Red Cake Plate Creation!

I just wanted to join in on Met Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch and Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage.  I am always so inspired by everything that everyone comes up with.  Last Saturday was by far the most amazing garage sale Saturday EVER!  It all started Friday afternoon, actually.  I went to a few sales and saw this cake plate for 50 cents.  I wanted it, but I was in a hurry, and didn't get it...but I thought about it all evening and regretted not grabbing it up!  The next morning I went back by there and it was still there!  It was meant for me!  :o)  I went to a church sale and bought several decorative urns/pedestal things for 10 cents each!  Amazing...I hatched a plan to make one of the beautiful serving plates that I've seen around!  Here is the process...

Two separate pieces...destined to be together!

I pulled his little feet off with pliars.

I used Gorilla Glue to glue them together and...

are you ready?

Painted the whole thing RED! 

(Please pardon the terrible photos, I dropped my camera and have been using an old lens...doesn't work too well!) 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

A New Look!

Hi.  I changed the template to my blog up just a little!  I love it!  I think it looks really fresh and pretty!  Here is a link to a whole wealth of blog inspiration: blog inspiration!

Blessings this morning...

This morning, the kids are still sleeping, I'm on my 2nd cup of coffee, and I'm just feeling blessed.  My mom and dad came over last night to go to Katie's softball game.  After the game, Katie and Mom and I made 4th of July t-shirts while Dad and Asher literally rolled all over the living room floor :o)  Asher started it and then Grandpa started rolling!  Just last year during Katie's softball season, my dad was just recovering from a major stroke, bleeding in his brain, and a blood clot...just amazing that he is still with us and can "roll around" with his little grandson...I feel so blessed and THANKFUL for this!  Later on I caught Asher and Dad comparing "boo-boo's" and kissing each other's ouchies!

Thank you Lord!  A friend on facebook lost her dad this week, he was only 67, I think.  She lost her mom a few years ago.  I can't imagine how that would hurt...especially with grandchildren.  I'm saying special prayers for her today.  I just feel really fortunate to have Mom and Dad and Joyce and Kenny still in our lives, for Katie and Asher to get to know each of them, for them to be able to laugh together, to play together, and snuggle together.  So very truly thankful for these things.

We had a showing last night.  My mom said she had a "feeling" that they would like it.   I think I just feel at peace with whatever God has planned.  I would LOVE to get an offer, but I am also content to just wait.  I know God has a plan (and it's a good one!)

I wanted to share some of my amazing garage sale scores from Saturday.

I just feel like God blessed me with all of these things...I got three decorative birdcages...a large one 20"x10"-ish $2 (which I already spray painted red and put out on the front porch! Ha!) and two smaller ones 14"x8"-ish $1 each, 6 flower frogs for $.10 each, a set of 3 wooden candlesticks for $.50, a pretty polkadot blouse for church for me $1, tons of clothes for Katie, priced from $.10-$.50 each...gap, old navy, a cute, cute skirt for church, some tween-ish tops that she really loved, a cake plate for $.50, a pedestal thing for $.10, a print with a cool frame that I am going to turn into a chalkboard for $.10, a ziploc bag full of colored chalk for $.10, a box full of vintage piping, quilt binding and trim, all still in packages for $1, and a box full of vintage buttons for $.50...completely amazing that there were so many wonderful treasures for very little money...a big blessing! 

Katie is a good garage saler!  She had fun and even bought Kris a yellow lab statue for father's day for $.25!  She's thrifty and thoughtful!  :o)

I think that's all for this morning, but I will update if we hear anything on the house!  :o)

God's Amazing Plans!

God’s Amazing Timeline for our Lives:


Leading Kris and I together, even though sin. Giving confirmation to us through street signs and sunflowers.

Giving us Katie, who was so beautiful and amazing, our first true look at what God can do!

The day that Kris found out about the vision center job and I found out about the case manager job in Indy.

The move to Indy was a direct (the most direct I’ve ever witnessed) reach of God’s arm to draw us to his side. He pulled us up from “the Pitt”, from our life of keeping up with the Jones, from “going to church most of the time” to “In-dependence on Him” through so many things, our new church family at Indy Naz, peers who lead us to deeper devotion, through so many things!

The struggles we had during the first year of living in Independence were also a way of God just reaching down, picking us up, holding us close to him, and comforting us. He comforted us through Katie’s hospitalizations with pneumonia, chest x-rays and testing for cystic fibrosis. He held us and provided for us while we paid the high rent and lived in the rental.

He was lovingly patient while we moved from Indy to Mound Valley, and kept us safe on the road each day. He gave us the relief from paying high rent with that move, and gave us a cute little home of our own.

He held us, comforted us, and got us through our miscarriage. He gave us strength to get through it, and gave us a child in Heaven to see someday.

He again was patient with our decision for Kris to work at the DC. He surrounded Kris with men of faith to work with, and lead him deeper into his faith. He let us sell the MV house, so that we could be closer to Kris’s work in Bartlesville.

He lead us to the calling of adopting Zac. He gave us wisdom of the Holy Spirit to discern that it might not have been the best decision, and helped Zac find a home where he was meant to be. He helped us love and appreciate Katie in an amazing way. Going through that was so difficult, but God had his hand in it…he was holding all of us, including Zac in his arms.

The entire time of moving to Caney, working at the dc, contemplating moving to Bartlesville, God still had the good and perfect plan for us to be in Independence. He drew us back to Independence, and provided Kris a job back in the store; he gave us our little rental home for a while. He protected Katie and I from carbon monoxide poisoning while there! He brought us here, to this home for a reason. He gave me Pam, to walk and talk with and lose a little bit of weight with, so that I could get pregnant and have our little Asher. We prayed for so long for another child, we cried and mourned the loss of our baby in Heaven and of Zac, but God had a plan to bring us Asher!

He has given me the opportunity to stay home with our children for a reason. He has given us so much. We just need to wait for his next answer, his next plan for us. I know his plans are best. We have learned that over the years of searching and moving and trying to plan things on our own. We know that HE LOVES US, and he wants what is best for us…so we will trust him…completely.

Trusting, waiting, dreaming...

Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Phil. 4:6-7

I'm trying to remind myself of these verses as I pray for our home to sell this morning.  I feel like I've been praying and petitioning God about moving to the country home forever...it's been 6 months.  I know there are reasons and plans beyond what I can see or imagine, but I'm so impatient.  I worry that Marilyn will get tired of waiting on us, and change her mind about letting us rent.  I worry that we are not going to be able to pay our mortgage much longer.  I worry that we haven't paid Katie's tuition in full for this past school year.  I worry about everything that needs to happen when we sell this house.  I know I am not supposed to worry, but I'm naturally a worrier, and it's an area of my spirit that I struggle with every.single.day.  Lord, please help me not worry.  Please help me put my TRUST in you.

I started a photo album on facebook called, "The Old Orchard Cottage"...I think that's what I am going to call our little home and my little "studio" out in the country.  When we were looking at the house, Marilyn told us there was an old orchard on the property, but she didn't think it produced fruit anymore.  Well, we have been watching little apples grow for the past month...they are beautiful!  There are at least three trees producing fruit!  We're so excited!  We have plans to prune in the fall and hopefully get the trees in better shape for the next time around. (I think they produce every other year?) Anyway, we're not spraying for worms or anything, so they will probably be pie apples, or apple butter, with the good parts of each apple.  So excited for living out there this fall.  There are so many things that we love about it out there, the sunsets are beyond amazing...just beautiful and completely wonderful, and all of the different trees and plants and bushes...so many things blooming and changing.  I just can't wait to sit on the porch in my PJ's and drink coffee while watching the sun come up over the trees.  I can't wait to watch the kids play in the yard, and not worry about them screeching with joy too loudly!  I can't wait to let the dogs run and explore and then fall asleep on the porch!  I can't wait for Kris and I to sit out on the porch swing under the stars after the kids have gone to bed!  I know it won't all be peachy and rosey, but there are so many things we are just really looking forward to!  Please pray with us that our home will sell soon!

VBS!

VBS is going really well!  We have had about 50 kids, hoping and praying for even more throughout the week!  Our pastor would like to have a baptism on Sunday for the kids who have said yes to Jesus!  :o) 

I told our realtor to be ready, because we were going to be selling the house *NEXT* week!  Praying that God has just been waiting for VBS to be over to get our move happening!

Katie and Asher have been having a blast at VBS.  They both really enjoy it, but we are all pretty tired each night so far!

Trust seems to be the theme lately!

Pastor Bill talked about trust last night in his message.  He told the story of David and Goliath, and how David did not have his trust in the armor that Saul tried to give him, he didn't have trust in the sling and stones, he completely TRUSTED GOD to help him defeat the giant to had defiled his God!  Amazing!  For a while now, I think I have been partly trusting in our realtor (bless her heart--she's amazing!), trusting in my own ability to get the house clean enough for someone to want to buy it, trusting in "enough money" to keep us afloat, trusting in things...but where should my true trust lie?  IN the one who loves me more than anyone, and the one who would never hurt me, the one can work miracles, the ONE who has the ultimate plan for my life---JESUS, MY LORD!  So very thankful for this! 

Trusting and Waiting...

"Remember it is because He loves us that He waits. Immediate intervention would abort the far greater thing He has in mind. Trust Him for the greater." - Elisabeth Elliot


My friend Jo had this as her facebook status, and I think it's just a great quote...it was perfect timing for her to post it because I needed a little extra encouragement this morning.  I keep thinking there is either something harmful that God is protecting us from, or something greater that he is hatching while we're waiting to sell the house.  I just have to believe that he has a plan, and it's a good plan!  I just have to remind myself of this, over and over, or Satan creeps in and makes me have doubts. 

VBS is coming along, just 3 weeks until our Egypt adventure.  It's been exciting and stressful, but overall, I've seen God's provision so many times already.  We have all of our staff positions filled, about 60 adults and teens!  Praise Him!  So many people have said yes, and I am just so very thankful!  We also have someone who has graciously offered to bake 15 loaves of fresh, open-hearth baked bread for us everyday!  Amazing!  We had a generous budget from the church, so we were able to get everything we need for the crafts.  It's time to start buying the dried fruit and nuts, and the week of VBS we'll buy the fresh fruit.  The marketplace will be set up in our Family Life Center, and I just think the kids are going to have a blast making bricks out of mud, visiting the animal courtyard on Friday, and trying their hand at writing hieroglyphics!  The music is FABULOUS!  I am ready to have VBS!

He will provide!

We're still waiting to sell the house.  It's been on the market two months today.  We are so ready to get out to the country.  We mowed there last Saturday, and I just couldn't believe how pretty it looked.  I am just in love with the rolling hills, the quiet, the giant yard.  I love the sound of the kids playing and Kris mowing.  I just can't wait to feather our nest.  Please, Lord...please let our house sell soon.

Yesterday and today, the Lord lead me to read two different passages in the Bible about his provision.  The first one was not to worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear and he gave examples of the birds of the air and the lilies in the fields.  Today's story was the classic story of Jesus feeding 5000+ with the little dude's lunch.  I know that God is with us, and he is in control.  I know that even though we're struggling with our finances, we still have plenty to eat, plenty to drink, and we have clothes to wear!  He is also providing enough for our mortgage for shelter.  We're going to be ok.  I just need to concentrate on his provisions, and not try to figure it all out by myself.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Lamentations 3:21-23, says,
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Thank you so much, Lord, for your new mercies every morning.  Even on days when I completely fail, as a wife, mother, friend, you still love me, and make things bright and clean every morning.  Thank you, Lord, for your unconditional love!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Psalm 150:1,2,6
Praise the Lord.  Praise God in his sactuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.  Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness...Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! 

Isaiah 40:25-31 (The Message)



25-26"So—who is like me?

Who holds a candle to me?" says The Holy.

Look at the night skies:

Who do you think made all this?

Who marches this army of stars out each night,

counts them off, calls each by name

—so magnificent! so powerful!—

and never overlooks a single one?



27-31Why would you ever complain, O Jacob Karrie,

or, whine, Israel daughter, saying,

"God has lost track of me.

He doesn't care what happens to me"?

Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?

God doesn't come and go. God lasts.

He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.

He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.

And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired,

gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don't get tired,

they walk and don't lag behind.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

So many times in my life, Jeremiah 29:11 has brought me comfort, through Katie's hospitalizations, through infertility and our miscarriage, through our failed adoptive plans, through so many dark days.  It is so comforting and encouraging...but what's more comforting, to me, is to read on, because he gives us detailed instructions on what to do next!  I need specific instructions (on a neon sign lowered down from heaven! Ha!) To know that He promises to listen to us, it's wonderful!  He knows the desires of our hearts...before we even ask him!  Then he says we will find him when we seek him with all our hearts!  I am SO ready to seek him with all my heart today! 

Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.  Psalm 95:8

If I hear him say, "it's going to be ok", I will not harden my heart.
If I hear him say, "I love you", I will not harden my heart.
If I hear him say, "there is hope", I will not harden my heart.
If I hear him say, "I'm going to bless you", I will will not harden my heart.

I just want leave it gaping open, soft like jell-o, for Him...please, Lord, help me stay open to hear You today!

In God's Heart...Happy Birthday, my sweet girl!

To Katie, my sweet, almost 10 year old girl:

In God’s heart, you are…
created
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. PSALM 139:14 NIV
chosen
The Lord has chosen you to be His treasured possession. DEUTERONOMY 14:2 NIV
celebrated
He will take great delight in you…
He will rejoice over you with singing. ZEPHANIAH 3:17 NIV
cherished
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. JEREMIAH 31:3 NIV

Source:  http://www.incourage.me/

Sis, I love you so incredibly much!  You are my sweet girl!  You have such a beautiful, generous heart!  I love you with all of my heart! I hope you have a beautiful birthday tomorrow!  Love you sooooo much!!
XOXOXOX
Love,
Mama

Gobble, gobble!

Just wanted to be sure and share Katie's big accomplishment!  She shot her very first turkey this past Tuesday!  He was 24 lbs, 10.5" beard, 1" spurs!  She was so proud, and Dad was BEYOND proud! 

On the eve of 2...

Oh sweet boy, I can't believe you will be two years old tomorrow!  I remember being on cervadil this time two years ago, getting some little contractions going, so incredibly excited that you would be with us the next day.  The next few days (and honestly weeks) were a blur with the unexpected c-section and recovery.  I couldn't believe how blessed we were to have you!  It was amazing just holding you in our arms, looking into your pretty blue (but slightly crossed) eyes!  You were amazing!  Two years later you are ALL boy!  Into everything!  Exploring every single bit of the world around you, obsessed with opening every last tea bag and dumping it onto the floor, into every drawer, every shelf where you're not supposed to be!  You climb out of your crib at least 3 or 4 times each night before you finally give in to sleep, you would much rather play until you give out and snuggle in Daddy's arms on the couch.  You want your tricycle AND your wagon inside if you must stay in, but you would prefer to LIVE outside!  You love playing with Hoss and Jake, you love "bees" (birds), and the (mewn) moon at night.  You love "Melmo" and showing us the boo-boo's on your knees.  You love trains (choo-choo's) and tractors (trattors), and you climb into the driver's seat of every riding lawn mower you see (even if they aren't ours!)  You give the sweetest dimpled smiles, you have the prettiest, biggest, bluest eyes!  You run to us when we come in the door.  When you snuggle against my chest with your legs and arms tucked into your belly, it melts my HEART!  When you say Mama and Dadda and Sissy, sometimes I get goosebumps, because we have YOU and I HEAR you saying my name!  You are an amazing blessing from God, little nugget.  We're so in love with you!  I love you!
Love, Mama

Red letter words...

Jesus himself, said these words.  They are printed in red in my NIV study Bible.  I HAVE to believe that they are true!  I HAVE to believe that HE loves our little family, and wants the best for us!  I HAVE to trust!  Please Lord, help me be faithful in my TRUST in you! 

...for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matt. 6:8

Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matt 11:28-30

Excited and Blessed!

Good morning!  Yesterday was my first day in the office with our new Pastor.  Kris watched Asher for me, and I was able to get some things done there.  I think Pastor Melton is going to be great for our church, just exactly what God wants for us right now! 

Yesterday after my devotion time, I just felt like I needed a "sign" from God, that he was still with me, that there was hope in him.  I felt a little bummed. And guess what...He is faithful (and he didn't even have to prove himself...I know he's there and he loves me)!  Our realtor called and said that an agent wanted to show our house at 7:45 pm!  I had a burst of hope and energy, and came home and cleaned the house from top to bottom for 4 hours!  We haven't heard how the showing went, because it was so late in the evening.  We also have an appointment to show it Thursday, so we're praying, praying, praying that out of these two we will have the opportunity to sell our home!  It would be such an amazing blessing!  But as much as I want to sell it *now*, I would rather wait on HIS timing...I just want to be obedient.  We are so hopeful! 

I have decided on some ideas for the kitchen in the new house!  For paint we're going with a very light sagey-spring green, it's called, "Green Herb" by Dutch Boy.  I think I am going to try and convince Kris to put up a beadboard backsplash in a creamy white, and possibly some fresh trim around the ceiling to match.  I think with my white dishes on top of the cabinets, and my distressed PRAY sign and white rooster and chickens, it will be very farm-house-ish and pretty and fresh!  I can't wait!  I am on the hunt for an affordable cover for my kitchenaid mixer.  I use it almost every day, but it's red, not sure how it will look against the fresher, lighter colors...we'll see!  And...so excited about this...Sabrina went flea-marketing yesterday and found a white milkglass cake stand for me, for $12!!!!  Thank you SABRINA!  You rock, and you're the best! 

I'm so excited about moving to the country.  When we went out on Sunday, the lilacs were starting to bloom, and they smelled so wonderful!  There are so many beautiful plants, bushes, and even a willow tree!  Kris learned to use a tiller yesterday, so I think we're going to have a little garden this year with stuff for homemade salsa! Yum!  We're just praying and hopeful that we can move out there very soon!

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him...

Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.   ~Psalm 37:3-7

There are so many words that speak to me in this little part of Psalm 37, especially the part about trust.  I have been struggling so much lately in trusting that things are going to work out for us with selling the house, moving to the country, and being almost debt free.  I think it could be my doubt and disbelief that are causing the delay.  "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him", it's right there in black and white, what the inspired word of GOD tells us to do, and yet I struggle every day with this.  Lord, I am begging you to help me with my doubt and fear and mistrust!  I just want to be obedient, I want to be optimistic and cheerful, I want to have faith (even as tiny as a mustard seed)!  Please help me to do this today, I want to trust you, O Lord...there is no one else that my hope can be in!

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives it's name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21
*********************************************************
This is so encouraging to me!  I know I just need to focus on God's love, and the love that we have as a family, it is so much more important than "knowing" everything!   If we can just be patient, and wait for God's timing on selling the house, it might just be immeasureably more than we ask or imagine!  Lord, please help me be optimistic and renew my FAITH!

He has Risen!

The angel said to the women,  "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay."

Thank you, Lord, for laying your life down on the cross for me.  Thank you for your love!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Springtime Mantle!

Hi!  Just sharing my mantle for springtime with the talented bloggers who read A Soft Place to Land!  I am so inspired by all of you, and wanted to share mine!  I keep the Give Thanks piece up year round, because I just love the quote and message, so I kind of decorate around it.  All of the white pieces and the blue pitcher were picked up at garage sales and a few local thrift stores.  The birdhouse on a stand came from Hobby Lobby on clearance a few years ago.  I made a little moss ball, with at tutorial from someone (so sorry, can't remember who!) It was so easy and cute, can't wait to make more!  I picked up the little bunny at a garage sale on Friday afternoon and had him spray painted and on the mantle by Friday night at 11pm!  Ha!  I {heart} spray paint!  The little bird is from $ Tree and is nested in a cute coffee cup!  Thanks so much for stopping by and please comment to let me know you visited! 

Preparing for rain...

Nope, not for the showers that are forecasted for Saturday morning (but not Sunday--YAY!), but for God's rain!  In one of my most favorite movies, Facing the Giants, the main character talks about preparing for rain, after praying for it.  He was praying for his football team to succeed, for his family to grow, to overcome infertility, he was praying to grow closer to God.  He talked about getting ready for God to rain down mercy and blessings!  I need to keep focused on staying ready for the rain!  I am ready...well...almost...I need to vacuum and mop before our buyers come in for a peek...but I'm ready!

It has been so nice to have a break from work this week.  I've been able to have quiet devotional time in the morning, been able to keep up on laundry (well kind-of), and have been able to sit on the floor with Asher and just play a little bit.  It has been a much needed break!  (THANKS SABRINA!)

He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.  Isaiah 53:5

I am just not worthy of this great, great love, that Jesus had for me that day on the cross.  Even if I were the only one, the only person to die for, he still would have done it.  Each time I think of that, I'm completely humbled.  He loves me...HE loves ME! 

How priceless is your unfailing love!  Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.  Psalm 36:7

This morning I am just so thankful for God's unfailing love!  He loves me when I'm happy, when I'm down, when I make poor choices, when I make great choices...and all of the times in between.

We're struggling a tiny bit here in the Alexander abode.  We have shown our home 3 times in 2 weeks, and have no offers yet.  I keep wondering what I am doing wrong, is it not clean enough?  Is it ugly?  But I know those things are just S trying to get us down.  God has a plan, he has a perfect plan...perfect timing...that's so comforting.  I need to keep reminding myself of his unfailing LOVE and his unfailing PLAN!

We are just so excited about our new home!  It's so pretty out there...so peaceful and comfortable.  I am just so excited about decorating, gardening, and transforming it into the place we call home.  I have so many ideas about decorating, but I am having trouble deciding on a paint color for the kitchen.  It has no direct natural light, only indirect, so I'm thinking it needs to be a lighter color.  I really want to include barn red, sage green, and creamy white, because I just love those colors together.  Just need my mom's help, I think!  These are some pictures of decor that I love...just random things!

Janna Wilson (I think!)

These are from some of my favorite blogs, linked on the sidebar.  I have just been filing them on my desktop, so I don't have all of the sources listed.  All of these ladies are so incredibly talented!  I would love to have a natural decorating ability!

Jesus, Jesus
Lord to me
Master, Savior
Prince of Peace
Ruler of my heart today
Jesus, Lord to me

We sang this chorus in church yesterday, and I just love it...so simple...I just want so much for it to be true.  I really want to allow HIM to rule my heart...to have the whole thing.  I just need to let go.  Lord, help me to let go, and take hold of you today.

I'm smelling coffee...

"I'm smelling coffee, birds are singing just outside, here comes your mercy streaming in with the morning light!"

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; GREAT is your faithfulness."   ~Lamentations 3:22-23

Well, I am smelling coffee, and drinking it, but the birds haven't woken up yet, and it's still dark outside, but in a little while they will, and I will be here at home!   Yay, I have the day off, and tomorrow and Wednesday too!  So excited, I have been needing a break to just be home.  Last week was very difficult, I feel so much relief that it's over.  The only place I would rather be than here at home is at our new home.  We had another family come and look at the house last night, but we haven't heard from them yet, praying that TODAY will be the day!  We would just love to have a contract!  We went out to the new house yesterday, and it was just so beautiful...so peaceful and the sky is just so amazing!  Everything was budding out, there are so many pretty plants and flowers still left from when Marilyn had her beautiful yard...can't wait to freshen it up and see what will grow!

God's Mercy is NEW every morning!

Thank you Lord, for this beautiful sunshine, and for your forgiveness and completely unconditional love!

Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  I think God knew that we were trying to do the right thing by painting the office the pretty, warm yellow!  It probably made him smile, just for the 24 hours that the paint was there.  It's just paint though.

The other thing I learned from this was also from Colossians 4:6, "Let your conversation be always be full of GRACE, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." I know that I need to learn when to be quiet.  Sometimes my strong opinions and hurt feelings get the best of me.  I know that I need to just need to pray sometimes, instead of verbalizing what I'm feeling.

I feel so much better today, God is good...all the time.

This morning I turned in my Bible to Proverbs 31.  I wanted to read again about what I am supposed to be.  I truely want to be God's servant, his child, just his...but I keep getting in the way.  The parts of P-31 that stand out to me were these:
She brings her husband good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She opens her arms and hands to the needy.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come (my study Bible says that means she is free from anxiety and worry).
A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Um...well, I am failing all of these.  Satan is working hard on me these past few days.  He has filled my heart with worry, hurt feelings, anxiety, and fear.  Maybe tomorrow will be better, but it's only 6:45 this morning...a long day of battling with S ahead.
I guess this is the part of my blog that the kids will see my "not so great" side. 

Running out of steam...

Things have been really busy at church...really busy...and stressful.  I am just the type of person that gets my feelings hurt too easily, and I make impulsive committments too easily...not a good combination.  I just feel like I've gotten in over my head with "church stuff".  It doesn't do any good to do all of the "church stuff" if you don't have time or energy to read the Bible and pray.  I have really been stuggling with this.  I am just not sure what to do about it.  I need to learn to say no...but is saying no to "church stuff" like saying no to God?  Is it? 

Snow!

It's been snowing since early Saturday morning, we have about 8-9 inches on the ground...in MARCH!  It's pretty, but I am READY for spring!  Just cannot wait for warmer weather!

We are showing the house today at 4:00!  The house was on the market one week!  Praying so hard that they will LOVE it!  I've been cleaning like crazy cakes, just trying to get ready!  Going to pop some chocolate chip cookies in the oven around 3-ish, to make the kitchen smell yummy...just can't wait to hear what they think, and if we will have an offer!  God answers prayers!  We are so excited to move to the country and be nearly debt free.  We just can't wait to see what God can do with us when we are not tied down to debt anymore.  It's something we've struggled with since we first got together...debt.  We just feel like there is going to be an amazing freedom once things are clear!  It will be awesome! 

Thursday we went to the Oklahoma Aquarium.  The kids had a good time, but it was VERY crowded, and I am not sure we will try to go there again on a holiday/spring break, or a weekend again.  We had lunch and then went to Bass Pro Shops.  We got Asher some little Camo overalls for turkey hunting season coming up.  They are so cute!  Katie picked out some binoculars of her very own!  They were on clearance, she is a bargain hunter already! Then we got shakes from Steak and Shake and headed home.  We stopped at Goodwill in Bartlesville on the way home and I picked up a couple things for VBS.  It was a good day!

Friday we went to Grove, to see Meme and Papa.  Asher was a total ham for Meme, and Katie got to spend some time with Bryce and Megan.  It was a beautiful day, in the 70's!  I picked up some decorations for VBS for cheap!  I'm starting to get excited about VBS this year!  We decided on a Holy Land Adventure format, and we're visiting Joseph in Egypt.  The kids were crazy about the Holy Land Adventure VBS we did 5 years ago, and we had the largest attendance that year. 

I think that's all for now!

Spring Break!

Katie is out of school this week for Spring Break, and Kris took a week of vacation!  I still have to work at the church three days this week, but we're looking forward to having Thursday-Sunday together.  I think we're going to try to vist the Oklahoma Aquarium, and go to Grove to see Meme and Papa.  We're looking forward to a little time away. 

We listed our house on Friday, so we're hoping that we will have some appointments for showings soon!  We know God has a plan!

God helps stupid people (this we know!)

This was a quote from my mom this morning (except she had added 'I hope' to the end of hers).   I changed it to 'this we know' because HE blessed them so much today!  (Not that they are stupid-mom's words, not mine!  Ha!)  Anyhoo, long story, but they really received a blessing today, and it's just amazing how God works, even though we are weak and don't always make good decisions!   He still  loves us and is just so good (all the time)! 

Today has been a good day! We all got up early and had breakfast, then Kris and Katie headed out with a picnic lunch to go shed hunting.  Asher and I went to Wal-Mart and got some things we needed, and we stopped by the Dollar Tree to get some birdies and moss.  We came home and played with the puppies for a little while and then Ash went right to sleep for his nap.  He was so tired from playing with his cousins last night!  I just put some chocolate chip cookie brownies in the oven...they smell really good.  You just mix up brownie mix like normal, spread in a 9x13 pan, then drop big dollops of CC cookie dough all around in the brownie batter.  Smoosh them down a little and bake for 28-30 minutes.  The good part is if you use a regular sized refridg. cookie dough, there is a little left at the end of the tube that you can secretly eat without the kids knowing!  So easy, so yummy!

Today I bought some plastic eggs and robin's egg blue acrylic paint.  I am going to attempt to paper mache some eggs and paint them light blue and maybe splatter paint them with some brown.  They are more chicken sized eggs, but I think they would look cute tucked in a round clump of spanish moss.  We'll see how they turn out! 

Today!

This morning I heard Kris playing "Ninja" with Katie, and they were laughing and giggling, and then later I heard him reading "Melmo" to Asher...what a great dad he is...and this was all before 7am!  I am just so blessed to have him.  I know that God had a great plan for us being together, even when we first met and were living lives that weren't pleasing to Him...He still knew...that someday it would come down to a good morning kiss, Ninja and Melmo (who Elmo is affectionately known as at our house)...

Photo, itsjust4me.com

We have a busy day today.  Our realtor is coming at 1:30 to list the house!  Yay!  We all cleaned like banshees last night and this morning, and I think we are pretty much ready.  Kris and I both have a peace about this, we're not anxious about "when" we'll sell the house, or if we can afford it until  then...we just know that God has a super great plan for our family! 

We are also having my Dad's birthday get together this evening at our house!  Crystal called last night and we decided on Frito Chili Pies and Cake.  Kris was already making the chili this morning before I left for work!  He's just great!  Anyhoo...it's Friday, and I am so very blessed!

Photo, Seattlest.com

Favorites!

I just want to share a little about my 35 year old self, so that some day the kids (kids-I just said kids...I have two of them...can you believe it???) can look back and see what I was like. I love hearing my mom talk about when she was a mom to young kids, and I have lots of memories of her doing things for us and sometimes being stressed because of us!  Ha!   I want my kids to have memories and know what I was like as a mom in my 30's.  I want them to know the good and the not-so-good, but for today, I just want to share some things that are just fun!

My favorite color is red!  I love all things colorful and crafty.  I love scrapbooking, sewing (a tiny bit), and hot-gluing (you didn't know that it was a craft?!?!).  I love Crocs!  I know they have kind of gone out of style, but I just think they are ultra comfortable and cute!  The red Crocs below were on sale for $19.99 at crocs.com but they don't have my size.  I have been looking at things to decorate the new house, and I found these pillows that I love, but I don't think I can afford more than one...ha!  They are $19.99 each (on sale!)   I was looking for red stuff for my kitchen and found a website that is called, "Red and White Kitchen", but they only sell wholesale, so I won't be getting that cute cherries tote bag...so all in all...these are just things that I like, not things I have or will be getting! (so really...totally pointless pictures...but they make me smile!)

Crocs from crocs.com

 

Pillows from Lands End

Tote from RedandWhiteKitchen.com

VBS, Puppies, Selling, Moving, Birthday Parties...YIKES! What have I done?!?!

I must be insane...truly!  Tonight during our Sunday School board meeting we were discussing the dilemma of VBS for this summer.  We had planned on having a WONDERFUL children's evangelist come back this year, but because he didn't have any other bookings in our area, we could not afford to have him come.  In a moment of sheer faith and nuttiness (is that a word?) I said, "I'll do it!"  So there you have it, I am now going to direct VBS for this summer!  Ohmygoodness...it will be ok!  I volunteered to do this about 5 hours ago, and already the Lord is stirring my heart and giving me hope that it will be ok!  I've been looking at curriculum, and there are just so many to choose from!  I think it will be fun, stressful, faith building, and patience increasing all at the same time.

On another totally insane note, we adopted two baby labs last week, yes, TWO.  They are precious, and wonderful and the have the sweetest puppy breath!  They are roly-poly adorable, and the kids love them!  Their names are Jake (white lab), and Hoss (yellow lab).  They have already grown so much, and we are just all in puppy love!

We are also still in the process of getting our house ready to sell.  We're hoping to have the realtor come Friday to list it.  We are really looking forward to what God has planned for us in the country, very nearly debt free.  We have always wanted to be in the country, but we never dreamed or imagined we would have a view from our front porch of the sun coming up from behind the trees (and cows!), and going down accross a vast horizon of rolling hills.  It's stunningly beautiful.  We feel so incredibly blessed to have this opportunity. We just can't wait to see what God is going to do!!!

The kid's birthdays are coming up in April and we're praying we'll be moved to the country.  We are not sure if that will be the case, and either way, it will be fine!  We'll have them together, so we're trying to think of a fun theme for them to share.  Katie just wants to have a sleep over with her two cousins, Rylee and Megan, and two friends from school, Kinsey and Meagan, I don't think she really cares about a theme, as long as there are friends, cousins and nail polish!  :o)

I also just want to say that today was an AWESOME day at church!  Our interim pastor, Mark Hamilton, is just great...he is getting to know our hearts here at Indy Naz, and knows just what kind of message we need to hear...we will miss him...because we got GREAT news that Pastor Darren Melton has accepted the call to come to our church!  I am so excited to see what God has in store for Indy Naz and for all of Independence and our community!  We also had AWESOME evening church tonight with Bill Knight...that man has Jesus way down deep...and you can just feel it...the love he has for our Savior!

Thats all for tonight...

Once there was a pink giraffe named Lemonade...

http://www.oopsydaisy.com/

Katie was telling Asher a story to calm him down yesterday, and this was the first line of the story...too cute!  She went on to tell the story of the giraffe who wanted his binky, etc.  Asher loves listening to Katie's stories...he calmed right down to listen.  They fight, and Katie has successfully taught Asher how to fend for himself (through experience!) but they love each other.

I (((heart))) Alice.com

I just added a little button over there <----- for Alice.com, because I love it!  I have ordered twice, and I am amazed at the prices, FREE shipping, and variety of things they carry.  I ordered the items I needed to make homemade laundry soap, and spent about $10, the soap recipe will last 6 months!  I'm so excited!  After you spend $50, they automatically give you a $10 credit, and you can earn 3% commission on orders that your referred friends place.  I think what I love most about it is that I don't have to lug all of those things in from Wal-Mart.  The nice UPS man brings it right up to my front door!  Yay!

Zephaniah 3:17

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing!"

Can you just imagine our Heavenly Father comforting you, singing to you? I received this verse in a devotional from Proverbs 31 http://www.proverbs31.org/, and was just so encouraged by it! I tried to memorize it, I read it to Kris (twice, I think!). Then Katie came home singing her Bible Verses that Miss Beverly taught her, and it was one of her verses to memorize...I think God really wants me to hear that verse, and engrave it on my heart. Sometimes I just get wound so tight, with anxiety, worry, and insecurity, that I just need to be quieted...kind of like a child who is upset, and the best thing to do for them is just hold them. I can imagine just running into God's arms, and letting him comfort and sing to me, can you?

the hokey-pokey is *not* what it's all about...

I have been reading through some of my older posts, and I am just amazed...what a blessed LIFE I live! There have been difficult days, and even times I doubted my trust in God. I can't believe all of the time I have wasted worrying about things that don't really matter (the hokey -pokey's)...what to wear, my weight issues, how clean my house is/isn't, what so-and-so thinks or said about me. Those things truly don't matter...the eternal things matter...my relationships with my Lord and my family, making sure my kids are safe and loved, loving others (strangers too). I wish I could just grab on to that concept and keep it in my heart every day! I have to confess that I have not been reading the Bible like I should. Kris always says that reading the Bible is like fuel, armor, and strength, and he feels powerless without it. I agree. I need to fuel up! In my older posts where I was reading every morning, I could tell that there was more joy and hope in my days. I need that again...

We had a good day today. The kids and I went to church, Kris went to sleep. He's started on nights again, so he sleeps from 8 am-4 or so in the afternoon. Tonight will be his 4th night in a row, so I know he has to be tired! We went to McD's for lunch and then Asher took a big nap. Katie and I folded clothes and she watched a movie. I have been working so hard to keep the house clean to get ready to show it, but I've decided it's almost impossible with an almost 2 year old! He's a MESS! (but we LOVE him!) I went to choir practice this afternoon and Katie went to Bible Quizzing, then we had pizza for dinner (so much for cooking at home today!). Kris just left for work, so the kids and I will be going to bed soon. :o) Night!

A little glimpse...

...of things to come...

...we can hardly wait...

Happy {HEART} Month!

I know I missed Valentine's Day, but the whole month of February (and every other month!) is about LOVE right? Here are my sweet Valentine's-Asher and Katie! We made sugar cookies, of course, and I made Katie a giant one to surprise her when she got home from school on Friday. I made the little plate of Scottie dogs for my friend, Marilyn, from church. She is a dog lover! We spent Valentine's Day mostly at church...I guess that's where we meet up with the ONE who LOVES us MOST!

I really enjoy cooking, so I think that I will be adding some of my favorite recipes and sharing some menu ideas...maybe Katie will read this blog when she is a mom and remember my cooking...

We are having Delicious Ham and Potato Soup tonight! It's rainy and cold outside, a perfect day for soup in a bread bowl! Here is the recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Delicious-Ham-and-Potato-Soup/Detail.aspx

We're also having Toll House Pie for dessert. My friend Shanda made this for our pie auction at church, and it was WONDERFUL! I think I might serve it with our Schwan's Peanut Butter and Chocolate Ice Cream!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Toll-House-Pie-I/Detail.aspx

One of our other winter/cold weather favorite recipes is White Chili. We were introduced to it by my friend Beverly, and it's just amazing! It's a little spicy, so if you're sharing it with kids, lessen the red pepper just a little. So good! We love it with Jalepeno Bread from the Wal-Mart bakery, or Jiffy Cornbread!
http://www.netcooks.com/recipes/Soups/Delicious.Creamy.White.Chili.html

While we're on the subject of soup, here's just one more of our favorites: Cheeseburger Soup (and yes, it's as "unhealthy" as it sounds! LOL!) So very yummy though!
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Cheeseburger-Soup

Enjoy! (Love you Sis, if you're reading this 10 years into the future!)

Hey...how did February happen so fast?

Someone took January right off the calendar for me this year...what happened? Time just goes by too quickly. It seems like some weeks go by in such a blur. We have been really busy with church and house stuff. We're moving, maybe...someday! We have decided to put our house on the market. I lost my case management job back in January due to a RIF, and we had kind of been thinking about it before, but since then, we made the decision to "just do it". When we bought our house 3 years ago (it's an Alexander record, to have stayed in this house so long! Ha!) we were both working full time, with one child, and not really any plans to have more children realistically. I had decided that God would just have to be in control of us having another baby. Then Asher happened...what a miracle he is! Anyhoo...we had two full time good paying jobs and could afford our house three years ago. Since then I went down to part time and was recently laid off. Now I am just working part time at the church on a temporary basis, and hopefully (prayerfully!) going to be able to be a stay at home mom at some point! Yay! Church has been busy too. We're in pastoral transition, so things have been a little wild with interviews, board meetings, etc. We are hopefully very close to having a new Pastor!

Katie and Asher just keep growing and growing. Katie is about 7 inches from being as tall as I am...she's nearly 5 foot tall! She is already looking forward to 5th grade next year, so she can move up to the older class of 5th and 6th graders. Seems impossible that our tiny pink bundle who came to us almost 10 years ago could be so grown up. She is LOVING word search puzzles and still reads anything and everything she can get a hold of. She loves her American Girl dolls, Chrissa and Kit are never too far away from her. She is still just a jeans and tee kind of girl, with her hair usually in a pony or messy bun. She's really getting so pretty. I told her the other day that I really hope she has some of Aunt Jill's features...she seems to already!

It's hard to believe Asher will be 2 in just a couple of months. He can say so many words, he repeats almost everything! He seems really interested in potty training, and sometimes tells us when he has to go, or has already gone! He likes to sit on the potty! He LOVES his big sister. He just wants to be near her all of the time...she doesn't always like it! He loves for her to read to him, or just snuggle while they watch tv. She's getting better about getting along with him...I'm hoping we're turning a corner. For a while she really struggled with him getting more attention, etc. Asher loves ball, any kind of ball, he can say all the different kinds of sports with the word ball in it. It's really cute. He can also say Grandma, Grandpa, Meme, and Papa. He points at their pictures and knows who is who! He is a smarty!

I know I've said this like a million times before, but I really want to do a better job of keeping up my blog. I love reading the old posts, it's hard to believe that in June I will have had this 5 years...seems impossible!

Christmas!

We had a great Christmas this year! The kids had a great time and we got to spend time with all of our family. We spent Christmas Eve with Papa and Meme, Jill, Jay, Bryce and Megan, and Christmas night with Grandma, Grandpa, Crystal, Michael, Rylee, Reese, Reagan, Bobby Mary Ann and little Tre! It was nice to be together! We even had a white Christmas with snow drifts up to 3 feet!

Our little King of the Jungle!

I'm still here...

Hi. Just a quick update. We've been getting ready for Christmas! Things have been so busy! I am still having trouble downloading photos, and it just stinks. I have so many pictures to share. Katie and Asher are growing so much! Asher is 20 months old! It's hard to believe! Time goes by so fast! He is saying lots of words, Mama, Daddy, Sissy, Asher, Bubba, Santa, basketball, baseball, football (I think he may be turning into a sports fanatic like Dad!). He runs around everywhere and is into everything! He is so much more active than I remember Katie being! He's a maniac! We feel so incredibly blessed to have him, we are still in awe of what God has done in our lives! We started praying to have children in July 1999...by August 1999 we knew that our Katie girl was on her way...with Asher it took years...but he is here! We just feel blessed! I think Christmas this year will be really fun! Asher is so interested in the gifts under the tree! He has torn the bows off most of them! I don't think he has a clue what is inside though...he just thinks they are pretty boxes! He will so be excited to see TOYS inside on Christmas morning! Hopefully I will be able to upload some pictures after Christmas.

Fall is on the way!

I had such amazing plans to keep my blog updated more regularly, but I'm still having difficulty with my computer. I need to update new pictures of the kids, because they are growing so quickly!
I am glad fall is on it's way! It's my favorite season. I love everything about it...the cooler temperatures, pumpkins, apple cider, spice scented candles, colored falling leaves, and of course, Neewollah, here in our beautiful little town! I am excited for Asher to experience fall, and for Katie to have someone to play with during this great season.
We've been keeping busy, school is underway, and all of our school year church activities have begun. We have Wednesday night Caravan program, and Sunday night children's Bible Study. Katie loves both of them! We still have karate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so we are pretty busy, but it's good to be busy!
It's good to be so blessed...God has given us so much! We are still struggling financially, but I know that He is taking care of us...He has shown us in so many ways lately...that he can take care of our every need...small and big!
I will try and upload pictures soon!

Goodness gracious...things have been so busy! I know that's a terrible excuse for not blogging, but it's true! It seems like the summer just flew by! Seriously, it seems like summer was 2 weeks long, instead of 12! School starts next week, and our Katie girl will be in 4th (yes-4th!) grade! She is super excited about school starting, and I am super excited about her not being bored to tears every day! Summer was full of activities her, but these last couple weeks of no activities revolving around her have been "boring"...apparently! She just got back from a couple days with Meme and Papa in Grove, and had a good time swimming with her cousins and watching the Disney channel. :o) Asher has just been growing and growing! He turned 15 months old last month, and got his first haircut AND started walking, all in the same week! He will be 16 months in a couple days. He's still a little wobbly with his walking, but he has learned to turn corners, get up and down from sitting, and even "runs" when he wants to get somewhere quickly (like out the front door!). He loves going outside, even when it's 100 degrees! I am really looking forward to some cooler temperatures so we can just go outside and stay for a while.
Kris started working a new schedule, he works 3-12 hour days on and has 3 days off, then 3-12 hour days, etc. We are LOVING it. We have never had so much time together as a family! It seems like it has given him some time to kind of catch-up on his "honey-do" list, too, which is a bonus for me! We had a big garage sale, re-claimed about 20 square feet of our garage, and now he has space to work on the woodwork for Katie's room. I started a big project of taking the wallpaper off in the kitchen, can't wait to paint...trying to decide between my favorite barn red and a mossy-sage green. :o) Our counter tops, sink, and flooring is a creamy color, and our cabinets are dark wood, so I'm thinking the green might look better...just not sure...anyhoo, I'm just glad to redecorate!
I'm still working part time as a case manager for foster care, but there are some rumors going around about layoff's in my department, and I would be first to go. I know it will be ok--whatever God has planned is ok with me. We're not quite where we wanted to be financially for me to stay at home, but sometimes we just have to trust, and know that God is God...and he knows what's best for us.
Well, I just wanted to pop in and update, because it's been such a long time. I really want to start blogging again more often...I just love it, and I know the kids will love reading it someday.
:o)

I have tried to post and update on the blog several times, but our computer keeps losing the connection. There is a certain little boy in our house who likes to tug at the wires on the computer...not sure who that could be...could it be this guy??? Yes...it could be...because he is into EVERYTHING! We are loving watching him grow and get such an amazingly fun and loving personality. If you ask him for a "snuggly", he will lean his forehead down to yours, and if you ask for a kiss, he will give you a big wet one! He is about ready for a haircut. We had planned to have it cut on his first birthday, but I just couldn't let the curls go yet. It is getting a little long though...look how tall his bathtime mohawk is!

One of the many reasons I haven't blogged in such a long time is because we have been incredibly busy. Katie played softball this year. She did so well! We are so proud of her. This was her first season to play softball, and we were nervous, because we didn't know how well she would do since she never played blastball or t-ball, or anything before. I think karate has helped her hand/eye coordination and everything else, because she is a good little ball player! I am amazed! She's much better than I was at that age! She is also still doing karate, and received her green belt uniform.

She is growing so fast. So far the "9" year old age has been a little challenging...I think she is trying out her independence, while still wanting to be our little girl who is the center of attention. I think as Asher gets more animated and fun, she gets a tiny bit more jealous...but she loves him so much, and is such a great big sister. They are like two peas in a pod, almost always together when we're here at home.

This morning.

This morning I am so thankful for sunshine, fresh air, and mourning doves. I walked out to start the car this morning, and it's absolutely beautiful! The first thing I heard was the doves singing to each other, and that just has to be one of my favorite sounds! I love hearing birds sing...cheesy...I know...but I love it.
I read some blogs last night (My charming kids and Bring the Rain <-------both linked over there) and I just had an OVERWHELMING sense of thankfulness for my healthy children and broken-heartedness for these moms. This morning I am just THANKFUL for my healthy children....so very thankful.

11 years...

...of us.

Happy anniversary, Baboosey!

So. Very. Blessed.

I just feel so blessed. I need to write it down, so that when I'm having a rough day, I can look back and KNOW that God LOVES me, He CARES for me, He GIVES so much to me. The most amazing thing is that God gave his ONLY son for me, to cover my sins, and someday I will be with him in Heaven. It will be more wonderful than I can even imagine. God has also blessed me with my family. I have the best husband. We've been married for 11 years today, and I am just so thankful for him. He is kind to me, he is understanding, he has a wonderful sense of humor, he has the best smile, and he tries so hard to be a good dad. I love my children, Katie and Asher are my world. They are beautiful...just amazingly beautiful...I am so blessed that they are both plump and healthy...that they can laugh and play...that they are happy...they both smile...so much. I am so very blessed.