Saturday, January 31, 2009

My Surprise

It is a glorious day today. It's cold as of right now, but it's going to warm up. I woke up @ 8:30 to the tune of Jonah screaming, "YES!!! MOM I BEAT LEVEL 8!!!" That kid has 2 volumes: loud and louder. I came downstairs and found donuts from a place that we do NOT have in Collierville. Which didn't make sense, because the only ones here were me and the boys. Todd left @ 7 to go to a men's breakfast at church.

All of a sudden, I heard a car alarm go off, and Andy the wonderdog went nuts. I looked out of the window, and low and behold, my sister Trish was here. :) I love her. Well, I saw her car but not her. She came through the back door a minute later. She came over @ 7 this morning! Todd had opened the garage and had his car warming up and came back inside. When he was on his way out, he heard footsteps on the steps and just about had a heart attack. And in walked Trish.

So, my day has been blessed by my amazing sister. She brought yummy donuts, too, so she's their hero on this cold Saturday morning. They LOVE Daylight Donuts!!! Thank you, Trish, if you're reading this. And I loved drinking coffee and chatting with you!!!

















Thursday, January 29, 2009

Word Of God, Speak

This is one of my very favorite songs ever. Listen to the music and read the Scripture. God will pour out His blessings on you.


Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Some More From Matthew

Matthew 10:16 Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.

Verse 18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.

Verse 19 When you are arrested, don't worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.

Verse 20 For it is not you who will be speaking~it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Verse 22 And all the nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.

Do you ever feel these things? That you're persecuted because of your faith? Or you find that people won't be your friend because they probably consider you quacky because of your morals? I've encountered those things. I've also felt like my world was crashing down around me, and I received peace when I read John 16:33. It says this: "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Sometimes I just seem to be so completely lost as to what to say to someone who hurts me, or who is overreacting about something, but I can gain understanding through these verses. I really love that one that says it will be your Heavenly Father speaking through you. I have felt that so many times, and words cannot explain that feeling. I have looked back when it was over and just been astonished.

Living your life in God is not easy...His word says that the road to hell is broad, but the one into heaven is straight and narrow. He promises troubles and trials, not easy times. Not every second will be bad, but we take joy in the fact that we can rely on Him to get us through whatever it is we're facing. He has brought me through many times, and I'm sure there will be many more. I read His word not because I want to say that I've read the Bible all the way through, but I read it so it will just soak into me. I want to be fully saturated with His truth so that I can be prepared for whatever life hands me. I have really great days, and I have really bad days. On the really bad days, you will find me quiet and reserved. It's because I'm praying for much of that time. Thank the Lord that He can read our minds and knows what we speak even though we don't actually speak it out loud. Sometimes I smile and sometimes I don't. But I rejoice in the fact that He loves me just as I am, quirkiness and faults included.

I read somewhere the other day that blogs reflect only what the writer wants you to know, but my prayer is that mine is not that way. I am by no means perfect. I have days when I yell too much at my kids. I freak out if they're rooms aren't cleaned (after they've told me they were), or if they keep on asking me same question over and over and over and over. My prayer is that this will be an encouragement to those who need it. I pray over this thing every day, literally EVERY DAY, that today God will bring this across the path of someone who needs it. Tonight I needed to write, so thank you for letting me vent.

Well, the kiddos are off to bed, and they're calling me to come and tuck them in. We were watching Parent Trap (my all time favorite movie), but they all started dozing off. Jonah included, if you can believe that. I guess it's back to the real world tomorrow. Good night, and love to all.

Snow Day!!!


This is what we woke up to this morning! Snow! Just a little, though, which was plenty for someone to cancel school! All they were predicting was ice, but we got both! Actually it was just a little of each, but like I said, that was all we needed! So it's our first official snow day! It did this last year~but it started on a Friday afternoon when the kids were home from school already, and it was in March. And not just any night in March, but THE night of Jonah's and Noah's birthday party. So I really like this timing much better. It works for all of us. This was a shot I got from our front porch. I love our neighborhood, but it's even more beautiful when it's covered in snow.



Remember the game night I mentioned a couple days ago? These next 2 were taken then. Jonah just looked too cute in this picture, so I wanted to share it, but the next one's the funny one.

We were playing a game with dice, and we all decided that we have the best table ever for rolling dice. They roll easily, and we loved the sound. I think it was Drew that said we should try listening to it with our ears to the table. So that's what we were doing. It really did sound cool.


Anyway, we are having the best day so far. I would love to say that we all stayed warm and cozy in bed and slept late. But that would be lying. Our illustrious school system decided not to make the decision on to cancel school, or to not cancel school, until 2 am this morning. However, my sister was up before 5, and she said that as of 5 am this morning, school was still on. So when my alarm clock went off at 6 this morning, I got up and checked online to see what the outcome was. I was beside myself, and wanted so bad to go back to bed, but for some crazy reason, I was wide awake. I wouldn't have minded that had it just been me. But then Graham and Drew heard me and woke up with me. We all came downstairs, but I told them no way was I watching their shows that early in the morning.

That lasted for about 45 minutes, then the neighbor came out. So of course they had to join Kari outside. They had already been out, gotten wet and frozen, then come in and changed, all by 8:00! Such is life with kids. As long as they're having fun, I'm having fun. I'm so happy that they got a snow day~I remember how much I used to love those as a child. I didn't have as much fun, though because I was the only at home then. All the sisters were grown and married. Although when I was a junior in high school, my stepdad would drive me to my friend Shawna's house, and we would sled down her steep driveway. Fun times.

Todd is home today too, at least for a little while, then he's riding with the Sheriff's department tonight. He went and got donuts for us all this morning, at the request of Graham. Who is feeling MUCH better, by the way. Well, speaking of food and being hungry, I'm going to go figure out what we're having for lunch. I'm thinking grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Y.U.M.M.Y. Love to all and Happy Snow Day!!! And if it's not a snow day for you, then Happy Wednesday!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Thoughts

Graham is going back to school tomorrow, and I will be back at work. I missed it a little, but Graham and I had a really good day together. He's getting older, so he's getting this personality that I love. He has let go some of that "I'm always right" mentality, and is just pleasurable to be around. I'm thrilled at the changes I see in him. He's becoming such a little man.

Speaking of little (or not so!) men, we measured them all this morning. Since June, they've all grown a minimum of one inch, although Graham has grown 2 and 1/2 since August, and finally gained the position of "older brother, bigger brother" for the first time in his life. He's taller than Drew by a quarter of an inch, probably, but enough to boost his ego. We measure all the boys on the side of our tornado closet door, and they LOVE when Daddy pulls out the measuring tape! It doesn't take much to please these sweet boys.

Graham did NOT so he's going back to school tomorrow since he didn't run fever all day. He kept on taking his temp. all afternoon, but I finally told him just to hang it up, he was going back tomorrow. During our day together, we grocery shopped and ate lunch at Zaxby's. This afternoon he wanted me to watch a show with him, and I ended up falling asleep on the couch. It was Witches Of Waverly Place, which in my opinion, is dumb. Anyway, when I woke up, he was watching THE FOOD NETWORK!!!! Big Daddy, you have gotten into this kids' head! That's my favorite channel too, but a 9 year old boy??? Hilarious!

I told him he could go to culinary school after high school to become a chef, maybe even head chef, and he loved that idea. I wouldn't mind it either. He could come home on weekends and cook for me and Todd. Not too shabby of an idea, if you ask me! It'll be his turn to give back to us, by then!

Since this seems to be all about Graham, I will tell you that we did not ignore the rest of our children today. Tonight we played Farkle as a family and Noah beat us all into the ground. He was so happy, the cute little thing! We were going to watch Jon and Kate, but opted for game night instead. We're supposed to do this once a week, but haven't kept up with it. Maybe tonight changed it, and this will be our new ritual every week! Anyway, we dvr'd Jon and Kate, so we'll all watch it tomorrow. Did I mention the boys are all hooked on it now? Well, they are. It's a great show, if you don't watch. My favorite.

Well, I'm off to bed to read a little. It's back to work tomorrow! Love to all and goodnight!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Who Needs A Title?

My poor Graham is sick. We were sitting here last night, watching a movie, and he was eating ice cream, when I looked over at him, and noticed that he did NOT look good. He told me he was hot. Then 2 minutes later, he was freezing. Due to the ice cream, I didn't take his temp. for half an hour. But when I did finally take it, he had over 100 degrees of fever. Poor baby. He has this really bad cough, and today he complained about his throat hurting. So we'll be at the doctor's office bright and early in the a.m.

I stayed home from church to take care of Graham, so Todd could go this morning. I am going tonight...I have to be there @ 4 for choir practice, so this way at least we both get to go once. Drew, Jonah and Noah went home with Mimi and Papa so they could stay with Papa and come back to church tonight. They hate missing, too, and didn't want to come early with me. There's not really anything for them to do if they come with me, so they usually don't.

Anyway, so go figure, I stay home from church and Todd comments on the worship and how incredible it was today. It was all guys....I really wish I'd been there. Hopefully they'll do the same thing tonight, and I'll be there for it!

I got in some cleaning this morning, since Graham wanted to be upstairs, and I even put away all the laundry and cleaned the boys' rooms. Well, not really cleaned but neatened up. I got the sheets back on all the beds and even cleaned some downstairs. I would get up and do some more laundry, but I figure since I'm home tomorrow, I might as well save some for them! I'm gonna go take a nap!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

!*!*!*SaTuRdAy!*!*!*!

We are having such a yummy Saturday! We slept late, the boys did their own thing while we slept, we stayed in our jammies a long time, it has been a great day! We are anxiously awaiting for the cable guy to finish so we can watch our new HD!!!! I can't wait!!! Even the boys are excited!! We're gonna find a movie to watch tonight so we can check it out! Woohoo!!!

Other than that, it's been an uneventful day. The little guys went and got haircuts, and we went to the library to pay a fine and check out some more books. Isn't my life exciting??? It is freezing today, so as soon as the cable dude leaves, we're building a fire. My mom is sick so we're not eating with them tonight. :( It's been a while since I've been forced to cook on a Saturday night. Bill has totally spoiled me. I think since it's so cold outside, we're gonna have some comfort food~chicken and dumplins. Yum.

Well, I need to go make sure Jonah and Noah got into the shower~and we're gonna get back in the jammies!!! Love to all, and HaPpY sAtUrDaY!*!*

Friday, January 23, 2009

Things My Husband Has Taught Me

To My Husband

1. That a deep voice and late night conversations don't mix~there are nights when I am so sleepy, that he talks me right to sleep.

2. How to appreciate crime scene investigation shows.

3. That I can and should be an aggressive driver.

4. How to love someone.

5. That a kind and gentle word calms me down quicker than anything.

6. That a husband really is a rock for you to lean on.

7. That even though they have all that brute strength, sometimes they need someone to lean on as well.

8. That I am capable of putting someone before myself.

9. That men are really great at handling crises. Like when a kid throws up in the middle of the night.

10. That I actually like to watch shows like, How It's Made, Dirty Jobs, and Parking Wars.

11. That I may actually enjoy camping.

12. That you should never put your hand behind the metal wall you're drilling into.

13. That you should also never slide face first down a mountain.

14. That it is better to KEEP ON SMILING.

15. That I love personalities in people....I look at that much faster than anything else, like appearance or what someone is wearing.

16. How to drive a stick shift.

17. That I like cheap stuff~and get joy from saving money and finding the best deal.

18. That cars are made tough~and to fix the one you have is better than buying a new one.

19. That it doesn't take much to make me happy.

20. That I live such a blessed, content life. And I would not trade my life for anyone else's, or for all the money in the world. If I could handpick my husband~any man on earth~I would choose Todd. And the same goes for the kids~I would not change not even one tiny detail.

Song of Songs 8:6 "Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm."

And I don't mean having my name tatooed on your arm. I love you and appreciate you so much.

Happy Friday!!!!

I am thrilled beyond words that it's the weekend! I had an amazing time with an awesome friend last night~Todd worked late, so she came over to keep me company. We do this periodically. It started as a cheap way to have a girls' night out, but has become sort of tradition. We had such a great time. We had comfort food, we prayed, we talked, and we laughed until we cried! There is nothing better than that!

So this morning, I'm finding myself thankful for my friends. I was telling Christa last night that I feel like God brings us different friends to fill different needs. I am blessed with the girls that are in my life, and they each bring something truly unique to our friendship. With Christa, for instance, I know I can tell her a need and she'll drop whatever she's doing and start pounding down the gates of heaven. Have you ever heard that quote that says, "Live the kind of life that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, "OH NO. SHE'S AWAKE." I feel like we have that kind of thing going on...we've prayed some very effective prayers together, and I always come away from my time with her feeling refreshed.

I have other friends that bring me other things~Rene is a lifetimer for me. Meaning that no matter how long it's been since we talked or hung out, we can always pick right back up to where we left off. She was the one who organized people bringing me food after I had the babies. She also just about singlehandedly put together a baby shower for me at church~even though they were numbers 3 and 4. She was the first (and only, I think) friend to come see me in the hospital, and made me laugh so hard that I almost had to kick her out. It was very painful on the c~section incision. But she's just that kind of girl. Oh, and a year ago when I fell and thought my ankle was broken, she came and picked me up at almost midnight, took me to her office and x~rayed my foot. Did I mention her and her hubby were in the middle of cooking their Thanksgiving meal? Well, they were, and she did this anyway.

I have Sunny who, like her name, just brings sunshine into my life. God brought us toghether two years ago, and we'd been praying for each other and didn't even know it. We were both praying that God would bring us a special "girlfriend" whom we could hang out with seperately without family AND with family. Our husbands became almost instantaneous amazing friends, and our kids all love each other. She's a great one to do running around with...and we did when the little kids weren't in school yet.

Not to mention the incredible family that I have. My mom and mom~in~love are two of my closest friends. I feel very blessed to have that bond with both of them. My sisters are incredible, and we're all very close. I feel such a strong bond with them when we're all together, although even when we're not, we are still very much a part of each other's lives.

I am truly blessed. I just wanted to write about that this morning...I had to take Graham and Drew to school for their before school clubs, and on my way home, I just started thanking God for the blessings He has given me. I am a rich person. Maybe not monetarily, but I am rich in the things that matter. I have an amazing, healthy family, extended family aplenty, and a treasure of close friends. I'm not saying I've lived this great, perfect life to deserve all this~I haven't at all, and for many years I felt like I had no friends at all. Especially in the years I had my back turned to the Lord. But in these past 4 years, God has changed me, my heart, and has poured down His blessings on me. Life has not been perfect, we've been through trials, but I feel like God has been faithful to us, because we have been faithful to Him.

In the trials we experienced health scares, family scares, personal issues galore, financial hardships, discouragement, and many more. But I love that in His Word He reassures us that He is the Light of the world, and that we can come to Him when we are weak and heavy burdened. He will be there~in the bad and in the good.

I came across a jewel of a Bible verse this morning and wanted to share it. It's from an online devotion I get entitled The Vine, and this week's devos have been on Ruth. She had everything going for her~she was married to a wonderful man, and she lived a happy life. But her husband died, and she felt like everything had been taken from her. Her sister~in~law Orpah experienced the same thing in her life, and their mother~in~law, Naomi encouraged them to move back to their families. Orpah did go back to her home land, but Ruth stayed with Naomi. Maybe she looked at it as faithfulness to her husband, but for whatever reason, she stayed with Naomi, and they moved to Judah. You probably know the story~she found love again in a wonderful man named Boaz. And he cared for her the rest of his days.

The Bible verse I came across went along with this story. In a time where she probably doubted her faith, and her relationship with the Lord, and felt confused and didn't know where to turn. This is where the verse comes in~it's found in Psalm 37:23 and says this: "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."

The God of the universe does that~He delights in EVERY detail of our lives. He is smiling this morning because I am so thankful for what He has given me, and it just hit me as I was driving. I had to just stop and praise Him. I challenge you to think about this today: no matter where you are in life right now, stop and think about why you're there. Is there a purpose? Is God going to grow you through your experience? Is life seemingly alright with you right now, and you've maybe slacked off in your prayer life? In the bad, but also in the good times, we should all give thanks. Look around you at what He has done in your life~and take some time today to just stop and thank Him.

Psalm 37:24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Wednesday

Just in case anyone was wondering...my day today was so much better. The "friend" I mentioned yesterday apologized to me. And it was a good apology. I gave her a hug and told all was forgiven, and that believe it or not, I actually really cared for her. :) I love all those kids, and I took her words yesterday very personally, although I was told not to. But I wear my heart on my sleeve, so that made it worse.

I don't have long....I just wanted to write that, but I am about to have to leave to go pick up my babies from school, then it's off to church for dinner and another night with the Music Man!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Need To Vent

Today was such a Monday. Except that it wasn't Monday. A particular little friend at school has given me problems since my first day, however, I thought we'd overcome them. I was wrong. She started in again today, and it was just relentless. I was forced to say something to the teacher because she said really bad (REALLY BAD) things about me to the girls at the table. AND TO GRAHAM. Notice the all caps. That makes me mad~her talking bad about me to him. I made him promise never to say anything back to her~except maybe for, "we pray for you". It just makes for a miserable and uncomfortable situation.

I can't stand when I let a kid get to me like that, but she did. Get to me, that is. I was so upset by it all...I have made her my personal goal since I've been there, and I can't stand the thought of someone not liking me~especially someone so young. I got finished at work, then went and hung out with Noah's class in kindergarten. I came up with their science fair project for this year, and we completed it today. Anyway, when I was done there, I went out to my car and just sat and prayed for this girl, and the whole situation about my feelings being hurt. I surrendered it all to God and in the process prayed for this little girl. The bottom line is that she has a horrible home life. The only good part of her day is at school, and when she's having a bad day, she just lets loose on anyone and anything. I feel so sorry for her...my heart breaks at the thought of a kid having a bad home life. I am not going to say her name, but please help me in praying for her if you think about it.

Anyway, I feel better now that I've written about it. Needless to say, between that and the inauguration~it's made for a very long day. I was glad to see 4:00 roll around when I could get my boys and go home! We had a yummy leftover dinner, and we're all in our pj's. AND we're getting a new cable service provider! That's always exciting! The boys are excited because now they'll have dvr on the upstairs tv, too. I love saving money!!!!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Happy Monday and A Favor

I'm wondering why I'm sitting here with no kids in the living room with me, watching Sesame Street. I could have changed the channel once Clifford went off, but for some strange reason, I kept it on PBS. I love Clifford. Sesame Street? Not so much. I'm so excited about today...my dad is coming over to take us to lunch. It's been ages since we've gotten to eat with him. Since September! He was so funny, once he found out that today was a school holiday and since his partner is taking off, he just thought he would just take off too!

I have no idea where we'll eat, although I'm sure it'll be someplace the kids want to go...I have a feeling it may be Osaka. They all love Japanese food. Yes, they are all my children. It's my favorite, as well. Poor little deprived children...yeah right! We do not eat out much~it's way too expensive. We did eat out with friends after church last night, though, and it was fun. The kids had a blast.

Tomorrow marks a historical day for all of us, and this is where the title came from. Will you all join with me in praying for our new President? No matter who we voted for~it doesn't matter. It's all water under the bridge, and God's word actually tells us to do this. I would quote, but I would either be taking away from or adding to His word and I don't want to do that. But it is Biblical for us to do this, I just read it back in November. I know it's somewhere in the Old Testament. Anyway, please join me in praying for him tomorrow. For him, his wife, and their two little girls. They have a long, tough road ahead of them~any President does~and they need all the prayer they can get. If we all stop for just one minute and do this tomorrow, we'll all be in agreement with each other, and that is when God moves!

I heard this on KLove...I did not come up with it on my own, but love the idea of us all being in agreement with each other. Moving on to other things; the kids are still asleep. So, since they are all still sleeping, I'm going to go and read my devotional and have some quiet time with the Lord. Love to all, and have a blessed day!!!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

And A Little More...

This has been the greatest day. If you know me at all, you know that Sunday is my favorite day of the week. Music Man did it again, and we sang amazing songs again this morning. There is this one song that we sang, and when I listen to the words, I just want to jump and scream. I almost did. I was definitely moving. I couldn't help it, I just could NOT be still! He (Music Man) has so much talent at picking music and then leading us into worship.

We came home to a yummy lunch (that I made YESTERDAY...notice the all caps), and then we took naps. Well, Todd and I did. The boys played upstairs. They really love us; if they can be that quiet while we both sleep...wow. What amazing kids! I trained them right...j/k, they actually do it on their own, no prompting at all from Todd and myself. We're just blessed. And we know it and are so thankful!

God is on the move....everywhere, but in me as well. I feel His presence with me at all times, and when I stop and listen to a song or read a Bible verse, I can just sense Him. I asked that He would do that...make me sensitive to Him. A lot of times we think it's our conscience telling us something, or we think it's just this weird feeling, but I don't believe that. I believe that a lot of the times, it's the Lord wanting to tell us something. Or put a certain thought into our head, or lay a person on our heart...whatever the case may be, it's Him!

I also asked that He would keep a song in my heart at all times. I love to sing....not just to sing words, but I love to sing Him praises. That song I was talking about from this morning, for instance, is so powerful. The last words were "sing to Jesus", and another time it said, "Jesus, all I need is You". How true. In a world such as the one we live in, it's comforting to know that I have Him in my life to cast all my worries and cares to. SIX people came to accept Him in church this morning...SIX! If it had only been one, everything would have been worth it all!!! He is so good, and I feel like I could burst!!!

I cannot wait to go back tonight....tonight is miracle night. It's a time when we come to pray and ask healing for a specific something. It could be an illness, an addiction, you name it, He is bigger than it all! Pastor told this morning of a man that was healed from not having enough oxygen. God did that!!! All we do is ask, seek, and knock and He is there. We also have communion tonight, which is just a really cool thing to do on Sunday night. I love Sunday night services in general, but tonight particularly is going to be so good! I know He will meet us there!

Well, speaking of, I have to run. I need to be back for choir practice and I need to make sure Todd is awake!!! Love to all!!!

A Song That I Love...

Brandon Heath - Give Me Your Eyes
From the album What If We

Look down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight

Touch down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared

Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the brokenhearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work, He's buying time

Chorus

I've been here a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
I need a second glance
Give me a second chance
To see the way you've seen the people all along

Chorus

Lyrics may not be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Saturday!!!!!

I love lazy Saturday mornings! I woke up and finally crawled out of bed at 9:40 on this beautiful, cold morning. I slept so late that my coffee pot turned itself off. So, here I am on the computer, watching Ice Hotel with Todd, playing on Facebook, and blogging. ;)

We're having a nice quiet day....not doing much except hanging out, then at 3 we're going over to my sister's house for Erika's 21st bday party. I cannot believe that girl is 21. She was 8 years old on the day we got married, when she acted as my junior bride. She was precious in her little mini wedding dress, train and matching bouquet. Time really does fly when you're having fun.

We had friends over last night....for the first time in a long time. Life seems to be so busy lately, and they've been working a lot of weekends, so it's been hard for us to get together. It was fun though, even if Sunny did get here late. She went back to work right around the same time I did. She's a nurse at St. Francis Hospital. David and the kids came over earlier so they could all play.

Well, that's about it for our lazy day...I love mornings like these; when I am in no rush to be anywhere and have all the time in the world just to sit and relax. The boys are all upstairs playing, and all is quiet in our house. Hope you have a wonderful weekend....LONG weekend! I am loving that there is no school on Monday!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Me & My Drew

We're upstairs watching tv b/c the downstairs tv is being controlled by someone else, and I don't like the show. I came up to watch President Bush's farewell speech, but missed it. I canNOT believe I missed that. I am furious with myself.

The man was not perfect, but the two things I loved most about him are the things I will miss the most. He loved God, and he loved our country. He had pride in his country, I should say. I will miss his gentle humility, and the way his eyes twinkled when he smiled. I just want to be his friend, ya know? And his wife, oh his wife. What an amazing, inspiring woman. She devoted her life to her husband, children, and other people's children by speaking up on literacy, or lack thereof. I am definitely sad to see them go.

I am going to have to find his speech on the internet somewhere, surely someone will have it up by now. Anyway, so here I am, typing, while Drew watches a show in the background. MAN, it is freezing out there!!! It's currently 20 degrees! I find it hard to believe that in some parts of the US, this is considered warm! Like in Alaska...I cannot imagine living there in the winter, although I would love to visit! My neighbor down the street is a guy I graduated from high school with, and his mom and step dad live there. Him, his wife and daughter go there all the time. I would love to go and visit there someday!

This is so random, once again, I'm just rambling. I don't really have anything exciting going on, and nothing out of the ordinary happened today, so that makes for a boring post. I will ask you to pray for our country with me...rough times are ahead, and we need all the prayers we can get! I have to go find my glasses now, my head is starting to hurt because my eyes are straining. Love to all and STAY WARM!!!!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Nothing Much

I'm actually home before 4:00! Woo hoo! I have been at the school just about all day, so far everyday this week. It's nice to be home in the quiet. Well, semi~quiet, anyway; my neighbor is having something very LOUD done for their yard. It's a little distracting, I gotta admit. So, I'm home, and thought I would blog. Why not? All the posts have been so boring lately, but what can I say, January is a very boring month. This is the month I get the blah's.

However, after reading Beth Moore's blog, (to read about it yourself, you can get there from the link on my blog) I feel very blessed. She asked for specific prayer requests regarding finances, due to the bad economy. As I read what people responded with, I was just so humbled. I couldn't read it, and not utter a 'thank You Lord, for Your provision'. People need to sell houses, need jobs, need money for their small companies to come in (HELLO~that one hits home for us personally), can't meet their bills this month, you name it, they all need help right now.

Times are so tough for everyone right now. It's not a field of roses for us, but we do not go without anything. We have a nice, warm home, food on the table, cars that drive well (well, the suburban will after Todd gets done fixing it, anyway~more about that later), clothes, and most importantly our health. We have all of that. My pastor quoted some statistic one time that said if you have any money whatsoever in a bank account, then we are among the wealthiest people in the world. This is so close to my heart right now~that we have so much "stuff", while other people in other parts of the world don't even have a decent roof over them at night. We are a blessed people, us American's, and I think it's time for us to remember that. We should be thankful for what we have, yes, but more importantly, for WHO gave it to us.

I think this is why I love missions time each year at our church. For those of you non Assembly of God folks, it's one week a year, in October, that is spent hearing missionairies from all over speak. Our church does this hugely~we do support them monetarily, but we also support them in prayer. I love these people, and I have this burning desire in my heart to know more about it....maybe even to go there and to be a part of something, even if only for a couple weeks. I want to go on mission trip so bad, I can taste it. I don't want to just go and visit, though. I want to go and get my hands dirty. I want to feel the little arms of children around me, I want to hear them sing, I want to serve them. God has placed this within me, I know, and my prayer is that I will get to do exactly this someday. I love the song by Casting Crowns that states, "If we are the body, why aren't His hands reaching? Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching? And if we are the body, why aren't His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is a way..."I want to be His hands and His feet, and I want His words to come out when I speak.

I have a friend who I work with who went to Zambia, Africa for two weeks right before Thanksgiving. She came back a changed woman. I grilled her every chance I got when she first came home, and when I saw her pics up on FaceBook, I just cried. Those sweet little babies over there just poured themselves out on her while she was there, and they made her this bracelet for her to wear when she left so she'd never forget them. As if she could. It made her almost mad when she came back to work, and saw how ungrateful these kids are today. Literally, today...the amount of food they sweep up off the floor is atrocious. I think I've heard that our garbage disposal gets more food than all the third world countries. She got over the mad part, but the memories of Zambia will never leave her.

I didn't mean to get started on this, and it started off totally in another way, but the whole point was this: we need prayer. Our country, her leaders, her NEW leaders, and our situations in our personal lives. Everyone has been affected by the economy in some way, and I like what these verses have to say about it:

Isaiah 33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge, the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

I also like 1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

He will be that for us...our firm foundation, and He will take away all our cares and worries. He really will...He wants to...just ask and believe, and it will be done.

Oh, and about the 'burban...this morning I dropped the boys off at school and noticed the heat, which had been blowing warm, began blowing cold. This also happened Sat. night, so Todd told me what to watch for if it happened again. So I noticed that the thermostat gauge was going up...and up and up and up. The car was overheating. I was not in a place where I could pull over immediately, but as soon as I could, I stopped and pulled over. I tried revving the engine a few times, but to no avail. That had worked for Todd on Sat. by the way. So I turned off the car completely and just sat in it for 5 minutes...I was also parked right in front of someone's house. The whole time I sat there, I prayed. The owner of the house was at the front window, just staring at me. Probably wondering what in the world this crazy woman with the wild hair was doing sitting in her car, talking to herself. So I started the car up again, and it worked. The thermostat went back down to where it should have been and I made it the rest of the way home. See? Give all your worries and cares to God...

Anyway, Todd was able to come home early and switch cars with me so he could try and fix the problem. However, when he changed the thermostat, it was still overheating. So he's now in the process of getting the radiator flushed...I am probably butchering this, but I know it's at least something very similar. I'm a girl, I don't know these things. Anyway, hopefully that will take care of the problem. It was a fun morning at my house. =)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The Shows I Watch

There are several, and I won't name them all, but my favorite kind is the one I can watch with the boys in the same room. We watched American Idol tonight. I hate the name, but love the show~at least the auditions. Somewhere along the 3rd or 4th week I lose interest. I can only take so much of Simon, Paula, Randy and now Cara.

I thought Drew's eyes were going to pop out at the 16 year old girl that started the 'adopt a grandfriend' in her hometown. He was fanning himself on the floor. I know. I should be worried. And we are. It seems that girls are all he thinks about, and I know it's only going to get worse. I don't know if I'm prepared for this...but ready or not, here it comes. Right?

So I was walking in the cafeteria today and this little boy in 2nd grade is talking to me, and all of a sudden he stops talking and just looks at me. He says, "I really love your outfit." And then went right on talking about whatever he'd been talking about. It was so precious. And it made me feel good. I love boys that are observant. I think mine are, and it's neat to hear other ones comment on things. It's been an enlightening experience getting into the minds of elementary kids! They're a trip! They don't care what they look or sound like, they just say whatever is on their mind. I love it.

So what else has been going on in our house, you wonder? Well, not much. Last night I went out with girlfriends to Panera Bread Co.! Yummy! We had a blast, like usual. While I was gone, Todd took the boys to Target so they could spend some Christmas money they'd gotten. They got a couple of new Guitar Hero games....the Aerosmith version, and the rocking 80's, which I love! Jonah got this monster sized recycling truck that came with all sorts of goodies and gadgets, and Noah got a GI Joe fighter jet. They were all in Heaven, needless to say, when they woke up this morning. I even broke my own rule and let Graham and Drew play their new game. I have a strict no electronics rule in the mornings at our house. All the games usually make us late for school. Well not quite, but we always cut it a little too close.

That's all we've done so far this week. We were going to watch a movie, but we all ended up downstairs watching Idol. Even the twinks love it. Jonah was so funny, when he heard this one guys sing, he said, "I can sing like that!!!!" and proceded to sing in his little voice that sounds like he sucked down the helium of 20 balloons. It was precious, although the voice gets annoying after a while. Well, I'm gonna go read my new book....I just finished the best one last night, and I'm eager to start my other new one! So, goodnight and love to all.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

My Day Of Rest

After church, all the boys decided they wanted to go home with Mimi and Papa. Todd was gone, working for the sheriff's department, so that left me alone. =) I started to go somewhere to pick something up to eat and bring in home, but decided against it. So when I pulled into my driveway, I noticed that Katie and Travis were home. I called and invited myself over to have lunch with them!

Travis made the best lasagna Friday night, and I was hoping that's what they were having...they were! It was even more delicious the second time around! Yummy! Todd ended up coming home for a little while, then left again. He decided to go ahead and finish out this month for his time, since I'd planned on him being gone all day today...he was working for the sheriff's dept. today. We came home and I took a nap. Doesn't this make for exciting reading material?

Anyway, so now I'm just sitting here waiting on 5 to come so I can leave for church. I'll try to write more later...I'm planning on watching a movie from Netflix. It needs to go back so we can have another movie night this week. I think the next movie on the list is a kids' one. Happy Sunday, and love to all!!!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Some Delicious Words from Matthew ( the book of, that is)

Matthew 1:23 Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us'.

Matthew 3:11 "I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am~so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

Matthew 3:16&17 After his baptism, as Jesus came up and out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy."

Matthew 4:18~20 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers~Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew~throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Matthew 5:3~11 "' God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for the will see God. 9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will called the children of God. 10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 11 God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Matthew 5:13~16 You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It willbe thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 you are the light of the world~like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:35...the earth is His footstool.

Matthew 5:47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

Matthew 7:7&8 Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

It's Half Over!

It's not that I don't enjoy my week. I just enjoy family time more. And weekends are unsolicited family time for us, and I love every second of them!!! I will be less 2 Friday night, though, because Jonah and Noah are spending the night with Mimi and Papa. However, I told Graham and Drew they could each have a friend spend the night, so I really won't be less 2.

Our wonderful neighbors and us are having dinner Friday night, at least I think we are, and I'm excited about that. We'll eat, then send the kids back home while we stay and visit. We'll be right next door, so they'll be fine, and they're all excited because they get to be here without adults! We love Travis and Katie. I've said it before, I know, and I'm sure I'll say it again. They're the greatest neighbors/friends EVER!! Actually, them and the Sayles' across the street. I never dreamed we'd be such great friends with the people that live around us. It's just amazing.

So, my week has been great...I got to see an old friend on Monday, and my kids got to meet him as well. He's a great guy...just the same in the ways of personality, which was always great...he was always so much fun to be around, and still is. It was pretty cool getting to see him again. My sister is back home, yay! I missed her so much while she was gone. Even though I only saw her on Monday, I'm hoping I'll get to see her tomorrow after my kids get out of school. Daddy is coming over then, and I'm hoping I can twist her arm and get her to come with him.

Well, I have to run....gotta go make beds and get me and everyone else dressed for our day...only 2 more, then it's the weekend baby!! Love to all!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Just For You, Bill

Since you're not on FaceBook, Bill, here is the much wanted recipe for the chicken tortilla soup. I also emailed it to Mom. Enjoy!!!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
3 tbsp margarine or butter
2 tbsp all purpose flour
3 cans chicken broth
4 cups half and half
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 cup fresh salsa
1 can creamed corn
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cooked and skinned. OR you can use one oven roasted chicken from the grocery store.
2 tsp ground cumin
1 packet of dry fajita seasoning
3 tbsp chopped, fresh cilantro

To serve:
16 oz tortilla chips
8 oz shredded monterey jack cheese

In a large pot over med. heat, saute garlic and onion in butter for 5 min. Add the flour, and stir well, cooking for one more minute.

Add the broth and half and half. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Add the soup, salsa, corn, chicken, cumin, fajita seasoning and 2 tbsp of cilantro. Stir and continue to heat for 15 minutes.

Crumble tortilla chips into individual bowls, add 1/2 oz shredded cheese to each bowl and ladle in soup. Top each bowl with more chips, remaining cheese and cilantro.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Happy Monday!!

I was so sad to send the boys off to school this morning. I swear, sometimes I wished that I homeschooled them. I don't know what stops me from doing it, except maybe that I'm scared they won't get enough socially. And I want them to have lots and lots of friends...you don't get that many with homeschooling. That fact, and maybe that my patience is too nonexistent. =)

I am about to leave for work...I am so excited! I've missed all my friends there! The adults too, but mainly the kids. I can't wait to see them all today! I had a great morning, it was one of those rare times when I made great usage of the time I had. I am almost completely done with the laundry, I cleaned up a little, emptied the dishwasher and put away all the Christmas dishes. Woo hoo!! I love accomplishing things!

Well, I have to run, I just wanted to write a quick post...I'll try to get back to my normally obsessive amount of writing again. Just in case you missed it...love to all, and I pray that God's face shines toward each of you today, and that His blessings pour down over you. I wish I knew that passage, but all I know is that it's somewhere in the Bible!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Happy 2009!!!

I am floored that's it's January 3rd of 2009!!! I cannot believe how fast this year (school year, I mean) is flying by! They are really growing up in the blink of an eye, and I must admit that it really saddens me. I feel like I'm watching a ticking bomb....except the only thing exploding is their boundless energy.

We had a wonderful time ringing in the New Year with a houseful of our closest friends...the people we live next to and go to church with. I love them all, and thankful to the Lord for His blessing of friends in abundance!! It was also great seeing Debi again...except for the sad circumstances that brought her here. We went to the funeral yesterday, but didn't go to the grave site...it was 2 hours away. Lisa and Debi got home around 7 last night...it was a very lonnnng day.

Todd and I had a date last night...we went to Olive Garden for dinner, then he drove to Lifeway so I could buy some books!! My idea of perfection...I even got out of the store in under 20 minutes, which is an all time record for me. I think I stayed in there for 3 hours one time. Seriously. I love me some books and music!

We came home, and changed and went our separate ways. Todd stayed home to watch the game, and I went to Katie's house to watch Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants. We had to watch that one again to be able to watch the next one....which, if you're reading this, Katie, I put on my Netflix queue. I should have it not this week but next. It's a date, babe! Anyway, I was glad to know that Katie and I cried in all the same parts of that movie. =) There's nothing like crying with a great friend to bond you together!

So this morning we watched Huck and Tom, and now we're watching The Adventures of Huck Finn...and recording it for the boys. Mom and Bill let the boys spend the night with them last night, and they're having a great time playing with Uncle Trey's old toys...GI Joe's. Hey, what can I say, they're boys! I'm sure they're building forts and somehow incorporating all the nooks and crannies they love to use while out at their house. I can just imagine....

So, I have a new endeavor: Scripture memorization. The first one I've memorized is Ephesians 2:10...."For we are God's masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus so we could do all the good things He planned for us long ago." I'm doing this with my blog buddies from Beth Moore's blog site. Anyone who wants to join me, can...I have a link to her blog on mine...it's called LPM Ministries. Anyway, it's really awesome because almost 2500 women have signed up to do this! Forty~eight out of 50 states are participating, and ten different countries or provinces as well. As she put it , we're all wanting a Jesus year!!! And btw...when I wrote that verse, I quoted it from memory! Yay me! Okay...too much London Tipton...if you don't know what that is, nevermind.

I read that the two most commonly used verses are Isaiah 33:6 and Zephaniah 3:17. Isaiah 33:6 says, "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure." Totally appropriate given our shaky times today and in the upcoming year. I really like this next one, though...Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." I love that one...especially where it says 'He will quiet you with His love'. He quiets us...reminds us that there is nothing too big for Him, nothing too scary or unstable that He cannot handle. I love it.

I'm going to go read some more now...just wanted to start off my blog's new year on the right Words. Love to all...

third Tuesday check-in

  Happy Tuesday, friends! It's time for the third Tuesday check-in, when I'll share a very honest assessment on how life is going in...