Husband's feelings and the male Ego

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know I am always trying to grow in one area of my life or another. Right now, I am working on becoming a better wife to my husband. My marriage isn't in any trouble, but does it have to be in trouble for me to want to be a better wife? I am reading a book right now that has me feeling guilty for not being the Godly wife, I really should be to my husband. I have told my husband at least a half dozen times this week how sorry I am for not treating him better these last 21 years. I want to understand how men think, feel, and what they want from their wives. Here are a few things I've learned about men so far.

A man needs to feel strong and needed as a protector for women-basically, to conquer the beast and rescue the fair maiden.

What every man wants is for his woman to make him feel that he is strong and the head of the household. I am not talking caveman-style, dragging the woman around by her hair, but just as the leader of the family.

A man wants respect, kndness, and love from his woman.

A man wants to be put on a pedestal, not so that he can look down on everyone, but to show him that he is the most important thing to his woman.

A man needs his woman to show him that she needs his strength to help her through life.

The man should be the major breadwinner in the family. Every man needs a battle or war to win to prove to himself that he is strong and capable of conquering any and all dragons that life throws his way. Taking care of his family by working and provding are his battles.

A man needs his wife to show some interest in his interests, especially when it's an activity she may not "get" or like. Just being there is important.

A man needs his wife to greet him after work with love and enthusiasm.

A man needs his wife to care about the day he's had.

A man needs his wife's encouragement in order to be a man.

A man needs enthusiastic approval, appreciation, and respect from his wife for being a competent man, husband, and father.

Genesis 2:18 "It is not good that man be alone,I will make him a helper...Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and cling to his wife and they shall become one flesh"



Instead of waiting for him to earn your respect, behave respectfully and watch him grow into the man God designed him to be.

Ephesians 5:33 “Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband”

God can take care of Anything!

I have been going through a few problems, hopefully nothing alarming. I told my mom about it this week, she is a dear and has been praying for me. She sent me this encouraging email.

If you think of me just say a prayer! Maybe someday I'll be able to share it with all of my blogging friends.

Hi my Precious Daughter

I have to share with you my weekend because to me it was yet another Miracle from an Awesome God.

WE were fishing and I had been Praying for you all weekend. Concerned yet I know God is able to do Miracles in our lives.

Well I had this awful feeling that I was going to loose my fishing pole. The same as when I Prayed and you know how many things role through your mind while trying to focus.

Anyway a few hours later, it happened I cast out and it was like someone ripped my pole out of my hand and I saw it sinking into the water, the bobber was still afloat (Dad bought me the pole and reel last year for my birthday and I really like it). So when I turned to get the net and turned back it was GONE!

We were at the edge of a sand bar so I thought the water might not be deep. Not so it was very deep, Shiyona said Mommy I will try and get it. She jumped into the water and I put our long pole down to show her I thought it was very deep. It was far
to deep for her to go under water.

Well I decided to put weights and only a hook on a pole and try to retrieve it off the bottom. Of course Dad looked at me like I was crazy. At that moment I kinda felt crazy. Nevertheless I continued to let the line out and Pray as I would pull a few weeds back and actually I hooked a tiny shell. Dad said lets move there are no fish here anymore. I said WAIT a little while, that look I got was okay she really is crazy and she thinks she is going to find that pole HA HA.

I decided (actually something/someone told me go move the line on the anchor) wonder who that was (SMILE). Yes, I know it was Our Lord I moved the anchor rope knowing I was now moving the pontoon and I would loose the area where the pole feel in, yet I did it anyway.

Guess what GOD did, I cast out two more times and I felt something hard to pull up, I kept reeling and I saw my Bobber, line, my Pole, it looked like someone had hooked everything together neatly and there it was. I told Dad look LOOK my Pole. He thought I was kidding, the kids were in Awe, and I then shared ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD! SCRIPTURE KEPT ROLLING THROUGH MY BRAIN.

Dad said "What are the possibilities of you ever getting that pole back?
Maybe one in a hundred". He really thought I was kidding when I told
him to look. ONLY A MIRACLE!

At that moment I realized what God was trying to tell me. Yes daughter it was to know He is in charge and He can do all things. Remember my Prayer for you. Well it was for that Prayer that all of this happened because I REALIZE He knows, He answers
and He will take care of all things.

That was the reason for my speech today, and I know He will take care of ALL THINGS!

I LOVE YOU!

Love
Mom

The Nature of God

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered
What this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver
And get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to Watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for Her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the Fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one Needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames Were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she Thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and Purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that He had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver Was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the Silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, It would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith,
"How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my Image in it"

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has
His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image In you.

This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, They'll be a better person in the end.

Remember: "Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you Can only spend it once."

I pray you all have a blessed weekend!

Thoughts from Mom

I've been swamped again this week, it has left me with no time to post. Things really should slow down next week. I only have one appointment on Tuesday and work on Friday morning. With the kids being off of school for the summer, I should be able to sleep in a bit next week. I love it when school is out, I really do feel like I have more time. I guess not having to get them up and around, plus run them to school, has given me some free time to my mornings. This week was full of appointments and grocery shopping but next week will be slower.

I pray you all have a wonderful weekend!

My post today is from my Mom. Mom sent me these thought provoking questions,(Hee, Hee) a few days ago but I've been so busy I haven't had time to read them. My silly Mama!

Can you cry under water?

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?

Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?

If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you,
but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

A loving Thought

The boy's and I are off grocery shopping in Ohio this morning. They all wanted to go with me so my husband took my truck so I could have room in the van for my four boy's. I will be off to work after we return, and I will be off to Worship team practice this evening.

I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulder's now that I feel as if I am living for other's again and not just for myself. I have had seven people this week alone, tell me how worried they have been about me. That is the reason I tried to examine myself and see if something was wrong with me. Instead of thinking about other's and how they would feel if something happened to me, I've been wondering why it matters if I work myself to death or not take care of myself.

I asked for Josh and Ethan to come over on Friday evening. They will be gone away for a week, I wanted to see them before they left. (This started my deep thinking) Ethan asked me when he would see me again. I told him in about seven days. (I do not go longer than four days without seeing my grandchildren, if I do not have to) He is only four but he started counting the day's on his little finger's. He counted seven and shook his head, he then counted four and looked at me with sad eyes and said, "No Nan, I cannot wait that long to see you" It brought tears to my eyes. This little boy loves me that much that he would be upset if he did not see me.

I then started wondering what would happen to my family, my boy's, my husband if something did happen to me. I had a long talk with my daughter-in-law Tuesday. She was in the Mall of America but we talked for what seemed like hours. After that talk I have come to the conclusion that I would be missed if I die or something happened to me. I promised that after getting life insurance (which I will be getting a physical on July 3rd for term Insurance) I would go to the doctor's and start taking better care of myself.

Now you all know the whole story as to why I felt as if everything I did was all about me.

I know there is a verse about taking care of God's temple but I'll have to find it later.

Dinner with some dear Friend's

For starter's, I am having a really hard time sitting down and blogging about myself. I feel like it is all about me, me, me. I know this is my blog but I just have not been able to sit down and share what I have been up to. I just could not stand reading my own blog anymore. When I have the time to sit down, I want to read other blogs instead of posting myself. I want my life to be a reflection of what God is doing through me and not what I am doing to bring attention to myself. The reason I started blogging in the first place, was to write down special things about the people I love. My God, my family and friends. When I do pass on to heaven someday I want others to know how special they were to me. Like the post about my mom, I love her dearly and I want her to always be able to know what a special lady she is and why I think so. I pray you all bear with me as I change my focus from myself to other's. This l includes posting about my blogging friends. I will still post what I am up to but not in an everyday post.

Here is a little bit of what I have been up to this month:

I've been busy this month! With all the graduation party's, my daughter being home, my husband and kid's going to camp, I took on more work, I feel like I have been going non-stop for the passed few weeks. Today, I crashed! I never sleep until 10:00 a.m. but I have to confess, I did today. I was supposed to go Aldis grocery shopping but I asked my husband if he thought it would be ok if waited and went on Wednesday. As I am typing this in I just remembered that Aaron is supposed to get his Wisdom teeth out tomorrow. I guess shopping will have to wait until Thursday.

After my long weekend's I like to rest on Monday's. I invited a couple over that use to go to our church years ago. They were at my friend's daughter graduation party so we set up having dinner together last night. (I thought if I did not do it right away, I will never have them over) My house was a mess after the weekend and I had to shop for food but it all came together last night. Our friend's have a adopted four girls and they have the two foster children at the moment. The six girls are just adorable! My husband put our pool up this weekend (He put up two different pools three times, Hee, Hee. This will be a story for another day) so the girls and my sons all played in the pool, while we fellowship and got caught up on things. Tom (the husband) and I worked together for year's in Jr. Choir. Tom did all my speaking for me. He has a heart of gold, when he gave an invitation to accept Christ after the plays he would speak from the heart and I think I cried every time. Life goes on and we meet new friend's but this family will always be dear to me. No picture's due to the fact Boaz lost my camera.

Friend's come and friend's go but true friendship's last forever.

The story line is simple, yet revealing.

May God touch your heart through this story as He has touched mine.

"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart..."


"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.


the surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll cut your heart open,"
he continued,to see how much damage has been done..."

"but when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there," said the boy.


The surgeon looked to the parents, who Sat quietly.
"When I see how much damage has been done,
I'll sew your heart and chest back up,
and I'll plan what to do next."

"But you'll find Jesus in my heart.
The Bible says He lives there.
The hymns all say He lives there.
You'll find Him in my heart."

The surgeon had had enough.
"I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart.
I'll find damaged muscle, low blood
supply, and weakened vessels.
And I'll find out if I can make you well."

"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."

The surgeon left.

The surgeon sat in his office,
recording his notes from the surgery,
"...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein,
widespread muscle degeneration.
No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy:
painkillers and bed rest.
Prognosis: here he paused, "death within one year."


He stopped the recorder, but there was
more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud.
"Why did You do this? You've put him here;
You've put him in this pain;
and You've cursed him to an early death.

Why?"

The Lord answered and said,
"The boy, my lamb, was not meant for your
flock for long, for he is a part of My flock,
and will forever be.Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain,
and will be comforted as you cannot imagine.

His parents will one day join him here,
and they will know peace, and
My flock will continue to grow."

The surgeon's tears were hot, but his
anger was hotter. "You created that
boy, and You created that heart. He'll
be dead in months. Why?"

The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb,
shall return to My flock, for He has
done his duty: I did not put My lamb
with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve
another lost lamb. The surgeon wept...

The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed;
the boy's parents sat across from him.
The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"

"Yes," said the surgeon.
"What did you find?" asked the boy.

; "I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.

Author Unknown - Celebrate Jesus in 2007


Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me,
I will be ashamed of you before my Father."*

"Yes, I do Love God. He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I will be nothing. Without him, I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me."
(Phil 4:13)

Have a blessed weekend!

I think I'll be like my grand baby Ethan (This is a picture I took a few weeks ago at Mcdonald land) and have lots of fun this weekend, I hope you all do the same.

I'll be busy helping with another graduation party this weekend. I helped my brother and his wife last Friday and Saturday at my nieces party. Tomorrow is my friends daughter's party. My friend helped me and I am going to help her, it works out great. I really love helping others and I get to greet all the people that come to the party as well.

I'll be back blogging again soon, I hope! I took on two more cleaning jobS this summer. One of them I should have done next week. My boss and his wife are selling their condo; they ask me to go and clean it up for them. The other one is for a young man, I think is in his Thirties. He travels alot with his job and goes to school as well. I think he just doesn't have a lot of time for cleaning. He also has a brown lab that sheds pretty badly. I think I will be manly cleaning up hair each week.

Happy Birthday Mom

I want to introduce you to my mom, her name is Diane.

Happy Birthday Mom! You don't look a day over 29.
I sure have enjoyed all of those graduation parties. I have gotten to see you lots lately. I'll be over tonight around 7:00 p.m.






Dearest Mom,

I wanted to take a minute and thank you for all the wonderful things that you have done for me in my life. I won't be able to write them all down so I am going to mention a few that come to my mind many times a year.

I want to thank you for helping me raise Bre. Without you I would not have finished school and been able to take all of those accounting classes. It helped me get the job that I loved.

I want to thank you for loving me enough to get me away from the bad crowd I found myself hanging around as a senior in High School. Using "Tough Love" and making me break free of that crowd, Grounding me and having me quit my job helped me become the person I am today.

I want to thank you for taking me to church at age 17 so I could be introduced to our awesome Lord and Savior.

I want to thank you for being there for me when Josh died. You helped me and Bret get through a very difficult time in our lives.

I want to thank you for watching Becca and Aaron so I could work and help out my family at a time in our lives that we needed it the most. (also for potty training Becca and Aaron, oh how I hated that job, Hee, Hee0

I want to thank you for keeping all of us together as Grandma tried to do. Having over at least 50 people (all of which are your Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchilden)in your home each Christmas, it just amazes me. I love every minute of it and always will.

I also want to thank you for just being you; A loving, kind, beautiful Godly woman.

I love you lots and I want the world to know what a wonderful mom that I have.

Love your daughter,

Lori

My computer is Ill!

Posting is at it's lowest right now; I have a lot going on and much to blog about but one of the blowers in my computer is not working and the darn thing keeps shutting down right in the middle of a post. I'm just afraid I'll damage something with it shutting down like that. I thought I'd better just check my mail and comments and not stay on to long.

As soon as we move the computer down in my sons room I'll be back up and running again.

Goodness, I am so silly! I guess I should explain that my computer is upstairs in an area that has no air conditioner. We are remodeling half of our upstairs and the computer is in one of the soon to be walk-in closets. It has been real hot here and the computer over heats and shuts off. After reading Gwen and greeneyes comments, (which I found very funny BTW, LOL) I would explain why my computer is acting up. My sons room is downstairs in the central air. I think we might be moving it tonight.

Graduation Party/Graduation Pictures!

Oh boy, last week seemed like a very long week! It is a lot of work getting ready for a graduation party but Aaron worked hard and deserved to be honored for his accomplishments. Yea, I only have two parties to go ! (Boy am I glad I have twins, I get to do theirs together) Everyday last week I found myself doing at least one task to prepare for the party.

Monday my husband and I planted our garden. (That really did have anything to do with the graduation but it need to be done).

Tuesday morning my mother-in-law and daughter-in-law came over to wrap silverware and prepare the menu for the party. After writing everything down we had to come up with the amounts I would need in order to feed everyone coming. Tuesday evening, my husband and I went shopping for all the non-perishable item we could buy to save time at the end of the week.

Wednesday I pulled out the rest of the pictures and memorable items to put on the card table.

Thursday I cooked 15 pounds of Hamburger for the taco salad and I boiled 76 eggs for the seven layer salad.

Friday I decorated the church, rolled all the meat and put the cheese trays together, with the help of my Mother-in-law.

Saturday morning we put together all the salad's and then it was off to church for the party.

Sunday was graduation day; after the ceremony I had all the people that came to the graduation over to my house for left overs. After we were all done, we prepared plates up for our guest to take home.

It is now all over and I am on to getting my husband and boy's things together for a Father and son wrestling camp they will be attending Thursday thru Monday of this week.

Here are some of the pictures from the party and graduation ceremony. I have so many of them it was hard to decide which picture to download. I tried to pick out some that would show a little bit of what we did to prepare for the party.

Food table
The graduation cake
Card table/ Memorable items
Dessert table
Drink table
Coffee table
Aaron getting ready for the graduation ceremony
My babies!

My gang!

Aaron and me
Aaron receiving his Diploma
My sweet baby Jenna! (Everyone says she looks just like her Nan, (ME) Hee, Hee wishful thinking, right?)
My niece (Kendra) turned 16 on Monday so we made her a cake and sang to her after the graduation ceremony on Sunday.
This is Aaron with his Grandma (My husband's mom) This is again at my house after the graduation ceremony. (My boy loves to goof around, that silly smile just kills me)
I didn't have this picture when I posted this blog. My son was supposed to take pictures of all the family at the graduation party, instead he took pictures of our church friends. This is a picture of my Step-dad, my Mom, my two adopted sisters, Aaron and my son Bret.

Our graduation party made the front page News

Lon Horwedel / The Ann Arbor News

For graduates' families, it's party-time Throwing a graduation party for family and friends is now as much of a tradition as listening to graduation ceremony speeches. Read the story

A journalist from the Ann Arbor News Paper contacted my husband on Friday and asked if he could interview him regarding our son's graduation party. He fold David Jesse (The reporter)that his wife (Me) put the party together, he told him he could contact me with any question he had. He called me Friday while I was at my house cleaning job and interviewed me. He then asked if he could send a photographer from the Newspaper out to take pictures of the Graduation party. This is the picture and the article they wrote. It was on the front page of the newspaper today. I'll post pictures the graduation party and graduation as soon as I get new batteries for my camera.

Caps, gowns and cold cuts Parents prep for graduation parties
Monday, June 04, 2007
BY DAVID JESSE
News Staff Reporter

Every day last week, Lori Householder found herself doing some task related to her son's graduation open house.

There were pictures to be pulled out, meat trays to be filled and cookies to be baked.

But that's over now for Householder. The 400 guests have gone, and it's her turn to head out to parties.

Householder, a Milan resident, is among thousands of parents and students across the area spending the next three weeks in a blaze of party-going and party-hosting.

Throwing a graduation party for family and friends is now as much a tradition as listening to speech after speech in graduation ceremonies.

While the parties can range from the simple - some cold cuts and cake - to the elaborate - a catered affair with a band, pool rental and a bonfire - they're all about celebrating a milestone.

"It's a lot of work to get here,'' said Ted Mosley, whose son is graduating from Pioneer High School. "This is a chance to celebrate his accomplishment.''

It can also be a jumble of emotions, said Julaine Leduc, whose son, Zachary, graduates this year from Pioneer High School.

"Everyone's excited about ending high school, but sad about having to leave some of their friends. Even for parents, it can be hard to let your kids go,'' Leduc said.

"We just have to remember it's a celebration of the kids and their next steps.''

No matter how big the party is, parents are going to end up shelling out some big dollars. Prices can range from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on how many people are invited and what gets served.

About 400 people were invited to Householder's party at Calvary Bible Church, where her family are members, to celebrate her son Aaron's graduation from Milan High School. She served cold cuts, cheeses, salads, cookies and barbecue pork sandwiches in the church's chapel, which is free for church members to use. The Householder family expected to spend around $1,000.

Judy Burt hasn't figured out how much the party she's throwing for daughter Kristin, a Pioneer graduate, will cost, but she's guessing around $500 for the outdoor, casual get-together Kristin wants.

"I don't think people talk about (price),'' Burt said. "They do what they can and enjoy in the celebration.''

Other parents use combined parties to save money and to cut down on the number of parties their friends have to go to on one day.

Huron High School graduates and stepsisters Melissa Heatlie and Christine Migda are sharing a party. The roughly $300 cost for the event is being split by the girls' three families.

Mary English's son and two of his friends are working together to hold a bigger party. They are using English's backyard for a mid-afternoon party that will stretch into the nighttime with a bonfire.

"We figured we could get more bang for our buck if we combined forces,'' English said. "Plus, the kids all have pretty much the same group of friends. Why should everyone drive all over town when they could just come to the same place and see everybody and be much more relaxed?

"And that's what (the kids) wanted.''

Going with what the graduates want is the way to go, Burt said.

"Let your child plan it and help them with it as asked.''

Planning for the big day can involve everything from the menu to when it's held.

Householder's party on Saturday was early in the season, one day before Aaron's graduation from Milan High School.

Mosley's son's party is set for this Saturday - prime party time in Ann Arbor because Community High's graduation is Tuesday, Pioneer High's is Wednesday and Huron's is Thursday.

"We're just planning to have some people just drop in and have to leave for the next one,'' Mosley said. "That's OK. Our family will be here the whole time.''

Leduc, an event planner for the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, said planning an open house is much different from planning an event for work.

"I'm not sure how many people are going to show up (at the open house),'' she said. "The kids put it out on Facebook. We could have 150, or we could have 50.''

She's trying something unique for serving whomever shows up - she's hiring a hot dog cart to come to her backyard.

She called the tent rental place in March to make sure she got one for her party. "They said they had already started to get calls back then about them,'' she said. "That's my advice for parents - book the tent early.''

David Jesse can be reached

at djesse@annarbornews.com

or at 734-994-6937.

A big Hug

One fun thing about graduations has to be going through all the old pictures. This picture is of my twins Jimmy and John, (they were about 5 months old) with there grandfather about 4 months before he died. He sure loved our boys! It brought back so many happy memories when my Mother-in-law showed me this picture today.

Sorry for over reacting today, I have been so good all this time! My emotions just all of a sudden came on me as I was getting ready for Church on Sunday; it just got worse, until this morning I thought I was going to crumble. I was going through all the details of the party in my mind and all of a sudden it all hit me like a big brick falling on my head. The tears started falling and they wouldn't stop. Just this morning my A.J. over slept and I had to run him to school. I have to say it was the best feeling in the world. I was rushed and overwhelmed because I had my Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law over to plan the food and wrap silverware for the graduation party. I just couldn't even be upset because I know, one day soon, I will long to be able to run him to school or just give my boy a hug.

Before we go to bed at night our children come in and give us hugs and kisses. (The Waltons is what we sound like at night, "Good night JimBob", "Good night JohnBob" o.k. I'm being silly) Boaz likes to sneak in our bed once in a while still. (Our baby is way to old but he tries anyway) A.J. came in to give us hugs last night and said, "o.k. as a reward, it is my turn to sleep in your bed tonight". (all six foot 175 pounds of him, "I don't think so") (He thinks he is so funny) I will sure miss his funny personality. He is a good young man! I think he is going to do just fine. We raised him to love the Lord and follow his teachings so I have to trust in the Lord to watch over him. (How hard it is to let go)

Falling Apart!

It is now 5:30 p.m. Sorry for over reacting today.



I am now starting to really freak out! I'm trying to stay calm but it's not working very well for me. As you all know from reading my blog that I am a very hyper person. I have done everything I can think of to get my nervous energy out. With the graduation so close and then knowing my boy will be leaving soon, I have been very weepy. I'm really trying to hold it together but it is really becoming a struggle.

I trust fully in the Lord and I really try to lean on Him in my life.

I wanted to spare all of you these emotions of mine but I'm sure you are all wondering why I'm not posting. It is hard for me to humble myself and let people in, but the hurt in my heart that I am going through is real and just a part of life. I know I am going to live through all this but I am really starting to feel like I am going to fall apart.

Please pray for me this week and the next few months!

Memorial Day (Let Freedom Ring)

I want to say thank you to all the men and women who have and are now sacrificing there lives so we can have a free County. My Grandfather and my son both served in the Military. My 17 year old son will be leaving for the Navy in 3 months.

Thank you for serving our Country!

Dear Lord,

Please bless our men and women serving in the Military today. Please watch over them and keep them safe.

"My country tis of thee.... From every mountain side, Let freedom ring." The Liberty Bell is a prized American symbol of freedom. The Lord often speaks about freedom and love; freedom and faith that leads to the great hope of everlasting friendship with God and each other. Our Savior died on the cross and rose from the grave of our sins that He took upon Himself. We too, rise with Him from the darkness of our graves of sin to the light of life in Christ. So we could be set FREE!



This is my Son B.C. he served in the Navy for 4 years.

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

Living for the simple things in life
This is my Grandfather; what a handsome man I think he was.

Sacrifice

I have really been trying to lay aside my selfish behavior and sacrifice the things that I really hold dear for what is right. It is not easy! In order to do what I believe is right in God's eyes, I have sacrificed friendships. I believe the sacrifices that I have had to make are righteous and Godly or I wouldn't have given up some dear people.

I also let go of my daughter so she could move to Texas because I believe that this is what the Lord has for her life. It is still a great sacrifice on my part. I miss my girl! I talk to her now after just two months away and she is back to being my Becca again. She sounds so happy and upbeat when I talk to her. She is serving in my Dad's church! I feel the sacrifice I made by letting her go, saved her life. We had such a wonderful, spiritual talk yesterday. God has answered my prayers and is working in my daughter's life.

The very definition of "sacrifice" shows us that it entails giving up something. In most cases, the something is very important to us.

1 : an act of offering to a deity something precious; especially : the killing of a victim on an altar
2 : something offered in sacrifice
3 a : destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else b : something given up or lost

Hi All!

Hopefully, I'll be blogging again soon!

I'm a little busy trying to get my sons graduation/going away party in order.

I want to thank all of my blogging friends for your comments and your visits to my blog. I love to journal; it is a hobby to me. I also love to visit blogs! Many of your blogs inspire me to be a better follower of Christ. (I am taking very small baby steps forward but my family is noticing the difference) Many make me smile and LOL! I love all the poems, pictures and just plain family journals. Some of you inform me of what is going on in the News, here in the U.S. and also Overseas. (I don't have outside T.V. so this is very helpful) I enjoy all of them. While I take a short break from blogging, I wanted to take a minute and thank all of you for how much you have touched my life.
A.J.'s baby picture.

This is A.J. all grown up.

The only person that can hold me accountable is ME! I told myself until I get A.J.'s announcements sent out and things in order for his party; my hobby just has to be put on hold. I have everyone at church invited but I really need to get family and my close friends invitations sent out. A.J. graduates in two weeks; were does the time go? It seems like just yesterday I was trying to figure out if it would be better to continue to home school my children or send them to public school. (I Home schooled my children for 5 years) I am so very proud of A.J. for his accomplishments. I won't say it has been a bed of roses and we haven't had our trials throughout his schooling but we only have two weeks left. It's time to let the past go and move on to bigger and better things. Before I know it, my boy (Or should I say man)will be leaving for the Navy. (He leaves August 22, 07) It is hard to believe my baby is all grown up.

Blessings to you all,

Lori

Sweet letter's from my Boy's

These are the wonderful items I received for Mother's Day.

These are the wonderful items I received for Mother's Day.

I was very busy this past weekend and was very nervous as to how I was going to keep my house clean, in order to have my Mother-in-law over for a picnic on Sunday for Mother's day. My husband had my kids, mow the lawn, (He trimmed), I got home at 9:30 p.m. from my very busy day, my house was spotless, plus my living room floor had been waxed. I feel so much loved by my family. My kids got me some very nice things for Mother's Day. My older son and daughter-in-law got me some items from Victoria Secret's that I don't think I will show. My silly daughter-in-law, she is a funny one. That's o.k. I got her a gift card to the same store. Hee, Hee.

I had to take my truck into the shop at 5:00 a.m. this morning. I got the boy's all up and ready to take them to school. I cleaned my house, took out the garbage and the water bottles, I've done two loads of laundry. I just got done running on the treadmill and doing my Fat-burning Dance Mix with Denise Austin. I only have a minute to post because I need to take a shower and leave for work.

I don't have a lot of time today but I wanted to post my special letters that I receive for Mother's Day from my boy's.

The first one is from one of my twins, Jimmy:

I know that my husband had the boy's sit down and write me special notes but that even made it even more special to me.

BTW-Kristy, I think we are married to the same man. Hee, Hee
Kristy's was tagged my e-mom for "Seven Things About Myself" She added a number 8.

(I get to have a #8....my blog.) I LOVE my handsomesexyfunnycrazyhardworkin'hunk'o'man. (Kristy, How can we both have the hunkiest husband in the world? : )

Let's get back to Jimmy's letter:
Jimmy and John are 12.

Dear Mom,

I love you with all of my heart. You are the best mom a kid could every ask for! You are the sunshine that brightens my day. Here is a little riddle, song thing, I wrote for you.

Roses are red, Violets are blue, I love you so much and you know that it must be true. In big letters, to close this letter he wrote. I LOVE YOU MOM!!!!!!!!
At the bottom of the letter is a picture of the sun that he made with a happy face on it with words coming out of its mouth saying. "You so totally rock MOM".

John's letter:

Dear Mom,
I was going to buy a card with bright hearts and flowers but I thought, to you, a special card from me would be better instead.

A great day today will be for you and Mother's to come, but for now, it is, a card from me to you with much great love.

So, until next special day of yours, a loving heart of mine, with a great big hug, will give you and me a great day divine.

From your loving son,

John

Boaz gave me a CD with his voice telling me how much I meant to him. It had 19 great songs on it. I have listened to it many times but I would have to sit down with paper and pencil to write it out. He didn't want me to know what he was doing at school for me so he threw that paper away.

Jimmy and Bo came up with a dance for one of the songs. I wish you all could have seen them. It was so very cute.
Have a very relaxing, blessed day.

Getting back the Joy, that I seemed to have Lost

More beauty from my route!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day with my family. I spent sometime with each of my children but of course not the one that moved to Texas. Rebecca did call me twice yesterday! Oh how I miss my girl. She sounds like she is doing great. She has sung on my Dad and Step-mom's worship team for the last two weeks. God is sure working in her life right now, I love what I am hearing. They are all in South Carolina right now; they made it at around 2:30 p.m. yesterday. They are going to be visiting with my Step-mom's family for a few months.

I'll post all about my fabulous Mother's Day and much more soon. Today, I wanted to post about what the Lord is doing in my life. I have made one more very small baby step towards growing in Christ. I sure pray I don't take two giant steps backwards.
: )

Galatians 5:22-23, The Fruit of the Spirit: love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. We learn from scripture that these are not individual "fruits" from which we pick and choose. Rather, the fruit of the Spirit is one ninefold "fruit" that characterizes all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit. Collectively, these are the fruits that all Christians should be producing in their new lives with Jesus Christ.


I had let the things of this world, rob me of having the joy that comes from Christ Jesus. Over the last few years, I seemed to have lost my joy. "I have been trying" (That was my first mistake) to get back what I once had. Joy, has to come from the only One I can draw strength from. Yes, the "Joy of the Lord is my strength". My journey back has been slow but with the Lord's help, I'm convinced that there is no better combination to getting it back then, prayer, faith and diligence. I am getting up in the morning with new hope, new strength, and a new reason to live. I am looking at the people and things in my life with open eyes. Eyes that see what the Lord has really given me. I see the people that are in my life and people that are no longing in my life, as true blessings.

The Joy of the Lord is my strength -- I can get through whatever may face me on the road ahead, if I stay in the Word and draw strength, from my Lord and Savior. It is the Lord who will carry me if I trust in Him. Know that the joy of the Lord is my strength. God will never leave me, nor forsake me. If I have full faith in God, then I will have fullness of joy. How can I be anxious or worried when the God whom I serve holds me in the palm of His hand.... can anything but fullness of joy be present?

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Trials will come my way. Problems might, for a little while, stay. But I know, the Lord will see me through every trial. My hope, my trust, my joy is in Him. I must cast my cares upon Him for He cares for me. The Bible says in Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

When our life on earth is through, we shall enter into the joy of the Lord and shall reign with Christ Jesus forever! That alone is worth singing about! Amen!

Matt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Joy-- one of the fruits of the Spirit. Joy is given to us by God. It is a Heavenly gift that cannot be taken away. It is not dependent on external conditions but rather upon internal possessions. We have grace, peace, blessed assurance, and fellowship with God Almighty through our Great Mediator-- the Lord Jesus Christ.

They "rejoiced, for God had made them to rejoice with great joy."

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."—Nehemiah 8:10.


Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Faith in Christ implants that joy-- the joy that can see in the midst of a trial and say, "I have hope! My sins are forgiven! Weeping may endure for the night but joy cometh in the morning! All things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are called according to His purpose...Hallelujah!"

Peter said, concerning Jesus, in Acts 2:28 "Thou hast made known to me
the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance."

Hebrews 12:2 : Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Lord Jesus had joy in knowing that He would redeem us, by His sacrificial death upon the cross. The blessed Savior-- praise His name forever! He has given us the joy that world cannot take away.

A Mother's Love

Happy Mother's day to all of you wonderful Mother's out in blog land. I'll be really busy for the next copy of days, but I didn't want the day to pass without telling you all how much you all have blessed my heart each and every day through your blog post and your comments to me. You have helped me grow in Christ and become a better wife and mother this past year. May God bless all of you on this special day, set aside to honor Mother's. Once again, "I thank you".

We are having a barbecue on Sunday after church to honor my Mother-in-law and my Mom.
I can't share what I got them because my mom read's my blog.

A Mother's Love

A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.