This is the stuff!

I love this new song! What a great reminder of what is really important!

(Nicole, that line about the phone...I totally thought of you!)

Good reminder!

My daily devotion from The Upper Room today is a great reminder and one I needed to hear today.

God Knows Us

"Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely."

In every situation we face today, we can rejoice that God protects, guides and loves.

Thought for the day: God knows us completely and loves us anyway!


Isn't that awesome!

Four-legged Mary and Joseph

Yesterday after the craziness of what Christmas morning brings, while we were all just hanging out, enjoying the sounds of kids playing, watching A Christmas Story on television, we had a couple of very unexpected visitors.

Andy glanced outside to check out the snow situation, hoping for way more snow than we were actually getting, only to see two yellow labs out in the windy, snowy and very cold weather. He then saw a mini-van pull up to the dogs hoping it was their owner. He saw a man trying to gather the dogs up and decided to go out and help.

When he got out there, the man was NOT the owner and was just trying to check to see if the dogs had tags and then call the owners. The dogs didn't have any tags, no way of knowing who they belonged to, and it looked like they had been out for a while. They were a mess. Dirty, wet and on top of that...the snow was finally beginning, so they had it all combined together to create two very dirty dogs. And to top it off, one (we'll call her "Mary") was very pregnant.

I came in and called the non-emergency number for the police. They informed me that they couldn't call the auxiliary animal control guy unless the dogs were contained. So we brought them into our garage to wait for someone to come and pick them up. I took out a bowl of water and we gave them a few milk bones and tried to keep our own dog, Charlie from freaking out.

As we were waiting for animal control to come, I told Andy that I felt like the inn keeper in Bethlehem on that magical night. And although our "inn" wasn't full, the dogs were really dirty and there was no way they would be coming into our home. However, we were able to place them in the stable (aka...the garage) to get them out of the cold. We let them lay down on warm towels and we got them out of harms way. We asked the man picking them up to look for our address and the bright star (aka...the porch light). Thankfully they were picked up before "Mary" had any puppies! (can you just imagine!)

My hope and prayer for them is that their owners have been notified to come and pick them up and that they return to a nice, warm, cozy home with owners who love them and have missed them very much.

It amazes me how God puts these little everyday things in our lives to remind us of the much more important events that have already happened to us. God is so good!

Mary & Joseph!

Learning to Trust

This past Sunday, Andy and I spent the entire day with the senior high youth from church. We left the church at 7:00 am and drove an hour and a half to a beautiful state park. The morning consisted of a small worship service and then a shortened version of The Amazing Race. We had 7 girls (the boys weren't brave enough to join us..hehe!) and we divided them into 3 teams. They did a fantastic job. I was so proud that they didn't get too frustrated until the very end. Great job girls.

H.U. & K.A., I'm sorry, but I don't know what happened to your team picture, sorry :(

While the girls were out "traveling" to different countries, Andy and I hiked the park. It was some great quiet time. We don't get that too often.


We then headed out and drove another 45 minutes to another camp. There we were introduced to this....

A high ropes course!

It took a lot of concentration!

and faith! (yep, that's me...)

but most of all, it took trust. Trusting yourself, Trusting God!

In the picture above, I'm getting ready to do the zip-line. I am standing on the second ledge (at the very top of the picture), 45 feet in the air. First you have to do the ropes course to even get to the zip-line...then climb the tree...then the zip-line. Just so you know, I'm NOT the adventure-some type. This was WAY out of my comfort zone...I mean WAY! I sat there for a l-o-n-g time, everyone was cheering for me...(thanks to all of you for the encouragement), but when it came down to it...I had to tune them all out...focus on something bigger...I had to trust that God was holding me in His hands. He wasn't going to let me fall. I had this overwhelming peace once I put the focus on Him. I leaned forward and fell. Tears were pouring out of my eyes the entire time. I was emotionally drained, but the feeling was something I don't think I've experienced before! What a trip!

Andy was in hog-heaven...all this stuff is right up his alley!

The goofy group picture!

This group of girls is the best. They used team work and were very encouraging to each other. I am proud of each and every one of them. You guys ROCK! I ♥ ya!

Pity Party!

Over the last few weeks, I've been having this private, poor-me, pity party for myself. I've been down in the dumps about my MS. I've been feeling just fine, so it's not because I'm feeling poorly. I'm just so sick and tired of being a pin cushion very single day. I have bruises everywhere and some of my injections hurt for the entire week, and then all of a sudden, I'm back at the same spot all over again. Honestly, it sucks!

Then when I start feeling this way, I feel even worse, because there are so many other people out there dealing with a heck of a lot more stuff than I am. I try to remember that I don't have it that bad. I always try to think of my cousin's little guy, Chandler, he is diabetic and gives himself numerous injections per day and he's only eight! Yes, 8 years old and so brave! He's such an inspiration.

Yesterday morning as I was watching the Today show, this little segment came on.

This is just another flashing-neon-sign from God in my opinion. Our health, including mental health, can be profoundly changed just based on our attitude. I'm going to get out of this funk and be happy about the challenges God has given me. As a friend on Facebook wrote today, "

God gave you your life because he knows that you are the only one strong enough to handle it.

Amen to that!

I opened the book again....

I've had some issues arise over the past several months. Issues concerning my kids, my parenting style, and just me in general. Nothing major, nothing life threatening, just a few bumps in the road. We all have them, right?! This journey wouldn't be any fun if it was smooth sailing all the time!

But there is one thing I can count on. One thing that gets me out of that pot-hole in the road and back on a some-what smooth surface. Yep, you guessed it...God!

Now....please don't stop reading because you think I'm gonna start preachin'... honestly, I wouldn't even know where to begin. I have a long road ahead of me in my faith journey...and I'm talkin l-o-n-g folks. So please, continue reading, I promise it won't be too bad.

Now, I know I've told you all about this book before (if you still need to get one....click here!) I seriously look at this book daily. It has the stuff we all deal with on a daily basis in it...for example, Priorities, Patience, Guidance, & Friendship, just to name a few. Oh, and I also bought this one a few weeks ago. It's just as awesome as the other one!

But today, I opened up to this one:

Attitude

Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude). Ephesians 4:23

Your attitude can substantially affect your happiness level. It's true. When your mind is assaulted every day by "stinkin' thinkin'" - and things like, "I'm not good enough," "I'm not loved," "I'll never reach my dreams" - it's pretty tough to be happy. On the other hand, when you think about good things - God things - your happiness level will soar. Try it! "God loves me" "God is always by my side, watching out for me," "God has made me a winner." What a difference it will make.

An attitude is simply a response to what you see - keep your mind turned in to the good.

I like that last part!

How true! My entire day is better, when I can look around and be thankful for what I have and what I am able to do. I feel blessed that I have healthy, happy kids and a loving husband. Even just looking around at this beautiful world that God created for us (even on the not-so-sunny days!) Everything in my life is better when I have the right attitude. All that silly small stuff that I think is BIG at the time, disappears when I have the right attitude. Now, I'm not saying this is easy...in fact it's kinda hard, but I'm trying. He has given me so much, the least I can do is to show my appreciation!

More Praises!

This week of praises has been so much fun for me. It amazes me to see all blessings around me each and every day. I have been blessed in so many ways and acknowledging them here on the ol' blog keeps me in a positive frame of mind and lets face it, would couldn't use a little more positivity in their life.

Today's Praises:

One sweet little girl who comes into bed in the morning to snuggle with her momma...and rubs her momma back.

Fed Ex delivery truck! My dear friend, Polly broke the other day and although I had ordered a backup Polly...they didn't know when the backup would ship. I had a little freak-out session where I thought for sure Andy would get his first chance to stick me, and I so don't want him to have that pleasure. Low and behold, the Fed Ex delivery truck to my rescue. I was so happy, that I think if it would have been Tim, my UPS guy, I would have hugged him.

Sweet people who come up and say "hi" at the kids last soccer game. Then they proceed to tell me that they read the blog! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was. Thanks Wendy, you totally made my day! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE knowing people actually read this thing!

Another night out with girls. A different group of girls! Even a few new girls! I had so much fun with you all and I can't wait till we do it again!

My neighborhood! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my neighborhood. When Andy and I moved back here from P-town, we knew we wanted to be here, raise our family here, send our kids to school here, but we were also in a little bit of a hurry. I was very eager to get here so that I would be able to help out his parents more when his mom was sick. Needless to say, this house is not my dream house, but if I had all the money in the world, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I would tear down this house and build a new one, right here in the same spot. (Honey, this is a hint, maybe we should start playing the Lotto!)
God works like that, He has put all these people in my neighborhood here for a reason. He wants me to remember that a house is just a house. That the people you share your time with is what really matters.

For all these things, I praise Him!

Exciting stuff!

Today's Praises:

Being able to help out friends and family by bringing them dinner. Even though I'm not the world's best cook like some people I know...I won't name any names...I can most definitely go by the take and bake pizza joint and deliver a delicious dinner.

One little boy falling asleep in the van while making pizza deliveries, only to wake up to a strawberry milkshake. All he could say was "WOW!"

Maggie and I sharing most of that above said milkshake, and having a little "girl time!"

Dinner with a great group of girls! V-necks or not, I love you all!

Coming home after dinner with the girls to find sleeping children all snug in their beds!

And this is where is gets exciting people....are you ready for this?

A hubby who reads the blog and cleans the bathtub while I'm out for dinner with the girls....cause you all know that I totally didn't get to that on my list of things-to-do!
I just have to say that I think I'm the luckiest girl ever.....although I've been instructed to just ask instead of leaving hints for the entire Internet world to read. (honestly, I wasn't hinting...I promise!) It's just another "he-gets-me-moment!"

For all this wonderful things, I praise Him!

Simple things!

Sometimes it's the simple things:

Feelin' well!

Feelin' well enough to mow the lawn!

Having the sweetest little four year old boy, run up to me as I mow, just to give me a kiss! Just makes my heart melt. He probably got in trouble a few minutes before that, but somehow I can't remember.

The electricity being off for 3 hours and yet the Midwest, July weather not being too bad!

My bamboo wind chime making beautiful music as it blows in the breeze!

A nice evening walk all alone, with just me and some great walking tunes!

A very warm bath in a not-so-clean-bathtub! Cleaning that tub is on my list of things-to-do today! (Dirty kids)

A comfortable bed to sleep in and a light thunderstorm to listen to!

These are the simple things I praise Him for today!

Big Splash!

This is the last week of swimming lessons for the kids. They are in level 1 and are only doing the basic stuff. It was a huge deal to even have them go under the water and get their entire head wet. But they are having fun.

Swimming is a life skill, it's something you need to know how to do. I wish I would have started them in swimming lessons as babies. But they are getting there. We are taking baby steps, they will get it!

Max is a little less fearful than his big sister. Yesterday was his second time to jump off the diving board. He loves it. Needless to say, his instructor was there to help him get to the side.


That big splash is him. Darn digital camera...with the delay...I missed his actual jump!

Praises for today:

A dirty kitchen floor with traces of Honey Nut Cheerios from breakfast, sandbox sand coming in the back door and Triscuit crumbs from Maggie's favorite lunch. Even though I was complaining at the time, while cleaning up the mess, I felt a huge peace come over me!

"At least you have a floor to clean and people to get it dirty!"

I am also thankful for my uncle John's pool. Thankful for a cool place to go on hot summer days. Thankful for family and friends to join us at the pool on those hot summer days and even more thankful for a comfortable home with a/c to return home to!

For all these things, I praise Him!

A Week of Praises!

Yesterdays sermon at church was about “Passionate Worship: Returning to the Gift of Worship”. Taking time to praise Him and thank Him for all that we have. The little things that we take for granted, and the big things that we thank Him for, but need to remember to praise Him for everyday. So in honor of that, I'm going to try really hard to praise God this week and in the future, and remind myself of all the wonderful blessings around me!

Today's Praises:

God's beautiful creations! We spent the day on Sunday out at a state park. While Andy was doing a bike race, I took a few minutes of quiet time. Just looking around at all the tall trees, the beautiful green grass, listening to the birds singing and dogs barking, all these things make me so grateful for this beautiful world we live in.

I praise God for my healthy, athletic hubby who loves to be outside in God's wonderful playground, racing a mountain bike in a muddy wooded area on a trail not much wider than his bike. Praise you Lord for keeping him safe! (By the way - He finished second in his age group and fourth over-all in his division! Great Job babe!)


I praise you Lord for the sweet, sweet babies you have blessed us with. Their energy, enthusiasm, and their insight already showing at such a young age encourages me to be a better person, a person who isn't afraid to share the love of the Lord.

For all these wonderful things, I praise YOU!

Showing God's Love!

Last night after dinner, Andy went over to the church parsonage to help some guys with some home repair projects going on there.

The kids and I had planned to go fishing at some friends' farm, although secretly, I was hoping the rain would cancel the fishing. It's no secret that I don't know how to fish, and Andy had forgot about the fishing event when Paul called to ask if he could help at the parsonage. Thanks to Facebook, I got a message about "no fishing!" Woo-Hoo!

So after I got the kitchen cleaned up from dinner, I told the kids that we should drive by the parsonage to see how many guys were there. I told them we would be little spies and that we would be very secretive. We then drove over to DQ and bought 10 dilly bars. We took the dilly bars over to the guys to surprise them. I think they liked the little break and a treat from the kiddos.

On the way home, Maggie said, "Mom, that was a great way to show God's love wasn't it!"

Sure was sweetie, it sure was!

I'm still grinning from my sweet girl's comment! God is so good!

Just a few words... Wednesday!

One of those days!

Today was just one of those days when I really miss actually going to a job, to do real work. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that raising kids isn't work. It's the hardest job I have ever had. EVER! I don't know if it was because it was really hot out today, or the almost-full moon?! Whatever it was, I was just crabby! When mommy's crabby, everybody's crabby! The day was long.

So tonight, we all went to swimming lessons, and then for a quick bite to eat (that really wasn't so quick!) I then headed over to Pinky's house to do some crafts for church. Wasn't there long and I came home to this.....

My beautiful, healthy, happy children sleeping peacefully in their beds! I was then reminded, that I will always have days like today. There will be more days of mommy being crabby, more days of kids whining, and more very long days, but when the day is over, this mommy feels very blessed that God has given me this "job" of being the mother of these wonderful kids. God is so good!