krisdmurphy's Xanga

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Sun, 08 Jan 2006 16:40:23 GMT

BIG NEWS ALERT

OK, I'm making the switch...top reasons why:

I want to view comments from ANYONE who wants to comment (hint hint) - not just xanga folks
xanga bugs me...
all the cool kids are doin it
I like the setup better (photo albums, interfaces, etc)

Anyway, go HERE for my blog now. Bear w/me as I relearn a new sw program to get it right, but for now, go THERE for all the goodness and excitement of my blogs (ok, that was a stretch).

www.krisdmurphy.typepad.com

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Sat, 07 Jan 2006 01:32:29 GMT

Do you play well with others?

I thought I did, too. See what you think about yourself.

Brent and I are reading thru a book together on godly success (written by our pastor)...the chapter I'm in right now is on relationships. In the book he says:

"Wisdom is not truly wisdom unless it is lived out in the context of relationships...You can't be significant away from people. 'He who separates himself seeks his own desire.' (Prov 18:1)"

Then, he goes on to give 40 ways to ensure failure in relationships. Sounds wierd, I know. But, as I read thru it - it was wierd - it was as though God put a flashing arrow next to my weaknesses. I saw ME and saw immediate and obvious examples in my own life. Ugly stuff. So, as I circled the ones He showed me, I also wrote that nasty laundry list in my journal and started my new quest to pray over each and every one of these. Do you remember what Jesus said was the greatest commandment? I assure you, it wasnt "be sarcastic to get a few laughs"...it was to love God AND your neighbor. Hmmmm. Not sure how I'm doing, but pretty sure God is going to throw a few more of those flashing arrows in my life in the coming days/weeks/months. How're you doing? See any arrows?

1-Are you a loner?
2-Are you a bad listener?
3-Do you give your opinion before people ask?
4-Are you argumentative?
5-Are you unforgiving?
6-Do you say tings to cut someone off at the knees?
7-Do you explode when you get mad?
8-Are you too blunt?
9-Do you drop the ball when people are relying on you?
10-Are you a selfish person?
11-Do you make fun of other people?
12-Are you 2-faced?
13-Can you not keep a secret?
14-Are you an inflexible, controlling perfectionist?
15-Are you an insensitive person?
16-Are you unsympathetic or unfeeling?
17-Do you use other people?
18-Do you have uncontrolled anger?
19-Are you rude?
20-Do you have a critical spirit?
21-Are you a mooch?
22-Are you a liar?
23-Are you sarcastic?
24-Do you have trouble admitting you're wrong?
25-Are you a pessimist?
26-Are you inconsiderate?
27-Are you self-centered?
28-Are you overly sensitive?
29-Are you codependant?
30-Are you jealous?
31-Do you run hot and cold in relationships?
32-Are you cold?
33-Are you lazy?
34-Are you arrogant?
35-Do you raise your voice?
36-Do you make false promises?
37-Do you slander others?
38-Do you have a problem with authority?
39-Do you always think you're right?
40-Are you pompous?

If you're clear on all - you're either lying or you're Jesus Christ. Funny, there were some that were obvious and clearcut...some I was like "hmmmm, well, uh, umm...". In my case, hemhawing equals a defiant spirit pretending to NOT be guilty. Argh. Gulp. It hurts to examine yourself...especially when you want to be good so bad. But, ya know, knowing how bad I am is part of what I'm thankful for...knowing how bad I am, reminds me of how bad I needed God to come down here and "wash over a multitude of things" (any Sara Groves fans recognize that line?). If you're A-OK on all of those, then I guess you dont need a Savior. I sure do.

This prayer ends the chapter...I made it personal. Hope you do, too.

"Father, relationships can be messy. I am sinful and needy. Help me to come to You first before I manipulate and aggravate the people in my life. Protect me from myself--help me to be instrument of good rather than force of destruction. May I represent You well as I treat others with dignity and respect, leading them to a closer walk with You."

"Did You come that we might just survive? DId you come so we could just get by? DId you walk among us so we might merely limp along beside? I was bound I have been set free. But I have settled for apathy. Did You come to make me new and knew I'd crawl right back into the skin you found me in...its where I am not where I've been. You make me wanna live. You make me wanna live. You came to shake us and to wake us up to something more than we've always settled for...and You make me wanna live."

I wanna really live. I wanna wake up to something more. Good resolution? I think so, too.

Saturday, December 31, 2005

Sat, 31 Dec 2005 16:56:36 GMT

Happy Almost New Year!!

I'm back in action...back from Breckenridge with my side of the fam staying at bro's house there. Its their dream home...unbelievable. Here's the view from their porch...and their porch...

"Best view in Breck" as my bro says...it was truly amazing. Notice the treeless area up TOP of the ski area. Yea, more on that later...as a teaser, let me just tell you there were double diamonds and taking skis off and HIKING involved. My brothers are nutso...another blog for another day.

Anyway, with 16 people staying in one kidless, ski-couple's million dollar dream home, I'd say things went well. Kids had a blast and logged more hrs making snow caves w/Uncle Jon and sledding in front of Uncle Steve's house than anything else. Priceless...truly. Here's Braeden and his cousin Christopher peeking out the ice igloo...more pix when I get them from my sis's camera...

It was truly a blast...Breck has more snow than they've had in 10 yrs at least...I got to tell/show kids the places I went and things I did growing up visiting in summer/winter up there. Love that place...so many great memories. We're going back in June after Brent does a 1/2 Iron in Lubbock...just the 2 of us...and our bikes of course. Note to self: MUST GET IN BIKE SHAPE.

Here's a couple more pix...more to come. We had an awesome Christmas...really fun w/kiddos. Right now I'm just trying to RE-ENTER from vacation mode and get down decorations...but, here are a few I just had to post. Notice Maya's karate pose...

SO much fun...neat to see the kids experience Colo. Oh - and thanks EL for the ski gear for Maya! Although, she was quite the princess...spending MOST of her time inside playing pretty pony or barbies. Great memories...excited about 2006 - more to come.

Friday, December 23, 2005

Fri, 23 Dec 2005 20:24:38 GMT

Yea, well, OK - here I am again. I just read Kristen's blog (see sidebar for link) and it inspired me. Wow, taking a quiet moment to STOP and thank Him for my 'stuff'...to really STOP and say thanks...not "I want this and that" - but just "thanks for loving me this much". So, here goes - for this year - here is what I'm thankful to Him for right at this minute...

Our home...its not perfect, not many window treatments or decorator signature items - but comfy, homey, peaceful, and meaningful. When we bought it 4 years ago, I promised myself I'd thank God everytime I drove down our street. Hmmm, well, I dont do it EVERYtime, but I do it a lot. Will do it more. In past few wks we've started talking about moving a lil West - closer to school, church and a lil more land. NOT SOON - but just talkin. Today, as we pulled in our driveway Maya says "Mommy, I love our home...it feels so good". Oh it does. When the time is right we'll move on, but for now - thank You for this great home
Christmas tree full of ornaments w/memory attached to each one
when Maya says things that remind me she is still little - like "I lost that think" when she forgets what she wants to say
Braeden's healing...yep, thats how we see it. No other explanation...1st MRI read called it a tumor...then same scan, read again was downgraded to cyst. We'll take it. Now we're 'watching it'...I cant even TYPE a sigh of relief that huge
Watching the kids do "shows" for us
Watching spongebob or power rangers w/lil goofballs
My dude. I beam when I think of Brent...he is amazing...my perfect compliment. From the day God stuck him in my mess of a life, it was as if I knew he'd be there til it was over. Sounds hokey, but its true. I look at it like a gift God gave me the day Dad died...a promise that He'd never leave me - never stop taking care of me. Funny, a song says it perfectly - "Cuz He showed me His love by sending me you and its OK now...everything's OK"
OK OK, you know its coming - my kids. Their smiles, tears, giggles, how I know where each of them is ticklish and their scars and how they happened, that Maya wants to be just like me, and Braeden wants to be just like Dad...that we get to help shape them...their views...their compassion...their future. There is NO greater gift...none.
riding bikes w/hubby
comfy jeans
Confidence. Hmmm, wierd eh? This past year has brought me to a new place. A place where I try really hard to quit seeking everyone else's approval/understanding and only His. Knowing that some decisions, ideas, and words wont be popular...but that I'm not called to be popular. Confidence. Knowing that the "things" that used to seem important - are not. Never doing it perfectly - but trying hard...
Forgiveness...and the strength to forgive others...and a God who wants us to ask for it and also grant it. Ouch.
Old stuff - antiques and such
New stuff - nothing like a new pair of boots (thanks Brent)
Music. Rarely am I not happier listening to it...even now...got it goin in the background. I give it as gifts. I use it to pray. I 'borrow' lyrics to express my feelings. Love it. Love Johnny Cash - Jack Johnson - Led Zep - Sara Groves - Jars of Clay - too many to name...just goes straight to my bones and I luv it
The ocean
The mountains
My freedom. I heard Braeden telling Maya the other day "Ya know Maya, in some countries in this world you cant even have a bible or believe in God...we're really lucky we live in America!" So precious...so true...as much as I get bugged by the direction of society in this country - there is NO other place on earth I'd want to be. So thankful
Family
Friends
Big yellow dogs - even when they chew up Maya's crocs (ouch)
Its a Wonderful Life

"Merry Christmas Bedford Falls!"

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 17:55:58 GMT

"For my eyes have seen your salavation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people." Luke 2:30-31

So glad He came...enjoy the celebration and have a safe new year. Probably signing off til then...unless there is just an EMERGENCY BLOG that must be posted. You never know...

Merry Christmas to you all!

Monday, December 19, 2005

Mon, 19 Dec 2005 14:36:27 GMT

First of all - Kristen, you rock...thanks for not giving me up when I'll certainly CAVE at the lake and have an Us-fix. Ha! Its so nice to know that I can actually read a last week's version w/o being irritated...its a wierd relief to NOT know every sorted detail the minute it happens. Plus, I"m sure Robin can tell me any breaking hollywood stuff I need to know since she got People for her bday! YAHOO!!

Anyway, just about to commence some serious baking w/my not-so-excited-about-baking-daughter (she'd much rather continue watching Angelina Ballerina). I"ll manipulate her into having a precious lil family memory of baking w/mommy somehow...probably bribe her w/cookie dough - or better yet - licking the spoon!! he he!

Oh well - here are a few recent pix from around here...have a great day...stay healthy

Notice the angel, Jen?? He's just cute...thats all

At the Nutcracker Tea...w/all of her living Grandmothers - my mom aka Bah Bah, Susan's mom and Susan aka Great Nana and Nana....and of course one of the ballerinas

Drinking REAL TEA - of course many sugar cubes and milk! Only one of me and Maya

LOOK OUT - here come the yellow belts!! Braeden, Piper, and Hayden after earning their yellow belts (the one in the middle is the FAMOUS Piper - Braeden's bestest friend ever)

Fun stuff...will try to post more pix soon...like the very (patting self on back) cute felt ornaments I made for M's teachers. Hmmmm, do I REALLY have that much time in my day to make ornaments?? Crazy...

Friday, December 16, 2005

Fri, 16 Dec 2005 21:14:07 GMT

Did YOU know I ditched one of my vices recently? Yes. I did. NO...are you NUTSO - not Sonic Diet Coke. I will be buried with a styrofoam Sonic DC cup. Anyway, a few months ago I let my subscription to Us magazine run out w/o renewing. YES. Thats right. As the years have gone by its gotten trashier and trashier...to the point, I felt YUCKO when I'd read (hmmm, read is a STRONG word). My friend Sharon gave it up a yr or so ago saying she just couldnt stand having her 9 yr old daughter picking it up and checking it out. Hmmmm. Got me thinking...and now, I'm comign OUT about my decision (keep me honest, oh dear accountability group).

Self, why did I like this rag in the 1st place (I asked myself)? Because I dig fashion...I'm a fan of watching the trends...I luv watching what the "stars" (I use that term loosely) were wearing. Luv that part. When did things go south for me, you ask? When I had to read about all of the relationships...when they were snapping people grunged out trying to grocery shop...when it started being "article" that had no content or actual true sources. <sigh> All garbage at that pt.

Anyway...I'm 2 months Us-free now...trying to stay Us-sober. Pray for me. Ha! When I get weak, I buy a People...seems like a stepup (small, small step) and appeases my temporary need for Hollywood gossip.

I'm concerned about this declaration...esp since Jen sees me at the lake...uh oh, I must be strong. This is an article Brent sent me today that really sums it up...happy friday gang.

Us Weekly
by Amy Corr, Friday, December 16, 2005

THE AVERAGE CONSUMER IS roughly halfway through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. But if you're Bonnie Fuller, Janice Min and their ilk, it's been Christmas all year, thanks to Britney and Kevin, Nick and Jessica, and Brangelina.

Little has changed in the top three hookups and breakups of 2005 (aside from Nick and Jessica officially separating and Brad looking to adopt Angelina's children), which got me thinking: how hard is it to place a new spin on a recycled story, week in and week out?

I picked up the latest issue of Us Weekly and challenged it to tell me something new about the top couples of 2005. Breaking news: it's harder than you'd think.

Let's begin with the Britney and Kevin saga. The cover story fills pages with recent pictures of the couple (each alone, natch) and a timeline chronicling the downward spiral. I learned two things: One, Kevin has supposedly checked into the luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel and two, his $250,000 Ferrari was towed to a local dealership. If that were me, I'd be driving my Nissan to the nearest Travelodge (note to self: find out what I'm doing wrong, stat.).

Next stop, Nick and Jessicaville. Again, updated pictures are published along with space filler also known as a timeline of the couple's now-solo activities.

Nov. 29--Jessica has lunch
Nov. 30--Nick has brunch
Dec. 4--Jessica goes antiquing

What did I take away from this article? Divorce lawyers are being retained as I type, but it hasn't affected Nick and Jessica's appetites.

The feature on Brad and Angelina (3/4 of a page is devoted to copy - the remaining pages are all pictures... how can this be labeled a feature story?) didn't reveal anything new or updated. It did, however, show a copy of the filed adoption papers and brought in a handwriting expert to analyze Jolie's signature. "She has no problem taking the spotlight." Quelle surprise.

There's even a one-page comparison of Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston called "Who looks better," where 100 people in New York City decide who looks better in a dress or dressed down in jeans. (Hint: the "other woman" doesn't come out smelling like roses).

Us Weekly also reported its findings on some in-depth research--celebrity bra size. Because being built like a boy isn't bad enough, the magazine lines up celebs in order from the "A-listers" (Nicole Richie, Debra Messing and Nicole Kidman) to the "DD+" (Tara Reid and Pam Anderson).

My favorite section of the magazine is called: "Stars--they're just like us." We're treated to candid shots of celebrities doing ordinary things in an effort to convince us readers that we're all alike. For example: Keanu Reeves--he shops for DVDs (with an assistant). Russell Crowe--he plays with his kid (conveniently cropped out are the three nannies surely tagging along).

All in all, Us Weekly is a fantastic read when you're looking for a temporary escape from your everyday life. And according to Mediamark Research's Fall 2005 report, Us Weekly readers have an average household income of $65,169, higher than readers of Vogue ($60,432), Glamour ($55,260), and even People ($63,364).

Looks like everyone can use a release now and then.

Amy Corr is managing editor, online newsletters for MediaPost.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 13:25:07 GMT

Random...

Want the greatest recipe ever? Well, maybe not EVER...anyway, got it from friend and love it. I've made it for about EVERY single potluck, school function, party, etc. that I have. Just made double batch today for teacher appreciation luncheon and had to share (bc I printed out the recipe bc I will get tons of people asking...SO, you are privleged w the info). More later...still on vommit-patrol...but the vommit-fog-has-lifted...we're in "contagious-for-24-hours" mode now. Yes, I would not risk sharing this w/others...

Anyway, here's the goods (AJ, is your mouth watering??):

@ Hot Glazed Ham and Cheese Sandwiches @

1 pkg dinner rolls (I use Target potato or wheat dinner rolls)

1 lb ham, shaved

1/2½ lb swiss cheese, sliced (I’ve used cheddar before)

1 stick butter

3 T brown sugar

1 T yellow mustard

1 T Worchester sauce

Slice rolls and put ham and cheese inside rolls, take tops off and place in 9x13 pan. Melt butter, brown sugar, mustard, and W sauce on stove. Spoon ½ the glaze over the open sandwiches. Put the tops back on and spoon the rest of the sauce over the tops of the sandwiches. Chill in refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Bake sandwiches at 325 for 10-15 minutes and serve warm. GREAT for parties!!

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 14:39:19 GMT

Kid #2 is throwing up now...ugh

Friday, December 09, 2005

Fri, 09 Dec 2005 15:58:46 GMT

Go read Snakelips today - great topic. What's your take? Read her comments, too - some great opinions there!!