This post is brought to you by the letter F!

GiBee over at Kisses of Sunshine gave me the letter "F" so I can do this mememememememe (sang in an opera voice!) We are supposed to pick 10 things that start with the letter and write why we picked that word! If you want to play then let me know and I will assign you a letter.
She gave it to me in honor of my Four children, so this meme is brought to you by the letter "F".

Four children-They are my four blessings, I was gonna say 'little' blessings, but Ryan, who is 15, is taller than I am and I am 5'11". And I am sure that the rest of 'em are gonna be the same way. Jessica is 10, Jordan is almost 8 and Jackson will be 6 in a couple weeks. They are my life. I am so thankful that God gave them to me, they are really great kids! And, if I do say so myself, they aren't too bad looking either...look to the right sidebar...agree?

Faith- My faith has been tested more times than I can even count. Hasn't the devil realized that I cannot be swayed to the "dark side"? Leave me and my family alone! Go away!

Family- I have to say that I have got the best, most supportive family in the whole wide world. (Sorry guys but they are mine and you can't have 'em!) They ALL mean so much to me! Hugs!

Friends- I love my friends! I would do anything for them! And now I can say that you guys out there in the blogdom are considered my friends too! (So sappy!)

Father- Both my Heavenly father and my Daddy father. Heavenly Father...well obviously He is the best! My Daddy is the strongest, most awesome guy that I know. He has had a hard life and overcame so much. (He and my Mom have been married almost 4 years, try to figure that one out!) He is a shrimper and has been since before me, and now he is a Fisherman For Christ, winning souls to the Lord. I am trying to get him to start blogging, kinda like Rev-Ed. He reads mine (Hey Daddy Goat!) and would be really good at it I'm sure!

Food- 'nuff said!

Fabric-The vain of my existence. I have tons of it. I love searching out new fabric patterns. I make purses and diaper bags and coming soon to a website near you...I will be adding hostess aprons! Yay! Can I get a woo hoo?

Fruit- I LOVE fruit! Apples, oranges, bananas, I just ate watermelon and fresh pineapple..mmmm and I so love strawberries!
Also, I am studying the Fruits of the Spirit in my women's Sunday school class, just started, can't wait!

Flip Flops- My favorite type of shoe. I wear them year round! I think I even wore them Christmas Day to my Mom's...God, I love the South!

Feet- I have a foot thing...I cannot stand for anybody to touch the bottom of my feet! It is making my throat close up right now as we speak just thinking about it! Ugh! I'm weird, I know! I get it from my grandfather, Skeebo (that's what we call him), he is the same way!

This was fun, thanks GiBee!
Let me know if you want a letter too!
Oh, BTW, just in case you were wondering about my parents, they used to be married, were apart for 20 years and then remarried and all 5 of us kids got to be in the wedding...so cool...so special!

What awesome faith!

I am amazed at the strength and faith I am witnessing as I had been reading the blog that has captured the world's attention. It is amazing because both of these families have grieved and rejoiced, yet they still hold true to our Lord.
It is the case of mistaken identity. The young woman who was fighting for her life, being called Laura VanRyn who was found out to be Whitney Cerak, who they thought died in an accident. The VanRyn family started a blog to keep updates on. Even since they have discovered that their own was actually the one who died in the accident they are still maintaining their faith and the blog for the Cerak family. Their faith has been in all the papers, from East to West, national and local. Not only has their faith been shared but Jesus has too. It is not being denied because of this horrible mistake. They are sharing Jesus worldwide and it is not being distorted or made into an ugly bitter scene. This is the faith that I can only hope and pray I would have if something similar were to happen to us. Faith so strong that it takes your breathe away.I am rejoicing with the Cerak's and mourning with the VanRyn's, because they are family, the family of God. This woman is going to do great things for the kingdom of God and so are these families, that already are setting an awesome example. And I pray this verse for both families today,

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

So, grab a cup of coffee and prepare to be amazed by reading this awesome display of faith.

Blogging Chicks

I forgot to announce that I am now a 'blogging chick'. (Aren't I cute?) If you want more information on it then look here. You could be one too!

That's me, so here I am!

( Alright, kids...dinner is coming in a minute...hold on, I am trying to concentrate on my post....wait a minute, I am right in the middle of a great comment...ok, here I come...oh wait Aunt Lori posted?...I'll be right there..ok...oh wait..her too?...and her...and her...and her...and her...and her....and her...ok, just through a Hot Pocket in the microwave!...I may be here all night!)

Do YOU have a washing machine?

Did you know that in parts of Mexico there are hot and cold springs side by side? It is a part of nature that the women there take full advantage of. They can boil their clothes in the hot springs to get them clean, then rinse them in the cold springs. This is a way of life for them, they do not know any other way. Can you imagine?

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will
remember your miracles of long ago.

Psalm 77:11

So often we compare our lives to other people's lives around us or that we see on TV or read about or whatever. We compare what they have in contrast to what we have. Or even what they are that we aren't. I can say from my personal experiences that these feelings will leave you feeling rejected or left out or even cheated. We (I) have to make an effort to steer clear of these bad emotions or we (I) can become very bitter.

Sometimes, we are so busy adding up all our troubles that we forget to count all the many blessings that we encounter EVERY SINGLE DAY! We have so much to be grateful for.

For starters, God gives us a new day everyday for us to have a brand new start! And He loves us as if we were the only person He created. He is always there for us when we need to talk. He is forgiving. He promises us that we can live for eternity with Him in Heaven. He understands everything we are going through better than anyone else can, even ourselves. He loves us so much that He sent His own Son down to die for our sins.

These are just a few things that He has done for us, His children. Look at how huge that is. That is huge!

I, for one, have so many things to be grateful for. I am grateful for the life that I have. I am grateful for my husband and children. I am grateful for my family, my Mom and Dad, my sisters and brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles...you get it, right? I am grateful for the things that I have had to endure to get to were I am today. I am grateful for my brothers and sisters in Christ and my church. I could just go on and on, but you get it, I hope.

I am going to make a deal with myself to make a conscience effort to be thankful and grateful for all things around me. Check out the definition of conscience....1. the awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one's conduct together with the urge to prefer right over wrong, and 2. the part of the superego that judges the ethical nature of one's actions and thoughts and then transmits such determinations to the ego for consideration. I am gonna be aware, very aware!



So, tell me what are you grateful for? Count your blessings! I am gonna start by thanking God that I have a washing machine. I hate doing laundry, but I cannot even imagine having to actually do the laundry. Now I am wondering why I ever griped about that? (Can you imagine what those ladies are gonna do when they find out that there is a machine that can do all that work for them?)

Welcome Home!

Welcome Home Little One! We are so gald that you are feeling better!

If you would like to join our "Welcome Home Party"for MomRN2's daughter then please visit Carol at She Lives. If you haven't read MomRN2's story then please do, it is amazing at how the Lord works! It all started 2 weeks ago on May 18th at My Quiet Corner when she made A Plea for Prayer! She got 127 comments on that plea....unbelieveable! It still amazes me! I truly feel like we are apart of one big family that pulled together in a time of need! Hey, we are...the family of God!

Are you into stamping?

Good morning all! I just wanted to let you know that we all have a chance to support one of our local bloggers. Blest With Sons is having an Ebay auction to help pay for her new laptop. She has decided to let go of some of her stamping collection. Stampin' Up sets, yes I said sets, whole entire SETS! So, if you are into stamping or know someone who is then click on over to her site to get a preview, then bid away! She has the direct links to the Ebay Auction right from her blog pictures. I already have dibs on the Christian Stamps set, but I am willing to duke it out if I have too! Good luck and good bidding!

I got an award!

I am honored and thrilled to get my first ever award. I never win anything...EVER! Yet, I am also very humbled by the title of this award. Eph2810 over at Sting My Heart has awarded me the first ever ENCOURAGER OF THE MONTH AWARD. I know that I gave my thanks over at her place, but I need to give the love over here too. So at the risk of repeating myself ...

Thank you.... thank you...please sit down....thank you , oh thank you!
(blushing) Please hold the applause! Thank you!
First of all, I would like to thank our heavenly Father! Without Him I would not be who I am today, saved by grace! (hands up to the sky)
Secondly, my loving, caring (incarcerated, now saved) husband, without him and the things that he put me through I would NOT have this story to tell! I love you baby! (blow kiss). And my kids, I love you guys so much! Thanks for letting me be your Mom and throwing new trials at me everyday (shaking finger). Then, my family (both real and spiritual), you guys are the best and my blogging buddies, oh, without you (mascara dripped tears falling down face) who would read this anyways! I love (voice cracks) you all! (more kisses blown)
And you Iris, you, well, I am not sure I can express my
gratitude for this awesome award! I am at a loss for words, except thank
you! Thank you so much! (((BIG HUG)))

Now check it out in my sidebar! Pretty cool huh?

Comfort

As I sit here at this keyboard this morning, my heart is aching. Aching for my brother, aching for his girlfriend, aching for my parents, and aching for my other siblings. I have always been the type of person that wants to fix things. I want to make it all better. But through the years of my own tribulations I have realized that I am not in control. God is in control. He tells us "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" in Isaiah 55:8. What did He just say? I am not in control here?

But now, I know that what ever I am going through, that He is with me. Always! He is always present to comfort me if I let him. "I, even I, am he who comforts you." Isaiah 51:12. As we acquaint ourselves more and more with God , then we will find His grace and the peace that He offers us. He has offered to help keep us strong, ok not help, but TO keep us strong regardless of what happens! Our God is able to free us from our hurts. But we have to let Him in!

Sometimes, I am so amazed at the power of our Father. He created the earth and EVERYTHING on it. He created the beautiful flowers, the sunsets, the beautiful creatures, even the ugly ones. He created us, in His own image nonetheless. He created all of this. Now tell me why wouldn't we give it all back to Him? He is the Almighty One! He offers to carry our burden!

Now tell me this, if you had a huge load to carry all by yourself. I mean big stuff! And you are walking down the street with all this "stuff" and a man comes up to you and says "Let me help you carry some of that for you, it looks like way too much for you to carry alone." What would you say? Now really what would you say? Of course you would let him help you. That is what God is asking us. He WANTS to help carry our "loads". Give it to Him, not only does He want to help us carry it, He wants to carry ALL of it for us! He wants us to walk along side of Him to wherever He goes, while He bears the burdens. I heard a saying once, I'm not sure if I remember it exactly but it goes something like this...Give ALL your worries to God, He's up all night anyway. Well, when you think about it like that!? How easy is that?

Now when God's word becomes apart of your life, then you have something to base your life on. When a problem arises or fear sets in, you will have the confidence, because of God's word! God wants us to come to a place of knowing Him so well that we can feel his comfort. And we can feel His peace. Even when there seems to be no reason at all for it! Then, when we are weighed down by the anxieties of the world, of life, He can lift us up and wrap His arms around us and comfort us. This is one of God's awesome ministries to us!

The things that happen to us are simply the result of living in a fallen world. We have a choice. We can allow the things of this world to make us bitter or make us better. Not a very hard choice, honestly, it isn't. We can accept His comforts. He wants to carry our burdens and our anxieties.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you." 1 Peter
5:7.

Let Him carry it, get rid of it! Give it to Him!

LET HIM IN! Do you hear me? You know who you are, just do it!

Thursday Thirteen...vol.5

Banner by Emily

13 Things That I Learned About Laughter...

1. Humans are one of the only species that laugh.

2. The average adult laughs 17 times a day.

3. Laughter is actually a complex response that involves many of the same skills used in problem solving.

4. There is strong eveidence that laughter can improve health and help fight disease.

5. Evidence shows that laughter strengthens your immune system.

6. Laughter is thought to increase intellectual performance and boost information retention.

7. Laughter enhances creativity.

8. Laughter encourages teambuilding in the workplace.

9. Laughter is a major stress reliever.

10. Laughter increases joy.

11. Laughter increases the sense of being alive.

12. Laughter is contagious.

13. I need to laugh more!

Proverbs 17:22...A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

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Chicken Fingers on a Stick

I just saw this recipe on FamilyFun and thought Mmmm how yummy would this be for the Memorial Day holiday cookouts. So, since I talked about dieting yesterday...here is my contribution. Doesn't seem too fattening! Let me know what you think!
I think I am gonna do these this weekend, that reminds me I need gas for the grill...gotta run!

Chicken Fingers On A Stick

INGREDIENTS:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, pounded 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick
Salt and pepper
24 (10-inch) bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
3 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
1 1/4 cups plain dried bread crumbs

1. Cut each chicken breast lengthwise into 1/2-inch-wide strips and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Fold the chicken strips slightly and weave them onto the skewers.

2. Prepare a charcoal fire or set a gas grill to medium-high, close the lid, and heat until hot -- about 10 to 15 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, stir together the oil and the barbecue sauce. Spread the bread crumbs on a sheet of waxed paper. Lightly brush the sauce mixture over the chicken strips and then roll them in the bread crumbs.

4. Grill the chicken fingers uncovered until they're no longer pink inside, about 2 to 4 minutes per side on a gas grill.

5. Serve with the dipping sauce of your choice.

Serves 6 to 8.

Are there Kisses in heaven!

I love to eat, I think I always have. I am not really over-weight but enough to be concerned. When I was younger I think that my body just accepted my sometimes poor eating habits, but not anymore. It seems that I can do well for a few days but it never lasts for too long. Well, not long enough anyways. I start to thinking about certain yummies and my will power just fades away. Hershey's Kisses are my most fav (this week) and I just love Chef Boyardees Pepperoni Pizza kits! I think I could eat the whole thing by myself! Oh, there are so many other weaknesses.

I have tried tons of different diets. Maybe it is the word "diet" . I have done the low carb, high protein diet, but that gets really boring. And Slim-Fast, talk about boring. I have tried diet pills, the newest is Hoodia. I have done Weight Watchers and did really well on that on until Christmas came along, and now I just can't get back into it and it is already the end of May. Go figure! I tried the low fat, burn fat diet and all it did was burn me out. I joined the YMCA (still a member paying the monthly payments), but I just never try to find the time to go.

I am thinking that the "Nude Beach Diet" will be a good one. Have you heard of it? No? Well, pretty simple actually, you sit on the nude beach, fully clothed, of course, and watch all the nude sunbathers. You either observe and feel really great about yourself or you achieve that motivation to never eat again. Could become pretty popular I think!

Anyways, I was talking to my Mom on the phone today about how tired I have been feeling lately, when we hung up I realized that maybe I am so tired because I really am not eating well. I can either go till after lunch without eating or start eating at breakfast and not stop till after dinner. That's not good! No wonder I am so pooped! And I also realize that unless I want to get as big as a Macy's Day balloon, I better get this under control. So, I am gonna start excercising, gonna use that gym membership.

Throughout all of struggles with weight, the Lord has tried to remind me that He wants to be my food. But obviously, I haven't listened. Why can't I just rely on Him? I have done that in other areas of my life why not this one too? Some days I let Him fill me up with the peace and power He provides, but other days I just want to run to the junk food cabinet. (Again!) I realize that it is gonna be a daily battle to let Jesus be my Bread of Life. Sometimes it is so much easier to run to a friend, turn on the TV, grab a Snickers, than it is to turn to the Lord and tell him what I need. Yes, I know that He already knows what I need but He is just waiting for me to ask. He wants to help work on my problems with me together!

Matthew 4:4---Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man
does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of
God.'"

So as of this moment, my prayer is that I will hunger for the Lord more than I hunger for earthly food. That I will get as excited about diving into His word as I do about eating. That I will commit my body to Him and let Him fulfill that hunger craving in me.

One last thing----Lord, I hope that there are Kisses in heaven!

Attention all Moms (and Dads)

Ok Moms, we were given a challenge by Everyday Mommy. Are you willing to join me in taking her up on it?

“A woman is, but a man must become. Masculinity is risky and elusive. It is achieved by a revolt from a woman, and it is confirmed only by other men.” –Camille Paglia

I am a member of an awesome Bible believing, Bible teaching church. We have great teachers and I have learned so much about raising my children to look to the Lord for everything in their lives. I had the opportunity to be apart of a Sunday school class devoted solely to Practical Parenting.

Boys….”Raising boys offers a unique challenge to parents.”

Isn’t that the truth? I have 2 brothers and 2 sons so I know the kinds of things that boys do without any regard to their own safety. I can do all that is in my power to keep them protected. But boys will be boys. They will climb trees and perch themselves at the tippy top. They will throw rocks and accidentally break windows. They will bring home a stray dog and beg to please keep it. They will find that hidden book of matches or lighter and try to master the art of a controlled fire. They will make THAT noise with their hand and armpit. And being a sister of 2 brothers and a mother of 2 boys who have 2 sisters, they will do anything and everything to aggravate and torment their sisters. That is just the way boys are made. They make up the rules as they go.

But, I also have learned several things about my boys. They are not all snips and snails and puppy dog tails. They are sweet and caring and protective and passionate human beings. They are children of God. And it is my job to do everything possible to teach them to be Godly men. And it is my job to show my daughters what a Godly man is, so that they will make smart choices in the future when I am not around.

Here is my charge to you!

Boys need their Dads. And I realize more than anyone that sometimes Dads are not around, as my own husband is absent from our home at the moment. Single Moms need to find a Godly man to spend time with her son, to take him to sporting events, to go fishing or hunting, to just do guy stuff. A Mom cannot teach her son to be a man, only a man can do that. A father (or father-figure) will bring his son into manhood.

Boys need words of affirmation from both Mom and Dad. Mom- “You are just like your Dad.” “My, aren’t you handsome.” Dad- “Great job today…let’s go to the hardware store!” (said with a big grunty voice! ) We should never just say nothing at all, and always tell them that you love them!

Boys need physical affirmation from Mom and Dad, but especially from Dad. Dads need to have physical contact with his son. Hug him, wrestle with him, roughhouse, whatever it may be. The touch is very important. Dad also needs to identify with his son, take him for a walk and just talk a bit.

Boys need sports. Competitive sports will teach boys to play as a team and to lose as a team. Teach him to play fair and honorable, but play to win. It does not matter if he is athletic or not, show your son how to catch a ball.

Boys need Dad to protect them from pornography and sexual predators. (Proverbs 7:6-23 and King Solomon was also tempted in 1 Kings 11:1-2.) Dads need to teach their sons Job 31:1 "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.” Teach it to them and obey it yourselves. Don’t let your son catch your roving eyes, what kind of example is that?

Teach your sons from God’s word. There are so many cool stories in the Bible that are all boy. Read them these stories! Teach them Joshua 1:6-9. Show them by example, let them see you reading God’s word and memorizing it and doing it.

Teach your sons to pray. Dads should lead their families in prayer. Pray for peace of mind, resisting temptations, and pray for a purpose in life. Teach your sons to tithe. Teach your son Christian principles. (Galatians principles)

Will your son be a difference maker? Will your son protect? Real men will protect the innocent you know. Christ is the key to all of it. If we obey what we know then our children will follow suit. Kids want to be like their parents and they start mimicking us at a very early age. Give them good examples to mimic. Respect your wife, honor your husband…it all starts here.

"I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. "So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.” 1 Kings 2:2-3. This is King David’s charge to his son Solomon as he was about to die. Now go back and read it again, teach your sons this! Know it yourself!

We are all sinners, raising little sinners. Being a parent is not easy, but look to our handbook, the Bible, it is all laid out there for us to use. Use it!

Our Story...below...

I promised you a testimony post and I did just that the other day. Please be sure to come back and read it when you have more time. You can either scroll below to the 4th post down or just click here!

Friday's Feast #3

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: What is the last thing you had to have repaired?
So funny you ask...I just got my prized possesion back today after a $108 repair bill...I honestly can't live without it...it is my life line and my job...my Brother sewing machine...yeah, it's fixed!

Soup: If someone gave you $2,000 with the stipulation that you had to spend half of it on yourself and give the rest to charity, where would you spend the $1,000 and which charity would receive your remaining $1,000?
I think that I would get an industrial strength sewing machine or a larger embroidery machine ( a wise investment, I think!). Then I would give the remainder to the Faith Home Inc., Christian Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Greenwood, SC

Salad: What is one of your favorite songs from the 1980s?
Physical by Olivia Newton John...I loved this song and had the leg warmers to boot...it is an 80's song, right? (I even had a routine!)

Main Course: You enter a pet store. Which section do you go to first?
I always get Harley and Cooper big 'ole chew bones.

Dessert: On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how athletic are you?
I used to be pretty athletic, playing tennis in HS, then women's softball league until I broke my leg 9 years ago. Now unfortunately, not very, I'd say maybe a 6 and that might be pushing it!

Thursday Thirteen vol. 4

I saw this on the internet a few weeks ago and thought that it was really cute and since I couldn't come up with anything creative about myself, here are 13 things we should learn about life from Noah's Ark!

1. Don't miss the boat.

2. We are all in the same boat.

3. Plan ahead. (It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.)

4. Stay fit. (You never know, when you are 600 years old, God may ask you to do something really big!)

5. Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

6. Build your future on higher ground.

7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

8. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

9. When you are stressed float a while.

10. The Ark was built by amatuers; the Titanic by professionals.

11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there is always a rainbow waiting.

12. When you see a rainbow, remember all of God's promises will come true.

and 13. The woodpecker probably needed to be in a steele cage.

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Let's share six minutes of your life!

I saw this on Girls and God's site. This is hilarious! Please make sure to put down all drinks and such that can come spewing out of your nose. I needed something lighter today after my post yesterday! Sit back and enjoy the show! And try to remember how many of these you have actually done!

Our weekend...

My ganddaddy's 80th birthday!

Daddy, Billy, Ryan and Bernie.

Amy (my sister), Austin, Billy (BIL), and Will

These are aprons that I made my Mom (blue) and my MIL for Mother's Day, I'm thinking of adding these to my Carolina Rags' line...let me know what you think.

Florida Gators purse that someone ordered for Mother's Day! Should I add it too?

Tagged again...

I was tagged by Everyday Mommy to do the ABC's MEME, so I tag anyone who hasn't done this one yet! Here goes...

Accent: Southern drawl
Bible Book that I like: James has got to be my favorite at the moment, for 1 we are studying this one in SS class and for 2 it is so rich in wisdom. (and i can use all I can get.)
Chore I don't care for: Laundry, I so hate laundry!
Dog or Cat: I've got 2 dogs and a cat but I guess if I had to choose it would be dog.
Essential Electronics: Kitchenaide mixer and cell phone, oh and my 'puter.
Favorite Cologne: I never wear it...gives me a headache :(
Gold or Silver: Silver
Handbag I Carry Most Often: Handbags...now we are talking my language...I carry a different one all the time because that is what I do for a living...come see
Insomnia: No, not really but I do tend to be up very late at night working when the kiddos are sleeping, but I have no problems getting to sleep and staying that way.
Job Title: Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Follower of Christ, Friend, Caregiver, Worker at home, Handbag designer, Title researcher, PTO volunteer, oh and I could go on and on and on....
Kids: son-15, daughter-10, daughter 7 (almost 8), & son-5 (almost 6)
Living Arrangements: Just me and my crew in a huge double wide MH
Most Admirable Trait: Creativity
Naughtiest Childhood Behavior: I made my little brother touch an ice machine with bare feet on a soaking wet floor...he'll never forget it and neither will I, it through him for a literal loop!
Overnight Hospital Stays: 4 natural child births and a factured femor with a halo...ugh!
Phobias: I hate making phone calls to people that I don't know, fear of rejection, I guess, not real sure!
Quote: "You can't succeed beyond your wildest expectations unless you begin with some wild expectations." -unknown
Religion: I am Southern Baptist and attend a non-denominational Bible believing, Bible teaching church.
Siblings: 2 sisters and 2 brothers...all younger!
Time I Wake Up: 6:30am to 7:00am
Unusual Talent or Skill: I can alphabetize the letters in a word really quick and I used to get really obsessed with doing it ALL the time...not so much anymore....my family used to practically put me on display and say "watch what my sister can do".
Vegetable I Refuse to Eat: Collard greens and brocolli
Worst Habit: Probably letting my clean laundry pile get too high before folding them.
X-rays: Too many to count
Yummy Stuff I Cook: Chicken 'n Rice, Lasagna, and I love to bake any new, fun recipes and they are always a hit...I can bake a mean pound cake too!
Zoo Animal I Like Most: I like the giraffes.

Friday's Feast #2

Appetizer: What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Mint Chocolate Chip...Mmmmm

Soup: What are 3 things you would like to put in a time capsule?
Can I fit in one? Oh, OK, pictures of my children and family, my journals, and are you sure I can't fit? And the love letters that my husband has written me these past 3 years...they are so sweet and sincere! (Maybe I will share one with you soon!)

Salad: Name something you are 100% sure of.
I am definately 100% sure of my salvation, are you?

Main Course: What is something you do to calm yourself when you're stressed or upset?
I pray....I pray really hard...stress has become a big part of my life these past 3 years and I am just now learning to control it, kinda...upset..usually I just cry...not a lot of control there, then pray!

Dessert: If you could receive an invitation to any important event, what would you like it to be?
I would have to say..I'm really not sure...I guess an invitation to my sister's future baby shower....future baby, future shower. (The actual birth would be nice too, Lori!)

Thursday Thirteen vol. 3

Thirteen Interesting Facts About My Mom

1. She loves the Lord with all her heart and taught us all to do the same.

2. She has 5 kids (I am the oldest!).

3. She has been married to my Daddy for 4 years this September.

4. How can that be you ask? They remarried after 22 years apart.

5. She has 10 grandchildren and 10 granddogs.

6. She loves to ride the grandkids around in her small trailer attached to the lawn mower.

7. She snorts when she laughs.

8. She owns her own real estate company.

9. She loves gardening and has a beautiful rose garden.

10. She is terrrified of spiders and I mean heart attack scared.

11. She plays the organ at church and has for as long as I can remember.

12. She is my 911-I call her before I call 911, she says "call 911".

13. 2 years ago at a real estate conference with my sister, Mom went to the bathroom wearing an all black suit and came out with a long flowing tail. She sat down oblivious to her new tail, then later got up to get coffee. My sister, Lori, who was sitting right beside her, glanced up and noticed her "Angel Soft" tail. As she came back with her coffee, she couldn't understand why Lori was laughing uncontrollable. Lori finally squeaked out "You have toilet paper hanging out of the back of your pants." So she nonchalantly reached back and tucked it in her pants, saving it for the next potty break. I wonder who else noticed my Mom's "Angel Soft" tail? (And I really don't think they learned anything else about real estate after that! I am sure that there was a lot of 'snorting' going on!)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM

Mom, Me and Jackson

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TT Banner by Kelly at Diary of the Nello

Austin and Petie

Have you ever...?

Austin lovin' his dog, Petie...this is my youngest nephew. He is about 19 months and is just about the cutest little buger. Of course, I am quite partial to him. He is at the sweetest age where he will just mimmick anything and everything you say. We are always trying to get him to say whatever we can come up with. And he says "no" to everything, so we ask him all kinds of silly questions. "Austin, do you want a million dollars?" NO! "Austin, do you love Mommy more than your favorite Aunt Angie?" NO!

So far, he is #10 of the grandchildren in our family. (I mentioned that I was the oldest of 5, didn't I?) (And did I mention that I have ALL nephews?) Come on guys, I need me a little niece to spoil too! Who's turn is it anyways? Lori? I do believe it is yours! No more dogs, have a baby!
Amy, thanks for sharing your sweet baby with all of us! (Am I a proud Aunt or what?)

Welcome to my new place!

So, do you like my new design? I am so excited!! Susie, who designed it, is an absolute dream to work with! She captured exactly what I was looking for. She is really inexpensive too, but you better get to her quick before she realizes it and raises her prices...grin...!

Let her know what you think in the comments, she would love the feedback!

And if you really love it then check her out at...A Little Luxury. You won't be sorry!

Thanks Susie, I absolutely love it...you have a real talent for this!

Check this out!

Remember this?

About a week and a half ago or so I did a post called "Talk about devotion!" and I shared it with a friend of mine, Ms. Debi, who is also one of the kids Good News Club teachers. She emailed me last night and said that she shared it with the Orangeburg Director of Child Evangelism Fellowship. She wanted to let me know that they put my sweet Jordan of their state website, along with my post. How cool is that? So go check it out! It is right on the home page. I just showed Jordan to make sure that it was OK with her that it was on there and she is just beaming! She thinks that it is pretty cool too! I explained to her that she is helping to spread the good news about the Good News Club After-School Programs and the Wonderbooks Devotional.

Happy Birthday Gena!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Gena, Happy Birthday to you!

Gena and me on a hayride at our Fall Festival!

My friend Gena...well let me tell you a little about her... She and I met when we were teenagers and we were both Pirettes at our local Water Festival. Pirettes are the ambassadors of the Water Festival who travel around the state to promote the festival doing parades and such. It was a fun time. We remained friends afterwards, not real close, but I guess, acquaintances. Then, later in our lives I started dating her brother in law and then became her sister in law several years later. She has the most awesome kids! She has twin boys who are 16 now and she has done such a great job raising them despite her circumstances. They are incredible teeenagers! I envision one or possibly both of them going into ministry when they get older. They are already summer missionaries in the Ukraine spreading the gospel to those who have never heard it. I am proud to be their Aunt! She also has the sweetest 6 year old little boy who is great friends with my Jackson. Her husband is pretty great too...(good going Gena)!

Although she is not my sister in law anymore, she is and always will be a great friend. She was one of the first ones I called when my husband got into trouble and she was right here by my side within a matter of minutes. We may not talk every single day, sometimes we go weeks without talking, but when one of us needs the other, we are there for one another....ALWAYS! I love you Gena, thanks for being a great friend!

I got tagged?

Alright, I guess since I am new to the blogosphere, I wasn't sure what it meant to be tagged. Until eph2810 informed me this morning that she tagged me, (I wondered what that was all about!?). So now I get it and here is my 22 Meme!

I AM: very tired.
I WANT: a housekeeper.
I WISH: I had 4 arms, I think I could get so much more done.
I HATE: doing laundry!!!!
I MISS: my hubby!
I FEAR: the Lord!
I HEAR: my embroidery machine stitching away (I am multi tasking as we speak!).
I WONDER: what the future holds for my family.
I REGRET: nothing, well maybe just a couple of things!
I AM NOT: scared to die.
I DANCE: with my kids to silly music.
I SING: REALLY loud when I am in my van, alone.
I CRY: often...
I AM NOT ALWAYS: organized!
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: just about anything and everything I can come up with.
I WRITE: about my life and such!
I CONFUSE: myself with so many passwords.
I NEED: more time in the day, then I might be able to get a decent night's rest.
I SHOULD: do my laundry, but...
I START: to do it, and then...
I FINISH: it never!
I TAG: Lori , Sandy , and Blest

You know, you really learn alot about yourself through doing these things. They are kinda cool!

Thursday Thirteen vol. 2

Banner by Emily

Thirteen things that I have done to make money since my husband left 3 years ago.....

1. Child care/ Babysitting (all time hardest job ever!)

2. Ironed clothes (and I hate to iron my own clothes!)

3. Cake decorating (love it, still do it a little, but it takes a lot of time!)

4. Balanced checkbook ( my MaMa paid me to keep hers balanced every month!)

5. Dog breeder (well, this one was a pretty tough one too!)

6. Title researcher (I still do a little bit of this one!)

7. House cleaning (well, enough said!)

8. Sold make-up (not my forte')

9. Party planner (only did it once!)

10. Tinkered in alterations (not as much fun as creating my own things!)

11. Sold my kids clothes that they grew out of on Ebay (still do this one too!)

12. Had 2 yard sales (when I want to redo a room, I sell the old stuff!)

13. Make purses and diaper bags (my all time fav, my passion!)

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A little peek...

Well, me and Jackson just got home from church. The girls had a sleep over at my step-daughter's house for her birthday. So me and my little man had a fun little date last night. We went to Sonic for slushies. That is one of our favorite things to do. He loves to go, especially when the girls are not with us. When we got home, he was so excited that he got to sleep with Mommy in "Daddy's spot". That is what they all call that empty spot in my bed. Some of you who just started reading my blog and do not know me personally may be wondering where is that daddy of theirs? Why is she a single-married Mommy? Well, actually I wish I had more time today to really get into it, but I don't because me and Jackson are on the way to visit his Daddy. He lives about 30 minutes away from us right now and the only way to see him is to go to him. Any guesses yet?

My husband, who I prayed for for years and years to become a Christian man is finally that. He is a saved by grace Christian, thank you Lord. But unfortunately God had to deal with him in a manner that none of us would like to be dealt with. He is in prison serving a 4 1/2 year sentence. We only have about 19 months left. So that is why I am a single-married Mommy at this time. I love my husband and made the decision to stick by his side through this season in our lives because that is what the Lord calls us to do. I wish that things could have been different to this point in getting him to his saving grace but the Lord chose another path for our family. But I know that in time when he is released it will be all worth it. We will get to raise our family together according to God's will, not his (which is what he thought in the past). We pray together now. He prays with our children. He prays with other inmates. He has led many other inmates to Christ while he has been gone.

I promise that I will oneday make a "testimony post" so you can see the path that got us to where we are today. It is truly amazing! The Lord has and continues to bless us everyday. Although this is not where I thought I would be at this point in my life, I am thankful that I am. Because now my husband and I are true partners in the Lord. I am excited for the future and the great and mighty things that He will do through my husband! He has already started.

I also know that I could not have gone through this without my Lord. He has gotten me through some very tough times, financially and emotionally. He has blessed me in a way that I can still be a stay-at-home-mom and start a business from here. I have grown more spiritually in these past 3 years than I ever had before. I have had to totally rely on the Lord for everything in my life and the lives of my kids. I have true faith and He has definitely taken care of a certain pride issue! I can say that I had not once missed a house payment or a car payment and all the other bills get paid too. The numbers do not add up on paper but by golly it happens. My family (oh, what a great family they are) has always been there for us and my church family, I can't say enough about them, they are awesome.

So, this is just a little peek into our life! Now we are off to see Daddy. We really love our visits with him and can't wait until he is finally back home with us again. In God's time, of course!

Friday's Feast #1

Friday, April 28, 2006

Friday's Feast--- First one for me!

Appetizer: On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how polite are you?
A 9~ I am a very polite person. Momma taught me to mind my manners. Besides, I truly believe that we should treat others the way that we want to be treated.

Soup: What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud? Last night as I was surfing the Thursday Thirteens, I came across one by Lauren that truly made me laugh out loud. The kids even walked in and wondered if Mommy had gone off the deep end. I especially liked #2. "To me, it’s a good idea to always carry two sacks of something when you walk around. That way, if anybody says, ‘Hey, can you give me a hand?’ You can say, ‘Sorry, got these sacks.’" (Maybe that doesn't go with the polite thing, but that is why I left a margin of error.)

Salad: Who is your favorite cartoon character? I would have to say Tom and Jerry. Is that silly cat ever gonna catch that mouse, he has been at it since I was a kid!

Main Course: Tell about the funniest teacher you ever had. I am really bad about remembering things like this, maybe because I really didn't have one. Although, I do have a pretty funny, down to earth Sunday School teacher that always makes me laugh even when I really don't feel like it. Thanks Steph!

Dessert: Complete this sentence: I strongly believe that ---miracles still happen and that God answers prayer, that prayer is powerful (even if we don't like the answers) and that He is always in control!

Thursday Thirteen vol.1

Ok, I am a first timer to the Thursday Thirteen. I love reading them, so I decided to join in on the fun. So be patient with me!

Thirteen Things about Angie 1. I am a single-married Mommy at the moment! (sounds weird, I know, more on that another time!) 2. I have 4 beautiful children. 3. I am a saved by grace Christian. 4. I am a Stay At Home Mom. 5. I have a thing for purses and handbags. 6. Therefore, I started making them to support my family. 7. And my habit! 8. I am the oldest of 5 children. 9. I have ALL nephews, no nieces. 10. I am considering running for PTO President at my kids school for next year. (Any advice on that would be great!) 11. I have an aversion to making phone calls, totally freaks me out! 12. I love to bake, 13. And hate to cook! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. "d" 2. Carmen 3. Lisa 4. Karen 5. Chaotic Mom 6. Lazy Daisy 7. Faith 8. Lauren 9. Friday's Child 10. Eph2810 11. Ames 12. Present Storm(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Talk about "devotion"!

I just had to share this really quick! I went in to check on the kids before I went to bed. I tucked them in around 8:30 or so. Jackson (5) went right to sleep. Jessica (10) got caught playing her hand-held Tetris game...shame-shame! And Jordan (7) was reading her Bible and doing her daily devotion. I told her to finish it up and go to sleep. She said OK, then I went in my studio to finish up a purse, I could see her as I have a clear shot of her bed from my sewing machine. Then I went to the computer and got totally invloved in the "blog world". So, check out what I just captured with my camera.

Have you ever seen such a sight?

My sweet, sweet Jordie got caught with her Bible open! She got her "60-day Wonder Devotional" Friday at the Good News Club After School program and she has been doing it everyday, she even went ahead and is on day 8 now. Ms. Debi and Ms. Melissa would be so proud, I will have to send this to them. Mommy is very proud of you too, Jordan!

Stick to it

"Be like a postage stamp- stick to one thing till you get there." -Josh Billings

I wish that I could say that this quotation is me, but oh my, it totally is not. I would like to be like that, but haven't got there yet. It really does not take me much to get off track. I'm sure too that it has alot to do with the fact that I work in my home. I can be right in the middle of a project and remember that I forgot to wash Jess' uniform for her softball game tonight. Or I better load the dishwasher before "so and so" stops by to pick up her purse, oh and I better run the vacuum too, oh and light a candle just in case, oh and the kitchen floor needs a good sweep, so I better mop too while its clean, then I won't have to do it again later. Oh yeah, I better scoop the kitty litter and oh, the kids left their bath towels on the floor again, let me pick those up, toothpaste in the sink and water on the counter, better wipe that up. Ooowee, I better scrub the toilet just in case she (so and so) may need to go potty, and a candle would be good in here too, just in case. Oh, I really need to take the garbage out and spray Lysol. Then as I take the trash bag to the laundry room I realize that I never even started Jess' uniform in the wash. Ugh, 2 hours to game time! Whew! Can you relate? One thing always turns into another and another and another. This is my day everyday. I love working from home because I know that God has called me to be "a worker at home". And my desire is to be here, but sometimes I get so overwhelmed with it all that I literally don't know which is which! I wish that I could just stay on task. Like right now, it is after 11 o'clock at night, I still have several orders to complete and here I am on the computer. I started cutting the fabric and then had to go to the bathroom and on the way back I passed by the computer and realized that I hadn't done my entry today so I stopped and here I am! Crazy, huh? At least I am aware of it, right? Isn't that half the battle?

I think that what I am gonna start doing is set goals for myself, like I can't check my email until I complete A, B and C. Then I can't go blogging until I do D, E and F. And so on...

I would love to hear any other ideas that you guys may have, What is your secret?

Look at what I played with today while I should have been getting other orders done. These are the cutest hair barrettes that are designed right in the embroidery hoop, start to finish, after it is embroidered you tear away the stabilizer and slip in a barrette and DONE! So cute!

Cute, huh? My daughter loved them!Oh, and BWS I did finished your bags today and will put them in the mail tomorrow, so classy! Hope that you like, no, I know that you will love them! Alright, now that it is almost 11:30, I better get some sleep so that I can start my new system tomorrow bright and early!Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord! 1 Corinthians 15:58

Purple?

Happy Sunday! The kids are outside on the trampoline with the water hose cooling off while I am in the house with the A/C keeping cool! It has been another busy weekend and all I wanted to do is take a long "Sunday after church nap". Oh well! I love it that my kids love to play outside. They are about the only kids in our neighborhood who do. I really think that that is so sad. Kids need to be outside playing and learning and exploring and getting their own form of exercise. (Don't tell them that they are getting exercise, then they might not like it anymore!)

I hope that you all have a very blessed Sunday and a very prosperious new week!

Your Hair Should Be Purple

Intense, thoughtful, and unconventional. You're always philosophizing and inspiring others with your insights.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

Don't worry, be faithful!

I heard a story recently, I can't remember where I heard it, could have been online but it got me to thinking about how worry overcomes us. It was something like this... It was about a patient in a mental ward of a hospital and the nurse came in to check on him and saw that he had a cup holding it up to his ear and pressed to the wall. She asked him what he was doing and he told her to come listen, so she did. A few seconds later the nurse said "I don't hear anything." And the patient said, "Yeah I know it has been like that all day!"

So true, huh? I am a worrier! I have really been concentrating very hard lately not to worry. With so many things in my life crazy, I was beginning to wonder if maybe this is "normal life". Worry is apart of our world and our everyday lives. But as I have studied "worry" lately, I realized that worry is of this world. We tend to worry, just as we are all sinners and are not perfect. We worry about what is said. We worry about what isn't said. We worry about what hasn't happened or about what is going to happen. We worry about our futures and even linger with the worries of our pasts.

I haven't had the life that I hoped that I would have by now. My husband is in prison. I had to quit homeschooling because I had to take on several new roles in my home, therfore my children are away from me all day long. (Which somedays is fine!) My brother is overtaken by an awful addiction that I feel helpless over. I just want to take it away! Oh and boy I could go on and on. But why? You get it!

As soon as my husband left almost 3 years ago I started to have awful stomach pains, almost immediately. Here I was a lowly Mother of 4 children all alone. Of course I knew that I was not alone, none of us are. God our Father is always here with us! But all of a sudden I had to do everything around here. Ugh! (I've become quite handy with the power tools! grin!) The day in and day out sort of things, but geez it was a load! I won't go into all the details, you get it! Just this year I decided to go to the doctor to see if my stomach pains were something really bad because they sure felt really bad! Thankfully, everything turned out fine. All the tests came back perfect. I am a perfectly healthy 35 year old woman. Yay! But why in the world was my tummy aching so badly? The doc said stress! You think?!

This is when I realized that I really hadn't given it all totally over to Him! And yes this is a work in progress. I started reading alot about different things regarding stress management. Whatever! Then I really started digging deeper into my daily Bible time. And almost like the words were popping out at me, everything I read in the Bible related to me! Me! I could put myself in every verse I read. Ever have one of those "a-ha" moments? I finally got it and am still getting it! I pray everyday and give my worries over to Him. Not to say things are perfect and fixed but now I just give it to my Lord! He bears my burden! So why should I? My tummy still has it's moments but not near as bad as before. So, I still have some work to do!

When I googled "worry" the other day I found this statement. "Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn't get you anywhere." Hhhmmm! So true! I had to print that one out and put it on my desk right on top of that stack of bills waiting to be paid! grin!

So, I am faithfully trying to do what the good book says to do with all of my life ....Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 or another version says "Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."

Smoke Signals

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, and soon there was nothing left. The worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. "God, how could you do this to me?" he cried.
Early the next day he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied. It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain, and suffering. Remember this the next time your "hut" seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.

Oh, what a day!

Easter 2006

Easter morning on Bay Street..perfect photo op while waiting on the bridge to open...aren't they some good looking kids?

Mason (my nephew) patiently waiting on Mamaw to hide the Easter eggs.

Jessica and Mommy

John and Ryan

Needless to say our family had a great Easter. He all met at St. Helena Baptist Church for their Easter Cantata-Come To The Cross. It was great! The kids sang, and both my Mom and Dad sang in the choir. They baptised an entire family. What an amazing thing to be baptised on Easter morning. After church we all went to Mom and Dad's house for an awesome dinner and dessert. We had an Easter egg hunt for all of the cousins. Then we rested and ate again. What is better than spending time with your family? I love you guys and am so thankful that we could all be together! One more Easter and Buddy will be with us too!

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him a praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Easter 2006

Perfect Peace with It Is Well With My Soul

I’ll never understand it,
But somehow it guards my heart.
Through the storms of life I face,
When I’m walking in the dark.
Something flows deep within me,
Like a long refreshing drink.
The soothing calm assurance,
A sweet abiding strength.

There’s perfect peace when I keep my mind on Him.
He gives me perfect peace when I put my trust in Him.
He’s my fortress and my refuge.
He is my rock eternal.
He is and will always be…
Perfect peace.

When peace like a river attendth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my Lord thou has taught me to say
It is well, It is well with my soul

It is well, It is well
With my soul, with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well, It is well
With my soul, with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul

There’s perfect peace when I keep my mind on Him.
He gives me perfect peace when I put my trust in Him.
He’s my fortress and my refuge
He is my rock eternal.
He is and will always be….perfect peace...
Perfect peace…perfect peace…perfect peace.

Come to the Cross -An Easter Invitation
Created by: Dennis and Nan Allen



This poem was written by my Daddy....Robert N. Graves Sr. ...Easter 2006

I came to the Cross,

Because there was no place else left to go.

I had messed things up sorta bad don't cha know.

Little did I know when I did,

My life would never be the same.

I came to the cross because of Jesus.

Knowing in my heart that only He could please us.

I came to the cross with a life full of doom.

But my Savior went to the cross and took my sin in the tomb.

Jesus is my master, my shepherd and guide.

Since I came to Him, He hasn't left my side.

When I came to the cross I was dirty, like mud.

But now, thank Jesus I've been washed in His blood.

This message is to you, your children and wife.

Come to the cross , let Jesus change your life.

Got Peace?

Have you ever wondered how to really get your children's attention? You know the times when you want their attention and they just won't pay you any mind? Well, I've got it!

Take a bath, lock the door and light some candles and use that expensive bath oil you have been saving for when you might have time to actually take a bath...alone!
Or there is the one where you just need to go in your room and shut the door and crawl in the bed for a few minutes of peace.
Or pull out a good book that you have been meaning to read and never get the chance to.
Or sit at the dining room table to do your daily Bible study.
Or sit down at your sewing machine to make some purses that have been ordered (because that is what you do for a living).
Or try to make a phone call, quietly.
And then this has got to be the best one yet, just sit down and look comfortable. I'm sure that this is the quickest way to get their attention!

Can you guess? We have been on a 2 week Spring Break and this Mommy is pooped out. Birthday parties, spring cleaning, working, cooking, baking, Tball and softball games, laundry, playing outside (in the gnats...ugh!), yard work, Easter egg dyeing, and this isn't the half of it! I really do not know how you "work outside of the home Moms" do it. I look at everything that I do all day long and can never get completely done, (it always rolls over into the next day) and to think that I would still have to do all of these things after work if I worked outside of my home. When would I have the time? When do you have the time? I am so thankful and feel very blessed that I get to be a stay at home mom but I am worn slap out! I think that the first thing I am gonna do on Tuesday when the kids go back to school is take that uninterrupted bath and then go back to work. Luckily, it is just in the next room and I can work in my jammies if I wish!

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy...Job 8:21

Motto Monday... 4-10-06

"It is good to remember that the tea kettle, although up to its neck in hot water, continues to sing!" -author unknown

We tend to see all accidents and illness that come our way as misfortune caused by the devil. That is not always the case. Rather than spending our time and energy railing against the bad times, perhaps we should direct our effort toward praising God who promises to work all things out for the good of those who are called for His purposes. Romans 8:28 God has many methods and means for accomplishing His plan! It can't get much more simple than that! That sure makes me feel better knowing that! How about you?

Just do it!

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus....

1Thessalonians 5:18

In all circumstances? For real? You have got to be kidding, right? Are you sure? ALL?

Of course...ALL! It is pretty tough to wrap my thoughts around that verse, but looking at it from the outside looking in, it totally makes sense. But do we really obey this verse? Of course not! Should we? Totally!

Things don't always go as planned for everyone, if anyone. I know for sure that I didn't plan on being a single parent for almost 5 years while my husband spends time in prison for being stupid. I went through years and years of saying "Buddy, one of these days....". And sure enough one of those days came for us! And I say us, because we are a family! We have 20 more months left to go and we will all be together again. I won't be a single parent any longer. My husband, who is now a born again Christian, will take his rightful place at my side to parent together. God only knows how many times I prayed for that. And now I give thanks for that. And it was tough at first to think about giving thanks for my husband going away for that long. Very tough! But I know that He has a plan and this is all part of that plan.

I also know that as my little brother struggles with different temptations in his life that God has a BIG plan for him too. I know that he has a lot of people praying for him. And he will overcome this in God's own time! But until then, it is really hard to be thankful for that! Really hard! But I know that God has gotten me through tough times with prayer, whether I liked what He did or not, I was still steadfast in praying for His will! God's will, not ours, not Buddy's, not mine, not Lori's, not Mom's or Dad's, not Bernie's! I know that He is faithful and He will see us through anything and everything that we ask Him to see us through. All we have to do is ask.

Read Luke 11:1-13 where Jesus teaches us how to pray. He tells us exactly what to do. So, "just do it"! We may not like what He tells us but be fervent in it! He will never let us down! Obey what you know! (Sound familiar anyone?)

It is funny, because when I sat down here at my computer tonight, I had planned on writing about my extremely busy week with the kids out on spring break. But I guess that the Lord had other plans for this. I needed to be reminded of this too.

Maybe another time on my exhausting week....to be continued....

Jordie and Me

I have been inspired by another dear blogger,
That brought to my attention that my kid's a poetry hogger.
As she sits with me now, my Jordie Pie Poo,
I listen to her giggle and then she says cachoo.

I've listened to her poems as she's read them to me,
And now she waits for Mommy's, patiently.
I don't know how to do it,
She tells me to just stick to it.

Mommy's not a poet, like we all know it,
But I can bake a cake down by the lake.
And I can make a bag out of a rag.
And I can make her a snack to eat out back.

But my Jordie is so smart,
Lots smarter than me.
She has a sweet sweet heart,
Alot like the honey bees.

My Jordie is so happy,
Cause the others are all gone.
Her brothers are not here.
And her sister is in the pond.

So here we sit together,
Like we never get to do.
Cause soon they will come back,
And bug us like they do.

Written by Jordan and her Mommy
04/04/06
April is National Poetry Month


Read this selection made by Jordan herself,
She loves Jack Prelutsky's Bleezer's Ice Cream.

She says that her favorite flavor has to be
ALMOND HAM MERINGUE SALAMI.

"Hat tip to Blest With Sons"...Thanks!

Confidence

In life we face an unknown future. We do not know what the days that lie ahead for us contain, but we can prepare for whatever lies ahead.

We all need to view life as a learning opportunity. We need to ask God "what do you want me to learn from this situation?". We need to ask this and then listen to what He tells us. And as I see it the only way to do that is to set aside time for Him. Reading my Bible and praying daily helps me to receive those instructions and to know what direction God wants me to go. I know that He often encourages me through His presence in my alone time and His promises in His word, which can be interpretted to some degree through my circumstances through life. I have come to realize that I need to take advantage of the down time after hard times, the lull after the storm, when I am trying to pull everything together and trying to sort through the events and the lessons of my life.

The situations that we face today help to build a greater confidence of God in our lives and then gives us the assurance that we can tackle anything that lies ahead! Incident after incident and lesson after lesson when we experience God's faithfulness towards us and His grace and His power, we gain the confidence to say "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength".

I like to think of Paul when I am going through a tough time. Although I have never faced anything close to what Paul faced, he is there for us to learn through his experiences. Throughout Paul's ministry he was definitely faced with different circumstances that we could never handle as gracefully as he did. He never asked "Why me Lord?" but he always asked "What do you want me to understand from this situation?" He wholly and totally relied on God in EVERYTHING. We need to live by this great example. Everything that we face in our lives we need to rely on God and not on ourselves.

Philippians 4:13...I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Bernie, I love you and I pray this for you! I know that you are going through a really tough time right now and I can never totally understand your struggles, but I know that you can overcome this. I know that if you put the Lord first in your life, you can overcome anything and have an awesome testimony later. One day at a time! I love you little brother!

Is that too much to ask for?

Lately my kids have been very restless and have not been getting along with one another. They seem to have a lot of hate and discontent for each other. Things are really hard enough as it is with Buddy being gone that I really do not need my kids turning on one another. I realize that brothers and sisters will fight, I know this. I am the oldest of 5 and boy I couldn't stand my brothers and sisters. Just ask my brother Bobby, I tried to electrocute him when he was little. I made him touch a large electric ice cooler with barefeet on a wet floor. It's a moment in his life that neither one of us will forget. But now, we all love each other and get along great. I can't imagine my life without them. I realize now that I am older that that is just how siblings act. We fight, then we grow up.

They look like they love each other, don't they?

So, I know that there is hope for my kids. I really don't know how real single parents do it alone. Although I have been a single parent for almost 3 years, I do have a husband that does his best to help with the disciplining of our children. And I try to respect that, which is hard since he is not in the home and I could easily undermind him. But I respect his authority. And Lord knows I need to. But the day that he comes home will be the day that the gray goes away. Well, probably not, but...

Anyways, back to the original story, last night after a long evening of fighting and quarreling among the Bennett children, I put them all to bed and was trying to think of a way to really get their attention. I have tried everything. So I started to read A Mother's Heart and I came across a verse in it that really spoke to me, so I hoped it would speak to my kids. I crawled out of the bed and went to the computer and wrote letters to my kids from God. Very simple letters that they would all understand.

Jessica,
1 Peter 4:8..Above all love one another deeply, because loves covers over a multitude of sins.
Love, God

Then I printed each one out in large lettering and taped it to wall by their doorways to their rooms. When they got up they all saw the letters and Jess and Jordan read it to Jackson. Then he came running to me very excited and very out of breath saying "God was in my room last night! He wrote me a letter, come see!" So I ran back to his room with him and read it to him again. I explained to him what the letter meant and why God might have put it there. He was thoroughly enthralled in the whole story. He told me that he love me and he loved his sisters and he didn't want to sin like that anymore. I don't know what kind of affect this will have on him this evening or tomorrow or even the next 2 weeks of spring break (God love me!), but that one second of the peacefulness in his voice and on his face was well worth it! He went home with a friend after the ball game today, but I will say that the girls are helping each other right now clean their rooms and there has not been one fight among them today. And yes they have memorized this verse already!

It's a start. So, we'll see what happens. All I ask for is a little bit of harmony and solitude ever now and again, that's not too much to ask for, is it?