News... u missed! I have a Bible packing DG girl!

Well, it's not really news u missed! It is more like news I failed to post while going offline for 2 months! My dd was chosen to be featured in Discovery Girls Magazine! Just days before heading to Oklahoma to our new home away from home we went to New Orleans for her photo shoot! It went great! She was photographed with 11 other girls chosen from Louisiana.  So look for her in the issue featuring girls from Louisiana (going out on the newsstands in May). This will be the June/July Issue! & well... I just can't wait! She'll be the long haired sweetheart holding her Bible in her profile shot!
It was sooo funny b/c she said they tried taking pictures of her without her Bible, and she was worried they would use a shot of her without it instead of with it, so she kept looking away with every snap when she didn't have her Bible in her hand! They may have just needed extra pictures for other reasons, but she wasn't taking any chances! That's my baby-girl! Be a witness! Show off The Word of God and be proud you are a Christian! :)

Blessings,

Day 5 Away From Home

Yes... ppl! I know! It has been 2 months since I've posted! Posting on my blog has been the last thing on my mind. While dealing with the whole job loss/unemployment issues, I've been in no mood to blog! God and my family have been the only thing keeping me going.
DH now has a job but it has temporarily relocated us from Louisiana to Oklahoma! Big change for us! We're living out of a extended stay hotel... BTW it's no picnic...4 ppl! 1 room! 2 beds in the same room as the couch & kitchen! hence it's a lil crowded, but we are making it!
'n Actually there should be 5 of us here and not 4...tis what I am liking least of all -- my 14 year old stayed behind for a doc appt and my parents were supposed to bring him to us in a week. Now they are talking about keeping him till we come home for our cruise (the 1 we've had scheduled/pd for forever ago...way before dh losing his job)!
Well....that's 2 more weeks away still...3 weeks being away from my kid! I know he's in good hands, but he's still my baby (even a@ 14) 'n well... I want him w/me!!!! (stamping my feet) :( So of course I am not sleeping much!
As I get ready to settle in for my 5th night away from home, I'll be praying for some sleep! It's not just this unsettling feeling b/c my entire family isn't together-- it's the city! I am used to serenity and sounds of nature!  This temporary home of ours is nestled between a major hwy and the interstate. I hear the roaring of traffic all night long. Living out in the woods, we get the crickets chirping, the occasional rooster crowing from some late night disturbance, and the dog's doing the twilight bark thing.  Oh the sounds of home... much more peaceful than this. I never thought I'd appreciate those barking dogs of ours and our neighbors! lol! I miss 'em already! and I miss my chickens and roosters and fresh farm eggs which I had to give away before we left :( So even when we get home... no fresh farm eggs! No cuddly rabbits either btw! We gave our 4 rabbits away, too :(  The dogs are in the care of my MIL. She wanted the protection and companionship, so it worked out well for them and her!
Anywayz... Just wanted to let you know what's going on in our lives, but it's time to read the Bible before everyone falls asleep, so will cut this short! Hope your last few months have been filled with God's love and blessings! 'n yep...I know I focused on some negatives tonight, and I am sorry... I will do my best to share some positives of our experience as I know there will be some... of course one positive is that dh has a job so that's a blessing... :)  til tomorrow!  & yep... we are still homeschooling!

Blessings,

Hard times!

So I was really excited to share our cruise pics with you, but now I just don't really feel like posting! Here we are just 10 days before Christmas, yesterday I basically take us to broke finishing up all my Christmas shopping, and my hubby's company lets him go! Well... at least we had a good vacation before hand! viva Mexico! but now... I am just so frustrated! um... they could have let him go yesterday or filled him in of a possibility of letting him go before I practically emptied the bank account with all the presents for family and friends! I even stayed up super late and got everything wrapped up!

I pinched pennies like crazy to be ahead for Christmas 'n now this! I did spend a little in Mexico, but it was a very little bit! I just had to get maracas for my Sunday school kids! that cost me all of $17 including the miniature wooden ship I bought for my 6 yr old! I was thrilled I kept my spending down...saving for the last of the Christmas presents! dh and the teen bought sunglasses, and my daughter bought a few little things, but I wasn't the shopper this time! :)

So here we go again! my husband needs a job! I thought it was hard homeschooling on one income 'n well... now... no income! We're just putting it all in God's hands! I am so grateful we at least have our health, each other, and a church family to pray with and for us!

Hope you all enjoy your Christmas! When I get over my case of mully grubs, I'll get the cruise pics up!

God is good... all the time! all the time! :)

Blessings,

Thank God!! It's Friday!

It's been a crazy week, but I thank God for all He's done in our lives! Our family has been so blessed! I could never begin to repay God for the all the good things in my life! That's not to say we haven't struggled at times, but you really have to struggle every now and again or you won't appreciate the blessings God sends your way!
Looking for some way to give back to Him, I began praying for God to use me! With a new pastor, new changes in our church, and new people, I was almost feeling like I was losing myself in it all!  We all want to feel like we belong somewhere, right?! I just wasn't sure where yet, even though this is the church I was married in over 16 years ago!
So, I found myself helping out cooking breakfast for the bus kids at my cousin Wendy's church (her hubby is a pastor), then I would leave there and go to our church just in time for Sunday School. I met lots of new people, enjoyed the fellowship with my beautiful, kind-hearted cousin, and really felt like I was doing something to please the Lord, but at the same time...I wanted to do something at our church!
My cousin's church elected some new youth leaders, and they moved in to the parsonage. For them this meant they had plenty of hands to help out for Sunday breakfasts, so I took this as a perfect opportunity to open myself up to do something at "home" so to speak.
My husband and I spoke to the Sunday School director and his wife and let them know that we would take a Sunday School class if one came available. We were willing and able provided the children were all potty trained. We taught for a year in the 2 year old class and well... we're so not ready to go back to diapers and pull ups!
Weeks went by! and then more weeks! I missed cooking at my cousin's church! I missed the kids! and of course... I miss my cousin!!! :)  I began praying a little harder every day "God use me for your service!" Of course, I was getting a bit discouraged! I think the devil was helping out with that, b/c I kept trying to search myself and see where I was messing up since God wasn't using me/us! I begin to pray that if things weren't right in my heart, then I needed God to help me change so that I may be worthy of doing service for His kingdom.

A few more weeks of praying and then...

One Sunday morning I'm pulled out of church by an usher! I was like...whaaaat is going on? He told me "You are needed in the Kindergarten class." I thought he was mistaken b/c my youngest is in first grade, but then it dawned on me that was my cousin's class. My cousin has two lil ones (10months and 2 yrs), so I figured it must have been one of her own she needed me for...nope...the next thing I know she is handing me a book 'n talking about my husband and I taking over the class! I was so excited!

As if I wasn't already excited enough...Monday, I was sent a text asking if I wanted to help out with Kid S.U.R.F. on Wednesday nights (children's church)! I was assured we'd be taking turns throughout the night, each having small parts of the lesson, so it wouldn't take a lot of prep or home time! And most all the helpers have a Sunday School class, so doing both is typically not a problem.

Now... call this a coincidence or not but come Friday, I receive a phone call...It was one of the elders in the church asking my husband and I to meet with him Saturday prior to outreach. We had a short conversation about what was in store, and Sunday morning... my husband and I were sitting in the pastor's office being prepped on our new role as outreach leaders!

I'm not sure how I feel right now... I am so excited but a tad bit overwhelmed! lol! I know God answers prayers, but...lol! He really did it this time! :)

Sunday was our 3rd week teaching our new kindergarten class! Wednesday was my 3rd night in Kid S.U.R.F.! Prior to church that night, my hubby and I attended our first director's meeting! And... this Saturday we will be doing our first church-wide outreach event! We're mostly looking toward the youth group showing up for this one this time, but we're going to push for more church involvement come next month! We love the youth for outreach! They are friendly, outgoing, and energetic! They "like to move it!, move it!" and face it... the older we get, the less get up and go we tend to have!

The downside to all of this...when you try to work for the Lord the devil tries to do everything he can to ruffle your feathers! Me and my crazy teen have knocked heads a few times this week...as have me and the hubby (over the teen)! So... I made an effort to pray a few extra times during the day...Not gonna let that devil get me down!! Just speaking His name-- JESUS!!! and... well... all the devil can do is flee! Love that wonderful name of Jesus!

Please say a quick prayer for us tomorrow as we will be kicking off at 10am tomorrow as we venture through the city putting door hangers on door knobs, leaving flyers on cars, and handing out tracts!

Blessings,

Lil Mr. Sneezy

Ok...well this one has me stumped. Anyone ever heard of a cat being allergic to the outdoors? One of our cats will soon be dubbed Lil Mr. Sneezy! When put him in the yard,  he of course freaks out b/c he's not used to being outside but the crazy thing is that he starts wheezing and sneezing! so idk what to think!

The tragic story is how we came to adopt the lil thing... I turned on the dryer and heard a horrid sound. After moving everything around, grabbing a cage, and setting up a way to trap what we thought was a squirrel, I finally reached in and pulled out this tiny kitten. How in the world it managed to make it's way on my porch I haven't the foggiest b/c we have a door... slipped on unnoticed while one of us were coming in is all I can figure.  My dryer vent cover broke not real long ago, and we've yet to get a new one. Thinking nothing could get on the porch and get in, we didn't much worry about it.

Well, this little feller made his way on the porch, went in through my vent, and was completely in my dryer...and was almost killed. Luckily as quick as I heard the horrid noise, I knew something was there and we found the feller... but not before fur blew out my vent! He had a patch of hair shaved off his scalp and off each ear,  half his little nose was gone [literally!], and his lower front leg was ripped open from the joint to the paw.

Now, I am no cat person...never was...but... I felt horrible!!! I doctored and coddled him constantly even letting him sleep on my chest at night!! and prayed with my kids that he would be ok. I knew it wasn't my fault the lil guy climbed in the dryer vent, but I knew I had turned it on and off twice trying to figure out what was going on...so my doings led to his near death experience.

Well, he's a spoiled rotten little kitty now! He's all healed up, thankfully, but he still doesn't have leather on his nose. I don't think that will return. Ever so often he'll bump it and it will bleed, but all his other wounds are healed.

He's now getting big enough to go out into the world and chase the chickens, birds, and field mice! Mostly he's male...fixed or not...they spray, so he's got to go outside, but each time I take him out he goes crazy! I don't know if the wheezing and sneezing is anxiety or allergies, but it's the strangest thing I've ever seen!

So call me crazy, but I'm going to pray this little kitten gets over whatever he has so he can live a fun, full life outdoors. You might think it's a little silly to pray for a cat, but Proverbs 12:10 says "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast." so why not... if a God tells us a righteous man regardeth the life of his beast, then God must also regard the life of all beasts...even lil sneezy ones and would be okay with us praying for it! and what would I tell my kids anyway if I said no to that.. we pray for them when they are sick! I couldn't just say... God doesn't care about that, now could I?

So...here is our little sneezy feller (including a depiction of him drawn by my 6 yr old as part of one his creative writing assignments... he's learning about pets, why we think God gave us pets, and how we are supposed to care for and love them. He'll be memorizing Proverbs 12:10, too).

~

 ~

 ~

Um... the cat or the bed... one of the two is a bit out of proportion! If he grows to be this big...well...I'm moving out! lol!

Louisiana Saturday Night

Well, the night's almost over, but we had us a good 'ol time! We headed out to the back yard, built us a fire, roasted some weenies, and then followed that with some toasted marshamallows and smores! Yum! Check out the pics...

and no the pooches didn't pee on that rock, so don't flip out!!! It's ok, really!!! They aren't allowed in that part of the yard! 'n besides...that rock was so hot it could have fried an egg... don't think any germs could have lived on it! It was the perfect place to start my chocolate a melt'n which made for the gooiest smore I've ever tasted!

toasting my marshmallow!

nice 'n toasty... placed atop my chocolate & graham cracker 

turned on the flash

mashed it down flat

going for the bite

ok... i took a couple of bites before this pick...couldn't resist
cheezing it up

going for the serious look

I <3 these guyz! God has truly blessed us!
'n btw...I never eat more than one smore, but ... um... don't tell anyone... but I had 3!!!! I have no idea what got into me, but smores done on a campfire are way better than the ones you can do in the microwave! oh... heavenly! I best be bike riding a lot next week to make up for tonight!

Blessings,

God Said No!!!

I asked God to take away my habit. 

God said, No.

It is not for me to take away, 
But for you to give it up. 









I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. 
God said, No. 

His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary. 


I asked God to grant me patience. 













God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; 
It isn't granted, it is learned. 



I asked God to give me happiness.. 










God said, No. 
I give you blessings; 
Happiness is up to you. 

I asked God to spare me pain. 

God said, No. 
Suffering draws you apart from 
Worldly cares and brings you closer to me. 

I asked God to make my spirit grow. 

God said, No.  


You must grow on your own, 
But I will prune you to make you fruitful. 



I asked God for all things 
That I might enjoy life.. 

God said, No.  I will give you life, 
So that you may enjoy all things. 



I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.

God said... Ahhhh, 
Finally you have the idea. 



'May the Lord Bless you and keep you, 
May the Lord Make his face shine upon you, 
And give you Peace....... Forever!

~ Author Unknown










My cousin sent this to me via email. I hope you enjoy it!



Blessings,

Sunday School

Today was our first day with our new Sunday school class. I was so excited! My daughter's teacher and family were gone for the weekend, so she decided to come in and help us out with our class! We had a great time! My husband's not in any of the pics, b/c he was snapping the pictures! I think he did a great job!

This Weeks Bible Point

Bible Point Craft Activity

I <3 these cuties! 

I was very thankful that for our first day we only had 4, but I do hope more will come!

Prayer Time

--- [//Beautiful//] ---

prayer requests (in order, front to back)

"Ayden's cough, Nana's back, & Paw Paw's back"

"Ma Maw J---'s leg"

"With God all things are possible!"

"my ear"

Remember: God Answers Prayers!!! 

Praise & Worship

---- [my favorite picture] -----

Crafts

Tyler showing off Elijah's alter

Playtime



Putting Together A Puzzle

Vroom!

This Noah built an alter, not an ark! :o)
I like to think he's smiling b/c he loves me!!!! lol! Noah's my cousin's lil boy! nnnn a tad too young for this class, but he did sooo good! I hope he comes back every Sunday! I am so proud of him!

Blessings,

Fishing Friday & Family

Yay! Yay! It's fishing friday for our bunch! Oh... I better add this right up front... I know there is nothing like fishing for a good deal, but I'm talking real fishing!! So if you stopped in for that... I guess I could mail you some coupons for the grocery store! lol! I don't want you to be disappointed, but I am talking 'bout the  whole "you get a line and I get a pole" thing! We're heading off to the fishing hole!  Well, at least we were supposed to be heading off to go fishing as soon as my husband got off! but... :( now he's saying something about going to buy a  new alternator to put on his truck, so something tells me we may not be going fishing this evening. I'm a bit bummed.  Here are some pics from last weekends fishing expedition. We caught a few good sized ones on the yo-yo's, but we threw them back. The time before that my daughter caught a folding chair, and a few limbs, and my mom caught a perch. We're obviously not entering a bass tourney, but we have a lot of fun!

Anywayzzzz....My favorite pic first!!!

Check me out--- walking on water!!! so cool! of course not as cool as Jesus, b/c I cheated but how??? bahahahaa! 'n it is not photoshopped b/c if it was I wd have definitely tried to slim my self up a bit!! Remind me to NEVER!!! EVER!!! wear this outfit in public!

I thought ruching/gathered sides were supposed to make you look thinner, but I guess if you pull your shirt way down to be sure it doesn't slip up 'n show your tummy when you raise your arms while acting like an igmo pretending you are walking on water... this is the look ya get! I'm no fashionista anywho!!! but I will give u a tip... don't wear a layering tee under a ruched shirt! u'll burn up while ur fishing and u'll look a bit thicker in the mid ta boot! I definetly appear to have more girth than normal! trust me I don't need help there, the "hippy"mom I already am!! 5'2 has bennies... I don't have far to fall when I trip, but if I was another few inches taller, I wd be in that normal BMI zone! ha ha!

More pics...

this lil fisherman is always grinning! 

my daddy, my girly, her "bubba", 'n my hubby

whistle while you troll...da da da da da da da! 

[my hubby does not like to get his pic taken... notice the furrowed brow! lol!]

my boy 'n my momma <3 'em both like some kinda crazy!

God has definitely blessed me with an awesome family! I pray the same blessings for my readers! Hope you have a fabulous friday!

Blessings,