The Combs Krewe

Six years ago today I became Mrs. Jackie Combs. I knew beyond a shadow of doubt that God had created us for one another and was completely overjoyed to begin our married life. Beyond that I didn't know much (I now see). Since then there have been times when I've been let down and disappointed and angry and confused about our marital roles but I've never forgotten that it was indeed God who joined us and that what He joins He does not intend to dismantle but build stronger. It has taken almost these entire six years for me to finally begin to learn what it means to "become one." I'm so thankful to have someone who loves me unconditionally and with complete abandon even though he truly knows me-- someone who loves me like Christ loves the Church and not simply the way I think he ought to love me. I'm happy to have a true best friend and know that this is only the beginning--that our love will grow and deepen with each passing day. Our marriage has been tot...

So last night our local "Coupon Queens" as they've been dubbed shared some tips at the homeschool meeting that left me in awe. I go to the grocery store and forget items ON MY LIST and these gals are practically doing rocket science in the check out lane (and online) with little ones in tow! I may never getting my couponing tiara but I did manage to score a sweet deal earlier this week at The Salvation Army Family Store (on Claiborne) that I was excited about. See I've been doing "window" shopping for a cute new diaper bag and posting my findings on Facebook. I really had no idea there were so many diaper bag choices and I certainly had no clue they could cost so much! Unfortunately I also apparently have good taste because I kept finding cuter and cuter bags and the cost kept going up and up. I stopped looking when some of the bags said $300 on the tag. Then I get a text from a friend telling me about some super cheap tags-still-on diaper bags at the Salv...

You never know what you're going to see while out and about in the city. Today I saw... A drag queen with a penchant for animal prints waiting at the bus stop just outside the seminary gate. A big black man carrying a HUGE bag full of Winnie the Pooh toys on his back. A truck with bullet holes in the tailgate. The driver didn't look like your typical hunter, either. A bunch of smiling kids willing to come out after dark in 30 degree weather alone to get a free meal. It's not all pretty but I'm so, so glad to be here taking in the sights!

Since I finally got a public library card, we've really enjoyed checking out lots of books. Last Wednesday after story time, Jathan went on a search for dragon books since he is BIG on the movie, How To Train Your Dragon. We stumbled upon a book entitled, "Yo, Vikings!" and Jathan and Keeleigh both loved it. It's based on a true story about an imaginative little girl (the author's daughter) who must research Eric the Red for a school assignment. In the end she is totally enthralled with Viking legends and receives a huge birthday surprise. In the story the main character fashions a foil Viking hat so we decided to make one, too! Keeleigh also made a great Viking boat from clay but unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it before it got smooshed back into a lump. I'm thinking our next project from this book will be painting some stone runes. I think Keeleigh would also love to read more some more in depth Viking legends. I never would have thought we would...

Jathan is quite full of wisdom lately (as many three-year olds are). I'm constantly saying to myself, "I should be writing this stuff down." So here goes... Today as we were walking back from PE class he occupied his slow steps with finding "treasures." Treasures might be rocks or leaves or tiny lost army men or paper clips or other random pieces of garbage. Today his treasure was a sticky cypress cone which he decided he would drop down the drain to give the alligators something to eat since Ryland thought it looked quite tasty and kept trying to stick it in his mouth. So there Jathan laid--face down on the side of the street peering into the drain saying, "Here, alligator! Here, alligator!" Alas, the alligator never came. I finally convinced him that perhaps it was shy and we should simply leave the cone for him to eat later. He thought this was a good idea and as we walked the rest of the way we discussed the types of things alligators eat. Jathan s...

January 1 We didn't ring in the New Year with a bang so much as a blech . Jackie, Jathan, and Ryland were all either still recovering from or in the throws of a stomach virus. Thankfully, I was spared the sickness and enjoyed watching a panoramic view of fireworks from our bedroom window at midnight. New Orleans definitely knows how to celebrate! Poor puked-out Jathan. "That was really bad," he said. Totally. January 4 We went for the BIG ultrasound on this date and found out that we're having a GIRL! We are still searching for the perfect name. Jathan has come up with some interesting suggestions including Starpoop, Dr. Pepper Can, and Lightning McQueen although he later decided Lightning McQueen would be inappropriate for a girl. Our little princess doing yoga. That's her foot stretched way up top! January 10 Ryland turned one year old! We celebrated with lunch at Mellow Mushroom. It was also the day of the National Championship (War Eagle!) so I made Ryland a f...