I ♥ your comments!

Just a little thank you note to say.. well thank you!

I do not blog to increase my followers list.  I do not blog to see if my 'hits' rise up.  I do blog when I have time.  When I have the energy.  When I feel like sharing what we are doing or what I am thinking.  When I feel like I need to get something off my chest.  Or even when I need to keep myself accountable about something I am trying to achieve.

I haven't been blogging lately.. however the couple of posts that I have written has attracted quite a few comments (at least for my blog!  This certainly isn't a blog that gets 103 + comments! ☺).

It's just nice to know.. that we are not forgotten in this busy world.  In a world that is soo face paced and ready to just 'throw you out' if you are not entertaining them.  In this "ME" world.  I say thank you for stopping by.  Caring enough to comment.  And being (slightly) interested in our little family.

Blessings! ♥

Small Group - BIG opportunities

We host a small group at our home every Monday night.  We love opening up our home.  Are we a busy family - yup!  Is it crazy hectic in the hour and half that I am home before everyone arrives at 7pm - you betcha!  Are we tried some nights.. but then the thought of seeing everyone gets us reved up again - yes and yes!

But what Jay and I figure... it's about relationships.  Relationships with people in our church.  Relationships with people who are seeking the Lord.  Relationships with our children.  Teaching them to be hospitable.  Teaching them to share what we have.  Teaching them to love others where they are in life. 

Most if not all the people that come to our small group are thoroughly entertained by our children!  Whether the children are giving everyone hugs good night, just popping their head in to say "hi!", trying to stay up later, showing them their karate/dancing moves, wanting to take pictures of them while they are coming in.... or even asking to see the treats that the group will be eating... and asking if they could save a couple for them to eat the next day!

Either way... I think it's great that we are able to connect with people on a different level.  In this crazy busy 'season' we are in.. I am thankful we still have time for relationships.

Even kids LONG for the beach!

This is what I come across when I go looking for the kids this morning!  They said they were sun tanning!  There has been LOTS of talk about beaches... since we have been planning our summer family vacation.  Needless to say that even the kids are craving the warm sunny days of summer!

Happy Valentines Day!

OK.. so I'm not *into* Valentine's Day.. but I AM into LOVE! 

What I love..

:: listening my husband play with the children

:: memories of my mom

:: listening to the children talk to each other and play

:: seeing my children giving each other OVERWHELMING body hugs (LOVE those!)

:: my life

:: who I am

:: my extended family

:: my relationship with my husband.  my friend.  the ONE person who GETS me.  the person that I NEED to walk through this life with

ooh and soo many more things.. but I just can't name them all.  I am happy.  I really DO love my life.

We dont' technically celebrate Valentines Day ON Valentines Day.  We make an effort ALL year round (which I am sure most of you do as well).  Jay regularly goes out with each children.. their daddy/daughter date OR daddy/son night.  Jay and I also try to make it a point to go on dates ourselves.  Life does get busy.. but we try and that's what matters!  Sending each other little 'love' e-mails or a phone call to say 'how is your day.. thinking of you.. love you'.  They all count!  Every second I'm with my husband and children.. it counts.  So we dont' go all out on a day like Valentines - but we do show our love.

Oh and the picture above... well that is what you TYPICALLY see at my home.  Ava is FOREVER making cards for EVERYONE and ANYONE that is special to her (even if she just met a little girl at the park and has only known her for an hour!).  We *joke* that she has a card ministry!  I just LOVE her creativity!  LOVE IT!  (oh I guess that is another thing I love!!) 

Happy Valentines Day to my dear dear husband.. sixteen years together and ten years married this fall.  Life COULDN'T get any better.  I have you, our children and God - what more do we need?

Have a super day everyone!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Alive and Well.. and feeling out of sorts

Hi all!

Although I don't have many 'followers'... I feel bad that I have neglected my blog.  It's not that I haven't wanted to write.  I've been having some technical difficulties both with the 'hardware' and me!  I've downloaded this writer program that another fellow blogger suggested.. and although it is super easy and quick to use.. that hasn't really solved my problem of updating my blog (visually).  Anyway... I'm going to keep plugging away at it.

I've also had trouble putting my words down.. I've been soo busy.. but it's not anymore busy than I was before.  Does that make sense?  A bit of an update...

Our Christmas was wonderful!  Hubby and I really tired to keep it simple this year.  Keeping the focus on birth of Christ.. because that IS what Christmas is about.  We enjoyed Christmas plays, looking at the homes with all their Christmas lights.  Sledding, hot chocolate.  Christmas movie nights.  Getting together with friends and family.  It was really one of the best Christmas's by far!

I gained 3lbs over Christmas *sigh*.. but I guess that is pretty good considering I could have gained A LOT more!  I enjoyed cookies, wine and lots of other decant Christmas foods.. but I did still try to watch what I ate.  I think the biggest contributor of putting the weight on was that I wasn't able to get out and run as much.  We were just soo busy - seemed like every night we were out doing something or having someone over.  So I did get out of my routine of running 4 times a week.  But I am happy to say.. now that we are part way through January.. I've lost the 3lbs and an additional 1.5lbs.  So my official number is 169.5lbs total loss = 32.5lbs!  Yay!  I can't believe it!  I've adjusted what I want my goal weight to be. Originally it was 150lbs but now I'd really like to be 145lbs.  So I have 24.5lbs to go.  It's going to take a lot of work (like it hasn't been up till now! ☺).  But I am eager to reach it by the summer time!  I am now running 3 times a week, and would like to get back to 4.  From there I'd like to increase it to 5 times.  I am 'training' to run a 10k race this May.  I am soo nervous, excited and I doubt myself every time I drive 10k!  I think to myself.. 'that is soooo far!!!'

Homeschooling.. well that has been challenging to get started up again after being off for a few weeks over Christmas Break.  It's been hard for me to get motivated but more so for Ava.  She's been complaining about doing her school work, and although she is doing well I don't want to get behind.  We have a curriculum that we follow.... and I'd like to cover most if not all the content.  I've had some talks with Ava.. explained to her that she is very blessed to be able to do school at home.  To have such a flexible schedule that she is able to go and play outside for an hour or so.. come back in read, have lunch.. take a nap if she needs to.  Watch a movie.. go outside again.  Or spend some one on one time with me.  I think she is starting to see the benefits.. but she is only 6. 

I think another reason I've had a hard time to sit and post on my blog is because I have been praying.  Praying to God to help me live in the moment.  I know I know you hear that everywhere.  But I really do get lost in all my 'to do' lists that I really don't enjoy the moment or the day.  I've been praying to be thankful for where I am RIGHT NOW in my life.  To enjoy the time I have with my children... to watch them grow, learn and be a positive mommy roll model.  I can be such a worry wort.  Wondering, worrying, trying to plan ahead and ahead and ahead.  That I miss what awesome experiences I could be enjoying right now.  So I've been trying to not spend too much time on the computer... I feel like such a slug when the kids want to play a game or watch a movie with me.. and I say 'one second.. one second.. one second'.. then the moment has passed.  I do find it hard though sometimes at night when I am trying to catch up on my e-mails and they still want me to sit and watch a movie with them.  Some days I do find it difficult because I am with them all day... but I have to just learn to prioritize.. give them my energy and time when they are awake..

hummm what else.. I think that is about it... there may be a few big changes happening for our family, but I can't go into details right now.  Again I am praying and asking God to open the door if this is what we should be doing.. or just close it so I know I am where I need to be.  That's it.. sorry to keep anyone hanging.. but that's all I can say right now.

Hope everyone is enjoying this cold weather.. oye... just checked the weather network -19 degrees with the windchill.  Now that is chilly!  (it was -26 on Monday!)

Happy Mid-Winter Y'all!

Yup.. I'm going to say the bad 'B' word...

Budgets!  Admit it!  We all have them!  If you don't you are either a millionaire or lying.. one of the two!

OK.. so this time of year can be stressful for some.. if not many people.  The overwhelming messages of gifts, parties, gifts, donations, gifts, stockings, Christmas outfits.. did I mention gifts?  Don't get me wrong.. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this time of year!  Our home has been filled with Christmas music since the third week in November!  Once Halloween is past us... it just FEELS like Christmas!  Celebrating the birth of our saviour.  Doing special yet simple things with our family and friends.

OK.. so I am soo excited!  We've been looking at our budget with confusion and frustration.. that is not what I am excited about... what I am excited about is the beginnings of some of  the changes that we are starting to implement.  First comes our phone package.  After looking it over I realized how much money we are just waisting.  It kinda shocked me actually!  With a bit of persistence and prodding (those phone companies aren't very anxious to share all the REAL ways to save).  Anyway.. without boring y'all with the details.. after taking off features that we weren't really using and adjusting the ones that we use very rarely.. I was able to save $25.66 EACH month off our combined services bill!  That doesn't sound like much.. .. but when you look at it this way.. it's $307.92 PER YEAR that we will be saving!  Yes!  Our satellite package is the basic of basics!  But I think they were a bit freaked out that I was taking off all these services.. they offered us 3 months FREE of movies.. so from Dec until Mar we get to snuggle down and watch some movies - FOR FREE!  That will save us renting movies (which we don't do very often either because of the cost.. and frankly you can only watch the movies at the library soo many times!).  We will be able to 'tape' them too on our PVR so we can enjoy them whenever we want.

I'm off to tackle the bank now and stupid service charges... I'll let you know how that ends up!

Anyway... Hope everyone is enjoying this Christmas Season.  Keep it in perspective.  It's about family.  The birth of Christ.  Memories - that you will have forever.  Not gifts!

Christmas Silliness! ... part deux!

OK... I OBVIOUSLY have a bit of time on my hands this afternoon... but these are soo funny! More so are the kids reactions while we made them together!!! Enjoy!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Where have I been...

..around... Life is busy.  Really busy.  Busy with 4 children.  With birthdays.  With homeschooling.  With outings.  I think you all get the picture!  Halloween came and soo very thankfully went.. but alas the huge bowl of chocolate and goodies that stared me in the face every single day has dwindled down to a couple of handfuls (which I am soo very thankful for!).  Weight process... is well still a process.  I will admit I gained 2lbs over Halloween.. may not sound like a lot to some of you.. but for me it was frustrating.. because I could have lost another 2lbs NOT gained them!  But I am happy to report that I am back down to 172lbs.  22lbs more to go.  (oh and by the way.. I don't know why but blogger isn't allowing me to change my info on my layout.. so only my ticker is updating... oh well)

Running is going well.  I had a race about a week ago..everyone keeps encouraging me and telling me I did wonderfully.  But frankly I feel like I failed myself.  I got a WICKED stitch .. and had a walk for a minute or two.. so that put me JUST over the 30 minute mark -- bblllahh... disappointing for me.

School is going well with Ava... and I am see Gabriel and Grace 'learning' everyday as well.  Just in the everyday little things.  Gabriel likes to set the table.  All three children are thrilled to take their plates, cutlery and glass to the counter after each meal (yeaahh for me.. keep that up kiddies even in the teenage years!).  I feel we have a good routine going, a good balance between school, play, scheduled activities and getting together with friends.  I certainly have my moments and wonder why I am homeschooling.. but it is then that I feel evil spirits trying to discourage me.  So I pray.  And I feel confident that we are following Gods plan for our family for this time of our lives.

Jay was offered (and signed papers today) to become FULL TIME PERMANENT!  Praise the Lord - God is soo good.  Its been a long road.. but we followed the road that God has placed before us.  And I believed He rewarded our obedience.

Home/decorating front.. I've been painting and painting and painting (shisshhh I swear that is one of my other FULL TIME jobs!).  I am happy with the results.. love it.. BIG changes.. with LITTLE cost.  Again God is soo good!  I am content with what He gives us.. we enjoy opening up our home to friends and family.. sharing what has been given to us TO share.

Well that's about all I can think of at 12:24a!  Yikes!  Hubby is off tomorrow due to remembrance day (so I hope to sneak a nap in somewhere).

Remember.. 11a ... be silent... say a prayer.. be thankful for all who did what they had to do for our freedom.

Blessings,

My 4th baby..

Happy 1st birthday to my fourth baby!  My second boy.  My first home birth.  My second winter baby.  Linden Isaac.  You are sweet.  You are gentle.  You are patient.  You are so very loved.

Love you soo much! 

Mommy xoxoxox

FINALLY! God is soo Good ☺

 ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

After 2 1/2 years of going from contract to contract, waiting, praying, hoping, crying, being stressed and letting our emotions get the best of us at times.  My hubby was finally offered (and accepted - of course ☺)  A full time PERMANENT job.  With VACATION!  BENEFITS!  SICK DAYS!  PERSONAL DAYS!  PENSION.  God has taught us a lot about ourselves.  To depend on HIM always.  We have had a 4 year roller coaster ride.  Like I said we've learned a lot, our faith has been deepened.. but I would be thankful to just stand on the side for a while ☺☺

We moved 4 hours from my family, 6 months after my mom passed away.. following God.  Following what His plan was for us.  Moved to a contract job.  With the knowledge that the hospital would likely be closing units and that jobs would be lost.  But we moved.  Moved on our faith.  Faith that we knew God would provide.  Faith that we knew this is where God wanted us to be.

God is good.. in ALL circumstances.  But in this one in particular, we are thankful.  Thankful for His provision.  Thankful for granting us our hearts desire.  Thankful for Him to direct our lives.

Happy Anniversary to US!

Yeah!  Happy Anniversary to US!  9 years today we got married!  It's been quite the journey over the last 9 years.  Buying our first home together, having four beautiful children, watching my mom get sick with cancer and then later pass away, surgeries, grandparents passing away, loosing jobs and being unemployed, going back to school full time, living apart for 4 months and soo many other experiences.  All of which I wouldn't trade in for a wonderfully nice perfect life.  Because our life is wonderful - not perfect.. but WONDERFUL.  And it has shaped us to who we are today.

Love you Jay!  You are my rock!  Happy Anniversary!  Looking forward to many many more crazy years with YOU! ☺☺ xoxoxoo

Date Night..

Well spent!

Date nights are important in our home! xoxo Jay

A summer of Growing

Ava lost her first tooth this summer, finished a second year of soccer, set up her first lemonade stand and is just a loving little girl.

Gabriel is getting SO tall and says the funniest things ever!

Grace can be found walking around the house saying: "I'm a big girl." and demanding to walk around outside naked in the rain.  She loves keeping up with her older sister and brother.

Linden is standing on his own more and more.  Is as sweet and cute as ever!

Autumn Leaves & Summer Heat

Wednesday September 1st, 2010 went like this:

In my World..

In my World I am ....

Preparing for school to start.
Painting/Decorating the last parts of our home.
Determine to continue to run and loose weight.
WILL make a conscience effort to be on my computer A LOT less (once a day if that).
Striving to be a better mom to my kids... ALL DAY.
Focus on God and not what others are doing or saying.
Less obsessed with the outside world and refused on my family and what works for us ONLY.
Firm minded to be positive in all areas of my life.
Sharing less about my life via face book and possibly this blog and more in person with my loved ones and friends by building stronger relationships.


That is what my world looks like right now and that is where my head is at.... I am happy.  I am feeling content.  I am feeling strong: mentally, physically, spiritually & emotionally.

Seeing the seeds we sow...

*picture from googles images

Last night my sister accepted Christ!  For so many years I have been praying for her salvation.  For our Lord to draw her close to him.  Through some hard life lessons she has learned and is continuing to learn she was seeking God more and more.  Asking more and more questions.  We've all been there.. before we were born again and after we cry out: "Why oh Lord.. Why God.. Why is this happening to me?  Why are you doing this to me".... and although we may feel that we are alone, that no one cares certainly not God or a God... he is always with us.  Not 'doing bad things to us'.. yet 'allow us to experience these lessons'.. to bring us to our knees and to know THERE IS A GOD who FOREVER LOVES YOU.  That LOVES YOU soo much that he sent his son - Jesus to SUFFER and DIE on the cross FOR YOU!  He knows YOUR NAME.

And so last night I walked my sister through Romans road.  She weeped and said the prayer.  Weeped at the understand that Jesus suffered on the cross for HER.  That she is not worthy (none of us are), but he did nonetheless.  EVERYDAY we are not worthy.. but EVERYDAY our Father.. our Lord loves us.

If you are seeking God.. if you want Jesus in your heart.  If you want to live for ETERNITY in Heaven.. pray to God ask him to guide you.. if you don't have one .. get a bible... hook up with A GOOD BIBLE BELIEVING CHURCH... read and follow passages (in the link below)... and say the prayer -- ask Jesus to be in your heart.... AND SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS... TELL SOMEONE!

http://www.allaboutgod.com/roman-road.htm

AND SEE YOU IN HEAVEN!!

Festivals!

Its that time of year!  Festival time!  Soon to be fair time!  Can't wait.  Its been soo hot here... so time spent by water.. whether it is a river, lake or canal is just fine with me!  The breeze, the view, the company... sounds like the perfect mix to me!  This weekend we visited one of our festival in a nearby town.  So wonderful!  Simple.. but wonderful... that's the way I like it.  No Carney rides, freaky people, overpriced EVERYTHING.. just free face painting, free balloon animals, free play in the park, free music.. and ice cream (not free.. but yummy nonetheless) and lots lots more.  Don't get me wrong.. I'm not completely cheap... it's just nice to go to a simple festival the way the use to be.. to have fun, have people come together.. not try to make money off people.  It was safe and family friendly, just the right mix for our young family.  Here are some photos from our day out...

And that's how we spent our Saturday afternoon!  Hope every one of you enjoyed your long weekend with your family as well!