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.

God and worship

Wow what a week! After last weekends stress God gave me such a nice week...thank you Jesus.



So the highlight of my week...I got to attend the WinterJam concert with our Youth group...I don't usually get the chance to do these things but what a great opportunity. To attend a great Christian concert for only $ 10.00!! It was truly an awesome experience. Hubby unfortunately couldn't go...couldn't find anyone to watch the boys so he opted for me to go and he and the boys had a Star Wars night together instead. I am thankful....I have a great hubby who realizes when I need some time for me. Got to hear bands like Newsong, Hawk Nelson, Steven Curtis Chapman and this great guy.....Jeremy Camp!!

If you haven't heard this young mans music...you MUST!! He is one of my and hubby's favs...and I actually got to meet him!! One of my best friends (actually its the mom of the twins I watch) stood in line for me so I could meet him and get his autograph. How cool is that! I got to watch his concert AND meet him too! He put on an awesome concert...his first song was one of my favs off his Restored album "Lay Down My Pride". Love his music and his message...awesome performer. If you have the chance to see him in concert...GO!!

Steven Curtis Chapman was awesome as well playing one of my favs of his "Magnificent Obsession"...so love that song. Missed hearing Sanctus Real play, but Newsong was really good too. Hawk Nelson was a bit different for me...definitely geared more towards the (dare I say it) younger crowd...but I got more blessing watching those teens jump up and down in the name of Jesus...it truly warmed my heart.

Ironically, we had a missionary speak at our church yesterday and he touched on the subject of music. He was once a Pastor before becoming a full-time missionary and he talked about one of the saints in his church who commented to him about how she was bothered by the guy who played guitar in their praise team, how he wore jeans...and not only that, they were torn. This young man was a new christian and the Pastor commented to her about how moved he was by the way this young man was worshipping...tears in his eyes, playing his music with such passion...and the comment he made to her was this

I mean no disrespect...but you were concentrating on the wrong thing.

WOW!! I wanted to hug this man...this seems to be a silent undercurrent in our church is the music...and being on our Praise Team it can be frustrating...if I let it. Not enough hymns, too many hymns, music is too loud, need more upbeat music, music is too fast, never a happy medium. Now I like hymns...even myself who doesn't care much for country type music can tolerate a little southern gospel now and then...why do we think that the music we worship to in church is all about us?? And who is the judge that says only hymns can be used to worship God?? I'm sorry but even though I wasn't totally into Hawk Nelson at that concert and it may not have been totally my type of music I like best, you can't tell me that those teens weren't worshipping God to that music. I think Satan uses this debate to his advantage to put a wedge between the generations at church and the sad thing is that some are too stubborn to see what he is doing. In my opinion I don't care if you bang on a tin can and sing off key...as long as in your heart you are worshipping and praising God...that is all that God cares about. And yes we as a church body we may have to be tolerant of a hymn, a contemporary Christian song, or even a little southern gospel...all for the sake of worshipping God and for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. After all, it's not about us anyway right?

Sorry about that....I'll get off my soapbox now. I'm just so glad that there are so many ways to praise and worship our King?? What is your way to Praise and Worship Him???

Snow...finally and God is SO good!

We finally got some snow yesterday...about 5-6 inches to be exact...here are a few pics of us playing in the snow with the neighbor girls.

First of all I have to say what an amazing God I serve...He is so AWESOME! Saturday we went to see Kevin's step-grandma in the nursing home. She isn't doing so well, having some trouble breathing, so we went up to visit...we haven't seen her in several years. We had a very nice visit and was very pleasant. We then went to hubby's Uncle's house for dinner. Also very nice. For our trip I allowed the boys to take their Gameboys since I wasn't sure what we would run into and I wanted to keep the boys occupied while we visited Grandma...I told myself that I would make sure I knew where they were at all times (we had already lost one Gameboy in the last year...not wanting to lose another). To make a long story short, when we finally got home Brennan's was missing. And to make matters worse his was in the case that held all the games...which I didn't want him taking in the first place. Needless to say I was devistated...hubby was very upset...made for a bad night. I cried to the boys...I was so disappointed in myself...I wasn't so much upset about losing the system (though there was plenty of $$ lost in that), I was much more upset at myself because I felt like I let my boys down. I was pretty sure I walked out of the nursing home with it, but from that point I had no clue what may have happened to it. I cried that night...I cried when I got up that morning...then found out I had to lead worship...I honestly wasn't much up to it and even thought of backing out of that...but I trusted God to get me through...I told the Pastor about my situation...I know it sounds stupid, please pray that my son's gameboy is found, but I believe God hears all our prayers, petty or not. I prayed during Sunday School, I went to the altar to pray during worship...I just prayed that God would just hear me...well when I got home after church I was still downhearted, but felt uplifted being in church. When I got home my boys greeted me with "Mommy...it's been found...it was at Daddy's uncle's house." I was so happy...I was praising the Lord all over the house...I was so thankful...God does listen to a broken heart...and yes my heart was broken...any time I feel like I let my boys down my heart does break. Thank you Jesus for answered prayer. Now the system isn't back in our hands just yet, but hopefully when we go back up in the next couple weeks it's soon be home safe and sound. Still not sure how it ended up in hubby's uncle's house, but I just praise God that it is found. God is SO good!

Hope you are having a happy Monday!

Tag I'm It...Six Weird Things About Me...Plus a Layout To Share

(THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the "six weird things about you" blog post. People who get tagged need to write their own six weird things post and state the rules clearly. At the end of the post tag six more people and don’t forget to leave a comment on their blog to tell them they have been tagged and tell them to read your blog.)

I was tagged by Jada's Gigi to do this happy ditty so here I go I guess...be warned...are you sure you REALLY want to know???

1) I like to drink dill pickle juice from the jar...grosses my boys an really grosses my hubby out. Besides just liking it I in all honesty get a huge kick out of it just because it grosses them out....makes the juice that much sweeter I guess :-)

2) I don't know that this is weird or not but I am a handy woman...I probably use the tools in my hubby's garage more than he does....I don't mind getting dirty...I used to love playing in the dirt as a kid...I would help my dad in his home electronics repair business as a kid...I love to fix things or make home improvements.

3) I love to repeat the lines from movies...I pretty much have the whole Cars movie memorized...I will burst out into a line from a movie out of nowhere at just the right moment...I honestly just can't seem to help it.

4) I am a rhymer...I will make up little songs with my boys on the fly...kind of like that Wayne guy on "Who's Line Is It Anyway"....my boys love this and get in on it too....another thing that drives my hubby nuts.

5) I used to be big into those "carpet tracks"....when we were living in our apartment (prekids of course) I used to be pretty anal about those just right carpet tracks...luckily in this house there is only one bedroom where there is the type of carpet that can have carpet tracks...all the rest of the carpet in the house is berber carpet...and I'm happy with that.

6) I can't do my dishes without playing music...just gets me motivated. I truly feel lost without my music. Thank God for the new MP3 player!

So....since I'm not sure if there are even six people who read my blog...here is the deal...if you have read this and have a blog...well....TAG YOU'RE IT! Let me know so I can read your responses OK!!

So here is a layout I made of my youngest about a conversation we had this past summer...he was trying to hold me back with his "forest"...as many of you know my boys are BIG into Star Wars. I laughed so hard at this conversation that I had to scrapbook it...very simple layout I know but at least the memory is preserved.

Have a glorious day!

Had to share this...

Saw this on the internet tonight...goes against my word this year Organize...but it was so cute I had to share it...I think I may hang it up in my craft room...that place is hardly ever clean...in fact its a bit messy tonight...I finally finished a Disney mini-album (pics later) listing each of our top five favorite things about Disney. It's pretty basic, but at least I finally have something that commemorates our trip!

Had a nice nap today...been vegging out most of the day...love having this kiddos home...tomorrow is the last day of their "mini" vacation.

Well hope you had a nice Sunday

First Layout of 2007 and plenty of Randomness

Finally had a chance to work in my craft room today....though I have been extremely tired today, it sure did feel good to get in there and get ink on my hands....nothing like creating something to make your spirit sing! So here is my first layout for 2007: Scrapbooking this page was somewhat theraputic...as many of you know Tigger passed away the day before Thanksgiving this past year. I just had to do a layout of my favorite pics of him while we had him. I sure do miss that furry guy. It's amazing how God places people in our path for a reason...even those four legged people :-)



Well I have to get some dinner made and do my weekly run to Wal-mart tonight. So do you have a special pet or had a special pet that God blessed you with?...if so share your story here!



Also here is something to go with my "word" this year...ORGANIZE....



or·gan·ize (ôr'gə-nīz') Pronunciation Key v. or·gan·ized, or·gan·iz·ing, or·gan·iz·es v. tr.
To put together into an orderly, functional, structured whole.
To arrange in a coherent form; systematize: organized her thoughts before speaking.
To arrange in a desired pattern or structure: "The painting is organized about a young reaper enjoying his noonday rest" (William Carlos Williams).



Will be using that in a layout somehow...got my book yesterday too...enjoyed it so much from the library that I had to purchase it...I truly recommend it...I am determined to be organized this year...this book has already been a help and can't wait to read through the rest of it.

Downloaded my first bit of music for my new MP3 player tonight...So this is what I downloaded:

Chantal Kreviazuk ~ Little Things & Surrounded...found both these songs from watching Dawson's Creek...love her voice.

Heart ~ Alone...A Classic from my 80's days...love love love to sing to this one. It was a must have.

Jessica Andrews ~ I Will Be There For You...Another song I originally found on Dawson's Creek, though I think it is also on the Prince of Egypt soundtrack. Beautiful and one of the few country songs on my MP3.

KJ-52 ~ Life After Death & It's Pronounced Five Two...my boys like KJ and I don't mind him either...think he's pretty cool being a Christian rapper of sorts...his lyrics are inspirational and not only that it's good music to clean to ;-)

Michael Brandmeier ~ I'm Alright (Help Me)...another shameless song I heard on Dawson's Creek...sad I know...so very sad.

Natasha Bedingfield ~ Unwritten...I LOVE THIS SONG!! Love the lyrics...the beat...I knew when I got my MP3 that this would be one of the first songs I'd download...great meaning to this song.

Paul Colman ~ Holding On To You...great Christian upbeat song...it "rocks the flock" as I say. Love it!

Rihanna ~ Pon De Replay...downloaded for the main reason of being a cool upbeat song and great to workout/clean house to...gets me motivated!

Tonic ~ If You Could Only See...nice 90's song that I would have loved to have seen Chris Daughtery sing on American Idol...he would have nailed this one...no doubt.

Can't wait to get them on the MP3....



Found this on the internet tonight...http://www.disneytravelagents.com/dreams/site/html/may07time.html ...oh my goodness....would my boys not just love this!!!!! OK...hoping my hubby can get the time off and that the money tree grows really fast out back ;-) This would so be a blast!

Have a great weekend folks...may God embrace you with His splendor this weekend!

Tired...

Rough night last night...youngest got up about 3 a.m. and stayed up for about two hours. Oldest had a bad dream about 3:30 this morning and literally was screaming at the top of his lungs because he was so scared...woke up the whole house of course...caused the middle brother to literally pee the bed (they sleep in bunk beds and if I would have been sleeping above him I probably would have done the same thing!) So had to wash the sheets and scrub the bed...babysat a little this afternoon...just couldn't get motivated to clean house. Later I made dinner and helped hubby with his little side business of cleaning and detailing cars. Cars are his passion. So I was out there in the garage in the freezing cold...surprised my fingers can move to type, but I actually do enjoy helping him with the cars. It gives us at least something to do together. And makes us a little extra $$.

Again I was going to scrapbook tonight, but I think I'm nixing that...maybe tomorrow...going to take a hot shower and crawl into my nice toasty bed since Winter has finally hit Ohio...finally. Not that I wanted it to show anyway...we just had a dusting on the ground this morning. I'm good with the snow now...Spring can show up at any time ;-)

Have a great week!

Life...

Well I hope your 2007 is going well...It's hard to believe that we are already in the 9th day of this month...time flies.

Been doing very well with my Bible reading in a Year challenge. More than halfway through Genesis...I have so enjoyed it. Though I usually read my Bible daily, it's usually just a few verses here or there...I have njoyed going through the stories again and just really getting into it.

So, on one of the blogs I puruse (Ali Edwards) she challenged us to come up with one word to be the word we carry with us all year...me being me I couldn't just come up with one so here are mine:

Organize ...this is the year for organization for me...I NEED to do this...Not that my house is in bad shape, just for my peace of mind I NEED to do this.

Change...I know this year is going to be a year of change for me...I'll be turning 40, Colton starts school in the fall and I'll be without children at home for the first time in many years. Not sure where life will lead me and where God will lead me.

Reinvent...I feel along with Change that I'm in the process of reinventing myself. Finding out my purpose, why God has me here, find peace and joy...I'm excited and scared all at the same time.

On other things...I'm sort of struggling with one of my boys and his ability to focus...he lost all his recess yesterday and just having a very hard time staying on task. He has the same problem at home too...always has in a way. Not sure what to do...I'm very discouraged. He's so sweet and loving, just very laid back...which at times can be frustrating. Just praying for strength and that somehow we get through this together.

Got my craft room somewhat cleaned last night...I can see my table! First time since before Christmas...It's a nice feeling. If I wasn't so tired I'd go scrapbook right now, but I think bedtime is calling.

On that note I think I'll close for now. I hope you are having a good week!

Happy New Year....

Sorry I've been gone a while...holidays overtook me...literally I think. So busy, but I had a nice holiday despite it all. Here are a few pics from the holiday: The boys after their Christmas play at church.



Here is one of my favorite gifts from Christmas from my hubby: A Samsung YP-Z5 MP3 player. LOVE IT!!! I have used it every single day since I got it and have already over 500 songs on this baby. I love that if I want to play my Christian songs I can play all those, if I want to play my classic rock, I can do that...all from this little tiny thing! And I can hook it up to my new under the counter radio/cd player so I can jam to it when I do the dishes...sure makes that chore much more enjoyable! I also got a beautiful tanzinite necklace from "my boys" that have three little diamonds on the bottom of the heart...love that too.

Also did you notice the new banner on top of my blog??? Hubby also got me the new Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 that I've been wanting like forever. Now I can enhance my photos and make things like the cool banner on this happy blog...silly thing took me all day to make, well honestly it took me more time to figure out how to get the silly thing on my blog than to make it...though I know a little about HTML code, it's still somewhat greek to me...but for now I like it and until I create something else...but at least now I know how to insert it once I do make a new one!


Well I hope your holiday was a good one. It was hectic going to all the families. Now I'm in the process of getting life to a somewhat "back to normal" state...it's a slow process, but it's truely getting there. This is the year of truly getting organized. I don't make new year's resolutions....more like to do lists is my thing. Organization is top on my list this year. Also on the top of my list is having a closer relationship with my Lord and Savior. I feel like 2006 was an up and down year...not feeling as close as I should. This year I've decided to rise up and begin reading my Bible and join some of the people in our church that are reading the Bible in a year. I didn't do it last year, but this year...this is the year...so far so good...I've gotten through to Noah so far ;-)


So the reason I haven't been on here, other than being very busy....Christmas, New Year's, getting the kid's back to school, church work, cleaning up Christmas and organizing, eBay, helping hubby with his car cleaning side-job and other distractions...I just have been too tired and haven't had much to honestly say. Now that things are starting to calm down a little I feel a little more relaxed to be able to think...funny how the holidays does that to people. I think I'll add that to my to-do list for 2007...better prepare for Christmas.

Well I know that's not much, but I've been fighting a headache all evening and I think I just may induldge myself with a warm bath...sounds good!

Hope all is well with you and have a blessed 2007!

We interrupt the memories for a moment....

Crunch time has officially begun...busy, busy busy!! Sunday of course was the kids Christmas program...Colton was a total ham...dancing around the whole time and he was hilarious until he pushed the Pastor's daughter down the step...oh well. Brennan really expressed himself this time and Austin did a great job as well. I was a proud momma! Pics forthcoming....hopefully. Then we had a caroling and cookie exchange that evening at church.

Yesterday I had to make more cookies for the teacher gift baskets, then hubby and I had calling hours to go to for a co-worker of mine when I worked at Buehler's. Her husband passed away...he was only 43. SO sad right before the holidays like that. It's things like that that make me want to ask God why?? He leave behind 4 kids, two that belong to him and my co-worker Ruby...their daughter just gave me a huge hug when I went up to her...I haven't seen her since she was a baby. Almost made me cry. How difficult Christmas will be for them this year...please say a little prayer.

Today was serious crunch day...I had to get a salad ready for a funeral dinner for one of the saints from our church, thank hubby for helping with that! Then I had Austin's Christmas party at school, we then have a Christmas play to go to for the twins I watch during the week...their play is tonight. Then I need to clean my office area (YIKES!!) because the newspaper is coming tomorrow to take a picture of me answering Santa letters. I hate having my picture taken. I just hope my boys don't see it since they still surprisingly believe.

So all that is left now is hoping that a few more gifts show up and get them all wrapped. Hoping that your holiday season is going well.

More memories later~

Memories # 13 & 14

So today's entry is on an arts & crafts tangent today...ever since I can remember my gifts as a kid ALWAYS included something in the arts & crafts dept. Whether it was just a simple coloring book and crayons or a table top weaving loom, I always had at least one arts and crafts kit...of course I always had something artsy on my list. I've had actual art sets complete with crayons, paints & chalks, one of those neat crayon aprons (loved that as a kid), a table top weaving loom, those pot holder looms...you know the ones with the loops of stretchy fabric, paint by number sets, crewel and needlepoint sets, a simple drawing pad, sewing sets, mini sewing machines, you name it I probably had it...so today's # 13 memory is dedicated to all those arts and craft gifts that I received over the years (and still receive). It has made me the artist (I use the term very loosely) that I am today.

So it's only fitting then that my # 14 memory goes with the previous one...this was one of my most favorite "artsy" gifts I received as a kid...Fashion Plates....you could make different outfits, make them different patterns, so many different combinations...I so loved this set...I'd sit for hours and play with this set...I still have a few of the plates, but the board that it came with I have no idea where it is...lost in the depths of my parents house I imagine, but nevertheless, still one of my favorite toys.

So today I have a question...what was your favorite toy as a child and why? Do you still have this toy? What memories come to mind when you think of it? Please share!

Memories 10, 11 and 12

So behind...man I've been so busy...so much going on...too much going on.

Anyway the next few memories are movie related and something I've done for the last 6 years.

Memory # 10:

Favorite Children's Christmas Movie:

Can't resist this movie...love the meaning behind it...who can resist Linus speaking about Jesus' birth and the true meaning of Christmas...not to mention Charlie Brown's tree!





Memory # 11

Favorite Grown Up Christmas Movie:

I SSSSOOO LOVE THIS MOVIE...every time I watch it I get teary eyed. Who can resist George Bailey...I tell ya if this world was filled with more "George Bailey's" where would we be, huh?? It's not Christmas until I watch this movie...so folks it's not Christmas yet 'cause I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO WATCH IT YET!! Been far too busy....working on homemade gifts this week.

And last but not least...Memory # 12:

Answering Santa Letters!

I have been answering Santa letters in our area for the last 6 years. I love it! To see those scrawled letters full of wishes and hope, love and compassion...melts my heart...and hand drawn pictures...(fiddlestick...Blogger won't let me upload any more pics tonight....oh well...I'm sure you get the picture). My heart breaks for those letters that ask for their grandparent's to feel better or for daddy to get his job back...sometimes it's things like that which is all they ask for...hard to answer those letters I'll tell ya. I had my first disturbing letter this year...a boy asked for a headless horseman with the bloody ax and guns and stuff of that nature...complete with hand drawn pictures of what he wanted. Strange and weird! Creeped me out.

On a different note real quick...please be in prayer for hubby's job. They are talking about cutting hours way back...to almost half. I know God is in control and though every time one of these "threats" are made he seems to increase in hours, but I just would like some prayer anyway...with the economy in this area right now I'm just kind of worried. I know God will take care of us...He always does in one way or another.

Quick update...Memories # 8 & 9

Making this kinda quick...so much to do. Don't you just hate the hustle and bustle of this season?? I know I do...of course I kind of got off to a late start this year with Christmas, so I haven't made it to easy on myself along with other things that have been put in my path...oh well...

Onto the memories...Memory # 8:

I'm not sure when I started this memory...I think it may have been before the boys were born. But I began decorating my own tree. One year I painted these birdhouses and decided to put them on my Christmas tree. Up near the top I have always put a white dove couple (if you look near the top you can see them) in honor of my hubby and I and our love for each other.

Memory # 9:

Another new memory combined with an old one. As I child I remember that sometimes we would have those Advent Calendars...you know...the ones where you would open the "date" to find a picture of something Christmas related behind it. One Advent Calendar I remember had a piece of chocolate behind each day...my kind of calendar! (HEE-HEE) Well, while purusing on-line last week I found this cool Advent calendar that used a clip board and scrap supplies...needless to say I was there! So I made this one up for my boys...they have enjoyed it...though maybe not quite as exciting as opening the little "doors" or getting a piece of chocolate, in a pinch and with the rush of the season this one had to do, and so far it is working just fine...Just so you know...only 16 more days until Christmas!

Have a great weekend!

Memories # 6 & 7

Before I go into the next batch of memories...I hope these pics of the tree come out a little better...















Onto the memories...# 6 would have to be where we went last year for Christmas...it's something we still talk about almost every day. Our trip to Disney last year was a dream come true...so much fun, so magical...can't wait to do it again...soon!!

Memory # 7 I was reminded of tonight. My oldest had his first choir concert at school tonight....he was so proud and so was his mama. Reminded me of when I was in choir and had my choir concerts. I loved choir...I loved to sing...still do...I started choir in fourth grade just like Austin is now...hope he continues to enjoy it like I did...of course choir in high school IMO has a stigma for boys than girls I think...never enough boys in choir when I was in school and I think it was because it wasn't thought of as "cool". oh well.

It's been a very very long week...and I plan to go to bed early tonight in fact as soon as I get off here...got to go to Z-ville to get haircut and hubby (hopefully), Colton and the twins will be going with us. Should be quite an adventure. Better get some rest.

18 days until Christmas folks.

New Memory 2006, Christmas Memory #5

Created a new Christmas memory tonight...new for 2006. Boys and hubby finally got their tree decorated tonight...I have my tree that has bird houses I painted in the dining room (I'll show pics later)...the boys got to decorate the real tree in the living room...I told them they could decorate it however they wanted...I should have known, left to their own devices....well, lets just say it definitely goes with what phase all my boys are going through at the moment...here it is:
Yes folks...no need to adjust your screen (well, the pics are a little dark...sorry about that) but yes folks...it is a Star Wars tree complete with Darth Vader mask where a angel used to sit...I have to admit it was very ingenuitive and it is cute...so fitting for all my boys, hubby included. The Darth Vader mask is a bit creepy though, but truly what is Star Wars without Darth Vader though? Boys took what few mini light sabers and Star Wars things they had, then hubby broke out the arsenal...his old 1978 set of original Star Wars figures (I swear he must of never played with them cause they still have all their robes and guns!) Anyway...so Luke Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi and the villianous Darth Vader as well as many other characters have taken temporary residence on our family christmas tree. Definitely a new memory indeed. Though not traditional, though not common, it's us...right now...and I kind of like it.

Feliz Navidad ~

Christmas Memories, day 3 & 4

Sorry wasn't able to update yesterday....Sunday's are always so busy.

So anyway...Christmas memories...one is my church...reminds me of not only the obvious...Jesus...but the many Christmas songs and plays we have sung and performed. Lots of memories there...

So then on to memory 4...I thought since I brought up church and singing that I'd share my favorite Christmas Carol...this is a toss up, and I like a lot of the Christmas Carols, but these two are my favs...What Child Is This and O Come All Ye Faithful...Nothing like singing "This, this is Christ the King" and "O Come Let Us Adore Him"...so much meaning, so beautiful.

Sorry to make this short, but it's late, it's been a long day and got things to get caught up on tomorrow. Hope you are having a good week.

Oh, and BTW, the Christmas Story...though it had it's cute moments that I remember...it was kind of annoying...as my hubby put it...it's like nails on a chalkboard...ooh well...nothing beats George Bailey and It's A Wonderful Life anyway.

Christmas Memories, day 2

So on to my new Christmas tradtion of remembering Christmas memories...this one though old, is new for me....I have never seen this movie all the way through, but tonight we will as a family...hubby rented it tonight and I have always wanted to see this movie in its entirety. So tonight for our viewing pleasure we are watching this: It's A Christmas Story...have you seen it?? Is it one of those favs for you?? Let me know what your favorite part is...or just tell me what your favorite movie is for Christmas...I'll share my favorite Christmas movie another day, but for now this one should be fun.

Happy Holidays!

It's Officially December!

Happy December to all! I thought I'd re-visit my blog of last year and remember what I love about Christmas...favorite Christmas memories...things that just say "Christmas" to me.

So for today I will share first what Christmas is all about...JESUS! It's not the shopping, the giving or receiving of presents, the food...it's about Jesus and His message to the world. Jesus IS Christmas...and to be honest I could do without all the hustle and bustle...I just love celebrating Jesus.

Hope you all are having a great Decemeber so far...it was SUPER windy today here...thought the house was going to blow away!
Got most of my Christmas shopping done too...thank you Jesus!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

I'm Still Here...

I'm still here folks...been pretty busy with the holidays and all...Here are some updates for now...

Still grieving a little over the passing of Tigger....my whole routine just seems out of whack not having to take care of that little pup. I miss him bunches.

I'm finally back up and running on my new PC...it's so much quieter than my old one...almost too quiet. Had to play some music tonight so I could concentrate ;-)

Got our tree on Monday...not decorated yet...as per usual it was a bit too big...had to cut about another foot off the thing...it's so pretty though...and so fragrant...I could smell it even on the second floor of our house! We usually get a long needled white pine, but this year I wanted to go with a soft short needled Canaan Fir tree...I love it...it just makes Christmas for me. It's been 3 years since we have had a real tree...hubby doesn't care much for them cause of the mess, but God love him he knows what makes me happy. Can't wait for the kids and us to decorate it.

Been reading a new book about getting organized and getting rid of the clutter in my life. Though I'm not making any huge drastic changes...the changes I've made thus far have made me quite happy...I am OK with throwing some things away...I've even thrown away some (only some) of the boys artwork...I finally realized that I can't keep everything. I rearranged my dining room and I really like it. Decluttered under my shelf in my dining room which was a huge thing. I feel at peace and I want to do more...not that I feel I'm a slob, but you know those areas in your house that seem to grow clutter on their own...I've been dealing with a lot of that...I'm starting to feel better now though...that's if my brother-in-law stops throwing more stuff he wants me to sell on eBay ;-) Just kidding.

Well that's about it for now...got a lot of "ketchup" work to do since I'd been without my PC for so long. Church calendar should have gone out this past Sunday...oh well...better late than never.

Hope you are having a good week.

A Very, Very Sad Day...

I'm not sure where to start...I knew this day was coming soon, but is one ever prepared for it?
At 6 a.m. this morning our darling companion of 13 1/2 years went home to be with the Lord in doggie heaven. My heart is broken...though I know that he is no longer suffering...it was so sad to watch him go. I'm just so glad that I did have those few moments with him before he left us. He will always hold a special place in my heart. We just told the boys a little bit ago...Colton of course doesn't understand, but Brennan had the hardest time. Tigger will be sorely missed by our family...he was a great friend.

Because of all this I'm having a real hard time focusing on getting Thanksgiving together, you know cleaning house, baking...things I must do, but it's just hard...I was really praying that he could have made it through the holidays, but of course God knows best. I know my cyber-friends and family will be praying for us, so in advance I thank you...It is like losing a family member when you lose a pet...Tigger was my first real pet, so this is hard...I just didn't realize how much it would be.

Well may you have a blessed holiday and God bless you all.

Rest In Peace Tigger, my friend

Weekend Update...

So much to say...where to start...

Well went to Sandusky this weekend to visit with my hubby's Great Aunt Thelma...we had a nice visit. It was a long day, but a nice visit nonetheless. The new DVD player hubby got for our van helped IMMENSELY with the boys...hardly heard a peep out of them. Brennan got sick though...we traveled on a road where at least one of my boys always gets sick on...I was prepared...bags, extra clothes just in case...Brennan wasn't feeling that well when the day began anyway. He was complaining of a sore throat...and when Brennan complains, you know it's bad cause he doesn't complain much. Took him to the DR. today and he has a severe case of strep throat. Missed school today and will miss tomorrow too...thus the lucky duck will be off school from today until next Monday because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Anyway, we got home around 11:30 p.m. (much later than I wanted) and then had to get up early cause the girls would be there at 6:45 a.m. It's been a long day!

On other news...the page I did for the Creating Pages website...well found out today I got third place in the contest...I'm so thrilled...I don't usually win, and I was just happy to be having so much fun with the challenges they had...This made my day.

Went grocery shopping tonight for Turkey day...Luckily it wasn't busy at all. I worked in the grocery business long enough to know not to go the two days before Thanksgiving...it's a total nightmare. Anyway, I'm making turkey dinner for my in-laws. They were planning on going out to the Golden Corral for dinner...I told them no...I would make dinner. Something about going out on Thanksgiving for dinner just doesn't appeal to me at all. Thanksgiving to me means having a home cooked meal...at the home of someone you love...this year it will be at our house. Anyway like I told my hubby I LOVE leftover turkey dinner...nothing like enjoying the feast a second time ;-) I always miss out on leftovers cause I usually don't make the dinner or something else, but leftovers will be had here this year...I hope a little anyway ;-)

Well I am going to go for now...was getting the boys ready for bed tonight and hubby left the house to pick up a van for a lady that he's going to clean her van for...and he left me several frantic messages and now I can't get him on his cell and I don't know what is going on...hopefully he is OK...hope your Monday was a good one.

Just Another Manic Friday

Wow...what a day! Today I woke up late...not a good way to start the day...got up at 8:15...boys have to be at school at 8:50...rush around get boys off to school...luckily they were cooperative. I hate starting a day that way...had no time for devotions, but man DID I PRAY today!! ;-)

Luckily Papa picked up the boys or I would have been hurting. Gathered myself after that and then got ready to go to the school for Brennan's harvest party. I was in charge of crafts. We made these: The picture isn't very good and if I would have not forgotten my camera I would have taken a pic of Bren in this Turkey hat, but I had an armload to carry as it was. The kids loved them and had a great time...however now I know why Brennan doesn't like going to school anymore...ever dealt with a controling teacher?? This is going to be a long year. Anyway...the party was fun and I enjoyed being with the kids so much...they were a blast!

Went to our Christmas parade in town tonight...wasn't really up for going (it was COLD), but boys wanted to since they were lining up right in front of our house!!! After we got out we had, I mean I had, a good time.


Here is my layout I finished for the Creating Pages contest... I'm also incorporating this into the Ali Edward's challenge since her challenge is about our scrapbooking style and how that style has evolved. My style has changed a bunch since my first days of scrapbooking 6-7 years ago.
Here is my very first scrap page: I've changed a lot...no longer just scrapping events, but scrapping life. How life changes...what I/we may be going through at that moment. Capturing moments, not just recording events. Not that recording events isn't important, cause indeed it is. But capturing a slice of life...one day when I or someone else puruses my scrapbooks they'll see "me"...or "my boys" or "my husband" and know how I felt about them and what I may have been going through at that moment in life. Kind of like a journal with pictures in a way. Not only that, but I put more thought in a page other than...OK here are some photos...let's slap them on a page, put a title on it and it's done. I enjoy the process...like Ali says...becoming a Life Artist. Oh, Also, I would hope that my photography has improved. ;-)

Well I'm going to close for now...so many projects...so little time. Thank God for Saturdays!!

Started Christmas shopping...

Well I've started my Christmas shopping last night...all on-line shopping of course. In my opinion and in the position I'm in....can't beat it. Yes you have to pay for shipping, but no crowds...get to shop when I want...no finding a sitter for the kids...no going to 12 different stores to try and find the right thing...nope all done in the comfort of my home...jammies and all ;-) For me it is the way to go. Glad to finally get started.

So much going on as usual...I probably packed about over half of my eBay items tonight to ship out...that is the part I think I like the least....but I'm glad that the stuff is going out of here...no more tripping over it, until brother in law brings me more of his stuff to sell...oh well keeps me busy and give me some extra $$.

Should hopefully have my "somewhat" new computer by the weekend. I'm glad...though son's computer is OK, I'm needing my own back.

I have to say....I am so spoiled by my father in law...he always takes my boys to school every morning...well this past week my in laws have been in New Orleans and I have had to take the boys to school every morning...though I did OK, it is so nice to not have to drag the little guy out in the cold if I don't have to...Thanks dad for all that you do....I need to do something special for him!

So here is my layout so far in the "Creating Pages Runway Project Contest". Tomorrow is the last day of competition...had so much fun with this contest...and I love how this came together thus far.

I'm starting a "Thankful Tree" with the boys this coming week...we started tonight. They make "leaves" out of construction paper and write one thing they are thankful for...we'll hopefully do this from now until Thanksgiving. Thought it was a neat idea to get the boys especially to think about how lucky they really are.

So what are you thankful for??

Have an awesome week!

Well I'm up and running...sort of...for now

Still using my son's computer...but at least I'm online. I think hubby and I have decided to go through his brother again and get more or less a "shell" of a PC with a new motherboard and we're going to piece out this old one...install our old hard drives, RAM we just bought, and use that for the time being until we can research a better alternative, be it PC or MAC...I just don't feel right plunking that kind of $$ down without doing some proper research. So it's going to cost us about $ 150 or so...but better than let's say low end $ 400 for a bare bones PC to $ 2000 for a decked out MAC. I'm happy and OK with that...just can't be without my computer...it's my lifeline to the outside world after all. Being a SAHM...I don't get out much and this PC is not only my work that I do for church, myself and others, but it also is my social life...I know I need to get a life don't I :-)

Church was good today...though I had to lead worship and I felt very distracted for some reason and nothing seemed to go right during our Praise Team practice, God was in control and it all went OK. Donnis preached today and his sermon was good...an interactive one and it was actually interesting and fun.

Well I'm off to check out my eBay auctions...have 28 auctions running right now...insane! Keeps me busy and provides $$ for Christmas after all.

Computer died...

We now bow our heads...I'm pretty sure it's official. My computer finally bit the dust. Tried all morning to boot it up and nothing...just some weird noises. So...until my brother in law looks at it, I' m pretty sure it's DOA. And right at Christmas time too...Yuck!...not really wanting to plunk the $$ down for a new PC, but I can't live without one...right now I'm using my son's computer. So I will be on here sporatically...until a new PC is on my desk...any suggestions as far as a computer greatly appreciated. Stay with PC or go to a Mac? Well until later folks.

Playdate cancelled and Ali Challenge

Brennan's playdate was cancelled...the little girl had a bad cold...so we will reschedule next week.

Here is a post for a challenge I did for Ali Edwards AEzine challenge: Her challenge was to make a layout using stamps. Behind the picture I have a list of things that make me sad.

Also here is a layout I'm working on on the Creating Pages website. They are doing a "Runway Project" that just really has been so much fun for me thus far...each day they put a new challenge up in creating a layout...for instance the first day we had to create our own patterned paper...one day we had to add something black and white, today was to add something that was inspired from our own homes. Today is day 7 of the challenge. This goes on for 6 more days...so if you're a scrapper and up for an interesting challenge, join in! This challenge so feeds my scrapbooking obsession with my Project Runway obsession...what could be better!! Anyway, here is what I have so far...just have to share...


We raked our leaves tonight...family job...we had fun, but man it was hard work. Now I'm going to go relax and watch Cars with the family...Have a great evening!

My sweet Brennie has a "playdate"

OK...it's official...my boys are growing up...way too fast I might ad! My little Brennie...my middle son...my sweet little shy boy...has a playdate on Friday evening...with a girl! How did this happen?!?!? And the girl isn't even in his class. She's in the other second grade class. I guess Brennan passed a note to her after school a couple days ago and it said that he liked her and wanted her to come over to our house to play. She sent him a note back yesterday saying she liked him and she wanted him to come to her house. Anyway, luckily this little girl's mommy is someone hubby and I graduated with and someone my hubby knows quite well. He and this girl's mommy talked on the phone last night and they both got a huge chuckle out of it...so Brenn has a playdate with this girl at her house on Friday. Luckily Austin is going too...this girl has an older brother who is in Austin's grade and they've played together before. Even so, I'm nervous....I'm sad...it cracks me up hearing him say, "Well when I look at her she smiles and when she looks at me I smile." Oh my...can this be starting already??? Can't we just go back tothe days of dinosaurs and Veggie Tales?!?! I'm just not sure I'm ready for this stage...can anyone out there relate??? Pray for me ;-)