And then I burned the bread...

I am generally a pretty forgetful person. I have to write stuff down or I will never remember. I thought I would love on my iphone and ipad where I can make notes and reminders for myself. But generally, I make lists and reminders and forget to look back at them. I make about 8 lists before we go on a trip because I always forget that I have already started one. I am just forgetful, I admit it. But lately things have really gotten out of hand. So the latest adventures of the Carters began last Saturday when I left my purse at my mother's house in Minden. I know you are thinking, "how do you leave your purse?" Well, quite easily. My keys and my phone were on the counter, so I grabbed them and the kids and got in the car and left. This wouldn't be quite so bad except for that I got to the only gas station between Minden and Magnolia and realized that I desperately needed gas. And I have no method of payment! So I use my higer order thinking skills and decide, do I have enough gas to make it back to Minden or do I need to go on to Magnolia. I determine it is in our best interest to go on to Magnolia. So we make it home with about 12 miles to empty! WHEW!!! I wish I had my black purse!

My sweet husband fills my car up with gas for me Sunday night because we never had time during the day Sunday to get my sweet, precious, super important purse back!

Monday starts off a little rocky also. I forget my travel cup of coffee at home, which I have never done but I knew I would be really late to work if I went back home so I just prayed Mrs. Kathy would have some made when I got there and praise Jesus she did!!! So you are thinking, just stop at the gas station and get some...but remember I have no method of payment!I also forgot to take Walker's jacket to school that morning. And you immediately think oh well, no big deal. Yes, it is...I'm a teacher... we talk about people who send their children to school inappropriately dressed for the weather. And for the record, yes I drove to school without my driver's license. I was very careful and had my whole story ready for the cop that I was sure would pull me over. I just know they can tell I am driving without my license! I only forget a few more minor things on Monday and again, can't work it out where I can meet Mama to get my purse back. I really miss my purse! I have big plans to go to the grocery store, get my bunco gift, etc when I realize I have no method of payment!! I shamefully ask Micah to meet me at the store to buy my goods for me. That only hurt my pride a little. I really need my purse back.

Tuesday morning is relatively uneventful, I ride with a co-worker to a meeting and the day is ok. I did forget to ask Micah for money for lunch so I had to borrow $20 out of Walker's bank. This is getting terrible! My co-worker brings me home and I get ready to go get the kids and realize I have forgotten my keys in her car. At this point, I quit missing my purse and really just miss by brain cells working! I leave to go get the kids so we can go meet Mama to get my purse. Micah reminds me to please not forget the kids and we are on our way. We make it to Shongaloo (yes, I still have no driver's license with me) and wait on Mom. After about 20 minutes, I call her. She's never late when we meet, just me! Through a terrible miscommunication (mostly on my part), mom thinks we are not meeting and is still in Minden! I sadly turn north and head home. I have to explain to Walker and Tatum that I am sorry, I can't stop at the gas station and get you a snack because again, I have no method of payment! Stupid purse!

We finally make it home and I start on supper that thankfully was in the crockpot so it doesn't matter if you forget about it. My crockpot will turn off after 10 hours...thank goodness! I get supper ready and we are about to eat. Then, I smell something...I forgot the rolls in the oven. Somebody, anybody, if you have any way of getting my purse from Minden to Magnolia or if you see my brain walking around somewhere, please return them both to me. I miss them both so much. We had a really great thing going before they left. I will be really nice to them from now on if they will just give me another chance.

Why did I choose to blog about this? Because as I am typing it I am laughing at myself. Am I lamenting over my terrible misfortune and how awful my life is? Naaaaaahhhh...you know me better than that! It's so much fun just to laugh at myself. Micah says maybe I should start this day over and try again. I think starting the week over would be more beneficial! Happy Tuesday, everybody!!!

Define need...

If you have been around me much lately, you have heard me make statements such as: "I need to go to the grocery store"; "I need to get my list together for cooking for the holidays"; "I need to finish up my Christmas shopping"; "I need to wrap presents"; "I need to clean house (which I say A LOT)"; and I even told Micah a few days before Christmas: "I need to get Tatum a few more things, Walker has a lot more than she does." So you see the common factor in all of these statements is the word "need". "Need" is defined as "to be needful or NECESSARY".

Now that the Christmas and New Year festivities are over, I have been reflecting back over the past few weeks and am tremendously thankful for the blessings the Lord has seen fit to give us. However, I have been pondering the difference in my needs and my wants, even if those wants aren't for me but what I want for others. You see, I didn't necessarily want (or need) anything for Christmas but I love to get gifts for others, which I honestly do not feel like is a bad thing. I NEEDED to get all these people on my Christmas list the perfect gift...from my Dad's dog (I forgot to get it but she WAS on my list) to teachers to parents and grandparents who tell us every year not to get them anything (they better be careful, one year I am going to listen).

Then, we spent a night at Arkansas Children's Hospital with Tatum. She had a very minor surgery and did very well, but I was ashamed and embarassed of what my focus has been on these past 6 weeks or so. Now, I know the TRUE meaning of Christmas and we teach our children the real reason for Christmas but somewhere along the way, festivities, eating, gathering with family, presents, and fun became very imporatant also. Suddenly everything that I NEEDED the past few weeks seemed so ridiculous. The meaning of need slapped me in the face and I believe with everything in me that the only NEED we have is Jesus. After Him, love, family, friendship, prayer, kindness, and food and shelter enough to sustain life seemed the only important things. We NEED to tell others about Jesus. We NEED to love, even those that we do not want to love. We NEED our families and we NEED to work on our relationships with family. We NEED friends that we love and that love us. We NEED to pray for ourselves and others. We NEED to show kindness to those less fortunate than us and those in times of trials (you never know when you will need someone to show kindness to you)! We NEED a cure for cancer and other terrible diseases. We don't NEED more Squinkies because they were on sale and Walker would like them and he didn't get to come with us to Little Rock. (He probably didn't need that new Angry Birds shirt but it was cute and he loved it, so I am not ready to admit that one yet. And while, I am admitting this publicly Tatum didn't need those so cute pink sparkly TOMS but they were on sale 1/2 price!!) We don't NEED to make sure both kids have the same amount of toys (just FYI, I think Tatum probably ended up with more and neither one noticed).

 Then I think of those less fortunate, domestic and abroad and remind myself that I have no idea what it is to need. I am not apologizing for the blessings the Lord has given us; nor do I think having material possessions is a bad thing. He has blessed our family "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." But I do think that from time to time, we all need a reminder of the definition of a NEED. I can honestly say, that thanks be to God I don't really know what it is like to NEED. I have what I need, now I need to be thankful. (And I do NEED to clean my house; that's a standing need around here!)

Define Need...

Did I leave some true NEEDS off my list? Please share!! Have a great week everyone and I urge you to reflect on what you have that you do not NEED and thank Him from whom all blessings flow!