Brave...time to cut the strings that are holding me down

Messed up template

2009-01-08T10:00:00.002-07:00

is my blog all messed up when you look at it?

let me know in my comments...cuz its all messed up looking at it on my computer.

Wow

2009-01-08T08:20:00.003-07:00

So, I've been thinking maybe i could start blogging at least once a week. So I'm gonna write today and see if I can do this.

I've been working at my church for the last year part time in the Children's Ministry as a preschool coordinator. Making sure the preschool Sunday school teachers have what they need, make sure they show up and if they don't I make sure someone is there for the kids...I also do other odds and ends in the office too. It's fun!

My husband has been getting more active too, helping out with the elementary school ministry.

My oldest is in the 9th grade now, and she's about to turn 15! She is planning on going on a missions trip this summer and she helps out with all sorts of things at church too. It's great. I can't believe we're starting to talk about college more seriously! 3 years from now she'll be 4 months or so from GRADUATION!!! That's just nuts!

My youngest is 4 1/2 now almost. She is in Pre-K. She's one of the youngest being that her birthday is about 2 weeks before the cut off...but she's so dang smart! She's starting to read. She can sound things out and it's so exciting when she gets it! She'll be heading to Kindergarten in the fall.

God has been so faitful. This economic crisis has hit us pretty hard. My husband is a Realtor. It hasn't been easy but we're still doing ok.

I'm so happy that my hope doesn't lie in the power of Obama, or Bush....Or McCain, or anyone man has appointed....My hope lies in the power of the MAKER of kings, the MAKER of Presidents...My hope is in the ONE TRUE GOD...the MAKER of the heavens and the earth...

One of my favorite verses.

Psalm 121
A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

You Are God Alone

2008-11-06T07:21:00.001-07:00

I have been singing this song in my head the last few days, in times when I feel uncertain about the future of our country and of our freedoms as Christians...This song means so much!

You are not a god
Created by human hands
You are not a god
Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is

You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
Your are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone

You’re the only God
Whose power none can contend
You’re the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God
Who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And that’s just the way it is

Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That’s what You are

My Dear Friend...

2008-07-10T14:18:00.004-06:00

A very good friend of mine from High School passed away yesterday. She found out in January that she had a tumor on her brain. Over the last few months she had 2 surgeries. She never fully awoke from the second one.

She was such an amazing example of Jesus Christ. Her and her family have been so strong and faithful.

Ramey had a beautiful voice. You can hear some of her stuff here

There is more about Ramey and her journey here

Yesterday our Lord called her home.
Please pray for her husband and her 7 year old son.
She was only 33 years old. But she leaves behind a legacy of beauty, sharing Jesus UNASHAMEDLY, and honesty and love.

This song has encouraged me through this time.

Books

2008-06-12T16:55:00.003-06:00

I haven't been a big reader since I was a kid. But right now I'm working on 2 books. One is a devotional/pray journal type book, and the other is a marriage book.

Life is too short to have a so-so marriage, in my opinion. I can guarentee, for those of you who have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, that if you take the first steps to bettering your marriage, you will begin to see changes and feel changes. But you have to have patience to stick it out. God will WORK OUT what you WORK IN! :-)....I heard that from Beth Moore.

So here are the books:
The Joy of a Promise Kept: The Powerful Role Wives Play

Whispers of Hope

So there is my unsolicited 2 cents for the day.
:-)
Blessings to you all!

Remember When?

2008-05-14T14:07:00.008-06:00

Remember when I would write on my blog daily? Several times daily? Now I don't even do it once a month.

Part of me misses the blog world....but I have to say....my house is now USUALLY pretty clean....I've gotten more involved in things here in the real world....

But still...there is something so special about all of you that I've never 'met' but formed such great friendships with.

I just want you to know I am still here...

I will eventually change my slideshow and add some new pictures....eventually.

For now, here are some recent ones....relatively recent I suppose....

Can you believe how my girls are growing up? Where on earth does time go?

Expelled - The Movie...Check It Out

2008-04-17T07:59:00.003-06:00

She's 14

2008-02-02T17:57:00.000-07:00

When I became mom, she was 7 (almost 8)....holy cow. She's grown up right in front of my eyes. She's 5'8 (I'm only 5'4 mind you)....beautiful, smart, Christ-centered, respectful, considerate, motivated.....WHEN? Tell me where the time has gone!

I'm looking for a pic of her right now....it's tricky to find one...she tends to hide from the camera FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON....most pics are ones with silly faces which would TOTALLY embarass her..

Pic from our wedding, she was almost 8

Last 2 years of posts about her bday with pics...
12th Bday
13th Bday
Just wanted to share!

Captivated

2007-11-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

This song is so amazing.
I have listened to it over and over and I still love it...my little one is learning the words now too!

Click here to listen to 'Captivated---Shawn-McDonald'

Captivated - Shawn Mcdonald

When I look into the mountains I see your fame
When I look in to the night's sky it sparkles your name
The wind and the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
That's what draws me to you

I am captivated
By you
In all that you do
I am captivated

When I wake unto the morning it gives me your sight
When I look across the ocean it echoes your might
The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way you made me
That's what draws me to you

I am captivated
By you
In all that you do
I am captivated

The wind and the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way you made me

The blood in my veins and my heart you invade
The plants how they grow and the tree and their shade
The way that I feel and love in my soul
I thank you my god for let me know about you about you

Still kicking

2007-10-17T13:50:00.001-06:00

Yes, we are all still here and doing well. It's been an extremely busy couple of months.

Thanks you Gwen for checking on me...I can't believe it's been 2 months since I posted anything!

I will post new pics of the house soon.

There are a lot of colors in our house now...not one white all. I totally love it!

I'll post soon!

Steph

Another Year has passed....

2007-08-17T12:43:00.000-06:00

Like sands through the hourglass.....yada yada....I never thought that phrase would ever make sense to me....but the older I get the more I understand just how quickly life comes and goes...

My youngest is turning 3 today!

My oldest starts the 8th grade on Tuesday....what in the world is going on?!?!?!?!

So much is going on right now...
The Little One's Birthday party is tomorrow...The girls are starting school on Mon/Tues....We close on our new house (PRAISE THE LORD!!) on Wednesday.... we'll be knocking a wall down, putting in new floors and painting...we have to be out of this house that we've been in by the 31st...my hubby and i are leaving on the 31st for our first trip away from the girls since the little on was born....(only for 2 nights)...I'm starting a VERY part time job (around 10 hours per week)at our church in the Children's ministry...

So i just wanted to update you guys on me and us and we....nuts as usual!!!

:-)

POTTY TRAINING CRY FOR HELP

2007-07-11T06:48:00.001-06:00

So my beautiful nearly 3 year old is ALMOST potty trained....we got the peepee down really well..

Now I know a lot of kids are SCARED of going poopies on the potty, but she's not. She's done it and get's all proud and excited...but the only time she does it is if I catch her in time to get her there....otherwise it's in her big girl undies or her pull up (whatever she has on at the time)....SHE WON'T TELL ME WHEN SHE HAS TO GO POOPIES!

She's very VERY very smart...I know she knows what to do...but why won't she do it.

Normally I wouldn't stress and I'd let it happen when it happens...but I have less than 6 weeks until she starts 3 year old pre-school and she is NOT ALLOWED to wear pullups...she MUST BE POTTY TRAINED AND IN BIG GIRL UNDIES....

WHAT DO I DO???? HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANY AND ALL ADVICE IS WELCOME....

THANKS...

The Shirt Says it All.....

2007-07-09T20:54:00.000-06:00

Hurry Hurry Hurry

2007-07-09T15:18:00.000-06:00

Go to my friend JAYMI'S blog and enter her totally awesome giveaway!!!

She's giving away a Winnie The Pooh movie so GO GO GO and enter her giveaway RIGHT NOW!!

:-)
Later!

The Happiest Place On Earth

2007-06-06T12:34:00.000-06:00

We spent 5 days at Disneyland last week.

I took 1587 pictures.....no, really...seriously.

I will not share them all here....hee hee...

But I will share some.

New Camera and Some Pics

2007-05-18T09:17:00.001-06:00

So, I got a beautiful, wonderful amazing new camera ,

from my wonderful, amazing and totally hot husband...for mother's day....

And the pictures it takes are totally amazing....

I just wanted to share!

Funny

2007-05-17T07:28:00.000-06:00

I think if anyone on earth would laugh at this it would be Dr. Falwell....

Call Me a Jerry's Kid

2007-05-16T07:44:00.000-06:00

Lots of people loathed him...BUT A TON OF PEOPLE LOVED HIM....

I went to the High School...I went to the college...I went to the Church....
He was my pastor.

I have read it in so many places but I will say it here....many knew him as controversial....but if you lived there...YOU HAD A FUNNY STORY ABOUT HIM! He was a very VERY funny man...he didn't travel in a limo, he drove a suburban...he didn't have 3 wives....he had 1 wife and they just celebrated 49 years in April...he had 3 children and 8 grandchildren. They were all part of our community.

When I was in high school and college you would see him around and he was always joking and messing around. He loved to make people laugh. You weren't required to call him Doctor, or Pastor, or Reverend...Jerry would do just fine...and he got a kick out of it if you said "HEY JERRY!!!!!!!"....

ALWAYS SMILING...

He would come to the Liberty basketball games and CHEER and YELL and STAND UP....

He wasn't a "televangelist"....he was a pastor of a church whose services were broadcast on TV....that was my church...just like any other church...I went to my youth service and then sat in the balcony for "big church"...every Sunday... kids played outside and ran around....we had a big picnic every year...it is a REAL CHURCH with REAL PEOPLE....not a TV studio.

He was my pastor.

He was a Godly man who felt his convictions at his core and wanted to see the world Saved...he loved people, even those he disagreed with....and those people he disagreed with are mourning too...

It was a shock to hear about this yesterday. Someone like him, who's been in your life for so long and who is so important just seems like they will always be around....it almost takes your breath away.

So today I am mourning the passing of my Pastor an awesome man of God...

Some Cute Mom Things

2007-05-14T08:50:00.001-06:00

My Hair - UPDATED PICTURE

2007-05-08T12:15:00.000-06:00

UPDATED PICTURE...
I am now a redhead.
AND I HAVE ADDED THE HIGHLIGHTS....

Check it out.

Easter Pics 02

2007-04-24T20:56:00.000-06:00

Easter Pics 01

2007-04-24T20:49:00.000-06:00

Hokie Hope Day

2007-04-19T11:38:00.000-06:00

Hey guys. I just wanted to share this with you guys in case your interested in participating and showing support. I am from Virginia and have had friends that attended VaTech and graduated from there. But even if you have no connection, I think it's still amazingly important to show some form of support for the people of Blacksburg and around the country who have lost someone. We will never know or understand the horror and pain they must be going through and can only pray that the Lord will be with them and comfort their hearts through this difficult time.

Wear orange and maroon tomorrow in support of the families and victims from Virginia Tech.

Hello Out There!!!!!!

2007-03-15T10:41:00.000-06:00

I can't believe its been a month since I've blogged!!!

Everything is great here with us.

I'm potty training the little one...yes...potty training. We are going slow...at her pace. She's actually doing great.

My oldest is playing softball and loving it. The weather has been beautiful and she's enjoying spending time outside and having fun.

My allergies are KILLING ME. The doctor gave me Singular and Nasonex plus I tried some Claritan...to no avail. Last year Allegra worked for me so she is giving me some to see if it works again. If I can just make it to her office without my eyes closing up.

I hope you all are great. I try to visit your blogs but I only do it a couple times a month.

I'm still busy with 2 days of gymnastics, 2 days of bible study and working hard to keep a clean house and make good dinners.

I'll try to blog more often (I think I've said that before)....I miss talking to you guys regularly!

Stop in and leave a comment if you have a sec just to say hi. I'll try to do the same.

In the meantime...here are some recent pics.

The Oldest...and her new favorite shirt....

The Little One

My mom and my girls

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

13

2007-02-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

It had to happen sometime....

The oldest of the two Princesses has turned 13!

I couldn't ask for a better daughter. She truly is a gift! I've got it so good with my girls!

So here she is...at her party...and WHAT A PARTY IT WAS!

Of course...the littlest Princess had to get in on the fun too!!

Some Helpful Websites...UPDATED

2007-01-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

I may have posted this before but I am posting it again anyway.

Before we go to any movie, I check out these sites to find out what the content is.

(1) Plugged In Magazine
(part of Focus on the Family)
This website actually reviews movies, music, books, video games, tv shows....It is a Christian website and gives it's opinion from the Christian perspective.

(2)Kids In Mind
This website is movies only (I think) and strictly gives content. (sexual content, violence, language). There is no "review" only a run-down of what the content is.

(3)Christian Spotlight on Entertainment
(part of ChristianAnswers.net)
This is also a Christian website. Readers can give their own reviews here...and they rate it negative, neutral and positive.

Cindee gave me two more I thought I'd share with you.
THANKS SO MUCH CINDEE!

(4)Dove Foundation. I used to use this website too all the time. I have no idea why I haven't been there in awhile because it's really great!

(5)Common Sense Media. I've never been to this one but I'm excited to check it out.

Sooo....there are a few resources to help you make informed decisions about the entertainment you and your family choose.

TTYL...

2007-01-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

Mother's of daughters....check this out.

I read an article, and maybe you have too. It's about a book that is in some public school libraries and is becoming very popular among pre-teen/teenage girls.

It's called TTYL.

If you haven't heard of it, and you are a mother of girls, YOU NEED TO HEAR ABOUT IT!

Click HERE to read what one parent wrote (you have to scroll down to read the actual parent review)

And HERE is an article from a New York news station reporting on this story.

It is about 3 girls. It basically follows their IM's (instant messages). There is just about every curse word in this book. There is also GRAPHIC sexual language in this book. There is drinking (these are 15 year old girls!!!!) and these girls look at some pornography....

One article said it is geared toward 15 year olds and NOT younger girls...uh, HELLO! 15 is a younger girl and I certainly would not want my 15 year old reading this book.

I asked my daughter this morning if she had heard of it. She said yes. She saw it on the shelf at Borders and picked it up. She only got to the first page before we had to leave. She thought it looked cool, until i told her of the content. She said she was glad she did read any further...SO AM I...

Public schools have defended having this in their library...so let me get this straight...we can't pray in school, we have not religious freedom in schools...BUT we promote sex, foul language and EVEN flirting with teachers...hmmmmmmmmm.....that's just amazingly backwards to me.

A side note about this book is this. I have read articles and heard teachers (my mom-in-law and 2 of her sisters are teachers in public schools here) talk about how kids are beginning to use the same type of abbreviated writing that use for text and instant messages in their papers. This is becoming a major problem, and yet, this book is completely in text language.

PLEASE BE AWARE of what your children are reading, watching, texting, IMing, listening to, playing, and doing on the computer. NO MATTER WHAT THE POPULAR MEDIA SAYS these things all influence are children tremendously. We cannot be scared, as parents, to ask our children questions about what they are doing and what they are into and who their friends are. WE ARE NOT TO BE OUR CHILDREN'S FRIENDS, we are their parents. We shape and guide them into adulthood and if they have no accountability because we are scared they'll get mad when we say no, they will turn into adults with no accountability.

SO...another post about protecting our kids. There is no more important job in the world than being a parent. We need to take it seriously!!!

Baffled and Outraged

2007-01-19T08:17:00.000-07:00

OK...every since the story about the 2 boys in Missouri broke, I've been completely blown away by the fact that there are people out there who think they can just come, take a child away from their home and family, for their own sick selfish reasons. I MEAN....

It just makes me SOOOOO mad!!!!! To think that these poor boys were taken and kept 60-80 miles from their homes, leaving their families scared, hurt, baffled and feeling a bit helpless to say the least.

It is so unfathomable to me that there are 3000 children EVERY DAY reported missing...WHAT! It is outrageous. The people who commit these crimes...no matter what the nature of it is...ANY crime against a child should mandate a life sentence.

Whew...can you tell I'm fired up!

And the fact that Shawn Hornbeck, who was missing for 4 1/2 years, had friends and those friends had families...and all of these people lived in the area that Shawn was abducted from, and some even noticed similarities between him and the pictures of him...but now one spoke up! NO ONE SPOKE UP...who cares if you're wrong...I mean, WHAT IF YOU'RE RIGHT? These are somebody's children.....if it was your child wouldn't you want someone to do the same?

I think everyone thinks...oh, I wouldn't recognize any of those missing kids...none of them are at my kid's school, or at church, or in line behind me at the grocery store....YOU NEVER KNOW...I certainly don't think any of Shawn's friends for the last 4 1/2 years REALLY believed it was him...BUT IT WAS HIM....

You can go to www.ncmec.org and look through pictures of missing kids in your state or any other state. It doesn't take a long time, and who knows what might come of it.

We have such a great resource in the internet. 3000 kids a day...missing...taken from their families and the safety of their homes. WE CAN ALL DO SOMETHING TO HELP....

As you might notice I've added a bunch of different banners to my blog. I've also signed up to have Amber Alerts delivered to my cell phone. We have the resources, we need to use them to save these children.

AND PROTECT YOUR OWN KIDS! It can happen to anybody. Ben Ownby was 500 feet from his home when he was abducted. THANK THE LORD that 15 year old boy, Mitchell, paid such close attention to the details of the vehicle he saw at the time. And PRAISE THE LORD for those police officers who acted on their gut instinct and rescued these boys.

SO....there is my post for the day. DO SOMETHING...be proactive....help someone find their kid...pass along the word....

If you want html for any of the banners let me know and I'll give them to you.

THANKS FOR LISTENING...This has been burning me up!

Obituary of the late Mr. Common Sense

2007-01-18T08:46:00.000-07:00

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain,
Why the early bird gets the worm,
Life isn't always fair,
and Maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but over bearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 -year- old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouth wash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Calpol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility and his son, Reason.He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If y o u still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CARTER BOAZ!

2007-01-17T09:52:00.000-07:00

My nephew was born 1 year ago today!

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN A YEAR ALREADY!

He is such a big boy too!
So happy birthday to you Carter!!

You can read about my brother and his wife and the miracle of both of their children!

Click here to read about them.
Here are some pictures of both kids right after Carter was born.
:-)

My Favorite

2007-01-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

Did you watch Sunday night and last night? Only the greatest action/drama on television in history! WOW! What a premier too! If you don't know what I'm talking about it's not too late to get hooked....i got my 12 (almost 13) year old hooked now too!

I'm off to my Bible Study.

Hi to you all and I hope you are all having a fantastic new year!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2006-12-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

I know I'm a little late for wishing you Merry Christmas but I'm doing it anyway.

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and I hope you have a fantastic New Year.

God Bless You All!

HOLY COW

2006-12-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

Has it been over a months since I last wrote anything?

Who would've thought I'd get out of the habit of blogging?

I STILL refuse to say I'm taking a "break" cuz I'm really not.

I just have gotten into my routine here at the house and I'm not on my computer much at all anymore except to check email and the news.

Since I last wrote I celebrated my 5 year wedding anniversary and I turned 30.
Here are me and my hubby.

I'm still working out although I took a couple weeks off because my feet were hurting so bad. I have extremely HIGH arches and my shoes were not supporting them very well. I got these.... and I wore them for the first time last night and they were awesome....i'm very excited.

My oldest is doing amazing in school. As of today she has 3 A's, 2 B+'s and 1 B. She's been doing cheerleading and she's been very involved in her church youth group. I can't believe she's halfway through 7th grade....she's growing up SOOO fast...she' 5'6 1/2 which makes her 2 1/2 inches taller than me....it's crazy! We had to get her new pants because she's grown over an inch since school started and all her pants are too short!!!

The little one is nuttier than ever. She talks in sentences and says the FUNNIEST things, and she KNOWS she's funny. She can say her ABC's and she can count to 20 only missing "15" occasionally....She can sing just about any song on earth, 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star', 'Silent Night', 'Itsy Bitsy Spider'....She's over 3 feet tall and weighs about 35 lbs. She's in 5T tops and 4T pants....size 6 diapers....and she's not potty trained yet. I better get going because 6 is the biggest diaper....She love Dora, Diego, Elmo, CAILLOU...she loves Caillou. She's still doing gymnastics and she's doing so good. She can do her forward roll ANYWHERE, including my mother-in-law's tile kitchen floor and her hardwood floor....She knows her colors and shapes and she suprises me EVERY SINGLE DAY with something else she knows. She's sleeping pretty good too.

Here are the girls...

And although this one is fuzzy...here are me and the girls.

My husband is still doing wonderful. He's still the best husband ever.

I'm excited for Christmas...I always am. This year my oldest brother will be here for a week and my neice will be here for 3 days.

So...there's an update....Sorry it's been so long. I think about all of you guys all the time. I'll try to write more often.

:-)
Stephanie

Ramblings of a crazy woman....

2006-11-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

So I just wanted to say hi.

I'm going to the gym about 4 times a week...taking Cardio Boxing and Cardio Dance and doing the stairs or treadmill....It's been 2 weeks...i lost between 5 and 7 pounds...i'm pretty happy about that.

My husband took me to GNC and got me this and this...plus I'm taking extra calcium and fish oil every day...

WOW...I can totally feel a difference in my moods and my energy levels...

I've actually been pretty consistent...for a week...:-)

Remind me to share with you about my terrible months of July to about the end of October...and why they were so terrible....Praise the Lord that it is all over...for now I will tell you this...if you are considering the Depo shot...make sure you research it and if you begin getting it...pay attention to any changes in mood that you may begin to feel. It can affect some people (like me) in a TERRIBLE TERRIBLE WAY....I had no idea how bad it had gotten until the last 2 weeks...after my last shot totally wore off. It's only been the last 2 weeks that I've felt back to normal...I'm not knocking the shot because it's awesome and fine for some...but for many I've read about and talked to it can be a nightmare....

LET ME JUST SAY I HAVE THE GREATEST HUSBAND ON EARTH WHO WALKED ME THROUGH THIS HARD TIME HOLDING MY HAND THE ENTIRE WAY AND WAS SO UNDERSTANDING AND PATIENT WHEN HE COULD'VE JUSTIFIABLY GOTTEN VERY HURT AND ANGRY BY SOME OF THE THINGS I DID/SAID.....HE REALLY IS AMAZING!!!!

ANYWAY...I'll tell you more later...no time to go on now...gotta clean and get to GYMNASTICS with my wild child!

:-)

New Marriage Book Recommendation

2006-11-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

Love and Respect.

This past Saturday the Women's Ministry at my church did a sort of study/presentation of the woman's side of this book...it was awesome.

I haven't read the book but I know a lot of what is in there. I'm gonna get it and read it and I'll let you know how it goes.

:-)

Want a good laugh?

2006-11-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

Check out the Friday Funnies over at Girl Talk.

Reality

2006-11-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

I saw this on Dionna's blog.

This is why using magazines, billboards and movie stars is an unrealistic measuring stick to measure our own beauty by....I just LOVE what Dove is doing...

6 Years ago Today....

2006-10-29T06:35:00.000-07:00

It was a Sunday...

It was my husband and my first date....

we had only talked a few times but I decided to go out with him on a date.

What started out as breakfast and and art museum turned into Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner....art museum, basketball at the YMCA, walking around the mall, and going to a movie....we were together 13 hours on our first date....and we've been together every since that day....

1 year, 1 month and 9 days later we were married.

Wow....

I love you baby! You are the greatest husband ever!!!

My New Video

2006-10-20T08:14:00.000-06:00

Can you guys see the video on the right?

It's one of my ALL TIME favorite songs and another one I've adopted as a theme song for me.

BUT I CAN'T SEE IT!

I see the box but nothing is playing.

On my oldest's computer I can see it....but not on mine.

WHY OH WHY?

I've narrowed it down to my internet settings.

I've turned off my firewall and virus protection and nothing changed so it has to be my internet settings. I've fiddled with those too but it hasn't worked.

ANY SUGGESTIONS?

ANYWAY!

I have a lot to do today.

My house is pretty clean but I have some detail stuff to do that would make me so happy if I got it finished.....so why am I sitting here typing? Because I'm doing what I do best...PROCRASTINATING!

So off I go....to clean up....and stuff.....here I go.....

:-)

Legacy Lyrics

(Nichole Nordeman)

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me

And I enjoy an accolade like the rest

And you can take my picture and hang it in a gallery

Of all the Who's Who's and So-and-So's

That used to be the best at such and such

It wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights

We all need an "Atta boy" or "Atta girl"

But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides

The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love?

Did I point to You enough

To make a mark on things

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace

Who blessed Your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile

To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy

It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile

Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love?

Did I point to You enough

To make a mark on things

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace

Who blessed Your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

Not well-traveled, not well-read

Not well-to-do, or well-bred

Just want to hear instead

Well done, good and faithful one

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love?

Did I point to You enough

To make a mark on things

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace

Who blessed Your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me

Best of Friends

2006-10-13T08:16:00.000-06:00

Her Majesty

2006-10-12T12:40:00.000-06:00

(It's not easy being a princess)

Toddler Laws of Property

2006-10-12T12:38:00.000-06:00

(The Toddler Laws of Property
1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
3. If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
4. If I think it's mine, it's mine.)

Funny shirt

2006-10-12T12:37:00.000-06:00

(I do all my own stunts)

more cute shirts on a cute kid....

2006-10-12T11:25:00.000-06:00

(It seemed like a good idea at the time)

(I Love Mom)

(Everyone Loves a Brown Eyed Girl)

The Shirt Says it All!

2006-10-09T08:12:00.001-06:00

Target has some great tshirts for toddlers.

I got a bunch!

I'll share them as she wears them.

This is one of my favorites.

She did it again....

2006-10-03T21:21:00.000-06:00

a year and a half i dyed my hair super duper blonde....it took 4 boxes and 2 trips to the salon to get it right....

needless to say i really damaged my hair.

Sometime I'll post the progression of my hair color over the last year and half...

Since last December I've been trying to dye it dark again, it keeps washing out so I keep going brown...

Here is my most recent effort...it's the darkest it's been and I like it the most ever in life...

WARNING....I HAVE NO MAKEUP ON IN THIS PICTURE...VIEW WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND KINDNESS IN YOUR HEART....

Can you believe it.....

2006-09-29T08:08:00.000-06:00

Long story short....

Big sis and lil sis switch bedrooms.

Crib gets broken (by mommy) during move...

Guess it's God's way of telling me TIME FOR THE BIG GIRL BED.....

First night didn't go so well...mommy is stressed....

The next night we tried again....

She did AWESOME!

She woke up several times but went right back to sleep when i went in....

She's been in her bed for 5 nights now.

Suggestions for those of you who have never done this....

(1)Take them shopping for thier own sheets and have them "help" put them on the bed....

(2)Make a big deal about the BIG GIRL/BOY bed....and keep repeating it over and over....

(3)Tell them how little babies sleep in cribs but BIG GIRLS/BOYS like MOMMY/DADDY (sister and/or brother if applies) sleep in BIG GIRL/BOY BEDS.

I read these things in other articles about how to do this....they worked.

So at 2 years, 1 month and 1 week old...she is no long a BABY!

NOW FOR THE POTTY TRAINING...................

For a Friend

2006-09-27T12:22:00.000-06:00

Click here to Listen to "Ocean-Floor by Audio-Adreneline"

Ocean Floor (Audio Adreneline)

The mistakes I've made
That caused pain
I could have done without
All my selfish thought
All my pride
The things I hide You have forgot about

They're all behind you
They'll never find you
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom
Of the ocean floor

My misdeeds
All my greed
All the things that haunt me now
They're not a pretty sight to see
But they're wiped away
By a mighty, mighty wave A mighty, mighty wave

Your sins are erased
And they are no more
They're out on the ocean floor
Take them away To return no more
Take them away
To the ocean floor

"It is possible for the Lord to look at us without seeing our sins because when he forgave us, he removed our sins as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12)

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25)

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13,14)

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

Stop beating yourself up.
Stop letting Satan steal all the joy you could have.
Look up instead of behind you.
Forgive yourself.
The Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven you.
The Creator of the Heavens and Earth has forgiven you.
Jesus Christ went to the cross and died for your sins too....every single one.
There is no joy in holding on to the past and the Lord has wonderful things to do through you, but you must let go in order for the Lord to work through you.
Satan wants to bind you with your guilt so you cannot be an effective witness for Christ...and he's got you all bound up. DON'T GIVE HIM THE VICTORY!
You have Christ on your side...but you have to call His name...lean on Him....give Him your yoke.

Be encouraged, the tomb is empty...

Be strong, the Lord is your strength.

I love you girl!

You'd Think One Would Learn

2006-09-14T00:19:00.000-06:00

So...how many times have I gotten my poor little precious 2 year old out of her sleep routine, only to have to endure one or two nights of torturous crying and yelling?

I've done it again. Yes...the crying it out method works for me...until I undo it all.....bedtime started gettin later and later and inconsistent and so, therefore, hence....yada yada...it is 12:21 and here I sit....she's getting worn out...I think...but then she starts up again...she's really very sleepy...just really very stubborn...I let her sleep out here in the living room last night...so I slept out here on the couch...i hate it...I'm not doing it again...

I feel bad for my oldest....they are right next door to each other...except USUALLY the oldest can sleep through it no problemo...i hope that holds true tonite....

So this really stinks....naptimes are still ok so that's a positive....it's just this whole bedtime thing....for MONTHS bedtime was between 8 and 9...no problem...we read 3 books sang 3 songs...I'd put her down awake and she'd talk herself to sleep....

Not so much anymore....

And boy am I tired....

I'm going in in 6 minutes to wipe her face...give her some water...and sing and put her down...trying to keep my "visits" to 5 minutes...and slowly spacing them further and further apart...first one was 3 minutes...second one was 10 minutes....this one will be 20 minutes (apart...not my visit...make sense?).....

I know after tonite and MAYBE tomorrow we will be back to "normal"...whatever that is...

Pray for my poor little one...and for my oldest...and for me....and for my hubby....

I HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT....at what point will it sink in? UGH.....

Man...still 5 minutes to go....I guess I could watch some TV....

ok...well...just had to share....I appreciate all your prayers.....

Pictures of Sisters....

2006-09-12T17:35:00.000-06:00

Just had to share these pictures of my girls....both are growing up so fast and so wonderfully!

Howdy Stranger....

2006-09-11T09:35:00.000-06:00

I know I've been MIA...

I don't really know why.

I've been spending naptimes watching my favorite shows that I record on our DVR....I don't get to watch TV really any other time.

Now I've started going to this Bible study one day a week and me and the little one are doing gymnastics 2 days a week....

The little one and I both have bad colds right now...it really stinks.

I have a couple things to share when I have time to really write.

Just wanted you to know I'm not abandoning the blogging world...just slowed down for awhile.

Love to you all!

Gymnastics!

2006-08-27T06:46:00.000-06:00

Ok...so Friday I decided to do a free trial class at one of our gymnastics schools. It's a parent participation class for toddlers. I think my little one had more fun than she's ever had in her life. My hubby came at the beginning and snapped some picture. Oh my word...I cannot tell you what it was like except FUN FUN FUN! Mostly just watching my crazy and wild little girl just run and play and have fun! So we are joining and will be going every week. I can't think of anything better for her to get her exercise and learn....oh..it was just great!

So...I didn't tell you her stats from her 2 year doctor appt. She is 33 1/2 lbs and 34 1/2 inches...that puts her weight, well, off the chart and her height in the 75th percentile....Doctor said she is so healthy and smart. Duh...I knew that! hee hee

She cracks me up...she talks SOOOO much...she repeats EVERYTHING and copies EVERYTHING...she's talking in sentences some...sometimes I understand everyword and sometimes I think she's speaking Japanese or Russian or Sweedish...ha ha...she has such a sense of humor and knows she's funny. AND....we are almost positive she is left handed...she eats, colors and does everything predominantly with her left hand...she even kicks with her left foot.

Next time we go to gymnastics I will try to get my hubby to stay longer and take some more pics cuz this is priceless! It will be a week or so before we go back because this is their registration week and they are closed.

SO THERE YOU HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE LITTLE...SOON TO COME...AN UPDATE ON MY OLDEST!

Birthday party

2006-08-22T16:13:00.000-06:00

Ok...so I started this post the other day and didn't finish cuz i couldn't get all the pics to upload. Now I was just thinking...why don't I at least post what I COULD upload! SHEESH! Where is my brain these days? Somewhere in Teletubbie Land I think!

Sisters eating the frosting...YUMMY!

YYYUUUMMMMMMYYY!

Mommy and the birthday girl.

The Princesses

WorldBig sis and lil

sis working on the biggest

piñata in history!

My house is Elmo's World!

Birthday Princess

Helping daddy with her "bicycle"

(please no one tell her it's not a BICYCLE)

All partied out (camera phone pic)

Oh well...

2006-08-22T14:37:00.000-06:00

My little remedy didn't work.

She's not fussing though.

We figure they will work their way out.

Do you like my new profile pic?

I'm gonna take a better one because i think the sun is too bright behind me...but I really wanted to change it cuz my hair is brown again (it had washed out) and it's longer. I really like it when i fix it!

:-)
Later!

Random Fact of the Day

2006-08-21T07:47:00.000-06:00

My baby has 3 small splinters in the bottom of her foot. (We went to my hubby's aunt's house yesterday and the little one ran around barefoot on a wooded deck...)

ANYWAY...
I attempted with a needle and got screams and just couldn't follow through. I found three other possible ways to get them out so I'm trying all three....

(1) Banana peel over the splinter for awhile (it says over night but since it's morning I'm figuring a few hours...
(2) baby oil or olive oil (i have baby oil gel)
(3) soaking in warm water

SO....I put the baby oil gel on...then covered with a ripe banana peel and put bandaids to hold them on. Then I put socks (mine) on her. After awhile...if she leaves them on and isn't complaining about pain I will give her a bath so her feet can soak in warm water...then I will see what they look like.

I'll let you know what happens....

Hmmm...what do you think?

New Stuff...

2006-08-18T21:10:00.000-06:00

Ok..so I put up 4 new posts...sorry to overwhelm you all!

Here are links to each one so you don't miss any...
HOWEVER...

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT

when you read these posts by going to them through these links FOR SOME REASON there isn't the option to comment SO if you think you might have a witty or kind comment then please just scroll down to read them...

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION....

First day of 7th Grade

2nd Birthday

2 Year Doctor Appointment

Random Family Fact

Random Family Fact

2006-08-18T21:02:00.000-06:00

My oldest told me I should just post a random fact about us ever day....so here is the first installment...

My oldest balanced her laundry basket on her head tonite...

The little one wanted in on the fun too....

This is the type of thing we do for fun around my house....

2 Year Doctor Appointment

2006-08-18T20:58:00.000-06:00

I asked..."Where is your boo boo?"...and this is what I got....

She got a shot...

She was fine...

But when I started calling it a "boo boo" she started really playing up the sympathy...

My drama queen!

Here's a couple more PITIFUL pictures of my poor kid! :-)

2nd Birthday

2006-08-18T20:41:00.000-06:00

WHAT? My little one is how old?

Excuse me?

I guess I should share her birth story...I will...not tonite...maybe Sunday I'll type it up. I don't have it written down anywhere so what better place THAN HERE...with all of my closest friends!! :-)....but not tonite.

So Thursday was her 2nd birthday...the party is tomorrow.
Here is what we did on her birthday...we went to lunch with my mom. The people at my mom's office just love the little one and so I had to share her special day with them.

Here are some pics from the day...

First day of 7th Grade

2006-08-18T20:30:00.000-06:00

Tuesday was the first day of seventh grade for my oldest daughter....WHAT? 7th grade? When did that happen...

Here we are when my husband and I got married....

(scanned from a picture in a broken frame FYI!)

Here she is Tuesday....

(INSERT BIG SIGH HERE....)
She's a cheerleader this year and she is working so hard!
She is growing up so fast but so beautifully! I'm so proud of her.

Holy Cow

2006-08-18T11:18:00.001-06:00

Ok...so it's been awhile since I've posted...I apparently had fiddled with some of my security settings and couldn't figure out why I couldn't log into Blogger...i've sent emails...NOTHING...I've been so frustrated...then I decided today to log in on my daughter's computer and I was able to sign in NO PROBLEM...so I set my security settings back to default on my computer a VOILA! Here I am....

LOTS OF THINGS TO SHARE....
I will post when the baby...toddler...2 year old is napping...WAHHHHHHHH...she turned 2 yesterday....I can't believe it....

ANYWAY....

I'll post soon...I PROMISE! I hope I haven't lost all my friends by disappearing for so long!

Now that school is back in I hope to blog more now.

Until later!

Winding Down

2006-08-09T07:36:00.000-06:00

School Starts Tuesday!
7th Grade....

My neice has been here visiting for a week.

Her and my oldest are 1 year and 10 months apart.

They have a lot of fun together.

Things are about to get really busy before the finally settle down....

if they EVER settle down....

lots of meetings to go to...

athletic meetings....

cheer meetings...

7th Grade orientation....

cheer practice....

tumbling....

and on and on....

So that's what I've been doing.

Hopefully I'll get in a groove and start blogging more again.

Until then, just know I'm here....barely.

I haven't really read any blogs....

Over 550 new items on bloglines.

I'll catch up, I'm just sure of it!

:-)

Just Sharing...

2006-08-01T15:24:00.000-06:00

Awesome article on communication in marriage...right here. "Intentional communication"...now there is a concept!

:-)

Kinkle Kinkle Yittle Tar

2006-07-28T10:20:00.000-06:00

My little one and Baby Bop....listen when Baby Bop disappears from the screen...my little one starts saying "B-Bop...where are you? There you are!"

Just wanted to share some cuteness today!

Pictures and Short Stories

2006-07-27T16:24:00.000-06:00

See the tail light in there??? This is from the rear of my husband's car.

Saturday Morning....not from lightning...just from the weight of the branch. That's my husband's car....Thank the Lord there were no dents, just some scratches.

My hubby's new toy....1978 Ford F250.....it's always been his dream and now he has one....it needs LOTS of work (like an engine)....but he has it now!

I love this one.

Dreaming.....

Big sister and little sister reading...

What a difference a day makes!

2006-07-21T10:54:00.000-06:00

Scroll down to the post called "Suggestions" and feel free to give me your potty training suggestions/advice.

If I put in a link to that specific post it doesn't give you the option to comment...

I don't know why...

so if you have suggestions you'll have to scroll down to it

I figure if I get as much info as I can I can't fail....right? I'm still waiting for someone to give me the number to someone to come do it for me. :-)

ALSO....

For those of you who haven't....

Put yourself on my if you have a second.

FYI...

If it looks crowded you can zoom in on the map to place your marker.

So last night my oldest returned from New York. The plane got in at 845. By the time we got home it was about 930.

The little one was very tired (as was I!)...I fed her a big bowl of oatmeal...gave her NOOOOOOO medicine. She was in a really good mood, not grouchy at all. At 1030 she went to sleep...at 1038 I was in bed myself.

She slept ALL night. I think I heard her make audible noise 2 or 3 times but no crying whatsoever. I woke up at 720. She woke up at 820! and she was in a great mood.

She is now sitting on the couch, watching Sesame Street....

Happy baby...happy mommy! My big girl is home and my little girl is not crabby and Mommy got to sleep last night! What more can I ask for!

By the way....has anyone ever heard of a 2 year old having her 6 year molar? Cuz my 2 year old has her 6 year old molar...really it's called her 1st permanent molar....what's up with that. I have counted her teeth 50 trillion times with several witnesses...and it keeps coming up the same....she has 8 total on the bottom, awaiting 2 more molars (1 on each side)....she has 10 total on the top....6 on one side and 4 on the other (with one more coming in).

Anyway.

By the way, go congratulate Veronica when you have a second if you haven't already!

:-)
I'm off to have a wonderful day!

Chinese Sleep Torture....

2006-07-20T13:50:00.000-06:00

Please click here if you have suggestions for potty training my daughter....otherwise....on with the story.

So the little on has a cold. Last night, before bed I gave her cough medicine and decongestant and some tylenol. She didn't fall asleep until 10:00pm cuz she just didn't feel good.

I, in turn, believe it was around 11:00 when I hit the sack.

At 1:05am I was awakened by her crying. I let her cry for a little bit but soon realized she was just not going back to sleep.

It was 4:50am when she finally fell back to sleep. I, in turn, fell back asleep around 5:00am...(that's 4 hours of sleep I missed)....then, she awoke again at 6:45am. THAT IS 3 HOURS AND 45 MINUTES OF SLEEP I GOT LAST NIGHT...

Now, I love my sleep. Don't get me wrong. I'm an 8 hour or so per night person...usually to bed around 10:00 and up around 6:00....I don't like waking up particularly but I do, and after I have my yummy coffee I'm ready to start the day...BUT PLEASE, OH PLEASE, DON'T TAKE MY SLEEP FROM ME....

So....today she has been pretty good, but then she started getting tired around 11:00 and was dozing off on my shoulder. I went to sit down with her....OH NO! She was having none of that....so I rocked her some more and tried to lay her down in her bed...OH NO...none of that either....SO THEN I ROCKED HER SOME MORE....and I tried to lay her down in my hubby and my bed....ARE YOU KIDDING ME? NO WAY! So then I tried the Living Room, and I tried sitting again...NOT A CHANCE...It was me standing and rocking her or NOTHING....Hubby told me to just let her cry and at first I said "no...she'll fall into a deep enough sleep then I can put her down"....well, she did fall into a deep enough sleep for me to sit with her but DUMB OLD ME...I tried to get her to lay next to me on the couch..AND WE STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN....So I let her cry in my arms on my nap, trying to pull me by my neck to stand up....KEEP IN MIND I HAVE ONLY HAD 3 HOURS AND 45 MINUTES OF SLEEP....But I feel bad for her cuz she feels yucky and is really tired too...but she's around 33 lbs....she's like 34 inches long...I'M ONLY 5'4 (that is 64 inches FYI)....SHE'S HUGE....I can only hold her so long...and as desperately as I wanted her to fall asleep....the pain was just toooooo much.

So at one point I almost had her asleep...that was like 2 hours ago....it's 2:00 now. She's on the couch watching Teletubbies eating a Papa John's breadstick. She's tired...oh yes she's tired....

I'm gonna try in just a minute to do our regular nap routine and see if that works....that is, after I finish my leftover Papa John's pizza and a coke....

At one point I really felt like I was being tortured....but I'm having my second wind....I CAN DO THIS...SHE WILL GO TO SLEEP or it's out with the Benedryl....eh hem...did I say that?

:-)
Thanks for all of your suggestions so far about the pottytraining....I'll let you know when I start and how it's going!

So....one more piece of pizza then we're off to read and sing and hopefully SLEEP....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2:35pm - UPDATE: She's Asleep...GOODNIGHT TO YOU ALL!

Suggestions....

2006-07-18T15:18:00.000-06:00

I know every child is different but I am looking for suggestions on how to potty train the little one.

I know she's ready...she knows she's ready....everyone that spends anytime with us knows she's ready....

I'm not sure I'm ready!

But I would like ideas of how to go about it because I think that is where my hesitation is....I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO OR HOW TO GET STARTED!

Thanks a million...

Tagged

2006-07-17T11:05:00.000-06:00

I've been tagged by several of you.

I will not default on my obligation to participate.

I love doing those things.

It may take me some time as I am not at my computer as much these days.

I have 320 things on my bloglines...

Keep checking....

:-)

HOLY MOLY

2006-07-13T15:37:00.000-06:00

Speechless...

Read this and you might feel the same way.

I have NOTHING to whine about EVER again....ever.

*Please note the end of the story where it mentions what the living arrangements are*

Have you decided....

2006-07-11T10:31:00.000-06:00

Have you decided to make today a good day?

Have you decided to be joyful today?

What are the words that are coming out of your mouth today? Are they uplifting or are the tearing down?

When you CHOOSE to have a good attitude you WILL get more done. Even if you feel grumpy at first, if you just CHOOSE to TRY and if you make your mind up that you WILL be happy and you won't let SATAN bring you down....YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD DAY. Only you can let someone else or something else cause you to have a bad day or a bad attitude. No one and nothing can MAKE you be in a bad mood.

When you are in Christ, what do you have to be sad about? The things on this earth are only temporary. Our joy should be in what lies above. Our future is eternity with Christ!

Are you an example to non-believers simply by your countenance? Can other's see Christ through you?

These are things I try to consciously think of EVERYDAY and EVERYWHERE in EVERYTHING I do. Sometimes I forget and my flesh takes over. I can be short with others and grumpy. I can get focused on my goals for the day which results in me getting really irritated at the others in my house when they get me off track....but if I let the Spirit take over I can pull myself out of that place and realize IT IS OK....

Sometimes I need to enjoy my family more and worry about being perfect less....

I'm writing this to you because these are things I have been struggling with and working on lately.

I just found this verse today and I really love it.

Psalms 30:11-12
11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Growing up

2006-07-10T12:01:00.000-06:00

The little one is sleeping in her BED, in her room, (not crib, not living room) for her nap for the second time EVER.

The oldest left this morning with my mother-in-law for 10 days in New York.

I'm very tired. Up late last night, up early this morning...I'm usually to bed early and up early....

It's my naptime too.

I've been working on projects and I feel like I've barely been home in the last couple weeks, much less on the computer.

My bloglines had gotten down to only 40 or so new items....it's back to 300....I will be reading you're posts this week sometime....I hope.

I'll post some a couple pictures from the last few weeks.

Trying to think of names to give my girls on here instead of "the youngest" and "the oldest"....any suggestions?

I'm tired....going now to nap.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.........................

Taking a 5-er...hee hee

2006-07-03T10:19:00.000-06:00

Ok...just wanted to say hi to all of you guys.

We've had company since Friday and the will be here until tomorrow. We have had jampacked days of fun and activity!

I'll be back later in the week.

:-)
Hope you all are doing well.

Another short quick post...

2006-06-28T10:13:00.000-06:00

Go vote for RIGHT HERE for Jaymi's daughter at the Jone's Soda Co. site.

Heed this warning...

2006-06-28T08:36:00.000-06:00

Please read my post about some important prayer needs of some of our fellow bloggers.(I updated it this morning, Wednesday, with a couple more)

On a funnier note...

I have read several things THIS VERY WEEK about toddlers and markers....and I've laughed...HA HA HA HA HA HA

Why is it that I don't heed these "warnings" seemingly sent from God? Do not turn your back on an almost 2 year old who has markers....unless you want a big laugh.

Here is some motivation for those of you with young children...BUY WASHABLE MARKERS!

:-)

Prayer updated

2006-06-27T10:10:00.000-06:00

Several people that I have come to "know" are in need of prayer so I thought I'd post links so you can go, read and pray...

I've added 3 more people to the top of the list and I will continue to add more if there is more to add....

These women range from people who I know very well to people who I don't know very well at all....but then 2 things they all have in common are that #1 they really need special prayer and #2 they all have this awesome faith that no matter the circumstances GOD is in control...they are all amazing!!!

If you are on this list I hope you don't mind that I have put you here. Please email me if you wish to be taken off for any reason. I will totally not feel bad at all!!!

*Dionna* for the spiritual warfare going on in her life.

*Annette* for her husband and her finances.

*Holy Mama* for her daughter.

Gwen for her brother (Here is some background.) and her daughter.

Kris for her husband's health.

Emily as her husband is away in Iraq.

Christy for her family as they have had some very heartbreaking news about and she is pregnant.

Amanda for her husband and her family as she is also pregnant and they have been having some hardships.

If I've missed someone it's only cuz I'm trying to catch up on my blogs and i haven't quite gotten there yet....I may be adding some soon.

Thanks...
I'm going to post the lyrics to some songs and the links to hear them for any of you who need some encouragement today...

Click here to Listen to 'Letting-Go by Shawn McDonald'
(Still looking for the lyrics to Shawn McDonald's song)

Click here to Listen to 'Praise-You-In-The-Storm
PRAISE YOU IN THE STORM
Casting Crowns
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen"
and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away

Chorus:
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Click here to listen to 'Trading-My-Sorrows by Darrell Evans'
TRADING MY SORROW
Darrell Evans
I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

Chorus:
And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning

Just a Few Things to Share...

2006-06-27T08:16:00.000-06:00

Remember when I wrote this and this? Well, e-mom excerpted a little bit from a book on marriage that is along the same lines. You can find it here.

If you haven't visited e-mom's site you definitley should!

I have severaly projects I'm gonna try to tackle for my first Tackle It Tuesday...

I got so much done yesterday and my house is in really good shape. The laundry is done so I am spending today on special projects...I even got a couple done yesterday.

One of the emails I got from FlyLady was a testimonial about a lady who saw this huge mess as such a big project. She thought she would wait until after her son went to bed and then she would tackle it...but then, she though no, we'll set the timer for 15 minutes and see what we get done. Her and her son got to it and I think it was 4 minute later that were done!! I think that alot about how I make these little cluttered corners seem like such big projects and then, when I go to do them, they are NOTHING! WOO HOO! I'm so psyched!

OK...I'll take pictures and post them this afternoon or this evening.

Until then...remember, we as mother's and wive's have the influence and power in our homes to set the tone...what tone are you setting. Sometimes I wake up grumpy and with a headache and as everyone else wakes up they all sort of absorb that same attitude and everyone seems grumpy...BUT, if I ON PURPOSE decide to be happy and smile the entire household seems to follow my lead...I'm not saying we can't have bad days and feels sick, and I'm not saying to live in a pretend happy Leave It To Beaver world...I'm saying we CHOOSE our attitudes, and those attitudes determine the entire tone and mood of our households....just something that keeps coming into my mind and something I HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF OF everyday...

Have a GREAT DAY!

Things to do...LOTS of Things to Do...

2006-06-26T07:31:00.000-06:00

It's 730am, Monday morning.

I am committed to spending this week trying to accomplish at least a few things on my LONG LIST of projects that I want to get done this summer.

I've been doing well at keeping my house clean, the laundry pretty much done and the dishes done :-)....but there are nooks and crannies in this house that just have stuff and I HATE THAT....

SO I AM BOUND AND DETERMINED to get at least 3 things on my LONG LIST done this week. I hate clutter and I feel like I'm surrounded by it...THAT MUST END or I may go nuts...if I'm not already there....

So off I go to do my everyday cleaning AND to tackle a project, any project...

I also want to start reading...I haven't read a book in so SOOOOOO long and Heather got me interested in this book and now I have it...I just have to start reading it.

Ahhh....so many things, so little time...

So really, I'm off to start my day and see what I get done.

Thanks to everyone who is still stopping by and thanks to everyone for your awesome comments. You guys really are awesome friends.

Until later...maybe I'll post pictures of the projects I do....

:-)

And More Pics from Daddy's Day

2006-06-21T12:31:00.000-06:00

More Pics from Daddy's Day

2006-06-21T12:30:00.000-06:00

And more......

2006-06-21T12:26:00.000-06:00

Catching Up and Falling Behind

2006-06-20T16:13:00.000-06:00

I have over 200 new items on my bloglines.....

I am not going to just go through and clear them out....I am trying to read all of them.

I read a few and comment.....the next time I come back there is more.....

I've hardly been at my computer in the last week and a half. It's been nice actually....I've thought of a bazillion things to write and hopefully will write them for you all to read...one day.

I have read all of the comments I've gotten and I usually try to respond, HOWEVER, I feel if I respond to one I have to respond to them all....SO I haven't responded at all....BUT THANK YOU, TO ALL OF YOU!

Funny how I feel this obligation to a bunch of people I've never met in real life...but you guys ARE my friends! I never think about the fact that many of us have never met, or talked outside of our blogs. I think it's pretty awesome how the Lord has brought together all of us who would have never met otherwise...totally rocks!

So just know, if you've missed me...if you've noticed I haven't been "around" as much....I am probably swimming, or shopping, or watering the garden, or watching a movie, or going to the park or ATTEMPTING TO READ A BOOK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS.....all with my girls!! My oldest daughter has been spending more time with us recently....I LOVE IT! We have been having a totaly blast.

So far this has been the best summer in my recent memory....

Father's Day was AWESOME....my girls and I went to a really nice tobacco shop and got my husband 4 really good cigars...NOW...we give him a hard time about smoking them, but we know how much he enjoys one every once in awhile...My oldest was nearly squealing by the time he got to open them....she was so excited to see his reaction...he thought it was a joke and there would be candy cigars or something...

But to his delight....they were the real thing.

We had some delicious kabobs on the grill and some even MORE delicious homemade chocolate filled eclairs courtesy of my oldest daughter and my mom-in-law.

It was a great day.

My husband is the greatest father my two girls could ever have. He is so in love with his two girls. He would do anything for them and they know it! He is a Godly role-model and although he knows he's not perfect he strives day after day to learn more about the Lord so he can teach our girls not only with words but by his example...I praise the Lord for my husband and the father of my daughters!!!

THANKS TO BLOGGER I AM NOT ABLE TO SHARE ANY MORE OF MY PICTURES...I WILL TRY TO ADD THEM LATER! :-(

Busy Busy Busy

2006-06-16T07:40:00.000-06:00

Well....since school got out we've been so busy!

Lots and LOTS of swimming....several appointments for the oldest...the oldest started cheerleading 3 days a week for 2 hours each day...Wednesday night church started up for the summer (our church does Wednesday night classes and they are in like 6 week sessions with a few weeks between each session)....did I mention LOTS AND LOTS of swimming!

Without much detail I just want to share that yesterday was an amazing AMAZING day in the Lord! The Lord orchestrated the entire day moment by moment in a way that we couldn't have ever EVER imagined. I can't share details and I wish I could. Just that there has been a situation that has needed some resolution, and the Lord pulled EVERYTHING together yesterday beyond any of our expectations. It was a day that I believe helped my oldest daughter grow in faith just by watching the Lord work...you could almost see HIM working before your eyes! It just drove the foundation of my faith even deeper and stronger....it made me realize EVEN MORE that we fret and worry about things we have no control over...THE LORD IS IN CONTROL and can see the whole picture even when we can't. If we don't have faith that HE can do it and if we don't give our fears, hesitations, worries, and doubts over to HIM, in the end...we will try to do it ourselves and we will always fail. HE NEVER FAILS...HE can work through us if we allow HIM too....but we can't get in the way and we need to give it ALL TO HIM...not just part of it. WE HAVE TO REMEMBER that HE sees the entire picture...things we can't see and things we don't know.

ANYWAY...God is so good! I love it when HE surprises us!

On a blogger note....when I'm doing my posts I don't have the tabs at the top right that say HTML and whatever the other one is....when I type my posts it is always in the HTML way....anyone have any ideas of how to get those tabs back??????

:-)
I hope you all have a great day! We have another busy one in front of us so I better get moving (more than my fingers!)

I Love My Husband....

2006-06-12T16:18:00.000-06:00

We have only talked once about getting a dishwasher and that was at Christmas. We decided against it at that point because we are renting and didn't know how long we would stay here before we bought a house. Remember...I got this beauty instead...which by the way, works beautifully and is still totally cool looking!

On Saturday morning...out of the blue...while he and my girls were eating breakfast at the kitchen table...he told me to find a dishwasher and get it.

HUH?

WHAT DID HE SAY?

A WHAT?

Praise the Lord...I found this one. Top of the line Kenmore portable dishwasher...best part, floor model, TOTALLY MARKED DOWN!!!!....perfect condition....it's so cool...SO COOL!

CAN I JUST TELL YOU....There has not been dirty dishes in my sink since Saturday. I have not had to hand wash anything since Saturday.

MY HUSBAND TOTALLY ROCKS! He is so good to me! I am so blessed to have him and I thank God every day for him!

From now on Ken does my dishes...Ken More...hee hee (get it? It's a Kenmore dishwasher)

Thank you baby! Thank you for working so hard for us. Thank you for taking such good care of us. Thank you for everything!!!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

my fishies

2006-06-12T13:20:00.000-06:00

New Pics

2006-06-06T15:18:00.000-06:00

Check out the new pics on my photoblog.

My girls are both fish...the oldest is a fantastic swimmer but alas, she is at camp so was not with us for these pics...no doubt there will be some soon with her.

And yes...I know my hubby is a hottie...but he's mine..ALL MINE!!! (ok, so I know most of you are married but I still had to say it...:-)

Uh...duh.

2006-06-05T11:06:00.000-06:00

Click HERE for the story.

I hope none of you know this poor guy and if you do...sorry.

But if you do could you ask him...WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

Say what you want about WalMart BUT....

2006-06-04T08:50:00.000-06:00

Do you see it? Look closely at her bottom lip...it is swollen and red...

Yesterday afternoon, my mom, my youngest and I went on our usual Saturday trip to Walmart...now, does your Walmart have those really cool carts with the double blue seats for kids? Well, my youngest has to sit in that now...no more of that baby stuff!

As we were going through the self check outs I was at on and my mom was at another beside and ahead of me (you know how they are staggard?)...my youngest was leaning all the way to the side and looking up saying "lights, lights, lights"...and kind of swinging back and forth...I saw NO HARM in this...HA! I should've known better and just ducktaped the child in place...

I look down to scan something or bag something..it's all a fog now...and all of a sudden I hear SCREAMING coming from MY CHILD...this is not normal...she is not a screamer or even much of a cryer...she never has been, even since birth...when she was born and they handed her to me I started yelling "Whats wrong with her! She's not crying..."

BACK TO THE STORY AT HAND....my mother ran around the cart to her and I ran over to her and there is blood coming from her mouth area...I remain calm praying there is no missing teeth...HERE COMES THE "WALMART ROCKS PART"....all of a sudden there are at least 5 associates around us...2 came running with paper towels 2 came and said "what can we do" and the 5th person was the manager...he came and said "oh no! is she ok...awww....poor baby...can I get you some ice" and I said "sure"....All 5 were so concerned ***Some may say they were probably worried about being sued or whatever...LET ME TELL YOU...there was no way they could fake the concern on their faces...in their voices...they saw my little princess with blood on her face and shirt and they were really truly concerned..."***

WELL...in her usual fashion my little one stopped crying after about 1 minute and only whimpered a tiny bit more. One of the associates offered to ring up the rest of my stuff up for me...so I said "sure"...The manager came back with a rubber glove full of ice for her.

What I figure happened is that in her swinging back and forth sideways and half upside down...was that she smacked her mouth on the bar on the side of the cart and her front teeth went straight into her lip...deep...YUK and OUCH!

These people were like angels...no kidding...by the time we walked away they had all gone back to wherever they came from....it was so surreal. They really were there so quickly and they worked so fast to help get us what we needed...

THANK YOU WALMART! Just another reason I LOVE YOU GUYS!

BY THE WAY....Check out the new pics on my photo blog of the outfits that my mom (GG) bought for the little one...we had a tiny fashion show...

Off To Camp...

2006-06-03T09:05:00.000-06:00

Sisters...the morning the oldest leaves for camp...6:20am....watching Sesame Street together....the oldest had the tips of her hair died what was supposed to be pink (ended up red and so cool!!!)....She's off to camp now...until Wednesday...(sigh)...we were up until 11:30 packing and going over the checklist a million times...she's so excited!

The Red Tipped Hair...

2006-06-03T08:45:00.000-06:00

I think it totally rocks! I want to do something funky like this!!
She has the most BEAUTIFUL hair!

Ugh...I did it AGAIN!

2006-06-01T07:43:00.000-06:00

Ok...So it's Works for me Wednesday FIRST, then Three Things Thursday (I would do Thursday Thirteen too but COME ONE! I can barely get 3 things done!) and Tasty Thursday...ALL IN ONE! WOOHOO, what fun!

(brought to you by Rocks in My Dryer.)

OK...so sometimes I get WAY off track when I'm trying to do my housecleaning. And sometimes it seems like there is so much to do and I don't know where to start...
Well...thanks to FlyLady and Yahoo's Calendar and Reminders I'm on track EVERYDAY!

I've taken most of the stuff FlyLady sends out in her emails (if you've signed up you kow what I mean...if not YOU SHOULD if this is an area where you struggle AND you want to do better... :-) and I've made a daily calendar and plugged each of these things in at a certain time. I know there are a TRILLION other calendar and reminder programs but it just happens that I use yahoo...the reason I like it is because when it's time for the next thing I hear a noise from my computer...Up on my screen is a little box that says what is next...

This may sound elementary BUT LET ME TELL YOU....it has made housekeeping so much easier...most of the time I get ahead of it which is kind of fun...but it really keeps me on task and helps me to remember everything that needs to be done...

Here is my morning calendar...
6:00am-7:00am - Wake up, Make Coffee, Make Breakfast, Make Lunches, Make Bed, Send everyone off to wherever they are going...

7:00am-8:00am - Straighten up the Living Room (usually the messiest in the house) Get dressed, hair, makeup..(doing your hair and makeup can TOTALLY CHANGE how you feel about yourself) Usually the little one is up during this time so that make this take a little longer

8:00am-9:30am - Laundry into the washer, Trash out, Do the dishes, Baby fed and dressed

9:30am-10:00am - I straighten all the rooms up...not really cleaning yet..just getting them in order..

10:00am-11:00am - Weekly Home Blessing(FlyLady) which includes: vacuum, dust, mop, mirrors and windows, change sheets. Most of these I do every other day)instead of just once a week, on the in between days I try to tackle a project I've been wanting to do.

11:00am-12:00pm - Put dishes away, Fold Laundry/Restart dryer if it needs to be Lunchtime (straighten any messes that SOMEONE may have made)

12:00pm-1:00pm - Wind down for nap (there is a few things I have to do to get ready for her nap such as get her little blanket bed set up on the LR floor...bring in the loud dogs that bark at everything, read to her, sing to here...etc.

1:00pm-3:00pm - NAPTIME...during this time I usually nap, shower, computer, fold clothes, put clothes away....anything I need to do that is easier to do when she's asleep.

3:00pm-6:00pm - Run any errands I have to do, get dinner started, finish laundry...this is kind of a tying up loose ends time...

6:00pm-8:00pm - Dinner, clean up, garden, play, tv time...

8:00pm-9:00pm - bathtime for baby, get baby ready for bed...baby to bed

9:00pm-10:30pm - MY TIME...computer, cuddle with hubby, watch TV....

10:30pm - BY THIS TIME my hubby, myself and our oldest usually are in bed or we head to bed...

I don't always get everything done EVERY DAY but it has changed my household completly...It feels REALLY good!

(brought to you by Sheila.)
Three things not many people know about me.

(1) I sold Mary Kay for awhile before I was pregnant...then I just couldn't do it consistently but I LOVE the products and still use thema and plan to do it again ONE DAY...

(2) My major is/was Political Science...before I met my hubby I had decided I was never going to be married or have a family. I wanted to be a prosecutor (DA), then become a judge, then a Senator...funny how love changes things...now I want to raise my girls and be a Government teacher (although I have fantasies about being a profiler or detective for the FBI sometimes :-)

(3) I have 2 older brothers...one of which I will do an entire post on in the near future to show him I really do love him and I still think he's totally cool....(I have posted about the other one several times).

(Brought to you by Jessica.)
This is rather simple but RARELY can you look in my fridge and not see this.
It's a grilled chicken salad.

I grill boneless skinless chicken breasts on my HUGE George Foreman. Then I shred it.
I use a dark bag mix of lettuce and i throw in some spinach too.
I add red, yellow, orange and green bell peppers.
I add celery.
I add cucumbers.
I add blue cheese crumbles.
I add shredded parmesan cheese and cheddar cheese.
I add croutons sometimes too.

I put it all in a bowl and shake it up.

I eat this ALL the time with some yummy ranch that I get from a local restaraunt. (I'm very picky about ranch dressing and this place is the best!)

There you have it!

She's at it again.

2006-05-31T13:36:00.000-06:00

If you want to see more video of my silly little girl go to my photoblog.

They (THERE ARE 2 VIDEOS) are darker than I thought and you can't see EVERYTHING and I hate my voice and excuse the singing...yada yada yada...

I'm not bragging or whatever but SHE IS SMART and so darn cute!

Also...there are new pictures under the videos including some new garden photos (way down under the cute pictures from the playground)...for anyone who is interested.

What Am I Thinking???

2006-05-30T11:02:00.000-06:00

I've decided to join in the madness of... (cue music here...)

Go see Cheerios on my butt? (hee hee, giggle giggle) for more information...

Today's challenge is to take a picture first thing in the morning....ugh.
I will share several..

YOUR TURN!!!

Go Say Hi!

2006-05-30T08:48:00.000-06:00

Hey you guys.

My friend Jessica has started a blogger blog so go check her out. She's the one that started Tasty Thursday. I hope you guys participate this week cuz it is really fun to find out other fun recipes!

:-)

Posting pictures of my garden on my photoblog RIGHT AFTER I get my coffee....I can't make it without my coffee.

Ms. Smarty Pants

2006-05-29T16:15:00.000-06:00

I can't remember how long this is but the best part is the beginning anyway...

Thank you!

2006-05-27T08:54:00.000-06:00

You guys are awesome.

Today I am much better. The difference is like night and day.

I'll be doing a lot of gardening today (I hope) so I will post pictures on my photoblog.

It's a beautiful day and I am grateful. Let me share something with you that helped my start feeling better....

The Mud

2006-05-26T11:24:00.000-06:00

Do you ever feel like you're walking through mud? Like the stuff you do every day with no effort at all, all of a sudden is like the hardest stuff you ever have done?

Today is like that. I just feel like I have weights on my feet and I can barely get anything done.

Why? Probably my hormones. They make me tired...exhausted...bone weary... BUT I'm still trying to move...keep moving...it makes me more exhausted when I have a mess around me. Some moments I feel like crying. Others I just want to lay there.

I will feel better when I get the rest of my stuff done and the little one is down for her nap.

I just had to write about it. I thought maybe it would help.

So back to it. Oddly enough...I do feel a little better now.

Works For Me Wednesday (LATE), TTT, and NEW Tasty Thursday....

2006-05-25T15:56:00.000-06:00

(Go see Rocks In My Dryer for more!)

I have a hard time coming up with what to make for dinner because I like to make really yummy things SO...I have made a calander for the month. Every Monday is Chicken Night, Tuesday is Fish Night, Wednesday Is Leftovers, Thursday is Random, Friday is Steak Night, Saturday is Pasta and Sunday is Leftovers again.

Then I just look for recipes to plug in each night and I shop for 2 days at a time...I figure them out 1 week at a time.

WORKS FOR ME! and it helps me just have a plan so I don't wonder WHAT'S FOR DINNER!!!

(Go see Sheila for more TTT)

(1) Today is the first day of Summer Break for the oldest! HOORAY!
(2) I worked on the garden for about 20 min last night while my husband cleaned up the back yard and the girls played...(pictures of the garden REALLY are forthcoming to the PhotoBlog...
(3) I love the summer I love the summer I love the summer!

*NEW*

My new friend Jessica has come up with Tasty Thursday. Jessica's blog is a little different. In order to comment you register. It is free and it's just her (not some big blogging place that will use your email for anything)....It's really neat! Go check her out and participate in Tasty Thursday! Click on the "Blog" button on the top of the screen and then click "Read more on this entry!"

So here is my Tasty Thursday...
I got it from Here and YUM! And sooooo easy!

Ultimate Crock Pot Lasagna
Rich, explosive tomato flavors and garlic and onion-rich ground beef will turn your crock pot into a lasagna factory.

1 lb. ground beef
1 large onion
2 cloves garlic
1 can (29 ounce) tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 can( 6 ounce) tomato paste
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1 pack (8 ounce) no cook lasagna noodles
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 and 1/2 cup small curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Brown in skillet: beef, onion, garlic. Drain.

Add tomato sauce, water, paste, salt, and oregano and mix well. Spread 1/4 sauce in ungreased 5 quart cooker, arrange noodles (break when needed), combine cheeses and spoon 1/3 over noodles, repeat layers twice, top with remaining sauce. Cover and cook on low 4 to 5 hours or until noodles are tender.

Enjoy your crock pot lasagna.

I have to admit...I used ricotta instead of cottage cheese...this one was a HUGE hit with my family.

The Marines Rock!

2006-05-23T15:04:00.000-06:00

I saw this bumper sticker today (the yellow one on the bottom). I had my oldest take a picture of it with her phone. It had us cracking up...

One of the best I've seen.

Brave...time to cut the strings that are holding me down

Messed up template

Wow

You Are God Alone

My Dear Friend...

Books

Remember When?

Expelled - The Movie...Check It Out

She's 14

Captivated

Still kicking

Another Year has passed....

POTTY TRAINING CRY FOR HELP

The Shirt Says it All.....

Hurry Hurry Hurry

The Happiest Place On Earth

New Camera and Some Pics

Funny

Call Me a Jerry's Kid

Some Cute Mom Things

My Hair - UPDATED PICTURE

Easter Pics 02

Easter Pics 01

Hokie Hope Day

Hello Out There!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

13

Some Helpful Websites...UPDATED

TTYL...

Baffled and Outraged

Obituary of the late Mr. Common Sense

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CARTER BOAZ!

My Favorite

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

HOLY COW

Ramblings of a crazy woman....

New Marriage Book Recommendation

Want a good laugh?

Reality

6 Years ago Today....

My New Video

Best of Friends

Her Majesty

Toddler Laws of Property

Funny shirt

more cute shirts on a cute kid....

The Shirt Says it All!

She did it again....

Can you believe it.....

For a Friend

You'd Think One Would Learn

Pictures of Sisters....

Howdy Stranger....

Gymnastics!

Birthday party

Oh well...

Random Fact of the Day

New Stuff...

Random Family Fact

2 Year Doctor Appointment

2nd Birthday

First day of 7th Grade

Holy Cow

Winding Down

Just Sharing...

Kinkle Kinkle Yittle Tar

Pictures and Short Stories

What a difference a day makes!

Chinese Sleep Torture....

Suggestions....

Tagged

HOLY MOLY

Have you decided....

Growing up

Taking a 5-er...hee hee

Another short quick post...

Heed this warning...

Prayer *updated*

Just a Few Things to Share...

Things to do...LOTS of Things to Do...

Prayer updated

Works For Me Wednesday (LATE), TTT, and NEW Tasty Thursday....