Boys, boys, boys, means noise, noise, noise

Picture it ... my house ... 11:30am ...


Boys: Running, laughing, running, MORE laughing .. Declan walking REALLY fast ...
Me: Boys, please don't run in the house
Boys: Yes mam .. DeClan (ahhhh!)
10 minutes later ....
Me: I said, please don't run in the house
Boys: Yes mam, we heard you ..... DeClan (Yells!)
Noise: Clunk, thump
Me: Running through the house and I see Austin against the wall in his room, lying sideways against the tricycle ...
Me: Boys .. what was that noise?
Austin: Me ....
Me: What happened Austin?
Austin: I really need to stop runnin' in da house ....I hit da wall!
Me: Yes, Austin, let me kiss the booboo
Austin: Yes, mommy .. thank you
Ethan and DeClan are watching and come over a kiss mommy too ...

I wanted to scold, but instead I just held my boys ..

Whew .. no blood, no bandaids

Christmas Memories

As each Christmas as an adult comes and goes very fast ... I continue to remember my childhood memories and hope that D and I are helping to make great ones for the boys. I remember each Christmas waking up at 4 or 5am, creeping down the hallway, peeking around the corner to see the wonderful display of gifts and getting so excited. My sisters and I would play for hours, wake up my parents, play more and then eat a wonderful breakfast prepared by my dad, because my mom was already working on Christmas dinner. I also remember singing happy birthday to my mother, a Christmas baby herself and hoping she was enjoying her day too. I think I was 9 when I found out who was bringing the Christmas morning gifts .. hehe .. but it didn't make my future Christmas' any less special .. because I was with my family and to me that is all that really mattered. I do remember VERY fondly Christmas Eve service at our church. This is when mother would deck us out in the finest of dresses (all matching colors for her 3 girls) and we would go to church and enjoy the best reason of all to celebrate Christmas. JESUS!

This year our boys are 11, 2 1/2 and 1. D and I got up BEFORE the boys and kept waiting for them to wake up .. but they have settled into a Christmas break routine and wake up later and later each day (I know I will pay dearly later). We finally woke them up around 8 and brought them into the den and boy were they surprised! We don't talk a lot about Santa, he is NOT banned from our household, he just isn't discussed all that much, but the kids still enjoy the surprise of toys under the tree and presents to open. This year the house is much noiser than others .. all three have trucks, remote control cars and tickle me Elmo and Cookie monsters that have made us all fall on the floor!!!!!

We have eaten our share of food through Christmas 2008, but most of all we celebrated what God did so many years ago, thanked Him for sending His son and praised His name for one more year to be together ... My hope for you and and your family to celebrate the birth of Jesus, love on your family, TELL THEM you love them and ENJOY this time together.

From Our House to yours ...

Merry Christmas!

GranGran's Ninja Turtle Love

Who else but a great grandmother who doesn't get to see her great grandchildren more than twice a year would do this?

GranGran, Ethan and Austin at Ethan's birthday party

Christmas Photos and Kids ...

Somehow those two words don't go together. It never is as easy as the finished product looks ...

I cannot get this picture turned around .. uuurrrgghhh. So ... no finished product ... at least not yet ...

Stay tuned!

It's been 12 years .. I am still learning and hubby says so is he

Marriage!!!!!!!!!

It ain't easy, but when done God's way and in God's timing, it can be simply marvelous. It has to be by God's design ... otherwise you don't stand a chance in Helvetica to make it.

You have to die to self .... on a regular basis.

Here's to you honey! (And I'm sorry .. you know why .. hehe)

I love you and that will NEVER change.

Thank you for asking me to share your life!

Christmas MeMe

Kim tagged the ladies who read her blog .. this is first one I have ever done .. so here goes and YES, it was fun to answer ...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper with Big beautiful ribbons, wish I knew how to wrap presents like you see in the mall.

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial, I love the smell of real trees, but do not like the clean up. I do use real garland sometimes in the bathroom and over the fireplace.

3. When do you put up your tree? The weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually the first weekend after the new year.

5. Do you like eggnog? No mam.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Cabbage patch doll (Micheala)

7. Do you have a Nativity scene? No, but I would love one and need an unbreakable one with the two explorers in my house.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My children, they are well rounded and like everything

9. Easiest person to buy for? My sister who's in school, she wants gift cards from Barnes and Nobles to pay for books.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Work out video series (Sorry honey ... my health minded husband). I guess it wasn't so much the gift, but the timing. I HAVE used the tapes since then though.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, the personal touch has been lost with so much technology. I also use this time to send new pictures of the children. I don't know why I wait til November to get all 25 rolls of film from the year developed.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas with Bing Crosby. Everyone looks soooo beautiful. I really only like the singing and dancing.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The week before. Although I am making notes throughout the year and it only takes me 2 hours or so. I am really trying to demonstrate more on giving to others with my children.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, but only because I thought the person I gave it to, needed the item more than I did and it was brand new and I had been given several just like it that year. (I'm just sayin' ......)

15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? This year we have a new cookie in our home "The Sugar Cookie", thanks to Melanie and it has become our signature cookie and man o man, is it delicious. I love making these with my children. We also eat a lot of these. (Oh, my, my!)

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? We always use clear lights on our main tree and outside.

17. Favorite Christmas song? A Holy Night and Now behold the Lamb (Kirk Franklin version)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes, dasher, dancer, prancer, vixen, comet, cupid, donner, blitzen, rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither, we have our last name initial painted gold and wrapped in a beautiful gold bow. I have tried toppers and they have not worked for our tree. Our colors are gold, silver and cream.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both. We open one gift on Christmas Eve-- the rest on Christmas day after we have had dinner.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Probably the materialistic attitudes. Afterall, it is Jesus' birthday!!!! I do NOT like hearing Happy Holiday!

23. What is the "corniest" family tradition you do, or miss doing? Our corniest tradition is this: We pile in the car, go get hot chocolate and drive around town looking at Christmas lights singing Christmas carols. We always laugh and have fun! (This is exactly what we do Kim!)

24. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? Sponge Bob

25. Which looks the best, theme trees or homey trees? I like both.... my theme? Things that represent our family. (Musical notes, church, initials, an ornament with my daughter's name) The colors are gold, silver and cream.

26. What does Christmas mean to you? (This is what Kim said and I couldn't have said it better.) Christmas is a time to celebrate God becoming flesh! Christ left his throne and place at the Father's side to become a helpless baby in a poor, poor family - to grow up despised and rejected by men, and live a perfect life and die a sinless death in order to completely absorb all of God's wrath against my sin! Now when God looks at me, he sees me through Jesus!

Christmas Traditions ....

Someone recently asked me what our Christmas tradition was OR what would we like to start as tradition for MY family. My husband and I grew up with very different ways of celebrating Christmas and when we got married, we decided we would do something for our kids to remember and treasure.

We, I mean Me, (he, he) love to decorate my home for Christmas. I don't feel I have the skillz of decorating my home for everyday, but something about Christmas gets me inspired. We purchase a special ornament each year for the tree and all of them have a special meaning behind them. We usually stay in town, the two Christmas we tried visiting Hubby's parents, we got stuck an extra week because of weather, so no more of that. Before the house full of kids .. we would spend Christmas eve night at my parents home and stay with them all day Christmas (also my mother's b-day). The last two years we have stayed in our house, woke w/ the kids, spent time with each other and then went to my parents house for dinner. (Even though they are both in heaven). My brother, his wife and their 4 children, my two sisters and neice are there as well and we enjoy time with each other the whole uninteruupted day.

During the Christmas season: We read Christmas stories to our kids, play of LOT of Christmas music and bake a lot and talk about less fortunate families. We choose a child from the angel tree or someone at church to buy a gift for. I would say it has not been about a lot gifts for us at Christmas, because Hubby, Ethan and DeClan have November b-days and my anniversary is in December which has provided an opportunity to focus more on Jesus and what he would really want.

For the future: I want to start a tradition where we feed a family, go do something ON Christmas Day or Christmas Eve for someone else with the kids and make those the memories for Christmas' for years to come. My kids are terribly spoiled by their families and we want them to know while it is nice to get things, it feels good to give. The older I get, the more I see the need to impress upon my children how would you feel if we didn't celebrate you on your birthday .. I WANT to celebrate the birth our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Soup, soup and more soup!

Here are some soup reciepes that mean a lot to me, my family AND my pocketbook! (SMILE) I love cold weather, soup and a big ole blanket! The first two reciepes are souper easy .. the last one takes time, thought and ingredients I do not keep on hand, so I don't make this version very often, but I always make it the Saturday before Christmas. It is amazing what a couple of sorority girls can drum up in college ..... forever memories.

There are more reciepes for you here.


Broccolli Cheese Soup

2 onions chopped
4 Tbsps. Italian Reduced Fat Dressing
2 cans chicken broth
4 broth cans water
8 cups chopped broccoli
2 cups milk
1 cup instant brown rice uncooked
2 cups Velveeta Cheese (cubed)

Place everything in the crock pot for 4 hours on low. Serve HOT! Top each serving with cheese.
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Italian Sausage Soup (a take on the Macaroni Grill version)

1 pound of ground italian turkey sausage (browned, made into meatballs or diced links)
1 1 /2 cups of cooked small pasta (your preference, NOT bowtie or macaroni)
2 cans of italian seasoned diced tomatoes
2 cans of chicken broth
2 cans of northern beans
1/2 cup frozen spinach
1 packet of italian dressing mix
parsley flakes for "color"
1/2 cup italian blend shredded cheese
2 dashes of dried basil (chopped fresh sprigs if you have them)
1 tsp. hot sauce (added when almost done)
Mix all your ingredients together, simmer for 30 minutes on medium low. Add toasted garlic bread and salad if you like. Enjoy! This is soo much better the second day.

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Poor Sorority girls Lousiana Gumbo

6 tablespoons Crisco
6 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 pound chicken breasts
1 ring of Hillshire or Eckridge Sausage, chopped
2 14.5 ounce tomatoes
1 cup chopped onions
2 cups okra (frozen will do)
1 clove garlic
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper (you can buy the peppers frozen and packaged together for less)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf (if you can find one)
1 tablespoon salt
6 cups chicken stock or water
1 pound cooked shrimp (medium to large, the small ones shrink .. hehe)
Hot sauce to taste

Heat shortening over medium heat (large stock pot) Add flour, a tablespoon until browned, Stir constantly. Add all the meat, except shrimp and tomatoes. Cook 8 minutes. Add vegetables, garlic, seasonings, and stock. Add hot sauce, if desired. Cook over high heat until meat is done, about 10/15 minutes. Add shrimp in the last 5 to 7 minutes. Oh and take the bay leaf out before you eat! Serve over rice.

Twas the month before Christmas ...

'Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

How the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings,The teachers would say.
December 25this "just a holiday".

Yet the shoppers were readywith cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks to the floor to be the first to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X-box, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken and Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas was nowhere to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penney's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive and sensitive
Di-ver-si-tyAre words that were used To intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzer
On Boxer, on Rather, On Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, There arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, In all public matter.
And we spoke not a word
As they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks,Please Listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, Choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, Not Happy Holiday!
Author Unknown

Jesus IS better than Santa Claus ..

(author unknown)
Santa lives at the North Pole ...JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh ...JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year.JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and enters your heart.
You have to wait in line to see Santa ...JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap ...JESUS lets you rest in His Arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is"Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?" ...JESUS knew our name before we did.Not only does He know our name,He knows our history and future, andHe even knows our hearts & how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...JESUS has a heart full of love, grace, mercy & forgiveness.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...JESUS says "Cast your cares on me for I care for you."
Santa's little helpers make toys ...JESUS makes a new life, mends wounded hearts,repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but ...JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree ... JESUS became our gift and died on the tree,For you & for me.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.We need to put CHRIST back in Christmas,Jesus is still the reason for the season.
Yes, JESUS is better,He is even better than Santa Claus.

Merry Christmas NOT Happy Holidays!

Jesus was BORN to die. (Christmas) He died for our sins. He rose and He lives! (Easter/Resurrection Sunday)

He was born on Christmas morning. Biblical scholars say it was really around modern day April or possibly August, not December, but one fact we cannot dispute is that what we celebrate as Christmas is HIS birthday. It is as simple as that. Without Christ there would be no Christmas. I don't care how you slice it, skip over it, try to erase it, it happened and that will never change. FACT:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

I never thought I would be so bothered by people telling me Happy Holidays! But as I grown in my relationship with Christ, it does rub me the wrong way how many people, sayings, things on TV, the newspaper are now all saying Happy Holidays. I was checking out at Sam's the other day and the young lady struggled to say Happy Holidays. You could tell she wanted to say Merry Christmas, but it was if she had been told, you better not! Then I was Food Network today to get some ideas for my cookie exchange and what HAD been called the Christmas Cookie presentation, was now being called the Holiday cookie hour. What is the world is a holiday cookie? I'm sorry, I have never heard of that ... Ethan is having a Holiday gift party at school, Huh? Not sure what Holiday gift he will be giving his classmates this year.

What I am struggling with is that there are no marches, lawsuits or threats if you say Happy Hannukah. I don't hear anyone saying we can't say that. I don't celebrate Kwanzaa, but I don't hear any outcries about that either. Remember a few years ago when Lowe's wanted to sell Holiday trees? Are people really so mad, scared or living in that much unbelief of Christ that you can't say Merry Christmas and acknowledge the Birth of Christ? Good grief! With all the outcry and hullabaloo ... I'm shocked I can still watch Charlie Brown Christmas ...

People, Jesus IS real, He is real whether you choose to think so or not. Without Him there would be no reason to celebrate. Even those who choose to celebrate Santa, even this fictional character would not have existed or even been created by someone without the birth of our Savior Jesus. If Jesus had not been born, there would have been no gifts for the wise men to bring.

So I applaud anyone, everyone who will NOT bend over and bow down to pressure and keep the Christ in Christmas!

And so, from my family to yours .. Merry Christmas!

Has it been 11 years? YES!

Ethan is 11 today! (He thinks he has to smile big or else it won't count)
I remember my pregnancy, his birth, my lack of sleep, his lack of latching, my crying, his crying, his smile, his laughter, his crawling, his first steps, his first day in kindergarten, his first volcano, the first book he read alone, his giftedness, his seizures, his HEALING!, his baptism, his first communion, his first crush on a girl, his first yuck, no mom, I don't like girls, his surgery, his miraculous 4 day stay in hospital where he walked out on his own .... Thank you Jesus!

His smile, his hugs, his kisses, his prayers for himself and always others, his gentleness, his caring, his learning, his time with his baby brothers, his tears, his impersonations (Bill Cosby), his laughter, his smile.

My revelation that he can no longer order from the kids menu .. waaaaaaa

I love my baby, yes, Ethan, you will always be my baby and I am so glad God let me be your mom!

And for the food, we are truly thankful!

Let's just say we pigged out! I am soooo thankful!



Dinner: Turkey, Country Ham, Goat, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans, Collard Greens, Broccoli Rice Casserole, pinto beans, potato salad, corn bread dressing, Gran Gran's homemade potato rolls, Sweet Tea

Dessert: Cherry Delight, Jam Cake, Yellow Cake w/ Caramel Icing, Custard

LOTS of laughter and memories were made!

Thanksgiving ... I didn't know I was so unthankful

Thankgiving has always been a time of reflection for my family for all the things we are thankful for, but also a time to laugh, create memories, hang out with family ALL DAY, sit at the feet of the women in the kitchen and gleen some widsom.

12 years (1995) ago changed all that for me .. my mom died just after Thanksgiving. We had just started getting close again. (you know how mother daughter relationship can be) I was starting to learn sooo much from her and really enjoyed being around her more and more. She went in the hospital in October and never came back to her physical home, but went to her eternal home with Jesus. AND I GOT MAD AT GOD

A year later, Ethan was born just ONE day before her anniversary death date which happened to be Thanksgiving Day (1996) and my husband and I decided to change our outlook and celebrate my mom's life and her grandson's new beginning.

My inlaws were also a HUGE help in transforming what had become a time of grief for me to a time of celebration each year. We would have Ethan's birthday parties in Kentucky on Thankgiving Day no matter when his actual birthday fell, since he graced this world ON turkey day. Ever since that time, we go to Kentucky every Thankgiving, barring any births and celebrate the goodness of God and Ethan's birthday. All my children have November due dates ...

I had stopped pouting and started praising!

Then in 2003 the floor fell out from under me ... Ethan was diagnosed with epilepsy and started having seizures, my daughter was born and died on the same day. AND I GOT MAD AT GOD. My whole outlook at life changed. This could never, would never be the same. Ethan had been tested and was in the 99%, he knew how to read at 3, and was extremely gifted. When the seizures began, so did his spiral to awful days of seizures and memory loss and later the diagnosis of the brain tumor. AND I GOT MADDER AT GOD! But my attitude AND my relationship with God did NOT change overnight, but was gradual and I think more meaningful, because I HAD no other choice to put my hand in His, my life in His and TRUST Him for every step of Ethan's journey and EVERYTHING in my own life. Boy howdy, let me tell you .... IT AIN'T easy to do that. BUT that is just one of the lessons my God was teaching and is still teaching with me. Four years later , (and 2 more children later) I am everso thankful of what God did to my heart and my head.


And so .......
I am thankful for: (this is not everything and it is NOT in order, but you get the idea)
1) That I am saved and going to heaven
2) God has blessed me with a remarkable family (mine and hubby's)
3) My favorite human in the world, my hubby
4) 4 children
5) We eat everyday
6) We have a home (inside and out)
7) God has provided for us in the lean and the plenty
8) We are healthy
9) God healed ETHAN!
10) God has protected us
11) God gave me a great childhood, parents and siblings, (I remember so much laughter)
12) A wonderful church home and family
13) My friend Gayle (she has NO idea how much I thank God for our friendship)
14) Reliable transportation
15) My new tires .. you have to have new tires when you are driving 2000 miles ..
16) My van (I never wanted to be a soccer mom, but I love my car)
17) My relationship with Christ (Boy has He loved me in spite of myself)
18)Laughter in my home with my boys
19) My sisters and brother, (especially MeMe who has made a profound impact on me these last 4 years)
20) I am just simple thankful for everything God does

This is what I am talking about ....

Yes the cold weather came through just like they said it would and I have made it halfway through my seasonal changes in our closets. YEAH! Although I heard this morning that by next Tuesday, we may be back in the high 70's, low 80's for a day or two, but I will not be moved.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and it WILL be nice and cool that day. It better be, I simply CANNOT imagine Thanksgiving in Kentucky with a short sleeved shirt and mules?
It simply should not happen.
Besides, I plan to only pack winter items ....

Anyhoo ... for the next few days my menu is soooo easy, that I thought I would share because what I am going to cook for the next few days ANYBODY can cook, make, throw together, (whatever term you want to use) cause it is all going in the crock pot ... but just know that your family's belly button will pop out from eating well and feeling fine. (Reciepes at the bottom)

Friday - Lasagne/Salad
Saturday - Broccolli Cheese Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Sunday - Crock Pot Rosemary Chicken w/ Rice Pilaf in Mushroom Sauce
Monday - Navy Beans, Mixed Greens w/ Smoked Turkey and Cornbread
Tuesday - Crock Pot Fajitas, Spanish Rice
Wednesday -On the road again, I can't wait to get on the road again (travel day)
Thursday - Gran Gran's House (Thanksgiving)
Friday - Black Friday Shopping


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Crock Pot Lasagna
1 1/2 pounds Italian Sausage (Pork or Turkey) or Ground Round
2 medium onions, chopped
1 large jar spaghetti sauce
2 tsp Italian seasoning mix
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tbsp minced onion
1/4 tsp thyme
1-15 oz container part skim ricotta cheese
4 cups Italian blend cheese (shredded)
12 uncooked lasagna noodles
Spray crock pot with non stick cooking spray. In large skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink. Drain. Add sauce and seasonings, mix well, reduce heat to low. In bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 3 cups of the shredded cheese. Spoon 1/4 of the sausage mixture into the crock pot and top with noodles broken to fit. Top with half of the cheese mixture, then 1/4 of the sausage mixture and noodles. Make another layer of cheese, sausage, and noodles, then finish with remaining sausage mixture. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese, cover and cook 15 minutes until cheese is melted.


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Broccolli Cheese Soup

2 onions, chopped
4 Tbsps. Italian Reduced Fat Dressing
2 cans chicken broth
4 broth cans water
8 cups chopped broccoli
2 cups milk
1 cup instant brown rice, uncooked
2 cups Velveeta Cheese (cubed)

Place everything in the crock pot for 4 hours on low. Serve HOT!
Top each serving with cheese.

=========================
Rosemary Chicken w/ Rice

Whole Chicken
Fresh Rosemary
Olive Oil
Rice
Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup

Rub olive oil over entire chicken, season with salt and pepper, place in crock pot; fill with water to midway in crock pot. Add Rosemary on top of chicken. Cook on low for 8 hours.
Cook rice and mix with a half can of cream of mushroom soup and add for desired consistency.
===============

It's all about the beans and greens baby ... Use the same ingredients for both reciepes ...except switch beans and greens. I like turnip and mustard mixed together.

1 package of any navy, white, northern beans
Smoked Turkey Wings or Legs
1 roughly chopped Onion
Water
Add salt as you like, I try not to use it when I can ... I am heavy handed)

Place in crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours.

Baby it's cold outside .. Again ..

Lately the weather has NOT been consistent. Two weeks ago we had a cold front come through and I was so excited to break out the crockpot(S), sweaters and hot cocoa. I went to the store, got some whipped cream, apple cinnamon candles, then trekked over to Target and got new hats, houseshoes and footed pajamas for the youngens. I came home and pulled the rubbermaids with all of our winter clothes out of the garage. For 3 days I had on my boots, pancho, and turtlenecks. The boys looked soooo cute adorned in their matching cords and sweaters and it was all she wrote. AND then smack dab in the middle of nowhere comes an 80 degree day. What? How do I dress for that? Boots look good in November, but not when the lady in line next to me has on shorts and flipflops ... mmmm .. it felt just a little awkward. Anyway, two weeks and 70 degrees later, we are supposed to have ANOTHER cold front come through tonite. So, I am working on beef stew, cornbread, and cocoa for dinner ....

But what about the clothes? Summer to Fall/Winter ... one of the MOST awful tasks I have as a mama is to deal with the seasonal change of clothes. Since that last two weeks, winter items have made a new home in my den, hoping just today, just today we can come out to play. So tonite we celebrate and try to change the clothes and clean the closets one more time. Help me! This change in the weather has made my mind go crazy ... BUT

I am so glad our God IS consistent! He is the same yesterday, today and forever more! I need His consistency OR a straight jacket ....

One Year ago today ....

Who could have imagined that one year ago when this beautiful 8 lbs. pound boy entered into this earth, that a year later, he would be walking with VERY high steps and arms OUT and saying mama, dada, bye bye and his personal favorite, cacker (with ooooo so much excitement!) God is soo amazing and so into details. DeClan looks just like Ethan did when he was baby only chunkier! My only proof is the date in the lower right hand corner that says 2007 instead of 1996. Even Austin argues that any photos of Ethan are DeClan, not Ethan.
DeClan wants what he wants, when he wants it. He loves the camera and as soon as you turn it on, he turns his head and smiles.
Lord knows I wasn't expecting to be pregnant again when Austin was 6 months old, BUT I am so glad the Lord saw fit to bless us with this wonderful Surprise Blessing!

Psalm 127.3
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Unexpected blogging break ....

Last week was SO VERY busy that I did NOT have time to put anything down on blog! We had couple of birthdays, some doctors visits, meal planning gone crazy, a payday (SMILE) and well ... LIFE!

I will write about it all this week, so please, please forgive me! God is so good!

Jailynn

So much for planning ...

When I posted our menu for the week, I felt REALLY good about well .. the week! As my daddy used to say, whodda thunk it, but my week did not go as planned and neither did the menu, although the thought was nice.

We did well Sunday and Monday well .. we ate the whole chicken, hense no chicken for the pot pie .. we NEVER eat the whole chicken, but now I must realize, I have 3 boys and a hubby .. and yes DeClan is eating from the table too! (SMILE) Tuesday Ethan did VERY well in school and finally conquered a math problem he has been working on for weeks, I told him he could have anything he wanted (within reason of course) and waht did he ask for? Tilapia. Tilapia? Yes, Tilapia! So I said ok .. we keep fresh to frozen in the deep freeze and I made homemade fries. That moved the roast to Wednesday.

I forgot we were going to attend the fall festival at church and I really wanted the boys to attend especially since the Ethan has been asking about Halloween and I wanted to show him what this family does as an alternative - - because as you know things are NOT the same as when I was 10. He had sooooo much fun. This is the first time in 4 years that he was able to play with anything, jump on anything, eat anything .. pure freedom!!!!! He hung out with one of his best friends and is still talking about it! Needless to say, the roast was in the crock pot and we ate VERY late, but we were all so tired after we ate, did homework, took baths, that I forgot to put the roast in the fridge, soooooooo now you see where I am going with this.
There was no roast to make Fajitas, so we made tacos and black beans instead and Friday we ate spaghetti with turkey italian sausage, because you see I had to use the ground beef for the chili to make tacos. URGHHH!
And today .. no we are not having totrilla soup, because it is cool now, but expected to be a little warm and ya'll I forgot AGAIN, that Darrell's birthday is tomorrow .. I didn't forget, I just had it scheduled for next weekend! (SMILE) Anyway, we CANNOT celebrate Sunday since my husband MAKES us attend the first service at church (7:50am) then we come home and HE fixes breakfast and then is glued to the sofa or the office chair for NFL FOOTBALL across the country. I can usually catch him between "breaks" for a quick question or two, BUT NEVER full conversation until at least 6:30 or so BEFORE the Sunday night game comes on ... whew!!! I see I have started another post .. please forgive me ...
Anywhoo ..... We are off to celebrate Darrell 40ish birthday with a scavenger hunt .. BUT I will say ... that although my menu and my plans for us FELL APART ... God already knew what this week would be like and guess what, we ate together all week .... and we are able to talk to one another ... Thank you Lord!
Jeremiah 29:11 ...
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. NIV

What we are eating this week ...

It's cold outside and we are cooking up a storm (with the crock pot of course!)

Sunday - Meat Loaf/Mac&Cheese/Green Peas
Monday - Baked Chicken/Brown Rice Pilaf/Green Beans
Tuesday - Roast Beef/Potatoes/Carrots/Greens
Wednesday - Chicken Pot Pie/Green Salad (Chicken from Monday)
Thursday - Fajitas/Black Beans (Beef from Tuesday) Green Salad
Friday - (Movie Night) Chili
Saturday - Tortilla Soup

Ethan's surgery update ... God has good news!

Thank you to everyone who stands with us as we uncover what God is doing in Ethan's life! I just spoke w/ his surgeon and Ethan is doing WELL! The tumor fragments that were left after the surgery are dormant and not cancerous!!! Hallelujah! He will continue to have MRIs every three months and if the fragments start to do anything, they may consider radiation therapy to get rid of them. BUT AS FOR NOW .. they are not a concern. Ethan is also doing well in school 5 "A"s and 1 "B" and seems to be getting back A LOT of what he lost over the last 4 years. Anyway, just wanted to provide an update on the goodness of God and we say thank you, thank you, thank you. You will NEVER know what your prayers and support mean to our family.

Little Red Corvette

Oh my gosh .. did we have fun yesterday! Darrell took off work and we scooped the boys up, geared up for a road trip, got in the van and had a grand ole' bang up day! The weather was beautiful (God is into details) and we had a great day of laughter and fun. One of our stops was the auto show and the boys (all 4 of them) did not want to leave. This is the one time I did not mind being the only girl in the midst of my men.

Photo: Ethan and Austin

Warms my heart to see where Ethan is now and what we are able to do as a family now that his seizures have stopped and the surgery is over! We are not out of the woods, but so VERY far from 4 years ago.

Thank God from whom ALL blessings flow!

Don't you EVER judge a book by it's cover ...

Today was a day from hades, starting from this morning when we ALL woke up at 7:15am and we ALL had an appointment at Ethan's school at 8:00am to reevaluate his learning, classes and the almighty TAKS test. We made the meeting on time, but I have to admit, I was NOT at my best ... appearance or contributions (I think) at this very important meeting ... BUT GOD allowed me to make it through with grace as well as the ability to stand up for my child!

When we got home, Austin cried and cried and wanted to be held ALL DAY because he has been constipated and DeClan cried and cried because he is teething .. and I have been battling w/ heartburn (never before I tell you, never before) can somebody say STOP!!!!! HELP ME!!!! Nothing went right today, NOTHING .. so I can I tell you that when I heard a few weeks ago that my friend Priscilla would be featured on Life Today with James and Betty Robinson and that I could go to the taping, you better know that NOTHING was gonna stop me, NOTHING! My yahoo mail reminded me of the taping tonight and I got everyone ready and off we went to daddy's job to drop off the kids so I could head to this very special taping. I wasn't taking no for an answer. I got lost, but asked God to help me find the studio because I needed to hear a word from HIM and I knew with Priscilla I would .. a few minutes later, I found the street, the studio and low and behold a great parking space!

And that's when God said Guess what???? .... I walked in the studio, read the taping schedule and saw that Priscilla was NOT on the schedule, but some guy who used to be in the band KORN....Who? I'm sorry, who did you say? I drove ALLLLL this way to see and hear from who?Then he came out for a second and this is what I saw ... Brian "Head" Welch.

DON'T Judge! When I tell you that he has one amazing story of how God is for us and not against us and that He loves us and loved us enough to die for our sins!!!!!!

So, I sat down in my seat and prepared myself for some boring interview, I'm serious, this is what I really thought, BUT GOD surprised me and before the end of the interview, I was balling my eyes out .. do you hear me? God is soooo good. If you know anyone who has never been to church, lives in the street, doesn't get the whole "church" thing, read his book and pass it on! God did a complete 180 for this my new brother in Christ and he is ready and willing to share his lifestory and what God did for him ... without witeout.

Anyway, Priscilla did in fact speak and God spoke through this child AGAIN and He spoke to me and said how could ever hear what God is trying to tell you, if you cannot recognize His voice? I need to roll up my sleeves, get on knees and get to know my Lord and Savior again and again so my ears, heart and mind will be clear and ready to hear from Him.

Thank you Lord for using ALL your children to proclaim Your word ... and I will try not to judge a book, just open and read the pages ... for when I do, I might just be missing something you want to say to me ... Thank you even for this crazy day .. because of how things went, I was able to be more open to what you had to say even though your message came in a unique package.

The other good thing that blessed my socks was finally meeting a blogsister in Christ .. Rachel Anne .. you WILL indeed be blessed by her blog ... pictures DON'T do you justice .. you are so pretty!

So what started out as a day I wanted to end around 8:30am bought me to my knees and provided MUCH conversation between me and God.

More on Priscilla later in the week ... I got hit right between the eyes ...

Fall into cooking something comforting ...

The first breeze of the fall hit my face this morning and again this evening when my hubby came home, so I decided to get out the "stew" pot and make a version of this wonderful italian soup we had at Macaroni Grill a few weeks ago. It's soooooo easy and I think I hit the nail on the head!

1 pound of ground italian turkey sausage (browned, made into meatballs or diced links)
1 1 /2 cups of cooked small pasta (your preference, NOT bowtie or macaroni)
2 cans of italian seasoned diced tomatoes
2 cans of chicken broth
2 cans of northern beans
1/2 cup frozen spinach
1 packet of italian dressing mix
parsley flakes for "color"
1/2 cup italian blend shredded cheese
2 dashes of dried basil (chopped fresh sprigs if you have them)
1 tsp. hot sauce (added when almost done)

Mix all your ingredients together, simmer for 30 minutes on medium low. Add toasted garlic bread and salad if you like. Enjoy! This is soo much better the second day. Lunch, here I come!

We are sick and so is she ...

Since the stomach virus, flu, junk, whatever you choose to call it is going around (and yes, it stopped by our house last night), I thought a little humor was in order just in case it comes your way and you need a fresh outlook while making yet one more trip to your powder room. (SMILE)
This is one of the blogs I read often and it's author BigMama has the stomach aliment right now and she cracks me up .. read her story here. It really will make you invest in a little more Lysol.

My mommy didn't tell all this ....

I started this post when school began, but left it in draft form. Today I have some strong feelings after emailing Ethan's teacher back and forth to get some "clarification". My momma never said there would be days like this ...

After 5 weeks of school and countless emails between Ethan's teachers and myself, I am even MORE convinced that parenting is NOT easy and certainly NOT the same for everyone. There is NO cookie cutter answer for dealing with children. One thing IS clear, you must be an advocate for your children. You must become a student once again, you must do research and you must be able to handle conflicts. Don't get me wrong Ethan has had a great year so far especially in light of his brain surgery this past July, but I have had to stay on top of my game and his schoolwork and classwork. This is his 5th grade year and he has 6 teachers me and hubbie have to deal with. He has homework from each of them at different times each week and I must admit keeping it straight even boggles my mind. We keep a folder for each class and each teacher sends home work for all of us to do so Ethan does not get behind. This year we are doing Ethan's mastery AND regular fifth grade work. Ooohhhh Boy!! Anyway, I am saying all this to say, that having children IS a gift from God, but you gotta know what you are getting into and you absolutely MUST be there for them and advocate for them. So many parents are letting the school do everything and don't give a care until the teacher calls home and says "Johnny" is having problems, and then the parent wants to get mad. No, No, please let me know when "Johnny" is having the problem, WHEN he is having the problem and not weeks later or on his report card. I am there for my children and will spend as much time as I can at the school, on the phone and send emails until the cows come home. My children also need to know that me and daddy will be there when they need us, even if I don't feel like driving to the school for the 3rd time today. My daddy called his own teacher parent meeting, every year and I hated it, but you know what? Those teachers NEVER had a problem out of me and always knew they could call my dad if they needed anything - - even today 21 years later, when I see some of those same teachers and principals, they ask me how is Mr. Jay? That is how I want it to be for the boys - a working relationship w/ the staff - I don't want anyone making decisions for my children for me, BUT with me.

Lord, thank you for these children you gave us and I pray for those babies who parents could care less ...

Oh, how I long for .... COOLER weather ...

Hey, it is the 1st day of October and it is 93 degrees .. YIKES! I want cooler weather, so I imagined it was and made some homemade gumbo. Oh, how I long to bring out all threee crockpots and cook dinner for the weeks .. oh the aroma, oh the Jiffy Cornbread ... fall .. fall ...



Maybe if I keep cooking like this, a sweater will be needed by next week ....

Remembering Denham ...

God has blessed me and my husband with 4 beautiful children. We share our lives with our 3 boys, because our daughter Denham was born and died on the same day. Oh how I wanted a daughter .. and God gave me a beautiful one, but I didn't know I would only have an hour with
her before I had to say goodbye.
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Words cannot express the shock, dismay, hurt, anger, confusion, emptiness I felt for so many months after she went to live with Jesus. Even now 4 years later, I don't cry as much, but she IS just as much a part of my family as Ethan, Austin and DeClan. We have all her things she wore in the hospital, we have pictures, we have her announcements, we have her footprints and we have sweet, sweet memories.
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Before Ethan's tumor surgery, he thought about her often. He was only 6 when she died and started having seizures the next month, so I didn't think her life had an effect on him, but it has. Since the surgery (when we had been told he would lose some memory) he asks about her often and draws pictures of her and asks Jesus why is my sister living with you?
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Why are you blogging about Denham today Jai you may ask? I read about the Farley family yesterday and I felt as if I was reading my own words and it brought ALL those feelings back and I wanted you to know that if you EVER know anyone who has experienced the loss of child, IT AIN'T EASY and please be patient with them. I wasn't blogging in 2003, but Boothe's words in 2007 are just as much my very own. The situation around our daughter's deaths are different, but death is death and hurt is hurt.
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People don't always know what to say and my words, her words, just provides a little light into this world of infant loss and a new way for you to pray for anyone that God allows to cross your path in this season.
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4 years after losing my precious Denham God is STILL on the throne and IN control. He knew then and He knows now. Thank you Jesus for loving me, holding me, picking me up to go on for the boy I had then and the boys I would after Denham. Kiss her for me Lord.

I have my very own room at church ...

The cryroom!
When you have children who are younger than 3, there is NO reason to EVER attempt to sit in the sanctuary! Thank you to my church that added these rooms in the sanctuary when our new sanctuary was built! We have a BIG glass window to see everything and sound to hear and be a part of the service! My husband has gone back to playing in our orchestra during service and as a gift I get the kids ALL TO MYSELF and that is why God gave me my very own room!

(yes, we have children's ministry, but that is a whole nuther' blog entry)

God is sooo good!

Noise, noise, noise

Last night as bedtime rolled around for the boys, I discovered they had a different agenda. We has just finished baths for all three, washing hair for three, diapering and pulling out the evening attire .. when to their amusement (and mostly mine) all of them were jumping and jumping and laughing and laughing. It was SOOOO NOISY! I stepped back and just watched them have sooo much fun! Daddy on the other hand came in the room and said what is all the noise? He was trying to ask me something I think, but gave up, because the jumping, laughing and screaming just kept going and going and he couldn't get a word in edgewise.

In my sleep last night, I could still see the boys making so much noise and God laid on my heart that while this was a wonderful thing to see - - he has been trying to reach me, but there has been NOISE in my life. I have not felt the most spiritual lately (yes, I know my salvation is not based on emotion) but I have really felt like I want more, I need more, I am confused, what is going on? What am I supposed to be doing? What is God doing?Oh gosh, the day is gone! I have too many lists and not enough time .. and sometimes just plain BLahhh. ALL AT THE SAME TIME!
Then through a series of events, like falling out of bed Sunday night (I felt like I was pushed out, but not by hubby) "Duh, Jailynn, time to pray, I DON'T CARE IF IT IS 4:00am!"and then last night all the noise, which I was enjoying.... God has been trying to tell me, hey Jailynn, I am trying to talk to you. I have been enjoying my noise, being at home w/ the boys, watching movies, doing things at church, spending time with Ethan at school, cooking, baking, hanging out with friends, window shopping, reading blogs, trying to find an extra income position, on and on and on, but God said .. hey, you have NOT been having YOUR time w/ ME and there is way too much NOISE going on that is preventing you from hearing me. Yes, you have been prayerful, BUT .. I miss my time with you ...

I Miss my time w/ you .. by Larnelle Harris

There He was just waiting, in our old familiar place
an empty spot beside Him,
where once I used to wait
to be filled with strength and wisdom
for the battles of the day
i would have passed him by again if i didn't hear Him say
chorus
I miss my time with you
those moments together
I need to be with you each day
and it hurt's Me when you say you're too busy
busy trying to serve Me
but how can you serve Me when your spirit's empty
there's a longing in my heart wanting more than just a part of you
it's true I miss My time with you
what do I have to offer
how can I truly care
my efforts have no meaning
when your presence isn't there
but You will provide the power
if I take time to pray
I'll stay right here beside him
and You will never have to say..
Chorus


So I am off to sit at the feet of Jesus so I can hear from Him and just plain spend time alone w/ Him!

God is sooo very faithful

This week I have been reminded over and over again how faithful God is to ME! I wanted to share His word and a song that have ministered to me and I hope to you as well. (The revelations in bold print someone sent to me)

Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship!
I shall not want = That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!
For His name sake = That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = That's Tribulations
I will fear no evil = That's Protection!
For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies =That's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil = That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life =That's Blessing !
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!
Forever = That's Eternity!

God has shown me ALL of these things this week through my ups and my downs.

HE'S BEEN FAITHFUL
Verse 1
In my moments of fear Through every pain, every tear There's a God who's been faithful to me. When my strength was all gone When my heart had no song Still in love, He's proved faithful to me Every word He's promised is true And what I thought was impossible I've seen my God do
Chorus
He's been faithful, faithful to me Looking back - His love and mercy I see Though in my heart I have questioned, even failed to believe Yet He's been faithful Faithful to me
Verse 2
When my heart looked away The many times I could not pray Still my God, He was faithful to me The days I spent so selfishly Reaching out for what pleased me Even then, God was faithful to me Every time I come back to Him He is waiting with open arms and I see once again
Repeat Chorus

When bad things happen to God's people ..

This has been a hard week .. and yeah today is TUESDAY!

Sunday night, I read about a VERY young man dying in an accident, Monday my father's house was broken into (2 times in the last 3 months) and today is the 6th anniversary of 9/11. Now obviously, my father's home being broken into DOES NOT compare to the death of this young man and it pales in comparison to 9/11, but what all of these events have done is make me ask today WHY? Some have said do not ask God why and I don't agree with that at all. I ask all the time, because God knows what I am thinking anyway, so I might as well be honest with myself and Him, BUT I also ask Him "what am I to do with this situation?". How do YOU get the glory through me and what I choose to do next?

NOTHING happens without God's knowledge. These events did NOT catch Him off guard or by surprise. God says in His word that He would never us, NOR forsake us. Hebrews 13:5.
When bad things happen, it hurts. Depending on how bad the situation is, it may hurt for days, weeks or even months and months. When Ethan was diagnosed with epilepsy, I felt like I was dying. This season of our lives went on for 4 years, 4 years ... God has provided victory with Ethan's miraculous healing, but the season is not completely over. We are still working with all that Ethan lost with each seizure these last 4 years. BUT God said in His word, that he will restore all that locust have taken away. "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you" (Joel 2:25).

Will write more later .. I am simply overwhelmed ... but VERY hopeful ..

Standing in the gap ..

Rachel of Home Sanctuary and her sister Katherine of Raising Five experienced an unimaginable loss over the weekend. I have been speechless since I read about their nephew. I only know these ladies through my blogworld, but both are women of God who have demonstrated a Titus 2 spirit before me. When I read Katherine's post last night, I was very sad and knew immediately that I needed to pray for their families. I am asking that you too will join in and stand in the gap.

Come unto me as little children ....

After day Five I didn't think I was gonna make it, but God blessed us with a VERY relaxing weekend. No where to be, no one to see, just we wanted to do. Then this morning came in like a roaring lion. I guess we got tooooo lazy. Ethan was NOT excited about going back to school, but mainly because the real work began today. Homework .. yes, homework for him and for me. He moved so sloooowly, all morrrnnning looong and at one point I knew we would be late for sure. And then just like magic, Ethan was ready, completely ready. Could it have been because Austin beat him to it? They make a race out of everything.

Now Austin (2) you understand DOES NOT go to school, but this last week he has been wanting to. He whined all last week about "school mommy, school" and when we would return for dropping Ethan off, he would be sooo mad that we were home. And then today .. just made me smile .. before I could get him his breakfast, he had already gone into his closet, streeeeetched for a shirt, brought it to me and said here mommy, put my shirt on. He actually picked a pretty nice t-shirt. So, I put it on and told him to get ready for breakfast ... as I got his breakfast ready, he had gone back to the closet and gotten some jeans .. (you go boy!) and brought them to me and said mommy, jeans, I need my jeans on ... he already had one leg in and one leg out and had fallen twice trying to get them on. I helped him and he ate. Ethan finished, Austin finished, and I got DeClan ready and we were almost ready to go. I needed to get presentable .. and Austin was soooo mad. Mommy, school, we need to go to school. Let's go! So I got dressed preety quickly and off we went to school for Ethan. We dropped him off, Austin said bye bye and then we came home .. AND THAT WHEN I HEARD ... MOMMY .. Noooooooooooooo, school, I want to go to school! Oh, my gosh!

What came to my mind as Austin was screaming? Me! Remember when you were either first saved or rededicated (as we called it in college) to the Lord and you couldn't wait to get to church? To talk to someone, anyone about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Remember? I sure do, especially when I found my present church and I couldn't believe how the word was brought forth and I, Jailynn, could understand what God was trying to tell me. Have I gotten so far in my Christian walk that I don't need the Lord like I used to? May it never be! I am NOT on track like I should be. Things of this world can take over .. BUT I must not let them. I must make an EFFORT to spend time at the feet of Jesus. I want that excitement back! I want to be in a place when I can't wait to spend time w/ Jesus!

Out of the mouths of babes .. we, I, should be like little children ..
"Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein" (Luke 18:17). "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right" (Proverbs 20:11). "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16).

Day Five .. I survived ... barely

Okay, okay, I knew I should have planned for this day as soon as Darrell told me he was going into work at 6am today ... but no, we got in late from the Parent Teacher conferences (gotta write about that in another entry) and I stayed up last night like I was gonna have my normal routine. What a mistake!

First, I got up BEFORE Darrell at 4am because I thought I heard something in the kitchen and of course, it was nothing .. so then I make my way back to the bedroom when I remember .. oh yes, Darrell and Ethan need their jeans dried to wear today ..why didn't I wash that load of cold water clothes say Monday or Tuesday? I put their things in the dryer, turn it on and head back to the .... no wait, Darrell needs 3 onions chopped to take to work for some sort of "potluck" today. I chop the onions, put them in a bowl .. okay, where is the top for the blasted bowl!!!???????? (I need to bridle my tongue) Oh here it is! Okay, now for 30 minutes of sleep, well .. I might as well iron Ethan's school t-shirt and jeans, but no the jeans are in the dryer, so I will lay shirt on the ironing board and iron the jeans as soon as they dry.

Well, let me check to see if Beth Moore has added the info for the Fiesta Siesta next year .. I wanna make sure I get my ticket before they sell out. YEAH! She has! .. ohh, let me call the hotel and see if I can make a reservation this early in advance .. call .. ok, no, not until next week. Okay .. by now it is 4:45am and I just read about the 5am club last night and say ok, I will give it a try. So I started and finished my devotion - Listening to your conscience and by now Darrell is up ready to go. I make him an oatmeal packet (I make them instead of buying them and it has been so much CHEAPER) to take to work and get some snacks together (long day for him) and put everything together with his onions. Thank goodness I didn't have to make him lunch.

I lay down on the sofa because if I go back in the bedroom now, DeClan will be staring me right in the eyes. I fall asleep at 6am and then around 7:10am, Ethan and Austin are whispering trying NOT to wake mommy up! I jump up, get their oatmeal in the pan, but the water is taking waaaay tooo long to boil. I dump it all in the microwave, turn it on. I give Ethan his morning meds and head to the back for wash ups (they got baths last night)diaper changes and fresh new clothes for the younger two. Everyone heads to the table and highchairs for the oatmeal and make a quick egg sandwich for me to grab when we leave for school. Now I need a shower. I make EVERYONE stay still in my room while I get showered and changed and then make a mad dash to the front for the carseat for DeClan. I look at the clock and it is 7:40 .. oh now .. we HAVE to be there by 7:55 so Ethan can be IN his seat by 8:00am. (Darrell usually takes him .. whew there is no way!

We get to the school, I pop open the door, Ethan gets out w/ a quick brush of the hair and wipe the milk mooostache off the lips and says goodbye! I swing around to the parent parking lot, get the younger men out and go to the school office to fill ALL THE enrollment paperwork Ethan forgot to bring home Monday!!!! I fill out the paperwork, get back in van, run 4 errands and come home ..... only to discover that Ethan does NOT have lunch. We get back in the car, get back to the school, ALL of us get out, go to the cafeteria, load up Ethan's lunch account, say hi to Ethan (who is glad see the $$$, errr, ME)

We get back in the car to run 1 more errand. BY now it is 2:15 and Ethan will get out around 3:15 .. get it? 3 trips to the school today ... now we are home, the baby is napping and I am about to make, excuse me, call for dinner from the pizza joint up the street and throw some lettuce, onions (had some left from this AM), tomatoes and cucumbers in a bowl, serve it with a smile and fall into bed.

I REALLY love being a wife and mom, but as my friend Chrystal once said - Being a Wife and Mother Ain't for punks !! Pardon Me!

Hide and Seek

Running around, crawling on the floor with your two year old playing "hide and seek" - 3.99 for the Ben Gay needed afterwards
Finding the 2 year old hiding in the kitchen pantry eating Cheetos with orange fingers- PRICELESS!

On the second day of school my son's teacher gave to me ...

Who is in school anyway? Me or Ethan (10)? I have so much homework, papers for this, papers for that, sign this, copy the water bill to verify we live where do .. (I know we live here, I just paid the mortgage) send email address to the 4 new teachers Ethan will have this year to make sure they like to communicate via email? Okkkkayyy ... and have it all back by tomorrow. They didn't ask for a copy of the marriage license, but I better get a copy of it just in case. Homeschooling looks soooo good right now, especially since I had to get up early to make lunches for Ethan and hubby since I didn't do it last night....oh yeah and iron ye ole clothes since I didn't do that last night either. Oh yeah and meet the teacher night is Thursday, so I better get myself and my closet prepared for the interview, ummm, I mean, meeting. Gotta go now .. I must finish din din before hubbie comes in and out (church night tonight) and make sure the homework sheet I saw in Ethan's folder gets checked and back in the backpack before the cock crows.

The first day of school .....

Well, well, well. It is the end of the first day of school and I can say that I am rather pooped! Ethan was not expected to be back at school on time, but by the grace of God, there we were. All 5 of us, at his old school, on the first day. We had the two youngest in the double stroller with camera and smiles in hand. We had not met his teacher until today, (this school district has meet the teacher night AFTER the first few days of school) but she seemed nice. Ethan saw a few staff members from last year, which comforted him, because this school district rezoned everything and a lot of people (teachers and students) he knew last year are all at new schools today. BUT GOD .. we asked for a transfer so he could come back to this school and after hearing our request would be denied, it was granted! School sure seems different than when we were in school, (I used to hate hearing my mother say that), but it really does. I was shocked to see so many young, litte children walking to school today, ALONE! ... ALONE! I cannot imagine my child's first day of school and he is walking alone to school. I know the world has changed, but man .. a 5 year old with a key around his neck, walking to school. You godda be kiddin' me! Anyway, I pray for those students and their families, because you don't know why those babies were walking alone, but God please watch over them.
Anyway, this will be Ethan's first full year of moving from class to class and I pray he will not get confused with that. We have been praying for his teachers and anyone who comes in contact with them - - that God will soften their hearts and they will work with him. Not give him the answers just to move along, but work with him to help him understand and master what he is learning.
I will be going to bed soon .. Austin and Declan just about beat me down today .. I was sick this morning .. but I still needed to tend to their needs and finish the school supply list. (SMILE) I prayed and asked God to let the two of them nap early, so I could sleep this yuckstuff off and they did just that, BUT when the sleep was ooooover ... they were hanging from the ceiling fans at home and at Wal-Mart. Have you ever TRIED to shop w/ an active 2 year old who is coaching his baby baba how to scream and yell .. just so they can hear their voices?Have you ever listed all the things you do as a mom for your hubby and family? The list is NEVER done and their always seems to be more "things" than hours in a day .. Oh, sorry, that is another blogentry. oooppsss ..

Anyway, glad to say, today is almost over, but I am glad we had it to do, because that meant that Ethan's summer journey has ended and now it is time to move on with our lives and his testimony!

I love to cook ..

but lately I have NOT been to stretch my wings with the new additions around here. I learned to cook by watching others around me. My mom once told me she had no idea I knew how to cook (she thought I didn't want to learn) and I never cooked while at home. When I got to college, I had no choice but to cook to feed myself on my 10.00 per week allowance. To my surprise, all I had seen for soooo many years, sunk in. I want to share some recipes I have learned over the years .. I hope this helps someone - - these are some quickies .. more to follow ..

Chicken Tetrezenni (sp?) Okay, chicken spaghetti ..
1/2 can of Cream of Celery, 1/2 can Mushroom Soup, 1/2 block Velveeta Cheese (more if you like) 1/2 onion, 1/2 cup milk, chicken broth to loosen and spaghetti noodles. Mix it all together and put it in the oven at 375 for 15 to 20 minutes.

Spinach Quesadillas
Take 2 flour tortillas and place mexican cheese mix, bell peppers, onions, spinach (bagged in the produce section) between the two tortillas like a sandwich, press together, put on the GF grill for 5 minutes. If you don't have a grill, place the quesadillas in a cast iron or any skillet and flip after 2 1/2 minutes on each side. Cut in fourths with a pizza cutter. You can add any meat to the mixture if you desire. This is how I got the kids to start eating spinach. They didn't even realize they were eating it. Now they love it.

JT's Quick AB (ankle biter) Baked Ziti
Cook a 1/2 package of ziti noodles. Mix 2 cans of diced tomatoes italian flavor w/ a sprinkle or two of dried basil, a dash or two of black pepper, and diced bell pepper. You will also need any ground meat. Brown your meat. Layer the bottom of a 13 x 9 cake pan with the tomato layer, add a layer of italian mixed cheese, then add browned meat. Continue with the layers until you have reached the top of the pan. Then add diced mozzerella cheese throughout your layers and then add a final sprinkle of italian cheese mixture. (Can you tell we like cheese around here). Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. MMMMMMM good, Freeze leftovers and bring it next month. (HeHe) You may or may not want to add salt, I try to use FRESH ingredients INSTEAD of salt.

Terms of Endearment

Don't ever think your kids big or small aren't listening to EVERYTHING you say. I affectionately call my husband, HONEY and today I was yelling for him, but he didn't hear me and then my two year old says VERY LOUDLY ... HONEY ... HONEY .... I am still on the floor laughing! Sure glad I don't call him something else!

Still learning to blog and taking a brief break ..

Hello there .. I pray all is well with you! I am still learning how to blog and have recently discovered some new tricks thanks to some new blogs I have been exposed to and tips that have been provided. There have been some things I have been wanting to do, so I am working on my blog and trying to "get things in order" around here. School is just around the corner and our household is all a buzz, because our oldest, Ethan (10) is going back and we need to get him ready. WOW, this wasn't supposed to happen. BUT GOD! I am also trying to "teach" the 2 year old a few thing or two, he is just too doggone smart for his britches! Also have some new chicken reciepes to help us get back into school mode, so the pots and the pans are a flyin' as well! Whooohoo!
So I will see you later ... I'll be back next week.

Our oldest - Ethan (10)

It occured to me today as I was reading another blog, that some of you may not know the wonderful story our son Ethan. When I seriously began blogging, we were well into his seizure history and I was mainly writing so our family and friends could keep up with what was going on over here. I have mentioned bits and pieces before, but I want to fill in the pieces of the puzzle that are missing.
God is soooo amazing, He has healed my son! Ethan came home after surgery earlier than expected and is now doing Godceptionally well!
To God be the glory, great He has done and He has been faithful!

One Month Ago .....

Can you believe it? It has been a month today. A month today we were at the hospital facing one of THE most hardest days in our lives! BUT GOD! We just wanted to let you know how well our oldest is doing and the things we continue to pray for. We continue to say thank you to our Lord and thank you to for standing in the gap.

1) We found out that the tumor was NOT cancerous

2) They did NOT get it all out, but a big chunk of it. There were fragments of the tumor left. At this time they do not pose a problem, but our son WILL have to have MRI every 3 months for the next 2 years, then 3 times a year, then 2 times a year and so and so on. He WILL also have to continue to take medication. The doctors will not reduce the amount of meds he takes until NEXT summer. They say he will always take meds .. studies have shown that patients taken off the meds altogether have seziures later in life. There is still a chance for him to have seizures now, but they are slim. If the fragments grow, they will do radiation and chemo treatments. We are praying we NEVER have to deal with that! We still have to watch him, BUT thank God, not as closely.

3) He will be tested at different times this fall through the school and his neuropsychologist to see where he is developmentally. One of his doctors told me that he expects without any seizures our son could very well return to where he was BEFORE all of this - - Yahoo! We will have to stay on him like hawks - - but I do not want to be on him all the time, but pretty close. We have a lot of catching up to do, but we welcome the challenge.

4) He continues to have headaches, although not as many. He knows when to tell me when he wants to meds.

5) He WILL start school on time.

6) If you saw our son, you would have NO idea, this boy had brain surgery 4 weeks ago. Praise God!

7) He has told us, we are kissing him WAY TOO much and asking too many questions. In his words, what is deal?

8) We simply cannot believe how many questions our son is asking us!

9) Our son is planning his own 11th b-day party in Kentucky (November)

10) God continues to be faithful!

We will provide periodic updates on our son or as something develops, but we mainly wanted you to know what God has done, is doing and what we expect Him to do through Jordan's life.

Oh and our son has told us that God was in the operating room July 13th!

Thank you again and again ....

BUT GOD!!!!

Just when you think you have it all figured out .. BUT GOD

Just when you throw your arms up in frustration .. BUT GOD

Just when the doctors say there is nothing left for us to do .. BUT GOD

Just as they told us my son would be different AFTER his surgery .. BUT GOD

Just as they said my son's vision may be affected .. BUT GOD

Just when they said his life was better with controlled seizures rather than doing the surgery .. BUT GOD

Just when the money ends, but there is more month left ... BUT GOD

Just when you are at your wits end .. BUT GOD

Just when you think you have prayed your last prayer for that lost loved one .. BUT GOD

Just when you say, there are no more good men .. BUT GOD

Just when you say, we will NEVER have a house, BUT GOD

Just when you say, you will NEVER have children ... BUT GOD

Just when you say, one income? In this day and age? BUT GOD

My oldest son who brain surgery recently told me, mom, our God will NEVER leave you or forsake you, He is ALWAYS with you!
Hebrews 13:5-6 "Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things that you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you, nor forsake you,' so that we may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.'"
2 Corinthians 4:7-11 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (our bodies) , that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. Troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus might also be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus might also be made manifest in our mortal flesh."

My man

I have spoken of the wonderful husband God gave me 12 years ago, but last weekend, I was challenged to stop whining about what isn't, feeling underappreciated and throwing silent and sometimes not so silent temper tantrums and thank God for this truly wonderful man. I was challeneged (on more than one occasion) to not only make a list of the good things about him, but for the next 30 days TELL HIM. I think I do this, but maybe not as often as I should. In a world when marriages are falling apart DAILY, thank you Lord for my man FISH who said 12 years ago, divorce WILL NOT be in our vocabulary and I told him, I will follow him as he follows the Lord and my mom said "Don't mess this up!" ... So as the kids say today "I know he's got it going on, therefore, so do I. "

My man ... (in no certain order)
1) is my best friend
2) a great provider
3) LOVES his family
4) comes home EVERY NIGHT
5) Cooks breakfast on Sunday
6) Prays with our family and his sons individually
7) Is faithful to ME
8) Takes the trash out
9) Folds clothes (Ohhhh, how I hate to do this)
10) loves older people
11) Still opens my door
12) is a protector
13) Tell me he loves me, all the time
14) Gives me a goodbye and a hello kiss when he leaves and comes home
15) Prays, prays, prays
16) drives us around on the weekend
17) Lifts the heavy stuff around here, including me and kids when neccesary (SMILE)
18) Made sure I have the "good car".
19) Wakes us up to go to church and is there every Sunday (except vacations, illnesses)
20) Keeps himself healthy and MY MAN LOOKS MARVELOUS!
21) Calls me 3 times during the day to say I love you and check on me and the boys
22) Will go grocery shopping, if I let him (hahaha)
23) Calls his grandmother EVERY week
24) Kills the bugs, Geckos/Lizards and snakes around here ..UUUGGHH (There is creek next to our house that I thought would so peaceful! Sometimes this means me and kids wait patiently in one room until he gets home from work .. Yikes)
25) Mows his own lawn
26) Plays games with the boys and ME (hehe)
27) Is a patient instructor for me
28) Asks what do I want
29) Is using his Heavenly Father's example in raising his sons
30) Loves me unconditionally (This ain't easy)
There are so many more things he does, but these are the ones, that make me swoon!

Proverbs 18:22 NIV
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

A mini vacation .. right in our own backyard

My oldest is doing Godceptionally well and we were given the clearance to go out and do almost all the things we haven't done in four years, let alone since our family union was created in 1995. Still seems scary to let him do anything involving his head, because we have had to keep him away from basketball, football, soccer and ice hockey and now we can let him do these things (?) Well, it will take me and the hubby some time to say okay. Anyway ... since the funds this summer are a little TIGHT, I have been trying to find ways to create summer memories for the family, but also see what goodness the Lord has created around us. I was on a wesbite Everyday Cheapskate and it has been suggested that just like you go to the visitor's and convention bureau when you go out of town, do the same thing in your own city and you might be amazed at what is in your backyard. I did just that, plus took some notes from some friends and whalla .. a mini vacation without spending a lot and we didn't even need a hotel. We did make hotel night for the kids though. We let them order pretend room service, stay up late, and sleep in our bedroom. The kids got to sleep in our bed. I don't own a digital camera, so as soon as I get the pics developed at Wally World, I will drop them in this entry.

We rolled out $7.00 today for the whole family including my baby sister and my neice and visited a local splash park and had ball. You can take your own cooler and snacks and sit on the grass or on the concrete seats they provide (be careful though, you WILL get splashed) and the kids, even my Chunky Monkey (the 8 month old) had a ball.

We plan to go bowling, play golf, go swimming at a friend's LUXURY pool, go to some museums, go to IMAX theater, zoos, some local tours, eat pizza/popcorn while watching movies at home at night and whatever else we can find to do for the remainder of year, but definitely for the rest of the summer.

Thank you ... you know who you are!

THANK YOU to ALL the people who prayed for us, THANK YOU to all of you who made sure we ate last week without having to spend any money or cook any meals. THANK YOU to those of you who watched the kids, THANK YOU for those of you who cleaned my house and mowed by lawn. (You know this is a BIG ONE for me, I do not LIKE anyone cleaning for me)God is so good. He sent friends and family to make sure last week in and out of the hospital for us went as smooth as possible.
We can NEVER repay any of you, but as least we can say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
1 PETER 4:8-10 NKJ 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
ROMANS 12:10,13 NKJ 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Another day .. many, many more blessings

It has been a week and a few days since my son's brain tumor surgery and the only evidence is the shaved area around the surgery site and you can see a few stitches. He is having headaches, but the doctors told us this would be expected, especially since his tumor was near the sight/vision area. God is so good and so faithful! We prayed and expected Him to answer, but who knew He would answer EVERY request the way that He did! I cannot tell you how much I thank God for what he did. He is Jehovah Rophe, He is Jehovah Shalom, He is Jehovah Jireh, He is God our Father, faithful, faithful.

My son is doing amazingly well and is asking for more and more food and getting back into his old skin. He is ready to get out (we have another week or so), but I am truly amazed at what God has done! It is not that I thought He wouldn't answer, but that He wouldn't answer me. So many times, I asked, but I know now that I was asking Him to answer me my way and not His way. I wanted this over so many years ago, but God said no, if I do, my purpose for your life oor your son's life will not fulfilled. There are so many things I have learned about God through this experience that I would have never learned years ago. This blessing was not just for my family, but for others as well and I hope and pray that we all, whoever knows about this situation will listen and hear from the Lord!

Praise be to God, praise be to God!

Another day, more blessings ...

My son had a better day today. He was up longer, looked stronger and had fewer headaches! He asked for his favorite foods and you better know I got them for him, whatever he wanted. It is his day, it is his week. My husband and I keep marveling in what God has done for our son and for us! Everytime my son calls our name, we smile ... everytime he asks a question, we smile ... everytime he speaks of something he remembers, we smile. All because of the goodness of God! I recognize that God did not do what he did for just us, but for a whole lot of people. We have heard from many that their walk is better with God, because of our journey and because we did not give up! My son is sleeping now and that 10 1/2 year old face seems so sweet. I can remember when he was born, when he walked for the first time .. we he started growing into himself .. and I say THANK YOU LORD! Lord, thank you for the mighty miracle walking around my house today ..... THANK YOU!

She didn't want to wait on God ...

The same day my son had brain surgery ..... was the same day my friend was found dead. I just talked to her. I just sent her a picture of my children. She just prayed for my son's surgery ... but deep down inside something was hurting her and she could no longer wait on God. Why did she do this? I am so mad ... I don't know what she said to God before she died .. why didn't she wait? why did she give up? She had waited on God soooo many times before, He had always pulled her through, but this time, this time was different ... she didn't want to wait anymore .. what could have been different, what could I have done differently when she called me two weeks before? Why didn't I hear it in her voice? Why didn't she wait? So many questions and no answers, at least on this side of heaven. What I do know is that she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior so many years ago and I know I will see her again.

It is finished!

We walked in the pre-surgicial room and the presence of the Lord was there BEFORE we got there .. I so wanted this day to be over, BUT God wanted us to savor every moment!
Prayer request after prayer request has been answered!

* God allowed Jesus to meet us today

* People love us

* Despite doubting God for even just a second today, HE showed himself strong

* The surgery finished earlier than we thought

* My son looks the same (I expected a completely shaved head)

* My son is talking and knows who I am

* The surgeon smiled today, I have never seen him do this!

* The surgeon got most of the tumor out! (Final test results next week)

* The tumor appears to be benign (Jehovah!)

* My son asked for a helicopter today!

* My son can count!

* My son knows who his brothers are!

* My son made a joke today!

*MY son is in ICU, BUT doing well!

***** There is SO much more to say, but I will have to edit the post later ***

God has been sooooo faithful to me, my son and my family!