~Luvin This Life~

Summer in Review

2010-08-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Where has this summer gone? September is upon us, and I find myself looking back over the past few months with a deep sigh. I have been outrageously busy and time has flown by! Now here I am on the cusp of sending my 1st grader off to school, letting someone else teach him this year, so that I can focus on my own schooling. I am excited, and yet, I am sad. I am excited because this is a really great school. I am sad because I so enjoy teaching the kiddo myself. I will miss those ah-ha moments. I will miss seeing the light click as something suddenly makes sense. I will miss hearing him read his books out loud, or singing them... haha! But I am so eager to see what he learns, to see him grow both up and outward with the perspective of another teacher, and the perspectives of his classmates. I threw alot of stuff into this summer. I jumped into school myself, and have been hard at it ever since. On top of a full load, I somehow managed a trip to Florida to see my side of the family, a camping trip with my kiddo, hubby, and sister-in-law's family, a trip to Oklahoma, and little day trips around town for the kiddo and I. Considering that I am easily overwhelmed, I think I have done rather well this summer. And now... some pics! I hope you all have had a pleasant summer as well! I hope that the transitions within your families- with kids starting school for the first time, or kids that are transitioning to new schools and colleges, with moves for you military families, and just with life in general- have gone well. God bless you all! (The following are from a trip to San Antonio with some girlfriends)

near the Alamo

Torch of Friendship

Mirror Maze

Jean-Luc Picard- woulda been SO much better if he were real!

(The following are from my visit with family in Florida)

On my parent's yard

Mimosa tree blossoms

Plumeria brought back from Hawaii

Grapes for wine my Dad hopes to make

My nephew

Zeus- Big Blue (beautiful but clumsy) Pit (he breaks ALL the stereotypes!)

Fourth of July on the beach

First fish- Bream from my folks pond

Gulf World- better show than Sea World!!!

My beautiful sister and I

Playing with an Anole

(The following are from my Dad's visit here in San Angelo)

Slip-n-slide fun

Dragonflies were abundant at the International Lily Collection

yup...

Hibiscus (my favorite!)

With my Dad at the ILC

At the Firefighter Memorial

(The following are some miscellaneous pics from camping, around the house, friends, and stuff... hehe)

Our beautiful Yellow Border Collie

Cousins at the lake

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch- is that not the cutest face you have ever seen?

A thoughtful Lemur

Showing off one of his uniforms!

Black squirrel on the Concho River

I know its alot... Sorry... hehe Summer time is making way for Fall! Yay!

Life Happens

2010-06-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

Life happens. Unexpected. Crazy. Full of surprises, both good and bad. Not to mention, a whole lot can happen in a month's time. SO! To catch you up since my last post~

May was a full month... and June is shaping up to be the same. I finished my first semester of college in May, just in time for our camping trip to Lake Brownwood State Park. I was kept in suspense the entire weekend wanting to come home and see what my final grades were for the classes. I came home all worried, not sure if my writing skills for formal papers were as good as I hoped they were. I had managed to keep my GPA above 97% throughout the assignments, discussions, and essays, but the final papers held the greater percentage, and both papers were shorter than they were supposed to be...so I was worried. Turns out though, that I did better than I thought, and I need to have more faith in my abilities. I hold a 98% GPA so far! (YUP.. I am patting myself on the back! LOL)

Our trip to Lake Brownwood was amazing! We rented a small camper which I packed for the long weekend. (DH was gone on tdy up till the day we left for the trip, so he basically traded one bag of clothes for another.. hehe) We took our dog with us, sure that he would have a good time. It was soooo HOT! and humid, of course, being on a lake. So while we didn't do alot of hiking and exploring like we normally love to do, we took advantage of the siesta type weather and relaxed and just enjoyed peace and quiet and the ability to do nothing! We took the kiddo swimming in the lake. It is amazing to see him lose his fear of water little by little. He is now begging for another shot at swimming lessons, but I think we will just make sure he gets in the water as much as possible this summer and do lessons again next summer. The lake was beautiful! I forgot how much I love lakes! Even though we have several here in town, I tend to prefer taking the kiddo to the pool where he can play with more kids and where there are more life guards. I think though that I will need to get us down to the lake here and get our toes muddy more often!

After our camping trip, I had a week off of school. I took advantage of the 'free' time by catching up on house projects, a couple crafts and sewing projects, and reading books that have absolutely nothing to do with school! LOL I am most proud of my sewing projects. I am still teaching myself how to sew, and took my mother-in-law's advice on a small project that would help me learn to sew better in straight lines and get better aquainted wiith my sewing machine, which quite frankly, had previously been quite intimidating to try to use. So I started with some scrap squares that I picked up from Hancock's here in town. I made a center piece for my dining room table. Because my table is super narrow, any runners I would put on it were way too big and would mess up the placemats. So this one I measured out, and viola! Its still a wee bit too wide, but not near as bad as ones I have bought. It is reversible. The one side is strips of different fabrics, while the other side is a piece of an old table cloth that does not fit this table. I plan on taking the rest of that table cloth and making cloth napkins out of it. (An idea I got from an old friend)

My second completed sewing project was a fabric cover for my laptop, so that when I carry it with my school books in my backpack, it will be better protected. It's completely reversible and padded. I wanted to put a liner in the center of the layers to protect it from moisture, but didn't want to press my luck as I am still learning. I was not even sure it would turn out the way I hoped it would! I impressed myself once it was completed and I was able to put my laptop in it. (I just put the laptop in a wal-mart bag before I put it in the cover, so it is still a bit protected if water spills on my bag, or whatever...)

During my week off, we also had to take our dog to the groomers to have all the grass spurs from the camping trip cut out of his super long coat. Many of my friends and family had thought that our dog could use a diet cause he appeared so thick. (I suspected he was just all fur) My suspicions proved correct when I went to pick up our freshly sheered dog. (They cut him WAY too short, after I expressly told them NOT to, so we won't be returning there.) He was so sad after his hair cut that he lost his 'smile' for two days, and wouldn't even wag his tail when we went out to play with him! Poor thing! I think he felt naked! Needless to say, now a couple weeks later, he is his happy and smiling self!

I am now in my second week of my second semester. I thought last semesters study load was heavy! I am in the books or online in the discussion boards a large part of my days now. I have to make a real effort to make sure I spend time with the kiddo and get us both out of the house. We are spending time down by the Concho River, or at a local pool, or just enjoying ourselves as we run errands. Its amazing how therapeutic shopping can be when you find your head spinning from too many terms and concepts!

And now for the best news of all: Another healing relationship. I will not go into great length because there are other parties from the falling out that I do not want to hurt. Let's just say that an old aquaintance, that I had hoped I could be friends with until this falling out, came to me with great humility and opened the door for more reconciliation! I am humbled, happy, and inspired by the movement of our Lord! I am eager to see complete healing, and I am praying for a restored relationship and hopefully a friendship. Praise God! (and thank you, dear Lady, for taking that step!!!)

I guess that is it for now... I hope all of you are enjoying your summers! God bless!

Sharing A Time Out

2010-05-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

I am nearing the end of week 5 of my first 8 week semester back in college. I am loving every minute of it, though it is proving to be much more time consuming and stressful than I expected it to be. However, I am making sure to take time out with the kiddo, with my hubby, and with friends. I recently took the kiddo to the International Lily Collection and Rose Garden here in town and I wanted to share some of the pictures from that morning. I hope you like them. I am eager to return throughout the summer and in the fall to watch the lilies spread across the mostly bare ponds.

I will also put these and a few more under my Concho Valley Photo Gallery.

Life is good, is it not?

God bless!!!

Easter Cross

2010-04-02T15:54:00.000-07:00

DH actually gave me this idea for a craft when I complained that there are no Easter wreaths that depict the true meaning of Easter. I had thought about making a circular wreath with lilies on it, but he mentioned using wire hangers and yarn, like some wreaths that his mom had made while he was growing up.

So I used two wire hangers. I cut the hooks off and untwisted them with some wire cutters and pliers. I then shaped them into a cross shape, one hanger overlapping the other. I took yarn (I only used extra yarn that was not enough for blankets and scarves(which are the only things I have enough talent to crochet... LOL) and tied the cross pieces together and then wrapped the wires completely.

Once the wires were completely wrapped with yarn, I wrapped three strands of different colored yarns around my fingers four times and then tied the loops in the center. Using the same string that I tied the loops with, I then fastened the resulting bow to the wire hanger.

Viola!! My Easter "Wreath".

Happy Easter to you all!

Spring...

2010-03-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

I love Spring. Almost as much as I love Fall. I love all the buds on the trees, all the bushes coming back to life, all the flowers budding and sending their beautiful aromas out on the cool breezes.

Its time to start planning our garden. Its time to tackle the weeds, that never stopped growing, even in the freezing weather. Its time to put in my flowers into the front flower bed. Its time to replace some bushes in the back and add some around the deck.

Its time to start planning a camping trip. Its time to start airing out the house. Its time to take the kiddo on hikes and teach him new things about the great outdoors.

Its time to get ready for Easter, maybe coax my boys to set foot IN a church. LOL Its time to reflect on regeneration of life all around us, and regeneration of life in our souls. Its time to reflect on sacrifice, and resurrection, and hope, and faith. Its time to watch the world around us truly wake up from its winter nap, and note the time for us to wake up from our 'winter' naps.

Praise God for Springtime!

When Hearts Heal

2010-03-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, in San Antonio, I had a horrible, hurtful, and heartbreaking fallout with my best friend. The words we exchanged were full of sadness, bitterness, misunderstanding, misplaced feelings of betrayal. It was horrible. It was horrible to hear the things she had to say; it felt just as bad to say the things I thought I needed to say.

A couple of years ago, while I was in Hawii, after not talking to each other for over a year (maybe two, I am bad with timelines) we reconnected. Both admitting that we didn't think we would ever have the friendship that we once shared, we were willing to befriend each other through different online channels, and in that way hopefully start a sort of healing process. For me, this time of limbo was incredibly frustrating. Wounds and hurtful words shared between those closest to us are the hardest to forgive and harder to forget. The burn and the sting every time I would happen on her pictures or status comments left me in a personal struggle. On the one side, even though I had asked her forgiveness, and she had graciously given it, I felt the guilt build back up and I would leave her page as fast as I could. On the other side, I would see how happy she is with her hubby and her sons, how sad some of her struggles were through deployments and pregnancies, and I longed more than anything to be able to tell her that I still cared for her and wished her happiness. This went on for a long time (in my mind...) Not long at all, when again you consider the intense struggle it is to bring broken hearts back together.

Then Sunday morning, as I was getting ready to meet a different friend for a daytrip, I got this beautiful and intense message from my old friend. Since Sunday morning, we have exchanged several messages of love and forgiveness and of longing for our friendship to be healed. And so... our hearts ARE healing!

None of this would have been possible without the Godly men and women in our lives that helped us turn our hearts to God when seeking healing. I was blessed with a friendship with a Godly couple in Hawaii around the time that I was convicted of the words I spit out in anger and frustration. It was that friendship and that conviction that led me to apologize. And now, my dear friend has incredible Godly people in her life in Korea that have helped her find the right words to share with me that have brought us finally to this common blank page where we can look back on the past for what it was, and now we can move forward together (even though we are separated by a really big ocean) to revive the most beautiful part of our friendship- the part where we loved, respected, admired, and cared for each other.

I am so thankful. I am thankful for the great God that she and I share, that interceded in both our lives and brought us back together. I am thankful and honored that my friend still after it all considers a friendship with me something desirable. I am thankful for hearts that CAN heal!

Some pics of our friendship: (shared with her permission)

We sure do clean up nice! Both of us are still HOT tamales! LOL

At a photoshoot done by our good friend!

My sincerest hope is that our paths will allow us to reunite in person someday and allow us to share more incredible memories!

15-Minute Craisin Muffins

2010-03-12T10:13:00.000-08:00

Super easy! and super yummy!

What you need:
2 1/4 C Bisquick mix
2/3 C milk
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C craisins
1 tbls cinnamon
1 tbls pumpkin spice

What to do:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Mix ingredients in bowl.

Drop large spoonfuls onto ungreased cooking sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Makes 8-9 large muffins.

~We pour honey over the top and enjoy warm.
~To reheat, wrap individually in dampened papertowel, and microwave on high for 10 seconds. Handle with care!!!

Embarking...

2010-02-26T11:49:00.000-08:00

2010 has already and is still becoming a year of many changes. Many new doors are opening for all three of us. Opportunities that we can not turn down. Opportunities that will mold and shape and change our schedule and comfort zones.

This spring, the kiddo is still being homeschooled by me. Now, however, I am changing his work load to reflect more and more what he will find in a school setting. I am teaching him classroom manners, which we haven't had to do, well, because we are at home! He is learning to work quietly. He is learning to finish tasks (especially those he dislikes, like handwriting) within a time limit. He is gearing up to start at a local private school in the fall. At first, he was timid about the change. Now, though, he is realizing that he will have much more interaction with other kids and adults and is excited. (One reason we chose this school, in addition to its 'outside the box' teaching, is because kids off all ages have the chance to interact with each other. The kiddo will be spending the bulk of his day with kids his age, but will also have opportunities to learn from the older and younger kids) I am sad that homeschooling is coming to an end, at least for a time. I enjoy teaching the kiddo. To see his face light up, to see that 'light bulb" click when he gets something...It's priceless. Still, there are changes coming, and I know my limitations. Homeschooling, for now, will have to come to an end.

In addition to preparation for a classroom setting, the kiddo is continuing his martial arts training. He seems to really enjoy it, and it has certainly given him an outlet and a focus that I could not give him here. He just earned his Green Stripe, of which we are so proud. Next week, on the same days that he has his martial arts training, he will also be starting soccer practice. Back to back. (sigh) I know it will wear on him, so I am altering our schedule now so that he can have some quiet or nap time before we have to go to these two things. We have already spoken to him about the possibility of giving one up if it is too much for him, though, at this point, I fear I am more worried that it will be too much for me! HA! Needless to say, he wants to do both, and so we are willing to give it a shot to see how he does!

Of course, any changes in the kiddo's life means changes in my own life. That goes without saying; just as changes in my life affect his life and my DH's life. Personally, the biggest change in my life right now is the fact that I am 'normal' again. After my ablation last fall, I have returned to the land of moodiness, mood swings, abrupt tears, sullen silences, rash outspokenness. These things have not been apart of my life since just before the kiddo was born, and I forgot that those things, which are normal for most women, were once normal for me to! Learning to live with these womanly things has been trial and error for me and my loves. The kiddo is not used to me being emotional, certainly DH is not, after living with my zombie mode for the past five years! We both agree though, that this is still somehow an improvement on zombie mode! LOL

The next biggest change, which I am still working toward, is my opportunity to return to school. I was hoping to start in January at the school here in town. However, as they were not Veteran friendly, and refused to view my AA as an AA, I have been forced to push back my schooling. I will be dual-enrolled, starting in April, working on a Bachelor's in Environmental Studies with a concentration on Fish and Wildlife Management. Yup. I wanna be a Park Ranger! This degree/career choice has offered its own set of challenges already. None of my military training, or previous college experience really applies to this degree. However, I KNOW I am not cut out to be a Nurse, and I am certainly not interested in a Business Degree, no matter how beneficial it could be someday. I have no head for math or business law and terminology. Animals, though. Animals, I can handle. I am a creation admirer. I am not hippi-ish, but I am in full support of conservation and education so that we take better care of the world and the creatures that the Lord has put in our care. I love being out of doors, hiking, exploring, catching rare glimpes of creation that you would normally only see on Animal Planet or Discovery Channel. So... I am embarking into the world of online education, and college classrooms, something I have not been apart of since before I joined the military.

Of course, home life must go on. I am working on so many little projects, crafts, a book, soon will be starting gardening again. There are projects I NEED to complete, and many more that I NEED to start (in efforts to clear out closet space and purge 'stuff' we don't need anymore.) There are home projects that DH is intent on starting; home improvements, repairs, etc that should not wait for too long as waiting could result in damage. Then there is our devotion to each other. Time spent together. Trips to get away. Excursions to help us enjoy and stay in tune with one another.

Then there are the opportunities that DH is in the midst of. He too will be returning to school soon. That in addition to new challenges and undertakings at work have him both excited and stressed.

Finding balance will be key.

Ha! The three of us are stressed! LOL Life up to now has been very easy-going for us. We are used to doing what we want, when we want, and never have to worry about one thing canceling out another. So 2010 is the beginning of a new chapter for us. We are about to embark on a journey together and separately that will challenge us, motivate us, deter us, and Lord willing, cause us to come closer together.

We could certainly use your thoughts and prayers!

Catching up!

2010-02-23T07:13:00.000-08:00

Time flies when you are having fun, does it not?

I can hardly believe we are already nearing the end of February! Christmas and New Years have come and gone! So much has happened, I don't even know where to start with catching everyone up. SO! I will share some pics with some captions, and hope that suffices.

I want to say that I am finding the time to dive back into blogger world, but I honestly can't say that. With homeschooling, Bible study, enrolling for school, martial arts, and soon soccer, I just don't know that I will have the time to devote. We shall see. I miss all my blogging friends!

Hope you all enjoy the pics!

DH and I at a Christmas Party. Yup, I chopped my hair off! I LOVE it!
We had such a great time that night making new friends, and catching up with
old ones.

This is me gearing up to celebrate DH's birthday. We went dancing with lots of our friends. Had such an awesome night out!

Iced sugar cookies that the kiddo helped me make.

More cookies!!!

The kiddo's first snow (and the first one of the year for our small town)

With Santa at the Kid's Christmas party.

DH surprised me with a trip to San Antonio where we stayed overnight, had dinner at a fancy restaurant, and saw the Transiberian Orchestra! Awesome Birthday present!!!

Our newest family member. He's a Yellow (or Australian Red) Border Collie.

The kiddo got his green stripe!!! So proud of him!!!

I know there are not many pictures here, but I hope you enjoyed the little peak into our life for the last few months.

There is much more to tell. I hope that soon I will be able to spend some time telling it!
((PS... I am still updating the prayer list to the side. PLEASE take note of those on the prayer list! Thank you!))

Christmas Memories

2009-12-07T09:09:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I attended my PWOC's Christmas Tea. For our devotional, our worship leader had us share two memories of our favorite Christmases. It became obvious very quickly that there was a recurring theme to the memories we shared. We recalled not the best gifts received or given, but the time spent with family, the love shared as we partook of family or church traditions, the gratitude to our families, or our parents for making Christmas a living Holiday, not just trees and lights.

I have to admit, I had a little bit of trouble thinking of my favorite two Christmas memories. Not because I don't have plenty to draw from, but more so because they occurred every year. So of the hundreds of things that overflowed in my mind, I shared the two that stuck out to me the most at that moment. But I forgot one. And the more I think about it, the more I really want to share it. Again, its a recurring memory. More of a tradition really, and something that I can't seem to carry over into my family no matter how hard I try, which makes the tradition even more special to me.

One of my favorite traditions about Christmas-time growing up was the amount of work, and the amount of fun, my Mom had in decorating the house. Decorating the tree carried over into decorating the entire house, and even the yard. We were always strapped for cash growing up so presents were never extravagant. More often then not they were items we found ourselves at yard sales and flea markets that we handed over to Mama to wrap up for us. There were very few presents under the tree that we puzzled over wondering what could be inside the wrapping. But what we lacked in expensive gifts we made up for in festive decorations and mouth-watering smells.

My Mama is a incredible artist. She can draw. She can paint. Even her handwriting is something beautiful to behold. And her artistry carried over to the house and even the kitchen. Every single Christmas, she turned our double-wide mobile home into a Christmas Wonderland that even Santa and his elves would be envious of! (Too bad we never celebrated the legends of Santa... LOL) There would be icicles hanging in the windows. (We rarely saw ice where we lived in Florida) There would be electric candles on every window sill. Garland and ornaments found their way not just on the tree but over every walkway. Hand folded paper stars would dangle over our heads as we walked from the kitchen into the living room or dining room. Christmas decorations would replace the regular year-round decorations. Christmas music would replace the Oldies and the Christian tapes. The Christmas tree lights were on all day until the last person, usually Mama, would go to bed. In the kitchen, instead of the smell of soups and sausages cooking for our normal dinners, we could smell cheesecakes, pies, cookies, and kisses (an egg-white confection that she would color in all sorts of different colors, and which never lasted more than a few days.)

I remember loving the Christmas season with all its glorious traditions mostly because of the work that my Mama did to transform our living space. Christmas was never just another Holiday. Christmas was always an experience. Always a time to share with family. Always a time to relax and reflect. Always a time to reach out to friends. Always a time to give of oneself to make others happy.

There are many more traditions that were apart of the Christmas that I grew up with. All of them are just as special as this one.

What traditions were you apart of? What traditions do you incorporate into your Christmas now?
I want to have this spread around. I think reflecting on the REAL reasons why Christmas is so much more than gift-giving or receiving continue to make the Holiday ALIVE to us! By making Christmas a LIVING Holiday, I believe we truly feel the Joy that Christ would have us feel during our celebration of His Birth.

I am taking a liberty in tagging some of you, but please, even if you have not been tagged, feel free to share as well and then leave the link in my comments so I can come share in your Joy!

The Rules:
Write a Christmas Memories blog.
Include the link to my original blog somewhere in your blog.
Tag five other bloggers.
Then return to this blog's comments and paste the link to your Christmas Memories blog.

1. Kat
2. Christy Rose
3. De'Etta
4. Deborah Ann
5. Kat

Seeking A Quiet Place

2009-11-23T13:04:00.000-08:00

The Holidays are here. For me the Holidays start with Halloween and don't stop till Easter. One right after the other. Cooking, baking, family time, shopping, crafting, writing, time with friends, traveling, reflecting, busy.. busy..

I love the Holidays. I love all these holidays, and what they mean to me and to those I love. I love the never-ending baking. I love the ample opportunities to share with others. But I miss quiet days and quiet time.

During the Holidays it is so much harder to not just find, but MAKE the time with my Bible, with my God. This Holiday Season is no different. Between homeschooling the kiddo, and relearning so much myself, crazy weekends filled with chores, shopping, cookouts, dinners, and friends, preparing and planning for family traditions, entertaining, getting involved in different projects and ministries, its hard to find time to be alone with my husband, or be alone period, let alone trying to find time to sit down and concentrate on a Bible study.

Granted, I am not one who manages lots of different tasks at once easily. I have to have a list. Without my list, I get nothing done, especially when there are so many diverse activities staring me in the face. Time management training aside, I really do get overwhelmed quite easily. Yet, even once I have my happy little list, and I have it set in priority over, I realized that recently I really need to add my quiet time with Him. I had gone for a week straight without sitting down and concentrating on Him! I am a little appalled with myself to admit this.

So, here I am, sitting down, thinking about the priorities I have set for this Holiday season. I feel like I am walking up a mountain with not one heavy burden but a dozen! Not so much that they are heavy because they are hard, but because they are involved. How did I take on so much? I was getting so good at keeping it simple, and yet here I am struggling to breathe.

I revert again to my life verse: The Lord is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46v1

I know, you must all be sick of me reciting this verse over and over in my blogs. I can't help it. Today, this verse is as true and comforting as it is when I am burdened with sickness and sadness. Today, seeking Him is my refuge. Leaning on Him to be my strength to get to the mountain top. Today He is my ever-present HELP in all the craziness.

Where do you go when you seek your quiet place? Do you also have a favorite verse that you turn to over and over again? Do you have a prayer that you have committed to memory?

I hope you too are able to find a quiet place to share a conversation with Him. Now.. for me to spend some time with Him too! ;-)

Stumbling Through Grace

2009-11-09T11:05:00.000-08:00

I was blessed to join two of my sisters from Bible Study at a women's conference this weekend. We were there from Thursday to Sunday, during which time, we, of course, heard the news of the shooting at Fort Hood.

Of course, not having tv's in our rooms, most of us there did not know the full details as they unfolded. Speculation was whispered, rumors were shared...

I, myself, found my heart suddenly skipping a few beats as I overheard a ladies room conversation between two women as they shared what they had heard: a Muslim, a terrorist, a Major, a psychologist, an Army man, sleeper cell, Allah something or other

All in the span of a few short minutes these names, labels, fact and fiction, mixed together, and a picture was left in my mind~
Not of a man wreaking havoc. Not a man killing and wounding so many unsuspecting Soldiers. Not of blood and gore. Not of death.

No, the picture in my mind was this: the after-effect of the women's conversation. I could suddenly see through-out the US, on military bases, in cities and towns, these same words being spoken and passed on, heedless of fact or fiction. I could see the justified anger spreading at the horrific act of a single man on rampage. I could see groups of protest both against those who share some of those labels and then against those who share labels that are exact opposite. I could see men and women in all the branches of the military suddenly being unable to trust their battle-buddies or their wing-men. I could see strife and arguments, debates and discussions, misconceptions, and persecution.

Chaos. Utter and complete chaos.

And then the next picture in my mind was one of Christ~
This man who harmed so many, and whose act will haunt so many for years to come, and whose act will rebound across our country in places least expected, IS LOVED BY CHRIST!
MY Lord... MY Savior... MY Grace... LOVES this man!

I saw Christ looking down and weeping at our reactions to a man and his horrible action. I saw Christ reach out His hand... to whom? To ALL of us! To me, a military spouse who could have been affected by the man's act. To the women of Fort Hood, who were closely (if not directly) affected. To the man or woman sitting in their home watching their news and jumping to the worst conclusions of the man's act. To the youth who act on defending whichever side of the issue they grew up on, or think they grew up on. To the hasty and judgemental. To the logical. To the emotional. To the apathetic. To the militant. To the pacifists. To the Christian. To the Muslim. To the just and the unjust.

Yes, He IS reaching His hand out to ALL of us, and especially to this man. I see on the news that he is speaking now. I know soon the authorities will be questioning him, his motives, his past, his action. I know that no matter really what he says, there are definite lines drawn in the sand due to the labels already plastered across his forehead.

And I hope, as I stumble through the Grace that has been afforded to me, that I will be able to see future news about this man, and see not the labels of his humanity, see not the act, see not the fear or hate or desperation, but the label that SHOULD be plastered there on his head~ Loved by Christ.

For this man, as time progresses, will have as much opportunity to learn of Christ and the Grace He offers, as I have.

May we, as Christians, live the Grace we stumble through so that others may see it more clearly and come to stumble through it as well!!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

2009-10-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Today, I decided to share a song, rather than a quote. Casting Crowns is one of my favorite Christian bands. There are not many of their songs that I can listen to and not be caught up in the worship or be reminded of how I should live to be a better Christian. This last week has been a struggle for my family, for many of my close friends, and for distnat friends as we struggle to lift eachother and help eachother through difficult situations and ongoing medical struggles. Last Wednesday, as I listened first to "Praise Him In This Storm" and I was on my knees begging on behalf of my friends, I stayed there and listened to the next several songs. I was just getting ready to change cd's when this song came on. I have heard it half a dozen times and never paid real close attention before. This time it hit home, right to the core...

I am so thankful for this band's music Ministry, and the comfort that bring to so many. I hope you enjoy this song, and if you are in the place I am at, I hope it brings you comfort and hope.

Ten Honest Things

2009-10-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

Country Mom passed this on to everyone who read her blog, and I couldn't resist.

Ten honest things about me... Something I haven't already spilled to the world... Let's see:

1. Today, I had this irrisistible urge to watch "Beauty and the Beast" and sing along with all the songs and recite most of the lines. I still get choked up watching this movie as I think of all the real-to-life lessons and events it parallels in my own life. And its just a silly cartoon. sigh

2. I have never ever carved a pumpkin. Nope, not ever. In fact, if my dear hubby didn't take the time to do this little fall tradition with our son this year, we would not have any jack-o-lanterns at all... again... To be honest, I am just a wee bit over-whelmed by the whole idea. Where do you start? What do you DO with the innards? Why is it that when I roast the seeds, they never turn out quite right? LOL BUT the one my boys have done so far is really quite good. And I am always good with a camera!

3. I look for any excuse to be lazy. Oh boy, I hope no one in my family reads this! I really love to do nothing but read a good book or spend all day on the computer. It really does take alot of EFFORT to get my butt up off my chair and get things accomplished around my house... Making a list helps! (or knowing I have company coming.. hehe)

4. I share a kinship with cats. If I were of any other faith, I would be convinced that I was a cat in a previous life. Don't laugh! I have (usually) an ability to calm a stressed out cat like no one I have ever met. I am drawn to them like they are magnetic, and if one is the least bit stand-offish, I make it my goal to win them over, and am usually successful. Yup... If I were not married, I would be the stereotypical cat lady on our street!

5. I am terrified of going back to school in the spring. Alot of it has to do with number 3... and alot of it has to do with rearranging my life so that I can still be a good wife and mom and still succeed as a student. I know countless women, moms, working moms, have done this and have done very, very well... But I am pessimistic when it comes to my own abilities, and am dreading my 'first day of school.'

6. I abhor dust. Can't stand it! Kind of a losing battle when I love to open my house windows during these beautiful fall days. So do not be surprised to walk in my house and start sneezing from all the Pledge I go through on a daily basis. (I really need to find something less offensive for controlling the dust... hmm)

7. I am fascinated by the men and women who lived during the World Wars. I could really care less about the wars themselves, but I am almost obsessed with diaries, biographies, and autobiographies of men, women, and children who lived during or through those dark times. I especially am fascinated by those affected after WWII was officially over, but were still persecuted merely for their nationality.

8. I live for my next trip, be it by car or plane. I love to travel. Especially if I have never been there before! It could be to the tiniest two-horse town somewhere in a sandy desert, and I would still be thrilled to go and see and learn about it. If I ever won the lottery that I don't play, much of that money would be used to see the sights!

9. I am a wiggle-worm. I can never never sit still. My parents and childhood Dr's used to attribute it to growing pains. Yet, here I am, 31 years old, and I still swing my legs, tap my feet, drum my fingers, move my whole body from one position to another at least every 30 seconds- just to have to assure whoever is with me that I am not a nervous wreck! lol

10. I love Celine Dion. Oh, how my hubby hates it when I pull out her cd's and start singing along around the house. The quickest way to chase him out of the house... LOL I can't help it. I love her voice. I love the power and the passion of so many of her songs, and I can't resist belting out along with her though I am sure I must scare the neighbors.

This was fun! Thanks Country Mom for opening this up for all of us!

Book Review~ Beautiful Mess: The Story of Diamond Rio

2009-10-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

"Beautiful Mess: The Story of Diamond Rio" as related to Tom Roland by the members of Diamond Rio themselves is a beautiful story of how the band came together forming a united band of amazing individuals. From the mouths of the band members come the stories of what brought them together, and the trials they endured while trying to keep Christ and family the center of their lives to become the band they are today.

I grew up listening to country music, and one of my favorite country bands has always been Diamond Rio. What a delightful find is this book as I was able to meet each band member and learn more about them as though talking to them in person! I was able to see the Faith that guided them through their individual battles and brought them to their successes. Then to take each individual and wrap them up together in a united band striving to make a name for themselves in Nashville, and on the airwaves, was truly an enjoyable read. Tom Roland broke the story of Diamond Rio and wrote it in such a way as to draw you in so that when you are finished with the book, you really feel as though you know these men in real life!

This is a great read, and a great testimony! Reminds us that even in show-business, our Lord is with us.

Guacamole ~ Christina Style

2009-10-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

This means, sans recipe. HA! And it actually turned out alright!

What you need:
2 avacados- cleaned and chopped up
2 T chunky salsa (your favorite brand)
1 tsp lime juice
1 tsp sea salt
2 tsp mexican seasoning (I used Tastefully Simple's Fiesta Party Dip Mix)

In bowl, mix avacados and lime juice well first.
Add remaining ingredients and mix well, till guacamole is mostly smooth.
Chill for 30 minutes.
Serve with your favorite tortilla chips, or spread on your favorite burrito.

Enjoy!

Pumpkins and Christians

2009-10-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.

God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.

He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff - including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.

Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

This was passed on to me from another pumpkin.

Now, it is your turn to pass it to a pumpkin.

I liked this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch.

Happy Fall!

Walking Through Pain

2009-10-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

The last post I put up beseaching you, dear readers, to lift up Steve and April in your prayers is still there, and I am still begging you to spend some time on your knees to lift up not just this family as they are in the midst of life altering storm, but also to remember their family and friends, whose lives will forever be changed as well. Everyone who knows this couple is fighting with questions, fears, concerns, even as we lift up our voices and our hearts out to God that He will intercede with a Miracle.

We are struggling with doubts. Why NOW? Why THIS family? What about those who will be left behind if the worst happens? How do we encourage each other? How do we see God in this? How do we comfort the family?

How can I look in any of the family members faces, or even their closest friends and tell them that God is still in control, even knowing that it may mean that He will take someone away from them? How do I answer those questions of why would God allow this to happen? What kind of God lets this happen?

It is an all too familiar feeling. Helplessness. I have shared in the past of the untimely death of my cousin, a new Christian. I am convinced NOW that the Lord did take my cousin Home, and there WAS a reason, though I am still uncertain what that reason is, and I may never know till I am safely Home as well. I struggled for years to come to an understanding of not understanding. But that was within myself. How do I explain this to friends who are facing this now, are in the midst of this, and cannot even try to look to that future and the possibility of a reason behind a tragedy such as this?

My life verse comes to mind: Psalm 46 v 1~ The Lord is my refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.

Always this verse comes to mind when I am at a loss for anything else.

Always when my prayers stop making sense to me, and I hopelessly give them over toThe Spirit, knowing that He will know what my heart is pleading, this verse comes to mind. Sometimes a welcome reminder, sometimes a rough bandage over a festering wound, but always there.

I know this family is only at the beginning of a struggle, not just with life changes, maybe without a father, maybe with a changed father. I know that there is absolutely nothing I can say that will ease the pain, the suffering, the struggles within the lives and the souls. I know that even just telling them that I am still praying will do little in the way of comfort when it appears so bleak indeed.

I know my friends, who are much closer to this family than I, are struggling to see His Grace in this. I am too! I hugged one today, and I struggled to hold the tears back as she cried too. God wouldn't allow this to happen would He? she cried. As I hugged her tighter, all I could say is that I don't know. I couldn't find it in me to tell her that His will is not our own. His reasons are often with-held from us, and I have as much trouble accepting that from this distance as those right in the middle of the storm do.

I am searching the Scripture. I have not been asked to help anyone in that regard, so I will not force it down any one's throat, but I am looking and bookmarking and trying to commit it to memory just in case. And I am on my knees, begging with Him to bring us all through this closer to Him rather than further away. I am begging for a Miracle, and for Peace, and for Understanding, no matter what the outcome will be.

My dear friends, I am now asking you, I know so many of you lead Bible studies, and do daily devotionals, and maybe some of you have been through a similiar storm yourself. Please share with me the Words of Scripture that you call on, or that you found that brought you comfort.

Prayer Request~ Urgent!

2009-10-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

Please pray for Steve and April...its urgent!!! Thank you!!!

I do not want to put down any particulars because I have not spoken directly to April, but this is a life and death type request.

Please, please, pray for this family! And please, please pass this on to your praying friends and family!!!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Time Out

2009-10-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

I have to tell so many of you how sorry I am that I fell off the blogging map for a couple of weeks. Thank you for your emails and your questions and concerns.

Everything is fine here. I disappeared because I had taken a two week trip to see my sister and my parents. Alot of unexpected changes happened just within the week that I was supposed to leave, so I started losing time to blog, and then while I was there, even though I had the capabilities, I chose to focus my time with the family rather than online.

I know you all understand, and I will be taking the next couple days to catch up with your blogs, emails, and any comments I may have missed.

Thank you and God bless!!

Live With It

2009-10-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

In previous blogs, I have shared a little of my journey since 2006 getting diagnosed with Fibromylagia and Osteo-Arthritis. I know many of you are new readers, so I will add a quick review of the past few years.

I am prior Active Duty Air Force, and prior Air Force Reserves. When we moved to a new base in 2005, and I attended my first weekend with my new Reserve Unit, they had to take me to the Emergency Room. Being part of a medical squadron, I was surrounded by Doctors, Nurses, and Med Techs, who all had different speculations as to what was happening to me. I had been sitting in class watching a video when I noticed I could no longer focus on the tv, or any object in the room. I could hear the instructor speaking to me, but I couldn't understand what she was saying. My hands both started to tingle, and my speech was so slurred that it came out mumbo jumbo rather than what I was attempting to say. My right hand went numb, then my arm, then half my face, and then the migraine set in full blast. Some of my new coworkers were convinced I was having a diabetic episode. Others thought I was having a mini-stroke, and some others thought I had Bells Palsey. So off I went to the ER, just to sit around for three hours, by which time all the symptoms dissipated leaving only a migraine so severe that I felt like I needed to sleep wrapped around a toilet. Of course, the ER found nothing. Granted, they DID nothing, not even an MRI, but what do you expect from a military hospital? (Unless something is hanging out, or poking out, or your blood pressure indicates your heart is about to burst, very rarely is anything done in a military ER... but I digress...)

So... In follow-up, I had to see my provider. Again, due to the military health system, I wasn't able to see MY provider until several months later. So in the meantime, I was seeing Dr's who weren't really that interested in learning more about my symptoms, and just shrugged it off as a migraine or depression. Finally, I was able to see my provider. Truly, a provider worth keeping! He ran a whole slew of tests on me. Sent me to a Rheumatologist, Neurology, and would have had a sleep study done on me, but time never allowed that. He had determined from our very first visit that I had either Fibro or Lupus, in addition to what he was sure was at least one form of arthritis. So after all the referrals, and all the lab work, he informed me that I did not have Lupus or Rheumatism. I did have Fibromyalgia and Osteo-arthritis. However, he was still at a loss as to my headaches and the episode that took me to the ER in the first place. So he concentrated on trying to control my body pain and keeping my stress down which appeared to make both the body pain and the headaches worse. I left that base and that Dr with a good plan in my mind and a good foundation for how to treat myself, even if the headaches (aka mini-strokes as so many of my family were convinced I was having) were left undiagnosed.

Now... to my current situation.

We moved here to our new assignment. I am no longer in the Reserves because my last unit just did not know what to do with a someone who has Fibro. They were all witness to my 'episode' and were convinced I was not deployable, so I was simply taken off the roster and transferred to Ready Reserve status. Fine with me... I think... I dunno... lol I go to meet my new provider who informs me of two things: one- he has no idea what Fibromyalgia is really and so he needs to do alot more research before deciding how to treat me and two- he has no past medical history to go off of because my medical records were lost in transit. Go figure.

So here I am a year after the move and am still in the midst of getting rediagnosed. I have been to see a Rheumatologist. He has changed my work out routine. I was working out three times a week, yoga with light pilates. He says that is not enough. He agrees I need to keep my workout low impact, but I need to work on a bike or elliptical machine to get my heart rate up to 120 for ten minutes. This will better release the pain killing endorphines that my body does not make enough of like a normal person's body does. He is also putting me on Flexoril to help me reach REM sleep at night, since my sleep patterns are obviously out of whack and that adds to the body pain and stress. He also told me I need to take better care of my feet. No more flip-flops for me (a HUGE transition for me as I LOVE to go barefoot or go out in all weather in just my flip-flops!) and I have to invest in good arch supports for ALL my shoes. I guess the thinking is that if I can keep my feet healthy, and keep them from continuing on their spreading and flattening then I will also be able to prevent further ankle, knee, hip, and even lower back problems. We shall see. sigh... good-bye flip flops....

Now here is the interesting part. To be honest, once I was diagnosed with Fibro, I was ready to just take it and run with it and let that part of my life work itself out. My greatest concern was and is these 'episodes' where I lose the ability to speak and focus, where my right side goes numb, and then I am immobilized by a severe migraine. I did online research... all of which pointed to my family's worst fears- I was having mini-strokes that were not being diagnosed or were being ignored. However, while I was at this Rheumatologist, he shared something with me no Dr so far has. He was telling me to get a referal from my main provider (military Dr) to a Neurologist. He said that these 'episodes' were a type of migraine- a hemiplegic migraine. He listed off the symptoms and I experienced that ah-ha! moment! Granted, I have not had them officially diagnosed by a neurologist! But this news is WAY better than thinking I was having mini-strokes, which are largely undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in women today.

So I am learning about these types of migraines, and waiting on a referral to a neurologist and whatever slew of tests he will need to do to determine if this is in fact what I am experiencing.

Until then, and even after, I am learning to live with it. lol

Thoughtful Thursday

2009-10-01T12:05:00.000-07:00

I took this picture at the Honolulu Zoo. Everytime I see it, I can't help but chuckle. What a funny little pose from an animal that is supposed to be nervous about everything, that is supposed to rush and scurry, and have no time for anything like relaxing. Yet here he is, lounging against the glass enclosure letting the sun warm his belly.

So that is my thought for today. Sit back. Relax. Let the Son warm you!

God bless, my friends!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

2009-09-30T09:59:00.000-07:00

"We are all travelers in the wilderness

of this world,

and the best we can find in our travels

is an honest friend."

~Robert Louis Stevenson

Just For Fun

2009-09-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

I love getting to know my fellow bloggers better! Kat at Heart 2 Heart filled out the following questions and I just couldn't resist copying and filling them out as well! Why not??? ;-) Do you want to do this too?

The phone rings. Who will it be?
Most recently, it will be my Sister or my Mom. Distance between loved ones makes one happy to have free long distance!

When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
I try to, but with my son with me most of the time, and he is one of those kiddos who likes to disappear in a flash, it will depend on how far away the cart return is. If its not close enough, I will make sure to park the cart next to the closest light pole and out of the parking spots.

In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?
It really depends on the situation. In a group of new friends or aquaintances, I am a listener and a watcher. Once I get to know the group, I open up more easily and more freely.

Do you take compliments well?
Depends on who is giving the compliment and what the compliment refers to. I struggle alot with believing that others see me as being better than I feel I really am.

Do you play Sudoku?
I do. My friend, Sharon, got me hooked. I never go anywhere without a book tucked away in the car or in my purse, just in case!

If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
I honestly couldn't say. If I could get past the panic and keep my thoughts in order, then yes. I love the outdoors, and would hope that some of the things I learned camping, hiking, from girl scouts, and from the military would help me succeed in staying alive.

Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
I did! I loved it! So much so that I worked there for several summers in high school. I look forward to sending my son to that same camp, Camp Victory, someday.

What was your favorite game as a kid?
Oh, wow! I don't know. Board game- Rummikub. It was the only game we ever played, and that mostly due to my Grandmother, who loved it! Kids game-Dodgeball or Freeze tag. Anything that didn't require alot of fast thinking or coordination! lol

Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
I did date several men who had different beliefs than I did. None of them lasted for very long, because I knew that I could never marry a man whose core beliefs were not the same as mine. Funny thing was that even among the men who professed the same beliefs as myself very few actually truly believed them! It was sad and disheartening.

Do you like to pursue or be pursued?
Being the romantic that I am, I always WANTED to be pursued. But when the guy finally did, I would freak out and push him away. Finally, when I met DH, I pursued him! I was so scared that he would either NOT pursue me, or in pursuing me would drive me away that I took matters into my own hands! How glad I am that I did! lol

Use three words to describe yourself?
Empathetic, Longing, Loving

Do any songs make you cry?
How Great Thou Art makes me cry every time! Then there are several praise and worship songs that I just can't seem to make it through, so I end up humming them and sending them out as a prayer.

Are you continuing your education?
YES! I was just accepted to the local university so that I can work on and get my degree in Animal Science. I have aspirations of becoming a park ranger! lol Something pretty close anyway, outside, and dealing with animals.

Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?
Yes, but ironically, not until after I had the kiddo.

How often do you read books?
Every day. I am never without a book. I love to read. I love learning about real people and places, and I love letting my imagination soar through make-believe worlds with fantastical characters.

Do you think more about the past, present or future?
At this point in my life, I think more about the present and the immediate future. I learned the hard way that planning and worrying over the distant future only gives me a stomach ache and more grey hair, and if things end up working out completely different than I had envisioned, I had a real hard time just going with it.

What is your favorite children’s book?
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

What color are your eyes?
Green

Where is your dream house located?
Somewhere in the Rockies. Ideally, on lots of land with lots of trees and if not a lake at the base of the slopes then a river or heavy flowing creek.

If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
Besides the kiddo, my laptop, my purse, and my Bible. (Its not cheesy, I swear. That Bible has been part of my life since I was 18, and has seen me through the most difficult times of my life as an adult.)

When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?
Hmmm... Its been a while! At least three months!

Where was the furthest place you traveled today?
Not even 10 miles to take the kiddo out for lunch and then do some shopping.

Do you like mustard?
Oh yes... Spicy mustard is my favorite

Do you prefer to sleep or eat?
Eat... I always feel like I am not getting something done while I am sleeping, like I am wasting time. Eating though I can do WHILE I am doing something else! ;-)

Do you look like your mom or dad?
I think I look more like my Dad. My sister, though, looks more and more like my Mama.

How long does it take you in the shower?
Depends on how my body feels that morning. I try to keep them short, but sometimes the shower helps loosen up my over-wrought and aching muscles.

Can you do the splits?
nope... never could, and I am sure I never will.

What movie do you want to see right now?
Hmmm... New Moon and The Invention of Lying

What did you do for New Year’s?
I honestly don't remember, so I must have slept through it again!

Do you think The Grudge was scary?
Never saw it

Do you own a camera phone?
Nope

What’s the last letter of your middle name?
I

How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
between 6 and 8

Do you like Care Bears?
I do! I just recently sold all my plush bears... sigh

What do you buy at the movies?
Popcorn with extra butter and a coke

Do you know how to play poker?
I do, and I love to play... but I have no skill and very poor 'luck'... hehe

Do you wear your seat belt?
Because I am a creature of habit and I try to be an example to my son, yes. Though I have known folks, my parents included, who would have been killed if they were wearing their seatbelts for their respective accidents.

How many meals do you eat a day?
Two... I am not a breakfast person except on the weekends when it is a family affair.

Do you like funny or serious people better?
I like both equally!

Ever been to L.A.?
Yuppers, and unless I am visiting friends, I will never go back. Too big and too busy.

Did you eat a cookie today?
Nope....Oh My! I need to make some!!!

Do you hate chocolate?
What???? Who hates chocolate????

Are you a gullible person?
Yeah, a little.

Are you easy to get along with?
I like to think I am, but I am becoming more and more aware of a change in me that is causing me to speak up and speak out and I am getting more confrontational. sigh

Bible-thumping Hypocrites

2009-09-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

Oh! I bet that title got your attention didn't it?

Offended? Angered? Peeved? Indignant?

Oh yes! I was too. I find myself always on the defensive when I hear Christians in general being lumped into the 'Bible-thumping hypocrite' category.

What's my point?

I am one! How often I judge people based on a random comment, based on an immediate introduction, on how they appear, on whether or not they believe as I do. How often I not only judge them, but I share my judgment with other like-minded Christian women, and we spiral out of control in our hurtful and backstabbing critiques of people who are different than we are. I tend to expect everyone I meet to live up to my own preconcieved notions of how they should act, or live, or dress. I do this to other Christian women, to non-Christian friends, to friend's spouses, to my family members, etc etc. I try very hard not to say something and do another, but I know I still do.

I am writing this, not because I want to condemn anyone, but because, as I have been challenged to face my true self, I want to challenge you to look deep into your words and actions. I recently discovered that I had judged a woman unfairly, horribly so. I took that judgment and made it worse by sharing it with other women who also see and deal with this woman on a day to day basis. Then God, in His infinite wisdom, made things happen where I found myself one on one with her. In that 30 minutes I began to hear that still small voice whisper to me... Oh yes, on came the guilt. And the shame. I was moved to invite the woman over in order to thank her for her act of kindness, and in doing so found a friend. Of course, I was riddled with shame over my hateful, yes... HATEFUL words and unfounded speculations. It took me a week to build up the courage and apologize to her. I fully expected her to be angry, and to tell me to take a hike. Instead, I experienced Grace.

This woman(a proclaimed Christian), who is so disgruntled with "Bible-thumping hypocrites," found the grace to forgive me on the spot, and to accept me as a friend!

And to her, I am thankful for this lesson in Grace. To God, I am thankful for bringing her in my life to show me how Grace works.

My Bible-study group is doing a Bible study on Grace- "What's So Amazing About Grace?" by Philip Yancey. I am loving the book, and am finding myself more in question and more in awe of this gift that I truly do not understand. What is Grace really? Why do I not know more about it, though I have been a Christian since I was a child? Why do I remember all kinds of emphasis being placed on saving the masses rather than living in Grace or showing Grace? Why am I not the only one that does not understand or recognize Grace, even when it is right there in front of us? Jesus showed Grace in every passage that He appears in the New Testament. I want to show Grace like that! I want my words to build people up. I want my actions to show love and understanding. I want my life to reflect honor and virtue.

Please, my friends, pray for me as I struggle to be more of a Christian and less of a Bible-thumping hypocrite.

Happy Fall, Y'all!!!

2009-09-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist changing my blog to match my favorite time of year! I love fall! I love the cooler weather, which I lovingly refer to as sweater weather. I love that we can open the windows during the day and let the gusty West Texas winds blow through and clear out the stuffiness from a summer of cooped up a/c air. I love that I can start wearing my boots and my dressier shoes more often because my feet won't sweat as soon as I put them on! I love that now when I go out in jeans and a zippered hoodie people won't look at me like I have lost my mind! I love that I can spend time on our gorgeous deck during the day when the bugs are busy with other things rather than in the evenings when they swoop to the deck in anticipation of grilled food and other goodies. I love that all my plants are perking up in the cool weather and the recent rains. I love the overcast mornings, and the sunny afternoons and evenings. I love dew on the grass and sparkling on my plants and on the various spider webs around my back yard.

I love preparing for Halloween. I love planning the costume and then the hunt to find it for the kiddo. I love the rows of Halloween candy that will linger in a bowl in our kitchen until NEXT Halloween because we just don't eat that much of it! I love the anticipation of the three back to back Holidays, first Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. I love decorating the house and shopping for friends and family. I love deciding what I am going to do as a cheap but meaningful gift for all my local friends and neighbors. I love planning out who is coming for and what are we having for Thanksgiving dinner. I love pulling out all the Christmas decorations and sorting through them in preparation for Christmas. I love all the picture taking opportunities. I love the excitement around the house as DH tries to be sneaky as he plies me for gift ideas and the kiddo starts vocalizing his list.

I love the smells, sights, and the sounds of the fall. Kids walking to and from school every day. The smells of pumpkin, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla abound in every store you walk in as reminders of a day when everyone baked extravagantly for the holidays. I love the smells in my house as we start the daily ritual of hot cocoa or cider instead of coffee, as I bake even more fervently the super easy tollhouse cookies. I love the smell of the pumpkin and razzleberry pies that DH makes and of the turkey with its garlic buttered skin as it roasts in the oven. I love the crispness in the air, a sense that the air is cleaner some how. I love the sounds of trick-or-treaters as they make their rounds and whoop and holler when one of the neighbors jumps out to scare them! I love the way that people begin to listen to softer music, classical, old rock, oldies, and then Christmas music as they start to try to reflect on why this time of year is significant. I love listening to classic old tunes and heart-felt and sometimes out of tune carols. I love the deeper colors... the oranges, dark greens, browns, yellows, and reds. I love the pumkins and gourds. I love the scarecrows and cornucopias. I love the changing of the leaves, and even the falling of the leaves.

Oh, yes... Fall is here, and beyond that winter. Both seasons with thier wonders and their gifts.

Happy Fall Everyone!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

2009-09-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

"Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." ~Louisa May Alcott

Country Fair Entries

2009-09-20T19:12:00.000-07:00

Kat at Art's Chili had this incredible idea for a country fair. You remember the cotton candy, the messy dogs, the funnel cakes, the tables and tables of crafts, canned goods, quilts, live stock, and of course, the kids of all ages running everywhere!

I wracked my brain for ideas for something spectacular and I keep coming back to the two things that I am most proud of this last month.

The first, which I am most proud of, are the "Thank you" cards that the kiddo helped me to make. We made over 12 of them to send to various friends and family that we visited on our vacation last month. By the tenth card, he insisted on doing the last two by himself. Granted, we were using precut paper, cut-outs, glue tape, and stickers, but still, for a five year old who is just learning to use scissors and working on his hand-writing, I think he did a fantastic job! Here, decide for yourself. These are the ones he did with no help from me! He placed those letters (stickers) in the right spelling order all by himself, and in a straight row without me showing him where to place them... I have to admit, as he was chasing me out of the room, I was a bit worried about what the outcome would be.. hehe

The second thing that I am proud of this month is my first crocheted tobogan. The kiddo, just as he did with my first crocheted (full-size) blanket, claimed it as his own, and promptly decided to show it off so I could take some pics of it.

I hope you like my contributions to Art's Chili's Country Fair . You can make a contribution too, for more rules on participation just click the link above or the Country Fair Button at the top of this blog.

Fall Wreath Party

2009-09-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

I saw this very interesting party idea at The Journaling Gina. She was passing on the news from Red Writing who is going to give away some very cool prizes. I kinda cheated as I had already made a fall wreath earlier this month, BUT I felt like entering it anyway because it is my first time making a wreath, and I like it! Not to mention, Fall is my favorite time of year, so why not? ;-) Click on the link above to Red Writing to find out what the rules are!!!

Happy wreath-making my friends!

and now...

drum roll please...

Ta Da! My Harvest Wreath!

I bought a plain wreath of leaves from Big Lots, along with some fake pumpkins, gourds, pine cones, and acorns.

Using a hot glue gun, the kiddo and I lathered the additional objects and stuck them randomly around the wreath.

The kiddo had as much fun as I did, and I didn't think to take pics of our progress or our mess! hehe

Prayer Chain (an experiment)

2009-09-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

I know that when we are at our Bible Studies and its time to share our prayer requests some of us could rattle off a list of people and events going on that need prayer, and yet we don't share ALL of them because we think that we would be burdening other people, or that no one really cares, or that everyone really just wants to get prayer over and go home. Isn't that sad? And yet we do it all the time...

So... I wanna try something. I know that many of you dear readers are prayer warriors, or you are working on your prayer relationship with our Lord. So I want to start a prayer chain. I am going to start the list, which is a copy of the list on the side of my blog. Then I am going to link a couple of you, in random order, because I do not think that any one of you dear friends is more of a prayer warrior than another. I encourage you, even if I do not link you, to copy the prayer portion of this blog, paste into a blog of your own, and add some or alot of prayer requests before linking it on to your friends and readers. (please only use first names, for privacy and safety) Once your prayer chain is completed and posted, put the link in my comments, so I too can go and pray over the additions!

Then sometime today, sometime this weekend, as you are praying, remember to lift up these requests, ALL of them, and ask for His Will to be done with each one! I can't wait to see what the results will be as we lift each other and our friends and family up all across the nation!

God bless you all, and have a super blessed and safe weekend!

Lisa~ pregnancy

Sherri and Todd~ waiting for Emma

Debby~ broken ankle; travel

Steve~ Medical Concerns
Cameron~ Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Valerie~ Medical Concerns
Joy S~ Pedi Open Heart Surgery
Heather~ Unspoken
Doug~ Salvation
Heather R~ Medical Concerns
Christina~ School; USAFR Decisions
Krista T~ Cancer
Nell~ Cancer
Nika~ Missions in Russia
Anonymous~ Fertility Concerns
Heather S~ Medical Concerns
Elijah~ Cystic Fibrosis
Merle and June~ Missions
JK~deployed
Duane~Medical Concerns

I am passing this on to Kat at Heart 2 Heart; Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey; Jenifer at By His Grace; Sarah at Splashin' Glory; Steve at Gotta Have Faith; and Gina at The Journaling Gina.

((addition: For the many of you who do not blog, please please add these requests to your own prayer list. Plus, if you have a request that you would like to add, I would be honored to add it to my list and to pass it on! .. Thanks, Gina, for remembering those who do not blog, and reminding me too!))

Additional requests:
from Loren~
ANDREW (brain mass)
BENTLEY (heart )
CARLY
CAROL P.(stroke)
CHAD, NIKKI, (Baby JOHANNA)
DOUG (Loren's dad)
FAMILY OF MIKE(passed away)
HANNAH
J.D. Rider family
JANE ANN
JED (cancer returned)
JERRY ERBY
JIM ( Mary's husband)
KERI CAIN (heart)
KORI AND BOYS (loss of Richard)
LENORE PEER
LIESA & Family
LINDSAY
MADELINE ELLIS
PHYLLIS (chemo for breast cancer)
PRESTON SNEAD (6 yrs old)
ROBERT ADAMS (cancer)
RON, ALLELUIABELLE
STACY (stroke)
T.B.
TAMMY
TIFFANY (brain mass)
WANDA LONG (cancer)
These next few are specifically for Salvation
Doug
ASHLEY M.
BRUCE R.
CHRIS F.
DENNIS
JERRAD
JERRY
MARIE
NATHAN
RICK
SUSAN S.
WILLIAM B.
From Steve~
Michael~ Mother in Law passed away

Mario~ 90 year old Mother in Hospital
Caitlyn~ Healing
Kat~ Healing
Doug~ Healing and Salvation!
Amy~ Healthy Pregnancy
World~ Peace
From Sarah Dawn~
Please scroll through the comments, the prayer requests are plentiful!
From Gina~
Natalie- 2 year old with health issues
From Kat~
Mike - renewed faith in God
Josh - Complete his senior year
Dawn's Mom - Healing from stage 3 Ovarian cancer
Rose - salvation
Caitlyn - waiting for God's answers

Keep it going!!! Prayer changes things!!!

Thoughtful Thursday

2009-09-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

What comes to mind when you see your children at play? Usually a whole gammit of different thoughts run through mine.

This picture of my kiddo at a benefit for a cancer patient brought to mind~ Joy!

Pure, untainted, JOY!

Joy in the moment.

Joy in the carefree spirit.

Joy in being a child.

Joy combined with happiness!

I hope you all find a moment like this today, and throughout the week! I hope you experience JOY!

Thankful Thursday

2009-09-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

1~ I am thankful that my kindergartener has a desire to learn. This journey in homeschooling is quite challenging, and I am thankful that my little man is so eager to push through the things that he already knows to get to the parts of our curriculum that he doesn't know.

2~ I am thankful for my on and off again allergy to dairy. I know, what HAVE I been smoking! LOL No really, I am forced to monitor what I eat that is dairy, and in doing so, forced to alter my diet to include yogurt. I decided after discovering that yogurt a day does indeed control my lactose-intolerant episodes, that I would not sacrifice cheese and ice cream. There is no need! In the midst of making slight diet changes, I have discovered other benefits to making yogurt a daily part of my diet (which I will not share due to the grossness... let me just say this: regularity!!!)

3~ I am thankful to be humbled. I have been and I am still. I discovered that I was horribly wrong, and that I was judging someone harshly, and WOW! The Lord has really been dealing with me! I owe this person a huge apology, which I am still working on giving. (God give me strength and courage) I am pushing through this situation hoping and praying that this person will find it in their heart to forgive me. And yes, I am humbled.

4~ I am thankful for cool weather! Today's high is supposed to be 79 degrees. Yay! I love fall. I love to be able to open the windows. I love the smells from outside. (I can smell the cows from down the road. I can smell the feed..okay not the greatest smell, but somehow it is not that bad either) I can start pulling out sweaters! I am so ready for fall!

5~ I am thankful for my hubby. I have been a bit under the weather yesterday and again today... and he has been so helpful and so empathetic. This morning he laid in bed just holding my hand and spoke to me softly wishing that he could do something to alleviate my pain. Tender moments in the midst of pain, especially coming from DH, are so incredibly special to me! I am in pain like this alot, and yet, he STILL does what he can to help me out and to make it easier for me. I do not know what I did in my life to deserve a love like his, but I am so incredibly touched!

Beautiful Blessing

2009-09-16T09:23:00.000-07:00

I have met some amazing men and women in this world of blogging. Some are old friends, most are new. Some are really deep in the thoughts they share, and some are light-hearted and whimsical. Yet, ALL have been beautiful blessings to me and the journey of my life.

This week, I want to give this Beautiful Blessing Award to my new and distant friend, Kat at Heart 2 Heart. While her comments are always uplifting and encouraging, it is her blog, the thoughts that she shares, her incredible insights, that are truly a beautiful blessing. Not just to me, but as you read through comments from her other readers, to all who visit her blog!

Thank you, Kat, for sharing your life with us, and for sharing Christ's love with us.

Wednesday's Words Of Wisdom

2009-09-16T08:08:00.000-07:00

"Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else." ~Theodore Roosevelt

Five Words

2009-09-16T07:33:00.000-07:00

Kat at Heart 2 Heart participated in this game, and passed along five words to me so that I can participate as well. If you are interested in playing, let me know and I will send you five random words as well! Just apply the words and use them to tell us something about yourself.

~Skin... Ha! Probably goes right along with self-esteem for me. I was never comfortable in my own skin. Even now, I find myself very self-conscious, not so much of my appearance but of how I portray myself to others. As far as looks go, it took going to college to finally realize that I am as pretty as God made me. I am totally fine being the jeans and tshirt girl. There is nothing wrong with preferring my flip flops or boots to heels. I am alot more girly than I used to be. Used to be I would never wear anything that would draw attention to myself. Then I discovered and learned about fashion...haha... Trust me I am no fashionista, but I found an appreciation for make-up and jewelry and hair styles that could compliment my personality, which is quite eclectic at times. Here I am 31 years old and while I am not always completely comfortable in my own skin, I am much more than I used to be.

~Darkness... Okay, I admit it. I am still afraid of the dark sometimes. What's funny about this is that when I was single I could go to the movies with my friend, Molly, and see horribly scary movies then go home to my apartment where I had only my psycho manx for protection and I was perfectly fine. However, now with DH beside me at night, and various different forms of self-protection at my disposal, I cannot watch those kinds of movies anymore without laying awake listening to the sounds of the dark and my imagination going wild. "Resident Evil" was one of my favorite scary movies for a long long time. I used to watch it on my own with no problems. I was drawn to the heroin's kick-butt abilities. Now though all I can seem to focus on are the mutations and the living dead, and my skin starts to crawl and I have to hide under the covers at night praying silently for peace from my silly imagination. DH thinks I am being ridiculous as I refuse to go see scary movies with him anymore, but this is a new phase in my life and I am sticking firm to my new resolution to keep those kinds of things out of my mind.

~ Endurance... Physically, I have none. I am a skinny, out of shape, out of breath, physically weak person. However, what I lack physically, I think I make up for mentally and spiritually. Mostly in part to the trait of stubbornness, I can and have withstood attacks on my faith and my ideals. I have never had a problem with that. I simply turn it over to Him and move on. I have lost friendships over it and I have stuggled through harmful relationships for it, but with Him holding me close, so far He has given nothing that I couldn't endure and withstand. I am thankful too that His love and concern for me have endured when I was less then obedient and less than faithful to Him.

~Alive... and luvin this life. Yeah, the name of my blog. We are not rich by worldly standards. We are not supermodels. We are not famous. We are not dare-devils. We have no desire to push the limits of our bodies to feel that euphoria that so many talk about doing to know that they are 'alive.' Yet, we are truly blessed. DH and I are blessed and are thankful. Every day given to us with our son, with each other, with true friends, with our loved ones- we KNOW how blessed we are for those things alone. Every day we get to live under His grace (which I really am finally learning about) is a true blessing. We know how blessed we are, and we feel 'alive' within those blessings. There is a warming of the heart, a relaxing of the mind, and a sensation of safety and comfort in the act of living contentedly. I wonder if that is what it means to be "alive in Christ."

~Beautiful... hehe The collective groans resonate through my memories. I have a fascination with items I consider beautiful that raise the eyebrows and draw out groans from friends and family. For example... in addition to my appreciation of popular beauty like flowers, nature, sunsets, etc I also find a beauty in dead trees and flat wastelands like in West Texas. I find beauty in many weeds, and in dead wood on the beaches of the ocean and many lakes. Even the creatures which give me the willies (spiders) have a beauty that can not be denied. There is so much raw beauty all around us. I will never understand the secular view of our world that claims this all 'just happened.' How can anyone look at even the simplest of organisms, the simplest of objects, that upon closer examination prove to be something very elaborate and very structured and very ordered, and not see the Creator? That is true beauty, and thus there are beautiful things to be appreciated even in the not so beautiful.

Thanks, Kat, for the five thought provoking words.

The Silver Lining

2009-09-13T15:44:00.000-07:00

(taken at Unite and Conquer 09)

By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar
of cloud to guide them on their way and by night
in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they
could travel by day or night. ~Exodus 13v21

The LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come

to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will

hear me speaking with you and will always put

their trust in you." Then Moses told the LORD

what the people had said. ~Exodus 19v9

Numbers 9 v 15-22

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped

them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son,

whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

~Matthew 17v5

At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear
in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn.
They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds
of the sky, with power and great glory. ~Matthew 17v5

Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye

will see him, even those who pierced him;

and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.

So shall it be! Amen. ~Revelation 1v7

In a comment to a blog some weeks ago, I mentioned that I love clouds. I intended to write sooner why clouds are so much more than an omen of rain.

Growing up with my Mom reading me Bible Stories every day, I often caught myself flipping through the book she was reading and looking at the pictures of our Biblical Heroes and a rendition of what those distant events may have looked like. One picture that stands out in my mind is of Christ coming in the clouds with an army of Angels behind him, so white and glorious!

I have never feared the clouds. Even the dark ones that promise lightening and thunder and rainstorms so severe that we were certain our house would wash away. On the contrary, I would catch myself with my face pressed to the windows, or standing on the edge of shelter so I could better see the gloriously dark clouds! I would lift my nose to the air to catch the scent of crispness that only a thunderstorm can offer. As rain would start to fall I would linger at the open door to catch that refreshing scent of rain on dirt.

On sunny days, especially where I grew up, I would catch myself sometimes on my back staring at the fluffy white clouds as they pushed their way up to heaven. Or the wispy thin clouds that would run in endless rows across the sky, so that when you stare up at them they make you feel as though you are either falling into them or falling away from them!

All through the Bible, God made His presence known through various earthly elements. One of those ways, one of most awe-inspiring ways, was through clouds. I often wonder why He would use clouds to appear to His people. Could it be because clouds are so mysterious and ethereal? Even with modern science, most of us still look at clouds and catch ourselves giddily wondering if they are as soft as they appear! (You know you do! lol) Could it be because clouds draw our gazes to Heaven, and so offer us a daily reminder of His presence in our world and in our life?

Whatever His reason, I find hope in clouds. Clouds can be the foreteller of disaster. Yet, even in the wake of a tornado, the ultimate cloud of disaster, when all appears to be lost, communities are brought together. Individuals speak of the POWER of the storm with awe and relief, while still joining with those that were affected to make disaster turn into something beautiful. Hurricanes, huge swirling storms that we all recognize by thier ring of clouds offer a warning for people to get their homes and businesses in order and thier loved ones to safety, and yet when the storm is over, even with the destruction there is a breath-taking beauty to the wiped clean beaches and the clean, clear air.

I find peace in clouds. The quiet before the storm... Yes. There is peace in that time. Especially, now here in Texas where rain is required and is all too often not enough, the calm before the storm is a promise of refreshed life, of new life! Here for the past few days, we have been getting that much needed rain, even to the chagrine of some of my neighbors who are antsy over taller than normal grass, and a sogginess that keeps them from remedying that. Our yard was brown, even with tender care. Yet, now, our yard is green and thick and smells of wet mud. There is a clarity in the air as the rain has washed away the dirt that floats so eagerly across our town with the slightest of breezes.

I find majesty in the clouds. Anyone who has seen a sunrise or a sunset when there are clouds on the horizon know of what I speak. There is no denying a power beyond our own as the sun casts its rays through and across the clouds. There is no denying the movement of the heart in response to one of the most common and yet dizzingly unique masterpeices plastered across the sky if we just take the time to stop and appreciate it!

Signature Block!

2009-09-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

YAY! I figured out how to make a signature block for my blog! And I think I LOVE Adobe Photoshop(where I made the signature block), though my 30 day trial is almost over. Sigh... Well, I know what to add to my Christmas list! ;-)

On My Knees

2009-09-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

Tears are flowing again today. Every year since it happened, I cry. I cry today just as hard as I cried as I was listening to the broadcast on the radio on my way home from work. I cry as hard as I did as I was on the phone with my Dad and was watching it unfold on tv. I cry...

How hard it is to forgive the radicals who threaten our way of life. How hard it is to forgive the terrorists who took so many lives in their own hands and deemed those lives unworthy to live.

As Christ is my Savior, I struggle on this horrible anniversary to find true forgiveness in my heart. I struggle to lay my fears and hate at His feet and let Him avenge us in His time. I struggle to let go, and let God.

So I hit my knees every anniversary and weep out to Him all the frustration, all the misunderstanding, all the sadness... and I pray that He will soften my heart to true forgiveness...

Blog Award Goes To...

2009-09-10T07:37:00.000-07:00

So the two Kats (Art's Chili and Heart 2 Heart)in my life have blessed me with the "Loyal Friend and Visitor" Award.

I was not sure of what to do with the Award, honored as I am to be given it by two of my favorite blogging women, but Kat from Heart 2 Heart helped me out.

Having received this special honor, I, in turn, want to extend this honor to Bobbie Jo and to De'Etta.

Both of these blogger gals are not just inspiring blog writers, but I have the honor of calling them friends. Please take a few minutes to hop on over and see for yourself!

Thankful Thursday

2009-09-10T06:14:00.001-07:00

It's easy to get caught up in the hussle and bussle and forget how truly blessed we are. Stop by Truth 4 The Journey to find out how to share your gratitude and see what others are thanking God for today.
What am I thankful today? My mother, my dear mentor, taught me to pray with thanks before anything else in prayer. This simple repetitive lesson taught me to see the blessings even in the midst of a great trial. Thanking the Lord for all the blessings rather than the out of the ordinary blessings taught.. ahem.. teaches me to be content with what He has given. Being thankful for the little things has taught me to take care of what I have, and as more blessings are added to what I already have, to share these additional blessings with those less fortunate then me.
1. SO… I am thankful for my Mother… My Mama.
2. I am thankful that the Lord blessed my Mama with the insight and wisdom to teach me His true Love, and His mysterious hand and works.
3. I am thankful that He opened her heart to Him so that she could teach me how to pray without ceasing, and in doing so have an open conversation with Him.
4. I am thankful that to this day, while troubles of all different natures abound in my family and with my parents, the Lord still answers my Mama’s prayers, and still makes His presence known to her.
5. I am thankful that even when Mama and I disagree when it comes to our views of His Word and His Plan, that He instilled a still and constant love between us that nothing can tarnish.

God's Chisel

2009-09-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

Last night at our Bible Study Kick-off, our devotion leader showed us this skit. Its powerful, and its humbling. Please, Lord, work in MY life... Please break down my walls and my barriers, and help me to stand in Your Light, and allow you to use your chisel on my life, my heart, my soul!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

2009-09-09T07:27:00.000-07:00

"It is OK to fail, but it is not OK to give up. " ~Kate, age 8
(from this site)

Homeschool Song of the Week

2009-09-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

The Kiddo and I work on music on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I thought it might be fun to find music that would reflect the previous week's Bible verse (if possible.) Last weeks verse was Psalm 119 v 105, and this week's song is a direct reflection of it. Most of us have heard it, have sung it, have prayed it... I hope you enjoy, as we are!

Not Me Monday

2009-09-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

I love reading these "Not Me Monday" blogs, so I am joining the fray!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

So here goes...

I did NOT throw a Premier Design party on Thursday night JUST so I could have my dear friend come down from Ft Worth! I did NOT talk myself into getting two bags of winerita mix and some expensive wine from D'Vine Wine down on Oakes so we could have yummy Ladies Night drinks at my house as we pored over pretty sparklies and baubles! I did NOT buy German-chocolate covered brownies, KNOWING full well that dear Heather is ALLERGIC to coconut! (Sorry, Heather!!!) I did NOT almost faint from shock over the amount my friends spent on this gorgeous jewelry! ;-)

Then on Friday, I did NOT make Amanda go dress shopping with me! I did NOT allow her to talk me into going into Old Navy where they were have $5 t-shirt sale, and I most certainly did NOT walk away with four new shirts for me, and a couple for the kiddo! I did NOT then wander the mall and find two stunning dresses that I can not decide on. I so did NOT decide to buy BOTH of them so the hubby can make his vote and so I can return whichever one falls short! I did NOT get lazy for dinner that night and opt for medium boneless chicken wings from Buffalo Wild Wings, and I did NOT ignore the Cowboys and Vikings while they battled it out in a pre-season game.

Saturday, I did NOT wake up late and keep Amanda from leaving for home when she would have liked. I did NOT agree with DH to go to IHOP and get the very cheesy and very yummy scrambled eggs part of their new promotion. I did NOT laugh hysterically at my friend Amber as she flat out told a customer that she would NOT serve them strawberries (she is a waitress there and is part of some sort of team competition- blueberries vs strawberries) with a straight face! (She WAS only joking!)

Later that day, I did NOT go with my sister-in-law to Unite and Conquer to see Addison Road, Skillet, and Third Day. I did NOT wish that I had paid closer attention to the website so I would would have known to take chairs. I did NOT wish that I had worn regular shoes instead of flip-flops so that my feet wouldn't be covered in three inches of dust. I did NOT understand or laugh at the lead singer from Skillet's comments about power ballads and their influence on my generation! I did NOT jump up and down in excitement over finally getting to see Third Day in concert! (Oh, and I did NOT admit to Cyndi that the lead singer is just too cute!... WHAT?!?!?)
I did NOT get home at 2 am and still stay up so I could read a little bit.

Yesterday, I did NOT fall in love with my hubby all over again over his simple spontaneous (and slightly frustrating) act of taking us mudding in our new truck! I did NOT find enjoyment in the fact that we got stuck in a shallow ditch, just deep enough and just close enough on both front and back of the truck with mesquite trees that we could not get enough speed or traction to get out. (If we were in an older truck, the shallow ditch would NOT have been a problem.. but we WERE afraid that we were really tearing up the paint job as it was... sigh) I did NOT climb out of the truck in my 'good' jeans, and 'good' boots to go sloshing in the mud for sticks, rocks, dry plants, etc to put in front of the tires in an effort to help it gain traction. I did NOT slip and slide and come close to falling flat on my butt or face as I traversed the muddy road for two hours. I did NOT find humor and contentment while the sister-in-law and three kids in the truck were really wishing we were anywhere but there... (I couldn't help myself... I LOVE LOVE LOVE playing in the mud! and was just fine waiting till help could come to us.) I did NOT opt to walk from the point where we were stuck (after our friends came out with shovels to dig us out) to the paved road about half a mile down JUST so I wouldn't get mud INSIDE the truck. hehe I did NOT express gleefully to the truckful of family how I LOVE a dirty truck! Last, I did NOT secretly HATE having to wash all the mud off of the truck!

((I hope I will be able to post some pics taken by our rescuer of our adventure in the mud!))

Proud To Be A Texan Today

2009-09-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

If you have kids in the public school system, you are no doubt aware of the fact that Obama is going to broadcast his speech to the kids in a school in Va to schools all over the country. There are many schools across the country that are giving parents and students the option on whether or not they want to participate, despite the fact that the Obama Administration is requiring the Department of Education make is available for every school.

Apparently, Texas is leading the way in its opposition to a forced viewing. What right does the White House have in forcing this this telecast on schools when it has not been reviewed by the educators or the parents? NONE!

I like how the Administration keeps trying to say that there is no political agenda behind Obama's speech to the children. Right. I like how all the media sources are focusing on Republicans as being the main source of opposition to Obama's address to our children, like no Democrats or Independents are concerned about having their KIDS force-fed something from the White House.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/My-Education-My-Future/

http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/prek-6.pdf

http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/7-12.pdf

I plan on linking up and watching the video-cast and using the 'aids' given. Looking at the 'aids' without the speech makes it appear harmless enough. My fear is that the speech will be anything but harmless, especially in light of the desperation Obama is showing in view of his lack of success with the Health Care Plan. A desperate man will do ANYTHING to get his way, and I can't help but feel that he is at that point already in his Presidency. He is all about rush, rush, rush, make a decision now, and no one in leadership should be that eager to push an issue that affects so many. (Wasn't that the Libs issue with Bush's post 9/11 decisions? Even though they themselves demanded blood while the heat of the shock was so real? But then once our veins cooled off, the Libs were quick to blame Bush for a whole slew of ridiculous accusations because he supposedly acted to quickly? How is Obama being any different with his push for quick action?)

I have no doubts that there will be political aspects to this supposedly harmless speech to our children. I hope he proves me wrong. In the meantime, please, fellow Americans, no matter where you stand, do not feel pressured to take part, or to have your kids take part, until YOU can see the speech yourself. YOU are part of your child's education more than anyone else. YOU are responsible for the way they are raised and the ideals that are impressed upon them. Let NO ONE take that away from you.

My prayers are for all the parents of our great Country... Whatever you decide to do on Tuesday, may your children's mind be clear and discerning.

Meanwhile, here in Texas, I take pride in our state leadership for forcing the issue that parents and children will have the FREEDOM to choose whether or not they want to participate, in that even if a school will not be showing the speech, avenues can be found for the students and parents who DO want to participate. I am becoming more and more proud to be a Texan!

Thoughtful Thursday

2009-09-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

Peaceful... I hope your day has a moment of peace,

where your soul knows true quiet and contentment, even for just a moment.
God bless!

Homeschool and Crafts

2009-09-02T10:48:00.001-07:00

Of course, as a kindergartener, the kiddo needs to know how to identify shapes, colors, etc. Well, he knows all that already, so in an effort to review last week, I had him draw some shapes, color them, cut them out, and make a mobile. (His scissor work needs much practice.. hehe)

This week, in addition to color, cut, and paste projects, the kiddo helped me make some "Thank You" cards for various people we visited on our vacation. The very last two cards he insisted on doing all by himself, and they turned out quite well, though I had to trim them down to fit in the envelopes.

Meanwhile, I have been working on crafts of my own. Last week, I finished making a harvest wreath, and last night I finished my first winter cap for the kiddo. You can see pics of them on my craft page.

Harvest Wreath

2009-09-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

I found a basic leafy wreath at Big Lots, and then a bag of harvest pumpkins, gourds, pine cones, and acorns.

Armed with a hot glue gun, I turned that leafy wreath into a Harvest Wreath that will adorn my front door after Labor Day.

My First Hat

2009-09-02T10:27:00.000-07:00

I was playing with some beautiful yarn that my friend, Stephanie, gave to me. It wasn't enough to make a scarf out of as I hoped, and since I don't know how to knit yet, I thought I would try to make a crocheted hat.

I followed no pattern, I just did what made sense in my head. Sigh...

It is certainly imperfect, but it is large enough for the kiddo to wear for at least two winters.

The little blue tuft at the top was at the kiddo's request.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

2009-09-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

"What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child." --George Bernard Shaw

Updates All Around

2009-08-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

So the garden first...

My corn died. A slow horrible death. There are tall dry stalks where my lovely green ones were. I am sad over the loss of my corn, but I know more for next year, so I shall try again. Maybe widen their growing area, add more soil. (The roots started coming up instead of going down most likely due to the the caliche... sigh)

My tomatoes... Sigh... I trimmed them back improperly, so they grew really tall and really top-heavy. They also started to suffer, so I have trimmed them down to a single stem and a lot shorter. To date, we have gotten almost 2 dozen tomatoes off the two plants. Not too bad considering... hehe

My broccoli... well, I was told over and over that it was too late in the season for them to do anything. Yet, I come back from vacation to find them almost 2 and half feet tall with little tiny heads all over the top of them. I am going to cut off all the beginner florets and see what happens as the weather begins to cool off again. (I see alot of broccoli in our future going off the size of the plants!)

My onions and cilantro... Well, the cilantro is dead too. Thank goodness, I had the foresight to pick as much as I could and dried it. So I have a ziploc baggie of enough dried cilantro to last through the fall and winter. The onions on the other hand have stood up to our dogs escapades and are making a comeback. I should be able to pick some soon.

The cantaloupe. Note that I do not refer to it as my own... lol. I do not really like cantaloupe, so the fact that the vines have thrived kind of irritate me. However, again, during our vacation, the melons on the vine were over-ripe and rotting by the time I was able to get to them. So I have trimmed back the vines, cleaned out the rotten melons and am nursing the younger melons to help them to maturity and into a fruit salad for my boys.

The front flower bed and our red oak.

DH and I finally fixed the circle around our red oak. He pulled out the tiller and cleared out all the grass and weeds for me. We then put a edger around the tree, put down a thick layer of soil, covered it with fabric and ricks from around our yard, and viola! We have a pretty ring around our tree... and weedless I might add!

Our flower bed... ah... I love it! The hibiscus, oleanders, marigolds, ruellas, and daisies are thriving! In the spring, I am planning on planting marigolds all the way across the front, as they are so thick and help control the bugs. The daisies will be pulled out this fall and transplanted to the back yard, maybe in pots... I don't know yet. But for now, I love our flower bed!

How to Make A Blog Button

2009-08-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

Dear Kat's daughter tried to help me with a blog button, but for all her incredible work, I couldn't get the code to work. (Thank you so much for your efforts, Brianna!)

So, I began a mission of research and trial and error. And after all the completely stumping and frustrating work, I finally have a button!

In an effort to save you all some time and effort, I thought I would share how I finally figured it out.

First, I right clicked on the background of my blog, and saved the file to my pictures on my computer.

I then opened that file with Adobe Photoshop and added text and edited the picture until I had what I wanted.

I opened an account with Flickr.com and uploaded my picture there. Flickr.com gives you the ability to resize the picture without losing the integrity of the picture.

I then found the code HERE at Fab Tutorials. Click on "download." I copied and pasted the code into a word document so I could play with it until I got it right.

To get your picture code, right click on the edited picture, click "properties" at the bottom. Copy the complete address, and paste in the areas designated above. Then enter your blog address in the area specified above.

In Blogger, click on "Layout" and "Add Gadget".

Choose the "html" gadget.

Paste your completed code and save.

Preview your blog before saving the changes, to make sure the code works correctly.

Enjoy!

Are You Coming to the Fair?

2009-08-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Kat from Art's Chili got an idea from a friend, and ran with it!

I hope to see you there!!!

Thoughtful Thursday

2009-08-27T12:55:00.001-07:00

On our vacation, I was able to take a ton of pictures of beautiful vistas and views, many of which did the real-life view any justice at all. I was also able to take tons of pictures of flowers, which I love. This one was taken in my Aunt Ruth's back yard. She has a glorious green-thumb, and this group of flowers were just one of over a dozen different varieties all over their yard! Flowers like these, like clouds, remind me of the beauty of life, the frailty of life, and the hope of life.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

2009-08-26T06:31:00.000-07:00

"Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty." ~Ronald Reagan

The Journey We Took

2009-08-25T15:39:00.000-07:00

Our Vacation (part one)

2009-08-25T13:21:00.001-07:00

We just returned from our two week vacation. We wanted this vacation to be relaxing so we decided to take home with us, rather than rely on hotels or friends or family to put us up. So we rented a 31’ RV from a local RV place. We stopped in El Paso, Anthony, Santa Fe, Howard, Salida, St Elmo, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Golden, Mud Lake, and Colorado Springs.

The RV

We rented a 31 foot Ford Atlantis. It was absolutely a rental! We didn’t realize just how run-down our house on wheels was until we were almost to El Paso. At our first fill-up, not even to El Paso yet, we got a measly 6 mpg. Once we left that first gas station, my seat-belt started making this horrendous popping sound over every bump in the road. As our trip progressed and we climbed to cooler temperatures where we could keep the a/c off, our gas mileage improved dramatically reaching almost 10 mpg. However, everything else seemed to get worse. By the end of the trip, both sun visors had popped out, losing their screws and causing white insulation powder to float down on us. The drawers in the kitchenette had to be tied to the faucet in order to keep them closed while we were driving. The bathroom door had no real latch on it, so it would slam open at random times. The generator, which used very little propane the entire trip, only ran of we were on a perfectly flat and level area. However, we ate out only four times, the rest of the times making our own meals in the RV or eating with friends and family at their homes. We were able to sleep in or rise as early as we wanted. We were blessed to be met by friends and family, but if no one was where we were, we were perfectly content to relax by ourselves, reading, talking, exploring, or playing games. So despite the flaws of the RV, the unanimous vote is that she was worth every cent we spent on her!

El Paso, Texas

We picked up the RV and headed straight to El Paso. Now, I know most people abhor West Texas. In fact, many people who I shared pictures with of the drive from San Angelo to El Paso made comments about how boring the view was and ugly the scenery. Me? Ha! I love West Texas! It has a beauty all its own wrapped in the ruggedness of the landscapes. I enjoyed the drive as much as I did when I was younger when I first fell in love with Texas. Granted, the scenery is nothing compared to some that we saw later on, but it, to me was still breathtaking and pleasant!

Once we reached El Paso, we headed to Brett’s Aunt’s house. I had never met her before, so I was pleasantly surprised to see and feel the warmth of her personality and her heart. She greeted us with open arms and took us in and made us feel right at home! Once thing that struck me was the dual sides of her nature. She has this beautiful car collection, her tomboy side, yet she also had this beautiful kitchen with hand painted and appliquéd cabinets, her girly side. Oh yes, she and I were a lot alike. I just regret that the time we spent with her was so short.

However, there was more family to meet. From her house, we went to Brett’s cousin’s. They own a paint ball field, so Brett and Stephen were able to go out there and try their skills with the ‘big gun’ and shoot at some targets. From there we went to see Brett’s Grandmother’s old house, which had changed so much since Brett’s childhood that he didn’t recognize it at all. We then spent some time with one cousin and then drove over to another’s house where we had a mini-reunion with another Aunt. At this cousin’s house we parked the RV, and settled into a late evening of swimming, talking, eating, and playing Phase 10.

Anthony, New Mexico

The next morning, we had a huge breakfast with Brett’s cousins. We left from there to meet Brett’s Great-Aunt in Anthony. When we drove up to her church to meet her, I saw her standing outside in her bright blue muumuu, and I was moved almost to tears. His dear Great-Aunt reminded me instantly of my Grandmother, and for the first time in years, the weight of how much I miss her hit me. This dear warm lady took us to lunch and then had us follow her home. Brett spent the time there reminiscing over trips during his youth. We got the grand tour of her gorgeous house while the kiddo entertained himself with her two little doggies and a stash of children’s toys she had in a cupboard. Once we were getting ready to leave, Brett’s Great-Aunt showed us a gorgeous music box with interchangeable discs. Stephen loved it and showed a lot of enthusiasm over it, so she gave to him as a gift. Brett and I were overwhelmed by such generosity, as it is obvious that the box was quite expensive at one time. Alas, our time there was too short. We headed back out on the road and headed to Santa Fe.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

We made pretty good time driving up through New Mexico. We drove through Albuquerque, which I was not impressed with. (I have heard from so many people that it is such a beautiful city, and yet it looked so much like El Paso, which those same people thought was ugly… quite funny actually) However, as we crested the rise overlooking Santa Fe, I was pleasantly surprised. Santa Fe is a very clean city, and the locals have taken great care to keep the natural elements of its beauty in tact. There are no business signs to distract from the scrubby pines, and rolling hills. Plus, the weather, for being the middle of summer, was just so nice! We were able to finally turn off the a/c while we were driving, roll down the windows, and just enjoy the fresh air!

That night we met with our friend, Mo, who drove to meet us from Clovis three hours away. Not many friends (ha or even family) are even willing to drive that far anymore! So he met us at Los Campos RV Resort, where we spent two nights. While Mo was visiting with us, we went down into Old Santa Fe. We visited the Loretto Chapel and the ‘Miraculous Staircase.’ I had a hard time not being cynical of this miracle, having grown up with my Dad. Not to mention, not even the people who now privately own and profit from the ‘miracle’ placed much faith in the staircase as they supported it to the floor and to the wall in three different spots. BUT the staircase IS beautiful, and the story is inspiring, and I am glad that we went, though how Brett and Mo didn’t get struck down by lightening for their jokes is still beyond me! ha!

That evening, before Mo had to head back, he treated us to dinner at India Palace! Oh my goodness! I have missed good Indian cuisine! I, of course, had the tandoori chicken with endless refills of the best Indian Chai I have had in a long time! The kiddo ate off our plates, so he was able to try my chicken, Brett’s beef, and Mo’s shrimp. He preferred the rice with its sweet sauce. (Forgive me for not remembering the names of the dishes… I neglected to leave with a menu..hehe) That dinner with our dear friend was the perfect way to end our visit with him!

Howard, Colorado

The next morning, we woke up, packed up, and said goodbye to Santa Fe. (Though I am fairly certain we will visit it again soon!) We began the next leg of our trip to Howard, Colorado where my in-laws have their new home. We began to get into some really gorgeous country as we hit the San Juan Mountains and Carson National Forest. With the cool breezes, beautiful rock formations, and thickly treed forests, I found it hard to tell Brett to keep driving! We missed one of our turns so we headed further west into the National Forest than we originally intended, but the drive was just that much more gorgeous, and we easily found our way back to where we needed to be.

Funny, though, once we left Carson National Forest, and crossed into Colorado, everything got flat as a board, and almost treeless! We drove through beautiful farmlands, but even the Rockies were hidden from view until we were almost on top of them! (ahem.. the Sangre De Cristo Range) I was vaguely disappointed at first, because my childhood memories of the Rockies made them visible well before we even hit their foothills. Alas, time and our ‘footprint’ have increased pollution to the point that even up in Rocky Mountain National Park, clear days are no longer so clear. (as we found out later)

Once we got into the middle of the range though, we were met by breathtaking views of valleys and gullies, mountain streams and rivers, rocky outcroppings and sheer faces. When we got to Salida and turned East to Howard, we were able to drive along the beautiful Arkansas River as it rushes and rolls on its path East.

While we were in Howard, we were able to head into Salida and up to St Elmo. St Elmo was a real treat for all of us. When we got there, we found a little jar filled with bags of sunflower seeds for sale for 50 cents that we could feed to the chipmunks and ground squirrels. The furry little creatures were indeed fearless as they ate from our hands, climbed up and over us in search of more seeds, and dashed every which way with their little cheeks full! The old town itself is mostly deserted except for a general store and some small residences back off the main drag. I adored the little town with its plank wood buildings and collection of rusted metal tools and antiques scattered here and there.

From St Elmo, we drove around and up to the Continental Divide. Unfortunately, my camera’s battery had died at that point so I couldn't take pictures of the fantastic view. Oh well.. next time. From there we had lunch at a great little restaurant, and then spent some time in Salida visiting an art gallery called “Art Matters'” whose owner is friends with my Mother-In-Law. While there, the kiddo voted for one of his favorite paintings, a panorama of mountains, for a contest the owner was having for her artists. After spending some time in Salida, we spent the rest of the evening in Howard enjoying the cool evening and the company of my in-laws.

To be continued….

Homeschooling... YIKES!

2009-08-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow begins our first day of school... Homeschool.

I am excited and terrified both at the same time, but I am fully prepared... or at least I think I am! ha!

I have the schedule all worked out, and saved to a file on my computer, as I will have to keep detailed records of what we have covered for Kindergarten for when I move to the accredited program next year.

Granted, after Week One, I may shift the schedule around a bit, but the course work is pretty firm. I am thankful for all the homeschool mommies who have been so eager to share their resources and ideas with me! I will blog again at the end of the week to let you all know how we fared.

The first six weeks will be mainly review. The kiddo can already read at almost a 2nd grade level, so the alphabet and phonics portions of K are merely for formal documentation as having been accomplished and are thoroughly review for him. He already knows shapes, colors, basic logic, etc, so those too are also review. Once the first six weeks is completed, we will be changing the curriculum to add Bible and a Foreign Language and take out Basic Skills and Alphabet/Phonics.

So here is our schedule so far:

Every Day:

Pledge of Allegiance/Daily Prayer
Bible Verse of the Week

M-W-F:

Basic Skills (shapes, colors, drawing, etc)
Playtime
Math
Phonics/Alphabet
Lunch
Social Skills
Science

T-Th

Computer Skills
Playtime
Music
Reading
Lunch
Art
Review/Enhancement (For extra help on areas that he may not understand)
Martial Arts (as Physical Education)

The kiddo has already seen all his new school books and work books, and he is excited to start. We are planning on staying on the same schedule as the public school as far as days in class, and days off, but since I will still have to fulfill outside obligations and household obligations, some of those days may not always be in-sync.

I have also decided that I will not accept phone calls during school hours, unless I hear on the machine that it is something important. Schooling the kiddo will be as much a lesson in self-discipline for me as it will be for him! lol I just hope I do my kiddo justice in keeping him home to teach him. I know for a fact he would be bored to tears in public school, minus the fact that he will be surrounded by new kids. So once we get our schedule firm and practiced, I will get him involved in some other activities outside home so he will still have time to meet and socialize. But seriously, his socialization at this point is not my priority mainly due to the fact that he is perfectly fine among kids his own age, as well as other adults. His personality is just one where he meets no strangers! lol

So keep us in your prayers my friends! This week, and most likely the next couple, will take some getting used to, and will no doubt be challenging! ;-)

Short Note

2009-08-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

I have been away for the past two weeks on our family vacation. With laundry piled up around our ears, and stacks and piles of belongings waiting to be put back in their proper places, along with prepwork for Stephen's first day of homeschool, I have little time this weekend to really devote to blogging.

However, as soon as I have a few moments, I WILL blog about our trip with pics and everything!

I have missed my blog-world!

Letter to Obama

2009-08-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

I got this from a friend, and decided to send the link from snopes to prove that it was verified. I am not surprised at all that The New York [Lib] Times did not deem this worthy to publish this letter from this prominent man.

Here is the link:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/youscareme.asp

(Please note, there are some portions of his letter that I do not agree with, but overall, the letter is a true gem! Also, my jibe at The New York Times is not an open invite for anyone to make nasty comments... I am proudly not a Liberal, and do NOT want to argue about it!)

Water Valley Park Cancer Benefit

2009-08-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

The Knightriders Motorcycle Club is hosting a benefit on 30 August 2009 at the Water Valley Park in Water Valley, TX.

Proceeds from the benefit will help support a young, local mother who was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Krista Tribbett is 27 years old and is the mother of two children. She has already lost 44lbs and is scheduled to have her stomach removed prior to starting chemotherapy. Krista is unable to work due to the cancer.

Some of the activities planned for the benefit include:
· Live Bands/DJ
· Raffle and Auction
· 50/50 Poker Run
· Wrestling Expo courtesy of New Order Wrestling
· Blood Drive
· Dunking Booth
· BBQ

I know I am sending this will be read by many of you who could not possibly attend.

However, if you feel led to make a donation, feel led to add Krista to your prayer list, feel led to pass this on, then YOU too can help!!!
For more information, send me a message or email me at cborden77@yahoo.com. Thank you! And God Bless you!

Thoughful Thursday

2009-08-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

Impromptu Science Lesson at a local park. We start Homeschool on the 24th, but true to the philosophy that I have held to since his birth, EVERY moment is a potential teaching moment. One of these was at a local park as we talked about different trees, seeds, flowers, roots, and even discovered and identified tracks of different animals and birds in the mud by the river. As long as he asks questions, we will take a time out to learn the answer! Here he is holding a pecan he found on the ground, and a pecan he picked off a low-hanging branch.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

2009-08-05T07:14:00.001-07:00

"If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears." ~Cesare Pavese

Universal (ahem... Socialist) Healthcare~ Have YOU read it?

2009-07-31T12:05:00.001-07:00

I have FINALLY gotten the link to the ObamaCare's "H.R.3200 America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009".

Its pretty heavy reading, and if you have no idea about medical terminology or legal jargon, then you can come here and read the notes and make side-by-side comparisons for yourself.

I highly recommend trying to struggle through the actual plan and THEN reading the list of high-points as noted in the 2nd link to help you make heads or tails out of it all.

I am truly ashamed that ANY of our Politicians would consider this plan with ALL of these blatant attacks on our CHOICE and our PRIVACY!

Please go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ to share your opinion.

Here is a copy of what I wrote, sent to the above link, and will be sending to my Congressmen and Women.

"To Whom It May Concern,
((Caps are being used merely as emphasis, not as outbursts.)As this applies DIRECTLY to the VOTING population of the USA, WHY is this health care plan not being offered to the PEOPLE to vote on directly? I trust MY Congressmen and Women from the State of Texas to represent me properly, but I want MY voice heard. No one in our Government has the RIGHT to take away MY right to choose MY health care, MY family care needs, or how I want to PAY for any services received. I have read the proposed bill, and there is simply TOO MUCH that has Big Brother written all over it, Big Government intertwined with it. Too much taxation, too many benefits for non-residents, too many regulations on we over-regulated citizens. I am NOT in favor of socialist health care reform, and that is exactly what this plan is. ANY educated American who has the time to muddle through this Bill will see it plain as day! I beg the powers that be to take a closer look and to reconsider. If not, at least hand it over to the people to vote on, the TRULY unbiased and TRULY affected population!Thank you for your time."

If you are in Texas as well, please contact Senator John Cornyn , Senator Kay Bailey-Hutchinson

The Soundtrack of My Life (So Far)~ Part One

2009-07-31T08:32:00.000-07:00

I know we can all relate to the suggestion that certain songs (and even smells) throw us back down memory lane, to good times and bad times, to people we have loved and hated, to lessons learned, to family and friends. Songs and smells have a huge impact on my perception of my past.

The smell of sawdust, for example, takes me back to when we first moved to Florida. I was in the 2nd grade. We moved because of my Grandma's health, and so we could be close to my Uncle and his family. There we were, waiting for our house to be set up two hours away, and living with my Uncle outside Bristol, Florida. My Dad who was on Medical Retirement was not able to show income, so he and my Uncle decided to make and sell clocks, bunk beds, and tables, which my Uncle would peddle on his road trips. Our entire family helped with the manufacturing. We kids sanded, stained, helped pour resin, and occasionally got to help with the assembling. We were always hot and sweaty. We always woke up in the morning wishing we could just sleep in, or maybe just lounge around and watch TV. We often prayed for rain which would stop it all cause the humidity did more damage than good. At the end of the day, we were ravenous and exhausted. Yet somehow, now, I look back on those too short months and I miss them. And the quickest way for me to flashback to those sultry sweaty summer days is to catch the scent of fresh cut wood or pass a pile of aromatic saw dust.

(Grandma, Stephen, Uncle Ed, Mama, Aunt Ruth, Uncle Joe, and Gene...

Starting with Grandma and working clockwise around the table)

Anyway, back to music. I thought it would be fun to make a list of songs that correspond or remind me of different times of my life. To start:

"If I Was A Butterfly" I have no idea how this goes anymore. The words have long ago been forgotten. I do, however, remember the tune, and I often catch myself humming it, and then transported back to when I first heard it. I was 5 I think. I remember my parents just found a new church about an hour from our house. I was really bored during the service but was allowed to go to Children's Church halfway through. It was at one of these sessions that we were taught this song. This was my first real experience with Sunday School and Church and this was the first Christian song I ever learned. I remember loving the song and singing it over and over to my Mom. Its one of the songs that I wish I still knew the words to.

"How Great Thou Art" After we started going to church, my Mom found a passion for prayer and for reading the Bible and for memorizing prayers and hymns. Every morning, especially when I was not in school, my sister and I would climb onto Mama's bed so she could read us a Bible Story, teach us a prayer, and sing a song with us (or more often then not, to us...ha). Among the songs we learned was "The Lord's Prayer" as sung by Sammy Hall, and "How Great Thou Art" as sung by Jim Neighbors(sp). Those mornings still stand out in my life as bright moments of Faith building! I KNOW I would not be the Christian I am today if not for those mornings in prayer with Mama. Those were the moments she encouraged us to pray ceaselessly... We pray together, but when we are apart, there is no reason to stop talking to Him. So now, to hear, or to sing "How Great Thou Art" is a very emotional experience for me. I literally get slammed back into those years with Mama, and all the appreciation, all the lessons, all her Faith, all her Passion for Christ, just hit me like a tidal wave, and I am lucky indeed to make it through the first verse without breaking down and bawling like a baby.

(Mama, my sister, and I at Disney World)

"Think We're Alone Now" Fast forward a couple years. I was in the 3rd grade at a new school. We had just moved from our Uncle's house into our new house not far from Mexico Beach, Florida. I was starting the 3rd grade in the middle of the year and was very shy and unsure of myself. On the school bus was a boy in my class and his older sisters. For some reason, his sisters took a liking to me and were constantly offering me compliments. At the time I didn't know what it meant, except that it was obviously very cool, to be 'going out with someone.' So when this boy's older sister's asked me if I liked this boy and if I would 'go out' with him, I said yes. LOL Of course, this bumped my standing up among my classmates, for a short while, and I found myself often given sweet little tokens of affection from my 3rd grade romance. One of those tokens, which I still have, was a recorded cassette of Tiffany. I wasn't allowed to listen to anything other than Christian, Classical, and Oldies at home, so when I got this tape I was very careful to play it quietly in my room. I instantly fell in love with the second song on the cassette... "Think We're Alone Now" which transported me to all kinds of different fascinating and naive trysts with my 'boyfriend.' Now, though, when I hear that song, I feel a kind of longing for that innocence and almost a bit of shame that I WAS so naive about the whole thing and about what the song was REALLY about. lol Still, though, the song represents a special moment of acceptance among my classmates when nothing else I did could gain me that.

"Blame It On The Rain" I have written previously about my cousin, Stephen. Stephen LOVED everything musical. Of course, at that time this song was a huge hit, and was one of Stephen's favorites. I remember this particular summer as he was spending a couple weeks with us, he was able to coax my Mom into letting us listen to Sunny 98.5 which played a mix of old and new, and often enough played songs that normally my sister and I weren't allowed to listen to. So one evening, Stephen is standing in our kitchen as this song comes out, and he just starts belting it out, and acting out as though he were an actual singer. How his face lit up as we all started laughing and singing along! His talent, absolutely, was to bring happiness through song. From memory, he would sing us "Red, Red Wine," "Lean On Me," and his absolute favorite "Don't Worry, Be Happy." To be honest, any of these four songs are quick ways to remind me of the times we spent with Stephen, especially gathered around the dinner table, or right after dinner as he would entertain us with song.

"Daddy's Hands" So many of my favorite memories involving my Daddy are those as we were working out at his shop. Oh, I gave him plenty of trouble as he tried to coax me out, force me out, and finally threaten me out to help him with various projects around the yard. He didn't often have to do much to coax me out to work on any of the vehicles, though. While I didn't retain ANY of the knowledge of working on cars, I did retain the moments of conversation, the radio always on in the background, the oil, and grease on our clothes, hands, and faces. I loved those moments watching him make things that didn't work come back to life. Not to mention, I have always had a fascination with my Daddy's hands. I will never forget the first time the song came on while we were working on the EXP. I remember distinctly pausing and listening to it, and thinking just how perfect the song was for my Daddy. Ever since, it has been a favorite song, and ever since, I have held those memories of moments with my Hero very close and dear to my heart.

(My Daddy)

"This Used To Be My Playground" It was two long years after Stephen passed away and I hit the worst emotional low in my life that I heard "This Used To Be My Playground" in A League Of Their Own. This song is the marker for that time in my life right up until I finally made peace with Him over taking away my dearest friend at such a young age. I felt totally robbed when Stephen left us, and I couldn't force myself to cry about it even though inside my heart was ripped in two. This song helped me shed tears. It touched a chord in me that to this day I cannot really explain, except that the pain I felt over the loss of Stephen, I knew would be amplified a million times over if I ever lost my sister. And just the thought of how frail life can be, and how quickly I could lose her, was enough to make the waterworks and the emotional outlet begin. I know this song was an outlet for my sister too, it was for a very long time the one song I would ever hear her sing. Hearing her sing it, even to herself at barely a whisper, brought me comfort because I could offer her none as she took Stephen's death MUCH harder than I did.

"What's Going On?" (by the 4 non blondes) The song of my trip to San Antonio and beginning of a love-affair with a city. I am sure most people who know me, know that I tend to abhor city life and living. Yet, here I was in San Antonio with my youth group for a youth convention. The theme song for that week was "What's Going On?" and how appropriate to the crazy feelings that city invoked in me from the beginning. To this day, San Antonio is my favorite city. I love everything about it, yes, even the crazy traffic! That trip I felt a freedom and an abandon that I had never felt before. There I was with a group of gals and guys, some that I admired and loved, some that I wasn't too sure about, and some that I was more apt to avoid, and I found a kinship with all of them! I found myself on the River Walk, or walking down sidewalks to the stadium, and surrounded by thousands of other Christian youth, welcomed by this big city and embraced by the locals as though we were celebrities. Looking back, I bet most of the locals were both humored and irritated by the sudden influx of teens with blue backpacks trailing like streams on their streets, but at the time I only saw smiling faces and only heard welcoming greetings. I will forever love San Antonio, and will forever be reminded of my first adventure on her streets by this song.

.... To Be Continued....

Thoughtful Thursday

2009-07-30T06:13:00.001-07:00

If there is one thing I have learned so far in this life, its that the relationship I have with my sister is a treasure worth more than almost any other relationship I will ever have!

To my Sister: Thank you for being my best friend! I love you!

Wednesday's Words Of Wisdom

2009-07-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

"I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer."
~Benjamin Franklin, On the Price of Corn and Management of the Poor, November 1766

At A Crossroads...

2009-07-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

This weekend, some doors opened up for me, and now, with lots of prayer and research, I have some choices to make.

First, I am IRR, no longer Active Reserve. I do not know how this happened though I suspect that when I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2007 my reserve unit in Hawaii either honestly didn't know what to do with me, or just passed me to IRR status because it was easier. (Now I know why I have not been contacted by any units asking my I wasn't participating in UTA's.. hmm) So at my first Muster this weekend, I find out that the medical side of the Reserves are severely bloated (over-manned), so if I still want to retrain I should be able to... IF my Dr. and the Reserve Personnel Center decide that I am still able to be in the Reserves. SO! IF they say yes, then I have to decide if I want to retrain to become a Chaplain's Assistance which I have been begging to retrain into since I joined the Reserves, and undergo schooling, a possible drop in pay-grade, and be deployable, or do I want to retain my IRR status and take a chance as an inadequate Medical Technician, getting called back to duty and putting someone else's life on the line through my lack of training while retaining my pay-grade and not worrying about additional school.

Second, I had gotten some news about the new 9/11 GI Bill. OMGoodness! I would be a complete moron not to take this chance and go to school! The catch is, I have to attend at least half the classes in person, aka on campus. Well, of the schools that are hosted on base, and San Angelo University here in town, I cannot pursue a drafting degree, as it is not offered. I COULD finish my theology degree from Baptist College of Florida through their online program, BUT I would lose some of the benefits of the Bill because I would not be in a classroom. SO... I am making an appointment with the Education Office. My question being, could I use the 9/11 GI Bill for a degree in Animal Science from ASU while using the regular GI Bill to finish my Theology degree? Somehow I am sure the answer is no, but its worth asking!

Are any of you, dear readers, using either GI Bill? I would love some first-hand accounts of how to use it. Meanwhile, please lift me up in your prayers.

Gone International!

2009-07-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

I logged on today to find I had a comment from a very special woman in Moscow. (Click here to see her blog!)

After reading her beautiful message, I went over to my visitor map and realized I have been visited by folks from around the world! I am so excited! (Though I don't know why my friends from Down Under aren't showing up... sigh)

So I am sending a huge "Thank you!" to my international readers from Russia, Romania, South Korea, India, Hong Kong, Canada, and Australia!!! Please come again!

Universal (ahem SOCIALIST) Healthcare~revised

2009-07-23T09:31:00.000-07:00

I know you all think it is easy for me to say NO to the Health care plan as Obama is pushing it since I have health care coverage through the military as a dependent. However, in case you don't know, military medical coverage means I do not get a choice in which Dr I get. I also do not have any say in the provider assigned to my child. (I can ask to be given a different provider, but my request can be denied, after all, the military mission comes first.) I am not able to just get the services I need. I have to have everything approved, first by my Dr, then by a referral, THEN by Tricare. It is ALWAYS ultimately up to Tricare on whether or not I can get the procedure, medication, preventive medicine that I need. If I really do not care for the service received by military medical personnel I do have the choice to be seen off base but only after a referral and a wait on approval from Tricare, which can take up to a year depending on the reason for the request. Then IF I am approved, nine times out of ten, my coverage (as with most other coverages) will only pay a percentage, if at all. (Why do I share how MY medical coverage works? Because everything I have heard, read, and researched about the proposed plan is that National Health care would be almost an identical mirror of the current military medical care.)

Example 1: I had a lumpectomy in 2003. I have lumps in my breasts ALL the time. My mother has had several biopsies, and has been told that it is just a matter of time before one of them come back malignant, and then she will be dealing with breast cancer. I have asked for the past four years to have mammograms performed as preventive medicine to prevent any surprises. I am YOUNG! Too young, I have been told, to already have had a lumpectomy. EVERY Dr. I have seen (all military providers) have stated that I am what they would consider high risk for breast cancer. Yet, Tricare will not approve a yearly mammogram for myself or other women, EVEN ACTIVE DUTY WOMEN, in order to early detect and prevent the extra expense and emotional turmoil that breast cancer causes.

Example 2: None of our clinics, unless they are on a larger base, have walk-in appointments. You CAN walk-in, if you or your child are sick and you are tired of sitting on the phone all day waiting for an appointment that will be sometimes a week to two weeks later. However, if you do, you can guarantee that you will be sitting in the waiting room ALL day waiting for another (scheduled) patient to no-show so that you can see the first available provider, who normally won't be even remotely familiar with your family or personal medical history. OR you can take your chances and head to the nearest civilian ER and hope that Tricare will later pay for the visit and treatment that was needed, especially in cases of sick children. (I have a friend whose 18 month old had a severe bladder infection, high fever, vomiting, strange thick urine... Who had to take her child to the ER to be seen because medical personnel on base were too busy to fit her child in.)

Example 3: There is very little to no continuity of care. When you don't choose your Doctor or your medical treatment facility, and when the Dr you are given has over 400 patients to get to know, the patient-Dr relationship is sorely affected. When you go to an appointment, you expect your Dr to remember you from your previous visits, to remember WHY you are being seen, and why you are being followed up with. Under current military health care, that relationship is non-existent in most cases. I recently had two appointments within two weeks time concerning my fibromyalgia and the slew of blood work that was required with it. My Dr had to ask me three different times during that 2nd appointment WHY I was there? Completely makes you lose faith in the care you will get from that Dr if it was too much effort to glimpse at their last report on you, or glance through your medical record before they walk in the room with you, even though, understandably the Dr is WAY overloaded with patients that are thrust upon him in numbers that make it difficult to keep up.

So a Universal Health care plan sounds so good to many civilians I meet. (Minus those who understand that the Government is quickly becoming too powerful in our everyday lives, or those who have lived under socialist health care in another country~My mom and her family) I know how hard it is to get good medical coverage in the civilian world today. I understand the need for the medical world to have a complete over-haul. I have nieces who suffer from medical problems and when the economy hurts their parents pocket books, its the medical care needed that takes precedence over other bills. I have parents that are getting older and getting more frail, and their medical coverage is always a concern, though they do have it, AND the ability to pick and choose their insurer, their doctors, and their prescriptions.

The plan as Obama wants it will take all that away. Small and large business alive will not bother to keep their own insurers and medical providers.. it would be stupid for them to do so when they could save that money and let the government and the taxpayer pay for it! There will be NO CHOICE for the American public except to use what the Government provides. And no offense, I don't care how well the plan can be written and rewritten, do you really trust a government to take care of you, your child, or your family when they can't seem to save our economy, our budget, our other basic freedoms? I have yet to see ANY of our 'well-meaning' politicians offer to take a cut in pay, or to rewrite their own over-blown retirement plans, or to cut puff-projects in order to help boost our national bankruptcy. Yet, they want US to pay more for an already flawed social system. So much for Democracy.

Thoughtful Thursday

2009-07-23T07:20:00.000-07:00

Taken in South Korea in 2004. I took a ton of pictures on this trip to see Brett while he was stationed there. This is one of my favorites.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

2009-07-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

"If Americans believed in political correctness, we'd still be King George's boys - subjects bound to the British crown."

~Charlton Heston

What A Weekend

2009-07-20T07:52:00.000-07:00

So I get ditched by my hubby, both Friday night, and then Saturday morning. No matter, that I was on the couch all day Friday with a headache and body pain that made me nauseous. No matter that even though I really didn't want to spend the evening watching TV, I really DID want his presence in the same room with me. BUT he did ask, and I did swallow my selfish desire to keep him all to myself, and 'let him' go out on the boat and then golfing.

So Friday night for me was a bum night. I read some, I watched some music videos, which I rarely ever do, and I crawled into bed still aching way too late!

Saturday was much better. DH went golfing... and I took myself off to go shopping. I wandered with the kiddo through all the sale racks, finding several nice shirts for me, a pair of brown flops to replace my two year old ones that are so worn that I can feel small rocks through the bottoms, a cute new outfit for my nephew in the colors of my sisters wedding, and of course, a little Hot Wheels toy for the kiddo for not driving me crazy while I took my time wandering the store.

To top off the day, the guys felt bad for 'ditching' the wives, so they offered to keep the kiddos and let us get out of the house. Off to Chili's we went for some much needed conversation, even more needed time away from the kids, and small dinners that we didn't have to slave over as we entertain the kids.

Then we went to see 'The Hangover.' I haven't laughed so hard at a movie in quite a while. Granted, most of the humor was directed to a male crowd, and they went as far as they could go without getting a x-rating, but it truly was funny, and sometimes crude. I was glad we saw it right up until the movie ended and rolled right into the credits which were pretty much mild porn, and then I was just disgusted. (Maybe more by the fact that NO ONE had a chance to leave the theatre before blow jobs and boobs started plastering the screen, and some of the people in the theatre were well under 18 years old... um, closer to 11 and 12???)

I just do NOT understand the need for more and more movies,

even clearly adult movies to have to go that extra step...

Does it raise ratings? Is it merely for shock value?

Bleh.

What a disappointment to an otherwise great evening!

(Yes, it bothered me that much that it

over-shadowed the rest of my evening.)

However, I got to spend the evening with a dear friend, and THAT was a valuable experience!

But the weekend just got better.

Sunday morning, at 5 am, I get the call! My sister is on the road and on her way to visit for a few days! With my nephew! YAY!!! I was so worried that she wouldn't have the time with the impending move to Florida, but she made it anyway, and got here right around lunch! I am so happy to have them both here even for a few short days! And the little monkey, with his deep blue eyes, and chubby cheeks is just too much fun! The way he watches Stephen with wide-eyed interest and the way he gurgles and giggles, is just a blessing to behold!

Then the only disappointment of the weekend... DH and I were off to see 'Harry Potter.' We got there real early, made fun of the ads that really just aggravate us (remember when they had trivia and music before the previews?) So there I am sitting next to my love, stuffing my face with extra buttery popcorn, waiting for the movie to start... and then oh no... A deep grumbling in my tummy. NO! I made it a full ten minutes into the movie before I had to tell Brett that I had to leave. I was devastated! We both wanted to see this movie so bad, and here I am sick to the point of nausea, and I can't get out of the theatre fast enough! Bleh! (Though that is what I get for not eating enough yogurt this week to help control my lactose-intolerance)

So DH rushed me home...

Really, once my illness passed the rest of the day was really nice. I enjoy so much the time I get with my sister, as we talk about our kids, our hubbies, the plans for our futures, the hopes, the fears, the triumphs, the failures. I am going to treasure the next few days!

Helpless

2009-07-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

I just got news yesterday that my sister will be moving. Nothing is concrete, but when you are shoved up against a wall, and very few choices are left to be made, you have to take what life gives you and seek the open door.

So until things start turning around, she will be with my folks, and they will be helping each other out. This is the sweet part. My parents can hardly keep up with their property and household duties AND still both be working full-time to make ends meet. And my sister can't afford to go back to work while her kiddo is so young. So while her hubby is getting much needed training which will open more doors and opportunities for his job, she can be exchanging help to my folks for room and board.

I can't help but feel her frustration. We were raised with the ideal that once we are on our own, married or single, we should be able to take care of ourselves. Thank God, our parents understand just how tough it is on young families in this economy. Thank God, they are able and willing to offer the help needed, and thank God, my sister is not too proud to take it.

I also feel alot of guilt. I mean, here we are so blessed... and I feel guilty. I feel like I should be able to do something to be able to help my loved ones as they struggle through these hard times. I feel guilty for getting upset that I can't offer money to help them out because it would hurt their pride, and could later cause tension between various family members. I feel guilty because I can't help but think that its MY responsibility to take care of my family members who need care, in ANY form that I can give them!

So what do I do?

Praying ceaselessly for His hand to intervene and to guide offers an amount of reassurance. I KNOW that He will not lead any of my loved ones through anything that will harm them. I KNOW that there is a reason for everything that we will face as a family. I know that He hears my Prayers and is answering them in His way. However, I have very little patience (Lord, forgive me) and I want to get involved. I feel a huge tearing in my heart as I realize that there is nothing I can do... and a blanket of guilt that I cannot explain.

So pray for me, friends, as I continue to pray for those I love, and as I continue to struggle through my own helplessness to help like I wish I could. And please pray for my sister and her family as they are experiencing changes... and for EVERYONE affected by today's economy and misplaced 'help.'

Wednesday's Words Of Wisdom

2009-07-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.”

~George Washington Carver

Happy Birthday USA

2009-07-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

God Bless America!

A photo tribute to:

our Country,

our Service Men and Women,

our Hometown Heroes,

and our Families.

May we all remember

our Independence

and reflect on the necessity

to keep our Government

and Politicians accountable

TO THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE!

The Star Spangled Banner
~Francis Scott Key

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Queen Size Rag Quilt (in progress)

2009-07-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

Three rows complete. The above pics are just of portions of the rows. I already screwed up, but rather than take apart seams, which I hate, I am going to turn the mistake into part of the pattern, and see how it turns out.

Stay tuned for updates on the progress.

Thoughtful Thursday

2009-07-02T05:31:00.001-07:00

"Mommy's Hands"

Taken by the kiddo(4 y/o) of my hands when we were sitting in our back yard in Hawaii.

Big Boys and Their Toys

2009-07-01T12:40:00.000-07:00

I have my clothes, mostly tshirts and jeans. I have my tiny collection of shoes, mostly sandals and flats. I have my jewelry, mostly bracelets and earrings. I have my china cabinet, and my picture frames. I have a lot of stuff that in all honesty is stuff I don't really need. They are creature comforts and add to the definition of me without being me.. does that make sense? I know I am a very spoiled woman. There is not much that I want that Brett doesn't work hard to get me, though most things I want are for the betterment of our son or our house.

And yet... I want more. Granted, these three things are all super expensive. These things are not 100% necessary, except to improve upon some of my hobbies and interests... BUT I want them, and can't have them, and it irritates me!

I have wanted since I was 16 a Toyota Tacoma 4x4... Black... Extended Cab... Automatic... Towing package... Lift... Oh yeah! I want to take it puddle jumping (ahem, MY nickname for bogging or mudding). We have a neighbor whose truck fits very closely to my 'dream truck' and I can't help salivating over it! (Which sin is this I am committing? Oh yes... my daily battle to be content with what I have.. sigh) I have resigned myself to the fact that I will only get this dream truck if I sacrifice my kiddo's education and go back to work, or wait until he is grown and moved out.

I have also wanted for several years now (ever since my old one kicked the bucket) a new digital SLR camera. I do not allow myself to stroll by the camera section, even in Wal-mart because I can't resist picking them up, testing out their lenses, and imagining all the incredible shots I could be taking with that new one, rather than my dinky (but perfectly usable) digital camera. I would especially like one in time for our road-trip this fall to take in the awesome sights I know we will be coming across!

Last, for about the past year or so, ever since my dear Vaio had been hacked into the first time in Hawaii, and has never been the same, been wanting a laptop. True, my 'baby' is almost 7 years old, and is really too slow for most applications that I love to use, she really works just fine. I just really, really want something faster, and something portable.

Now... as to the title of this blog...

These three things I really want for myself. They would be solely mine. Not much I own other than the things I listed above, do I lay claim to as being 'mine.' Which for the most part, is as it should be. When you become a wife, everything is supposed to go from mine to ours. I do not disagree with that, and normally do not have a problem with that, UNTIL the big boy's toys come into play.

There is no such thing as an inexpensive hobby when it comes to our hubbies. Whether it be gaming, fishing, woodworking, rebuilding cars, or hunting... they are all expensive to start, and often expensive to maintain. I don't really mind my DH having hobbies, even if they are expensive, until I see money going to waste, or hear him offer excuse after excuse why I can't invest in MY own toys and hobbies.

So now, 'we' have a motorcycle, which I do not ride by myself, and rarely ever ride with DH. He enjoys it way more than I do. I just end up getting a stomach ache from worrying about the traffic around us, and whether or not they will see us. So the bike is 'his.'

We also have recently acquired a boat. Granted, it was passed down from his dad, but the money that will have to go into it to make it legal and to make it water and friend ready will be ... um.. staggering. Do I look forward to weekends on the lake? Of course... BUT will I ever be the one taking it out for MY friends? HUMPH... most likely not. So.. another toy that is really 'his.'

We also have 'his' truck. Oh, and he is SO protective of her (I call it a 'her' cause she obviously hates me as she dies or acts up EVERY time I need to be the one to take her somewhere..) Heaven forbid if I take her to Home Depot and move the seat up, or adjust the mirrors! Really.. its a berating that I can do without! lol Now, granted, the truck existed before DH and I ever started dating, and once we got married, should have become 'ours,' but that transition never really happened.

And his last toy... After we got married, we discovered DH was going to leave me and the kiddo for a year for an assignment. We talked it over and decided the cheapest way to stay in touch was via Internet. SO! During a really incredible sale, DH got himself a very nice laptop. It is an older model now, and to be fair, could do with being replaced. However, now that we are all home and happy, that laptop is strictly 'his' while my dinosaur desktop is 'ours.'

I do understand that boys need their toys. I do not have a problem with that. When DH rides his Harley, he is a happy, happy man. (Plus he's just a sexy beast in his leathers... hehe) The look on his face when he fired up the motor on the boat for one of his buddies was priceless, a look that I LOVE to see! The way he coddles his truck and protects it from everyone, even me, is easily overlooked when I compare the amount of loads that truck has hauled, and the number of trips we have taken in it. Even the silly laptop and his wargames are okay with me because I know they help him wind down especially after stressful days at work that he can't talk about.

I don't understand how getting nice furniture, dishes, or any household items can be compared. Number one, we ALL use these things every day.

Number two, even adding them all up together only

adds up to a portion of the cost of the bike or the

amount needed for the boat.

So.. am I the only SAHM that gets frustrated by the boy's toys? Am I wrong in my thinking? What about the men's views? I KNOW my DH's thoughts! lol So far it has remained only as a discussion point, as I am not really THAT worried about the things I don't have.

What are your thoughts?

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

2009-07-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

"From time to time, we have been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. But if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden. The solutions we seek must be equitable, with no one group singled out to pay a higher price."

~from his First Inauguration Speech (1981), President Ronald Reagan

(found on http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres61.html)

A Prayer For Our Nation

2009-06-29T06:10:00.000-07:00

The following has been falsely attributed to Rev. Billy Graham, and even to Paul Harvey. However, Pastor Joe Wright prayed this prayer in front of the Kansas House of Representatives in 1996.

There is Power in this prayer; there is Truth in this prayer. I believe we should be praying this prayer everyday as it will convict and cause change... the kind of CHANGE that we truly need.

"Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask Your forgiveness and seek Your
direction and guidance. Lord, we know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call
evil good," but that's exactly what we've done. We have lost our spiritual
equilibrium and inverted our values.

We confess that we have ridiculed
the absolute truth of Your Word and called it moral pluralism.

We have
worshipped other gods and called it multi-culturalism.

We have endorsed
perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.

We have exploited the
poor and called it the lottery.

We have neglected the needy and called
it self-preservation.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot
abortionists and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline
our children and called it building esteem.

We have abused power and
called it political savvy.

We have coveted our neighbors' possessions
and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and
pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the
time-honored values of our fore-fathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us oh God and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be
some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.

Guide
and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas,
and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state. Grant them Your
wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your will. I
ask it in the name of Your Son, the Living Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen."

Prayer causes CHANGE that men can only promise but never enact!

Please feel free to click on the links below, and pass this prayer on to your friends and family.
http://www.eaec.org/desk/joe_wright_prayer.htm
http://www.wghatap.com/mycustompage0050.htm
http://everything2.com/title/Reverend%2520Joe%2520Wright%2527s%2520controversial%2520prayer

Celebrating Life!

2009-06-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Stephen's 5th birthday. His day was jam-packed... Ha! MY day was jam-packed! However, I could not have pulled off his day without help from my Mother-in-Law who made the icecream, my Hubby who prepped the yard and grilled all the dogs, Steph who made the Lightening McQueen cake, and Jennie who helped with so much~ to include taking pics for me!

Thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated with us!

Thoughtful Thursday

2009-06-25T05:59:00.001-07:00

I have a fascination with clouds. When I was a little girl, I used to lie on my back and watch the clouds as they drifted over our house. There is the feeling of falling into them, or of them falling toward you as you stare at them long enough. I always wanted to see what the top of the clouds look like: are they as soft and fluffy looking on top as they are at the bottom? During our trip to Europe in 96, I discovered that they are indeed, and just as often, even more beautiful from the top as the sun plays across them, then they are underneath with the sun shining through them! To this day I can't help gazing at the clouds, letting my imagination wander, and appreciating the purest beauty of nature. (and then I sneak off another few pics of the clouds that I think are worth remembering!)
((The above was taken outside of Eden, Texas in the morning as we were heading to Fredericksburg for some shopping.))

Wednesday's Words Of Wisdom

2009-06-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

"The happiest life is that which constantly exercises and educates what is best in us."
~Hamerton

Azalea's Down... Dwarf Oleanders Step In

2009-06-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

So my two gorgeous azalea's have just been gradually turning brown and dying. I checked the ph, I added coffee grounds. I did not buy azalea food because for two tiny bushes, the amount I had to buy was insane. So I did the best I could with what I had... and they died.

My first plant death so far. My black thumb has struck!

But be not dismayed! I got up early this morning and traipsed on over to Lowe's Garden Center and got three dwarf oleanders to take the two azaleas place! These grow up to four feet high, which is perfect for in front of that window, and are spaced so that they will frame the window sill. I am rather excited to see how these do! They are supposed to grow quickly... and I think they will complement my hibiscus nicely.

Homemade Pesticide Update

2009-06-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

So I have to admit, I had my doubts. However, it has certainly helped! This homemade pesticide chased away the bugs, while not deterring at all the spiders or lady bugs. AND my tomatoes do not taste like hot peppers! VIOLA!

See "Homemade Pesticide" to see how we made ours.

We have a gallon left to use, and we spray it on in the evenings just once a week. I make sure to pay special attention to the dirt as well since that is where I have noticed the worst accumulation of bugs.

I am relieved that we have this to use and do not have to use something that could be harmful to us or to the plants!

Goodbye Oahu

2009-06-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Kat at http://artschilipepper.blogspot.com/ The rules were to 1)go into my picture file, 2)open the sixth folder, 3)find the sixth picture, and 4)to tell the story behind the picture.... 5)THEN to tag 5 more bloggers to do the same. Thank you, Kat!

The above pic doesn't so much have a story, but it is definitely the end of a chapter in our lives. Brett and I were living on Oahu courtesy of the military for three years. We lived on that island, traveled and explored, loved it, and hated it. We were miserable in so many ways as we were cut off from our closest family and dearest friends, not to mention we really are not beach people, and face it, Hawaii is all about the beach! (Yes, I know, there are other things to do, which we did... over and over and over again till we were sick of those things!)

Anyway, one of the must-see and must-do touristy things is to climb Diamond Head. Brett had already done so while his folks were visiting one Christmas, but I didn't go because I knew it would be too rough on me and Stephen. (Mostly cause I knew I would be the one to carry Stephen, and I wasn't sure how in-shape I was for this mostly staircase climb.) SO! I made Brett promise that just he and I would go before we left the island.

So a week before we left Oahu, we found a sitter for Stephen and set off to climb the mountain! I have to admit, I was a little disappointed once I reached the top. The view from the top of Diamond Head is NOTHING compared to other climbs around the island, unless of course you like cityscapes, which I do not at all. However, after huffing and puffing my way up those stairs I forced myself to snap some shots to prove that I had done it! lol I rather like the other shots better, because I got some of Brett and I, but this one isn't so bad cause at least it doesn't show Waikiki and Honolulu like so many postcards they sell from the street-side vendors there. You can't really tell from the pic, but it is actually of part of the crater of Diamond Head as well as the coast line as it extends to the east and north.

Tackling the Diamond Head climb was a great way to end our lives on Oahu. The climb for me and the views from the top were very similar to our life there. Much of life on Oahu for us was a challenge and a struggle, sprinkled with beautiful moments and memories, but just like the climb back down, the wrapping up of our life there was exhilarating and refreshing!

So.. Now for the tagging:
I will choose~
1. Bobbie Jo at http://justmebobbiejo.blogspot.com/
2. Cara at http://caramews.blogspot.com/
3. Lisa at http://chapmancrazyhouse.blogspot.com/
4. De'Etta at http://not2many.blogspot.com/
5. Kearsie at http://soundsliketomatoes.wordpress.com/

Forever Father

2009-06-20T06:23:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Father's Day. I wanted to take a few minutes to honor the men in my life who are not just biological fathers, but real, hardworking, well-intending Fathers whom we sometimes call "Daddy."

First, a quote to my Daddy. I still call him Daddy, I could never be comfortable calling him Dad. He is still larger than life for me, still a source of refuge in a crazy world, still a sounding block for my frustrations, and still a source of wisdom when I am confounded.

"It's only when you grow up, and step back from him,

or leave him for your own career and your own home—

it's only then that you can measure his greatness and

fully appreciate it. Pride reinforces love."

-- Margaret Truman

Next, a quote for my husband. To see him learn and grow with our son is one of the greatest experiences of my life. I get my breathe taken away as I watch them play, or watch him teach while my son learns. I can't describe the feeling that fills my heart when my son runs to the door to greet his Daddy after work, or the way he imitates his Daddy when he does his chores. It is an incredible blessing to marry an incredible man who then becomes an even more incredible father!

"A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child."

-- Knights of Pythagoras

However, Father's Day is also for Our Father. One Sunday when I was a child, I recall a sermon for Fathers asking them to reflect on Father's Day, not as a day to build and collect accolades of all their great achievements with their children, but to make it an introspective lesson of their fatherhood in comparison to our Heavenly Father. After all, where did father's learn examples of being good fathers?

1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place.

When he finished, one of his disciples said to him,

"Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
2He said to them, "When you pray, say:

" 'Father, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.

3Give us each day our daily bread.

4Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation.' "
5Then he said to them,

"Suppose one of you has a friend,

and he goes to him at midnight and says,

'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,

6because a friend of mine on

a journey has come to me,

and I have nothing to set before him.'
7"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me.

The door is already locked,

and my children are with me in bed.

I can't get up and give you anything.'

8I tell you, though he will not get up and

give him the bread because he is his friend,

yet because of the man's boldness

he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you;

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

10For everyone who asks receives;

he who seeks finds;

and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish,

will give him a snake instead?

12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

13If you then, though you are evil,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father in heaven

give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" ~Luke 11

Hallelujah and Praise to my Forever Father. Thank you, Father in Heaven, for your continual guidance, your unconditional love, your sacrificial Son, your ceaseless care, and the blessings of such an incredible Daddy and Husband! I hope and pray others remember You this Father's Day as the Ultimate Dad!

Thoughtful Thursday

2009-06-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

This year for our fifth anniversary, Brett got me the greatest gift... Our cat, Bailey.

Now, you have to understand, this gift of an indoor kitty was a HUGE step for Brett, who was convinced that indoor animals are smelly and dirty and would ruin everything in sight! I had previously begged and pleaded for a cat, cause I have never in my life been without a furry indoor or indoor-outdoor pet! Not to mention I am most definitely a cat person! lol So for our anniversary this year, Brett agreed to let me get a cat provided I could train it not to scratch the carpet or furniture, and would keep the fur under control. Tall order you think? HA! Our Bailey was trained after a week! She was young enough to be told once and disciplined once and know what she was allowed and not allowed to do! She is a great little playmate for Stephen. She loves company, is intrigued by little kids, and loves lap-time! I know Brett rolls his eyes at me when I thank him over and over for our cat, but one day, I think he will understand just how much a little bit of fur means to me! ;-)

Tiny-Taco Appetizers

2009-06-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

(We stole this idea from my brother-in-law, and we changed the recipe just a teeny bit.)

Venison Style Tiny Tacos

What you need:
1 lb ground venison sausage (we use the hot kind)
1 package reduced sodium taco seasoning
1 bag Tostitos scoops (we use the Hint of Jalapeno)
sliced jalapenos
sliced cherry tomatoes
1 bag shredded cheese (we use the Mexican Blend)

What to do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown and drain the sausage. Add the taco seasoning per directions on the packet.

On large cookie sheet, spread out the Tostitos scoops.

Fill each Tostito with 1-2 tsp of ground meat mixture. Top with Jalapeno and tomato slice. Sprinkle with cheese.

Place cookie sheet on center shelf in oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese melts and slightly browns.

Serve immediately!

Mild Beefy Style Tiny Tacos

What you need:
All the same ingredients as above, except substitute the venison for 1 lb lean ground beef or ground chuck.

Spicy Chicken Style Tiny Tacos

What you need:
All the same ingredients as above, except substitute the venison for 1 lb of pre-cooked and shredded chicken. (When we cook ours we season it with cayenne pepper and garlic-pepper before mixing it with the taco seasoning.)

This is a huge hit as an appetizer so we make a ton of it! We make different styles so that everyone can have some. I do not like super spicy, so I usually go for the chicken or beef ones. I also split the batches in half, using the sliced jalapenos only for half the batch. Also, regular Tostitos scoops work really well too if you do not like jalapeno flavor.

(I am making some this Friday, so I will take pics and post them for you all.)

Wednesday's Words Of Wisdom

2009-06-17T06:34:00.000-07:00

"Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you."~ Langston Hughes

Sweet Summer Memories: Summer with Stephen

2009-06-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

I am thinking of having my nieces take turns visiting with us for a week at a time this summer and this caused me to think about why. I remember summers spent with my cousins, though most of our time seemed to be spent most with one in particular, Stephen (my son's namesake.)

I wish I had pictures of the house in Bristol where we lived with my Uncle and my Grandmother until our house was set up in Overstreet. I wish I had pictures of the clocks and bunk beds that my Daddy and Uncle were making and selling at that time. I still remember the smell of the sawdust, and the stain. I remember the heat from the pour-room where we spread epoxy resin over the clocks to protect the prints. I remember the time Daddy spent, and the way he loved making his cut-outs. Those were such sweet memories, made even sweeter because of the time my sister and I got to spend with our three cousins.

We didn't always get along, but I think we will all look back on those weekends and summers with a bit of longing. My oldest cousin seemed really old to me since I was in elementary school and he was already in middle school. He seemed bored with the antics of us younger kids, and so we didn't spend that much time with him. I do regret that now. My youngest cousin, younger than me, but older than my sister, I both loved and hated depending on what we were doing. Today, however, I am eager to get to know her and her family better.

Then there was Stephen. I knew him the best of the three. He was my big brother in many ways, my confidante sometimes, and kind of a hero to me. I can't remember why exactly... I do think about that alot. I guess it was just the naivete of youth... for Stephen could do no wrong. In fact, if he were not my cousin, I would have had a hard time not developing a crush on him! lol And later, as I started developing ideas of what kind of a man I would like to marry, many of Stephen's qualities were added to that list!

My biggest regret in regards to the time spent with Stephen is that I have no pictures of him. I would love to have a picture of him with my sister and I on any of our hikes around our house, as we made up stories about old, over-grown trails, or hidden ponds. Our imaginations soared in those days! The hot summer days of walking dirt roads or poking around the pond or fighting who had to do what chore so we could go "play" seem so long ago... like faded black and white pictures. And that is all I have, faded and fading memories of sweet memories and sweet person who forever changed my life.

When Stephen was alive, I learned so many lessons from him. He desperately wanted a stable father-figure in his life. My Uncle at the time was a great man, and a great Father, but he was on the road more than he was in his kid's life, and Stephen really missed his presence. So he sought that presence in my Daddy. Oh, and my Daddy, who always wanted a son, was happy to do what he could. There will never be any doubt that my Daddy loved Stephen as much as he loves my sister and I. Watching Stephen and Daddy interact, fight, recover, and move on taught me alot about the to-and-fro struggle with boundaries and mutual respect. Stephen also taught me a love for music. I remember him once saying that music that we hear one day will be a reminder of that day later on; I think he called it a soundtrack for life. How right he was, and how he must enjoy watching me from Heaven as I slip into memories when certain songs play. He also taught me how powerful Faith is. I will never forget when he confronted his own Dad with some issues that he felt were unGodly, and how he didn't back down even as the man who he loved more than anything told him repeatedly he was wrong. Then later that day, as I was listening to my Uncle talk to my Dad, he expressed how proud he was that Stephen had spoken up, and that he hoped that meant great things for his future.

Yes, summers with Stephen were chalk full of wonderful memories. I think one of my favorites was when Stephen told my parents that he had become a Christian, while at our church, and that he wanted to get baptized. The overall feeling of that day, the beaming happiness I felt from Stephen, the overwhelming sense of pride from my parents, and the almost worshipfulness from my sister and I still hasn't faded. Ah.. and another favorite~ we had just moved into our house, and Stephen and my sister and I were all camping out in the living room in front of the sliding door. I remember lying there talking in hushed whispers with them both until we were too tired to even offer a 'harrumph' in response, but still too excited to close our eyes as the moonlight shone through and lit up the room in a blue light and the sounds of the country lulled us into our dreams.

These are sweet summer memories that came to a crashing halt ... But to this day, I know that while I still do not see the reason for it, the Lord has a reason... and those memories are precious jewels to remind me of a precious soul!

ABC's of Me

2009-06-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Just Me~Bobbie Jo, for letting me copy this.. hehe!

A - Age: 31
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: folding laundry... really... I don't mind washing, drying, or even putting it away, its the folding that gets me every time! bleh
D - Dog's name: don't have one yet.. working on it
E - Essential start your day item: toothpaste!
F - Favorite color: green.. In all its glorious and sometimes gross shades!
G - Gold or Silver or Platinum: silver or platinum... gold doesn't flatter my skin tone
H - Height: 5'10"
I - Instruments you play: none, sadly...
J - Job title: Mom
K - Kid(s): 1 son... our greatest Blessing
L - Living arrangements: married with kid and cat! lol
M - Mom's name: starts with an L.. hehe
N - Nicknames: Chris, Steener, Mommy
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: slept with Stephen after he had a plane part removed from his upper lung
P - Pet Peeve: lack of common courtesy
Q - Quote from a movie: from French Kiss with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline: "I mean, you can disconnect from everything but a kiss. A kiss is so intimate--two peoples' lips together, their breath a little bit of their souls... I just meant that a kiss is where the romance is."
R - Right handed or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: My sister who is my best friend, and two half-sisters who I haven't seen since I was a young girl
T - Time you wake up: usually before 8:30...
U- Underwear: Yes
V - Vegetable you dislike: beets... yuck!!!
W - Ways you run late: um... too many to list
X - X-rays you've had: chest for pneumonia, legs and ankles for stress fractures, head .. cuz I am insane! ;-)
Y - Yummy food you make: you's have to ask Brett and Stephen... I think I make the best mashed potatoes, but thats just me! lol

A Blog Story

2009-06-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

I am just a simple woman with A Plain and Simple Kitchen, I don't like alot of fancy gadgets and gizmo's. However, I do love Cooking for the Guys and seeing if they love the crazy concoctions that I come up with sometimes. Then again, there are more important things as I go
Along Life's Road, and By His Grace I will learn A Wife's Biblical Submission. Since God's Not Finished With Us ... I look forward to learning and growing, as well as leading and guiding my son as he grows as a child and a person. I am Just me but Much More Than Mommy ... I have so many hopes and dreams as I sit On the Front Porch and think about what it would be like Running 'Cause I Can't Fly. I recall and miss sometimes the good ole days and
Southern Hospitality, but I remember that its ~ Choosing Joy ~ that will see me through this thing called life... or maybe its something that Sounds like tomatoes ... Forgive me on this Manic Monday if I do not make any sense!

Making Monday... Smile!

2009-06-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

(((Thank you, SarahBeth, for sharing this link.)))

Okay, yeah, I cried... I dare you to make it through the next four minutes without being moved! Shoot, why not get up and dance along.. Ya know you want to! ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k

I hope it brightens up your day like it did mine!

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Tattoo Tale (continued)

2009-06-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

Last night was the night! Brett and I went to Bonnie Blue Tattoo; I sat in the chair, and I got the ink done!

Something like getting a tattoo is usually so trivial to so many people. Not for me. The reasons it took SIX years to finally get this tattoo were complicated. I have NO pain tolerance. Fibromyalgia amplifies aches and pains that normal people can just ignore. Course, I didn't know I had fibro until two years ago, but I have always known that my pain tolerance is really very low. Also, I had to be absolutely sure that the picture I had in my mind would be one that I would be proud to wear for the rest of my life- almost as crucial a decision for me, as was the man I was going to marry or the name we were going to give our son. There was nothing flippant about this tattoo. Nothing spur of the moment or spontaneous until I had it finally drawn out by Alena(there was no point in waiting any longer, and I was eager to finally get it done).

Now for the artist: Alena. This woman took the elements of this tat with no sketch from me. She took those elements and turned them into a piece of art that I am honored and proud to display on my back. She took each element and made it unique to itself, and yet they combined with each other so gracefully. She took my idea of antiquing it to a whole new dimension, and added a touch of drama by coloring the wound in the heart and the three drops of blood a bright shade of red! She was informative and patient. She knew this was my first tat, and offered and gave breaks as I needed. She also knew we were on a schedule (Relay for Life) and so she worked hard to finish in time, yet she didn't rush it! I hope that she is as proud of this tat as I am!

The pain: Okay. I am a wimp. I know this. I knew this going in. I was convinced I was going to bawl, or at the very least shed a few tears. I surprised myself. But then again, my rock was with me. Brett held my hand during most of the outlining, only letting go to snap a few shots. He talked to me, he assured me, he smiled at me, he just held my gaze when he could see I was really wishing at that particular moment to fly out of that room. Yes, the outlining was hell for me. I do not know how I kept myself from flinching, especially every time the needle ran over my spine, or touched those tender nerves on my pressure points(fibro related). I don't know how... so when she finished that portion, and I was able to get up and walk around, it was at THAT point that I wanted to cry from sheer amazement at myself! Then when we started again for the shading, that portion really was easy, up until the end when color had to be blended with color.

Once Alena was finished, I wanted to hug her so bad! I told her what each element represented, but telling someone how heartfelt something is, is all too often just too much for words. I have to trust that she knows that the fact that I loved her design so much, and that I sat through that last night was a tribute to her artistry and her understanding of my wishes.

I am eager to see how the next 30 days go and how the tat heals and the colors really come out. I am so happy that this finally came about, and so glad that we found such a talented artist to handle this tat: this tribute to my life, my loves, my family and friends, and most importantly to my Faith.

Thoughtful Thursday

2009-06-04T06:48:00.000-07:00

Rough sketch of my tat.

I put this together about two years ago, though I had it pictured in my mind for several years before. My printer is not working, so I was unable to print this out for Alena at Bonnie Blue Tattoo. Tuesday I got to see her sketch of the list of elements I wanted, and I was excited to see that her interpretation was very much like this one, with only a few minor details, which you will see once I get it done.