Adventures as a Proverbs 31 Mommy

New year......what will 2012 bring

2012-01-16T13:00:00.002-06:00

New Year......it always brings resolutions or the attempt at resolutions. I am hoping I can lose some weight and gain a job. 2011 had its joys, sorrows, hardships and trials. However, through it all one thing remained steady.......my Lord. As for my husband and children...and self.....we grew, we made mistakes, we learned, we laughed and we loved. We prayed, we cried, we rejoiced, we played and we planned. Life...it is made up of all of these things. So what will 2012 bring? More of the same, joys, sorrows, hopes realized, hopes and dreams that change, a little of this and a little of that. Yet one thing will remain the same.......my Lord. HE never changes. His promises are yes and amen. He is the rock, our foundation, the one and only constant we can count on. The economy, politics, gas prices, etc etc...all change, with ups and downs like the proverbial roller coaster, but my Lord.......He is never changing, ever loving, ever merciful, ever the peace giver, the provider. Will I accomplish EVERYTHING I want this year, most likely not, BUT my Lord......He will grow me, change me, mold me and make me. However, I must yield to the growing, the molding, the making, and the changing. HE knows what I will face this year. I trust HIM.

I thank God for my family, the love in our home, the warmth in our hearts. What we have far outweighs what the world has or wants. Our children have grown in grace, beauty, and in the Lord. As their bodies grow, their minds expand and their faith continues to blossom. I excitedly see, the hopes and the dreams for the future. I want to see life like they see it, full of possibility instead of maybes. Full of promises, instead of possibly. They see life as an adventure, another day to find and discover what life and the Lord holds for them. Do they voice this? No but they live it. Every day is a new day..ready for discovery, ready to live, ready to find joy in the journey.

My dreams for this family is to grow in Jesus and in our love for each other. Love is ever growing, ever changing, ever deepening. I commit to this family to be the wife, mother, God has called me to be. Will I do it perfectly? No but my God, my King is my strength, my source the one on whom I can depend. The one who will help me walk the walk, talk the talk and be there to pick me up when I fall down. We ALL fall down, we all make mistakes...the key is getting up and moving on in Jesus. Letting Him, hold our hand, pick us up, dust us off and teach us how to avoid the pitfalls. Not one of us, no not one, can walk it perfectly, BUT everyone of us can rely on our Redeemer, our Refuge to be our ever present help.

My prayer is that I will find more in Jesus this year than ever before. That others will see more Jesus in me. That I will make a difference in the life of someone and that I will live to serve Jesus and others. That I will think what can I do for someone today that will make their life better?

So whatever comes, whatever winds blow...I will trust on the one who holds my hand because He knows my tomorrow and His plans are written already in His Word:

Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

Christmas joys and "magic"

2011-12-23T18:20:00.000-06:00

Oh what joy is to be found, as we gather the children round, for cuddles and stories and family time. The niblets are growing up so fast, but Christmas is a time, it is okay to be a child. It is okay to believe in surprises and magic and wonder. Excitement and expectation fills the air.

And wasn't it just the same so very long ago, that night in the stable. Mary knew what the angel had told her. She pondered those things in her heart and was overwhelmed by what the angel revealed to her about her unborn son. Expectation filled that stable, joy and wonder and magic in a manner of speaking. Because, birth is magical, the way a baby grows within the mother's womb, from one little tiny microscopic part to a child fully formed and beautiful to behold. It is magical. It is wondrous.

We are all fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together by God's hands in our mother's womb. How much more miraculous, the Christ child being formed within the virgin's womb? He moved, He kicked and caused His mother the pains and aches of any expectant mother. His mother bore him with blood, sweat and tears...she bore love......love that would one day save us from our sins. When He gave forth His first cry....angels sang the story. How much more magical and awesome can it be?

So Christmas to me, still holds the wonder of that night. I see it in the eyes of my children as they sing Away in a Manger.

I heard it in the voice of my Jenny as she said Jesus was the real reason for Christmas and how much she loves Jesus.

I see it in the kindness of my Christopher, helping me do household chores as we prepare for the challenges ahead of my surgery coming up.

I feel it in the arms of my Hannah as she says Mommy you are my best Christmas present when she hugs me tight.

Magic.....is not always the thing people whisper about as being bad and mysterious, but it is in the way love gave birth to freedom and brought us hope. Love, magic, wonder, awe...that is Christmas. Because without the love, wonder, awe and magic brought to us in a stable from the birth of one little infant boy...there would be no freedom and hope in our world. How God did it.....still awes me.

So Merry Christmas from my house to yours and remember HE is the love and magic and hope of Christmas.

The Crossing--book review and comments

2011-12-23T17:50:00.000-06:00

I give this book a top notch rating. This book kept me up to read it and had me not wanting to put it down. I thought I had it all figured out but the plot had some twists and turns I did not expect. I love it when a book lets me get some of my thoughts to the plot correct, but some that totally surprise me.

The story shows that while pain and memories of awful things in your past can effect you for years to come,there is ONE from whom you can gain healing. In facing, the pain and sorrow, instead of burying it, you let it go, forgive and heal. There is a purpose to letting go and forgiveness. It isn't to say the person who did wrong is right. It is to set you free from the hold the act or acts had upon your soul. To let go....is to soar in freedom and peace.

This was a great book and I would love to read more by this author.

While thinking about the above review...it made me thing about how there is nothing in this life that can destroy us. We are able to overcome way more than we think. Our God is able to heal in ways we can not even imagine...but we have to let Him and allow the pain that comes with revealing the scars. Healing often brings pain, as we stretch and exercise the scars. When God heals us, He lets us feel the pain, so that we can appreciate the freedom. Sounds, unfair? Not so, for He bore more pain on HIM for us that we can ever imagine.

The Daughter's walk

2011-11-16T09:50:00.001-06:00

I read the book "The Daughter's Walk"

This book is a fascinating look at the mother/daughter relationship and how forgiveness and holding on to bitterness and unforgiveness can effect someone's life.

The book takes many twists and turns, some you expect, some you were not expecting. In it all it is ultimately about what happens when one or more family members decide to blame and not forgive.

The author lets you get inside of the mind of the daughter and see things from her perspective. While, you some what see in the mind of the mother, you mostly see the daughter's view point.

It left me wondering why the mother made the choices she made. Her choices impacted her family, but it also let her daughter on a separate journey to discover who she was, and how forgiveness or the lack there of and bitterness can impact your whole life.

There were times I felt the author got bogged down in some detail about the fur business that really didn't add as much to the story.

I do like how the author includes facts from the family the story was based on. I felt a few of the characters weren't entirely 3 dimensional or necessary for the plot per se, but added for romantic effect. For example, the employer's son. However, it did fit the story.

There are times you want to shake some sense into the characters and say "can't you see what you are doing"..but it adds to the realism of the conflict.

A poignant scene in the book is when the mother, cuts a portion of a lace heart and gives a piece to her family members....how the daughter deals with how her mother handles this is a key element. This pops back up in the story at the end and you discover that assumptions you made, are no necessarily the motive or feeling behind what happened.

This will make you think about how the words we say, the things we do and the choices we make effects more than ourselves.

It is a good book.

Blogging for books can be found at:
http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/14026/blogr:6324

A Scary Tale

2011-10-29T09:14:00.001-05:00

My creepy tale from the crib years:

It was a dark and stormy night, (truly it was). Mike was at work, working the night shift. The children tucked in their respective beds. The youngest was a mere infant, still waking for night feedings and still much in need of the baby monitor. We were used to hearing random baby sounds, neighbors homes, who had baby monitors and the like. Once we even heard a man and his wife arguing over some cell phone type device. She wanted him to pick up milk, he did not want to make a late night stop.

I lay in my bed, having had trouble getting to sleep and thinking about the next day. Suddenly...I heard a low, evil growl next to my ear. First, I thought, someones dog or cat is outside my window. I got up and cautiously, ever so carefully lifted one part of the blind to peek out. Much to my relief...nothing jumped at me, like in the movies. The ones where you scream, don't look out the window at the screen. I sat back down on the bed and I heard it again, this time just a bit louder. Know I realize...it is coming from the baby monitor. This was NOT a baby noise. This was low and sounded so evil that my hair stood on end and my heart raced like I'd been running a marathon.

I started praying hard as I walked to the girls' room. At that moment the growling stopped, just as I stepped across the threshold. I peeked at my middle child and adjusted her covers. Praying all the while. Then I heard that horrid growl again. It was in or near this room! I ever so slowly, heart in my throat, fingernails cutting into my palm as I gripped my own hands tightly....tiptoed over to the window I peeked out......NOTHING! The growl had stopped by this point. Standing in the moonlight, heart hammering, like a race car out of control..I was near tears it was so scary.

I walked over to the baby's crib. I checked to make sure her sister had not placed any lovies in the crib with her. She moved a bit and I patted her sweet little bottom. THEN I heard it..RIGHT NEXT TO ME and it was not coming from the baby. That low, evil growl like something evil this way came...kind of thing. Then I saw it...the hideous "monster" that was making this noise. It growled low and evil. Its fur shiny in the moonlight...its eyed beedy, glassy and dark. I almost screamed...but then I realized......it was ..........it was.

The WOMB SOUNDS BEAR attached to the side of the crib! I had not known when the batteries get low the bear can possibly make random sounds....

11 years ago

2011-10-26T08:43:00.001-05:00

I woke up today and realized I haven't done Christopher's 11th birthday letter. I try to write a letter or something each year on their birthdays. I have missed one here or there depending on what was going on at the time. But I do try.

When Christopher was born, I knew how to change a baby, feed a baby and the basics. I had heard about sleep deprivation and colic but never experienced it. When he was in the hospital with me just after his birth. Everything was easy and smooth sailing. Well, until we brought him home. Then the crying began. We did not know at the time his crying was due to undiagnosed milk allergy. So at 3 a.m., my husband after a frantic call to the pediatrician, due to an newborn who had cried hours and hours and hours, went on a search for gas drops. First, he had to find something open and second...a store that actually carried the magic elixir..GAS DROPS. It helped some, but truthfully not a lot. It took a full year for him to be diagnosed and when we took him off all dairy......our baby..stopped crying like turning off a switch. He had cried after every, feeding and every meal for a solid year.

Doctors, would not listen, and we prayed and we cried and we searched for answers. Christopher was a happy, laid back little guy, when he wasn't in pain. We named his tummy troubles "the tummy tigers". This still has effects in him today. He learned that first year that food caused pain and because of it, eating, has never really been a big thing for him. He is better now, but even after 11 years his eating is an issue as his sensory issues; I believe, in part, were caused by all that pain he experienced.

However, this leads me to Christopher's letter:

Dear Christopher:

When God blessed us with you, He gave us a warrior. A warrior full of joy and laughter. A warrior that has perseverance and faith so deep it astounds me. All those times you saw Jesus and Mercy (your "imaginary friend") by your bed when you were so sick, instilled something in you. Your faith is the foundation you need for life. No matter what you face, that faith, your Lord Jesus will be WHO gets you through anything. There is nothing you can't face. There is nothing, through the strength of Jesus you can't do . Nothing is impossible with God. You have proven that in your life and walk with Jesus over and over again. I am proud of you positive outlook on life. I am proud that you have compassion and love for others.

Your character is strong and mighty and it shines for the world to see. Keep Jesus as your center and you will find that people are drawn to you. You have grown so much this year, both physically and spiritually. Watching God grow you in faith is better than anything you could ever do, say or be. Watching you become a young man that loves the Lord Jesus is better than winning a million bucks. Thank you for being you.

You pray first and ask questions later. That my son, teaches your Mommy every day. Sometimes, you struggle with organization, sorry , you get that from Mommy, but you are trying. You are working hard and have the desire to learn and grow. I thank God, He made you, just like you are. As we learn and grow together, we will meet life head on with Jesus as our source. As your parents, Daddy and I, are learning and growing too. Families, do that......they learn and grow together in love and faith. I pray God will increase your faith and that you will grow in wisdom and stature. We trust God with you and your life and His plans for you future

The scripture I proclaim for you this year is

Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

We love you and know God is going to do great and mighty things in you.
Love Mommy..aka Mom as I don't know how much longer the Mommy label will stick..LOL

Mean girls??

2011-10-05T07:39:00.003-05:00

I was watching the Today show this morning and they were talking about "mean girls". They were discussing whether reality TV, kids show, etc were the cause of girls being so mean to one another these days.

I don't think it can be blamed, entirely, on television or reality TV. My girls have on occasion been mean to one another. However, we correct it immediately. We explain WHY it is wrong and how it makes the other one feel. Compassion doesn't all come naturally, some of it, is taught.

When a young child, hits another child to be mean, you teach them. You teach them that it hurts and you have consequences for such behavior. If a parent excuses their child, every time he or she does something wrong, they learn that behavior is wrong. If you excuse a girl for being mean saying "that's just girls being girls"..you teach them it is okay.

Discipline and teaching kids to be kind and compassionate comes through many lessons. They watch us and how we treat others. They do things and crave discipline. Yes, I said crave discipline. Children need discipline. They want some one to care enough to correct them when they are wrong.

I am not talking abuse. I am talking about correction and teaching. Discipline is teaching not just consequences.

Am I perfect mother, NOPE! Haven't earned that distinction yet. I don't think I will be earning it any time soon, because I too am learning. The Lord teaches me and disciplines me through His word.

Sometimes, He uses a simple statement, made innocently by my child that is like a good wake up and do right message from the Father Himself. My children don't even know they just preached to Mommy.

So mean girls being the fault of TV? No, not entirely. Yes, it has some influence, but we also have to take responsibility for our kids behavior and what we are teaching them.

Yes, sometimes, there are kids, that despite what they are taught, act out and become "mean girls", due to no fault of the parents. However, I do not think this is because of TV. I think it is a culture thing. It is cool these days to show...just how "bad" you are...the badder the better.

If we as a culture did not buy into the dress...well lack there of dress or the hype for "bad girl" behavior, it would not thrive.

If we rewarded good behavior and highlighted, positive things so many teens and kids do, we would see a change. Kids would think it was cool to be good. MOST of the pressure to be bad comes from peer pressure. Is that influenced by TV, probably. However we can not blame it on TV.

Many families are so plugged into technology they are tuned out on their kids.

Lord, help me be tuned into YOU so I can be tuned into my kids. Help me prioritize my time, my family, my day so that my girls and my son can be...compassionate, loving members of society. People who shine brightly in a world where being mean is cool. Let them show that kindness and love is the way to live. Let us live the way YOU would Lord......where we live by loving those who society says is unlovable. Let us never ever cast stones and let us shine brightly for you.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-05T07:23:00.002-05:00

Along Came a Spider

2011-09-29T13:48:00.000-05:00

or some type of insect and bit my child. She went to bed on that Friday night and was fine.

The next morning she woke up like this:

at that time we thought she was having an allergic reaction to something and began treating with benadryl. She was not complaining of pain.

By afternoon it had not improved much. We took her to a walk in clinic, they were closed. So we decided to continue as we were since she had no fever and was not complaining of pain, and that we would take her the next morning. Which is what we did. I took her to the walk in clinic and they said it was an infection from a possible bite and sent us home with antibiotics. I gave her a dose and she went to sleep for a nap. Around 4 pm or so she woke up vomiting and had fever. She was now crying and said it hurt and under her arm hurt as well. I did not pass go...I did not collect 200 dollars, I took her directly to ER.

Thanks goes out to Pastor Nate at our church who came to the hospital. He was there with Jenny and I while the put in the IV. Jenny was all about that later. She couldn't express it then...but since then she has referred to him as "her Pastor Nate".

She was admitted on IV antibiotics and morphine for pain. They did xrays and blood work as well. She had a raging infection from an unknown cause. When we first got there they splinted her hand but the xray techs took it off and no one ever replaced it.

The doctors painted a bleak picture of tendon, nerve and all sorts of damage. But I KNOW a HEALER who can stop infections in their TRACKS!

This is my baby in pain and on morphine..(this one breaks my heart.)

She was brave though and tried to color and play with a gift sNonnie (Shelly Lickliter) sent her

a balloon from a friend brought a smile(Ches..thank you..it really did help her).

Our beloved Ms Terri works at Children's and she stopped in too..which brought smiles as well. God is good and gives you people in your lives that bless you, in ways that may seem small to them, but is HUGE to you.

They were talking surgery.........and had been since we came in. Her finger was not improving fast enough

we sent out another call for prayer

This is an hour and a half after the previous picture and why I KNOW prayer works

The doctors then said NO surgery on Tuesday morning. she was so brave. She still had some pockets of infection and her finger is still not the right color but is better. The last photo doesn't show the color of her finger now..or the bluish tint to it...they say it is the infection still under the skin...and it is still a bit swollen. She can now bend it and use it better. They let her keep her jammies on and we couldn't change them because of th IV...but here are some more pics of my girl recovering. (This was written just after we returned home..for a Mommy website I belong to, but now adding it to my blog)

being brave and finally smiling.

almost ready to go home..waiting for our walking papers..LOL

that cot behind her is where I slept. Do not let looks deceive you..it is NOT comfy..LOL.

I almost forgot to mention sweet Hannah Garmany and her mommy Emily came to say hello as well and Poppie called us too......where is my brain. All that people did, posted, prayed, etc...all of it counted and it mattered and it blessed us so much.

oh and her class and school and teacher sent her this:

She returned to school on the Friday after her admission.. She was hooked up to a heart monitor part of that time as well due to the morphine for pain and the infection messing with her system. I am so glad she is better. What a weekend we had.
And while I wrote this the other day, I can now report she has finished that horridly yucky medicine. Her finger is almost normal but still not quite back to like before. God is completing the work.

This is a test...only a test...

2011-09-13T10:52:00.001-05:00

If it had been an actual blog post it would have been more interesting. But since blogger seems to be misbehaving for me, I need to do a test post. In the event of an actual blog post...read and laugh because generally my life is filled with laughable moments. Or Cringe because there are some of those moments too. I now return you to regular blog land postings. Have a great day.

Out of the mouths of babes

2011-09-08T09:51:00.000-05:00

Comes great wisdom and great faith. Last night we were driving to church. Jenny said "Mommy I have a story to tell you and it is a true story. It is not fiction (she just learned that word).

Here is her story:

It is a short story but it is a good one.

Me and Jesus...we is best fwiends. Jesus...He plays with me and sleeps with me and hugs me and I hug Him. He wubs evewybody and He is evevybody's fwiend. He is kindness and He is sweetness. The end.

And that my friends is the reward of a Mommy...faith in her child, love and hope and the joy of life shining out for the world to see. I stand in awe of a Savior who has put such love for Him into the hearts and minds of my children.

Great is HIS faithfulness unto me.

Tweens...the grand adventure

2011-08-26T08:03:00.001-05:00

It is that time of year....school has begun. There is homework to be done, a schedule to adhere to books to keep up with and of course open house. The kids show off their classrooms, some things they have done and wait with a little anxiety to hear the teacher say they are doing just fine. In the midst of it all, you have to find time for love and encouragement while trying to get it all done.

As of late I have felt inadequate, overwhelmed and out of my element. Because when it all boils down to it...no ladies and gentleman I am NOT "smarter than a 5th grader"! When did math become so complicated? As I look at my son's text book, I think...there is no way we learned that in 5th grade. I am astounded by all he is already learning and feel unable to help. I am ...but it is a feeling. One that I haven't had a in a while.

I remember those first weeks in motherhood, after being introduced to this tiny bundle of sweetness, crying, cooing and spit up. It was in those weeks I learned, all those years of babysitting, being a day care teacher and a nanny did NOT prepare me for motherhood. The books didn't tell me about supersonic poos that easily cleared 6 feet out of the diaper and necessitated a bath for anyone and anything with a 6 foot radius. It did not prepare me for sleep deprivation or the fear of knowing something was wrong with your baby but no doctor would listen. It also did not prepare me for the depths of love and willing sacrifice I would feel and go to for my child.

Now I stand at the precipice of the teen years. Childhood, young child hood for my son is almost behind us. He is about to enter............the TWEEN ZONE. In some ways he already has entered it. I again am experiencing..all the newness of having a child who is no longer a child but yet he is. It is limbo land. Somewhere between childhood and teenager without a map. Yet, I see glimpses of the man he will become. What fine, upstanding man he will be. He is compassionate and loving. He is kind and caring. Sometimes he can be a bit cranky and procrastinate (hmmmm I wonder...who he gets that from...checks to see if my "label" is showing).

I being a Mommy and decidedly female, do not get the whole boy thing.

A little boy one second....something entirely alien the next. (Did aliens switch him while I wasn't looking).?

Giggly and silly and full of jokes part of the day...moody and stormy another.
Yes...folks I think we are hitting the beginning stages of puberty. Or as he asked me the other day "mom when I go through pubity, will I be able to grow a mustache? When can I shave...cause I think...see right there on my chin..I think that might be a hair"

Now, his Daddy does and he helps. However, my son needs to learn from me as the biggest female influence in his life , at the moment. My responsibility to him is to nurture without coddling, to be firm with mercy and to no matter what show him love. Now, I have no issue with the loving part..I have that down pat. But when the tween attitude rears, I find it hard not to go a little heavy on the firm. So this is a learning process for us both.

However, the tools in my arsenal include prayer and faith. Thank GOD for these. I could not travel this road without them. As I traverse uncharted territory I trust God to lead me.

My love for this ~~child~~, I mean young man grows and changes with him. It grows deeper, it expands and it learns.

That is another thing......I didn't get totally, until I had kids...Love learns.

So we are off on this grand adventure...and I have my arsenal ready...faith, prayer, the word of God and lest we forget...for when I need it...COFFEE, calgon and chocolate.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-17T07:35:00.000-05:00

A kindergarten tale

2011-08-15T16:48:00.001-05:00

Twas the night before kindergarten and all through the house giggles and wiggles echoed my joy as I layed down in my bed.

I slept most soundly with visions of pencils and crayons and a nice teacher in my head.

Up before the sun I sprang rather slowly and could not eat

but hurried to get dressed with spiffy shoes on my feet.

Breakfast was done and now it was time to wait

for the clock to read half past eight.

I thought this day would never arrive

and waiting was almot too much to survive.

Finally Mommy said those wonderful words

It is time to go.

On with my backpack and lunch box too

posing for pictures is just something you have to do.

Off in flash, how much I have grown

with grins and "pinky tails" to be shown.

We arrived at the school with time to spare

and had lots of things with my friends to share

Time for more posing for mommy to see

what a big girl God has made me to be

Who is that coming down the hall

it's my teacher coming to line us up straight and tall

Standing in line waiting to see

what my next adventure will be

Bye Mommy I love you so much but I am ready for this day

and I will see you later is what I have to say

And off I go hand in hand

with my teacher to Kindergarten land

I arrived home with smiles galore

and happy with all kindergarten has in store

I have a bright future it is plain to see

but I was so glad to have brother, and sister and mommy to walk home with me.

A new Era has begun

2011-08-09T12:11:00.000-05:00

I am no longer going to be a mom with children at home during the day. I have been a stay at home mom for almost 11 years.

I have changed countless diapers, wiped noses again and again, kissed boo boos, mended toys and read stories. Now they will all be at school and Mommy's job has a new definition. While I will still do lots of those things, my children will be in the hands of others for a large part of the day.

I will now be the peruser of all things homework. I will listen to their day and decipher what needs a listening ear and what need intervention. I did some of this before but still had that last little one at home to offer the balance.

Our family is shifting, changing and growing. While part of me says this is bitter sweet. Another part of me says this is magnificent. Change brings growth. Families grow and change together and learn new things. It is good.

Hopefully, a job that works with the children's schedule will come into play. When that happens, I will become the "working mom". Now we all know that all mom's work. However, I will be learning too. I will learn to juggle, job, home, church, social lives of 3 children and much more.

I am up to the task. And I look to the future with anticipation of what God is going to do through us and in us. I want to prepare my children for the destiny God has called them to. I want to be the Mom, my kids know, prays about everything. The Mom they can come to about anything and know acceptance is not based on performance, but based on unconditional love.

Lord, let me be who you want me to be. Let me say what you want me to say. Let me make a difference in this world and in the lives of my children. Let my life count for you and your will.

Let me teach with love, discipline with mercy and hope in all things. Let my children see the light of Jesus in all my words, actions, deeds. May my hands be those to bless others. My words be those that build up and never tear down.
Let me support my husband in ways seen and unseen. May our home always be a soft place to land and a warm blanket of love with the light of love shining like beacon to all who see it.

The Potter and the Clay

2011-07-29T10:11:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine wrote about wives and husband and how Christian women pray for their husbands to be changed, saved, whatever the need is at the time. However, we as women have to be willing to change to. To let God change us and mold us. How the fact that in a marriage we are two made into one. If only one of the couple is changed, then the masterpiece God put together in marriage, becomes lopsided, in a manner of speaking. They can function as a whole, but something will be off. When someone views the masterpiece, they may see it right away, or they may wonder...what is it.....what is off? It isn't the fault of the Potter but the clay has been unyielding and their is a bubble or a crack. Under pressure and heat this bubble or crack can grow worse or be hidden. It all depends on the clay. The Potter will not force the clay to yield, but He works with it until it does yield. This is a process. It does not happen over night.

So for all those women praying for lost husbands, wayward husbands, Godly men who have issues that no one knows, do not give up. God is working. As women we have to yield to the Master and be willing to change to. Our husbands issues and faults do not lie in our hands, but God's hands. We can not fix it, only God can.

However, we can yield and let God fix us. We can yield to the molding, the fires of purifying. Letting God do what HE wants in us to make us what He wants us to be. To equip us for the work He has called us to.

When a potter works on his masterpiece, he uses many different tools. Sometimes, he uses a chisel, sometimes water and his gentle hands, sometimes a soft bristle brush, and yet other times a hard bristled brush. It all depends on what He is trying to make. What flaw he is trying to work out of the clay.

Sometimes the molding feels pleasant and gentle. Other times, it plainly hurts and feels as if something is being torn out. Why? Because some things only come out by giving into pain, so that the Master can then take His gentle, soothing hands, and sooth away the scar/hole left by what was taken out. He has the master plan. He knows the design. He knows what it will take to make the final masterpiece.

When we yield to the molding, making, breaking...we allow the Master to make us into something beautiful. There are times we have to be so broken, that part has to be built up again. It is in those moments, God truly takes what was meant for pain and sorrow and turns our mourning into dancing. And from our pain comes strength for the journey He has called us to.

I yield Lord, Jesus. To your hands. Mold me and make me into what You want. Help me yield and not fight the process. Help me not worry about what the process is like for others because you are their Master working on them in the way they need.

While my journey may be different. When you match me with my husband or other believers we not only become a "matched set" but a masterpiece that works together. A masterpiece that draws others in, to be molded.

Let me be a vessel of honor that brings in people to your Kingdom. You are the Potter....I am the clay. I am in Your hands.

Family Reunion

2011-07-26T10:27:00.000-05:00

There we all were in days gone by, so
young, so innocent so cute and sweet.
Those were the days, you played in the yard without shoes (unless like myself you borrowed someones sock and shoe--see picture). You ate watermelon with the juice running down your belly. You played unaware of the bugs, the heat, and the dirt. Those were innocent, fun filled days. You could count on Grandma to have the cookie tin always full and the best fried chicken anyone could ever make. My Grandma could make better chicken than the Colonel EVER could. Those were the days, you drank out of the water hose and ran free in the yard or the neighbors fields. Those were the days, parents didn't worry as much about their children crossing paths with some stranger who would steal them away. Although it did happen, those were different times. A gaggle of children were always together, playing, running, laughing and screaming.

This past weekend I went to a family reunion. We "children" now have children of our own. Life is different. Freedom to play and run is not the same. However, our kids do not realize it, so they run, laugh, play and scream. They love to hear about when we were kids. Those of us who made it to the reunion, seemed to pick up, right where we left off. Time and distance was not a boundary and love does not go away. Hugs and joy upon seeing faces you haven't seen in yours; can not be measured. The love of family is a timeless, endless joy. Miles may come between us and years may lengthen the time we see each other face to face, but love......love goes on.

The legacy left to us by our grandparents is love. Those children sitting on those steps have gone different ways and experienced different things...but there is one things that binds us together. LOVE. The heritage we need to pass down to our children is love. Families were designed by God for just that reason..LOVE.

God the Father sent His only Son into the world that we all might be adopted into HIS family. His love goes on and on and does not die.

One day there will be a grand and glorious family reunion. We will be reunited with family that has gone on before us. We will be meet our Father in Heaven..face to face. We will behold the Savior! That family reunion will be unlike any other. There is only one way to get there....you have to be adopted into the family, through the sacrifice of the son. Are you ready for the reunion? You have already received the invitation. All you have to do is answer the RSVP. Yes I am coming, I want to be in the family...I accept this gift of life.
I have turned in my RSVP as a YES I am coming...Have you?

Thunderstorms, rain and kids

2011-07-21T13:54:00.000-05:00

The sky is growing darker....the rain is starting to fall...the thunder is a clapping and the lightning can be seen by all.

We were going to do a drive by book drop off at the library and then run home again. However, I seriously do not want to be caught out in a thunderstorm with a 5 year old who can get really freaked out by storms.

The other day it was really, really bad. And I told her about how Jesus spoke to the storm and said Peace Be Still and the storm stopped. She wanted me to do it. (She has more faith in Mama's prayers than Mama does. I think I just learned a lesson.)

So I opened up the back door and shouted out into the storm
"Peace Be Still, In Jesus Name". And you know what.........the storm began to calm. Jenny said "Yep..it works." My other two kids said of course it works.
I was floored by their faith in my prayers. I sometimes, feel, like my prayers do not get past the ceiling. However, my children think that Mommy's prayers bring results.

Any time they feel bad or get an owie. They come to me..."Mommy pray for me". And I do. They turn around and go back to what they are doing satisfied. And even the times, my prayers were not answered right away, and the flu or fever raged on, they did not doubt. They just said thanks Mommy...I do feel better now. It isn't necessarily that the symptoms were better, but their spirits felt better.

What a lesson to say that even when we can not see the answer to our prayers, they have an effect. Prayers do not go out void before our Father. He hears them everyone. He sees our tears and stores them in a bottle. If He does that...how much more precious are our words to Him.

He loves to hear from us. If we listen, we can hear Him too. Even if it is through the voice of our child saying "It works"...after we prayed. That is the Father saying "I hear you"

Interview with a 5 year old Cowgirl

2011-07-20T10:07:00.000-05:00

Question: What is best about being five?

Jenny: Going to school.

Question: What do you think you will learn in school?

Jenny: I think I will learn writing and writing my whole name. I will learn the rest of the numbers.

Question: What do Cowgirl's do?

Jenny: They ride horses. They say yeeeeeeee haaaaaaa. They play with toys.

Question: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Jenny: A veterinarian. I will take care of animals. But not the icky ones. And only the nice ones. Not snakes or spiders or anything that bites. But Monkeys. I like them.

Question:Where do you wish you could go?

Jenny: Disney World.

Question: Why?

Jenny: Cause I want to have fun. Jesse the Cowgirl is there. Bullseye is there and I will ride him.

Jenny: I am done with this interview please.

LOL........too many questions I guess..LOL.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-20T09:56:00.000-05:00

Has it really been 3 months.........

2011-07-20T09:53:00.000-05:00

Since I uttered a word in the blogosphere. I can blame it on partially being busy with all 3 kids home, but not entirely. Some of it....is brain block. Summer brain block. Lazy days breed brain block.

But our summer has been fun, even if we have stayed home for the most part. Jenny turned 5 this month and I realize I forgot to post her birthday letter. I will do that later today or this week. Better late than never.

Now we are gearing up for school. To say the kids are excited, is to put it mildly. They would have gone back the next week, if the option was available. They LOVE school.

I am still looking for a job. I want to work they same hours they are in school. Time will tell. I am praying about other ideas and options to bring income in as well.....babysitting, blogging(supposedly you can earn money doing this), things to make money from home that is NOT a SCAM. There are a lot of scams out there!

So here I am, at almost the end of summer and trying to jump back into the blogoshpere. Hopefully, I will be posting more often.

Jenny and her "goggles"(aka not so wordless Wed..part 2)

2011-05-18T08:48:00.000-05:00

Here is the "goggles" I mentioned in my last post. You can't tell but they are colored purple on most of them. The duct tape hid some of that, but she is thrilled. She worked really hard on them. She is using them to look for vegetables for the dolls in her doll house. And is going to make them all dinner. She is very industrious

Oh and what is this toddler and preschool thing where they love to wear the same shirt, for a couple days. I let her because, she really did not get to go out and play yesterday, it was too cool. She really didn't get dirty. But she loves the dinosaur on her shirt.

Okay...so I am going to make a huge confession here: (please keep in mind, this may be TMI)

When I was a child...not sure how old, I had Wonder Woman Underoos.

(Hmmm I think I just dated myself). Anyway, I felt invincible in those panties and undershirt with the wonder woman stuff on it. For surely when I wore them...I was all powerful and I WAS Wonder woman. I'd wear them for days if my mother didn't insist I took them off. I even......here comes the confession part....would sneak them out of the laundry when she wasn't looking and put them back on. Now I say ewwwwwwww...but then I was innocent and didn't realize why this is so ewwwwwwwwwww.

So now our day can continue with our "goggles" in tow. Although the shirt...that is being changed before we leave the house. She just doesn't know it yet.

Not so wordless Wednesday

2011-05-18T08:08:00.000-05:00

This is the face of a little girl who wants her brother and sister to be done with school for the summer. She knows we are close to the end. She longs for them to be home all day with her. She was hoping it was today, but alas it was not. This is the face I saw when she crawled up on my bed to relay her misery.
I just want my Bro Bro and Sissy, that is all. said Jenny. When I asked her what was wrong. " They are my favorites." Sweetness I tell you, pure sweetness.

Now she is busy making her some "goggles" (what she calls binoculars) out of empty toilet paper rolls. Apparently we are going on an adventure. And going to play the bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

Imagination, it is a beautiful thing in a child.

I think we as adults need to use it more.

Now that she is in a happier mood, I am enjoying watching her color away as she works on her craft.

These childhood moments, so quickly slip away. They grow up so very fast. Childhood is the time, that the biggest dramas seem small in comparison to real life, but I am thankful that my kids are innocent and protected. I want their childhood to be filled with love and joy. And the solution for their momentary angst to be solved simply, with a few crayons and some toilet paper rolls. There are things they will face, that will not be solved so easily. So I sit back and enjoy this while I can.

Tales of a PreK princess (aka what mommy thinks a 4 year old brain says)

2011-05-17T13:48:00.000-05:00

Hello out there in blog land. I have taken over Mommy's blog for the moment. It seems to me Mommy does not talk enough about Elmo and Barney and such. Surely, if she did, more people would read her blog. Oh and lest we forget, there are always, Bob and Larry and the Veggie tale gang. Those are really cool topics. After all they teach you things in a fun way. I know cause I have learned a lot. Like take Cookie Monster, he is smart. He uses letters he can eat. That is one smart guy. I think all alphabet letters should be made out of cookies.

Some things I have learned by being 4.

Mommies do not give you snacks EVERY TIME you want them. When this happened today I went and hid behind the chair. I know I am not supposed to pout. Perhaps, if Mommy doesn't seem me pout, she will not know I am pouting.

Storms and toe nadoes and such. Those things are NOT fun. They are down right scary and tear up stuff. It is like the sky had a temper tantrum. I think God needs to give the sky and the rain a time out. Cause if I acted like that, I would most definitely get a time out!.

Although, Daddies are great during storms. They are strong and mine bought me my very own flashlight. Which is cool by the way. It is very bright and it is PINK and PURPLE! What more could you ask for?

I do have to say Mommy, was lots of fun when we didn't have lights. She took us to the park and we played outside and made up some fun games. I don't want to admit it, so here is my secret. It was more fun than TV!

I will soon be 5. I think perhaps, I should try and talk Mommy into celebrating my birthday everyday from now until July 8th. Cause 5 that is a big number and after all 5 year olds can go to Kindergarten.

And, while we are on the subject of kindergarten. Why can't I start when I want? I mean, seriously, I am ready, like now. I am not trying to be ugly but I could so ace kindergarten, probably in a week and be ready for 1st grade.

Oh and having a brother and sister is really cool. Even if I do get upset with them sometimes. They are so smart. They know how to read and my brother can even do math with BIG BIG numbers. My sister talks to me at night and gives me advice on all sorts of things. She is so smart. And my big brother is so brave. He even will knock a bug off the swing if I need him too. That is Sooooooooooooooooo Brave!

I have been thinking lately, that vegetables are over-rated. Then Mommy tricked me. She put veggies in our tacos and it was so good. I saw her do it and I doubted it. But when I tasted that...oh it was the best ever! So maybe, I will try those vegetables sometimes.

I think I want to be a cowgirl and a teacher and a mommy when I grow up. I can ride my babies to school on my horse and say giddy up a lot. Then I will teach kids about a,b,c's and things.

I know lots of things. Like that those caterpillar things laid eggs on a leaf and I wonder if they will come out. Although, please don't laugh, at first I thought it was little chicken and it had laid eggs. Because I really didn't know so many other things laid eggs besides chickens. I told Mommy the chicken was going to be mad at us cause we moved the leaf so that the eggs wouldn't be stepped on. Mommy explained it to me. But I was hoping for tiny baby chickens. I guess we will get caterpillars instead. Maybe they will turn into butterflies.

Mommy used to write about things she thought I might think when I was a baby. I thought she needed some input and to do this again. After all, as a 4 year old, I know so much more than I did then.

Well, that is all for now from this 4 year old brain...I might pop back in sometime and post something else, when mommy isn't looking ;o). Oh and what is it with these smilie things, you have to hold you head to the side to see it wink. Grownups can be so silly.

Childhood magic

2011-05-14T18:24:00.000-05:00

All it takes is a warm afternoon, some colorful bubbles...

Add in some giggles and grins and you get magic.

Watching life through their eyes is seeing wonder and amazement

even in the simplest things.

Their eyes fill with wonder and joy at almost anything and everything

They love to talk to you and share their hopes and dreams.

Dreams of being like Mommy or Daddy

or like Christopher, one day, to preach the Word of God

and tell people that don't know Jesus, the truth of WHO Jesus is and how much

He loves them.

Hearing their laughter makes me think of the Father..

He loves to hear our voice just as our heart leaps in joy

at the sound of our children's laughter.

The Heavenly Father's heart leaps in joy when we simply call out His name.

Abba Father, How I love you and know that you love me, more than

the I can even imagine.

Our Father in heaven feels as great a joy in watching over us, more in fact

than we have in seeing our kids faces light up, just because we took time

to play with them.

Or we let them get messy

or we let them pretend to be us, for a few moments.

Our Father in heaven adores us.

I adore my Father too.

He is a loving Father.

He is a Daddy to His children.

He loves us.

The Lord is my Shepherd and He is ALL I want!

2011-05-14T18:11:00.001-05:00

Sometimes....life throws a curve ball at you. Sometimes.....it seems as if you can't put one foot in front of the other. But, you can always find one thing at least one, of which to be thankful. So today, I am counting my blessings.

I am thankful for my husband, in all his imperfections, because I know God is making him into something marvelous. The good work He has started in him, will be completed.

I am thankful for my children. I am thankful that they are normal and even though, they are not perfect, they are Promise with a capital P. They are possibility with a capital P. The future shines brightly in their eyes and God has given them a glorous destiny.

I am thankful for true friends. Friends, who love who when the chips are down and when the chips are up. Friends, who at a moments notice, will drop what they are doing and pray with you.

I am thankful for a Pastor who leads his church with God's love and mercy. Who expects God's people to do what is right and doesn't just pat them on the back and say, it's allright, but says it WILL BE allright as long as you surrender to God and what your Lord wants to do in you.

I am thankful that on those days, that I feel like crying, and throwing in the towel, my Lord, finds a way to pick me up. He holds me close and loves me. My Father, rocks me and whispers, sweet and low, "Do not fret my dear daughter. I am yours and you are mine. I love you. You can not be destroyed because I am your Father. I will go with you through the storm, the flood and the fire. You may have to go through it for a season, but I will never abandon you. I am with you in the wilderness. I am with you in the oasis. I am with you from the beginning until the end. Where ever you go, I am with you. I am yours and you belong to me.
I am so thankful for the cross of Calvary. Where my Lord, my God and my King bled and died. Where He gave His all that we might live. I am thankful the grave did not win, but He AROSE!

I am thankful that despair is but for a moment but joy comes in the morning.

I am thankful that even on the darkest day there is the promise the sun will rise and a new day will dawn.

I am thankful that in the storms there is always the promise of the rainbow. A promise of life and not destruction.

From
Psalm 23

Restoring what the locusts have eaten

2011-05-10T06:45:00.001-05:00

It isn't an overly large creature, albeit and ugly one to most. A locust can consume it's body weight in food per day. As a single, solitary locust that is not much. However and average swarm,

"a very small part of an average swarm (or about one tonne of locusts) eats the same amount of food in one day as about 10 elephants or 25 camels or 2,500 people " from answers.com.

That's a lot of destruction.

In a Biblical sense, locusts can represent the effects of sin upon the lives of people. It can be the sin a person committed themselves or they can be the victim of the sin, and it is the effects of what someone did that does the destruction.

Locusts make wasteland out of the area they eat. Sin or the effects of sin, make wasteland out of souls, lives and people's hearts. This can cause bitterness in the heart of a victim or unrepentant sinner. As the locusts eat away at the heart, destruction spreads. Hurting people, hurt others. The enemy uses this device to try and destroy hope, faith, love, lives and so much more.

However, there is a promise that our God gave us. When we turn to Him, when we rely on Him, when we let Him be the one to take care of it.
He said:

in Joel 2: 12 -13

12 "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity

and as the word discusses locusts and turning to God. The scripture goes on to say: (Joel 2)

18 Then the LORD will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people. 19 The LORD will reply to them: "I am sending you grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations.

It isn't about God being mean, or spiteful. It is the natural consequences of the sin of mankind that allows the locusts to swarm. But God has and always will have a plan. He WANTS, longs for His people, to turn to Him. He does not enjoy seeing the consequences of sin that hurts and destroys and annihilates people. He loves the sinner. He loves the victim of the sinner. He loves us all. Every last one of us. That is why in His word we find this promise

23 Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. 24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. 25 "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten-- the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm...

He will restore. He is in the restoration business. However, for restoration to take place we must go to the restorer. If you have a piece of art that has been damaged, it is taken to a craftsman trained in the restoration of art. The craftsman can't restore it, if it just sits in the attic. But when that art piece is brought to the craftsman he carefully and slowly but surely restores it. He does not rush but gently cleans it and restores it. He is carful not to cause further damage. Sometimes, he has to use some sand paper on areas of the art, before he applies the new but proper paint. He can't just slap any paint on there. If it is an aged painting he has to be carful to match the paint as closely as possible or it will not take to the painting. Then he carefully fills in missing spots but knowing what the piece of art was before and what he wants it to be after.

Our Lord is the craftsman of our souls. Sometimes, he has to sand us down. Sometimes, he has to replace parts are areas with totally new canvas that has been refined to fit into that part of our lives. When He restores us, He does it lovingly. However, sometimes it can be painful. It can take time. But He WILL restore what the locusts have eaten. He is able to do things no earthly craftsman can do. For if He needs to, He can create a whole new work of art out of the damaged clay or canvas and turn ashes into beauty. He is not limited to time or space. He is not limited the way we are limited. He can do the impossible. Therefore His restoration is beyond what we can ever imagine and His promise to restore us and the effects of what locusts have eaten is a beautiful thing.

He is faithful. Go to Him......He will restore.

Love in words

2011-05-09T12:48:00.000-05:00

I know that I posted about this on facebook, so those that are on my facebook may see this as a rerun. However, this is a bloggable moment.

Today my 4 year old, Jenny Grace said"

"your are a good Mommy. A good Mommy knows best,not like on Tangled where the bad mommy said she knows best. Only a good mommy knows best. You are a good Mommy"

I am floored...we watched tangled like 3 weeks ago and this is what she got from it. And I am blessed to be in her mind, a good mommy.

It is in these moments, we as parents know we are doing something right. There are lots of thankless tasks when we parent. However, in just moments and a few words, we get paid beyond what any monetary value could ever be given.

This also shows me how our children see us. They are more, like we should be. They do not see all our faults and issues. They just see us as their Mommy or Daddy. They see us more like God sees us. They love us unconditionally. Unconditional love, agape love, it has many names. It is a love that goes deep into the soul and spirit. This is how we should love others. This is how we should see others. Through, the eyes of a child and through the eyes of Jesus.

Jesus said unless we come as a little child, this means, the faith and love a child has. It is pure and undefiled.

We as adults have hangups and issues that get in the way of this type of love or view point. Children see us as their heroes and heroines. I pray that I will always be that in my children's eyes. I pray that the mistakes I do make, they can see beyond and that those mistakes will be tempered with the grace and mercy of God because of love.

It makes me realize how we must be diligent about the way our kids see us. We are their examples, primary examples to the love of the Father.

Lord, help me to live up to my daughter's words.

Praise is perfected in the mouths of babes

2011-05-09T09:39:00.000-05:00

Internet fast days 2&3

2011-05-05T13:37:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a busy day and today has been also. I registered Jenny for kindergarten yesterday. That is so bittersweet. You are happy on one hand your baby is growing up but on the other hand, well, your baby is growing up too fast. She was quite happy. Although she was none to pleased, she could not start right away. Even though we had told her, it was just registration, for some reason, she held out hope she would get to do something in Kindergarten that very day.

I also had a great Bible devotional with myself and the Lord during my prayer watch. He ministered to me in such a special and gentle way. It is hard to put into words really. But He gave me some assurances that I needed. He is good that way. He lets you know what to work on, but He also comforts you and encourages you in what you are doing well.

I did forget a couple times and on autopilot sit down to the computer, both yesterday and today. But I am doing pretty well with it. Didn't realize how much time goes by while on the computer until I wasn't on the computer. I hope that makes sense.

That being said, my house is looking and smelling good. Now as a general rule, my house isn't bad, had a lived in look and such, but isn't dirty by any means. But with 2 days of limiting computer time; I have had gotten a lot more done. I still have a good bit of spring cleaning to do that I have never "got around to". But I will get it done.

Jenny and I were eating our sandwiches at lunch. She did everything I did. If I took a drink she did. If I wiped my mouth, she did. I sneezed and she pretended to sneeze. She said "Mommy, I want to be just like you". Now that is both sweet AND scary. I am glad she loves me. But I see myself warts and all. She sees me more like Christ sees me. She doesn't see my faults. She just loves me. That is how Jesus sees us. He loves us just as we are. We are covered by Him and that is what the Father sees. Us covered by Jesus.

The scary part is that I do not want her to learn bad things from me. I have really worked this week on not "murmuring", grumbling, complaining. I do not want to be a "child of Israel in the wilderness". Whether I am in the wilderness or not, murmuring needs to NOT be in my vocabulary. I have been aware, this week, just how much we let the negative sneak out. I am trying to speak positive and :

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Be what comes out of my mouth. That scripture shouldn't be just about what we think but be about how we think and act. This week I am working on that as a goal. It is harder than one thinks. We do just the opposite a little to often. Some of us will admit it and some will not. But if we are honest with ourselves; we will realize that negative is easier to speak and think than the positive.

I want to be pleasing to my Lord. Doing that means always having my armor on so I can stand and being like the Proverbs 31 woman. However, if you think about it, in order for her to be that woman; she did not stay so busy she took no time to refuel. The ONLY way she could be that way was by spending time at the feet of Her Lord. She had Martha action with a Mary heart. She worked, she listened, she knew how to balance her time and life with the Lord. Had she not been able to do that; she would have burned out. Her lamp would never have been trimmed and ready. She would have been to exhausted to keep going. For, it is only through refueling in the Lord that we can be all that He is calling us to be. Unless we keep are armor cleaned, polished and sharpened through time with the Master, we can not fight and withstand against our enemy.

So, I said all that to say...in your quest to be that woman, the one He has called you to be (or the man He has called men to be. Do not forsake sitting at the feet of the Master. He is the one that helps you stay prepared. Do not worry about today or tomorrow. But be busy about the Father's business. And remember that sometimes, the Father's business, means you take time to sit and soak in His presence in order to gain from Him what you need to better serve.

Internet fast...Day 1...well semi internet fast...see below

2011-05-03T17:55:00.000-05:00

I may have to resort to this..LOL because:

I have found it quite difficult not to plop down and head on over to facebook, a message board, or one of the many games I usually play throughout the day. It has long been nagging at me that I spend more time “on and off through the day” doing this and that on the computer than is truly beneficial. Yes, it has its benefits, but it is also a time stealer.

Today I have accomplished:

• Laundry, I also do this, but now I am gaining ground on mount laundry.

• Dishes (I do this every day, but for now I am ahead of the game).

• Working on prepping Christopher’s recycling project.

• Making some grandma Mother’s day cards.

• Making some teacher appreciation cards.

I also had a very interesting conversation with Jenny. There is much wisdom in a 4 year old brain. We talked about tornadoes and how according to her the enemy sends them. She talked about Adam and Eve and how they should have just listened to Jesus. She talked about how Jesus lives in her heart and loves her. She talked about the cross and that Jesus died for all our sins. My, what I would have missed had we not had this talk. She is such a deep little thinker. Her thoughts blow my mind.

It makes me wonder, how much I do spend without even realizing it. Time slips away and before I know it; I am in a rush to complete something. I blame no one but myself. Is it a bad thing? Not necessarily. I haven’t really neglected my family. However, I confess; I CAN do better. As I blog about this imperfect wives 7 day fast; I will be open and honest. I want to be a better wife, mom, and friend. Yes, I will go back to a more frequent usage of the computer once it is over, however, I will go into it with more wisdom. I will be able to time myself better and not “lose time”.

I know that I am a good wife and mother. I do sow good things into my husband and children. But, this is showing me some areas I MUST work on.

So day 1, so far has been a success. I still have to get through homework and supper time before I am allowing myself back on for a bit. Hello, my name is Thelma…and I am addicted to Facebook. Said in jest, but it may hold a little more truth than I want to admit right now. I am writing down my thoughts and will transfer them to my blog during my evening allotment of computer time.

So, now I am off to the bus stop and then help the kids with homework, JBQ and fix our supper, give baths, etc, etc. Then I will post this to my blog. I will post it with my head held high, because I know I am not the only mom that struggles with these issues. I am not a neglectful mom, BUT I can do better. That is what we should all strive for…to do better.

Also for the next 30 days, I am doing the 30 days to encourage your husband, for no other reason but I love him. Here is the link: http://www.reviveourhearts.com/pdf/30DayChallenge.pdf

I challenge all of our imperfect wives to either do this, or find another way to incorporate this as you start your fast. By day 7, just maybe it will encourage us to complete 3o days. I bet, I just bet God will surprise you in what happens. (Now this will not be much of a surprise if my husband happens to read my blog. But one can try..LOL).

I must confess I have used the computer some today. Mostly for research to help Christopher with a project and some lists for household organization ; and the above mentioned challenge to encourage my husband. However, everything I have done has had a purpose to feed or nurture or do more for my family. The goal is building and nurturing what we have and growing it more.

As day 1 draws to a close. I feel good about what I have done. I am making progress. Now, off to help the kids some more. I will post this on my blog later after I am done and the kids are in bed and such.

Resting by the creek...after being sheltered from the storm.

2011-05-02T13:48:00.002-05:00

I took the above photo in the power outage days after last week's devastating tornadoes. Parts of our area were demolished and obliterated. We were sheltered from the storm by the mighty hand of God as a tornado screamed over our neighborhood. A neighbor saw it scream by and told us about it later. It is not lost on me, just how grateful we should be. Countless people lost lives, homes, possessions. Some of those things were priceless. Family pictures, childhood momentos and the list goes on. Yet, most people I have heard, regardless of what they lost have declared God as faithful. Many are resting on the promises of God. Those that do not have that comfort, surely, must have such heavy hearts. I pray someone, will be put in their pathway to show them the answers.

I took the kids to a local park to get away from the house while we had no power. At that park is a creek. The kids wanted to play in it. I was not equipped, nor had I planned for this. However, I realized the sheer joy of resting by the flowing creek, with their feet in the water, the terrors of the storm were in a way, being washed away. Childhood innocence spoke to me, of us resting in the Savior's love.

It reminds me that there is a river...that flows. A river that cleanses us from all our sins. We need to rest in the Saviors love. Even when life throws us storms.....whether we have to go through it or He speaks peace be still...He is there.

During the height of the storms, we huddled in our safe place, power out and sang praises to our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We chased fear with praise to the One who holds us in His hands.

He is our shelter and in Him I rest. Whether it be a tornado or the storms of life; I rest in the river that is His love. He holds us safely. His promises are yes and amen. Though we may not understand it all, our God is sovereign. He never lets us down.

We need to be like children and take the storms we have faced and find the cool brook to rest our feet in. In doing that we have hope that tomorrow will be a better day. The brook keeps flowing and carries away debris and heartache. Will there be hard days or maybe even some scary memories, sure there will. However, resting in the Savior there is healing and restoration.

So find you a quiet place, pull out your Bible, the Word of Life and rest in the stream of His promises. He will never fail you.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-20T13:48:00.000-05:00

I once was lost, but now I'm found

2011-04-20T08:29:00.000-05:00

Jenny wanted to play with her dollhouse. Okay so the doll house family (actually there are two families..one doll house) were missing. Jenny said she put them in the leggo box? Why I do not know. I looked in the leggo box..stirred it around and no people. I spent this morning looking EVERYWHERE imaginable for the silly dolls. I spent well over an HOUR looking. Looked in the leggo box several times, stirred them around etc, no dolls. We prayed, we looked, we prayed. Finally I decided to dump the leggo box......eureeka...there deeply buried in leggos were the dolls. Looks like a leggo building collapsed. There were no casualties. NO dolls were hurt in the making of this post. They are all now safely back in their dolly home. Jenny now knows the dolls go NOWHERE. The leggo box is NOT a dolly vaction home. LOL LOL.

It brought to mind, the woman in the Bible and the lost coin. Luke 15:8 -10. I was just like that woman, looking everywhere until it ws found. I went through the toy box. I looked under beds, and in cabinets, I looked under couch and chairs, behind cushions and everywhere. I prayed as I looked. Now I know in the grand scheme of things, doll house dolls are not "valuable". However, they are valuable to us. The girls love them and we spend time playing dollhouse together. So the value may not be monetary, but they are valuable. In my girls' eyes, doll house play is like when we have tea parties. It is mommy and girl time. To us it is worth so much more than words can say.

Isn't our Lord that way? He will search for us when we are away from Him until we are found. He will not give up looking that the one that is lost. His love for us is infinite. He never gives up on His beloved. Granted we have to accept the free gift of His salvation, but He never gives up looking for the lost and drawing them to Himself.

We as His children, should look for more of Him, the way I looked for those dolls. We should search the nuggets of truth in the scripture that God wants us to learn. We should look and search for His will and exhaust ourselves in looking for the things of God. We should never stop searching for Him or ways to do His will. We have been commissioned by Him to look for the lost and hurting. To seek them out and give them His love.
Lord, help me always be a searcher, one who searches for You and all your ways.

Strep throat, scarlet fever and allergic to antibiotics

2011-04-15T18:32:00.000-05:00

All in one wee little body. Jenny was sick last week and I took her to the pediatrician. She was diagnosed with what appeared to be a sinus infection. She seemed to be getting better. Then on Wednesday, she started tossing her cookies and running temperature. I figured, a tummy bug caught on top of what she already had.

On Thursday night, she spiked a 103.3 temp. This morning I woke up to her having a rash and it spreading and getting brighter. I called the doctor and set the appointments for two kids. Christopher also was running fever, which started yesterday, when the school called for me to pick him up.

Off we went...to see the doctor. He said that it could be a reaction to the previous antibiotic, sulfur drug. Or it could be strep. So he tested for strep. It was positive. Diagnosis is that it was both, because of the nature of the rash. Part is scarlet fever like, part is not. Poor baby is miserable. So she gets a new antibiotic, plus benadryl every 6 hours. She has cried more than she has in years. I have done a lot of holding, rocking and cuddling. She tried to cuddle up to me, like she was my tiny baby once more. Those precious little, hot fevered hands patting Mommy while Mommy pats here, about broke my heart.

Christopher said "Mommy just use your Mommy magic, and she will feel better". If I could, I sure would. I explained some things, Mommy magic doesn't work for and we have to trust Jesus.

I am so glad that at 10, he still thinks Mommy has Mommy magic. Jenny still needs Mommy like she does.

Hannah, well she has been the best little helper. She is growing up and loves to help. I see so much nurturing in her it blows my mind.

So we are house bound for a few days. I guess I am glad it is raining because that way, we don't miss out on the sunshine too much.

God is faithful and it is in these times, that we discover He truly does give us enough grace to get through each day. God is so good.

Not So Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-13T17:00:00.003-05:00

Jenny has been sick today. She was able to hold down gatorade, sprite and a couple of popsicles. So I let her have some saltine crackers. She fell asleep eating them, my poor feverish baby. So sweet and innocent.

House Hunting and the fixer upper

2011-04-12T19:58:00.000-05:00

We are looking for a house. We have looked at close to 17 houses altogether. We have seen some we liked the house, but there was no yard for the kids to really play in. We have seen some, their is a wonderful yard but the house was too small, too old, too stinky etc. I know God has the perfect house for us in mind, in our price range. Renting is just too expensive, when buying will give us less mortgage than we pay in rent. I know God has something for us, we have to wait on His timing.

Looking at the houses from the kids perspective has been hilarious. They walked in one today that would have been perfect had it not been for the yard..(it was built on cliff practically). And being a foreclosure it was trashed and needed lots of work. The layout, rooms etc, would have been perfect. The kids were like "this is a NO"..before we could even say it. First, off, I'd have been sledding downhill with the car in our drive every winter just to get out. Ice and a Florida girl on a steep driveway.......not a good combo.

We don't mind a fixer upper as long as it is cosmetic type stuff, new wallpaper or paint. But if it needs major work there is no way on our budget we can do that.

One was nice, had a nice yard, etc, but really not enough storage for us and the girls room would have been too small. They have to share.

In any case, it put me in mind of how God searches us and wants to reside. We have to invite Him in. But He moves in to the "fixer upper" when we ask and starts renovations immediately. He pulls out rotten floorboards and puts in a new foundation. He tears down walls that need to be removed. He does so much work and one day when we meet Him in the sky, we will be perfected. In the meantime, He is busy, setting up housekeeping and removing all the stubble and cleaning us up. But when we stand before the Father, He presents us as spotless and perfect, because HIS love, His blood covers all. What a picture it makes of how our Lord fixes us and makes us presentable to God. He knows all the work that needs to be done in us, but He says to the Father, this child is ours. She/he is perfect in my sight because she/he has accepted me as Lord and Savior. Atonement has been paid. What a thought.

Thank you God for moving in to this fixer upper and doing renovations. I yield to your craftsmanship. Make me into Your dwelling place, so that your light shines through the window of my soul and draws others in.

Do you hear what I hear?

2011-04-05T10:24:00.001-05:00

A child...a child crying in the night as I stumble to check in the dim dim light.
Do you see what I see? huddled on the floor as I walk in the door...

okay so I cant think how to finish it out but here is what happened.

Last night, in the wee hours of the morning I heard one of the children cry out. I had coincidentally, moved to the couch because between the rain so loud on the plastic awning under our bedroom window (it covers our downstairs patio area but is just under our window) and my poor husband snoring; I needed to move in self defense. Sleep is a precious commodity for me. Anyway, so I get up and make my way down the hallway. I did not have my glasses on. I see a child huddled on the floor. Looked like Jenny with her knees tucked under her, little bottom in the air. She sleeps like that a lot. So I go over to her and whisper .......as I reach for her "Oh sweetie" only to discover.....
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it is actually her HUGE tigger which has been dressed in shorts and a shirt, making it look like a sleeping child on the floor. I left Tigger where he was and made sure the kids were tucked in. However, it made me laugh almost out loud. Here I am trying to be motherly to a stuffed animal. She must have kicked him out of bed for taking up too much room. He sure did look real..LOL.

See now here it looks like a Tigger laying on the floor.....

but in the middle of the night with no glasses

and only a night light to show the way...he looked like a child, huddled on the floor.

now have a happy, wonderful, Tiggeriffic day.

Mirror,Mirror in my heart..

2011-04-04T16:44:00.000-05:00

We are mirrors...mirrors of the Lord's love. It is our choice how we reflect Him. Sometimes, we do a good job of reflecting His image to others. Other times, we have to repent for showing a warped image of who our Lord is to others.

I thought of this the other day at prayer watch. I was walking the front of the sanctuary, praising my God, singing and hands raised and the like. Jenny walked up, took my hand and copied everything I did. Every move I made, she made. Every step I took, she took. It was precious and oh so revealing. Our children learn to worship from us. They learn so much by mirroring our movements, actions, words and deeds.

I pray I am a mirror that reflects my Lord in a way that lead them and others to Jesus in the right way. I pray that I will learn to let HIM be the only reflection the mirror of my heart shows.

I stand in Awe of Him

2011-03-29T11:45:00.001-05:00

I am in awe of my God and the way He answers prayer. He is answering prayers I have not voiced yet. He is moving in our lives and I can't put my awe and gratefulness into words. Our God is a mighty God. He is able to do things we can not fathom. I have discovered a deeper place in my Lord. I feel His still small voice within my heart and my hearts sings. I feel His hand upon our lives and I am awed. My heart and soul are full of unshed tears of gratefulness. I am overwhelmed by my God and my King.

I see His hand upon my children and my husband. I hunger and thirst for more of my Lord. I am not perfect but my Lord, loves me and blesses me yet the same.

I have found a new joy in common everyday things. I have found a new outlook on things that used to bug me. Do I still get frustrated and irritated? Of course I do, but there has been a change. I can't explain it. I can't put it into words, but it is there.

I want more of Jesus. I want to do His will in all the areas of my life, from the smallest task, to the most important. I am trusting God for some big things right now. I am also trusting Him for some little things. I pray and wait...wait and pray and expect Him to do His will ...on earth as it is in heaven. My God.......He is able! He proves Himself over and over.

As I sit and look out my back door at the budding Spring, I truly do, sense, newness coming. God is going to do some great and mighty things this year. Not just for me, but for anyone who seeks Him and searches out His will and way. He is waiting...waiting for us to call out to Him; waiting for us to reach out to Him.

I love my Lord, my God, and my King. He is my everything.

One of those days

2011-03-18T11:19:00.001-05:00

We have all had them....one of those days. One of those days where mount laundry has grown to exponential proportions, there is no get up and go to be found, and life...well it's just that life. Kids don't want to listen, or perhaps there was a misunderstanding between you and your beloved. Or maybe a misunderstanding between, yourself and a friend. The list of possibilities as to the reason behind the "one of those days", is, well endless. It could be one of them, or a bunch of them. Sometimes, it is through no fault of our own. Other times, it is a mixture. Still, other times, it is a heap of junk we brought on ourselves. On "one of those days"....we tend to wallow. Gather up our miseries in a little heap, invite some grumbling and complaining to the party and add in a good old cup of not fair ,with a side of pout. Come on, admit it. We ALL do it and have done it. It isn't new under the sun. David did a heap of it. The children of Israel, they did it to the extreme, to the point of building themselves a golden calf because they were so "poor me, God doesn't love us and Moses has forgotten us".

Even, when God has proved Himself, over and over and over again...yep, we do it.

Why?

Simply, because faith and trust during the hard times or the frustrating times isn't as fun and easy as the times we are leaping in victory. When we are high on the mountain top, faith is easy. But it is in the valleys and the hard times, faith grows the most. The deep richness of the soil in the valley comes from shed tears and times spent on our knees crying out because of our desperate hearts that need Jesus. It is the valley where we get rid of the junk that needs to come out and it falls to the soil in decay. And from the decay, He takes out of us, grows faith. He said he would make beauty from ashes. Is this perfect theology, probably not. But, to get some new life in our hearts, we have to get rid of the junk. He takes it out but He uses it and turns it good by growing us OUT of the decay that was once there. Out of that blossoms great beauty. it is when we are on our knees, crying out to our God, that we can grow the most.

It is those days...days of testing and trial we learn to lean on Him. It is out of those days, when there seems to be no answer and doing what God wants you to do is the hardest. It is those days, that trust in our Lord is sometimes, just putting one foot in front of the other, falling to our knees and then getting up again..to put one front in front of the other as we push our way through. Some valleys, are filled with beauty. Some valleys, or filled with brambles, sand, or mud. The Lord knows the valley you are in. He has equipped us all with the tools to get through the hard valleys to a place of oasis or the beauty of a mountain top. Getting there..is the hard part. Sometimes, quite frankly, you get scratched up and hurt in the process. It isn't because God doesn't care...it isn't because He isn't with you. It is because sometimes He does speak peace be still. But sometimes, He wants us to take authority, the authority He has given and speak to the moutntain. Yet, we too often want Him to fix it all without any of the work, or the prayer, fear (awe of Him not fear as in afraid) and trembling. He wants us to grow into strong warriors. He does not want to have a family of babies and little kids. He COULD step in and solve it all. Sometimes, He does. BUT......He truly wants us to walk as the mighty warriors we are equipped to be. He said greater things we would do in His name. Yet, we wait...wait for others or Him to do it. We struggle in the valley because we forget the source of our strength. We look at the surrounding and say "I can't". When Jesus is saying YES YOU CAN. Because His blood, the stripes upon His back, His suffering enabled us. He alone is our source.
I am talking to myself as well here. I am tired of letting myself get to pity party stage before I see that the answer was there all along. I want to walk strong and mighty and in the power God gave me as HIS child. I want to be able to speak to that mountain and say be moved.I want HIS power in my life to do HIS will.

So on those days, I am commiting myself to pray through and in the valley. I will speak to the issues and know my God.......my God can handle it, but He also wants me to pray and have faith that He is growing me up. He is building me in faith and power and I too can speak to the mountain and that mountain WILL move. We aren't supposed to be weak and wimpy. We are supposed to be mighty and powerful through HIS NAME.
So take one of "those days" and turn it to HIS DAY.

My worn Bible...what it says to me

2011-02-09T15:50:00.001-06:00

It is not a badge of boastfulness or a sign of superiority
but it means that Jesus has walked with me.
It is the tear drops that have stained the page
as Jesus helped me fight life's storms that rage.
It is the notes in the margin of the Lord speaking in love
as He taught me something from above.
It is the highlighted and colored words so dear
that taught me not to fear.
It is the message the Lord gave to my heart
as He has formed and fashioned my every part.
It is the trust I find in those pages
through all the ages.
It is the love written by my God and King
that guides me through everything.
A worn Bible is the sign of love and trust
and storing up treasures that will never rust.
My Bible is a a road map to life
and how to handle each and every strife.
My Bible may be worn
in some places it is crumpled and torn
but the words within are filled with all that is sure and true
and a sure sign that God really does love you.
It is the promises read that are planted deep within my soul
that help me know that through Him, I am whole.
It is a love letter from the one who gave His all
so that to sin I would not eternally fall.
Thank you dear Lord for the words you gave to me
so that I can be all you called me to be.
copyright 2-9-2011

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-09T13:58:00.000-06:00

Snapshot of life...at our house..:o)

2011-02-09T13:53:00.002-06:00

Jenny in one of her famous get ups.

Princess Hannah with Daddy

Super Kids

Hannah waiting on Christopher to get out of the bathroom

I think this will be a more common occurence as they get older..LOL.

Christopher dancing a jig..LOL

Jenny helping with chores

Morning before school at our house..zzzzz..LOL

The Wii Champion...he is good at every game he

touches. Beat Mommy all the time.

The brain is on vacation mode...

2011-02-04T10:07:00.001-06:00

Or so it seems to be. Blogging as of late is hard to come by. My brain has apparently gone on vacation without me. Most likely somewhere warm.

Signs my brain is on vacation:

I tried to put the car keys in the fridge.
I keep calling my kids by the wrong names, even called Christopher Mike one day.
I also called Mike my sister's name one day.."Hey Theresa...I mean Mike while you are out could you pick up.....uh uh....no idea...I will call you if I can think of it.
I was trying to call my mother in law and dialed my sister. Then I tried to call my sister and dialed...you guessed it...my mother in law.
I wore my shirt inside out all day. When Jenny pointed it out..I told her, it is backwards day...I just forgot to tell you.
I can not do 4th grade math. Although, that might be more the fact they do it so different today than when I was in 4th grade.
I put my coffee in the filter and started up my coffee maker, NO WATER. Coffee makers do not work without water.
And the worst of all, one day I was going to sign a check and almost wrote my maiden name...after 11 years of marriage! What is up with that?

So you see...my brain is on vacation. Should anyone see it, please send it back. It is a much needed thing in one's head. Maybe that explains the rattling up there when I walk. Well, the brain left silently so actually it doesn't so much as rattle as the sound of the wind goes through my ears.

Okay, so I jest. But God is faithful even when life is well, life. When the bills come..then God. When your kids have been sick off and on for weeks on end....then God. When you are so tired of cold weather you could scream...then God. There is nothing God can't handle. Even sleep deprivation! God is able to abundantly above that which we ask. So when your brain takes a vacation, and your get up and go packed its bags and headed South. Hit your knees. Because, at least that way, you can handle it better.

Life...Liver tea and to the publix for which it stands...

2011-01-24T17:43:00.001-06:00

Life can sometimes be crazy and at some point you realize that you can no longer fix your child's owies, especially those of the heart with a hug and a kiss. Life with a tween is showing me that your children have to face some battles only God can help them with. You can support them. You can pray with them and for them, but somethings they have to learn to rely on God for. That has to have been learned from us as parents. When you child is having a problem you can't fix, leaving it in God's hands...is easier said than done. We want to rush in and fix it, but we know we have to let them work through it with our love, support and prayers.

Sometimes, our heavenly Father while He is with us...has to let us work through something instead of rescuing us out of it. It is for our greater good for us to walk through the trial instead of being taken out of the trial. Christopher, has faced somethings the past few days that I have had to pray, and support and love him through but let God fix it. I did my part. Christopher has to do his. He has to let go and let God. Teaching that concept to your child is not easy but necessary. I prayed with him, I did the Mommy stuff I could do but teaching him to go to his heavenly Father is done by talking to him and supporting him and guiding him but not by doing it for him. So...I watch as my son walks this road of life and learns through hardships and tests that we should: James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

As adults that is hard to understand as well, much less as a 10 year old. I leave this battle in my Lord's hands. I support my child in prayer and love and I will teach him that in all things he must trust the Lord. I did everything as a parent I could do. Now, the Lord will do His part as he grows something special in my son.

Jenny has been saying the pledge as of late:(again)

"I pledge awegiance to the flag and to the publix in which it stands one nation under God with liver tea and justly for all. amen" She is so cute when whe does this and has been doing it for a while. I may not want liver tea but she means well...LOL.

So when you drink your tea remember......be thankful it isn't liver tea and that while America may not stand in Publix...that God is for us and if He is for us..no one can be against us.

PreK news and hijinks...and the word NO can be love

2011-01-18T13:05:00.001-06:00

I may be bordering on insanity how happy I get over Jenny's preK progress and when she does something cute and smart and witty. She is doing great with PreK. She can read some words now...cat, hat,mat, dog, mommy, daddy, Jenny, Christopher and Hannah plus sound out some more with help. She read a first stage phonics book and loves to do worksheets. That girl goes through worksheets like they are candy.

Today as I posted on facebook, she asked for puh, puh, pizza for lunch. Made me literally laugh out loud for the joy and fun of it. It means she is applying what she learns.

This brought to my mind how happy our Father must be when we His children, get something He wants us to learn. When we do something He wants us to do. It must be akin to the joy we feel when our children accomplish things. Their first steps....oh how much rejoicing the Father must get when we take first steps in faith. Each new experience requires from us a new step of faith. When we take that step at His leading what joy He must feel.

When we hear our children say "I love you Mommy, I love you Daddy"...what sheer happiness and warmth it brings to our hearts. The same goes for our Father. When we say I love you and we praise Him it brings Him pleasure and joy. He loves us far more than we can ever love our own children.

Today as I willingly and happily gave my daughter a slice of pizza, we had frozen as leftovers..it made me realize what joy it brings the Lord to fulfill our needs, wants and desires. However, they must line up with His will. Just as if, Jenny had only asked for ice cream the answer would have had to be no, because ice cream is good but not as a nutritious lunch. Our Father is the same, He knows what is good and beneficial for us. He answers accordingly. Yes sometimes, He makes us wait. Sometimes, He says yes. And oh my sometimes He says NO.

What is my reaction when He says no. Do I throw a tantrum? Do I get down on myself and say I must not be good enough cause He said no. His no is for our benefit. He knows we aren't happy with a no but how we react is crucial. We can even tell Him we are upset, but we can not let us stop us in our tracks as we wallow in the no. We must take those steps of faith and keep on knowing and believing He is our Father who LOVES us. Loves us enough to let His beloved Son bear our sins. That is a Father's love. The Son did ask if the cup could pass but even so if it could not..He would willingly lay down His life for us. The answer was no to Jesus. He could not do it another way. He willingly bore it all to the cross and the Father had to turn His back on the sins Jesus took for us. That is love. No is not always a bad thing. No can save a life. No can build character. No can be the catalyst for us becoming more in God.

I am trying to listen to God more...not just react to the stuff that happens in our lives. When He says no...I am trying to take it with grace and love and not get bogged down with the no. Does it keep me from asking ...not necessarily because sometimes it is wait. Unless God clearly tells you no..keep asking and believing until it is clear what His answer is going to be. Once the answer is clear...walk in the faith God, our loving Father had a reason for that answer. Easy to say...not easy to do. Faith...comes in to play when God says no. Are we going to keep on loving Him regardless of His answer? My choice is to love Him no matter what and trust that His way and will is the best.

The Silver Lining laced with prayer

2011-01-17T12:06:00.001-06:00

So many times we see the trouble and the pain and everything that is wrong...especially when it seems as if everything that can go wrong does go wrong. But I have learned something the last couple weeks.

Christopher has pneumonia. Where is the silver lining one might ask? The very fact my son is not in the hospital and with pneumonia has still been able to be active, play and be himself. In the past, before he was healed of asthma...pneumonia was almost a sure trip to the hospital with an admission. He would turn a deathly, grey, blue color and look as if he'd take his last breath at any moment. This time.....THIS TIME.....he has been home. He has played...he has been active..had a few treatments but never been air hungry or in respiratory distress. And that my friends is the silver lining that was laced with prayer. Prayer brought about my son's healing. His miracle! Watching my son battle this as if it were a common cold instead of a fight for his life....let me tell you it has been amazing.

There have been times in the past, I carried my son limp,blue, and grey into an er screaming for help. Nurses rushes us back and pushed me back as they saved my son's life. Watching him fight with some cough medicine and antibiotics instead of injections and hooked up to some type of oxygen support..........what a revelation as to how deep his healing has been. No pneumonia is not a good thing. But if you have walked where we walked and traveled roads we have traveled you would know just how wonderful plain pneumonia without the addition of asthma is! Sounds crazy to some...I know. But so many times, I have almost lost my son and God restored him. Now that asthma is not an issue fighting off illness has become something new altogether. God's promises...are true. We waited and prayed and waited and prayed...did God deny us all these years. Absolutely not! Why it took so long for his healing? I have no idea. But God in His infinite wisdom and mercy brought it about. He didn't "just grow out of it" as some want to say. He WAS HEALED. How I know well because he hasn't grown enough to have "grown out of it". And the change was phenomenal.

Our silver linings in life..are laced with prayer. God hears each and every one. How...when...why...He answers is up to Him. But the silver lining on our dark clouds of life is our hope and our strength because prayer connects us to the one with the answers. God is faithful. Never ever give up on your miracle...because prayer works.

New Year...New Me?

2011-01-04T11:00:00.000-06:00

Resolutions...we all make the attempt or most of us do. I do want a new me. A healthier me. A deeper in Jesus me. But getting to the new me, takes work, perseverance, and patience.

My "resolutions" this year:

Lose some weight...which I did accomplish some last year.
To be more organized and increase my housekeeping abilities. Now I am not trying to be the next Martha Stewart, but I sure do have room for improvement in this area! I will tackle things one at a time, instead of trying to do a million and one tasks at once.
To find real, quality time with the Lord instead of the way I do it now, when I do get it in. Life has a way of getting in the way. Busyness is good if it doesn't take away from God or family.
To do more than talk about exercising. To actually DO the exercising.
To find ways to encourage my husband that I haven't done before. To let him know how treasured he is in the big ways and the small ways.
To sow stuff into my children that will last a life time, more so than before. We are facing a time in society that it is all that more important to sow good things into their hearts and lives
To encourage friends and family.
To have a positive effect on the lives of others that others will see Jesus in me.
That I will always be true to my calling by the Lord and not doubt what He is doing in me.
To make life fun and my home of place of laughter and a stress free zone. That is not saying our home is a home of chaos but I want to nurture this aspect.
To help the kids grow in the Lord and compassion. My kids are compassionate God fearing little people but we all can grow in Him.
To seek first the kingdom of God in all areas of my life at all times of my life. To kick doubt and fear that enters into all our lives to the curb. I am not giving it a free ride! It goes out with the trash.
To play more.
To love more.
To learn more.
To live more.
To hug more.
To pray more.
To sing more.
To be more.

Christmas

2010-12-27T21:15:00.000-06:00

The packages have been opened and the gifts have been given. The glow still shines in the eyes of my children. They were so good and so grateful for what they received. By the world's standards, we had a small Christmas but in the grand scheme of things our Christmas was full of blessings. Love in our hearts, food on our table and small gifts to share. Grateful children and peace in our home. Those gifts can not be measured. I feel like this Christmas was special and intimate and full of blessing. God provided in ways I can not even explain.

I believe God is going to do wonderful things this year. Long after all the bows, ribbons and packages are gone the effects of this Christmas will remain treasured in my heart. The love of my Father in heaven who showed me in so many ways He truly has provided Emanuel (God is with us) to my heart,mind, body, soul and home is the greatest gift of all. It didn't come in fancy bows or paper. It didn't come with a price that can be measured. But it came with the most precious gift of all the shed blood of a Savior dying for my sins, who came to this earth as a humble baby. Thank you Jesus for your gift and that it shines like the brightest star in our home.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours

2010-12-27T21:07:00.002-06:00

In the Trenches

2010-12-07T10:52:00.001-06:00

I have come to the conclusion that the enemy of our souls has waged an all out battle,more so than ever before, for marriages and families. As a Christian...sister, wife and mother...my job is to battle in the trenches. I must fight against what I can not see and that is done, most humbling...on your knees. We are armor bearers. Armor bearers do not get glory or fame or often any recognition....BUT they are warriors. the armor bearers has to bring the soldier his replacement weapons and armor in the most dire of circumstances. We are that...we are warriors and armor bearers. The armor bearer must be strong of faith and character because to stand up in the midst of battle to bring the soldier what he needs is not easy.

That being said...yes we are warriors too. God has us wearing many hats as it were. Sometimes, He has us fulfilling the armor bearer role. But there are times...our commander and chief calls us out and puts us on the front lines. It is those times that having been fighting in the trenches as the armor bearer comes in to play. It is those times God uses us to fight because He has prepared us in the trench.

The trench isn't pretty. It is lonely at times, ugly and sometimes it is stinky. Thing is sometimes we choose to bring stuff into our trench that limits us and fills our trench with stuff that makes our conditions worse.

Our commander and chief supplies everything we need for the battle. We do not have to bring anything. He supplies it all. We get into trouble when we try to fulfill our needs for battle by ourselves.

So I stand up and say God use me where you want me...whether it is on the front lines or in the trenches...but let me do it for YOUR glory with what YOU supply. Help me stand in your grace and fight on my knees or stand up in full battle armor when you call me to it...with no fear but the strength of God flowing through my veins.

Thanksgiving recipes, what are you thankful for and more words of wisdom from my kids

2010-11-23T14:50:00.000-06:00

Jenny(age 4)
What are you thankful for:
Jenny said: My family and my friends. And I love my friends and family. I am thankful for Jesus and my friend little Hannah. I am thankful for trees and uhmm my house. I am thankful for Chippy (that is the chipmunk in our yard). And I am thankful for for my Mommy and Daddy and bro bro and sissy.

Turkey Recipe:
You have to take it out of the bag
Put some M&Ms on it and some animal crackers and some chocolate chips
Put it on 5 degrees
and cook it for 6 hours.
Take it out and let it cool and then EAT IT.

Hannah (age 7)

What are you thankful for:
Hannah said: I am thankful for my friends and family. Grandparents, and my church friends. I am also thankful for my food. I am also thankful for Jesus. I am thankful for the gifts that God gave me.

Turkey Recipe:
First you need a turkey from a store. A 40 lb turkey (mind you she doesn't weigh 40 lbs)
Make it pretty with flowers around it before you bake it.
Put some salt and pepper on it.
Bake it at 60 degrees for 20 minutes until it is cooked.
Then you will put it on a dish and put some more flowers around it. Then everyone gathers around the table and eats potatoes and stuffing and yams. And also a chocolate cake and pumpkin pie for dessert.

Christopher (age 10)
What are you thankful for:
I am thankful for my family , my friends, Jesus and the world. I am thankful for my toys.

Turkey Recipe:
Get a 15 lb turkey.
Use seasonings like garlic, salt, oregano, pepper
Put it in some sauce and keep it there to marinate it for a couple minutes at least. Then put it on the grill.
Cook it for about an hour or so until it is brownish and golden.
Take it out and let it rest for a little bit and then put it back on for 15 minutes.
Take it out and it will be a beautiful golden color.
Serve it with peas, broccoli, tomatoes and also some soup.
For dessert we will have pumpkin pie, cherry pie and apple pie.
It will serve 5 people

Monday ,,,,,is it Monday.....again?

2010-11-22T09:08:00.000-06:00

Mondays sneak up so fast! I swear the weekend flies by and Monday is upon us. We never have enough time together on the weekends. Mike works so hard and the weekends is our family time. It flies by. So glad this week we will get some extra time because of the holiday. I plan to make the most of it.

Two days of school this week for the older two and then the fun can begin.

On Wednesday, we will have family chore day (early it is usually Saturday) without Daddy but I am going to make it fun. I am going to make it a contest and they can earn prizes for the silliest cleanup costume and the fastest bed maker and the like. We have to get ready for guests on Thursday and we want to make our house shine.

On Thursday we will have lots of cooking to do and the kids and Daddy will play the Wii. Oma and Opa and friends will come to eat with us and we will eat and play games and probably eat some more.

Friday we will begin putting up our Christmas decorations and make cookies and wo knows what all we will do. Although Mike does have to go in to work that evening. Saturday, Mike will work half a day and then we will finish whatever decorations we have left to do and eat lots of leftovers.

Sunday will be church of course and then back to the grindstone on Monday until Christmas break. See Mondays come toooooooooooo soon.

If I can...I will try and post some pictures and/or threads about our week...time will tell..LOL.

Saturday Musings

2010-11-20T13:18:00.000-06:00

Seems like every time I try to get consistent with this blog...well...stuff comes up...life happens. So much has been going on lately, including a tummy virus that cause Jenny have a trip to the ER for an IV. NOT FUN!
Hannah had her 7th birthday and was baptized by her Daddy. (Yes the dates on the camera are wrong..my camera has issues..LOL).

sorry it is blurry..I was emotional and shaking

yet blurry again.

Nothing is more precious than watching your child follow the Lord in water baptism...add to that Daddy doing it and yes, Mama is a emotional mushy mess.

I spoke to a lady at our church last night I hadn't had the privilege of talking with yet...she told me what a blessing it was to watch my son worship God. I was blown away. Then someone else told me, that my children were such a blessing because of how spiritually aware they are. Again I was blown away and finally someone told me that I was one of the best mothers they had ever seen. I was completely floored. Because I see my failures, my mistakes...my having to apologize to one of my children because I was too harsh or misunderstood and disciplined when they didn't do what I thought etc. I am floored. I am glad I can be a witness, but too often I feel like a failure at parenthood. I feel like I don't do enough and that I am messing up badly and then someone says that. I am blessed. God is faithful and He lets us know sometimes...I see your heart...I know you are trying and I love you.

Mommy Blessings

2010-11-07T13:43:00.000-06:00

I feel so blessed to be the mother of my 3 children. Their faith is so strong. All 3 have accepted the Lord into their hearts and are so open to the things of God.

Next week, on her birthday, Hannah will follow the Lord in water baptism. She is so excited. She loves her Lord so much. I am already feeling the emotion of it...the immense gratitude to God that my child wants to serve the Lord. My prayer is that she will always want to serve God with all her heart, mind, body and soul. What a precious gift is a child's heart that is yielded to the Savior.

Are my kids perfect? Absolutely not...just take this morning, Sunday morning of all things...they had to go in to major sibling issues before church. We had yet another talk with them and they have been put on warning status. There will be dire consequences the next time they get into such altercations on a Sunday morning while we are trying to get ready to go to God's house to worship Him. I have yet to decide what the appropriate consequence will be, but there will be one.

In the midst of this we still find blessing because our children so readily go to church. The love going to His house. They love to praise and worship. Watching them as they praise their Lord is truly beautiful. God is good all the time.

Life, love and marriage

2010-10-11T08:12:00.000-05:00

Saturday, Mike and I celebrated 11 years of marriage. We have had our ups, downs, tests, trials, sorrows, joys, and walked through the valley of the shadow of death on more than one occasion. Only God can help a couple weather the storms of life in the way we have. We argue like any couple, but our love remains strong. Building a marriage on the rock called Jesus DOES make all the difference.

We made vows, 11 years ago and it has taken determination, prayer and love to make it work. Marriage is work. You don't just get married and then everything falls into place. People are different. People change. Because of these two facts, marriage is ever changing and morphing into something else. It is our choice in choosing how to react to those changes that makes the difference. Yes, there are some relationships that are toxic and dangerous. However, most problems can be worked out. Most storms can be weathered. It would surprise some if I told all the stuff we have weathered. People think we have it easy. That is far from the truth. However, on that day, 11 years ago, we purposed in our hearts we would never ever have an out. We would do whatever it takes to keep us going.

Today we have 3 beautiful children. We still have our ups and our downs. What used to be cute and adorable to each other when we first got married.......not so cute and adorable as it was then. I mean, used to if he snored...it was funny.......now I just want to sleep. Used to the tapping of the toothbrush on the sink...not to bad, now it is akin to a drum going of in the other one's head. Not because we don't love each other but because love changes and we change. Getting past the little annoyances is the key.

Learning that life is short and you never know what will happen next; helps you appreciate each other more. Standing together holding your child in your arms and not knowing if this will be his last breath; changes you. Suddenly, you find that the things you use to worry about....are not so big. Having God intervene and knowing you have been given a miracle humbles you.

Life is not a bed of roses and neither is marriage. But it is oh so worth the pricks and the stumbles and the hurts over the years when you have decided forgiveness will be a corner stone of your marriage. Forgiveness.......love.......faith.....and most of all the Lord. If you have these...you can weather things you would not believe. Does that mean there will be no more problems? Of course not. It means that together you can face them because Jesus is in control.

October 9, 1999

What's Up

2010-10-05T09:08:00.000-05:00

Jenny was distracted today and I said:

Jenny you are not usually distracted, what's up.

She said:
"Clouds".

Now she wasn't being fresh because she said it, in a sweet way. I guess she thought she was just answering my question.

I need to find some other ways for her to practice her name writing. She is getting bored with the usual. So, I need to break it up.

Today we are working on several things and she is a bit distracted. I think I will take her for a Fall walk once she finishes this worksheet to help her focus.

Nothing says I have to do things a certain way. I can be flexible and tailor her day to her needs. Since we haven't done as much PreK lately she just may need to get back into the routine.

I am surprised how much she has picked up with what we have and haven't done. All of a sudden she is really getting the phonics concept and beginning sounds. We are going to work on it some more, but she really is getting it. Now if I can just be consistent well...more consistently.

So now I think we will take a walk and see those clouds that are indeed UP.

Trying to come up with some idea for PreK this week.

2010-10-02T18:12:00.000-05:00

I think we will bake some and maybe go on a "field trip". I want to do a fall based theme. I also want to focus on phonics, counting, writing and recognizing some site words. I plan to get some contact paper and laminate some stuff I have to make it more durable.

We have lots of leaves in our yard so we will probably do some leaf crunching..LOL. I need to make sure she gets outside every day. I am going to go to the dollar tree and see if we can find some more things to add to our preK stash.

We are going to do lots of reading.

I think I also want to do a "photo" book of her day and then us make a story called Jenny goes to PreK.
We will take the photos and then write what is happening and make a story of her whole day.

Just some ideas I am kicking around.

Time

2010-09-30T17:15:00.000-05:00

Time is so fleeting. It gets away from me so quickly. I have so many intentions to get A, B, or C done and it doesn't. I am working on a more concise schedule but it fails my brain to figure out how to get it done. There are things that MUST be done each day. So there are other things that fall by the way side. Balance is hard to find. I refuse to get discouraged.

I must find more time to watch and pray.
Time to with my kids, just play.
Time to let my husband know how much he means to me
Time to smell the flowers and watch a bumble bee
Time is hurrying by
and I just stand aksing why.
Oh Lord, let me always have time for You
and to think about what it is you want me to do.
Help me bring you glory each day
and never ever forget to pray.
(copyright Thelma S. 2010)

Life....has a way of changing your plans

2010-09-26T16:00:00.000-05:00

Especially for keeping up in blog land. I am trying though.

Jenny fell down the stairs on Friday night. She hit her head and her left shoulder and arm. She was acting dazed and would not move her arm at all. We had our first visit to the ER in Chattanooga. We had not been to an ER since well I think...November 2009! Good thing is...prayer works. Her arm is not broken..just a severely bruised shoulder..into the muscle. And NO concussion...Praise the LORD!

I am have not done as well with getting PreK done every day as I would like. She has been tired due to many things and so have I. We will get the hang of this.

She has learned a lot already. I just need to learn to work my schedule and not let my schedule work me. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and feel like I am doing her a disservice. However, deep down I know that isn't true. She is learning stuff and I don't need or have to compare her to other children and what they can do. But that competitive mommy wants to rise up and get her ahead of where she is right now. But she is right where she needs to be. She is bright and happy and knows so much. Now if only Mommy can settle down and just let fun and learning happen. She has no idea that I have been stressed out about what she can and can't do yet...LOL. Thankfully, I haven't passed that on to her. But I need to chill out before it does.

God will bless what I am doing. I just have to get competitive, want to do it all perfect Mommy out of the way. I can't do everything perfect. I am just me. She can learn from just me and do great, when I relax.

So this week I am going to tweak the schedule a bit and figure out a better way to do things. My prayer is that God will help me focus on what is important and let go of the things that are just mere fluff in comparison.

Honestly.....I have not forgotten blog land

2010-09-21T11:39:00.001-05:00

Life is crazy busy. I guess I didn't realize how busy I would get after school and homeschool PreK started. Add in the ever abundant allergies I am suffering since moving here and the benadryl stupor and you have a recipe for neglecting the blog. So my dear blog friends...I am making an attempt to make a come back. I really would like to blog Jenny's PreK experience if I can just be disciplined enough to get it all done.

Oh and less we forget the laundry monster has camped out at my house and I am perpetually behind on laundry. Add in the ever present need to keep the house in order and I feel like there is not enough of me to go around. Then and only then do I see a possible use for cloning (no I do not believe in cloning) in having an extra me to go around at times.

The kids are doing great! Christopher is in the BEST health he has ever been in his LIFE! We believe he has had a healing and at a recent allergy test there was a significant change in his asthma and allergies. We just gotta get the blood tests to back that up. WHEN he can be free from the dreaded allergies we are going to have a party. We are going to have pizza, ice cream and cake. Oh that will be a wonderful day; when I shout it from the mountain tops that our son is HEALED! His asthma is almost non existent! I am in awe of what God is doing in his body!

The girls are doing great. Hannah loves first grade and has quite a gaggle of giggly girls and boys she talks about daily. She reads like no body's business! She is a good girl too.....and well.......because of genetics along with nurture.......a chatter box. Not that I would KNOW where she received the chatty Cathy gene..LOL.

Jenny is blossoming. She talks non stop as well. She comes up with stuff that blows my mind. Right now her favorite super heroes and she will tell you are: God the Father, Jesus and God the Holy Spirit. Said in the adorable way PreK kids have of making r's into w's and other common missteps in pronunciation.

Mom, do you have to take so many pictures. Taken early one summer morning after we first got up.

In any case......let's just say I am back. I am going to purpose to make 1 post a week but try for 1 per day. Let's just see what happens from here.

2nd day of PreK and Terror from the afternoon on the 1st day of school

2010-08-13T09:35:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we had our 2nd day of PreK. It wasn't as much as the first day because we had ladies Bible Study and I took Jenny with me. I hadn't called ahead for babysitting because of many reasons. Anyway, I took some preK pages with us and her coloring book. She did awesome, she colored, she listened, colored some more. And I know the word of God was getting into her spirit whether or not she understands or not. When everyone was praying with one another she was there, laying her little hands on people and praying with them too. It was PRECIOUS!

We came home had lunch and a nap.

On the first day of school, Jenny and I walked down to the bust stop.
The bus was due to arrive at 3:18 then I was told by someone driving by it doesn't come until 3:30 after I was getting slightly worried. At 3:34 I began to worry again. At 3:40 I called my husband and he called the school..."oh the bus is late" says the school. Uh yeah..really late. at 3:45 still no kids. I was scared spit less. At 3:50 as I was picking up my cell to call the school and 911 and God and everyone I could think of the neighbor's mother (mil) not sure whom the kids and I have both med pulls up and says I have your kids the bus dropped them off on the wrong street!

Anger, fear, anger does not begin to describe it!

My son TOLD the bus driver his address and the man's response I don't have you on my list just have a SEAT! then Christopher seeing the name of our subdivision NOT knowing there are two different streets that enter it said I think this is it.

The driver did NOT check it against the address MY SON gave him and dropped them OFF!I was so angry I could not see straight. I was just shy of hysterical only keeping it together because Jenny was freaking OUT! My kids were so brave and Christopher did the right thing. I thought my babies were GONE! I have not known such fear in my life. I thought someone had taken my babies! Thank God HE and HE alone protected my precious children!

I called the school on Thursday morning after meeting the bus driver and introducing him to our children. And letting him know where to drop them. I kept my Christian witness through HIS strength alone. I also called the school and reported it. Yesterday afternoon they were dropped in the correct place.

Trust at a time like that isn't that you do not trust God but that you don't know where or who has your children. You do know God has promised to protect. However, you have heard countless news stories of kids taken walking home from school. So yeah...I knew God was on my side but in those moments fear ruled and I barely kept myself calm for the sake of Jenny. God is good all the time!

Home school Preschool...started today

2010-08-11T10:45:00.000-05:00

My new adventure is to homeschool Preschool Jenny since we could not get her in voluntary PreK. We are so excited, Jenny and I. Settling in the house in coming along and life is getting to a new normal.

Here is what we have done so far today:

PreK this morning:

Jenny and I took kids to school, stopped to have outside playtime at the park. Had snack--counted 10 animal crackers to go with raisins, name writing practice. Now we are going to match alphabet letters to our alphabet train I have spread on the floor.

She is matching pictures from a memory game that are the same..instead of using it as the traditional memory game. Then she is going to cut pieces of red paper to glue on an apple for a back to school project.

Then she is going to play on the swing set for a bit and we are going to go on a hunt for stuff that is yellow in the yard to see if we can find things to make a collage with.

Who is worthy?

2010-07-13T10:15:00.000-05:00

I dreamed a dream last night that I can't quite retell but it has something to do with the Prov 31 woman and the holy of holies. About how someone kept trying to tell me I couldn't go into the holy of holies cause I wasn't good enough, dressed enough etc...but my Lord stepped in and said "I have clothed you. You may enter in because I am your covering".....oh My word I am rejoicing this morning....what a dream!

So many people communicate to others why they think a person is not worthy to enter in to fellowship with our Lord. However the truth of the matter is that there is not one among us who could really be worthy apart from the Lord Jesus. He said to the woman's accusers "you who are without sin, cast the first stone". None of us can stand holy and worthy before the Lord. But Jesus in His infinite mercy and love clothes us with HIS righteousness. I can not stand worthy but my Lord covers me. His covering is beyond description. He knows me to my innermost depths. He knows my hopes, dreams, fears and secrets. He hears my cries and covers me with His love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness.

We as Christians make mistakes everyday. There is not one among us who NEVER sins. Sin does not have to equal the "big sins". Sin can be gossip or something that seems simple. But NO sin is simple. We don't set out to sin but often times we do. Or perhaps, God is telling us to do something and we don't want to do it so we ignore Him. That in the eyes of a Holy Lord........can be the sin of rebellion. So.....none of us are worthy no not one but......our Lord steps in when we ask Him and covers us. Sin it says in the Bible so easily besets us. Not because we necessarily, WANT to sin but because we are fleshly creatures who forget to think through the mind Christ put in us. We think and act first, too many times, with our regular mind. Instead of the one, God set apart in Him. Does it mean there is no hope and that all we can ever do is sin so there is no point? No it means that Christ is the only way we can stand against sin or in the Holy of Holies.

Negativity of others crushes more people than one can even imagine. Christians judge others unworthy for many reasons. I have been judged on many occasions and found lacking by mankind but my Lord found me a beautiful treasured covered by His redeeming love. I have seen so many pushed out because they weren't cleaned up enough to enter in...but yet Jesus came for whosoever...whosoever is not always the one who looks cleaned up and ready to go into the Holy of Holies. Often times those who "look ready" are hiding their secrets and burdens under their prettied up dressing. When if we saw us as Jesus saw us we'd all be standing in rags. But Jesus arraigns us in the covering of beauty through HIS sacrifice. No I am not perfect, I often have felt like I lack what is needed...but my Lord dressed me with HIS covering......His love and His peace. So when you are feeling unworthy, unkempt and undesirable.....cry out to the ONLY one who can take you into the Holy of Holies clothed in HIS beauty and HIS love. For under His covering I can stand before my God and cry out to Him and be heard and seen as a treasure to be loved and gently held close to His heart because my Jesus' covering enables me to stand in the Holy of Holies.

Today is Moving Day and cleaning out the stuff.

2010-06-12T07:23:00.000-05:00

Packing up the truck and heading out to the new city today. Our family will be together again instead of trying to keep up two households. Mike has been in the other city for 8 weeks now...I think and most of it spent there. He came home some but being apart has been hard. He wasn't able to be with me when we lost Miya. He couldn't be here for the last week of school. So much he had to miss out on, but it was only temporary.

Doing so much by myself with the kids this last few weeks had made me so much more aware of what single Moms go through. At least I knew at the end of it all, we would be together again. So grateful to God that I do not have to walk life's highway without a live person to walk with me.

We are going to a rental house. Has a yard with a fence all the way around and an office/playroom and many other benefits over an apartment. We can get out in the backyard and play with our children and chase fireflies and all those things I grew up doing.

I feel sad at the same time too. We have many friends here and family. While it is only 2 hours East of here it is still not going to be the same. We have had a good almost 3 years here. Life is an adventure...now as we walk through this next door; I wonder what God has in store.

Hopefully after we get moved in and the computer up and running and we are somewhat settled; I can blog again.

Speaking of moving day and all that goes with it. Cleaning and packing makes me realize how much God wants to clean out of our lives and for us to get rid of the junk. When you pack a house, inevitably you discard stuff, junk that has accumulated that you really don't need. Stuff you were hanging onto for whatever reason that no longer makes sense. God wants to do that in our hearts too. We accumulate "stuff". We hand onto hurts, regrets, pains that we need to let go of. When if we'd let it go and let God clean it out; our lives would function much better. So God......I give you permission to clean out and get rid of any junk that has no place in my heart.

Create in me, Oh Lord a heart that doesn't hold onto junk. A heart open to you and the changes YOU have planned. A heart of love an ministry. Let this adventure of moving be a new lease on my soul as well. Let me be ready and willing to do whatever you are calling us to do through this adventure.

Lessons learned from Miya

2010-05-28T18:40:00.000-05:00

Miya........she lived to short of a time, but what a great teacher she was. Things I learned from Miya:

Even when in pain, you can find a reason to smile.

Love and once you love someone never let go.

Just cause someone says no, doesn't mean you can't try.

Telling people I love you more...has lots of payback.

Joy is in the journey not the hardship.

Never give up trying to get what you want.

The small things in life, like bubbles and stuffed ducks are important. Enjoy them.

Shoes are not important, it is better to be barefoot.

Love knows no boundaries. You can love lots of people in a short time and endear them all to your heart.

The more you love, the more friends you have.

Love has no limitations, even if your body does.

Friends are treasures and gifts, hold them close and camp out in their heart.

There is not enough time in the day to take time for a nap. Too many things to do, see, say and explore. Live life to its fullest.

So many lessons I learned from sweet Miya girl. These barely touch the surface. She greatly impacted my life and I will forever treasure the things I learned from sweet Miya. She had some rough days, but she kept trying.

Explaining death to children...

2010-05-24T06:44:00.000-05:00

While they can not understand in full....as evidenced by my 3 year old asking...."Is Miya still died"? The faith of a child helps them grasp the things of death better than you thought. Jenny has been talking about Miya non stop. I explained to the kids yesterday after deciding they will go with me to the viewing, about the body left behind. I told them it was not the real Miya, just her body, her shell. That the soul of Miya, her spirit, what made her Miya is with Jesus and she has a new body that has no pain and no owies.

So Jenny went into her nursery at church last night and told her teacher. "Miya is died but her is in heaven with Jesus and her has a new body". I did not know she would grasp it enough to explain it to someone else. She has also said in the last couple days "Mommy Miya's wiver is not bwoken anymore".....so true. The other two have talked about Miya playing in heaven. So precious.

I told them that they can be sad and at the same time it is okay to laugh if they feel joy during the day. That just because they are sad doesn't mean they can't enjoy life. That if they need to cry they can. If they don't want to cry they don't have to. I told them their feelings are okay. I explained (and will again) the behavior they will need at the viewing. That it is okay to be a little scared or worried, or sad or even okay if they don't know what to feel. They can ask questions but must do so with a soft, respectful voice.

This will be a life lesson. They can say goodbye to their friend who is basking in the presence of Jesus. I am sure more questions will come. But hopefully I am helping them through this journey of grief, saying good bye to a dear friend.

It is still so surreal...

2010-05-22T07:08:00.000-05:00

Can Miya really be gone? Shouldn't the world have stopped spinning on its axis? The impact she left on our lives is so real. I feel numb. I can't imagine the grief of those closer to her, when my own grief is palable. I was not ready to say good bye. I completely believed God would heal her this side of heaven. Why He chose to take her home to heal her, I will never know. Yet, God is His love and wisdom knows.

I know that Miya would not want to come back. She would not want pain and suffering. She is happy. She is free. She is sitting in the presence of the Savior. That is awesome.

Yet, those of us who remain are left with grief so pervasive it filters into our dreams. The loss of Miya is like a part of our hearts have left. There is an empty spot in my heart. Yes I know, I still have my memories, the love she left in her place in my heart. Yet, today...that is not enough. I know it is selfish, but I'd like to hold her...touch her...kiss her sweet face. I got to see her one last time before she left this earth.

Miya was hooked up to every machine known to mankind. Drugs pumping in her wee little body to do all kind of things I don't even understand. I spoke to her and she struggled to open her eyes. She was so sedated. But I know she KNEW I was there. I know she KNEW I loved her.

Oh sweet, sweet Miya girl.....I am glad you are free from pain, but I miss you.

An angel got her wings..in loving memory of Miya Harris

2010-05-21T16:33:00.000-05:00

This morning at 3:45 am, Miya, the little girl I used to babysit earned her wings. She had received her liver transplant 2-3 weeks ago and has been fighting ever since. This morning quietly and peacefully, her heart stopped beating and they could not bring her back. She said goodbye to this world and hello to Jesus.

Miya was a beautiful precious child. She loved singing and dancing. She loved to say "I love you more".

On this side of heaven we can not understand why she had to suffer so and why the liver transplant took place only for her to go home to heaven.

Alagille's syndrome caused her liver to fail but it did not hamper her sweet spirit. She touched the lives of everyone she met. We are forever left with a Miya shaped imprint on our hearts. We loved you Miya. We will miss you, but we will see you again. Dance for Jesus my sweet girl, dance pain free, dance and sing with all your might cause now my sweet girl you are free. Miss Thelma loves you.

Holy Macaroni?

2010-04-13T16:53:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I fed Jenny ravioli out of can for lunch. This is NOT a normal meal at our house because it is so full of sodium. I personally don't like them but Jenny wanted them and someone had given us a couple of cans. ( I still have 1 can left). So I let her have them.

Her brother and sister came home from school and she told them and I quote:

"Today for lunch I had Holy Macaroni"!

I guess the child likes raviolis. I will be making this myself soon instead of the canned variety. I know she will love these and they will be much better.

But Holy Macaroni? What is it the best tasting thing she has ever had? Super macaroni? I still have no idea WHY she labeled this meal HOLY.

Chhhh chhhh chhh chhh ...changes

2010-04-12T11:29:00.000-05:00

Changes are afoot in our household. Mike has been hired at a different avionic technician shop (whatever you call it). He starts April 19th. Starting pay will be what he makes now. The BUT is that it is in the Chattanooga area, two hours or so from where we live now. So the kids and I will be holding down the fort here until they finish school and while I pack up our home. Mike will begin there, a week from now. He will work there and look for us a place to live.

Add to that, that he was interviewed for a church. He was a guest speaker there this weekend. It is in a town near Chattanooga. Now we are in wait mode to hear from the church board and pulpit committee. WOW!

God is in control. I am not sure what is going to take place the next 6-8 weeks or so, except for moving. I do not know where we will lay our heads in two months, but God does. I do not know if we will get this church, but God does. I do not know where my kids will go to school next year, but God does. So many "unknowns" but I KNOW the one in control of the uknown.

My heart is in perfect peace that our Lord is in control.

God is so good.

(p.s. what happened to the spell check button? I can not find it..LOL)

Recent words of "wisdom" from my niblets...

2010-04-06T20:22:00.001-05:00

Jenny had put on a dress, a furry princess shawl, fake princess hair and all sorts of stuff and said "I am going on a date" I said "who with" she said "someone" I said "I need to know who you are going with. She said "Brudder"...LOL.

Okay Christopher had his dress up dr clothes on and was pretending to deliver babies on his stuffed animals and he told the mommy......"squeeeeeze.........squeeeeeeeeeze.......squeeze" LOL. I have a feeling the talk is looming around the corner....LOL LOL LOL

Jenny and Hannah are acting out when Jesus said "Peace Be Still" to the wind and the waves. Hannah was going to play Jesus. Jenny said no you are not Jesus, He is up dere in the middle" LOL.......so cute.

Christopher told the girls the whole Easter story, death to resurrection all by himself to his sisters and Hannah piped in and said Yeah Mary went to check on Jesus and the angel said He isn't here (like the angel said it in a DUH voice) and Jenny clapped her hands and said YAY!...Easter from children's perspective...PRICELESS.

A commercial came on that said not spending money doesn't make you happy, saving money makes you happy. Christopher said "uh uh, that's not right. God makes you happy"! That's my boy!

Why your heart beats.....

2010-04-02T08:38:00.001-05:00

Jenny and I just had the following conversation:

Jenny said" Mommy our hearts are bumping."

"I said "yeah, why does our heart bump"

She said " cause Jesus is in there and He has to live in our hearts...."

We have been having a lot of these discussions lately. Her 3 year old faith astounds me. Seeing the love and faith for God blossoming in her amazes me. I pray my children always have the faith they have now.

Salvation

2010-04-01T06:46:00.000-05:00

Last night at church, Hannah and Jenny's class talked about salvation. They make a "present" to represent the gift of salvation. Jenny left class and said "Oh wait I can't forget my salvation. I needs my salvation"...came home and unwrapped her little homemade bookmark with John 3:16 on it and said "I will keeps my ...salvation forever."

Hannah wants to take her present and give it to her teacher. "Mommy I'll give it to Mrs Higgins." Now both those girls have just preached powerful messages. Jenny in that we must hold onto our salvation and take it with us wherever we go and Hannah and that we need to share our salvation with others.

Yep...the gospel presented in simple terms, out of the mouths of babes!

Been MIA and our path

2010-04-01T06:44:00.001-05:00

Sorry I have been MIA, but life is crazy right now. Mike's job continues to be stressful, well when he actually gets to work. He is currently looking for other employment and open churches and the like. Where that will lead we do not know. But we stand at the head of a path in which God is pointing us to go. We can not see the end of the path or what turns and obstacles might be ahead. But our Lord has never led us wrong. We will travel this path, knowing that along the way God will never leave nor forsake us. He will never ever be MIA. He has plans for us and His plans are far better than our own. So we step onto the path in faith and trust our God to guide. Lead on Lord...Lead on.

Considering the joy in the storm

2010-03-18T09:27:00.001-05:00

James 1:2-18

Trials and Temptations

2.Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3.because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

4.Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

5.If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

6.But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

7.That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

8.he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

9.The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.

10.But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.

11.For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

12.Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

13.When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

14.but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

15.Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16.Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.

17.Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

18.He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Considering it joy in the midst of the trial or storm is not easy. In our current situation, it is hard. Mike's job is in the threat of lay off EVERY DAY! As we face this battle, this test, we have stumbled and tripped and made some mistakes in dealing with it. We have let the stress get to us. Counting it joy, does not mean it doesn't hurt and it is easy. Counting it joy means we know the one who IS in control. Knowing that truly every good and perfect gift does come from Him. What seems like something bad and hard, may very well turn out to be a greater gift than you could ever imagind. That is what I am trusting. That my God, my Lord, my King is going to help us persevere. That the mistakes we have made in dealing with the stress is far less than the joy on the other side of this trial.

I purpose in my heart to walk through this with joy and grace and not let the enemy win through attacks of fear and despair. I will not be be tempted by fear and frustration, nor will I let it grow. I will walk with purpose and faith and joy through this trial. God did not CAUSE this but He will lead us through it. I will purpose in my heart to pray for Mike differently, more ferverently, more often, with greater understanding. The full weight of what happens during lay off is on my husband's shoulders. While I do feel stress as well, as the sole provider of the house hold income my husband is facing so much more than I can grasp. I pray for my Lord to undergird him and uphold him with HIS righteous right hand. God alone will get the glory through this.
I purpose in my heart to trust even when there seems to be no way. I purpose to stay true to my Lord and count it all joy and know that on the other side of it, I will have grown and Mike will have grown. God is faithful, all we have to do is rest in that promise and all the promises He has made to His children.

Saturday...and House Cleaning Day

2010-03-06T08:42:00.000-06:00

I love Saturdays....days to sleep in...well at least past six in the morning. We were awakened before 7 by one of the children and then slowly but surely all of them joined us at some point. The bigger two went down to watch cartoons. Mike and I lay there discussing the fact we really should get up and get started with our day. About 7:30 the little one joined us for a cuddle. Her sleeping in until 7:30 is just in indication she hasn't been well this week. Usually, her feet hit the floor first, bright happy and crying out with joy "It's the day Mama, It's the day". Those cuddles are the best, Saturday morning cuddles. What a blessing to feel those little warm arms and bodied cuddled up to you telling you how much they love you. It is the picture of security and the way we are supposed to trust our Father.

Today we are holding the HOUSECLEANING OLYMPICS. I do this once a year, right about spring time or close to spring. It is when I can no longer stand the stuff that has accumulated in spots it doesn't accumulate in the summer. For us this week, it is because we have had sick kids and my housework is behind. Not to mention, the DRYER COMES TODAY....woo hoo. I have mount laundry to tackle but I will have a WORKING dryer. So once a year, we do the housecleaning olympics and the kids get "medals" for such events as:

Toy Wrestling, Book Corralling, Dust Busting and Bed making gymnastics. There are other events that they will just assist with, like toilet taming, kitchen roundup and vaccuum wrangling. This makes our family clean up day fun. Our kids love it.

This time we are all instituting some new family goals and rules in our pre olympic meeting. The kids are going to help come up with a solution to the mislead idea Mommy and Daddy are there for the sole purpose of cleaning up after them. Now, they know this fact, but lately we and they have let this slide. I have picked up stuff I should have had them do. They of course responded to this as any child would, and began to do less and less. However, as a family, it takes us all working together to keep our house running smoothly.

So that will be our day.

I am Overwhelmed .......

2010-03-05T13:44:00.000-06:00

By the hand of my mighty God. I said in my last post, how it was no accident I am am doing both Stepping Up the Bible Study and the book So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore and today was just further proof.

My insecurities had me feeling bad because I am behind on my first week's homework for the Bible study. Now, of course, common sense doesn't enter in to the equation. I mean come on all super moms should be able to clean up after two girls with a tummy virus. She should after all be able to handle the fact that, one of the self same girls with a sinus infection and strep throat. She should also be able to handle that the same child has an allergic reaction to her antibiotic and was an itchy and scratchy mess. She should be able to read the book, get her Bible study homework done, deal with a broken dryer and the fact tomorrow is the first chance we will have to get our new one. She should also be able to get it all done with little to no sleep and the fact we are leaving next weekend for a wedding. Surely, I "should" be able to do it all. After all, that is what insecurity whispers to your mind. But see there is the catch, insecurity is a liar. It makes you feel.....well insecure about every thing. The coulda, woulda, shoulda is jam packed jelly tight in ones brain.

So today when I went to the Stepping Up Bible study..I THOUGHT, we'd do the study, come home have lunch and a nap for me and the littlest one. Little did I stop to think God had other plans. She talked in today's session about singing and how songs/psalms were created for us to express our souls. Then suddenly as clearly as she was speaking on the video screen, God inserted into my soul the reason I do NOT have a heart song. Insecurity stole it...a long time ago because of the words of a misguided worship leader when I was 10 years old. That worship leader told a little girl, who loved to sing to the Lord, "You can't sing in front of the church because you can't carry a tune and I will not having anyone messing up "my" worship service". That pain....that scar........that day.....I stopped singing.

Oh I sang but not with that heart song that fuels our praise. Insecurity set in, instantaneously with those words of a man who spoke without love. I have forgiven that man. However, the pain colored my life all these years. I was 10, I am now 42 years OLD! 32 years without a heart song, and today, my Lord, my precious Lord gave me back my heart song. Oh, I have had joy. I am happy and fulfilled in the Lord and growing every day BUT I did not have my song..the song that fuels our praise and worship to the King of Kings. The song that fuels our praise and worship to a new level in Him. I have had glimpses of it over the years but I did not have that heart song in my possession because insecurity is a liar and a thief. Today.....I got my heart song back.

Hosea 2:15 says in part..."She will sing as in the days of her youth". Today that was restored to me. As a child, I used to go about my day singing and making up my own litte praise songs to the Lord. I stopped that day long ago because I thought I had to be "able to sing" to praise. How misguided insecurity is to the person who takes it to heart.

So today I sing a new song, a song of freedom, a song of joy asong of my heart to the very one who made my heart. I am overwhelmed by my Lord.

So Long Insecurity and Stepping UP(Psalms of Ascent)

2010-03-02T11:34:00.005-06:00

I think it is no accident that I received my Beth Moore book about Insecurity the same week our ladies group started the Psalms of Ascent Bible study.

An all to familiar thing happened yesterday when my insecurity smacked me hard in the face and I turned into a woman most people would not recognize. Quite honestly I freaked out over something that wasn't worth freaking out over. My oh so wise husband picked up on it without hearing my tirade and did the right thing. He is a very smart man.

I am all too aware that my insecurities can effect my dear sweet children if I am not careful. Yesterday, while in freak out mode, I said some things and such that I am not proud of as I ranted out loud, instead of to myself with them in the other room. Yeah....way to go Mom. I had to spend some of my on my face time before God repenting for my attitude brought on by my insecurities. Ahhh yes, we women...so insecure about some things in our lives. For one woman it is one thing, and for another it is different but when it boils down to it.........insecurity can turn you into someone you don't even recognize yourself. And in that insecurity I want to Step up to the next level in God as He pulls me out of the pit of insecurity on the the next level with Him.

So today I am making a plan on how to address some of these insecurities. My insecurity tends to paralyze me into inactivity instead of using it to do something about the very things I am insecure about and DO have the ability to change. So instead of wallowing in it...I need to be proactive and do something about the things I CAN change. The other stuff I have to let go and let GOD...because I can't change other people.

I will step up to the next level and I WILL gain control over these insecurities with the help of my Lord.

(And yes I am promoting these books and suggest that all women need to read the book and do the study.)

I've got the blues.......

2010-03-01T09:57:00.002-06:00

The I don't wanna do anything but stay in my jammies blues....LOL.

It has been an interesting weekend....yeah that's the word...interesting.

It started on Saturday morning 15 before 7, my sister called to tell me she had called 911 for my nephew. I told her I'd meet her there. He collapsed and an ambulance was on the way to rush him to the hosptial. He was rushed to the nearest hospital lights and sirens barely responsive and throwing heart arrythmias. Once he arrived they did a blood sugar test it was only 36. They gave him some kind of stuff that looked like karo syrup in his IV. In any case we spent all day at two different hospitals. Tentative diagnosis after a little over 24 hours in the hospital is hypoglyocemia. He is home and doing better..but what a ride. On Sunday we took my sister her van after church and the day was filled with go go go. Then in the middle of the night last night Hannah puked. Unknown to me thanks to benadryl but Mike took care of it. He is such a good Daddy. The weekend has been a blur. Oh did I mention, my dryer is toast. So we had to do some laundry at the in laws, rather Mike did it while I was with my sister. Yesterday, we had to pick up said dry laundry, thanks to my mother in law who folded it for us.

So tonight, we have to go looking for a dryer if everyone is better and well enough.
So now you know why I have the I don't wanna get dressed blues...LOL

It's Early Thursday morning

2010-02-25T06:23:00.002-06:00

And I think there is a conspiracy plot afoot. Apparently Mr. Sandman does not like me and I have offended him in some way. Every 2 hours I am awakened from sweet slumber for no apparent reason. I do not feel that urgent need to pray, like when God wakes you for that purpose. I just wake up. It then takes at least 20 minutes to go back to sleep. This happens all night long. Sometimes I wake more than every 2 hours. So I must figure out how to get back in the good graces of the king of sleep land...Mr. Sandman.

Today is going to be a long day. Much to do, so little time. The tasks of motherhood way heavy on my weary body. I woke up this morning with a scratch throat and a feeling.....I just can't do it today. BUT.....I have to do it. Motherhood gives you no time to be weary. I am not complaining, just stating facts. I love being a wife and mother. It would be just a little easeir with some.....well SLEEP.

I am watching my children sit and snooze as they wait for breakfast to get ready, all cuddled on the couch and chair. AHH to crawl right up next to them and take those little warm bodies and tuck them up next to my heart and slumber away. That is the best.

At least my dear husband is up with me. But he is a morning person, for me the lights are on but nobody is home. So now off to find the coffee pot and some caffienne.

Today is the Day

2010-02-23T08:40:00.002-06:00

Our "magic growth elixir" arrives for Christopher. His growth hormone arrives today via Fed Ex on dry ice. Now I do know it isn't really magic and his growth will be different than any other child on the medication. However, this is so exciting. I can't imagine him growing! At 9 he is 43 and 3/8 inches and is 39 lbs. He wears a size 6 and those are big. He is tiny but he is mighty.

I have no magical ideas that it is going to be immediate or the cure all. But it does give us hope for the answers to his eating/appetite issues, his allergies and asthma because growth WILL help all these factors. Hope is a good thing.

I was trying to keep this a daily entry blog but could not do that for various reasons. However, I am hoping to track Christopher's progress at least on a weekly basis. I am thinking of doing a growth photo of the week and post it once a week. I know it may take a bit for the change to show but over time we should see a change. I am praying that God will use this for Christopher's good.

So watch this blog and watch my little boy GROW......

Things overheard in my house...

2010-02-17T08:05:00.002-06:00

My children are in the kitchen playing like eveything they touch turns to chocolate....touch touch touch..your chocolate. They finally did get dressed and off to school. Talk about the "Midas" touch.

Jenny is singing Angels we have heard on high..only it is "angel we have on when we are hyper".......LOL LOL LOL. Glad they have angels on when they are hyper.

If you don't do what I want I'll tell on you. (Had to intervene on this one).

Romance is when you go out to eat together and do stuff. (definition of romance by a 6 year old).

No Barbie you have to sit in time out, you were naughty. (Have no idea what Barbie did but apparently she is in big trouble, she has been in time out a might long time.)

Jesus loves us cause well He's Jesus. (Christopher explaining Jesus).

Jesus..He is God (from Jenny age 3, she gets it).

Jesus, He forgives us all the time, any time. (From Hannah..she said something to that effect but could't get it all. I was eaves dropping..LOL).

I will revisit this thread idea at a later time. But oh how cute, funny, sometimes naughty and sometimes so poignant and filled with truth the words of my children are when I stop to listen.

Not going to do it....

2010-02-15T09:47:00.002-06:00

Make the one post per day for the year...I haven't blogged since the 3rd due to well life...LOL. Kids sick, I was sick and the like. But you know...that IS life. The world will not stop and there is no way I am going all the way back to the 3rd and recreate posts..LOL. 12 days of posts are a lot to cover..LOL.

Today I am having wish it were spring cleaning day. The kids are off for President's day so sounds like a good idea.

I will take them out to play in the snow later if it doesn't melt before this afternoon. It was very cloudy, but suddenly the sun is out, working on our snow..LOL. We barely got an inch so I don't know how long it will last.

I think we might make cookies today too. Time will tell, it all depends on how good they do their rooms and if I have to do follow up cleaning..LOL.

Okay off to clean now.....now where did I put the windex????

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-03T10:37:00.000-06:00

What NOT to do on a snow day/and what to do

2010-02-02T10:26:00.000-06:00

1. Do not attempt to get your children to agree on a movie. This will not happen.
2. Do not attempt to go to story time, thinking they will actually have story time. If school is cancelled so is story time at the library.
3. Do not attempt to make a new and exciting dish, the kids will not eat it.
4. Do not attempt to convince the children that being cranky means they need a nap. They will only pretend to nap.
5. Do not attempt to get the children to use their imaginations. After all, having had days of using one's imagination wears out ones imagination, and they make complaints of I don't know what to do.
6. Do not in any circumstances expect one's children to clean their rooms. For if one does, one will find said toys under said child's bed instead of in the toy bin.
7. Do not think that television will be a easy distraction. Said children are tired of TV.

Things to do:
1. Be surprised to find out your children actually want YOU to read to them, well as long as you make the words come alive and can let them help you read (kindergartner).
2. Let them teach you while playing school.
3. Cuddle, cuddle and cuddle some more.
4. Remember that you used to get bored too and couldn't figure out what to do. Distinctly recall telling your mother in that whiny voice "but there is nothing to do".
5. Treasure the moments because school will come again and you will miss these little people.
6. Last but not least think of ways to make the ground hog not see his shadow. After all he would not have seen it if they had not had all those silly lights for the TV cameras shining on him. Really......can't spring come already?

Snow day...yet again and sibling rivalry

2010-02-01T10:18:00.000-06:00

It was another snow day today. The kids are beginning to be bored out of their skulls. Family togetherness is wonderful. However, after a bit, too much family togetherness wears on siblings ability to agree. I mean when one is fighting over who gets to go to the bathroom first when there are 3 kids and 3 potties available it means we have had too much togetherness.

Sibling rivalry, I get it. I had 1 sister and two brothers to contend with growing up. My mother, did not get it so much, well, so she says, she was an only child. I kindly pointed out one day, when I was grumbling (yeah I know I am not supposed to grumble) that she argued with her cousins who were like sisters to her. She said, I don't think I'd have done it so much with a sister. I said, sure you would have, imagine your cousin with you 24/7. She said well you have a point. She loves her cousins and they had a great time together but they did wear on one another's nerves after a time.

So today was the mass chaos of sibling rivalry. It did bring back some memories of my siblings and I and the silly things we argued over. I distinctly remember getting mad at my twin sister because she wouldn't play "old lady" right. We used TV tray stands as our walkers. You know those kind you can attach and unattach to metal legs. Ahhh yes, such was the fun of child hood with no electronic entertainment. One could argue over the proper use of imagination.

Sunday Musings

2010-01-31T10:05:00.000-06:00

It was a lazy Sunday since church was canceled due to the icy conditions of the road. It was a bit weird not having church and staying home. I slept in until almost 10, thanks to my darling husband. WHAT a TREAT!

We took the girls out to build a snowman in the slush of melting snow. Christopher was tossing his cookies so he supervised from the window.

I was thinking, you know, it is these things the kids will remember. Mommy and Daddy building snowmen with them and sledding and throwing snowballs. They will not remember what they received for Christmas or birthdays on most years. However, they will remember, that Mommy and Daddy played with them.

These are the kodak moments of memory building. Cherished memories that will last a life time.

Just some photos

2010-01-30T12:02:00.000-06:00

Hannah watching tv with Daddy

Our Karate Kid

Jennifer in her get up

Fun Snow Day Friday

2010-01-29T11:55:00.000-06:00

Hannah in a Forerunners production

2010-01-28T11:53:00.000-06:00

She is on a drama praise team at church. They did a production for the whole church on a Sunday morning. She did so good. She takes it so seriously. She loves her Lord so much.

My Day as a Superhero by Christopher

2010-01-27T11:46:00.000-06:00

Typed as he wrote it, misspellings and all. This exercise was for thought production, not spelling. Although he can spell better than he wrote this, it was a paper he wrote in school during a brain storm exercise.(My thoughts or word corrections are in parenthesis.

My day was a grate day. I would travel all around the world and space. My powers are all the powers there ever was. Frist (first) I we3nt into ourter space to save an aline(alien) and the rest of the world.

My side kik is my dog Thelma. (giggle added by me, I am his sidekick?). When we found the perfict home in Mexico, we saved anybody and everybody. I would change the world. Every were I went, I would have the Bible, with me to gide (guide) me.

(Okay this made me melt, as a super hero the Bible would be his guide, can a Mama be any prouder of a child who says that.) I saved 1,000 people in one day. The next day I and no powers any more. It was a dreem(dream). That day I tride(tried) to fly but I couldn't.

The End

Little Mama

2010-01-26T11:43:00.000-06:00

Recent photo of Jennifer and her dolly.

Not Me Monday

2010-01-25T10:46:00.002-06:00

It is not ME who is putting off working out when I should be hitting the exercise like a mad woman.

It is not ME who is putting off the household chores today either.

It is not ME who is letting her 3 year old watch TV all morning.

It is not ME who is still in her pajamas at almost 11 am.

It is not ME who has so much to do that if she does not unglue herself from whatever the chosen sitting surface at the time is, will regret it.

It is not ME who should have gone to the Y today and done a real work out.

It is not ME who has a love/hate relationship with the scale. I can't seem to stop checking even though no progress has been shown on said scale after 2 weeks of making an effort to lose weight.

It is not ME who has to help the kids make valentine's boxes for school and has no idea where to start.

It is not ME who has to help her Kindergartner make a 100 days project but hasn't even started. It is due Friday.

It is not ME who is going to cheat on her "diet" and have some Chinese food for lunch. Although I will take advantage of portion control.

It is not ME who enjoys using her children's baby bowl to eat cereal out of so she doesn't eat to much. Besides the little sheep in the bottom are so cute.

It is not ME who will be counting the fit as a real work out, should I ever get around to it today.

Ahhh so glad none of that is ME!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Take time to pause

2010-01-24T22:00:00.000-06:00

I go upstairs after putting the girls to bed. I hear their chatter and am about to correct them and tell them in no uncertain terms "Go to bed and Go so Sleep". I paused for just a moment and listened. Here is what I heard. They were singing their own songs, praise songs, they made for Jesus.

Hannah: I love Jesus, He lives in my heart. (She sang it over and over, so sweetly).

Jennifer: I got treasure, I got treasure, I got treasure...I pray to Jesus (She too singing it over and over so sweetly)

They were singing it in tune with their lullaby music box thingy. It was so precious. I am so glad I did not go rushing in. I am so glad I paused, and listened. For in taking time to pause, I heard nothing but sweet, precious innocence singing to the Lord.

And that was my treasure for all of time. When Mary pondered things in her heart, I bet it felt just like what I heard my girls doing. Such joy, such love, such wonder to hear my babies praising their Jesus.

Lazy Saturday

2010-01-23T07:32:00.000-06:00

Saturday seems to be the day for pajamas, silliness and family time. We had a great day. We played the Wii, we watched movies, we laughed and we snuggled. These are the times that go by so fast.

Our kids enjoy these times. I wonder how long it will be before they have friends to see, places to go and things to do. Right now a lazy Saturday gives them and us great joy.

And if we don't get out of our jammies, who cares, we are warm, cozy and submersed in love.

Funny Friday

2010-01-22T07:27:00.000-06:00

My silly Jennifer peeking through the liner on her princess dress. Excuse me Jenny, as she has informed us that her name is JENNY not Jennifer, LOL.

Thankful Thursday

2010-01-21T07:24:00.000-06:00

We have had some warmer weather lately.
The kids are all well and no one, not one person in this house is ill.
I have a body that works, even if it doesn't lose weight like I want it to.
Love comes in all shapes and sizes, fits everyone, and never expires.
My Lord is always with me, even when I am my ugliest in spirit and action and deed.
My family loves me, even with wild hair and in sweat pants.
That my children have truly learned compassion for others.

Dear Lady at the doctor's office

2010-01-20T16:35:00.002-06:00

Do you realize you made my day? When I was calling Jennifer to come and that it was time to go, you watched.

(Jennifer was playing with a video game they had in the waiting room. She did not want to leave. I said Jennifer that is one, then had to do that is two and finally Jennifer that is it, it is time to go. Just in a firm, no nonsense tone. Jennifer pouted but she came and I said you need a new attitude young lady, please find it, or something to that effect).

You said, dear ,kind, older lady, Good job you handled that well" I smiled and said thank you, but I wonder if you really know how much that made my day. You noticed a Mom doing something right and you made a comment on it. You hear all the time about people putting other women down about their parenting, but you my kind lady were so sweet. Thank you. I do not know you and will never see you again, but you made my day. Thank you.
A Mom who every once in a while needs an atta girl too.