Scrapping Servant

Weigh-In

2011-02-16T20:50:00.000-08:00

Here I am again mid-week telling ya'll how I'm doing. I would be happy for more comments if anyone's out there, or maybe if some of you want to join in? :)

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So how is everything going?

My Goals

Weigh 158 by May! (9 months on - 9 months off)
Finish 90 days of P90X also scheduled in May.

Food

I had a difficult day yesterday when we were at youth group. I brought salad that I ate, but I also had 2 pieces of pizza, like 4 pieces of french bread with pudding in it and a small chocolate cupcake!!! For shame! lol One of each of those things would have been better, but what is past is past, now I...
... "Reach forward to what lies ahead" - Phil. 3:13

Water

Again - I have not made it to 8 cups a day! Why is this so hard for me?

Exercise

I am now in Week 2 of P90X and it's feeling pretty good! I am burning a good amount of calories and I think I am already seeing a difference in my overall shape :). No pictures till 30 days though :).

'Yoga X' was pretty hard last Thursday. I made sure my knees were off the ground this time for every upward-dog position! Yaay! I can't wait to find my sweet spot in the crane balance pose! I want it so bad! And just to stay standing on one leg the whole time during "standing splits" is going to be my goal!
'Legs and Back' on Friday felt great! I remember doing the first set of wall squats, I was feeling the muscles in my legs thinking "wow they are there!" yaay! I felt strong that day.
'Kenpo X' was actually more fun and a little easier than I remember doing in the past. But I couldn't remember that is was THIS DVD that keeps you moving with all the jumping-jacks and X-jumps in between! Maybe I need to BRING IT more this Saturday to be more sore this Sunday :).
Sunday I did not do 'Stretch X' as we went out for Valentine's day :). But we did end up dancing for about an hour, we were sweaty, so I know that was a good alternative! :)
'Chest and Back' on Monday was a little disappointing at first because I really want to be better with deeper push-ups (on my knees) and more reps on pull-ups (with a chair), but when we went back to repeat movements I was proud to have up'd my numbers by 2 on all the ones I could do!
'Plyometrics' yesterday was hard on my knee, which is still a little sore today. My heart-rate didn't go too high which felt nice. My lungs were still sore afterwards, so I know it was a good workout!
Last week I forgot to update on 'Ab Ripper X'! This we do 3 times a week on all our lifting days, not on our cardio days. So I have already done it 5 times with no update! The first 4 moves I have to PUSH myself to do 20 reps when we are supposed to do 25, and BOY do they hurt! Most the moves I modify just to get them done, like holding my calves up a little with my hands, or only lifting one leg when we go to the side. I hate that something in my back pops every-time I do "hip-rock and raise", but I'm glad it doesn't hurt. I do like Ab Ripper X since it attacks my biggest "problem area", so I really try to push myself to my best!

Challenges

I am still struggling with balance. I don't want my priorities to be off. If I can make time for this in my life, I should be able to make time for other things as well. This just happens because I want it so bad. Lord help me to be determined in more things than this!

Successes

I am on week two with no feelings of wanting to skip a day or give up yet! That is pretty tremendous for me!

Plans for the Week

Straighten my priorities to be a determined person in all things!

Motivation

This is a picture back from July of 2009 when I was about 5 pounds less than what I weigh now. I still wear these jeans (baggy) and this belt, but I am not using that flower hole yet.

This will be a smaller first goal for me :) Baby steps.

My Weight loss Plan

2011-02-02T21:10:00.000-08:00

:) Okay so now that I am out of "my cloud", last week I started watching my weight again.

In case you haven't been reading, here is...

My Back Story:
In May 2009 I was 185 lbs (highest ever).
I got down as low as 158 lbs in December 2009 (27 lbs lost in 7 months).
Then I got pregnant and went up to 185 lbs again :) a good gain.

I was done making excuses before and am not going back! No more poor eating habits and excess weight. I want to be healthy and LIVING when it is my turn to be a grandma!

My Goals:
My all time goal is to get down to 130(ish) - I'll start to see what is reasonable when I get there.
That is a 40 lb loss, reasonably by December of 2011 when I stay on track.

My first goal will be to hit my pre-pregnancy weight first though :) 158 lbs by May! When I hit that first goal my planned reward is a pair of new jeans!

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So how's everything going?

Food

I am following the old Weight Watchers program on my own from home. I randomly decided to start in the middle of the week because I figured five days of good habits for one week was better than none :). I am glad I did!

Water

More than before is always better - this is always a struggle of mine.

Exercise

Didn't happen last week. I am going to work on a tangible home schedule/routine to follow with exercise on there!

Challenges

What was hard last week was dealing with my own attitude. When I want to change and get better but others don't, it bugs me. I know I cannot force good habits on others. I have been praying that I would see how selfish I am to not take care of myself, so as to not push my own personal conviction on others :(.

Successes

It was a good week, even though it wasn't technically a full one. I was happy also to do well even though we had gone out to eat a couple times. It is always nice to know you could make good choices while you are out, but it is another thing all together to actually DO IT! :)!

Plans for the Week

More water. Exercise. Set up a schedule/routine and follow it!

Motivation

I took some new "start" weight photos today! And I was brave this time, but I won't share the full shots till I get some better after shots going! :) I was a little encouraged by the Biggest Loser I think!

So ideally I would like to see less around the tummy - front, sides and back.
But on top of that (good Lord willing) I would also like to have less on my arms and neck too.

The Cloud I've been Hiding In

2011-01-24T20:04:00.000-08:00

I haven't been blogging much lately.

I've really been out of sorts with things these past two months or so.

I am just now finding my desire for interests again.

And now that I feel I am back into the swing of life again and am remembering THIS post from November and I am thinking back on having my other babies. I always went through about a 3 month funk! Whatever that funk is attributed to (postpartum depression, sleep deprivation, life-style adjustments, spiritual warfare, selfishness...) I feel I'm adjusting and coming out from behind the cloud now :)! Thank the Maker.

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Let me attempt at an update with the few pics I have taken from within "the cloud".

Back in September I became an Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant :) My first quarter through the middle of December went well as I was really trying to follow a work plan and set goals for myself. The start of my second quarter was very slow and now that I am "awake, alive" (see video below) and interested again it is all picking back up. God is faithful when I put even the smallest effort, He is good to bless me :).

This picture is meant to show you that I finally picked a lip color for myself :)...

While ditching out on MK goals and spending time trying to sleep or tv (= movies on my laptop, E.R. online, or Glee) my problems away my adorable little man has been growing like a weed! So cute he is! Squish-able in point of fact...

Even when I was at my worst these little people God is letting me borrow would smile at me and I knew I was still okay somewhere deep down...

Also while my little man was growing like a weed, my older girl turned 6!...

My younger girl turned 3...

And yes that big little man turned 6 months old! A whole 1/2 a year when it has seemed more like 2 months...

I LOVE him! He still smiles and giggles in his sleep. He is starting to roll a lot more on the floor not minding to be on his tummy. He will probably be in a size 4 diaper soon and is wearing mostly 9 month clothes. He has been eating rice cereal for about a week now and I think is definitely teething with the amount of drooling, gnawing, waking and fussiness. Clearly his favorite person is his Daddy and his favorite thing is a toss-up between the bouncer and his fuzzy blankie :)

Don't you just wanna chew on him? Muh!...

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If you actually read my post and didn't just scroll through my pictures and comment (which I am guilty of doing occasionally) you might wonder what I meant by mentioning being "awake and alive".

It's one of my favorite songs, by probably my favorite Christian band.

The song talks about being at war and being pulled into the dark (my cloud).

Lord I've struggled to find my faith as I've let myself slip from your arms. It's been hard to stay awake since I ironically wanted to sleep to escape the numbness, that feeling that seemed to drain my strength. But You've breathed into me and now I am awake and alive again! I'm fighting! I'll do what You want. I give You my life. I stand my ground. Help me not to back down! You've woken me up, thank You! I give You my heart. I give You my life.

Now out of that cloud hopefully I will once again be a "living" part of the community both blog and otherwise again :).

Thanks for reading - please comment so I know you are here too :).

May you always walk and talk with Jesus!

I miss our friends!

2011-01-15T23:16:00.000-08:00

It's been a while now since I saw a couple of friends of ours that are like family to us. They are "Uncle and Aunt" to our kids even though there is no relation but through Christ :).

We were supposed to hang out with them today, but they were not feeling well. Our oldest was coughing too though and since their little man had surgery a little while ago I didn't want to expose them to more germs anyway.

I really hope we get to hang out soon!

He are some pics of when we hung out with them for like a whole weekend in September of 2010. These are our youngest two sleeping next to each other on the beach! SO MUCH FUN!...

My Walk

2010-11-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

After watching a new Veggie Tails Video with my kids this morning (thank you DeAnna) I feel like God has clarified the conviction in my heart. It has been hard to be obedient in becoming a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant because I am not one that is into fashion and make-up wearing 24-7.

Not that that is all Mary Kay is about, because it's not, but in my obedience my enemy has been trying to fill my thoughts with a number of lies and discouragements.

This video (meant for my kids, but ministered to me) really showed me that the feeling in my heart, the conflict against selling "beauty products" is that I need to focus on making my heart, my motives, my intentions and my self beautiful on the inside first.

And even more so, then God will be able to use me as a beauty consultant for His kingdom! :)

I am doing this in obedience to Him, but I also want to make sure I am doing it FOR Him. What you pour into a vessel is what you will get out of it. If I pour in the beauty of His word, prayer, fellowship, and encouragement to the woman I am in contact with I know HIS beauty will be much better than my own :).

My Walk Monday

2010-11-15T15:39:00.000-08:00

I'm struggling today, I just want to run to sleep instead of Jesus. If I sleep my troubles will magically disappear, right? Here I am now, I may not look like I am fighting the battle, but I am because I am getting in His word and am not asleep!

Anyway...

I know I must seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and the rest of my life should fall in line. It is on my heart to take each day at a time, so here I go...

I have decided I work well off of goals and plans, and I know I have not read my Bible all the way through... so though it may take me more than a year I decided that I am going to follow a yearly reading plan that gives me a little bit of the new and old testament everyday.

Happy Baby - Crazy Mommy!

2010-11-03T23:23:00.000-07:00

This makes me happy! How 'bout you? :)

My postpartum depression has kicked in! Just this past week or so. Please pray for me.

It is hard to be agitated and irritable when you have 4 kids.
It is hard to cry at the drop of a hat (or a cup of water, or a loud toy, or some food on the carpet, you get my point).
It is hard not to be able to sleep when you know you will need the sleep the next day.
It is hard when my memory goes out the window about something important that my husband shared with me when I then want to argue with him that he did not tell me and I am crying saying I wish he would have warned me first.
It is hard feeling like I don't do anything right and I am a no good mommy!
It is hard to feel withdrawn from the outside world when you are actually there!
It is hard not to enjoy what I know I would usually enjoy!
It is hard that all I want to do is sleep when all I have to do doesn't get done, then I cry about it not getting done!
It is hard to not be able to handle the cry of my own baby!!!

Please pray for me.

All things are possible with God.

He will never give us something we cannot handle.

Though my weakness He is strong.

He will never leave me, nor forsake me.

With Him nothing is impossible!

Starting Monday Right

2010-10-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

So it's been over 4 months since I last blogged for My Walk Monday! So sad because I KNOW this is a good thing for me. I was actually reminded of it by a very sweet blog friend (Angela at Free Spirit Haven) who wrote a couple comments to me recently. She said she hadn't come by in a while and it made me remember I always used to see her when she was doing My Walk Monday all the time. I miss her! I miss you all - my blog friends!

So what about my walk for the week?

Yesterday at church I was blessed to be thinking on things we can sacrifice for the Lord, or ways that we can lose our life to gain it. The first thing the Lord showed me when I was thinking was that I can sacrifice my time.... I can sacrifice rest and laziness :). Recently He has called me into starting a home business with Mary Kay. This has been filling my schedule quite a bit, along with homeschooling, homemaking and mommying 4 kids 5 and under. I love that He also used this to give me confirmation on the new busyness I have, so I know I don't need to let anything go :).

Also recently I have been reading little bits at a time out of Acts 1. As I said I was super blessed to have confirmation from the Lord, but I am also excited to know He cares to comfort us :).

Acts 1 : 10 & 11 during Christ's Ascension into heaven they gazed intently into the sky while He was going... I would imagine if I were in their shoes that this would be a sad time for me, I would not being seeing Him again. But two men in white clothing stood beside them saying, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." - so comforting and encouraging that God would send two angels to stand with them right at this time and share this happy news with them!

How much more does He want to comfort us in other sad times, or times of need? I love Him for this!

This was a very sweet way to start my day this morning :).

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Hmmm... I would also like to share a new song I learned yesterday morning during worship...

I just loved it...

It is called "God of this City" and it's by Chris Tomlin...

Let us lose our lives, get out of ourselves and BE there for others! Let us love on the people He loves! He calls us to greater things, we only have to be willing to accept the gifts He gives. He alone gives hope, He alone gives peace, there is no one like our God!

Update on Homeschooling

2010-10-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

It's been over a month and a half now :).

It was all so exciting at the beginning, and it still is, to be able to see the way my daughter thinks and processes thought is amazing to me! She is a lot like her daddy and I think he is a genius in many ways!

We got sick two weeks ago which truthfully made me FAR too lax with our starting time, which then rolled over into a bad habit for last week! Tomorrow - for the start of this next week I am determined for this habit not to continue!

My daughter is doing so well though, regardless of our "flexible" schedule. She is flying through math like it is all review even though she never went to pre-school to officially learn these basics (she just loves knowledge:).

Language arts is going great for her. She is loving all the different fairy-tails and definitely enjoys making alternate endings and illustrations of her own!

Here is a picture I took while we were acting out scenes from Cinderella :)...

Phonics she flies right through as well even though she has never done it. She knows that this is what will teach her to read, which she has so wanted for about a year now! She has had certain books memorized by recognizing what is going on in the illustrations for a while!

This is JJ during Phonics tugging her ear to show me that a certain word had the "secret sound" we were looking for :) so cute!

Art and Music are OBvioUSly great fun! She loves to spend extra time in art class. And as for music, she memorizes the songs so sticking fast!!! I am so proud, she recognizes melodies and rhythm so well. She even sings the songs so often just through her day of play that her little brother and sister as learning her songs as well!

Science and History are so new to her that she gets a little frustrated sometimes when she has to try a little harder to pay attention, but she really does enjoy learning! I am even re-learning some of the things I know I have forgotten from History. We have been taking a "trip" of Europe and she is doing well well recognizing all the different countries on that continent!

Last week learning about the Netherlands we made a dike and canal out of play-doh. See "Mr. Traveler" there safe on the land? :)!

We have even made some time to involve my older little man who will be in Kindergarten next year. Just since his older sister has started school he has sprouted into quite the artist! We are so proud of him!

We are also very excited to say that our son is now Born-again! I make time for a little worship, Bible time and prayer most morning (sadly not every morning depending on when we start). But during one of those times he wanted to pray to welcome Jesus to come and live in his heart! :)

Actually just this morning JJ was "preaching" at my husband... "Daddy did you know that you have to be born twice to go to heaven? You have to let Jesus in your heart which means you are born-again. Daddy are you born-again?" I LOVE LOVE LOVE that she asked him this because it shows just how much she cares for him, she cares about his eternal well-being! ... preach it sister... I mean daughter! :)

Thank You Lord. I definitely see where You have given us these kids as a blessing and a reward, though I don't often feel worthy I do always feel thankful! I love You!

A correct depiction...

2010-10-17T23:17:00.000-07:00

... of how I am feeling right now :) ...

(My little man yawning September 1st 2010)

Food for Thought

2010-09-28T09:46:00.000-07:00

"There comes a moment when you have to stop revving up the car and shove it into gear." -David Mahoney

"If nothing changes, nothing changes."

I'm ready to take steps to bring on some good chances, how about you?

My kids Cut their Hair!

2010-09-20T23:29:00.000-07:00

I found all three of them in their room with three pairs of scissors.

They each had their own pair like they were cutting each other's hair!

There was hair on the ground.

I tried not to overreact.

I accessed my oldest daughter first, who was not too bad, only self angled bangs.

Then my son, no problem we could always cut his ALL short.

But when I got to my youngest I acting started to cry silently. Not like it wouldn't grow back. But it was just so short and choppy all over the place. The photos didn't accurately show half the disaster. There were 1/2 inch pieces sticking out all over the place! I was more worried about how to fix it and sad about the fact that this was her baby hair.

She gave herself her first haircut!...

I called my husband first.

Then later on when I was ready to talk about the problem, I called my friend whom is amazing with hair and I knew she would be willing to help.

She is a great job. So cute.

No worries we didn't cut it all short, she just pulled the rest back all cute like.

And JJ got some straight bangs as well :) Nice smile for the camera huh?

If only I could keep those well-cut bangs in order all the time on my own!

Mommy is not the hair dressing natural that her friend is :) Thank you friend!!!

My Mary Kay Start

2010-09-11T16:36:00.000-07:00

I want to share the start of my Mary Kay journey with you :).

Two months ago was my birthday and my husband surprised me with a gift from Mary Kay. I knew he had spent a lot of money and I had a HARD time with the spoiling!

He purchased me the TimeWise® Ultimate Miracle Set. He knew I wanted it because I went to a pedicure party with my consultant friend a month and a half before that and she told him my wishlist :). Everything sat around in the boxes like that for another month and a half while I went back and forth - back and forth on keeping it or returning it!

I finally decided I was ruining my husband's chance to be blessed in trying to bless me :( and that I just needed to let him do it and not micro-manage the money he chooses to spend on me.

So here is where I keep my new-found friends. A basket near my sink so I can be faithful to take care of my skin.

LOL! This is my before picture from a party I had at my house last night - it was so much fun! As you can see I have some redness in my cheeks, it's been this way ever since my second pregnancy in 2005. I never tried taking care of it, just tried to cover it up. It also doesn't help that I am a "picker" (as I call it). I like to pick my scabs (gross I know) which leaves scaring!

Yes I have been convicted to take care of myself on the inside... eating right, exercising, managing my weight, but knowing that there was something wrong with my skin, and ignoring it or damaging it like I have didn't seem right either.

I have been using these products for almost three weeks now and have already noticed a difference in the lightening of my red cheeks and my freckles from the sun. I can't wait to see how much better it gets as I continue.

Such a promising start eh? :)

Laundry Laundry Laundry!!!

2010-09-09T17:55:00.000-07:00

Umm... I don't need a bed tonight, lol!!!

Balloons, Barf, Baptisms and My Baby oh my!

2010-08-30T23:41:00.000-07:00

Balloons

On Saturday we all enjoyed a beautiful birthday party for a one year old friend of ours... balloon man and all :)

Here is my youngest lady with her "fissie"...

... my brave man with his "hord and heild"...

And my lady with her "kiddy and ball"...

Barf

Just after that birthday party on Saturday my son threw up all over the back seat of our car, poor little guy. We attributed it to all the sweets and possibly the bubble solution since he was fine all night.

Though my oldest daughter threw up in her bed that night, poor little lady. I was still thinking it must have been that candy, my kids are NOT used to me letting them have that much candy!

Warfare? Write it off, write if off, write it off... yes three times... but not until we already had been through church service, lunch, shopping and a car ride to the beach!

As soon as we were getting out of the van at the beach B.boy threw up all over the back of Mini :( still in the car! (You can imagine our car smells wonderful!) At that point I said "lets just go home" but I totally wasn't thinking it! I was thinking "warfare!"

So we stayed, and actually little Mister had fun until he got cold and hungry...

And Mini was quite the sweetness in handling puke all in her hair, down her back, on her bum, down her legs and in her shoes!!! She just wanted to go to the beach...

Baptisms

The reason why I kept thinking Warfare!...

... I got baptized! I will blog my heart on the subject another time (hopefully soon).

... blessed obedience...

My Baby! oh my!

She started Kindergarten today! We started homeschooling today! This was me waking her up at 8:30 a.m. to make sure we could start around 9:00...

... the name tag at her desk...

... her waiting patiently for her first subject...

... she jumped right in...

... and LOVED it! I knew she would... I am so proud of her...

... I can't believe she is such a little woman already and that she will be 6 before the year ends!

* Sniffle * Sniffle *

Lord may I ask for?

2010-08-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

Last night while I was laying in bed trying to make myself fall asleep I was thinking of what a good day I had. And when I cannot sleep I pretty much always pray.

But while I was praying over the things that made my day good I realized a lot of things that could have made it bad as well. Then I starting thinking I didn't want to ask God for another day like this, but that I needed to ask Him to help me keep my attitude positive and my motivation for Him.

I had a great day yesterday. Not only because I got to sleep in, but I also got myself up and going easily after that. This has never been an easy task for me, even without kids; most days I am in my jammies all day! I got the dishes done. I did four loads of laundry, folded it and put it away. But I also was finally able to really COOK again! I haven't been cooking our dinners for a while now.

I was able to make my Baked Zitti Casserole which actually feeds us for over three dinners, so two of the dishes are in the freezer. I was also able to get a head start on today's dinner which is Beef and Potato Burritos. Since I was already cutting onion and garlic I set some aside to cook the meat and potatoes for today, and I put it in the fridge.

I am so happy I prepared the meat/potato mix ahead of time because grilling those twenty burritos took a while. I DO like that twenty burritos is a lot for my family, so I put half of them in the freezer for yet another meal! :)

I also planned ahead again for tomorrow :) Tomorrow will be the Sausage Alfredo Lasagna so I got the meat all cooked in the same pan from grilling the burritos and I layered the lasagna and put it in the fridge. This is extra good because tomorrow we have a birthday party to go to, so who knows if I would have gotten dinner going otherwise!

I think this is how I always want to cook. It makes loads of sense! Especially with four little ones around :). Thank You Lord for the inspiration!

Such a Sweetie!

2010-08-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

I refuse to give my little man a pacifier.

We let our oldest have one and don't want to go back! It was worse then a blankie or a thumb anyday. My older little man sucks his thumb, but only when he has his blankie for bed-time. And my littlest lady sucks on her blanket like a pacifier.

So instead of buying my newborn a binky I help him find this thumb or this fingers to comfort himself with :) obviously he is satisfied :)

Getting ready to Homeschool!

2010-08-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

My oldest little girl is starting Kindergarten on Monday... sniff sniff.

I will be homeschooling her K-12 style, which is pretty much public school at home with me as her teacher. I signed her up at the beginning of this month after having my newest baby. It was a little late, but still good since we received all her (free) school supplies in the mail yesterday!

She was so excited! Three big boxes all for her! Not mommy's scrapbooking supplies, but JJ's school supplies! :)

I must admit though, I was a little sad they didn't send her a computer. I filled out a computer request form and our paperwork was approved, but I'm not sure if that means we were approved for a computer. We'll see.

This is her adorable EXCITED face! :)

We opened the three boxes tonight after dinner. Lo and behold, there were eight more boxes inside! We will be going through those tomorrow when we organize the "school cabinet".

For now we were just content to get the main boxes opened and emptied...

I love that they always love playing with them! I didn't take pictures, but I let them all color on their own box after they played in them for a while :).

Good night!

My new Favorite Pic!

2010-08-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

Thank you sister, you are amazing!!!

I LOVE how Newborns sleep!

2010-08-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

LOVE the humming...

LOVE the eye rolling...

LOVE the giggling...

LOVE the smiling...

LOVE the random breathing...

LOVE the frowning...

LOVE the whimpering...

LOVE the mouth twitches...

My baby #4 almost 4 weeks old :)

Sigh - Ministry Days!

2010-08-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

What's up with me and the kids always having bad days on Tuesdays?!

I think it was last Tuesday my youngest daughter threw her head at mine trying to lay down next to me first thing in the morning. I couldn't see straight, I was nauseous, and I had a bump on my forehead all day.

That same daughter also dropped and broke a ceramic plate while trying to carry it to the counter, in the process a piece of the plate cut her face :(

Also my son had what looked like a black eye because he and (again) my younger daughter were out of their beds the night before playing. When daddy went in to check on them, they went running towards their beds and ran dead into each other! Again my daughter's hard head probably hit him. He woke up with a nasty bruise just beneath his eye :(

On top of all this my newborn was not keeping his milk down. Right after I nurse him he spits up, almost every time.

I did find out later in the week that he probably has acid reflux.

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Wow after looking at how LAST week's Tuesday was, today is not so bad :) My forehead no longer hurts to touch, my daughter's face is healed, my son's bruise is much lighter, and my newborn is on a small dose of Zantac to help him keep his milk down :) Things I can now see to be thankful for.

No wonder God showed me three times over in the last week...

"This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Also I think I now see that in these bad days instead of letting my husband bless me, take the night off from youth group and manage the house all night - we should force ourselves out of the house, because OBVIOUSLY the enemy wants us not to go.

I confess - I still want to give in, it just seems easier.

But I know we will be all the more welcomed showing up all battered and beaten, LOL!!!

Birth Story and Pictures

2010-08-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

Baby was born Sunday July 18th just past 3:00 in the morning.

7 pounds 6 ounces and beautiful!!!

As far as a week and a half before his birth date I had quite a few "bad" nights. One of those nights I actually had an hour of contractions four minutes apart. This only had me, my hubby and a lot of friends more anxious for him to come :) I tried to wait patiently as I wanted him to cook in there as long as he needed (he still had two weeks to go). But my patience was running out... I started telling my hubby he was never going to come. Last Saturday was his actual due date.

At my appointment on the 13th I was 2 cm dilated, 70% effaced, and baby was at a -2 station. Since that check I had increasing signs that he would be coming sooner than he was due.

I don't know what made me feel like Saturday the 17th would be the day (maybe because two of my other babies were born on 17th's as well) but I was getting cave sick! Hubby and I decided to take the kids for a walk to the park (about 2 miles both ways). Then I took a nap and when I woke up we went for a swim (after a little emotional meltdown mind you). During the swim I had quite a few contractions but could not tell how bad they were because of the water, so we decided to get out and get in the house where I could feel them better and time them. We also wanted to get dinner because I was super hungry.

By the time I got changed after swimming I laid down on the bed and practically feel right to sleep again. My hubby was trying to figure out what I wanted for dinner and when I told him I was no longer hungry he knew something had changed.

While my hubby was out with the kids picking up something to eat I had 5/6 heavier contractions. They did not stop after he came home so we called the faithful babysitter (Auntie Mena) and my doctor.

Here I am right about then...

My doctor asked if I wanted to go to the hospital to get checked, but I said not just yet. I wanted to eat and shower and see if it would all just go away like some of the contractions I had the previous week.

I called a good friend of mine over to see if she would bring me a movie to watch and her exercise ball to sit on. I also invited her to come to the hospital with me :) and she did!

Of coarse the car-ride to the hospital stopped my contractions as usual... but it was still good we went in. I was 5/6 cm when I got there and decided to walk the halls a bit which got things going again, but after monitoring baby a bit they decided no more walking. His heart-rate was showing he didn't like contractions, but it was also dipping between contractions. We changed my position, started me on oxygen and got my iv going.

My doctor wasn't liking the baby's variables, so she decided to break my water and get an internal fetal monitor going. I knew this would get things going for sure, I was getting a little anxious, I was telling Josh "here goes - this is it!".

After this I went from 5 to 7 to 9 cm and wanting to push, all within 2 hours. My doctor was amazing, my husband was amazing, the nurses were amazing and baby did very well.

ABOVE ALL GOD IS GOOD!

As always I cried as soon as I saw him. He nursed very well soon after that and after me hogging him for about a half an hour my hunny finally got to hold him :)

Here we are...

After baby was all fed, checked, dressed, swaddled and ready to rest we got ready to move into a new room.

Here we are in the wheelchair...

I got about two hours of sleep that morning before I woke up wondering when breakfast would come :) I was starving!

And of coarse I couldn't go back to sleep because I had to stare some more at my new baby :)

I love that he was already making yummy faces...

Here he is getting a little disturbed by our family coming to visit...

The evening of the 20th we came home, the kids were so excited as you can see...

Baby was happy to be home as well :)...

On the 25th - when he was a week old - we went on a car ride to visit Auntie Charleen and her new baby born just two weeks before mine. She is also our professional photographer :)

There are others she took that I liked also, but I only have these from her facebook page :)

Here is a pic she took that day of her baby...

So precious! My baby is already 2 weeks and 2 days old. Giggling, smiling and frowning in his sleep... already growing out of the smallest clothes he has and no longer in a newborn diaper... nursing almost every two hours on the dot... and he loves to stare at his daddy more than anyone else!

Here we are now... he is hanging with me while I blog...

We hope to blog again soon. God bless!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is my younger daughter with her favorite blankie. She uses it like a pacifier - usually with one corner in her mouth - then she likes to find the others :)... too CUTE!

Tackled Relaxation!

2010-06-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

This is what I woke up to yesterday morning :(

Pregnant mommy had a narcoleptic moment and didn't hear the kids up playing. By the time my older daughter came to me she was saying "Mommy they're into your stuff". I asked her "what stuff?" and she said Mini was writing on things with a marker. Oh dear, "what things?". "The couch, the wall, your pictures."

"NO!"

Happy to be prepared for what my eyes would see in the next room I realized quickly that mommy probably shouldn't keep that sharpie marker so handy in her purse!

This obviously makes the things already in my purse free reign for scribbles!!!

This hurt, because last Tuesday's tackle I spent ALL day making this book of notes for labor couching!

Luckily she mostly only scribbled in places that made things still legible.

I only re-wrote one page.

But I did have a lot of previously blank pages to tear out. OYE! How long was I asleep!!!???

The spots on the couch weren't as bad as I thought they could be...

... the magic eraser will get them out...

... just like it got these marks off of just about EVERY picture on the photo tin I made!

Before the magic eraser...

After the magic eraser...

Praise the Lord for magic erasers!

And praise Him that Mini decided to leave my Bible alone.

And that she didn't write on the newer photo tin I just made.

This was not all I had to deal with yesterday - it was just an exceptionally bad Monday - the kids were not "normal". So I was really worked on relaxation for me and baby in the belly. I realized later in the day that So You Think You Can Dance on YouTube is a great distraction!!! :)

To see what others are Tackling, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Busy day Later today

2010-06-12T00:23:00.000-07:00

And yes I am still awake.

Here I am sitting in front of my comp...

(lol - my shirt never wants to stay down anymore!)

I have been trying to help my sister with her new blog setup thingy.
I have been packing for the crop I am going to tomorrow.
I have been making sure I will be able to function at that crop without my computer!
...so I've been taking notes of already planned layouts and making sure I have the adjacent sketches in my sketchbook :)

I also still need to take a shower - lol - priorities!

I am going to my baby shower tomorrow before I scrapbook :) it will be a good day.

Mmmm - New Pictures

2010-06-10T03:21:00.000-07:00

Last week I was rearranging my blog...

as you can see I now have two sidebars which is actually reminding me of my very first blog design - which I am now realizing I don't have a picture of here on my blog.

So here it is. My first blog design EVER = the last time I had two sidebars :)...

But that really wasn't what I wanted to show you. I wanted to show you that I added new pictures into the frames on my blog header.

Here are my old pictures...

I was gonna wait for baby to come till I changed these photos, but I was already doing so much fiddling that I just couldn't stop! There were just enough frames to add the 4th baby in there (even if he's only in the form of a bump right now :).

It feels so nice to have newer photos up! My friend Alicia inspired me to update a little as I saw that she did on her blog as well not too long ago.

What do you think guys?

Do you like the newer pics?
Do you like the new "extra" sidebar?
Do you like the new white swirlys?
Do you like the wider format which lets me use photos that are 30 pixels larger in my posts?

It took me a week or so, but I think I'm happy :)

Pregnancy Update

2010-06-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

Today I am having a nauseous day.

But I am happy to have a new found excitement for my upcoming labor from finally going through my old Birthing Program workbook yesterday.

I am now more focused in my pregnancy. Instead of worrying about having a good labor, I know - no matter what happens - it will be good because of a good attitude.

With my 3rd baby my head was totally NOT in the game. Her birth story is posted if you wanna read it, but I failed to mention that I was freaking out through like the whole thing! At home with the first hard contractions, in the car already giving up, in the hospital room not knowing what to do, and then even more so in labor with fear of the Pitocin. I made bad decisions and now know that I should have refreshed my brain on my Birthing Program then as well. I gave up before I even got started.

"A failure to plan is a plan to fail."

Recently I have been feeling like I don't want to get any bigger. I have been impatient.
It hasn't helped to have comments on how HUGE I am and how I MUST be having twins, and if I say I am not having twins I MUST be lieing! (The woman that said that obviously didn't know any better)... But it has also been hard to have other people be impatient right along with me. I tried to get over it, but it was wearing on my emotional pregnant self :).

I was visiting my friend's blog frequently to look back on her beautiful pregnant pic to give myself some hope and perspective...
... it was how I was showing myself that it was okay to still have 2 months and another possible 10 pounds to go! Isn't she and that baby bump just the most beautiful things?!

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Now I am excited to have more time to plan. More time to prepare, to make sure my head is "in the game". I know it will be good.

I am preparing the path ahead to fight! I realized right now - still with 7 weeks to go - I need to focus on staying healthy and rested.

I need to do my maternity exercises.
I need to stay rested, physically, emotionally and mentally.
I need to drink more water!
And I need to eat more proteins.

Other's weighing in...

I Tackled!

2010-06-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

I tackled ALL day yesterday and didn't get done till bedtime, so I am just blogging about it now :).

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It was only one task and it might seem minimal, but it was HUGE to me and I am very excited to have gotten it done! This is part of my plan NOT to set us up to fail.

"A failure to plan is a plan to fail."

I finally went back through my Bradley Birthing Method workbook we had from the classes we took before our first baby in its entirety.

The book is 120 plus pages and it has A LOT of information in it!

I read through the WHOLE thing yesterday. I tried to remember what all really worked for me in labor with my last 3 and what we ended up overlooking. I made notes accordingly.

Here is the book of index cards I made for my coach = my hubby...

Here is proof of all the work... I know it will be worth it...

... it was exciting to be refreshed on all this info. Now I am actually excited for my upcoming labor experience instead of scared or apprehensive like last time. Now I just have to wait another 7 weeks or so :).

Now here is my Tackle-It TO-DO list...

Pack hospital bag - STARTED...
- Finish packing hospital bag.
Get kids to doctors appointments - SCHEDULED for June 17th.
Get birth certificates and immunization records - SHIPPED and waiting on shots.
Get a work-space built for homeschooling in the Fall.
Sign-up for general ed. - application COMPLETE and sent in - waiting on return info.

The stuff I finished completely...

~~Make labor index cards to help hubby coach~~ - DONE!!!

My Walk Monday

2010-06-07T22:10:00.000-07:00

So last week was eye opening with the Lord flat out telling me I refuse to listen, I'm stubborn, I serve myself, and it makes me worthless... But this week there has been even more to meditate on. This was simple to handle compared to actually SEEING consequences to our sin played out!

This past week has been quite emotional for me.

My 2 year old nephew was in the hospital from Wednesday to Sunday for health reasons I child should NEVER have to go through! I have been angry, bitter, unforgiving. I have been pitiful and just not as focused as I could have been on the Lord and His plans through this storm!

God has been there trying to calm me and grab my attention, but I have refused to listen in most ways and have just chosen to focus on the circumstances instead of My God in charge of it all.

I was very thankful when He gave me a comparison that really changed my heart. He showed me that one person's disobedience is the same as the next - it is ALL ugly - and it ALL has consequences!

In Hosea chapter 2 we read the story of Hosea's wife of harlotry. This story is compared to Israel's unfaithfulness and if you read my posts you know recently God has called me to be more consistent / faithful. We know that Hosea's marriage was broken by unfaithfulness, but reconciliation was sought, and not divorce. This nasty picture of disobedience is no different than the nastiness in our own personal ways of disobeying the Lord. God would call us to "put away our harlotry and our adultery"(v.2). In Hosea it commands this and warns "OR"... "or I will strip her naked and expose her as on the day when she was born"... "I will slay her with thirst"(v.3) ... "also, I will have no compassion on her children"!!!!(v.4) Ouch! ALL disobedience comes with consequences! REAlly - think people! Is holding onto our sin worth the possibility of our children in the hospital!!!!???? ... or even worse!

Would we want it said of us and our children that they were harmed because we ignored the Lord's warning and instead continued to "play the harlot" - trying to cheat on our Lord and Saviour!? I don't want to hear anything along the lines of ... "she who conceived them has acted shamefully"!!!(v.5) "She said, I will go after my lovers" -what is the sin we love? What is it that we chose instead of choosing the path God has laid out right in front of us?!

Do we really want God to have to "hedge up our way with thorns and build a wall against us so we cannot find our path"?(v.6) Do we want Him to get to the point that He takes away all that He has given us?(v.8-9) This He WILL do - because He loves us! He wants to make it so when we pursue this sin in our disobedience we will not fall upon it... that when we seek it we will not find it.(v.7) So that then we will FINALLY SEE it was better for us to obey.

He wants to allure us and speak kindly to us :).

He wants to give us hope and joy. He wants to remove what stands in our path to Him and make a covenant with us. He wants to keep us safe in His arms and have compassion on us and call us His people!

"I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord." Hosea 2 : 19 - 20

He wants me to stop focusing on the storm and the circumstances.

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." John 14:1

"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." Hebrews 12:2

And I want me to have an attitude more like Mary's...

"I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38

Lord please forgive me and help me. Have compassion on me and my children. Be with my nephews, be their comfort in this time of need. Bring their mommy and daddy to a place of repentance and desire to live in obedience to You. Help me to have an even MORE heart-wrenching desire to obey - change my heart that I might life more for You and less for me. I love You, please help me to show You by following Your commands.

Mmmm - embellishing...

2010-06-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

... my printed Studio J layouts :)

This was FUN! Only working with embellishments and my sewing machine. No paper, no pictures, no trash, no trimmers ext. all over the place. I am really liking this new Studio layout thing!!!

Here I am with my layouts all ready to go - they don't look digital do they :)...

I took some (bad/blurry) close-ups to share with you all. And I will start with the layout that I embellished the least...

- - - 1) whole layout here

I DIDN'T add real ribbon (loved how this title turned out)...

... I added a few staples (loved this circle tag as well)...

... and some real snaps where the digital big brads were (I didn't distress - that ink is printed on)...

- - - 2) whole layout here

I DIDN'T add real ribbon on this one either, but I added some brads (loved the vellum look under the title area here - I never use vellum anymore on my Classic layouts)...

... and some sewing (so easy to add to the Studio layouts - it was great)...

- - - 3) whole layout here

On this one I added decorative brads to the title (love the Studio J Fonts)...

... and some twill to where the digital ribbon was, but that photo hanger I left digital and stuck a real brad in it (totally cute!)...

... I also added some sewing and some swirly clips (the torn paper looks so real!)...

- - - 4) whole layout here

This one was fun. I added some liquid glass to the title, and some real buttons where the digital ones were...

... I also added real ribbon where the digital ribbon was...

... and some sewing in brown :)...

- - - 5) whole layout here

This one was the MOST fun to embellish - I just couldn't stop! I cut the title letters out and popped them up! I sewed in brown again...

... I added real ribbon where the digital ribbon was...

... and real embellishments where the digital embellishments were...

I loved doing all this - It was so fast and easy to have 5 COMPLETELY finished layouts!!!

I don't think I would have titled the way I did if it wasn't a Studio layout.
I definitely would NOT have journaled yet.
I would not have embellished in the patterns I did.

This really got me out of my box and I had a GREAT time doing it!

My layouts are now already slipped into their spots in their albums and with them there I can't even tell the difference between my Studio layouts and my Classic layouts! I am LOVIN' this!

Now that I have officially received my printed layouts and was able to work a little more with them and get them into their place in an album... I can say I would recommend Studio J to any Classic scrapper anyday!

Pregnancy update

2010-06-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

I'm 31 weeks pregnant this week and am feeling pretty round. It's hard been hard to breathe already with baby smooching things up in there. It's also been hard to sleep and get cumfy at night, lots of tossing and turning - which makes sleep not so good - which makes days long and tired. He's getting big in there...

As of yesterday I have exactly 60 days left to carry Mr. Baby around and thought I should look for some positive things instead of noticing too much of the negative.

So I looked back to a little chart I kept of my weight when I was pregnant with my oldest. I knew this would help put things in perspective because... here are my start weights with all my babies...

165 lbs.
170 lbs.
175+ lbs?
158 lbs!

The chart from my first shows me that at 21 weeks I weighed 177 lbs. and at 31 weeks (as I am now) I weighed 187 lbs. So on my fourth baby at 31 weeks I now weigh the same at I did from my first at 21 weeks! 177 lbs! I am still 10 below what I was 6 years ago!

This chart also showed me that I have less than 10 more pounds to gain (comparatively) till I am done... good warning to myself - "must still get bigger" :).

Here I am now...

Thanks Rebecca - you are an inspiration with all your cute bump pics on your blog - I wanted to share one as well :).

Others weighing in...

My Walk Monday

2010-06-01T18:27:00.000-07:00

It's only been one (long) weekend since my ladies retreat weekend. And I'm gonna be truthful. I've probably read my Bible 2 or 3 times since then.

I read it this morning. Went to a random spot and KNEW my God would speak to me...

"Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying... Thus says the Lord...

Just so will I destroy the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. This wicked people, who refuse to listen to My words, who walk in the stubbornness of their hearts and have gone after other gods to serve them and to bow down to them, let them be just like this waistband which is totally worthless. For as the waistband clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole household of Israel and the whole household of Judah cling to Me, declares the Lord, that they might be for Me a people, for renown, for praise and for glory ; but they did not listen." Jeremiah 13 : 8 - 11

Um ouch! But thank You Lord. I see that You want me to cling to You. You want me to be all Yours, known as Yours for praise and glory. Forgive me for not fixing my eyes on You as you clearly told me to just one week ago. Please help me with my pride and wickedness. Help me with my willingness and stubbornness. Help me not to be self serving and worthless. I know You have shown me it's time to be useful, but I need to be willing. I love You Lord - I am willing.

So at the ladies retreat two weekends ago the Lord showed me specifically to "Fix my eyes on Jesus" Hebrews 12:2. This is how I will learn to be consistent and faithful. He showed me that when I take my eyes off of Him as Peter did to look at the storm when he was faithfully walking on water, that is when he and I begin to fall. The Lord pinpointed this out for me and showed me how to fix pretty much ANY of my struggles!

And know I am reminded that inactivity is disobedience! I need to take the advise I give to my three young children, "please just listen and obey!"

So today I am making sure I practice "slipping away" ("But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray" Luke 5:16") to fix my eyes on Him. To seek His will and heart in my every circumstance. To focus on how He would react and how He wanted His beloved disciples to react. To thank Him for who He was and is and will always be. To seek to do His ultimate will in my life starting with this obedience to seek after Him and abide in Him.

Tackle it Tuesday

2010-06-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

So I tackled for three weeks straight, then it looks as if I didn't tackle at all for three weeks after that! Really I promise I was getting stuff done, the progress was just VERY slow, or I was doing stuff that wasn't for my home.

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I have been slowly chipping away at the paperwork type things on my to-do list (below).

Why is it that paperwork is some of the hardest things for me to get done?!

My oldest daughter's birth certificate! REally CArolyn!?

I have been putting that off for 5 years and now that I need to sign her up for school I have a fire under my butt! She was born in a different county than I am currently in and I don't like the city that that county's recorders office is in. I've known that I could order online but I always made excuses! I finally got the application filed out and notorized this week (which TOTALLY was NOT a big deal) and her certificate is now on it's way :) FINALLY!

I also called her pediatrician from birth, her current pediatrician and made an appointment for a new pediatrician (since we moved) and got all the info I need to get her immunization records completed for school.

I even FINALLY printed out an application for my own schooling. I called the counselor last week and she said I should be able to do ALL my general ed. classes online - yippie!!! On the road to obedience I go! But I am not crossing things officially off my list until they are fully done and complete!

Like the packing of my hospital bag, it's only started. And the making of my labor index cards, lol, I only managed to BUY the cards so far... that's a start, right?

But I did manage to do ONE thing. I got rid of our old car that wasn't running :) I don't have any pictures to prove it like last time, but really I DID get it done :).

I even have a slightly funny blog post on all the cars I've owned :)

Now onto my running TO-DO list...

Pack hospital bag - STARTED...
- Finish packing hospital bag.
Make labor index cards to help hubby coach - BOUGHT cards...
- Start filling out cards.
Get kids to doctors appointments - SCHEDULED for June 17th.
Get birth certificates and immunization records - SHIPPING and waiting on shots.
Get a work-space built for homeschooling in the Fall.
Find online courses and sign-up to do my own general ed. - PRINTED application...
- complete application and start enrollment process.

The stuff I finished completely...

Donate car.

My Soul Sings Saturday

2010-05-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

Just something fun that made me say a good "A-MEN"! :)

Friday for Friends- Automobile Meme

2010-05-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

Sometimes on Fridays I try to remember my friends in the blogoshere, either by playing along when they tag me (like today) or just by blogging something with them in mind. This really helps me share some Linky Love as well.

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Kimberly at Altering Life started this Meme and tagged me over a year ago and I am just playing along now. When she tagged me I saved the post knowing I would eventually do it, so here I go... this was a fun one.

Here are the rules...

List all the vehicles you've ever owned, including photos. (I googled mine)
Tag four other people. (Don't forget to tell them you tagged them)

Simple huh?

#1 - I can't remember if my hubby still had this car when we were married, but I know he had it when we knew we belonged together :). I really liked this car, the long front end was perfect for my long/tall 6ft 3" hubby.

It was a 1984 Buick Riviera...

#2 - Then my hubby ended up driving around in my car that was like a matchbox to him. This was my first car. My uncle gave it to me in high school before I could even drive. I'm pretty sure my dad put off teaching me because he wanted to use my car and did not want to hand it over. So I got my friend to teach me after I turned 18 - I got my license - I showed my dad and took my truck from him.

I couldn't find the pictures we took after someone hit it while parked out in front of our house. But I did find a scrapbooked paper piecing of it from my honeymoon album :)

This was our little 1989 Toyota pick-up...

... yes someone hit our PARKED car! God totally used it for good though. We were pregnant with baby number one and this car obviously had no room for a carseat!

We needed a different car and were praying for exactly that - a "different" car. So God - with His sense of humor - let this car get totaled so we could use the money from it to buy a "DIFFERENT" car :). Be careful what you ask for. It was a great truck - thank you Big R!

#3 - Obviously this is the car we bought in place of the totaled pick-up truck. It belonged to my sister-in-law. Totally perfect timing, she was looking to sell it and our truck money gave her the perfect amount. This was our first "family car" :).

It was a 1997 Mercury Sable...

#4 - While we had the previous car we got pregnant with baby number two and eventually number three. We decided we needed two cars. So we prayed for "another" car. Well... I told you before - God and His sense of humor - be careful what you ask for! He gave us "ANOTHER" car. This one came from friends who had it on their heart to GIVE us their car, totally God!!!

Another 1997 Mercury Sable (just a different color - lol)...

... we got rid of the white Sable back in 2008 and just this week got rid of the blue Sable as well.

#5 - Back in February of this year - when our blue Sable was giving out on us - we went and bought our first newer car! We needed a bigger car anyway, with baby number four on the way soon, not everyone would have fit in the Sable together.

We got a 2009 Chrysler Town and Country...

... this being my first van I was really afraid I would miss my trunk, but the back here is actually one of my favorite parts. It's nice and open so I can still see and talk to the kids, but it is also not closed in where I am prone to using it as a trash can!!!

... but my WAY favorite part is the fact that we can practically turn this thing into a pick-up! The second and third row seats all go into the floor! My hubby actually picked up a used tv armoire for me with the van - I LOVED it!

Only 5 cars on my list over an eleven year span. You're right Kimberly my list is smaller than your 12 car list! :) Ps. I loved your husband's little LeCar, LOL!!!!

Now onto tagging others to play, shall we?

Oops - I tagged one too many - well maybe that will make up for being a year late!

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I also wanted to add some photos from our new van experience. I may not have pics of my cars, but I have pics of the people in them :).

This is my daughter the night we bought the van being pre-occupied with gum and a giant balloon...

... and my son being pre-occupied with paper :)...

... other my younger daughter being pre-occupied with Daddy :)!...

... and Daddy being pre-occupied with me?... no - I am happy he's still smiling at me at this point... with all the attitude he puts up with! Sorry hunny and thank You Lord for a patient, understanding (and cute) husband...

Here's JJ on our way home in the new Van - way in the back - she seemed kinda lonely...

Here's our silly boy happy to be in his new seat...

And Mini was excited too...

This is Daddy in the new van about a month after we got it on our way home from Jr. High Winter Camp...

And here I am on my way to my sister's house with the kids :)...

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Added for some laughs...

My Walk Monday

2010-05-24T23:59:00.000-07:00

PLEASE READ THIS ONE IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

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I went on a ladies retreat this weekend :). It was kinda amazing! Probably between me and the Lord, it was the best I have experienced thus far, and I think I have been to at least six.

The theme for this retreat was "It's Time". And the main verse was Isaiah 30:15 (and I LOVE Isaiah) "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength."

God really did have this time set apart to show me something different; really show me it's time for change, or maybe even time to be "useful" again. In the past - at the past retreats I have been to - I have always gone knowing that God was going to "deal" with me there. Like I would go knowing I was going to get reprimanded and disciplined! Before this retreat I did not have that feeling at all and it was kinda weird. I actually didn't know what to expect other than the Lord meeting me there as He always does.

Considering one of the first things He showed me there was Mark 6:31 "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" I really felt like this was not going to be a time for "spankings" but a time for blessings.

He did show me some negative things about myself, but they were all things I already knew and was trying to work on. But He had a purpose. He was kind and quick with the negative stuff... He wanted to take me straight to the obstacles. He wanted to show me what would hinder me from what else He wanted me to see.

I saw my excuses like the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:11 and He told me John 11:9 "Are there not twelve hours in the day?".

He showed me my YEARS of rebellion that He is restoring... "the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust" - Joel 2:25. Then He showed me how He loved me and wanted to use me in Isaiah 42 : 6-7 "I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you. I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison."

He showed me I am not always consistent or faithful, but He is working some fruit into my branches!

He showed me that I have been willing and impressed on me that "it's time" to move along. He just wants me to "fix my eyes on Him" (Hebrews 12:2), and firmly grasp His will. He wants me to live wisely and see what He will for me is (Ephesians 5:17). He wants me to commit my life into His hands as Jesus did His Father's on the cross (Luke 23:46).

I really felt so sweet on Him all weekend and He told me "If you love Me, keep my commandments" John 14:15.

He wants me to be active and obedient. He wants me to to advance in the battle! He wanted to show me His plan and does not want me to have a plan to fail as I have in the past. The past when I said "No! I will not walk in it" (Jeremiah 6:16) - Isaiah 30:16 "you said, "No, for we will flee on horses," Therefore you shall flee! "And we will ride on swift horses," Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift."

* * * He showed me a vision of what it looks like to NOT be willing to lose your life to gain it (Luke 9:24). (I thought I would attach a picture of a corpse, but when I googled it I thought it would be too R rated for my blog. But this was a very R rated vision!) Our "life"/a dead, mauled, broken, bleeding corpse is chained to us - wrist to wrist. This is the "life" we choose not to lose or let go of. Jesus has already unchained us willingly many times over when we come to Him in surrender, but we always go back and lock ourselves in again. When we drag this corpse with us the chain damages our wrist, we get wounded to the point where our skin is broken, we are bleeding, and infected. Sometimes we are so stubborn in our delusion of letting ourself finally be free from this "life" that we are actually much worse off. Not only are be broken and infected from dragging this around so long, but now when we are trying to be unchained "willingly" we are chopping off limbs from this nasty, smelling, bloody corpse and we are CHOSING to carry them around with us!!!

THIS IS NOT WHAT GOD WANTS FOR US!! Any of us!

During one of my quite times with Him that I spent outside He had an eagle soaring past me, round and round, back and forth, effortlessly. He told me THAT IS WHAT HE HAS PLANNED FOR ME! "They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary" Isaiah 40:31.

He told me His Spirit is upon me. He wants to use me to preach good news. He has promised not to waste my broken heart, but wants to work through me to help others heal. To proclaim freedom for the captives through Him who set me free from my darkness, from my prison. To show His love, to comfort those who mourn, grieve and sit in despair.

He is my righteousness. He promises to rebuild the ruins and restore the devastated years in my life. I will minister to my God. He will provide for me a double portion, and instead of disgrace I will have an inheritance. Everlasting joy will be mine and my children will be blessed.

"I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness" Isaiah 61:10.

"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus" Romans 6:11.

Recipe Box Workshop

2010-05-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

In June at my home I will be teaching how to make this...

Front...

Top...

Back...

Inside...

Cards...

FUN! :)

Scrappin' Sunday

2010-05-24T20:25:00.000-07:00

For Scrappin' Sunday we share our "ta-da's" and our "to-do's" to keep us motivated each week. Join me... even though I'm a little late :)

TA-DA - I went on a ladies retreat with my church this weekend... it was a totally AWESOME time with the Lord and friends. I taught a workshop on Saturday for a free-time activity while I was there. It was the Altoid Tin Mini Album I posted.

This made a lot of my to-do list last week having to do with this event :). So I obviously DID get it all done. I got all 23 kits packed and I only have 7 left-overs...

That was exciting to me since I had no idea how many of the 30 or so ladies would be interested :).

I even was able to finish altering the Recipe Box I want to teach for another workshop at my home in June. I was glad because I wanted to show them so they could sign-up to learn if they wanted to.

Pics of that Box are HERE if you want to see.

Now onto my running TO-DO list...

Get invitations out for Recipe Box Workshop.
Add "extras" to my printed Studio J layouts and get them in the albums.
Make a wedding card.
Journal on old "finished" layouts.
Plan more layouts.

The stuff I finished from last week...

Make sign-up sheet.
Get Altoid Tin tutorial online.
Finish getting kits ready for workshop.
See what's missing for workshop and get supplies.
Alter Recipe box for June workshop.
Pack for workshop and retreat.

Altoid Tin Mini Album

2010-05-22T00:04:00.000-07:00

This is the project I am teaching in a workshop today at the ladies retreat I am at :).

If you are planning to do this project please read the directions through once or twice to get a good idea of things before you dig in... and have FUN!

1. Buy some Altoids.

(I preferred the teal "wintergreen" tin over the red "peppermint" for this particular project :).

2. Empty the mints and dust the tin out.

3. Cut two 15" strips of ribbon....

... and one 3" strip.

4. Cut one paper 2-1/4" x 3-5/8" for the top of your tin.

5. Cut one paper 2-3/16" x 3-9/16" for the bottom of your tin.

6. Cut two papers the same size as Step 5 for the inside-top and inside-bottom.

(I made my inside-bottom color the same as my "accordion" page colors in Step 7.)

7. Cut twelve 2-2/16" x 3-1/2" papers for the "accordion" pages.

8. Round all the corners to all those papers you just cut... and ink/distress the edges if desired.

9. Stick your two 15" ribbon strips to the back side of 6 of your "accordion" papers, just above or below where your corners are rounded. (I used Terrifically Tacky Tape.)

Leave a teeny bit of room in between each paper so the ribbon can fold...

... leave about 2-1/4" of ribbon out on the left to go under the inside-bottom piece of your tin (from Step 6)...

... and end the right side before your paper ends, you don't want this to stick out.

10. Start sandwiching your other 6 "accordion" papers down.

(I used more Tacky Tape to insure the ribbon stuck. But I also used a gluestick to make sure all the edges of the paper were sticking to each other. The gluestick really only works for paper to paper.)

11. While my glue dried I worked on the embellishment for my lid.

Be sure to do this BEFORE you stick anything permanently!!!

Notice my edges are inked (from Step 8) and I have a big brad in... which I would not be able to do if the paper were already stuck down...

... my flower is made of three 1-1/4" folded (and inked) circles...

... with a big, fun brad stuck through the flower and the paper.

12. After possible embellishments, inking or distressing... you can stick your top paper down...

... as well as your bottom paper...

... and the inside-top paper. We don't do the inside-bottom till Step 15.

13. Now you can start decorating your pages! :)...

... not forgetting your "end" or inside-bottom page (from Step 6).

This page sticks to your ribbon after about a 1-1/4" gap...

... also remember that your "last" page on the right will have the 3" ribbon (from Step 3) hanging off the edge for a pull...

... then there is still the back side - don't forget to decorate the back side!

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*If you happen to be making one of my exact kits... you will notice each one of your little decorative pieces is numbered for each page (13 total). It might also have red dots in the corners to indicate a corner to round... or a red squiggly line to indicate a paper edge to be torn (look-up paper taring HERE - step 2 only)...

... here are your pieces for page 1.

Just take your numbered pieces...

group them together

then tare or round accordingly

ink the edges if desired

and stick them down as you see in the following... ... ...

Page 7 is a little special... be sure to sandwich your 3" ribbon and the back of your brad in between the papers so nothing sticks out either side...

Notice the back side of Page 7 is... Page 8 and you see no proof of ribbon or brad...

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When you get to the page after the ribbon gap be sure to leave it blank. This is the inside-bottom page that will eventually stick the ribbon down to the bottom of your tin and hold all your pages in place...

14. Add personal embellishments and photos.

Maybe some rub-ons...

... maybe a Bible verse like me :).

15. After all your pages are totally complete...

Generously adhere your ribbon and the "end" or inside-bottom paper to the inside bottom of you tin :).

16. As if all that wasn't enough... if you are a ribbon lover like me on an altered project... We NEED to add some ribbon! This will help hide the printed date on the tin without more paper and adhesive.

Just stick some ribbon through the tiny holes where the tin hinges...

... and tie it in a knot leaving the ends sticking out...

... then tie more ribbon in knots onto the first ribbon you tied through the holes, leaving their ends sticking out as well. MMM - isn't that yummy?!?!...

Now you have your finished product!!!

I know it seems like I lot of steps. But just because I am thorough does not mean it's hard... this was a FUN and easy one, trust me! :)

And as always if you follow this tutorial take pics of what you made and share them here with a link in a comment below. Or if you cannot share pictures just leave me your feedback :).

Take care and God bless.

Scrappin' Sunday

2010-05-16T01:39:00.000-07:00

For Scrappin' Sunday we share our "ta-da's" and our "to-do's" to keep us motivated each week. Join me...

TA-DA's...

I picked pictures for more layouts on Wednesday and even Digi/Studio scrapped one of them. I also ordered all 5 of the Studio layouts I have made so far, I can't wait to receive them in the mail!!!

I also finally sent My niece's belated birthday card out... only two months late!!! I had to make an envelope for it, but it didn't take that long, so I don't know why I was putting it off...

Look, my son picked us a bundle of adorable flowers on the way back from the mailbox :)...

...and look at this junkmail! All in one box really mailman!?!??! What a waste!

(Back on subject) I managed to get almost fully ready for a workshop I am teaching next Saturday! Here's some pics of what it looks like when I am hard at work.

It's a good thing we have a big couch and I have F.R.E.D. - I didn't wanna work at my table with my little one sick on the couch...

Notice I have the remotes and the phone right there with me too...

Here's all 23 kits so far. They are still missing some adhesive, but that's it I think...

Oh and here is the finished project they will be learning (without my personal photos and embellishments added - of coarse they will add their own)...

Now onto my running TO-DO list...

Finish getting kits ready for workshop.
See what's missing for workshop and get supplies.
Alter Recipe box for June workshop.
Make sign-up sheet.
Get Altoid Tin tutorial online.
Pack for workshop and retreat.
Make a wedding card.
Journal on old "finished" layouts.
Plan more layouts.

The stuff I finished from last week...

~~Plan more layouts.~~
~~Print Studio J layouts before they expire - This week!~~
~~Send out niece's belated birthday card - This week.~~
Alter Altoids tin for May workshop - This week!

Another Studio J Layout

2010-05-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

Today I got two things off my To-Do list for Sunday Scrappin'!

Not only did I plan the pics for this new layout today... I also MADE the layout today! I am really lovin' how fast I get things done with Studio J!

Not only this, but I also ordered my first 5 Studio Layouts! :)

They are still running the special if you want to jump on board... receive free Memory/Page Protectors if you order 5-9 layouts and free Memory/Page Protectors + free shipping/handling if you order 10-20 layouts.

Here is my layout...

When I receive this layout from the printers I am planning on taking my sewing machine to it a little with some white thread :).

I might also add some liquid glass to the title for a little pop of dimension. I LOVE that stuff!

Sometimes Sinner - Sometimes Saint

2010-05-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

My Walk Monday - just share what is going on in your walk for the week or just the day so we can run this race together!

If it appears I didn't "run" anywhere last week with the Lord from the lack of post (I think with me appearances are rarely deceiving) then it most likely appears correct.

I made it to ladies Bible study last Thursday, but that is where I noticed I am trying to live a week off of one or two days mana! My group leader encouraged us not to live without being in His word EVERYDAY... if that was all I needed to be there to hear, I heard it, and the Lord encouraged me and convicted me with it. Thank you Dee.

I got into the word on my own on Friday. And was very blessed in the word from the Youth Pastor on Sunday. Yesterday and Today I was in the word on my own as well.

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I have been praying what is really hitting me or getting my attention in my walk that I want to share this week. And even though I have been blessed in His word I really feel convicted to look-up another song.

This song is from a c.d. my hubby recently bought. I already had a couple favorite songs off of it, but every time I heard track ten I knew God wanted me to listen! Listening wasn't good enough though, as I am not always good with figuring the words of songs out, so today I was finally obedient to look it up.

Here it is...

Lord I know You are showing me my heart. You are showing me that my actions prove I don't wanna be better. That I don't want You to put me together. That I like to sit around and believe there's no one as messed up as me.

I see You show me that I lie. I see that I don't try. Lord I don't deny when I am wrong, but I when I continue on the path I do, I hate seeing that being miserable is my own fault and that I hurt You. I'm sorry that I don't try. I'm sorry I make You cry. I'm sorry I do the things I do and I don't care for You.

Lord I really want to be better. I want You to put me together. Please change my hurtful, hateful mind, it's sick and I want You to heal it. Like the leper I beg You to cleanse me.

Lord when I feel I can't hide the demons I face, I pray You give me boldness to get in their face. I know that I'm a sinner, but the lies I hear regarding this like to keep me there. I pray that You be willing to free my eyes from the binders I place. I pray that you heal my mind from it's messed up embrace! Lord please revive me, renew me, let me walk in LIFE and sanity!

I love You Lord, please forgive me.

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" Psalm 27 : 13 - 14

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T21:38:00.000-07:00

My church played this video this morning at service and (being pregnant) it made me cry. I have had a hard week at home with the kids. I did things that make me feel like a bad mommy and my enemy would like to tell me that I am. But I also learned today that God's grace is sufficient! He was already telling me that all week while we were going through this tough time, but really today He convicted me with it (thanks Justin for bring it bro!).
I was really blessed to hear that God saw all my tears and am blessed to know that He cares about every little reason I cry.
I pray you are blessed as well by this video, but even more so by the Lord and His grace to you and your family this Mother's Day, and EVERYDAY. Know you are loved my dears.
May you always walk and talk with Jesus!!!

Scrapping and Venting

2010-05-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

For Scrappin' Sunday we share our "ta-da's" and our "to-do's" to keep us motivated each week. Join me...

TA-DA - Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I actually made my Mom and Mother-in-law cards this year (I'm a pretty stinky daughter). I just hope I put them in the mail on time.

I used this card from the S.E.I. Thank you card kit (that I am selling) as a base to follow for my Moma's cards...

And for my moma's cards I used random scratch paper from a recent layout...

And get this... while I was at the post office I had to deal with a fun lady (the post office worker!) that asked me if ALL three of my kids were mine! Three??? REALLY?! This really annoyed me if you can't tell. What's wrong with having three kids woman?!

Oye, I am so emotional lately. It's really hard and very much not funny. I feel bad for my husband because I just expect him to get over when I treat him poorly because (look at me) I kinda have a reason, lol. Sorry Joshie.

And I feel bad for my kids too. It's really hard not to be upset about pee'd beds, spaghetti sauce stains and wet couch cushions when you do 6 loads of laundry in one morning :*(. Not to mention the floors, table and counters that seem to always have dried food and crumbs everywhere :*(. Then there's the dishes and the dirty bathrooms and the trash with the smelly diapers... waah waaah waaah!

Sorry for the vent, let's get to my running TO-DO list...

Make mother's day cards.
Get CTMH order out.
Got to post office to send old scrapbook gifts! - This week.
Make niece's belated birthday card.
Plan more layouts.
Send out niece's belated birthday card - This week.
Print Studio J layouts before they expire - This week!
Alter Altoids tin for May workshop - This week!
Get kits ready for May workshop.
See what's missing for workshop and get supplies.
Alter Recipe box for June workshop.
Make sign-up sheet.
Make a wedding card.
Journal on old "finished" layouts.
Plan more layouts.

The things I DID get done... (more TA-DA's I guess)...

- My "planning" of more layouts came in the form of actually getting one made! It was a Studio layout of coarse! So fast and easy! I shared the layout earlier this week, I think it's a favorite :)

- I didn't journal on my older "finished" layouts, but I did go through all my albums to see which ones were missing journaling and I made a list. I even made a list of which layouts I would like to do a little touch up on, I think all of those just needed an adjustment in the Title area...

Thanks for looking... and listening :*)

Missed one...

2010-05-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

... I think I made this layout back in February or something.

But I never took a picture of it to share with you :) so here it is...

The pics here are from my youngest sitting for the first time and learning to scoot! :*)

The paper here is "Blue Ribbon" from CTMH - I bought it knowing it would be a perfect fit with that red, white and blue outfit she was wearing!...

It really is a very cute pack with all the flowers and butterflies, perfect for the fourth of July - take a look...

More Studio J...

2010-05-05T23:36:00.000-07:00

This is what I've been doing tonight :) while I sit around with a stiff neck :(

I think this is my favorite Studio layout yet. Of coarse it might be because I already knew and totally loved this "You Rock" line of paper!...

Or I think it might be my title that goes with the star paper :)...

I also really like how easy it was to journal directly on the "empty" space in my son's picture...

It could just be all the yummy pictures of my son that are effecting me also though!!! :)

Remember, if you want to try Studio J, it's free.

And there is a special introductory sale right now... if you get 5-9 layouts printed you receive free Memory/Page Protectors and if you get 10-20 layouts printed, you receive free Memory/Page Protectors + free shipping/handling!!!

Need I say Anything?!

2010-05-05T11:46:00.000-07:00

Tackle it Tuesday

2010-05-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

I tackled THREE weeks in a row!!!

That's so exciting to me - it means I'm getting stuff done! :)

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I got some more crossed off my to-do list (below).

I organized and pared down all the children's clothes I had in bins... actually 7 bins, 1 box and 1 garbage bag!

It's looked like this in my front room for probably a month. I kept telling myself that if I kept it all right in front of my nose I would be more prone to getting it done in a timely manner. Well I finally got it done...

This was part of the organizing process. I went from 9 containers of clothes to 3! All sorted by sizes...

I knew ahead of time that these three bins would fit under the crib, even though it doesn't look like it here...

... they do! :) and it's so nice to get them out of the way...

... I didn't take pics of it, but I was able to give 2 big trash bags of baby girl clothes to my friend and another 3 bags to the goodwill.

And with all that taken care of - and the hanging of my guitar - and a little rearranging - this is the AFTER shot! Much, much better...

I even got all my completed scrapbook albums out and organized them to go into the bottom-right cabinet the entertainment center pictured above.

I figured it was an empty storage spot and finished albums are meant to be looked through for entertainment purposes... so why not relocate them to the entertainment center? :)

I have 10 in all, but only 8 fit...

My old church camp album.
Our wedding album (the first one I ever made).
My husband's gift album of us before the kiddos.
Our oldest daughter's birth to 1 year / baby album.
Our son's baby album.
Our younger daughter's baby album (not complete yet - I have 7 layouts left).
Another album of the kid's layouts, but each each kid only gets 2 layouts a year.
And then it's our family album :)...

All very exciting organizing for me!!!

It's nice to to give everything a place to be. Even from last week's tackle with the bunkbeds, I had extra boards from the disassembled top bunk that had to go somewhere in my 2 bedroom apartment! So I slid them under the couch! :)...

Strange? Maybe, but it works. I also wanted to share another little trick that brings me sanity :). An unused scarf tried to the doorknob and the new bunkbed to keep the kids from opening and closing the door a million times when they are playing...

LOVE it!

Now onto my running TO-DO list - I got 2.5 things crossed off...

Organize and pare down hand-me-down clothes in bins.
Hang acoustic guitar on wall in front room.
Pack hospital bag.
Make labor index cards to help hubby coach.
Get kids to doctors appointments and sign-up for WIC.
Get a work-space built for homeschooling in the Fall.
Get birth certificates and immunization records.
Find online courses and sign-up to do my own general ed.
Donate car.

Sunday Scrappin'

2010-05-02T23:48:00.000-07:00

For Scrappin' Sunday we share our "ta-da's" and our "to-do's" to keep us motivated each week. Join me...

TA-DA - Yesterday was National Scrapbook day, so I had my sister-in-law over and we scrapbooked together... it was fun.

I posted some of the day's progress HERE, but never showed some of the details I am sharing now...

And I never shared my other finished layouts with you - sorry for the bad lighting. (I am not the greatest with my camera yet.)

The paper here is CTMH's Magic Moments... which I totally love, I made a Studio layout with it as well HERE.

Of coarse (unlike my Studio layouts) my journaling box is waiting for me again!...

I was proud to use some of my older supplies this weekend, the rub-ons and mailbox letters (Making Memories) I have had for a long time now...

I also used older CTMH flowers with some newer corduroy brads (which I love!)...

This layout's paper pattern is another favorite - Topstitch.

Again, sorry for the bad lighting, I miss the days of scanning my layouts for you :(...

More of my old mail box letters, old ribbon and old rub-ons...

With more favorites from CTMH of coarse - their photo hangers!...

I even got to use something very special to me in this layout. This flower I saved with a bunch of others that we used as decoration from my first daughter's baby shower 6 years ago!!! Of coarse I inked the edges of them with my almost always used ink color - Chocolate Brown...

(Thank you Auntie for saving them from the trash for me!!!)

Don't forget you can celebrate National Scrapbook Day all month with CTMH's special Miracle kit - check it out!

Now onto my running TO-DO list...

Got to post office to send old scrapbook gifts! - This week.
Make niece's belated birthday card.
Make a wedding card.
Finish undone purple layout.
Journal on old "finished" layouts.
Print Studio J layouts before they expire.
Plan more layouts.

Update on the Fun!

2010-05-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

I fixed an recent layout's title - silly mommy had he wrong year birthday!

This is what it was...

And this is what it is now...

I also finished a layout that was planned two weeks ago...

This was a fun one with the crystals...

... The Big CTMH flower ...

... the filigree charms (a well priced favorite of mine) ...

... the small flowers (on sale till supplies last) ...

My kids took their naps while I was getting that purple layout done...

My two year old decided she wanted to sleep on the floor today...

My son woke up and drew his first person! And my 5 year old looks like she wants to learn her alphabet in a different language :)...

Now I'm going to start another layout from my youngest daughter's baby album......

It's National Scrapbook Day!

2010-05-01T00:20:00.000-07:00

Are you excited?!

What are you doing today to celebrate? :)

I'm going to have my sister over to scrapbook with me ALL day!!!

I'm excited to show her (and you :) Close to My Heart's new Summer Idea book - it comes out today!

There are some GREAT new paper packs in here that I can't wait to show you all as well! Including my favorite featured on the cover there :).

They also have another favorite of mine that is running as a special kit just for National Scrapbook Month! It's called Miracle and it comes with a lot of great yummies - take a look! And order online a.s.a.p. if you want it because all these type of special kits are while supplies last only.

Oh! And if you are a digital scrapper or would like to try a new challenge today, try out online scrapbooking free with Studio J.

It's all Close to My Heart products and they even have a special set of "papers" on there that you can only make layouts with online!...

Very exciting stuff! I will be blogging throughout bits of my day to keep you involved in my fun. Please let me know how you're doing as well :).

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-27T21:51:00.000-07:00

Yes he's so cute... but why can't we get him to JUST go to bed? :( Frustrating night here.

Studio J - Launches Today!

2010-04-27T14:52:00.000-07:00

Yep - yep - you heard me right.

I have been showing you some of my digi layouts from Studio J, and I even made another one to share with you today (below).

I am very excited about this. I got a new My CTMH - website just so you gals can try Studio J for yourselves. If you like it, then you can also order through me as your consultant.

But I am also excited to say that you can order ANY Close to My Heart products from my new site any time you want, and they will be shipped right to you :)!

Studio J is unlike other "traditional" digi scrapping. You don't have to buy all the digi scrap kits, store them on your computer, coordinate everything yourself, and have a big honkin' printer to print them from home. Studio J is all online, it does all the guess work for you and it's free (until you purchase your layouts of coarse :).

All you do is...

Upload your photos (anywhere from 2 to 15).
Resize and edit your photos - if necessary.
Select from CTMH's many pre-coordinated kits (even retired ones you can no longer purchase as tangible papers).
Choose a pre-set layout design/pattern.
Personalize it with text, embellishments and more.
Then have it printed and shipped!

I am not normally a "digi-scrapper" at all, and I am really lovin' Studio J!

They are even holding an introductory special right now to receive free Memory/Page Protectors if you order 5-9 layouts and free Memory/Page Protectors + free shipping/handling if you order 10-20 layouts. Score!

I don't know about you, but I'm shootin' for free shipping and handling :).

Here's my recent layout.

I love that after I get it printed I will be able to add tangible CTMH products to it before I stick it in my daughter's album.

I also love that Studio J MAKES me HAVE to journal!

When I scrapbook with tangible products I tend to always leave a spot for the journaling and tell myself I will do it later! In these layouts, they are not complete and ready to print without journaling! :)

I don't tend to use My Stickease - stickers from CTMH - in my tangible layouts either, but I LOVE them in Studio scrapbooking... mostly because you can resize them all you want! :)

Now GO and SEE what you can create in Studio J. And enjoy :).

Tackle it Tuesday

2010-04-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

I tackled two weeks in a row!!! :) And got three things off my To-do list (below).

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

We ordered a new bunkbed Thursday evening and it came Friday afternoon!!! So I tackled moving the crib out of the kids room and into the empty spot in my master bedroom.

Here...

I had to take it halfway apart to get it through the doorways and the hallway, but here it is all re-situated :)...

The kids played nicely in the front room while mommy was in the back rooms tackling...

I even got to put the baby's bedding in. And we picked up a chocolate colored mobile from our local consignment store when we got the safety bed-rail for my toddler ;)...

Here is the spot I moved the crib from, all empty and ready for the bunkbed to arrive...

And here is me with all the bunkbed parts sorted on the floor, ready to go... wait - I should cook dinner first, not ignore it...

While the lasagna was in the oven my hubby took the kids swimming to give Mommy some tackle time with the new bunkbed...

After dinner I worked right into the kiddo's bedtime and finally got it all done...

Thanks hubby for your help with those last couple stubborn screws!!! (And sorry for the attitude!)

The room had two bunkbeds in it. We originally planned to keep the brown one up because we bought mattresses for both top and bottom...

... but the mattresses were kinda ghetto! Anyone else have a flashback to their childhood?!!! Even without that though, they are WAY heavy, TOTALLY hard - like sleeping on wood, and when you move them you can hear the springs giggling around. And they are not a flat surface, they were rounded, weird, I couldn't sleep the night my son slept on his because I was just waiting for him to roll right off....

So I ended up taking the top bunk off the older bunkbed as part of my tackle as well We also got my son a better mattress (I would rather pay $100 for one good mattress than $100 for two ghetto ones :)...

Look, this is Mini sleeping in her "big girl bed" for the first time :*)...

And this is her Big Sissy right above her, not sleeping yet of coarse...

And this was her... all happy in the morning :)... so sweet!!!...

I also tackled some organizing of post office bound packages, but I posted about those HERE if you are interested in my victory :).

Oh, and I backed up my hard-drive!

Now onto my running TO-DO list...

Organize and pare down hand-me-down clothes in bins.
Hang acoustic guitar on wall in front room.
Pack hospital bag.
Make labor index cards to help hubby coach.
Get kids to doctors appointments and sign-up for WIC.
Back up hard-drive.
Get old scrapbook packages ready and go to post office.
Get a "big girl bed" for Mini and move her crib to master bedroom.
Get a work-space built for homeschooling in the Fall.
Get birth certificates and immunization records.
Find online courses and sign-up to do my own general ed.

Want/Need any Scrappie Stuff?

2010-04-25T15:21:00.000-07:00

I did some crazy organizing yesterday!!! And now I see I have plenty to get rid of, so I am having a little sale :).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Close to My Heart ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ Acrylic Stamp Sets ~

(If you need acrylic blocks for your stamps, or ink pads, I can order those for you.)

- Tender Tags - new - $22.00 - 1 available...

- New Horizons - used - $20.00 - 1 available...

- Robot Power - used - $16.00 - 1 available...

- Playful Flourishes - used - $16.00 - 1 available...

~ Level Two Paper Packs ~

(12x12 - 12 sheets of 6 patterns and 10 sheets of coordinating solids. I can order others from the catalog as well if you would like.)

- Topstitch - $15.00 - 1 available...

- More to Adore - $15.00 - 1 available...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Bazzill Basics Cardstock ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ 8.5 x 11 Trio Packs ~

(15 sheets - 5 of each color.)

- Raisin - $3.00 - 2 available...

- Root beer - $3.00 - 2 available...

- Buttercup - $3.00 - 2 available...

~ 12 x 12 Monochromatic Packs ~

(25 sheets - 5 of each color.)

- Grays - $10.00 - 1 available...

- Blue / Viotets - $10.00 - 2 available...

- Purples - $10.00 - 2 available...

- Viotets - $10.00 - 2 available...

- Blue / Greens - $10.00 - 1 available...

- Yellow / Greens - $10.00 - 1 available...

- Oranges - $10.00 - 1 available...

- Reds - $10.00 - 2 available...

- Pinks - $10.00 - 1 available...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Embellishments ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ Bazzill Packs ~

- Gray Eyelets - $1.00 - 3 available...

- Gray Square Brads - $1.00 - 1 available...

- Neutral Eyelets - $1.00 - 4 available...

- Brown Eyelets - $1.00 - 2 available...

- Green Eyelets - $1.00 - 3 available...

- Blue Eyelets - $1.00 - 2 available...

- Purple Eyelets - $1.00 - 4 available...

- Red Eyelets - $1.00 - 5 available...

- Pink Eyelets - $1.00 - 4 available...

- Orange Eyelets - $1.00 - 4 available...

- Orange Square Brads - $1.00 - 4 available...

- Orange Round Brads - $1.00 - 1 available...

- Yellow Eyelets - $1.00 - 4 available...

- Yellow Square Brads - $1.00 - 1 available...

~ Other Packs ~

- Cream Eyelets - $2.00 - 4 available...

- Sweetie Brads - $3.00 - 2 available...

- Rhinestone Brads - $3.00 - 2 available..

.

- Copper Brads - $2.00 - 2 available...

- Ribbon Letter Wraps - $4.00 - 2 pink available, 1 blue available, 1 green available...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Organizers ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ Cropper Hopper ~

- 12 x 12 Paper Pouch - new - $6.00 - 6 available...

- 8.5 x 11 Paper Holder - $6.00 new - $5.00 used - 5 available...

- 5 x 7 Expandable Organizer - $6.00 new - $5.00 used - 2 available...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Other Stuff ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ Cricut ~

- Jasmine Cartridge - used - $30.00 - 1 available...

~ S.E.I. ~

- Thank You card kit - $14.00 - 1 available...

(The cards in it are fun - I posted one HERE.)

- 4 x 6 Memory Book kit - $12.00 - 2 available...

~ Adhesive ~

- Tacky Tape / Red Liner Tape / Double-sided craft tape...

- BULK 1/4" x 36 yards - $12.00 - 5 available...

And remember if there is ANYTHING at all that you would like me to add to what you want here, from Close to My Heart, just let me know and I will ship them together.

To get ahold of me, just email me by clicking on the "Close to My Heart Consultant" button at the top right of my sidebar (just under my FaceBook button).

All that is listed is first come first serve, so please forgive me if you get a message back that says something is no longer available.

Thanks Ladies!!!

Sunday Scrappin'

2010-04-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

For Scrappin' Sunday we share our "ta-da's" and our "to-do's" to keep us motivated each week. Join me...

TA-DA - I get to show off something that makes me VERY VERY happy today! I was obedient to the conviction God put on my heart (I wrote about that yesterday).

I packed up scrapbook gifts that I should have sent out 2 years ago!!! (Sorry ladies involved.)

Look...

They're all ready for the post office now...

Hopefully next week I will have pictures from the post office trip :)

Now onto my running TO-DO list...

Get old scrapbook packages ready and go to post office. (I took this off my Tackle-It list realizing it was more scrapbook related than home related :) - plus it's all I got done this week!!!
Got to post office to send old scrapbook gifts!
Make niece's belated birthday card.
Make a wedding card.
Finish undone purple layout.
Journal on old "finished" layouts.
Print Studio J layouts before they expire.
Plan more layouts.

Scrapbooking on my Mind

2010-04-24T22:14:00.000-07:00

I had scrapbooking on my mind today. I actually almost thought today was National Scrapbook Day and I was missing it.

So I decided to try to do SOMETHING scrapbookie :)

I organized my extra things and made a list of all that I would like to sell, I will post it on here sometime soon if you are looking for some good (well priced) stuff :)

I was even more excited when I realized NEXT Saturday is National Scrapbook Day and I WASN'T missing it!

So now I have a week to possibly have something planned.

Noticing I had that much time made me think of past NSD's and what I have done. Last year I got to go on my first Scrapbook Retreat! Three years ago I threw a little one day blog party. And two years ago I threw a TWO WEEK blog party! This bought back sad memories and a conviction! You see I planned 10 gifts to give and STILL have not sent ANY of them! SLACKER!!! The Bible say to "let your yes be yes and your no be no", which pretty much means do what you say you're going to do... conviction!

So I also started getting those old gifts ready to ship! :)

And while I was working on all that I got a happy surprise... Today's mail...

The new Close to My Heart Summer Catalog came! Let me know if you want one!

And I got THE CUTEST baby shower invitation! (Don't pay attention to the swirly parts, it doesn't really look like that, I just blurred out the personal info on it so I could show it to you!)

Isn't it amazing???!

So what do you all have planned for National Scrapbook Day next week?

100 Days and Earth Day

2010-04-22T16:14:00.000-07:00

I am 25 weeks and 5 days pregnant today.

I have been pregnant for 180 days.
Baby is probably about 13.5 inches and 1.5 pounds.

Today marks the day that I have 100 more pregnant days to go :) the ticker on my blogs sidebar reminds me of this...

I am excited to say that today I will be purchasing a new bunkbed for my girls so I can use the crib for the new baby. I'm ordering it for $380 mattresses included... and for earth day I thought it was kinda cool that the mattresses are rebuilt from used and cleaned supplies :)

We will not be getting the underbed drawers since I don't think they are pretty from the side, and they don't go all the way back, so I think they are a cute waste of space and money. I like underbed storage baskets instead :).

But I am planning a safety rail for my 2 year old, since this is her first "big girl bed"...

Our first bunkbed was my older daughter's first "big girl bed" as well...

And here is a picture of my son in the separated top bunk of that same bunkbed for his first "big boy bed", perfect for him with all the built-in railings...

Currently JJ (the oldest) is in the top bunk of the old bed, with B.boy in the bottom and Mini in the crib. When we get the white bunkbed, JJ will go on the top with Mini on the bottom and I will take the top bunk off the older bunkbed so B.boy can have the bottom.

Eventually when the new baby is big enough B.boy will go on the top bunk and Baby will go below him with Mini's old safety rail :)

A boys bunk and a girls bunk :).

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

My son turned 4 over the weekend!

We went to the Aquarium, had a picnic over the Bay, light saber fights with daddy, a special birthday dinner with slurpees, then a bath and birthday brownies!!! it was fun...

There were Sea Turtles...

Anemones...

Jellies...

Star Fish...

And even Flamingos...

But my favorite was the many different kinds of Sea Horses...

They were Amazing!!!...

:) After the aquarium we stopped for some candy and the kids got the perfect stickers to match their personalities, lol!!! :)

Linus - always with his blankie...

Lucy - Linus' older sister - always being bossy...

Tackle it Tuesday

2010-04-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

Brushing up on my tackling stills :)

I tackled some other painting and decorating plans a month ago, but before that I hadn't tackled in a YEAR!

I think I will keep a running To-Do list here (at the bottom) like I do for Sunday Scrappin' to keep myself accountable.

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

For last week I finally got my bedroom wall painted after having the paint sit around for a month and a half!

Here's my wall all clean and ready...

Here is me and baby (24 weeks) in our painting clothes :)...

Here is the Chocolate - "Brownie" paint I got from Wally Mart...

Here I was done with my least favorite part - preparations blah! Taping...

Here are my kiddos "helping" with their pieces of tape, lol :)...

First coat - edging and top half done...

Whole first coat done - it looked really bad!...

And I looked pretty messed up myself...

But the kids were still having a good time, because I wasn't paying as much attention to their "quite time" :)...

It all looked MUCH better once the second coat was completed!!!...

This is the only picture I could find of what the room looked like before I took everything off the walls and moved the furniture away...

And this is the after picture with everything back in place :)...

I totally love it. Now I can't wait to get my 2 year old a "big girl bed" so I can take her crib and move it into my room for the new baby... it will go to the far right in this picture :)

Now onto my running TO-DO list...

Organize and pare down hand-me-down clothes in bins.
Hang acoustic guitar on wall in front room.
Pack hospital bag.
Make labor index cards to help hubby coach.
Get kids to doctors appointments and sign-up for WIC.
Back up hard-drive.
Get old scrapbook packages ready and go to post office.
Get a "big girl bed" for Mini and move her crib to master bedroom.
Get a work-space built for homeschooling in the Fall.
Find online courses and sign-up to do my own general ed.

My Walk Monday

2010-04-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Sin is Sin is Sin.

We went through a sad chapter today in youth group, if you don't already know the story in Genesis 34 you should take the time to read it.

There are plenty of different characters in just this one chapter, but they all had different downfalls. I know my downfalls are very different from others that I would think are "worse", but sin is sin is sin.

Shechem - prince of the Hivites - "violated" Dinah (sin of commission).
Jacob - Dinah's father - heard that she had been "defiled" and did nothing (sin of omission).
Hamor - Shechem's father, the King - never either tried himself, or had Shechem right the wrong or even confess the sin. They only continued to be self-seeking.
Shechem tried to pay Dinah's family off to take her as his wife.
Jacob's sons deceived Shechem and Hamor into circumcising their entire family.
Levi and Simeon - Dinah's brothers - went and killed all the newly circumcised men while they were in pain.
They also plundered the dead, their city, their fields, and their houses. They took the little ones and wives as captives.
Jacob was selfish for his own reputation and safety because of this son's actions.
And still Jacob neither said nor did anything about what happened to his daughter.

This was all kinda perfect for me to read through today because all of it kinda just makes me angry. It's a good anger again the sin of Shechem, Hamor and Jacob, but what about me? Am I angry with my own sin? Am I THIS angry with my own sin??? Is it disgusting to me? Will I do anything it takes to right my own wrong? Will I even confess it?! Will I teach my children to do what is right by determining to lead by example? Or will I fall into my own selfishness and excuses again????

And maybe I am doing something about my personal sin, but I am doing it incorrectly like Levi and Simeon... only taking myself further into a different sin?!

Lord please continue to give me Your amazing grace and dynamite power against MY OWN sin. Lord I want it to start with me. I want my children to learn mostly through a good example, not "do as I say, not as I do". I want them to have a love of good from seeing that You give me the strength to love what is good. Forgive me of comparing one sin to another when they all have the same terrible outcome to separate us from You. I love You and want to be close to You forever and always. You are my Mighty and Awesome King.

Scrappin' Sunday

2010-04-18T23:59:00.000-07:00

For Scrappin' Sunday we share our "ta-da's" and our "to-do's" to keep us motivated each week. Join me...

TA-DA - My things to show off this week actually span across a couple weeks because I haven't done this in almost 2 months! Wow - I didn't think it's been THAT long...

First Layout (I did in February)...

Second Layout (I did two weeks ago)...

And this Layout... I'm not done with it, but I thought I'd show you I have a plan :)...

Now onto my running TO-DO list...

Make niece's belated birthday card.
Make a wedding card.
Finish undone purple layout.
Journal on old "finished" layouts.
Print Studio J layouts before they expire.
Plan more layouts.

Then Sings my Soul Saturday

2010-04-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

I shared a Skillet song on Thursday and while I was looking them up I found this one that I had never heard before. It's GOOD - I bought it on iTunes right away :)

I love the part at the end that they say "sir we have a containment breach - we lost 'em - they're out in the open".

Lord, I know that is when my enemy loses me :) It's when I put things out in the light, when I use my voice to pray and get loose of those bonds that I get out in the open :). No more secrets, no more lies to keep me alone in the dark, right where my enemy wants me, turning me into a monster. You and I both know I cannot control this monster, it's strong and it's ugly. Sometimes it makes me rage from inside the cage, but that is exactly what keeps me bound.

I used to think I needed help from someone else to get me out, to help me save myself and bring an end to it, but I've been seeing lately that that is a lie from the monster! I hear it deep within', just beneath my skin telling me I can't do it alone. Telling me it's okay to be alone. I know the truth is, I am NEVER alone! Even when I give in to the monster!

I hate that I give in the my flesh, I give in to the monster. The very thing that will kill me! The thing that works with my enemy... in my sleep, enticing me, lieing to me, trying to scare me and threaten me!!! Telling me not to wake anyone up, not to get up and fight, not to pray or read Your word... "it's just a dream - go back to sleep" - NO!!! SHUT UP MONSTER!!!

You're the one in a cage. You answer to MY King! You're the one that will be torn apart. You're the one I'm calling out!!! You're the one He's breaking down. He's always here with me. He's come to save me and make it end, I know, I feel it deep within. You're hiding in the dark, your teeth are razor sharp, but I'm not afraid of you because my King is against you monster!!! He has an escape for me, there is a way for me, because He has my soul and has my heart! I'm not this monster!

Lyrics:

The secret side of me, I never let you see

I keep it caged but I can't control it

So stay away from me, the beast is ugly

I feel the rage and I just can't hold it

It's scratching on the walls, in the closet, in the halls

It comes awake and I can't control it

Hiding under the bed, in my body, in my head

Why won't somebody come and save me from this, make it end?

I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I, I feel like a monster

My secret side I keep hid under lock and key

I keep it caged but I can't control it

'Cause if I let him out he'll tear me up, break me down

Why won't somebody come and save me from this, make it end?

I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I, I feel like a monster

It's hiding in the dark, it's teeth are razor sharp

There's no escape for me, it wants my soul, it wants my heart

No one can hear me scream, maybe it's just a dream

Maybe it's inside of me, stop this monster

I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I've gotta lose control, he something radical

I must confess that I feel like a monster

Menu Planning...

2010-04-16T02:15:00.000-07:00

So obviously it's not Monday - when I should have had my menu planned - but I say better late than never!!!

Last week was only my second week and already I am finding difficulties. Though I can see I am not failing - 5 days out of 7 - is not failing.

Here are this week's plans - I will cross then out as they happen.....

Tuesday: (Moved from last Sunday)

Frozen pre-made baked zitti
side - garden salad

Wednesday:

Nothing was planned :( we had McDonald's instead.

Thursday:

Nothing was planned :( we had Jack in the Box instead.

Friday:

Chicken Taco Salad

Saturday: (Son's birthday request)

Cheeseburgers (Turkey Ranch burgers with cheese)
side - fries (roasted potatoes) and veggies (mommy added)
desert - chocolate brownies with chocolate frosting and vanilla ice cream

Pics to share :)...

Sunday:

BBQ'd chicken
side - refried beans with cheese and tomato

Monday:

Poor Man Stroganoff with ground Turkey
side - garden salad

My Walk Monday

2010-04-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

God gave my husband a vision when this song was playing in the car (yes while driving!) maybe 5 months ago. I was blessed to witness my husband so on fire for the Lord afterwards, and I always thought the song was kind of amazing, but I could tell it never really hit me as hard as it did my husband ... till today.

God put the song on my heart, so I looked it up on Youtube instead of just listening to it on iTunes. Here it is - Hero by Skillet...

The words have always been amazing to me, but just last night and this morning I have really been going back and forth with my flesh. Praying to not caring ... Fighting to giving up.

Read the lyrics!!!...

I'm just a step away - I'm just a breath away

Losing my faith today - Falling off the edge today

I am just a man - Not superhuman

I'm not superhuman - Someone save me from the hate

It's just another war - Just another family torn

Falling from my faith today - Just a step from the edge

Just another day in the world we live

I need a hero to save me now - I need a hero, save me now

I need a hero to save my life - A hero will save me just in time

I've gotta fight today - To live another day

Speaking my mind today - My voice will be heard today

I've gotta make a stand - But I am just a man

I'm not superhuman - My voice will be heard today

It's just another war - Just another family torn

My voice will be heard today - It's just another kill

The countdown begins to destroy ourselves

I need a hero to save me now - I need a hero, save me now

I need a hero to save my life - A hero will save me just in time

I need a hero to save my life - I need a hero, just in time

Save me just in time, Save me just in time

Who's gonna fight for what's right? Who's gonna help us survive?

We're in the fight of our lives - And we're not ready to die

Who's gonna fight for the weak? Who's gonna make 'em believe?

I've got a hero - I've got a hero, Living in me

I'm gonna fight for what's right - Today I'm speaking my mind

And if it kills me tonight - I will be ready to die

A hero's not afraid to give his life - A hero's gonna save me just in time

I need a hero to save me now - I need a hero, save me now

I need a hero to save my life - A hero will save me just in time

(I need a hero)

Who's gonna fight for what's right? Who's gonna help us survive?

(I need a hero)

Who's gonna fight for the weak? Who's gonna make 'em believe?

I need a hero

I need a hero, A hero's gonna save me just in time

Lord, I'm constantly just a step away from the wrong decisions. I'm just a breath away from doing exactly what my enemy has enticed me to. One way or the other, praying and fighting or not caring and giving up! Last night and this morning I have been on both sides, but the one that effects me most is the one that makes me lose my faith and fall from the edge. The one that makes me fall further from You!

I am just a man, I am nothing. Please save me from hating myself.

This is NOT JUST ANOTHER WAR! I don't want my family torn {now I'm crying}. I fell from my faith today, I took a step in the wrong way, a step in this worldly mess!

I need a hero to save me now. Please be my Hero and save me now.

I need an hero to save this life. I know that You will save me just in time.

But Lord I know if I don't fight I'm only pushing You away. And I know if I give-in to my sin then I only deserve the death that comes within. So Lord today I pray. I'm making my stand even though I'm just a man. My voice will be heard today.

It's just another war, my family WILL NOT be torn. I know what You promise me and I know where to find my strength!!! It won't be another kill, my enemy has NO POWER here! And the only countdown that will begin is the one for him!

You are my Hero. You've saved my life. You've saved me just in time. You help me fight for what's right. You make me survive in this fight for our lives. And Lord, we're ready to die! I know You have more for me, more for my husband... I haven't seen it, but I KNOW it. Our children WILL be warriors in Your kingdom! We WILL be set apart for You - we WILL fight for You! With You we'll fight for the weak, with You we'll make 'em believe.

You are The Hero living in me.

My flesh is ready to die.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

She stole mommy's camera and left proof!

Making the Pregnant Woman wanna cry :)

2010-04-09T11:20:00.001-07:00

Menu Planning...

2010-04-05T11:27:00.000-07:00

Last week was my first week joining this Meme.

It went well, the very first night was a hard start because we had a doctor's appointment out of town and got home late. We were tired and my hubby offered to cook what I had planned, but I told him no, I sucked it up and made the tacos. They were great for friday's leftover night and there was even enough meat to freeze for another meal this week, from only 1 & 1/4 pound of turkey meat! :) My husband loved the new Rosemary Turkey Meatloaf and the Chicken Taquitos as well, it was a blessing to bless him and it was actually kinda fun! :)

Here are this week's plans - I will cross then out as they happen.....

Tuesday: (Moved from last Sunday)

Ranch Turkey Burgers
side - roasted potatoes

Here's some photo proof :)...

Wednesday:

Pasta with ground Turkey and spaghetti sauce
side - salad / veggies

Thursday:

Leftover Night

Friday:

Stir fry with chicken sausage over white rice.
no side

Saturday: (Moved to Monday - had McDonald's instead)

Tacos with (leftover) ground turkey, lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream
side - frozen veggies

Sunday: (Moved to Tuesday - had frozen pizza instead)

Frozen pre-made baked zitti
side - garden salad

Monday: (Had Saturday's meal instead)

Beans & Rice with chicken, cheese and tomatoes :) - this is a favorite of mine
side - frozen veggies

My Walk Monday

2010-04-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

I was so blessed by our Easter Sunday service yesterday! Our pastor has a great gifting to teach and preach God's word and a beautiful heart for people that goes along with it!

The biggest part that hit me from Luke 24 was very small... verse 12a.

"Peter got up and ran to the tomb"

Walking was no longer enough for him. Going slow was not good when he could go faster and possibly be close to Him again sooner.

Walking is not good enough for me either. I want be as close to Jesus as humanly possible at all times! I want to RUN to Him, even if running causes me to trip and fall sometimes. I will get up again and keep running.

I know in the past when I let things trip me up I would fall and just stay down on the floor... refusing help, looking like a fool because there was nothing wrong with me. I would be beating myself up for not avoiding the thing that tripped me. I would wallow, gave up and stay there with my face on the floor. So sad.

Could you picture that? Someone perfectly healthy just laying on their face refusing your help to get up because they knew if they got up now they would eventually end up down again, even if tripping again wasn't till many months or even years away! Pathetic!

But let me ask you... do you do that? Are you content to just stay down and wallow in your stagnant pit? Well - stop it! Get up and walk. Even better... get up and RUN to Him! Run!

I just wanna scream A-MEN!!!

2010-04-04T15:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter my friends!!!

um - woah!!!

2010-04-01T17:01:00.000-07:00

I had a 3-D ultrasound done today and they really DO show much more detail than I ever thought! There are TWO babies in there, not just one!!!

This would explain all the crazy movement and and the early shortness of breath!!!

I can't believe it!!! Can I DO FIVE - 5 and under?!?!??!

10 years later...

2010-03-31T22:01:00.000-07:00

... and I love this man more than ever!!!

I'm Menu Planning!!!

2010-03-29T18:02:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it??!!??

And I am even looking up new healthy recipes to try.

If you read my previous post you will see why this new Meme is kinda perfect for me. I really hope this will help in forcing me to plan and in accountability purposes... yes I give YOU permission to confront me if you have not seen me Meal Planning every week!! :)

I am excited - I have a feeling my first week is kinda going to be overkill - like I will have a lot of leftovers, but HEY those are good as well, I just need to make sure my family uses them!!!

Here we go - I plan to plan and shop on Mondays and start the weekly menu on Tuesdays. I also have more flexible plans for breakfast and dinner that I will shop for, but I don't struggle with making those meals, so I will not share the plans :).

These are the dinner plans only.....

Tuesday:

Tacos with ground turkey, lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream
side - refried beans

Wednesday:

Chicken Stir fry over white rice.

Thursday:

Rosemary Turkey Meat Loaf
side - garden salad

Good Friday :):

Leftover Day

Saturday:

Chicken Taquitos
side - spanish rice

Easter Sunday: (Got moved to next Tuesday)

Ranch Turkey Burgers - my hubby had a burger when we were out to lunch
side - roasted potatoes - so we all had different variations of eggs instead :)

Monday:

Chicken Enchiladas
side - garden salad

Here's some proof of this one :)

:) I'll cross things out as they get done, and let know how it goes next week when I share my weekly menu plan! :)

My Walk Monday

2010-03-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

I have still been so very blessed by my loving friends this week...

I have really been trying to focus on my actions, notice the problems and change as I go. Even instead of saying "oh there's something I need to work on", or "I'll get to that problem later now that I see it" :).

One of the main things I am convicted with is that some of my close friends as well as my best friend (my husband) are challenging themselves to loose weight together... and me (the pregnant one) eating whatever I want and having terrible cravings... I cause them to stumble and I am putting temptations in front of them that they do NOT need!

"Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble." 1 Corinthians 8:13

Not just for my brother, but MORE importantly for my hubby! I have it VERY heavy on my heart to help HIM with this new endeavor!

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." Titus 2 : 3-5

You see I am an example in my church's youth group. I am an example to younger married couples, or even older married couples with less children then me, either way, you get my drift.

I am planning on officially homeschooling my daughter and son come fall... "teaching" at home and I want my kids to pick up "what is good" from my behavior more than just what I am teaching them out of books. I mean I have always been in a position as the "teacher" as their mommy, but now I am officially going to call myself their Teacher as well, and I want to be a good example in all things!

I want them to see me "love my husband" and "loving on them" as a "sensible, pure worker at home"... making sure daddy is eating well will in turn make sure we are all eating well, even pregnant mommy with little baby in her belly... "so that the word of God will not be dishonored"... so that I am not stumbling my brother... so that I am loving how I should... love is a VERB!

What I'm doing Today...

2010-03-27T15:51:00.000-07:00

On this beautiful Spring Saturday I am sitting at home and having a great time doing it! :)

I hung out with one of my friends last night and FINALLY got inspired to pick sizes for the pictures my sister took for my living room wall! But we were also talking about how easy it is to change blog designs if you know how to use Photoshop... and she DOES! Look what she made last night! It's not quite how she wants it yet, but I think it's a GREAT first try!...

Oh and this is how I am choosing picture sizes :)

I am putting up papers on my wall to see what would be good and what would be bad - you can vote if you'd like :)...

These are 12x12's - I didn't like them, they were too small and lonely...

12x18's - too close to an 11x17 for me, it looks like I have papers on the wall, lol...

16x20's - these were my favorite, though when I get the real photos up I might spread them out more :)...

20x20's - to big and kinda overwhelming...

This is what the 16x20's look like with "photos" - I photoshopped the pics up there...

This is what the 20x20's looked like with the "photos" up - this is how I could tell I liked the 16x20's better because you could see the cropping on the photos themselves from here...

I am going to get these printed on some kinda cool foam material as opposed to canvas to save some money. I like the no frame canvas look, but I need it on a budget! :) I am so excited!!!

(Pay no attention to the mess. It's a work in progress. I still need to unpack some boxes. I will scoot over my lamp table to the left and the green chair - that I hope to get reupholstered - and then my kid's new homeschooling table/area will be to the right of that! ;)

SO FUN!

I love my Friends!

2010-03-24T11:36:00.000-07:00

My Walk Monday

2010-03-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

He is always faithful to prepare us.

We just need to be faithful to seek Him, and then be willing to listen in learn.

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

Let me tell you why I say this :).

I have a sweet friend that was faithful enough to tell me some things in our relationship that could use some work. But she didn't approach me in anger, and I didn't feel attacked like times in the past were other friends have "told me how it is" :). She wrote me an e-mail, but called me first to warn me and pray with me.

I was blessed to have my husband praying as well, because he knows I have felt mishandled in the past and again it was nice to be warned.

But it was even NICER to be able to seek the Lord and have HIM prepare my heart.

I felt He wanted me to read John chapter 3 when I was praying about what was to come. And though the message I received from this chapter was not in the correct context of being born again, it was kinda perfect for me to start in the right heart. ("For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12)

Here are the chunks God used from His living word that pierced straight to the thoughts in my heart.

v.2 - I was reassured that this is a friend that "came from God" and "God is with her"
v.6 - He showed me she was not coming from a place of "flesh" as friends have in the past, but she was really trying to put her self aside and be "of the Spirit".
v.11 - "We speak what We know and testify what We have seen" - He says We to my heart because it is her AND HIM speaking what they know and testifying to me what they have seen in our relationship as friends.
v.12 - "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" - This shows me personally that He wants me to believe what was written in my friend's email and that He wants me to grow to be able to handle Him telling me heavenly things in the future.
v.17 - God did not send this email to condemn me but to set me free.
v.18 - if I believe the words sent to me I am not condemned, but if I do not believe I am condemned already by the situation at hand.
v.19 - and this is the condemnation, that my friend is shining some light, and I would love the darkness rather than the light.
v.20 - will I refuse the light and hate it? Or am I willing to expose my deeds??
v.27 - "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven." - this was given to me from "heaven" as best as possible and I will be able to receive it unlike how I "received" similar things in the past :).
v.30 - "He must increase, but I must decrease." - God wants to use this to grow me in Him. And my flesh will have to decrease (which may hurt) when this is to be done.
v.34 - God sent my friend to speak the words of God and God gave her His Spirit.
v.35 - My Father in Heaven loves me.

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36

Again I say...

He is always faithful to prepare us.

We just need to be faithful to seek Him, and then be willing to listen in learn.

And again - I know this is not what the scripture means in context what-so-ever, but it is just what God has spoken to my heart for this situation and love Him for it :).

Mmm! Musical Mom Meme

2010-03-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Here's another game I as tagged with back in February of '09... thank you Linda.

This one was really quite fun! And I am actually glad it took me so long to play along, because now I have more music than I would have a year ago :).

Instructions:

Put your iPod (MP3 player or iTunes) on shuffle.
For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
Tag some Moms you admire who could use a laugh and a song.

If you wanna play consider yourself tagged. Then let me know so I can come peek at the way your music writes your story as a mom! :)

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

HOW DID YOU BECOME A MOM?
Marathons (lol - they do compare childbirth to running a marathon :)

WHAT DID YOU THINK THE FIRST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BABY?
I Give you my Heart (Totally and completely perfect!)

WHAT DID YOU DO THE FIRST MORNING AFTER A SLEEPLESS NIGHT?
Comatose (Meaning inactive, lethargic, sluggish - another perfect one - lol)

WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN SOMEONE COLORS ON THE WALL?
King of Glory (Not sure how that one would work for me, because I certainly wouldn't take His name vain.)

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH A TODDLER’S BODILY FLUID ISSUES?
I'm Never Alone (This one made me smile - He is always here with me to help me handle the difficult things in life... and every mom has to deal with very sam thing :)

IF SOMEONE SAYS “Can I have a snack?” YOU SAY?
Famous One (How do YOU think this applies??? - like "no, nice try kid!"?)

IF SOMEONE LEAVES THEIR STUFF ON THE FLOOR, YOU SAY?
A Whole New World (Is what it could be if we could see the floor and not trip on toys.)

IF SOMEONE ISN’T SICK TODAY, YOU SAY?
Everyday (I don't "say" it, I pray it! Lord please could they not be sick EVERYDAY?)

HOW DO YOUR KIDS ENJOY YOUR COOKING?
Things of This World (They pass away like the song says, we need to be thankful for what we have no matter what quality it is.)

HOW DID YOUR KIDS DO IN SCHOOL TODAY?
Contact (That's a good start :)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHILE SITTING IN CARPOOL LINE?
Satisfied in You (So true, the car is where it is always so easy to remind myself that God's overwhelming good overcomes my puny bad.)

HOMESCHOOLERS, WHAT IS THE FIRST SUBJECT TAUGHT OF THE DAY?
Don't Stop Dancing (A-men!)

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS WANT TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP?
Low Rider (LOL)

WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP?
Love is a Verb (A-men again!)

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY AS A MOM?
Love Song for a Savior (I am blessed to think God let this song come up to encourage me that He is blessed by me as a mother :)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE AS A MOM?
Breathe (Just breathe :)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO AS A MOM?
With Arms Wide Open (A-men again again, WOW!)

HOW DID YOU KNOW YOU WERE REALLY A MOM?
Burn for You (I am nothing without Christ who strengthens me and I know it is all real when I feel that strength burning through me.)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MOST OFTEN AS A MOM?
Go Your Own Way (If I went my own way it would be a bunch of lonely days.)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY AS A MOM?
Gone (Hopefully I am not absent as a mom... but more true to the song that I would live each day if it were my last, Carpe Diem, "you never know what you got till it's gone".)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET AS A MOM?
Baby be Mine ("and girl I'll give you all I got to give" - I regret my laziness and not giving it my all.)

WHAT IS THE BEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE AS A MOM?
He Works (I let God work on me and through me.)

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS DO THAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
First Love (My daughter's first crush is one of our old youth boys and it always makes us laugh when she says she's going to marry him and that she loves him - in our opinion she couldn't pick anyone better!)

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS DO THAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Here I Go Again (Sometimes I get frustrated and cry when they don't listen and I have to tell them a million times.)

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS DO THAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Since I Met You (When they get older I am scared that they will have nothing to show unless they turn to the Lord.)

HOW DO YOUR KIDS DESCRIBE YOU AS THEIR MOM?
L-O-V-E (This is a very sweet answer if you know this song... and I only hope they see me as very loving, sometimes I feel it is the only thing I get right.)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
I Dreamt of Edward (Oh dear - I gotta get those Twilight songs off my computer - or at least make up my own name for them :)

WHAT WILL YOUR MOM OF THE YEAR CERTIFICATE SAY?
I Wanna be Just like You (A-men - I wanna be like Jesus.)

*I tried to get a clip of as many of my songs as possible so you could hear them if you wanted to see what song I am talking about. Some of them are not the same artist I own, but you get the point. Others like 18, 23 and 28 aren't even available. 18 was a song my friend Bethany wrote (beautiful), 23 is a (GREAT) song by a band that is no longer around called Footstool and 28 is by another old group called Go Fish.

Just a Thought

2010-03-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

"People often say that motivation doesn't last.

Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily."

- Zig Ziglar

Date Night

2010-03-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

:) Hubby and I had a great date last Friday - best we've had in a long time.

We went to PF Changs for dinner and saw Alice in Wonderland 3-D, both new things for me :)

So much fun, thank you Muffin!