Joyful Mother

Welcome Back ME!!!

2011-11-23T12:20:00.001-05:00

Welcome back.....ME.....

well at least for now.

Who has time to blog anymore?....

NOT ME!

I noticed the last time I posted anything was about our June Vacation.

Wow-weee!

Lots has happened since then....

One amazing thing is that we moved!

Yay!!

Back to our town and into our own home!

Yay!!

I finally have my own house! I absolutely love to walk around my own house! I love it!

There is no place like home...truly....your own place.

We found this great house in a wonderful neighborhood filled with nature parks, a playground and lots of trees.

Our home is about 2400 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms! I never had this before.

Actually two of the bedrooms are split by a half wall, so the older girls get to have their own "private" space....to decorate and fix up as they please. They love it.

I have a "computer room" or school room...whatever you want to call it. This is where the books are shelved and the computer is currently stationed.

I have a nice bright sun room or Florida room....whatever you want to call it. It is so nice to sit in there and watch the bird and squirrels outside my window.

baby squirrel we found in yard

I have a remodeled kitchen with granite counter tops! Love it! No need for a cutting board...seriously.

The neighborhood itself sits about 2 miles from the main campus of the University here in town. I am right across the street from shops, a huge movie theatre (not that I frequent this at all...rather get netflix than pay $25 for a movie night), ice-cream shops, restaurants and a hop, skip, and jump from my favorite Grocery store, Publix.

this room needs some decor badly

It is truly such a wonderful place to live. My kids have made great friends and love it here so much. We are nestled deep in this neighborhood on a dead end road with a trail that leads into the nature park. So beautiful I must add!

Money has been super tight since we moved out of my in-laws. It seems that I am handling it so much better living in my own house.

Homeschooling is still ..... homeschooling. I love doing it but I have my many moments when I say
"why am I doing this again?"

My babies are getting so big. Sometimes I forget the fact that I have one son who will soon be in the Armed Forces, daughters who are teens, boys who are growing like weeds, and little toddlers who are still wetting beds and in diapers. Wow!

My days are full of laughter,

crying, whining, love, hugs,

teen talks over cups of coffee,

collecting leaves for our Autumn collage,

dirty laundry, unfolded laundry,

hand washing clothes when my washer is broke,

receiving a new washer from a sweet couple at church,

scribbles on my table,

phone calls from kids' friends,

neighbor kids hanging out where the action is (my house),

walks on long nature paths,

throwing sticks to our old German Shepherd,

cooking low budget meals,

going to yard sales with my bestie and our teen daughters....

helping relatives get through a crisis

Life is never dull!

In the midst of broken washers, hardly any money in our pockets, and stresses in life I have to say

Lord you know it all....and only YOU can take me through it with a joyful heart!

Peace to you all on this Thanksgiving Eve.

awww...cute

Happy Thanksgiving to all you lovely ladies who read my blog.

June 2011: Our Vacation

2011-07-09T11:40:00.001-05:00

Last month a dear friend blessed us with a 7 day stay at her vacation condo!!! What a Blessing that was!! We spent the whole time relaxing, taking walks, watching the setting sun daily, swimming, fishing, and so much more. It was heavenly bliss!! Here is my monthly slideshow with our vacation photos.

Click in the somewhere in the middle of the white box....I still don't know why it shows up white...it should have a picture on it with a Play button....

This free digital slideshow made with Smilebox

Honoring Caylee Marie Anthony

2011-07-06T12:53:00.002-05:00

Living here in Florida makes it hard to ignore what just took place yesterday in Orlando, Florida. After a long 3 year case and almost 50 day public trial, Casey Anthony (25 yrs old) was found NOT GUILTY for the murder of her 2 yr old baby girl.

This was a case I had not followed until just a few weeks ago. I remember back in 2008 hearing in the news of little 2 yr old boy Trenton Ducket reported missing. Being that I was pregnant and very hormonal, I didn't want to entertain myself with sad news. Just within a few months of this child being reported missing, another Florida toddler turns up missing.  This news creates a media frenzy because now two children in the same state come up missing. Again....I didn't pay much attention but prayed these babies are found.

I later learned through online news that Trenton Duckett was never found and his mother, unfortunately commited suicide shortly after his disapperance. Sources say due to all the pressure from police and media. To this day this little boy is yet to be found. I, on occasion will drive by a huge billboard and see his picture with words saying "Help find Trenton Duckett". I do hope one day this baby is found.

As months progressed, I continued to stay away from the media frenzy on the missing baby girl in Florida. I was sad that the grandparents were being treated with such hate and had heard the little girl's mother was arrested. I then thought...."Hmmm, I figured she was involved, very sad indeed".  I continued to not pay any attention to the case until just recently.

I with some curiousity wanted to know what the big deal was with this whole case. I listened to some of the 911 calls and her intense police interview which was made public. I couldn't believe my ears all the false information she was giving the police and continued to give the police. I thought that maybe it was an accident and she was to scared to confess so she made it look like the nanny kidnapped the baby. This was the "lie" she stuck with for months. Police found enough evidence that Zanny the Nanny was a lie which she continued to say that it was true and they were able to track her whereabouts via cell phone towers (amazing). When the baby's body was found in Dec of 2008 in the woods(swamp) behind her home, it was to late to do an autopsy on her tissues. All the police had was a bag of bones, literally.

I then watched the opening statements from both sides:

Prosectution had enough evidence to accuse her of murder via the chloroform searches done on her computer, the contents of chloroform found in the trunk and the duct tape found at the scene. They clearly painted the picture that this was a premeditated murder via chloroform and duct tape (thus suffocating). Also she drove with the decomposing body for a few days before dumping in the woods(swamp) behind her home. She had even borrowed a shovel from the neighbor in thoughts of burying her daughter in the backyard...she never did and returned the shovel within an hour.

The defense opened saying Casey was raised in a dysfunctional home. She was raised to lie and keep secrets and this is why she lied about the missing baby girl being with the Nanny.  Caylee "really drowned" in the pool and Casey was scolded by her father who also witnessed the drowing.  He supposedly dumps the body in the woods and then makes it look like a "kidnapping" which would lead to pointing the finger back to Casey.  Casey then goes into some sort of denial and in within 24 hours and for a total of 31 days, she is partying with friends and spends her nights with her boyfriend, goes on a shopping sprees with stolen money, and never tells her mother because this is a "secret" that she can never tell. This is a secret only to be kept between herself and her sexual abusive father. Who "supposedly" abused her when she was 8, but it is sort of a hazy recollection of this abuse.  The defense also claims that the the family was so dysfunctional that no one in her family knew she was pregnant until she was about 8 months along (at the age of 19)....big denial was part of the family dysfunction.

Yeah....ok...I can belive there was some dysfunction. But from pictures and learning a bit about the family...this family loved their baby grand-daughter who was lavished with nice clothes, well taken care of by the grandparents. She was loved by the whole family...including her mother.  So how can a loved baby turn up murdered and dumped in a swamp? I still thought that maybe this was an accident...I never felt completely settled that she was 100% guilty. Thus, I can understand how the Jury found this woman NOT GUILTY. This trial left you with some questions....that's if you ignore the media and look at the evidence. Yes...you could have assumed her guilt but it could have been an accident. Is she innocent...No...I don't think so. Unfortunately, there are death threats on her life and the life of her family. She is not adored by Americans today.

I am not throwing stones at this woman. Since the day I began following this story, I prayed that the truth be made known and if she is guilty then she should pay for the acts. God's will be done in this Case and all we can say that it was.

I also had a chance to read some of her inmate letters that were made public (but never brought in as evidence) that she was a lover of God and had a Relationship with God. Almost every page of these many letters to her inmate friend were words of Godly encouragement and her love and trust for God's deliverance in this "journey" she was on. She repeatedly spoke of the miracle she will get one day (I'm assuming her aquittal) and that God was showing her the Light at the end of the tunnel. She refers to God as Daddy and continued to speak of Jesus's blood running through hers. She writes of her heart feeling at peace knowing Caylee was in heaven with Jesus. She writes of her prayers for her family's salvation. I couldn't believe what I was reading. And of course the media is not going to share any of this with the public because almost every page talks of God as her Father and Jesus as her Savior.

No, she never says anything about what happened to Caylee in her letters. In some instances she talks of the "real Zanny" not being responsible. Was she trying to protect her father all along but then she finally tells it all before the trial?   Many believe Casey murdered her child....yes there is alot of the evidence that connects her to this but not enough to know exactly how Caylee died. I don't think anyone would ever belive this young mother if she completely told the truth. Unfortunately this is very, very sad.

Also, we can sit here and judge her heart and say she was LYING about her relationship with God but I will not do this. I do hope that if she is a woman of God, she will be truthful and honest. I pray she confesses.

My opinion on the verdict is that Casey should have gotten some sort of punishment for waiting to long to report her to law enforcement. Eventually it was her own mother who reported Caylee missing.  Casey was found guilty on four counts for lying to law enforcement...but unfortunately she has served this time already these past 3 years.  The jail says she was an outstanding inmate, which means she will probably not have to serve another day. Yep...she could be out by Friday!! I hope the judge keeps her in a little bit longer and overrides the motion for allowing her to get off this weekend. This is all for Casey's sake!!! There are many out there who want to take her life.

As of now the parents are in hiding due to the many death threats they are receiving and I don't know how Casey will live a normal life here in this country. My prayers do go out to this whole family including Casey the accused.

Please take time to sign the Caylee's Law petition on the side blog.   This makes it a felony for a parent or guardian to not notify law enforcement of a child going missing in a timely manner. Do this to honor this sweet little girl Caylee Marie Anthony!!

May 2011: Friendship Smiles--Our month in review

2011-05-30T22:00:00.000-05:00

Posting my monthly slideshow. I had a really great month. I just love putting this together. It brings everything back into perspective and it is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Remember click somewhere in th middle of the box.

This free picture slideshow made with Smilebox

One Thousand Gifts

2011-05-24T14:35:00.002-05:00

It has been quite sometime since I wrote anything truly from my heart.

I feel I have avoided typing anything meaningful lately.

Yes....

I do post my monthly slide-show but that's about it.

Yes....

I have been busy keeping up with schooling,
chasing the kids around,
keeping them on top of things...

or is it....

I am keeping myself on top of things....
hmmmm.

I guess both.

There are many days where I feel like life just moves....

When I am
doing,
going,
not really thinking.....

But then again,
I am....ALWAYS....thinking of life

I know....that....I am...

Always in thought,
yet not always in serious prayer....
Thinking of what God is revealing in my heart.
the secret place of my heart.

I guess this is where I fail at times...
NOT
completely giving my heart in audible prayer.

So...
does thoughtful,quiet prayer count in a Christian's life?

I am one who ponders on God and prays continually in heart and thoughts
but many times these prayers don't come out of my
mouth.

"I need to...."
I always tell myself...

"I just need to make the time and place to just let goooooo.....and....
PRAY!"

BUT....
but
most of every.time.
they are thought-filled prayers..
prayers that are kept within the
secret chambers of my heart.

So, as I go about my days the thoughts that fill my mind
are thoughts of

"I'm waiting"

Waiting for what???

That is what I don't know???

I guess life to
"start..."

But hasn't it already started...????

It started some odd years ago when I received Christ in my life...

making,
letting
Him BE
the Lord of and in my life.

The Healer of my heart!!

The Hope of my dreams!!

Didn't it begin those many years ago with
a Love so
new,
freeing,
yet mysterious.

GOD....

JESUS...

What is He doing now...??

What is He showing me now...??

In that hidden place of my
Heart.
Mind...

Is it....

How much of an unthankful and pitiful woman I truly am???

How I feel like I haven't yet
mastered being this
amazing woman,
wife,
mom,
daughter,
sister,
friend....
child of God?

Or is He knocking at the window of my soul.
my core.
and speaking these words to me.

I LOVE YOU!!!

Could it be that I have never
let Him
LOVE ME as he needs to LOVE ME??

love me??

OH yes I know HE does...but have I let Him?

Soooo

In my search for more of
LIFE.LOVE.
COMMUNION with GOD...

a dear friend of mine happen to have
recommended a book written by a woman who has a heart for God and a heart to give thanks.

Oh.YES...
I need to give more thanks...

Thankfulness is truly a healing balm..
an anointing oil.
an elixir to complete enjoyment..
to the most beautiful,
peaceful,
phenomenal
parts of everyday life.
~~Gratitude~~

So I introduce you to
(A Holy Experience) aholyexperience.com

(I even added some classical music to my blog since I fell in love with the peacefulness of hers)

If you haven't stumbled upon this blog before...
her writing is so beautiful and so encouraging in a way that it truly makes you weep in the awe and love of God.
She is a beautiful writer, with a beautiful heart.

She has a book called
"One Thousand Gifts".

A beautiful, powerful book that reveals her journey into finding a more fulfilled life.

Here is a glimpse in the type of book it is: Click on the video to watch. It takes only a few minutes....It will make you cry, smile, and love your family.....your life even the more!
(Don't forget to pause the music on this blog)

After watching this short trailer for the book
I KNEW
I had to order it.

I KNEW
it was going to minister to my heart
and it has already.

It arrived yesterday.

I anxiously waited for this book to come in contact with my hands knowing that I was going to embrace every word and allow the Lord to minister to my heart
through the writings of this lovely author.

"One Thousands Gifts"
is already so beautiful in my heart...
I had to share with everyone of you.

I know
this book
will make me
ponder those moments of my day

Not to
take each and every moment as "just another day" of everyday humdrum

But another day
Yes.
ANOTHER DAY
to embrace the gifts he has truly laid before my
feet
eyes
nose
hands
...

These gifts can easily be overlooked

They can be seen as "nothingness"

In the reality of this life,
each and every moment,
gift,
God brings
about in my life
is to be
embraced.
not to be looked down at as
annoyance,
time wasters
or
simply
unimportant.

Each and every treasured moment is like
different colors being handed to me
for the painting of this mural
called: my life

But how...

How can I lay hold of each moment as
a piece of a puzzle waiting to come into connection
with the other pieces of this very
complex masterpiece??
How do I go figuring it out?

Could it be that I need to just....
slow down a bit
try not to "hurry up"...
and
get this "day" over with?

Trying not to make things soooo
incredibly complicated
(aha...I tend to do this ALOT)
but looking
to understand
that with each and every moment
He is walking with me....
loving me

Captivated in April!!

2011-05-09T09:46:00.000-05:00

Here is my monthly picture slideshow I put together to remember beautiful moments during the month.

April was a refreshing month where each and everyday I was captivated by the love of God and my family.

If you can't see the main screen of this slide show just find the center of the square....for some reason it shows "white" or blank....but if you click around the center area you can view it.

A picture slideshow by Smilebox

Month in Review-Crazy Normal Days in March

2011-04-01T10:05:00.000-05:00

Sharing a bit of March!!

My Crazy Normal Days...

Personalize your own free digital slideshow

Turn that TV off!!

2011-03-17T10:15:00.004-05:00

Finding time to blog has been a little tough lately. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I feel I don't have anything good to share but then again that would be totally out of character for me because I am one of those women who can talk your ear off for hours and share with you my life story. Truly! So.....not having anything to say is just a big excuse.....ok so maybe it is finding the time.

As of late, I've been really, really striving to do the best I can in being a good steward over my time, children, and homemaking. My heart's desire is to have an orderly home, orderly children, and a peaceful atmosphere. There are those days where I dream of being in a place where life is a bit simple....where I don't have modern technology like computers, tv, game systems trying to grab the attention of my children. I don't know why this is so easy to "default" to when a "break" is needed or when I need some "alone time" or just to gravitate towards that "entertainment" for the children when they cry out "I'm bored".

I gotta admit....I hate this about myself. I grew up watching television and being entertained by the world's ways. I don't want my children to desire these things but then again....I am allowing it!! You see...it's my fault....I am letting them entertain themselves with these gadgets. Now..... I am not saying that TV of itself is a bad thing. I think it is fine in moderation and yes, maybe even some video games , but all the time.......is not good! I'm sure many of you would agree.

The other day, I spent a wonderful time chatting to a wonderful friend of mine who I admire so much. She is younger than I and has younger children but she seems so wise above her years. I love chatting with her because I leave so encouraged. She does such a great job mothering her children and devoting much time to their growth and development. One thing she doesn't have or rarely does she let her children do is....watch tv or play video games. She fills their time with wholesome activities such as knitting, drawing, creating, crafting. Yes....all those lovely things many of us should do more of.

So in our conversation, she said this which I would love to share with you all:

All to often I think people have kids as side objects or cute things, almost as if they were a hobby...they want to keep their fancy lifestyle with all the bells and whistles of corporate or singlehood and have pretty little kids on the side.... instead I look at them more as a career....something that you take on that requires the best that you have for the time that you have them. I feel like it is our duty to give them the very best of every thing you can (and I certainly do not mean material goods) but of yourself, knowledge and home....that being said we will have the ultimate evaluation from our Lord one day and that is enough to make me strive my hardest each and every day to do my very best at this "career" I've chosen....although I always feel I fall short and every day I wish I would have done something or said (and sometimes not said something) differently....but that's what so wonderful about our Lord is he knows our hearts and he forgives us when we are wrong...So i guess mainly that we should put a lot more thought into what we do with our kids, how and what we teach them, what they are exposed to, how much time we give them of ourselves.....

And she definitely puts a lot of thought into what she does as a mother. I love this about my friend!

I loved what she said on being accountable to the Lord one day on how we raised our children and how and what we imparted. This should bring us all to our knees as we meditate and ponder on how our days are structured. When I come face to face with my Lord, I want to Him to say that I did what He wanted me to do. Meditating on this truth brings me to strive more and more to be the best steward I can possibly be for my children's sake. I have gifts that God has entrusted me with and I want to take good care of these little ones (no matter how big they are getting) to teach, train, and instruct them to become the best they can be in the eyes of God.

So dear ones, be encouraged to do your best today. If you mess up (and I do lots during the day...ha ha) God is so gentle as He leads us mothers. Even when the desire to turn the tv is so strong, choose to turn them onto a productive activity that will build their character and grow their intelligence. I have to remind myself this everyday. And trust me, I am preaching more to myself than anyone else....ha ha!

If you have anymore encouraging words as to how you manage without turning the tv on. Let me know. With the more children in the home, it sometimes can be an easy babysitter, especially when you are trying to get things done around the house or schooling the older kids. What do you do to keep the little ones "entertained" during those times? I would love to get some input and maybe do a post on it.

Ok...gotta run and care for my tribe!

PS...oh and I wanted to say remember there are seasons in your life where maybe you will do things you would have never thought you would dare do...but remember these are seasons. I am one to flip-flop in seasons. God knows my heart..... even when my life seems so overwhelming. Seasons are good and they teach us so, so much. So about this post on TV watching....yeah, those seasons come and go. There are seasons of NO tv and there are season where we watch to much PBS kids or Dora. ha ha!

Blessings to you all...

Chris xoxo

A Quick Check in...

2011-02-20T19:26:00.002-05:00

  So have you thought about me lately? Well if so, just don't forget to pray. I could always...ALWAYS use prayer.

I've been busy about my Father's business. Yep...just keeping busy doing what brings delight to the Lord....and that is making sure I care for my family wholeheartedly.

Sooooo.......I thought I would share my day with you all. Oh and please don't think that I must be superwoman for waking up so early....God's grace...believe me. Not to long ago (about a December) I was waking up at around 9am...struggling to keep up. But God's grace is amazing and this is why I have the strength and determination to keep going. Plus, it's good to talk to people who are like minded and keep you motivated. You know?

OK....so here it goes:

4:45 I wake, take a potty break, play some worship music and pray till about 5:30.

5:30 I check emails and do a bit of web surfing but not nearly enough time to visit all my bloggy friends and blog. I usually spend this time doing some more biblical devotions and researching things on my mind....

5:45 Jump in the Shower

6:00 Finish up my grooming and dressing

6:15 Clean up my little trailer (usually put laundry away from the night before, straighten and sweep if I have the time. That is if I didn't spend to much time on the computer...yikes!

6:30 Walk over to the main house and begin waking the big kids....and that is a BEGIN waking them.
   ha ha

6:35 Iron Donnie's shirt for work and prep his lunch if not done the night before.

6:45 Make sure the kids are up and dressed.... I start breakfast

7:10 Sit down and eat...read the bible or watch the news some (if the TV is on)

7:30 Usually by now the little ones are waking on their own and I fix their breakfast.

7:40 When the kids are eating I put a load of laundry in

8:00 Dress the little kids, they brush their teeth, and I fix Ana's hair. Big kids start their school day

8:30 Sit in the Living room and we all read the bible (not with Donnie though---by this time he's left for work)  We are reading through the bible this year. The big kids stop their work and join us.

9:00 Gather around the piano and little kids sing the song they are memorizing. Moriah plays and they sing....really cute! :)

9:15 We move over to the table and each child plus myself picks a name out of the prayer jar and we each take turns praying for our person.

9:30 We then read a short devotion for the day and say a prayer which relates to the devotion.

9:40 By this time I switch out laundry and we begin our school day with the Pledge and then I teach the little boys something in History or Science. It all depends if we have the time

10:00 Start teaching the basics (reading, writing, arithmetic) each little boy takes a turn with me. I usually teach until Lunch (noon) I switch laundry in between these activities. I try to finish by 2:30

12:00 break for lunch.

1:00 Clean up and chores

2:30 Fold laundry and by this time my mother in law is home. I usually will call a friend or just chat with my mother in law during this time. Or whatever else I need to do. Usually I am chasing down one of the kids and correcting someone....ha ha.

4:30 Dinner prep begins. It all depends if I'm cooking that night and what is on the menu.

6:00 Donnie comes home and we sit for dinner

7:00 baths and down time

8:30 My goal is for all of us to be in bed by this time. The kids are usually in bed but I need to make a bigger effort to get in bed myself. I need the sleep and down time with Donnie in the evenings.

This is my ideal schedule. I usually do follow the tasks but I don't necessarily stay on time. So the times are an estimate. I usually am running behind schedule...but don't we all.

Ok...so now you all know what I do on a daily basis. I still need to make time to exercise and blog and visit blogs. Not happening. Oh and I forgot that in the afternoon hours I try to check the older kids school work.

I am determined to stay on top of this or else I feel rather bad about my day. And I am determined to accomplish all of this with a joyful heart. Again...only by the grace of God can I even accomplish any of it. The past few days I have been feeling extremely tired and it has affected my emotions a bit. (oh and no I am not pregnant!!) ha ha. I know some of you might have thought this... ha ha!!

So instead of making it my schedule a law....I want to make it life...ONLY as God allows the joy and grace to fill my heart. I owe it all to Him because without Him nothing would be possible.

Sending my love to all of you!!

Month in Review-January Fun

2011-01-31T20:43:00.000-05:00

Here is a glimpse of January!!

Lots of fun things happened.

Kole's 5th birthday!

Ana's 2nd Birthday!

Justin began his college application process....His future is bright!

I am so excited for him.

Make a slideshow design

Trials and testing...what is your response??

2011-01-25T14:35:00.000-05:00

Has it been that long since I've posted something....my oh my!! I guess I haven't "made the time" to blog lately, let alone really spend much time on my computer. Life raising my family can be big rush. Between homeschooling and mothering, my hours are consumed with family life. All good of course...

I've been meditating alot on what took place this past year. Not that I want to go back and retrace my foot steps but I wanted to evaluate what I learned from this past year's trials. All I know is that last year was a year of pruning in my life. Ouch and double ouch...!!

Sadly the Lord revealed to me that my responses didn't please Him. As I stand back and re-evaluate I realized that I definitely do not want to respond that way again. I bet you are all wondering.....hmmmm, what does she mean by her responses." What I mean is that when I went through the trials, did I respond with faith and love.....With hope and Joy? Absolutely not! Yes, I am a spirit filled christian and know the Lord but my heart did not behave as a very good "christian". Yeah, yeah....I'm human you might say. I know but why do I have the power of God living in me or the awareness of His goodness? It's for our good and to have the power in our spirit to not behave in ungodly ways.

Another revelation that came this month was that each and every moment of the day we as Christians are going to come across a trial or testing of our faith and love. Whether big or small, a trial will arise. Instead of rolling our eyes and thinking "why" or "come on" we can say...."Great!! I get to practice self-control, patience, love, kindness...." I've been teaching the children that when they have a "frustrated moment" it's the perfect time for them to practice what is in them. Are they going to choose the right thing or bow down to the flesh. God would rather us choose His ways.

So life at home has been very refreshing as I am being trained by the Lord yet again. I felt like this past year my faith was put to the side. Oh yes, I was always loving the Lord but not necessarily choosing to walk in godly character. Whether it be yelling, becoming easily stressed, selfish, jealous, prideful, complaints, no hope or joy....etc, I was not letting the power within me overcome the sinful nature. This time though I've noticed I am quick to listen to Holy Spirit and running to Him when I can't handle a situation. I will literally excuse myself from the present situation by going into another room away from others and not allowing myself to lose peace. And I am daily being reminded that I will face a test or two during my day and it is a wonderful chance to train my spirit-woman.

A New Year!!!

2011-01-08T09:51:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year all!!

Hoping all my bloggy friends have been enjoying their new year thus far.

I have!!

There is lots to share but I'll make it quick.

Donnie started his new job this week and we are so very, very happy to have him home again in the evenings for dinner and in helping me with the children.

I didn't think I was going to miss his presence in the evenings but I really did. The days have been flying by during the day. It has been nice to get back to a routine (sorta...ha ha).

It feels nice to know when to expect him home and then I can prepare as such.

His new job is a great fit for our family.

The hours are 8:30am to 5pm.

This job is selling advertising to publications, so all of his job is at the office...no driving around everywhere as he did with other sales jobs.

Thank God!! We get to save on gas...Yahoo!!

This month is a bit slow for him since he's training but it will soon pick up momentum.

Also...

I am so glad we'll have MONEY!!

I never thought how thankful I am for being able to buy my own groceries. I can't wait to make my list. My heart is leaping with joy just to be able to buy my own food!!

I've been so thankful that my in-laws have been so very gracious to give of themselves to feed and shelter our family. I will forever be gracious for them and to them.

I am glad that now we'll be able to give back by doing our part....you know?

My spirits are lifted and yes I am continually making sure I am being lifted and encouraged by the Lord. There are times when I have to get alone every few hours to allow the Lord to fill my heart with His true joy. It is so very important and I can't even imagine how some even survive not having Him in their lives.

Here are some things we did since the New Year began:

We made some New Year's crowns

Ha ha...Tsavah's crown was a bit laden with glitter!!

And what else to do in Florida but take walks in nice weather...

And biking for the kids...

And while they biked and played...

I sat and knit...

practice makes perfect...right?

A few days later we celebrated Kole's 5th Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Kole!!

He had fun making his special banner with winter leaves....

The year has been filling and refreshing already. I am believing for good things this year!

I am hoping to be and do the best for my family this year.

Untill I post again....

xoxo

Our month in review...A Delightful December

2010-12-30T13:52:00.001-05:00

Here is our month in review! Not sure why it is showing up in white...hopefully it will work. Just click around the middle of the white box. It should play.

Slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Ending the year 2010

2010-12-28T19:32:00.000-05:00

This year has been rather amazing and trying.
I really feel like my faith was stretched miles and miles each and every direction. It's when you think you have the faith for something and then it happens to knock at your door and you say "boy oh boy where in the world is the faith I thought I had!?"

I really feel like my relationship with God was even put to a test in many ways. Like the saying goes "When the rubber meets the road" what are you believing and who do you believe.
Ouch or amen!

I feel that many parts of my life was put to a test and I know I kicked and screamed and cried and pouted and thought....am I even saved....Is God really living in a heart that is so sinful.
How can I feel this way and be a christian?

I am thankful that I have had many breakthroughs throughout and have passed some test but then there are some I feel I failed. I know God through His amazing mercy and love for me is giving me another chance to continue forward. God revealed to me some of the pride I still had in my heart and still dealing with and you know what....?? It is a daily, daily battle to not act out in the flesh the thoughts I sometimes feel, let alone think them!

Daily, I am thankful for His amazing Grace and love for me...little ole' me who is absolutely nothing without Christ in my life.

And In other news..

For those who are wondering what is going on with my husband's business....???

Well....he is going to be laying it down and looking for a full-time job.
Right now we are waiting to hear back from a job he applied for. I hope he gets it!!

Our living situation will remain the same. We are not planning on moving out of my in-laws anytime soon. When we find out what sort of job Donnie will get, we will then sit down and figure out our financial goals.

I am excited for the New Year that God has in store for us. I know God has good things for us this coming year and can't wait to find out where He is taking us.

and in short story form...

I've been busily working around the house and celebrating our holidays.

I taught myself how to knit !! ( great site for learning is knittinghelp.com)
I've been making hats for everyone.

and been sewing too..

These are the things I have always wanted to learn this year.

So happy I did!!

top right hat is my first project before the knitting lessons
and
white hat is after my knitting lesson
and
I sewed Ana a Christmas skirt.

I'm making Ana a hat in a nice soft pink yarn.

Ana waiting for a Santa photo, donning her skirt

Ana meeting her first ever--new babies!!
She's the momma of twins...wow!

Galen meets his first bike!

And each Christmas Eve we all load up in the van and head to the mall
for our Santa picture. :)
(you can barely see Ana sitting on Donnie's lap--good thing we paid for a Santa photo)

Joyful Mother wasn't very Joyful....

2010-12-14T22:47:00.004-05:00

A short little post to let you know I AM OK!!

I know the last post was rather hopeless than hopeful. I am doing much better and I do feel like there has been a bit of a breakthrough in my attitude. I have been letting every little thing on this journey bother me so very much. It doesn't matter what it wass....it was bothering me. I was even snappy to my mother-in-law the other day and it wasn't very pretty or Christ Like at all!! :(

I am so very thankful my mom-in-law loves me unconditionally and embraces me even when I am ugly. Seriously! I was letting everything bother me!! I had been making myself out to be a burden or a "visitor" rather than a daughter. I wasn't allowing myself to be accepted rather I was making myself out to be a burden. A burden that no one had put on me. I did this to myself by listening to the enemy's lies. After a good talk with my mom-in-law and with the Lord, I realized the ugliness in my heart.

I shed quite a few tears.

I realized also that I felt so out of control in this whole journey. I found myself like a woman in labor needing something to change quick or else I DONT KNOW WHAT I WILL DO!!! ha ha...

I gotta laugh because this is how I had been feeling.

Ok...and maybe still do a bit if I let myself... :(

And...

I hadn't been seeking the Lord with honest faith but rather with fear and anxiety. My actions have not been Christ-Like and know this had to change. I know I have to make an honest to God effort to CHOOSE the right thing rather than go down a road of darkness. Darkness only leads to sin.

I didn't mean to confess my heart......but this Joyful Mother wasn't very joyful.

But....but....but.....

I have seen a light of hope and I will follow this because I know the true Joy is there!!

And what else gives me Joy....my children!!

Seriously....

Why be unhappy when you dwell with these cuties who do such lovely things for their mommy's birthday!

Needing an Uplift but not on my face...

2010-12-07T22:30:00.002-05:00

I guess I need some sort of encouragement.

I haven't been happy lately....

I don't know why this is getting to me so incredibly bad but I hate feeling like this.

I've taken it to the Lord and it still remains.

I am waiting for His supernatural grace to complete me.

I know He's given it to me but it still gets so hard.

You wonder what's hard....

Well....

I guess it's the whole thing of not having my own place,

not having much money,

not being able to shop for groceries to make my own meals,

not having my husband to join our evening routine

or sitting around the dinner table after he gets home from work,

having to share the house with others all the time,

In need of some time alone,

flexibility,

thoughts I'm not doing enough around to help my in-laws,

beating myself up for not doing a better job as a mother around my in-laws

thinking I'm acting like such a weak Christian and what in the world is wrong with me??

thinking I'm being darn selfish for wanting money and my own home

Been having incredible bouts with stress and anger

feeling hopeless

feeling like a burden

I am always in the brink of tears throughout the day.

To make myself better I clean alot and keep myself busy doing stuff like crafts, sewing with the children. But there are days like today when I walk around getting very little accomplished and feeling angry....

and not wanting to do one craft and just staying quiet, yet snapping at the kids.

So you see how this thing is really getting to me?

This is my first time making this public

I am really feeling done with this whole journey.

My husband has been applying for jobs but I still wonder how much longer are we going to journey.
Man....I sound like the complaining Israelites!!

I am taking all of this to serious prayer because my heart is not right.

Please pray for my heart to be at peace and for the Lord to direct our path soon enough.

Oh and btw...

I turned 40 on the 4th!

and I got my haircut

shorter than what I've had in a long while.

This is me with my half smile....
my eye on the right is a bit swollen for some reason so I covered it with my sassy hair...
ha ha...

If you look behind me.... those stars are the Advent stars we made to observe Advent this month.
Each star has a Messianic scripture.
They are all over the wall....silver and gold!!
It's rather pretty and encouraging...maybe I need to read some of those.

A Thankful November...Month in review

2010-11-30T21:12:00.000-05:00

A photo slideshow by Smilebox

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving.....

2010-11-24T19:48:00.004-05:00

Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through the house the little kids play and the big people chop...

Chop what??

The yummy veggies to be put in special recipes....

My in-laws have a tradition on the night before Thanksgiving to gather everyone and chop onions, celery, radishes, potatoes, and whatever else is on the menu....

This is actually my first time participating.

Actually I'm not chopping at all and I don't know if I will...

I might chop an onion or two....

I don't know...I guess I may not be participating after all.

hmmmmm.....

Am I being a party pooper??

I'm in my little abode typing away and about to get into a nice hot shower.

I just finished doing my chores...

Mema and I were out shopping for our goodies for tomorrow.

The crowds were ok...they weren't to bad actually....you know how we all say NEVER SHOP the day before Thanksgiving....

Well we did it!!

Tomorrow will be out first Thanksgiving we actually spend without extended family members.

I know...it's quite weird yet a little nice.

It's just going to be Donnie, the kids and I.....WOW!!

We were suppose to head over to my mom's and spend Thanksgiving with her and my sisters but it turned out that she has to work......oh well..

We will be traveling this weekend but not for Thanksgiving....

Friday to Sunday we'll spend over there.

My in-laws will be traveling south to spend Thanksgiving at Donnie's grandmother's.

We decided not to go down with them since our van is on it's last leg and you know.....save gas.

And.....since we will be traveling anyways....you know..

So what's on the menu for tomorrow...

Turkey

stuffing (stove-top--I'm all about saving time and money lately)

corn casserole,

mash potatoes

green bean casserole

cranberry sauce (the jellied can stuff--actually I love this stuff)

parker rolls (refrigerated stuff)

and for dessert...

Well the girls are having a bake-off

Moriah will make Key Lime Pie

Tsavah is making an Oreo-mud pie pizza (I don't know the exact name of it)

Hmmm......I wonder who will win...I guess it all depends on what mood we are all in.

Anyway...all this became possible since we were blessed with a 20 lb turkey and a gift card for $85...

Yahoo!!

A friend of mine blessed us....isn't she awesome....isn't GOD AWESOME!!

He had it all planned out just for us. He knew were going to stay home for Thanksgiving and He had it all figured out!!

Awesome!!

I best get off this blog right now since the kids are in the other house and hoping not causing to much of a problem...they can rough I house I tell ya..

I was going to also write about the skirts I made the girls...but I'll do that on another post.

Till then....

Have a wonderful Turkey Day....

and be Thankful for all that God has done...

I should be sleeping....

2010-11-22T01:01:00.001-05:00

Why should I be sleeping....

Well you might think it's the morning or the middle of the day...

it all depends on when you are reading this post.

Well I should be sleeping because it's acutally about midnight.

So how does this effect your reading....does it make you sorta sleepy like I am?

Not having sleep or being so tired makes me giddy and loopy a bit.

The kids love it and think it is the funniest thing because I'll say weird things.

So how do I act when I need to be sleeping...

I start to act really, really silly.

Like maybe I had a few drinks.

Drinks...do I drink?

Actually I haven't touched any wine in quite a few months.

Now please....

PLEASE....

if you think I'm some sort of alcoholic....oh please don't think this!!

When I say I have had wine in the past...it's when I have a glass with dinner...on occasion or maybe when I cook with dinner...but it depends on what I am making.

You know what I think is really unbelievable is when you share something and then some anonymous person comes to make you feel like a rat in a sewer.

P.L.E.A.S.E

Some people.

So this whole thing reminds me of when I had posted about drinking wine and I literally had some nasty comments sent to me asking "how could I be a Christian if I drank wine?".

Which led to indirectly calling me a w**re because I exposed my thigh when I was wearing my shorts in one of my pictures.

Then shortly after this post I noticed there were some "godly" women who didn't come back to my blog because I must have not been "godly" enough for them.

Really sad I tell you.

I would go to their blogs and visit and say hello but they would never respond back or visit after they had been visiting me.

So now I don't go back to their blogs

So I just said...."oh well...don't need them anyway."

Yeah, it does hurt a bit....well it did.

It just makes me love those unlovable people the more.

or those that have their imperfections....

I don't need to walk with a high and mighty righteous attitude thinking I'm the best when in reality

I am NOTHING without Christ.

I hope I don't get slammed for sharing this post.

Or lose more followers.

I've struggled with being totally open about my thoughts, opinions and what I believe because part of me doesn't want to lose some bloggy friends.

Or some to think negative or bad of me....

Or being judged....

But in the end....

you know your true friends when they are still around even when you share the bad, ugly or even things we might differ on.

Those are the friends you want to hang on to.....

the ones who will still come around and say hi even if they don't drink wine or what have you.

Those are the friends that matter.

Ok so why am I saying all of this???

Oh it's one of those things that I decided to do to spice up my blog a bit....

just be random and speak my mind.

Oh I was talking about not having much sleep....

y..e..a..h.....that's right....

this sort of stuff comes out of me when I'm a bit sleepy and when it's really late at night.

And I'm saying "OH" way to much....

Good night gotta go to bed now....

Rambling....Thankfulness

2010-11-17T22:53:00.003-05:00

Wow...I can't believe it has been longer than a week since I posted anything. Actually the last post was really a prayer request for one of the local mothers in my small town. Oh what a week of sadness. I continue to think of this mother and just pray for all of them, including the firefighters who were doing the rescues. I have found myself shedding a few tears now and then. I just can't even imagine how she is even getting through with it all.

The town has been so supporting. They have raised money by having a fish fry. They had a candle light vigils. The local cemetery donated 8 plots to their family. All funeral services were covered in full. The largest church in town opened their doors to have a memorial service for them. I wasn't able to attend but read and heard all about it. The house still remains all charred and in ashes.

The saddest thing of this whole ordeal was reading on how the firefighters were not able to rescue the boys out of the home because the house was up in flames and the firefighters would have been risking their own lives if they had gone back in the house. They had to retreat when they heard the evacuation call. One of the firefighters said that all of his heart, soul and might didn't want to retreat but he had to, otherwise his own 4 children would have been fatherless. Wow...I can't even begin to imagine even the heartache the firefighters are going through also. Only by God's power can they be mended.

In other news....I've been thinking of how I need to get back to blogging. I wonder what I would blog about....? I sometimes wonder if people even care what I say. I know that's not true.... that there are many of you who read....who enjoy reading what I'm going through and what I have to say. Even when I think I have absolutely nothing to say. I just RAMBLE. Like I'm doing right now.

So my husband says that when I type in this pyramid form of centering my text is rather dumb.

Well he didn't say exactly in those words.

He just said that it doesn't make any sense to type this way and it rather confusing.

I sorta like being a bit different.

I like reading blogs that are a bit different....so I want to be different.

Does that make any sense at all?

Probably not.

It sometimes good to ramble and to be annoying.

I don't know....maybe it will make life a bit more interesting to be a bit bizarre.

But then who will read my posts.

Probably lose some of my followers because you all would think I have lost my mind.

Maybe you don't like my pyrimad centered typing....maybe you do.

Don't worry you don't need to leave any comments telling me if you like it or not.

I don't want to hear it if you hate it and think it's plain old annoying.

Ok...now back to being a bit normal. I have been busy this month making a thankful banner. I thought I needed to be a bit more thankful. I was inspired by Mrs. Taffy at My Life on A Taffy Pull. She started a thankfulness challenge. I thought.... I've been complaining way to much when there is so much to be thankful for. Then I envisioned listing several things I am thankful for....cutting out paper pumpkins, leaves, and hands....and writing these things on each one of these cut outs. The children also shared what they are thankful for and voila...the wall of thankfulness was birthed.

It will stay up for this month or until I create something for next month. Yeah....I've been in the crafty type of mood. It's also good to just sit there and read all those things we are thankful for while we eat dinner.

Ok...I best get going. I want to post more frequently and maybe to just RAMBLE. Why not? Right? Maybe I just might get more comments or more followers. You never know.....

My heart is sad...

2010-11-09T12:35:00.002-05:00

Last night a local family in our small town lost 5 of their children to a house fire. This was just down the road from where we are currently living. My heart totally aches for this family. I don't know much about them other than what I have heard from the new reports. I am assuming she was a single mother because there was no mention of a father in the home.  I think it said she was staying with her mother (the children's grandmother) and her younger sister (the children's aunt--a 21 yr. old)

My husband was driving home from work late last night when he saw police cars speeding by. All he could do was pray not knowing there was a family being lost to a fire that very moment.   We didn't find out what happened until this morning.

From what I read was that they think the space heater caused the fire.  The home was an older wood-framed house probably without central heating. The mother and grandmother were in their bedrooms and escaped through their bedroom windows since they were not able to go through the living room (whole place was ablazed). They began screaming for help and that their babies were in the house still. This brought the neighbors outside and they all began to help. The house was engulfed in flames.  The 21 yr.old aunt of the children was pulled out by a neighbor and is alive but has suffered severe burns. The firefighters pulled the two little girls out (6 and 12 year old) but they died at the hospital. The boys, ages 8, 13 and 15 were not able to be rescued alive....they died in the fire.

Please keep this family in your prayers. This woman lost all of her children last night in that horrible fire.  I cannot even imagine being that mother and having lost ALL of your children. How horrible and so very sad. I know only the Father can heal the deep hurt and pain this family will and is faced with.

So, I am sharing with you all today to remember how precious life is and how so precious our loved ones are, especially our little ones. Be thankful for your kids, hug them, kiss them, love them and to be thankful you and they are alive and well today. My prayers of protection go out to all of you.

Also please lift this family up in your prayers. They are the Jordan family...The mother is named Krista.

They need a touch from God today and for the many weeks, months, and years to follow!!

Outside my Window...

2010-11-01T09:15:00.000-05:00

Here is our October in review...

I always love to put our pictures together at the end of each month.

This makes me appreciate and be thankful for the memories I make each and everyday.

It's All about Perspective

2010-10-21T13:01:00.003-05:00

Let me see....hmmm what should I write about today?

I'm just going to ramble on I guess and see what comes out. I just left two huge baskets of laundry that I need to get back to and fold. How did I get so distracted? Oh yeah...my oldest son wanted to show me something on the computer and once he was off I jumped on for "just a minute" to check my emails. ha ha... Actually I haven't checked them in a few days...yikes! So here I am about 30 minutes later and blogging....how does that happen!? Distractions from someone who is still trying to "master" staying on task.

Just a few tid bits of info about the business.

The business is still alive and working. We just need to make some "money". This has been a bit hard. Donnie took an evening job making telemarketing calls. The upside is that we are making money with this but the downside is that he has to work every evening until 10pm. Not fun. At least I have Mema to keep me company oh yes and the children of course. But....there is nothing like adult conversation. :)

Anyway....Donnie works the business during the day and then he is off to his part-time job at around 4pm. I am getting used to this schedule. He started this job Monday and not sure how long he will work it. It all depends on how quickly we can make some money in the business but you never know when that can be.

It has been difficult for me as to the "waiting.

In my mind I have a plan or agenda that I would like to see come to pass but then you have the circumstances along the way. This is what the Lord is working in me....teaching me how to rest in Him, trust Him, and waiting. The "flesh" side of me wants it NOW....saying: "I don't want to wait....we've been waiting way to long....how much longer....I don't think I can take anymore." I then see this huge mountain in front me that I feel like I can't even begin to climb. This is when I pout, complain, cry, fight.....yeah you name it ....I do it!

I am thankful for the friends I have around me who I can call on for the much needed encouragement.

They usually share with me what they are going through or their struggles with issues. And I am also thankful for the bloggy friends I have met along the way. It is so refreshing to meet people who are real, sincere, genuine and loving life. No matter how rough life can be at times it all comes down to perspective.

I, at times, struggle with having the "grass is greener" attitude.

Especially after I've been mothering children for quite some time, I can get a bit weary with my role. I then, at times, fall into the trap of comparison and looking at the "greener grass" other families have. Whether it be more money, a nicer home, better marriage, better kids, better homemaker, thinner and fitter, or whatever.... It is all looking outside the window trying to find my own identity.

But you know....

it all comes down to embracing the path and calling the Lord has for our own individual lives. Finding the moments within this journey and understanding that this is a journey we are all on and every road is different. Some might be highways or some might be old, dusty, country roads with lots of pot holes.

But what is the Lord speaking to my heart?

He is saying for me not to look outside but to look within and in there I will find the true calling and road the Lord has us on. But what happens when I begin to get a bit antsy? I need to then embrace the moments with the children, enjoying a beautiful fall day, making a special meal for my husband, or even cleaning up those spills my toddlers have made with joy and thanksgiving. Lots of embracing even the messy mess.... And then let the Lord guide my attitude and allowing me to let Him determine the time of the journey I am on.

And here are a few short clips of my babies

A picnic lunch

Designed Destination

2010-10-14T10:51:00.008-05:00

Wow...it's been some days since I last posted. I really haven't had the desire to blog and I haven't had much time to sit and visit all you bloggy friends. Sorry about that!

Yesterday, was not a good day. You know....this sometimes hits me like a wave. I'll have really good optimistic days (as I call them), up days...happy days. Then there are those days where I feel like everything around me is about to come to ruin. This is when the Lord speaks to my heart in ways only He can. I know that He would never let me go. Even in the midst of feeling despair.....(And that's what it is....a "feeling") He is ever so merciful and so forgiving and brings me right back on His course for my life. Thank God for that.

Anyway....This whole journey is making me look at what is "our purpose" in all of this.... plus what is the purpose for this life we are living. Sometimes I can get so downright pessimistic about this journey. When I am feeling this way I begin to "compare" my life to others. NOT GOOD!! Just yesterday I was thinking of other women who seem to have everything good going for them.  I then became mad thinking and wondering how I might have "messed up" my life with my emotions and why does life go so perfect for some and not for me. Yuck!! I know!! Not good thinking

But today....yes...today dear sisters, I received a word saying not to look at everyone's life and journey because God has a specific plan and purpose for EACH individual. I know this is common knowlege for most and for me also, but sometimes we need to hear it again and again. Yes....Everyone is on their own course.

I need to rejoice for the roads, whether bumpy or smooth, or the mountains, whether small or large, the Lord has me to take or climb.  Everyone else is on their own designed destination, planned and orchestrated by the Lord.  We are never promised a smooth sailing and "perfect life" but he throughout reminds us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Now the enemy of our soul is standing right in the ditch of these roads or in the caves of the mountains, waiting for a chance to pounce on us or distract us from this very course. He may do it with deception, lies, feeding us feelings of envy and jealousies, making us regret, have self-pity, tempt us into comparisons, etc... He loves it when we as women are "hormonal" and this is his opportune time to take advantage of us when we are at our weakest.

The Lord continued to speak and said he was holding my hand during this road and many times (lately) he is carrying me in His arms even as a little child kicking and screaming, afraid of walking down the dark path.   Thank God for a Daddy who loves His children and a Lord who delights to mend.

The Lord always knows exactly what to say and when to say it. He loves me unconditionally....even when I mess up and am a big BRAT. He is ever so merciful and He is so longsuffering. Wow!! How great is His love towards His children.

Wow....I am actually feeling alot better typing this post out. I feel like a burden has been lifted. Wow!! I guess I needed to share with you what I've been thinking and going through. Thanks for always leaving such encouraging comments. They leave such a great big smile on my face. I hope to come by and visit sometime this week to check up on all of you. Remember that whatever you might be dealing with today...God has it all figured out. Even when you think there is no hope, His everlasting mercy and love picks you up and makes you whole yet again.

Sending all my love,

Chris xoxo

Expressing My Heart...

2010-10-03T21:53:00.004-05:00

Hello my fellow blog friends or sisters rather.

I feel good about calling you sisters because when you are reading up on my life, I know you are praying for me. You even might have a thought of me during the day. I know because I think of you all often. Seriously!! :) It is kinda freaky, funny that I have these "virtual" bloggy friends who I truly love and think about on a regular basis.....While vacuuming the floor, washing dishes, folding laundry or even while schooling my children....you all come into mind. I had a thought of doing a blog post on my bloggy friends. Maybe in the coming months.....we'll see. :)

Anyhow....life has been interesting over here in the country.

Very different environment than I am used to. I love the tranquility of it all and being nestled in amongst 3 acres of land. I can see cows grazing outside my window. Two little goats eating up the grass right next door, right up next to their bright red barn. In my view are rolling hills with beautiful oaks and a palm tree oasis. Truly beautiful and so peaceful!

The other day I was feeling rather bummed.

Not sure why. I feel like the enemy has been digging up whatever insecurities I might be dealing with and magnifying them 20 times. I know that sounds huge, but that's how it has felt. I don't know if it's due to hormones or our situation living in another home (which I really doubt that is it). I think that when my emotions are sensitive I tend to magnify the circumstances around me. Circumstances being: not being in my "own" home; not having money to buy our "own" things; only having one vehicle; or maybe everyone thinks this or that about me; Or maybe they flat out don't like me. Yeah...lots of junk floods my mind.

What am I doing to help myself?

Well....I go to the Lord. Most times lately it's been in tears and frustration. I know my thoughts are not right so I discuss this emotional instability with the Lord. The other day I went for a walk in the middle of my day. I walked the land then sat right down next to the fence which borders the goats. I sat there and just meditated on my life. Of course my immediate thoughts and conversation with the Lord was focused on my needs and wants. Such as frustrations speaking like: I needed to "do" something more in my life. And asking such questions as to "why" are we still here... Etc...etc. It was one of those fleshly moments in my life (which have been more and more lately). Ha ha!

As I sat there watching the goats graze, the butterfly flutter, and the birds sing....I thought about how they have no care in the world. They are so very content to do what God created them to do. Then the Lord spoke to my heart about my life.

Saying:

You are a delight in my eyes.... in my heart.

I know you feel like exploring the world or doing more.

But I'm guiding you, leading and showing you things in your character and heart that need work.

Allow me to show you the work to be done in your very heart.

Molding and changing and taking out all insecurities so that I can do my greater works in your life.

Do not fret.

Do not be frustrated but enjoy each and every moment...every day of this season you are in and learn from Me.

Love is one of your biggest things to learn this season.

Love...

I was brought to tears as I sang the Lords words from my mouth. There are times I take a notepad and scribble His words to me and then there are times when I just sing what He is saying to me. It really is beautiful and I feel His presence so heavy on my heart. It is amazing! His amazing love and grace floods me.

I really needed to express my heart on this post. I know these were ramblings but this is what I would say if we sat down with a cup of coffee or tea in hand. I would share these same things with you dear sisters. The Lord is amazing and doing an amazing work in my heart. Teaching me lots on love....more so in loving myself.....understanding what love is. Also allowing the Lord's Will to be done and being content in His will no matter what it takes. These are things I am learning. I am also learning not to read into peoples thoughts and assume the worst. (I usually think they might be thinking something negative about me). Yeah...I know that sounds pathetic, but these are the insecurities the Lord is taking out of me.

Gotta run...family is calling .

Loving all of you!!

Chris xoxo

Month in Review...

2010-09-28T22:40:00.000-05:00

Here is a slideshow I put together of our month. Sit back and enjoy!!

A Closer Look...

2010-09-25T00:05:00.004-05:00

Boy...
have I been BUSY!!

This country lifestyle and living with my in-laws has really made me very accountable.

Not that anyone is accounting for anything.

I am keeping myself accountable......

Little ole' me, myself, and I have laid out all the do's and don't of what to do around here.

Plus....being close to my hubby makes me ultra accountable.

Yeah...he's become like the "principal" around here.

He makes sure I'm up, dressed, and ready for breakfast before 7 am.

Breakfast can be anything from toast, oatmeal, sticky buns and many days.....cold cereal.

The past few days I've been dragging out of bed to a brewing pot of coffee my mom-in-law (Mema) has made and children already stirring in the kitchen.

Yeah....even the kids are getting up early to start school.

Kinda nice....

The older three do their schooling with dad after morning bible and I school Shiloh, Galen, and Kole.

Older kids finish up with dad around 9:30 AM and I'm still plugging along until about 11:00 or sometimes into noon.....

Then we are off to do chores.

My in-laws house is so easy to clean and straighten.

I can't place my finger on it but it might be because it's smaller than my old house
and
NO TILE FLOORS TO SWEEP.

Woo-hoo!!

Mostly Carpet to vacuum
and
I love to vacuum...so I save this for ME...

HA HA!!

If it's just me picking up around here....the chores would take a total of an hour.

So with help...I'm done very quickly.

I've also been doing laundry on a daily basis....no letting it stack....

Then....
in my little camper all I have to do is make the bed and pick up just a bit...
takes just a few minutes in the morning.

Anyhow...
It also feels like I have more time, though.
You would think I'd be on the computer with all the extra time I do have.
Nope!

Most of the time the computer is being used by Donnie
and
I just can't seem to allow myself on Mema's computer which is sitting in her bedroom.
I've used it a few times to check my email for a few minutes and pull a recipe up but that's about it.
Most of my time I'm being watchful of the kids so they're not tearing up her house.

Just the other day...
I had turned my back and lo and behold there was Ephraim sitting on the couch with his bowl of soup that spilled all over his lap.

He's crying and I'm dragging him straight to the bathroom to strip him down and place him under cold water.
The soup was mild in temp but he still kept saying he was "burning".
He's OK!

Anyway....my life feels so simple.
Like I said....staying off the computer has given me more time where I find myself thinking....
"What do I do now?"
:)

As I am settling in to a routine of sorts,
I find myself pondering about life.

Asking....
What is the purpose of this journey?
What lessons are there to learn?

I believe there is lots of learning still to be done... I am ready to learn and grow in many different ways.

Anyway...
I will leave you with a tour of my little place.

View from the front door


I have to "jump into the bedroom, I can fit the mattress with just a little walking room on the sides

"kitchen table"

Good size sinks

Bathroom with running hot water and a teeny tiny showe/bath just my size.

Bathroom sink right outside the bathroom

one of the closests

view from the kitchen area

My New Dwelling

2010-09-14T22:08:00.000-05:00

Ok....so I think I can finally say we are all settled in.

After lots of packing, cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning

and

after my fingers worn down to the bone from scrubbing so many floors....

we are all settled in.

We had lots of unpacking too, but not nearly as much as packing.

Plus we put half our house into a 10 x 15 storage unit....stacked wall to wall, ceiling to floor.

Packed!!

unpacking

So here we are at my in-laws and guess what...I love it!!

the main house

I know...

I can't believe I'm actually saying this.

.....saying that I love it and that I don't mind not having my "own home".

Yeah... I am so very thankful the grace of God is so amazingly great.

All I can say....it's by the grace of God that I am filled with thanksgiving and joy.

I knew I would deep down.

Even though part of me (before the move) had resistance to the move but when I realized that this was the path the Lord was taking our family,

I became more and more excited each day.

We are all loving livin' out here.

My in-laws are nestled right in the country on 3 acres and the kids love running and playing in the open country.

It is so very peaceful. :)

Justin captured this the other day at sun down

Cutting grass for his Mema

My oldest son has done his share of adventure seeking already.

Justin and Shiloh were stung by a few bumble bees the other day....ouch.

We also absolutely love our new little buddy Jack, the Boxer.

He is so, so cute.

He's like a kid himself....really.

He climbs right on top of our laps (thats if we let him)

ha ha ha...

My new child

The nicest part of all this has been that Donnie is helping with the homeschooling.

I know....another amazing blessing.

Donnie teaching division

He's taking about 2-3 hours in the morning to teach the oldest four.

So now, I've become the "assistant teacher".

Love that!!

A busy Monday morning

I just do the easier parts of teaching like helping with the workbooks and having the children read to me.

So....while Donnie is busy teaching, I'm taking care of the little ones along with assisting any of the kids that need my help.

I do this while putting in a load of laundry and picking up around the house.

Ana waking from her morning nap

The main living areas all open up to each other so it makes everything very spacious.

I can keep an eye out for everyone all at the same time.

Anyway.....

I've also been spending less time on the computer...

I don't know if that's good or bad??

It's good because I'm getting lots done.

I feel that living here has made me accountable to keeping the house in tip-top shape so my mom-in-law is blessed by our stay.

My mom-in-law or as the kids call her, Mema is so very cool and loves having us here.

She says she is so very happy we're here.

This makes us feel so loved and even more blessed.

She is truly an amazing woman.

So very sweet and giving!

And the bad is that I am not checking up on all you bloggy friends who I love dearly.

If I haven't stopped by lately please understand you are not forgotten.

You are always in my heart.

I have such a limited time on the computer that I have to pick certain blogs to visit per day.

I haven't visited all of you faithfully since the move.

I don't know how much time I will have now with "new" living arrangements.

So now for the moment you all are waiting for.....

the reavealing of my little place!!

Here it is...

this little camper/trailer.

Did you think it was going to be a little "Snow White" cottage?

Ha ha ha!

This little place is just for Donnie and I.....

and for a couple of the little boys.

unpacking

It is so very nice in the evenings after all the kids are tucked in.

It's nice and quiet and feels like we're camping out..... just the two of us.

The little boys (Ephee and Kole) are tucked in sleeping in the bunk so we don't hear one peep.

It is truly such a blessing to have this extra space.

I know that if we didn't have this camper, we probably wouldn't have come to live here. They purchased this camper for camping purposes less than a year ago.

I think it was all in God's perfect timing and plan!

There is so much more I would love to ramble about but it is getting late and I need to get ready for bed.

I'll come back and post when I have some extra time yet again and share pictures of my little place when it is put together.

Right now the bed is unmade and a few little things out of place.

I want to give you a "nice" tour not the "messy camper" tour.

Oh and I promise to visit your blogs whenever I have a spare moment.

I love reading all those blogs on my side-bar and not much time lately.

So please bare with me.

Ok gotta run!!

A Very Quick Update on the Move

2010-09-07T00:24:00.001-05:00

Hey All...

Here's a quick update on what's been going on since my last post.

Well....we are moved in for the most part.

I still need to go back to the old house and clean, clean, clean.

Lots of cleaning...

I wish I had the pictures to show you how much of a mess we all made while living there for 4 years.

Those pictures will have to wait for another post.

I was also thinkin'...

Boy how much STUFF do 10 people need.

I don't see myself as a clutter-bug...pack rat...

I am always ridding my house of stuff....

Actually, to much stuff makes me hyper-ventilate.

I've been having a bit of moving anxiety lately.

I get these waves of panic.

Thank God they don't last long.

Oh...and please don't worry about me...

I am not depressed or having panic attacks.

but you can pray though

I think it's a mixture of the normal moving blues mixed with hormones of an almost 40 year old.

Gosh...

can you believe I'm turning 40 in December?

WOW!!

I still feel like I'm in my 20's.

Anyhow...

I'm going back tomorrow to move the last of our stuff and then cleaning like a mad woman.

Then coming back home (my new home) to unpack and put my in-laws' home back into order.

I feel so bad.

You should see this place with boxes of our stuff all over!

I couldn't even find my mother-in-law.

Finally....I found her underneath a stack of boxes!!

So my little place is quite quaint...

Did I mention Donnie and I have our "own" little place separate from the main house?

Oh yeah...baby!

I am so thankful for this little place.

I'll show you later exactly what it looks like.

You'll have to wait and see! :)

Ok gotta run...and crawl into my bed waiting in my little bedroom.

too-dles

We're on the Move

2010-08-29T18:04:00.000-05:00

Remember when I made a post about my home?

Remember how I wrote about how much I loved living here

and

how I think I might want to buy the home?

Well....

I now come to say that we are moving from this abode.

moving makes such a mess...

Yep...making a move about 40 minutes south from my current city.

This is such a bitter sweet feeling.

Honestly....I've shed my share of tears.

I've felt overwhelmed....

I've felt sad...

I've felt all sort of things.

And I have also felt very excited about this whole new journey we are going to take.

Are you wondering what happened?

Well lots....

I've shared in the past about my husband launching his business

and

how we have somewhat struggled with finances?

And....

how awesome God has been to meet our needs....remember all of this?

My brother-in-law came to help out with the move

Anyway...

have been discussing the possibility of us moving to help save money...

All in hopes my husband's business starts to make a climb.

For all of you who have started businesses or struggled with finances you know there are seasons when you have to do what you have to do.

Most of the time it's a huge sacrifice and a little tiny bit tough.

These are things we are storing away in a storage unit in town

Anyway....

we are going to be moving in with Donnie's parents for about 3-6 months.

Actually....

I really don't know how long this whole journey will take.

It depends on how Donnie's business takes off and how much money we can save.

Soooo...

it is a rather huge leap of faith.

Hard workin girls

For one....

I am so very thankful for wonderful in-laws who are willing to let all ten of us move in.

This was taken at the park a few weeks back....enjoying a late picnic for dinner

The kids are all very excited that they will be living with Mema and Pops.

They are sad to leave their neighborhood friends.

The neighborhood boys we will miss

One of my boys was in tears when we told them we were making the move.

I, of course, shed tears again...right in front of them all.

Soooo....

Today we went down to check out our new place and to figure what of our belongings we are going to put in storage and what we will bring with us.

I am all about living simple and the less we bring the better for me.

I am actually rather excited about it all.

As I type this post, I'm feeling much better about this whole move.

I am excited to have my mother-in-law to chat with in the evenings...

living out in the country.....

to have Donnie home more

(he'll be working out of the house)

and helping me with the schooling.

So that's exciting...

In posts to come I will share pictures of my new "place"

and how it will all work out.

All I know right now....
I am going to make this a time memorable.......days to treasure.

I'm excited!!!!

:)

My Mindless Activity....

2010-08-25T11:18:00.000-05:00

Do any of you have those mindless times spent doing something that really doesn't matter?

Just wasting time...vegging....being mindless?

Yeah....I've been doing this lately in the evenings after the little ones are all tucked away in their little beds.

But I'm not alone though...

My husband joins me along with the older two, Moriah and Justin.

Yeah...it's rather fun.

Years ago we decided to get rid of cable TV.

I thought it was just plain ole mindless...

waste-less time....

Nothing fruitful or fulfilling about it.

Plus we thought.....it rots minds!!

Ha ha.

Now don't get me wrong I would still get free TV via the antenna and watch PBS or our local stations to watch local news.

I just didn't care for cable.

Actually, I still don't care for it.

But now...

since the old antenna ways of watching t.v. are long gone

and now have access of other technical gadgets our television viewing has taken on another form....

We do have good ole Netflix via my son's PS3 system

Hulu via the computer.

Yep...Netflix sent us a disk and now we can stream in any sort of movie and even tv shows we select to watch.

I like this better actually because we can monitor the watching and select only those shows we choose to watch.

Yeah....I know it still is "t.v. watching"....but more monitored.

Anyway....where was I?

Oh yeah....

mindless, senseless activities we've been doing lately for the past few months.

Ok...so after the little ones are tucked away,

books and bible read,

kisses goodnight....

Donnie, Justin, Moriah and I grab our blankets to cuddle with and watch back to back episodes of the LOST series.

On this night we're watching on the computer

Has anyone watched this strange and weird show?

I remember years ago it came out and I sorta was interested in it but then decided it was a waste of my time and why bother.

So here I am 6 years later with my teen children and husband watching this show via Netflix.

I gotta laugh.....ha ha!!

Fridays are our marathon watching night. :)

Oh yeah baby....

I think the most we've watched in one night is 5 episodes and gone to bed way past 3 AM.

I know....mindless....right?

ha ha.

My brain was a bit veggie stir-fried....

I don't think I can do that much in one night.

NO WAY!!
so wait....how can something mindless fry my brain???

this room was dark and they didn't know I was taking this pic that's why no smiles from the rest

Anyway....we're really getting into this show.

What I like the most is the discussions we are having afterward.

No.....we aren't discussing it's biblical worldview or anything like that,

even though it has it's spiritual type stuff intertwined.

We just discuss what we think might take place next in this interesting sci-fi saga.

Sometimes even Donnie and I will lay in bed and discuss what we think might happen.

I know....sorta pathetic....in a weird teenage way.

So my point is....

mindless, senseless activities can still be a moment of time in our lives that we will treasure.

When we are older and the kids are grown with their own children...
we'll sit and laugh about the times we cuddled on the couch and watched hours of LOST.

I think we have season of all sorts.....

I am coming to realize that life is meant to enjoy even if sometimes we spend a little time watching some senseless show.

Memories are truly what we make them...

ps..

Just as a warning....
this is a TV-14 show and there is some language and scenes we had to fast-forward on
This isn't a family friendly show. Before watching this with
our oldest children my husband and I discussed how it would take place in a responsible way.

Knowing some families would never allow this sort of show in their home. This by no means makes us
any lesser of a Christian. You do as God leads and allows for your own families.

In times past I have judged families for choices they had made regarding their families.
I personally feel I was WRONG for ever judging another. The Lord has taught me much about this.

God is the only Judge! :)

A fun day!

2010-08-20T19:59:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was such a fun day.

We went on over to the museum of Florida natural history.

We haven't been in months maybe even a year.

This museum is about 15 minutes from home and free of charge.

I have no idea WHY we haven't enjoyed it much more?

Donnie joined us and we made a family date out of it.

The kids all had fun searching for something to "learn" about.

Daddy doing what he does best....TEACHING

Moriah telling the boys what exactly they were looking at

Shiloh my scientist

Cautiously entering the dark cave

Curious Kole

lots to see

Lots to learn

Playtime in the playroom

Kole and I had a blast playing this giant matching game

Today I received my comforters from my sweet friend.

She gave me three comforters,

lots and lots of towels,

sheets,

a nice lamp (on the right),

and

the decorative planter (it sits to the left of my bed).

Here is one of the sets I received.

Ok....Ok...

so I am NOT a person who has any decorative flair.

I just threw everything together...

I know...I know...

I need help.

ha ha.

PS...

My heart is a bit heavy today.

We are still not sure what our living arrangements for next month will be.

Please pray that I will have peace in my heart to be content in whatever may take place.

But you know what???

God continues to bless in amazing ways.

Yesterday...

Someone blessed us with a few hundred dollars

Today...

We received a nice letter from Donnie's grandma with $150

Wow--wee!!

I am humbled and thank God for His love towards me and my family.

He is truly an amazing Father! :)

I see all of this as supernatural!!

A Peek into my Abode

2010-08-17T16:46:00.001-05:00

Let me give you some history of the places we have lived since being married with children.

We started off in a one bedroom apartment...lived there for one year.

The following year we moved into a two bedroom mobile home....again stayed there about one year.

We then moved into university married housing (we were students)....another small two bedroom apartment....

it was around 500 sq ft...lived there about 2 years.

After graduation we moved into a nice, new three bedroom/2 bath apartment.

We lived there about 1 year and then bought our first home.

Our first home was a cute little three bedroom/1 bathroom home around 900sq ft.

We were paying a very low mortgage (sorta wished we still had that payment).

We lived in that home almost 5 years.

Had 4 of the children in that home (no didn't give birth there....you know what I mean).

We then decided to "move up" in size of home and into a nicer neighborhood.

uh..huh...moving on up...to the eastside (remember the Jeffersons...ha ha)

actually we moved to the northwest side...ha ha.

The home we built was nice.

Had beautiful wood floors...

It was a nice size of 2200 sq ft./ two bathrooms

But you know what??

I didn't really care for the cookie cutter neighborhood.

I really thought I was going to like it but never really got use to it.

Actually our time in that home was not something I want to remember.

I felt trapped in this museum with no furniture.

You see....right after we bought this home my husband began a career in full time real estate.

This was when the housing market looked profitable.

The downside was that we never thought two hurricanes would hit Florida that year and shortly after.....

the housing market began to plummet.

Not good!!

Anyway....the profits we had saved from the sell of our old house had to be spent and 6 months after our moving in....

I WANTED OUT!!

Out of the house that is... ha ha!!

Donnie got another job and worked it.

We stayed in the house for another year.

You know what???

I learned so much about life during that stay in my "summer home".

I don't know why I call it a "summer home".

I guess because it always felt like summer there.

For one...it was hot all the time...yeah, even in the winter and it never felt like it was my "home".

I did give birth to two beautiful boys in the bathtub there.

So I guess that's the ONLY thing I think is meaningful about that house.

Anyway.... we finally sold the house to friends...thank God!!

We immediately started looking for a place to rent and lo and behold this place came upon our path.

I love the big front yard and the oak trees

I fell in love with the house and the family that we are renting it from.

Wonderful people!!

I really like living in this house.

My house is in need of some transformation.

I know that will come as the $$ comes in.

I want to paint.

Hang more pictures up on the walls.

Ummmm.....

lots of different things.

When you walk in you see this view

You look to the right and you see this room

So I'm hoping to revamp this place.

I've also thought of us "maybe" buying this place.

The location is excellent.

5 minute drive to the grocery store and 10 minute drive to the Interstate.

Hallway leading down to the bedrooms.

our den

Dining area

My kitchen where all the action is...

homeschooling books

Office, and Donnie's studio (see the green screen)

the toy closet

My laundry room which needs some organizing --AGAIN!

My bedroom

All 5 boys sleep in this room

The girls room

The guest bathroom...no pics of my other bathroom..it was messy.

The yard is a nice size and the kids love the neighbors.

Our back porch

Right side of back yard

Left view of the back yard

My kids "rule" the neighborhood....which I like. ha ha

Our home is the "hang out"

I know that sounds weird but....What I mean is that they are a bigger influence here than not.

Which I like much better than our last neighborhood.

As for now we will remain in this home.

I am living my life day by day not knowing what will happen tomorrow,

next week,

or next year.

But I remain content in where we are right now.

I am hoping that we will be able to stay here longer, but am willing with whatever may happen.

It is uncertain with Donnie's business right now but it's OK....

God is showing up daily to reveal His providence and goodness in our lives.

It's rather neat to experience this.

So when I'm feeling down, stressed, and not sure....

I think of what He's done and is doing in my life.

I might not know the bigger plan and picture but can rest in the fact that I am being taken care of

TODAY.

PS...

So God continues to do amazing things in our lives.

Like I said before I will be sharing how He is blessing us.

I want to come to a place where I will appreciate and be thankful for even the littlest blessings He brings our way.

Like my friend giving me puzzles for the children.

Sooooo....

The day after the puzzles-- Friday:

I was sharing with Donnie about how I was blessed with the puzzles. We were sharing how it has been so awesome how the Lord has been coming almost everyday and blessing us in one way or the other. Just at that moment....Fed Ex pulls up (unexpected) and delivers a package. Laughing and thinking maybe someone decided to send us "something" special. Well it was special but it was a little something the kids had wanted. Some sort of challenge coins they've wanted for their Civil Air Patrol (just something special for them) Later that afternoon we received a letter from Donnie's old employer back in 2007 saying they owed us money!! I know....right!!?? Out of the blue they said they owe us $600!! We were floored and praise God so much!! God is amazing!!

Then today:

A friend of mine who is downsizing her business and home emailed me saying she had a few things for the kids, comforter sets for my bed (in need...go up and look at my bedroom again), a computer printer (which we needed) and a two COMPUTERS!! Also something we need!! Since Donnie is using the computer all day, the kids have to wait to do their assignments. Blessings!! So, so wonderful.

The kids are also going to be on the local news again tonight and the newspaper for their Color Guard presentation they did today for the grand opening of a new hotel in town. Pretty cool!!

Life is good!!

Elvis and his helper...

2010-08-13T08:32:00.001-05:00

Here is Elvis's helper.


This lens was fogged up on this pic...but I thought it gave it a vintage look. I sorta like it. :)

She did most of the picture taking and filming while my hubby was out doing his campaign.

She put in a whole day's work with her daddy.

I gotta give it to her for going out into town with her daddy dressed up in some silly costume.

Really....

I don't think I would have dared been seen with my dad like that.

She enjoyed her one on one time with her daddy.

Laughing,

chatting,

eating lots of Jelly donuts,

and if they were still hungry....

dining at some fast food joint.

She loved it!!

The previous day she really looked like a 60's girl. I had her hair all teased up and ready to go!!

PS...

I feel like I need to continue to sharing some of the little blessings God has been bringing continually to me.
This is how He is revealing Himself right now to show me....
His love, His closeness, His providence

Sunday:

A friend, who is a single woman handed me $50.

Monday:

A woman from church who is a friend drove over to my house to give me a $100 gift card for groceries

Thursday (Last night):

At my bible study....a friend came me puzzles for my little ones.

Why is this so significant??

Well...

earlier in the afternoon as I am setting up my kids homeschooling schedule and activities for the little ones......

I "thought" not prayed.....

"I need to get some puzzles"

When I arrived at my friends house for bible study I saw puzzle sitting on her counter top.

The Lord spoke to my heart and said....

These are for you....

I argued with Him saying "I don't think so".....

So as I was about to walk out the door my friend says....

Oh Chris, these are for you.

I had the biggest smile on my face and my heart seriously jumped with joy,
knowing that the Lord is indeed meeting my needs.

Yay!

My Hubby's Elvis Campaign

2010-08-09T16:27:00.001-05:00

It is quite interesting

fulfilling

and fun to be married to a man who has such a wonderful sense of humor.

He is a character just on his own

but look out when he dresses up in some sort of costume and becomes another character.

How about when it's for his JOB??!!

No....he is not...

an actor

nor works at a theme park

or even a carnival

Yeah....he did travel with a carnival as a child but that's another story...

Oh and he did want to be a clown when he grew up..

That....he is by nature

He doesn't have to dress up for that.

He's a businessman!!

a Salesman!!

but not a traditional sort of salesman....

nope not my husband.

You see he has to bring some sort of funniness into everything he does

Even.to.attract.

ATTENTION

Today he launched the Business Rockstar (his business) campaign

to offer his services with web video.

He dressed up as Elvis and went to businesses passing out jelly donuts.

Yep....

oh boy...I told him I DO NOT want to be seen with him dressed like this.

ha ha!!

getting the morning donuts at Dunkin Donuts

Moriah went out with him getting it all on video and pictures.

She even dressed the part.

She looked so adorable in her "sixty's attire"...

well you know...the vintage look

teased her hair and donned a cute baby doll dress with a scarf around her neck.....

real cute!! :)

I don't have a picture of her but maybe I'll get one when she goes out with Elvis again...

She loves her daddy

She is such a sport to follow him around for an entire day....

ha ha...

Here he is at our pediatrician's office

Here he is with our pediatrician....ha ha

Yep....he made his rounds of businesses

He is just toooo much!!

Here is the link to his business... check out his video

Business Rockstar

ps... As I was typing this post a friend of mine came by to bless me with a grocery gift card for $100. Can you believe it??? God is so awesome and He is meeting our needs!! :)