New Member of the Skinkle Family

I know that everyone probably read that title and thought one of two things. Either "Are they having another baby?" or "Did they finally get a pet?". We the answer to both is "NO!". Yesterday we welcomed Ipod Skinkle into the family.

One his way home from work yesterday, Prof stopped to buy my Christmas present, which was the lovely Ipod. On the way home from the store he decided he wanted to go ahead and give it to me. He did this for 2 reasons. The first reason is because he is just a wonderful guy and wanted me to have time to enjoy it before we head out of town next week. The other reason was because he knew once I saw the checking account I would figure it out. He is smart!

So, needless to say, much like a baby, this thing has controlled my day. I had a lot I wanted to get done today, but it was just more fun to play with my new toy. So, here I am at 11:30 pm tonight telling you that all I did today, besides take care of the kids (of course I would do that), is play with the Ipod.

Maybe tomorrow I can get somethings done. Afterall, I now I have an Ipod with music on it that I can listen to while I am working.

I have the best husband in the world!

Reminder!

I just wanted to remind everyone that, Tuesday December 11th , at 4 pm central time, is the cut off for placing an Initials Inc order to receive it by Christmas. Please email or call me today to get your Christmas order in before it is too late!

To view the catalog click here. If you can not open the catalog or would like to see the catalog in person, please let me know.

The New Look

So, I couldn't sleep tonight and thought I would play around with my blog, since I have been neglecting it recently. My concern was that if I did not care for it properly and give it the attention it deserved, it would go away and leave me blogless. So, I gave my blog a makeover. I think she likes it. However, in the process I lost some stuff. So, I will be working on updating the side bar over the next few days. I would finish tonight, but it took too long to finish the makeover and now I am tired and ready to sleep.

As a side note, I have a new website. Check it out...

www.initials-inc.com/amanda

Goodnight! (Or, at this point do I say Good Morning?)

November Skinkle Style

Well, I thought that once I got through October all would be okay, but I was wrong. November was just as busy. And, the first thing to go was the blog. I even took a small break from Facebook as well. Crazy I know! Anyway, here are the highlights of the Skinkle November.

• Prof bought a motorcycle and within the week turned it back into the dealership because it had engine problems.
• Little One has started asking to sit on the potty. YAY! She is beginning to talk some. She says, Momu (mommy), Bo (brother), Mo (no), football, and Go Georgia. She has mastered her, "You can't get mad at me, because I am just too cute," look and I will say she does it very well.
• Wild Man is teaching himself how to write and doing an amazing job at it! He can not wait for Santa to come and thinks that if he writes it on his list he will get it. Bless his heart. I don't know how to tell him that his Santa is poor.
• I am staying very busy with Initials. I love it though. I have also taken over the Preteen Sunday Dept at our church. Right now this consists of leading Large Group and keeping everything on schedule Sunday morning. I have been meeting with the Children's Minister about the possibility of taking over some more responsibilities too.
• We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was one of the most relaxing Thanksgiving I have ever had. We did absolutely nothing. Prof cooked the turkey and did a great job. We got s little bit of snow. None of it stuck, but it was pretty to see it. Then that night we lit a fire in the fireplace and just watched TV.
• We got up early on Black Friday and did lots of shopping. Got some good deals and marked some names of our shopping list.

Those are just the highlights. Hopefully I can do better at posting this month.

Playing Catch Up

The past month at the Skinkle house has been a month full of days that were spent playing catch up. It seems like as soon as we finish one task or activity we realize we are behind on another task. As soon as we think we are caught up, we think of one or two things that are still not done. Take this blog for example. I have had several days where I got the end of day and had a million things I wanted to blog, but as soon as I get on the computer to blog, I realize I have emails that need replied too, so the blogging goes undone. So, in my effort to "catch up" I am posting a blog today. Here is just a small list of what has been going on in the Skinkle house...

• Prof took his motorcycle training class. He has found 2 motorcycles that he likes. Neither of which looks like the one I posted. He will be testing driving them this weekend and then hopefully in the next week or so we will be adding the motorcycle he picks to the family.
• Our good friends The Carrolls moved back to Texas. We have already had 2 playdates and are playing to have one playdate a week from now on.
• Wild Man has discovered the art of making up songs. Most all of his songs are made up in the car and he always about half way through he says, "Sing with me". Sometimes we will be talking and he will just all of a sudden say, "I have a song about that" and then just break out into song. I love it!
• Little One still is not saying much. She is figuring out how to communicate in other ways. She nods her head a lot (which is the cutest thing I have ever seen because she is so dramatic when she does it). She also knows how to let us know she is not happy. She has the art of fit throwing down almost perfectly. She has moments where we can tell she is trying to tell us something because she just begins to babble away. She sounds like one of those asian ladies at the nail place. It too funny.
• About a month ago, I began to praying diligently about whether or not to stop my Initials and join another company, where I could earn more than I am with Initials. Within a week I had 3 parties on my calendar, with people I did not know, and 1 new team member. I took this as my answer. October was the biggest month I have so far with Initials, and November is going to be bigger. God is good!
• I, for the first time ever, forgot what day my parent's anniversary was on. For some reason I put it on my calendar for Nov 11, then the more I looked at it, I realized that was not right. So, I had to ask mom. I know it was pretty embarassing. But, hey, I did remember to call her on the special day.
• We are almost to the end of one of the hardest semesters in school Prof has ever had. We can not wait until it is over! Then he only has 2 more classes and he is done with classes! YAY!
• For some reason I began Christmas shopping super early this year and so I only have a few more gifts to buy. Of course, when you are poor like us this is an easy task, but you can't buy much. :-)

Well, those are some highlights. I hope you enjoyed getting a little glimpse of our life.

Mini Concert

This is for all who love to hear Wild Man sing. He performed a mini concert for us the other night. It was much longer than this video, but this was all I recorded. He made sure that Little One's monkey was with him, and the spotlight was on him. You will notice the camera moving some. That is me laughing. You will also hear Little One give her opinion on everything too. Enjoy!

My Personality

I saw this on Junebug's blog, so I thought I would check it out. Here is my personality.

You Are An ENFP

The Inspirer You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends. You are also unconventional, irreverent, and unimpressed by authority and rules. Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives. You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're quite the storyteller! In love, you are quite the charmer. And you are definitely willing to risk your heart. You often don't follow through with your flirting or professed feelings. And you do break a lot of hearts. At work, you are driven but not a workaholic. You just always seem to enjoy what you do. You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist. How you see yourself: compassionate, unselfish, and understanding When other people don't get you, they see you as: gushy, emotional, and unfocused

What's Your Personality Type?

Bare Necessities

As many of you know, we are big Disney movie people, so last week when the Jungle Book came out we bought it. It has very quickly reached the top of Wild Man's favorite movie list. We atleast watch part of it everyday.

His favorite song is The Bare Necessities and he has started to sing it alot. Today I got him to sing it for the camera, and thought I would share. Enjoy!

The Decision

Thank you to all who participated in the poll and gave me your comments about whether or not Prof should get a motorcycle. We have a made a decision so I thought I would share it with everyone.

After a lot of research we have decided to buy a motorcycle. We have even picked out which motorcycle we are getting. However, Prof has to get his motorcycle license first. It looks like it will be the first of November before he will have time to take the safety class required. So once he takes the class and then gets his license we will purchase the motorcycle. Oh, and this will be his Christmas present.

Here is a picture of the motorcycle we are pretty much set on getting at this point...

This is a Honda Rebel 2007. It is 3rd on the list of motorcycles least likely to be stolen and the 2nd on the list of motorcycles least likely to be in a wreck.

Prof is very excited and can not wait until he can have it. Merry Christmas Prof!!

The Poll

I just wanted to take a minute and explain why I put the poll up on my blog. Yes, we are considering the possibility of Prof getting a motorcycle. One, of the main reasons we are considering it is because it would be so nice if we had another means of transportation, so that I would not have to wake up at the crack of dawn to take Prof to work on the days I need the car. The purchase of another car is not a possibility at this point. I am sure that everyone reading my blog knows that when I decided to stay home with the kids we took a huge pay cut and we thank God everyday for providing for our needs, since in the world's eyes there is no possible way we should be able to live on what Prof makes at the seminary. So, another car is not in the budget right now. So, a motorcycle just seems to be the most logical way for us to add to our means of transportation.

I put the poll up to see what you guys thought. Please know that the poll in no way will affect the decision we make. I was just curious.

Also, for those wondering. I am not totally thrilled with the idea, but I see how it would help us out some. I know that motorcycles have a bad reputation, but I also think that in most cases it is the driver that is the problem. I have thought a lot about the fact that Prof could be in a motorcycle accident, however I have had several people in my life lose loved ones in a car accident, and we still own a car. So, I don't think the accident argument is a valid one. And, trust me, I have thought about it. I will tell you that if we get one, my prayer life for Prof will grow tremendously, but that is not a bad thing.

So, that is a little bit about the poll. I would love to know what everyone thinks.

How Fitting :Updated 10-4

Every month Initials Inc offers a Customer Special. This is one item that they pick and offer to everyone at a discounted price. For the second month in a row they have chosen an item that it not in the catalog.

For the month of October this beautiful Pale Pink Scarf will be offered to anyone who wants it at only $21.99 (plus shipping and tax). This scarf is not in the catalog and will only be offered during the month of October.

You can view the fonts and font colors available on pages 7-8 of the catalog.




As you know October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. How fitting, to have a Pale Pink Scarf during October.

Honestly, this is the first year I have even thought about the importance of this month. See, Marlene, my former boss who passed away from brain cancer, began her battle with breast cancer. The cancer then spread to her brain, which is what ultimately took her life. It has been right at a year since she passed away and so I can not help but think about the importance of supporting organizations who are searching for a cure to breast cancer.

In memory of Marlene and all other women who have lost their battle with Breast Cancer and for those who have won their battle or are still battling with Breast Cancer, I am donating 10% of every scarf I sell this month to the Susan G Koman Foundation. Order one for yourself, or someone who you know and show your support for finding a cure.

GO DAWGS!!!

Before Prof and I got married, to be honest, I could care less about football. In highschool and college, for me, football was just a social event. However, for Prof, there was nothing social about it. He is serious about his football, especially when it comes to Georgia. So, it was understood, when we got married, that I would also be a Georgia fan. So, this time of the year is a fun time at our house. I have since learned a lot about football and actually love watching the Georgia games.

Well, football season has kicked into full gear at our house this year. However, one of the down sides to living in Texas, without cable television, is that watching Georiga games on tv rarely happens, if at all. However, thanks to ESPN, we are able keep up with it and even listen, when we want to.

Saturday was the big Alabama-Georgia game. We were very disappointed we did not get to watch it, however, listening to the last quarter on ESPN Radio was awesome! We could not have asked for a better game. The Dawgs really pulled it off this week in overtime.

So, in honor of football season, and our love for Georgia, I have changed my blog to UGA colors.

GO DAWGS!!!

What do you want?

So, the new Initials catalog is out and I am sure that you have already flipped through it several times!

If you have not, then go there now...www.initials-inc.com and click "view catalog".

If you have, then have you started a wish list or Christmas shopping list? I know I have done both. And, I am doing whatever I can to get everything at the best price I can. I want to help each of of you do the same. Here are some ways you can save:

1. Host a Home Party or Party On The Go - This will give you the chance to earn FREE and discounted items from Initials! Also, I am having an Initials party at my house this weekend, so if you book your party before this weekend, then you will get an additional $15 added to your rewards.

2. Have a shopping spree! How can this help you save, you might ask? Well all orders $250+ begin earning rewards! Initials has something for everyone on your list, why not earn rewards by buying presents for others! Or, you can give the Free stuff away! :-)

3. When you order this weekend with my home party, then you will save on shipping. In fact, if you reply to this post with an order, then I will give you FREE shipping!

Remember all orders can be shipped directly to you!

So, what do you want?

Storytime with Wild Man

Something to think about....

This fall I am going to be a part of the Beth Moore Bible Study at my church. We are working through the book "A Womens Heart: God's Dwelling Place". I missed the first week, because Wild Man was sick, but I was able to go yesterday and can not even put into words how awesome it was! It amazed me (I know it shouldn't) how God knows what we need, when we need it. I needed that yesterday. I need this Bible Study.

Last night I was doing the homework and I read this verse:

"When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Eygpt. " Exodus 13:14

We all know where God led them. He led them through the desert, on a road that took them longer to get to where they needed to be. He knew that the shorter road was not the right one for them. Now the desert way was discouraging for them, but think about how discouraged they would have been if they had gone through a war. It even says God knew they would not make it. He knew they would turn around and go back to Egypt, where they were slaves, if they went that way. So, instead of sending them the shorter way (which they probably thought would be the easiest), He sent them on the long, hard path.

How many times as Christians do we want to skip over parts of our lives, because they are hard? Have you ever stopped to think that maybe God knows the alternative would hurt us more? Maybe if we got what we wanted, when we wanted it (took the shorter way) it would hurt us more and ultimately not lead us where God wants us to be. Just maybe the longer, harder way is better sometimes. Maybe the shorter road would be harder in the long run. I mean if the Isrealites had taken the short way, think about where they would have ended up...right where they started, slaves to the Egyptians.

Just a little something to think about....

I will always remember

Today marks the 6 year anniversary of 9/11. As with everyone else, as soon as I woke up and remembered it was the 11th, I immediately began to relive this day, 6 years ago in my head. I was beginning my Sophmore year at MC and was very newly engaged to Prof. I woke up late that morning, because a class had been canceled. As soon as I got up, I hopped in the shower and turned on our shower radio, so that I could enjoy some music while bathing. I was surprised to realize there was no music. As I listened to the announcers talking, trying to put everything together in my almost awake mind, I remember realizing what had happened. I quickly finished my shower, and went straight to the TV to see what was going on. I remember just standing there in awe about what was happened and not really knowing what to think. I remember hearing them say that Atlanta might be target and just being terrified that my fiance lived near Atlanta at the time. I called him, and everyone else I knew. I think just hearing everyone was ok, made it better to me. Then the rest is history. Needless to say, I will never forget the meaning of today. I will never forget how today changed a lot of things for Americans and I will never forget the sacrifices that were made that day and still being made for us today because of that day.

There is another reason, however, that I will not forget 9/11 ever again. As many of you know, I worked in the Office of Admissions at Southwestern for a little over a year. While I was there I really bonded with my boss, Marlene. Many of you know that over the course of my in Admissions, I watched Marlene live the last year of her life. In Sept of 05 the doctors realized that Marlene's brain was overtaken with cancer. At that point they told her she had at the most 6 months to live. I was amazed at how Marlene approached this news. She did not curl up and sit in her house and wait to die. Actually she did quite the opposite. She treated life like she had no cancer. In fact she on many occasions would talk about how blessed she was that things were not worse. She was the prime example of someone who allows Christ to have full control of her life. On this day last year Marlene celebrated her last birthday here on earth. I remember her coming in to work, so weak, and somewhat out of it, just to celebrate with us. Despite all the pain she was in, and the frustration she had in her life, she was more concerned about everyone else in the room. I will always remember her on today and I will always thank God for her and what He taught me through her.

The Hair

One thing I was so excited about when I found I was having a girl, was being able to fix her hair. When I was little all my barbies and dolls had their hair all fixed up on a regular basis. I have been waiting, impatiently, for the day that I could begin to play with Little One's hair. Finally, after a long 18 months, the day is here! This morning while she was eating breakfast, I got to play with her hair! Here are some pictures!

Words of Wisdom (or something like that) from Wild Man

Wild Man has really begun to chime into our conversations a lot more lately. It used to be that Prof and I could have a conversation and Wild Man would be in his own little world not even listening to us. However, this is changing now! See now that he is 4 and a big boy he feels that it is his duty to begin listening to and chiming into our conversations when necessary.

Tonight we were at Wally World and we were looking for a parking spot. As we were cruising the rows we saw this lady walking to her car. Now, without being rude, let's just say she was most likely not being supported up top and really needed to be and she was just rough looking. I turned to Prof and said, "See, I could look like that!" Then out of the back seat chimes in Wild Man. He says, "No, you can't look like her!" We weren't real sure where he was going with this, since yesterday, while waiting in line to pay at a store, he said, "That lady is fat!" (of course as loud as possible). But, then he said, "Mommy, you have to look like you." What wisdom! He already knows at such a young age that all people look different and that is not bad. It is good to look like who God made you to look like.

On a side note, that has nothing to do with Wild Man, we are pretty sure the rat issue has been taken care of! YAY!!! We have not heard them or seen signs they have been around in over a week!

Also, HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY, to all the grandparents reading my blog!!! We love you!

New Favorite Commercial

The Prof and I saw this commercial for the first time last weekend on our little getaway. I love it! It made me laugh so hard. Enjoy!

It is here!!

The new Fall/Winter Catalog from Initials Inc is now here!!! I know that most of you don't care, but this is a huge deal for me. Not just because I sell it, but because I just love everything in the catalog!! Anyway, there are some fun new products and some lower prices!!! So, check it out!

Fall/Winter 2007 Catalog