My Pappaw would have loved this man

So, it's no lie that my husband's second love is his boat and the lake. And, since football season is over, we have now entered into fishing season. Never in a million years did I think I would have married someone who loves to fish, just like my Pappaw.

I have very fond memories of my Pappaw and his boat. We used to go fishing with him when we were much younger and he would always fry up the catfish "we" would catch (i.e. he caught). And, I also remember him watching all these boring fishing shows that I hated. But, alas, I have married someone who watches the exact same shows!

And, you know what!!!!

I actually like it!

We have watched hours and hours of the Bass Masters, college tournaments, and fishing shows that has lead us to both really like this guy:

Kevin Van Dam. The World's Best Bass Fisherman. And, he's kind of cute (in a strange sort of way) but a really nice man.

It's nice to have something Dave and I can share together like fishing. And, it's nice to have a small piece of Pappaw still around. Every time we spend an afternoon on the lake, I flash back to seeing my Pappaw in his fishing gear ready to catch some fish.

He'd be so proud of me. And, he would have loved my husband. Almost as much as I do!

Nothing really

I made a delicious dinner tonight and even took a picture, but I accidentally deleted it. Bummer!

I have been watching LOTS of the Food Network lately and made some killer quesadillas! Glad to have found something new to eat in the Petty house.

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Can I just say how utterly ridiculous it is that gas is going up again to an un-Godly amount of money? And, how scary it is to hear about everything happening over seas? I pretty much got to the point where I can't watch any news program because it's all just a little too much. I'm trying to keep things in perspective and understand these are all things you start caring about the older you get. Ah, to be an adult........isn't it just divine?

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I really haven't had much to blog about lately. We haven't been doing anything but working lately and spending time taking care of responsibilities.

Maybe in the next few weeks, we'll find some time to do something a little bit more blog worthy!

Here's to another great week!

Cupcakes and baby

I haven't shown any pictures of my lovely niece lately so I thought it was time! :)

How cute is this outfit?!

This was Avery's Valentine's outfit. She's one well dressed little girl let me tell you!

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So, a few weekends ago my family received some very sad, sad news.............

Our favorite bakery in Arlington CLOSED! No warning, no final goodbye, no final red velvet cake to celebrate 30 years of business! This was the first year Jenna didn't have a Red Oven Bakery cake for her birthday. We were distraught!

But, I found something close (not nearly the same) after my workout yesterday. It kind of made me laugh to show up at Gimme Sugar in my workout clothes to get cupcakes. HA!

This was my lunch yesterday and I was completely OK with it. It was oh-so-yummy!

Anyone have any of other cake place suggestions? I would love to try some new places! :)

Monday Devotional

I read this, after a long day of doubtful thoughts, and for some reason it was very helpful. Just thought I'd share for anyone else who might not get the daily devotional of Proverbs 31.

Proverbs 31 Ministries: Are You a List Maker? 21 Feb 2011 Melanie Chitwood "We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." 1 John 4:16 (NAS) I'm a list maker. At my house you'll see a magnetic notepad on my refrigerator where I keep a running grocery list. By my bedside is a notepad for jotting down writing ideas. I have a notebook where I keep a daily to-do list and a long-term to-do list. And of course the best part of a list is checking something off when completed! For years I kept another list. It wasn't written down. Instead it was a mental running list I didn't even realize I was keeping, until I experienced a perspective-shifting situation. After my second son, Tyler, was born, I went through severe post-partum depression. It wasn't just the baby blues. It was days and days of crying, anxiety and no sleep. I had a newborn baby, a four year-old son, and a pilot husband who would soon go back to work. I was completely overwhelmed with everything. Finally, I called my doctor who prescribed medicine, but it would take a couple of weeks to work. Meanwhile, I had to figure out how to get through each day. Every morning I woke up early, prayed, and begged God to take the depression away. But the depression didn't go away. In fact it deepened as I listened to the lies depression shouted: You're a failure. What's wrong with you? Why can't you do this? You only have two children and you don't even have to work full-time. Other people go through much harder things and you can't even do this. One day when I just got sick and tired of being in such a miserable state, I yelled at God, What is this about, God? You're God. You could make this depression go away with the snap of Your fingers if You wanted to. Why won't You? Finally, I was just still. As I sat there, I realized God wanted me to learn a life-changing truth. I had kept a mental running list of all the reasons God couldn't love me. I wasn't a good enough wife, a good enough Christian, and certainly not a good enough mother. When I was struggling with postpartum depression, I didn't feel like a good anything. So I sure didn't believe God loved me unconditionally. I believed God loved me – but I believed He'd love me more if I could get my act together. I wonder if you're like me, keeping a running list of the reasons you mistakenly think disqualify you from God's unconditional love. Maybe like me you don't feel good enough at anything or you've struggled with depression. Maybe you have a secret that makes you feel ashamed – you've had an abortion, you've been unfaithful, you drink too much, you scream at your kids or husband. Maybe you've been divorced and that makes you feel unworthy of God's unconditional love. When I gave God my list of reasons why He couldn't love me, I finally heard God's gentle answer in reply. Well, it's a good thing My love doesn't depend on you, My child. It's a good thing My love doesn't depend on you. You can scratch all those reasons off the list. In fact you can tear up the list. I did that when I died on the cross for you. Are you ready for a change today? Are you ready to stop beating yourself up for your flaws, shortcomings, or sins? God is not keeping a list of your mistakes, and you don't need to either. Tear up your list and don't start a new one. Choose to believe today God loves you. There is nothing you can do or not do to change His love for you. Dear Lord, thank You for not keeping a running list of my mistakes, shortcomings or sins. Help me truly believe, to the core of my being, that You love me through and through, for now and always. I don't have to help You love me by being perfect. Let today be a defining moment where I tear up my running list and receive Your unconditional love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

February 16

IS MY DAD'S BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Birthday to the best dad in the whole wide world!!!!!

Dad,

I hope you know how much I love you. I hope you know how much I appreciate you. And, I hope you know how grateful I am to spend another birthday with you!

Seeing you as "Pops" is very special to me as well. I know you are and will be such a great, loving influence in our children lives.

Thanks for being you Dad. And, I hope your birthday week is a good one!!!!!!

Love,

Brooke

Late night Monday rambling

I've been horrible lately at taking pictures. I don't know why, usually my camera is attached at my hip..........I guess I'm getting forgetful in my old age. HA!

This weekend has been busy. Saturday, Dave and I spent the whole day running around taking care of errands and then spent that night with an old friend! It was a good time spent catching up and laughing. And, Dave got to meet one of my oldest and dearest friends. Marcus is a hoot!! We always have a good time together, I'm sad he lives so far away. :(

Sunday, my niece Avery had her dedication at their church. It was a sweet ceremony at this HUGE church in the area. We pulled up and Dave said "Wow, it looks like a mall." It made me laugh out loud. After, we had lunch at Jenna's and spent sometime with the family. My parents also got all the "kids" a Valentine's gift. That is so fun! I'll be carrying that tradition on when I have kids too. I always loved that growing up.

Other than that, just working. Today was SUPER busy! I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep and a good workout tomorrow morning. Hope you all had a great Valentine's Day!

A few NEW favorite things, TV addition

I've given in. I started watching the Food Network. Does that make me old?

At least it's somewhat educational, although Lord knows my husband doesn't eat half the stuff on this channel.

Ok, I like Rachel Ray (sidenote: she's a little annoying in her older shows but this one is good) but, I love how she shows it is possible to take one day out of the week to cook without spending every night cooking. I'd have to adjust the majority of her recipes to include hardly any vegetables, but she does do some great casseroles! I may start doing this once we have kids, not much use now.

LOVE this show. It comes on about midnight (re-runs) when I get home from work, so for one hour I get to see all the cool places around the country offering great food. I'm thinking a road trip is in need to visit some of these places! Plus, there is something oddly attractive about Guy. Don't ask.

So, when I went to Vegas about two years ago for work we ate at Bobby Flay's restaurant. It was good, but over priced. Maybe not overpriced, just not what I want to spend on food. But, I'm LOVING his new show. Last night he threw down with Big Man Bakes and the Vermont Brownie Company. I think Bobby against Big Man Bakes was the first episode I've seen where Bobby actually won. But, I think it's interesting to see all the neat food regular people come up in order to make a living.

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This is a BIG weekend around the Petty/Pecor household. My sister and dad are celebrating their birthdays this weekend, Avery is being dedicated at church, Leslie comes home from her exciting travel life, and IT'S VALENTINE'S DAY!! Geez. I'd better get a move on. Too much to do, too little time to do it. :)