Police, Cars, and Bullet Holes!

Ok, so God does work in mysterious ways. While my friends window being shot was being investigated by police and handled by an insurance company I was distracted and was going to stick around until it was settled....
Meanwhile at my home there were police rushing down my street, a helicopter hovering and an armed man running around the woods behind our neighbor's house. He was captured (after someone was possible shot) and taken into custody.
This is where God's plan I spoke about earlier is evident. If I wasn't earlier distracted by the ongoings about my friends car...then I would have been pulling up to my home right in the middle of all of this madness. I believe that I was being protected from something that may have happened.
So that you God for your protection...and thank you Cindy for having your car there...dealing with your insurance company and helpful policemen for my safety AND playing your part in God's plan of protection. =)

SOMETIMES

• Sometimes there isn't words for the frustration.
• Sometimes you should keep your mouth shut.
• Sometimes you shouldn't.
• Sometimes you feel as though you will burst with insanity if you hold on to it any longer.
• Sometimes your frustration is spewed onto the wrong person.
• Sometimes you need to pray about it.
• Sometimes you get annoyed when people tell you things that you already know.
• Sometimes you wish you could get out how you really feel without repercussions.
• Sometimes you just have to blog it.
• Sometimes you can't because you never know who's reading it.
• Sometimes there is nothing left to say or do.

The name game

I am convinced that the first challenging job of a parent is to name the baby. Naming another human being is a huge responsibility! I am sure the Ragina's and Poindexter's of the world would agree with this blog.
Stephen and I were kicking around names for the new baby today. It seems that when we feel secure with one, someone either takes it or tells us how much they hate it! That led me to sending out a mass e-mail today asking for other people's favorite names.
In the past we've read books, read polls, and even researched personalities assumptions that people make when hearing names when naming our kids. We have also raided the family tree (even if you don't have kids you should try it for a good laugh).
Certain names are cute now, but what will people think of a 50 year old woman name Trixie or something? It just doesn't have the same effect. Plus, I don't think that the name Trixie can compare to the name Alexandra on a resume.
Thoughts?

The Me Questionaire

What was i doing ten years ago?
I was seventeen years old on the verge of graduating, and I was about to be shipped off to an university that I hated!
5 things on my "to-do" list...
1) Fold Laundry 2) Clean out car
3) Grow Baby in Utero 4) Feed and Clothe Everyone Daily
5) To spot clean at least 30 min. daily
Snacks I enjoy
Nutella, Golden Apples, Ice Pop, and Baguette
Five things I'd do if i were a billionaire...
1) Pay of Debts 2) Buy/Build dream home 3) Give & Donate to missions/churches 4) De-burden parents financially 5) Extend our family further by adoption
5 bad habits...
1) Being too blunt 2) Remembering Everything
3) Worrying/Anxiety 4) Biting my nails
5) Obsessing
Places I've lived...
Fayetteville, NC
Casselberry, FL
Cullowhee, NC
Oviedo, FL
Orlando, FL
Sanford, FL
Five jobs I've had...
1) Compliance Clerk w/ Sears 2) Donations Services @ CCC 3) Starbucks Barista
4) Cheerleading Coach 5) Substitute Teacher
Who's Next?
Cindy Harle
Danielle (formerly Dahl)
ummm....anyone else that hasn't been mentioned from Jen's blog???????

Meaty Madness!

It is almost one o'clock in the morning and...WHAM...my first pregnancy craving has hit me!
STEAK!
I am not an avid red meat eater, nor do I store steak in my refrigerator unless a super special occasion is approaching.
Yet, like a runaway freight train this craving is uncontrollable. My mouth salivates like a dog, and I have dragged myself out of my warm cozy bed to the quiet frigid kitchen.
As a substitute, I have located beef in the fridge (meant for tomorrows dinner). Yes, I now have actually pulled out my frying pan and without second thought, have whipped it up for my consumption.
Readers, do not be filled with dismay and total disgust. I am proud to announce that this beef was 100% organic (no hormones, additives, etc. AND the animal was raised on a complete vegetarian diet). Plus, I have pulled out the all natural chicken for dinner....everyone wins and everyone is fed!
OH, and by the way...IT IS Sooooooooooooo WORTH IT!

Finally, a conclusion

OK, so the debate has been thrown around in several circles about Africans clapping on the offbeat rather that the "even" beats. I know that this sounds confusing (and a little dumb), but for some reason it has been eating away at me!
Stephen (Africa native since birth) and family (parents still reside overseas) have clapped the same as me throughout and have joked about the apparent clapping impaired that plagues our churches and people (all in good fun).
SO, when the idea came up that we were not clapping/keeping the beat the "African" way you can see our disgust with the very idea!
That got me digging....I researched many songs, sites, stories, and anything else that could help me reach a conclusion (right or wrong).....and what I found was surprising.
When Africans are singing traditional "African" songs or have arranged music they do tend to clap on the off beat. However, when adapting an "English" song they tend to clap on the even beats!
Both sides are right! The actual answer and problem were simply lost in translation!
You can be assured that I am breathing a sigh of relief as this inner turmoil can finally be extinguished.

The Bock Expansion Project

Last week, I was driving home from having dinner with some friends. Stephen asked me to get some ice cream on my way home, and while I was in the Walgreens it occurred to me that I may need to pick up a pregnancy test. I didn't "feel" pregnant, and I actually thought that it was a silly idea that I didn't need to follow through on. But, they were on sale. I went home and performed the test (I'll spare you the details...). Minutes later I was shocked to see a plus sign in the results window.

I walked out to see Stephen and told him to close his eyes (he had no idea a test was purchased and administrated). I simply asked, "Are you ready for this?" Stephen nervously, "What?" With that I handed him the test and told him to open his eyes and said, "To be a father again." Stephen got over the initial shock of the plus sign and digested the information. He hugged me and said "Of coarse!"

Wow, God's timing. Three other tests later (I'm a bit of a skeptic), I conceded to the fact that I am indeed pregnant. My first doctor's appointment is May 19, and I am approximately 5 weeks along (super beginning stages). Pray that everything progresses smoothly, please; and you know that I'll be keeping you updated!!!