What a week...

Not a week I care to relive anytime soon.

Lots going on...

Still trying to recoup...

Meds making me a bit spacey...and tired...

getting crafts for VBS ready...

trying to figure out the why's of what's going on in my life right now...

Going to doctor on Tuesday...not sure if there aren't other things going on...so please keep me in your prayers...

As much that has been going on I'm still trying to hold on to my verse...

16-18Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. I Thess. 5:16-18 (The Message)

Praise God anyhow...

Thanks for your prayers...

After a miserable shot in the rear...(hurt like CRAZY!), a horrible migraine like headache from the awful meds I was put on, two days of pretty much staying in bed, though didn't sleep much those two days, surprisingly I feel better. I took the meds the doc gave me (not my normal doc BTW) and threw them away...I have a hard time with meds anymore...not sure why. Hubby got me new meds from our doc tonight, though I'm leary on trying them, but I know I should. But I feel much better...I'm up and around and actually got outside for about a half hour tonight...that was wonderful. I was even happy doing dishes tonight...amazing how two days of bed rest can make you even appreciate your chores!

Above all, I know that it's been the amazing prayers of my family, church and cyber family that have gotten me through all this...God is so good! I was so praising Him with my voice tonight when I was doing my dishes, which I almost always listen to music while I do dishes, but this time I was just really praising Him...I'm so grateful for His healing touch. He is so amazing!

Thank you all...you mean more to me than you'll ever know!

Not feeling so well...

Not feeling so well tonight. Been secretly dealing with a UTI thinking I could take care of it myself...I'm just hoping it's not turning into another kidney infection...already had one of those this year...hated it...don't want it again. I covet your prayers cause I just really don't have time for that right now. Thanks.

Random bit of silliness I must share...

Been busy gearing up for our VBS in a few weeks so I can't be long-winded at the moment...but I have to share this tidbit...

Colton got up a couple mornings ago and I was getting ready in my bathroom...the boys have been on a Star Wars kick lately...anywhoo...Colton is playing by himself and then he says to me..."I'm holding them back with my forest". FOREST??? I say kind of confused....yeah my forest Mom...I'm getting them with my forest. Then it finally dawns on me...oh yeah the "Force"...I'll tell ya...this little guy has been cracking me up big time lately...such personality...

of course I won't go into the "Pirates and the care of beans"...I think you get it....

Well hoping that the "forest" is with you! Later all!

Amby...if you read this...

One of the blogs I frequent Amby said how bad a day she had the other day from being late...I am not usually a late person (unless my hubby is with me...sorry honey, you know it's true), but today I totally forgot about our Youth Group's scavenger hunt and them wanting to borrow my van...now I'm usually a homebody so normally it wouldn't have been a problem, but today I had doctor's appts. then went to my sister's (which took longer than anticipated) and needless to say I was a half hour late getting the van to them...sorry guys! I felt only a smidge of your pain Amby....I hate being late!

Anyhoooooo....Well I guess in a round about way I was tagged so here it is:

1. How old are you? 29....plus 10
2. How many kids do you have if any? 3 darling boys...who can drive me crazy
3. Are you married, single, divorced, widow,? Married.
4. What is your occupation? SAHM...domestic engineer...cab driver...cook...maid...you name it.
5. What are your passions? Christ, my family, scrapbooking
6. Are you a dreamer or a dream seeker? dreamer....no time for seeking at the moment with three boys
7. Are you happy with the way you life has turned out? I know it could have been a lot worse
8. Are you a scrapper and if so how many hours a week do you scrap? Of course i'm a scrapper. And there are not enough hours to scrap...I'm lucky of I get 10 -15 hours a week....that's a really good week.
9. What do you want to do before you die? Share Jesus with someone with my family who will accept Him...fly overseas (of course they'd have to sedate me...I HATE to fly)...Own a Jeep Wrangler, black with a hard top 4L 6 cylinder manual transmission and then go to Camp Jeep!10. What is your favorite food? Chocolate is considered a food right?? I love all kinds of food.
11. What is the food you hate the most? Lima beans...baked beans...creamed corn...love corn but for some reason the look of creamed corn...yuk!
12. What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you? Please....there are way too many for this category! I hate how nervous I get when I talk to people I don't know well...I always stumble over my words...it's so embarrassing.
13. What is the happiest day of your life thus far? Wow...many for that one too...Marrying my hubby and the birth of my boys of course...and when I gave my heart to Christ totally...can't beat those.
14. Are you a neat freak? Or a dirty house cleaner? Yes...depends on what day it is ;-) I try my best to stay neat...with three tornados...it's like a hamster on the wheel...

OK...so to all of you who actually do read my blog...I tag you...and let me know that you are doing this so I can check your answers out.

Have a great day!

Hard to believe that summer is half over..and other randomness

Randomness....
Was thinking today that summer is over half over already....though we went to Hocking Hills for a few days, we haven't done a whole lot yet this summer and that depresses me...hoping to play more and have more fun...life just seems to get in the way a lot...going to my sister's tomorrow...hopefully the boys will play with their cousins and it will be a good day for them.

Had a "date" day with my son Brennan yesterday...it was nice it just being him and I. The boys were starting to get "tired" of each other if you know what I mean...the oldest, Austin, went with the neighbor lady to play video games and see Superman, and Colton went next door to play with the twins...so it was just Brennan and I. Brennan is my shy and tender-hearted one so it was nice to spend one-on-one time with him cause he seems to always be overshadowed by the other boys. We went to McDonald's and picked up lunch and then went to Lake Park (a lake near us) and had a picnic lunch. We then tossed the football and frisbee for a little while and then he wanted to go to Wal-Mart so he could get the new Nintendo DS game he wanted...and since he's been helping me around the house I said yes. He was in seventh heaven...he's so easy to please...he's always telling me almost everyday, "Mom, this is the best day ever." I hope he continues to have a lot of "best day evers". He's my sweetheart...and I'm biased.

I ask for your prayers...my Uncle Patrick is in the hospital. He had triple bypass surgery on Friday, and though he was doing OK, yesterday I got a call saying that his lungs were filling up with fluid, he was pulling out his tubes and being very uncooperative with the medical staff. They had to sedate him and he may also need a pacemaker if his heart doesn't start beating regularly. They took him off the morphine so he's in a lot of pain...he also is probably going through withdrawls cause of not having his cigarettes or alcohol for the past week...though I hate to say that, but it's true. He is only 44 and he's giving up. He's had a rough life it seems and I feel bad for him...he doesn't know Jesus and he lives in Miami, FL. Please pray for his recovery, but most of all that someone shares Jesus with him before it's too late.

Well have to get up early for boy's doctor's appts. tomorrow (just check-ups) and hopefully some fun. Hope you are having a great summer!

Lyrics

Finally fixed the music on here....kind of goes with how I'm feeling...not a new song...the group is no longer together, but I love Creed...kind of something I needed to share right now...here are the lyrics:

My Own Prison

A court is in session, a verdict is in
No appeal on the docket today
Just my own sin
The walls are cold and pale
The cage made of steel
Screams fill the room
Alone I drop and kneel
Silence now the sound
My breath the only motion around
Demons cluttering around
My face showing no emotion
Shackled by my sentence
Expecting no return
Here there is no penance
My skin begins to burn

(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) We're all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one

I hear a thunder in the distance
See a vision of a cross
I feel the pain that was given
On that sad day of loss
A lion roars in the darkness
Only he holds the key
A light to free me from my burden
And grant me life eternally

Should have been dead
On a Sunday morning
Banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time
(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) We're all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
[Guitar break]
I cry out to God
Seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison
I cry out to God
Seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison

(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) We're all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) We're all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
Should've been dead on a Sunday morning
banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time

So cheesy!

I know I need to be getting to bed...these late nights are starting to catch up with me...but I had to share this before I went to bed...my latest layout...a challenge to use a piece of paper that I didn't like anymore....I knew I wanted to use the Mac & Cheese paper but wasn't sure how...but the idea literally came in my dreams last night... so without further ado...here it is...

Brennan & I have this bantering thing we do when he asks for Macaroni and Cheese (which is often)...wanted to remember this forever...guess I will now.

Off to beddy bye now...night-night folks!

We interrupt the "Cave Pics"....

Happy July 4th all! Well I don't know how your weather was, but ours was rainy...loved it this morning though...I was praising God for the rain...I had the window open...listening to the rain...feeling the cool breeze and drifting in and out of conciousness...it felt so good!

Anyways...due to the rain my family canceled their picnic, so we ended up just veggiing around the house all day doin' the lazy thing. I spent most of my time scrapbooking....here's some of what I did... posted some on the Two Peas website.... it's kind of funny in a ways....I hardly get any pea-nut praise on there...not that that is what I'm there for...the site inspires me, I just keep hoping I will one day be as good as some of those gals on there. Anyways it felt good to scrap some and just have a leisurely day. Hope you had a good day yourself.

Ash Cave

I've been meaning to update from our little getaway to Hocking Hills...been a little busy. Anywho...here are a few pics from our excursion to Ash Cave, which was only 3 miles up the road from our cabin. First are a few pics from the actual Cave...so amazing in person...so vast...unbelieveable how God creates such utter beauty...I was in total awe the whole entire day. Next is Austin being his usual goofball self...gotta love him! He's wearing his "My imaginary friend beat up your imaginary friend" shirt...he loves it....next is a pic of me and the boys....I don't get a chance to be in the picture too often...I love pics like these...they make me smile Next pic is one that just moves me for some reason...I love the picture of the boys standing looking at this tree....Brennan standing against the tree...the others looking at him and the tree and the mist from the rain....I don't know what it is, but it speaks to me...I know...what a freak I am right?? Last pic speaks to me too...Kevin leading the boys down a path...the winding path...the fog...it all just speaks to me...I think it's neat...but what do I know right?? The whole day was just so full of God's splendor...the amazing natural formations of caves, waterfalls...amazing wildlife...the mist of the rain...the fresh smell after the rain was intoxicating...I sooo loved it. Hope the boys did too...I want them to enjoy nature as much as I do. God truly has created a very beautiful world...can't wait to see what heaven is like....until later folks...next time...pics from Cedar Falls...Remember God loves you!

Got to love the simpleness of a child.

Today after lunch hubby, myself and our youngest little man Colton were practicing our counting with the little man. We lined up a bunch of different things that were on the table and he began counting them...first it was to ten...then a little farther...then the conversation went like this...

Colton:Mommy...I can count backwards.

Mommy: Really honey??? (Looking a bit perplexed since we haven't begun learning this yet)...O.K. sweetheart, show me.

Colton: O.K. ....he then proceeded to turn all the things he was counting backwards and began to count...one...two...three...

Mommy: BWWAAAHHH!!!! Proceeding to bust a gut. Got to love the simpleness of a child!

Just a few pics....

Well I'm going to post just a few pics tonight...more tomorrow though. It was so nice to get away to Hocking Hills again...I so love the Hocking Hills area...so relaxing and beautiful. I could so live there...minus the mice though...more on that later.

Anyways....here is a pic of our cabin...it was very nice. Loft for the kids...basement room for us...two tv's so we could have watched one while the kids watched Disney channel...not that we did that, but the option was there. It was a very cozy cabin and I realized that Hocking Hills just has this kind of 'smell'...I used to think it was just this one place we would usually stay at for our anniversary...no...it's the whole Hocking HIlls area...it just smells so fresh and alive...alive in nature. It's a wonderful smell. Anyways... this is one of the caves that was right next to our cabin...pretty cool I thought... then we had a furry visitor....the boys named him Smokey...he was a VERY friendly syberian husky... The rest are just pics from our trip....loved the quilts on these beds...wanted to SSSOO take them home...then some cute photos of the hubby and my son Brennan...well enough to bore you with tonight. Tomorrow hopefully I'll post pics of our hike through Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave and Cedar Falls. I am always amazed at God's beautiful splendor...more tomorrow.

I'm back....

Got back last night...will fill you in on the details and hopefully have pictures to share later. Weather was rainy off and on most of the time, but it didn't hinder us too much. It was nice to get away.

Momma bird ahtched her babies today...there are 2 baby robins in that nest.

Well gotta get these boys off to bed...they are fighting it bad tonight. Got church in the morning and I have to man the nursery so I need my rest.

Later folks!

Find God in the little things...

So this morning the dog woke me up at 6:30 a.m. Now I'm not much of a morning person as most of you know, but God was gently telling me this morning...Get up...I have something to show you today...so I willingly complied. So here I am, 6:30 a.m. fixing a pot of coffee...go out on my front porch to sit on my swing and in the corner is that robin's nest with it's momma being so good and sitting on her eggs. Then the sweetest thing happened...the daddy robin flew in from my pine tree and was feeding the momma bird some worms and putting some in the nest. It was one of the sweetest things I have seen in a while. Such devotion, this "father" bird taking care of the momma bird. Then the verse came to my head about how the birds don't have to worry about what to eat....God takes care of them, and the lillies don't have to worry about what to wear, God covers them with such beautiful splendor that even King Solomon wasn't dressed as beautifully as those lillies, yet God takes care of them and how much more He loves me (and us as those created in His image) and will take care of me. It was so what I needed to "hear". God is going to take care of me, no matter what happens, no matter how my world goes...He truly cares for me. I am always so amazed how God just shows up...maybe not when we want Him to...but will show us just a glimpse of Himself and it just leaves one in awe...it does me at least. God is just so amazing, so wonderful...how He sends us these little love notes throughout our day and if we are not focused on Him we miss them...the cool gentle breeze on your face, the smell of freshness after a gentle rain, and the devotion of two birds and how they care for each other...so beautiful and so priceless....God is good and so amazing...can't wait to go on this trip tomorrow to see what other wonderful beauties of nature, love notes if you will, He has in store for me. I know there will be something...hopefully I'll have my camera with me so I can share it when I get back.

May you take time today to experience God's love notes to YOU today...until next time...God bless.

What a weekend...

This was a strange...hard...stressful...and thought provoking weekend. I'm hoping that this trip to Hocking Hills will clear heads, wipe out the cob webs, help to reconnect and just enjoy the simple things like just being a family. It's been rough and it's just something that we NEED...it's no longer a want or something to think about putting on our calendar....this is a desperate NEED...no matter what the cost. I am just so thankful that I have a God who is just there to listen to me day or night, hear my cries and just be my comfort and my rock.

Today went to do laundry and the carpet in my laundry/craft area was wet. At first I thought it was the dog, but then after I investigated it ended up being the pump for our air conditioner...soaked the whole piece of carpet. Thankfully it's just a remnant so it wasn't a total loss, but just not something I wanted to deal with. Austin though got an awakening to what it was like to be "the man of the house"...not sure he likes the grown up thing.

Went to go see Cars again today...went with the neighbors this time. I think I liked it even better the 2nd time around. Such a cute movie...If you haven't seen it yet you have to go...it's great!

Well I need to get to bed...have to start packing for our trip tomorrow. If you get a moment...pray that we have a good time as a family and that we connect in an amazing way. Thank you.

May God bless you with an amazing week!

So looking forward to vacation...

I'm ready....hubby is MORE than ready....kids are ready....just need to GET ready ;-) Come Wednesday we'll hopefully be in Hocking Hills...2 days of relaxation...two days of bonding as a family which we haven't truly been able to do since Disney. Hoping Hubby will be able to relax...unwind...hopefully connect with the Lord and with the kids...it's been a rough few months. We have so needed this in so many ways. I'm praying that the weather is nice, but even if it isn't I know that it will still be good...no phones...no interupptions...just us as a family. Hoping for total quality family time. I'll have my camera ready ;-)

We were all sitting outside at our new patio set...I always wanted one...you know the one with the umbrella...and how wonderful that the Lord provided one for free! Not brand new, but it's nice and I love it and that's all that matters. Got it from a house that hubby's mom is working on a forclosure on. So cool. Love it! Anyway we were sitting on the patio set and just enjoying ourselves as a family...it's the first time in weeks that I heard my hubby laugh...it was a nice preview of what our two day outing can be. Please pray that my hubby finds refreshment...finds peace...and just relaxes.


Later folks! May the Lord bless you in a very special way today!

Saw this on another blog...

This morning...I know...morning...I was blogging this morning...must be something up with that since I am NOT a morning person, but the Lord woke me up this morning with a beautiful sunny day, I read His Word and decided to blog...go figure?

First of all...It seems like I've been dealing with a lot of negative...a lot of junk lately and I'm just trying...hard...to get through it. Just a lot of negative attitudes and just plain junk. I just prayed this morning that God would just help me get through the junk and find the good and remain positive about it...to stay positive and not only that...be contagious to others.

Anyways...I read this on one of the blogs I peruse once in a while and thought I'd share it...

What delights you? What are the things that give you pleasure? Notice your moments of joy and make a list of all the things that bring you gladness. Don’t try to analyze what should bring you happiness. Instead, just notice what DOES!

I love this! It goes along with the idea of not making things more complicated than they need to be. Don’t worry about what you think you are supposed to be doing, based on anyone else’s standards or notions. You are uniquely you. God has put desires in you for a reason. Do what you have a natural bent to do, and it will most likely bring you happiness and be a blessing to others. So what I needed to read today...find the joy in something...

So, what brings you joy? Go out and do it today! And tell me about it!

Exhausted...

So tired...not that I did a whole lot today. Sat outside while I watched the boys play in the sprinkler and on the trampoline. I did cook out on the grill today for lunch and had the neighbors over before they left to get ready to go to Disney...lucky bums...so miss Disney.

Finishing up laundry and went to Wal-Mart tonight. Grocery shopping tomorrow. What fun...

Finally found a place to stay on our vacation...though we are only able to stay a couple days, it will be nice to get away...and it's right next to Ash Cave. In fact there is a cave right behind our cabin...check out the picture...better yet, check out their website. I think we'l have fun...we so need to get away.

Well I'm off to bed....actually I might take a nice hot bath first and then off to bed. Nighty- night folks.

Got 'er done...almost

Well got to work in my laundry/craft area today...got most of it done, just need to clean off my craft table...AGAIN....that's something that always needs done though...kinds like the dishes...go figure.

Spent most of my evening tonight though looking for places to go on our vacation here in a couple weeks. I know...procrastinators we are...but not sure if we were going to be able to go anywhere at all, but I think it's more of a HAVE TO...NEED TO go somewhere...hubby has had enough and wants to get away...far away...well not too far, but who am I to buck him on that?!?!? Sounds good to me ;-)

Well I'm tired and need some sleep...got to sleep in today by the way...it was so nice!

Later~

I have other things...

that I really should be doing...like balancing the checkbook...catching up on e-mail...cleaning out the laundry/craft area....but I'm just taking a break for a moment.

Ever just wake up not in a very good mood and not sure why?? Today was my day. Despite the fact that Austin and Colton got me out of bed early today, I just honestly haven't been sleeping well. I think this situation has been keeping me from much desired good decent sleep. Anyways...

Had all intentions to start cleaning the Laundry/craft area today, but my body was so tired and sore from cleaning the playroom, mowing grass, laundry and all the other stuff I did yesterday...just didn't do a lot today.

The boys, Leslie, the twins and I went to the library today and signed up for their summer reading program. It's a great program, they get a pool party at the end of the summer...they love that.

Had Women's Group tonight...just kind of hung out tonight and we met for ice cream. Hubby brought the kids along and he took the twins and boys around the towpath for a long walk. We had a good time just talking and laughing. Times like that are so nice.

On another note I found this quote on another blog tonight....

An introverted person recharges by being by himself / herself, while an extroverted person recharges by being around other people.

So true...I consider myself more introverted and seem to become so much more refreshed after being alone...hubby on the other hand is an extrovert and LOVES being around people...he fuels off of them. Made me think....so which are you???

Wel off to do my "chores" now...thanks for the break!