......I'm glad to go, I cannot tell a lie!!!!!
This is my feeling for old 2011!!!!! Actually, the year hasn't been all bad...in fact, not bad at all. I really need a thankful spank is what I need!
The year has had multiple disappointments and hardships; however, it has been a year of happiness. Another year of health, and a year of growth beyond measure.
As I reflect the past year, I cannot help but feel overwhelmed with thankfulness as to God's mercy and faithfulness.
I wanted to begin this post talking about some areas I feel I have been slacking in; such as materialistic desires and ungrateful thoughts cultivated by observations of others blessings or shall I say, bad spending habits. I wanted to bemoan the fact that we have not yet purchased a house, and that we have had to resort to state assistance for medical coverage and that we have faced moments with less than $4 to our name, then I was going to slap my own hand and recount everything I have to be thankful for. But somehow I didn't start off the way I'd planned. And when it comes to writing on my blog, I like to just blurt out my feelings. It's always better that way.
So....the year started off good. Hubby had a decent job. It helped pay the bills. It was really stressful though; he had a crazy psycho lady boss named JOYCE. She sounded like a man. I think she smoked at least 4 packs a day. I could smell the nicotine even while listening to her voicemails. She was actually a demon from hell but poor hubby tolerated her as much as he could. Then one day there was a straw that broke the camels back. He could not deal with her any longer. So he told her so. In so many words...he told her where to go.
About 2 weeks later we found out her company was being sued for fraudulent activity. God knew.
So we were back to square one. We had bills to pay and kids with hopes of attending church camps. I began to sell things. I sold my camera lens. I dug into school loan money. We did what we had to do to survive. Then our work paid off. Our dog had puppies and that is a blessing business for sure. We were able to pay a large chunk of orthodontic bills. We were able to go to camp meeting and were blessed to make wonderful friends there.
We put money back into the business.
Then we found out a friend would let us live in her house while it was on the market for free. A little old 2 bedroom with an added room off the garage. We didn't realize it had no heat or a/c. It was rank. We had to rip out carpet and put in new flooring. Since it was free we didn't mind spending the money. The realtor said the sale process would be 9 months at least. Long story short, 3 months later their was an accepted offer. We immediately did everything possible to find another house. I sold my leather couch/ottoman set for a deposit.
We got the keys to the new place on October 15th. It's fabulous. I am so grateful. The buyer actually backed out of the other home but we said "good riddance". The hot water heater had burst 2 weeks prior to getting notified of the sale leaving us boiling water for baths and dishes.
Thank GOD we got out of there! It was a huge upheaval though and I feel the whole process tainted my entire year! I feel jipped from our homeschool schedule, family time, church, and so many things got jumbled during that whole ordeal. BUT I CAN'T COMPLAIN! God has been GOOD to me through it all!
I have FOUR healthy, beautiful kids! I have a husband who loves me! I live in a beautiful home! I have TRUE friends who love me! I got a brand new Kitchen Aid mixer from a sweet friend for Christmas! I have a GOD who I can depend on! I am so thankful.
BUT! I am so ready to put this year behind me! I am ready for bigger and better things. I am ready to move forward by simplifying and minimizing excess fluff in my life. I want to get back to the basics. Quit worrying about who has what and who buys what and pine for things I do not need and may not ever have. I often think I must attain certain things before my kids are grown; looking back, my parents did not have a whole lot and I turned out alright!
(right?)
Anyhow......I know this is the most rambly post everrrr but I am really just thinking a LOT and I really really really want to focus on what matters MOST. I have decided I am not ever ever ever going to be found guilty of spinning my wheels till I'm blue in the face trying to make an extra dollar or two just to have extra to spend. It's not worth it! Looking back, I remember doing so much too often when my kids were babies and I regret those wasted hours.
I.will.put.my.family.first.in.2012.
It's 1:39am and my husband is speaking in whale while he slumbers.
There. I am done.
Happy New Year folks and may you have peace and happiness now and always.
Our mission is to help parents and teachers to prepare our little arrows to approach life with bravery and courage; to love learning and God's Word, and to be given the tools to grow and develop into strong individuals, in body, soul, and spirit.
12.19.2011
Merry Christmas!
Ahhhh....the rush is on! The heat, the panic, the FRANTIC FRENZY! I have a list a mile long that is quickly getting things "checked off", and not because they are complete either! I check them off one by one as I realize it was unrealistic of me to put them on there in the first place. Ha! Regardless, my mind is put at ease whether the tasks get done in reality or are checked off and saved for later. Meh...merry christmas anyway!
BUT...Saturday night....I was soooo very tired and just could not wait to crawl into bed and sleeeeeep...but alas, my poor overworked brain cells kicked into high gear and began to work overtime, and they reminded me that I had not done holiday photos like everyone else. Then a very deep and convicting thought process began to weigh on me. While I am busy spinning around trying to do this and that, to make sure the light bill at church gets paid, and that the laundry gets done, amidst the hustle and bustle, my own babies need to remember what the year 2011 was like and I NEED to take their pictures even if I don't have a ton of time or energy to spare. So....I quickly coordinated some outfits and we ventured out this morning in the fog. I had a few glitches with my camera lens; however, we did get a few nice shots which we will definitely be using for a holiday greeting card. Perhaps...if I end up deeming that necessary as opposed to curling up by the fire with a game and hot chocolate. ;)
BUT...Saturday night....I was soooo very tired and just could not wait to crawl into bed and sleeeeeep...but alas, my poor overworked brain cells kicked into high gear and began to work overtime, and they reminded me that I had not done holiday photos like everyone else. Then a very deep and convicting thought process began to weigh on me. While I am busy spinning around trying to do this and that, to make sure the light bill at church gets paid, and that the laundry gets done, amidst the hustle and bustle, my own babies need to remember what the year 2011 was like and I NEED to take their pictures even if I don't have a ton of time or energy to spare. So....I quickly coordinated some outfits and we ventured out this morning in the fog. I had a few glitches with my camera lens; however, we did get a few nice shots which we will definitely be using for a holiday greeting card. Perhaps...if I end up deeming that necessary as opposed to curling up by the fire with a game and hot chocolate. ;)
12.17.2011
12.06.2011
A Recipe for Disaster
Sorry folks but this recipe isn't a yummy foodie one! I'm just mulling over some things today and reflecting on the vast assortment of scenarios I have been subject to observing. Some from afar; others in my own backyard. All sad, unfortunate, and such prime examples of the consequences experienced after making a single CHOICE. One choice, and an individual has a lifetime of regrets, problems, hang-ups, drama, and heartache enveloping their life forever. This vicious cycle and how it continues to circle around and around creates a deafening roar of sadness and disappointment not only to my ears, but to the ears of innocent children; whose own life, without intervention and firm guidance, will also fall prey to the cycle. And so it roars, creating havoc wherever it goes. Tearing up lives and breaking hearts.
This one choice looks something like this:
A girl...lost and alone in this world, looking for love...follows this disastrous plan.
She finds someone needier than she is. So she can feel like she actually means something to someone. She finds someone who has no self esteem, so she can again, be his saviour. She finds someone who can't stand himself. Then she can be a light unto him and make him believe his sun rises and sets on her. She finds someone who trusts no one. Someone who refuses to be subjected to any authority. Of course, all these traits are just so dashing and charming! Perhaps when you are 16 they are...in a wild and woolly way I assume. Throw anger problems into the mix. That spices things up even more dashingly. He has spunk, he has fight, he is abusive. How wonderful.
So then she jumps in even deeper...she makes a baby with this monster. Maybe that will calm him. Perhaps...he will see this innocent being and it will bring out the good that surely he has deep down inside. She doesn't consider the chance that perhaps this plan won't work. She dives off into the realm of motherhood, hoping beyond hopes this is her answer. It isn't of course. In fact, it's worse now. Add another kid. That will surely help.
Life goes on. Through the years, she continues to bend over backwards hoping her running to his every beck and call that she will someday be his angel of deliverance for his deep and immeasurable character flaws. He was handpicked by her, so she is committed to making this work. No matter the abuse, no matter the hurt, no matter the pain. She would rather live in misery then to admit she made one bad choice. One choice that led to another...and another...and yet another. Pride. It's humiliating to admit you made a bad choice. Forget the humiliation of knowing everyone sees your disheveled and unhappy life. Who cares if everyone knows your children cry at night in misery. Who cares if he even mistreats others outside of the home. Stand by your man. That's the motto.
Then...as her life crumbles and she comes to the realization that she cannot fix him, the next step is to lash out at those around her and blame them for his faults and failures. He blames everyone else, including her. She blames everyone but him. She blames the world on his problems when she was the one who made the one, single, choice.
It happens everyday. And in the field I work in, I am presented with the broken pieces of a life who craves peace. Wants to be rescued. But unless she is willing to admit a wrong choice, back up and fix the brokenness, I am of little value in the equation. I have no magic wand. Do I have God? Yes. Do I have the Word and it's beautiful truths? Yes. Can these things help her? Emphatically YES, but...unless the brokenness is identified and fixed, and the truths in the Word applied, and God made number one in both lives, I cannot help.
How does she fix it? How does he fix it? That is the age old question that not everyone agrees upon the answer to. They both, must first realize there IS a problem. He cannot continue to believe he is not wrong. He must CHOOSE to see his faults and be willing to do whatever it takes to FIX them. It's not impossible. So what if he had a bad childhood. People with WORSE circumstances come forth as gold. There is no excuse. Admit there is a problem, identify the problem, and FIX THE STINKIN' PROBLEM!
What does she do? She must evaluate with an honest heart, whether or not he TRULY admits, identifies, and is FIXING the problem. How can she do this? Through prayer. With divine intervention. With godly counsel.
And most importantly, THEY must PRAY together. This is a must. And if this cannot be done, then IT WILL NOT WORK. I don't care who you are. This is my blog and I will write what I want. People that PRAY together STAY together. Spirits are unified, bad spirits flee, trust is established, and broken hearts are mended. IF HE REFUSES TO DO THIS THEN THERE IS NO HOPE! You can go to any counsellor you choose, christian, non christian whatever you like, they can try to sort your mess of what you call life out. Hours can be spent trying to tell the full grown two year old how to act in a home. But if Christ isn't in it, IT WILL FAIL.
Please take this to heart...when you are working with teen girls...as difficult as it is to lead them and guide them, PRAY with them, plead the blood of Jesus over them to keep them from falling into this horrific trap. I can't bear to see the pain inflicted on innocent lives due to this nonsense.
There...Relationships 101 by Ms. Kari Morgan Ph.D. in "I've done seen it all"
This one choice looks something like this:
A girl...lost and alone in this world, looking for love...follows this disastrous plan.
She finds someone needier than she is. So she can feel like she actually means something to someone. She finds someone who has no self esteem, so she can again, be his saviour. She finds someone who can't stand himself. Then she can be a light unto him and make him believe his sun rises and sets on her. She finds someone who trusts no one. Someone who refuses to be subjected to any authority. Of course, all these traits are just so dashing and charming! Perhaps when you are 16 they are...in a wild and woolly way I assume. Throw anger problems into the mix. That spices things up even more dashingly. He has spunk, he has fight, he is abusive. How wonderful.
So then she jumps in even deeper...she makes a baby with this monster. Maybe that will calm him. Perhaps...he will see this innocent being and it will bring out the good that surely he has deep down inside. She doesn't consider the chance that perhaps this plan won't work. She dives off into the realm of motherhood, hoping beyond hopes this is her answer. It isn't of course. In fact, it's worse now. Add another kid. That will surely help.
Life goes on. Through the years, she continues to bend over backwards hoping her running to his every beck and call that she will someday be his angel of deliverance for his deep and immeasurable character flaws. He was handpicked by her, so she is committed to making this work. No matter the abuse, no matter the hurt, no matter the pain. She would rather live in misery then to admit she made one bad choice. One choice that led to another...and another...and yet another. Pride. It's humiliating to admit you made a bad choice. Forget the humiliation of knowing everyone sees your disheveled and unhappy life. Who cares if everyone knows your children cry at night in misery. Who cares if he even mistreats others outside of the home. Stand by your man. That's the motto.
Then...as her life crumbles and she comes to the realization that she cannot fix him, the next step is to lash out at those around her and blame them for his faults and failures. He blames everyone else, including her. She blames everyone but him. She blames the world on his problems when she was the one who made the one, single, choice.
It happens everyday. And in the field I work in, I am presented with the broken pieces of a life who craves peace. Wants to be rescued. But unless she is willing to admit a wrong choice, back up and fix the brokenness, I am of little value in the equation. I have no magic wand. Do I have God? Yes. Do I have the Word and it's beautiful truths? Yes. Can these things help her? Emphatically YES, but...unless the brokenness is identified and fixed, and the truths in the Word applied, and God made number one in both lives, I cannot help.
How does she fix it? How does he fix it? That is the age old question that not everyone agrees upon the answer to. They both, must first realize there IS a problem. He cannot continue to believe he is not wrong. He must CHOOSE to see his faults and be willing to do whatever it takes to FIX them. It's not impossible. So what if he had a bad childhood. People with WORSE circumstances come forth as gold. There is no excuse. Admit there is a problem, identify the problem, and FIX THE STINKIN' PROBLEM!
What does she do? She must evaluate with an honest heart, whether or not he TRULY admits, identifies, and is FIXING the problem. How can she do this? Through prayer. With divine intervention. With godly counsel.
And most importantly, THEY must PRAY together. This is a must. And if this cannot be done, then IT WILL NOT WORK. I don't care who you are. This is my blog and I will write what I want. People that PRAY together STAY together. Spirits are unified, bad spirits flee, trust is established, and broken hearts are mended. IF HE REFUSES TO DO THIS THEN THERE IS NO HOPE! You can go to any counsellor you choose, christian, non christian whatever you like, they can try to sort your mess of what you call life out. Hours can be spent trying to tell the full grown two year old how to act in a home. But if Christ isn't in it, IT WILL FAIL.
Please take this to heart...when you are working with teen girls...as difficult as it is to lead them and guide them, PRAY with them, plead the blood of Jesus over them to keep them from falling into this horrific trap. I can't bear to see the pain inflicted on innocent lives due to this nonsense.
There...Relationships 101 by Ms. Kari Morgan Ph.D. in "I've done seen it all"
12.01.2011
Christmas Time is HERE!
I really really REALLY cannot believe Christmas is already right around the corner! I have put up about all the decor I think I will. I want to spend the rest of my time making gifts and spending time with my loved ones as that's the most important part!!!
Here are a few shots of our tree; AFTER the Christmas fairy came and repaired the broken lights and rearranged the hodge podge ornament placement. These were taken with my iPhone so don't expect great focus play tricks!
Here are a few shots of our tree; AFTER the Christmas fairy came and repaired the broken lights and rearranged the hodge podge ornament placement. These were taken with my iPhone so don't expect great focus play tricks!
I love our fresh assortment of handpainted gingerbread children and houses, snowflakes, polka dots and glitter! This is all from last year but it's just as spectacular now as it was then.
Stay tuned for a NEW MIY decor piece on a budget!
On another note...without speaking in "Oh ye of little faith" lingo, this year is going to be quite the scaled down model of Christmas' past. Although it always seems to point that way, something always seems to give just in the nick of time. I don't doubt that can happen this year as well; however, as a mama looking out for her babes and wanting to make it the best year ever, I have to be prepared and plan around the seemingly hollow pocketbook.
I have some fabulous MIY projects brewing! I can't even begin to list them here for fear I will work myself into a panicky frenzy and excessive anxiety levels that I will fail to get them all done. But...just think homemade fairy houses and dolls...waldorfy toys made from felt, cute accessories and home decor.....
(((sigh))) I feel the panic rising already....
How 'bout I move on to what COULD happen? What COULD happen is a magic money tree could sprout up in my yard and then my WANT list would be acceptable!
I have so much to be thankful for, I feel like a spoiled child even uttering the words "want list". *slaps hand* (BAD GIRL)
How about if I change it to a "NEEDS" list?
Would a Kitchen Aid Mixer fall into a "needs" category? How about a 28mm 1.4 Canon lens? LOL Probably not...
A food dehydrator? Sounds needy to me! Or an oil expeller for my Samson Juice extractor? As you can see, I am not a bling bling girl with high hopes for material pleasures. I always covet the things that could make life a little simpler, or healthier. Oh that reminds me, I cannot forget my newest item of NEED. I am very much so coveting a pair of Mizunos running shoes. Wave Nirvana 7's to be precise. Size 7 to be even more precise. In White/Sunrise to be ultimately precise.
You see, I have taken up running and my beautiful, out of my normal budget pair of Nike's are not supporting my overpronating feet like they should. :( I have developed shin splints which are QUITE PAINFUL to say the least. Thus I NEED the Mizunos in a bad way. I am debating selling my Nike's on eBay, but can't bear the thought of being stuck with my Puma's for the duration of the transaction...(sigh) I am in a pickle indeed.
Anyway...I have lot's of projects to tackle so I'd best be leaving you faithful readers alone.
Happy December 1st!
11.23.2011
I love letters...a Tutorial
I adore letters and words...last year after Christmas, my house felt so bare and forlorn that I went on a home decor rampage attempting to fill my poor white rental walls with warmth and happiness. I was somewhat successful...one of my endeavors, featured a very cool letter collage that I will soon be posting photos of.
However, my color scheme has changed! For some reason, I am pulling away from the blacks, reds, and warmer tones of which I have been inclined towards; and have been leaning towards cooler tones of robin's egg blue, bright cheery red, and crisp, clean whites. So I am redoing this collage and this tutorial features one of the letters.
Of course, our letter is "M". I bought this paper mache letter at Joanne's for about $4. I had painted it black and mod podged it with a black and white damask scrapbook paper so it looked like this:
However, my color scheme has changed! For some reason, I am pulling away from the blacks, reds, and warmer tones of which I have been inclined towards; and have been leaning towards cooler tones of robin's egg blue, bright cheery red, and crisp, clean whites. So I am redoing this collage and this tutorial features one of the letters.
Of course, our letter is "M". I bought this paper mache letter at Joanne's for about $4. I had painted it black and mod podged it with a black and white damask scrapbook paper so it looked like this:
This tutorial is going to show you how I did this.
(please pardon the dust on the letter, it's been in a box since moving)
Acrylic craft paint
Fresh coat of paint...I only used one coat because
I like the dark showing through for a touch of rusticness.
These are the scrapbook papers I have chosen for this new color scheme.
After the paint dried, I placed the letter on the sheet of paper
I chose to use and traced the letter with a pencil.
After tracing, cut the letter shape out of the paper and make sure it fits adequately. Trim any excess edges off as you don't want the paper bigger than the letter. A little smaller is ideal.
Then you use the handy dandy Mod Podge! (And a cute little assistant helps a lot too)
Remove the paper and paint a coat of Mod Podge on the paper mache letter. Then place the paper back on. The Mod Podge glues the paper on securely.
Use your hands to carefully smooth the paper on to the letter to reduce wrinkles or bumps. The paper may try to buckle but smooth it until it doesn't.
Then generously apply Mod Podge on top of the paper with a paintbrush. Apply Mod Podge to the sides of the letter also. This will seal the entire letter and create a nice, smooth finish.
Voila! After the Mod Podge dries, (about 4 hours) You have a beautiful letter to display however you please! Stay tuned for the completion of my letter collage and display choice!
Ahhhh Thanksgiving Eve!!! Warning...Photo OVERLOAD...
It's the day before Thanksgiving and while most folks are busy neglecting their blogs, its one of the rare chances I have to sit down and attend to mine! Thus, I have TWO posts for today.
We went on the promised nature walk yesterday so here are the pictures to prove it. Had a great time although I did not get the clippings I wanted for a holiday decor project. But I will!
We went on the promised nature walk yesterday so here are the pictures to prove it. Had a great time although I did not get the clippings I wanted for a holiday decor project. But I will!
Aren't these photos gorgeous! I LOVE FALL!!!!!
We went to the park for some football...
And some reading....
Annnd...swinging of course...
And yes...my daughter is a goofball...
More nature finds...
Then we went home and later that evening....
Woot!!! We are just slightly exuberant over putting up the tree!!!
And we even got the outside lights put up!
So that was our day!!!! I'll try to post pictures of the house when it is completely decorated for Christmas.
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