Da Man, Big Daddy, Hubzie, Dad....

That (and a silly name that only I call him)

is whats he's known by. My "wordfull Wednesday" post is about this man. Isn't he cute? He met and married myself and my three girls, never having been one to date someone that had children. Since then, we have added another youngin to our posse ~and he hearts them all the same... He is the dad that I needed (prayed for) as a little girl. One that prays with them, kisses their boo boo's, tells them they are precious. Stops what he's doing when they need to talk. Still wrastles ( its a word, we in the south ya'll) even tho the older 3 are teens . He has taught me how to love. Love so madly and deeply that I have been able to let go , trust in him, & be healed of such deep wounds that even I wasn't fully aware of~ (except for the fact that I couldn't fully trust, or love). He saw me as broken, but worthy of love. Desperatly clinging to this " I dont need anyone" mentality because the little girl inside of me had been hurt so many times. Dont tell me that God isnt real. That He doesnt know us (me) intimately. Doesnt search our hearts. Plan our lives. Give us Hope and a Future. I cant even put into words the lengths I went to to try & confirm my fears (& the lies satan told me) in our relationship to be true. I call it "the other shoe's gonna drop mentality". And Hubzie? He just stuck... He was so patient with me. He's been stickingnow for 10 years . Not only has God used him to help to heal all of my brokeness, but He has also used him to restore what the locus tried to steal in my girls lives. I. Am. Loved. Blessed. Thankful... I am Whole...

Please post one of your Favorite Pics and what it means to you and join us over @ "7 Clown Circus" for "Wordful Wednesday" & check out other awesome Pics and stories & get to know fellow bloggerettes!!!! Thanks for visiting, & happy Blogging!! LYLAS/B .LA

Soppin Sweetness & a side of Smooch...

It's been rainy & cold here for what seems like forever! Now, that seems to bother quite a few people, but not Moi. Actually, I LOVE it!... You get to bundle up all warm & toasty, you get to cuddle w/ your hunny, & for some reason the darker the sky- the happier I am!... I know, weird! On this particular cloudy, rainy day this weekend my sweet man took me for a ride through the countryside where we drove down by this little bridge & stream. We stopped the car & got out in the mist to walk down to the streams edge & I just had to capture this memory. Just looking @ the pic envokes such a wonderful feeling in me... It's just the little thoughtful way he stole away w/ me & we talked & laughed & drove. It's those times that get me through all the times that arnt fun.(& if we arnt careful, start to weigh us down). The best part is, it didn't cost us anything except for time. What does it for you? Somthing that wells up pure joy & contentment in your heart? I wish you lost of time spent in that place (but not so much that it looses it's flare). Make time for your "somthing". - Thanks for reading & I can't wait to read about yours! LYLAS/B , LA

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

This seriously made me laugh till I cried ~ & Sunday Citar..

This may not be somthing that inspires me, but it certainly is somthing that brightend my day, and Im certain you wont soon forget it!! I Got this from another blogger who got it from someone else- Author unknown...

- All hair removal methods have tricked women with their promises of easy, painless removal - The Epilady, scissors, razors, Nair and now…the wax. Read on…… My night began as any other normal weeknight. Come home, fix dinner, play with the kids. I then had the thought that would ring painfully in my mind for the next few hours: 'Maybe should pull the waxing kit out of the medicine cabinet.' So I headed to the site of my demise: the bathroom. It was one of those 'cold wax' kits. No melting a clump of hot wax, you just rub the strips together in your hand, they get warm and you peel them apart and press them to your leg (or wherever else) and you pull the hair right off. No muss, no fuss. How hard can it be? I mean, I'm not a genius, but I am mechanically inclined enough to figure this out. (YA THINK!?!) So I pull one of the thin strips out. Its two strips facing each other stuck together. Instead of rubbing them together, my genius kicks in so I get out the hair dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees. ('Cold wax,' yeah…right!) I lay the strip across my thigh. Hold the skin around it tight and pull. It works! OK, so it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad. I can do this! Hair removal no longer eludes me! I am She-rah, fighter of all wayward body hair and maker of smooth skin extraordinaire. With my next wax strip I move north. After checking on the kids, I sneak back into the bathroom, for the ultimate hair fighting championship. I drop my panties and place one foot on the toilet. Using the same procedure, I apply the wax strip across the right side of my bikini line, covering the right half of my hoo-ha and stretching down to the inside of my butt cheek (it was a long strip) I inhale deeply and brace myself….RRRRRRIIIIPPP!!!! I'm blind!!! Blinded from pain!!!!…. OH MY GAUD!!!!!!!!! Vision returning, I notice that I've only managed to pull off half the strip. CRAP! Another deep breath and RIPP! Everything is spinning and spotted. I think I may pass out…must stay conscious…must stay conscious. Do I hear crashing drums??? Breathe, breathe………… OK, back to normal. I want to see my trophy - a wax-covered strip, the one that has caused me so much pain, with my hairy pelt sticking to it. I want to revel in the glory that is my triumph over body hair. I hold up the strip! There's NO hair on it. Where is the hair??? WHERE IS THE WAX??? Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the toilet. I see the hair. The hair that should be on the strip…it's not! I touch. I am touching wax. I run my fingers over the most sensitive part of my body, which is now covered in cold wax and matted hair. Then I make the next BIG mistake…remember my foot is still propped upon the toilet? I know I need to do something So I put my foot down. Sealed shut! My butt is sealed shut. Sealed shut! I penguin walk around the bathroom trying to figure out what to do and think to myself 'Please don't let me get the urge to poop. My head may pop off!' What can I do to melt the wax? Hot water!! Hot water melts wax!! I'll run the hottest water I can stand into the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax-covered bits and the wax should melt and I can gently wipe it off, right??? *WRONG!!!!!!!* > > I get in the tub - The water is slightly hotter than that used to torture prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment - I sit. Now, the only thing worse than having your nether regions glued together, is having them glued together and then glued to the bottom of the tub…in scalding hot water. Which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax. So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub as though I had cemented myself to the porcelain!! God bless the man who had convinced me a few months ago to have a phone put in the bathroom!!!!! I call my friend, thinking surely she has waxed before and has some >secret of how to get me undone. It's a very good conversation starter 'So, my butt and hoo-ha are glued together to the bottom of the tub!' There is a slight pause. She doesn't know any secret tricks for removal but she does try to hide her laughter from me. She wants to know exactly where the wax is located, 'Are we talking cheeks or hole or hoo-ha?' She's laughing out loud by now…I can hear her. I give her the rundown and she suggests I call the number on the side of the box. YEAH!!!!! Right!! I should be the joke of someone else's night. While we go through various solutions. I resort to trying to scrape the wax off with a razor . Nothing feels better than to have your girlie goodies covered in hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in super hot water and then dry-shaving the sticky wax off!! By now the brain is not working, dignity has taken a major hike and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need Post-Traumatic Stress counseling for this event. My friend is still talking with me when I finally see my saving grace….the lotion they give you to remove the excess wax. What do I really have to lose at this point? I rub some on and OH MY STARS!!!!!!! The scream probably woke the kids and scared the dickens out of my friend. It's sooo painful, but I really don't care. 'IT WORKS!! > > It works !!' I get a hearty congratulation from my friend and she hangs up. I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and then notice to my grief and despair…. THE HAIR IS STILL THERE……..ALL OF IT! So I recklessly shave it off. Heck, I'm numb by now. Nothing hurts. I could have amputated my own leg at this point. Next week I'm going to try hair color…… I told ya ~ You are wel come!!

(If ya barrie, link back & let me know plz :) ~Also, Please check out "Sundar Citar" over @ "Fresh Mommy" w/ my friend (& if you dont know her, soon to be yours too!;) Tabitha!
And as always, LYLAS/B LA

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

That's right. Stay off the sidewalks!!

Kait got her permit yesterday!!!! I cannot even believe it... I said that I still see her as the 3 year old w/ pigtails & a scratchy lil voice. It's funny how God prepares us for each step in the journey. When they are little you think "I'll never be ready to let go", but along the way somthing strenghtens you. I have 2 15 year old right behind her & they are just as independent & brave as she is& every bit as excited to spread their wings. Lets hope I'm as brave when "they" are sitting in the drivers seat. Thank you my heavenly Father for strength for the day, peace on the joirney(should I CHOOSE to accept it) & a vision for your call on their lives!. Till next time, I still LYLAS, B ;) LA.

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Daddy Daughter Valentines Dance!

Tonight an elementary school is having a dance for little girls & their daddy's, so Daddy took lil P! Chels got her all dolled up & she looked so precious! He also brought her flowers & her first pair or heals! (Mary Janes ;) You should have seen how excited she was, I started to well up! She's not gonna be excited to dance w/ Daddy for to much longer, so we'll take it!! 

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

My Pops...

xoxo

Pops...

I just wanted to say a word about the most- most important man in my life (before my Hubzie & before I knew the Lord) my Pops. This fella here was the man who raised me w/ so much love & security(& @ the time,  hands that seemed as tho they belonged to a giant). I went back & forth from my moms to her parents house all of my young life (for reasons I won't share). My grandfather had a ranch in NM, where thankfully I spent quite a bit of my youth. There I got to be a cowgirl, explorer, treehouse co builder & basically anything that my young mind could dream up. While on my trip back to NM last week I had a really wonderful visit w/ him. (now 85 years young) It was such a reminder of who is in my life. He's a really great man & one to whom I have measured all of the men in my life.( so many will never measure up). So I just want to say,"Thank you Papaw, I wouldn't be the woman, wife, mom & friend that I am today, if you hadn't been there to love me & to teach me how to love." I love you...

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

New year, I'm here!

Hi peeps! Well I'm posting this from my Palm Pre in the middle of an ice storm, so we'll see if it works! I wonder if any of you know if you can post pics on here from a mobile? Anywho, I just returned from NM. My mom found a lump so off I went. We just got the results back & Praise God, it was just a tumor! Things have been crazy here as usual when anyone has 3 teen girls @ home! Kait has a boyfriend- whom we really like!  - (God-is-so-very-faithful! ) We also really like his parents, which is such a nice bonus! Man, I can hear the sleet hitting the window right now! Brrrrr! The girls just went on their church ski trip last week. They had so much fun but were sore! The place they went is only 5 or so hours away & we are thinking of maybe going back before winter is gone. Everyone seems to hate this time of year (including hubbsie) but I just love it & I really can't explain why, but for you I'll try :). Theres just somthing about bundeling up ( scarves, gloves & nice warm fur boots) & feeling the snow on your face. Looking out the window & everything is covered in white!. Makes me feel all warm & cozy inside- nevermind the excuse it gives me to make a fire ;). What's your favorite part of winter? Or are you one that just wants it to hurry on by? %ve missed you guys & what's happening in your world (although a good number of you are friends of mine on FB ;) so I'm gonna get going & pop around to your places & see what's up wicha! (also lil P has just asked me to start a fire. How could I say no to that :) LYLAS/B. & stay toasty warm! LA

I'm A Winner!!!

Helllllo, hows my peeps? I hope your all having a fabulous summa. We are having a really great time!! Im just a lovin this Oklahoma heat ( ok, not really, but what can ya do??) I have alot to report but we"ll take it slow. First off, 2 of my teens are off in Iowa visitin family and boy has it been quiet round here!!
I have also been on a "Eat Clean" diet for 3 months. I have now lost .. wait for it.... 54 lbs. Ohhhh YEAH! I was in a "Summer Slimdown" challenge & I won 1st place, also $450.00!!!... Not to Shabby eah???. I am going out tonight w/ Big Daddy (for the first time in over 90 days) to celebrate & I am reallllly looking fwd it it!! I know I have told a few of you how I lost the weight, but if any others of ya wanna know, just zip an email over to me and I'll spill the goods!!
Syd is back from camp & we have had such a good time hanging out & having one on one time. I love it! Although, she has a busier schedule than I do so we have to squeeze in time... Ahhhh, to be a teen again!

Also, I dont know whats going on (other than I prayed specifically for it) but I have started meeting some of the most precious women (in computerville & round town!) & have really enjoyed these precious, genuine, loving friendships!!. Here are just a few pic's of em: ( Lisse above w/me & JW down with my man;) Very excitin, God is so very faithful aint He?!!

Well gang, we are off to our fav. local Mexican joint, but I hope you guys are enjoying the sun, fun & freedom the summer brings.

I LYLAS/B and I'll post again reallllly soon! ♥ LA

Oh the fun that was had!!

Hi gang! I surely do hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful July. Its been nice here the past few days, in the 80"s, a little rainy & I love the rain!!  We have had alot going on this summer (as Im sure you all have!). Two of my older girlz are out of state seeing family, and the other (older one) was in Waco last week on a poverty mission trip w/ our church. She had some amazing stories. One was that they did the prayer of salvation with two sisters who wernt saved. I cried. Its such an awesome feeling to see how Gods plan is unfolding for your baby. We are very proud of her!!! Lil P hasnt gone anywhere except over to a friends to sleep over. She said the other day that she is LOVIN the sisters being gone. She's "not treated like poo and she gets to do what she wants" ( her words!!) We had a wonderful 4th of july party with friends.There were about 12 people and lots of food n fun. The kids swam for hours then we did fireworks for even longer. Here are some photos of the fun filled night...(at the top in our bff Kevin and Syd!)

 This lil P and her friend Abby.

These are my sweet friends Christy & Jw.

This is Abby's older sis. Makenzie...

My bff JW & my man!!

lil P and her bff Kenzie

and JW's sweet lil self w/ moi!

The forth was one of the first nights that I had been out in awhile, for 2 reasons. One is that Im doing this weightloss challenge and OMGAW its been realllly difficult. Ive lost considerable weight, but I've barely made it through!!(thank you honey for your love and patience!!)

The second reason is because I fell in my back yard...(ugh!) Sprained both ankles, my right knee, anddddd peepled all the skin off my big toe on my right foot.( I posted pic's on FB case yer interested ;)

So Sat. night was a very special treat, not to mention the fact that we were celebrating the men and women that have fought and are fighting for our freedom. I am so very thankful to live in this counrty, and am deeply thankful for the sacrifices being made!!

I miss all of your beautiful selves and promise to be here way more! Hope your having a fabulous week!!

xoxoxox ♥ LA