Happy Birthday!

It's been a long time since that oh so 70's picture was taken but just look how blessed I've been in 35 years.

For family, friends, health and happiness, I am truly grateful.

My cup, indeed, runneth over.

Thank you, Lord for all these gifts!

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"

 (1 John 3:1a).

Daniel: Week 6

Well, Daniel was in the Lion's Den during our study this week.  And, he was around 80 years old?!  Did anyone else think some young, spry thing was sitting in there with those ginormous cats?!  Let me add that to my list of 872,349 things I'm learning while studying this book!

The theme this week was Exploring: Prayer   Conquering: Planning.

This was huge for me because I am a planner to a fault.  I like knowing details (way in advance).  I like lists, organizing, thinking it through and coming up with a resolution...whether the situation be scary or joyful.

Daniel just sharpens me.  He encourages me to do what I KNOW works.  Prayer.  Unfortunately, the best laid plans fail.  I get upset when they fail and start over again with Plan B, C, D and so on...Daniel, when faced (yet again) with persecution and downright schemes to get him to waiver in his faith, he held true to PRAYER.  His first instinct.  God does not have a Plan B.  He's on top of things all.the.time.

When Daniel was placed in the lion's den, a stone was rolled over the entrance so that "the situation may not be changed".  This same thing happened in scripture when Christ was placed in His tomb.  I love how God is showing clear evidence that the thing NO ONE would expect to change absolutely DID!!  And, with a big 'ol honkin' STONE in the way.  Prayer changes things! Maybe not physical situations, always, but certainly can change a perspective, an attitude, a hurt, a thought, a fear....

Prayer has to be my first instinct and reaction.  Not panic or planning.  Thank goodness for new mercies everyday for godly examples like Daniel to remind me of that!

got books?

When Jula Belle and I made our biweekly trip to the library last night, I decided that I would actually check out a book for me. I used to read a LOT of fiction and now when I read it's all homeschooling stuff, kids books, Holy Scrips and Bible Study material.

A few years ago, I discovered Francine Rivers, read every.last.drop of ink she put on paper and I was changed. Since then, I've yet to find anyone that writes as well and moves me like she can. Everything seems so fluffy. I've read nothing (as far as fiction goes), for a long stinkin' time. Well, minus the fall of 2008 when I decided to see what all the Twilight buzz was about and I read all four of those books in about 4 weeks time.

At the library, I quickly perused the "popular" titles section, grabbed a book with a long, unusual title and headed to the children's section. I was thinking I needed some assistance in finding myself something to read.  Hmmm...who do I know that knows books?!  Whimzie does!  In fact, she's made it clear that if you want to be her friend you must read certain books. 

So, I texted her: at the library, want fiction, nothing heavy...what say you?


Within about, oh, 30 seconds I had not one, not two but SEVEN texts.  Each with one, sometimes two suggestions per text.  The third text she suggested "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society".  I looked in our library bag and it was the one I'd already picked!!  Team SnoodleBelle was in da' house!  The texts back and forth continued until I scored two books she suggested and I was ready to get home, curl up and READ!

I laughed because I knew my friend loved books.  But, she was SO in her element and at one point said "let me check my list".  Just right there, on hand, her list.  Do y'all carry around a list with books written on it?!  I don't.  I have somewhat of a mental list going but that's about it.

So, I'm raising my book to you, Whimz!  Toasting you for being the book lover that you are and for being snoodle-on-the-spot for me last night.  This toast is also for the "vibrate" mode on my cell phone, as it kept me from getting kicked out of the library because of your enthusiasm to send me home with a book!!

Hoping for some great reading time on the couch this weekend!

Happy Friday!

Do You Ever Wonder?

*why some songs just grab your gut and say the thing your soul feels but your mouth cannot say?

*why your taste changes??  there are things i used to love that i can no longer stomach and vice versa.  example:  green bananas..now I need them to be ripe.

*if you'll ever get dishes/silverware out of the cabinet?  We seem to pull dishes out of the dishwasher and then put them right back in..

*if you'll ever be able to make the groceries last a FULL WEEK without entering the grocery store for SOMETHING?

*if there will ever be a point where you can actually remember where missing keys, papers, etc. are?  I hear that does NOT get better with age!

*what you would be doing if you weren't doing what you're doing? (clear as mud, right?!)

*what it would be like to win the lottery??

*why God would give such an incredible sacrifice for such a fallen world? (although I'm terribly grateful He did)

*if every room in the house will ever be clean at the exact.same.time?

*why in the world the Easter bunny carries EGGS?!

*why the rest of your body can be warm and your feet (in socks and shoes) are still cold?

*what in the world those people on Facebook do for a living with all their farms, mafias and whatnot...their children must stay starved.

*if I'm ever gonna end this post?!

Because I wonder all.of.these. things and then some!

Happy Thursday!

Betcha Didn't Know

My sweet little sunshine, Amber, is hosting a little thing called "betcha didn't know" and since I'm always ready for any help in gathering up thoughts for a post, I'm joining in!

Betcha Didn't Know...

**We woke up to a broken heater. That as I type this I'm pretty much frozen...it's around 50* in my house and around 36* outside.  Praise the Lord for Sunbeam and their awesome warming blankets that we've lived under today. 
**that to add to the craziness of this week, yesterday I had some kind of stomach bug and today the Husband has a doctor's appointment in an hour.  When the receptionist asked what he wanted to be seen for he replied with the utmost seriousness "because I feel like crap".

**that my son has a knack for randomness like his Mama.  He was hula hooping on the Wii this morning trying to generate heat and out he spouted with the Gettysburg Address (he's memorizing it for a school assignment).

**that in order to tame the wildness that is JuJu's hair, I MUST have 2 different combs, 3 different hair products and sheer will.  (I say this because she just walked in her lookin' like roosters had a party in her hair).

**that in 8 days I will officially be mid-thirties.  My gifts?  A fixed heater and a car tag.  Just what I wanted!

**that in honor of turning 35, I hope to run in a landmark race in Atlanta on July 4th.  A little something called the Peachtree Road Race (it's a world famous gig).  It's a 10K.  I'm scared and thrilled all at the same.  Gotta get in first though and praying I do.  There's only 55,000 people running it, no biggie. (yeah, right).

**that I am in a dinner funk-a-roo.  I have items to cook, I just don't want to cook them.

**that I am lovin' my crazy reality TV time alone at night:  American Idol, Biggest Loser, The Bachelor, Project Runway and few train wreck shows that shall remain nameless but reside on a certain channel with a V and H and a 1.

**that because it's taken me all day to get this post written.  I am finally warm and toasty and the cost to fix it wasn't even as bad as I expected.  Thank you, Lord!!

Daniel: Week 5

This was probably one of my favorite weeks so far in this study of Daniel.

The theme--Exploring: Remembrance  Conquering:  Obliviousness

Remembrance is very very important to me.  Without it, I fear I would lose hope.

In study, this week, Belteshazzar chose to not remember the goodness of the Lord.  He chose out of willing disobedience to gloat and show-off and it led to his death.  Our lack of remembrance may not lead to physical death but anytime there is sin there is death.  Death of character, a relationship, of joy, of hope...the list could go on.

I have such depth of gratitude and remembrance in my heart that this little white box is not enough to share it all.  God has not only taken care of me throughout my life but has absolutely delivered me and set my feet upon a rock.

When I look back at times in my life, the remembering of some parts hurts and it's painful.  It's cause for me to be angry, disappointed, unforgiving, filled with hatred, sadness and disbelief. 

But, because of the goodness of a Lord who not only took care of me as a child living in fear and uncertainty, a youth confused and scared, a graduate ready to leave the nest, a first year teacher praying over lives she was responsible for, a newly married young lady figuring out what it meant to be a "wife", a first time Mama crying tears of joy and fear all at the same time....I can be filled with forgiveness, confidence, joy, love, hope and faith.

Remembrance isn't always painful, praise God.  It's beautiful to remember the blessings and the love I've been showered with and the people who were the hands and feet of Jesus throughout my life.  I can face any day knowing that I've been through many joys and challenges in almost 35 years but have come out on the other side in a better place.

I smile with sheer fullness thinking of how my life has been saved many times over.  I pray I never ever suffer from "spiritual amnesia" as Belteshezzar did.

One of my favorite songs is about remembering by Nichole Nordeman. You can listen to the song here. 

I Am

Pencil marks on a wall

I wasn't always this tall,

You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed,

You watched my team win,

You watched my team lose,

You watched when my bicycle went down again,

And When I was weak unable to speak,

still I could call You by name,

and I said “Elbow healer, Superhero,

come if You can,” and You said “I am”

Only 16, life is so mean, what kind of curfew is at 10pm?

You saw my mistakes, You watched my heart break

Heard when I swore I’d never love again

When I was weak, unable to speak,

still I could call You by name,

and I said “Heart-ache Healer, Secret-keeper,

be my Best Friend” and You said “I am”

You saw me wear white, by pale candlelight,

I said forever to what lies ahead

two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream

too much it might seem when it’s 2am

When I am weak, unable to speak,

still I will call You by name.

“Oh Shepherd, Savior, Pasture-maker,

hold on to my hand,” and You say “I am.”

Not Your Typical Saturday

I am by no means an athlete.  I like to try things but I've never been one receiving awards on Field Day in elementary school or lettering in high school.

I have never, however, been sedentary.

Embarking on mid-thirties (in just two weeks) had me upping my game a little.  I've always liked walking and "ran" here and there but for the past few months I've done more running than walking and dare I say: I love it!?  No, I wouldn't dare.  But, I do strongly like it!

Last Saturday,  I put on my killer new shoes I'd received for Christmas from my awesome Hubby, zipped up my fleece and headed out to the Heart Hustle 5K here in town.  This is the first 5K that I'd be running alone and I was actually looking forward to that..I had my mp3 filled with some upbeat tunes to keep my feet goin' when my mind was telling them not to!

It was windy, drizzly and 40-something degrees.  "This is so stupid" I was thinking.  I knew that there was a t-shirt and Chik-Fil-A biscuit waiting on me at the finish so I decided that was motivation enough to keep me going.  Oh, did I mention the race hadn't even started yet??!!

Ok, it has now.  I was running at a nice pace and off in "Disturbia" with Rhianna and I saw the 1 mile marker.  "WOW!  There's no way," I thought.  I looked down at my watch 7:37!!! "Either I morphed in to Michael Johnson or something ain't right!"  I checked my shoes and they were still turquoise and gray not gold.  I carried on, made the u-turn and then realized that the sweet lady cheering us at the mile marker had it FACING .THE.WRONG.WAY. but I was still making good time!!

The course had a hugacious hill, valley, hill on it.  This was the point when I was certain hot iron pokers were jabbing my lungs.  But, it wasn't until there was yet another u-turn and I had to do the same hill, valley, hill again that I was certain the pokers were there!

I begged Jesus to just get behind me and PUSH!  And He did...

I finished the race with my personal best time in four races!

I headed in to the FREE STUFF!! WAHOO!!  Lots of snacks and goodies to choose from but you know that I had one thing in mind...the biscuit. 

Actually, I dove for the oranges first..my lungs were on fire.  I'd had a bit of cough leading up to the race and knew I'd need some extry Vitamin C.  I sat down, finished my orange wedges and opened up that warm, chicken-y goodness.  They began announcing the winners...ladies first...

Overall Winners then Age Groups.

I was wrapped up in my chicken blanket and clapping along, interested to see how far the winners were ahead of me on the course...

They got to my age group 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place goes to....the girl with the biscuit in her mouth!!! 

OK, I actually had scarfed that sucker way down before they ever even got to my age group!  But, I totally did NOT expect to hear my name!!!!  I was caught between wanting to scream as if I'd won a Tony and trying to play it cool like "oh, this happens to me all the time".  I opted for a cheesy grin and a humble "thank you" when I walked up to get my certificate and gift.

I sat back down for all of two seconds...and I had to GO!  I was dying to call my Honey at home and tell him!  What a day!!  So, now I have a nice case of pneumonia to go with my third place finish.  Kidding.  Sick, indeed, though.  A cough that won't quit. 

I'm ready for the next event!!!  I may never see another placement again but that doesn't matter to me.  Saturday was a great memory that I'll never forget!!

                        

Humble Pie

Week 4 of Daniel was a lesson in humility/being humbled.

Humility is a great characteristic that I love and admire in people.

Being humbled takes the pride right out of us (like King Neb this week) and causes (perhaps forces) us to look at the One who never humiliates us but lovingly corrects us.

One of the passages we read this week was in Hebrews Chapter 12.  I think this passage from The Message Bible encompasses my thoughts and how thankful I am to serve a precious Savior who treats me as His child.

In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, but don't be crushed by it either. It's the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects.

God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.

 

Hebrews 12:5-7~The Message

Watch Out, KK!

**UPDATE** after you've read here, please go check out what my smarty sis did with the pic of JuJu's foot!

I hope by now you've gone to visit my sister and have seen her awesome handiwork...she's our resident family photographer with trusty "Stella" (the camera) in her hands.  I'm afraid,  Aunt KK, you may have some competition...

These are some lovely shots I found on the camera by Photographer Julia:

Here is evidence that she TRULY deserves that snack:

Self-Photo #1:

Mr. Squiggles (the famous Zhu Zhu)

Self-Photo #2

Self-Photo #3

Artistic Compostion, no?!

Mermaidia's Photo Shoot

"Mom: say it! say CHEESE!"

(I was saying "I'm freezing and haven't had a shower!")

This one is ART, indeed--the bottom of her foot at point blank:

Her Bubbi and Her Shugey:

Self-Photo #4

Self-Photo #5

(this one I love because apparently she'd been crying a little

but clearly worth a photo op)

There were only about 834 more pictures on the SD card with 830 being of herself. 

I couldn't help picking these few to show off her mad skillz. 

Happy Friday!

Title Change

These are my beloved Berenstain Bears.  I've used their stories often to teach my kids about everything from jealousy, bad habits and Mama having a new baby.  We never get tired of those lovely bears (not to mention the show on PBS has a jam up and jelly tight theme song) or their stories.

One, in particular, that we've read a million times is the one in the picture above.   I've gently (and not so gently) reminded my children when they seem to coming down with a case of the "gimmes". 

But, sadly, this is not about my children.  It's about their Mama.

Y'all.  I've got the "gimmes"!

There are so many winter clearance sales.  I want clothes.  I want some things for my house.  Organizational stuff, new living room furniture.  I want to go on several trips.  I want to parole ALL.OF.MY. pictures from computer jail and put them in albums (because ain't no scrappin' goin' on 'round here)....so on and so on..

SEE!  I've got it bad!

I know all about the appreciation that will come when those things happen and blah and blah and blah.  But, today, I don't care.  Today, I think money is the key to happiness.

OK, I really don't believe that BUT I do think I'll go read Tiffani The Berenstain Bears Gets the Gimmes for the 783,928,357 time and surely Mama Bear will gently remind me of the most important things!

Daniel Week 3

I am struggling with getting coherent thoughts out about this chapter!!  I've sat down at this "compose" box several different times today.  I pondered the study questions at the end of the week and thought about each answer.  I looked through my week's notes and thought that I would just write out in list form what God had shown me through my study time.

And, I just couldn't get my thoughts to come through my fingers!

I will say that this week's theme Fortitude v. Compromise forced to me look deeply at myself, at my relationships and ask myself some very important questions.  Shadrack, Meschach and Abed-nego were an amazing example of what true fortitude is...

I gleaned so much about the character of God from this chapter:  no one like Him, committed, sovereign, just, healer, freer, omnipotent, forth-right, rescuer, perfect, holy....

And I'm thankful to love a God who may not deliver me from a "fire" but will most certainly deliver me through it...

I know many of us have faced fires/trials in our lives and could go on and on about the beauty that came from those ashes...and isn't that wonderful that He never leaves us or forsakes us?!

Looking forward to Week 4!!

My favorite verse from week 3:
"Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up."