Abbi is 1 year old!

This year has flown by. And I have an amazing way for it to end. Today is my only daughters first birthday. She has been a delight from the beginning. Always smiling, laughing, and trying to figure out what to get into next. She has definitely benefited from being the 3rd...and the fact that she is the only grand daughter on my side! I have mellowed some through the years, since my Noah was born. She is so sweet. She is going to be a little chatter box from the way she already "talks" to me. I cannot imagine our family with out her!

Happy Birthday my little Abigail! I love you so much!

Merry Christmas 2009

I will be taking some time away from the computer for a few days to spend time with family and friends during the holidays! I hope you and yours have a joyous time together and remember why it is we have CHRISTmas! Happy Birthday Jesus!

I will leave you with my 3 favorite Christmas songs!

Sunday Session 12-13-09

Matt.10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Deuteronomy 26:1-3 (New International Version)

¹ When you have entered the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it, ²take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name ³ and say to the priest in office at the time, "I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come to the land the LORD swore to our forefathers to give us."

Only 27 days until...

my baby girl is a year old! I cannot believe how fast this year went. My sweet baby will be one on December 30!

Our Advent Activities

I have been wanting to do an Advent type of activties for our family for a while. This year I just sat down and did it! It is hard to think of something for all of the kids to do, but I think what I have planned will work. I just want the kids to know that Christmas is about more that just Santa! Here are a few of the things we will be doing this year.

*Hang wreath on the door and make a paper chain to count down to Christmas Day

*Write a letter to Santa and deliver it to Macy's

*Write letters to Clyde who is overseas and to my brother who is in the Air Force in CA.

*Hang up our stockings

*Go to our Christmas Parade (Our's passes right by our neighborhood!)

*Make mini ginger bread houses (out of graham crackers)

*Make Christmas shortbread

*Make Christmas trees (out of a sugar cone and green icing)

*Read the legend of the candy cane and have some

*Address Christmas card and drink egg nog

*Go shopping for teacher gifts and wrap them

*Make salt dough ornaments to give as gifts to neighbors

*Find pine cones and make bird seed feeders

*Have hot chocolate, with whipped cream

*Have an indoor picnic

*Make gift for the grandparents (it's a surprise or I'll tell what it is!)

*Go to some local events: hayride through Life of Christ, looking at Christmas lights, some church events.

I got a lot of ideas from this sight: Our Home With God. Lot's of good ideas!

I also have a short Bible verse to read each night.

What does your family do to celebrate the Holidays? I need some more ideas!

Menu Plan Monday 11-30-09

I know I am a day late, but I didn't really have time to get on the computer yesterday. I was in the kitchen ALL day! I made cookies for MOPS cookie exchange, and some more cookie dough, 2 breakfast casseroles for our MOPS meeting, and then made dinner! I was tired by the end of the day when I thought about doing this, and decided to go to bed!

Monday-cubed pork and baked mac and cheese

Tuesday-spirit night for Noah's school, maybe eating with my parents

Wednesday-Baked ziti

Thursday-marinated sirloin steak with caramelized onions, scalloped potatoes and carrots

Friday-Birthday party for my niece Grace

Saturday-Layered Mexican Bake

Sunday-leftovers

I love the Kraft Food and Family magazine. That is where a few of these recipes came from. Enjoy your week, ours is a busy one!

Sunday Session 11-29-09

Hebrews 12:27-29 (The Message)

^25-27So don't turn a deaf ear to these gracious words. If those who ignored earthly warnings didn't get away with it, what will happen to us if we turn our backs on heavenly warnings? His voice that time shook the earth to its foundations; this time—he's told us this quite plainly—he'll also rock the heavens: "One last shaking, from top to bottom, stem to stern." The phrase "one last shaking" means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered.

^28-29Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He's actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won't quit until it's all cleansed. God himself is Fire!

It is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for this year!

My Jesus, I couldn't live a day with out his grace and mercy!

My Husband, I love him in a way that I can not explain. Thankful that he puts up with me!

My children, Noah, Jonah, and Abbi. They make each day new and exciting!

My parents, Thankful for everything they do for me and the unconditional love they have for their children, and especially for my children!

My family, no family is perfect, but I love mine!

Here are some other things I am thankful for!

My coffee, sweet tea, a Christian radio station, loving friends-far and near, our freedom, forgiveness to others and others forgiveness of me!, Granny, my MIL, my wonderful Father in Law, that my kids are healthy and happy, that I am able to stay home with them; not better job in the world, for my husbands job, for the internet-i love being able to go to the computer and look up a recipe, or show my son what type of spider he found in the back yard!, chocolate, church, a hardworking husband, the ability to be able to write this-especially since the stroke, but thank goodness for spell check!, the smell of a turkey in the oven, the anticipation of getting together with family for a great meal, for music, for the basics of life, for everything I have. I am so Thankful!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

This weekend Bluelight Specials!

Here are this weekend’s Bluelight Specials - running from Thursday to Sunday as opposed to the usual Saturday and Sunday:

Bluelight Specials for 11/26-11/29 THURSDAY to SUNDAY from 1PM-6PM!

· Kids Route 66 Graphic Tees $3.99 (Reg. $7.99)

· Essential Home 7.5' x 9.5' Rug in a Bag $34.99 (Reg. $69.99)

· All Multi-Roll Wrap 50% Off (Reg. $7.99)

Don’t forget to follow @KmartDealsnNews and use the #KmartBLS hashtag for a chance to win every day! For more info & rules: http://tr.im/KmartBLS. Good luck!

Sunday Session 11-22-09

²⁴"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

²⁸When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Mathew 24-29

We are finished!

Andrew and I just completed Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. We got a diploma and everything! Andrew wasn't able to attend about 4 classes with me because right after we started the class they transferred him to a store an hour away, and moved everyone around because of a new store opening. He worked so much in the last couple of months I forgot what he looked like!

I want to thank my brother and SIL for sending us to this class. It has made a huge difference in us now knowing where our money is going instead of us wondering where it went!

I strongly suggest you find a FPU in your town and GO! It will make a huge difference in your life!

Blue Light Specials...Back at Kmart!

Blue Light Specials are back, and to celebrate in style Kmart will be giving shoppers on Twitter a chance to win a $50 gift card everyday! In addition to the chance to win daily, everyone following@KmartDealsnNews on Twitter will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 Kmart shopping spree – how cool is that?!

The sweepstakes runs from November 12^th until December 23^rd and I wanted to make sure you had the chance to share this awesome opportunity to win with the readers of Live 4 Him 24 & Reviewing For Them!

Winning couldn’t get easier - all you have to do is follow @KmartDealsnNews on Twitter from your personal Twitter account and issue a Tweet everyday using our hashtag: #KmartBLS. Each day is a new opportunity to win, so the more often you tweet - the better your chances are to win a Daily prize!

For more info on sweepstakes details, check out: http://tr.im/kmartBLS, and for Official Rules:http://tr.im/kmartBLSrules.

Of course, this is all in celebration of the return of Bluelight Specials at Kmart! There are over 40 great Bluelight Specials throughout the weekend in-store, and other great offers online atKmart.com, too, only on Saturdays and Sundays. A little preview for this weekend’s (11/15 – 11/16) Specials:

· Essential Home Complete Bed set $29.99 (reg. $49.99)

· All Trim-A-Home lights 50% off (reg $8.99-$29.99)

· 9 Piece Luggage Set $49.99 (reg $99.99)

· Juniors Leggings 50% off

My sweet happy girl...

I have the happiest baby ever...and no you can't argue that yours is! Just kidding!

Abbi has been the sweetest thing since the day she was born. She pretty much slept all night...in her bed, from the get go.

She was the easiest nurser; fast and done in 15 minutes and not hungry again until 4 hours later. I miss that! I pretty much dried up when she was 7 months and we have been doing formula since then.

She never cries unless she isn't feeling well or is so tired she doesn't know what else to do!

She is the funniest thing. And she already has a great attention span. She can sit and play with the magnets on the fridge forever.

And she loves her doll. She was playing peek a boo with it earlier by covering the dolls face with a sock that she found on the floor.

She is so smart...and only 10 months old. I have a hard time believing that she is already 10 months and a hard time believing that she hasn't always been a part of our family! She is such a joy!

I know I'm late...

We had a rainy Halloween here. We took the kids to a church for a fall festival. They had fun which is all that matters to me! We then went to my cousins Nanny's for family fun. They had fun riding on the golf cart to get some candy.

I wonder how long I can take the good stuff before they start realizing it?

Sunday Session 11-8-09

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (New International Version)

Sowing Generously

⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Okay...I can't believe I wrote this!

I never would have thought that I would write about this but it so funny...at least to me!

My 5 year old still needs help when he wipes after a number 2. Sometimes there is a little blood so I will tell him he needs some juice to help with that...

My favorite time of the month is here, and as a Mom I never get privacy...even in the bathroom. So I was using the bathroom and Noah walks in and saw some blood in the toilet as I got up. He looked at me and said "MOM, you need some juice!"

Well...I thought it was funny!

BOIRON cold and flu products

A few weeks ago I was sent an email to try Boiron products just in time for cold and flu season. I said yes, being that I have decided against the H1N1 flu vaccine. I did get my little's the flu shot, but it just seems that the H1N1 came out so fast and I don't know enough about it!

I received Chestal which is a cough syrup made with honey, oscillococcimun which is to reduce the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms, and Coldcalm, which says it temporarily relieves cold symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and minor sore throat.

The thing that I like best about these products is that they are all natural products! No more worrying if I am giving my kids too much of this, and too much of that! They are made for children 2 years and up, except for the Coldcalm, it is suggested for 3 and up, because it is small pellets for the kids to let dissolve on their tongue.

If you have a blog and would like the opportunity to try these products, visit this Boiron site! And if you don't have a blog, here is a coupon for $1.00 off coupon!

Pumpkin Patch with Noah!

Noah roasting his marshmallow.

Noah and his "girl-friend!"

Making cider.

Sorry we are laying down, but I can't take it off! At story time.

Getting his pumpkin.

The hay maze.

Doing the craft.

Just arrived!

I don't know what is up with Blogger, but it won't let me cut and paste these pictures like I want to! Okay, now that I am done pitching my little fit...

I went with Noah's class on a field trip to a pumpkin patch. It is not as fancy as some other's that I have seen but we had fun. They had a hay maze, craft time, story time, got to pick a pumpkin, made apple cider in a press, had hot dogs for lunch, then got to roast marshmallows. We went on a hayride and it was fun! It was chilly that day and the patch was at the lake, so there was a cold breeze all day. But I am so glad I got to go!

So...

I have not been blogging much...obviously! I really want to...I'm just not sure what to say. I guess I have been a rut. We are trying to get our "house" fixed up to sell. I say "house" because it is a little two bedroom townhouse. Andrew and I bought it about 3 months before we got married. Andrew stayed here and I moved in when we got married. I loved it then...hate it now! Well, hate is a strong word, I guess I should say we have majorly out-growned the house. I have all 3 kids in one bedroom now. It's okay, because the only thing they really do is sleep it the bedroom. The rest of the time they want to be out in the living room with us.

About 3 weeks ago I got rid of so much stuff! I had our van packed out and took it all to the Goodwill, just to get rid of it. I should have had a yard sale, per Dave Ramsey, but I just wanted it gone! We have NO room to store anything and it was driving me crazy! I still have some work to do...we need to have our roof looked at, and we really need to replace the carpet. Although we don't want to do that with the kids here! That is why it looks the way does. Spotted from "dippy cups!"

In other news, I went with Noah's class to a pumpkin patch on Monday. That was fun. We enjoyed a hayride, story time, a craft, and got to pick a pumpkin. Then we had lunch. It was fun and I'm glad I got to go.

I am really going to try to blog more often. It is the only way I can really keep up with what is new with my children for me to have later in life.

Menu Plan Monday

I have seen this around the blog-sphere for a while and since I have been doing weekly meal plans for a while, I thought I would start. It really helps to save money because I plan in advance what we are going to have and buy only what I need!

Monday- leftovers from Sunday. Potato soup, baked spaghetti, or chicken and dumplings

Tuesday- cubed pork, carrots, and mashed potatoes and gravy

Wednesday-Hamburgers or Tacos

Thursday-Noah had a soccer party, so probably will have sandwiches after school instead of a snack

Friday-Chicken tenders and spicy black bean soup

Saturday-Family Night! Pizza and bread sticks

Sunday-Italian chicken, rice, and broccoli

Sunday Session

It has been a few weeks since I did this. But it is back!

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

I also like this version found in The Message:

^5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.

I know it has been a while...

Where have I been? I was feeling yucky for a few weeks. I had a nasty cold and was talking like Barry White for a while! I am feeling better now and so grateful that none of the children seem to have gotten whatever it was that I had!

Today was a busy day for us. We had 2 birthday parties to go to. The boys had fun and got worn out! Jonah is already asleep...hopefully for the night.

Andrew is going okay in school. Not as well as I hoped but considering how long he has been out...he is doing well!

And I have to talk about these! I won a sample pack of Pirates Booty snack foods from 24/7 Moms. My boys love them. They are all natural and I feel safe giving them to them, even to Abbi! We haven't found a flavor we don't like!

Luvs-take a stand!

Have you ever tried Luvs diapers? I have and here's an extra reason to try them! Go to Luvs.com and get a $5 dollors coupons to save on your next purchase of Luvs diapers!

The people at Luvs® are excited to invite you to join the Luvs "Take a Stand" campaign, which rallies moms to unite and take a stand on things that are important to them, such as not paying too much money for everyday items such as diapers!

If you go to Luvs.com, there's an opportunity to share your own inspiring "Take a Stand" story with other moms in the Luvs online community.

Join Marissa Jaret Winokur, Tony-Award-winning actress, Dancing With the Stars contestant in taking a stand for what is important to YOU!

Where is God?

My kids were watching Charlotte's Web the other day. I sat there watching with them and the thought came to my mind...why is everyone so impressed with Wilber (the pig)? I mean, sure he is cute, but isn't the really amazing thing the spider?

This thought stuck with me for a while and the more I thought about it the more it made sence to me! Charlotte, the spider, is kind of like Jesus. She is working behind the scenes making Wilber out to be the mircilous pig everyone thinks that he is. She never asks for thanks and keeps on doing her "work" to conform Wilber into this great pig. In the end Wilber is spared from becoming the Christmas ham and she dies.

It makes me think of an old song, What a friend we have in Jesus. Here are the lyrics:

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.

What do you think? Am I way off base here or what? I want Jesus to make me a better person. Maybe he is, quietly working behind the scenes. Never asking for thanks, but I owe him all I have and ever will have. Kind of like Wilber, taking Charlotte's egg sack and taking care of it for her until her children go to spread out. Maybe I need to stop and take the time to spread the joy of Jesus and what He has done for me. He is the friend of all friends!

Thank you Lord Jesus for ALL that I have. It may not seem like much to anyone else, but to me it is immeasureable what you have done for me!

Sunday Session

How long, O Lord, must i call for help,

but you do not listne?

Or cry out to you, “Violence!:

but you do not save?

Why do you make me look at injustice?

Why do you tolerate wrong?

Destruction and violence are before me;

there is strife, and conflect abounds.

Threfore the law is paralyzed,

and justice never prevails.

The wicked hem in the righteous,

so that justice is perverted..

(The Lord’s Answer)

Look at the nations and watch-

and be utterly amazed.

For I am going to do something in your days

that you would not believe,

even if you were told.

Habakkuk 1:2-5

A Sunday Session

I am starting something new: A Sunday session with a Bible verse. This is just for me but I hope it will bless you too!

The fear the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Listen, my son, to your father's instruction

and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

They will be a garland to grace your head

and a chain to adorn your neck.

Proverbs 1:7-9

Check this out!

Take a look at my latest review and giveaway for Zhu Zhu Pets over on the review blog!

Just some updates:

Andrew has started school. I think he didn't remember how pressing a time college can be! He already has so much homework! And the price of books is absolutely ridiculous!

Noah is doing really well in school. I was worried how he would adjust but he seems to be doing great!

Jonah is still working on potty training! He did really good today with no accidents all day!

Abbi is growing so much! I can not believe she will be 8 months on the 30th of this month! She is all go, but so sweet. She is always laughing and smiling.

That's all for now!

Just when you think you've got it all figured out...

Andrew found out today that they are transferring him to a new store. Of course, when you things are looking like they are going to work out, they never do! He is starting school next week and had everything worked out with his current boss as far as days off. His new "boss" doesn't want to let him the 2 days that he needs off, off. He says it isn't fair to the other employees. Andrew needs the 2 slowest days of the week off, not any weekend days, so we don't see what the problem is. I guess we will find out on Tuesday when he starts at the other store.

We have started attending Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, thanks my brother and sister-in-law. We are working on baby step 1 which is to have an Emergency Fund of $1000.00. We have no idea how we are going to do it, but I may (gulp) have to get a part time job. This is going to kill me. Not literally, but I have been home for 3 years and the little's have never stayed with anyone else other than the times I have been in the hospital. I don't want to put them in daycare, because then what would be the point of working? I just have to pray, a lot, about the situation. I figure if it is what is supposed to be, it will work out. We shall see. Please pray for our family and the situation, to hear what Jesus wants us to do and to have the faith to do it!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I have not done this in a while, but what a better time to start again!

I did not hate to take my son to his first day of Kindergarten this past week! I did not get out of his classroom just in time to cry like a baby. I can not believe my baby is in school!

I was not so completely zoned out by the new school routine that I did not totally forgot all about my Bible Study this week. And I did not think about it until that evening when I went to get my Bible to read...so not like me!

I did not get Noah to school on time or early everyday this first week. I do not hope to continue this through out the school year!

I am not proud of Jonah for finally catching on this potty training thing!

Hope you all have a great week!

Abbi is 7 months!

I can not believe how fast time is flying right by me! Abbi is 7 months old! Here are some of our 7 months "portraits!"

She was trying to eat the paper!

Already trying to stand!

Noah's first day of Kindergarten!

Well, I made it through the first day of school for my oldest child. He didn't want to go to bed on Sunday night, which made for a rough morning. He woke up in a bad mood! But he got out of it as soon as we walked into the school! Here are pictures of his first day!

I actually didn't cry until I told him bye and left his room! I think for me that is an accomplishment! I had people praying for me and I can tell. I was at peace as we left and he had a great day! I can't wait to hear about today!

I am not crying here! The sun was in our eyes!

the time is come

I have been on a little computer hiatus for a few days. We decided to take a little mini-vacation. Andrew's mom has a time share near Helen GA. They have free putt putt and a pool so it was a little like going to the beach...I can think that anyway! My parents went with us. We had a good time. Andrew and my dad got to play golf at the "resort" golf course. Andrew actually played well.

We just had a fun family filled vacation. We really wanted to take Noah somewhere before school starts and life changes for us all in so many ways. I am so not ready for this time to be here. I have known it was coming since the day I had Noah but I am still not ready to send my first baby off to school. We went to open house on Thursday night and met his teacher. I almost cried then, but I held it in! I know I will be a blubbering fool on Monday! But I know I can't let Noah see me that way! I want him to enjoy it and think of it as an adventure! I don't know what will be harder...Noah going to Kindergarten or Abbi!

I love the quote that goes: you carry your child for 9 months and they carry your hearts for the rest of your life. It is so true. And how your child is your heart walking outside of your body. I now know how true those words are. I admit I am very anxious and regretting that the time has come. Monday morning I will have a Kindergartner and I will live to tell it all...through my tears.

Life from a 2 year old

I gave Jonah my camera one day this week at VBS to keep him still. The following is what I got:

Just randomness...

I love my family! We have been on the go lately and when we are not going we are enjoying time at home. I have started a Bible study with some of the MOPS girls. It has been excellent. I missed this past week because everyone, including Andrew, slept late! This never happens because usually one of the children wake up early, but not this past week! It was nice to sleep in a little, but not good that Andrew was late for work!

I only have 2 weeks to enjoy time with Noah before school starts. I still can not believe I will have a Kindergartner! I am feeling a little more at peace now. I know it will be good for him and he will have so much fun! I was worried that him never being in pre school or preK he may feel out of place, but watching him...I don't think he will ever feel that way!

We are still working on potty training with Jonah. If he would just understand that you have to get up and go the bathroom when he need to go, we would be doing great!

Abbi has continued with her milestones! She finally pulled up in the crib this week and is so determined to pull up on anything standing still!

Time flies...

I have been a bad blogger lately! I have not taken time to write...busy living life! Our world is about to change when Noah starts school, so I have been enjoying the end of summer with the kids!

Abbi had her 6 month check-up. That bugger weights 18.6 lbs! No wonder my arm feels like it is going to fall off after holding her for a while. She is "off the charts" in length-28 inches!

She has also starting crawling, sitting up by herself, and cut 2 teeth this past week. She is growing up too fast for me!

We are working on potty training Jonah. It is going okay as long I keep after him to go potty. Sometimes I have to set the timer to remind me to take him to the bathroom. He is finally getting to the point where he will go by himself...sometimes!

Noah is Noah. Not much as far as milestones go right now. I am getting more and more upset excited that he is starting Kindergarten in 4 weeks! I just can't believe my baby is starting school!

It has been 5 weeks since I had the hernia surgery. I am doing great and the doctor gave me the all clear to exercise, slow at first, of course. Now I'm ready to shred this extra weight I've been carrying around the last, oh, 8 years! I'll let you know how that goes!

I promise to get around to posting a lot more...I need to so I don't forget our everyday stuff!

Have a great week!

Happy 4th

Just wanted to take a minute of out a busy family day to wish everyone a happy 4th!

Thank you to all who serve or have served to give us the freedoms we have in this country. Let's keep what so many have paid the ultimate sacifice to give us. It seems so many are being taken away...but I won't get into that here!

Enjoy your bar-b-ques and the fireworks tonight! We will!

Check it out!

Check out my first review for Blogher! I love Avent bottles and got a chance to review one! Go to my review blog to find out more!

Have no fear, only believe!

I am up early today without the kids...for a few minutes anyway! Sometimes it is so nice to get up and have a few minutes to myself before the day starts. Noah is spending the night with Pa and Ma so I just have the Little's today.

We had a great bible study at church last night. It was about fear. If we have Faith we can not have fear. One of the ladies but it in perspective by saying this. A women is on a plane going to visit her sister. She told the person sitting next to her regardless of what happens she will have a good trip. She will either land and get to see her sister, or if the plane crashes she will get to see her Savior. I had never thought about it, but it makes so much sense. We live in so much fear of what is going to happen next instead of taking it to God in prayer. It really made me think.

I am feeling so much better after my surgery. I am grateful for my mom, mother in law and my cousin Amy. They kept the boys for 2 whole weeks! Abbi and I had some time to bond. It was nice just having some time with her. She is so alive now, for lack of a better word! She is getting ready to crawl. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks! And she is doing some type of Army belly crawl! She is growing up so fast, but I am taking it all in. Just knowing that I will never have this baby stage again...makes me want to cry! But I am enjoying every minute! Some MOPS moms have brought dinner for us this week. I feel so special...and I haven't even attended a meeting yet! I did go to a Mom's night out and a play date just trying to get to know some people before the meetings start.

In other news...Jonah is potty training! He is great with peeing in the potty, but doing number 2 is another story! We will get there eventually! He does not want to wear diapers, but wants to wear Noah's big boy undies. He has some training pants which are better for when he has an accident (thicker so it doesn't go all over the floor) but he prefers Noah's Wiggle's undies! He is so funny and I am enjoying this stage with him. It is so hard sometimes staying consistent with the discipline but I learned from Noah to not give in, and it is working. He is much better behaved when I take the time to pay attention to him and really enforce the positive that he does! He loves it when I say good job! When I do he says high five and hold his little hand up for his high five. He still has his moments but who doesn't! I still do!

Noah is such a big boy. He was so cute at Andrew's last softball game...which they won! 2 in a row. Whoo hoo! Anyway, he and his cousin Caleb were playing "baseball" and I looked over there and they had a whole team playing. He never meets a stranger...as far as kids go. When we go to park he always has a new friend to tell me all about. He finds out all about them! I cannot believe that he will starting school in just over a month!

Andrew and I are going to try to go on a "date" tonight. I got a coupon in my email from TGI Fridays for a buy one entree and get one free. If you haven't yet go sign up at their website for their "Give me more stripes" program! And then we want to go see Transformers...so we will see if it works out! Hopefully will. We have not been out together in a while!

Have a great weekend and have no fear, only believe!

I found a new place...

While I am sitting around here with nothing to do...(actually can't...Doctor's orders!) and while Abbi is napping, I stumbled upon a new blog. And they are having a Going Dot Com Birthday Bash where there will be 10 winners every day this week!

5 years ago...

Let me just start off by saying I can not believe that I am now the parent of a 5 year old! Time flies when you're having fun! Today is Noah's birthday. I love this child more than he will ever know...at least until he has his own one day. He is so smart and so sweet. When I came home the other day after having my surgery he was just standing next to the bed and holding my hand. At one point he cried worried about me. I had to reassure him that I was fine and just like when I had Jonah and Abbi in a few weeks I would be fine!

I love you so much Noah! Happy Birthday to my Big Boy!

The day has come...

The day is here.  I go in tomorrow for my hernia surgery.  I am a little nervous as I suppose you would be with any surgery, but also know everything will be fine.  I guess after 3 c-sections the word surgery doesn't really scare me!  The hard part for me will be while I am recovering and not being able to do stuff with my children.  They will be spread out for few days and I know they will be having fun...it's just not being able to do my "job" as a wife and mother for a couple of weeks that bothers me!

Please pray for my uncle Edward.  He was admitted to the hospital yesterday with a dangerously low hemoglobin level.  He is going to have tests done today to try to figure out why.  

Please pray also that my family stays safe and sound while I am out of it for a few weeks, for our financial situation, and for the mentality of those that are helping out with our children!  I know God will provide our needs but a little prayer never hurt!  God bless you and when I am able to I will be back!

Life throws us curves...

I have been pondering how to write this post. I know what I want to say, but not how to say it, so stay with me here!

I love Jesus, God, the Almighty, the Alpha and the Omega, my provider, my deliverer, my Healer... but do I really live for him like I imply in my blog title? The truth is no, I don't. I want to, more than anything. But, I don't pray everyday...like I want to. I don't read the Bible everyday...like I want to. I don't invite others to know the truth and come to church with me...like I want to. I guess you get the picture.

I really feel like Jesus healed me when I had my stroke in March of 2006. I went through therapy for almost 6 months. My therapist went on vacation in which time Andrew and I were having a very rough patch. We weren't talking much, weren't doing anything together, just drifting apart. Our finances were terrible, not that they are great now, but that's another story! I wasn't making any where near what I had been when I was working so it hurt our finances. The bank was paying me half of my salary and when I was released from the doctors care there was no position for me. To put it lightly, we were struggling. We were looking for a way to make it, sell the house, refinance it, sell Andrew's truck...we didn't want to file for bankruptcy, but we went to Credit Counseling and they told us we would be better off filing for bankruptcy with me not working. Things had gotten bad but in the process I went to church one morning and by God's doing I sat next to a girl that ended up becoming my best friend. I miss her so much right now...but more about that in a minute! After the service I went to the alter to pray and someone asked me what could they pray with me about. I had plenty of stuff to choose from but I said my marriage. I will just say that that day...everything changed! I went back to therapy and my therapist said what happened? I went from scoring in the 40-50% to scoring in the 100% range on what we had been working on. Andrew and I started communicating again and things immediately got better. We found out I was pregnant with Jonah with in 2 months after this.

I will say God works in mysterious ways as I had always wanted to stay at home with my children. I had applied at a couple of places but didn't hear back from anyone. And when we found out I was pregnant Andrew said don't even try to get a job. He would work 2 if he had too but that I wouldn't make enough to miss out on 2 children's lives.

I say all this to say that I owe God my life...but I know I am not giving him all that I should. I want to be honest in my blog as I will look back at it one day. I know family and friends read this so please go with me on this. I make mistakes just like everyone else. But I also know a God that will forgive and forget. Why all people can't do that I will never know.

So speaking of the girl that I sat by at church that day...It was who was to become my best friend Charlotte. She and her husband Clyde became our best friends. If you have been reading my blog for a while you know they are military and moved to Texas last October. They are only supposed to be gone for 4 years. They just found out that Clyde is supposed to be going to Iraq in a few months. Please pray for them. It is amazing how God places people in our lives to help us though the toughest times. My only hope is that I be for her what she was to me. An ear to listen and a heart to pray.

I know this is a scatter brained, random post...but so am I! God bless you all and have a great week!