Coltie...

Got his 5 yr. old shots today....he was a real tropper though he cried for the last one, he was great for the first two. I can't beleive in just a few months he's going to be starting school. sniff sniff.

Been a really busy week this week...have lots to catch up on...hope you are having a good week!

Busy, busy

Very busy week this week...at least it's turning out to be that way anyway. May is always such a busy month...

Just had to share this though... Picture of my nephew with my sister's fiance after he won the gold medal in the 100cc run and 6th place ribbon for the softball throw at the Special Olympics. We're so proud of you Treyce! Great job!

Well better get moving...don't want to stay up too late...been doing way too much of that lately.

Beauty

Worked on this in Photoshop tonight....been trying to toy around with it here and there, haven't messed with it in a while until I came across this picture and just had to play with it a little:

Picture of course of me and Coltie taken almost a year ago...used the new Ali Edwards quote brushes I received with my new Ali Edwards kit.

Been kind of stressed lately...like on edge...not entirely sure why unless it's been because of my lack of good sleep...did not sleep well at all last night, but it's starting to thunder and rain right now so as soon as I'm done here I'm going to bed because that is my favorite type of sleeping weather...I sleep like a baby when it's raining.

Well I thought I had a lot to post, but I'm just too tired...I'll post more later. Officially ONE MONTH until Disney...whoo-hoo!

Another Milestone Met...and I'm finally done!!!

So...met another milestone in my family this week...my sweet little Brennan had his first experience with trying to "run away" yesterday. He was having a fit I guess over his Gameboy DS (he was having trouble getting through a level on his Super Mario game I guess) anyway I was trying to help him calm down but he was giving me a lot of attitude and in the end I took the game away from him...after all it's just a game (obviously not to a boy though)...needless to say unbeknownst to me he snuck out of the house and went over to my neighbors where they found him on their back porch when they got home...I guess he was even planning on packing a bag, but decided against that at the last minute. So I guess now the fun begins huh ;-) Thank God for good neighbors who understand my boys BTW.

OK...for those who know me..you'll understand the rest of this post...

Since pretty much oh I'd say about October I had been working on an afghan...finally finished it last night...as many of you know besides scrapbooking, I also LOVE to crochet...another creative outlet for me...I'm not one to just sit and watch TV...if I'm watching TV, 9 chances out of 10 you'll catch a crochet hook in my hand. (Multitasker at work after all)...

This afghan is something I mainly worked on while waiting to pick up the boys from school...it was a great portable project since I had to make oh about 836 of these little squares! Great way though to get rid of my scrap rolls of yarn BTW...and to be honest I could probably make another one with all the scraps I have! So after months of labor here it is:

Well I'm off to find my next project :-) Have an awesome weekend!

Found this...thought it was cool.

Found this on another blog I was purusing tonight...check it out...and do one for yourself.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

He's Ready...

Can't believe this time is finally here...signed up my baby for kindergarten last night...he was SSSOOO excited...he actually thought that he was starting school and couldn't wait to get to the school....of course with his "Here I am" attitude. (grin)

Of course he was all excited about school until Brennan burst his bubble and told him he had to get shots before he started school...of course he's NOT excited about that...but he will be getting his shots May 8th...and I'm sure he'll be fine.

As each day goes by right now I feel like my babies are slowly slipping through my hands and first of all I thank God for blessing me with these little bundles of energy...I wouldn't change it for the world. I know there are days, but when I think about the whole package...it's really all worth it. Yet, it's sad...they are not meant to be here forever I know...(which is a good AND bad thing)...they are only here for me "teach them the way they should go" and then allow them to take what was taught them and make a life of their own. So I will cherish the moments I have on this journey...through memories, through my scrapbooks, through my journals...and hold them in my heart always.

May you take a moment today to cherish the life God has blessed you with.

So much to talk about....

So much to talk about since I was last on here...where to start...hmm..this may be like another one of my rambling posts so forgive me...

Well...went to a play on Friday night with my neighbors...met my neighbor's co-worker...he was really good in the play...impressed.

Saturday...had to clean my bathroom carpet because one of the girls had a little accident Friday night...so when I drag out my carpet machine I usually do as much as I can on a full tank of "cleaner". So I did my bathroom, the chairs in the dining room (which were going to get done next month anyway since the girls will be gone), and my back porch. I even had the boys helping me Saturday with my "spring cleaning" and they actually helped out cleaning the back porch for me, washing windows, cleaning walls...it tickled my heart and we were actually having a good time...it was nice. I also pulled weeds and mulched my back garden...by evening I was whipped.

Also my very good friend (we've been friends since 6th grade) came to visit for a couple hours on Saturday. It was nice.

Traveled to see Pastor Dean and Rachel and Pastor Lisa on Sunday at their church. It was so nice to see them again...and not only that, they invited me to sing on their praise team. It was like old times and though I don't think I did them any justice (they tend to sing a little low for me), I SOOO enjoyed doing it...and I know God smiled cause I was making a joyful noise anyway. They had a missionary speaking at their church and they were so awesome. My hubby was even moved to tears, which I won't even go on that dynamic...but they were really good...they are missionaries to the Indian Reservations in Arizona. Then we had a nice international lunch at the church and then went to a park to visit so the kids could play and we wouldn't get interrupted while we visited...was a great time.

Got home in enough time to go to my Praise Team practice...and I'll be honest....after traveling I really didn't want to go to practice...I was so tired and had a slight headache to boot, but I went...I was 15 minutes late, but I was there...and it was a good thing cause it was just Joann, Michelle and myself. And we practiced anyway and you could just feel the spirit of God while we practiced...it sounded so great (not that I'm bragging about myself...please), but it really did sound good. I was uplifted and I left with a smile on my face and I wasn't quite as tired.

Today I watched the girls of course and got my laundry done and got dinner and fed the kids and had the dishes washed before my 6:00 meeting...I was boogying. Right now I'm trying to get some e-Bay done so I can get some $$ for Disney (taking a break at the moment of course) and hoping to get a church calendar started, some minutes from my meetings typed up...we'll see how it goes.

My baby gets signed up for kindergarten tomorrow ....can't believe this is finally here...wow...also I'll probably sign him up for Safety City tomorrow too...it's a week long thing that teaches kids about dialing 911, stranger danger, fire safety, gun safety and respecting street signs, crossing the street properly...my other two boys went through it...can't believe that it's Colton's turn...suddenly I'm really starting to feel old.

Got our dinner reservations made for Disney....YIPEEE.





Well I better get back to work...

Unfortunately the reality of today...

Just received a distrubing phone call...I had seen on the news about a school in Columbus area was put into lock down this morning...nothing disclosed as to why.

Then I just received a phone call from our school's superintendent that an e-mail threat was sent to an area school (assuming it was the school in question) and that our school district was not one of the school's involved and that our children are indeed safe and that we shouldn't be alarmed (unfortunately receiving a call like that scared me to death and I'm literally shaking). Unfortunately that is the reality of today's society...getting calls like that make homeschooling maybe not such a bad idea...

Keep Virginia Tech in your prayers of course with what they are dealing with and for those sick people who think that scaring people and taking lives is funny or a sport. Pray for our country, pray for peace...pray for our children.

Here is a website I found showing those who fell victim to this senseless shooting...check it out here...my heart goes out to the families. Just goes to show that you never know when your time is up...make sure your life is right cause you just never ever know.

Life today...Randomness

Here I am...hubby is back to work after a week's vacation (much needed for him),

The guy who is taking over the supervisor job at the P.O. passed his test!! One step closer of getting hubby out of that position and back to normalcy..somewhat.

Brennie is away today on a field trip with his class to the zoo

Still cold here in Ohio...we did have maybe an hour of warm sunshine yesterday though...it was nice...would like to see more of it!

Will be heading here on Friday to see a play that my neighbor's co-worker is in about Mark Twain and Teddy Roosevelt.

Here is one of the layouts I made after my No Scrapbooking fast:

Will hopefully be heading to Columbus this weekend to visit our old Pastor and his wife. They are preparing to leave the church they are at now and looks like they may be heading even further away so we thought we would visit before God leads them in a new direction.

Just a comment....there is such a difference between girls and boys...and I don't mean the obvious. Enough said.

Currently my boys are carrying grades of all A's and one B...so stinkin proud of them...especially with Brennan since he's been struggling so much...so stinkin' proud!

Still trying to figure out restaurants to go to for our trip...hopefully get hubby to work with me on that tonight.

So I have been half watching Idol...still...if you have been reduced to watching this awful season as well and actually watched Tuesday night...who do you think is going home?? Still hoping Sanjaya goes, but wouldn't be upset if Chris goes home too. Heard a little of LaKisha's and wasn't impressed with what little I heard...IMO she made the ultimate AI mistake...singing a song by a winning AI contestant...you just don't do that...you're only setting yourself up for disaster.

I am so blessed to have what I have...though there may be struggles and things that even I can't control (can we REALLY control anything anyway??)...I am blessed...hard working hubby, great boys, a home, gifts that God has given me. He is so good to me!

Taht enough randomness for now. Have a great week!

It's Official!!!

Guess where we are heading the end of next month?? It's official....rooms are booked...air travel has been made...unfortunately we have to fly out of Pittsburgh instead of our usual airport, but for a savings of $ 500.00 we'll drive to Pittsburgh! I'm pretty excited...kids are pumped because we are going during this:

They are so excited about seeing the Star Wars characters and all...I'm happy just for them. Daddy I think will be happier once he gets there...the idea of plunking down that kind of $$$ always makes him sweat a bit, but I think once he's there and sees the fun his boys are having he'll consider it all worth it...hopefully ;-)

Today we went to the library and saw this...our local library bought a liscense so they can show movies...so once a month on a Saturday morning they show a family movie...for free, complete with snacks even. Great way to have a family day all together without spending lots of $$...and I'm all for family opportunities without the pricetag! (We can save that money for Disney). Charlotte's Web is such a timeless, great movie. This new version is just as great I think. I remember when I was a teenager and my little brother (there's 16 years between us) used to watch the animated version of this movie over and over and over. Him being the tough guy now would probably be embarrassed to know that I said this all over the internet, but hey what are big sis's for anyway...sorry Luke!

Went and had dinner last night saw this with the neighbors...HILARIOUS!! I laughed most of the movie...hubby especially liked the credits with Ty from Extreme Makeover...Dad, I don't know if you've seen this movie yet, but this is one that has your kind of humor in it...I think you'd like it. This movie just had me in stitches...it's been a while that a movie has made me laugh this much...saw another movie from our Netflix called The Illusionist...recommended by my sister and Netflix gave it a gold star rating...unfortantely I wasn't as impressed...pretty predictable to me and the movie moved kind of slow...that's all I'm going to say in case you haven't seen it yet. Just goes to show you that we all like different things (or that I shouldn't take my sis's advice for movies...just kidding sis ;-) )

Well I think I'm just going to finish up on some laundry and kind of take it easy and maybe play with the boys...too cold and rainy to do much else. Have a great day!

Brennan Update...

For those in the family that have been asking...here is the Brennan update:

Went to the doctor yesterday (btw did I say how much I LOVE and respect my doctor...he's awesome!) He pretty much told me what I kind of already knew...that his sniffing his hands & neck twisting is a nervous condition...his way of coping in high stress situations. So doc gave us these options:

1) See a child psychiatrist and put him on meds (which the doctor and I agreed was NOT an option)

2) Talk to his teacher and see if there is a way to correct any problems he may be having (kids picking on him, stressful situations)...in all honesty I think the teacher is the problem, but I won't go into that here.

3) Homeschool him.

We take him back in a month to see if the situation worsens and just check up on him. So what are we going to do?? Not entirely sure yet, but if it was earlier in the school year I would probably pull him and try to homeschool (though the thought of that scares me a bit), but with only 6 weeks of school left I'm not sure that it would be all that beneficial pulling him like that and then trying to acclimate him to doing "school" at home...the thing I want most is building his self confidence and the thing I want most to avoid is hurting his self esteem...I don't want him to think that he's different or that he's stupid (which he already tells himself that)...I want him to think that even though he may be different in some areas in his life that God made him special and that he's great just the way he is. What I'm thinking of doing is keeping him in school until the end of the year and then try and work with him at home with homeschooling books during the summer...that way I can see how he acclimates and how well I do with it. Brennan is just the type of kid that doesn't do well in big crowds and social situations. I'm not going to condemn him for that because I'm kind of the same way...I was a lot that way when I was younger. God has kind of forced me out of that shell over the last few years :-) So your continued prayers for Brennan will be much appreciated and also for me and hubby as we make decisions about what to do.

And just a note...the snow is gone, but has been replaced by rain which is supposed to last through the weekend....come on spring...we miss you!

I'm Dreaming Of A White....Easter??

Yes folks...I woke up this morning to a white Easter...snow was on the ground. So much for spring I guess. I always say God has a sense of humor...I think it was just God's way of reminding us how with the death and resurrection of our Lord and the sacrifice He made for us...if we accept Him as our Savior, He will make us white as snow. Interesting how God tries to get His point across though isn't it??

Hope you have had a happy Easter...our family just took advantage of some relaxing, naps, and just enjoying each other...and I even got to scrapbook a little today!! HOORAY!!

Many blessings to you!

Thank you for your sacrifice...

I Will Give You Rest...

Hanging on to this scripture at the moment...

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:27-29

Long night last night....Colton is sick. Temp. of 102.2 Just got back from the doctor. He has a cold and an ear infection...possibly strep throat too. Luckily Austin is feeling better though other than a slight cough.

Momma is tired...thank goodness for Tim Horton's English Toffee Capp...wouldn't be functioning at the moment.

So I have the couch bed unfolded, movies are playing, boys are watching, boys are home until Tuesday. So I'm coming to you Lord. My prayer is that You would grant me the scripture above after I get my pile of laundry folded and dishes washed in the sink...Lord just give me a nap...I'll be happy with just a nap. ;-)

Thanks for all the prayers too folks about the last post...you are all so awesome!

It's difficult in the valley...

Sometimes life comes at you and you just wonder why and how and all those questions. I usually try to keep things here light and I try to point to the good things. I hate making this a place to dump all my junk but sometimes it's theraputic to "write" things out...maybe in writing out the "junk" it will help find the sunshine.

Lots of things going on right now....my heart is heavy...I'm physically tired...emotionally tired too.

Hubby's situation at work hasn't gotten any better. Still working lots of hours and only getting paid for 8-10 hours tops...it's been hard. I just like having my family all together, especially for dinner time...now if we do that it's only maybe on Sunday's. Hubby has been stressed, I've been stressed. We've both been a little tempermental with each other even though we aren't trying to direct it AT each other...it's hard. It's much easier raising kids as a team than on your own and it feels like it's been that way for a while. God bless single momma's! They deserve a lot of respect for doing things on their own.

My middle son Brennan has developed some tics over the last month...he does this weird thing with his neck and sniffs his hands a lot...we have an appointment next week with the doctor...I'm worried of course. I know it's all in God's hands and He is in control. It's just that this little guy has been through so much in his life...he always seems to be the one that struggles the most, has the most obstacles and just seems to get the short end of the stick and as a momma it breaks my heart. I'm afraid of him becoming self conscious of himself and others picking on him...he's such a sweet little boy and I know God has a plan for him just the way he is...after all Moses stuttered and he did great things! But I am just a concerned and worried Momma...it breaks my heart. If you find a few minutes please pray for my little guy.

My other two boys are starting to come down with colds. Hoping they aren't sick for Easter.

It seems like things are all piling up at once, people needing me to do this or that...I really should be doing other things in fact than being on here, but if I don't let this out I'm not sure what I'll do. Just have to vent it out.

Thanks for being my sounding board, my soft place to fall.

Won't be long...

Weather was so nice yesterday that Colton and I walked to get the boys from school. It was a nice walk and for a short time he held my hand...he doesn't hold my hand much anymore...I miss it...so I truly cherished this moment...him and I holding hands...getting his brothers from school...cause I know it won't be long until he won't even want to hold my hand anymore.

I'm back...

For now....what a week...to top things off I have been without a washer all week and just got it fixed this morning so needless to say I'm up to my armpits in laundry. I even had to go to Wal-Mart last night to get the oldest some jeans to wear this morning so he'd have something to wear! Oh well, he was really in need of some new jeans anyway. These boys must be sprinkling Miracle Grow on their food while I'm not looking because they are getting so big! YIKES!

Got Colton signed up for kindergarten. I'm not sure I'm ready to let him go, but I know he's ready. We were at the school yesterday and I told him where his kindergarten class would be and he wanted to go right then and check it out. I think he's going to love kindergarten.

Hubby has been working a LOT and I'm hoping he's still getting the week of April 8th off. He needs some time to relax. This position he's in right now is aging him terribly. Too much stress.

God is really testing me....I have been on this waiting list for this kit from Cocoa Daisy from one of my most favorite scrapbooking artists Ali Edwards. I just got an e-mail saying that they are now available for those on the waiting list until April 7th after which they will then go on sale to the public...I of course gave up buying scrapbooking supplies until Easter. Hubby (sweet as he is) says to me, "Hey it won't get here for 4 weeks anyway so you wouldn't actually receive it during Lent right?...tempting honey, so tempting, but I am resisting...maybe God will bless me with one kit being left for me after the 8th. ;-)

Oh...and it looks like our family may be going on vacation after school's out...can't say where yet since we haven't told the kids, but they will be very excited...have to do some price checking first...Mom?? Dad?? any tips??

Later~

Just a short post...

Just a short post...I'm still alive. Just getting over a cold. Got TONS to do this week...church work, eBay work, house work to get caught up on...washer is on the fritz...figures when I have TONS of laundry to do, 3 meetings this week, just LOTS going on so if you don't hear from me this week, don't worry...I'm still here!

I think Spring is here...

Dare I say it I think spring has arrived...yesterday the kids were out to play...so nice...but part of my family and extended family are dealing with colds, flu or allergies. Austin, Brennan and I have the allergy part, daddy I think is catching the flu or a cold, Alexis (one of the twins I babysit) has an upper respiratory infection...yes spring is here...



Despite all that...it's nice to see spring arrive. Saw buds on my new lilac bush that I planted last year...when I get a chance I'll take a picture. Today the weather is rainy, gloomy and very windy. Better than snow I say.



Man I am really struggling with this scrapbooking thing now. I so want to get in my craft room, but am still being a good girl. I have so many ideas. I guess this makes up for all those times I would just sit at my craft desk wondering what to do. That shouldn't happen for a while.



Working around the house today...have a TON of work to do tonight....have church board minutes I really should get typed up and my eBay auctions to square away...LOTS to do.



So how about American Idol...did you watch the results?? I have to admit this is where the show starts getting lame and makes it hard to watch. Especially this season since Melinda and LaKisha are in a far better league than the rest of them. Was VERY surprised by the results show though...not that I didn't think Stephanie would go home eventually, but not this soon and definitely not ahead of Sanjaya and Haley...IMO Haley and Sanjaya were my two picks to be in the bottom 2. Just goes to show ya I guess. And how are Sanjaya and Haley staying in this competition as long as they are??? Just my opinions of course. On to other opinions...Simon always goes on to say that AI is a singing competition...he's right...to a degree...it is so much more than that. You can't just walk up to a microphone and sing...even if you have the most awesome voice...you have to PERFORM as well. That is why I think Taylor won last year...he could definitely perform. If it was just walking up to a mike and singing I would maybe give it a shot (not that I think I;m that good...please!), but I know I have trouble performing i nfront of others...I freeze to a degree. If you plan to be a singer you have to BRING IT...some of these folks this year act as if they could care less if they made it or not...kind of like Brandon last week. Sorry...I'll get off my soap box now.

Can you tell hubby has been busy at work a lot this week...not a lot of adult conversation going on here.... (hee-hee) Thanks for letting me ramble with ya...it's nice to talk to adults even if it is in cyber space.

Hoping that you are having a great week and that God sends a special "breeze" your way today.

Things that make me happy right now...

Things that are making me happy right now:

* How God used me in church today...Sometimes I struggle leading worship, but when I give it over to God and allow him to work through me...it's amazing what He can do.

* Watching the kids sing a hip version of "Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus" in church today.

* Eating fresh strawberries and pineapple today...though Strawberries aren't quite in season yet they were a nice change of pace for a change.

* Colton telling me yesterday after he got done combing his hair and brushing his teeth as we were getting ready to go to my nephew's birthday party..."O.K. mom I'm ready to party!" The stuff that comes out of that little guys mouth lately...so funny.

* Not allowing some little things get to me...and allowing God to work...He's in control anyway right?!!

* Reading this book and being totally inspired...after Lent I am going on a scrapbooking FRENZY!! ;-)

* Seeing some sunshine today, even though it is still bitterly cold.

* Updating my MP3 player...it now has cool wallpaper on it!

* Thinking about how truly blessed I am and thanking God for those blessings.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Happy Friday!

A bit more randomness...

Yesterday I went here with hubby...first time he's had an actual full day off (other than a Sunday) in like forever...saw some cars that I liked...liked the new Kia van..loved the Ford Mustang (only Ford I would even consider...but man it's so AWESOME!) and of course the Corvette...hubby used to have one...sold it when we found out we were pregnant with Austin (I cried when he sold it...what a sacrifice he made when he sold it...he ALWAYS wanted one). Oh..and the seats in one of the Cadillac's I feel in love with...they were like a brown suede feeling leather...don't much care for caddys but the seat was SWEET! Also love the Lexus 460...it's the price tag I didn't like ($ 86,000 OUCH!) It was nice to get out with hubby...he's a HUGE car buff and I haven't gone with him to a car show since Austin was little. Was actually nice to go again...though hubby usually spends no less than 8 hours at a car show, he got out of this one in 3 1/2 hours. He usually likes to go to the one in Cleveland but his schedule wouldn't allow it, so we went to Columbus instead.

After the Auto Show we went here. We only walked around a little bit cause it was late and we were hungry and it was bitterly cold...yes winter is back...only in the 30s again. Hubby tortured me by taking me here...I was a good girl...but oh so tempted...but I truly refrained and just looked. Hubby even offered to buy me anything...but I said no...what good was giving up what I did for lent if I was just going to allow him to buy stuff for me...yes total restraint on my part...then we tried to go to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner, but it was a 40 minute wait and the place was so loud I couldn't stand it so we left and then went here instead. We had a nice meal..not cheap, but not bad either...just nice to have a quiet dinner.

Tired this morning...babysat today...off next week which will be nice. Hoping to get caught up on a few things next week...maybe even schedule a haircut!

Invited neighbors over for dinner tonight and then watched "End of the Spear" with them...sad what happened to those missionaries...and I admire the women for their service to the tribe that killed their husbands...I hope that one day my life can have purpose like that...that I could bring glory to God.

Well have to travel back to Columbus tomorrow for my nephew's birthday party (he's the one pictured to the right)...should be a nice day...leading worship again this Sunday...so I better rest up!

Have a super weekend...Spring please come soon...and stay this time ;-)

Happy 10th Birthday Austin!!!

Happy 10th birthday Mosie!! Can't believe you're 10 already...my how time flies!

Love ya bunches!

Monday Randomness...

Just a bit of randomness again...

Finally had some nice weather over the weekend...high 50's...washed hubby's car and my van....it SOOO needed it. Boys played outside and it felt so good to feel the sunshine on my face...I've so missed that so very much.

Of course Sunday was the time change...always throughs me off for a few days...was so tired this morning...had a hard time getting motivated.

Being a mom is by far the hardest job in the world and sometimes most unappreciated. Makes me feel for my mom who had 5 of us little heathens. Bless her heart. My oldest turns 10 tomorrow...YIKES!! When did this happen?!?! Anyway Austin I believe is beginning those teenage years early...he's already being mouthy and somewhat disrespectful and I'm just having a hard time with that...bugs me something terrible...I just keep on praying ;-)

If there is one part of my day that I could totally cut out it would be homework time. Tonight I spent 2 1/2 hours getting the boys to do their homework. It took a good half hour just to get them to sit down to start on their homework and then another 45 minutes just to write something. You can tell Spring is right around the corner. ARGH! I just wish there was a way to get through homewark time without a lot of badgering from me and then a lot of resistance from them. I really must be doing something wrong.

Totally forgot about a meeting I had at church tonight...and I'm the secretary! OOPPSS...man I hate it when I do that.

For Lent I've given up buying scrapbooking supplies again and also doing any kind of scrapbooking...which has been a bit hard for me...I go into my craft area (which is in my laundry room, so can't avoid that for 6 weeks right??) and just stare. Then a girl in our youth group gave me a flyer about a scrapbooking crop being held on the 24th of this month in town...yes in our little town...there is never anywhere or anything scrapbook related in our town...I was so tempted...I think God is testing me ;-) but I threw the thing away and I'm not even going to thnk about it...I know I can do this. What have you given up for Lent?

At 10 p.m. this very night 10 years ago...my water broke and I was in labor for my oldest Austin....wow how time flies. How did we get here already??

Well I'm whipped and I think I'm going to actually call it an early night. Going to go read my Bible...still doing well with the reading the Bible in a year thing...it's been good for me.

Not the weekend I had planned...

So....not the weekend I had initially planned, but....

First off...let me just start out in saying that we have some amazing friends....Our neighbors...(mother of the twins I babysit and her sister...pics are of us all at our county fair this past October) they talked hubby and I into going out last night with them...we initially planned to go out of town to a movie...but hubby's job blew that out of the water...so we just went out for dinner and shopping...which was just as fun...hubby really needed to get out...this job of his has him so stressed...it was nice to see him smile and have fun....he so so so needed to get out and relax. We went to Ruby Tuesday's (not my choice but it was OK) and then went to Kohl's where I actually got some clothes...me who hates to clothes shop...I so needed some clothes too. Overall it was a fun evening...anytime we get together with the Warner sisters you know laughs will be inevitable and fun will be had...so glad God blessed us with them.

Today we were to go to Columbus for nephew's birthday party. Brennan was complaining of a sore throat last night and still had it this morning. Took him to the doctor and he has tonsillitus. Needless to say we weren't going to the party...called my sis and found out that most of my family is sick or out of town and since we weren't going to be able to make it either they were canceling until next Saturday...luckily I got a hold of her soon enough before she picked up food so that was a blessing...feel bad that she had to cancel the party, but no sense having a party for only 3 people...hopefully next weekend will work out better.

So on that note...hubby is getting off work early so he can go to the party...and as guilty as I feel, I haven't told him that it's been cancelled...is that bad of me??? Part of me does feel guilty, yet there is a big part of me that does not...he's put so much into that Post Office lately I think him having to work another 12-14 hour day and only getting paid for 8 is ridiculous. Anyway, he's been away so much lately I just feel like our family is missing something without him here...Forgive me Lord if I'm being dishonest...he hopefully should be home in the next 15 minutes...we'll see what happens. Hopefully he doesn't hate me.

Little tidbits...

Just a random post...haven't they been pretty random lately...sorry about that. Anyway...

So...American Idol...did you see it last night?? I am so impressed with the girls...they have really brought it to the competition...as far as I'm concerned the majority (other than maybe a couple) of the guys should just pack up and go home. The girls as Randy would say "are in it to win it." Did you catch Melinda?? I pegged her from the auditions that she would be one to watch...she's AWESOME! LaKisha did an great job also as usual and this time I thought Gina really kicked it up a notch and shined. So my top three this week for the girls are: Melinda, LaKisha and Gina. My choice to go home...Antonella of course and unfortunately I think Haley will go home too...she just didn't bring it, though she's a good singer...the competition with the girls is much harder than the guys...I think it will be easier to vote people off once the guys and girls are together...I think then the girls will be able to breathe a little bit easier.

So, I just found out this week that I will not be watching the twins next school year...their school has decided to go to a 5 day kindergarten next year instead of a three day. Kind of excited about that...again not because I don't like the girls or that they ar any trouble...it's just a new (and I believe exciting) chapter is about to open up for me and I'm really excited, scared, nervous, all those emotions rolled into one...not sure still what I'm going to do...maybe work...maybe volunteer somewhere...maybe just work from home...I have so many options...which has a tendency to be a bit overwhelming for me...I want most of all what God wants for me and what will be best for my family. I pray that God leads me in the right direction and most of all that I obey that direction...that's the fun (scary) part.

Well off to do laundry and other motherly things...have a great day!

More of the blasted white stuff...

Yes...while others are claiming to see spring flowers...I woke up this morning to about an inch of snow...SPRING WHERE ART THOU?!?!? Needless to say, boys are home from school because of the snow...driving me nuts fighting over the Playstation as usual...It's going to be an interesting day....

Just a little blurb about AI...So BORED by the guys...There wasn't one that totally Wowed me, Chris Sligh and Blake were the only ones I would have even given the priviledge to move on. The girls are owning this season in my opinion...and if a guy wins this competition, then it's obviously rigged. So, I was watching the news today and there is apparently some controversy (When isn't there with AI...I think in many ways they do that on purpose) I guess there is something about Antonella Barba having "questionable" pics on the internet of herself. Supposedly there was another contestant from a past season who was booted off AI for the same reason and the question is out there about whether or not Antonella will get the boot...what do you think...should she get booted for these pics or be allowed to stay?? I know my opinion, but would love to hear yours.

On a final note....have you ever had someone question you about how you worship, and if it is truly genuine?? Kind of ran up against that this weekend...was directed at a group of us, which things like that always make we question my worship...which I hate because when it comes to music that IS how I worship. I may joke around and be the one to lighten things up a bit, but when it gets to the brass tacks...I love to worship the Lord through music. Again, not sure if the comment was meant for me, but I wish people would just have the guts to pull that one person aside and question them instead of directing it to a whole group...in my opinion it just makes everyone feel that they are doing something wrong. Maybe I'm just being sensitive, but it really bothers me when people question how I worship. To me that's between myself and God...am I wrong??

Hope you are having a good (minus any snow) day :-)

I survived...

I survived the weekend. Boy's party went well...was a long day, but it went well. My song at church went well too...I sang Chris Tomlin's version of Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)....such a cool song. The Pastor asked me to sing it again at the end of the service...it is such a powerful song...so many people came up to me after the service and thanked me for the song...It always amazes me as to how God works through me. After all He was the one who gave me the gift to sing...I'm just more than happy to use it for Him and to touch His people...I love to sing. May not enjoy doing it in front of others (I get nervous) but I just can't keep from singing...it's a part of me.

On other things...if you notice off to the right there is a badge there with a pic of a cute little boy on it...that adorable guy is my nephew who was diagnosed with Autism at an early age. I signed up to help raise money on behalf of the Autism Speaks Foundation. Autism impacts 1 out of every 150 children most of those being boys. With those kind of stats there needs to be a cure for this...please if you find it in your heart to donate to this cause, please do so...I'm not one to usually beg for money, but when it touches someone in my family...it means something, so if you feel so inclined I and I know my sister and nephew would most appreciate it. Oh....And the 6 degrees website is offering a grant of $ 10,000.00 to the charity that raises the most number of donations by March 31st....even more reason to give. ;-)

Well...it's 10:15 and believe it or not I'm exhausted...so I think I'm going to call it a night. Have a great week!

Ramblings...

So...another week...this week has been a busy one...babysitting, grocery shopping, trying to get the boys birthday party planned on my own (I hate planning parties...that's hubby's thing), I have to sing the solo at church on Sunday...still trying to find music for that...have to also teach Junior Church Sunday so trying to prepare the lesson for that...plus just trying to maintain the everyday...busy, busy, busy. See me in my superhero suit...I'm multitask queen this week ;-)

So since my brain is pretty fried this week...I shall annoy you with my rambling...

Boy's party is Saturday...STAR WARS is the theme of course...had a hard time finding Star Wars themed stuff...I got a few things, but nothing great. I'll probably decorate with their plethera of Star Wars figures and stuff.


Got my new cell phone yesterday...it's nice. I like it. Got a new LG VX8300...nothing fancy but this one does come with a camera...my old one didn't have one. The only thing I don't like about it is it doesn't have very nice ringtones for it...most are annoying...but of course I can download ringtones for $ 2.99 a piece...ARE YOU KIDDING?!?! So ridiculous. I may get one or two I suppose only because the ringtones are THAT annoying...(there is a really cute one from Chris Tomlin where he says "Forever your phone is ringing...forever...and ever...and ever." May have to have that one.) But honestly what a rip off. That's where they get ya...of course I guess I shouldn't complain since the phones cost us nothing with hubby being with the Postal Service.


So how about AI tonight?? I am still not overly impressed with the guys...the girls still rule in my opinion. My top guys are thus far Chris R., Chris S., and I thought Blake was different and brought a different element to the competition. The women were far better and I am still impressed with Melinda (she was great!), Lakisha, and Stephanie. As far as those that went home tonight...I wasn't surprised about Nick going home, but I was a little surprised about AJ. Though I didn't think he'd win it I was surprised Sanjaya made it through. He just seems a bit young for this competition. I wasn't surprised about the girls Alaina and Leslie getting voted off. I predict that Antonella will be next to go and unless Sanjaya really kicks it up...I predict he'll be gone next as well.


Should hopefully get my movie If Only tomorrow...can't wait...I really liked this movie...If you couldn't tell already.


Well I am tired...may have to go out of town tomorrow...need some rest. If I don't get back here...have a super weekend!

Love Will Show You Everything

Here is a video of that song I commented about in the last post from the movie If Only...check it out!

Ever have one of those weeks...

where you just can't help but shake your head and ask yourself...where did the week go??? Pretty much how this week has been. Kid's finally had a full week of school, meetings this week...hubby working LOTS of hours...just tons of little things really going on...glad it's Friday.

Hubby and I watched a really good movie last night...If Only. A nice romantic movie about a couple who after a tragedy, gets a second chance. I'm not much of a crier...this one made me cry for some reason. Check it out. Also if you know if there is a soundtrack or CD where I can find the song that Jennifer Love Hewitt sings in this movie...please let me know....gotta have it! Here's a video of the song from this movie:

Love Will Show You Everything

I don't know if it's been the books I've been reading and the movies I've been watching lately, but I've been thinking a lot about life, how fleeting it is, what my purpose is, about heaven and what's in store for me, and just all things on that tangent...like the Bible says...we are vapor...merely here for a moment...here one minute and gone the next. We are here for a purpose. I've heard all these things before, but for some reason it's finally hitting home into my blonde little brain. There's more to life than just me and my tiny little bubble I'm in. God is so amazing...He has an amazing plan for all of us and even if we may not be obedient to His plan He will fulfill His plan with or without us...how cool is it when we ARE obedient and become a part of that grand plan.

Like I told my hubby last night....several several months ago I really struggled with MY purpose. Couldn't quite see what my purpose was and why I was here...now I know that my purpose is to be the best Mom that I can and to raise my children the best way I can with God's help. And also to be my husband's best friend and complete him for lack of a better term. Once I came to terms with that, it made me feel better about me and what my job is in this life. Stay at home mom's get a bad rap in my opinion...we have one of the most important jobs in the world IMO.

On that tangent...I usually try to read the Bible to the boys before they leave for school in the morning. My middle son Brennan was in one of his moods the other day and told me...Mommy I don't know why you read that...I never remember what you read. Kind of broke my heart and made me wonder if I was wasting my time...after some prayer and reflection I will not stop reading to them even if it may seem that I'm wasting my time...The devil wants me to be discouraged...and yes maybe they won't remember what I read, but maybe just maybe a tiny seed will be planted and something will sprout from my efforts. It doen't have a chance if I quit now does it?!!? So devil...try all you want...I'm not stopping. I know that God is going to allow something to get through to them...and even so...hopefully when they look back on their lives they will remember the times that their Mommy read God's word to them. Just had to share that.

On a different note...another season of American Idol has begun...unfortunately because of a lengthy meeting I missed seeing the guys sing...but what I saw of them (recap after the show...I wasn't overly impressed...though I kinda liked Chris Richardson, Chris Sligh, and though I wasn't impressed with his performance Brandon Rogers was good during the auditions. As far as the ladies go...WOW...in fact hubby was impressed and even voted...he's never voted before. Our fav thus far...LaKisha Jones...blew everyone else away...and her story touches my heart...I really like her. Also two other favs were Stephanie Edwards and Melinda Doolittle. I think they will go far in this competition. So as far as those who got cut...didn't see that show either, but I'm surprised most that Antonella Barba made it through...I was surprised when she made it to the top 24 honestly. I thought her performance was karaoke at best. Maybe it's just her looks that are helping her through. Just my opinion. Don't get me wrong, she has a nice voice...the song was wrong and I'm just not sure that she's cut out to be a professional. Again my opinion. Also don't care for Sundance...another one that I was surprised to see make it through...and thought he should have gone.

I know this was a weird and rambly post, but I've got three 4 year olds running around me...that may be why ;-) But I just had to share my week...even if it wasn't the most opportune time.

Have a great weekend and may you never forget God's purpose for you!

Snowed In....

If you have been following the weather channel...then you know we are pretty much snowed in where we are...Tuesday it snowed like crazy....while we were at the Funeral...it was quite a messy sight. Though we were invited to stay and visit at hubby's uncle's house after the funeral, hubby and I decided it was time to come home...and boy are we glad we did. I-77 was a total mess and by the sheer grace of God, we were able to make it home...the roads were AWFUL! We saw several accidents along the way including a jacknifed semi. Luckily hubby's mom let us drive her 4 wheel drive Endeavor. Otherwise who know if we would have made it home. I did come home to this on my back door though...

The rest of the family wasn't so lucky...as they tried to head out I guess they closed I-77 and they ended up having to stay another night...I was just so glad to be home and be safe. We ended up with ice on top of the snow...not fun. In all we got about 8-10 inches. School was cancelled yesterday and today. Hubby had to work a 14 + hour day including having to be out in that mess and deliver mail. I was quite frustrated...not at him, but at his situation. He seems to always be the one that has to take up the slack for those who just don't want to work...it's annoying.

With all that it wasn't quite an enjoyable Valentine's day. Though in all honesty...I'm not huge into Valentine's day...I'm not huge into the obligatory holidays...you know the one's where your significant other HAS to do something for you or they're in the dog house. Why should the calendar or card industry tell me when I should show my affection or when someone else should show it to me?? I'm more into the "it's March 2nd and though it's not a special day I just wanted to tell you today how special you are to me" kind of chick. The element of surprise...the not expecting it...that is what I like. Just makes it all that much sweeter for me...How about you?? How do you feel about it??

I'm not usually into watching movies in the afternoon (too many other things to do) but they had Message In A Bottle on TBS this morning...watched bits and pieces of it intermixed with fixing breakfast, snacks and drinks for the kiddos. Such a sweet movie. And though it's filmed in Maine from what I understand...it makes me miss North Carolina...hope we can visit again soon...it's been almost 3 years...miss it so. Especially now since I'm surrounded by all this white stuff!

Well hopefully the weather is better where you are...going to go try and shovel myself out now. :-)

Happy 8th Birthday Brennie Gene!!

Just a quick note to say happy birthday to my little guy Brennan....Can't believe that you are 8 today. You have grown into such a fine little man...Mommy loves you very much! Have a great time with Gamma and Papa tonight and know that I love you always!

I will be away for the next couple days attending Grandma Gerri's funeral. Kids will be spoiled by Gamma and Papa while hubby and I are gone....it the first overnight trip hubby and I have had to take without the kids in quite a while...pray for Gamma and Papa :-) Pray for me....I'm having a real hard time leaving...especially since it is Brennie's birthday. Pray for hubby's family with the loss of his Grandma. Thank you.

Have a great Valentine's Day! Remember God loves you!

Things that make me smile....

So glad that it is Friday...love Fridays...movie night...night to relax and just veg as a family...love it so!

Had lunch out with the hubby this afternoon...so nice...haven't done that in a few weeks...his job hasn't allowed for it. Looks like he's going to have to be stuck in supervisor mode again till who knows when now...stinks, because that means he won't be home much and he'll be working lots of hours again...in a way it's a blessing since they are currently restructuring at the Post Office and many of them are getting their hours cut big time. So God does answer prayer...and I'm thankful that he'll be getting the hours this way, he just gets so stressed out and burned out at supervising. I pray that things go back to some kind of normal soon.

One praise is that a local factory in our town (which my brother works for) just ended their strike and they will be returning to work Monday....PRAISE JESUS! They've been on strike since September. It is truly a boost in the moral of our little town that's for sure.

Another sad note...Kevin's step grandma passed away this morning. It's sad, yet to know where she is...I celebrate for her.

So here are some things that are making me happy today...

I so love my mp3 player...downloaded some new music to it...a little bit of the Goo Goo Dolls and then a double album of Jeremy Camp's. So love his music (as I've already mentioned in an earlier post). Also a big fan of this guy too...Edwin McCain. He sings some of my favorite songs like "I'll Be" and "I Could Not Ask For More"...his Messenger album is one of those albums I would definitely have with me if I was stuck on a desert island. Love it!

Tim Horton's English Toffee Cappicino...Yum!!

Bath and Body Work's new Tropical Passionfruit body butter....if you are anywhere near a B&BW take a sniff of this stuff...so yummy and just makes you think of summer...which right now sounds like heaven!

Also today was the first day I've been out of the house since Sunday...so nice to get out...even if it was quite chilly...those four walls were getting a bit small ;-)

Well going to get ready for some dinner and watching some movies (Fox and the Hound for the kiddos and 50 First Dates for hubby and I).

Have an awesome weekend!

Snow days and other things...

Needless to say the last three days have been snow days for the boys...whether it be for extreme cold temperatures or snowfall...today was their first day back to school this week. Love having them home, but I'm glad to get back to status quo in a way...there is only so many fights over the Playstation that I can handle. ;-)

This is how Austin spent part of his time off school though...taking right after his momma...

Hope you are keeping warm and safe.

God works in mysterious ways...

I need to quit with these once a week posts...I miss it I do...just not much to write lately...but I have to say God has worked in mysterious ways in my life this past week.

First of all as I had mentioned earlier this year I have begun reading my Bible...the whole reading your Bible in a year thing. Still doing well...a day behind right now, but that's OK...I'm still OK...God understands...and I think this may be where this is all stemming from...I'm feeling closer to God and understanding even more His commitment to His people...I'm in the book of Leviticus right now.

In our Women's group Tuesday I mentioned again during prayer time about Brennan having trouble in school and with his teacher. Ironically (or may be not so) a new lady that has been attending our grou works for the School Superintendent. She gave me some things that I could possibly do to help Brennan and his situation with his teacher. Then on Wednesday Brennan comes out of school all smiles because his teacher FINALLY moved the desks around and he's no longer sitting by the kids who have been distracting and picking on him. We've been on his teacher to move him since November. God thing maybe??

Then I got a call from the library about this book I reserved for my hubby that he wanted to read (which my hubby does not like to sit and read a book BTW)...it was in, so I went to pick it up...it was this book: Don's description of heaven just again reaffirms for me God's love for us...and the beauty that I will someday behold.

Then we missed church yesterday (which I hate missing church) but it was for a good thing. Kevin's step-grandma Gerri was celebrating her 83rd birthday. We went up to visit her and participate in her party. The night before I thought about her present (I know great time to think of that)...hubby didn't have anything for her, and I really wasn't sure about what to get a woman who was in a nursing home and honestly we weren't even sure if she would make it to this day. Then I remembered Kevin's stepmom had given me these crocheted granny squares that she told me that Gerri had once made but never put together. I then had this overwhelming urge that I had to make something for her out of these...I didn't hesitate...didn't second guess or talk myself out of it...so at 10 p.m. on Saturday night I sat down...watched a movie and sewed these squares together...about 35 in all...I was up until 3:30 a.m., yet I was determined to finish it...almost like I was on a mission, yet not sure why. So then yesterday we had to be on the road by 9 a.m. so we could be there by 11 a.m. and there I was in the van crocheting the edge around this little lap afghan. I got it done in time. Thank God. My hubby presented it to her and told her about the blanket and how the squares were the ones that she had made...she looked at the squares with tears in her eyes and said that she didn't make those squares...they were made by her mother. This feeling just swept over me of how much more precious this gift must have been to her...she even said that I couldn't even know how much it meant to her. She was truly touched. And I was truly humbled. Here was a woman who in all honesty doesn't have much time left, and something I (and I say I loosely cause I know it was a God thing) did touched her heart...WOW...God works in some mysterious ways. Sometimes you just need to listen to that still small voice inside you and not question it...lesson learned. I give God praise for that moment...and I will cherish it. The picture is of me with Grandma Gerri and her brother and sister...those granny squares were made by their mother.

Then we came home and our Pastor was having a Family Communion, which is where we as a family would come into the church and he would personally serve our family communion and then pray for us as a family. It was a true blessing to have communion and share that sacred moment as a family...with my boys.

God is so amazing.