize and breaking that stabilization is even more difficult.

My goals are to run the 1.5 in 15 minutes or less...for some that's not hard. For me, my fastest time running a mile was 10minutes. With God all things are possible! We will get there!

My goals for my waist is to come down another 5 inches. I'm also learning that my body isn't made like most women with the hour glass figure. Boy, He made me real special...so again, I know he's sending me to this course, he's given me the difficulties to overcome...and I know with Him all things are possible! I know understand why my jeans fit the way they do...ugh!

My next two goals are to accomplish push-ups and sit-ups. Again, these are more about form than anything else, so again, I'm refining. :-) Yes, with Him all things are possible!

So keep me in your prayers as I continue to push my body to a new set of limits. Each day presents a new struggle or a new muscle that aches. But, we will overcome. There are some days that are filled with doubt, but we just push through it. As Justin says, baby steps!

I will share that in the last two weeks; we've been running. I try to run about 6 to 10 miles a week, and as I progress, I hope to grow more. I once had a friend tell me, "You really learn what your body can do when you push through during a distance run." She wasn't kidding! When you think you have nothing else to give, no other place to pull the strength I ask Jesus to join me in my run. I feel Him when I enter his presence and it's the most awesome experience! Way better than adrenaline/endorphins!! He's given me the strength to push harder. This has been a new way to experience Christ a way I've never experienced before.

Funny how a race for running or an AF course would develop me in my faith with my body as His Temple. God is AWESOME!

Boring

I am spending some time reading blogs; and I realized that I haven't updated ours since our trip to Germany. Although the trip was exciting and a great blessing, I don't have much to report on right now. Our lives are the every day thing that rolls through and we just go along with it -- really rather boring.

I love reading the blogs mostly because this Tante remains in contact with all of her surrogate and real nieces and nephews. It's enjoyable to see the pictures and hear of the learning milestones as they are attained.

Today sitting in church, Pastor Mark finished a series on Capitalizing on moments. Today, was the final segment before beginning next weeks, "The Blues." However, today he discussed having a God job. God Job's are really the job that God gives us to be his servants in whatever way we can. As I sitting there, I think about the new baby that is coming into the world and is blessing the Atkinson Family. I am thrilled as I know there were struggles and certainly some wrestling with God on that subject. But as I look at those around me who have or will have children, I thought. What a cool God job, to be a mommy. Joy Lanford has a cool sticker on her facebook page, "I'm so crafty I make people." She's good at it, and an excellent mother. My point is simple. No matter how "boring" life may seem, there is always a God job for us some where being his servant. It's taken me a few years to overcome and accept the adversity to not having children, but I'll leave that God Job to those women who are great at it. Each of them are...because they've been given the blessing of children, one or many....they have that blessing.
Just like I've been blessed with the responsibility and the places I journeyed in life. I once had someone ask me, how I dealt with the stress and still found time to wear a smile and laugh. The answer although anecdotal was simple, God's in control, I'm just along for the ride.

I found myself to believe that my God Job was my current profession and the witness I bare to those around me. I see a tremendous amount of adversity and chaos at times. Sometimes things make sense, and other times the stress is so tremendous I just want to hide. But, I know that's not what he wants/expects. At least that is what I'm hoping, maybe it's not...I have some thinking to do to resolve the question of, "what is my God Job?"

European Vacation

I got the pictures loaded on to Facebook; but I believe that there are others who read our blog. So for those readers out there in the wild blue yonder, enjoy the picture of our European vacation. We had a blast and it was wonderful to see the family! I miss having quality time with Cyra and oh yeah...Anitra too! But this trip I was super fortunate and was able to have quality time with all three--awesome!

Highlights

Visited Luxembourg City & American Cemetery in Luxembourg. General Patton is buried there and we were able to see his grave. Luxembourg is one of my favorite countries, beautiful and simplistic. It has a very provincial feel in everything, architecture living, colors....all.

Paris. Eifel Tower, Notre Dame, Eifel Tower, Notre Dame, St. Chapael, Walked the Art Mile. Visited the exterior of the Lourve BTW, it is closed on Tuesday's. Ate at wonderful French Cafe's try a party of 7 in a little cafe, they think we're nuts! ha! :-)

Aachen, home and final resting place of Charlemagne the Great. A distant relative of Justin's; unfortunately, we weren't able to get in and see his actual grave, the church had services and we tried many times, yet we had worn out our welcome and NO was the final answer.

Die Altebreurei is a restaurant that my grandfather enjoyed eating at some 40 years ago. Mom and granny remember if fondly. So this time, we paid our respects to probably the best meal we've ever had. Amazing! Grandpa still wins with his impeccable ability to find delicious food.

Mainz. The idea when you get over there is to stay up all day and we did just that. We landed and hit the ground running with the Christkindlemarket in Mainz. Cold, but we had our first official German cuisine -- bratwurst!

Trier is the oldest city in Germany. It also has a ton of Roman ruins still standing, this city is only minutes away from where Anitra lives. WOW!

All-in-all, we had an amazing time. Many of you know we spent our adolescent years overseas. Visiting as an adult was remarkable, the smells i remember, the food, the general feel of the people, all the same. I do have to say, I was disappointed that there is more gang activity and graffiti everywhere. It hurt me to see that, is it because of American influence or is it the natural transition of the country's. I don't know.

Next stop - England/UK! :-)

The Adventures of Ice Skating

Justin's birthday is December 3. Each year he tells me to not get him anything, so typically I spend invested thought into determining what to do for him. This year, I decided we need to experience Ice Skating as a couple. Justin was a super troop, he went along with the antics of keeping a secret. You could tell that he trusted me, but desperately wanted to know what we were doing. We made it to the rink, "ICE SKATING...WOW!" He was excited.

This was the first official time we went skating together. This in fact was only my second, so needless to say I was quite nervous about the adventure. Even the skate monitor told me, "it was time to get off the rail" FINE! :-)

We both had a blast; he said it was the best birthday gift ever - good I was so glad. Enjoy the pictures and video...

Justin's video: Jacquie's video:

Granny got NEW TEETH!

YES!! That's right ladies and gentlemen; granny has new teeth. As most of you know, my grandmother is one of the most beautiful women I've ever met. In her younger days she was exquisite and as with most beauties we have flaws that make us even more enjoyable. I would have to say, Granny's over the years has been her teeth. Granny's vanity is no mystery to anyone, she's know for it.

One day, she and mom are having a discussion about health insurance; specifically dental insurance. I guess Granny believed she didn't need the insurance and was prepared to cancel it. This infuriated mom, someone who doesn't have insurance, and someone who is consistently trying to save a penny (GRANNY) had major conflict on this subject. Fireworks were invoked and well...here's the rest of the story.

A couple days later; granny chipped one of her front teeth - don't ask us how, she just did. She found a new dentist and the dentist played to granny's weakness - her vanity. The dentist commented what a beautiful woman Granny is and that her teeth weren't so beautiful. She recommended crowns for the front of her teeth. Well, the dentist hit her in the right place, and so did the journey for the crowns. Granny is excited she has her dental insurance now - but still does have some expense to this. The pictures are of Granny's new teeth. I must say, she looks so much younger and her smile is more brillant and beautiful than I've seen in a long time.

Enjoy Granny's new TEETH - we do.

OH PS; the day the temporary crowns went in; her upper lip remained swollen; as mom says, she resemebled that of a duck. ha! Yes, we all had our laughs, Anitra heard the story over the phone and lost it completely!

HERE'S GRANNY!