We R Homeschooling!

.... and have FINALLY been able to get a photo w/o DeClan's eyes being closed. We are trying to get into a "groove" and are taking things day by day.

Never in a million years would I have guessed I would be homeschooling my children, but I am enjoying it.

Summer fun ...

Who knew toddlers could have THIS much fun @ Dave and Buster's? 1/2 price game day, made it even better!
Tods driving daddy around @ Six Flags .. admit it daddy, you had just as much fun as the boys. (hehe)

Field day for the kids ... you would have though we were given REAL trophies.

When God won't let go ...

It never occurred to me that @ 40 I would have so many questions about my life unanswered. I am not sure that I thought I would have ALL THE ANSWERS to my life (thus no need to be left on the earth), but I still struggle with things I struggled with when I was younger, although on a more detailed level.

Like?

Well, I thought at 40 my career would be all worked out, my children would be well adjusted preteens, celebrating double digit wedding anniversaries (which we are by the way), vacations doable, money problems - solved .. oh and my hairstyle ... on track w/ the rest of world. Ok, I know that last one seems a little trivial, but nonetheless, not getting my hair done on a regular basis has begun to bother me. :)

I just didn't think I would have so many questions or feel so overwhelmed by my life. I started to compare and feel depressed. I know, I know, never do that. I started to get jealous (just being honest) and more dissatisfied with where I am now.


But then God reminds me .. that He has a plan for ME.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."



Then God reminds me, that He has me in the palm of His hands.
Hebrews 13:5 " God has said, never will I leave you or forsake you."

How comforting to know that God IS always with me and He knows what is best for. Time and time again I want to have control .. at least a little bit anyway AND I want to know what lies ahead .. but time after time, He convinces me that His ways are NOT my ways and His ways are best .. and that NOT knowing .. will allow me to TOTALLY depend on Him.

NOT easy, but very comforting.

Just when you think ..

you have the right to complain about the things going on in your life, have your own pity party, groan, mumble and get down right mad about things going on in your life .. God allows you to hear about families REALLY going through it like this ... and it makes you fall to your knees and thank God for what He has given you and your family. It makes you pray for other people (which we would should be doing more of anyway) and it makes you realize, that YES things in my life ARE crazy, BUT there is ALWAYS someone else who has it so much more worse than you.

BTW .. Jennifer's faith IS amazing and the way she is handling what is going on is indeed amazing. That is the strength only provided by the Lord in my opinion.

I am NOT saying my issues and problems are not a concern of my great God, because they are and I WILL continue to pray about them, but SMACK DAB right in front of me is a reason to stop all the junk and pray, be thankful and pray some more. Especially after looking at my husband and 3 sons and knowing where we all could be.

Thankful, truly thankful.

The Protection of God

I had just finished praying with the kids this morning about many things, but the Holy Spirit prompted me to pray about protection and my alertness on the rainy roads.

Not more than 15 minutes later, I was faced with an SUV facing me head on. I veered off the road and into someone's yard to avoid the crash. I then moved my car and parked on a quiet street to gain my composure and shake... my hands were shaking because all I could think was did that just really happen and THANK GOD .... you saved me and my kids today.

I called my husband who said he had JUST prayed for protection for us .. possibly just as the lady was coming around the corner or as I was swerving off the road.

After I got it together, I drove back to where she was and that is when I saw she had hit a tree and landed against someone's chain link fence. She IS ok, her car .. not so much. Neighbors called police and they were on their way.

I gave her my card in case she needed it later and was glad she was ok.

When the Holy Spirit says pray .. PRAY!

Blog Vacation

It is not like I blog everyday anyway, but I am taking a break so I can get my head together, take care of some things and yes, get ready for fall school year. Ack!

I WILL be in and out, but family comes first and they like eating and I really like taking care of them. :)

Happy 4th of July!

(photo taken after long day around LOTS of food)

We had a GREAT time with the family today. Lots of food, fun and laughter! Lots of laughter. Maybe too much food as well. Gauging by the photo, I need to lose more weight. :( I'll get to working on that REAL soon.

With the temps crossing 102 this week, I will more than likely sweat some of the water weight. :)

Anyhoo, the kids had a blast playing with their cousins and godbrothers, eating crispy hot dogs and Earl Campbell hot links. (psst, have you ever had those? They are the best!) That man did more than play some football, he can make some sausage.

My brother came over on his motorcycle (my dad would kill him if he knew he had one) and scared us half to death by peeping through the windows while we were all in the kitchen. He IS a jokster.

We ate a LOT .. oh did I say that .. but more than anything else, the family was together celebrating the freedom we all have in this country, but also the freedom in Jesus we have. What a privilege to be in a country where we can openly celebrate the goodness of God!


Happy 4th!

A Jewel in His Crown - Ruby

(Orginally posted 7/2/2008)

Updated 2009

6 years ago my daughter Denham was born and died on the same day. We were not expecting her to arrive, but God had another plan.

We were getting ready for a week long vacation (oddly the same vacation this year) when she arrived, but the packing was halted by sharp labor pains and a day later, delivery.

We did not know we were going to have a daughter, so I did not have time before she was born to buy dresses, bows and girlie little things. When I delivered her and heard the nurse say "it's a girl", I was so excited and then remembered, no heartbeat. My sweet baby gril Denham was gone in an instant and then I cried and cried some more.

I miss my little girl .. even today .. 6 years later .. I am glad I got to hold her .. but it does not replace having her here with her earthly family .. having her here with me.

I know she IS with God and I will see her again, but I miss her.

Butterfly kisses my sweet, sweet Denham.

(Ruby is the birthstone for July)

Summer Food

Summer means one thing ... HOT DAYS! Guess what? A girl's still gotta eat. I love cooking, but the heat makes me just want to melt so obviously I have NO desire to heat up my kitchen. That means we eat A LOT of salad, wraps, meals from the crockpot and please don't forget the grill. Yes, I said crockpot .. the best thing ever invented for a busy woman on the go.

Anyhoo ...

My favorite salad comes from a place called Pappadeaux's. Yes, it is some fancy food with fancy prices, but did I say .. the food is wonderful. Every now and then hubby and I splurge when we make our way to Dallas, but I decided to find out how they make it so I could make it at home. That way I would save $$$, gas and miles on my car. :)

Shrimp, Bacon and Spinach Salad

You will need:

Spinach
Medium Cooked Shrimp
Cooked and Crispy Bacon (Turkey or Regular)
Blue Cheese Chunks (if you prefer, I don't)
Tangy Tomato Bacon Dressing or Catalina Dressing

Combine the first four ingredients and top w/ the dressing. MMMMMM BTW, I use chicken for the kiddos.

I also like to make Bacon Broccoli Salad ... you may have guessed that I like bacon.:) This reciepe has been passed down from the women @ my church. Dang, they know how to cook!

Bacon Broccoli Salad

You will need:
1 bunch fresh broccoli, washed, drained, broken into little trees (flowerettes)
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 cup chopped celery
5-6 pieces bacon, crispy, drained and crumbled

DRESSING:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp. vinegar

Combine salad ingredients together in large mixing bowl. Combine dressing ingredients well. Pour dressing over salad ingredients and mix well. Serve chilled.

There are MORE delicious reciepes over at WeareTHATfamily!!! Hope on over ...

Fun in the Sun ..

This is supposed to be a swimming pool, but we decided to add bubbles.

Even Ethan could not resist the COOL water .. we need to get him his own pool.
********
Simple fun .. and the kids said they had a blast .. cost me nothing .. the dishwashing liquid was FREE w/ my coupons a few weeks ago, I added a few tablespoons of sugar (to make the blubbles last longer) and they got clean and didn't even realize it! :)