Funny little Jenna!

My son took this picture of Jenna and me last night at Jenna and B.C.'s party. The look on Jenna's face has me ROFL!!. You never get the shot you think your going to get with the Digital camera.

I had a wonderful time at the Birthday party. Jenna received some great gifts.



I don't know how to get the pictures off of my Digital camera yet, I have the time to figure it out this morning, I think I took some pretty good Birthday pictures last night. I'm really enjoying the camera my husband bought me for Christmas.

I have a busy day today; A.J. has an eye Doctor's appointment at 10:00 a.m. The Director over my Awana group left a message asking me if I would run the group tonight and come up with a council time message to give to the girls. I don't have a lot of time but I'm sure I can come up with something.

I'd better get busy and find something real fast!

Happy 1st Birthday Jenna

A big Happy Birthday to my Granddaughter Jenna. I know Jenna can't read but she can see her picture on her Grandma's blog.

We are going to my son and daughter-in-law's tonight for Jenna and B.C.'s party. I'm looking forward to a great evening with my family.

Preparing for Awana 2-27-07

I won't have time to prepare for Awana clubs tonight or tomorrow so I thought I'd better set down this morning and come up with a quiz and songs that I will lead the girls in.

1) Which book of the Bible talks most about the millennium?
A. Jeremiah
B. Ezekiel
C. Nahum
D. Revelation

2) In Mark 7:6-7 when Jesus said "This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." He is quoting form which book?
A. Deuteronomy
B. Psalms
C. Isaiah
D. Joel

3) Who was Rebekah's dad?
A. Bethuel
B. Hagar
C. Leah
D. Naomi

4) When Jesus was on the cross and said "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" He was quoting from which book in Psalms?
A. Psalms 7
B. Psalms 22
C. Psalms 24
D. Psalms 40

5) What was the name of the prisoner the people wanted released instead of Jesus?
A. Ahasuerus
B. Haman
C. Barabbas
D. Shalmaneser

6) For where your _____ is, there will your heart be also.
A. reward
B. riches
C. mind
D. treasure

7) Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, 'Let me pull out the _____ out of thine eye;' and, behold, a _____ is in thine own eye?
A. beam - mote
B. splinter - dust
C. mote - beam
D. eyelash - plank

8) Jesus was on the cross how long?
A. 3 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 9 hours
D. 12 hours

9) We shall know false prophets by their _____?
A. lack of love
B. works
C. fruits
D. knowledge of God's word

10) A wise servant is to give them _____ in due season?
A. love
B. charity
C. help
D. meat
11) When Jesus was baptized He was about how old?
A. 28
B. 30
C. 31
D. 33

12) When Jesus was in the wilderness forty days what did He eat?
A. locust
B. figs
C. roots
D. nothing


13) Who was Leah?
A. wife of Jacob
B. sister of Martha
C. daughter of Saul
D. wife of Solomon

14) When God's two witnesses are killed, how long will people be able to see their bodies?
A. 5 hours
B. 1 day
C. 3 and a half days
D. not long because they will be put in graves fast

15) In Amos chapter 8 God said He will send a famine. What kind of famine will He send?
A. food
B. water
C. hearing the words of the Lord
D. none of the above

16) Be not deceived; God is not _____: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
A. mocked
B. derided
C. ridiculed
D. scoffed

17) The just shall live by _____.
A. works
B. love
C. the law
D. faith

18) Who asked Herod for the head of John the Baptist?
A. Herodias
B. the daughter of Herodias
C. Athaliah
D. Candace


19) What is the next book after Jeremiah?
A. Isaiah
B. Lamentations
C. Ezekiel
D. Daniel

20) Which is not part of our armour of God?
A. truth
B. breastplate of righteousness
C. gospel of peace
D. love

Answers to Bible Quiz

1. b Ezekiel chapters 40-48
2. c Isaiah 29:13
3. a Genesis 25:20
4. b Psalms 22:1
5. c Matthew 27:15-26
6. d Matthew 6:21
7. c Matthew 7:4
8. b Mark 15:25-39
9. c Matthew 7:15-16
10. d Matthew 24:45
11. b Luke 3:21-23
12. d Luke 4:1-2
13. a Genesis 29:16-28
14. c Revelation 11:3-9
15. c Amos 8:11-12
16. a Galatians 6:7
17. d Romans 1:17
18. b Mark 6:21-25
19. b Lamentations
20. d Ephesians 6:11-17



Hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, your love makes me sing

Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging
Your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet
Your love is a mystery, how you gently lift me
When I am surrounded, your love carries me

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, your love makes me sing
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, your love makes me sing

Your love is surprising, I can feel it rising
All the joy that's growing deep inside of me
Every time I see you, all your goodness shines through
And I feel this God song, rising up in me

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, your love makes me sing
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, your love makes me sing

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing

Open the eyes of my heart

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart.
I want to see You, I want to see You.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart.
I want to see You, I want to see You.

To see You high and lifted up,
Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your pow'r and love,
As we sing holy, holy, holy.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart.
I want to see You, I want to see You.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart.
I want to see You, I want to see You.

To see You high and lifted up,
Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your pow'r and love,
As we sing holy, holy, holy.

Holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, holy,
I want to see You.
Holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, holy,
I want to see You.
To see You high and lifted up,
Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your pow'r and love,
As we sing holy, holy, holy.

high and lifted up,
Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your pow'r and love,
As we sing holy, holy, holy.

Holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, holy,
I want to see You.
Holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, holy,
I want to see You.

Fun in the Snow and the Popcorn Popper!

My husband took the boy's sledding Tuesday morning while they were on Mid-Winter break.

These are some pictures he took of the boy's sledding.



Here is Bo taking a little rest before charging down the hill backwards.





My Grandson Josh is climbing up the hill so he can tackle the hill again.







This is A.J. trying his dare devil stunt!











I love Jon's smile!







Jimmy looks like he might have had a tumble.







These next few pictures are of Jack and Jimmy right after we got home from buying Jack a popcorn popper. Jack loves to eat popcorn and watch Spider man at Nana's house.
Living for the simple things in life: Fun morning with Jack

Happy Birthday B.C.

It's my son B.C.'s 29th birthday today. We are going to get together next Tuesday evening to celebrate his Birthday and my granddaughter Jenna's Birthday. She turns one on Tuesday.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON

Mom loves you!

Living for the simple things in life: My Son's days in the Navy



I have a busy day planned today. I will drop my boy's off at school in just a few minutes. I then have to get Bo up and feed him breakfast and get him dressed and ready for school. I need to exercise, clean my house, shower and head out the door to take Bo to school.

I have an appointment at 9:15 a.m. and another one at 10:15 a.m. I then have to get 15 chairs from church and take them to a friend who will be borrowing them until Saturday. That will leave me enough time to get to my motor route and then off to Worship team practice. I'll head home for a few hours before going to work tonight.

No time for playing around today.


Auburn Hills Josh Groban Tickets
Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI





WHOOOOOHOOOOOO, I get to play tomorrow!!! I have my house cleaning job to go to in the early a.m., I will be doing only one of my motor routes tomorrow. I took one of them off because I have a very exciting evening planned. My friends and I are going to dinner and then we are going to see Josh Groban in concert at the Palace. Josh Groban here I come!

I can't wait to see him in concert! (I sound very immature! Oh well, for one night, I will be immature)

Weight loss menu for February 21, 2007

My menu for February 21, 2007

Water- I drink a 1/2 liter of water before I exercise and 1/2 liter of water when I am done exercising. I should be drinking 4 liters of water a day. Each morning I'll post the meals from the day before.

At each meal I should be taking in-

300 calories
24 grams protein
7 grams carbs
22 grams fat

Breakfast-
2 whole egg scrambled with one slice vegan cheese
I added onions, peppers

Lunch-
1 Chicken Breast-We Cooked this on our Foreman grill- no oils or fat added, some spice added for taste.
1 Large salad-Dark Green salad with Mushrooms chopped up in it.
Topped with our homemade low fat dressing- I'll post this dressing as soon as I have time.

Dinner-
1 Chicken Breast with a slice of vegan swiss cheese on top and a prepared tomatoe sauce.
Side of Vegetables-I ate a side of Green beans

One snack- I ate some walnuts before I went to bed.

My Boy's

I think Bo is so cute in this picture!












This is a picture of my boy’s; minus B.C. but his son (my grandson) josh is in it. I had these pictures taken years ago before we moved into our new home. I have an Antique style living room; these pictures will be perfect in it. You would never know that the two boys’ in back with their hands on their older brother's shoulders are twins. 30 minutes apart in age!

Weight Loss Menu

Water- I drink a 1/2 liter of water before I exercise and 1/2 liter of water when I am done exercising. I should be drinking 4 liters of water a day. Each morning I'll post the meals from the day before.

At each meal I should be taking in-

300 calories
24 grams protein
7 grams carbs
22 grams fat

Breakfast-
2 whole egg omelet
1 piece vegan cheese
mushroom, onions, peppers

Lunch-
1 Chicken Breast-We Cooked this on our Foreman grill- no oils or fat added, some spice added for taste.
1 Large salad-Dark Green salad with Mushrooms chopped up in it.
Topped with our homemade low fat dressing- I'll post this dressing as soon as I have time.

Dinner-
1 Chicken Breast
Side of Vegetables-I ate mixed Vegetables last night. Broccoli and Cauliflower
1 Large Salad-Dark Green Salad- topped with homemade low fat salad dressing.

One snack- I ate mixed nuts before leaving for work.

Preparing for Awana and Worship Team

I will be a bit busy tomorrow and Thursday so I thought I would prepare for Awana clubs and Worship team tonight. The girls really love the Bible Trivia, if I don't do it they are really disappointed. I tried some other things so the girls wouldn't get bored but they always ask if next week I will do another Trivia. I am so glad that they like to be challenged.

I love the Worship sets for Sunday morning; I have to go to work at 10:00 p.m. I'll be able to do make all my copies tonight, in preparation for Awana clubs tomorrow evening and Worship Team practice on Thursday evening.

Worship Songs for Sunday February 25th, 2007

Worship Preparation Song – We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise, D, 2X

Set One
Piano intro
Ah, Lord God, D, 2X
Direct into band intro
You Are Holy, E (MPW3 129)
Guitar intro
Open the Eyes of My Heart, E
Bass & drums intro
Victory Chant, E, F#, G#

Offertory – Barb, Lori and Rebecca

Set Two
Piano intro
Blessed Redeemer, D (CH 326 vv. 1-3)
Band intro
Hosanna (new), G
Band intro
Hallelujah, C (short version – 1st ending, 2nd ending, Hallelujahs with band, then a cappella, end)
Band intro
Indescribable, F (MPW3 127, as written) (POSSIBLE CUT SONG)


Trivia for the girls

1) God tells us to eat fat for it's high protein content.

1. true
2. false

2) For water animals to be a clean food and safe to eat, they must have fins but not scales.

1. true
2. false

3) Lamb is a clean meat and ok to eat.

1. true
2. false

4) If you cook a hamburger made from a cow which is a clean animal in the same pan as pork from a pig which is unclean, the hamburger is still safe to eat.

1. true
2. false

5) Some of God's health laws are found in Leviticus chapter 11.

1. true
2. false

6) Israel is made up of the ten sons of Jacob.

1. true
2. false

7) Locusts is a clean food and safe to eat.

1. true
2. false

8) Pork which comes from pig's is unclean and we should not eat it.

1. true
2. false

9) Nebuchadnezzar was king of Judah.

1. true
2. false

10) In ten days Daniel and his friends who did not eat the king's unclean meat looked better than the ones that did.

1. true
2. false

11) Lobster is clean and safe to eat.

1. true
2. false

12) Shrimp is unclean and we should not eat it.

1. true
2. false

13) Animals that part the hoof, cloven footed and chews cud are clean and safe to eat.

1. true
2. false

14) To get the true benefit from eating healthy foods we need to stop eating all unhealthy foods.

1. true
2. false

15) If we stop eating unclean foods we should also stop eating at restaurants that serve unclean foods.

1. true
2. false

16) Some of the benefits from following God's health laws is that we will look better, not get sick as much and our chances of getting cancer will go down.

1. true
2. false

17) Bass is a clean fish and safe to eat.

1. true
2. false

18) Catfish is a clean fish and safe to eat.

1. true
2. false

19) Pulse is vegetable food.

1. true
2. false

20) God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

1. true
2. false

Answers to the Healthy Foods Bible Quiz

1. b false Leviticus 3:16-17 and Leviticus 7:23-24
2. b false Leviticus 11:9-12
3. a true Leviticus 11:3
4. b false The grease from the pork will mix with the hamburger and make it unclean and you sick.
5. a true Leviticus 11
6. b false Genesis 49:1-28
7. a true Leviticus 11:20-23
8. a true Leviticus 11:7
9. b false Daniel 1:1
10. a true Daniel 1:15-16
11. b false Leviticus 11:10-12
12. a true Leviticus 11:10-12
13. a true Leviticus 11:3
14. a true Daniel 1:8-16
15. a true The grease from an unclean food may mix with the clean one thus making it unclean.
16. a true Daniel 1:15 and the last paragraph of the Healthy Foods study.
17. a true Leviticus 11:9
18. b false Leviticus 11:10-12
19. a true From the Strong's Concordance
20. a true Daniel 1:9

I will lead the girls in these songs.

Your Name

As morning dawns and evening fades,
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart
And glorify Your name.

Your name is a strong and mighty tower,
Your name is a shelter like no other,
Your name let the nations sing it louder,
‘Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name.

Jesus, in Your name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for you
And glorify Your name.

Your name is a strong and mighty tower,
Your name is a shelter like no other,
Your name let the nations sing it louder,
‘Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name.

Your name is a strong and mighty tower,
Your name is a shelter like no other,
Your name let the nations sing it louder,
‘Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name.

Your name is a strong and mighty tower,
Your name is a shelter like no other,
Your name let the nations sing it louder,
‘Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name.


Paul Baloche & Glenn Packiam
© 2006 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music and
Vertical Worship Songs


Indescribable

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation’s revealing Your majesty.
From the colors of Fall to the fragrance of Spring,
Ev’ry creature unique in the song that it sings.
All exclaiming

Indescribable! Uncontainable!
You placed the stars in the sky, and You know them by name;
You are amazing, God!
All powerful! Untamable!
Awestruck, we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim:
You are amazing, God!

Who has told ev’ry lightning bolt where it should go;
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light,
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night?
None can fathom:

Indescribable! Uncontainable!
You placed the stars in the sky, and You know them by name;
You are amazing, God!
All powerful! Untamable!
Awestruck, we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim:
You are amazing, God!
You are amazing, God!

Indescribable! Uncontainable!
You placed the stars in the sky, and You know them by name;
You are amazing, God!
All powerful! Untamable!
Awestruck, we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim:
You are amazing, God!

Indescribable! Uncontainable!
You placed the stars in the sky, and You know them by name;
You are amazing, God!
Incomp’rable! Unchangeable!
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same;
You are amazing, God!
You are amazing, God!


Words and Music by Laura Story
Additional Lyrics by Jesse Reeves
Copyright 2004 worshiptogether.com
Songs/sixsteps Music/Gleaning Publishing

The Navy Recruiter

Wow! Were do I begin? I couldn’t sit down last week and write about this. I am stronger this week and have thought long and hard about A.J. leaving. Last Tuesday A.J. had his Navy Recruiter come to our house at 6:00 p.m. to go over everything we would ever want to know about my son going into the Navy.

I am having a really hard time with this. I know as a mother that my children will not be with me forever. They will go away to school, get married but why the Navy. I had a very hard time when B.C. went away to the Navy. It is almost like your mother duties are over. They don't need you anymore! I am one that has to feel needed! B.C. still loves me and needs me as a mother, it is just different. I like doing things for people and the ones that I love. It is just a part of who I am. When B.C. went away to the Navy, he was in boot camp for 3 month, as will A.J. be. They write you, maybe one or two letters and that is all the contact you have with your child. You raise them for 18 years and then you get one or two letters and that is all. The hardest thing, I know what it will be like. This is really hard to think about.

We went over the advancement, schooling, money he will be receiving, where he could be stationed, him being deployed out on a ship for 6 months at a time. I know I have to let go, I tell you, it is very hard to let go of a person.

When I came home from work on Saturday morning my husband informed me that a different Navy Recruiter was coming over at 12:00 p.m. for us to fill out the paper work they need to get the ball rolling with A.J. Consent forms, Medical release forms, and o.k. for them to drive A.J. to and from Meds. It is almost like you are signing your child over to strangers.

To think that I will only have 3 children that I am responsible for is just amazing to me. I know that is still a big family to some people but I am a mother of 7.

I will live through all of this and be stronger (hopefully) when the next ones are ready to leave the nest.

I did have a long talk with A.J. after the Recruiter left. A.J. seemed so nervous when the Recruiter was here. He looked at me and said, "Mom I am going to be graduating High School and leaving my home. I'll be away from everyone and everything I know. Wouldn't you be nervous and upset if it were you?" All I can do is be available for A.J. right now. He is having as hard as time with this as his mother.

Vaction time, time to lose the winter Weight!

A few weeks back my husband asked me if I wanted to try and go away for Spring break this year. He asked me where I would like to go. We have never taken the family away for Spring break before so I really don't even have a clue as to where I would like to go. I told him to come up with something and I will try and get the time off of my three jobs. The route is the one that I didn't know if I could get covered. I am contracted by the AA News. This means I have to cover my routes myself. I don't get vacation time off.

My husband told me he found a spot that he would like to take the family. It is a cabin resort up at Boyne Mountain. It sounds like a wonderful vacation. I found out yesterday that my two subs can cover my routes. I was so excited to be able to come home and tell my family that we get to go.

Today, I start my diet and exercise program. I want to get to 115 pounds before we leave in a little over a month. We will be swimming and skiing if there is still snow. The cabin sounds lovely! My husband has it reserved for our family. It is time to get this old body in shape for swim suit season.

It will be hard but I know I can lose the 15 pounds. I am going to hold myself accountable by posting my weight loss and daily exercise program on the right hand side of my blog, daily.

This is all the blogging I have time for right now. I have to run! My mother-in-law is coming over at 9:30 a.m. to look at and pick out which of A.J.'s senior pictures she would like for herself and her family.

This morning I ran for 25 minutes. I'll be fasting for three days to get the ball rolling. On Wednesday, my husband has a one month meal plan written out for me. I'll post it as soon as he gives it to me.

Cracked Pot

I was really tired tonight when I got home from my Janitors job, I thought I'd better get a little sleep before heading off to my Motor route. I've been having some pretty bad dreams, tonight was no different, it woke me out of a sound sleep before the alarm went off at 12:00 a.m. I haven't had time to blog today so I thought maybe blogging would help relax me before I left for work. As always your comments have brightened my day.

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house." The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

SO, to all of the "cracked pots" out there, have a great day and remember to sell the flowers on your side of the path!

Grinding Brakes!

I ended up not having the time to post about the things I blogged about yesterday, due to the fact my front brakes were grinding by the end of my motor route. I had to fix them before I went to bed last night, today I have a full day planned out.

I am now about to get ready to take my kids to Bob Evans for breakfast and then we will be off to Jungle Java until 12:00 p.m. That will give me enough time to get my kids home so I can make it to work by 1:00 p.m. to do my motor route. Tonight, we are going to have people over for dinner and a movie.

That's my day! I'll have to wait until tomorrow for more journaling.

Off to Work

I want to thank everyone for your comments, I'll reply to all of them tonight. I have to work this morning at my house cleaning job. After today, the kids have until next Wednesday off of school for Mid-Winter Break. I am going to take them to Jungle Java in the morning, tomorrow evening we are going to have a little get together with friends.

Sunday after church my twin boy's best friends are going to come over and spend the night. I try to do special lttle things for them sense my jobs pretty much have me grounded near home.

I'll post all about the Navy Recruitor, The Awana Tea party, my special dinner my husband made for me and the lovely flowers I received yesterday, tonight after my route.

I am just going to take one day at a time and live that day to it's fullest. I'll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow!

Happy Valentine's Day plus it is my 21 Wedding Anniversary

I am trying to get ready for our Tea Party tonight at Awana. This is the craft we will be doing.

Love-ly Valentine's Day Notebook

by Amanda Formaro



Embellish a basic notebook and use it as a diary, a record keeper for fun activities, a place to store friends' phone numbers or even as a place to collect your Valentine cards in. Whatever you use it for, you'll love its colorful and whimsical design.

Age
4 and up
This project is rated EASY to do.

What You Need

* Pink foam journal
* Heart shaped foam stamps
* Acrylic paint in white, pink, red, purple, and yellow
* Paint brush

How To Make It

1. Paint foam side of stamp with desired color.
2. Press down gently but firmly onto foam notebook cover.
3. Decorate with different stamps and colors.
4. Use paint brush to touch up any empty spots.
5. Use point on paint brush handle to make dots. Dip handle into paint and dot onto foam cover.
6. Let dry completely.

We are going to have finger foods, Tea and punch for the girls. I will decorate the tables with White table clothes, Red plates and cups, I am going to put little candy hearts around a center piece in the middle of the table. This will be a Box of Chocolate candy that the girls can also eat. I want to make this a fun night for the girls.

Valentine's Day coloring page



Living for the simple things in life: Anniversary Ideas

Living for the simple things in life: The Love of God

Living for the simple things in life: Love







Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end... And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (NRSV, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13)

Today's Events

I'm watching my adorable Grandbabies today. I picked up Josh and Jack this morning at 7:45 a.m. They are eating breakfast with Boaz right now. I'll get my baby Jenna at 10:00 a.m. At 12:30 p.m. mom is supposed to pick up Jack and Jenna, I’ll then be off to my motor route. Tonight we meet with the Navy Recruiter and then it is off to my Janitor's job at 10:00 p.m.

Tomorrow is our Awana Tea Party! Yippee!!!!

That just about covers my day.


Oh my, I almost forgot! We are supposed to get a big snow storm today. Depending on how the snow travels, we could get 6 to 9 inches of snow by morning. Hopefully, the snow doesn't start until after I get done with my motor route.

PTL!!!I did get everything on my to do list completed by the time I went to bed last night. I found all the important tax information I was looking for. I was even able to get in two games of pool with my husband last night.

Always lots to Do

The weekend is over and I am off to a new fresh week. I had a lot going on over the weekend; besides working, I had it set up to take my truck in to the shop to get an oil change and new tires put on. My husband picked me up from the shop, we were then off to my twins wrestling tournament. ( A.J. took 4th, Jimmy took 3rd and Jon took 5th) I lead worship yesterday and sang a special with the Trio I sing with. I was short on papers yesterday so I had to go back out and deliver more papers.

This morning I have a list of things that need to be done before leaving for work.

I still have to take care of things concerning Becca's car; I have to call about getting a windshield on our van so she can drive it. I have to find some important tax information so we can get our taxes done and sent out. We are doing our taxes on line for the first time in our lives. My husband wants to send them out right away. I have to clean my house from top to bottom. I was gone all day Friday and Saturday and most of Sunday. That leaves a very messy house with a pile of laundry to do. The Navy recruiter is coming over Tuesday evening to meet us and talk over any question we might have concerning A.J. going into the Navy. I don't want to deal with this right now but I really don't have a choice, A.J. set it up for tomorrow evening so I need to get a hold of myself and start cutting those apron strings. My husband and I were supposed to go out tomorrow evening for our 21 Anniversary; A.J. didn’t know we had plans to go to dinner and a movie. I told A.J. when he talked to his recruiter that any Tuesday would be fine. He talked to his recruiter for the first time on Friday; I wasn't even thinking he would set it up for this Tuesday. Getting back to the point, I need to clean today because I am watching two of my grandchildren in the morning so Jess can help Josh at school making a Volcano.

I'd better get started if I am going to be finished by 12:00 p.m.

God was watching out for my Daughter Today!

Oh boy, what a long day this turned out to be. What I thought, would and should have been a very calm, quiet day at the home front, ended up being a very long, long day.

I had a very uneasy feeling about my daughter today. I am not crazy (I don’t think) nor can I tell what might happen in the future but I felt like something wasn’t right concerning my daughter. From the time I got out of bed this morning, until she finally called me at 1:00 p.m. I felt this overwhelming feeling like something was wrong.

I tried to get a hold of Bec on her cell phone starting early this morning. I finally called her employment at 8:50 a.m. to see if she arrived yet. They told me Bec wouldn't be in today. I felt ill! I tried her cell-phone, our home phone, and her best friend’s phone several times, before she finally called me. She wreaked her car this morning and was really worried about telling me. The rule in our house has always been we will pay your insurance while your living at home, unless you get a speeding ticket or in an accident that is their fault. Which will give them a ticket and raise our insurance? Bec got out of a speeding ticket when she was 16 years old. They gave her community service instead of giving her a ticket. The judge did not want to punish us by Bec's bad judgment to speed. I just PTL!!!! She was not hurt and the driver of the other car was not hurt. My whole route was spent on the phone with her, my son, my daughter-in-law, my husband trying to get all the things that had to be handled, handled. .

Bec was behind a Semi and went to turn into her friend’s Mobile home Park and didn't see an oncoming car. I went to see the car at her friend’s house this evening; I wanted to see for myself just how bad it was. I don't think the car is going to make it out alive. The whole front right fender is gone; it blew out the tire, and deployed both air bags.

I didn't end up having that quiet movie night that I so looked forward to this morning. I remember a person telling me these words, "There is always someone that has it worse off than you do". My daughter-in-law wasn’t talking about me but as I delivered my papers I finally took the time to look at the front page of the AA News I was delivering. On the front cover, the top story read as follows, "Three children die in apartment fire". My heart broke as I read this article today. I have my baby girl and this poor woman lost all of her children today. I was so upset about her insurance being raised and how she was going to get back and forth to work, I didn't see what a blessing it was that I still have my daughter.

Bec and I spent the evening together for the first time in a long time. My husband needed me to get our boy's some food items for their wrestling tournament tomorrow. When Bec was in High School we were together all the time. Wherever I went, she wanted to go with me or wanted me to go with her. Now, that she has been out of school for 2 years, she is with her friends all the time and I still have 4 boys’ at home that need me. We pledged tonight that we were going to make more time for each other. I have been taking her lunch a few times a week lately but I don’t feel like that is enough. I just need to make sure I am making time for her.

I am so grateful that I still have the opportunity to spend time with Bec, to try to spend more time with her. My daughter and I get alone just fine I just miss her a lot. I know they have to grow up and we have to cut the apron strings but it is very hard.

After talking with her dad, we decided she is going to have to drive our very old van. It is 13 years old and not in great shape on the inside, but it runs and it will get her back and forth to work, until she can afford a different car. When Bec graduated from High School her dad put a $1000.00 down on a Pontiac Sun fire; it was a cute little sports car. She had to take over the $122.00 dollar payments a month. That was her only bill. This will be a hard lesson for her to have to drive an old van and take over her insurance but rules are rules.

Parenting is not an easy thing to do. I can work my 3 jobs any day of the week and do it without much effort on my part. I do my job and leave it behind until I have to go back the next time. Raising children is an on going challenge. Everyday we get new surprises that we have to face and make the right decision on. If we are consistent as parents and follow through with what we say, our children will learn and grow from it. I know that this is easier said than done. I have been a mom for 29 years; (boy am I old) I wouldn't trade my children for anything in the world or all it's challenges. God has given me 6 blessings; one of my blessings has been out on his own for 11 years now. He has a good job and a beautiful family. I only have 5 to go!

It's the Weekend

I had a great morning with Jack yesterday. After buying him a popcorn popper, I brought him back to Nana's house to make popcorn and watch Spider Man. The popcorn popper was very easy to use. Jack made the popcorn all by himself with a little help from his Nana. He was so excited! It was so much fun, he didn't want to leave and I didn't want him to go.

Worship team practice was a lot of fun! Two of my best friends are on the Worship Team I sing on. It equals out to FUN, Fellowship and Worship. I get to serve the Lord and have a wonderful time doing it. Isn't that the way it is suppose to be. I just can't wait until I get to heaven, I get to be with the people I love and sing praises to our awesome Lord and Savior for eternity. What a wonderful thing to look forward to.

I work at my house cleaning job this morning, the Route this afternoon. Tonight is a free night! New Nexflex movies are suppose to come in the mail today, I am looking forward to spending a nice evening at home with my family.

Fun morning with Jack

My Step-dad is holding his own right now. No signs of another Stroke. PTL!!!

Awana was a blast last night! I had such a great time with my girls. I'm looking forward to the Tea Party next week. I have some special things planned for them to do. A fun craft, some fun songs to sing, we will have hot tea and some finger foods. Council time will be about God's love for us. This is the kind of love I want to share with the girls. I have one girl in my group that I am really working on trying to get her to understand how important it is to put other's before herself. She talks out without raising her hands. She gets very upset at the other girls if I am giving them attention. Last night, I could see how my efforts are really paying off. She came prepared with her memory verses, she was kind to the other girls. It was a wonderful evening. It will be hard to wait a whole week until the Tea Party.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. ~1 Corinthians 13:4-8

I'm picking Jack up (my 4 year old grandson) this morning and taking him to get a popcorn popper. It is a cute little one (looks like the ones they have at the theater but smaller) He loves popcorn! I am excited about our morning together.

I have Worship Team practice after my route today, then I'll spend a few hours at home with my family, before heading off to my Janitor's job.

THE U IN JESUS

Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.

And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.

You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.

And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.

Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.

"Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U."

So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?

It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U.

Contentment comes from God

I can't believe I have been able to read lately. That means life is slowing down for me. A year and a half ago I would go through many books in a month; I couldn't keep myself in books. I was in a book club; I would get 4 books a month and read them all before the next shipment would come. It is so nice to have the time and the desire to read again.

My boy's are really enjoying having time off of school. I have to say I am enjoying having them home. Yesterday, I made them Scrambled eggs and toast for Breakfast and today I made them very soft tasty Cinnamon rolls. I made 16 of them and there is only 2 left so I think they enjoyed them.

Even with the things going on with my Step-dad, I feel content with my life. I haven't felt this good in a long time. God has given me a piece that I can't explain but I can feel it. I am smiling more and laughing again. I look at my family members and thank the Lord for each one of them. I have a beautiful home that God has given me, a loving husband, 6 of the most wonderful children a person could be blessed with, a daughter-in-law that I love with all of my heart, 3 of the most adorable grandchildren in the world. (I am bias on all parts) I have a church that I have attended and been a member of for the last 18 years. God has given me a voice to sing praises to Him. I have some of the most wonderful Godly friends in the world, they would do anything for me and I would do anything for them.

Our God is an awesome God!

I am learning with the Lord's help to be content with my life. I thank Him each and everyday for opening up my eyes to what is right and good, to what He has given me and done for me on the Cross.

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content"

Philippians 4:11

Mini-Stroke

School is closed again today because of the cold weather in our home town. The kids are going to be very happy when they wake up.

My Step-dad is in the hospital, they think he had a mini-stroke. I am so very worried about him. He was supposed to have surgery Wednesday to figure out what is going on with his lungs. I don't know what is going to happen now. I pray this is not the start of something very bad. I couldn't sleep last night worrying about him. I have to turn this all over to the Lord.

Time 12:17 p.m.

My mom just called, my Step-dad has had three mini-stokes. The next two weeks will be the most critical for him. My mom is so very strong; I wish I could be half the woman she is. She is so strong in her faith; she has put it all in the Lord's hands. My Step-dad will not be able to have lung surgery; they said he will not make it through the surgery. I do praise the Lord they found this out through these mini-strokes before it was to late.

My Weekend

Monday mornings are the most enjoyable day of the week for me. I know I don't have to deliver Sunday papers again for another 6 days. It's not that bad, it's just alot of work.

The Temp is so cold today, my children's school cancelled classes today. It was -7 this morning with a wind chill of -23. I know a lot of people are use to this kind of cold but we aren't. It is just to darn cold for my likings.

I didn't watch the Super Bowl last night, to be honest, I haven't even looked up the score of the game yet. I'll read it in the paper when go to work in a few hours. I didn't even know the Super Bowl was last night until Thursday when a person on my worship team told us we should wear orange on Sunday because Chicago was one of the teams playing in the Bowl. We all said, "NO WAY" we didn't want to look like a bunch of Pumkins up on stage. I voted for the other team just because of the nice color of blue, for their team colors.

Last night A.J. was suppose to have his Wrestling practice at the U o M but when we got to practice there was a sign on the door saying it was cancelled. It is 20 minutes from our house so we decided to go see what was playing at the movies. I haven't just taken A.J. to do anything alone in a very long time. There was one movie that we could see that we wouldn't have to wait hours to see. The movie turn out o.k. There was alot of violence and cursing.

The movie was call "The Departed". This is information about the movie.

Synopsis:
Undercover cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is assigned to bust the syndicate run by mob boss Costello (Jack Nicholson). Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) is a criminal who has infiltrated the police department as an informer. When the two are in danger of being exposed, each must race to uncover the identity of the other man in time to save himself.

It would not be good to take small children to see this.

That just about covers my weekend. I'd better get back to my Monday cleaning.

How I spent my Friday Night!

Last night was a busy night! After I got off of work, I went to pick up my oldest grandson. Josh is 8 and my son Bo's best friend. My husband wanted to take all the boy's sledding this morning. My job was to find all the hats, gloves, scarf’s, boots, snow pants and sleds. This is the first time this year we have had enough snow on the ground and the time to go. We spend every weekend at wrestling tournaments now. This is the first weekend that the boy's didn't have a tournament and could go. A.J. had a wrestling meet but it was an hour and a half away from our house, my husband and I both work on Saturday afternoons so we couldn't go to the tournament today.

When my husband takes the kids sledding he likes to take them to a hill that he used to sled on when he was a young boy. It is right around the corner from the house his grandmother lived in. I was going to go and take pictures but it is just too darn cold out this morning. I worked my route through the night last night and that is all I could take of the cold for one day. Tonight it is suppose to be in the minuses wind chill factor. I know I will survive but I am not looking forward to being out all night delivering newspapers in the cold and wind. I'm not complaining, I am blessed to be able to work. I'm just saying it is going to be very cold.

When I was a young girl my mother would dress me up in my winter clothes and make me go out. She said I needed the exercise, I was always real skinny so I could never figure out why she made me go out. (She was, and is a good mom) After 15 minutes I would come in the house crying, (this is no lie, I would be crying like a baby) telling my mom I had frost bite on my fingers and my toes. I thought for sure my limps were going to fall off. We still laugh about that til this day. I could never figure out why I couldn't just sit in my room and play with my dolls. I just couldn't take the cold then and I can't take it now. I try not to cry now about the cold but I do complain and whine when I get chilled and I have to lay in bed until I get warm again.

I'm sure they will have a great morning out with or without me.

I'll be busy working the rest of the day.

My crazy morning!

What a very interesting morning this has turned out to be! I went to my housecleaning job this morning at 9:00 a.m. but the owners had locked the inside door to their house. I have a key to the outside door but not the inside door, I couldn't get in. I banged on the door and called their phone but no answer. They live about 20 minutes away from me so it is a little drive to get their and back home. About an hour later my boss called and said, "His wife had locked the inside door for more protection and they had over slept and didn't hear the phone or the door".

I know sooner got off the phone with Kent (My boss) and my son called (The older of my twins boys)and needed lunch money brought up to him, that very moment. I got back home and the phone rang again, it was my daughter telling me she has been having some very bad headaches for the last two weeks and needed me to get her into the doctors, she also would like me to bring her lunch.

I didn't get anything done whatsoever this morning but I sure feel like I did a lot of running around. I'm pretty tired and it's only 11:15 a. m. : )

Tidy Housekeeper?

The bride was anything but a tidy housekeeper. It didn't bother her much until one evening when her husband called from the hall, somewhat dismayed: "Honey, what happened to the dust on this table? I had a phone number written on it."

This funny reminded me of my house cleaning job!

Hosanna By Paul Baloche

We introduced this song in or Worship service on Sunday morning. Just an awesome praise song.

You can hear this song at Leadworship.com


Praise is rising, eyes are turning to You, we turn to You
Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for You, we long for You
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away

[Chorus:]
Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God Who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

Hear the sound of hearts returning to You, we turn to You
In Your Kingdom broken lives are made new, You make us new
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away

[Chorus:]
Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God Who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away

[Chorus:] [2x]
Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God Who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna, hosanna