18 years of marriage

Forgot to post this sweet picture of my sweet husband and I. We put the kids to bed (well, the boys at least)...brought Grammy in to sit...scooted off into the sunset for a night of just the 2 of us. We have always tried to get at least a few dates out a year and our anniversary is one of them.

18 years...how time has flown. I am blessed beyond words. I am so glad you asked, I'd do it again in a heart beat.

My world has doubled since last Mother's Day

I am now a mama of four precious children. Who would have thought last year our world would have changed so much? I love that God knew from before the foundation of the world all these details.

The day was full of many emotions and feelings and at the top of the list...gratitude.

I'm OFF -

I am off duty this weekend. (You know, from that 24 a day job). I am taking a little road trip to go and visit my friend Christy. And when I say friend, I mean MY friend. Not my kid's friend's mom. Christy is my friend and we could talk for hours. In fact I have a few friends that I no longer live near that I don't talk to very often on the phone because when we do, I have to have about 2 hours carved out of my day in order to say all we need to say (you know who you are).

I am looking forward to our time together. I have been thinking I would go and we could "can" for a few days (she is really good at that). But this visit will include a trip to a homeschooling expo/conference. I am really looking forward to some encouragement in the homeschooling department for school is starting just around the corner.

One of the things I am going to check out is My Father's World for school next year. I have several friends who use it and really like it and I have been looking at it for awhile now. That might be my big purchase for the upcoming school year.

I'll be back online in a few days. Hope you have a great weekend.

Replenishing Moments

I love routine. I am a creature of habit. I find comfort in it. I think most people do. And this is how I start my mornings. I used to start with a cup of coffee, but I gave that up during lent, and I never started it again. Now my day starts and ends the same way. A cup of tea. In the mornings it is green tea and in the evenings, I savor my sleepy time tea. I even have favorite mugs. I like tea in a light colored cup so I can see how strong it is. The only bummer is it begins to stain the cup.

I think it is important to find the little things in life that replenish you. Things that lift your spirits, make your day a little more happy. In short...replenish you. I have come to find out, the cup of tea I have each morning does replenish me. I often have it while I read my bible, check email, glance at the day's agenda. I do enjoy this time.

So, what replenishes you? Maybe a replenishing moment each day, or maybe something less frequent. I do love that word "replenish" - it just fills me up to think about it.

Summer Season 7 - list

It seems like there has been a lag in these kind of lists that go around people's blogs. Thought I would make one up myself to get the creative juices flowing. Let's start off the new summer season with a glimpse into my vulnerable self. I will try and make these items summer related, as I love a theme to something.



1. I am a terrible swimmer. Can't go under without plugging my nose. I can tread water with the best of you, but actual strokes - um - can't do them. My kids put me to shame in the pool.


2. I love fireworks - but not crazy about fire crackers. I enjoy going to see fireworks - the professional kind, but the kind that you buy in Wal-mart parking lot and set off yourself in the driveway at home (you know the kind that scare children and animals alike)...I can go without those.


3. I serve a LOT of salad for meals in the summer. Taco salad, Asian chicken salad, fruit salad, tossed green salad, pasta salad, layered salad. We have had salad for the last 2 nights for dinner.


4. I am really cheap when it comes to running the air conditioning. I would rather have fresh air breezing through the windows. I set the air as high as I can tolerate it and I am the first one to turn it off as soon as the weather is nice.


5. I make my kids do school in the summer. Yep...that is me, mean mommy. We do math all summer long. Not every day, but at least 3 or 4 days a week. We do however also do LOTS of art in the summer too.


6. I haven't bought a new swim suit in several years. I HATE shopping for a new suit. It is one of my least favorite things to shop for. UGH. I find the whole thing depressing.


7. I LOVE summer camp. Going to camp was a huge part of my childhood years. It was such a tool that God used to reach me and draw me close to Him. My camp was Timber-Lee in Wisconsin. It is still a special place for me. I went every summer from 3rd grade through college (when I worked there). I even loaded my kids up on a plane 2 summers ago to experience it themselves.



So, there you have it. My summer season 7 list. I would love to hear your SUMMER SEASON 7 list. Do share. Either post it on your blog or leave a little list in the comment area.

HEE HAW

I know that you have all been on pins and needles trying to figure out what our party was that the flag banners were for (from my last post). Since this is the year of celebrations, we are planning on making the most of each season and every holiday. Last year for my birthday Chuck was living in a different state and the girls and I were preparing to move (HERE), so it was a little slim on the celebrations. Though we made the most of each situation, we now have the chance to throw caution to the wind and kick up our heels and have a roaring good time.


What better way to celebrate than to invite your new friends and demand that they show up in some kind of an embarrassing costume.

Our theme was HEE HAW, not only because I love country life (HERE), but also to embrace living in the south. If you are of my generation, you have seen HEE HAW, or at least are familiar with the concept. Simple country folk, banjo music, bare feet and a blacked out tooth.

Half the fun for me is the party planning. Once I get a theme, I almost don't know how to reign it in. I can't just invite a few friends over, oh no...that would be too simple. We have to deck the whole house out in flag banners, old quilts, hay bales and galvanized buckets of wild flowers.

Let's just say...we had a great time. I was thrilled that everyone showed up in some kind of garb and joined in on the theme (even my folks - and if you know my dad this was a big deal).

We served fried chicken, corn on the cob, baked beans and everyone brought a side dish to share. For dessert we had carrot cake, a selection of cookies and Moon Pies. Lemonade and "homemade hooch" (AKA - moonshine served in a bucket) for drinks.

We had everything from long underwear to Nascar for costumes. Lots of overalls and straw hats. Everything redneck or country fits in just fine with the HEE HAW theme.We planned a few games for both the kids and adults alike. Guess the jelly bellies in a jar, guess the farm animal (we put the animals in socks and hung them on a laundry line) and drop the clothes pin in bottle.
Here are the kids (and adults) playing the games. Here Stacee and Johnny are dropping clothes pins in the bottles (thought I should tell you what they are doing cuz' it looks kind of funny). I love the burlap sack on Stacee's waist - how creative.A BIG thanks to Chuck for helping make this a fun party (he made that awesome poster). He jumped right in with the country bumpkin theme and was such a good sport. And I am so thankful that all these great friends came (in such cute costumes) to help us with the celebrating. And just think - the year is only half over. What will the next party be???

From the mouths of my children

Just for fun, I thought these were kind of cute. Nice to have little record of their thoughts. When I asked them these questions, I separated them so they wouldn't copy each others answers. And I wanted them to understand that there was no "right or wrong" answer, what ever came to their minds I jotted down.


1. What is something mom always says to you
Tissy-Pay attention
Tally-That you love me

2. What makes mom happy?
Tissy-When we clean the house
Tally-When I do the right thing without being told to

3. What makes mom sad?
Tissy-When I don't pay attention
Tally-When I don't do my needful

4. What makes your mom laugh?
Tissy-All my funny jokes and stuff
Tally-When Tissy is funny

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Tissy-Probably you were funny
Tally-nice and friendly and outgoing

6. How old is your mom?
Tissy-24, no you're not that young... I am going to guess 34
Tally-35 is my guess

7. How tall is your mom?
Tissy- 6' 3"
Tally- 5' 6" (I am somewhere in between)

8. What is her favorite thing to do
Tissy-You like to go on the computer
Tally-Do your Bible Study, your Precepts

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Tissy- You do your Bible Study, spend time with Daddy and might go on the computer again.
Tally-You blog and do your computer stuff

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Tissy-You are a good singer. Well, it might for writing a book called "Tinkle and Beans". No for your pizza.
Tally-Making her bread

11. What is your mom really good at
Tissy-Typing on the computer and cooking
Tally-Making your bread and healthy foods

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Tissy-Not the best at working with TVs and making movies and texting...you know, all that stuff that Daddy does
Tally-Loving and caring for all sorts of animals

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Tissy-Teach me and Tally school
Tally-You teach us school

14. What's your mom's favorite food?
Tissy-Maybe your pizza, or your pancakes or your bread
Tally-Healthy foods like spinach salad, and you like bananas and fruits

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Tissy-When our friends come over, I am proud of your very good pizza
Tally-When you make homemade bread and give it to friends and when they say it tastes really good

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Tissy-Kanga from Winnie the Pooh
Tally-Mama bear from the Berenstain Bears

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Tissy-Sing at bed time
Tally-We talk and read my journal and stuff like that

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Tissy-We both have blond hair
Tally-We both have glasses

19. How are you and your mom different?
Tissy-You have glasses
Tally-You like to organize things and I like to play with animals

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Tissy-You say it
Tally-Because you care for me, hugs me, tells me that you loves me and tucks me in at night

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Tissy-Disney, Magic Kingdom
Tally-Family fun places, like the science center and Disney and places like that

Pivotal Circumstances - testimony part 5

Well...this is the last part of this 5 part testimony. And to be honest, I am so glad to end on this particular part. As I ponder all of these 5 points, this is one that God has used maybe the most for me. I would venture out to say that most of us can put our finger on at least one PIVOTAL CIRCUMSTANCE where we were forced to look in God's direction. May it be a job loss, the death of someone, a miscarriage, an illness or some other event that caused us to turn toward God and grow because of it. Often PIVOTAL CIRCUMSTANCES are negative events that bring us to our knees in obedience to our Maker.

Again, I have more than one event that comes to mind, but I will share about one. I have touched on this before but I have to mention it again in light of my testimony. I am one of the many women that has struggled with infertility. There was a time in my life that more than anything, I longed to become a mom. And even though that was the desire of my heart and a prayer of mine, it wasn't a quick and easy answer. It was a season of my life that was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through. Longing for something, feeling like this was a calling on your life, and yet not being blessed in the area of children. I mentioned my prayer journal before, and at this time, it was full of crying out to God, longing for a positive answer and having to accept God's answer of not now. During this season of my life, I was learning to want God's will more than mine. Learning to trust in His perfect timing. Learning to lean on His strength and not my own. Learning to truly accept it, if the answer was no.

I look back on it and to be honest, it is still painful to think about. I am so thankful that God did allow us the blessing of children. And a blessing they truly are. God grew my faith in leaps and bound in those years. Such hard growing times, but I am so thankful that God allowed me to go through those hard times. I am a different person because of it, and hopefully a better mom to my children. God knew the right time for me to enter motherhood, and we are still trusting Him if it is His will to grow our family. So far, our 2 girls are our current blessings, but if the Lord wills we are looking to Him to bless again. It may not be in our time, or with our ideas, but I know that God knows what is best for us. Again, learning to trust, learning to wait, learning to want God's will more than my own.

Still hoping that some of you out there will share at least one point of your testimony, an area that God used to grow your faith. May it be PRACTICAL TEACHING, PROVIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS, PRIVATE DISCIPLINES, PERSONAL MINISTRY OR PIVOTAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

Private Disciplines - testimony part 3

OK friends, we are halfway there with the 5 points of my testimony. Hopefully you are staying with me and enjoying getting to know me in a new way. As I mentioned before, this sermon series that I recently heard mentioned 5 different areas that God tends to use to grow our faith. Most people can point to one or more of these in their own life that God has used to draw them closer to Him. As I heard this series I thought of different examples for each of these and I really liked thinking through my testimony in these categories.

This third area is PRIVATE DISCIPLINES. Some examples of these PRIVATE DISCIPLINES might be where your faith really grew after you were more consistent with alone time with God, or daily prayer time or maybe even fasting or tithing to God. Again, I can share about a few of these that have been significant areas of growth for me. Looking back over the years, a PRIVATE DISCIPLINE that God has used is prayer journaling. I have often kept a prayer journal where I write down my prayers to God, where I cry out to Him. Not just a list of requests, but actually writing out the prayer as I was praying it. As I read back through these prayer journals, I see such a variety of different highs and lows, trials and blessings and how through it all I was learning to communicate to my heavenly Father. I was learning to go to Him instead of going to a friend, or a family member. I was learning that God is faithful, that His Word is true. Learning to invest in the most important relationship. I have kept all those prayer journals and they are like precious love letters, like a window into my connections with God.

I have often desired to have a deeper prayer life. I have been challenged to take God's Word at face value and spend time in secret prayer with God each day. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. I still have a ways to go on this area. I know that God is still growing me here, and I have learned that growing pains hurt a bit.

Providential Relationships - testimony part 2

Thought I would add part 2 to my testimony here on the blog. As I share a little bit of each of these 5 areas that tend to be ways or tools that God uses to grow our faith, you might find yourself thinking about your own personal testimony. Let me challenge you to share your testimony on your blog (if you have one). I remember one day clicking from blog to blog and I found one that had a side button that basically said "Click HERE for my testimony". Of course I clicked and was immediately blessed to read about how God had worked in some one's life to draw them closer to Him. I still follow that blog to this day and it has been neat to see God continually work in that person's life.

As I think back through different relationships that I have had with people, there is one in particular that I think of as a PROVIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP. Now I am sure I could go on and on about different friends that have influenced me in positive ways, but I want to share about just one PROVIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP. This is a person that God put in my path, that forever changed my future. Kind of like a God ordained connection.

I already shared in part one of my testimony that I grew up in a positive Christian home and we were involved in different churches along the years. When I was in high school, we were attending a church with an active youth group and that youth group is where I found most of my close friends and connections. When I was a freshman, I approached a youth leader (not even the youth pastor, just a lay leader) to see if she would be interested in "mentoring" or disciplining me. She graciously said yes and that began a PROVIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP. We met almost every Saturday morning, often with another friend of mine, for breakfast. We went through different Bible study type books from time to time, in fact I don't really remember any one in particular. I just remember our times together. Where she encouraged me and spurred me on to a deeper relationship with Christ. God used that friendship in a significant way to give me a thirst for the Word and a hunger for that close relationship with Himself. I saw in her a woman who loved her Lord and lived for Him.

I am grateful for the time that my dear friend Lesli took to invest in me. I know it was a sacrifice on her part. Time away from her family and her life. Time to spend with an awkward teen age girl who was trying to find her way.

I love how God allows us to walk along the path with others in life and do life together. It makes me think of 2 things. One, I need to be willing to invest in others. To take them out, and treat them to a meal every now and then. To be interested in someone other than myself. To hopefully be that kind of an example to someone else. Two, I need to make sure I expose my kids to others that can be that kind of an influence on them. Not to feel threatened by the friendship, but grateful for the person who will invest in them and be their PROVIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP.

Practical Teaching - testimony part 1

I have recently heard a sermon series on 5 points that grow our faith. It has been interesting to hear these 5 different things that God tends to use to increase our relationship with Him. After listening to this series, I thought it might be nice to share my testimony on my blog here. I always find it really interesting to hear about how someone has grown closer to God, it somehow opens a new door to their inner thoughts and situations. So I will share a little bit about these 5 things in my own life.

The first point I will share about is PRACTICAL TEACHING. I was actually born on the mission field (my parents were missionaries in another country) and I grew up as a pastors daughter (my dad had several churches when I was little). I have been surrounded by godly, christian influences and PRACTICAL TEACHING my whole life. And all of that definitely had an influence on me and my personal relationship with God.

I am a product of going to public school my whole life and when I graduated high school I wanted to attend a Bible college. I always wanted to go to a christian school and it never worked out for me for my younger years so I was grateful when God opened the door to attend a Bible college. I wanted a place where I would be surrounded by lots of biblical teaching. I chose a Bible college in the south where my sister was attending (loved it when I went to visit her). And it was in this college where I met Chuck.

All of these things were definitely influences in my life, but the biggest one was yet to come. I have shared before about how I have really enjoyed Precepts Bible studies (and even more recently the Precepts study online). About a year ago, I did my first Precepts Bible study in the book of Daniel and it was fantastic. I have really enjoyed the style of study with looking for key words and phrases and marking the text with colors. I have enjoyed listening to Kay Arthur daily on the computer or on the local TV station. It has been good for me to saturate myself in the truth of God's Word. It really has been a significant influence on my relationship with God, learning more about Him and responding in obedience to the truths.

I will be honest, it takes time and endurance. In the last year I have studied the book of Daniel (took about 5 months), did a study called "Life in the Spirit", book of Ephesians, America at the Crossroads, and now I am still studying Isaiah (since early fall). It takes discipline to get my studies out and carve out the time in my schedule to sit down and open my notebook and study the text, and then take the time to listen to Kay share on the text. There are times I don't want to do it, or times I get busy, but I am gently called back to the Word. And because of that, my life will forever be changed. For my life, God has used this tool as a way to draw me ever closer to Him. I don't think I could have endured last year (which was one of the hardest years of my life) without the depth of studying God's word.

So I do agree that PRACTICAL TEACHING has been a tool in my life that God has used to make me more of who He longs for me to be. Next, I plan on sharing about PROVIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS, people that God has used to mold me.

Don't you just HATE insomnia?

I am sure many of you blogger out there have struggled with insomnia from time to time. And for some reason, it seems to come in waves. I may not have issues with it at all, and then...it will strike. I have my little remedies that seem to work - a little at least.

For starters...I end the evening with Sleepytime Tea Extra Wellness (HERE). That seems to help, except for tea makes me have to use the bathroom and that is a bummer at night time. Must make sure it is the EXTRA WELLNESS TEA not just the regular sleepytime tea.

I also try to not wake myself up with chores right before bed. That tends to get me going again and then it is hard to drift off and I hate when I miss that sleepy window. You know when you were sleepy and then it has seemed to passed and you are awake with thoughts running through your head.

I have a few movies I have seen so many times that I love to fall asleep to them. Anything that I am too interested in tends to keep me awake. But if I have seen it many times before, I can doze off to it. May favorite list of those movies are...Sabrina (my choice last night at 4:30 am), Sleepless in Seattle, Baby Boom, and While You Were Sleeping. These movies are all sweet, not scary or intense and the music in the background isn't too wild.

So, those are my best remedies. Any one have anything else I am missing? What are your remedies to help you deal with insomnia? Or am I the only one that struggles with it???

twist on the traditional tag - now a MOTHERHOOD TAG

I was tagged by Karen a few days ago and I have been meaning to get to this. I wanted to do a little twist on it, since we have all seen the same kind of tag game. I have been reading Permission to Mother's book (which is titled Permission to Mother). It inspired me to post interesting things about motherhood, pregnancy and birth.

1. I had a hysterosalpingogram as one of the tests in order investigate the infertility Chuck and I were struggling with.


2. My first child was conceived on fertility drugs. After years of trying, it seemed to be the best hope for us.


3. I never had an ultra sound. I never knew what I was having - there are so few surprises in life.


4. My second baby was a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and a face presentation baby (when the baby does NOT tuck its chin, but instead tilts it up ~ having the widest part of the head coming out first). I was so grateful to be able to experience the process of a traditional delivery (though she did have one huge swollen eye).



5. When I was pushing to deliver Tristen, I ended up with broken blood vessels in my eyes and face...I meant business (and in my opinion...I would take a vaginal delivery any day over a c-section).


6. I did not, nor was I willing to get an epidural for the VBAC delivery.


7. I used an SNS (tube style nursing) in order to breastfeed Tally. It was a lot work, but looking back on it, I am glad I did.



So, here is the deal on tagging you guys. I would love to tag you all and if you want to play. Go for it. I thought that the twist on the traditional tag would be fun. So, list your 7 interesting tidbits about you for the Motherhood tag.

looking for your favorite beauty products

It is that time for me to purchase some new makeup. Even though I don't wear much (I probably should wear more), I need to replace a few basics and I am looking for some new ideas. Aside from the pink frosted lips and blue mascara of the 80's, I have pretty much worn the same thing for ever and I need some inspiration. Who better to inspire me but my fellow blogging friends.

What are your favorite beauty products? Though I am in the market for some basics (foundation, face cleaner, blush, eye color...) what are things that you would recommend? I remember someone (I think it was you Mrs. Moon) who said they had a face wash that they really liked and they found it at Walmart or Target. If I can get it at Target, it is my style. I don't think I have ever gotten anything at the makeup counter at the department store. Maybe that is my problem (yes...sometimes I think cheapness is my problem).

Any-who...inspire me gals. I specifically didn't get anything the other day because I wanted to hear it from the experts. Well, that and the fact that all the choices overwhelmed me and I figured I should do some makeup homework before making my "once ever 3 year purchase". I really never run out of makeup, it's more like it gets so old I have to throw it out.

Is it me???

Do I give off some kind of crazy magnetic vibe that causes compasses not work? Have you ever heard of this? Here's the deal...we use compasses for letterboxing and it has been hard for us to find a reliable compass. My mom had gotten the girls each one and we have used those but they haven't always worked. I thought maybe that had gotten to close to some kind of magnet or something. You know when you are pointing it, let's say East and it says North. So one day we were near a Gander store and I figured I could get a descent one there, it is a outdoorsy type of store. So I spent 10 bucks and got one (I know you are thinking way to splurge Cris, hey...I didn't choose the $2.99 one). On the way home I noticed it seemed funky. And we tried it out several place and it still wasn't consistent. So I have carted this compass around in our car for probably 4 months waiting to get back to that area (about an hour from our place) and exchange it for one that works.

I brought it in and told the lady that it didn't always work and she graciously let us exchange it for a different brand. I hunted all around and found one that seemed to point North. Did the exchange and headed home. You guessed it. It doesn't work either. Is it me? Is it the car? Is it the area we live in? Are we too close to some crazy power lines? Is it the cell phone to close to it? What is the deal? Any ideas? I am beginning to think it is me. I must give off some powerful magnetic vibe that I am unaware of. Maybe that is why Chuck is still attracted to me after all these years.

If I could tell by the first snip that it was a mistake, then why did I keep cutting?

I was trying to get myself ready to head out tonight with the girls to go to a fall party. For some reason, one thing after another the whole thing turned out to be a bit of a fiasco. Every few minutes the girls kept coming in the bathroom and asking if it was time to go. That didn't help with how the prep time was going. Let me run through a few frustrating moments that led to "the mistake".

I had taken a shower earlier in the day and had just gotten around to drying my hair (something that I often leave for later). To be quite honest about my hair, I have pretty much hated it since we moved here (a.k.a. the tropics). I have hunted for any product that would make it smooth instead of fuzzy but even with much product and the use of the flat iron, most times I end up putting it up anyway. But for some reason tonight, the humidity was in full swing around here and it just wasn't workin'.

I had opened the windows earlier in the week and we have actually enjoyed a slight cool down, and for some reason, the bathroom is the hottest room in the whole house. I probably should have closed the windows and turned the air back on, but the frugal gal that I am, was embracing the all natural cooling instead. The whole time I was getting ready, I felt like everything I did was a total flop.

Outfit - flop. (Well to be completely honest I was wearing my only jeans {I am a bit of a minimalist} that I had pulled from the dirty laundry basket and they were slightly moist from the Fabreeze spray that I thought might just make them seem fresh and clean).

Makeup - flop. I was so hot, I had a hard time putting on makeup because my face was so sweaty. I have never sweated as much as I do here. It is really hard to get ready when everything seems to melt off of your face.

Hair - total flop. After trying all my tricks, I realized that my bangs were just driving me crazy. I have always had very clumpy bangs. Not all spread out and wispy. Nope. Mine are clumpy. And with the humidity, they tend to have an odd cowlick (you know...that is a really gross name for it). So I dug around and found my thinning shears. I know you are all thinking right now...don't cut your hair when you are already frustrated. I know better. But I did it anyway. And from the first snip, I knew it wasn't right. But I kept cutting to try and fix it. And now...um...let's just say my bangs scary short and oddly choppy.

I will have to wait as they grow out from my mistake. They look terrible. And there will be no picture. Ugh! Note to self...next time...put down the scissors and step away from the mirror.

Memory Lane

I saw this on Christine's blog and thought it would be a fun little post. Feel free to tag yourself and join me in this memory lane exercise.

15 years ago I was a young bride. Just finished my first year of marriage to Chuck who I had met in college. We were living in NJ at the shore and I was trying to figure out where my place was in this world. I was working at the mall in retail and missing everything familiar. It was a big transition to adjust to life in a new state and try to find friends. It was a time that God used to draw me closer to Chuck as my best friend.

10 years ago I was living in CA and was recovering from my c-section and trying to adjust to motherhood for the first time. After years of waiting for a child, I was so grateful to have this season of life begin. Absolutely loving this little Tally that God had blessed me with.

5 years ago I was trying to decide if homeschooling was right for our family. Now a Mommy of 2 girls who are just 18 months apart. Deeply involved in our church and loving our ministry there. Praying that God would open the right doors for our family and Chuck's job. Loving this stage of life...

3 years ago I was trying to adjust again to life in a new state. Struggling with not finding a church that was a good fit for our family. Trying to figure out how to keep my family healthy. Just beginning milling my own wheat for making bread and serving my family healthy food. Also trying to find my grove in the homeschooling world.

1 year ago I was packing our home up and moving again. After months of 4 hours of commuting for Chuck, we finally were able to move closer to his job that had relocated. Honestly, not spending enough time in God's word (life was too busy with packing and moving). Desiring to do what's right and teaching that to my kids.

Today I am living in a different state as my husband (4 hours was nothing compared to 700 miles for commuting). Longing to have our family together under one roof. Loving homeschooling my girls and teaching them what is right and how to learn about God in His word. Daily in the Bible myself and soaking up every truth I read, and encouraging others to do the same. Waiting on a contract so we can move, yet again. And praying that God will allow our family to adopt if it is in His will.

Tomorrow I am going to teach my kids, read God's word and be grateful for the stage of life that I am in. Focusing on the blessings, on what I have and not on what I don't. Continue to simplify my life and spend time on what counts.

sixteen years ago today

I said "I do" to my dear Chuck. Looking back I almost wonder what were we thinking? We thought we were knew everything about each other yet, there was so much to learn. I thought we were so mature, yet we were so young. I thought life would be easy, yet it has had it's challenges. I thought we would get pregnant easily, yet it took years. I thought we would make roots and plant our family somewhere, yet we have moved many times. I thought this house was our forever house, yet it is now for sale. I thought we would be together tonight to celebrate our marriage, yet we are in different states.

Needless to say, we have our ideas and our plans, yet God has His. In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 I would rather go with God's way, it is His will that I desire. He knows what is best.

And even though it hasn't all ended up quiet like I thought it would, I am glad for how it has all happened. I continue to choose joy as my response to all of the bumps in my path. And I MUST say, I am so grateful for God's grace in our marriage. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am just so glad that Chuck asked me to be his bride. I know for sure that I love him more tonight than I did sixteen years ago. I am so glad that our love has grown. (miss you sweetie)

Quirky Me

My blogging friend Trish tagged me to list 6 quirky things about myself. I have taken a few days to think about how quirky I really am. Let's see if I can come up with 6 good ones.

1. I am a bit accident prone when it comes to my toes. I have broken them too many times to count. I have banged them on chairs, doors and walls. In fact, I broke one (baby one on my right foot) on Friday. Chuck says I would be better off if my feet were always in shoes but I do love to run around barefoot.

2. I am totally grossed out by someone drinking the milk out of the cereal bowl. I can't stand it. And those bowls that they sell with the straw attached are icky to the max. I dump my milk down the drain where it belongs.

3. I have to have make sure the car is locked. I have had Chuck leave the airport, ride the tram back to the long term parking to check on it. I always second guess that it is locked. I need to hear the chirp when we are walking away (can we say control freak?)

4. I am a creature of habit. I tend to eat about 3 different things for lunch. Every day I either have a smoothie, a salad or meat and cheese wrapped up. Not much variety there. I always grocery shop on Tuesdays. I make pizza every Friday night. I park in the same area of the parking lot at the store...I like consistency.

5. I hate fire ants. I have always reacted terribly to them. I swell up so bad that my skin turns black and blue from bruising. If I get bit really bad I end up at a walk-in clinic. You won't see me running around the grass barefoot.

6. It really bugs me when my debit card number or my credit card number is printed on the receipt. I will either say something to the manager, not go back to that store or restaurant, or pay in cash only next time.

Like I said. I definitely have some quirky traits going on. I am a little odd on some things.

SO in the spirit of not leaving anyone out...you are all tagged. Share the quirky bits about yourself.

Birthday Highlights

After such a sweet and wonderful post from Chuck, I don't know if I can top it. I did want to share the highlights of the day in pictures.

The girls and I went to a local tea room for lunch. It was so special. We all got dressed up and did our hair. I even wore a dress (a bit of a change from work clothes and yard boots).

The view from the table. This place it too cute. I realized how much I like quaint things.

The day was full of flowers. First the flowers that Chuck gave me. He always gives me wild flowers...which I LOVE. And my dear in-laws sent a gorgeous bouquet of tulips, which are some of my absolute favorite flowers. Then the girls got into bringing flowers to the front door and ringing the doorbell and running off.

The flowers from Chuck look great in the custom built-in hall tree that we

made (I say we meaning my Dad and Chuck).