Handprints on the Window

Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

Have a wonderful, prosperous, healthy, blessed, fun, adventurous, and love filled New Year!!!!

2011-12-26T19:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas #1

We had a great time Christmas #1. My brother and his family accompanied us to the Gaylord Texan Resort in Fort Worth to see Shrek Ice. It's this amazing display of all the Shrek characters carved completely out of ice! The kids loved it. It was freezing in there though. Definitely something to do once. I thought that we had dressed to warmly for this thing then they handed us this enormous blue parka. Thank heavens for the long, warm, blue glory because we almost froze our behinds right off! We started calling the Doodle bug our little Blueberry because she was so small in her huge blue parka.

The other attraction that we got to have fun on was Kung Fu Panda Snow Tubing! Don't have any pics because I was so busy snow tubing with the kids. It was a great time and I was blessed that we were able to do it. Very long lines though.

Later that night we went to my grandparents and had Christmas with my mom's side of the family. It's always a kick to be around them. You never know what you are going to get at Christmas with my gparents. We will unwrap a cereal box and in side will be a pair of jeans. You just never know. I got a raisin box that had a piece of coal inside! I thought I had been so good this year. I guess I haven't gone up there to see them enough. Note to self...go see Mema and Dandy more this year so I don't get a piece of coal for Christmas!

I really did get a piece of coal but that was not all I got. More tomorrow or whenever I get a chance to continue;)

What's up?

2011-12-06T09:42:00.000-08:00

I do not know what is going on with me but for the past two days I have felt like crying. I don't mean just shedding a tear but just letting go and bawling my eyes out! And no ladies and gentlemen it is not the "that time" for me to get emotional. I don't know if it is the season that is overwhelming me or a little bit of grief from that follows me. It could be change or isolation. As I mentioned yesterday, you get a little isolated when you have younger kids. I am also not really a big people person. Yet, I am making myself get out there and be with other humans. Maybe I will just give myself over to this feeling. Getting it out might be the best thing to do. Who knows. Oh well...just had to put this out there. Hope you feel better than I do:)

Same

2011-12-05T14:41:00.000-08:00

There are very few things that stay the same in our lives. We get older, children grow up, time passes. And with that, people change and so the world around you changes. One thing that has stayed the same is God. He has proven Himself over and over to be there. Just "There". That is a big word when you feel alone and isolated either by motherhood or other struggles you might find yourself walking through. It's Christmas time right now. For most of us it is a wonderful, joyous time of year but for some it is the most alone time of year that a person can experience.

God is also merciful putting people in your lives that no matter how much time passes they are there. Thank You ,God, for the tangible reminder that You are alive in the hearts of others. That You are able to reach us through the warm hug of my sweet husband to the call from a friend. Be sure to look for that reminder that you are not alone. I hope you do not have to look hard. Blessings!

Thankful

2011-11-12T18:06:00.001-08:00

Well the days keep flying by! I cannot believe that I am coming to another end of a year! As I scurry about making costumes, planning birthdays and flying back and forth from school to get my beautiful children, I am becoming more and more aware of how trully blessed I am. I am so greatful for what I have, but even more so I am greatful for who I have. God has been so very gracious to me. If you knew my childhood, full of trauma and grief, you would understand how much I am greatful. I find myself outloud telling the Lord how wonderful he is. I tell Him how thankful I am that He saved me, delivered me and made me a whole person. He is trully the lover of my soul and my redeeming Father.

The wierd thing is that I haven't given Thanksgiving Day a lot of thought. We have been so busy. I , however, have been full of thanks. I look at my precious husband who loves me for the imperfect person that I am and my sweet children that are good, kind and innocent. What a gift! Hope you find yourself in this place. If not, I pray that the Lord would walk you though what you are going through and bring you to His peace. Thank You Father!

Stop the Insanityb

2011-09-29T18:36:00.000-07:00

o.k. so I have not been in my right mind as of late. Today should be no exception. On top of depositing money into the bank when I only meant to cash it then,when putting the tube that shoots up into the drive through of the bank, (What's that thingy called anyway? ) I dropped it on the ground and it rolled under my car. I lost it so badly that I had to get out of my car and almost crawl under my car to get it. After what felt like an eternity to find the cursed device, I left the bank blushing and with the tellers all laughing at me. I know it is hard to picture but trust me, it was comical to see but only from the outside. So if for some reason you think that I have it all together ...I don't. i am reminded of how together I don't have it daily. Oh well, Jesus said that the meek will inherit the earth. I felt entirely too meek today. Have a funny day!

long time

2011-09-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

It has been an excedingly long time since I have posted. There are many reasons. 1. The kids started school. 2. My friend signed me up for Pinterest ( a horribly addicting sight that requires very little effort for a very visually gratifying time). and 3. I have been sick and have not been pursuing anything that I love because I do not feel well and am completely uninspired by this feeling. I suppose that that is a horrible excuse since there are many people out there who feel badly but continue on soldiering through all of their trials and recording them down for all the world to see. I think that is very brave. It is vulnurable. I do not like to be vulnerable. Both my sweet husband and I have been feeling badly for the past few months and cannot seem to get over whatever this is. Stinks but , oh well,. I still have to be a mommy and I still have to clean my house and I still have to be the wife above all, billpayer, boo boo kisser, homework helper, chaufer, personal secretary...etc. All things that I do love just don't have energy for anything else. I am not being whiny, just explaining my lack of interest in virtually everything that does not directly relate to my families survival.

It has been through this cursed virus or whatever it is that I have learned that it is not by my strength that anything gets done around here. It is Christ in me. That Scripture, I can do all things through Christ, Who gives me strength. It is sooooooooo true. Just a post to tell you it does not have to be all you. Trust me, it is not all me! Lay all of your cares upon His shoulders He really does carry them for you. Personal experience. Have a good week:)

Last Post

2011-08-24T09:40:00.000-07:00

She is cute but don't let that fool you.

As you can see from my last post we are struggling with the sincerity of others. I am working on it though and feel that I will soon get "victory" ,as my BFF says, over the situation. As for now, my kids have started their first week of school. My son loves his teacher and PE. That is a start considering that he was saying he was only 10% excited about going back to school. My daughter loves her teacher, loves to learn and generally loves the whole school process. She does not like waking up in the morning but is doing ok right now. Even though I can see it becoming an issue later. Any thought how to keep it from becoming an issue would be welcome... The Doodle Bug has been punishing me, her brother and her sister since we dropped them off the first day of school. She has been absolutely naughty for 2 days now. After a large fit over wether or not she felt good enough to take a backpack full of climbing rope (random) ,that she brought with her into my car , back into our house resulted in her dragging it on her hand and knees onto the front porch crying at the top of her lungs in front of our entire neighborhood, I figured out that I had sent both of her servants to school. I know, biggest run on sentence ever! I won that battle and will continue to prevail until she figures out that she can, indeed , do tasks for herself.

I write about this because it is not like her to be so obstinate. She is bossy, unfortunately like me, but not normally obstinate. I find myself apologizing to my husband all the time now as she starts to behave more and more like me. Sorry again, honey. God does know what He is doing and gave her to me for a reason. Until my next log, this is Jodi , 1st officer of the Starship Whitehouse signing off.

For Cryin Out Loud

2011-08-17T19:21:00.000-07:00

Just go to someone if you have a problem with them. Don't go and tell the whole table what you don't like about them when the person is not there! Grow up!

Cloudy

2011-08-11T07:24:00.000-07:00

We are going through a severe drought in Texas. The grass is leaving behind dirt and the dirt is blowing away and leaving rock. I have been praying for it to rain for months now and the drought is still not breaking. I have also watched a lot of my flowers just wither and die. You have no idea how much that saddens me. I love my flowers and I love to garden. I confess that there have been times in the past couple of months that i have wanted to pack up and leave the Big T and go for some greener pastures. We can't do that but it would be nice to weather out this drought in a green place. Haha! But, sometimes, breaking the heat with there white and grey calm are the clouds that gather and float around in our atmosphere. It's funny, most of time in summer, you don't wish for clouds. I wish for clouds all the time. Today has started out a beautiful, cloudy day. It is so much cooler when they are here. It helps break the monotony of the heat that seem to never let go it's grip on out state.

It's true in life to. How can you ever enjoy the sun unless you have a cloudy day once in a while. I miss the clouds.

Oh Well

2011-08-02T20:28:00.000-07:00

Well this last week was a hoot! Just fantastic! Have you ever had one of those weeks that God makes you grow how much you would have in a whole year but He makes you do that in a week? Had one of those last week. And , newsflash, it has not stopped into this week. I will give the whole story later but just know you can overcome. You can choose to follow Christ even when it feels like you are carrying a large man on your back. It may sound strange but you can. It was not the best week but it was definitely not the worst week and I trully did learn a lot. So, thi post is just to tell you to hang in there. Blessings!

Alaska

2011-07-12T18:17:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of our Alaska trip. It was so much fun and would definitely do it again. We are messed up with the three hour difference but had so much fun who cares!We stayed up late every night just trying to soak in a much of the scenery and cool weather as we could. We saw moose and bunnies (yes bunnies) everywhere! We took in sea lions, eagles, humpback whales, puffins and all sorts of fish. The kids did not have any need for television, they were outside if they were not sleeping. My man got to rest a little and I enjoyed watching all of them have fun. I will be bloging later on what you need to know if you are going to travle through AK in an RV or "Motorhouse" as the Doodlebug called it. But for now just enjoy the pics. We are definitely going back there !

I'm Leavin' On a Jetplane

2011-06-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

So I am feeling a little bit better. I have been performing in my yearly stint of Vacation Bible School for bestest friends church and enjoying every day of it. It has been the perfect thing to lift my spirits and get my mind off of me. I am totally exhausted but I am still having a blast! I get to see these adorable little faces everyday. I get to use my gifts such as singing. It's been fun! My little one however was actually propped up in her chair today, thumb in mouth and sound asleep! I think she might be a little tired. She has had so much fun though.

And Saturday we are leaving for a ten day trip to Alaska!!!! We are going with my husbands parents and sister. It is going to be so fun! We will be renting an RV and driving through the Alaskan wilderness. Can't wait!

And the biggest news...IT RAINED!!!!!!! Thank You Lord!!!!!! We had an absolutely beautiful thunderstorm night before last and that smell of rain was like a perfume! I went outside on my front porch and just started to cry and thank the Lord for the rain. My flowers thank Him too! If I don't write before I leave I will post pics when I get back.

Blessings!

Ponderings

2011-06-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

I am just having a hard day today. I woke up and felt like bursting into tears. My husband has been gone almost the whole time since summer got started (mostly because of work). I miss him. He is my partner and it has been hard. I also really like him. He makes me laugh and is my best friend.

I also feel disconnected from people right now. I just feel like I am fluttering through the world. Don't know if you have ever felt that way. My friend called me the other day and just wanted to check on me. She said I wasn't myself lately. Right now, I don't know what myself is. I feel drained and tired. I am getting my feelings hurt easily, well maybe not, but you know when people say things and they come out one way and you know they are meant in another. That's fun.

The other thing is...it has not rained! I miss the rain so much. Sometimes I feel like what is happening in the natural is a picture of what is going on in the spiritual. Probably not spot on in my theology there but if I went on feelings... I feel just like the ground outside.

I was reading in the devotions that I do with my husband about the signs that you see on the side of the road. Some signs are bright and mean to get you attention. Like neon . Some are more subdued , you still see them but not as noticeable. In Matthew5:16 it says, "Let you light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." My friends phone call rang in my head as I read this devotion. What kind of light am I being? Am I bright and shining for God? What message is this drained, unhappy face sending out to those around me? It made me ponder my countenance. At least now I am aware of it. I am working on doing something about it now. Hope to meet you with a smile the next time you visit my blog.

Comments?

2011-06-11T21:03:00.000-07:00

ok people. by the way, this excludes the person who commented last night. You know who you are. Just a gentle nudge to tell you that I like feedback. Comments are a welcome spot in my day. I like to hear what all of you have to say. Soooooo...please leave a comment, even if it is "I was here" ! I enjoy reading your reaction to what I write. Thanks a heap and have a wonderful day or night wherever in the world you might be. :)

Ahhh Man!!!

2011-06-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

I have been missing my friends lately. We rarely get to see each other because of families, school , jobs etc. All things that we did not have ten years ago when we started out. It was just us couples and if we stayed up a little to late, oh well, we could just rest up after we got home from work. So, I was so excited about getting to do a friend night this Friday. We were going to meet up and go swimming at night. What a summer fun thing to do! But, alas, my brain sabotaged me and told me that I said something out loud when I did not say it at all. I messed up our whole evening and we did not get to go. Friends let down, us let down. Seriously, I am sitting here sick to my stomach. I almost cried. For reals. Anyone out there ever mess up? If you have let me know because right now feeling kinda down. I know it seems small but we rarely do get to do anything together. Sorry friends. We love y'all.

Alternate Dimension

2011-05-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

I know, I know it has been forever since I blogged. I have been engulfed in the monumental task of getting my children through the last few weeks of school. Not to mention being the music teacher and having various asundry programs to produce...etc...etc...etc. I feel like I have fallen off the face of the earth and entered some alternate dimention where all that exists is the school, my husband, my children and me. Do I get to see my friends? Nope. Do I converse with any alien lifeforms (that would be other human beings in this instant) nope. I probably would not even know what to say if an alien ( adult) were to approach me. Who knows? It might be too much for me to handle. I might cringe in fear or stumble over my words. Oh wait I am doing that right now and there aren't any aliens (humans) in the room. All I know is that in less than one week I get my children back and lose the schedule! Which is just fine with me. To those of you who have ben transported to this alternate universe... I solute you. It is a crazy world that we must navigate but we can do it! And...hopefully...we will find ourselves sitting by the pool in less than one week. Live long and prosper humanoids!

Alone

2011-04-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you have those weeks where you just feel alone? This has been one of those weeks. My husband is tired and trying desperately to finish up the school year , my friends are all busy and so is my family for that matter. I am busy too, which just adds to the feeling of isolation. It is in these times of isolation that God kind of wakes me up. He says to me, " I have been here all along." I think it is His plan sometimes to let us feel this way so that we remember Who is always going to be there... even when the people we count on most cannot be there. Yesterday, I was so busy running around panicking about all of the things that absolutely must get done, when I started praying for rain. It was in that moment that I realized that I did not just need the rain to water my garden but I needed the Rainmaker to water my spirit.

If you are feeling alone, please remember to acknowledge the One who is always there. It says in Deuteronomy 31:8" He will never leave you nor forsake you." Take this " alone time" to reconnect with Jesus. You are never alone.

Jump

2011-04-21T18:59:00.000-07:00

I was looking at all of my pics to find one to post for Easter. Then I thought...hmmmmm...what if I just take the last picture that I took and put it on my blog and apply that to Easter somehow. Well...I got this pic of the Doodlebug leaping into the air. It was her first time to wear her "kiwiwi" as she calls he bikini. I told her jump as high as you can! She leaped into the air without even thinking about it. I know that it is now post Easter time but I still felt the need to say what I was going to say before my post got interrupted with a various sundry of things that we got to do over the holiday. When Joy's picture jumped onto the screen and I was trying to figure out how to apply that to Easter the word" Salvation " leaped to mind. When a person decides to believe in that which he does not see, they are jumping into the unknown. Salvation is what happens when when we decide that Jesus is the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life. We leap into faith instead of that which can reasoned into being. We trust that God will catch us and somewhere deep inside know that this is what we have been waiting for our whole lives. Salvation...real life...eternity. I just want to encourage you that He is patiently waiting on you to jump into a personal relationship with Him. If you have been putting it off go ahead jump He is waiting to catch you.

Smells Like Honey

2011-04-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

When I am in my garden all of the problems of the world lift like a cloud off of my shoulders and I start to do something that I do not normally do. I breath in and out and in and out. I actually become conscious of my breathing. Something I normally do not have any recollection of during the busyness of the day.

In those times I smell the flowers and the dirt. I get my hands dirty and feel great satifaction in pulling out the smallest of weeds. I water the garden. I take joy in the seedlings just sprouting from the earth. I always think of God when I am in my garden. I feel loved that he has given me ground to tend. I am thankful. I prayed so long for a place to cultivate and now I have many years of cultivating ahead of me.

This leads me to the other night. My son and I had to run out and get something from my car. The night air was breezy and cool. I could see the purple larkspur just peaking over my porch. Then my son turned to me and said, "Hey mom, it smells like honey!" I took a deep breath in and the air was absolutely soaked with the smell of honey. It was so sweet that I wanted to sleep out on my porch and just take it in all night long.

After we went back inside to the smells of baked chicken and my scented candle, that could not "hold a candle " to the beautiful fragrance that I had just drawn in, I felt as though I had had a little glimpse of the fragrance of God.

Only He could create a smell that wonderful. It had to be what music would smell like if music had a smell. I just could not shake the feeling that He loves me. It felt like He was so close in that moment. All of my life one of my strongest dreams is to sit in the lap of my Heavenly Father and put my head on His chest. I just want to take Him in just like I did that beautiful aroma last night. Take a moment this day ,whether you have a garden or not, to breath in the aroma of your Heavenly Father. He is there with his arms open probably smelling of honey.

Mountain Pinks

2011-03-19T22:26:00.000-07:00

This is a beautiful flower that is native to our area. It is called the "Mountain Pink". Pinks can live in very harsh and very dry conditions. They can survive drought, rocky soil and scorching heat. Even in these harsh conditions they thrive. Even in these harsh conditions they are beautiful.

I have decided that I will be like a Mountain Pink. Lately, we have been going through a time of difficulty. What we thought was going to be our future does not look like it will be. We have been sad and discouraged and feel like we are walking around in the dark. In some instances we have felt betrayed and brushed aside. It seems like we are thriving anyway. We still love the Lord, we will always serve Him and know that He is in control. We will forgive and grow from this. We will get up and dust ourselves off and move on. We will continue doing what God puts in front of us to do. We will live through these harsh conditions and grow anyway. May God help you to be like the Mountain Pink in your time of trouble. May you bloom and be beautiful in the hardest of times. photograph: Handprints on the Window

Building

2011-03-09T19:51:00.000-08:00

Tonight I was talking with a friend about how it is so nice to receive encouraging words from those that we look up to in the faith. You know, when you are just walking along and minding your own business and someone pats you on the back and says, " hey, you are just a great person! I know you will do great things someday!" You walk away feeling lighter. You walk away taller.

For so many of us this edification does not come natural. I know for me that I have to make myself say thank you to people sometimes because I am in my own head a lot. We have so much going on around us that we do not stop to tell those around us how great we think they are.

I also know that we all desire to be affirmed. Whether it is affirmation for our work or how we sang a song. That we have grown up and become the person that so and so always thought we'd be or that it is amazing that you are the way you are because everything around you should have made you dive off a cliff. Yet, you haven't. You are a miracle!

We seem to use kind and affirming words sparingly in this society. Maybe we are jealous of the person that we feel needs the affirming word. We don't feel like they deserve and affirming word because they have sat on their butt for an entire year and have done nothing with their life. Or the opposite, so and so probably does not need to hear how great she is, she probably hears it all the time. Maybe she does. Maybe she doesn't.

I am making a challenge to myself. I am challenging me to not hold back on encouragement. I think God needs more cheerleaders out there for his kids. I am going to try to listen more closely to what He is saying about Susy 123 who has been working 24-7 who is going through a horrible divorce but doesn't want anyone to know. Or about Chad, who doesn't have a mom and just desperately needs to hear how his would have been so proud of the person he has become.

Did you know that affirmation is Biblical? My friend that I was talking to earlier sent me a Scripture text. It says, " Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

I have a warning though. This does not mean to tickle someones ear with flattery. Flattery is lying and it is flat out wrong. This Scripture is a great filter for how we must affirm. Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoeverthings are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
I will update you on the affirmation project soon. I hope all of you know how much God loves you and so enjoys you. There, my first affirmation! Blessing!

Restoration

2011-02-27T19:35:00.000-08:00

Restoration: the action of returning something to a former condition

I have been thinking a lot about this word lately. I have been praying for certain things to be restored. Relationships, states of mind and even my house. Haha! It will take a while for my house. Not kidding.

I have been petitioning God about restoring . He has been very faithful in the past to restore certain things to me. I had to get on my knees an awful lot to get there but He was faithful to do so. In fact, he made what was restored better than it had been before. That is what He does. He will allow some things to be torn down in your life only to build them back up the way He wants them. He does not promise that it will not hurt because crushing and breaking does hurt. He does promise to hold you through all of it though. He is also a Master Restorer. He sands off all the old varnish and dirt, takes out all the old fixtures that are broken, scrapes away the peeling paint and puts a new finish on all of it. In the end it looks better than how it started. So I hope if you are praying for restoration that God does all that and more for you. I think it is best not to fight all the change but ask God what He is saying in the change. If you have been praying for God to restore, hang in there... He has a plan. He will work it out and He will restore. It is up to us to listen through the process.

Raising A Lion

2011-02-19T18:27:00.000-08:00

How do I raise a man in this day and age? When men are constantly demeaned and made to look like they have nothing good to offer to a family other than comic relief? He is past my chin now. In church my chin would rest on his head as we worshiped, now my head tilts back. I will do this thing until I cannot do it any longer. I will rest my head on his and hold him close when his friends are not watching. He still lets me kiss his cheek and hug him in front of them though. He is strong enough to not care what they think. I hope we can always give him that. Strength. I was thinking the other day how do we teach him to be the spiritual leader of a home someday? I know he watches his dad and his dad is a great example for spiritual leadership but where do I, as his mom, fit into that? I have begun to give him a Scripture every day that he has to look up in the Bible by himself. I help, a little. He is then required to read that Scripture to his sisters at the breakfast table. This was the first week. Everyday I gave him Ephesians 6:10-19. Everyday he lead them in putting on the full armor of God. Everyday he lead. He was not made into the funny, dumb sidekick of his "much smarter sisters" he was made the leader. He was given dignity. I realized as he and his dad went out to shoot the crossbow together that I am raising a lion in a world where men have been made to be lambs. Don't get me wrong, I want him to be a kind and sensitive husband someday. I want him to be gentle toward his children and be able to hug them and tell them how much he loves them but I also want him not to be the doormat that I see often portrayed in the entertainment industry. That is not and never will be OK. It does not mean that we as women should not be strong and have an opinion but I want him to rise up someday and hold steadfastly to the leadership in his home. I want him to be confident as he claims responsibility for his family. I am raising my son to be a MAN.

Love

2011-02-14T19:55:00.000-08:00

Love is getting up every morning and making breakfast . Love is running errands and taking the kids from you when you absolutely cannot handle another moment with someone else in your bubble. Love is when, on the verge of exhaustion, you go and work a little longer for your family because you absolutely need the money to pay that extra bill. Love is not choosing yourself when there is a choice. Love is writing a love note on the mirror in the middle of morning rush, telling the one you love that they are amazing ( with a bar of soap). Love is hearing about how everyone else does it so much better than you both do and texting sweet messages instead of bashing you over the head with that knowledge. Love is strong when you are weak. Love snuggles on Saturday mornings when there are so many other things that you should be doing. Love is being satisfied with a bad movie and the time with the one you love. Truly. Love says things at the right time even when it seems like the wrong time because you love the person so much that you do not want to see them go another minute in their discomfort. Love is keeping your mouth shut for the same reason. Love lets you go run when you should be washing dishes. Love does not comment on the condition of your dirty house when it comes through the door. Instead it gives you a smile and a hug and asks how your day was. Love tries when you tell it you are not happy. Love pushes itself to the brink. Love makes a date in the middle of chaos and takes you away from it for a few hours. Again, does not matter if it was a cruddy movie. It is the time. Love holds your hand in the car on the way to church. Love prays for and with you every day. Love races to be at your side when you have a medical scare and absolutely cannot face it alone. Love holds you through the pain of childhood remembrances. Love laughs with you at the silliness of your children. Love argues with you and then chooses to love in the face of imperfection. Love changes diapers. Does dishes. Cooks. Love says "thank you" instead of why couldn't you do more? Love hopes for better but will be with you through the "worse". Love says you look beautiful even when you have a little belly after the third one that never seems to go away. Love says the right thing at the very best time. Love bears all things believes all things hopes all things endures all things. Love never fails.

SO Powerful!

2011-02-01T21:12:00.000-08:00

This was just so powerful I had to share it with you! It made me cry. I only wish that I could get a loop of the whole thing and leave it on in my house all the time. Enjoy!

The sink

2011-01-18T18:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was doing my dishes. A thing which I seem to do an awful lot. Hmmmm. I was almost done putting them in my dishwasher when I got this feeling of joy that washed over me. Seeing the bottom of my nineteen fifty's white ceramic sink gave was an inspiration! I was about to go to bed and the thought came to me that I like to wake up to a dish less sink. A clean scrubbed sink with nothing in it. I don't think we realize it but that is what we have every day when we walk with God. Everyday is like a clean dish less sink. It can be whatever we want it to be. Most of the time I feel like I have figurative dishes in my sink before I get out of bed but it is my choice how I choose to react to the day. Hang in there. Every day you get to start fresh. Everyday is new "with no mistakes in it." To quote Miss Stacey from Anne of Green Gables. Everyday is like a gleaming white sink with no dishes in it. May your faucets shine and sparkle and may your dishes be few.

Reality Hurts

2011-01-11T12:44:00.000-08:00

Miss Sunshine

Handsome

Ok. Here are my two older children. Today they came home and told me that they had both forgotten their homework folder. Ouch! Their father and I had told them a couple of weeks ago that there would be major consequences if they forgot them again. My boy also forgot his on a day where he had a test review. Double ouch! So the parental units sit down, after sending the children to their rooms to contemplate their doom, to talk about what kind of punishments to dole out. It took us forever with Miss Sunshine. Rarely does she have a bad day. If we sit her in the corner she will usually end up playing a game with her fingers. We thought about taking her books because she absolutely loves to read but , again, has the imagination to make up any story she wants to so...no. I told Husband that whatever we did it had to hurt. The one thing that she loves is food. So for forgetting to bring her homework folder home for the millionth time, she went to bed with no dinner. It hurt me horribly to send her to bed with no dinner and what hurt even worse was that she was so sweet about it. She took it like Miss Sunshine would take things. hopefully she will remember this one. I know it sounds awful but if there is never a consequence what will she do someday if she just keeps forgetting to pay her bills? Oh, she also had to go early to school with Daddy to do homework. She has to be responsible for what is required of her.

Older one got an even steeper punishment. He forgets his folder all the time. First, he still had to do an hour and a half review with Dad. Then he got grounded off of TV and Xbox for a week and also lost the privilege of playing the XBOX during the week. Now until summer, he is only allowed to play video games on the weekend. I was a sad night for all of us but hopefully being consistent will help them become the responsible adults that God created them to be. I just wish they knew that it hurt me more than it hurts them. I cried. It says in the Word that we train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it. It never says that the training will be easy. It is easier to just overlook things, do things for them and enable. But, I have seen the results of that kind of upbringing in some adults that I know and I do not want that for my kids. I felt like a bad mom last night but this morning my little boy came over to me and wrapped his arms around me and told me he loved me. My daughter laid her head on my lap and told me how much she loved me. I think they got the message.Hang in there mom's and dad's! Be strong! You are raising up mighty men and women of God!

Did You Know?

2011-01-03T15:05:00.000-08:00

Did you know that if you have a family of five and you wait an entire week to do laundry that you have an actual mountain on the inside of your house? Something to think about...Notice in the picture above that both of my daughters are wearing dress clothes. Note: we did not go anywhere that night that was all of the clean clothing that they had. We stayed home and watched a movie. Also notice that my seven year old Blondie is wearing an outfit that is at least two sizes too small for her. This is what happens when you are sick the entire Christmas vacation. All you do is lay around and watch every movie that you have not gone to see in theatres. Your house goes to pot. Maybe God allowed us to become ill so that we would actually rest. We definitely did. These are all of the amazing illnesses of 2010, all contracted within a two week period: The stomach Flu, Somewierdfevercoughthingythatneverseemstoleaveus ( I do think that that is the actual scientific name of this illness), Walking Pneumonia, and Strep! It was super fun!

Hey, the way I look at it. We got them all out of the way so that we do not have to get anything else. My house has been Cloroxed and, thankfully, every single person in the house is now well. We had a lot of together time though. I did very much enjoy being with my family and having my SH (Sweet Husband) home almost the whole time. Perk of having a teacher for a husband. Anyhoo, God is still good and we are sooooooo excite about 2011!

Now back to Mount Laundry!

Happy New Year!!!!!

2011-01-01T19:30:00.001-08:00

Wow! It's another year with no mistakes in it. All clean and sweet. I love it! Just get to start all over and do things differently. I love it. God is so good! We have that life in Him. When He is in us, we get to start fresh everyday or every moment. Depends on the kind of day we are having. In Ephesians 2:4 it says,"But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of the great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. "I don't know about you but I tend to "trespass" a lot. Not necessarily trying to "trespass" but I do lose my temper. I might have a bad thought here and there and , well, I don't need to go and put a list of my current "trespasses" here on my blog. Just know that I am a lover of the mercy of God because I know it so well. In this New Year enjoy the Lover of your soul because while we were dead in our trespasses He laid it all down for us so that we could live. I mean glory-filled, streets of gold, everlasting life kind of live! Woooooooohooooooo! I love You Jesus!

The picture above is of the school Christmas play that had me frazzled out because I felt we did not have enough time to get it all done. Those kids worked so hard and really did a great job. Got to love all those kiddos!

People Break

2010-12-12T19:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I took a break from people. not my family, of course, but from my cell phone and everyone outside of my house. It was wonderful. I made Christmas ornaments with my two girls and made lunch with my son, talked to my husband and did not answer my cell phone all day. May I advise you to do the same. Just for a day though. I like my friends and extended family so I answered my phone today...a little.

Birthday Love!

2010-12-04T20:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my Doodle Bugs birthday party. She turned three in November but the Thanksgiving stuff was so hectic I did not want her party getting lost in the shuffle so I waited until things died down a bit for everyone. This season gets so crazy and busy. Wish it didn't but I am learning to enjoy it anyway. She is three now and apparently that means she is supposed to get three of everything. Three strawberries, three Mickey Mouse cheeses and three candy canes. Don't worry did not give her three of the later. She had so much fun! The thing I noticed about the whole night though was that when she opened her gifts it was not so much about the gift as it was about actually opening the gift. She just had fun. Which was my whole goal. She felt loved and special.

The older I get the more important it is for my kids to know that we love them. To speak their individual language. They are all so different, so intricate. I love to watch them to see what is important to them. Sam loves time, Lili loves it when we make her something, Abigail loves pink. God loves us like that. He sees us and who we are and loves us there. He does it everyday. I want so much for my children and to know that they are loved individually by the King of Kings for who they are and that He speaks their language is all I could ask for . It is God's Birthday love. He gives them a party everyday. It says He rejoices over us with singing Zephaniah 3:17. He loves you that way too! Happy Birthday Abigail!

Love You God

2010-12-01T20:30:00.001-08:00

This time of year is so sweet. I love the cold. I love hot chocolate and anything that smells like cinnamon. That smell just evokes Christmas to me. Sweet yet tangy. Full of fragrance. If I smell it even when it's not Christmas time I still think of Christmas. God is like the smell of cinnamon. He gives you little reminders that He is right there. Sometimes it is the smell of the air right after it rains or a beautiful sunset. More often than not for me, it is in an embrace from my husband or children. I just feel like He is hugging me. Maybe because when I was young, they are what I asked God for the most. A family that loves me and that I love beyond understanding. I hope this Christmas that God gives you a little or big reminder that He is always there. He will never leave you or forsake you...

Comments

2010-11-24T20:47:00.001-08:00

Ok so I fixed the comments portion on my blog. So all of you who would like to comment, please feel free to do so. Thanks.

Upside Down

2010-11-23T19:21:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't know, I take all of the pics on my blog. My friend has been encouraging me to put my pics out there so here you go. I just took this of my friends little boy. I love it. Not just because of the beauty of the child and the composition but because I often feel upside down. Been feeling it for a little while now. But, you know, upside down can be fun. It can be a blast. It is all about perspective. I choose to change my perspective and let these upside down days be fun. A unique learning experience. Take all that is upside down in your life and change your perspective. Swing with it. Fly. Laugh a little! Happy Thanksgiving!

My Provider

2010-11-17T15:00:00.001-08:00

My husband is a teacher. He was a teacher then he was a sawmill owner. Now, he is a teacher and a sawmill owner. Neither of which pay much. He teaches for a small Christian private school that is just into it's second year of existence. That being said we do not make a lot teaching. I am the music teacher and he is the math science teacher for 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grade. This is his first year of teaching since 2001. We prayed a whole lot about whether or not he should take this job, knowing that the pay was not much and that it would be crazy for a while. We felt the peace of God and still do.

Daily, David and his students take prayer requests and write them down and pray over them until they get answered. They ask for many things and so does David. He often asks for prayer for our finances and the kids are faithful to pray for that. One of my students , however, came to me to talk about it though and she was greatly distressed about the fact that we don't make a lot of money. It was a good opportunity to talk to her about God, My Provider. I told her that we were not doing what we were doing for the money and that God was always faithful to provide because we were doing what He was telling us to do. She still had a worried look. She asked me what we were going to do about school for our kids someday. You know, how were we going to pay for the best schools etc. I told her that if God wanted my children in those schools, He would provide the money to send them there. He is My Provider. He has been and He always will be. Even if , someday, we end up millionaires, He is our Provider. We don't find peace in money. I mean it is nice to have around but my peace is supposed to be in God.

I got tested the other day in that. I went to check an account and my heart sank. We had very little in it and almost went to the land of despair. But I checked myself and talked to God. I told Him that it was just money and that I would not let money or the lack there of steal my peace. Later that night I went to hear a speaker for the volunteers of our church. He talked about this woman who was in his Bible school. He felt like someone in his class had prayed for 500.00 that morning so he asked if there was anyone that had. A woman raised her hand. He took out a fifty dollar bill, which was all he had on him at the time, and said ,"there is 500.00 in this 50.00. Don't limit God and see what He does. On her way home she stopped at the grocery store to pick up groceries. While she was standing in the check out line, she noticed a family in front of her that could not pay for their groceries. Feeling God's leading she handed them the 50.00. When she got home that night, a person she knew met her at the door. This person told her that they felt like they were supposed to give her 500.00 dollars! God increased her gift in a mighty way and was her Provider.

That night I went home to my husband inspired and peaceful. One our friends was there just hanging out with him and I started telling them what the message was about and how we don't need to measure our success by how much money we make because God is in control of that. He is our Provider. I also told them how I did not let the enemy steal my peace that morning when I saw the depressing balance in our savings account. Not long after I finished telling them this did our friend pull a card out of their pocket and hand it to us. Inside was a really encouraging note to my sweet husband and a check made out for 500.00! I love my Provider! by the way, my handsome and talented son took that picture above.

What I am thankful for

2010-11-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

I call this picture. All I Need to Be Thankful For

This picture was taken this last week on our trip to the coast. I looked down and saw all that I loved most in the world on the jetty and felt unbelieveably greatful. Thank You, Lord, for giving me what really matters... LOVE.

Love Came Down

2010-10-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been through a time that is just hurts, You know that God is in everything that is happening and that He has a plan and that you have total peace about...but it hurts. That is what me and my husband David are going through right now. Peaceful pain. I guess it could be worse. It could be pain with no peace. Thank You Jesus for being our peace in every situation. I just call on You and You are there to hold me and my sweet husband. Anybody out there that is having painful peace right now? I pray for the Lord to sustain you and make you whole in every area of your life. Stay in the peace. We do have a choice. Blessings and peace.

Now

2010-10-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

I was just reading one of my favorite blogs and she was having a converstaion with her husband about her career. She said to him" it's now or never" and he replied to her, "it's now." "It's now." WOW! Profound and simple but it hit me like a ton of bricks. Everything that we have in the whole world is right now. That is it. What are you going to do with "now"?

Right before I read this blog I was putting my little 2 year old angel to bed. I read to her a nightly Bible story and then covered her up and sang to her the medly of songs I always sing to her. There are times because of my lack of "alone time" that I rush through this process but tonight I just lingered and looked at the most beautiful little person and enjoyed all that God has given me. I did what I wanted to do with "now". What will you do with "now"? It is all you have. It is all that God has placed in front of you. Enjoy.

Learning

2010-09-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

Has it really been over a month since I last posted. So much has happened in one month. My children started school again. I started teaching music again. I found out I was healthy and paid quite a lot to find that out. But my husband just looks at me and touches my face and says. Isn't it wonderful that you are o.k. ? He loves me. I like that.

I lead worship for a women's retreat and found some of my confidence for doing that kind of thing return to me. Not so much confidence in myself, but in God being able to use me like that again. Again, my husband supported me through the whole thing. Love him.

I have learned that I cannot possibly do everything. From grave mistakes that I made last year. Loading my boat so full of stuff I had to do that I did not even have time to see the beauty right in front of me. I don't do well in that environment. I know this aboout myself now and, while I realize that being stretched is sometimes a growing experience, when it is not God stretching you but you stretching you because you simply took too much on, it just hurts you and those around you. Kind of freeing to embrace that.

I have learned that I have still not dealt with my anger issues that I had when I was younger. I just stuufed them. Anybody ever do this? They just come bubbling to the surface and shock takes you over. Not fun. When I got prayed for about this issue, this sweet lady told me that it was bubbling to the surface because God wanted me to deal with it and get it out of my life. Probably true. Unless you see something you cannot face it. I kind of like prettier things bubbling up out of me though. Just because I like pretty things. Things that sparkle. Things that shine. One more thing to work on but I know His grace is sufficient for that.

I have learned that I love to hear my two year olds feet thunder across the wood floor in my house because of the life that she holds in that tiny little body. She just makes me want to live and experience life every day. She is never still except when she sleeps. I love this about her even when I am exhausted from it. Ha!

You should try this. Write down the things you have learned in the last month. It will amaze you. Many people in the Word called Jesus Teacher. Why should we think it stopped when He ascended into heaven. He has so many things that He wants to show us about Him, His creation and about ourselves. Why? Because He wants to know you and , without a doubt, wants you to know Him. Try it.

All Things are Possible

2010-08-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

²³Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

²⁵When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"

²⁶Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

I have heard this verse so many times in the last two weeks. Think God is trying to tell me something? Ha! It has been ringing in my ears by the tune of a song that one of my friends wrote. My two year old has been singing the same song in the back seat...randomly. I heard it on a sermon that my best friend encouraged me to listen to. I hear it in God's still small voice. He says, "but with me all things are possible." I think that I like the b-u-t. I feel like Peter right now. Looking at the impossible storm while walking on the water. I almost start to sink into the waves and then I catch a glimpse of his face, unmoved and serene. His eyes look through me and seem to say, " but with Me all things are possible."

Then i come to him with my b-u-t. But God the doctor is saying this. but God I don't think this relationship will ever be mended. But God we don't have the money to fix this.... The list goes on and on in my mind of all of the things that I am looking at now, standing in the ocean of worry instead of peace. Then i catch a glimpse of His eyes.

My best friend ,when she was in labor with her second child, was hitting transition, which can be very painful. We had all been helping her through the pain of delivery up until that point and , honestly, she had been doing a wonderful job of handling the pain. When she got to transition and the baby was saying, "let me out of here!" all she wanted to see was her husbands face. It was very amusing to all of us at the time because she was looking at him and saying, All I want to see are his eyes, his face, etc. She was so focused on his face that she got through the pain and was able to beautifully deliver her first little boy into the world.

It was amusing at the time but now I find that it is inspiring to me. i should be like that every day. I should be so focused on Jesus that I walk on the water over my problems. I believe with God all things are possible. Just my two cents...

Peace

2010-07-28T16:44:00.000-07:00

O.k. so I finally feel like I have worked through some things that I have needed to for a long time. Things that have held me back and made me bitter. Things that have corrupted and hurt the person that I know I am. Finally, I feel peaceful. Like I have overcome these things that have done nothing but destroy. Peaceful.

I am a sensitive person. Full of a lot of flaws. I have learned to embrace some of those flaws and also learned that some of them have to go. One of them is allowing other peoples words to steal my peace. I find I can be walking along completely peaceful and content in that fact and someone can say one word and I am in turmoil. I mean that one word can totally destroy the peace that I have been enjoying. The peace that only God can give.

Now, I am learning that God is always able to give me this peace.One of my friends describes it like a waterfall. Always falling and beautiful. Totally refreshing and constructive. Healing and washing away all that is not of God. Everything that is not peaceful gets washed into the water. It is always there. It is up to me to step under that peace and stay there. Or it is up to me to step out from under it and let the troubles of this world weigh me down again. It is up to me.

When people speak to me and one word can change how I feel it is not their fault it is mine if I let what they have said steal my peace. In essence they have not stolen my peace, I have stepped out from under it and lost it all on my own.

I have been practicing lately. Every time that happens to imagine myself stepping right back into that wonderful waterfall and not allowing a word or an action steal my peace. One of the last things that Jesus said before He left this earth was, " Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled..." John 14:27. I think that says it all. He left it here. It is always here. He never changes so it is that way even this day. He love me. He gave His peace. It is up to me to stay in it.

Music

2010-07-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

All of my life music has been a part of me. I was born singing. I think i actually came out of the womb singing. I have recordings that my dad and mom took of me at 18 months old singing on key and knowing every word. I am not bragging , it is just such an enormous part of the person I am. When you have something in your life that is as big as music is to me. You know, something that is just so much a part of you , you would not even begin to know how to tell someone to do it for themselves. I started teaching music at the small Christian school that my children attend. I actually started to panic because I had no idea how to tell them about music. Because ,with me, music just is.

Yesterday we went to a small concert of a Christian recording artist that I had listened to when I was a child. His style is so melodic and so edifying I would close my eyes and just listen. Beautiful music is like water to a weary soul.

As a mom with three precious and very amazing children, I don't get to feed that part of myself as much as I would like. I felt refreshed from the music and refreshed by getting to spend time with my sweet husband. I just want to encourage you to feed those parts of you that you might feel have died. Those things in you like art and music. Or maybe you have the gift of conversation and have not talked to a human in days. Go talk to someone.For my nine year old, it is birdwatching. He loves to photograph and draw and watch birds. For my friend, it is writing. She is a very gifted writer. For my husband, it is playing the piano or hunting. Getting out in nature and just soaking up God's beautiful creation.Edify yourself. You will feel more refreshed and more able to run the race. Psalm 45:1 "My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite verses for the king"

I think the Psalmist was referring to a gift that God had given to him. Getting to recite his poetry was a way to feed his soul.His heart was stirred by it. He was refreshed by it. If you love to paint, go paint something. If you love to sing , go sing or hear someone sing. If you love to garden, go plant something.

Just my two cents...

Hebrews 12

2010-07-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

The whole of Hebrews 12 is so good. Especially when you read from the Message version of the New Testament. I know, I know. Some of you might not like that translation but it is so easy to read and it is in our everyday language that we use today. I read the first part of Hebrews 12 last night and it meant so much more to me now, that I have seen what things like discontentedness can do. In the message it says "strip down, start running and never quit! No extra spiritual fat or parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we are in." Parasitic sins? Who has some of those. I know I do. It sometimes feels like they are stuck to me with Gorilla Glue and I can't get them off.

I was having serious problems with discontentedness. It was causing discord in my family and in my own life with Christ. God was so faithful to reveal this to me one day while I was working through something with my husband. Here's how it goes....Discontentedness breeds bitterness and bitterness breeds contempt and contempt breeds conflict. Any of those things sound like something true or lovely or anything that God says that we are supposed to think about? No way! It made havoc with my life. BUT GOD.... oh I love those to words... in all of His amazing faithfulness, revealed what that parasitic sin was in my life. He shined His light on it and made it shrivel up just like the wicked witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. Sorry for that analogy but I could not think of a better one.His light broke me free and ever since that day I feel lighter and more peaceful. More able to run the race that Jesus ran for all of us. He ran it and did it perfectly. Now, I know we are not perfect but I so strive to run that race free of those things that have tried to weigh me down. Those parasitic sins that just breed more sin and then render you useless. Think about that. If the enemy can weigh you down, you can't run and if you cannot run, you cannot do the amazing things that God Himself has called you to do. I love it when His light hits me and reveals those things that try to weigh me down. When we can see them it makes it soooooooo much easier to flick them off and keep running.

See you at the finish line!

The Other Side

2010-07-09T21:28:00.001-07:00

What is the other side? To those moving up in years it is when they cross over to be with Jesus in heaven. For some it is their side of a conflict. For others it is the water on the other side of the desert they have been walking through. The desert. Figuratively it is used a lot to describe lonely and dry times in our walk with the Lord. Times when we don't see Him but trust that He is there. Those times are filled with battles that we feel too tired to fight.Yet somehow we find the stregnth to fight them. Plain and simple I have learned that the strength that we find has not come from us. He is and always will be our strength.

From childhood, fear was a very large part of my life. I feard what would happen to me when i grew up, I feared the dark, I feared what people thought of me. There are still those days that I am paralyzed with fear of the unknown or irrational things that could happen. Might happen.

Those are interesting words...could...might. There is nothing concrete about those words at all. There is nothing about those words that can gaurantee me anything. I like the word "will". In John 14:14 it says,"You may ask Me for anything in My name and I WILL do it." Yeah, I think that "will" is a really great word. I can trust in those words. So as a person that is learning that coming to the other side is a constant thing in her life. Because, let's face it, our lives are moving pictures. They don't stop for us. They are changing everyday. It is a beautiful thing. I just have to relinquish the control and enjoy the change. Fight when I have to and trust that He is always with me, not just on the other side but right where I am.

Broken and Better For It

2010-07-05T20:42:00.000-07:00

This week I went up to North Texas to visit family. I did not sleep very much. Every time I would close my eyes I felt like there was a weight that would come and press itself down on my chest. Then thoughts would fill my mind about all that is going on right now in my life and my families life. I just felt like I could not hold anymore. I finally broke a couple of days ago. I had to lay down. I had not slept in so long. I thought I would take a short nap while two year old slept. I did not get a nap. Instead, I got a flood of tears and emotions and feelings that I had been holding inside for a long time came rushing out faster than I could hold them in. I called my friend. I just needed someone to hear what a "great" person I was. She was faithful. Proverbs 27:6 says" The wounds of a friend are faithful". I heard her speak the truth to me and with the truth comes revelation. It just confirmed all of the things I had already been thinking.

SO ...finally broken. Yea!!!!!!!! It felt so good to just break and give it all to God. I had been trapped by my feelings and desires. That rainbow that I talked about in my last post. I was trapped by my own rainbow! Funny? A little. But still trapped. Not trapped anymore. I am now aware. Aware that what may seem like a rainbow can bind you and hurt the people that love you most. Thank you friend for the truth and thank you God for the precious hand that pressed on my chest every night so that I could not ignore the glaring trap that I was in. Thank You Jesus for the healing balm that you placed in my heart after it was broken.

You know the funny thing is. I was so attached to that rainbow I was talking about that I could not see all the dreams that I have been praying so long for are coming true. Maybe not how I saw them panning out but God knows how they are supposed to be. Not me. Crazy control freak! Got to work on that. Maybe next time...

Death of a Vision

2010-06-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of letting go of all the things that I thought were before me and surrendering to those things that are already in view and that are ahead of me. I don't know if any of you have been through this but laying down and surrendering are so hard for me. I am a stubborn girl. Not the best of traits but, hey, if you knew what I had been through in my life you would understand. I don't give up easily and I grieve when I have to. Today was a day of giving up. Not necessarily a bad thing but still very painful. One good thing it brought was peace to me and peace to my sweet husband that has been putting up with me while I go through this "fun" process.

The only way I can put it is.... my family and I drove up to the top of this beautiful, green hill with the purpose to eat and see the sun set. Just before we got there there was a wonderful thunderstorm so many of the clouds from that storm still resided at the top of the hill. We ate and looked for birds and played frisbee. My husband and two older children went exploring while me and the two year old stayed behind to see the exquisite rainbow that had appeared out of nowhere. Two year old suggested that we take a walk. While we were walking, the rainbow started to fade causing my precious girl sadness because she was convinced that that rainbow was her rainbow and no one elses. She kept crying "my rainbow, my rainbow." While she was looking at the rainbow, I was looking at the most golden sunset I have seen in a very long time. It was in the completely opposite direction.So full of color and light I felt like I could touch it. Little one looked up at me with her big hazel eyes and lifted her arms and saying "carry me". Gladly, I picked her up in my arms and began to whisper in her ear,"you know, God made those pink clouds just for you. All of those beautiful, pink, cotton candy clouds are all yours." WE turned our back to the rainbow as she said her goodbye to something fading, and walked toward the pink (which is her favorite color), cotton candy clouds with many more colors than were in the rainbow.

God was faithful to point out to me about this time that my dreams and visions are fading and He has put something so much more beautiful in front of me. It may not be what I thought it would be but it is so much better and full of light and the best part is that He will carry me to the new thing if I let Him.

This is what I read last night :Isaiah 43:18-19 " Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth. Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Let go of those things that are fading and climb into the arms of your Father who will carry you to all of those New Things.

Faith

2010-06-27T13:31:00.000-07:00

I was asked how God gives me strength. If He gives it to me through vitamins or just good vibrations. Hmmmmm.....I have been thinking about how to explain a God that is unexplainable. One that would give His only son to die on a cross so that I did not have to bear the burden of sin on my life. But knowing that some of you need an answer out there (now keep in mind that I am no expert on this, it is just my own personal experience with my Creator), I say it has to do with two things. Me walking toward Him and Him walking toward me. I step out, toward Him, in faith and trust that He will hear me and He walks toward me by answering my request. He loves me and wants to help. Doesn't any parent?

Honestly, I felt horrible Saturday night and really did not want to do the dancing and singing but I asked God for strength and as soon as I got onto that stage I felt revived and energized. It required faith and God answered me with what I needed. I stepped and God breathed His life into me. In Hebrews 11:1 it says" Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Any of you out there who want to step in His direction? I know that it is hard for some of us to get our minds around a Big God who is all powerful and distant. While I do believe that God is all powerful, I do not believe that there is any part of Him that wishes to be distant and unreachable. Since the fall of man He has been trying to reestablish the connection that He lost when Adam decided to take that fateful bite of forbidden fruit. I believe He restored that connection through His perfect Son, Jesus. He longs to be close to us again to walk with us and talk with us.

It may sound simple and illogical but that is my two cents and I believe it with all my heart.

Kind a Funny

2010-06-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

Well, WOW! I find it really funny that the day after I write about getting my strength from God I get sick. I was walking around on the last day of VBS (Splash Day!), which is my favorite day, by the way, and my friend Tammy looked at me and immediately sent me home. I was sad and relieved because I could not figure out why I was so tired. When I got home I had a fever of 102. At least I knew why i was sooooooo tired. I kind of laughed and went to bed. Knowing Friday night I would have to go back and do all of my "cheerleader" moves on stage once again.

I did it! It was awesome and the kids loved it and we all had a great time. I even enjoyed it through my fog of Advil and fever. God truly was my strength last night. Thank You God for always lifting me up. Anyway, it was kind a funny. Note to all who read this... Your faith will be tested. Haha! Just my two cents...

Happy Birthday My Sweet Lili! and I Need Him

2010-06-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

It is my precious Lili's 7th Birthday today! She is so beautiful and sweet I wanted to give 7 attributes that make her great so here goes...

1. She is heaven minded. She will choose God every time even if it's a toy or item. She will choose the toy or item with a Scripture verse on it over a nicer item.

2. She is so creative. She is always doing art projects and thinking out of any box. I love it!

3. She is bold. She will tell anyone what she believes and why she believes it.

4. She is kind. She does not ever say a bad word about anyone.

5. She is loving. She will look at someone who has been nasty to her and forgive them immediately and tell them, she loves them all in one breath.

6. She is peaceful. Very little ruffles her feathers. Even during scary storms she is singing.

7. She is mine. Thank you God!!!! She is our precious girl!!!!!!

Ok so we have been doing Vacation Bible School all week at church. I get to do the worship which involves channeling my inner cheerleader and singing about 4 hours out of the day. Can anyone say cardio? It has been so fun and has gotten to the point they don't have to ask me if I will be there next year anymore. They know that I will do it. I enjoy it.

The one thing I do not enjoy is the complete exhaustion all of us feel at the end of the week. However,one thing that has come to me out of this complete exhaustion has been that, as I am singing these fun worship songs about God and gyrating on stage, I am meaning the words that I sing. I have found myself closing my eyes and crying out to Him for His strength and His energy. You know what? It comes to me. Just when I think that I cant do that dance move one more time or I can't jump one more time. I have the strength to do it. I remember when I went on choir tour when I was a teen. We sang this song that says:

"His strength is perfect

When our strength is gone

He'll carry us when we can't carry on

Raised in His power

The weak become strong

His strength is perfect

His strength has been all that I have has this week and it has been enough. It has driven me closer to Him to have nothing but His strength to call on. There are so many times that I think it is me getting me through hard situations but it's not and never has been. He carries me. He even carries me through Vacation Bible School (why do they call it that?)week. To some they would say that was a small thing to go through. Believe me, in my life I have been through much more than that, but He cares about every little detail of my life. Ask Jesus to carry you. He will. He loves you and wants to be your strength. Just thought you would like to know...

Trying

2010-06-10T21:05:00.001-07:00

Right now I am just going through a time of great growing. You know the times like when you were a kid and could really feel those growing pains. I have been having a lot of growning pains as of late and would like for them to stop. There are so many things in life that creep back up just when you think that you have completely overcome them .It doesn't feel good. You look at yourself and really don't like who you see. The main thing that God keeps reminding me is that if I don't like what I see I can just change it. I don't have to hit myself over the head. He tells me, there is therefore now no condemnation for all who are in Christ Jesus. That is one of the things I do not like about myself. Guilt. That was taken care of on the cross completely paid for. Every timeI feel that, I hear God saying I already took care of that for you. Don't dredge up the old dead and buried stuff, it can no longer weigh you down. I don't know if any of you ever feel this way but just thought I would share what's on my heart.

There was a song I heard about fifteen years ago and I sing it almost every day in my head. The words are:

Don't let the past keep holding you back

Don't lose the dream in which you believe

I long to do deep within you

Something new

I guess these growing pains are to push me into the "something new" of my life. If you are having any growing pains, know that there is something new. A place beyond the past that God has for you. The past was dealt with on the cross and all that is ahead is the new.

Phillippians 3:13-14 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Hang on....

Pic of the Day:Best Pic of Abigail So Far

2010-06-06T13:22:00.000-07:00

I fnally figured out the trick to getting good pics of 2 year old. Bribery! It works everytime. Just thought you would like to know.

Field Day and the Creek!

2010-05-22T21:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was field day at School and, boy, did we have a great time. The tug of war was very dramtic as you can see. Then we went to the creek for the first time this year. It had been so long since we had been down there. We had all missed it. We had a great time and ate some delicious hot dogs. Even though school is not officially over, it felt like summer had begun. Oh, Lili's team came in third and Sam's team came in fourth. They had a blast but I don't think I have ever seen Sam this tired.

Before Pics of the House

2010-05-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

Ok here are some before pics of our house and yes I have been busy which is why you are not seeing after pics yet. We are in it and the walls have been painted. Thank you all of you that helped me with that tremendous task. All I have to say is two coats of oil based primer and two coats of paint to every wall in my house. I actually had a fit about the donut people not puting my chocolate glazed donut in our order when I was finished painting. I don't think I have ever been that tired and completely out of it. Seriously, I acted like a two year old the day after that was over. It took me eight days of solid painting morning til night. It is now light and airy but the trim has not been painted yet sooooooo you will have to wait for the after pics. It may be a year until I can look at another paint can. Just kiddin. I have already got some stuff taped and ready to go. Still get nauseous when I look at a paint can though. Ta ta for now.

New House

2010-05-03T18:34:00.001-07:00

Well it is just the best thing! God dropped a beautiful house into our lap. I mean totally blessed our socks off! We have a lot of work to do. I mean a lot but it is ours and I can toally do it for that reason. This is the first house that I have owned that I can honestly say I am doing for me and my family. Every house we have owned has been for the buyer. Well, what would a buyer want. This is just a little place for us to hang our hats. So now we hang our hats on Bluebonnet St.! I have always loved that street and even knew the people who once owned our house. It has a massive backyard for the kids and me. I love to garden and a big garage for David and all of his tools. God hit this one out of the park. I will post before and after pics so you can see how it developes. Apparently you wont see them today because my pics menue is refusing to popup. Will try later.

Pic of the Day:More Beach

2010-04-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

As promised more pics of the beach. I know that you were just dying for more.

Pic of the Day:Beach

2010-04-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some favorite pics of the beach. We has so much fun! The one of David is of him dancing like a crazy man on the beach. The beautiful children are mine. I know. I know. What can I say. We throw pretty offspring. We played and went to the Sancastle Festival. That was cool. I watched Abigail grimmace everytime she had to touch the sand.We finally got her over the whole dirt thing. More later...

Pic of the Day:Sunny Day

2010-04-01T16:38:00.000-07:00

So the other day was a sunny day! It was one of the first warm, sunny days of the year. Abigail and I went out onto a huge concrete slab I call the launch pad. Why do I call it the launch pad you ask? Because it looks like a launch pad. That's why. We had a picnic a just laid in the sun. It was great! I got inspired my little firefly running all over the "launchpad" so I decided to take our picture. Well, being that I have been up since four forty five this morn, I am going to cut this short. I do need to say that I am so glad that my friend is OK and that she and I are going to kick butt in a race very soon. Love you friend!

Pic of the Day:Another One?

2010-03-24T16:20:00.000-07:00

9 years old

5 years old

My only son came to David and I today and told us that he felt like he was supposed to be a missionary. I asked him where he had heard this and he said nowhere. He felt like he was supposed to travel the world and tell people about God because he did not want to see them go to hell. He was trying to be so strong and I could see his lips trembling. His eyes welled up with tears. I asked him why he was crying. He said that he did not know why. I don't know about you but when I really feel God pulling at my heart to do something...I cry. He is so strong. So solid. Not perfect but he has a very kind heart.

When we get on to him about a certain fault, he is often harder on himself then we are on him. I love him. He and I are so much alike. We both detest change. We are both creative but lack imagination sometimes. He loves so deeply. If he loves you, he will love you forever and you can't change his mind. He is so strong-willed and many times , when he was young, I questioned about the greatness of that character trait. I can't tell you how many times I had to leave a grocery basket full of food in the middle of Wal- Mart because he threw a fit about something he wanted. I am talking two hour long battle with Sam over whether or not he should eat his green beans. Long story short...he ate the beans.

Through all of this, he has learned obedience. Samuel understands the difference between doing what we want to do and doing what is right. I love him for that. He is growing so fast. I hugged him and told him that no matter what he chose to do I hoped that it was what God was saying. My beautiful son is becoming a man before my eyes. I know that he is only 9 but, if you know him, he does not make decisions lightly and he is not likely to change his mind. All I can do is pray for my little missionaries and ask the Lord to take them where He wants them. I learned obedience from my son today.

2010-03-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

Pic of the Day:Last Pics From Spring Break

2010-03-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

Abigail Delighted With Her Ice Cream

The Beautiful Redbuds At The Botanical Gardens

My Love And My Little Loves

Me And The Dreamer

Abigail and David Playing With The Duckies In The Fountain

These are our pics from The Botanical Gardens . We all went. My mother in law and father in law and sister in law. husband and all 3 kids and me. How did that happen? It just worked out so beautifully. Then we went to Freddy's and ate the bestest hamburgers and fries. Abigail got her own custard and ,as you can see from the pic ,was delighted. We had a wonderful time at one of my favorite places. I love being with flowers and seeing the beauty that God created for us to enjoy. I loved being with my family most of all. It was such a great day!

Pic of the Day:Spring Break Pics

2010-03-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the latest pics that we have gotten of the kids Spring Break. Samuel took the one of the butterfly. I love it so much am using it as my screensaver! So far, we have gone to a little town and fished and looked for rocks on the banks of the River, the kids including Carlye, Nathanael and Noah and David along with our friend and the kids teacher went fishing and Sam saw a rare Green Kingfisher. That is a bird if you do not know. I will explain more later. We have gone rollerskating. I am sure my friend will email me the pics of that because I am holding the ones of her kids on the river hostage until she ante's up her hilarious rollerskating pics. Ha! I love having them home and not having to rush everything. It has been a blessing.

Pic of the Day:Spring Has Sprung!!!!

2010-03-11T21:20:00.000-08:00

Yippee! I love it when the trees start to show off. either in Fall or in Spring . It doesn't matter. I just love it. I took these today and just had to give all of you my spring bouquet. Thank you Lord for the beauty that lives all around us! Way to go God!

Pic of the Day: Camping Trip

2010-03-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

I like Heathers idea of Silent Sunday so here is my Silent Saturday. Don't know if I will do it every week but I don't feel like writing. So here goes...

Pic of the Day:Snow

2010-02-24T15:14:00.000-08:00

Watching the Snow

Creative Snow Gear

Playing with the Cousins

Playing with Willie in the Snow

Pic of the Day: I Am Still Craftyetty

2010-02-16T21:02:00.000-08:00

O.k. so I have been staring at two very ugly brown chairs for 4 years now thinking that I need to recover and paint them. They were ugly brown metal and ugly brown vinyl. Now they are pretty colors and at least I can stand to look at them! I am still crafty even though I don't get to do it as much as I would like. By the way, it took me about ten minutes per chair. That's not bad.

Pic of the Day: My Valentine's Gift That I Did Not Expect That Did Not Come On Valentine's Day Of COurse

2010-02-13T20:09:00.001-08:00

I love gifts when you least expect them. So funny that I rarely expect a gift for Valentine's Day. Which is probably why my silly husband gave it to me then. This is my beautiful heart that he made with his own two hands. It says "adored". I adore him. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day! By the way, I gave him ice cream. He likes it...really!

Pic of the Day: My Valentine

2010-02-13T20:09:00.000-08:00

Pic of the Day: My Valentine

2010-02-09T16:01:00.000-08:00

O.k. I don't want anyone to be completely offended but me and David as a rule do not celebrate Valentine's Day. It's a long story and I really don't want to drag you through it so just know we are not unfeeling , horrible people. We do celebrate love though. David really is the great love of my life. We love each other every day through the good times and bad. He is my Valentine every day we wake up. He was my best friend when I was 15, wait let's go back.... I have known David since I was 2 years old. My parents went to a church and that is how we met. We have just always been. We have not always been close but I remember almost every moment that I spent with him as a child. He is in some of my best and most embarrassing memories. You know the ones that you hit your head in the shower about to this day . Sometimes he caused the embarrassment, but he never meant me harm. We became friends my freshman year of high school, one of the best years of my life. All of us in our tiny little class laughed a lot that year and just got along. It was so awesome. It doesn't always happen that way. Anyway, David and I got to be good friends. He was sweet and charming in a nerdy way. He made me laugh. Which is huge to me. Shortly after my freshman year ended I learned we were moving to the desolate tundra of Minnesota. It devastated me but as I always do I adapted to it and grew to view it as an adventure full of new possibilities. Little did I know I would freeze for the next three years, but I still made wonderful friends that I still have to this day.

Before I left for Minnesota, David and all my best friends took me out for one last hurrah in Texas. We watched movies and looked at the stars and laughed a lot.

David dropped everyone off before he took me home. As we stood on my front porch he took my hands in his and looked into my eyes. He said," Jodi, I normally don't tell people that I will pray for them but I promise that I will pray for you everyday." When I moved, I had other boyfriends and forgot about that promise that he made me but he did not. He would call me every two weeks without fail and he prayed for me every day. SO from the time I was fifteen years old my husband has prayed for me everyday. Even before he knew that he would be mine and I would be his. That means that my husband, David, has been praying for me for 6570 days give or take a few or easier 18 years. He has been faithful, Godly,loving, romantic, funny,encouraging and my best friend for 18 years. That is why he is my Valentine. I love you David!

Heather Rocks!!!

2010-02-05T16:36:00.000-08:00

This pic is of Heather and her two beautful girls Bella and Evie. She is one of my surrogate sisters that I adopted when I became friends with Cari, my bestest friend (she is Cari's sister). Anyway Heather designed this blog layout for me and I am kind of creeped out by it. Oh it's beautiful and all. I am just trying to figure out how Heather got into my head a designed a blog that was the most me blog I have ever seen. Kinda freaky if you ask me. No, all jokes aside, Heather you rocked out my blog and I thank you for it.Love you!

Pic of the Day: Calling

2010-02-03T19:51:00.001-08:00

Tonight we were driving home from Church, a wonderful class my daughter Lili goes to that teaches her how to be Christlike. While driving home, Lili, my middle angel, just started talking about another country. She started discussing the underground churches in this country. She elaborated in such detail about this certain people that i asked her where she heard of underground churches etc. She told me school. Then she went on to say that God had called her to be a missionary to this certain people. I asked when. She told me 2009. She elaborated, He told her Himself in her heart that she was to go to this certain country and be a missionary. She said it with such conviction that , even now, I am protective about putting the name of this country on my blog for fear that it could come back to bite her one day. As we drove on in silence, I found tears pouring down my cheeks. I have always known that she was special. She has always been God's girl. Her heart has always been His. He really does speak to her. She was the one who would be talking to no one in her room at 18 months old and when we would ask her about it, she would say she had been talking to an angel.

Right now, I am writing this through tears. Partly because I am so proud of her I could burst and partly because I am a mom and my protective nature runs to the very core of me. However, I know there will come a day when my angels have to go and do what God asks. I am not ready for that day yet but I know when that day comes I will be. Before I finished this blog I went to Lili and told her how proud I was of her. Not for being a missionary or anything like that, but just for being her. I said it all through my tears and just held her. She hugged me back and I realized that she had been crying too. I asked her why. Her reply: " Because I know that I am doing the right thing."

That is not a six year old answer.

Pic of the Day: New Member of the Family

2010-01-25T19:23:00.000-08:00

Last week my washer died. She was faithful to the end and for eight years cleansed our grimy clothing. Trust me with a husband that runs a sawmill, I need a workhorse. We were sad for our loss, mostly because it was money we did not want to spend. However, I had been wanting a frontloading washer for a couple of years now and did not think I was going to get one. Lowe's had this exact model,minius the drawer on the bottom, for half of what it normally costs. Thank You God for Your provision! I don't think David and I have been as entertained as we were tonight. We just sat in front of it watching it start and stop. Wondering how in the world our clothes were going to come clean in that little bit of water. I guess I will just let Scarlet figure that out for me. Yes, I named the washer. Anything that helps me out as much as this washer is going to deserves a name. Edna was the name of the one who died. So, please, when you are finished reading this have a moment of silence for our dearly departed. Thanks.

Dreams Dashed, Hopes Crushed

2010-01-16T11:06:00.000-08:00

Ok so I get the whole mystique about 3D movies. I understand that anything that can bring our most bizarre dreams more to life than they already are is a plus. Case in point Avatar. I have been waiting a while to see this movie ,some folklore says,

took 14 years to make, for a while. Now,the only problem with 3D for both me and my adorable husband is that it messes with our heads and gives us both headaches. I mean migraines.

We were so excited, I got all dolled up for our date night. I did look pretty cute if I do say so myself. We waltzed up to the theatre in the rain. Yes, just like Gene Kelly in Singin' In the Rain. We sauntered up to the ticket counter and asked if they had Avatar in a regular format, as most 3D shows do. You know one with 3D and one without. To our great disappointment, the ticket guy said, "No."

We walked away hopes dashed and dreams crushed! Or was it the other way. Anyway. We don't get to see Avatar! So David and I go to Blockbuster and see an acquaintance there, tell him our tragic story, and watch his disappointment for us register on his face ,because he knows what we are missing.I must confess that it did not help when I am relaying this story to Cari the next day and she looks at me and says, "that's too bad because it really was an awesome movie." Aaaaaghhh!

James Cameron, where is your humanity?!!!!! Think about us poor retched souls that cannot handle 3D movies next time you take 14 years to make an epic picture! Really!

Date Night!!!!!

2010-01-14T16:38:00.000-08:00

Yippee! It is date night. It has been forever since we have gone on a date and I am so looking forward to being with my man. We are going to see Avatar. I shall tell you what I think later gator. Until then...

Watoto Children's Choir!

2010-01-05T21:05:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness Kristi, you were so right! The Watoto Children's choir was one of the best things I have seen. I took both of the kids and my neice Gracie and drove to Comfort having no idea what was in store. It was so amazing! These children, who have seen so much pain and suffering, were worshiping God with all their hearts. It also happened to be beautiful. The best thing about the evening though was that my children walked away with a different view of the world. They loved it! They got to meet these precious children and recognized all of the many ways they are soooo blessed. Thanks for telling everyone about it Kristi. I loved it.

Reflections On The Past Year

2009-12-29T19:23:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about the many things that we have walked through in this past year. It seems like it has been a couple of years all rolled up into one. In many ways it has been a hard year but I really do not want to focus on that. So to bring in the New Year I would like to focus on the 12 things that I have been most grateful for in this past year. Don't worry I am thankful for more than 12 things but I have to draw the line somewhere or you would be reading my blog all night. So here they are:

1. I am so grateful for Jesus! He has walked me through some really rough times and danced over me in the good ones. I love Him for saving me and being my shelter and my provider.

2. I am so thankful for David. He is my perfect one. He genuinely likes me and we really love just hanging out and making each other laugh. What a gift to have a man that loves me just for me. Thanks God!

3. Samuel David. I am so grateful for giving me my boy first. He has developed into the most wonderful and funny person. One of the qualities that I really enjoy in a person is the ability to make people laugh and Sam has got that. He also still snuggles with me at nine years old. Don't tell him that that is uncool, I want him to do that forever.

4. My Lili Faith. The gloriously happy soul that God dropped into my life to help me not take things to seriously. She is blissful and her faith has changed me. I am so grateful for her.

5. Abigail Joy, two year old extraordinaire. I am so amazed that God thought I could handle this little ball of energy as my last one. I think He has quite a sense of humor. I just laugh when I look at her. She is joy. Always singing, always moving and always keeping me on my toes. God knew we all needed Abigabble!

6. I have been blessed with an amazing extended family. Dads, moms, brother, sister in laws, precious nieces, and an stinking adorable nephew that I am so glad is here on this earth.I love each and every one of them. That is a gift.

7. I am so grateful for my bestest friend. We have walked through a lot of hard things this year and still come out friends. She is really more sister to me than anything. It is good of God to give me a friend that gets me and laughs at my weird ways sometimes. Seriously, we laugh at each other a lot. We are both so weird.

8. I have a roof over my head. Yellow on the walls and ceilings and zigzag on the floor it may be but it is still a roof and I am grateful for it.

9. I have a great car. just like I wanted. Thanks God for finding it.

10. I feel better. I have been sick so much this year and was very sick all through Christmas. That was a bummer. But I do feel better now and I am so grateful for that.

11. We have a great church. I really am so thankful for our pastor and the gift of being able to give my voice in worship. I love being used for God in one way or the other. Just to be effective for Him is what I want.

12. This being the last one I want to say that I am so grateful that I am still a dreamer. Try as I do to not dream anymore because things may not have turned out like we have wanted for us or our children. I still catch myself dreaming. Right now it is about the little things in my heart but I would like to, this next year, start dreaming the big dreams that I have had. The song of my heart. Some things that have died because of hopelessness. I am going to really try to seek those out again.

Well, there you have it. It has been a wild and crazy year but God has been in it all. Blessings to each and everyone in this New Year! Dream again people!

Christmas Pics

2009-12-27T19:48:00.000-08:00

Ok so I am going to try to give you a glimpse of our Christmas again. So far the downloading mechanism has not been working for me but I will prevail! Here goes...

This pic was unfortunately not taken by me as it is now my favorite pic of Landon. My father took this one. Kudos Dad!
This is of my beautiful boy on our yearly pic date. We had so much fun photographing downtown . He is awsome!
Sam and Lili in front of a beautful Christmas tree that you cannot see. but they are adorable anyway.
This is my pride and joy because my Samuel took this picture! He is turning into quite the photographer and carries his new camera that Grandpa gave him everywhere. He has founf something that he loves. I am so happy we get to share this. More to come...

Tired

2009-12-14T18:59:00.001-08:00

I have tried for three days now to post pics of a wonderful date I had with Samuel last week. They are wonderful. But for now, I need to vent. I am just plain tired. I am weary in well doing. That Scripture says it all. I am surrounded by blessings and know of all that I have to be greatful for but lack the energy to celebrate it. I would love to just sleep for a week and not serve anyone or do anything but that is not going to happen anytime in the near future so I guess I have to buck up and do this. I know a lot of you are in the same position I just thought I would voice how I feel. It's nice to know though that even though I am tired I am blessed. Blessings to you!

Pic of the Day: My Christmas Date With Sam

2009-12-10T17:50:00.000-08:00

Ok. So for about a month now my son and I have been trying to take our annual fall picture date to take pics of the beautiful colors. Time just kept slipping away from us. So on Monday evening ,even though it was time for him to go to bed , well 6:30, almost time for bed, him and I just decided to take the bull by the horns and go. It has been getting dark so early that taking pics in the evening has not really been an option. But Christmas is in the air and the twinkling light were calling to us both. Samuel has really taken an interest in photography. These pics are all his except for the pics that he is in. Can't be two places at once. I love hanging out with him. The older he gets the more fun he is. He has a wicked sense of humor and still like me. I hope that never changes.We had hot fudge sundaes at Mickey Dee's and went all over downtown together. I will do what I have to do to get all the time I can with this kid. He is just growing so fast and time does not slow down.Enjoy!

Pic of the Day: Thankful

2009-11-25T19:26:00.000-08:00

Thank You , Lord, for this nest full of blessings! Our cup truly does run over. Love You .

My 2 Year Old

2009-11-22T13:34:00.000-08:00

My precious Abigail turned 2 on Saturday! We were so busy celebrating that I forgot to post for her Bday. I tried to yesterday but the server was down .So since she is two, I will give some reasons that I am happy she is here.

1. She has been so good for our whole family.She was born the day before Thanksgiving. Talk about a good reminder of all there is to be thankful for.We all love her. Her Daddy adores her, I am crazy about her, her big brother thinks the world revolves around her and big "sissy" would do anything for her.

2. She completes our family. We no longer feel like we have someone missing when we go places or just sit around. Kind of wierd I know, but before she came I felt that way.

3 (one to grow on). She is very kind. If anyone gets hurt she will say"ohhh" and come running to try to help them.

Happy late Birthday Apple Juice! We love you so.

Pic of the Day: Harvest Time

2009-10-31T18:06:00.000-07:00

Well here are the homemade costumes that we collected from all our bounty of weird clothing. Due to lack of funds, we could not buy them for the kids this year but they did not seem to notice and had a blast putting them together. It was really fun! Sam was a Black Operative Special Forces guy, Lili was a very cute clown and Abigail was a clown like her Sissy but all her clown make up wore off. We went to two Trunk or Treats and then went to Sonic for ice. No, not ice cream, ice. I know, we are weird. I think the high point of the night was when David copped an Australian accent at the Sonic drive thru. The kids were hysterical in the back seat and, I have to admit, so was I. I love my family and I am glad the kids did have fun. That is all that matters.

Pic of the Day: No DInner Tonight

2009-10-22T17:17:00.000-07:00

Well today was an interesting day. Lot's of things going wrong but I am still just having to walk in peace. However, a parents distraction is the perfect time for the children to sneak. When I started making dinner tonight I asked Samuel to come and wash the potatoes and Lili to make the tea. As we were having a perfectly peaceful time in the kitchen, I noticed a large bag of Gummy Bears completely empty. Let me stress it was completely full yesterday. So I asked the typical culprit of "food sneaking", Lili. She looked at my with large blue-green eyes and shook her head noooooooo. She promised she did not do it. In our family,the word "promise" is a BIG word. I knew she wasn't lying. Why? Because I am the mom. It is our job as the mom to know each of the children's lie face. So I take a look at Apple Juice but there was no Gummy upon her body. She had been sitting on the counter top "helping" me with dinner. So I think, surely not the responsible future president of these Untied States washing the potatoes. No, it just couldn't be him. He has such a strong compass. I look at him and hold the Gummy Bear bag up to him and ask the question. There was no lie face, just utter and complete guilt. The guilt was so bad he laid on his bed for half an hour and stared into space. He wore it like Obi One Kenobi's Jedi cloak. So as punishment for his food sneaking, he was not allowed a morsel of food tonight. He had to sit at the dinner table. He had to help set it. He got to smell the delicious chicken but he did not get to taste that it was good. I think that that helped him shed his cloak of guilt.

The pic at the top was at the Hyatt this summer. Sam and Lili had been fighting so they both got in trouble. Abigail thinks that her brother and sister are soooo cool. She just did what they were doing. I love this pic. It's real life. See ya.

Pic of the Day: Happy Birthday Cari !

2009-10-20T21:42:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you!

Happy BIRTHDAY dear CARI!!!!

Happy Birthday to you!

Love you friend!

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you with joy, from your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident in this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil. 1:3-6

Still Coming

2009-10-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

What is going on? Now David has strep throat! I am hoping, please God, that this is the last of it. It just has to be. Seriously!

O.K. here you go Cari. Things I Have Learned

2009-10-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

1. You may think you are done with the swine flu but no...

2. Lili can throw up and then go sing in the shower about autumn.

3. When Lil's says that her tummy is hurting a teensy, neensy, weensy little bit, it is probably a good idea to let her stay home. Yep.

4. When Sam says his hurts a little lot, it's probably a good idea to let him stay home. Yep.

5. I am a realy good hermit. I mean I can totally do this.

6. My Lili belle can sing "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone" as good as anyone.

7. That a child can be as sick as a dog one day and right as rain the next.

8. That an adult can be sick as a dog one day and be sick as a dog the next and the next and the next... then not quite right the rest of the week.

9. Abigail has an immune system that could eat mine because she ate off the floor and snuck drinks out of all of our glasses and still hasn't gotten anything.

10. I have a really great husband he took really good care of me and still managed to go to work.

Weddings

2009-10-11T19:21:00.001-07:00

Oh , heavens to Betsy! Weddings! This last month I was asked to take pictures of David's cousin , Lydia, for her wedding. I was also asked to do the photography for the entire wedding. I took about 500 pics of everything from the bridal portrait to the throwing of the bouquet. They were beautiful, if I do say so myself. They were all on my camera at the wedding. When I went home, I was sooooo excited to start editing them. I plugged my camera in and there were only 152 pics there. 152. That number will forever be etched in my troubled mind. Yes, the brand new flash card that my beloved father-in-law had purchased for me, out of the goodness of his heart, was a corrupted card. After 2 weeks of desperately trying to retrieve the pics we have given up. The beautiful wedding that I froze forever in time with my Olympus 500 is gone. It is air. So here is one of the 152 shots that I did get to keep. Enjoy. Note to self, always test the flash card before you do a wedding. Yep.

Beach Pics

2009-09-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

At the time Cari wrote that she thought you could have too much vacation, I thought she was crazy. Sorry, my friend, but I did. However, I have changed my position on this. Coming back from the coast I actually thought that if I had to go to the Hyatt after our trip I might cry. Now eventually I would get over myself and make myself enjoy the Hyatt and all of it's wonderful massages, I mean amenities, but holy cow! We had a blast and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves but we're so happy to be home. We boogie boarded which I think we all got addicted to, we built sandcastles and David , Sam and Aunt Sarah actually saw a shark swim underneath them. A black tip reef shark. They have never swam so fast.

We ate entirely to much and fought sand as if it were on the dark side of the Force but the sand won. I guess it is all part of the experience. It was Abigail's first time to see the ocean. It was so cold the first day I was afraid that we ruined her impression of it but, when it warmed up, she would jump up and down and say ,"OCEAN"! She loved it! I loved it too. Oh, by the way, we played the game of LIFE. I had totally forgotten about that game but Sam loved it and so did Lil's. Anyway thank you Lord for the trip and thank you Lord for home.

Pic of the Day: Sam's Dove

2009-08-21T20:17:00.000-07:00

Sam went last Saturday with his grandfather to a bird habitat . I did not know how he would respond. You know if it was something that he would enjoy. He came back Saturday night beaming. He loved it! Grandpa gave him his own digital camera to take as many pics as he wanted. He learned many bird names and took great joy in showing me all of the his pictures . I love seeing him happy and I think Grandpa was good medicine. Thanks Grandpa. You made a little boy very happy. Oh, this is one of the many bird pics by sam. I love it! I think he has a great eye for composition.

Pic of the Day: Bliss

2009-08-16T22:35:00.000-07:00

I love to watch Abigail when she sleeps. She is so perfectly still. That does not happen often. I get to watch every movement and see how much she's grown. It is bliss to look at one of my greatest gifts. Thank you God.

Pic of the Day : Out of the Trees

2009-08-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

David put these leaves on her Lili's face with tree sap. It looks so beautiful but getting the sap off her face was not so beautiful. Oh well, I have this memory forever. It suits her.

Pic of the Day : Beck

2009-08-06T14:46:00.001-07:00

This is Beck . He is the son of one of my oldest friends, Kristen. He is one of those reminders that God always keeps His promises. When I doubt whether or not I am going to see promises that I know God has made to me, I look at Beck. Beck is their third child. Tate is their first and one of Sam's best friends. It took them ten years to get pregnant with Tate. Then came Olive, who is one of Lili's best friends. It took them four years to get pregnant with her. Then came Beck 5 and a half years after Olive. Kristen and Bryan always believed God and pretty much always had a good attitude. They are wonderful parents and they have very precious children. Children of much promise.

Pic of the Month haha: My Boy

2009-07-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

I just have to say that I am so grateful to have my sweet boy. He has such a servants heart and is mostly part of the solution not part of the problem. Today I hurt my foot and he ran to me and said, " Mom are you OK?" There were five other people in the room and he was the only one who came to make sure that I was alright. He is growing inside because he used to not even take notice of such things. It's just nice to know that the time and effort we are putting into him is not in vain. Don't get me wrong, he is not perfect but he is not expected to be. We just want him to be who he is meant to be. Thank you God for my boy!

Lili Faith's 6th Birthday!

2009-06-23T21:20:00.000-07:00

Today, June 24 th 2003 one of my biggest prayers to God was answered by a beautiful and chubby little angel. Lili was one of the cries of my heart. God so loved me that he gave me my own beautiful little girl. The sweetest thing about her is that she is purely herself with no apologies. I love that about her. I hope that she knows how precious she is to me. She should. I tell her every day that she is. These are Six Wonderful Things About Lili:

1. She has joy unspeakable! I mean that. When we were going to the doctor for her kidney issues, instead of complaining about how bored she was or how long it was taking, she said she had never had so much fun.

2.She is a dreamer! Nothing is too far fetched for it to be true.

3. She is very deep! You will never reach the bottom of her little spirit. It goes on and on.

4. She is nice to everyone even those that are hard to love. There was a little boy at her school and she would come home talking about how much she liked him and how he was in trouble a lot but she knew he needed a friend. I met that little boy and he was hard for me to love... and I'm a grown up!

5. She forgives almost instantly. She does not hold a grudge.

6. This little precious gift is mine and her daddy's! Yippee! What a wonderful day it is!

I pray that the Lord will bless you coming and going, Lili. That you will be filled with the joy that only comes from God all the days of your life. I pray that your heart will be set like a flint on the things of God and all of His wonderful and amazing purposes for your life. I pray that your life will be long and full of the miraculous! That that Holy Spirit would be with you every day whispering in your ear the endless love of God. I love you my precious angel! Happy Birthday!

I love you

2009-06-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

Before you leave anyone that you love today, please tell them that you love them. Tell them how much they mean to you. Look in their eyes and tell them what it is about them that you adore. You may not have tomorrow to do it. For those of you out there that know me I want you to know that I love you and appreciate your differences and know that God has areason for you to be on this earth. I pretty much know everyone who reads my blog so I will branch out and say that each one of you has touched my life in some way and made it better. Thank you. Now go to someone you love and tell them how much they mean to you.

Pic of the Day : Dutchalicious

2009-06-07T21:44:00.000-07:00

I think this might be one of my favorite pics that I have ever taken. Big compliment Pammy since I have taken many. I think you need to come back. I need to squeeze Dutchie's thigh. Nothin' like it! Anyway, enjoy this pic I know I did.

Pic of the Day: Family Pic With No Crying Baby!

2009-05-31T17:50:00.000-07:00

I don't believe it! I finally got a family pic that does not contain a crying baby! Yippeee! My whole family looks reasonably happy and clean (even though we were'nt). I am so proud. We clean up good!

Pic of the Day: Through the Storm

2009-05-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

I did not take this picture but I am so happy that someone took it. This is David on a daily basis. He works so hard and still manages a smile at the end of the day. I am so proud of him. He is moving on to another job in the next couple of weeks and I know that, in a way, it is hard for him. You know, when you have dreams that go unfulfilled it hurts. He has handled what hand we have been given with such goodness. He is always kind. He is a wonderful husband. He is my best friend and I pray that this new job is a great blessing to his life and to ours. When you go through tough times it is so hard to hope for anything good. The plans that you have made have failed so many times that you resist the urge to hope because that hope gets squashed. I am purposing to hope for him. Please pray for David. He is giving up part of his dream and I know this is hard for him. While I know we are probably going to have it easier, it's even hard for me to see this part of our life end. We have learned so much through it. God has proven Himself time and time again. He is always providing in the most creative ways. He has shown us that even without worldly success, we have managed to make some unbelievably good friends and how to be gracious under extreme pressure. I look back on our life with gratitude now instead of asking God why He did not let this dream happen for us. I know that I want His dream for us much more than I want ours. David is on the top of my list of hero's. I just want to be like him. Somehow he always manages to have the right attitude about every situation. Oh how I would love to have just that one trait. Anyway, I am proud of him and know that he is going to be blessed in this new job and do proclaim that this time of our lives is going to be good and flourishing and full of the things of God! Thank you God that though life , at times, has not been easy that I have been blessed enough to share it with the love of my life and a great man in my eyes. Through the storm he has smiled and seen You!

Pic of the Day: Who Is This Person?

2009-05-21T17:43:00.001-07:00

O.K. so as a fun activity for me and Lili I bought both her and Samuel these big boxes of sidewalk chalk. I thought it would be something fun to do on the days where we were not at the pool or running around doing various summer activities. This evening I wanted to challenge Lili's artistic side and mine. I thought we could draw portraits of one another. Fun Huh? Who would have thought that it would test my self esteem to the core? Just kidding. She is only five so I don't know what I was expecting. I am almost finished drawing her portrait down to the last detail and she declares to me, "Mom, I don't think I am that tall." Looking over at the very detailed portrait she drew of me ,I say, " Well, I don't think I'm that fat." She laughed and said she did the best that she could and I told her it was wonderful! I dragged David out to see it. Thought he would like to see who his wife had become. He laughed and told me that I definitely needed to start working out more. Hahaha!

Pic of the Day: Two Teeth in Less Than Twenty Four Hoursbytheweekend

2009-05-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

My Belle has lost two teeth in less than twenty four hours. If she keeps going at this rate she will be toothless by the weekend. She is sooooooooo proud and is lisping when she talks. Let's just pray that they come in straight. Last night I heard what sounded like a train coming through their room and then high pitched screaming. I was on my way in to deal with the matter when Lili flew out of her room carrying a very little tooth. She shrieked with delight, I losthed my tooth." I love my life!