Is It Time For Bed Yet

Asher needs his own "Youtube" series!

2011-11-30T19:57:00.000-05:00

Grandma & Grandpa visit Hanging Rock 11-24-11

2011-11-30T13:34:00.001-05:00

Safe sitting place for the younger kids.

Cleyo and his dad.

A closer view? (Sheldon above, grandma below)
Don't know, but not trying it! lol

Sheldon & Grace, whom love to increase my chance of a heart attack,
as they like to tease near the edge of cliffs. Grrr!
These pics do not show the many times they get close to the edge,
or pretend to trip. Hate it!

If you look to the right, you will see Priscilla on a rock.
Not a big deal unless you knew certain death was on the left.
And yet, I have to argue with her as she continued to climb closer to the edge!
Grrr!

2011 Christmas Decorations

2011-11-30T11:35:00.000-05:00

Had enough to beautify the Buffet.

Outside our back door, a bear begs :)

Had to add a little decorations outside, because the kids say I "never" decorate outside.

Last year's C-mas present, a Black Friday steal, was finally put together.
The kids are loving it. Not sure the neighbor's do, as excitement creates loud voices or arguments :D
They are jumping straight from awakening to till late in the evening.
Great way to burn energy!

October 2011

2011-11-30T09:55:00.001-05:00

Sheldon as Kermit the Frog

Elijah as Moses

Daniel as Jesus

Jesus healing :)

Healed!

Priscilla as a pretty scarecrow

Abby the pirate, who models :)

we were trying to give her a wooden leg.........

Shiloh as the Flower girl? We do not know what this outfit is, it is just cute!

And Grace.......this is the only dressing up she would do, and it was for "hat day" at school

You know what happens when you kiss a toad............

2011-10-19T11:16:00.000-04:00

NOTHING!
LOL!
But this had to be the most friendly toad I have ever seen!
Grace would hold it in her hand, several times the toad would walk up Grace,
and then sit on her shoulder.

Just Asher & mommy........

2011-10-12T09:36:00.000-04:00

With all 7 of the older kids in school, all day, it is just Asher and me.
Which I am enjoying more than I thought I would.
He is quite a fun little guy to be around, busy....but fun. :)

Pics of NC, for my non-FB friends :) These pics are taken from Hanging Rock State Park, about 30 mins from our home.

2011-10-12T09:19:00.000-04:00

è buono........e buon per voi

2011-10-10T13:43:00.000-04:00

it is good........and good for you

On my recipe blog è buono, I will be adding some healthy recipes.
Mostly "Eating Clean" type of recipes.
Check it out if you are interested :)
I just need a one stop place to go.
I am tired of having all these sites saved to my favorites, and this will make it easier for me.
I would love to get your feedback if you try any of the recipes.

What have I missed........you. :)

2011-10-10T10:42:00.000-04:00

Hmm, it has been a while......
the question is, do I re-design,
or leave it as is, soon it will be Winter anyways?
Geesh. LOL.
I need my blogging buddies back. :)
FB is fun for the social aspect, it has been nice to keep in contact with family and friends,
the best part is that God has allowed me to lead a few people to Christ through converstations that would have never happened outside of FB.
But, the HS drama gives me a headache.

Anyways, there are people that come to the blog world that do not come to the FB world,
and I dearly miss those people.
Seems to me, blogs are views into the heart of people, and that is where I wanna be.

Abby & Priscilla teaching Asher some moves.......

2011-10-10T10:41:00.000-04:00

Asher on Youtube

The Mystery:

2011-02-23T07:26:00.002-05:00

Some of you already know, and since I have shared it with my work, I will share it with the rest of you......
There is a GOOD possibility that we are moving to NC,
to help plant a church, we will not move until after the kids finish school,
and it is not a done deal until we finalize on the sale of our home,
which we are in the process,
which in itself is totally of God!!!
I am planning on sharing the WHOLE testimony to how God has been working,
but I am waiting until we see what happens with our home.

My new recipe blog:

2011-01-09T15:59:00.000-05:00

è buono

15 years and counting......

2011-01-08T21:42:00.000-05:00

High School Homecoming dance.

Senior picture.

Our 15th Anniversary was on December 30, 2010.
Although we started dating at the age of 16, so this past August (the month we met), marked 20 years!!!!
Today, we celebrated by tradition of going to Texas Roadhouse, and having an Onion Blossom, yummo!!!

Not long after we sit, we talk about what God had done in the last 15 years,
which has been AMAZING & WONDERFUL, despite our sin-filled, selfish and rebellious hearts.
It is only by God's Grace that we have made it this far.
Marriage is TOUGH, but when you wait out the storm,
or storms in our case, it IS worth the ride.

Cleyo asks, "What do you think the next 15 will be like?".
My response?
"Well, assuming that we both keep growing and becoming more like Christ, I think it will be better".

Though I would never want to go through those storms again, with God as our strength, we endured.
To God be the Glory, for using these trials to draw us closer to Him.

Lord willing, if we make it another 15 years, I will still be one of the most blessed women I know.

COSI -Field trip

2010-11-27T15:14:00.000-05:00

Priscilla caught jumping in the air, love it!

Shiloh hated it, but always has to try it because the other kids are.

Asher loved it, of course! Spiderman in training!

Even grandma liked the show!

Elijah & Priscilla helped with an experiment.

Daniel, in a tug-of-war experiment.

Givin all he's got!

He won!

Daniel's "shark-boy" hair, as he calls it.

"Look at me mom, I'm being good!"
I am pretty sure that is what she is thinking, lol!

"Making a cloud", experiment.

Grandma, is just like a kid.
She even said, "take my picture!", lol!

I must have too much hair, I could not get it to blow,
like Abby & Priscilla did.

I was really wanting to make this our 2010 Christmas picture,
but seriously, a different kid would cry for each shot. Argh!

Grandma playing telephone operator.

50's diner.

Haha.....I remember using a telephone booth when I was a kid!

Old-style news.

Abby really got into it!

See Daniel in the background making fun.

Old style TV.

Grace caught me playing a game.......
see, moms can have fun too!

Elijah

Abby, eyes were closed the whole time.

The Friendly Squirrel

2010-10-12T18:21:00.000-04:00

Cleyo's grandma has a few friendly squirrels
that take peanuts right from you, and are very intertaining.

I thought it was so cute how it would lay out on it's belly
and eat the peanuts.

Another squirrel running down the tree.

She even leaves a bowl of water out for them to drink from.

almost twin bikes for almost twin kids

2010-10-12T15:16:00.000-04:00

Daniel & Shiloh are turning 5!
For their birthday, we got them matching Flyer bikes.

Daniel's first crash.

They loved their gifts!

Off they go........

Asher with his Flyer car, that he got for Christmas '09,
but we had to take it away, because he used it too cause way too much trouble!

My sweet "bah-by", as Asher would call her.

Sheldon & Grace tried to race us home,
but we won!

Naked, and Not Ashamed

2010-08-17T21:35:00.000-04:00

Modesty?
Who defines it?
After many conversations, and many observations, it appears to me that different people have different ideas.

As a teenager, I was definitely not modest.
My intention was to capture "guys" attention.

As a woman, I still desire to be attractive for my husband,
but I realize over the years that I have used that as an excuse.

Looking back, it seems to be a sneaky deception of satan.
He gently whispers,
"It's okay to dress sexy and look hot, as long as it IS for your husband".
I might capture him, but who else have I captured?

BUT, what is the purpose of covering ourselves?
Of everything that I have heard, I LOVE Piper's explanation:

"Then God Clothed Them...................

So what does it mean that God clothed them with animal skins? Was he confirming their hypocrisy? Was he aiding and abetting their pretense? If they were naked and shame-free before the Fall, and if they put on clothes to minimize their shame after the Fall, then what is God doing by clothing them even better than they can clothe themselves? I think the answer is that he is doing something with a negative message and something with a positive message.

Negatively, he is saying, You are not what you were and you are not what you ought to be. The chasm between what you are and what you ought to be is huge.

Covering yourself with clothing is a right response to this—not to conceal it, but to confess it. Henceforth, you shall wear clothing, not to conceal that you are not what you should be, but to confess that you are not what you should be. One practical implication of this is that public nudity today is not a return to innocence but rebellion against moral reality. God ordains clothes to witness to the glory we have lost, and it is added rebellion to throw them off.

And for those who rebel in the other direction and make clothes themselves a means of power and prestige and attention getting, God’s answer is not a return to nudity but a return to simplicity (1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:4-5). Clothes are not meant to make people think about what is under them. Clothes are meant to direct attention to what is not under them: Arms and hands that serve others in the name of Christ, “beautiful” feet that carry the gospel to where it is needed, and the brightness of a face that has beheld the glory of Jesus."

You can read the whole message Here.
This text was taken from "Staying Married is not about staying in love" Part 2

Back to Blogging.....

2010-08-14T14:42:00.000-04:00

Wanting a new look for your Blog?
Check this site out.
She has many designs, and many links to other free backgrounds.
So many good ones to choose from!

Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another.......

2010-08-07T22:43:00.001-04:00

James 5:16 says to "confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed"

Recently I have been struggling with having a "letting it go" and "covering it with love"
attitude towards a few people.
It has been an ongoing issue, but recently I have just about had enough.
Mentally planning on ways of attack......I know some of you women know what I mean. :)
I would much rather rip them to pieces, than show them love.

But there is a conflict within that wages WAR.
I love God and I know when He commands something like.........

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?"
(Matthew 5:43-46)

.........that it is for my good,
and since I have received undeserving Grace,
it should be a JOY to give it.

So why is this such a struggle?????
Because we are all born sinners.
And if you are a follower of Christ, your flesh is at war with the Spirit.
I so badly want to defend myself, or just ask them "what issue is it that you have with me?".
Or is it a personality difference?

But, should that even matter!?
I am commanded to love.
I am commanded to forgive.
And as we read in chapter 21 of John, when Peter says, ""Lord, and what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!",
......it is about us,
......not about the person next to us.

Earlier today, I asked a friend to pray for me, that I was struggling with letting it go, and to pray that I would take my focus OFF of issues that I am having with a few people right now...........and focus on my relationship with God........it has been such a distraction to my walk with the Lord.......every time I get frustrated....I can hear God say , "focus on me, not them!".

Her response was EXACTLY what I needed to hear, and I am sharing it here, because I know I am not alone in this battle, (wondering if this is more of a woman's battle, Cleyo seems to let go very quickly, in which I am very thankful for!).

Here is her response:
"I just read something in Phil. 1 today that encouraged me in this area: Paul talks about some who try to take advantage of the fact that he's locked away in prison, to spread the gospel and promote themselves over him. BUT he says that even so, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached, "and because of this I will rejoice. Yes and I will continue to rejoice." He's more concerned with the spread of the gospel, than with the way people are treating him. I hope someday I am able to say the same!

You can't do anything about the way others speak about or act toward you, but can only call out to God for grace to love them in spite of the way they treat you. John 13:35 says, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." It's the mark of a true Christian. There is no way I can ever love people who make me angry, EXCEPT by God's grace!"

I am so THANKFUL for this sister in Christ, she has been such a BLESSING to me.

So......confess your sins to one another,
so that they can pray for you, encourage and hold you accountable.
So that you will be healed from your sin.

Another teenager......

2010-06-24T09:57:00.002-04:00

On Monday, Grace will be 13.
So, I am sharing a few pictures, when she just Itty-bitty.
Enjoy.

I can not figure out how to write under the pictures, so I am just going to share my thoughts,
by numbering them:
1~I gained the most weight with Grace....40 pounds!
But it probably did not help that I was eating a whole bag of Hershey candy, almost daily! No joke!
2~She cried ALL the time!
But being only my 2nd baby, I did not know for the longest time, that she had severe colic.
(She still is very gassy, LOL)
3~She always had such a beautiful face.
4~I love this one of her on top of Cleyo. This was taken on one of our trips to California.
5~There once was a day, when Sheldon was a proud big brother.
Now....he is just annoyed by all of us! lol
6~This one captures my memory of how she use to always go up to Sheldon, while he was napping, and poke and stare at him.

Curiosity goes for a Walk

2010-06-10T15:15:00.004-04:00

This is Curiosity, Grace's ferret. She is cute, but stinky.
And the only reason she is allowed to stay,
is because we don't want to break Grace's heart.
When the weather is nice, Grace can take her outside, on her ferret leash.
Yep, they make them for ferrets too! LOL!
The picture above is Curiosity laying on her side, she does this when she gets tired of walking.......just like a dog.

The Face of Fun

2010-06-09T13:26:00.012-04:00

All Aboard....... Abby, Elijah, and Priscilla's first Roller Coaster ride,
"The Adventure Express".

We went to Kings Island yesterday, with our "Gold Season Passes", a GIFT from long time friends, that hold a special place in our heart.LOL....That is my hair on the left.

Ride 2..."The Racers".
Before.......
During........
After...........
Me and my Abby-girl!
Priscilla and Daniel's first ride with dad. Shiloh started crying as soon as the boat pulled up, and said, "I want to stay with mom!" So, she did.

The looks on the their faces are priceless. They had so much fun!

This ride whips you around the corner really fast. It was their favorite!

"Jack" the Rabbit (and other inside pets)

2010-06-09T08:56:00.005-04:00

Cleyo found a baby bunny, smaller than our hands. :]

Sylvester, the cat.
My girls, Delilah & Dixie.

Everyone submits to something. To what or whom are you submitted?

2010-05-23T19:05:00.001-04:00

Pierced Ears, copied from the book "Surrender", by Nancy Leigh Demoss;

The twenty-first chapter of Exodus includes a lengthy list of regulations regarding Hebrew servants. Among them is a dramatic scenario that vividly illustrates what it means to be a bondslave in the spiritual sense:
(Exodus 21:1-2, 5-6) "1~Now these are the rules that you shall set before them.2~When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing......
5~But if the slave plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,' 6~then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever."
On occasion, poverty-stricken Jews were forced to sell themselves into service to their fellow Jews. The law of God required that all servants be treated with justice and kindness, and that they be freed at the end of six years. In this passage, we have a description of an unusual option provided for a servant who had fulfilled his obligation to his master and was due to be released from servitude.
The servant was free to leave. In this case, however, he had developed a strong, loving relationship with his master and with the wife and children he had acquired during his years of service, and he did not wish to be released from his master's service.
Presumably, he admired his master and was grateful for the way he had been treated and provided for - so much so, that he wanted to continue serving in his master's household.
Knowing his master as he did, the bondslave trusted that all he needed would be provided, that he would never want for food, shelter, clothing, or any other basic needs.
He was under no obligation to stay, but he wanted to stay - he loved his master and made a voluntary choice to become his master's bondslave. In doing so, he was not just signing up for another six-year stint - he was making a lifetime commitment. He was surrendering himself and giving up all his rights - permanently - to his master.
This was not merely a contractual agreement. This was not about being hired help. This was the act of a man who voluntarily said to someone he had come to know and love and trust,
"I am yours - I belong to you, and I want to spend the rest of my life fulfilling your wishes."
There could be no secret about the nature of the servant's new relationship to his master. The transaction was made in a public ceremony where the surrender was recognized in a visible - and painful way. A sharp instrument was used to pierce a hole in the servant's ear, signifying obedience to the voice of his master. The decision was irreversible. From that point on, he would always be branded as a bondslave.
If the bondservant ever had second thoughts - if a week or a month, or a year, or ten years later he decided, "I think I want out of this deal" - he would always have a hole in his ear to remind him that he was not his own and never would be again. To acquire this mark of ownership involved a degree of suffering, but the servant was willing to endure the physical pain, in order to formally establish and demonstrate his relationship with his master. The hole spoke of lifetime ownership.
*This is the best part;
Nowhere in the Scripture or in ancient historical records do we find a single instance in which a servant made this choice referred to in Exodus 21. So why did God even suggest such a scenario? Like so many other Old Testament pictures, I believe it was intended to point us to Christ and to depict our relationship with Him.
The New Testament tells us that when the Lord Jesus came to this earth, He took "the lowest form of slave" (Philippians 2:7). In obedience to His Father's will and out of love for His Father - and for the bride and family His Father had given Him - He humbled Himself and offered Himself to be a bondslave, so He could deliver those who were in bondage to sin (Hebrews 2:10-18).
Speaking prophetically of the atoning death of Christ, the psalmist wrote, "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced.....I desire to do your will, O my God"
(Psalm 40:6,8).
As far as we know, no one had ever opted to have his ear pierced in the ceremony described in Exodus 21 - until Christ came to earth! In His desire to do the will of God and His willingness to suffer and bear the marks of that submission, He became the bondslave who symbolically fulfilled the literal exchange described in the Old Testament law.
In the New Testament, the apostles Peter and Paul, along with James and Jude (both half brothers of the Lord Jesus) all followed in the steps of that Great Bondslave when each identified himself as a bondservant, a slave of Jesus Christ. Paul said, "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus" (Galatians 6:17). What was he saying? "I'm a man with a hole in my ear. I am the bondslave of Jesus Christ."

*Everyone submits to something. It's never a question of, "Do you submit?"
but rather, "To what or whom are you submitted?"
"Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve..........but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD"
Joshua 24:15

Date nights.....

2010-04-30T21:49:00.008-04:00

....kids need them as much as the parents do.

We had fun with some of our favorite kids, while some our favorite friends went on a date, and let me say that it was so much FUN!
First, we ate pizza bagels & chips, then we went to the park, rolled down a big hill, and then we played on the toys at the park.
Came home had vanilla ice cream with sprinkles, and then played outside some more.

The picture below is NOT photo-shopped, he really was jumping that high in the air!

Up, down................up, down...............up, down..................

hehehehehehehehehehehe............. Cleyo is just a big kid!

We'll have fun, fun, fun.....till the sun, sun, sun goes down!

Third Grade Spring Musical/Play

2010-04-28T07:55:00.004-04:00

Elijah's role was "the dad". I was told that his outfit had to have a suit, a pair of reading glasses, a mustache, a hat, and a briefcase. I will admit that my rebellious side wanted to shock the teacher and send him in dirty/torn construction clothes, since there are not too many dads I know that leave the house in that description, but I kindly tried to meet the request with what we have at home.
Elijah told me that when he got to his room, where he had to wait for the Play to begin, that a girl from his class said "there's my man!". I told him that he is his mama's man, until we marry him off. That put a huge grin on his face.
Last year he had several girls ask him to be their boyfriend, in which he told them no, because he was not allowed to date until he was 16. He even had a girl offer him money, if he would just say yes. Ugh! Seriously!? I am sure that I do not even have to write my thoughts on that!

Awana Grand Prix 2010

2010-04-22T22:22:00.005-04:00

Elijah's banana got 2nd place, for design.

Abby's penguin got 3rd place, for design.

Grace's cupid and arrow.

Daniel had to get in the picture....and the big grin on his face is because he "thinks" Elijah won the Lightening McQueen car for him.

First grade Spring Musical

2010-04-22T21:24:00.001-04:00

A petition for Hope......

2010-04-17T14:25:00.003-04:00

Thank You Lord for ALL You have done in the last 21 years of my life.
Thank You Lord for the many people that came into my life, to fill my needs.
Thank you Lord that while I had to suffer for a period of time
You chose to suffer, so that we can have eternal Life.
Waiting for my Final Hope...........Heaven, Thank You Lord Jesus!

I know I am, but who are You?

2010-04-05T07:36:00.000-04:00

I KNOW WHO I AM......

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)... See More

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God ) (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt and light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation (Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor.5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom.8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16).

I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3)

I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1)

I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14)
I have been adopted as God's child (Eph. 1:5)
I belong to God

Do You know who You are?

RECALL NOTICE:

2010-03-31T08:35:00.001-04:00

*(For my friends who are not on FB with me, thought you also might like this)

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of

make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve,

resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has

been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly

known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include:

1. Loss of direction

2. Foul vocal emissions

3. Amnesia of origin

4. Lack of peace and joy

5. Selfish or violent behavior

6. Depression or confusion in the mental component

7. Fearfulness

8. Idolatry

9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-

authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.

The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of

the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE

procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, JESUS, into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, JESUS will replace with:

1. Love

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Patience

5. Kindness

6. Goodness

7. Faithfulness

8. Gentleness

9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers' Instructions Before Leaving Earth)

for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any

manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and

will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on

JESUS.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped

in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent

contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention!

GOD

P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you

may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'

BAD DOGS!

2010-03-22T10:02:00.001-04:00

So, it is raining this morning, and of course the ground is muddy, but........did the dogs really have to go and dig a hole??? and make a muddy mess of themselves???

So, they were NOT happy about getting a bath!

NOT my idea of taking the dogs for a WALK!!!

2010-03-16T15:31:00.002-04:00

Notice Delilah on TOP of the stroller? She only walked about 15% of the 3 miles!

She is our FAT GIRL, as we call her!

And then Dixie got tired.

Grace loses 10 inches......

2010-03-12T15:37:00.004-05:00

to "Locks of Love"

Shiloh loses 12 inches.......

2010-03-12T14:47:00.006-05:00

"Locks of Love" gains 12 inches.

Birthday Boy

2010-03-10T12:49:00.002-05:00

My Miracle...well...one of them.

2010-03-01T18:56:00.002-05:00

Some of you know that I have a sister named "Miracle", and if you did not, now ya do! :]
Anyways.......my mom was not able or suppose to have more kids, so that is how "Miracle" got her name. But, as I get older and I am able to look deeper into the many areas of God's provision in my life, she was more than just a baby that was not suppose to be here. She was my miracle. After my grandma Emma died, my mom also died to reality. She went deep into a world of mental illness, called Schizophrenia.

The farther she got in her mental illness, the harder and more severe my beatings got, as if I was the enemy.

And then came the times when she would just drop me off in strange locations, behind gas stations, large grocery stores, just about anywhere she could pull over. I almost always got a beating first, usually it was dark because it would be nighttime, with a "hope you have a great life", said sarcastically.

She would come back for me.......but as she said, "only because your sister was crying for you!".

Miracle~ I love you and as I cry tears of thanksgiving, I am thankful that you cried out for me.
I praise God that He gave you to me! I am blessed! I LOVE YOU!

Take #1 and #2 : A birthday song from my kids. HILARIOUS!!!!!

2010-02-27T20:06:00.003-05:00

In this 2nd take, watch for Daniel in the background:

W.P.A.F.M.

2010-02-26T18:35:00.034-05:00

btw~ as you look at the pictures and read some of the captions, some will not match up, I have tried to fix it, but I have not been able to.

In the beginning............

After about 15 minutes of reading and looking at history, I think to myself, "are we missing a kid?", but I think this often when we go places, then I usually take a head count, in which, all are counted for. But this time, I did not. Asher was at a friend's house, Abby had a friend with her, so I just thought maybe that is why I feel like I am missing someone. And then.....5 minutes later....I look at Cleyo, and say in a panic "Priscilla!". It just hit me all of a sudden that we did NOT have Priscilla! And I am not sure at what point we lost her. So, one of the kids say, "she was in our first picture" (which is the one above) and I ask "are you sure?", but no one knew for sure! Cleyo says look at the picture (thank God for digital cameras!) and..........she was NOT in the picture!
Even more panic sets in, it had been almost 20 minutes, I knew she was at the coat rack with us, but after that, I had no idea where she parted from us! And just so everyone knows, even though I have 8 kids, I do not have a problem with keeping track of them. :]

And we are thankful to say that we found her! She was standing at the front of the building with a staff member. As we were walking she stopped at one of those spinning coin thingies, lol, I'm not sure what to call them, but you put the coin in and watch it spin all the way to the bottom, she must have found it interesting.

This was her after we found her. She was crying and pretty upset, but happy to see us. I quickly reassured her that if I was going to get rid of her, that I would not do it there!
JUST KIDDING!!!!!
Although, I did ask her if she thought that we would not come back for her, because she was still upset, and she did not answer, so then I asked if she thought I would bring her there just to lose her. And told her that we would always search for her, if she got separated from us, and that brought about a big smile.

Priscilla standing in front of an Italian plane. The woodwork was beautiful!

Daniel in front of his favorite plane. But......this was him at first as Cleyo brought him closer to it, he was afraid of it.

I.F.O. (Identified flying object)
We have things flying around like this, in our Air Force!!!????
And people still believe in U.F.O.'s!!!!!!?????
Seriously!!!!??????

The two biggest-cutest trouble makers I know!

Sheldon's favorite plane.

Grace, under a HUGE plane.

Cleyo never looks happy in the pictures, but he was. We both need to learn how to smile!

A plane that describes us........ "Restoration work in progress".

This picture cracks me up! Shiloh was chewing gum.

AND...........there always has to be one pouty kid.
The picture above Cleyo is having a talk with him about it. And the picture below.......
well...he did not want his picture taken pouting. Too bad! LOL!

*The pictures are a little dark, sorry, my camera is not the best, but hopefully I was able to share some of the fun with you!

YAY for Snow !

2010-02-06T15:52:00.034-05:00

Look at that snow drift out by the road.

The man, moving the snow.

Cleyo and the kids went out back into the field, to dig some tunnels in the large snow drifts.

I was really bummed that they were so far away that I could not take pictures. I ran out back a few times to check on everyone, but quickly ran back in because it was so cold, and I was NOT going to walk all the way out there!

Until a few hours later........Cleyo came in to get me..........this was me following him out...............

Priscilla...on her way back into the house....

Elijah...waiting for me to come in....

Elijah...showing me around....

They begged me for about 30 minutes to let them sleep outside in it. No, was the answer. Hoping someday they will thank me for that. ;]

Me, crawling around (with no make-up). Cleyo hands me his cold, wet gloves and says, "here these will help", .........um.....no, they didn't!

My foot.

The drifts were taller than Abby.

Grace's sleeping hole.

Running down to Abby's hole. Our house in the background.

Abby's sleeping hole.

There is a fence to the right, that helped to create large snow drifts, which was great for tunnels.

If you look closely, you can see the top of Sheldon's head. Every time I would try to take his picture, he would dive behind the drifts. Something happened when he became a teenager, he quit being a big ham that loved getting his picture taken.

AH HA! Caught him!

Maybe I will have more to post tomorrow.......................

If God decided not to show up at your church next Sunday, would anyone notice?

2010-01-14T08:51:00.002-05:00

Would He be missed?

Would the congregation immediately enter a time of corporate soul-searching and prayer to find out what was wrong? Or would you go merrily on your way as if nothing happened?

Many churches continue their routine business week after week, completely unaware that the Master of the house is not even there. It is like attending a party or a great banquet and having a great time but never even seeing or speaking to the host.

This was the problem of the church in Sardis. Christ, the Master of the house, had no words of commendation for Sardis because He found nothing commendable there. He told them, "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." No doubt the church in Sardis was very busy. They probably had a full range of ministries and services to their community. Undoubtedly their worship was proper and correct and perhaps even lively and entertaining. They had a good reputation and may even have had money and prestige in the city.

The church in Sardis had the form of godliness, the appearance of life. They thought they were alive and well. After all, they had a name that they were alive. Their only problem was that the Holy Spirit had departed, and they never saw Him go. They were dead and didn't even know it!

Contrast this with the church in Smyrna, which received no condemnation from the Lord, only commendation. Of this congregation Jesus said simply, "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich). Whatever the Christians in Smyrna lacked in material wealth they made up for in spiritual riches. They may have been poor in the things that the world values, but they were rich where it counted - they had the King!

Where does your church fit? Sardis? Smyrna? Or somewhere in between? Even more important, where do you fit? God has this incredible idea that church is about Him. Yet so often we try to make it about us. We try to turn church into our own private "bless-me" club. Our entire focus centers on how many chills, thrills, and goose bumps we get and how well we are entertained. Rarely do we even think to ask what our King wants.

It doesn't matter how big your church is, or how rich. It doesn't matter how many programs and ministries you have. It doesn't matter how exciting your worship is or how eloquent your pastor may be. Without the King, you have nothing!

Don't settle for artificial worship and dead formalism, either for yourself or for your church. You have a choice: Sardis or Smyrna. Which are you? Which do you want to be?

Older Women....

2010-01-11T08:44:00.003-05:00

I need your help.

One of my biggest struggles is self-control.

God has been dealing with my heart on areas that are out of control. So I decided to reread the chapter "The safety of self-control", from "Feminine Appeal", by Carolyn Mahaney. This chapter has to be one of the best readings I have done on self-control.

On pages 64-65, she says; "Self-control is so important that the apostle Paul required it, directly or by inference, of every group of Christians he addressed in the Titus 2 chapter. The emphasis placed on this virtue reveals how essential self-control is if we are to effectively commend the gospel. We cannot afford to ignore it. Therefore, if Scripture requires self-control from every Christian, it is obviously attainable by every Christian. This truth should revolutionize our understanding of self-control. For whenever God gives a command, He also provides the grace to obey it."

This comment is very important;
"For whenever God gives a command, He also provides the grace to obey it."
A few months ago, someone made a comment that has given me a better meaning of the word "grace". I always thought of grace as being free from the condemnations of my sins, that grace covered me. But this person was sharing the idea of "means of grace", like having a bible, my vision, my ears, people around me, bible studies, ect, to be able to learn more about God, and grow in my faith. And I believe that one of my means of grace is the "older women" talked about in Titus.

And let me just say that even though I am getting older, I still consider myself a "younger woman". And that this post applies to me as much as it applies to any other woman, because I will always be older than some women, and someday I will be the older women that younger women are looking for guidance from.

Titus 2:3-5 says~
"Older women likewise are to be reverent in BEHAVIOR, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to TEACH what is good, and so TRAIN the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."

God has placed some really great women in my life as role models of this text.
However, I have to share that there are others that leave me feeling defeated by complaining about something that I have done or said, by their words that condemn me, or behaviors that show signs of being displeased in me.

Complaining, or having an attitude towards other women of "I can't believe she did that, or said that", is NOT how Paul instructs the older women to handle the younger women.

I do desire to learn from you, but it is hard to do when I feel judged by you. I also want to be a good example of the generations to come. So please help me, by teaching me, training me, and setting a good example in behavior for me.

Behavior:
~ the manner of conducting oneself

Teach:
~to cause to know something, to cause to know how, to accustom to some action or attitude, to cause to know the disagreeable consequences of some action, to guide the studies of, to impart the knowledge of, to instruct by precept, example, or experience, to make known and accepted,
to conduct instruction regularly in.

Train:
~ to form by instruction, discipline, or drill, to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient, to make prepared (as by exercise) for a test of skill, to aim at an object or objective, to undergo instruction, discipline.

"Was Jesus legalistic?"

2010-01-09T14:02:00.003-05:00

I really had NO plans on teaching or explaining legalism, freedom in the Gospel, or how Jesus lived a perfect life.

And I still don't. For the past several weeks, Cleyo and I have been thinking and talking about Christ and how He was able to live without sin. And really, I was just curious to have thoughts from others, but only a few responded, and even though I really have no more information than I did when I started, I do have some conclusions.

First, I loved Linda G response on FB,
"Pharisees were legalistic, Jesus was obedient." ~ That completely sums it up, in 6 words!

And after some conversations with Amanda, here and through email, I believe that our thoughts are very similar, but maybe our responses are different(?).

I do have to admit that I have an issue with some Christians that take advantage of the freedom of the Gospel. Our lives must be Gospel Driven, but as Paul states in Romans 6:1-2 "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? ²May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" Read all of chapter 6, it is SO GOOD;

Romans 6
Believers Are Dead to Sin, Alive to God ¹What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? ²May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?³Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?⁴Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. ⁵For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, ⁶knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; ⁷for he who has died is freed from sin.⁸Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, ⁹knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. ¹⁰For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.¹¹Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.¹²Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,¹³and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.¹⁵What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!¹⁶Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? ¹⁷But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,¹⁸and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.¹⁹I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.²⁰For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.²¹Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.²²But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.²³For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I rely totally on Christ's work on the cross, and yet I am driven to obedience because of my love for God. So my conclusion, Christ was NOT legalistic, He was OBEDIENT, even unto death on the cross. So therefore, I do not want to be a slave to my "old self" but I want to be a slave to righteousness. Anyone that knows me well, or spends five minutes around me, knows that I am NOT perfect! And for those of you reading this, and have NOT trusted Christ as you Savior, there is NOT anything that I can do to earn favor with God, my salvation is a gift from God, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

2 Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are (standing) in Faith. Test yourselves. For you should know yourselves-that Christ Jesus is in you, unless indeed you fail to meet the test."

I must examine whether or not "my personal work" motive was to earn favor or pay back my salvation, or because of my faith in Him. I personally am driven to obedience, but yet I honestly can say that I do not have thoughts that I am earning favor or paying Christ back, not that my motives are ever correct, but I truly love God and from that love comes a desire towards obedience. Amanda stated in an email, "The line between obedience and legalism is very hard to find.", I totally agree with that. God only knows my heart. I know there has to be times when I think that I am obeying because I love God, but God only sees it as useless work. And when I fail, and I do daily, I fall back on God's promise that my sins are PAID in FULL on the CROSS through CHRIST.

And since I do not have the gift of teaching and I have probably only confused people even more, and if you are interested in listening to a Pastor that I think has been blessed with the gift of teaching, I found a link on this subject that is good, long, but good....

Christ Redeemed us from the Curse of the Law

Question.....

2010-01-08T11:26:00.001-05:00

"Was Jesus legalistic?"

please no debating and only share answers with/from scripture, I am just curious................

A Preview, More to Come

2010-01-03T15:37:00.011-05:00

December 30, 1995 ~ The Wedding

2009-12-30T08:14:00.002-05:00

14 years ago, Cleyo and I were married. I am thankful that at that time, I did not know the trials that laid ahead, but I am also thankful that God has done a mighty work in both our hearts. Cleyo is the second greatest gift, from God, my Salvation being first.

Looking forward to this Friday, two more days!, when we offer up a new commitment before the Lord.

January 1st, was a chosen date, for symbolic reasons, of a new beginning.

I told Cleyo last night that from here on out, I will celebrate our Anniversary every January first, as a reminder.

To God Alone be the Glory!!!

Remembering my dad.........

2009-12-21T14:26:00.020-05:00

I can not believe that it has almost been six years since my father's death.

The past few days I have been thinking about the small amount of time that I had spent with him, and how in knowing more about him, I know more about myself. I have very few memories of my dad when I was really little. I was taken away from my mom around the age of 12, lived in a group home, for I think about a year (?), and then moved to live with my dad's side of the family.

My dad lived in Seattle, but moved back to Simi Valley shortly after I moved in with my Aunt Onorina (his oldest sister). I have many memories of him during this time. All good. I think that he had spent many years being a single man, that he did not know how to be a father. He made an effort to take me places and spend time with me, but when it came to talking about "how much I liked boys"..... well.......he shut down that conversation very quickly, and now I understand why!
I remember washing his car almost weekly, because he was quite the ladies man!
Wink, Wink!
LOL!

If I could be more like my dad, these are the characteristics I saw in him, that I would want;
~He never met a stranger.
~He loved everyone he met.
~He treated everyone like family.
~He was a hard worker, very dependable.
~He seemed to be very easy-going, I can only remember one time that he ever got mad, that
actually scared me.
~He was very funny.
~He always tried to lighten another's bad mood.
~He showed love physically, he was a hugger, he let you know verbally that he loved you.
~He was sympathetic to other's needs/hurts.

*Seen through my child-like eyes, obviously no one is perfect, he had his flaws and his struggles, but my love for him, could only see the good in him.

1976~ mom, dad, and me

1977~ mom, dad and me

1996~ Sheldon's first birthday, my dad's first trip back to Ohio, since I was a baby.

My dad, with his long time girlfriend Rosie.

Five years ago, at the funeral.........

Maybe the only good that came from this day, was meeting all four siblings from my dad's first marriage. (Angie, Maria, Albert, Patty, & Me)
There was a natural bond there, as if I had always known them.

My Uncle Ernesto, and my brother Albert.

Me~getting to know my sister Angie.

Onorina, in the middle.

5 out of 19 siblings that my dad has/had.

Cleyo...the only quiet one, in a room full of Italians.

A small amount of my very "LARGE" family, after the funeral.

Insatiable Eyes

2009-12-02T13:15:00.003-05:00

I posted this on my Facebook page, but I want to share this with friends and family here, that are not part of Facebook.

We must guard our eyes. If we are being honest, we know that much temptation starts with the eyes........................

The Eyes of men comparable to Hell and Destruction? That is disturbing !!!
Insatiable Eyes
December 2, 2009

"Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied." (Proverbs 27:20)

There are many warnings in Scripture about "the lust of the eyes" (1 John 2:16) that can turn our hearts away from that which is godly and eternal. Solomon's sober caution in our text is certainly significant, especially since he had admonished his son, "Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee" (Proverbs 4:25). Similarly, Job had "made a covenant with |his| eyes"(Job 31:1) lest his "heart walked after" what he looked at (Job 31:7).

Abraham's nephew, Lot, eventually lost everything after he "lifted up his eyes" and chose to "|pitch| his tent toward Sodom" (Genesis 13:12), developing an initial tolerance for that ungodly environment and unwilling to separate from the people who were "wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly" (Genesis 13:13).

Later, Lot actually dwelt in Sodom, with his goods (Genesis 14:12). Soon the association became a lifestyle, a conscious choice in spite of obvious wickedness that caused him great distress, "for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds" (2 Peter 2:7-8). Chedorlaomer sacked the cities and took Lot captive. Even then, he was so tied to his association with the Sodomites that he went back!

Finally, Lot "sat in the gate of Sodom" (Genesis 19:1) when the angels came to destroy the city. That's equivalent to being one of the "movers and shakers" of the city--perhaps even comparable to being on the city council. This tragic life had every opportunity to share in the joy of Abraham's calling, but Lot threw it all away for the sake of his "eyes." May God grant us eyes that "see" truth. HMM III

-------------------------------------------

I love this song from Casting Crowns;

"Slow Fade"

Be careful little eyes what you see... See More
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

RSVP

2009-12-01T10:32:00.002-05:00

If you have not RSVP'd for Jan 1st, please do so soon, that way I can get a head count for adults and children. I should have included in the invite that we are making arrangements to have childcare for nursery and a supervised room for the older children, there might not be enough room for adults and children around the tables.

I am hoping to have extra chairs set up along the wall, so that you can keep your children with you, until after the ceremony part is over, then the children will be served their meal, in those rooms, while adults enjoy a time of fellowship, games and a meal together.

And.............due to Ohio State going to the Rose Bowl, (same day and same time!), we are also trying to arrange a way to play the game, with no sound, so that anyone that wanted to catch the scores or plays here and there, will be able to............working on it..............

Still here..............

2009-11-25T08:40:00.002-05:00

Updates are coming soon.
I have not abandoned this blog. I really do enjoy keeping an active journal of our family, and updating many of you that do not live close to me. BUT, a few months ago I joined Facebook, and have really enjoyed it, even though I said that I would NEVER do it! Just like I said I would NEVER blog, (not a person of my word, am I), but I love the socializing I get from FB, and I love that I have contact with some of my family, and I love that I can write quick comments back and forth, but at the same time, I have to guard my time on it, it can be very addictive, at least for me anyways!

So............soon, maybe today............I will be posting some updates.

Daniel, as George....

2009-10-25T15:14:00.013-04:00

These pictures were taken today, while pulling out costumes for tonight's Trunk-r-Treat;

In the picture above, if you look at the eye, you can see Daniel's nose.

Until recently, Daniel was scared of this mask, and all masks. He had so much fun being silly with this mask, he cracks us up!!!

Pumpkin Carving Fun

2009-10-05T13:04:00.014-04:00

Shiloh's ~ Happy face

Daniel's ~ Scary laugh

Priscilla's ~ Cat on a tree

Elijah's ~ Flaming face

Abby's ~ Dragon, that is not his tongue, it is his flame, and on the back,
she wrote a story about her dragon

Grace's ~ Dragon

Sheldon's ~ Party bat

Cleyo's ~ Haunted house

My ~ Silly happy face, if you look closely, the mouth is
being held up with tooth picks :}

My silly happy face, with the happy scare crow?

Fake flowers, because I kill real ones!

Summer Ends, School Begins.....

2009-09-26T16:40:00.028-04:00

I have to say that this summer went by faster than any summer that I can remember. I put together this Smilebox, to try to capture some of it. But I have to warn you that there are more than 100 pictures.

And before you watch it, I want to add these pictures as a reminder, of how much Daniel and Shiloh liked the rides last year at the Fair.

And being the good mom that I am, I tried not to laugh, too much, it was sad and funny at the same time.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Now, here are pictures of the first week of school.

Priscilla~ 1st grade

Elijah~ 3rd grade

Abby~4th grade

Daniel & Shiloh ~ Pre-school

I love how they are holding hands, looking for the bus, it only lasted about 2 minutes, before there was an argument over it.

With their friend Madison, waiting for the bus.

So excited!!!!

Sheldon and Grace are in ECOT, an online public school. So far, they really like it. And I like it because I do not have to do the teaching, they both have virtual classes, where teachers do the teaching, and answer any questions, and are available to call if we need help. I am still not sure where or what we will be doing next year. They do not want to go back to Greenville. Versailles is a possibility, but if there is a chance we might move, then we still do not know. But I am taking the advice of a very wise woman that told me to take it one year at a time. They both did very well on their Ohio Achievement test this past Spring (Grace actually improved during the time she has been home), so at least I know that I have not set them back by taking them out of Greenville. I am very proud of them, they both work hard and get their work done without complaining. And I know that they work harder at home, than they did in the building.

Sheldon~ not letting me take his picture. I guess he is getting to be too cool.

Kings Island ~July 2009

2009-09-09T07:28:00.001-04:00

I love this Man !
Just can not stop thinking and feeling it !
This was our first time with Sheldon and Grace, riding roller coaster rides, they have been here before, but not on the "big" rides.
Not sure what we were doing in this picture........
Sheldon and Grace were SO EXCITED to ride, but we wanted to start them out slow, to see how they would respond. Cleyo and I were just as excited to be able to experience this "first" with them.
So........we took them on the Adventure Express, which is probably the least thrilling roller coaster, and they LOVED it!!!! When we got off the ride, Sheldon said
"THAT WAS THE MOST FUN I HAVE EVER HAD!!!!!"
Yep!, my kids are deprived, actually, I am thankful that they do not complain (much) about what they do not have, or what they do not get to do, but I am expecting that to change very soon, as we are heading into those teenage years.
One of our next rides was Flight of Fear, which is in a building. The line is also inside the building, and as you get closer and closer to the ride, the sound of the ride puts fear into your heart. It sounds like you are being shot into space. You could see fear and excitement in Sheldon and Grace. And when it came to be our turn, we sat down, checked to make sure our bar was tightly against us, and then we hear this small voice from behind Cleyo and I .......
"I love you guys", says Sheldon.
It brought so much joy to us to be able to share this day with them, and the comments cracked us up! We hope to do this with all of our kids, two at a time, and when they are old enough to enjoy it.

I have never really enjoyed riding any roller coaster. I usually ride with Cleyo, so that he does have not ride alone. I have a MAJOR fear of heights, but this year was different, I actually enjoyed them, and was able to open my eyes on most of them.
Diamondback is one of their newest rides.The height is 230 feet, the first drop is 215 feet, at 80 mph. It was so much fun, I think that we rode it more than 8 times, and if anyone is planning on going to KI, the back of this ride is the BEST!

Not sure why we even go on the water rides.......walking in wet clothes NO fun!

Grace got shot by the 25 cent water gun.
Sheldon and Grace in the back.

They did not get wet enough on the ride, so they got soaked on the bridge.
Well, just like every time that we have ever gone to KI, it rained. I finally remembered that I had games on my cell phone, as we had to wait at least 45 minutes until they opened the rides again.

It rained, it poured, and it poured again.
These are the bands that we got to listen to. One of our family's new favorite band is Family Force 5.
They were very entertaining to watch. Sheldon bought one of their Cd's, and we listen to it all the time, the songs get so stuck in your head, that you wake up singing them.

This is the "new" Newsboys. Although they were entertaining and fun, they will never be the same :{ .
And this is what happens to your cell phone, if it is not secured.........
this box was doubled the next day................

Past-Present-Future

2009-08-30T15:00:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, Cleyo and I picked out and put on layaway, one of those three-diamond rings, that represent the past, present and future. Buying a new ring was not even thought of in our plans to renew our vowels. Even though my original ring is very plain and simple, it is a reminder of the covenant I made on December 30, 1995, and being a very sentimental person, I had no desire to replace it. But this new ring will be a reminder of the new covenant we are making, that we understand how marriage glorifies God, and to commit our ways/our marriage to the Lord.

Cleyo shared with me that a few years ago that he was considering buying this kind of ring for me, to replace the one I have now. But I am so glad that he did not. On January 1, 2010, Cleyo will put this ring on my finger, and it will be a reminder of all the amazing things that God has done in our lives, and in our marriage. And it will be a reminder of our outward confession to live out a God-honoring marriage.

BTW~ Cleyo will not be getting a new ring, because of his work, it will just get destroyed. But I did find out that I can have his polished, to look like new, and I can have in engraved for very cheap.

We are very excited about the renewal of our vowels, and to share it with our friends and family. We are thinking and working hard to make this an enjoyable evening for all.

The discipline of loving our husbands......

2009-08-18T20:40:00.002-04:00

Marriage Killer #3 ~ Vain Imaginations .

Oh how I would like to come across one of these and have not failed, but I have a feeling that as each post comes, I will see my ugly self.
To be very honest, Cleyo was not the man of my dreams, he was not even my "type".
(btw~Not news to him).
But God, being great in wisdom, choose Cleyo for me. Praise God.
I would like to say at this point that I could have chosen better, but knowing myself very well, NO, I would not have.
But I have been guilty of thinking that I would have been "happier" with someone from my past, or that they would have treated me better. A few years ago, I was allowing my imagination to turn into sinful thoughts and desires of this other person, and strangely enough, I was running into him everywhere, or maybe I was being tested? After a short period of time, I began to look and think deep into the consequences. That is not the wife that I want to be. That is not the mother I want to be. I do want to stand before God one day, knowing that I have remained faithful to my husband. So, I began to pray that God would give me a desire for only my husband, and to take away this temptation from me. Can I just say that God has been SOOO GOOD about answering my prayers. I know that there are so many people that pray for years and years, for temptation to be taken, or that they pray for their husband to have a closer walk with God. I do not know why God has been gracious to listen to my prayers and answer so quickly, but I am so very thankful that He did. Back to my time of confession~ within two weeks, I was able to be around this other person, (and still to this day), without feelings of temptation. And my desire for Cleyo, is, well, let's just say, well, maybe I shouldn't, well I will just say that I have never desired any man like I desire him.
And let me follow up with the fact that as long as I am alive, there will be other men that turn my head, BUT, it does not have to turn into sin. The discipline of loving Cleyo, is not based on how he looks, or if he is living up to my expectations. But, by remembering the grace I've been shown, the forgiveness given to me from a holy, perfect God.

Battle Plan for Protecting My Perspective of My Husband: (from the TW blog)

1. Capture each negative thought (2 Cor. 10:3–5).

2. Fill your mind with gracious thoughts (Eph. 4:31–32; Phil. 2:3; Col. 3:3, 13–14).

3. Meditate on all the good things about your man (Phil. 4:8).

4. Affirm him often (Prov. 15:4; Eph. 4:29).

Helping your man does mean:

2009-08-13T21:05:00.002-04:00

Serious, specific, and continual prayer intercession.
Honoring his role as head.
Affirming his leadership decisions.
Being his "safe place."
Encouraging—but not pushing—his spiritual growth.
Communicating with honesty, humility, and gratitude.
Letting him know you're glad he's your man!

On the True Woman blog, the marriage killer #2, is The Control factor.

I have learned many hard lessons on this subject alone. From a very young age, I have taken care of myself. I am strong-willed and determined.
So, as I entered into my marriage, Cleyo did not have a chance against my "independent nature". I knew how to take care of myself, and I did not need anyone.
I was so independent that I could/would do it all, which now I realize how foolish it was on my part, because now Cleyo knows I am capable, and you know what that means ladies, MORE work for me! Many years of trying to "help" him, has backfired every time!
Within this past year, God has shown His power through prayer. Many, many months ago, I was really growing in God's word, and my desire to know Jesus and who He is, so that I could be more like Him, but, I felt like, "how can I continue to grow, if my husband is not growing with me, or even faster than me?". So, I began verbalising, to Cleyo, in a way that I thought was loving and kind, and which I still think was in a respectful way, that I wanted to see him(Cleyo) reading his bible and growing, so that I can be lead by him. BUT! Cleyo, did not respond well, and I really was surprised by his response. So after, a couple of weeks, I quit telling him how important it was for me, to see him grow in God and God's Word. And I began to pray. I knew that I had No power to convict him, and that my words, were not being received the way I thought they should have been. After a few months of praying, I began to see some changes. Cleyo was getting up and reading the Bible, he was being changed by God. I knew right away that God was faithful to hear my prayers and answer them.
A few months later, I printed a list of specific verses to pray for "husbands". Cleyo did not know that I was praying these verses over him, but, now looking back over the past several months, I can see how God used those verses, to work in Cleyo's heart. God knows our heart, so when we as wives are trying to be their helper, with manipulation or thoughts of controling our husbands, it will always backfire! But, when we take it to the Lord, He is able to work in ways that we can never understand!

Five ingredients that can kill a marriage:

2009-08-10T15:38:00.002-04:00

Unrealistic Expectations
The Control Factor
Vain Imaginations
Condescension
Harboring Hurt

Kimberly Wagner, on the True Woman blog said.......
~"I didn't grasp the "big picture" when I entered into my marriage covenant."
~"Basically I went into our marriage thinking it was all about me, instead of realizing marriage is all about God."

I feel the same exact way, and I am in a process of learning more about God, and how my marriage can display the glory and beauty of the gospel.
I have had many conversations with women, (and maybe men would say the same thing), that marriage is never what they thought it would be. Also, I have come to an understanding that this unrealistic expectation is common to all, no matter how we were taught or not taught.

I hope that God will use what He has taught me, to help younger women to not waste precious years of marriage. How cool to be a part of displaying the glory of God! And praise God that He has done a work in me! Apart from Him, I can do nothing!

"Not Going!"

2009-08-05T08:45:00.002-04:00

Maybe my three old son Daniel understands anger better than I do........

Last week, Daniel refused to go to VBS, unless my 13 year old stayed with him, so 4 out of the 5 days Sheldon had to help in his class. Well there is another VBS this week, and when Daniel found out, he said "I am not going! I will stay home", But was willing to compromise that he would go if Sheldon went with him. Well, he was not happy when I told him that I would not make Sheldon go, because he is getting too old. So, Daniel's next compromise was that he would go if "a big kid stays with him, in his room with his teacher!" Well, another "no" from mom!
Daniel firmly tells us that he will go with us to drop off the kids, but he will not stay. We finally get there, and I allow the older kids to walk him in the door, which he fell for, and did stay, without any attitude.
Later, after we pick up the kids and bring them home, Cleyo and I asked if he liked it, and he said "yes!"
Then he continues to tell us why he was arguing with us before we left the house.........

"I was stinkin mad, and my brain wouldn't listen to you."

Gone Camping...

2009-08-04T16:22:00.004-04:00

So, what I thought was going to be a much needed break away from home, with relaxation and hours reading time, was not at all. I should have known better! Especially with not one, but two 3 year olds, that like to cause trouble. But I thankful that we had family keep Asher, he would have not been a happy camper, it was very muddy, so I would have been stressed trying to keep him from being covered in it.
But, it was good to go away. It has a reminder of how much I love home.
I am so thankful for the comforts of home,
like;
my own bed, indoor plumbing that flushes, a floor not made of mud, taking a shower without strangers, waking up to a dry bed that has not been rained on, being able to discipline when kids need it without neighbors watching your every move, being able to see the sunrise and set, waking up to my favorite Book and a cup coffee (indoors), not having to see Priscilla and Elijah crash their bikes every 10 minutes, not hearing my kids ask me constantly "what are we going to do next?", not getting lost, the smell of this fresh air-it is different,
most importantly~
just knowing that this is where my friends, my church and family are!

BTW~you might want to pause the Smilebox,
to give the pictures a chance to load, then use the arrows to turn the pages.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Dayton Dragon game

2009-07-30T11:14:00.002-04:00

So, I needed to post something, because my last post was so depressing.
I appreciate all the prayers, and I have had better days since.
Every morning, I have to remember to fix my eyes on Christ.
My hope is in Him, not myself!

I hope you enjoy these pictures:

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

The song is "Here comes the sun", which is a reminder to me that,
in my time of trouble, here comes the SON.........and it is going to be ALRIGHT.

Fixing my eyes on Christ

2009-07-24T10:27:00.004-04:00

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." ~ Hebrews 12 (1-3)

Without getting too personal, or sharing any details, and if you feel led,
I could really use your prayers. There is a storm brewing in my life. God has been preparing my heart for the past year (little did I know), and He has been faithful to carry me through it.
Have you ever watched someone while they go through a difficult trial, and think~ how are they surviving this, and that you would fall to pieces if it happened to you?
If you ask them, they will say God will give you what you need in that moment. I always doubted that statement, not because I doubted that God is big enough, but because I doubted myself, I didn't think that I could handle it.
Well, I was right! I can not go through this trial, without keeping my eyes on Christ.

In my last post, which was this past Monday, I was feeling strong in my faith, thankful that Jesus is my shelter, and in awe of how close His presence is, and if going through these storms, brings me closer to Him, and causes me to praise Him, then bring it on.
Well, let me just share that the next day I began to fall into a pit of depression, and then on Wednesday, I thought about my post, and how I wanted to take back those words. Wondering, how strong am I? Maybe I can not handle asking for more rain? Then as I was falling deeper and deeper into this depression, I was struggling to praise God.
How did this change so drastically within a day?
Why?
Because I took my eyes off of Christ, and placed them on myself.
Saying to myself;
"I can not do this anymore", "I am not strong enough", "I am not good enough", "How can I....", "Why should I...." , ............... every doubt that I could possibly have of self.

I was losing heart and becoming very weary, and not even able to understand how this happened so quickly.

And then God said, "you took your eyes off of Me".

You see, the more I kept looking to myself at how I was going to manage this storm, the more overwhelmed I became. The more I doubted. The more depressed I became, because I know that I am not capable. I was becoming weaker and weaker by the moment,
I just kept repeating, "Lord, I can not do this!"

And then God said, "apart from Me, you can do nothing!"
(John 15:4-5) "Abide in Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself
unless it abides in the vine,
so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine, you are the branches;
he who abides in Me and I in him,
he bears much fruit,
for apart from Me you can do nothing."

I hope that I will apply discipline to what I have learned. At least five mornings out of a week, I start my day in God's word, but now I know that is not enough, I must begin by praying and fixing my eyes on the Lord. God is my refuge and strength!

(Jeremiah 29:11-14a) "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD,
plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
I will be found by you,
declares the LORD".
(Psalm 73:26) "My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
(Psalm 46:1) "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble."

*(this is from a book I just finished reading, "It's All About Him", by Denise Jackson)*
~"But now I'm beginning to learn that the hard chapters show God's power in a way that the happy ones do not. Brokenness moves my story forward in a way that peaceful times do not. It's in difficulties that I become desperate to really know God, to cry out to Him. .......................
When everything is going well, we often can't hear God, because the music all around us is turned up too loud. But when the party stops--in those moments of crashing pain, sorrow, and sudden silence--we begin to hear His voice."

Jesus, bring the rain....

2009-07-20T09:57:00.002-04:00

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there'll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me whats a little rain

[1st Chorus]

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I'm forever singing

(*song by MercyMe)

Oh Jesus, you are my shelter in the storm! I have never felt Your presence, as much as I do now. If that means I have to endure many hard storms, then Jesus bring the rain!
Oh Lord, You are my God, and I will spend the rest of my life praising You,
You are worthy!

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory

Together, We are One

2009-07-15T14:46:00.005-04:00

On December 30, 1995,
Cleyo and I made a covenant before God, and two became One (see Gen.2:21-24).
It is God who in each marriage ordains and performs a uniting called One flesh, it is not in man's power to destroy. Staying married is about keeping covenant. "Till death do us part", or "As long as we both shall live" is a sacred covenant promise - the same kind Jesus made with His bride when He died for her (JP). Marriage is a model of Christ and the church (see Ephesians 5:21-33).
Here are some links, that I thought were good~
Staying married is not about staying in love ,
God's showcase of covenant-keeping Grace ,
Forgiving and Forbearing,

Pursuing conformity to Christ in the covenant.

When we got married in 1995, we had NO IDEA what the purpose of marriage was, and we had no knowledge of how sacred God holds marriage. Cleyo and I had dated since we were 16 years old, we had Sheldon when we were 19 years old, and when he was 3 months old, we got married. Let me just say that I had no idea what I was getting myself into, LOL! We loved each other, but it was naive and immature. Our views on marriage were very worldly. Cleyo has recently admitted that in the beginning of our marriage, he had questioned whether or not he wanted to be stuck with me the rest of his life, which explains his song for our marriage, "Happy to be stuck with you", and I went into our marriage with divorce already on my mind, that if it didn't work out, "oh well, everyone else gets divorced." At least Cleyo entered the marriage as forever, it has only been in the past 2-3 years that God has given me a different view of divorce. Honestly, I am not even sure how the wedding date happened. I had a very strong view against marriage growing up. I saw a lot of marriages fail, a lot of men abuse my mother, so WHY ? in the world would I want to get married, if it was just going to fail, and how could I ever trust a man to truly love me and to treat me good. And let me not forget that Cleyo never proposed, so how did I say yes to this? I remember refusing to get married just because I was with child. Sheldon was born in October, then the next thing I remember is that Cleyo was wanting to set a date before the end of the year for "tax" purposes, so on the last Saturday of 1995, we were married. Romantic, huh? Try not to be too jealous girls! Still to this day, I am not sure how it happened, and my only answer is that God is Sovereign!
Our marriage has failed to be what God had intended it to be, with many mistakes and hardships, because we did not start this marriage with the knowledge and purpose of God's design for it.

SOOOOOO, I am overjoyed to announce that on January 1, 2010, the beginning of our fifteenth year of marriage, we are re-committing our marriage vows to the Lord. The purpose of this is an outward confession, with friends and family as witnesses, that we are surrendering our ways, and our marriage to the Lord. I view this as very similar to a baptism, just as a baptism does not give you Salvation, it is an outward confession of your desire to follow Christ. The re-committing of our marriage does not unite us, we entered into this covenant on December 30, 1995.
Two weeks before I turned 18, I prayed and received Christ as my Savior, within a few weeks, I was baptised, because the church that I was at, told me that was what I needed to do, but looking back, I really did not understand what it was that I was doing. About three years later, I got baptised again, because I finally understood that it was about me confessing openly to others my desire to follow Christ, and ask for their accountability. As with the re-committing of our vows, we are wanting to openly confess that we understand God's purpose for our marriage, and we are committing to live out our marriage, in service to one another, forgiveness to one another, and Christ-like love to one another.

Cleyo is not the same man that I married, and I hope that he can say the same about me. God has changed both of us in many ways. God has blessed us in many ways. God has given us wisdom through His word. We will never be the same. Even though there have been hard and painful times, I would choose to marry Cleyo all over again. The deepness of my love for him, is beyond words. There is no doubt, we are One.

One desire...

2009-07-13T19:26:00.002-04:00

...of my heart has been to reach out to teenagers. Childhood circumstances and not having a parent to raise me, gave me no choice, other than to raise myself. I made many mistakes, I had to learn the hard way, because it had to be my way, and I was just so naive to the real world. I knew what it took to survive, but I did not know how to do simple things, like buy car insurance. I did not even know how to use a checkbook. I moved out on my own my Junior year of high school (and yes, I finished high school), into my own apartment, I worked a second shift factory job, in which I had to get special permission from the principal to leave school an hour early to get to my job on time (I had study hall my last hour), and cleaned offices on the weekends. I knew that in order to survive, I had to make money to pay the bills, but what I did not realize was their was more to life than paying bills.

For years I have desired to work with youth, especially ones that do not have family support, or maybe have family, but do not have a relationship that is needed. But I did not want to pursue it, I wanted it to be an invitation to me, knowing that it is God that opened the door.
So today, I was very excited and quick to say yes when I was asked to speak/teach this fall, to youth in an "Independent Living" class for teenagers in Foster care. I am not sure what I will be talking about, or what exactly God has planned in all of this, but what I do know is that I am excited about this opportunity.

Required: Less Thinking - More Action !

2009-07-03T13:30:00.004-04:00

Till the day I die......
I want to be known for Christ-like love.

Recently I had a conversation with an old friend that use to attend our church years ago. She was sharing with me that she recently made friends with someone that attends are church now, she asked this lady if she knew Janal Livingston, in case you did not know, that is me, LOL!
The lady responded with a laugh, and stated that EVERY-one knows Janal Livingston!
I do not believe that she meant that as a criticism, not sure? For years, the people that work at Wal-mart have known me as the women with ALL those children, and I have been known for speaking my mind, even to strangers.
I have not been able to get this conversation out of my mind!
What do I want to be known for?
When I die, what will people remember?
What will be my legacy?

As I read through God's word, and about the lives of people in the old and new testament, I can not help but to notice the legacy that has been recorded; ......their betrayal to Christ, their great faith, their lack of faith, the complainers, the kings, idol worshipers, their adulterous behaviors, the murderers, a man of God, endurers of persecution, a prostitute, righteous in God's sight, great leadership, horrible leadership.
For their; anger, kindness, success, rebellion, song(s), failures, compassion, deception, death, prayer, loyalty, shame, marriage, sacrifice, evil example, redemption, suffering, friendship, blessings, a disciple, disobedience, sorrows, children, bitterness, courage, love, drunkenness, works of righteousness, grief, trials, destruction, household, sins, preaching, lies, wealth/no wealth, on and on, and on.

I love Kati's saying on her blog~ "If you find any fault in me, that's my flesh~give me grace. If you find any good in me, that's my God~give Him glory!"
I will never be a good example of Christ, but my desire is to share that same kind of love with and for others. I want to leave a legacy of love, but I also want grace for all my imperfections.
The more I fall in love with Jesus, the quicker I am to love and compassion.

I am ashamed to admit that the past several weeks I have been reading peoples comments on Facebook, and I have been very judgemental and giving out one label after another. Several times I had to stop myself from posting a comment, scary! I have come a long way in regards to the control of my tongue, but I still have a long ways to go! It is only by the Grace of God that I am who I am today. God only knows how I would have destroyed myself, if He had left me to my evil desires.

Lord, I pray that You will gaurd my heart and keep me from sinning. Teach me Your ways, that I may find favor in You. Help me to walk in Your ways. Increase my faith. Give me hope. Above all, help me to love-like Christ loved. I pray Lord that whomever I cross paths with, that they will see You, and not me. Give me a legacy of Love.

(Ephesians 5:1-2)
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
(1 Corinthians 13::13)
"But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love."
^{(Philippians 3:12)
"}Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus."

Finding Joy in the good times......

2009-06-28T17:28:00.023-04:00

It seems like the past couple of months have been filled with finding Joy in trials, and praising God in the midst of storms. So today, I feel incredibly blessed to be able to have Joy in the good times. Today is Grace's 12th birthday. Did I not just post her 11th birthday?
I am not good at making cakes, or any kind of desserts. As I was putting on the frosting, and with every smear of the spatula, it kept getting worse. I was questioning whether or not to make a new cake, because I did not want Grace to be disappointed at her cake, and the icing turned out to be a pinkish color, and Grace does not like "girly" colors. Then as I was finishing up "hiding" the many mistakes, Grace walks over to me, and these are the words ~ "cool" & "awesome", that she used to describe the cake. And even as we ate it today, I thought it looks and tastes awful! So I was surprised to hear the kids tell me how good it tasted. At least they liked it!!!!!! :}

This is our attempt to hold on to our "not so" little girl.

Instead of birthday spankings, we gave her birthday chokes.

The meal that she chose for her birthday was BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes w/ gravy, broccoli, and mixed fruit.
She got the new GhostBusters Ds game for her birthday.

After lunch, we spent a couple of hours in the pool that the kids bought for Cleyo, for Fathers day. The pool was a great idea. Cleyo works long hours in the heat, and it has been great to be able to go out back to enjoy the pool, whenever we want to. Cleyo and I even went swimming at 10:30 last night. I never thought that I would like having a pool at our house, especially for the safety of kids, but as the kids get older, I seem to be getting more comfortable with my over-protective nature.
Daniel and Shiloh in the baby pool that I bought for them. We are trying to teach them that they can never go into the big pool without mom or dad, and I am thankful that I can remove the ladder when we are not using it.
Cleyo and I enjoying the first ten minutes together, before we let the kids take over.

The sky was a beautiful blue, and the field and trees around us are bright green in color. And soon, the corn will be tall, providing privacy for us. I love having corn around us, it makes me feel seclusive to the neighbors around us. I was telling Cleyo today of a long list of "nevers" that I have said, and how they are coming back, with different results. Like, I would never stay in Ohio, and now I can not imagine raising my kids somewhere else, and that I would never marry a farmer, well, guess what, I am. But, God's ways and His will, have always proven to be a bigger blessing than I could have ever imagined.

Lord, I love my family. Thank you for the blessing of Joy, in the good times and bad.
You are an Awesome God! And worthy of praise in the good times, and especailly in the the bad.

For Cleyo's eyes only..............

2009-06-26T21:19:00.002-04:00

.....and maybe two other guys.

Like I have nothing better to do with my time! Today I decide to take some "risky" photos of myself for Cleyo's eyes only. Before I gross anyone out too much, my clothes were on! ;]
My patience was running on low, as the computer was taking forever to download the pics to Walmart photo. So, thinking that it would be much faster to go into the store directly, and taking a chance that everyone is outside on this beautiful day, and no one is using the digital photo machine, I leave with hopes of privacy. Uhhh, wishful thinking!!!!
As I approach the machine, I am thankful that I see no one around. I insert my memory card, and try to quickly pick and crop pictures. Within a few moments, two men pull up to the machine right next to me! Seriously! I almost can not believe this! I have never even seen a man use these machines, and just my luck, there is not just one, but two, and they were like a foot away from me!
Knowing that they can both see my screen, I pull out a large paper from my purse to try to cover my seductive self. Thinking that maybe this could work. Then I look behind me and see the lady from the photo center with a large, very large smile on her face. Ok, that was enough for me! I shut down that machine, and proceeded to do shopping from my list. As I shopped I felt as if everybody had seen my pictures, and how funny it was that I even tried to do that in public.
At this point, I am feeling like I needed to confess and tell someone how crazy I am.
And there she is..... Kati. I tell her my "funny" story, but I do not think that she found it funny, instead, I think I embarrassed her. Sorry Kati !

And NO! There will not be any photos on this post! They are for Cleyo's eyes only! LOL!

My first 5k

2009-06-13T11:41:00.013-04:00

Today I ran my first 5k, and got 3rd place for my age group (30-39yrs). The weather was beautiful, and running with other people made time go by much faster. My legs are sore, and my foot is hurting, but it was fun and I am excited to run another.

This is the group of runners/walkers~ Sheldon, Charity, me, Amanda, Isaac, Isabel, and Kati.
Isaac, by the way got 2nd in his age group, he was a natural runner. His time was something like 22:30, he was amazing!

Some pictures of Celina lake. The weather was perfect for running.

The beginning, and the end.

For some reason this bird did not like us.

We found out why when we were on our way back to the van, if you look closely, you will see some eggs.

Ham 'n' Potato Casserole

2009-06-06T17:36:00.003-04:00

I am wanting to share this recipe that I made last night. It was really good, the kids all liked it, and it would be great as a carry-in, or a dish to stick in the oven while you are at church. I do not make many casseroles, even though with a large family, it would be wise, but I have been looking at different recipes, in hopes of adding something new to the dinner table.

I used two separate medium roasting pans, so if you are half the size of our family, and most likely you are, you could just make one pan, or combine it all in a large roasting pan.

Ingredients per medium pan;
1~ (32oz) pkg Southern hash browns
1~ (12oz) pkg cheddar cheese
1~ (16oz) pkg of small diced ham
1~ diced onion
1/2 qt of milk

*mix all ingredients in pan, bake at 400, for 1 hour, stir 1-2 times while baking. Enjoy!

The universe declares the Glory of God !

2009-05-29T08:39:00.004-04:00

Please take the time to watch these videos! You will be blessed! The first one will BLOW your mind! Our church played the first video a long time ago, but I could watch it over and over again, God is awesome!

How great is our God, by Louie Gilgio,
~there are 5 parts to watch.

Indescribable, by Louie Giglio
~there are 5 parts to watch.

Hope, When life hurts most, by Louie Giglio
~I could only find the first part, if you like it, you might have to buy the dvd, to watch the rest.

Fruitcake and Ice cream, by Louie Giglio
~there are 6 parts to watch.

2009-05-25T13:18:00.003-04:00

Last night, we tried to go on a nice relaxing family walk, only to be attacked by millions of mosquitoes. The bug spray only made it about half better. We all got bitten, and we got off the trail as fast as possible, but Shiloh seems to have very strong reactions to bug bites than anyone I have ever seen. Last year, she was bitten by spiders (we think) and her eyes were sealed shut. When I talked to her pediatrician last year, he explained it in a way that I do not understand, all I know is that he did not seem to be concerned about it, even though it looks bad.

The bites on her arm, have puss in them.

Looking out the kitchen window, I see...

2009-05-20T15:33:00.020-04:00

A cat staring back at me!

Sheldon and Grace talked me into letting this cat in the house, but Cleyo did not like that idea, so now he is an outside cat, which he does not like, so he sits in the window meowing at me!

A kid tied to a tree!

Elijah seemed to enjoy it.

Daniel checking out the situation.

Sheldon chasing Elijah with a stick.

Abby getting tied to a tree.

Daniel getting in on the action, beating up Grace.

Have you noticed that Sheldon seems to be the mean one.
Sheldon was tied to a tree a few times, but every time I got my camera, he was off of it before I could take the picture. I wonder what the cars driving by thought?

Cleyo thought I should take a picture when she was smiling, because she really was having fun with the kids. :}

Priscilla getting picked on.

I added this one because I cannot believe how fast he is growing up!

Oh Lord, help me to enjoy every moment, even the crazy ones!

Can I say that ?

2009-05-16T06:34:00.002-04:00

When someone asks, "How are you?", can I say "good", even if it is not always true?
I feel like I am 'doing well' because of God, but honestly, I am a mess. But at the same time, any peace that I have is from God, so to say that I am 'doing good', is only because of God.

I love how God supplies songs and verses for every situation. If you have not heard Jeremy Camp's song "My Fortress", you should look it up and listen to it, it is my theme song for life right now.

Psalm 73:28 "But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,That I may tell of all Your works."

Where's my brain ?

2009-05-05T13:57:00.007-04:00

The other day, Daniel came to me, in a mess of tears,
"Where's my brain? Help me find my brain?"
Touching the top of his head, I said "Honey your brain is inside your head."
Well, he did not like that answer at all!
He threw a fit for at least ten minutes, as we tried to explain where his brain is.
Then, suddenly, his brain appears before us......
his red lightning car......

I have no idea why he calls it his brain, but this could give us a clue into his thinking process!

He is are only child with attachment to things. He has been attached to his cars for several months. Before that, he was attached to a pink spatula, which he carried EVERYWHERE, (to church, to the bath, to bed, to Walmart), for at least six months, it never left his hand, or at least his sight.

Here he is with his favorite dog, his favorite car, and his pink spatula.

Hunting for Arrowheads....

2009-05-03T19:34:00.011-04:00

A few days ago, the kids found arrowheads out in the field. So, today after church, Cleyo thought it would be fun to look for arrowheads.

Less than ten minutes into "the hunt", the complaining started.......
"This is stupid, what a waste of time, why would people want to do this,
grumble, grumble grumble!" (all me)
And then I found it! Laying wide open on the ground. I went from complaining to excitement, within 15 seconds.

Priscilla found teeth, yes teeth. She believes that they are Indian teeth. We are not sure who or what they belong to.

This is Priscilla pouting because we would not let her keep the teeth. I am not sure where she gets a complaining attitude from. :}

This is Cleyo, determined to find one, but only I, the crybaby, found one. ;}

Fun for the family--For Free

2009-04-30T13:43:00.005-04:00

I want to pass this site along,
that a friend shared with me.........
KidsbowlforFREE
MC Bo's Bowling lanes, in Versailles, is participating.

20 Years later.......

2009-04-26T14:15:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I realized that is has been exactly twenty years since I was taken away from my mother. I have shared with many people some of my history, but Praise be to God for taking away certain memories, and the feelings of pain that comes with them. I am so thankful that my mind does not dwell in the past, although sometimes it can be a bad thing, like when a friend, maybe from high school, says "remember.......", and I have no memory of it. It is not that I did not enjoy and love my friends, but my mind just does not retain memories, and that has been for my good.
Pictures are one thing that will stir a lost memory, but there is no other thing that stirs a memory from my childhood like taking these Foster training classes.

Twenty years ago, I was 13, living with my mom and my sister, in Sacramento, Ca.
I can clearly remember that night, more than any other in my entire life. Writing this is not easy, I can not hold in the emotions that come from that night, but I want to share what the Lord has done, and soon, I hope to post more testimony of what God has saved me from, in my profile.

We were at the Sacramento River all day. Two things you must know, 1. we were homeless living in a car, 2. my mother is-was a drug/alcohol addict, with Schizophrenia.
I will try to shorten this story.
With the Schizophrenia, her mind was not in "reality". Her mind produced"stories", only there was NO fact to them. Some examples are~ the Government was after her because she witnessed a murder, she was Mary-mother of Jesus, I can remember several times being beat because I was a "clone" or that someone planted a listening device in me to track her......basically, I was beaten like I was her enemy. On this evening, that God would save me from certain death, and I am not exaggerating. I had survived many severe beatings, and this next part is very graphic, but it is the truth, she would take me behind grocery stores, with a butcher knife, and threaten to kill me and cut me into small pieces and throw me into the dumpster, how that never happened, I can only say that God wrapped His hands of protection around me.
Ok, I was trying to keep this short...that evening, her mind created a story that she blamed me for, and beat me to near death. She left, with my sister. It was dark, and I was scared. Being abandoned, in strange places, was becoming very common. I would usually hide in a tree, or in some bushes (fear that a stranger would take me, the crazy part is, that I would have probably been better off), and some time later she would come back for me.
After she left me, I hid in the bushes. Scared, crying and in pain. Around an hour later, a park ranger found me. How he found me? Only by God's guiding. It was a long walk downhill, and the area was thick with trees and bushes. He was in a vehicle, so the path must have been wide enough for his vehicle.
This was not the first time being taken away from my mother. I can remember, two times right before this, being taken into Children service agency, with obvious bruises all over my body, but they gave me back to my mom. Why? Because I lied, and told them that my mom did not do it. Why? Because, I loved my mom. I had a fear of leaving her. I had a fear that she would die if I left her. She would tell me that she could not live without me, and as a child, my love for my mom was unconditional.

Why share this?
Because I know that God has a plan and a purpose for me! God did not save my life, or my soul, that I should live for myself. My history, is "His-story".
I give Him ALL Praise,Honor and Glory, for giving me life, not just on this earth, but that He has given His Son as a one time sacrifice, that I may enter eternity, to enjoy Him forever..........

*BTW~ I did not plan on sharing this. I wanted to post about the foster training classes, that we took yesterday, and how convicted I am, that God wants us to keep our home open. Don't panic. I am not ready to take on any more right now, but I have battled selfish thoughts about my future. Our home may not be perfect, and we are not perfect parents, but these kids need a safe place to go, and a family that will not give up on them. I won't go into detail, but I am furious that the system protects and gives endless chances to birth parents, and these children are the ones suffering the consequences!

Happy 1st Birthday Emily !

2009-04-20T15:49:00.002-04:00

Click on this~Miracle's baby girl
to see pictures of Emily.

Random Pictures...

2009-04-12T15:52:00.001-04:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow