The DODDS

A What-If Mommy

2011-05-17T10:05:00.003-05:00

Last October there was a series going over on the Girl-Talk blog (love it!) that included this article and this article. I highly recommend you read them if you are one of my sweet Mommy friends, or if you are desiring to become a Mommy, or if you are a woman, or even if you are just a regular person!! I was so convicted of the sin of fear in my own life after I read these articles that I was led to do a lot of thinking and repenting and assessing- One of the reasons I took a break from the blog for a while.

This was the last entry I wrote in response before my break in October... but I'm just now posting it:

Are any of my other Mommy friends "worry wart 'what if' freaks of natures" when it comes to your children?!?!

I know I'm not alone in this. I hope I'm not!!! My child is 16 months old and sometimes I still wake up with a start in the middle of the night and go to her room to make sure she is breathing. I remember the first time she threw up, I almost had a stroke. Other times I've allowed my thoughts to get so out of hand that I start to think of all of these horrible things that could happen. And I mean horrible things. I have literally caused myself to sob over the fear that some tragedy would befall Tyler and then I'd have to parent alone. I cry as if he is already gone. It is like I'm practicing my reactions and emotions... just in case it ever happens. My thought is... practiced = prepared. As if crying my eyes out at a pretend scenario would prepare me for horrible tragedy.

Seriously. I'm starting to get annoyed at myself.

But I know I'm not alone.

I never recognized this fear as unbelief until today. This fear is sin.

"God is not sympathetic to my unbelief. Why? Because fear, worry, and unbelief say to God that we don’t really believe He is ‘merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness’ (Psalm 86:15). We are calling God a liar." Carolyn Mahaney

I want to be a mother, a wife, a woman who believes God. Who trusts Him.

I can entrust Aubrey to God. I can trust His character. I can believe that He is always full of grace and compassion. I can believe He is always good. I can believe that He is pursuing me with His mercies, and that when I wake up in the morning they are new. I can believe that His strength is made perfect in this weakness of mine. I can choose to believe God. Because He is magnificently believable. Wonderfully truthful. His grace is sufficient and He's "busy working today's trouble for good."

Amen.

Now it is several months later... my daughter is 23 months old... and I can confidently say that I am free from this sin of fear. It tries to come back sometimes but then I remember that God is believable! I remind myself that He is who He says He is. God is not in the business of trickery. He knows what He is doing! I want to leave a legacy of belief to my children. I want Aubrey to remember me as a woman who believed God. I simply want to walk in freedom!

Sigh.

Thanks for listening today. I wish I could sit across the table with you and hear about your struggles and victories. Love you so...

Bails

Things Aubrey Loves

2011-05-13T14:37:00.000-05:00

I'm back y'all! And I've been having my coffee and drinking it too! So I'm more myself these days!

I love you so much! Just wanted you to know that today! Each of you who share life with us through blog land are so treasured! We love to love you!

I was thinking today about my sweet daughter. So quirky. So fun. Precious.

I wanted to record some things... get things "on paper" if you will. Things that she loves that I don't want to forget! So if you'll humor me...

Right now... my almost two year old (eek) Aubrey Grace loves...

Sidewalk chalk and her ABC's - she knows all of them plus the sound that each letter makes... genius!

Reading

Art... in any form... but she especially loves stickers

Cheerios... with milk... like a big girl.

The park... and really just being outside in general.

Going through my drawers. Which isn't always good, but there are worse things I guess.

I think that might be my motto as a Mom: "There are worse things."

I say it at least twice a day... it keeps me sane.

Her uncle Riley Isaac.

My jewlery. Again.. there are worse things.

The swing.

And others that I haven't captured in a photo...

Numbers... she can count to 20!

Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches

Puppies

Singing Songs

Veggie Tales

Going "bye bye"

Cars, Trucks, and anything with wheels

She is so much fun!!

Have a great weekend!

Bails

A Day Without Coffee

2011-05-10T19:48:00.002-05:00

Hello... my name is... is... is...

What is my name? Someone please help because I've lost it along with all of my wits and patience today.

TDodds thought that this would be a good week to do a "cleanse." I'm sorry to talk about this y'all, but it is what it is! We try to do one about once a year, and it's always totally worth it. I'm always on board and excited and totally supportive. We actually don't start until tomorrow but I decided that today I might want to take it easy and ease myself into this so called "cleanse."

So being the rule follower that I am, I decided to pass on my morning cup of coffee (more like two or three). By 9 o'clock I had a splitting headache. By 10 o'clock I thought I was going to burst into tears for no reason. By 11 o'clock I just wanted to curl up and sleep. All I could think about was soft down comforters and fuzzy socks. A problem for a girl who just had to get some things done! Aubrey was at parent's day out which was certainly a blessing, but I still had things to do.

Somehow me and my muddy brain trudged through the morning and into the early afternoon until it was time to pick up Aubrey. The muddled brain and I drove to the church where Aubrey is schooled and by God's grace made it back to the car. Aubrey was in a fabulous mood... so excited about life... so I thought maybe we both needed a treat.

I drove to a little shop and purchased yummy fruit smoothies for both of us. I told Aubrey it was ice cream... she had no idea she was having blueberries and pomegranates - wonderful antioxidants! I say that, so I can feel better about what's to come. The antioxidants were my shining moment of the day.

We buckled in the car and were tootling home when from the back seat I hear a soft, "oh no ice cream... ohhhhh my goodness.... ice cream what are you doing... uh oh." I mean so soft that I could barely hear her. Almost as if she were trying to convince the "ice cream" to do something that clearly it did not want to do. I look into my rearview mirror in time to see all of the antioxidants spilling out of the bottom of the cup all over the back seat of my car and ALL OVER (It's in caps so you can see how serious I am) Aubrey. Dark plum colored smoothie... everywhere. Somehow she had poked a whole in the bottom of her cup.

I pulled the car over and much to her dismay, pried the smoothie with antioxidants out of Aubrey's hands... then we drove the rest of the way home. There was nothing I could do to clean it up on the side of the road, so we just rolled with it. Literally. Oh dear.

When we arrived home, I stripped Aubrey down to her diaper in the driveway and then tried to clean up the car the best I could. I know it could be much worse, so please don't roll your eyes, but it was a nightmare!

If I'd let myself have a cup of coffee... I would have felt like taking pictures of the ordeal. If I'd let myself have a cup of coffee... the ordeal never would have happened.

And I still have a headache.

Love you all to pieces!

Bails

2011-05-06T14:44:00.003-05:00

Today is TDodds' birthday.

He seems to believe it's not a big deal.

I on the other hand, LOVE birthdays and think they are so much fun to celebrate!

We started our celebrations yesterday with a lunch date to one of our favorite places, Genghis Grill. You build your own bowl with raw ingredients and then you drop your concoction off at the grill, they cook it, and then bring it to your table! Tyler has perfected a custom recipe that is seriously out of this world. If he wasn't so talented in other areas, he would most certainly be a chef. He loves to cook... I lucked out on that deal!

After lunch, and a coffee pit stop, Ty went back to the office and I ran some errands before I picked Aubrey up from Parent's Day Out. I had a quick meeting and then we came home and made Daddy birthday cards!

Every once in a while Aubrey calls Tyler Daddy-O and I think it's the cutest thing ever!

After Daddy got home from the office, we showed him our cards and then we went to have dinner and cake with my rents. I had picked up the cookie cake earlier that afternoon. I asked for a guitar made of icing to be put on top and I personally think it's one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen. The sweet lady behind the cookie counter showed it to me and I exclaimed, "It's perfect!!" For it is! Perfectly "not quite right."

Can't you just feel the excitement?? We sang the birthday song, with harmonies, and made him blow out candles.

Tyler has been working in he studio all day, but we have a fun date planned for later!!

He's truly the most amazing, hilarious, fun, and kind man I've ever had the privilege to know. I love celebrating his birthday even if he doesn't, because it's a day to celebrate how special he is to me. To show him that he is so very very special.

Happy Birthday TDodds!

Bails

Hairspray

2011-04-30T13:57:00.003-05:00

I have to admit that I'm not feeling very inspired to write on the blog today! It's just been an extremely mundane, highly uninspiring day! But please know that I love you, and because of that I do want to tell you about our life! So, in order to use less words, I thought I'd just share some pictures from a fun date night with friends! And then maybe tomorrow or Thursday, after I've had a good night's rest and several cups of coffee I'll share something more you can sink your teeth into!

We went and saw Hairspray at our community theater the other night. We had a BLAST! Seriously. The theater with friends is like 20 times more fun than going by yourself! You can laugh out loud together, roll your eyes all at the same time, or high five... Just whatever!!

I wish we could have rented out the whole theater and invited each of you! How amazingly fun would that be!?

Maybe someday!

Just some BFF's!

Me and my man... he's so cute y'all.

Hope your week is going well.

Love ya!!!

Bails

Easter Review

2011-04-27T14:35:00.006-05:00

Our Easter celebrations were a little different this year now that we have four Sunday services at church. Since we serve in the worship ministry, we are there for each of those services. Makes for a long day! Most Sundays we come home after the second service with a take-out lunch and then nap before we are back at church for the third service at 5. So needless to say, we didn't have a huge Easter dinner... But... we did celebrate!

The fun started on Thursday at Aubrey's "Parent's Day Out" Easter party. She had a BLAST gathering eggs. There she is running as fast as her little legs would carry her in the yellow shirt.

She would not EVER look at me for a sweet picture. Oh well! She got LOTS of eggs!

It was SO hot. Aubrey has been blessed with the issue of turning very red in the face when she is hot. Like her Mother. Bless her heart.

Attitude. She was so aggravated. It was like 2 o'clock and she had yet to nap.

She had a blast the rest of the weekend playing with her plastic eggs in the backyard. She would dump them out and yell... OK FIND THEM!!! And then gather them back up into her bucket.

Saturday evening, we had a special "family" dinner for some sweet friends who are adopting a precious baby boy. It wasn't necessarily an Easter dinner... but talks centered around Jesus certainly took place. And of course we definitely feasted! We had an old fashioned southern pot-luck dinner. It was THE BOMB. Do people still say... "the bomb?" Seriously though... so much fun! Eric was back there making homemade ice cream. We were all very proud of ourselves!

Sarah- the Mommy to be, Aubrey, and Ashley!

Aubrey received far more attention than is probably healthy.

Sarah and Jon... the new parents!

The Family... we were missing a few... but for the most part we were all there. And TDodds was taking the photo.

These next two photos were taken before we left the house for church. Aubrey was eating and bribing her with food was the only way to get her to stand still.

We had a wonderful weekend! I'm sure you all did too!

Love ya!

Bails

Wobbly Knees and a Grateful Heart

2011-04-26T22:30:00.000-05:00

TDodds and I went on a little getaway trip last month. We desperately needed some time away together. To dream. To remember. To think. As you might recall, we love adventure... but lately, we enjoy adventure in much smaller doses. Sigh. Life. We LOVE traveling to see amazing things that God has created and we usually end up in tears marveling over His handy work.

On our way to stay in Ruidoso, NM, we took a little detour and stopped by the Carlsbad Caverns. Tyler had never been, and the last time I went I was in the third grade wearing purple scrunch socks, bike shorts, and a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt. I think I had a fanny pack... but we won't go there.

We bravely decided to hike from the mouth of the cave down hundreds of feet to the bottom. I remembered there was a nice walking trail and it seemed to be really simple for my 3rd grade self, so why not?!?!

I think I said something like, "Oh sure! They say that to everyone! We are an adorable, 26 year old, vivacious couple! The hike can't be that strenuous and we certainly won't get weak knees!" I have to confess our pride... we took this photo because we thought it was really funny that they would put up such a ridiculous warning. About the time we were giggling about the sign, a very serious looking woman trudged past us dressed in hiking boots and khaki shorts with a camel bag for drinking water strapped to her back. I remember raising my eyebrows at TDodds' thinking... she's either a strict rule follower, or she's done this before. Might I mention we hadn't even made it to the mouth of the caverns yet. Oh pride.

It was so dark! And deep! And the trails were incredibly steep. We were half laughing... half crying by the time we reached the bottom. My knees were so wobbly I forgot what it was like to have regular knees.

But all sarcasm and silliness aside... the caverns are BEAUTIFUL. It was wonderful to see them as an adult, and the strenuous hike was well worth it! I was struck by the gigantic size of everything! And then I read in a brochure that the caverns have still not been completely explored. There is still more to be discovered! When I see the works of the Lords hands, gratitude wells in my heart. He reminds me of who He is! I can't explain the sheer wonder that I feel. It's rejuvenating and wonderfully relaxing. Anyone who is spurred to worship God by seeing his creation can understand!

Of course our sad iPhone photos don't do the scenes a bit of justice... but our knees were to wobbly and weak to snap many shots.

Changing subjects for a spell... where else could you find these works of art except for in New Mexico?? I think whoever the artist was missed the memo about "little green men." These guys were about 10 feet tall and carved out of tree trunks! Creepy.
After our Carlsbad excursion, we drove to Ruidoso and had a wonderful time. We had so much fun together talking and planning and scheming. We ate at the most wonderful places and shopped at the cutest boutiques! These were the only two photos we took the rest of the weekend. One night we were feeling extra sophisticated so we ordered an "everything on it" pizza and watched Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives on the Food Network for about four hours. Bliss.

How about you?? Been on any adventures lately??

Love ya to bits,

Bails

Happy Easter!

2011-04-23T14:00:00.000-05:00

These photos are from TDodds' trip to Israel this past Decemeber...

Can you tell what this is??

Golgotha.

The Place of the Skull

I shudder every time I see it.

The tomb... if you look closely at the wall, you can see where a very large stone would have been rolled to cover the opening...

They aren't sure exactly where he would have laid, because (sorry for my frankness) there would have been multiple bodies here at a time. Remember that Jesus was given a place to be buried since He had none. But as we know... He didn't stay there for long.

INDEED!!!!

He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations - starting from here, from Jerusalem! Luke 24:46,47

A total life-change!

Our friend and one of our pastors, Mike Goeke, says it much better than I can in an article he wrote for our local paper! I hope you are as blessed by his words today as I was!!

Love you all more than ever!!

Bails

The Wonderful, Slightly Quirky...

2011-04-21T21:08:00.005-05:00

World of Aubrey Grace!

This was taken at Christmas! Look at her adorable jammies and cupcake slippers!

I have matching jammies.

Oh my word... did I just admit that to the world?

I'm one of those Moms??

I think I'm feverish

I love them.

This is the toodle-bug with her "coffee" pot. Clearly it's a tea set... but she has no idea. She's very very proud of being able to drink coffee with Mommy and Daddy. She'll come "refill" my coffee cup most mornings. And I usually shower her with thanks and praises because of course I always want a refill from a cutie pie holding a smiling pink tea pot.

I know the first thing you saw was the face. How can you not giggle? I'm laughing more though at the random stickers and the bracelet that she just had to wear to the dinner table that she stole out of my jewlery box. She LOVES accessories. Girl to the core! Aunt Ashley taught her this face! We are forever grateful. ((Natalie... can you spot my Scentsy??? Honey Pear Cider... the scent of the Dodds' home. Accept lately I've been trying Mochachino... It's amazing!))

Jeggings!!

Baby Girl loves to brush her teeth more than most dentists. She'd brush them for hours if we let her. I might have accidentally allowed that a time or two.

We aren't really sure why she likes to do this. But she'll walk around the house and inform us that she's wearing her "jacket." We just say, "Ok Sister Mary Clarence."

Cheeeeeeese.

She also will only wear her sunglasses upside down.

We love art!!! Seriously! And she's very talented!!

And I am also becoming quite talented... just look at my Larry! I've become quite proficient in drawing all of the Veggie Tales characters.

You gotta do whatcha gotta do!

Ya know it??

Somehow this Larry sprouted wings.

We love her... we love her... can't get enough of her!!!!

Happy Day!

Bails

Blogging Sabbatical OVER!

2011-04-18T14:27:00.004-05:00

OH MY HAVE I MISSED YOU!!!!

Seriously.

What happened to me you ask?

I think it's important every once in a while to question why we do the things that we do. One of my many questions was... Do I blog because I really want to be an encouragement... or because I want people to like me?? Has my blog become an idol?? Chilling thoughts indeed!

So I decided to take a break for a while to pray and test my motives.

To make a long story short... I'm back! And we have lots of catching up to do!! Really important things have happened in my life over these last six months!

For example - I have bangs! Cute bangs.

And Aubrey Grace is almost two... and she's quite the ball of energy. Can you believe it??

We are going to be changing things around the blog over the next few weeks and we will even be moving to a different website! So please stick with us!!

I'll post lots of pictures over the next week or so updating you on our oh so exciting and yet mundane life!

Love you so and can't wait to chat,

Bails

Brownies. Butterscotch Brownies!

2010-10-18T14:32:00.002-05:00

I met Natalie for the first time when her husband came on staff at our church as my youth pastor. It was the summer before my 11th grade year. Trent and Natalie moved to Midland from Sarepta, LA. Which happened to be where Tyler Dodds lived at the time, with his parents, attending high school. Tyler's Dad was the pastor at New Sarepta Baptist Church, where Trent was the youth pastor prior to moving to Midland. Confused yet?

God is very creative.

He is.

I had an embarrassing moment when they first moved... so embarrassing I can't relay it to you.... but it's hilarious. It included my parents and Trent and Natalie, and a conversation. And although my 16 year old self was completely mortified... that instance forever solidified our relationship. Natalie and I hit it off almost instantly, although she probably had a hard time pulling answers to questions and conversation out of my shy facade.

The summer after my 11th grade year... Tyler Dodds' came to visit.

And eventually we fell in love. Ok so it was almost instant... but whatever. There is so much more to that story.

Anyways... bringing this back to brownies. Natalie has always been my hero. She has taught me more than anyone else about hospitality and keeping a home and being a wife and mother without even trying to teach me. She has spoken and displayed being like "Mary" and not like "Martha" (from Luke chapter 10) more to me than anyone else. When I was younger and newly married, I would all but study her when we went to their house to visit (they live in the Dallas area now). My favorite thing about the way she keeps a home, is that she doesn't care if everything is perfect. And yet her house is always cozy, clean, and inviting. And it always smells AMAZING. Which makes for a wonderfully comfortable environment. She is known for her arsenal of desserts that she whips up when we are there. Simple things like Monkey bread, cake cookies, and the FAMOUS butterscotch brownies.

The first time she gave me her recipe, I copied it myself onto a 3x5 card and when we arrived home from Dallas, I all but ran to the kitchen. My brownies turned out HORRIBLY. I am not kidding... we could have used them as hockey pucks. My pride was terribly bruised and had to be healed before I tried again. Every time I made them after that... which was two more times... they turned out exactly the same. Hockey puck, hard as rock brownies. I think we threw them into the duck pond. I think. Or maybe I know. It was healing OK?!

So... when we went to visit the Brown's last month, I demanded an answer. I accused her of sabotaging this young wife... and told her we were supposed to be friends. She gave me the secret. One she thought I always knew but didn't!!

I came home to Midland and made these... perfectly... delicious... wonderful... butterscotch brownies. That don't actually taste like butterscotch at all. Just sugary, buttery heaven.

I'm going to have to revise her recipe from this (my very favorite) New Sarepta, LA Baptist cook book. It's only right. She has sabotaged the whole world.

Side note... our favorite breakfast pizza comes from this cook book. YUM!

Here is the original recipe.

And here is how the directions should read:

Microwave butter and brown sugar TOGETHER (this is the secret that I didn't know!) in a microwave safe bowl until melted. But not cooked. Stir together. In a separate small bowl whisk eggs together. Temper the eggs by adding a little of the hot sugar/butter mixture to the small bowl. You do not want to cook your eggs (I think this was another one of my mistakes. Scrambled eggs in the batter. Sick.). Once the eggs warm a bit, add them plus the vanilla to the sugar and butter. In ANOTHER bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. To the sugar mixture, slowly add the flour mixture, thoroughly combining. Pour batter into a greased 13x9 pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE. This is so very important. If you have a tendency to overbake... set the timer for 22 minutes! Cool in pan... and eat 5 of them at a time.

The world is a better place now.

I love you Natalie.

Bails

A Chair for Aubrey Grace

2010-10-13T14:49:00.005-05:00

Everyone needs a chair. You know. A chair of your very own. Where you can sip coffee and work on your Bible Study or pour over the latest Pottery Barn catalogue. A cozy chair where your favorite quilt is draped over the arm just begging to be wrapped around you.

This is my chair. Trust me. It's the best.

Aubrey's great grandmother gave her the most wonderful gift this week.

A special chair of her very own.

I wish I could capture how wonderfully proud of her little rocking chair she is. But I haven't been able to. She leans over and grabs books out of her basket and then places them in her small lap and reads. It's precious. It's my favorite thing.

Love ya!

Bails

A bit of randomness...

2010-10-11T09:38:00.004-05:00

What a week. Or month rather!

This past weekend we celebrated our BFF's Jeff and Crystal's wedding! Seriously... one of the most amazing weddings I've ever been to. Maybe it's because they are some of our best friends, or maybe because TDodds provided the wedding music. It was PRECIOUS. I cried my eyes out. I think we all did. It was beyond perfect. The whole "family" (our bestest friends) was in town and so we had a major blast spending time with all of them. Oh for the day that all of us might live in the same town again! Sigh. I did not take out my camera one time this weekend because if I had to keep up with one more thing my mind would have just exploded. Just trust me... we had so so much fun! The wedding was Saturday and after the reception we all changed into comfy clothes and then met at Carino's for dinner. We asked to be put on the patio were the 15 of us could talk and laugh without disturbing anyone else! Then we headed to our house where we kicked up the fire pit and sat around munching on smores and laughing 'til our sides hurt. We are so blessed truly.

The beautiful bride and groom... we missed you two at family dinner Sat. night!!

This is totally random... but I'm just being a random blogger. That's OK right?! This is my blog... I can do what I want!

Look at my daughter. Isn't she the cutest ever?! I bought her a pair of skinny jeans. Her forever long legs look just darling in them.

Hi sweetie. You are so precious. Not because of your skinny jeans. You just are.

I love you to the moon!

Bails

A Rant and Rave

2010-10-06T14:19:00.005-05:00

I'm still alive.

It was touch and go there for a few days.

I know I shouldn't joke about things like that. Especially on my blog, where people read and may not really know me.

But I seriously felt like I was going to lose it or have a stroke last week.

I just knew that TDodds would come home and find me curled up in the fetal position in the kitchen, and he'd have to truck me to the looney bin.

My precious little Aubrey Grace is cutting 8 teeth. DID YOU HEAR ME?!

EIGHT teeth at one time. I did not even know that was possible. If you are a mother, you know that even cutting one tooth at a time can be torture.

I have never seen my blessed little angel child act like... like... well like she was cutting 8 teeth.

She has been so clingy and needy. I've hardly done anything, because if I release her from my grasp she dissolves into the most pitiful screaming tears. Screaming being the operative word here. It's amazing that I've washed my hair in the last week.

But when I think about her being so uncomfortable, I really think I would act the same way. If I could get away with it!

And I would probably want to watch Sesame Street, and Veggie Tales, and Baby Einstein too just to keep my mind off of my pain.

And I would probably need my Mommy and Daddy close, just to know that it will be alright.

So I'm OK.

Someday she might be too old, or embarrassed, or ashamed to come dissolve into our arms with tears streaming down her face when she's in pain.

Please Jesus let it not be so. Help me to never become a grumbler. One who turns away from You when things are difficult. Please allow us the privilege of pointing Aubrey to Your safe place. You say it's the shadow under Your wings. What a beautiful picture. The place where she will certainly be comforted and restored.

For now... although my blood pressure has to be 1000/1,000,000... I'll hold her close and pray that those teeth come in quickly and that she will bounce back to being our vibrant, bouncy, loud little toddler.

And I'll hope and beg that she'll never be too old, or ashamed to come to me.

And I'll keep running back to my Father who will dry my tears, and give me the ability and sanity to dry hers.

Love each of you,

Bails

A Little Speedracer

2010-09-29T11:10:00.000-05:00

I have begun to call her Speedracer. These photos were taken over the course of a day. I realize she has on several outfits... but it is what it is y'all.

The Speedracer is always busy.

Hi Speedracer!

Oh look... a book... how 'bout that.

Side note: I finally captured a giggle!!

Oh look now... the Speedracer has discovered all of my straws that I thought I had hidden. I couldn't get her to look at me, because she was too busy "tasting" each of the straws. Don't worry friends... I disposed of them after she slimed them.

This toy was a hand-me-down from a friend, but it's probably one of the coolest things we have. I have no idea what it's called... but you can play the drums and the little keyboard, and it plays all sorts of music and even makes animal sounds. Speedracer loves it!

Are y'all singing the song in your head yet? Go Speedracer... Go Speedracer... Go Speedracer... GOOOOOO!

Love ya to bits and shrivels.

Bails

Finally Some Time Away!

2010-09-27T13:17:00.006-05:00

We went to DFW this past weekend. Of course. It's where some of our BFF's live! We laughed with them, and even shed a few tears with them! It was healing, and so encouraging! We really do have the best friends!

We had never been to the stockyards and thought it might be a fun and interesting place to visit. It was kind of neat. But it was so HUMID and hot outside that we were slightly miserable! But, we had a lot of fun with our friends the Clark's!

Hi Loves.

Here come the longhorns!! We really thought Aubrey would be so excited about this! The big cows walking down the street. They were huge!

I think she just thought it was weird.

Goodbye. You are so big that you are kind of scary.

Aubrey's face here is cracking me up! Here we are by some of the old animal pens.

After a leisurely afternoon, lots of in depth conversation, and dinner at PF Changs in downtown Ft. Worth... we had dessert at a way fun build your own yogurt bar, Menchie's.

The Dodds minus one member...

Oh there she is... throwing a fit.

That's more like it!

The Clark's

The next day we did a little shopping. And we did eventually make it to The Children's Place, and had so much fun!

I love you IKEA til the end of time.

After some shopping, we headed north to the Brown's house. We ate supper with them and talked well into the wee hours of the night. What a blessing. Truly.

Trent is the pastor at Gateway Fellowship church in Royse City, TX.

We rose early Sunday morning to head to church. The service was wonderful! Then we had a big lunch at Snuffer's! I had a green chile cheeseburger and fried pickles! Delicious.

I gave Aubrey a lemon. I think she thought it was as weird as the longhorns.

Meaghan is precious, and beautiful, and I think Aubrey was just so taken with her!

Trent and Natalie

The girls... This might be one of my all time favorite photos. Too bad my face is covered.

Oh well. Maybe next time we can get a better shot!

The guys... oh my.

We are so very blessed with the friends that we have.

And we were so blessed by all of them this weekend!

Bails

This Time Last Year

2010-09-24T09:19:00.000-05:00

The first thing I noticed about this time last year was our wardrobe! The weather must have already turned cold! It's still topping out around 90 degrees or so this week. And I'm ready for that change!

TDodds' was about to go on staff at the church and we were beside ourselves with excitement.

I'm positive that I had already pulled out my fall recipes for things like pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin spice lattes.

Aubrey Grace was 3 months old, and had just started eating solid foods. She was barely rolling over, and not sitting up yet. We were just beginning to see a little of her personality begin to seep to the surface.

Can you believe how much she's grown?! It is almost unbelievable!

The Lord has blessed us so very much this year, but it certainly hasn't come without trial. We are ever thankful for what He has done, and for what He continues to do!

What were y'all doing this time last year?

Love you friends!

Bails

From Our Weekend

2010-09-20T14:14:00.004-05:00

We had kind of a junk food weekend. Don't judge.

We had delicious fish and fresh asparagus last night to make up for it!

This was our homemade pizza from Friday night! It was wonderful, but the crust was a little thick for my taste. TDodds likes overly thick crust, but I like mine cracker thin. I caved on Friday night. I guess we could make two pizzas. Hm. What a novel idea! TDodds side has jalepenos. Gross.

And please don't judge my stove... that burner up there is just sad. So sad. I clean sometimes.

My little brother Riley spent the night with us Friday, and he and Aubrey had a blast taking out EVERY toy we own... even the ones I hadn't seen in months... the ones I had forgotten about... and covered the living room floor with them. We went to the library and rented Wall-E to watch while eating our pizza. Which is such an adorable movie. I think we watched it three... no four... times.

Of course, a party is not complete without a Larry Boy hat.

Saturday morning... toys still covering the floor... after pancakes (more healthy eating) we watched more movies! They stayed in this position for about 30 minutes. Every so often Aubrey would gaze up at Riley as if he was the coolest, most wonderful kid she'd ever seen.

Precious.

Hope your Tuesday is wonderful.

Bails

Because We Love French Fries

2010-09-20T13:50:00.002-05:00

Warning: This blog post contains a recipe that will most certainly sabotage your healthy diet.

That's what friends are for.

The other day I received my October addition of the "Every Day with Rachael Ray" magazine in the mail, and my eyes and taste buds were immediately drawn to this recipe. You can click on the pic to make it larger if you'd like to copy it... or you can go get the magazine. Anyways... I went that evening to get the ingredients to make this snack along with a movie. It was a perfect "stay inside and watch a movie with your man" snack. While we were eating it, TDodds looked at me and said, "this would be an amazing seasoning for fries."

For the french fries... mix the seasoning up, but only use 1 tblspn of chives. And of course, leave out the butter and cheese. And you should certainly season to taste, we didn't use all of our seasoning.

So last night we tried it. Or should I say, TDodds tried it. I spent the better part of the hour, cleaning up the dirty dishes and keeping Aubrey Grace away from the stove.

BOY HOWDY. I heart you.

Everything in moderation right?!

And just to defend ourselves further... I heard a nutritionist say on the Rachael Ray show... or maybe Oprah... or was it the Today show... that if you want junk food... make it yourself... that way you have it a lot less!

These were the fries of my life. OF. MY. LIFE. Nothing could compare to them now. I scoff at all other french fries. Their attempts at being a real french fry are pitiful.

We dipped them in homemade ranch.

BUT... we ate them with turkey burgers.

TDodds' is a culinary genius really.

He certainly is.

That is all.

Bails

One more thing... the key to a crispy delicious french fry is to dissolve 1/3 cup of sugar into a bowl full of lukewarm water and soak the peeled and sliced potato strips for about 20 minutes. Then, drain the water and dry the potatoes with paper towels or dish cloths. Fry the strips in batches in a couple inches of oil, and try to keep the oil temp at around 350 degrees. Drain on paper towels. And if you have an iron skillet... they will taste better. Really.

Jackpot at the Goodwill

2010-09-15T13:33:00.004-05:00

I am unashamed.

Seriously?! This is awesome.

Over the course of two trips... less than $10!! And I also got like 5 or 6 other adorable board books, and a couple of pairs of leggings for the child...

Oh yes... that's a Beth Moore book, 2 Old Navy dresses, and a Gap cardigan!

Sorry for being "that girl." You know... "that" one?!

I will allow you to interpret that however you wish!

Love you to bits!

Bails

Story of Our Lives

2010-09-15T10:22:00.004-05:00

There are books EVERYWHERE. ALL the time. Strewn all over the house. Picking them all up towards the end of the day is a continuous thorn in my heel.

But I'm OK with that. I want my child to be a book worm.

Aubrey can say the words, "book" and "story" and it's adorable.

She will carry a book that she really wants to read with me or her Daddy all through the house saying... "book, book, story, book"... until we pull her into our lap and read with her. Which usually doesn't take long. It is our joy to pull her into our laps to read!

What are some of your favorite books to read with your children?? We are always looking for some new, fun books!

Love you all!

Bails

Monday Randomness

2010-09-13T08:29:00.000-05:00

How was your weekend!? Mine was really wonderful! Tyler was working on a project, so Aubrey and I had some good girl time. Not to mention on Friday my Mom and I got to spend the whole afternoon... by ourselves!! It was fantastic! We had lunch and did some shopping. It was heavenly.

I spent 2 1/2 hours at the store last Wednesday. Aubrey was so sweet. She played with a bag of chocolate chips and a can of mandarin oranges the whole time. We eat very healthy.

It's the mundane weeks that make me the most exhausted. Can I get an Amen from my Mommy friends. Does anyone else experience this!? I truly love these weeks... but I also really thrive on having a few things on my schedule. A few trips here and there out of the house!

Speaking of trips... we decided to go see friends in DFW for our little family trip! We thought... what's the point of going on a trip if we can't have fun and deep conversation with friends!? My only goal is to do some shopping for Aubrey at Children's Place. I've been saving my pennies and Aubrey has officially grown out of most everything she owns. That happened like last week! You should see the pant legs on her pajamas. They look like capris. I did a little shopping this past weekend for some basics, but I'm holding out. This is totally silly... and yes worldly and materialistic... but I was on the Children's Place site yesterday and was drooling. Just look at some of this...

This little dress with some black leggings and metallic flats!

Look at this outfit! Oh my word. We could probably get by without the boots and hat... but the jacket!? Yes please.

This little top with skinny jeans and sneakers!

See what I mean!?

Besides Children's Place, my only hope is to have a relaxing blast with our friends!

I'm such a dork!

We have a busy week ahead... YAY!

I have to go. I think Aubrey just ate a bug.

Bails

Some Encouragement.

2010-09-08T07:49:00.003-05:00

Good Morning Sweet Friends.

I can't say I totally know how this post will turn out!

I'm thoroughly excited for a new season... in nature... and in life I guess you could say.

As a family, we started what I'm calling our "super busy yet fun fall schedule" last night.

I'm excited for some structure, and that Aubrey and I will be getting out of the house. But even more than that, I'm excited to be in a Bible study and a MOMS group with girls from our church. And we are involved in a lot of team building activities for our Praise Team that I'm just ecstatic about.

We chose not to put Aubrey in a Mother's Day Out program this semester, since she had not been walking. Not that it's your business, or that you care, but I think we will next semester. Every single solitary person I have ever spoken to regarding a Mother's Day Out says they are wonderful, and that I should definitely do it, and not feel guilty. I will say that it would be nice to go to the grocery store by myself.

I talk like that's all I do.

Some weeks I feel like it is.

Anyways... changing subjects... quite drastically... I just wanted to encourage you. Not that I am so arrogant to believe that my story could "help" you... I just think it's so encouraging to share burdens, and victories... and to know that we are certainly NOT alone...

This past summer has been quite a spiritual roller coaster for me I guess you could say. I might tell you more later, but most of the ups and downs were rooted in the discovery that I'm not as great as I thought I was! HA. I was 9 years old when I was saved. Old enough to understand and believe in Jesus' death and resurrection. Too young... at least for me... to understand exactly what I was being saved from, for I had not yet lived life. SO, at the beginning of the summer I prayed this silly prayer that our pastor had challenged us to pray months before... "Lord, show me the ugliness of my sin." HA again. I'm just laughing at my naivete... as if my sin wasn't that ugly... as if I could handle it. Obviously, I have a tremendous issue with pride. Anyways, to make a very long story short... the Lord answered that prayer, and I have been in a tailspin all summer... reeling from this discovery that my heart is sometimes just ugly. So ugly. But I want it to be pretty! I want to be cute... gasp... I want to be perfect! Good luck with that Bails. I know that I am redeemed. I know that, but I needed to see what I have been saved from. The Lord is slowly mending the brokenness in my heart over my sin. I feel that He began this morning by reminding me of this... and I believe that wherever you are in your walk with Jesus... this is for you as well...

"God chose me, in Him, before the foundation of the world, that I would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined me to adoption as His daughter, through Jesus Christ, to Himself according to the kind intention of His will... In Him, I have redemption through Jesus' blood... the forgiveness of my trespasses according to the riches of His grace which he lavishes on me." Ephesians 1:4-8 paraphrased

He lavishes His grace on me. And on you sweet ones.

Love you so,
Bails

Walking

2010-09-06T10:26:00.002-05:00

Aubrey Grace is officially walking.

Sort of.

Yesterday, she just stood up and took off.

Today it's as if she has forgotten everything!

Yesterday, we were eating lunch with our friends Jeff and Crystal and looked over into the living room where Aubrey was playing and she was literally just walking around. We knew it would happen like this, for we have a very independent little girl! To say the least.

But she is so totally sweet at the same time. She loves to cuddle up with her books in my lap. She would sit there for hours if I allowed it. But my throat gets so very dry, my eyes tear up, and my brain begins to malfunction from reading the same books over and over and over again! I seriously have most of them completely memorized. One time TDodds quizzed me. I can recite Goodnight Moon, The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar, 10 Little Ladybugs, and several other books word for word. I hope you don't hear me bragging for I'm literally laughing out loud right now. We read. A lot. I'm not even sure that all makes sense, or why I felt the need to tell you that... but you are tracking with me, right!?

Does the exclamation come before the question mark, or is it the other way around?!

I just Googled it. The question mark comes first to indicate a question. Then the exclamation point.

As I was saying, we always knew that eventually Aubrey would just get up and walk on her own. She would push us away when we would try to walk with her, holding her hands. And she would stiffen her body and just lie on the ground if you ever tried to pull her up into a standing position. We were right. She figured it out on her own.

I felt such a feeling of pride and at the same time extreme sadness that my little one is really no longer a sweet tiny baby. She's growing into a vivacious, beautiful little girl who is all mine, and I love it!

I hope that you are truly enjoying your day off of work or school!

Love you all!
Bails

A Tent for Aubrey Grace

2010-09-02T09:54:00.000-05:00

Aubrey really really really likes to play under the table. I have no idea why. But it's funny. So I decided to make it extra excited and thrilling for her. It was hilarious, and she loved it.

Toys, books, flashlight, sippy cup... I mean what else do you really need!?

We had at least 15 minutes of solid play time under the table. Which I pen as one of my greatest successes in Motherhood so far.

Love you all to bits.

Bails

A Random, Dull Monday

2010-08-30T16:39:00.003-05:00

To my eternal delight, I just finished my grocery list. It is long. Do you ever have those weeks where you are out of EVERYTHING all at once? Welcome to my world. I am known to go to the store and forget 5 or 6 things that were written on my list. I usually don't forget to write them onto my list... somehow they don't end up in my basket. TDodds believes this is because I don't use a pen while at the store to mark things off my list. Hm... Well have you tried to use a pen with a very curious, incredibly active little girl sitting inches away from your hands?? One time at the store this same curious little girl somehow took possession of my list and ATE half of it while I was reading the nutritional facts on something. I just giggled hysterically and nervously afraid someone would turn me in to Child Protective Services, while she smiled a very pleased with herself smile. So no. A pen is a bad idea.

So, I'm done with my grocery list.

Today is Monday.

I like dull Mondays because they give me a chance to gather my wits after a busy weekend! We spent some time with friends Saturday night and had Pioneer Woman's Texas Sheet Cake. Oh my word. I didn't make it, I'm scared of it. I shouldn't EVER have it in my house. It's dangerous. TDodds spent all day Saturday fixing our leaky kitchen sink. Bless his heart. Yesterday we had church. Worship was A-MA-ZING. I felt so so blessed and honored to be apart. I was singing in the choir... but I felt honored all the same! Last night, we had our Praise and Communion service with baptism. And following that, "Family Fun Night!!" Complete with hotdogs, sodas, and jumpers for the kids. Everyone just picnicked on the lawn. It was a blast and the weather was good. It wasn't 1000 degrees, and there was a nice breeze!

This afternoon, cuddled in my chair with some coffee, I was able to catch up on some of my friend's blogs! I hadn't had a chance to do that in a while! You would love my friends...

Megan is a friend who is doing mission work as a nurse in India for the next few weeks. She's been there for a couple of weeks now. She is precious. I've already bawled my eyes out over some of her stories. And giggled a little. And raised my fist in the air in victory over her triumphs. I have been praying fervently for her.

I was laughing over Amber's description of Texas in fall. SO TRUE. I'm a little jealous that she's getting to experience a real live autumn this year in Missouri. And the wreath that she made is so cute!

I'm ready for fall too Molly! Do you think it will ever get here!!?? I love your headbands!

As soon as it hits 70 degrees... or maybe 80 would be fair... I'm going to make this recipe and also one I found in one of my cookbooks for Gingerbread Lattes. Yes please!!

Well. I hope you are having a lovely, dull Monday. Friday will be here soon enough!

Love ya,
Bails

Painting a 14 Month Old's Toenails

2010-08-27T10:37:00.005-05:00

A few things I learned while painting my 14 month old's toenails:

1. A 14 month old is generally too young for such a feminine spa like experience.

2. You must strap a 14 month old into a seat of some kind in order to keep her from moving around too much.

3. You should never paint nails at the kitchen table because you might spill some hot pink polish on your table and it doesn't just "wipe off."

4. If you have fidgety 14 month old, it's just a bad idea in general, because she might start hysterically crying half way through your endeavor, but you are too far into it... so you have to finish.

5. You must grip a 14 month old's little foot like your life depends on it, and make animal noises and sing songs at the top of your lungs to make said 14 month old laugh and forget that you are gripping her foot so tightly.

6. When finished painting you have to keep gripping the little feet until the paint dries which will feel like an eternity. Animal noises and songs are still important at this step.

7. Your 14 month old will not have perfect looking pink toenails... but when she looks down at them and LOVES them and says "oooooooo wow." It makes it worth it.

8. And when the 14 month old's Daddy comes home and swoops up the little one and dotes over her beauty and how cute her little toes are and the 14 month old just giggles and lays her head on his chest. It makes it worth it.

9. It's fun to bring out the "girliness" in your 14 month old daughter.

Don't you think?

Love you all!

Bails

Roof

2010-08-24T15:37:00.000-05:00

Thanks for your travel ideas! I'd still like some more. There are other cities in this state besides Dallas!!! Where are my Austin friends!?

Aubrey napped for a full hour yesterday before the roofers began their work directly over her bedroom. I could hardly believe she slept for that long! Maybe it's because she smartly covered her ears. Good thinking little one! But her nap was thwarted. Poor thing. You should have seen her tired little eyes.

I was aggravated until Aubrey went down for the night at about 7:00 PM. After that... I wasn't annoyed at all. At all.

My heart was breaking for the men working on our house. It was only about 107 degrees in the blazing sun yesterday and they were working on my roof! I seriously cried for them when I peeked out the window last night at 8 to see them cleaning up nails and such in my driveway. They all looked exhausted and flat worn out!

But... our new roof is complete and looks fabulous!

Just an update on our wildly exciting life. I hope you were riveted and moved. :)

Bails

A Random Monday and Some Advice... From You.

2010-08-23T13:16:00.003-05:00

Hey Y'all.

Has it been more than a week since we spoke!?

I'm not all that sure what happened last week. Aubrey and I both have been a bit under the weather with our allergies going nutso. And we've just been lethargic and ick. So needless to say... we did a lot of movie watching and cuddling.

We were able to spend some time with friends last week... and I did get out of the house once or twice. So it turned out to be a rather wonderful week. Ty and I even finished it off Friday night with a dinner at Osaka. So fun. And delicious! It's a Japanese Steakhouse, where you sit with a bunch of people you don't know, so I was happy that no one really wanted to interact with us. Clearly we were on a date. No one spoke to us. And I was OK with that. Is that bad? I think not. So we cuddled close and enjoyed our sushi and stir fry. I would like to go back soon, or every day. Maybe if we win the lottery. But we have to buy a lottery ticket first. Hm.

Right now. As I sit here and type this... I have a pounding headache. Or maybe it's the pounding of the roofers' hammers since we ARE getting a new roof. Finally. The Dodds' are wonderful procrastinators. We have had our insurance check to get a new roof after a terrible hailstorm for about 18 months now. Better late than never right!? But I do have a pounding headache that is keeping rhythm with their busy work.

You care about that right!?

Well whatever, maybe you can help me with something.

I have the travel bug. This happens to me every few months, or maybe every few weeks, or days. It just depends on life around here. I guess since we haven't been traveling as much as we used to, I just feel like we have to get out of town. Go to the big city. Plus we have some airline miles that literally expire in a couple of weeks. So what do you think?? If you were us... The Dodds... where would you go within driving distance (we are going to use our miles for hotel stays)... and what would you do. Like we were thinking Austin, but we don't know what we would do.

Basically what I'm asking is if you know of anything totally awesome and cool that we don't know about. Either in Austin or Dallas or San Antonio or Houston or anywhere in Texas except El Paso. Sorry El Paso, you are just too dusty and hot this time of year.

Oh and we don't like outside activities. SO anything that would leave us out of breath or sweaty is just out of the question.

So please leave a comment and state the following. Or you can leave a comment on my Facebook page if you are visiting from there!

1. The city we should visit.

2. The restaurants we should eat at.

3. The activities we should partake in.

We'll only be wherever for 2 nights.

LOVE YA TO THE MOON.

Please plan my life.

And I'm sorry I'm in a weird mood. Please forgive me.

Bails

Discovery

2010-08-14T10:51:00.000-05:00

By the way. The concert on the lawn starts at 7:15 this Sunday. Why would they do that to us!? It will still be 102 outside. Oh well. I'll just pour water all over myself to disguise my sweat. That's a great idea.

HAPPY SATURDAY!

I have a story for you...

All I had done was left the room for a few minutes to put some laundry away. I guess Aubrey took that as her cue. She likes to play in one of our kitchen cabinets with some things while I'm cooking. Like plastic bowls and straws. No bigee. But this day she discovered the drawers have things in them as well! Jackpot.

Sorry about the toilet paper. I had just gone to the store and hadn't put it way yet. Just bein' real! The pic doesn't do it justice but every one of our trashbags and dishtowels and wash cloths were strewn all over the kitchen. I caught her before she found the ziploc bags.

Guess who gets to pick it up!? MOMMY. Oh well... after this she did take a good nap.

Give and take. Give and take.

Isn't she so big!? What happened!?

Love you all!

Bails

Concert on the Lawn

2010-08-12T10:17:00.004-05:00

As you know... we do NOT live in a big city. So fun things to do are hard to come by, and usually take a lot of creativity. Unless you want to go have dinner and see a movie. That's easy. But gets boring after a while. Sort of. Anways... Every Sunday night in the summer time at one of our local museums they do a free concert on the lawn. SO COOL. I'm sad to say that we didn't learn about it until a few weeks ago or we would have dutifully planted our lawn chairs and spread our blanket every Sunday promptly at 7:45. You should come!! This Sunday night is the last one for the summer!

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't remember the name of this band. They were good though. A country band from Austin. Does anyone remember?

Daddy and his twin. I mean daughter. Seriously though, don't they look SO much alike!?

Our BFF's Kendal and Josh

More friends... really it's less about the music... more about the friends.

See you there!

Bails

A Story of Where We Are

2010-08-10T09:44:00.005-05:00

Good Morning Sweet Friends.

I've missed you over the past week or so! I'm sorry I've been so quiet, but we are doing well here at the Dodds' house. I just needed a little break. From everything. Sort of.

I couldn't share on the blog since there are too many crazies in the world, but TDodds' was out of town for the better part of three weeks and arrived home Saturday before last. I was overjoyed and just kind of shut down my world outside of my home this past week to dote on my husband and try to get Aubrey and I back into some kind of routine!

As most of you know, Tyler used to be a full time traveling itinerant worship leader. Meaning, he went to different churches/camps/or whoever called and asked, to lead worship for their church service or event. Now that Tyler is on staff full time at our church, the Lord has begun to move us away from that. Sadly, the phone has stopped ringing. Traveling literally used to be our life and put food on the table. We LOOVED it. I'm not kidding. It had it's challenges (mainly financially... but oh my... we have seen the Lord be Jehovah Jireh and still praise him for his provision then and now), but we seriously loved the adventure and the ministry. And we saw the Lord move quite literally in so many amazing ways. We experienced the greatness of God first hand.

About 3 years ago, we started praying as a couple about where the Lord was leading our family. We realized that we had a passionate desire to serve both in our local church and out on the road. We started praying about what that meant. A while later, a little over a year ago, God in His wisdom put about 3 choices before us... all wonderful things... to pray through. About that time I was 5 months pregnant. After a few months of toiling, we found that obedience for us was to take the road least expected of us. To spend our lives serving in worship ministry in the local church.

We came to several conclusions. 1. There is no such thing as "normal" when it comes to the Lord. The road that we chose made it seem as if we were taking the "easy," normal road. But there is no normal and abnormal. Just simple obedience. 2. It is popular in our generation to say that the Lord "chooses all of us as his followers to do 'great' things. Greatness just might look different for each of us." Just as man's wisdom is foolishness to God, we believe man's definition of greatness is completely different than His.

We are thankful that we did the thing we were supposed to do. And even more, we are still experiencing the greatness of God first hand. But let me tell you, at least here in the Dodds' house, we have issues. We have trials. Problems. Tribulation. Whatever you want to call it. We aren't perfect... we aren't even always happy! *Gasp* We have struggles in our families and pray and cry out of frustration and utter sadness. Tragedy has befallen us in the past, and we aren't so arrogant to think that it won't in the future. But we trust our Savior. He is more than enough.

All that to say... the last few months have been so challenging. This summer the Lord has taken me on quite a personal journey, one I hope to share soon with you, but I am still just in an odd place. However, remembering the things the Lord has done is so encouraging. Psalm 77:10 and 13-14 has been a banner for us... a reminder to remember what the Lord has done:

"I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old... Your way O God is holy; What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders."

In sharing a little more of our story with you, I hope you are encouraged as well in your place of ministry and life. I hope you are thinking on the things the Lord has done... and blessing Him for it. I pray you are walking in obedience and that the Lord is doing "great" things. For His glory. Right!?

Tyler and I are seriously so very blessed by you. I'm not even just saying that. Our hearts are so tender towards you. We love when you come up to us in the foyer at church or stop us at HEB. We consider you friends!

Love you all...

Tyler and Bailey

Just a little story about a Kitty Cat book

2010-07-30T15:41:00.000-05:00

Lately we have been teaching Aubrey a few basic animals and their sounds. Like puppy dog, kitty cat, ducky, cow, bird, pig (that one is hard), and bumble bee. To our delight, she is absorbing the information like a sponge! We were at Target a few days ago, and while perusing the $1 aisle (who doesn't!?) I hear a timid "meow.... meow... meow" from my genius baby's lips. I congratulate her on correctly telling me what a kitty cat says and keep moving. Tears. Crying. I back up and look over to Aubrey's eye level and low and behold... a kitty cat book. Good thing it was the dollar aisle. After showering her with praises I decided that it would be quite a treat to have the new book and to not have to walk away from the "Kitty Friends" book with a crying baby. She's in love.

And she can read upside down. Aren't you impressed!?

Love you so!

Bails

Sippy Cups

2010-07-26T12:00:00.000-05:00

It's Monday now!!!

While at the doctor for Aubrey's one year check up, I was slightly scolded... really more "encouraged" to have Aubrey drink her milk via a cup. HA. Easier said than done. What the doc did not know was that I had been trying without success for months to get Aubrey to drink out of a sippy cup. We had tried every brand of cup in most sizes. You should see our cabinet. It's like sippy cup city. When I would give her a cup, she would try it and then immediately contort her face and say no and throw the cup to the ground. She's cried over it... a lot... not out of wanting to get her way so much, but more out of frustration. I might of shed a few tears myself. It didn't help that all of the internet articles I had been reading were telling me I was a bad Mom for not being consistent and giving in... but sometimes... just well... sometimes internet articles can go fly a kite.

This past week we were "swimming" in our little pool, and do you see that curly, swirly, purple straw in there?? It was left over from her birthday party and she loves to play with it... so I put it in the pool. About 20 minutes later I hear her saying "Mmmmmm... Yum!" I look over to acknowledge her words to find her drinking the pool water through her curly, swirly straw. I almost leapt for joy. And yes... I realize that the water wasn't completely clean... she'll live. But she could drink through a straw!! She had randomly taught herself! I was so proud!!!!

Aubrey Grace... what on earth is that look on your face!? I'm just trying to get you to look up at me, into the sun, so I can take your picture!! It's good for your eyes!!

Side story... yes that's Aubrey's baby body wash on the side of the pool. And yes... I might of given her a "bath" when pool time was over. There's just only so much time in a day!

Which leads to the point of the story. Success. Utter, wonderful success!! Aubrey Grace LOVES her cups with a straw. And the best part is that these do not leak.

Genius. My daughter is a genius.

You go girl!

Sigh. One more milestone down... One trillion to go!

Love you all!

Bails

My Week

2010-07-24T12:53:00.003-05:00

I've been sitting, staring at this screen for about 10 minutes. I'm not kidding. I have no idea what to say, or where to even begin to tell you about my week. It's been a hard week emotionally, physically, and spiritually for me. We are exhausted! Just look at my poor baby (who is cutting 3 more teeth by the way and cranky as all get out!). Her feet are stuck in the slats and her blanket is completely covering her face. Sometimes that's where I'd like to be!

I'm sure I'm not the only one who is exhausted this week... actually I'm certain that I'm not!! For more reasons than just the obvious surface things. I hope that you don't hear me whining and complaining. I guess I just have a heavy heart. Honestly, I've thought of you, my precious blog-world friends, several times throughout the last 7 days, but just could not begin to articulate my feelings, or pretend like I was just as happy as a lark, when inside I'm just so-so. :) Clearly I'm having a hard time explaining myself even now!

I don't really feel like sharing my deep thoughts and secrets with you. Nor do I think that would be very appropriate. But let's just say that the Lord is working. Refining. Doing some scraping away of the yuck in my heart. I'm listening to Him. That's for sure. Certainly feeling weak, and yet I feel an intense hope... and there's still a glimmer of joy in there.

I think I need a nap.

I think I need more coffee.

Definitely a nap.

You would not waste a prayer on me this week. I'm certainly praying for you. I really do pray for you!

Despite the things the Lord is teaching me... I have some pretty great Aubrey stories to share with you. Maybe on Monday.

Love you all to the moon...

Bails

Ducks

2010-07-17T12:35:00.000-05:00

Aubrey Grace and I visited the duckpond for the first time this week since we started working on animals and their sounds. She LOVED it! We walked around the whole little lake and stopped every so often to watch the duckies. Aubrey was cracking me up giggling and saying, "kak kak kak." She can't quite make the "qu" sound. It's hilarious and wonderful and darling! I was so proud that she made the connection. Real live ducks... not in a book... not a rubber ducky in the tub. I don't know why I hadn't thought of going there before... it was actually very relaxing! The early mornings here are just lovely... warm but not blazing hot.

I'm sure this guy was king of the territory. He was huge!

At one point he started walking towards the stroller, and Aubrey actually got a little nervous, and looking at me as if to say... "Mother... do sommmmmething!" So I backed away. "It's OK sir... we are nice and friendly people."

Did y'all do anything fun this week!?

Love ya!

Bails

My Coffee Lately.

2010-07-15T14:17:00.000-05:00

Because it's important to know these things about friends! It just is!

I start with a large mug full of very dark coffee and then I add... 1 packet Splenda, 1 packet Splenda Mocha flavor, and a splash of half and half! It's the BEST. So delicious. I'm not sure what it tastes like... almost like a mocha... but not as sweet. More coffee-ish. Which is good and necessary.

*Sigh* I love these large Starbucks mugs. Love them. I decided on my Austin mug today as I reminisce about our girl's weekend. I've always thought it was odd that the capital building isn't on this mug. Or is it and I just can't see it?

I guess my coffee concoction will just have to do until I get one of these!! **Longing Sigh** It's an automatic espresso machine that actually makes good espresso! Shocking! Annnd it froths milk in like 20 seconds for lattes. I waaaant one. Bad. I got to experience it this past weekend at Court's parent's house. It's awesome!

I'm snapping myself back to reality now.

Aubrey is cutting 3 more teeth so I'll probably have about 5 cups of my coffee bliss today. It's always easier to take care of a whiny baby when you are jittery and giggly and out of your mind.

Love you all!!!

Bails

Number 4

2010-07-13T19:26:00.008-05:00

Girl's Weekend this past weekend (redundant!) was WONDERFUL. But waaaay to short! We stayed at Courtney's parent's incredibly beautiful home near Lake Travis in Austin. It was seriously like staying at a resort... or actually more like a bed and breakfast since breakfast was provided for us Saturday morning (Thanks Mrs. Baker... I will have wonderful dreams and visions about your Gorilla Bread!). We all arrived late Friday night, changed into our p.j.s, and then had a miniature baby shower for Courtney and Baby Elliot who will be here in October! SO FUN, we even scarfed down some cupcakes from Hey Cupcake that sweet Paige had ordered for us! Baby Elliot received lots of things for bedtime including p.j.s of his own and several books! We stayed up well past our bedtimes chatting and then trucked upstairs to make ourselves go to sleep with promises to be up early so we could continue our conversations! I woke up Saturday morning to the smell of bacon and coffee and all but ran down the stairs! We sat around the kitchen and finally the breakfast table and talked for hours. Literally. Then around 11:30 we all got our suits on and went to laid out by the very very very nice pool. It was heavenly. And then we talked some more! We eventually pulled ourselves out of the refreshing water and headed to get ready for our evening. We left soon after for an early dinner at Hula Hut on Lake Austin. I seriously had one of the best Mexican food meals of my life. The chicken and guacamole burrito is where it's at y'all!!!!! And we talked and talked. After dinner we walked down the street and had coffee at Mozart's! And we chatted... are you surprised!? That's what these weekends are for! Talking!! These girl's are so encouraging... you just have no idea. I always leave a weekend feeling refreshed and so very blessed. We love each other so much.

Me, Courtney and Baby Elliot, Paige, Allison, Molly on Saturday night

Sunday morning, before we hit the road, we ate at an adorable French cafe. The coffee was ok... but the food was delicious!! My baguette almost broke my teeth. But I think that's because it was authentic.

By the way... my friends blog too! Molly is an AMAZING artist, and she's about to reopen her Etsy shop! Courtney is just precious... her latest post: The TTYSNFFTASOAPIRTPAB Post... is awesome... it rings so true... but it struck me really funny! Allison and her husband Justin have a personal blog, but you can find out more about what they do on the His Voice For Sudan site. Justin blogs there from time to time. Paige doesn't blog right now, but she should.... she definitely should! She's hilarious.

Love you girls!!

And the rest of you... I love you too!

Bails

By the way... I stole these pictures from Molly. Thanks!

Toys and Puppy Dogs

2010-07-08T13:50:00.000-05:00

I need some ideas.

The toy issue. Our little Aubrey Grace racked it in on her birthday! I got rid of a bunch of things and boxed up some of her quality baby toys for our next baby... but I'm still looking for some ideas! I had a few good ideas of my own, but I always love hearing what you think. Don't comment all at once now!

I have this rubbermaid box in the living room and I can whisk it away at a moment's notice to Aubrey's closet if I don't want the toys to be seen. EVERYTHING ends up pulled out of it by the end of the day. Aubrey doesn't understand "one thing at a time."

Baskets are my BFF. Especially after discovering that putting books on a bookshelf is some kind of sick joke when you have a one year old. HA. This basket stays under a side table in our living room and I pull it out during the day so she can look at books and we can read. Then I just put it back after bedtime.

This is where I'm having issues. Her bedroom. She loves to play in her room during the day, and although she doesn't sit still for long, I think she feels very independent and grown up in there by herself. I have a small basket of random toys and another box of books by the rocking chair for she and I to read together.

This book shelf is tucked away in a corner of my bedroom and this is the smartest idea I've had yet!! Aubrey knows where her little basket of toys and books are in my room, so if I'm getting ready for the day or cleaning the bathroom or something she stays occupied. Perfect.

Enough of that nonsense. Random confession time...

Sometimes my child thinks she is a puppy dog. I seriously do not know how she figured it out. But sometimes she says *woof woof* and carries things (her cup, random toys like her little people people, a wooden spoon, etc) around in her mouth. And by sometimes I mean a lot of the time. We don't have a puppy dog, which makes it even more interesting. We have watched Clifford the Big Red Dog quite a bit, and we have puppy books! I think it's hilarious... one of my favorite things about her right now.

Hey little puppy!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love you all!

Bails

Jake and Vienna

2010-07-07T21:22:00.002-05:00

No judgement here...

We watch the Bachelorette!

I know many of you girls... and boys... do as well, don't lie. After the Jake/Vienna fiasco Monday night, I couldn't quite articulate the sadness and frustration I felt... but then I read Amanda's post over at Baby Bangs and she said it perfectly!! You should go read her post!

I know this is totally silly. And some of you are sighing and rolling your eyes.

Oh well.

Love you to bits and pieces!

Bails

Girl's Weekend

2010-06-29T15:09:00.007-05:00

I feel as if I start almost every post by saying.... We have been busy!! I refuse to do it this time. REFUSE. I will not say we are busy. I just will not. Who isn't!? That's what I want to know. Busy has become a four letter word to me.

I'm over it now.

Our schedule has been full this week!

One of our sweet friends got married yesterday and we were apart of the wedding, so that meant rehearsal dinner, and a little bit of traveling. But of course, it was well worth it! Besides that, Tyler led worship this morning at church and it was wonderful. As always. We had brisket and homemade potato salad and baked beans to celebrate our independence after church today with our BFF's Jeff and Crystal, and then we tried to rest. Aubrey took a 4 hour nap. It's true... and miraculous, and wonderful!

Life. Normal, mundane life. I really do love it! I enjoyed getting back into a routine with my baby girl this week! Since we had been together as a family for almost a full 3 weeks... 1 of which TDodds had food poisoning... we were ready for that routine! My quiet times in the Word had suffered dramatically, and I could feel myself falling into the abyss of... myself. So I'm glad things are back to normal. BUT... I need a vacation... with my BFF's... Girl talk. Ya know!?

Our fourth semi-annual (or really just whenever we get a chance!!) girl's weekend is coming up very soon and I'm ecstatic!!

I'm so excited to be able to catch up and talk and giggle. A weekend long slumber party with my very best friends. They are the most wonderful type of friends.... you know... the kind that even if you don't talk to them in forever it's like you just spoke to them 5 minutes ago!? It's a wonderful blessing. I feel intense gratitude for them!

Weekend #1 - Ft. Worth

Courtney, Jenna, Paige, Allison, Me - we were missing Molly

Weekend #2 - San Antonio

Paige, Courtney, Molly, Allison, Yours Truly - we were missing Jenna

Weekend #3 - Midland

Allison, Muah, Baby Girl, Molly, Jenna, Paige, Courtney

Girls! It's coming quickly and I cannot wait!! We are for the most part married now, and another one of us has a baby on the way! It has been a blast sharing life with you. Love you to the moon!

Bails

Chocolate.

2010-06-28T14:28:00.004-05:00

This is my LAST "Aubrey's first birthday post." I know y'all are annoyed by the LACK of comments. *sigh and hugh* Anyways... she's only one for a little while! And we made it through our FIRST year. Something most certainly to celebrate. If it weren't for the sobbing, and freaking out, and wondering, and worrying, and triumphing... I wouldn't really have felt like a Mommy. But I do now. I certainly do. And I'm proud of it... even if I am tempted to wear sweats to the grocery store, or not put on my make up, or lay in bed all day faking the flu. I love my life. It's HARD to be a stay at home Mommy. But I love it like some girls love being doctors, lawyers, nurses, or teachers. Praise you Lord. I know that You have me right where You want me.

So.

The morning of Aubrey's real birthday day we wanted to do something really fun, but couldn't figure out what. Our town isn't the largest by any means, so sometimes you have to have a little creativity. AND during the summer its 1081 degrees outside. Or so it seems.

We dressed her in her sweet birthday outfit...

Then said goodbye to Gan and Papa...
Then after a short nap and a hasty lunch headed to Barnes and Noble for a cupcake and some reading time. Aubrey had never had chocolate before... and I felt like a horrible mother giving it to her, but there are worse things right!? Like dropping your child's cup in the mud and then wiping it off and giving it back to her because she was SCREAMING and you were a long way from home. But of course... I've neeeeever done that! ;) See how the cupcake is intact... she hadn't tried any yet.

Ignore TDodds' face. Bless his heart. Melt down. Utter melt down. Screaming. Flailing. Begging for another bite. All Mommy wanted was a picture of Daddy and daughter. But no. The addiction set in. I guess it's in her blood now.

I settled her down with some milk... and then I gobbled the cupcake myself... and then we wandered the store for a while.

The End.

The Outfit

2010-06-28T14:05:00.003-05:00

I must say that Aubrey's outfit was one of the cutest... if not the cutest thing at her party.

The frills, the colors, the tasteful matching bow, the tutu, the cupcake on the onesie.

So sweet.

Hi Punkin!

This is the best.

And then she loved herself.

Side note: We've always hated those mirrors in our entry way. But maybe we'll keep them. They are the only full length mirror in our house, and we all need that to check our outfits! And maybe when Aubrey starts ballet she can practice her plies and wear her little tutu.

Thanks Kaylea for finding such an adorable outfit for our sweet Aubrey!

Love you all...

Bails

Gan and Papa and The Swing

2010-06-25T10:06:00.004-05:00

We had a wonderful week with TDodds' parents. Lovingly called Gan and Papa! We are fairly boring people, but it was nice to not have anything major planned (besides the birthday party of course!) and to sit around and drink coffee and visit and rest! Part of me felt bad about not having anything exciting scheduled. But then again... it was nice.

Gan and Papa got Aubrey a swing for her birthday. Oh my word. Aubrey is in love with that thing. I think if it were her choice, she would live in it. She throws MAJOR fits when we pull her out of her beloved swing and take her inside. I think she loves it as much, or maybe more than her little swimming pool!

These pictures were taken during her first time in the swing by Gan right after TDodds and Papa hooked it to the eve of our porch! And don't mind the bird bath lying on the grass. TDodds knocked it over and it broke. So sad. Oh well... at least the mosquitos will have one less place to breed. I hate mosquitos. Despise.

This is interesting! I guess I better hold on to these ropes here.

I think I like this!

Uh oh. There's the ground. Not so sure about that. Nope. Maybe this is too high.

I'm over it!! This is one of the best things that's ever happened to me! Thank you Thank you Thank you! **giggle giggle, squeal squeal**

Sorry.

Sometimes it's fun to pretend you know what your child is thinking. I guess I'll have to stop doing that soon or I'll have a 13 year old daughter mortified because "I never listen!!!!!!!!" And she'll roll her eyes, and storm off, and slam her bedroom door. *Gasp* Banish the thought. Not sweet Aubrey Grace! Never.

I was the queen of eye rolling back in my day. Shudder.

**All sarcasm aside for a moment... I needed Jesus. I really did. And I love Him so much for rescuing me from my hateful attitude. Not that I don't still have one. Sometimes. I delight in drawing nearer to Him. Tyler and I have been begging the Lord to put in Aubrey an intense desire for Him. And it would bring us so much joy to see our daughter running after the One who can and will save her. Because He loves her more than we do. A humbling thought.**

Anyways...

We had a blast with Gan and Papa. We love them. And we are so glad they were able to come and stay with us and celebrate Aubrey's first year of life!!

Have a good weekend! I promise I'll tell more about the party later. Y'all are going to be sick of it by the time it's all said and done.

Just kidding... there's not that much more to tell.

Bails.

The End.

She Liked It

2010-06-23T10:13:00.005-05:00

My Mother-in-law, Cathy and I slaved over the cupcakes for Aubrey's party. I was trying to save money by doing them ourselves and they turned out quite adorable! I was surprised to say the least. I mean decorating an edible item to actually look presentable is hard enough... but CUTE. Really!? We went for cute, and I think we did great! We made the table cloth (or is it a runner... more than a runner... less than a cloth), and the cupcake toppers ourselves too. TDodds helped. It was kind of a chore, but Aubrey's party came out to less than $100. Which is quite something!

Singing happy birthday to Aubrey was so much fun. I think she was slightly puzzled by all of the hoopla... and maybe wondered what in the world all these people were doing in our house singing at the top of their lungs. It was quite loud and I'm sure our neighbors could hear our celebration. Maybe we should have just gone ahead and invited them.

When I put her cake in front of her for the traditional "digging in" she was so hesitant. I'm sure she wondered what in the world we were doing to her.

Warming up to the idea

Maybe....?

YES! She liked it!

She gobbled the whole cupcake on her own... and then poked holes in the cake with her fingers. It was quite a treat for her that's for sure!

I have a million more pictures from the party to share... but I'll spare you. Today anyway.

Love you all!

Bails

She's One

2010-06-22T08:09:00.006-05:00

Can it really be true??

She's one... my sweet little baby is turning into a darling toddler a little more every second. She is so beautiful. But her silly personality makes her so fun! We are so glad she's here with us. We love her to the moon.

Go here to read about the day she was born!

TDodds is still on vacation... his last day, so we are going to spend it celebrating. Any fun Midland ideas... besides the library?? That's probably what we'll do... hit the library! And maaaaybe Gigis!? Or maybe we'll just make a cake... or maybe not. We haven't been eating the healthiest since we've had company!

Sigh... we'll chat soon!

** Go here to one of our BFF's Sarah Stepan's Photography blogs to see more 1 year photos of Aubrey Grace!**

Because it's hilarious.

2010-06-19T21:40:00.004-05:00

We have just been having the BEST time with the TDodds' parents this week. It has been such a relaxing time for our little family as well since Ty was able to take a week of vacation. I think he has a bit of cabin fever... but we'll live.

Anyways... all that to say...

Today was Aubrey's birthday party! It was great, and I'm so excited to tell you about it!! One of my friends Sarah came and took some wonderful, professional pictures which I can NOT wait to see. On the edge of my seat. But HANDS DOWN the funniest picture of the day came from my Daddy's camera phone.

Prepare yourself...

Look closely...

At my face.

Then glance over at the TV.

A-MA-ZING.

You can laugh if you want...

That's what friends are for.

Love you all... we'll talk soon!

Bails

Procrastination and Camp

2010-06-13T17:23:00.007-05:00

I'm in a terribly dramatic mood.

I REALLY REALLY need to go to the grocery store. Right now in our fridge, we have mayonnaise, milk, and various other condiments. The situation in our pantry is even more dire. Cheerios, a half empty box of lasagna noodles, saltines, and baking supplies!

I really am going to go, after I sit down with you a while!

This is the lake at Camp Copass! It was so pretty... but infested with poisonous snakes... so we couldn't get in it! Terribly mean!

Poor Aubrey Grace is such a trooper! She lived in this stroller all week! This is at Rec time. A very serious, spiritual time for the students of Stonegate Fellowship! We were cheering for the students. They needed some encouragement...

Because Tug-of-War is majorly important...

And there is a huge nasty mud pit. Many people fell in and were swallowed by the murky water. Humiliated no doubt by their lack of strength.

Hi Loves!

We sat in the back of the dark auditorium during all of the worship times.

Getting ready for an evening worship session.

My hat.

More very serious Rec time. Ruthless competition.

This is my little brother. Travis. He's adorable. So cute. 19. Single. And so funny. He is an amazingly talented drummer and played with Ty all week. He has really matured over the last few years and is actually fun to be around now! You know how high school boys can be right!? Love him so much. He's single. Most of you I know reading this are spoken for... but there could be a few stragglers.

This is TDodds' BFF Jeff... He's not single... engaged to an adorably beautiful girl Crystal. He is our high school pastor and he is crazy. I mean great.

BFFFFFF

My dear heroes... Kara, Jesse, Mikayla, and Stacey. These ladies are like the hardest workers. Ever. They basically ran camp. Not really, but they could have. Annnnd to top it all off, a couple of times they watched Aubrey during worship times so that I could worship with Tyler. As if they didn't have anything better to do! Someday I hope to be in their cool club.

We went swimming in the big pool. It was a slight disappointment. The water was luke warm. Like a large bath with 400 junior high and high school students. Soon after a used band aid floated by Tyler's arm we vacated the premises.

TDodds' parents will be here on Tuesday for a visit and I'm so very excited! I decided on a party theme. Can you tell what it is!? Tyler and I spent the better part of yesterday cutting and gluing.

I guess I shall swallow my procrastination now and go and provide food for my family!!

Think of me...

Love you all...

Bails

Home Again

2010-06-12T21:57:00.002-05:00

We are home!

Most of you didn't even know we were gone.

But we were!

And now we are BACK!

We spent the last week in Denton, TX at Camp Copass with the students from our church at camp! TDodds led worship all week and I was just so blessed by him. Can I please just say that he is my favorite worship leader. Our student pastor Neil said it best... Tyler has an amazing way of walking along side of all of us... and he isn't taking us anywhere in worship that he hasn't already been with the Lord himself. So true. And I should know... I have the honor of knowing him better than anyone else!

When we arrived home last night we literally unpacked our suitcases in our kitchen and made piles of dirty clothes, sheets, and towels to tackle today. When I walked into the kitchen this morning to make Aubrey a bottle I thought I would just cry. I am happy to say that we have made a dent in the laundry and we are almost done!

I have so much else to share... and some photos you'll get a kick out of... but first... I need to savor sitting on my comfy couch wrapped in my favorite quilt in my pjs.

Love you to the moon.

Thanks for loving us back.

I just love our little chats!

Bails

2010-06-05T07:22:00.003-05:00

So much to post about!

-Friday we had a garage sale. I was just tired of all the "extra" in our house! We purged everything and were able to sell a ton of our things. Especially clothes! Everything else we just packed up in the back of the Excursion and drove over to Goodwill. We def still have a lot of "extra." More than we need. But it feels wonderful to have neat and clean closets!

-Saturday... since it was Memorial Day Wknd... our friend Jeff and his oh-so-sweet fiance Crystal came over and we cooked out ribs on the grill. Or should I say Jeff cooked out. I cut up some fruit. Jeff truly is the king of the grill. Oh my word.

-Sunday morning church was wonderful. Tyler led worship and our Pastor Patrick continued his sermon series on grace and truth. I guess that's why I've been pondering grace. I've realized that God's grace in my life has been SO abundant, but that I lean towards the "truth" side. Quick to judge and criticize. Love is what balances our scale. I've been begging the Holy Spirit to walk with me and be my companion. To teach me how to love!

-TDodds and I began writing a song together! What a sweet time in his studio we had together after putting Aubrey to bed. You would think that we've been writing music since before we were married. But we haven't. Chalk another one up to my insane insecurity! But our song is awesome!! If I do say so myself. I'm excited about all the Lord has in store in that area. Ty wants me to record my own worship CD. We'll see. Do y'all think I should?

-TDodds had a HORRIBLE case of food poisoning starting Monday. Terrible. He was sick for almost 3 days. IT. WAS. NOT. GOOD. We prayed and prayed and prayed that in case it was a virus that the Lord would protect Aubrey and me from getting it. Aubrey threw up one time. The first time ever. And that was that. We have a VERY busy week, so hopefully we will stay well.

-The forecast for today is 108. Hot. It's not even August yet! I've been dreaming about our apartment living days when we could just go to the pool whenever we wanted! Sigh. At least we have our little kiddie pool!!

Love you all!

Bails

Pondering Grace

2010-06-02T16:53:00.003-05:00

Grace, grace God's grace.

Grace that has pardoned and cleansed with in.

Grace, grace God's grace.

Grace that is greater than all my sin.

What beautiful words.

They keep running through my head today, reminding me that I am pardoned and cleansed. Because of Jesus' violent death and glorious resurrection. Because of His wounds I am healed.

It's finished and complete.

There's nothing else I have to do.

Sometimes I need that very simple reminder.

Stealing a line from a song we've been doing on Sunday mornings at church,

"Now Your grace is my anthem."

It certainly is at the Dodds' house anyways.

What brought on this pondering? Aubrey and I went "swimming" in our very tiny kiddie pool today. And by swimming I mean I was sitting in the pool and Aubrey was violently splashing and waving her arms and kicking her legs and squealing at the top of her lungs. After I brought her inside to have a warm bath, I took a warm shower myself. After her two hour nap, Aubrey had a bottle with organic milk and a supper of organic fresh fruits and veggies. And now she is playing with her baby dolls and "reading" books.

Kiddie pool? Grace

Swimming to cool off in the heat? Grace

Warm baths and showers? Grace

Naps in a cool and comfy bed with soft blankets? Grace

Organic? Grace

Fresh food? Grace

Toys? Grace

A house with air conditioning? Grace

Just overwhelmed today by His mercy and His grace and His provision. Even though TDodds is very very ill today and feeling quite under the weather (we are almost positive he has food poisoning), God's grace is still evident.

Have you pondered God's grace in your life lately and thanked Him once again?

Love you all.

Bails

Because I'm a Planner

2010-05-25T13:28:00.004-05:00

And I quite literally cannot help the excitement I feel as Aubrey is growing...

Minus the Hello Kitty art on the walls, and the huge leaves... and the weird rugs... THIS is what I want to do with Aubrey's room once we graduate to a big girl bed!! Her room is already black and pink and green so it would be a WAY easy transition! I found this room at Design Dazzle (along with the other two as well)... one of my new fav blogs!! You should totally check it out!

The bedding is from PB Teen... but I think I could make it!!
Look how adorable the baskets and boxes! I'm going to start keeping my eyes open at Michaels and Hobby Lobby! Oh and call me if you see something while you are out and about! It would be nice to have book shelves at her level as much as she loves books!

These next two photos have no real purpose... they just made me really want another little girl to share a room and secrets with Aubrey Grace! I'm always partial to red... and I love love red with an icey blue color. So pretty!

Sigh. I really really really love this room. It's so girly, yet not typical at all! I love the pink dresser and simple blue quilts. And the rug!! Oh my... the rug!

If all else fails, there is this room... so pretty and feminine!!

What can I say?! Im excited!! Well while Aubrey is napping I better take th opportubity to get some things done around here!!

Love you all!

Bails

And the Rain Came Down!

2010-05-18T15:35:00.004-05:00

Seriously.

We had a few major storms this past weekend! Scary stuff... tornadoes... hail... flooding. So random and very rare for West Texas!

It's hard to see, but I was trying to capture the ominous hail on Friday!

Poor chair! It just totally got beat up.

Trying to ignore the weather and waiting for dinner!!

Riley Isaac was spending a few days with us!
He is so cute! And bossy... he spent most of his time with us telling Aubrey what to do or not to do while she just stared at him with a blank look on her face and did what she pleased!

A dark and rainy day is not complete with out pancakes! Chocolate Chip Pancakes!!

This is from Sunday morning... I just thought she looked beyond darling in her outfit!

Oh and by the way... She is pulling up on everything!! She feels so big!!
Hi Sweetie... love the shoes!

This is how we watched cartoons yesterday morning! I thought it was hilarious. She didn't move for about 10 minutes... but that's OK... Sid the Science Kid is good wholesome entertainment!! Eventually she got bored and pulled almost every toy out of her bucket.

Hope you stayed safe and dry this weekend!
Love you all!
Bails

My Dream Is Coming True

2010-05-15T11:25:00.000-05:00

She really is turning into quite a book worm. Even if some of her books make really annoying, loud noises. She loves to turn the pages, and laugh, and chatter. I'm positive she thinks she's reading them. And she loves to be read to as well. She sits quietly and listens. Oh please continue to love books! Your life will be so rich. The day she begs me to go to the library will be the best day of my life! Truly.

I'm laughing at the face down smashed in the carpet baby doll... poor thing! It struck me so funny for some reason!

I think all she might be getting for her birthday is books...

Not really, that would be pushing it I think...

Or maybe not...

Hope you Midlanders are enjoying our cloudy, rainy weather, with a book... or a good blog!

Love you all...

Bails

Let the Party Planning Begin!

2010-05-11T13:50:00.006-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about Aubrey's first birthday party. What do I want the theme to be... Do I even want a theme... How do I have a party and theme without going totally over the top... How can I have a fun time that all of our family will remember for a long time... How can I have an adorable party and still have the money to buy groceries in the month of June!!??

Here are some of my inspirations...

And what I would do if I were a millionaire...

But I'm not... and I'm OK with that...

Spaghetti Night

2010-05-10T11:22:00.002-05:00

Just for a smile today...

Love you all!!

Bails

My First Mother's Day

2010-05-10T10:39:00.005-05:00

Lord willing, the first of many many more!

I had a wonderful day.

We had to wake up very very early on Sunday morning to be at the church by 715 for a sound check and rehearsal before church. Worship was wonderful! In honor of Mother's Day, all 8 of us girls on the Praise Team sang together which was an absolute BLAST and such a treat!

We didn't get home from church until after 1 and all I could think about was having a nap before my family came over for a night of food, fun, and fellowship! ;)

That's kind of an inside joke, that I don't quite understand...

Anyways...

Tyler did an amazing job making our very busy day feel like Mother's Day. Sweet and kind words from him coupled with him taking care of baby girl so I could take a 3 hour nap made it so so wonderful!!

My fam came over to celebrate, and TDodds cooked out hamburgers and then we had a fun time chatting and eating together!

After everyone left, TDodds did all of the dishes, and even swept the floor while I rocked my sweet Aubrey Grace and told her I was glad to be her Mommy and then pulled on my pj's and crawled back under the covers with a book.

Despite the busyness... I got A LOT of much needed rest!!

Thanks Love!

This is a homemade caramel macchiato... or at least that's what we called it. I'm so spoiled. Sigh... it was rather delicious!

These pics are from last night!! This is the story of their lives in a single photo... Aubrey follows her Uncle Riley around everywhere... she can't get enough of him...

The Grill Master

Nonna and Aubrey Grace

Most of the evening, Riley road down the sidewalk in our back yard as fast as he could and then ran into the metal fence to stop. haha...

She felt like such a big girl!

I'm looking a little odd here... must of been all that coffee!

Riley sometimes thinks he is Batman

3 Generations

The Fam

My dad, grandma, and brother Caleb were there as well, but I didn't get any photos of them!

Love you all!!

Bails

A Birthday Tribute

2010-05-06T14:16:00.006-05:00

Today is Tyler's birthday. I love him so so much... and here are a few reasons why...

Dearest,

I love that you asked me to marry you and that we've had such a blast ever since. I mean don't get me wrong... there are challenges, but the good far outweighs the bad. You love Jesus so much which in return helps you to love me like a queen. I'm sorry I didn't wear a veil in our wedding.

You are the most A-MA-ZING Daddy. Aubrey Grace is madly in love with you. Just this morning while I was curling my hair, and you left the room for work she fell to pieces crying. I had to pick her up and console her. Y'all have so much fun together... and I know she's watching you like a hawk. What a picture you are of Jesus' love towards her. I'm so grateful.

I love you because you love me even when I look like this. I'm almost positive that I was prego in this picture and mad because the queso was gone and I felt that you ate more than I did. Which was so not fair.

I love that you are so totally cool, and that you love music. I love your music and I love that the Lord has allowed me to support you in the things He has called you to do.

And yet you are hilarious... we laugh so hard we cry together. Which is so fun. I'm glad we are BFF's.

I loved our time in Atlanta together where we learned how to be married.

In our sweet little apartment where the sun always seemed to be shining.

I love that you love places like Ikea and Crate and Barrell... and will accompany me there anytime without grumbling. You enjoy it almost as much as I do.

I love that in our 5 short and budget tight years that we've been able to go to so many really fun places... like San Diego, the Grand Canyon, Estes Park, Savannah, and more trips to Dallas than I can count.

I love that under that rock star facade you are just a man's man. Boy to the core. You love fishing, and tearing things apart and putting them back together again. Working with your hands. And you are so knowledgeable about so many different topics!

I love that one of your favorite things to do is sit and have a gooood cup of coffee.

You are a blessing to me. Truly.

Love you so,

Bails

For a Smile...

2010-05-04T17:24:00.003-05:00

This is my 200th post!

I should do something special...

Something totally crazy.

Maybe I should change the look of my blog...

Maybe I should share something really deep and from the heart...

Or...

Maybe instead I'll share with you something that I find utterly hilarious.

Have y'all discovered the Cake Wrecks blog yet??

I'm over here laughing so hard I'm crying.

You're welcome.

Love you to bits.

Bails

By the way, thanks for not disowning me for saying the word "poopie" on my blog.

It was staring at me!

2010-05-01T15:32:00.002-05:00

We are doing a little bit better around here. Aubrey is definitely feeling more like herself although she does have a bit of a runny nose. I have completely lost my voice. This is the first time it's ever happened to me, so it's a little bit odd. And my head still feels like it will implode. But that will pass. Someday.

This past Thursday/ Friday I accompanied my man and a couple other people from our Worship/Arts team to Dallas to attend the Gateway live DVD recording. By the way have y'all heard the song "God Be Praised" yet!? WOW. The recording was definitely interesting. I had never been to one, so it was just... interesting. It was nice to be able to get out of town for an overnight trip! I'm excited for the DVD to come out and see how they pull all of it together.

Aubrey stayed with my parents and her uncle Riley where I'm sure she had an absolute blast. She LOVES Riley. Loves him. She watches him like a hawk and steals his toys. Which is proof of her love. This morning, TDodds let me sleep in (my hero... seriously), and after I woke up this is the story that was relayed to me...

Disclaimer... if words like poo, and poopy gross you out... just skip to the comment section and tell us how much you like us.

"Oh by the way, something very interesting happened this morning... Aubrey had a very big poopy diaper. I noticed that she was having some trouble while playing with her toys in the floor, so I picked her up after a few minutes and took her in her room to change her diaper. There was A LOT of poo in there. A LOT. And the craziest thing was that I found something in it. Or rather it found me. Aubrey's poo was staring at me. You know those little plastic eyeballs that you can glue on paper that rattle and move. They are black and white? Yea... those were in her poo."

WHAT!!!!!! After laughing so hard. I called my mom to ask her why Aubrey's poo was staring at Tyler. Then she started laughing and said that Aubrey must have picked the eye balls off of a recent art project of Riley's.

Lovely.

I wonder what else she's eaten that we don't know about.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Bails

Monday.

2010-04-26T14:58:00.002-05:00

I'm laid out on the couch today. Miserable. Sore Throat. Achy. Headache. Blah.

Aubrey is sick too... which makes for an interesting day to say the least.

Tyler already said he would cook supper tonight... Praise the Lord.

Aubrey is napping. Finally. Tyler came home from work to bring me her eye drop prescription. Apparently she has an infection. We felt like horrible parents holding her down and prying her eyes open. Bless her heart.

I just turned the TV on for a second to see what's on at 2 in the afternoon. I got completely grossed out by a "bunyon surgery demonstration" on The Doctors and turned it off.

So I went to Etsy... I was searching for something else... But check this out!!!!!!!!

This shop is so adorable. Attention all of my many many pregnant friends! Or actually, attention all of the friends who have friends who are expecting! Precious gift ideas! And if you are one of my crafty friends... like Amanda... I think you should try something like this... you'd make MILLIONS!!!!!!

It's Monday.

Love you all!

Bails

Books and More Books

2010-04-23T09:51:00.009-05:00

I always think it's so interesting and wonderful to hear what books my friends are reading... so I thought I'd share with you what has been on my list these past few months. There have been some books I've read that aren't worth posting... these are my favs!

This is the book I'm reading right now. Glenn Packiam is an associate pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, and he was one of the founding members of Desperation Band. He's spoken at several worship conferences that Tyler has attended in the past few months, and apparently he's wonderful! So is his book! I can hardly put it down. I highly recommend it! It's about trading church "rumors" for God... such as "God will give me what I want."... for truth.

I love Francine Rivers. She has to be my favorite author of Christian fiction! I read these books right after Aubrey was born when I was up late for feedings and then when we went on our long cross-country trip when Aubrey was 4 weeks old. They are truly wonderful!

Word of warning... Your husband might call this guy Fabio and make fun of you for reading this book the whole time you have it in your hands. Or at least that might have been my experience. I kept telling him that the book was so good and not about Fabio. Of course the cover does make it look like it might be a romance novel. IT'S NOT!

Of course you knew I was reading this one. I can not tell you what a treasure this book is! More than anything else, it helps you to feel that you aren't crazy and you aren't the only one who is insecure. It has helped me see the women around me in a different light. We are all insecure. If we aren't now, we were at some point. I've begun to see people as people with personalities. Amazing how that changes the way you see others. The simulcast is tomorrow and I can hardly wait!

THESE. ARE. AMAZING. Seriously. You may recognize the author. Anne Rice is the one who wrote "Interview With A Vampire." And several other books about vampires and witches. I recently read her autobiography/ testimony about how she came to know the Lord about 10 years ago and stopped writing books that were discouraging and even evil. So she did extensive research and wrote two books of fiction about the life of Christ. They are wonderful. Certainly just fiction, but they inspired a sense of wonder. They caused me to ponder my Jesus and what he was like as a child.

Jen Hatmaker is my new favorite Bible Study author! A group of ladies and I are currently doing the Road Trip Bible Study, but Modern Girls Guide is her first Bible Study in her series. I love the way she encourages the in depth study of scripture and writing in a journal! There is very little, "what do you think about that," and more, "what does the Lord say about that." If you are searching for something to do with ladies at your church, or if you want to learn how to study your Bible, these are wonderful tools!

What have you been reading!?!?

Go visit the library and check out a book!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Bails

I'm OK.

2010-04-21T14:22:00.005-05:00

We are exhausted around here. Aubrey is cutting 4 top teeth at once and we are starting to feel the toll. She isn't sleeping well at all which means that we aren't sleeping well either. She has been such a good sport and has fun playing with toys and things during the day... but when she gets slightly sleepy... she falls to pieces and can't be away from me for a second. Sometimes I question my capability...

What if she thinks I'm boring Mommy...

Maybe she thinks I'm a tired and neglectful Mommy and I just need a break, so I give her lots of juice and let her watch movies and PBS all morning... What if she's lonely?! What if her brain is turning to mush!?

YAY! Or maybe... just maybe... She thinks I'm an awesome Mommy (hopefully that's not the juice and the extra cartoons talkin')...

And I'm going to be OK!

Talk to you soon!!

Bails

A Cloudy Sunday

2010-04-11T11:04:00.004-05:00

Sigh. :) It's a happy, content sigh.

I'm not at church this morning.

Before you judge me... We think Aubrey might be coming down with something, and I didn't want her weak immunities to be exposed to all sorts of baby yuck and nastiness in the church nursery. I'm in love with our nursery workers, and our nursery at church is just wonderful. Seriously. But let's just face it... babies are gross. All of them except for mine of course!!

I've been in a reflective mood this morning. It's a cloudy morning and thunderstorms are forecast for this afternoon, a perfect day to be inside with your coffee.

Been thinking on a few things...

This past weekend was the 3rd annual Cross-Power Ministry Conference for married couples. Tyler and I have had the intense honor of leading worship for this conference for the past three years. So many at our church volunteer and pour out themselves for the people who come to attend the event, and I was trying to figure out this weekend why we all look forward to this conference. I believe that it's because we experience the church actually being the church. No pretense, no judgment. Just people who love Jesus, loving each other. I miss my new friends already.

The girls on the Praise Team at our church have been reading through Beth Moore's new book "So Long Insecurity." I was NOT expecting it to wreck me as much as it has. I knew I was insecure but I had no idea I was so INSECURE. It's been quite frightening, and ugly, and redeeming, and relieving all at the same time! I've realized so many things about myself that it would take me all day to type them out. But I will say, that I know now that insecurity isn't something that we should just sweep under the rug. GIRLS... it's something we can beat. And be freed from. I am putting my foot down and I'm demanding my dignity back. I am lovely. Clothed with strength and dignity... because Jesus has given me such a treasure. I'm almost finished with the book!!

Aubrey will be 1 soon you know. ONE YEAR OLD. Some days it feels like it's been 1 week and other days it feels like it's been 1 hundred years. She's so busy! And fast! And into everything. Including the fake moss in an artificial plant. I'm still not sure how much she actually ate before I caught her.

I love her so much.

Randomness... A couple of fun things I saw this morning...

I'm loving this party idea blog.

And I'm so excited about trying this recipe for Cajun Chicken Pasta. Doesn't that look irresistible!?

Love you all so much!
Bails

A Weekend in Pictures

2010-04-06T09:54:00.006-05:00

Good Morning Friends. If I still have any friends in blog land. Are you there... Hello... Anyone!?

I have a good reason for my absence! Please don't roll your eyes! My child is crawling... and is into most everything. See... I have proof!

Our Easter weekend was wonderful! Friday night we had a really precious time with our church family at our Good Friday service. The stage was lit with about 100 candles and we worshipped and had communion. Then Saturday, we had fun with some of our friends! I made this recipe for homemade monkey bread, and we had brisket and potato salad for dinner! It was wonderful! We also dyed eggs of course and hid them in the backyard for the kids to find! And a Spring celebration is not complete without sidewalk chalk!!

Here is Aubrey Grace up way too early on Easter morning! Doesn't she look like doll in her Easter dress?? Sunday morning services at Stonegate were wonderful. Tyler and I left feeling so blessed to be a part of such an amazing church body.

Aubrey and Uncle Riley!! So adorable!

My parents and Riley

I hope your Easter celebrations were wonderful!

Love you all!

8 Months Old

2010-03-01T10:29:00.003-06:00

We are on the flip side of our first year.

I'm not sure what that means.

But what I was trying to say is that Aubrey is in the second half of her first year! This is proving to be my most favorite time with her so far. I am weird and actually loved the newborn littleness, and the sweetness of her as a teeny tiny baby. But 8 months is SO fun!

Aubrey isn't quite crawling yet, but she's almost there. Don't feel bad for her though! She's quite mobile, and rolling EVERYWHERE. And when I say everywhere, I mean it! The other day, I left the room for about 5 seconds to put up some clean towels and came back to find the front half of Aubrey's body stuck under our ottoman. She was laughing. Hysterically. I'm pretty sure she thought she had found a good hiding spot. I mean, if your head is hidden you disappear right?

She's very talkative. Says her "m's" and "b's", and screams, and laughs. She actually hilarious. She has a wonderful personality! She is so sweet, but then she's quite goofy!

I'm still so glad that she's here. So happy, and feel so blessed.

Love you all!

The Olden Days...

2010-02-26T10:09:00.005-06:00

So part of my blogging break was because I dropped my laptop and fried the hard drive. Go me!

Now I'm using TDodds' old laptop and I just opened IPhoto to de-red eye some new pictures I took to post on the blog. BUT FIRST... I MUST show you some old photos... from the olden days... circa 2004/2005!

There were so many... so many... I had a hard time picking which treasures to share!

It's amazing what 5 or 6 years does to a person!

This was like a couple of days after we got engaged! Yes... I had braces! Why the man wanted to marry me even though I had braces, I'll never know.

Allison who you all know to be one of my life long BFF's, and Natalie - my favorite mentor and seriously one of my best friends and the person I want to be like when I grow up.

These next few photos are from TDodds' first photo shoot ever.

Me and that BFF again... and some little junior high kid trying to be funny peeking through us. I think it's hilarious and laugh every time I see it!

Oh camp days...

Have a good weekend!
Bails

2010-02-20T07:49:00.004-06:00

It's the end of February, almost March.

And I really do think my blogging sabbatical is over.

I was severely burnt out and was desperate for a break! The Lord has been reworking and restructuring things in my heart and in my life, and I just needed to think for a while! Blogging wasn't the only think I kind of separated myself from for a while. I was far too busy for my own good. Still am to a certain extent... but I feel rejuvenated... more like myself... and so in love with my Jesus.

TDodds kept asking me when I'm going to blog again, and quite frankly, I kept saying... NEVER, I'm too tired, I have nothing to say. But then I started missing you, and you were coming up to me in the foyer of church and emailing me and saying you missed me too! So goodness gracious here I am.

Thanks for being such a silly girl's friend!

That's all I have to say for now! It's Saturday morning... baby girl will be waking up soon... and I have a way WAY fun day ahead of me. I need another cup of coffee.

Your BFF4LIFE :)

Bails

Oh December

2009-12-07T15:16:00.002-06:00

This month is completely jam packed for us. I mean completely. I hardly have enough time to keep up with the laundry, so you probably won't be hearing too much from me until after Christmas! Life is just hectic this time of year, which I think is so ironic. If I have any free time, I will update you on the Dodds' but lately I have been using my free time to play with my baby girl or wash my hair! I still love you all to bits and pieces. Don't forget about us! I'll leave you with some pictures I snapped of Aubrey Grace and her Daddy. They are so sweet together aren't they!?

Love you all!

Bails

Happy Thanksgiving...

2009-11-27T13:44:00.004-06:00

From the Dodds!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving day with my family. Lots of food... and pie... and looking at the "black friday" ads from the paper although none of us are quite crazy enough to actually shop at 4 AM. Or maybe we aren't adventurous enough. And football... there's always football watching on Thanksgiving!

Aubrey Grace looks so concerned here! Maybe because there were like 4 people behind the camera trying to make her smile... and she was having none of it!

She was the life of the party in her gobble turkey shirt! I love that her little belly was hanging over her jeans... as were all of our bellies by the time we were finished eating!

Someday maybe we'll figure out how to de-red-eye our camera... so we look like normal people!

We are so thankful for each one of you. You are our precious family... and our BFF's. You are treasured and so well loved.

Hope your day was wonderful!

Bails

2009-11-21T13:53:00.003-06:00

Aubrey Grace will be 5 months old tomorrow.

5 Months.

I am almost certain she gets more beautiful every day... and her little personality is starting to peek to the surface. She's pretty hilarious.

Staring contest...

Aubrey loves her Aunt Allison!

I love her to the moon. And I am so glad she's here.

Have a great weekend!

Bails

Like Daddy... like Daughter.

2009-11-16T09:15:00.004-06:00

Aubrey has been falling even more in love with her Daddy these past few weeks. Yesterday she was so over tired after being in the church nursery and socializing with all of her friends and in a very fussy mood... and actually would cry when Tyler would leave the room. Basically we have the makings of a Daddy's girl... which I'm totally fine with. TDodds is the sweetest most patient man ever to walk the face of the earth, and I'm certain that Aubrey could have no better Daddy. I was looking at some photos yesterday and I came across a couple of photos that made my eyes wide and then brought a little giggle. You see... TDodds and Aubrey Grace are two peas in a pod... cut from the same cloth...

Daddy

Daughter

Isn't that crazy!?

The resemblance is uncanny. I've always thought she looked more like me... I think I've been wrong. So very wrong! My heart just wants to melt right out of my body when I think of how much I love them both.

I hope you have a wonderful Monday morning!!

Love you all...

Bails

In the Kitchen... Pasta Salad

2009-11-13T10:13:00.008-06:00

The possibilities are endless... really they are.

This really might be the most versatile recipe that I have in my arsenal. You could add so many things and it would still be awesome. Like black olives, chopped ham, turkey, or pepperoni, or bacon, red bell pepper, cucumber, pecans or walnuts or any other nut... and on and on and on. You are only limited by your imagination. If you have an aversion to onion... you could leave it out... I guess.

We like it plain... and TDodds likes to eat it with saltines. Yes. Saltines.

This is a wonderful summer recipe... but I make it year round... because it's that good.

I feel like I'm trying to sell you something... is it working?

Pasta Salad

1 lb. (16 ozs) short cut pasta of your choice (I like to use whole wheat rotini, because I like the taste and it makes me feel like maybe it's a bit more healthy. Maybe not.)

1 very diced green bell pepper

1 very diced red onion (if a regular ole' onion is all you have on hand... only use half)

1 cup Italian salad dressing

1 cup Caesar salad dressing

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (to freshly grate is to freshly taste :) but the kind from the bag works just fine.)

Pepper to taste

Cook your pasta according to package directions. While it's cooking, chop your veggies. The smaller the pieces... the better (in my opinion). In a large bowl combine all of your ingredients besides the pasta. It should look something like this... and yes... I started snacking on the concoction with saltines. It was good. Really good. I think I really might use it sometime as a dip.

After the pasta is al dente... drain and rinse with cold water. You want the pasta to be cool before you add it to your bowl of mush.

After you have drained and rinsed... add the pasta to your bowl of other ingredients and combine. This is your finished product! You can eat it immediately... with saltines... or cover and put it in the fridge. To see a more simplified version of this recipe please visit Tried and True Recipe Share!!

Oh and what's that plastic cup with Sharpie writing for back there you ask?? That's our "coffee water dipper" of course. Doesn't everyone have one of these? It's mainly because we are coffee snobs... I mean lovers. We do not use the coffee carafe to fill up the coffee pot to make coffee. Because of course that would taint the water. Hence the "coffee water dipper." Invented by TDodds. We really should get a patent.
Have a fabulous weekend!!

Love you all!

Bails

Are We Family or What!!??

2009-11-11T16:06:00.003-06:00

The Daddy

The Mommy

The Aubrey Grace

Happy Wednesday to you all!!

The Dodds

Sharing Recipes

2009-11-11T09:16:00.003-06:00

Sharing well-loved recipes, searching for new ones and then trying them for the first time in my own kitchen, has to be one of my most favorite things to do. I love cookbooks... and recipe blogs. Most of my favorite recipes have come from different blogs because they are simply "tried and true!" No one is going to post a recipe they just "sort-of" enjoy.

All that to say... one of my BFF's Courtney started a recipe blog that me and eight other girls will be contributing to. You must go there immediately and get Courtney's recipe for Pumpkin Bread and make it as soon as possible. It's amazing!

Did I link that enough times for you to get the picture?

It should be very fun and exciting!! I will be checking it often!!

Love you all!!

Bails

Girl's Weekend!

2009-11-09T14:51:00.005-06:00

This past weekend... my BFF's and I met at our house for a special girl's weekend! We try to all get together a couple of times a year. I love these girls. I LOVE them. We've all been walking life together since high school... and they are so special to me. I know what you are thinking... a special weekend in Midland!? There is nothing to do there! So true. But really... this is where we all grew up... and it's certainly more about the relationships than anything else. We had a blast drinking coffee together and chatting in our pj's... and eating at Harvest and none other than Kuo's... having Gigi's Cupcakes... playing Apples to Apples... spoiling Aubrey Grace... and of course going bowling! I had totally forgotten how bad bowling alleys smell. And how gross bowling shoes are. And we are terrible... terrible bowlers. All 6 of us. Horrible! But it was hilarious. What an encouraging weekend!!

Paige, Molly, Allison, Courtney, Bails

At the bowling alley... don't you love this stance by Eleanor... I mean Courtney!

Allison creamed us all... both games.

Allison, Paige, Jenna, Molly

These are our bowling scores! I won't say which score belongs to which girlie... I'll leave it up to your imagination.

Whether Sprinkle's or Gigi's... cupcakes are a tradition!

At church yesterday morning... Allison, Bails, Aubrey Grace, Molly, Jenna, Paige, and Courtney

You are loved!

Bails

And Now For Some Hilarity

2009-11-05T10:09:00.005-06:00

My brain is shot... is hilarity a word? I just used bleach to clean our bathrooms... hilarity?

But first look how adorable my little brother Riley is... He'll be 3 next month... can you believe it? He's also very serious about the scriptures.

I just gave up on the phone pictures... mainly because I'm lazy... and when Tyler comes home from work, I don't feel like asking him how to pull the pics from my phone to my computer. SO... we don't have a picture together... but... can you guess who TDodds and I dressed as. Granted... we only had a couple of hours to throw something together since Aubrey had been sick and we weren't sure that we were even going to go to this costume party... We are related, but not married, we are SO famous it's ridiculous. Who are we!?

This isn't us... obviously! These were our homeless people who came complete with a shopping cart and everything.

Mobster... ?? ... and Woody from Toy Story!

bahahaha... that wig!!! I laugh out loud every time I see it.

Sad homeless girl... Gabriella from High School Musical... Jesse from Toy Story... and ??

This was my FAV costume of the evening... it's a Biggest Loser contestant!! And Ms. Tresa had LOTS of padding everywhere... when she walked through the door I laughed so hard I cried!

Playing pictionary... happy old grandma... and ???... hahahahaha laughing out loud again. I can't help it one bit.

Did you guess... I know the clues weren't very helpful. But my T-Shirt should tip you off, and there's a microphone in my pocket! First one to guess gets a prize!! The prize is the satisfaction of being right... first.

This is a quick pic we snapped of Mom, Nana, me, and Aubrey this past weekend before we went to dinner together!

And here is Aubrey Grace in her new favorite thing. She gets so excited... and tired... which makes nap time glorious. Thank you big bouncy toy!

Oh the Prosperity Gospel

2009-11-04T15:21:00.004-06:00

I tend to not speak on "spiritual matters" very often on our blog for several reasons. Mainly because we want to just walk with you the reader... our BFF's... in the very mundane things in life. We want to cry with you, and cook with you, and laugh with you, and hope with you. We just want to love you... deeply. And of course we have a major fear of sounding self-righteous. Maybe we should speak more on what God is teaching us in his word. But we also think there are so many other... better... blogs you can read to grow in your own walk with the Lord.

Putting all of that aside for just one little post... I have some thoughts...

I am madly in love with God's word... I have a true passion, and deep desire to know the scripture. I love inductive study the best, and I truly enjoy research, and Greek and Hebrew root words and so on and so forth. One thing I have never been able to confirm in my study thus far in life is the theology of the prosperity gospel. I can certainly see how these people twist certain scriptures to confirm their greedy desires, but of course, they are deceived. TDodds and I have become so passionate about discrediting this false gospel over the last few years. We believe that this gospel is the height of idolatry. It's not the gospel AT ALL. But sadly, it's spreading to the poorest of poor who are putting their hope in what God can give... and not God himself.

These videos were brought to my attention today... twice... on twitter (i know... i know!). Once from Vernon, and then from Eric. So I decided I might as well watch them knowing that I might be in for something. Well... in the words of Eric... "my heart melts within me..." I just sat here in my chair bawling into my cup of coffee. It makes me angry and frustrated. Surely it's a righteous anger. How have we become so deceived!? What about the poor!?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Love you all!!

Bails

Green Beans

2009-11-03T15:07:00.003-06:00

So sorry I haven't updated yet this week! I really really want you to see photos from a way fun costume party TDodds and I went to over the weekend. Pretty hilarious. But, I have no idea how to get them from my phone to my computer. I'm not the technically savvy one in this house! And my blogging friends know how it is when you have a certain blog that you want to share! It's like against the rules to go ahead and say something else first and then back track. I'm really trying not to be so legalistic.

Aubrey Grace is feeling much better this week as you can plainly see... since she's even giving you the thumbs up sign and all! This was our first attempt at green beans. I think she likes them! What do you think!?

Hugs and love to all of you!

Bails

A Sickly Week at the Dodds...

2009-10-29T10:59:00.002-05:00

Our sweet Aubrey Grace has come down with some sort of weird stomach/cold virus. She just hasn't been herself... and today she started running a low grade fever, so she is a bit fussier than normal. We went to the doctor yesterday where she told us that there is nothing you can do for a virus, except to let it run it's course. So that's what we are doing... letting it run it's course, which can be rather frustrating! I'm so thankful that it's such a rainy, chilly, cloudy day because we can just stay inside and cuddle up together and watch Clifford the Big Red Dog and Max and Ruby. Don't ask me why she seems to prefer those cartoons. It's rather odd, because the animation isn't that interesting. But they are both really sweet.

Speaking of things that Aubrey loves. Since she is getting really into her toys... I am getting excited about Christmas. Granted she'll only be 6 months old... and the majority of what we'd like for her to get would be practical things like clothes. BUT... I walked through the toy aisle at Target the other day and saw so many things that I would LOVE for her to have. The girliest... most fun things. I can't wait.

I think she would LOVE this little purse with all of the fun things play with... just look at that little tube of lip stick! And I would love for her to have this little tea set. How cute is that!? Basically I'm looking for things that she can play with for the next year or so. We are good on toys for her right now, that's for sure! Maybe we will get her something really educational as well... but I mean, that little purse has a zipper! So she'll learn something!

Well... thanks for sticking with my randomness! Maybe I can peel myself away from my blog reading and coffee drinking and cartoon watching to get something done around here! Or maybe I'll take the day off!

Love you all!!

Bails

It's Monday already!?

2009-10-26T10:19:00.004-05:00

I can not believe it's been a week. It's Monday again, and I feel like it should still be Wednesday or maybe even Tuesday evening of last week. What happened?

I have been so tired. SO TIRED. I don't want to turn our blog into a personal rant about the difficulties in my life, but we are walking together right!? Just living life... walking with each other!?

Anyways, Aubrey started teething this past week, and quite literally her whole sweet and content demeanor changed overnight. I could tell that something was going on... the out of control drool and crying definitely tipped me off that teething was our culprit. So last week we spent a lot of time rocking, consoling, drying tears, and figuring out a few remedies so I wouldn't have to give her tylenol all of the time. Frozen pacifiers have become our best friend, and Hyland's tablets are a serious life saver. But I did give her tylenol a couple of times. I feel like I hardly got out of my grubby, hang around the house clothes all week! I certainly missed Tyler being home... that's for sure! I really struggled with frustration and became really stressed out... for relatively no reason.

But that week is over... and a new week has begun!

A couple of other milestones... Aubrey turned 4 months old last week... AND started rolling! It's pretty hilarious! She slowly gets to her tummy, pulls her arms in front of her, and then catapults herself to the other side. She has started getting really interested in some of her toys... especially a little stuffed horse from our sweet friend Amy. She'll roll to things that she wants, but then she has to figure out how to pick them up and play with them. The look of concentration on her face... it's serious!

I didn't take any pictures last week of my little one. Honestly I didn't even think about it. It was hard enough to get my make up on sometime before Tyler got home from work!

I miss him being home... have I said that yet today!? I think that has been my problem. We are adjusting! I will say that it is fun when he comes home... Aubrey gets so excited to see him! I can just see how fun it will be for her (and for him), when she gets a little bit older, and she can run to the door and jump in his arms and tell him all about the fun that she's had that day.

It's a rainy, cool day today, and I would love to say that we get to spend it inside playing and sipping coffee. But, I have to make a Target run for formula, AND I get to go to a little lunch Bible study with some girl friends. If I can hurry and get ready, I can be back in time to enjoy some time alone during Aubrey's afternoon nap time. I think we are going to have homemade pizza for dinner. It's easy. Mmmm and homemade pizza sauce is YUM, and so simple! I will leave you with me and TDodds original recipe...

Homemade Yummiest, Easiest, Cheapest Ever Pizza Sauce for Homemade Pizza from the Dodds...

Combine in a small saucepan...

-a little drizzle of olive oil (like 1/2 a tspn or so)

-1 small 6 oz can of tomato paste

-1 cup of water

Then add in tspn increments the following ingredients until it tastes right... (I know that is so professional... just keep tasting it until it tastes like you want it to!)

-garlic powder (we usually end up adding a tablespoon or more... we like garlic.)

-Italian Seasoning (this just depends on your taste as well)

Add 1/4 to 1/2 tspn of chili powder (just trust me... but it is optional... I guess) and salt and pepper to taste.

Bring all ingredients to a bubble and then take off of the heat. That's it... just spread on a homemade or store bought pizza dough! It's also a really good dipping sauce for garlic breadsticks!

Love you all!

Bails

The Weekend Update...

2009-10-19T10:41:00.007-05:00

Our weekend was great!!!! Friday night we went over to the Gully's house and had so so much fun! Mike and Jody have a very special family situation I guess you could say... and we love all 7 of their kids to bits and pieces. We had hamburgers for dinner, and then for dessert Mike got the fire pit outside ready so that we could have smores!! This was TDodds' first smores experience, which was hilarious... I had no idea that he had never had a smore! I had forgotten how much I loved them... and Kendal brought dark chocolate... so mine was particularly wonderful. I don't like my marshmallows burnt to a crisp... just lightly browned. TDodds decided that the more burnt the marshmallow... the better the smore. We were going to carve pumpkins... but Jody felt like the kids were too hyper. I sort of thought maybe 7 kids running around with carving knives might not be a good idea either!! So Jody melted caramel, and we we made caramel apples instead! The kids LOVED all of the excitement, and it was such a treat for us as well!

Aubrey Grace was so content to just watch all of the craziness!!

Saturday, we had a nice relaxing morning at home, and then that afternoon I went with a couple of BFF's Molly and Jenna to see the movie "Whip-it." It was really funny! Not really my style of movie I guess you could say... but it was a fun movie to see with some girlfriends! While I was at the movies, TDodds and Aubrey Grace went on a date to Best Buy! Ha... I guess Tyler should enjoy getting to pick where they go on their outings... because it won't be long before Aubrey Grace is begging us to go somewhere like Chucky-Cheese. Maybe we'll be lucky and she won't like pizza! Saturday night, Tyler and I stayed in and made this recipe from none other than the Pioneer Woman (of course), with our left over brisket. It was AMAZING! Aubrey went to sleep around 845 and then we watched a movie.

I hope that you all had a fabulous weekend!! I don't know about y'all... but we have a busy busy week ahead!! Love you all!

Bails

Peekaboo!

2009-10-16T08:42:00.004-05:00

Look how resourceful Aubrey Grace is! I guess her little toes were feeling too warm. We think she is brilliant!

Love you all!

Bails

THE U2 TRIP

2009-10-14T09:31:00.005-05:00

When TDodds bought tickets for the U2 concert back in April, someone said to him... "Wow, this is like #1 on your life's to-do list." And Tyler responded in all seriousness, "No... this IS my life's to-do list." So needless to say, the last couple of days were very exciting!

Sunday after church and lunch with a couple of BFF's, we dropped Aubrey and everything she owned (or so it seemed!) off at my parent's house. This would be the first time we would leave her for 2 nights! After unloading everything and goodbye kisses, we set out for Arlington! We arrived at about 730PM and immediately pulled into the nearest Pappadeux's for some seafood awesomeness! We certainly kicked the diets for a few days. My bacon wrapped shrimp were delectable, and TDodds' seafood platter was like overflowing all over the table it was so big! After that, we checked into our hotel and turned in for the night. I can not even describe to you how amazing it was to get like 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep. What a treat!

Here is the view we woke up to outside our hotel window. Six Flags Over Texas... the height of romance people! Since it was Columbus Day, and the park was open... you could actually hear the whoosh of the roller coasters. And Tyler said he could hear people screaming... but I don't know about that. He must have spidey sense. It was kind of fun to watch though... I won't lie. Every time I looked at the Superman ride I thought of my mom. They have the same ride at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, and one time a few years ago... me, my mom, and brothers went for a day of fun, and my mom loved that ride so much... we rode it like 5 times. She's quite the daredevil!

It was a cloudy, cool, dreary, rainy day... but that didn't stop us from having a blast! Oh no! We started our day with an early lunch at Pei Wei, and then grabbed coffee at Starbucks and headed to Sprinkles for some cup cakes. I love that place. TDodds ordered a vanilla milk chocolate cupcake...
My cupcake was mocha flavored. It was chocolate heaven...
After that, we walked through Northpark Mall... my favorite. And I had to see if I needed anything from Janie and Jack for Aubrey Grace. I left empty handed... they didn't have anything "that" marked down. We then drove back to the hotel for about 30 minutes to freshen up and then drove to the new Dallas Cowboys monstrosity... I mean stadium... for the concert of the century. Here are the Dodds with their tickets... Can't you feel the excitement!?

Oh and look who we just happened upon! It's Chris and Craig!!!!!!
So... I hate to be a disappointment... but I have zero pictures from inside, because I couldn't take my camera since it's also a video camera. AND, TDodds' phone died about 5 minutes into our adventure. So no IPhone photos either. It's alright... we have memories stored away in our hearts. The concert was amazing. However, I think we were both slightly disappointed, because U2 is known for their elaborate, incredibly awesome, and innovative shows. But this one was rather plain. I mean, the set was awesome... but compared to other tours... it just didn't seem as amazing. Or maybe we had built it up for so long in our heads, that we were disappointed just because we had such unreal expectations. All that aside, it really was an amazing concert. We feel so blessed we were able to be there... together... alone! We had so much fun.

We slept in a little Tuesday morning, and then after a lunch at Uncle Julio's started the drive home. I was so ready to see my sweet Aubrey Grace... I had missed her so much!!

Oh and what's on my life's to-do list you ask?? A few at the top would be whale watching in Cape Town, South Africa. Going on a hot air balloon ride. Doing all of my Christmas shopping in one day at the Mall of America. Having a hot cup of coffee at the top of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Oh and I must... MUST go to Serendipity in New York for a piece of cake, after I've bought a pair of black gloves at Macy's (or is it Bloomingdale's? I can't remember) and then gone ice skating. For Serendipity is my favorite movie. *sigh.* And if you have no idea what I'm talking about... you really should see the movie. Oh I could go on and on... they are small things really... I have a long list. But thanks for asking!

Have a happy Wednesday!

Love you all,

Bails

Saturday Equals Sleepiness...

2009-10-10T11:40:00.004-05:00

It's Saturday. And it's just one of those sleepy days! Aubrey Grace is taking her morning nap, and TDodds and I are just resting. We have so much to do today, but those things can wait a few hours right!? As soon as I'm finished writing this post, I'm going to go put on my make up and fix my wild hair! It will be a Saturday morning milestone! And before noon might be a record

(for a Saturday... I promise I'm not this lazy every day)!

TDodds has had quite the busy week at the office... he is loving his new role at the church! And he is so excited to not be doing web design anymore! YAY! Aubrey and I had a rather low key - stay at home kind of week. We spent a lot of time inside, getting things done around the house. Usually I go to the work out class at the church 3 times a week in the morning... but this week I only made it once! Oh well... there is always next week! Yesterday I was feeling a little bit of cabin fever, so Aubrey Grace and I went out on the town!! We started our day by getting dressed up (dressed up for us usually means presentable), going to Starbucks and picking up coffee for some girlfriends who all happen to work at the same office. I'm perfectly content staying at home... I love not having to work outside of our home. BUT, if I had to work anywhere... it would be at this oil company with these girls! I love you Brittaney, Anna, and Erin. You are so fun!!

Brittaney is able to bring baby Londyn to work! Isn't that awesome!?

Erin and Anna

Aubrey Grace and Londyn are only 4 weeks apart. We are pretty sure they are going to be BFF's!

After that, we rushed to Fazoli's to have lunch with a college girlfriend, Katie. She is so sweet and I love hearing about her exciting life! While we were at Fazoli's, I had to change Aubrey's diaper 2 times... and then she actually burst into hysterical tears for no reason. I was like oh my word... this has never happened in public before! I tried feeding her, but I think she was just really tired! She finally went to sleep in her car seat, but then I had to wake her up about 20 minutes later when we got home to feed her. After her little cat nap she was in a happy mood, so we set out to go shopping!! It was so fun! I had to get a new pair of jeans, because I dropped a pants size (victory!) last week... and I only had 2 long sleeved shirts! I found some jeans and a few shirts at Target, and then we trekked to Kohls. I put Aubrey in her car seat, where she immediately konked out, so I thought, even if I don't find anything I'll just walk around for a while so she can sleep. While there, I ran into my Mom! How great is that? She was returning something and I had no idea she was going to be there! We shopped for a bit together, but then she had to leave, so I just walked around for about 45 more minutes! Exciting I know! After we came home, my parents brought Riley over to spend the evening with us, so that they could go out together! He is so much fun!! We had a blast... and every time he comes over we imagine what it's going to be like with 2 kids someday. All I can say is Lord have mercy.

We hope you have a great weekend!

Love you all!

Bails