caring for a sickie...

our littlest one has bronchitis, and 4 days now, we are resting, watching cartoons, taking our treatments and trying to stay quiet. Any suggestions?

12 Days of the New Year

Twelve days and here is what I have discovered:

There are no majic leprachauns to put away my Christmas lights.
The snow does not want to melt.
My laundry has a way of piling up no matter what!
My budget is getting smaller while the grocery bill gets more, and I am buying the same items!
There are many ways to cook elk.
I am no better a sewer today than I was this time last year, lol!
I still am in love with my husband, I love being an at home mommie and Jesus is still by best friend.

Our...heart.to. heart..

Our family vacation is coming to an end until we do it again next December.

In 2009, here is what I can reflect on:

Four year olds DO rule the universe.

My son is THE xbox champion of all the xbox games.

My 12 year old daughter is becoming a lady before my eyes,

and I am not sure if I like this or not.

Texting will entertain kids for hours, while driving across country.

Candy is in the four food groups. When you are driving for hours, across country.

My son will play on his psp the entire drive,

12 hours, and still want to play once we arrrive.

My children are precious and I love that God has given me the precious moments with them.

I am grateful that these wonderful gifts forgive my shortcomings and are ready to start anew everyday.

Family time is great at Holidays, but is it okay to consider everyday a gift?

How much time on this earth do we a have?

How do we spend it?

Slaving away making money,

running from here to there being busy,

or do we stop,

breathe in,

and say,

"Thank you"

The ..Women..In..Our ..Lives...

I am a people watcher by nature. I love to observe interaction, conversations, and body language. I have a good intuition and I am usually a good guesser at what may or may not happen between human beings at times, at others I am just guessing.



I also take note on charactar. If I hear someone speak to a child, that tone I hear tells me whether that adult is kind hearted or impatient and not worth the minute in my day. For me, kind words to a child, any child, is a big judge of charactar. If I hear someone tell the truth or what I know to be a lie or tall tale, I am wondering when will they lie to me. If I see someone angry for not reason, or just as joyful as a songbird, well, who would you rather observe: the angry person or the songbird?



Our words to others are sometimes received well or blockaided just by the tone we use. Tempered with sweetness or just bellered out rudely. Have we chosen those words carefully, to be effective positively, or lazily grabbed on to the ill tempered emotions which wants to rule the flesh and lash out and hurt? Which has results for you?



Hatefulness. Unkind. Bitter. Lazy. Disenchanted. Stubborn.



Cheerful. Lovely. Sweet. Willing. Joyful.



I have learned so many charactar traits from the women who surround me. My family, friends and aquaintences have opened my eyes to so many different types of people that there are in the world.

'Self Control means controlling the tongue, A quick retort can ruin everything'

Proverbs 13:3

The main lesson is this: You give, you give, you give. You love, you love, you love. Keep your heart open, keep your heart open, keep your heart open. Jesus Christ is the only answer to lifes up and downs. God's Word is the authority on living a life full of blessings and a faithful heart is our blessing to Him.

"To Do Right Honors God"

Proverbs 14:2

Merry Christmas my friends and family.

God Loves You!

All I want for Christmas is....

Words to Remember....Proverbs31:21

"She is not afraid of the snow for her household. for all her household are clothed with scarlet."

This verse is appropriate for my daily awakenings this season.
Is my home warm, warmth with heat but also with food, clothing, coats, blankets?
Is my home warmth with my love and care, making sure we have what we need?
The basic needs of a child are: food=shelter=clothing=education. A child also needs:nurturing, loving words, correcting, play, and most of all: Parents who can hang out at home and do the before mentioned~
Its been rough being snowed in the last few days, only because we could not leave to go get more stuff to cook, bake, play. We played games, read books, computered ourselves out, and played in the snow for a little while.

I know that my house is warm. I know my household is covered. That is a blessing from God who takes care of even the little sparrow in the field, and He cares for little ole me and you too.

"Thank you for providing our family with what we need. "Our Family", a beautiful bit of two words that mean everything to me. Be my guide, teach me to be a better mother, better wife and a better servant for You. Against the coldness of the world, I need You to help me prepare my household to be strong, protected from lifes storms. Thank You Lord for Your Word, for Your Love, and for giving me this wonderful Family. Amen."

Snow Day......

Little pup, does not like the cold, he seems to like the fluffy white stuff though he cant jump over it!

My two oldest love the snow. Here is Codi saying, oh, I am cold Mom. How about some hot chocolate?

Here is my snow angel, Robert. It came out pretty good, I should have gotten a shot of that too.

We are trapped today. Oh well. we have a warm house, tv and computers to keep us busy, not to mention all the togetherness this entails.

Ou home actually looks good with snow on it. I think we planned it that way.

Snow is falling all around

More snow last nite, and it is still falling, big huge chunks of it! It is so pretty. I am hoping to get out and play in it today....

First Snow

Woke up to snow! So beautiful, so glad we put up our Christmas lights already.
I want to comment on yesterdays blog. I know alot of nice people in our town and I am so glad that I have met them, my life is better for it.
So I will leave my post with this in mind,
Love like this is your last day here, tomorrow may never come.
God has a plan and everyone we meet is put on our path for a reason, even the ones who arent so likeable.

you know you have incountered a Snotty Person when...

Lets define in my own words a snotty person:
self absorbed; narrow minded; mean; unable to accept outsiders; has a delusional belief that they are "better" than anyone else outside their own circle.

Lets define in my own words the opposite of a "snotty" person:
open to new friendships, not mean, able to make new people feel at ease, has no
beliefs they are better than anyone else. Does not have a "circle".

Hallmark facial expressions of a snotty person:
Pinched brow from looking down at others constantly.
No lips because they have worn them off from thinking, tsk, tsk tsk.
A frown because they don't approve of anything going on that would mean "new idea" or different
The stare, its not friendly or inviting, its meant to intimidate and "put you in your place"

How to return the favor:
Stare back, you could smile it would give them something to huff at
Wave too, its unarming and confusing to someone who is trying to be hostile for now reason
I prefer to wear dark glasses so they have no idea what I am doing, if its in a building, I just stare back until they look away.

How to win over a snotty person: why? who wants a snot for a friend?
How not to lose sleep over a snotty person: remind yourself of how much you love your family, your friends and that someday, the snotty person, will be old and alone and wishing they had been much nicer when younger.

That Soft Place To Land, Not a Rough Edge

Ask Yourself these questions today:

Am I serving the Lord, or just looking busy to others?
Have I helped anyone but myself today?
Do my words and actions line up with my Christian image?
What can I do TODAY to make my home a softer place to land?
Am I following Scripture in my life, am I living like Christ?

"Help me Lord. I am reading your words, I am praying for guidance and I still lay in bed at night and wonder, 'am I doing this right?' I yearn to be loving, caring, a good example and still I end up doing something or saying something that just leaves me falling short. Show me the way, dont give up on me, I know you are not finished with me yet. In Your Name, Amen."

Do They See Me...Or am I fooling Myself?

How do your children see you? How does your husband see you?
Are you a whirlwind and a blur?
A sweetness to the eyes?
An Ogre just waiting to pounce on any wrong doing?
A delightful thing to behold?
A Big Teddy Bear?
An Angry Monster?
They don't see you much because you are away working, or with your friends?

How do you wish for your children to see you? How about your hubby?

"Lord let me be the person you have planned for me to be. A mother and a wife, always mindful little eyes are watching. Help me to be a good wife and an even better mother. Its hard to be careful with my words and how I say them. Its hard to be everpresently aware of my actions, because they are who I am. Remind me that I am raising the future. How I treat them today will result if we have a relationship tomorrow. In Your Name, Amen"

J..is for joy..

I had the most tremendous gift of the day last Sunday night. We had a busy day getting in order for the coming week, and my three kiddos and hubby were somewhat helpful. Grins.
I happened upon my four year old, who was so carefully putting her toys away, and quielty she was singing, "Yes, Jesus Loves Me." Her melody was so full of joy as she put books away, and set each doll in its place.
I peeked in to my preteens room and she was on her laptop, chatting with her friend, laughing at whatever was being said.
My son and his friend were in the room off the kitchen playing pool, of course their laughter could be heard all the way to the kitchen.
A home filled with joy. What a blessing.
J is for Joy
E is for Emmanuel
S is for Saved
U is for Unmistakable
S is for Shalom

"Lord, You fill the empty places in my day. You wrap me up in Your Love, and the Joy is Unmistakable! What a miracle life is. What a wonderment in the day to day task, family, work, cooking, cleaning, Finding joy in being your servant. Amen."

Happy Halloween Everybody!

I wear my Heart, on my Sleeve

To be honest with you, being home sometimes gets....like a snowball affect.
I cant leave the house because someone is sick, or I am.
This has turned into a 3 week affair.
Surgeries, sickies, being sick.
We get completely out of routine. Workouts stop, choir, church, dance, fun outings..it all comes to a complete stop.
Coffees, lunches, visits.

And then, I get emails from friends, sending love and I am even more thankful for all we have.
A card in the mail from a coworker sending my hubby care over his surgery. How thoughtful that is. The doctor's office seeing my daughter at the drop of a hat, the tremendous help from my in laws, and this: a note telling me that our family has been on several prayer chains.

"Dear Lord, you know how I am feeling at this moment. I am so grateful for the prayers, the care, the love that Your children are sending our way, and that in itself has a tremndous healing power. But You know that. You instructed us to care for each other, pray for each other, and love each other. How wonderful a planner You are. Amen."

Life and other Random Bits...

what is happening in our home today...

post surgery healing...the viral flu....coughing....soup....

"Gracious Father..you are providing me with peace when I ask for it, You are my comfort, I asked for guidance, You were here, I asked for healing, you are here.
I am so thankful for You. Even when we are feverish, coughing, achy and not feeling so good physically, I know You are with me and my family. In Your Name. Amen."

Fourth Day..home again ...

We got home Friday afternoon, by midnight Codi was down with the flu.
All the kids spent Friday with Bob and Judi. I am thankful they were willing to help out.
Robert was in a lot of pain and after affects of surgery Friday and Saturday, but we did make it home without complications.

Today he is feeling better stomach wise and but he is still feeling pain from surgery. He ate today, very little but he did eat.

Laura is restless, lil Robert is home and feeling better from his bout with the flu. Codi is going through the rough part of the flu with fevers and chills. Codi is spending it at Maw maw and Bob's.

Here is what I am thankful for today: a laptop, loving grandparents, netflix, xbox, cell phones, and Uncle Eric and Aunt Tammy.

"Lord thank you for all the blessings you have given us. I am thankful for the caring people in our lives who are willing to answer our calls for help. Thankful for the sunshine today. Its so nice to look outside and see the bright sky and fall leaves. What a beautiful world you have created for us. In Your Holy Name, Amen."

Second Day....

We spent the night at a hotel last nite, us two girls. The hospital policy does not allow for minors, age 14 and under, to stay with family members who are under the care of hospital staff. So at 10:30 p.m. we called the Ramada and they had a room available and gave the hospital rate of $55.00 for a double room. We were able to shower, hot water thank you! and a complimentary breakfast! Praise the Lord for all good things!
Today is a new day, I am thinking when we get to the hospital, today will be faster paced and we can go back home.
On a side note, my 10 year old has the flu, he is staying with his grandparents.

"Lord, I am lifting up my son and husband to You. Lead me to your will to serve my family to the best of my ability. I am your servant always. Amen."

The Twelfth Hour. . .

We are still here. After urging, R has been moved to a private room until his stomach settles.
Now we wait until 8:00 p.m. to see if we will be going home or staying overnite.

Thankful for:
Attentive Nurses
Quiet Private Room
Slice of pizza and soda, with a cup of cottage cheese for my sweet helper.

"Thank you Lord for Your continued Love and Presence in situations that are not always smooth.
Your Grace is overflowing."

Surgery Over....

we are still waiting for Robert, its been 8 hours since we came into the lobby. So far we have consumed: egg bagel, whopper, pancakes, fries, gummy fruits, sugar wafers, two cups of coffee, gatorade, orange juice. Codi and I , not just I :-)

Dr Moore came out and reported that Roberts surgey went well. He is in recovery, and now we wait to take him home.