Hey, Siestas! While many of you are doing the usual thing, a lot of us in the Houston-Galveston area are holed up in our homes waiting for Tropical Storm Edouard to drop by town. (What was someone thinking? If it’s coming to Texas, it would be more aptly named Tropical Storm Bubba. If you must call it “Edouard,” please roll a very long “r.”) I was planning to take a much needed day off but I’d intended on doing it at the Galleria shopping with AJ while our darling Jackson was at Mother’s Day Out. As it turns out, most of the LPM staff has been instructed to stay home and only a few that live just down the street from the ministry are going to the office. It’s really not a day for getting your shopping bags to the parking lot of a large mall. It’s that kind of day when your umbrella turns inside out (I hate when that happens) and you nearly do the Mary Poppins.
So here we are at the Moore home, rain peppering against the windows: Keith, Amanda, Jackson, Beckham (very large sweet, sweet Golden Retriever), Queen Esther (AKA: Star – 3 month-old very happy, very active Border Collie), Angelina (AKA: Geli, Keith’s 2 month old German Shorthair – ADORABLE and has the cutest antics. She acts a lot like a bucking bronco at this point) and Little Fig (no trouble at all, mostly just causes AJ a few waves of nausea at this point). Curtis is speaking at a camp so he’s missing all the action. Amanda adds: Pics of the puppies are coming soon! They’re on my laptop but it’s at my house.
These are some highlights from the morning:
*Amanda very sweetly and patiently to Jackson at the breakfast table with his fruit cocktail: “Son, when you need to wipe off your hands, can we use a napkin instead of your hair?” (There’s not a bit of fresh fruit in the house. That’s why he had to have fruit cocktail. I hate having to feel guilty. And I hate fruit. Come to think of it, I do have cherries but Amanda swears they were the very things that caused the Great Diaper Blow-out of 2008.)
*It is 10:40 and AJ is on her third breakfast. Amanda adds: First my toast and canadian bacon, then Jackson’s uneaten toast, and finally some Cocoa Pebbles.
*The TV is messing up because of the storm so we’re watching Lion King. Jackson loves it. It only took Amanda a record 17 seconds to start crying. That “Circle of Love” opener gets her every time. Amanda adds: Um, that would be “Circle of Life.”
*I’ve given Jackson some multicolored stick notes to amuse himself and the room is well wallpapered in them. If you really squint, it kinda has that stained glass look. Now Jackson’s mad. A green one is stuck to his heel.
*I’m hungry but I can’t think of what I want to eat. Since Edouard decided to drop by at the very last minute, we just weren’t prepared with the great snacks I prefer for a long hold up. Most of what’s in the kitchen are the extra ingredients we didn’t need for our LPM lunch feast by Melissa last week. Today we can eat all the Ricotta Cheese and dill weed we want. (Don’t call CPS. We have plenty of Jackson food. It’s me I’m whining about.) Amanda adds: I’m not gonna lie. I got excited when I saw Spaghetti-O’s with meatballs in the pantry this morning. That’s what I’ll be having.
We love you. We hope you love us. Especially today. We need love.
UPDATES: (I know you are sitting on pins and needles.)
*Yes, Mr. Ed it is. Very good, Siestas. Very good indeed. I should have thought of that myself. I was late taking my vitamins this morning or I would have.
*Many rousing rounds of hide and seek. Oh, the joy Bibby brought Jackson when she hid in the dog crate.
*Keith went to the store! What a man!!! Groceries galore!! Fruit for the Mister: Grapes, nectarines, strawberries. Snacks for AJ and me: moon pies, stuff for queso. Real food for Keith to actually cook. Ick.
*AJ is eating spaghetti-o’s with meatballs.
Please, stay tuned. This is liable to be a nail biter.
*Yes, that’s exactly what we’ll do with the Ricotta. Almond flavoring and almonds. Yep. Great idea. Y’all are brilliant. I’m not doing that tomato thing though. That would require cooking. And my oven mitt is out on the bike seat.
UPDATE FROM MELISSA IN ATLANTA:
UM, I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH MY MOM. I ASKED HER HOW SHE WAS DOING AMIDST THE TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE EDOUARD AND SHE ANSWERED LIKE A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD. SHE SAID, “WELL, I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOO BORED, MELISSA.” AND THEN SHE SAID SOMETHING THAT REALLY SCARED ME. SHE SAID, “OH, AND I JUST BAKED A CAKE.” YOU KNOW WITHOUT A SHADOW OF DOUBT THAT MY MOM IS BORED TO TEARS WHEN SHE BAKES A CAKE FOR NO GOOD REASON. WELL, I GOTTA GET BACK TO MY RESEARCH…SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ACTUALLY HAVE TO GO TO WORK TODAY. LORD, THAT THIS EDOUARD WOULD PASS SO THAT I COULD GET SOME OF MY BRAIN CELLS BACK.
Beth: WELL, THEN ALL OF YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THE REASON I AM SO BORED IS BECAUSE AMANDA AND JACKSON ARE SOUND ASLEEP AND HAVE BEEN FORRRRRRR-EVERRRRRRRRRR. AND YOU MIGHT AS WELL ALSO KNOW THAT I HOME MADE CHOCOLATE ICING FOR THAT CAKE, TOO. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY’D SMELL IT AND WAKE UP. MAYBE I’LL TRY TO TAKE A NAP, TOO. OR MAYBE I’LL JUST HAVE ANOTHER CUP OF COFFEE.
3:00 PM. Amanda and Jackson still asleep. Watching Rachael Ray. (Why? Because I just baked a cake, didn’t I???) Did you know you can get Ecoli (sp?????) from your purse?
7:40 PM. 20 minutes before Jackson’s bedtime. All three dogs look like very happy drowned rats…and smell like them, too. Keith is watching the hunting channel acting like the rest of us aren’t here. He earned that right after making King Ranch Chicken for all of us for dinner. And used every pan in the kitchen. I’m sending those to Washington State, too. All of our hair looks like lightening struck the house and we were all holding golf clubs. Amanda and I are in the corner of the kitchen floor playing matchbox cars with a two and a half year old who does not appear to be in the remotest ballpark of sleepy. We knew we were descending into delirium when, a few minutes ago, we broke out in an impromtu duet of the 80’s version of “Pass It On” with our best Tiny Tim voices. To which Jackson yelled, “NOOOOOOOOOO!”
Oops. The matchbox car just broke.
Amanda’s having more cake.
It’s the circle of love.
Sounds like a SD blizzard – stuck inside for a whole day – although I always love a good blizzard to have everyone home and totally relax!!
I just wanted to write and share what a NEAT time the simulcast was. I was at the one in Pierre, SD and we had over 100 ladies. I must say that I am EVER appreciate of all the prayers that went into the event for safety. As we were traveling to the event Friday evening we were waiting to turn left off the highway and my mom (who was driving) continued to watch this semi quickly approaching behind us. I turned around and saw the semi finally lock his brakes and his trailer starts to fish tail. I said “you better get off the road now” and she quickly pulled off to the right. The next morning when we drove by we saw the trailer marks the driver left and I was shocked by how close they actually came to us. Praise God for answered prayers!!
About the event, thanks for sharing the perseverance it requires you to finish a study. I needed to hear that and the very next day at church out pastor touched on that. He had such a great analogy. We are in the middle of harvest in SD and he asked the farmers, “What do you do if your combine breaks down? What do you do if it rains? What do you do when a tire blows out? Do you quit and give up and leave the wheat stand in the field? No, you go after that harvest. You fix what is broke and you go after that harvest.” Oh how that touched me and oh how I needed to hear both our pastor’s comment as well as Beth. I am on a committee at church and I feel like quitting – but no, I will GO AFTER THE HARVEST!
Send that T.S. to SC we need it here, wouldn’t mind sitting out in much needed rain.
Would any one have a ticket stub from the BM event in Columbia, SC in 1999 they would mind letting me have? I have a special secretive need for it. Let me know. Ty!
If you continue to be bored, get on youtube and go back to your childhood (well, maybe–my mother says she was in school when President Kennedy sent this song to all the schools in the country, but she never remembers doing the workout). I, however, 20-something years later, had a P.E. coach who pulled it out for our middle school P.E. class and made us do it. SOOOOO–when I started home schooling my five year old this week, we started our day (after prayer and Scripture, of course) with "Chicken Fat" exercise. I play the song off youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFofqe26t-4 and we do the exercises together–and yes, I'm SORE from it today! If you need a "tutorial" on what the exercises look like, check out this youtube video to see them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaPszVnodxs&feature=related
It's a completely silly thing to do, but it is something ACTIVE you can still do from your living room floor! Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Hey Beth and Amanda,
Roy, Buddy and I have been home today. We’ve had very little rain. Finished reading Christ the Lord and Roy is cleaning out files. Neither one of us is bored enough to cook much less bake. We are considering who might be open for some take out.
Ok I should’ve read through all the replies before I commented the second time, but I’m seeing talk of homemade “Almond Joys”–do we have a recipe floating around! That sounds so yummy! I don’t need them right now, but can you share a recipe? Pleasssssse?!!!
BTW, Keith gets “permanent” points for his trip to the store in the midst of a hurricane, doesn’t he?
Thank you!
Reading this has been the highlight of my day! Praying a hedge of protection over your family!
Oh my word!! I soo needed this today! Life has been crazy, a complete emotional roller coaster. Love the sweet glimpses into how the Moores handle a Hurricane!!
Wish I could be there to have a taste of that Chocolate Cake. Thats my favorite!!!
Love to the Moore clan!!
Nikki
This is a great post. Your pantry problems earlier today remind me of when I lived in CA and how my friends and I would joke about an earthquake not being able to happen because the pantry did not enough food for three days in it. :0) glad you tried a to make a cake today. I hope it turns out wonderful. My experience is that any homemade chocolate cake is great, no matter the texture. I am baking bread today. I hope it turns out. I never really know if it is going to turn out or not, but just like cake it still tastes good even if the texture is not quite right.
Sorry that you all are so bored today. I am glad that Amanda and Jackson are at your house because then you won’t be bored and worried. We have monsoons here almost daily and they are such an awesome show of what God can do.
Having relaxing and bless day. I have got to go my two youngest (10 and 16)are making dinner and they need some help.
Kim B. in AZ
P.S. Take heart Amanda he will soon move from using his hair to using his clothes to wipe his hand, nose and what ever else seems needing of a good cleaning. 🙂
Queso…
Must have queso…
Oh, why did you mention that??? AARGH!!!!
On another note…praise the Lord for the simulcast last weekend! What a blessing !!!
I am praying for ya’ll! I have three questions though.
1. Why is the oven mitt on the bike seat?
2. Did you know you can also get MRSA from your purse? If you set it down on the floor it can bring all sorts of germs into the house. Scary.
3. How was the cake? Yummy I’m sure. I baked a shoofly pie today.
-Lynna Kay-
Hilarious! Thanks for sharing!
Beth, I wish ya’ll would send some of that rain to Dallas. We are a bit cooler today at 99 degrees but some much needed rain would help bunches. It was a woppin’ 108 here yesterday!!!
I love, love, love, love, love, to cook. In a matter of fact you could fry an egg on the sidewalk today. I don’t always have to heat up the oven to cook!! hahahaha!! When I DON’T cook everyone knows something is a miss or…….. I went shopping. The only thing that keeps me from cooking. I love the Galleria here in the Dallas area and I have shopped at yours as well. I have family in Houston and they are all holed up also. I kinda look forward to bad weather ( not that I like damage to be done to anything or anyone). I try to prepare my pantry for all sorts of tasty delights to feed my family and neighbors.
I don’t like fruit either. Maybe some grapes and pineapple at times but for the most part it is yukky and I’m havin’ no part of it.
How do they come up with these names for the storms? Do they have like ….a roulette wheel full of hurricane names and spin it or what? Just curious.
Amanda, you need some fresh veggies sweet thing. The salt in the canned foods will make you swell up so badly!! And in this heat….well, you just don’t want to do that. Quite uncomfortable to say the least.
You ARE dearly loved Beth, Amanda and Melissa. With tears in my eyes even as I write this, I can not tell you Beth, what your ministry has done in my life. God knows…. and it is not something I could ever speak or write as words are not sufficient, but God and I know of this place in my very soul. I’m so very grateful to God for you and I Praise Him for equipping you!!!!
Bless you Siesta Mama, Amanda and Melissa
Royana
I have made any number of Rachel Ray’s recipes. Awfully good and awfully fast. But….if you haven’t given her a try, Paula Dean might amuse you for awhile. Love how she tastes things right out of the bowl.
I hope you all are safe! You make me laugh…hard! I love that you want to share your life with us. I have learned more about living real life as a Christian from this blog than I have from years of going to church. May God pour out more blessings than you can hold.
I love your family!
Well, if you are still reading our comments I want you to know that I invited a friend who used to do all your Bible studies with me to one of the simulcast viewings and she accepted. During our study time on Believing God she stopped coming to all classes. All manner of trials have come on her in the last few years. She only came to Friday night of the simulcast. She emailed me today saying she was so convicted that she knows she has to move herself and her 16 year old son out of her boyfriend’s house. She said, “I need you to pray that God’s will will be done in my life.” AMEN! What a mighty God we serve!!! I shared with her that Jesus loves her this I know for the Bible tells me so!
Love the update on “Edouard”. Somehow you never get those kinds of details on the Weather Channel. With all the pets and “kids”, including Mama Beth and Amanda, and baking I bet the house looks like the hurricane actually entered inside!! Those “stick” notes all over! You are too funny. There is one question though that I think I do NOT want the answer to. Just what do you do or have in your purse that would cause you to catch E-Coli. On second thought, don’t answer that one.
Love you all and are real glad you are safe.
Lori
We just got a nice little summer shower here in the Sunshine State…it was wonderful! As long as it is a short stay inside I know that you will make it and have a blast doing so!!!A cake…Beth…a cake…I have such a weakness for anything chocolate or sweets for that matter!I thought you said that you were a culinary nightmare! Obviously you were pulling our leg! If you are really bored…check with FedEx about getting some of that cake to Florida!!!You and Family enjoy the rest of your day!
Blessings!
Okay…. first of all- Last weekend was amazing. My mother and I attended at her church and participating together really helped to begin the healing process for some nasty wounds between us. It was my first experience with of the facets of your ministry, and I must say- I certainly heard from the Lord. He is birthing a new passion in me… I’m really learning to “treasure the wonder.”
Secondly- I just wanted to point out an amazing coincidence between your daughter and I. I have a 26 month old Jackson and a “little fig” of my own due on February 16, 2009. Just thought that was funny.
Have fun with Edouard….
Stay safe I saw that it was coming ya’ll way . I loveeeeeee chocolate cake send a piece my way . Isn’t Bubba a red neck name (lol) I know ya’ll remember Hubbabubba bubble gum loved the grape flavor. getting ready to look up what a german pointer is? I personally love my female dogs cause they don’t hike the legs up on anything that is on the floor I own two male poodles besides a female one and the beagle.
Ya’ll are in my prayers Love Ya’ll
Susan -La.
I NEVER thought being so BORED can be so fun. Funny how when boredom hits, we usually are confined somehow/somewhere. Could it be the Divine plan of ‘keeping Thee out of trouble?’ HA! Go God!
what a hoot!!! to think that a storm could stir up so much fun at your house….California is so boring, weather wise,(except for the fires and earthquakes)the only fun I did today was using my brand spankin new Shark Steam Mop on my dog dirtied tile floor…..boy dogs bring in alot of dirt…that white mop thing that the steam comes out of was yucky. thank the Lord for fun in the midst of the storms of life, both literal and weather related. pam in san diego
You guys are such a hoot! Who knew hurricanes could be soooo much fun?!
You’re in my prayers! What a day! I hope your loved ones are awake and giving you some fun. We’re about to eat dinner and what I wouldn’t give for some of your cake!
Thanks for the great stories and laughs! They always make me smile! I have sat through many a TS or hurricane when I lived on the coast of MS! oh, so long ago! I have been there and done that! I really will never LIKE tuna again! (with no electric, no cooking! but isn’t that a good thing!?!)
Oh Beth we love you! We love your updates…how dare they sleep through chocolate frosting and leave you bored!
You would be impressed…I am having a friend over for dinner..just burgers on the grill and because I promised her dinner if she would help me do something in my house…
Anyway…even more impressive instead of the usual patties that I buy already frozen I actually have meat that I put applesauce, steak sauce, itallian dressing and some kind of “steak/meat” powder spice and mixed it with my own hands!!!!!
Wish I could have a day off for weather…I would relish being bored!
thanks for inviting us in on this day! 🙂
Um, ladies, can I just say that it is a good thing that you mostly have good weather down there in Texas? You would never survive our multiple snow-ins and rain-ins up here in Canada. You would clearly go stir crazy (or end up weighing 500 lbs from all the cake and cocoa puffs). 🙂
Also, hasn’t anyone told you lovely southern ladiethat it is impolite to “yell”? That’s what it seems like when you type in all caps… lol… so it read to me like you and Melissa were screaming at eachother about baking a cake…hahaha.
I think this was the funnest post yet. 🙂
I all seriousness, I pray you all are safe and sound and not hurt at all by Mr Ed.
Beth, AJ, and Melissa,
I’ll bullet this list for the sake of space:
1. Anyone who eats Spaghettios w/ meat balls out of a can will get morning sickness whether they’re pregnant or not!
2. If you’re a boy, wiping your face on a napkin is purely optional. I remind my 7 y/o boy to wash his hands after he pee’s and his response is, “But Mom, I didn’t touch anything!” Get used to it.
3. Some of the most common bateria on a woman’s purse is urine and feces – it’s because we set them on the floors or toilet backs in public bathrooms. Pretty gross huh!
As you can see, there’s no storm in Apex, NC – but it’s so hot and the air quality is so bad, we’re as inside as you are.
Praying safe passage through the storm!
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Sending prayers for safety your way! I also just HAVE to tell you that I loved, loved the black patent shoes you wore Saturday!!! I just love a peep toe 🙂 The
simulcast was super awesome! I went expecting a word from God and He didn’t disappoint! My friends and I have been doing the “Breaking Free” study and right when you said at the beginning (at the simulcast) that “He came to set the captives free” I just knew that I needed to listen up! Thank you for teaching in such a practical way!
Oh my gosh…this is so much fun! Beth, you make me laugh so much!!!! You most assuredly give life to the idea of being a hillarious (sp?) christian….love you so much! And your daughters too!!!!!
So…it is 6:42 your time, I assume that Amanda and Jackson must be up by now. Hopefully you guys are enjoying a yummy dinner to soon be followed by that delicious cake! Save me a piece!
I can’t imagine you bored. Try slipping around on the kitchen floor in your socks! Or memorize the THING Priscilla shared at Deeper Still (He Is)! Have you thought about writing a book? OH, and scrapbooking…I know you would be super at that!
Just kidding, my dear friend. You sit and rest up. Your life has been a whirlwind here lately and we want you all rested for the Siesta Fiesta! Can’t wait!
oh yeah…forgot about the Ecoli. How is it possible that we can get that from our purses?!
Homemade icing?? My, my aren’t you getting fancy on us, Beth? 😉 I thought you’d be an out-of-the can icing girl like me! I always wonder why people make chocolate chip cookies and brownies from scratch because the ones from the box taste the same or even better TO ME! Shhh…don’t tell Melissa I just said that!
Yay for Keith going to the grocery store and for loving to cook! 🙂 Yay for moon pies! Yay for hearing from Beth, AJ, AND Melissa all in one post! 😀
I’m praying y’all aren’t taking too much of a beating from Mr. Ed. I’m praying for Little Fig, too! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your day with us. I love, love, love all of you…animals included! 🙂 And looking forward to those doggie pics.
Missy in SC
Oh my goodness!!! I love the updates and silliness of it all! Don’t stop, I love it!
Oh and BTW…you can get E. Coli from anywhere. Did you know it actually already LIVES in your colon…as part of your natural bacteria?? (would love to see your faces about now! :D). So don’t worry too much. 😉
Nurse Missy
I LOVE this! 🙂
Beth, I never knew you could get bored! I just got home from a month long road trip. I have so much to do that I’m actually HOPING to get holed up in my house!
In fact, just left Jackson Hole. Loved it. So beautiful. Ate at Billy’s Hamburgers (an Amanda recomendation) Took us an hour and a half to get our food. They forgot our order and were swamped. They gave us a burger free. It WAS a really good burger though!
Thought of you while there. 🙂
If you’re beloveds are still snoozing and you’re still bored you could always visit some of our blogs. You’d probably get a kick out of us.
Attended the conference in “Louavul” and every moment touched my heart. We appreciate your honesty and all the concerns you have for all of us. Just as you pray for us, we will continue to pray for you. I’m certain you and God will weather this little “Mr. Ed”. Blessings to you and your family
Haha. Oh wow. It is so refreshing to know that I am not the only nutty gal in town. You girls make me laugh. Godly and Hilarious! Not to mention, REAL. Thanks for prodding us all to do the same, and to be real about it. God sure works through you all – open vessels!!!
Darlene
rHi Beth,
Love you, glad you have been a part of my life. Glad I saw you on Sunday. Glad I got a contract job. I called yesterday and sad because my dog Hershey is 14 1/2 years old and his kidneys are failing as well as an inflammed pancreas. I’ve had him since 94. I cried yesterday and called LPM. I’ve never been through this before. I got fluids in the little guy and a couple of shots for the panacreas. If nothing takes by Thursday, it’s just a matter of time. He is not eating nor drinking. I needs some prayer too. Love Allison
Loved the posting today! I can’t believe Beth is bored! I figured she would be tuckered out after this weekend. I attended the simulcast at my home church of Cool Spring Baptist in Mechanicsville, VA. Thanks for letting God use you – I was so blessed!
Send some of that tropical stuff our way! We are burning up here in North Texas! We are praying for rain.
The simulcast was awesome. Bycracky(my mamaw used to say that), you always seem to be talking straight at me!
See you in San Antonio!
I just home home from a LONGGGGG day at the hospital because of slightly touched individuals that think that Mr. Ed required not coming in to work – HELLOOOOOOO – this rain was not even as bad as that 20 minute blast that hit two weeks ago! The lawn is happy and all is right with the soggy ground . . .
I so needed to laugh —– thanks Beth, Amanda, Melissa for a delightful respite. On the way for a piece of cake for sure – you go Beth! Do you have any 1%?
Ok, just checked back (it’s 7:22 p.m.) and the cake baking is just CRACKING ME UP!!! I hope someone took a picture. Have a great day back at “work” tomorrow! 😉
Ecoli from my purse? I will clean it our once I get home.
Girls – poor Ed – he is now depressed . . . maybe we should send him some of the chocolate cake – any of us would be in the same situation if we had been downgraded! Ha!
It’s nice to know I am not the only one that gets bored. I baked cupcakes and took my kids roller skating. Came home, took a nap while kids fought and built castles out of paper cups. Husband came home and said “How was your day?” My mouth opened and I think the word “nothing” came out.
Thankfully Mr. Ed turned out to be much less than we were anticipating! Praise God! I joined a handful of siestas to finish up Stepping Up with an additional session seven this morning as the rains came and went. I was curious what was going on with y’all as we had our Hymn Party. Talk about singing in the storms of life! Glad you were dry and safe!
Hello to all of the Moores-Jones-Fitzpatricks! Please know that you are all dearly loved and appreciated! Beth and crew – the simulcast was wonderful – too many gotcha moments to list here! A couple of comments, though:
1. Travis, only you can get away with wearing a t-shirt over a button-down (with cuff-links, no less)!
2. When you announced that all sites successfully received your broadcast, I was reminded of a dear matriarch of our church who once told me to be sure to “always pray for the machinery because that’s wher the devil likes to be.” I must have looked puzzled, because she gently explained, “What other reason would there be for all of the missionaries’ slide shows to come up backwards, upside down, or out of order?” She was right, because the first night of the first study (Believing God) we hosted at our church three years ago, we had 10 minutes of no picture, only sound, and I was the one stuck running the AV system. I prayed fervently, pushed some buttons, and the devil must have been cast out because you reappeared on the screen with no further glitches. I have taken her advice seriously since then and we always pray for the technology before we begin an evening of Bible study!
That’s all for now – love you dearly and wish I could see you live in Las Vegas on my (40th) birthday this year! Blessings on you and on the machinery as you continue being poured out for Him!
We, in Austin, are still waiting for the rain at 8 p.m.! The grass soooooo needs it. Please God: don’t let it pass by central Texas!