Thanks Simple Mom!

I won a great giveaway today from Simple Mom! If you've never checked out her site it's full of great tips for saving money, maintaining sanity and living a simple life with kids. Plus, it's a great week to check her out because she's giving away tons of fantastic stuff and it's not too late for YOU to win too! This is what I won, but you should go and check it all out yourself. Thanks again Simple Mom!

Zoo Membership...

One of our favorite outings is going to the Jacksonville Zoo. We haven't been since November so when I saw that the weather was going to be in the 70's yesterday I made some sandwiches and we headed out. (Sorry to all our friends and family stuck inside with ice and snow!)

Every place we have lived we have purchased a membership to at least one museum, aquarium or zoo. It's a great way to stretch your money and still get out of the house. Plus, you often receive a discount on extra tickets so that you can bring friends or out of town family with you and your kids. For me, a trip to the zoo or museum is worth the cost of a membership and definitely Works For Me. It more than pays for itself with the money I save by NOT going to Target to "get out of the house."

This particular zoo is a great size for kids - big enough without being overwhelming. Plus, with a membership you don't feel like you have to see everything every time you go. But one thing we ALWAYS do is ride the train. We also made sure that we petted the goats in Discovery Park and saw Larry Lion. (Mark's been learning about the letter L at school this week.) Here are some shots of our day!

Our visit began and ended with a train ride.

Mom and Luke on the train

Climbing on the elephant statue

Sliding in the kid's play area

"Making Lukie laugh," as Mark calls it.

Miss America...

I love the Miss America pageant. I really do. Apparently viewership has been declining over the last 5-10 years, but I still love watching it every year. I even watch the TLC show Countdown to the Crown that was on all month leading up to last night's show. This time I totally agreed with the judges. Miss Georgia the first runner-up was wonderful, but Miss Indiana was my favorite from the start. Not only was she beautiful, but she gave thoughtful poised answers in her interview and performed a beautiful rendition of "Via Dolorosa." And no one could have had a more genuine stunned reaction. Congratulations Katie Stam! Anyone else watch it?

Good Help is Hard to Find...

Good thing I have so much help around the house while Tim is gone! Anyone want to hire him?

As I was uploading this video I heard Mark saying, "Sweep, sweep, sweep!" I peeked into the kitchen to capture these photos.

Clash of the Big 12...

Today is National Clash Clothes Day according to Sandra at Celebrate Every Day. She's put a challenge out there, so here's our attempt at clashing. We decided to go for the creative approach and wear all of our different Big 12 gear. If you don't see your school represented, well, send us some clothes. We don't discriminate except against t.u. You'll notice there is no burnt orange here. Tim won't allow it in the house. But the orange crocs are a tribute to Oklahoma State. What do you think? Can you beat our clash?

Golf hat, Tech onesie, Oklahoma jacket, cammo pants, blue socks, orange sandals...

Oklahoma hat, red shirt, Aggie jersey, plaid shorts, argyle socks and orange crocs...

Elsewhere in Cyberspace...

Read about my two hours of sanity a day at the gym and how I plan on taking the eggnog lattes off my hips at Today's Housewife...

I'm so excited about Mark's choice in his future bride. Meghan is the sweetest girl and we have so much fun together. She entered their story in a contest and you can read it here...

Real Love...

So, I'm going to admit something tonight. I watch "The Bachelor". Not only do I watch it, but I really love watching it. Tim hates it and won't watch it with me. (I don't really blame him for this. He is a guy. ) Since he's at sea I'm actually getting to watch it on the night that it originally airs instead of a few days later from my DVR. And I'm thoroughly enjoying this particular season. So much drama! As far as the show concept goes, I don't know that it's the world's best way to find a mate (especially considering the show's record of long-term matches) but it makes for great television for me.

As much as I love this show though I have to vent. These silly little girls are already talking about how they are falling "in love" with Jason. They gush about how much they care about him and want to spend the rest of their life with him after only knowing him a few weeks. Most of them have only been on group dates! And while I'm sure that riding in a helicopter over LA or Vegas is fun and magical and dancing during a private concert is romantic, it's not love.

What is love then? Love is my Mamaw and Papaw still holding hands 56 years into their marriage. Love is my Grandaddy caring for my Granny as she declines with Alzheimer's. Love is doing Tim's stinky boat laundry. Love is Tim holding my hand as I give birth to our two boys. (Love is also giving birth while watching football because it's Texas/OU weekend.) Love is taking your family to church each week. Love is cooking dinner for your husband. Love is leaving your wife a card for each week you are at sea. Love is caring for your children together. Love is so much more than a romantic kiss or a feeling of butterflies in your stomach. Love is a choice to forgive and see the other person as Jesus does - redeemed.

Don't misunderstand me. I'm still going to be watching The Bachelor every Monday night. I'm not bothered by the misunderstanding of "love" that much! I even have a favorite I'm rooting for. (If you'd like a hint her name rhymes with "Menefanie".) I just wanted to clear a few things up about love...

Anyone else have a favorite?