Saturday Photo Hunt

Grab the Scavenger Hunt code. Photo Theme. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

This Week's Theme Is Pets/Animals

This is the dog belonging to my brother and his girlfriend. Isn't he stinking cute?

The Little Man

EDITED!!!! VIDEO ADDED!!!Friday's Feast

I decided to take part in a Friday's Feast today.
So, here goes:

Appetizer
What's the funniest dream you can remember having?
-Honestly, I only ever remember the scary dreams. There are times that if I have unresolved issues, I dream about them until they are resolved in real life. Like once, my car was stolen and I just knew it was by one of my co-workers at a Real Estate firm I worked at. I was just out of High School and for some reason this girl hated me. There were many reasons why I suspected her. My car was found the next day and nothing was wrong with it, except some clothes in my car were taken. I kept dreaming that I confronted her about it. I quit my job there and began to work for a Title Company in the same building. The gal also quit and got a job at an insurance company on the second floor of the same building. A few months later, I bumped into her in the bathroom. She said hi and asked me how I was. I responded that I was well and then I asked her what she had been up to and if she had stolen any cars lately. That was that. I then left. But, I didn't dream about it anymore.

Soup
If you were a dog, what breed would you be, and why?
Well, according to blogthings I am:

You Are a Golden Retriever Puppy

Tolerant, fun-loving, and patient. You are eager to please - and attached to your frisbee.

What Breed of Puppy Are You?

Salad
Continue this sentence: "I get confused when..."

I attempt math. I have always struggled with math, well, except for algebra. In fact, I have yet to take any college math courses, because I know that it will be a struggle and I hate not being able to do something. Soon, I will have to give in and take it, but I know it won't be pretty.

Main Course
Name two things that need to be done, but you are procrastinating in completing.

Putting all of the clean clothes away

Picking up the playroom downstairs.

Dessert
When was the last time you tried something new, and what was it?

I am not one to try many new things. Once I know what I like, I stick to it. However last year, I did do one very new thing, something I never thought I would do. One, I am terrified of heights and Two, I am just a big chicken. I went to The Royal Gorge with Kate and her family. At the Royal Gorge is a Skycoaster that takes you 1200 feet above the Arkansas river at speeds of 50 mph+. Kate's sister, Kellee, had been on it and asked Kate and I to go on it with her. I decided not to think about it and just do it. It was terrifying. Fun, but terrifying...... and I don't think I'd do it again.

Here's a video from it. I couldn't get the sound to convert. Too bad..it's funny. But basically, I say I am terrified of heights, why am I on this thing. Kate asks if I should pray. So I yell, Dear God please keep us safe. Kellee laughs at us and just says Hi to her mom, who is watching below. On our way up, I am shaking my head and saying, I don't want to do this. Kate says she can feel my arms shaking. Kellee is just all excited and laughing. Then when we start going, we are all screaming. I start to like it and spread my arms out. Kellee is laughing. Kate is crying. Kellee asks Kate if she is crying and then says she can't believe Kate is crying. After we soar out there a few times, I yell out, "can we be done now?" Then they tell us we can pull on the rope...ending the ride..next time through. I shout out, YES!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen movies that I love, really enjoy or that have special meaning to me. 1. Roman Holiday - One of my favorite movies. I am a huge, HUGE fan of Audrey Hepburn. I mainly like her for the person she was. What an amazing heart she had. I have yet to see all of her movies, but from what I have seen, this one is my favorite. Haven't seen it? Rent it. It's good! 2. The Notebook - Another FAVORITE! This is a movie based on one of my favorite books by Nicholas Sparks. Except for the very end, they followed the book very well, which made me happy. I loooooved reading the book and cried reading it, so of course I loved the movie.....and cried watching it. A beautiful love story, I think. 3. The Passion Of The Christ - So, I have only seen this movie one time, in the theater. I loved how I felt after watching it...having so much fire and desire to get closer to my Savior. I own the movie, and should probably watch it more often so I can always be reminded of what He did for me. 4. Jerry Maguire - A very sentimental movie for me. This was the first movie my hubby and I ever saw together when we first started dating. My hubby and I dated for a few years and then broke up. When we started to hang out again and get back together, we went out for New Years Eve...2001...heading into 2002. We were looking for something to do. We saw a little ad in the paper that if you ate at a restaurant at The Arizona Center, you could see Jerry Maguire for free in their theater. We went, we couldn't believe that out of all the movies, they showed that one. I mean it has nothing to do with New Years. We felt it was there just for us. Besides a little old man, we were the only ones in the theater. 5. Moulin Rouge - So, I had no interest in seeing this movie when it first came out. When I went away to school in 2001, some friends introduced me to it. In our dorm building, there were two classrooms on the very lower level. These classrooms had projectors and huge screens that went down over the whiteboards. We probably weren't allowed, but a bunch of us who lived in that building, would go down there in the evenings, bring a dvd, popcorn and some cushy pillows and watch movies. One night, the movie of choice was Moulin Rouge. I loved it, I was hooked. I bought it, I bought the soundtrack. I even bought the second soundtrack they came out with. I love the movie! And the song, Come What May, was the song of our first dance at my wedding. 6. I Am Sam - Sean Penn has never been a favorite of mine, but he is incredible in this movie. But it is my little Dakota Fanning that I love to death in this movie. I believe that this was the movie that brought her to stardom...her first one, I think. I could be wrong. But the acting in the movie is superb and what a message it has. 7. We Were Soldiers - I love Mel Gibson and I really REALLY enjoyed this movie. I haven't seen it in a long while. Maybe I'll pop it in tonight and watch it. Yep! Sounds good to me. 8. Life Is Beautiful - I have only seen this movie once. I keep vowing to buy it and to watch it more often. This movie moved me. I loved it. I think that everyone MUST see it. Such a beautiful movie. 9. Annie - I know, I know....but this was one of my favorites growing up. I practically have the entire movie memorized. And now, it is one that my daughter loves to watch. I think that is why it is back on my list of favorites. It is so fun watching a movie with your daughter, and watching her enjoy it just like you did as a kid. 10. Beauty And The Beast - While on the topic of Kid movies. This here is one of my favorite Disney Movies. And it was really great on Broadway too. I can't wait for it to come out of the vault so that I can own it. 11. The Sixth Sense - So, not that I would really watch it over and over again anymore. But this one makes the list, because I didn't figure it out. I always usually figure out movies, but I remember when i saw this one...at the end..when it was all over and the lights in the theater came back on..I just sat there..frozen..thinking wow! I think that a lot of people had that same reaction. Oh, and Haley Joel Osment was incredible in it! 12. E.T. - This was the first movie that I ever saw in the theaters. I was 2. I used to watch it all of the time with my family and I rented it recently for the miss to watch. Again, it is so fun to watch her expressions. It scared her though, so I may wait a little bit before buying it for her. 13. One Magic Christmas - This is one of my favorite Christmas movies. It came out in 1985 and I would watch it every year at Christmas time. It was one of the ones that my mom and I looked forward to every year. I just saw it again for the first time in a long while last Christmas.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

The Miss

Here are several pictures that Kate took of the miss while DH and I were in the hospital.













She sure is cute I tell ya. The other day, she was playing and she started counting. She counted all the way up to fifteen, all by herself. I was quite impressed. She must have a great day care teacher. :o)

She has also started to play an instrument. Well, kind of. She uses her spoon. She puts the handle of the spoon in her mouth, moves her fingers up and down the handle and hums. I asked her what instrument she was playing, and her response was, "I play frumpet." Apparently we have a trumpet player in the making.

She's a doll.

One Who Gave All

There is a wonderful site, Some Gave All, devoted to remembering our fallen soldiers. On their site is a list of men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Blogging visitors of the site can email the some gave all webmaster and ask to be given the name of a soldier to commemorate. The goal is to have a blog post by Labor Day, 2006 for as many, if not all, of these men and women. I decided to take part in this worthwhile project of theirs and was given the name of a soldier who had been stationed out here in Colorado at the Fort Carson Army Base. My featured soldier is Army Sgt. Thomas F. Broomhead.



On Memorial Day, 2003, Sgt. Broomhead, 34, was on guard at a checkpoint in Fallujah, Iraq. A vehicle pulled up and assailants fired on him. He left behind a wife and three sons. Thomas F. Broomhead joined the Marines fresh out of High School in 1989. After a brief leave from the service, he re-enlisted into the army with aspirations of becoming a helicopter pilot. Broomhead served not only in Operation Iraqi Freedom, but he also served in the Gulf War.

He and his wife Kelli met in Arizona and wed in 2000. She was attracted to his smile and sense of humor and it is remembering that humor that helps her smile now that he is gone. A few months before his death, the couple were able to spend some time together dancing at the Army's Valentine's Ball.

I found a memorial site dedicated to Thomas Broomhead. I could paraphrase a lot of the memories about him and the person he was, but I have decided instead to share with you the exact words that his friends and family left on the site.

"During the years that my husband and I had known Tom, Kelli and the boys, they became very dear to us. My husband and Tom would play golf together, were on a softball team and even worked together. They often bickered over football games (Broncos and Vikings). That is dearly missed. Tom was a great husband to Kelli, father to his three sons and a friend to us. He will always be remembered in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers go out in his memory to all the men and women serving in Iraq."
Ron, Jeannie, Madalyn and Trenton Cropsey of Colorado Springs, CO

"The promise I gave to Tom before he died was that I would take care of my best friend Kelli. I am a better American after meeting Tom and I am saddened that our friendship ended so quickly, but his spirit remains in the smile of those beautiful boys. You will always be in my heart."
Heidi Socha of Denver, Co USA

Tom you will never be forgotten you taught me so much and always made me laugh and smile. It was a pleasure to know and serve with you. I will forever wear my wristband with your name on it. -BRAVE RIFLES-"
SGT Justin Otero of FT CARSON ,Co

"Tom could always bring a smile to any situation. I only knew him for a short while while at Fort Carson, but he always inspired me to be a better soldier. He loved life like no other. The world is without a wonderful person, and he will be missed for the rest of my living days."
Shawn T. Stender of Green Bay, Wisconsin

"My name is Kim Carbetta. Tom was my brother-in-law, married to my sister, Kelli. I loved Tom very much. I thank God for every day that Kelli had Tom. He was a wonderful husband and father. Tom, Kelli and the boys spent a part of Tom's last day home in our home, before being deployed that Sunday evening. We all spent the afternoon swapping stories, laughing, watching the Rockies game and eating chicken wings. Marc and I took the last famly pictures of Tom and Kelli and the boys. We love you and miss your hysterical sense of humor, Tom. Marc misses the Ohio State-Miami rivalry, but we find ourselves rooting for Miami, anyway. Tom, you are our hero, never forgotten, just missed every day. God bless you, Tom, my hero, my brother."
Kimber Lee Carbetta of Security, Co USA

"tom was a wonderful dad. I aish he was here right now then i wouldn,t be writing right now. i miss him so much. it is hard for me to put my feelings on paper so i will let u go."
jacob of fountain colorado

As a military wife, I have learned a little bit about the sacrifices made by the soldiers and their families. Although, I haven't had to experience firsthand the mixture of fear and pride during a deployment to a war zone, I can understand how hard it is to have your hubby and father to your children away on a tdy. I can't even imagine however, having to worry day in and day out about their safety, or what it must feel like to receive word that your loved one thousands of miles away has died. My heart goes out to his wife and three boys. I am also very grateful for all of our brave men and women out there every day fighting for us and also working hard to make the lives of the Iraqis, especially women and children, better. I thank you Sgt. Broomhead.

Pictures

This afternoon, we took the miss to the park and then we went out to dinner. DH leaves for Mississippi in the morning. We have to be at the airport around 5:00 A.M....how fun for us!!!!! The mister is usually up eating at that time, so hopefully he changes his schedule around a bit tonight. DH will be in Mississippi until August 30. He also found out that he may be going back for around a month in September as well. But he thinks maybe it won't happen because a lot of people in his shop are due to be gone that month. So, we'll see. I wanted to quickly share some pictures from our afternoon. Then, I am off to give the miss a bath, feed the baby and help DH with some laundry and what not for his trip.

The mister is a huge cuddle bug. He loves to be held. Sometimes, if he starts to get fussy, all you have to do is hold him in your arms. Our little miss never wanted to be held....so it's nice to have a baby that wants you to hold him. The two "men" in the house napped quite a bit today. I snuck a pic of them this morning napping.


Since my little guy loves to be held, the New Native Baby Carrier that I got is perfect. It allows me to have the freedom to use both hands to do stuff around the house while also giving him that comfort of being with his mommy. Here is my little Roo at the park.


We went to Outback for our last family dinner for the next 4 weeks. It was so very yummy. Every time I have ever gone, I have ordered the same thing, the Rockhampton Ribeye. This time, I got the Vicotria center cut and it was sooooo tender and so stinking yummy. The miss was such a good listener at the park and at dinner, so we treated her to a sundae.
Here she is waiting for it.

And eating it



MAT 18:4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Cry Out To Jesus(This is Long, but I think worth the read)

There are so many, and I mean...so many who are close to me, who are going through really tough struggles right now. Some of these people are Christians and some are non-believers or are very back slidden.
Some are questioning their faith, some have marriages that are ripping at the seams, some have marriages they are trying to heal, some are getting over divorces, some possibly entering into divorce. There are some who want to follow their own worldly desires instead of looking to see what God's will is for their lives. Some just have hurting hearts. And I think at some point, we all deal with hard things like these. It just all really saddens me. It is so hard to know that those you care about are hurting.....especially when besides praying for them, there really isn't anything else to really do. I would love to just wipe all the pain away in an instant, ya know...and I can't and it's hard. I mean I know there is power in prayer and I know that with weeping...joy comes......but for some, this joy could be something that is 5 - 10 years away. For others, though, it could be right around the corner. Everything is in God's timing, ya know. But it's hard to help these hearts and it's hard to watch them and know that they are hurting.

Last year, I went through some hard times and made it even harder on myself because I kept myself distanced from God....very distant. Because I knew that that was the only way I wouldn't feel His loving rebuke on me 24/7. It was easier to just keep Him far away, so that I could do things that I knew I shouldn't be...think things that I knew I shouldn't be. Ya know. And it took a friend to say some words to me that I know was God speaking to me through her..because it was just so, not something I think that she would normally say. But she asked me if I had faith in God. And when I said yes. She told me that I didn't because if I did..I wouldn't be making some of the decisions that I was making. And those words really got me thinking and I looked into my heart and realized that my faith was dwindling away because I was letting myself and my will supersede God's. I was taking all the control without seeking guidance from the one I should have been.

Control is definitely something we all struggle with. We want to be in control and think things are better when we are in control. But I can tell you what. I have given control over to God in several areas of my life since last year and things worked out so much better than they would have, had I tried to do it alone. God doesn't want us to be alone ever. He doesn't want us to struggle alone. He wants our hearts to be happy. He wants to carry us through hard times. We are going to all have hard times....but if we let go and let God, the road we are on will definitely be a lot less rugged in areas and the destination will be so much grander.

We also have to remember that things will go according to God's timetable and not our own. In today's society, we are used to instant gratification. And I think many times, we expect God to work in our lives in the same manner. We want happiness now, we want less struggles NOW. And I think sometimes we can focus so much on receiving complete fulfillment right away that we are prone to give up on letting God have control because we begin to think that somehow we can get it ourselves faster. If we focus too much on fulfillment now, we can fail to see how He is working out the situation in our lives. He may be taking baby steps. He may be changing things in small ways. We fail to see it, because we are too busy expecting something big and allowing ourselves to be disappointed that we aren't seeing big changes.

With many of Jesus' miracles, things were done quietly, softly. There weren't fireworks. There wasn't a loud booming voice shouting..look at how I fixed this. Look at how they are healed. Why should we expect the changes in our lives to be in such a loud and big manner?

Another thing we struggle with when distancing ourselves from God, is letting the world dictate for us what happiness is. Maybe we begin to seek luxuries....money....love in the wrong places......we think that the void we are creating by keeping God away, will be filled with these things and then we will be happy. But we won't be. And somehow I think that as believers we know that deep down inside. But it gives us such a temporary fix that we allow that to kind of carry us for awhile. And then of course we realize that we still aren't genuinely and completely happy, so then we find something else to carry us for awhile..it's a cycle that doesn't end and only leads us to more and more unhappiness. If this is happening with you, you need to get back to that fellowship with God. You need to make His will a priority...The priority in your life. He will fill you up. HE WILL!

For those with hurting hearts, please know that God knows. He knows what you are going through and it saddens Him. He wants you to be happy. He wants you to not be struggling. But He can't help you with it unless you let Him. Get on your knees...seriously..ON YOUR KNEES and give it all to Him. Talk to Him like you never have before. Pour out your heart to Him. Let Him know that you are giving it to Him that you are putting your heart into His hands. And my friend, He will help you. But remember, it won't be instant...but you will feel a peace instantly...you will feel a peace as you let the control of it go into His arms. And little by little...day by day...He will give you joy....He will be by your side and He will make everything better. Your tears will turn to smiles..your weeping to joy.

I heard the Song, Cry Out To Jesus, on the radio today. It is by Third Day. I have heard this song many times. But, something that came to my attention last night, made me want to listen to the words in a different way today. And I did..and I have to share them with you.

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When you're lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who struggles with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

Please, to all you I care about...who are hurting, cry out to Jesus..give it to him and HE WILL MEET YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE!

"....I trust in Your unfailing love.....' Psalm 13:5 NIV

"You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need...." Philippians 4:19

Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death, but this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God."
2 Corinthians 1:9

"The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you." Psalm 55:22

"The Lord God is my strength.' Habakkuk 3:19

"Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." Mark 10:52

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say; The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6

"and our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation." 2 Corinthians 1:7

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms;..."Deuteronomy 33:27

IN HIS ARMS, THERE IS STRENGTH TO HOLD YOU...GRACE TO SUSTAIN YOU...AND LOVE TO CARRY YOU THROUGH!!






You are all in my prayers

Thursday Thirteen

Banner courtesy of Chaotic Home

Thirteen cartoons and tv shows that I enjoyed as a kid
There is a link to a video clip of each one. Enjoy the 80's nostalgia.

1. Dumbo's Circus
Watch the intro here


2. Get Along Gang
Do you remember it?


3. Zoobilee Zoo


4. Wuzzles
Intro


5. Duck Tales
WOO OOO


6. Shirt Tales
Do you remember this one?


7. Jem
Truly outrageous


8. Fraggle Rock
Let the music play down in Fraggle Rock


9. Kids Incorporated
I wanted to be on this show sooo badly


10. Rainbow Brite
I loved the show and had tons of Rainbow Brite toys


11. Punky Brewster
Intro here...she's so cute


12. My Little Pony Tales
Intro

13. Mickey Mouse Club (Did you know Ryan Gosling was in it?) I just found that out. I used to beg my parents to let me audition for this show. Every now and then they'd show audition information at the end of the episodes. Always wanted to be on it.
Season 4 Intro
A skit
A song

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

pics

Grandma and the mister



Auntie and the mister



Mommy, Daddy and baby



The miss and Daddy giving Eskimo Kisses

A Woman's Responsibility

I headed on over to Proverbs 31 site today and they are doing a from chaos to calm challenge for women to help make their households happy places to be. There are devotions for each day and then challenges for each week. I came across one of the daily articles about how important it is for moms and wives to have cheerful dispositions every day, for it is their attitudes that set the tone for the entire household.

Here is the article.

I remember my mom waking me up each morning to get ready for school. She always came in my room and greeted me with a bright "Good Morning!" and a happy smile. How do you wake up each morning?

Women have the power to change the atmosphere in their homes. I am sure you have heard the saying, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" If you wake up each morning feeling ill, unpleasant, expecting the worst, dreading your chores, irritated with your husband, or tired of training your children, you set yourself up (as well as your husband and children) for a bad day.

Despite what may have taken place yesterday, you can choose to wake up today with a merry heart and a cheerful attitude.

If you and your husband had an argument before bed and you fretted all night, do not despair! Decide to wake your husband up with a sweet kiss, a gentle back rub, and a sincere apology for any misunderstandings the night before.

If your children have been out of control and you feel stressed and at your wit's end, do not despair! Choose today to focus on them, to find solutions to your discipline problems, and train them in the way they should go. Be pleasant. Speak with a soft voice. Breathe in and out to relax your muscles when you feel tense.

Perhaps you feel you have no real reason to smile. Smile anyway! Rejoice in the Lord, for He is good! That should be enough of a reason to smile. Pray about your attitude if you find that you have a tendency to be sour. Ask God each morning to help you be a cheerful woman of God.

A Christian has no business being depressed all of the time. Unfortunately many Christian women find themselves not happy. I feel that society has placed ideals in women's minds that cause them to feel dissatisfied with their lives. This should not be so! If you find that you are sad and not sure why, ask God to lead you to peace in your heart. Sometimes our circumstances are not exactly the way we would like. However, it is okay. Learn to be okay with yourself, with your husband, and with your home.

Ask God for wisdom in dealing with your everyday circumstances. And choose to be happy. Do not allow other people, uncontrollable events, or lack of material possesions influence your choice to be happy in the Lord. Have you ever seen a child who was terminally ill? Or a person who was unable to care themselves, who in all their pain and suffering still had joy in their hearts? You can be like that too.

Whether you wish the laundry would go away or the bathrooms would clean themselves or your children would stop bickering you can still be happy. It is a blessing to have clothing for your family. It is a blessing to have a home with indoor plumbing. It is a blessing to have children. Stop looking at them like they are a curse! Choose to be happy!

"A cheerful Christian leaves the world a brighter and better place each night because (s)he has reflected the cheeful and radiant beams of Christ's righteousness. A smile is contagious and brightens the lives of all with the circle of one's influence. But a sour disposition and a frown on the face can change the moral climate of a home or an office. A kind word can lift up the wounded spirit but an unkind word can leave the human spirit crushed."-Morning Manna, Adlai A Esteb, 1962.

If there is chaos in your home, you, as wife and mother, are responsible. Depsite the chaos your husband may bring into the home, you have the power through Christ to change the lives of your family. It is up to you to determine a better life for them. Yelling, crying, frustration, irritation, anger, resentment, bitterness, depression have no place in a Christian home. And while there will be days when you do succumb to the pressures of life, with Christ by your side you can have a happy home on most days. No one is perfect, but as we walk in faith and grow in faith, those days should be come fewer and further between.

So, remember, wake up early each morning and have your devotion. Greet your family with a smile, a hug, and a kiss. Aches and pains and hurting hearts should be taken to Jesus during your Morning Manna time. Do not take them to your family. Let them see your joy in the Lord and they will begin to reflect that same cheerful spirit.

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Proverbs 17:22

Saturday Photo Hunt

Grab the Scavenger Hunt code. Photo Theme. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

This week's theme is door. I happened to come across a picture of me and one of my best friends at the time, Brian. Everyone who didn't know our parents, thought that we were twins. We played together all of the time. Here we are in the drawer underneath the oven DOOR. I am in white.

Have you?

Have you ever been so tired you could cry? But you know you don't have the energy to cry, so you don't let yourself. Although a good cry may put me out for a couple of hours, which would be nice. Two nights ago I think I got 2 hours of sleep total. Last night, I didn't sleep at all......not a wink. I'm tired. I am so tired that I am beyond the realm of tired.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things about my hospital stay over the weekend after having baby Isaiah.

1. I was blessed with such amazing nursing staff. The nurse who was with me during my labor was soo wonderful and helpful. In fact, I think I may send a little thank you card her way. It's just so wonderful when the person taking care of you actually cares about you. She was made to be a nurse and she had genuine care for me.

2. I received three meals a day from the cafeteria and then two snacks a day that I took from the nourishment pantry because I am nursing. My hubby had food from the cafeteria the first day as well and didn't like it AT ALL. I ranted and raved to him about the food the first day. In fact, my breakfast Saturday morning, about 4 hours after I had the baby, tasted like something from a four star restaurant. It was french toast, fruit and cereal and it was DELICIOUS. In fact everything I ate that first day was simply divine to me. But by Monday, I began noticing just how not so good the food really was and I was dying for my food at home.

3. There is nothing better after having a baby, then getting the okay from your nurse 24 or so hours later that you can take a shower. I think it was the best shower in my life.

4. By Monday, when I had gone 3 days with about only 3 hours of sleep total, I asked the pediatrician, with much concern, If they give numbing medication during c-sections. He looked at me dumbfounded. I then realized what I had said. I then said, sorry, my brain stopped working. I mean during circumcisions. I felt so dumb!

5. In the room we stayed in the full 3 days, there was an extra bed. My hubby was able to get rest and sleep on a bed. With my first, all Steve had was a chair, poor guy!

6. Water has become my best friend. I was given this nifty jug with a straw to drink water out of. It is 30 ounces and there are little markers on it so you can see exactly how many ounces are left in the jug. Something about nursing, makes you crave water. Maybe because it is so important to drink. Anyway, they let me take my jug home with me, I was so excited, and let me tell you, all I seem to drink lately is water. You have to understand, I have never loved to drink water!

7. In the nourishment pantry that we got to take from two times a day, there were snacks with our names on them, but then you were allowed to take from anything else in there if it didn't have a name. Things ranged from fruit to graham crackers, things like that. I always got excited when there was a can of 7UP in there. I am not even that big of a fan of 7UP, but I tell you what, over the weekend, it was delightful!

8. One of the midwives who came to do vitals and see how I was healing, couldn't believe how great I looked. She told me that I was made to have babies and should have more. Well, right now, two is definitely PLENTY!

9. My baby boy has gas, lots of it. And I think it's because boys will be boys, but he toots like nobody's business. And my little man stinks up a room.

10. I perfected the technique of swaddling over the weekend. I never got it completely down with my first. But nurses came in sooooo many times during my stay and would swaddle him up when they were done checking him. All of that observation has made me a swaddling expert,

11. I was peed on twice. It's crazy how much that stuff shoots up in the air.

12. I spent so much time in the hospital just staring at my little guy. It was wonderful.

13. It's so nice to get those discharge papers and go home.

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In the eyes of a baby

So the other day when I was holding the mister, I was just watching him as he looked all around. I began to think about just how amazing everything must be for a newborn. All they have known for nine months, is the inside of a womb and now they are in a world like they have never known, with so much to hear and see. It must be so incredible to them. And at the same time, they experience the feeling of love right away as they sit in their parents' arms. They feel comforted and safe. I began to think that I think it will be like that for us in Heaven. We have no idea completely just what it will be like and look like, but it will definitely be completely different than anything that we've experienced in this world. I think we will just sit and look around just like babies do. And also like babies, we will know in a second the feeling of amazing unconditional love as we find ourselves in our Father's presence wrapped in his love.


This morning, he had a bath. His grandma, grandpa and Aunt will be here today, and we wanted him to smell sooo nice for them. Here he is after the bath.

The Birth Story

Well, we are finally back home today from the hospital. I wanted to tell you all about how the labor and delivery went. I had guessed that his labor would be a quick one, and boy was I right. I checked into the hospital at around 12:00 A.M. At 1:00 A.M., my contractions started moving closer together and I had started to get a tad uncomfy. I was definitely not feeling pleasant anymore. I decided to ask then for the epidural because I know how long it can take to get someone up there and to administer it. So I figured by the time they came to do it, I'd be in PAIN. My hubby went out to tell the nurse that I wanted something for pain and he said he could sense that they were all a little surprised that I was asking so soon. You have to be at 4 to get the epidural, so they checked me when the lady came to administer it, and I was at 4. She got there at 1:25 to start my epidural. While she was administering it, my contractions got soooo very intense and I was having back labor. So with each contraction, it started at my back with very intense pain and then moved onto the front. It didn't feel the greatest, but I was able to deal with it, but was looking forward to having some relief. As she was working on giving me my epidural, I began to get the shakes. I am sure it looked funny. My arms and legs wouldn't stop shaking. I knew this meant that I was in transition. She was still giving me the epidural when my contractions got really bad. As soon as the epidural was done, or at about 1:50ish, I was checked again and was at 7. The next five minutes were intense. It was now close to 2:00 A.M. The epidural wasn't working and my contractions were right on top of each other. They were so painful and then I started to feel very intense pressure. I didn't know how to describe the pressure. My nurse could tell that I was acting like I was in a lot of pain and kept asking me to describe all I was feeling, but I didn't know how to and couldn't because it was too hard to talk during the contractions. She checked me again and I was at 10. I had gone from 7 to 10 in five minutes.
I then got scared and started to cry. The pain was so intense and I was so afraid of feeling the burning when the baby came out. I was also afraid of feeling myself tear. I started asking when the medicine would work. Why wasn't it working? I was moaning and groaning and I even think at one point I just yelled, "no, no, no!" over and over. Thankfully, the epidural worked a little bit. I was pretty numb from the hips down. So although I felt all of the contractions and pressure of him coming out, I didn't feel any burning pain. Thank Goodness! I did get to feel him sliding out though, and that was a great sensation. With the miss, I was completely numb. So, anyway, I got to the hospital at 12:00 A.M. and I had him almost 3 hours later at 2:56 A.M. So, although it was VERY VERY intense, it was also VERY VERY quick.
He is so handsome and so perfect. We had to stay in the hospital for 48 hours so that they could monitor him since I had tested positive for the strep. He is fine. He has a slight case of jaundice. So, he is a little yellow. But it should go away in a week or so.
The miss came to visit us in the hospital every day and she was so excited to meet her little brother. I thought I'd post some pictures really quickly and then I will relax a bit. I think I have had a total of 4 hours of sleep over the last 3 days. It is so nice to be back home and to get to sleep in my own bed. It's funny, one of the nurses told me to sleep when the baby did while at the hospital. Well, that is almost impossible, because someone comes in your room almost every 30 minutes to check the mom or the baby or to bring food or to clean. So, sleep didn't really come all weekend long. I did get to watch the sunrise this morning with the mister. We had just finished a feeding and I could see the sun peeking in through the window. So, I opened the blinds and we watched it rise over the mountain. I don't remember the last time that I got to watch the sunrise. So, there are some advantages to not sleeping.

Well, here are the pictures. Click on the thumbnail to view them in a larger size.

7 lbs. 9 oz. 19 1/2 inches

Sticking out his tongue



Meeting her little brother







the mister then tooted, which really grossed his sister out.



Before leaving, the miss sang you are my sunshine to her little brother and then prayed for him. We thanked God for blessing us with him.

Water Broke

10:50 P.M. My water broke. I have to go now to the hospital to start penicillin. Looks like it's baby time. :o)

Doctor Appointment Update

I just got back from the doctor. I am 3 centimeters dialated and 70% effaced and my bag of waters is ballooning. So basically, it should be any day now. I am hopeful that this labor will go much faster than Audrey's. It should be quick. So, that's the update for now.

My Belly Pictures

I hope I don't bother or offend anyone with my belly pics. I think they came out good, so I wanted to share a couple. I must admit, photoshop is a great thing that allows you to hide things on your belly that you don't want shown...soooo..these wouldn't have been as good without the photoshop. I admit it. :o)

Our 4th

Well, we all went to Memorial Park yesterday for the 4th fireworks. I hadn't been to that park yet. It's gorgeous! It's huge and soooooo green and it has a huge lake. The miss looked so darn cute yesterday.

Here she is before we left.



Here she is running around at the park






Here are the three of us. Can you see how the baby moved higher up? He has. He used to be low, but he is indecisive like his mommy and now he is up high again.



The fireworks that we saw were spectacular and the area we chose to sit was great. They were right over us. It was the best fireworks show that I have ever seen. AMAZING! The miss was not a fan. We thought that she'd love them, but they were pretty darn loud. She spent the entire time like this.

A Praise

I have a friend, Laura, who recently went through some tough things. I witnessed her falling so far from God. There were many times I wanted to confront her about it, but I just knew it wasn't the right time for her to hear what I had to say and I knew that it wouldn't come out right or be taken in right. So, I took it up in prayer. During that time, God's plan was in force and He used a few people to speak to her while He also spoke to her heart. And in her first blogger entry, you can see how she has turned around to return to her first, true love. Praise God!

I'm Already There

Okay, I just found the most beautiful version of Lonestar's I'm Already There. It has inserts throughout of messages from military spouses, girlfriends, kids with loved ones in Iraq. It WILL bring tears to your eyes. But you have to listen. It's beautiful. During this holiday weekend, please remember our troops and pray for them.

Listen Here

Marilyn Monroe

I surrender

So, I wave my white flag and give up. Yesterday was the first day in a while that I didn't have any contractions. But I have had other signs that things are beginning, starting to happen, so Kate and I thought we would try to help things along by walking. So, walking we did...and lots of it. We first went and walked around the mall for two hours. And I mean we walked around the mall..around and around and around without stopping. We didn't go into stores, we just walked around the main mall area. We estimate it was a good 3 miles we walked. Then, at around 8:00 P.M., I walked maybe about a mile outside. The weather was gorgeous. It had rained earlier in the day, so it was just so beautiful outside. Then miss Kate and I walked to Blockbuster. It is a mile away from our house. So, that was a 2 mile walk. And I started having some slight contractions for an hour last night before falling asleep. And the baby was lower than before. So, I thought maybe this was the start of something. But, just like every night, they went away. So, this morning, the only sensations I am feeling are my overly sore legs. So, I give up. Now, I will just patiently wait on the little baby. Kate did take some pictures yesterday of each of us and the whole family, but it was so very windy and rainy and only a couple came out somewhat good. I don't have them on my computer yet. Once I get them, I promise to post them for you.