Mark it down. It's a Jones family record. We have eaten at home for almost every single meal since we got home from Missouri last Wednesday. The exceptions were one working lunch each for Curtis and me and one homemade dinner at my mom's house. But still! I'm so proud of us! Let's be honest, I'm proud of myself for cooking.
I was having a self-congratulatory moment this morning when I figured out that I still have ingredients for one more dinner before I have to go to the store again. It was cut short by the realization that the only room in our home that is in order is the kitchen. Our Christmas stuff is gone but we are about halfway unpacked and there is laundry everywhere. On top of that, I have not gone running since we've gotten home.
WHY CAN I NOT DO IT ALL?!?!
Okay, I feel better now. I think.
I was still in a good mood this morning even though my conceited little bubble had burst. I set the breakfast table for Jackson, Annabeth and I to eat together. Annabeth would feed herself bananas while Jackson and I ate toast and talked about dinosaurs and monsters.
Then Jackson started to complain that I had cut his banana in half and given part of it to his sister. He also wanted his toast dry and not with honey. He had nothing good to say about his breakfast. So I sent him to sit on the steps while I ate in peace. Sweet Annabeth was still with me. But she hated her bananas and starting dropping the pieces on the floor. I had to remove the tray. I finished my breakfast. Jackson was invited back to the table. I then fed the baby some yogurt. Which Jackson wanted. He ate two bites of his breakfast.
I noticed Annabeth's nose was running profusely and she seemed flat. Another cold. Jackson's cold has settled into his chest and he's coughing a lot. I hate to admit that cold and flu season has me wishing for summer. Did I just say that? What has become of me?
Maybe I am being driven to insanity by my scabbed-over knuckles and bleeding lips. My body is in total humidity withdrawal. Humidity is somewhat like crack to Houstonians. We hate it but we neeeeeeeeeed it. Another thing that might land me in a special home is the fact that I have given up something very dear to me for the new year. Are you ready for this? French fries. I have not had a french fry since December 31, 2009. The Lord has enabled me, y'all!
Gotta run. Snotty Girl has just pulled up at my chair and the aroma suddenly filling my personal space is rank enough to make a grown man cry.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Besides a baby, what pregnant women get in return for surrendering their waistlines is nine months of thick, glorious hair. It’s a beautiful thing. However, when Baby is just a few months old (about the time Mommy is seeing hints of her returning waistline) it all falls out. Soon her face is framed by the re-growth—lovely inch-long hairs called baby bangs. This blog is named for that charming little phenomenon.
- 2theLeast
- Ann Voskamp
- As Our Own
- Bayou City Fellowship (our church)
- Big Mama
- Bless Our Nest
- Boo Mama
- Curtis Jones Podcast
- Debra Parker
- Dreaming Big Dreams
- Erica Stidham
- His Voice for Sudan
- It's Almost Naptime
- Keely Scott
- Kelly's Korner
- Lindsey Nobles
- Love Well
- Love, September
- LPM Blog
- Marla Taviano
- Ministry So Fabulous
- Noodles and Milk
- Owl Creek Cottage
- Patricia Jones
- Rage Against the Minivan
- Shaun Groves
- The Bargain Shopper Lady
- The Gypsy Mama
- The Preacher's Wife
- Virtue Alert
49 comments:
Oh goodness... You gave up Fries!
Wow!
You are brave!!!
Hope everyone feels better soon!
That happens to me ALL the time. I get all puffed up about something I've been ROCKING lately and then I realize that everything else in my life/house has gone to pot.
Poo.
Keep at it, girl. I've been praying for you!
Way to go. That is a goal of mine this year. I asked for The Pioneer Woman Cooks this year for Christmas and I challenged myself to cook my way thru her cookbook and blog about it. I made my very first recipe yesterday. Hope Annabeth feels better soon.
You make me laugh, Amanda. Girl, talk about will power. But you can do it… those fries will not get the best of you, haha!!!
I love your posts and how REAL you are. It is always so encouraging to know that it's ok to admit that we are not perfect! :)
Good job on giving up your fries!
As a Houstonian, I understand what you're saying about our weather. Amanda, you make me laugh so hard when I read your posts! I always feel like I'm right there with ya!
I will never ever give up french fries. Not ever. Unless a doctor orders it.
You should be proud! Isn't it some kind of sin to give up fries? Good luck!
Your home sounds (and smells) just like my daughter's home. Have comfort my child for you are not alone!! ha!
Mammy
French fries!!! I think I could do it, but only if I kept my child away from McDonald's.
Would Texas Fries be considered French Fries? I think not!
Do you know about E-Mealz.com? Changed my cooking life! We rarely eat out, lots of variety in our menu plan, and the food is good!
Use coupon code DAVE and get a discount on your subscription!!
Nobody can do it all! Nobody! If you see someone who has it together in an area where you're weak, then there's probably an area where she's weak and you're strong! Remind yourself that you're making strides forward, and that you've given up french fries for pete's sake, and pat yourself on the back!! :) I gave up diet Coke in early December and congratulate myself every day--it was hard!!
Sounds EXACTLY like my morning! Both my four year old and 10 month old woke up with runny noses. Bentley's grilled cheese was not cut into the proper squares he wanted and my house is a mess!
And the laundry, well, we won't even go there!
Girl, you always make me laugh!
Eating at home that many times in a row is a HUGE accomplishment!
And not eating fries is even bigger. I'm trying to think if I have, so I can join you. But, I guess I can join you either way!
See you at the Memory verse conference.
LOL. You are so funny :)
Can I just say that I HATE cold and flu season. I feel like a crazy woman. At all times I am armed with hand sanitizer. AT ALL TIMES. After my 3 year old got out of sunday school yesterday - I pretty much bathed him in it. It's kinda ridiculous, really. And don't even get me started on stomach viruses. Yuck. Yuck. and Yuck.
And did you just say that you gave up french fries FOR A YEAR? As a little girl, I fell in love with McDonald's french fries - and though I don't get them often - I still love them. I applaud you, girl. Whoa. NO french fries for a year - you rock!
Thanks for the laugh!
-Kate :)
French fries? Girl, you are really making a serious sacrifice here. Seriously.
As for the cooking, kids hating what you give them and whining about it profusely, snotty noses so runny you wonder where all the goo is coming from, and dirty diapers that could literally peel the pant off the walls, well...I hate it for you. I'm living it, too. I hate it for me, too. And from one scabbed over knuckle bearing person to another, we will make it. For we are more than conquerors!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
Oh, Im a humidity addict myself, being a Floridian. I believe my skin is actually cracking. I can't stop itching and I don't own any closed toe shoes because I LIVE IN FLORIDA and my pond is not suppose to freeze over?! What the heck. I pretend it is awful but it has its perks too.
May you be blessed with fairy maids today who tidy for you while you are out.
Kim
Humidity is crack! My lips are so beyond hurting and my hands are practically white!
Fries! I have the utmost respect for you. Have you been to Chick-fil-A yet?
I always wonder why I can't do it all? Are we not meant to?
This post made me giggle. I can vividly picture your morning with the kiddoes. Didn't Curtis give up French Fries one year? I fell like this is a common Jones' thing to do??? Am I wrong? I also thought about giving up fries...you might be my inspiration enough to NOT eat them either. I did make it through one chick-fil-a run without eating on delicious waffle fry. I am nervous I won't have the stamina for it for the ENTIRE year. You have given me some encouragement!
I neeeeeed humidity too.
I feel your pain! I gave up chocolate. NOT indefinitely...just seeing how long I can make it without it. I got a head start in December and have gone 14 days without touching the M&M's in my candy bowl. AH! I won't tell you I'm having fries tonight. :)
I'm the same way with the housework- I can't do it all9or even get close), no matter how hard I try. And I only have one baby.
Good for you to give up fries- I gave up Dr Pepper. It's been tough, but I'm amazed at how I'm surviving without it.
I am so edified - french fries! You can do all things thru CHRIST!
I am with you on the humidity. After living in Texas for 8 years, I can't stand dry weather. I invested in a vaporizer this winter and it has made me so happy. I would suggest one for the kids - helps keep colds and coughs more manageable!
Blessings!
Sister Lynn
NNNeeeeeddd me some humidity too. Winter kills me. My teenager even asked what's going on with my hands (my knuckles are so rough they could sand wood). North Alabama has its share of summer humidity and I am yearning for a day I can walk the dog without 3 coats, gloves, ski-mask, ear-muffs...
Lord have mercy!! I know what you mean. I do great on one thing and then awful on everything else!!! Life is so dang hard. And your post on innocence rocked my face off. Loved it. Loved it. I'll be praying for you.
LORD be with you in the season of separation of fried potatos.
Oh My Goodness! That is what I gave up for a year. I received my inspiration from my 12 year old daughter and 4 of her friends who gave up chocolate last year (09) for a whole year.
Love reading your blog!
I have pretty much given up fast food, too, and it is only through the LORD!!! Hard stuff!!! I'm with you on the trying to cook more, too! :) Hope your household gets well SOON!
I have had about 10 french fries since June 22. Maybe 12 of them. I miss them. :(
But good for you!!! All this reality happening around you and you still managed to be funny.
You are loved.
Melana
Quit telling tales Momma. I refuse to believe that anything that comes from that precious girls smells like less than roses.
Oh, how I love you, dear sister. You make me laugh, you make me cry (in all good sorta ways), you help point me to Jesus and praise Him (like the beautiful post from yesterday did), and you make me not feel alone in this journey of motherhood and all of its normal ups and downs. :) I am so thankful for you!
You gave up fries!! What a brave thing to do. I wish we had never discovered Koppe Bridge burgers and fries!!
I tho't moving back to humid Texas would be horrible for my natural curly hair, but with a flat iron I've grown very close to humidity! Now I really miss it with all our cold weather!
Do you run when it's this cold--I would think it would hurt your lungs?? Hope the kiddos will spring back soon!
I was just telling someone today that I wondered if Houstonians got so use to the humidity that we actually NEED it? I know my skin is not happy with this dry, winter air. I've been slathering on body butter after every shower. What would we do if we lived in a truly cold, wintery place?! :)
i am with you about the neeeeed for humidity. too funny! my hands are all cracked & bleeding and i cannot wait until it gets hot again! i am tired of shivering inside my own house! i miss seeing you... hope to catch up with you soon!
I am so ready for spring, this cold weather is wearing on me and my lips too! I have worn some chapstick out. Way to go giving up fries! you rock.
This was #2 on my wish list to Santa:
2. I love my husband - really, I do - but could I also have a wife? One who washes clothes, packs lunches, remembers show and tell and all tennis lessons, pays the bills and irons clothes properly (instead of willing the wrinkles out with the dryer). A gal who returns phone calls and emails in a timely manner, makes dinner representing all the food groups, and cares about dirty baseboards and cobwebs.
Sadly,it didn't happen, but I felt better just asking. : )
Joni
The "crack" comment really "cracked" me up. But so true, that is why Southern Coast women have beautiful skin. All that humidity. When we start sweating (oops, glowing) is when we start to complain about the humidity. Praying for your little ones to get through this winter.
Anyone who can give up fries AND cook for more than one day in a row IS rocking it. Be proud. I was pretty proud of myself for baking a breakfast casserole IN TIME for my girls to go to school today. Two of them chose cold cereal.
I have some recipes I could send you if your interested. One is for cheese potatoes, they are cooked in an iron skillet and they are to die for. My kids love them better than french fries any day of the week.
Bless you little mama! Those are the things these days are made of. But it's ok. And your tomorrows will be made of different but equally mundane and simple things. That's what a life of service is made of. Bless you!
Our hands our cracked, our lips are chapped, but our HAIR looks fabulous! :-)
Amanda, I love your realness:) I'm going to try and cook at home more too, because soon, I'm going to have to focus on getting back to pre-baby weight. I'm already thinking about it, is that healthy?? I've watched too much Biggest Loser lately, and I don't even like their occasional cursing, why watch for motivation when you get blindsided by curse words every 20 minutes? I like your momma stories, you know that:) Giving up french fries for a whole year is a super hard thing! May you be preserved blameless from the french fries! Blessings to you Little Momma,
katiegfromtennessee
I agree with you on the insanity thing...this lack of humidity in the south is killer...it's really awful when you stoop to applying cracked heel cream to your lips!
If you figure out the whole "doing it all" conundrum, let me know. 'Cause I'm still trying to figure out why I can't, too.
I gave up fries once... YOU can do it! But when you return, they still taste OH so good. I still think I am more addicted to dipping them into the KETCHUP than the actual fry!
OH my word... I was seriously congratulating myself on that very subject this afternoon... we've eaten at church last night and other than that we've been home! And then... I came home and realized my bathrooms were disgusting, my floors need to be vacuumed... well, you don't need a full report. Let's just say I went from feeling like June Cleaver to Roseanne.
A friend recently told me, "You CAN do it all. You just can't do it all AT THE SAME TIME."
Amen.
I'm still cracking up over your love/hate relationship with humidity. I'm not a fan. I didn't know anyone who was. You and Missy are enlightening me.
Girl, the doctor has told me I have high cholesterol and I've not eaten fries either. I've even been choosing the fruit cup instead of the wonderful waffle fries at ChicFilA. If that ain't the work of the Holy Spirit I don't know what is!
Post a Comment