With An Eye On The Times--

My husband shared this with me today. I think it's important to spread the word.
Look at the issues- Realize the outcome of these promises of change- Don't just listen to eloquent speeches!

2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE COMPARISON TALKING POINTS

ISSUE		JOHN McCAIN	BARACK OBAMA
Favors new drilling offshore US		Yes	No
Will appoint judges who interpret the law not make it		Yes	No
Served in the US Armed Forces		Yes	No
Amount of time served in the US Senate		22 YEARS	173 DAYS
Will institute a socialized national health care plan		No	Yes
Supports abortion throughout the pregnancy		No	Yes
Would pull troops out of Iraq immediately		No	Yes
Supports gun ownership rights		Yes	No
Supports homosexual marriage		No	Yes
Proposed programs will mean a huge tax increase		No	Yes
Voted against making English the official language		No	Yes
Voted to give Social Security benefits to illegals		No	Yes
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN	0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.
OBAMA	28% on profit from ALL home sales. (How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.)
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN	15% (no change)
OBAMA	39.6% - (How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.')
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes)	Single making 30K - tax $4,500 Single making 50K - tax $12,500 Single making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 60K- tax $9,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250
OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)	Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 125K - tax $38,750 Under Obama, your taxes could almost double!
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN	- 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA	Restore the inheritance tax Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes.
NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA
New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet. New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already) New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity) New taxes on retirement accounts, and last but not least....New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!

You can verify the above at the following web sites:

http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/election/2008/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.taxes.html

http://elections.foxnews.com/?s=proposed+taxes

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/politics/articles/mccain_obama_offer_different_visions_on_taxes.html

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/barack_obama/

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/john_mccain/

Imagination

There are so many changes that happen in a little person's life at the age of four. Ryan is learning and growing before our eyes, it seems. Every day, he's surprising us with new ideas, amazing thoughts for one so young, and crazy imaginations.

Right now, he's fighting a whole host of "bad guys" with his "friends". Yes, imaginary friends are our constant companions these days.

It's so fun to listen to him spin these stories of his mind's eye! I wonder sometimes what his future holds with such a great imagination. Who knows? Maybe he'll become a renowned story teller! :)

His newest concoction is arrows that he and "his men" are shooting at the bad guys. When they hit them, it turns them good. If only we actually had some of those.

I'm daily amazed by my boy and how awesome it is to be his mother!

From the directors of "Facing the Giants"

Hey all!

It's been a while since I've been able to get on the computer, but I wanted to take a minute to share this with you. It's a new movie that's coming out in September.

Argh...

I've been offline for the last several days. My computer is very sick...I'm still nursing it along. The only way I'm able to connect right now is because I borrowed an extra CPU from my dad. I hope to have my own up and running soon, but alas, it takes SO much time to work through these things. I definitely don't have an abundance of extra time!

So, don't forsake me my few friends! I'm still here, just laying low.

:)

Psalm 46 - Be still and know that I AM God

God separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish... all before making a human. He made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best and more powerful when eaten raw. We're such slow learners...

God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body! God's Pharmacy! Amazing!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye.. and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocados, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

(Anonymous)

Tears

I borrowed this from my friend's blog.

It's precious promise is the only hope we have as parents who have given our children directly into the arms of our Saviour. Those little ones whose stay was only fleeting, yet forever lasting in our memories.



I'm just a precious little one
Who didn't make it there:
I went straight to be with Jesus,
But I'm waiting for you here.

Many dwelling here where I live
Waited years to enter in;
Struggled through a world of sorrow-
A world marred with pain and sin.

Thank you for the life you gave me,
It was brief, but don't complain:
I have all of Heaven's Glory'
Suffered none of Earth's great pain.

Thank you for the name you gave me.
I'd have loved to bring it fame:
But if I'd lingered in Earth's shadows-
Would have suffered just the same.

Don't you fret about me Mommy,
I'm of all God's Lambs most blest;
I would love to be there with you,
But the Shepherd knows what's best.

So Sweet family - don't you sorrow,
Wipe those tears and chase the gloom;
I went straight to Jesus' bosom -
From my Loving Mother's womb...

(Author Unknown)

We love you, Nichole and Steven. You're in our prayers.

Super Savings!!!

Well, I may have been feeling a bit burned out on coupon shopping, frugality in general and watching every penny, but yesterday renewed my excitement about shopping specials.

I was able to score $32 worth of baby products for ONE CENT out of pocket!!! I did use two cards to do that, but it's worth it cause I will definitely be using all of it, either for Brandon or to put together gift baskets for friends.

Here's a quick break down of what I did at CVS.

Using the $2/1 CVS coupon that's out right now, I bought 8 items off the baby sale list that cost $2 each. I checked out each item separately in order to get them FREE! After I "bought" the last item, the $5 ECB printed out! Fun!!!
NO MONEY OUT OF POCKET-- EARNED $5 ECB!

Here's what I got in that(those) transaction(s):

2 Baby shampoo
2 Baby wash, lavender
4 Baby wipes (I hadn't tried the CVS brand wipes before, but I really like them!!! I won't be passing them up now!)

Ok, then, after such great success using those $2/1 Q's, I decided to go ahead and try the deal again with my other card. I only had 5 coupons left, so I bought 4 items, again baby bath products that were $2 each, separately, then I did the fifth transaction. That one looked something like this:

1 CVS Children's Tylenol--$4 (I decided on this because it's the one medication I don't have stocked in my pantry, and Ryan will be needing it in the next couple weeks when he get shots! My poor baby!!)
2 Baby wipes--$2 ea.
Total- $8
Used $2/1 Q
Used $3.99 ECB and $2 ECB
Paid $o.o1 OOP!!!
EARNED $5 ECB

It was exhilarating to walk out of the store with all that free stuff!!

I'm looking forward to next week's Johnson and Johnson's sale! I hope to be able to get even more baby products! YAY!!!

I also was able to go to Kroger and shop their 10 item sale. Fro those who don't know how it works, you buy ten item that are on the list and automatically receive $5 off when you check out! Obviously, the best deals are when you combine this with great coupons, coupons that double or triple!! I did spend more than I normally would have because I wanted to stock up on the Sargento cheese that was $1.50 for 8 oz. That's not a super great price, but for a 32 oz. bag of shredded cheese at Walmart, I pay about $8. This is something that our family uses regularly, so a $2 savings over my usual pay out was a deal I didn't want to pass up. I was able to use coupons to get--
Free BC cookie mixes
$0.25 Cattleman's Bar-b-que sauce
$0.50 Lysol All-purpose cleaner(40 oz concentrate--Great deal!!)
$0.50 Pledge furniture polish

Those were some of the better deals I got yesterday. If Kroger weren't 30 miles away, I would strongly consider printing more coupons today and hitting the store one more time, but that wouldn't be frugal considering the price of gas!!! :)

Anyway, it's been so long since I shared any of my shopping adventures with you that I thought I take a few minutes while my floors are drying to tell you about this week's escapade!

Oh, I forgot!! JCPenney's is having a great sale right now!!! If you need baby clothes, they have a lot of their summer rompers, shirt and short sets, etc marked down to $1.97 each! I was able to get several outfits for Brandon since he's just now outgrowing all of his comfy, summer rompers!!

Ok, time to put my kitchen back together, feed us some lunch and tackle the rest of my dirty, messy house! Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning! There's my agenda for today!!

Happy Saturday, everyone!!

:)

It would be cool to do this!!! :)

~From GirlTalk's Friday Funnies

CVS resource

For all of you who are shopping or want to start shopping at CVS, here is another good website with easy to access ads, deals and printable coupons. Check it out if you want. I will also be adding it to my sidebar for future access.

I Heart CVS

Little moments, wonderful memories

Aw, the results of a walk to Grandma and Grandpa's house in the July heat of Texas-- soft snores coming from both my boys. It's amazingly relaxing to hear them sleeping! :) I'd share a picture, but it takes so long to get them uploaded right now...you'll just have to imagine.

Ryan is tucked into his bunk bed, Teddy by his side, blissfully unaware.

Brandon lay down by my side on the floor, completely spread eagle, and promptly fell asleep. He's the cutest thing ever when he's resting this peacefully.

I love being Mommy!

*sigh*

Earning money online

Hey all,

I took a few minutes today to add some links to my left-hand sidebar. These are links to sites that I am using to earn a little money when I have some free time.

I'm especially trying to use Ebates! For a while now, I've been doing more online shopping when I need something for my house or for the family or when we're planning a trip out of town where we'll need a hotel or rental car. Going through Ebates allows me to earn a percentage back on my balances. The percentage varies from store to store, but anything earned is great!! :)

Anyway, I hope you'll take some time to check out these sites! Just click on the links on the sidebar. I've had fun learning the ropes, and though I'm still new to it all, it's something small I can do to have a little extra coming in.

Priorities

Well, if you're anything like me, you're probably ecstatic to see that I've finally posted something new. I'm not sure what it is about having two children versus only one, but I definitely have LESS time. Imagine that.

I have been accomplishing things around my house(faint applause heard in the background!) and have been super busy. We got back last night late from a long weekend in San Antonio. My younger brother was in for a visit. It was December, I think, the last time I saw him. He's a brilliant, brave member of the US Navy! We're very proud of him. Anyway, we take whatever time we can when he's in Texas to travel to see him. We know that at any time he could go overseas to fight in this war. Every moment is precious.

I really am having so little time to really sit down and write a decent post. I am seriously disappointed with my recent efforts and am striving to only post if I actually have something worthwhile or at least halfway interesting to share. That's why I've posted pictures. No need for fluffy words.

Like I shared before, I have a great many topics floating around my mind, but to put them on paper, Ah, what an accomplishment THAT would be! Right now, my home and my family are needing my attention more than this keyboard. I'm having to learn that priorities are necessary and GOOD for me. I just wish there was more of me to go around because I do enjoy writing something more in depth than the latest update on how my life is going or how I'm feeling on any given day. Not that that isn't interesting to someone out there, but I have so much MORE that wants to be written, so much more DEPTH that desires to come out.

But if I'm learning anything these days, it is that God wants more from me than surface religion. The Almighty created me for more than passing pleasures. I have been given the gift of life eternal and two sons to teach about Christ and the gloriousness of the gospel. I have failed in this area, and I MUST keep going to Jesus for the grace, wisdom and discretion to train my sons in the way. I have a husband who needs me by his side, to truly be his help meet.

So, if my posts here are fewer and fewer, know that I am instead using my time learning more and more to be the wife and mother God has chosen me to become.

Until the next time...

:)

Accomplishing SOMETHING!!!!!

Thank you for all your sweet comments, thoughts and prayers regarding my painful shoulders! I'm a little better, but still dealing with pain. I've decided that I will just ignore it for now though because I have too much to do to keep whining about it! (There's a true "sister of compassion"! You know who you are!!!)

Anywhoo, my hubby and I are busy getting ready for yet another garage sale. We still had lots left to deal with after the last one, so we packed it up, stuck in the shed, and now are ready to give this another go.

I'm also in the middle of tearing my house apart, taking down beds, rearranging furniture, cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning!!!

Yes, I'm definitely ignoring my shoulder. I figure if it's going to hurt when I rest, maybe the stretching, pulling, pushing of all the above will work out some of the kinks for me. Either way, it's going to hurt, and I'm determined to make my house a HOME!!! In every sense of the word.

I've had candles, floral arrangements, pictures, shelves, etc packed up or stuck on book shelves in a back room for months now. I'm sick of the clutter and SOOOO ready to get things out and PRETTY!!

Don't you agree? A pretty home is a welcoming home. Clean, uncluttered, care for, yet lived in...that's my goal!!! I may not reach it in my whole house this weekend because of the garage sale, but I'm going to at least get my living room spruced up.

We started by taking down the full size bed in our guest room. At this point, it was only a holding place for boxes and other stuff that's needed attention. I (well, more precisely, my husband and two other friends) moved (Picture three guys turning it on its end to get it around the tight corner!) my piano to the same spare room, opening up my living room for a more comfortable setting of the furniture. It's amazing how OPEN it feels now! I pulled, pushed and grunted my couches aroudn the living room this morning, until I found a new arrangement that would work better and still "feel" right. I think I may have finally settled on the configuration I can live with for a while. Now, I can work on getting pictures up on walls, candles out on tables and shelves. Yes, I can finally DECORATE!! YAY!!! I'd do a happy dance, but it would jar my shoulder too much! :)

Well, I've used my few minutes of break time to type this up. I'm off to tackle something else!!!

:)

Borrowed Thot

One of the best things a parent
can do for a child is make
that child feel that home is the
happiest place in the world.

A Mother Is Love

Rest is needful

I've been in PAIN today. For whatever reason, my shoulders keep getting so tightened up that it hurts to even be awake. It hurts to move. It hurts to be still. It hurts to sit. It hurts to lie down. It hurts to stand. You get my point. IT HURTS!! Throw in a little one that has wanted nothing but to be held and close to me today, and you get me--a very tired, slighty grumpy me.

I am also very much missing Ryan. He's been gone for over a week now, staying with Grandma for a visit. It's been so long since she has been up to having him, but I'm more than ready for him to come home. As it is right now though, it will be another week and a couple days before I get to hug him again. I'm sad. I may not make it that long. I may just have to call to tell them to bring my baby home!!!

It's nearly eleven now. Brandon has finally cried himself to sleep. Poor baby has chosen to take the hard road these last few nights and cry it out, instead of peacefully being cuddled to sleep. Boys are that way. Are girls? Maybe one day I'll have an answer to that.

I think that my body is tired enough now to possibly fall asleep even with the pain. I still can't hold my head up straight without sharp jabs down to my fingertips, but I need to rest.

Until the next moments of quiet, I'll leave you with this quote from my A Mother Is Love calendar.

For God is sheer beauty, all generous in love, loyal always and ever.
Psalm 100:5
THE MESSAGE

:)

Father and Son

Oldies, but goodies!

Lessons Learned :)

Here's an example of what happens when I forget to zip my purse. Ryan decided to put make up on Brandon. Fun times!!!!
:)

Borrowed Thots

The woman who creates and sustains a home...
is a creator second only to God.

Helen Hunt Jackson

Bear with me, people. I've been very uncreative when it comes to my blog of late. I have thoughts rolling around in my head, but when it comes to getting them in order and in the white box, there seems to be a lack of communication between my brain and my fingers.

So, stay tuned. Maybe I'll get the creative juices flowing again soon. Right now, I'm off to do a little housework before my love walks through the door.

:)

Forever Love

On June 17, 2000, I married my high school sweetheart, the love of my life. Now, eight years later, we are still so much in love and have so very much to be thankful for. It amazes me to think of everything we've been through together, everything we've experienced as a couple, everything that brought us together. God has been so good to us!!

To my husband~

Thank you so much for loving me, caring for our boys and me, providing for us, and just being here. You've always been my safe place when things are falling apart around us. Thank you for your strength. I am so grateful that the Lord put us together, that he joined our lives in such an awesome way. I pray that we will have MANY more years together, raising our children, loving and growing old together. Thank you for a wonderful day yesterday. I couldn't have wished for more! :)

I love you, today and always.

The Audrey Smith Story

Below are three vidoes that chronicle the journey that Todd and Angie Smith have gone through these last months. I'd encourage you to spend a few minutes listening to them tell the story of their daughter Audrey. I think it will bless you as it blessed me yesterday.

Joy and Sorrow

I spent some time this morning reading about Audrey Caroline Smith. I've shed many tears and been reminded that my Lord doeth all things well.

My heart and my arms ache for my own daughter, but I rejoice in the knowledge that she is with Audrey in heaven. They are safe and happy in the arms of Jesus. How can I wish them back to this world of hurt, sorrow and pain?

Oh, Jesus, help me to see You always in every storm and truly trust that You know and control every outcome. Thank you for allowing me to carry and love my Abigail while she was here with us.

June 10

Today is a special, special day for our family!!

Four years and nine months ago(or somewhere around that!) those two pink lines appeared! I can still remember how I felt. I was pretty sure of the outcome of that test, but to actually see it confirmed after such a difficult loss was almost overwhelming. But it was true!!! A few weeks later, my doctor told me that all was going well. We would welcome a new little baby the next June. I remember that first of many sonograms that revealed that we would be having a baby boy. With Steven and my parents there with me, it was a special moment we will all treasure.

I can't say that those nine months flew by, but eventually, we did come to this day four years ago. The day that we finally got to meet our little boy. The day we actually got to hold our baby and know for sure that everything was going to be ok. We had a son!

We welcomed into our life and our family Ryan David Walker. Weighing in at 6lbs, 6oz, he was just a little guy, but oh, how we loved him!! How we STILL love him!

Today he turns four years old. He getting so very big that it almost makes me sad. My tiny baby boy who needed me for everything imaginable is now a tall, skinny boy who has a definite independent streak.

I'm thankful that he still needs those hugs and snuggles every day though. Ryan is my cuddle boy. He has a hard time going to sleep if Mommy doesn't snuggle, hug, kiss and pray with him. I treasure these times because I know that soon enough he's going to be "too big" for those icky kisses. :)

So, happy birthday, my Ryan! We love you and are so thankful for this new year of life to watch you grow and change and learn new things.

Venting....

Here's reason NOT to have two CVS cards.

I have no problems buying what ever is on the ad with my two cards. I mostly get good service at checkout and have relatively very few problems.

However, last week was an exception. I bought the Tide that was on sale with ECB's. Guess what? I didn't get my ECB's either time that I checked out! Not a problem though, right? I can just call them up and get my account credited. Well, it turns out they would only credit one account because the limit is "per household" now. I'm only a little frustrated because they may "say" that, but they aren't enforcing it, unless of course you have problem like I had.

Argh...I'm frustrated. But at least I'm stocked up on Tide.

I'm just waiting for the next thing they will change. It has only been in the last few months that the ad has started to say "per household" on the limits. What else do they have in store, I wonder?

As usual, I'll get over this inconvenience and keep shopping CVS, but for right now, I needed to vent a little. It's hard to do the prep, get out to the store (have you SEEN the gas prices??) and not to mention, it's hard to shop with my boys in tow!!! Now, when I have a problem that I need help with, CVS has let me down. My thought is this--If they are going to say "per household" on the their limits, then actually make it "per household". Don't let me use my husband's card, except of course when their system has a kink in it that takes away my ECB's!!!!!!

Tired, but good!

Whew, what a few days it has been around here!!

I spent between five and six hours cleaning at my parent's house Friday. I was only able to get it all done because my wonderful husband kept my two boys busy. Saturday I spent the morning getting coupons together for my all-afternoon shopping trip to CVS and Walmart. It was a very full day that finally ended around 10:30, with my hubby and I falling, exhausted, into bed.

It was all good though!!! I'm so glad that I'm able to be here for my parents. I know that if I were not available to look after things at home, they wouldn't have as much liberty to travel to the mission field. It's the little something the Lord has enabled me to do to aid in the spread of the gospel to Asia! Amazing!

I have a VERY hectic week before me, so I better sign off for now. My days are packed full of activities, including an out of town trip to a MLB game this weekend for Ryan's fourth birthday!!! More about all that to come.

I'll sign off for now. My boys are still up and running, and I need to get them settled for the night.

:)

Well, the doctor confirmed that Brandon has allergies. Fun...I now get to put drops in his eyes for the next seven days.

If you're in our neighborhood in the morning or evening around 8 and hear bloodcurdling screams coming from our house, be assured that it is simply me pinning my child down, pulling his eyes open enough to deposit that single drop of medicine in just the right place for it to slip into his irritated eyes!!! It's absolutely amazing how tightly shut a one year old can squeeze his eyes!!!

Oh, the joys of motherhood!!! You get to torture your children for the sake of their well-being. *sigh* One dose down, 13 to go!!!!

And he also got his little finger pricked and THREE shots! I'm incredibly grateful for modern medicine, but whose idea was it to pin down squirming, screaming toddlers to administer the drugs??? Poor Ryan about had a heart attack listening to Brandon's cries. I'm thinking having Daddy along for that next checkup is a must for him to make it through SHOTS(now a very SCARY word in our household after today!)

OK, I'm off to comfort and cuddle my baby--probably will be doing that for the next few days as the effects of those shots kick in. I just love the AMA right now....

:)

I'm sorry it's been so quiet around here the last few days, but my husband has been home! I don't usually spend much time online, and I hardly ever put together a post when he's around. There's just so many other more important things to do when he's here! ;)

Anyway, for those who have read about my need to ORGANIZE, it's all on hold for right now. I have a week from today to get some things in order here and to also get my parents 4BR/3B house cleaned from top to bottom before they come home from the mission field.

I'm planning to be at the airport Tuesday, June 3rd to pick them up and drive them home. That will be a three hour, one way trip, and yes, I'm planning to take my boys with me! So, I have lots to get ready for.

I will try to take some pictures(I promise, Nichole!!!) before I clear off the bed in our spare room that has become the staging area for all my clearing out. You'd be duly horrified if you knew how long it's all been there, so I'll keep that to myself! :)

OH, and my baby has some sort of eye infection/allergy problem. It's been a week now that his eyes have been bloodshot. I decided it was time to let the doctors look him over. We're headed out this afternoon for the nearly hour trip it will take us to get there. Super fun with the price of gas!!!

Ok, I hear my boys (Ryan especially!) getting a bit rambunctious in the other room. Sorry again that this is so piecemeal, but mommy duties are beckoning!!!

Have a good day, blogworld!!!

:)

More focus!! :)

I finally broke down and made myself a master(I hope, complete!) list of all that needs to be tackled to get my house in order and the clutter vanquished. I have some serious projects to tackle! And boy, I need some major ideas to get things straightened up. I'm going to be searching I'm an Organizing Junkie!! for ideas the next several weeks. I am coming up with nothing on my own and need some inspiration for my small house with tiny closets! Any of me readers' ideas would be welcomed too!

When I have a few more minutes of computer time, I'll post the list for you and maybe even some pictures of the "before" clutter(GULP!! That would be very revealing though...Yikes!) We'll see how brave I am later.

Signing off for now...I do have that list to start on!

:)

Babies, babies, babies!!!

We're going to have a new baby boy in the family!! Erin and Jeremy had a sonogram this morning and it's definitely a little boy! Yay!!!! The doctor says he's weighing about 1 lb right now and is "longer than most babies." hehe Like he'd be short with the daddy he has!!!
Babies are fun!

Congratulations!

Baby girl Dawson has arrived!!!!

Laura is spreading the news, but we'll have to wait for details until Shaunna is up to posting. But check out Laura's blog for a few precious photos!!!!

PS Laura may be telling of her own little one in a day or two!!!
Yay for new babies!!!

The Lord's Answer

I don't know why, but it so amazes me when my Lord uses something to give me the direction I need, exactly when I need it. The reminders of HIS sufficiency exactly when I'm trying to do it all in my own strength.

Did you just read my previous post? Did you hear the tendency to "trying to do it all"?

Well, the Lord knew! And where did I go next? To this post! How so very appropriate for my current struggles!

Thank you, Father, for reminding me to be still and know that You are God.

My Focus

I am so NOT a schedule person.

Yes, I know, this wreaks of a rebellious streak and that is probably part of my problem--an overwhelming desire to "buck the system." However, to be honest to myself as well as my (few) readers, I do need some structure in my life that is now sorely missing.

My hope is to focus on (and pray much over) one area of my life--getting up at an early hour, preferably before my boys wake up each morning. This is no easy feat for me! Brandon has decided to exert his own stubborn streak and is still refusing a regular bedtime, long predictable sleep patterns and a normal awake time and nap time during the day. I have been working with him. At the very least he is no longer nursing during the night, but he still often wakes up and needs some prompting to go back to sleep.

A few weeks ago while Ryan was enjoying time away with Aunt Erin, I took the opportunity to begin to let Brandon cry more during the night, teaching him to go back to sleep on his own. It stuck for awhile, but after just one late night out, he's back to struggling with going/staying asleep. He has for several weeks now slept through the night, but only once he's deep in sleep. This is our problem area!

All this to say, how do I balance my genuine need for rest with the also very genuine need to get up early and have that precious quiet time in the morning? My husband and I have been discussing several ideas but have not come to any firm conclusions or decisions yet.

I know that an organized day is for my benefit and the benefit of my young children. Ryan especially needs that structured schedule at his age. But again, I'm still nursing Brandon quite often throughout the day. That is what he needs for now. Any mother who has nursed knows that though it is a WONDERFUL experience, it also takes a lot of time out of the day.

Weaning is not yet an option. I want my baby to be my baby for as long as possible, but I do need to figure out how to balance(there's that word again!!) my time, Ryan's needs and the organization and maintenance of my home.

So, my readers, do you have any tried and true ideas to give me? Are there some simple things I can try to implement into my day to help my boys and I to be more structured?

I often experience thoughts of failure and defeat over these and other issues regarding my home, but I KNOW that these are attacks against my peace. I must seek the Lord for the strength and wisdom I need to overcome and gain the victory!! Please pray with me if you think about it! I need much grace in this area.

:)

Tax Rebate--Received and Used

Thank you to the US government! With their "aid" we are one step closer to being out of debt today!!!

Our youngest son is officially "paid off" today!! It's feels so good to have one less bill to pay each month.

Now, we can roll that money to our debt snowball and start kicking it into high gear to get our last personal(yes, FINAL) debt paid off. We're hoping by March of next year to have our van paid off and be able then to just save and use our money without paying creditors.

YAY!!!!

:-)

Last Chance is TODAY!!!

Note: This offer ends May 15, 2008!

Ok, people, why in the world is it that I can't seem to get you to accept FREE MONEY!!! Seriously, there are no strings attached! Go on over and sign up today! Get that $25 sent to your bank account--Again, NO STRINGS!! You only have three or four days left to take advantage of this. Surely, you can use $25????!!!!

Hurry, hurry! Before it's too late!

:-)

Blog Carnival!!!!

Have y'all seen this? I heard about it over at I'm An Organizing Junkie (which, by the way, is a GREAT site!!)

Today's Homemaker is hosting the first ever Carnival of Modern Home Dwelling. The fun begins tomorrow!

Anyway, I submitted a post and was accepted to go on over there tomorrow and check it all out. Or go now and submit your own post to be included in the Carnival. There's several categories, and you can submit as many posts as you would like to submit.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Stocking Up For Our Future

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Proverbs 22:3

Below is an excerpt from the article "Food Shock" by Jennifer Barry, GlobalAssistStrategist.com.

She wrote it for yesterday's edition of FSU. Her words chronicle the path that has led to the food shortages that are affecting populations across the globe. We are seeing the affects in the higher prices at the grocery store, but how long before our "affects" become more severe??

As an American, I’ve taken for granted that I can get just about any food I want at the supermarket. In fact, the number of choices are dizzying. I never really thought about the tenuous chain between myself and my food....

Read the rest here.

My husband and I and my dad and I have had some serious conversations about what the worldwide food shortages will eventually mean for those of us living in the United States. It is a problem--A problem that many are unaware of except for the higher prices at their local grocer.

We have decided that for our family, in the short run, we will begin to buy up larger amounts of rice, beans and possibly other grains as well. In the long run, we are on the look-out for a small piece of property where we can begin to grow our own food, and thus become less dependent on others to provide that food for us. Maybe this sounds crazy to you, or like we're being too cynical or making too much of this, but is it ever wrong to prudently decide to provide for and protect your family? This is our calling by God!!

So many of the blogs that I visit are all about providing for our families in the most economically practical way, working towards being out of debt, and ultimately, glorifying God by all that we, as wives and mothers, decide everyday on behalf of our families. I believe that we are to prepare for our futures as well.

This is what is working for us, but I would encourage any who read this to do some research of your own and begin to consider the impact these worldwide difficulties will have on your family. Begin to look at the big picture, and you may well begin to see, as we have, the importance of preparing for the lean times to come.

Serious Contemplations

God's perfect will

(J. C. Philpot, "The Living Sacrifice Presented" 1856)

"That good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."
Romans 12:2

God's will is "perfect". In it, there is . . .
no spot,
no stain,
no weakness,
no error,
no instability.

It is and indeed must necessarily be as perfect as God
Himself; for it emanates from Him who is all perfection;
and is a discovery of His mind and character.

But when God's perfect will . . .
sets itself against our flesh,
thwarts our dearest hopes,
overturns our fondest schemes,
we cannot see that it is a perfect will. But rather, are
much disposed to fret, murmur, and rebel against it.

God's perfect will may . . .
snatch a child from your bosom;
strike down a d ear husband;
tear from your arms a beloved wife;
strip you of all your worldly goods;
put your feet into a path of suffering;
lay you upon a bed of pain and languishing;
cast you into hot furnaces or overwhelming floods;
make your life almost a burden to yourself!

How can you, under circumstances so trying and
distressing as these, acknowledge and submit to
God's perfect will; and let it reign and rule in
your heart without a murmur of resistance to it?

Look back and see how God's perfect will has, in
previous instances, reigned supreme in all points,
for your good. It has ordered or overruled all
circumstances and all events, amid a complication
of difficulties in providence and grace. Nothing has
happened to your injury; but all things have worked
together for your good.

Whatever we have lost, it was better for us that
it was taken away. Whatever . . .
property,
or comfort,
or friends,
or health,
or earthly happiness we have been deprived of,
it was better for us to lose, than to retain them.

Was your dear child taken away? It might be
to teach you resignation to God's sacred will.

Has a dear partner been snatched from your
embrace? It was that God might be your better
Partner and undying Friend.

Was any portion of your worldly substance taken
away? It was that you might be taught to live a
life of faith in the providence of God.

Have your fondest schemes been marred; your
youthful hopes blighted; and you pierced in the
warmest affections of your heart? It was . . .
to remove an idol,
to dethrone a rival to Christ,
to crucify the object of earthly love,
so that a purer, holier, and more enduring
affection might be enshrined in its stead.

To tenderly embrace God's perfect will is
the grand object of all gospel discipline.

The ultimatum of gospel obedience is to lie
passive in His hand, and know no will but His.

"That good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."
Romans 12:2

FREE JEWELRY!!

Does everyone remember that Mother's Day is next weekend???? Well, here's another good idea for that perfect gift for Mom!

FREE $25!!!!

Hey, hey, everyone!!!

You only have ten days left to take advantage of the FREE $25 from Revolution Money exchange! It's such a simple process, so don't wait!

PS-- I haven't mentioned this, but when you sign up, you can refer people and make $10 for each person, up to another $500! There are NO fees or hidden "catches," so don't delay. Get your $25, and all your bonuses transferred to your bank account as soon as possible.

:-)

Mother's Day Ideas!!

A Simple Tip

If you're like me, you always appreciate tips and ideas from other busy moms and wives who have discovered that little something to make everyday chores/necessities a little easier. Here's one that's been working for me for awhile.

At our local grocery store, they are always putting large family-size packages of meat on sale or regularly have them at reduced prices. Now, to be perfectly honest, I DETEST separating raw meat. It's just really gross. So, instead, I plan to cook the whole amount. That way, I always have something easy put back in the freezer, or meat ready to be used for the next meal. If it's ground hamburger, I cook it up with onion and then divide it, use what I need, and put away the rest. If it's pork chops, ribs or steaks, my husband loves to fire up the grill and cook LOTS at once. That way, I usually always have ready-to-eat meat in my freezer.

So, maybe this is something you're already doing or is simple stuff to you, but it's working for me; and until my family grows and I have to actually use all that meat in one meal, I plan to keep to my system! Besides, this ends up being the least expensive way for me to keep my family stocked up on the meat we all enjoy eating so much.

:-)

CVS-- linking up, good deal

For more coupons to go along with the CVS deals for the month, check out iMommies. She also lists a good for this month-Rolaids!! This deal is almost free, but if you come across coupons, please share!!! :-)

Buy 5 boxes of Extra Strength Rolaids (3-Roll Packs): $2.19 each
Pay $10.95 + tax
Receive $10.00 in ECB
Limit 5

Remember that on all the "limit" deals, you DO NOT have to buy them all at once. You can spread out your purchases through-out the week/month, whichever applies.

You can sign up for updates on iMommies if you'd like. There are a lot of good deals to be found out there, and this is a site that puts it all in one place for those of us who don't have the time or the want-to to go looking for them!!

Quiet

It's so quiet here right now. I can hear birds warbling in the trees across the street. Brandon is playing nearby on the floor, totally intrigued by a new toy. It's really been a peaceful morning.

I was able to read some in the book of Acts as Brandon was nursing/resting earlier. The accounts of Paul's teaching and ministries always stir my heart to pray for missionaries, especially my parents. What a sacrifice it is to commit your life to spreading the Gospel of Christ to the masses-- to "count it all loss that I might win Christ!"

Well, laundry and housework are requiring my attention. I hope that your day was started with peacefulness and quiet as mine was. It's needful and refreshing!