Sunday Songbook, Monday

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

Phillipians 3:8

We sang I'd Rather Have Jesus in church today. It is one of my faves even though it has been maybe a year since I have read or heard it. When a hymn is kept from the senses for a time its meaning can be renewed. It seemed so timely to hear it now that the "shopping season" is upon us. Funny though, I thought it was the CHRISTMAS season. A time of great joy and eternal hope turned into Happy Holidays. Then there is the depression that sets in when you begin to rationalize spending three months salary on 15 minutes of unwrapping. Really? Is it worth it?

I’d Rather Have Jesus

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand.

Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,
I’d rather be true to His holy name.

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out of the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs,
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

I’d Rather Have Jesus is a song written by Rhea F. Miller with the tune written by George Beverly Shea. This poem, written in 1922, was left on a piano in the Shea home by Bev Shea who wanted her son to find it and change the course of his life.

The words, I’d rather have Jesus, moved George so much and spoke to him about his own aims and ambitions in life. He sat down at the piano and began singing them with a tune that seemed to fit the words. Shea’s mom heard him singing it and asked him to sing it at church the next day.

George’s life direction did change. He was offered a popular music career with NBC, but a few years later chose to become associated with evangelist Billy Graham and sang this hymn around the world.

Information from All About God

Now I'm not saying that I am going to forgo the entire Christmas morning frenzy or the joy of sharing simple gifts from the heart with others, but I do know that the handmade and thrift store treasures will out number the store bought ones and the focus will be on the true meaning of the CHRISTmas season.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5

And Then Again...

You Are Mashed Potatoes

Ordinary, comforting, and more than a little predictable (Shouldn't I find that insulting?) You're the glue that holds everyone together. (Hmmm... Guess it depends on what kind of glue... superglue Yes! gluestick...No! )

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

I got this one from Dena at Green Acres. Its funny because I would have figured I was more like jellied cranberry sauce. A lot of people say they like it but at the end of the Thanksgiving feast the dish is still full and the slices of jellied berries go untouched. I guess folks want the real deal in the end... Not that I'm calling myself a big fake... just jellified and loaded with high fructose corn syrup. ;-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beth at Just Me - NC Beth tagged me with a game of "Six Random Things About Me!" I think I have played something similar before Here, Here, and Here.

But here are the real rules for those of you I tag. HA!

1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6).
3) Write 6 random things about yourself.
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

OK... so since I haven't done this one specifically, here we go...

1. I am addicted to cheesy, predictable, made for TV, Christmas movies.

2. I am hot ALL THE TIME!

3. My second toe is longer than my big toe.

4. I love my DVR.

5. I can not stand the sound of whistling.

6. I watch Sesame Street almost everyday.

YAY! I tag:

Julie
Tabi
Karen
Melissa
Andi
Danella

Oh yeah...

Happy
Thanksgiving

and all that.

Watch Me Wednesday ~ Ah Nuts!

*tap*tap*tap*

I hear at the sliding glass door.

*tap*tap*tap*

I draw back the drapes to see Mr. Squirrel waiting impatiently for my complete attention.

I open the door just enough to let his voice enter but nothing else.



Me: Can I help you?

Mr. S: Yes, as a matter of fact you can. There is something that has been driving us squirrels nuts for quite some time and we can remain silent no longer.

I smirked when he mentioned being silent because I know for a fact that they have been anything but. They are constantly chasing each other up and down the feeder tree, jumping to and from my sanctuary, and squabbling and chuckling over every morsel. Its bad enough that I swapped out my birds feeders for squirrel friendly ones but now I'm being harassed.



Me: (still smirking) And just what is it that has your squirrely tails in a bunch?

Mr. S (giving me a look that indicated he disapproved of my tone) As a matter of fact it is because you forgot to mention us entirely in your Critter Me This post.

Me: ???WHAT???

Mr. S: On your silly little blog you wrote about all the animals who live in the woods around you, and not once did you mention us squirrels. (Now his little forepaws are crossed and he is looking quite pouty).

Me: Seriously, I don't know how you were able to read my blog but squirrels are everywhere, I guess I just figured you guys being here was a given.

Mr. S: You mentioned flying squirrels...

Me: Not everyone who lives here even knows about those...

Mr. S: You mentioned raccoons and possums... they are everywhere. (his squeaky voice was beginning to raise into a fevered pitch). We were the laughing stock of the TRASH

Me: ???TRASH???

Mr. S: (He handed me a card) The Rodent Association of the SierraHs.

Me: ( I pointed) SierraHs?

Mr. S: We wanted it to spell something.

Now I'm becoming slightly annoyed and a little freaked out that the squirrels even know what blogging is or how to spell. I'm definitely going to pay closer attention to my electric and phone bills. They are always climbing on those wires.

Me: Look, Mr. Squirrel. I do apologize for not mentioning you on that post. How about I do an entire post just about squirrels.

Mr. S: Do you mean it or are you just trying to get me to go away?

Me: Both.

Mr. S: Fair enough.

And with that he scampered across the deck and jumped onto the feeder tree. Moments later I hear some loud chattering. I stick my head out the door.

Me: What now?

Mr. S: The feeders are empty and we have company coming.

Me: Well, get it your self... I have a post to do, remember.

Awards and Cawfee Tawk

Look at what I received...



Isn't it pretty!? Saundra from An Italian Mama Gone Crazy gave it to me. Her blog is fun and opinionated, and crazy, all in a good way, and she loves visitors and comments so hop on over there and check out her fabulous blog. :-D

Thanks Saundra! LOL... although, I'm not sure about the grammar. ;-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WATCH OUT!!!

*subject change*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just a word to the wise...

If you are feeling like this...

Then drop everything and have some of this,

add a little bit of this...

Trust me, it does wonders ;-)

I am so thankful
for cawfee and tawk.
And true friends who are blessings
in every way.

Sunday Songbook

When I was shuffling through hymns of thanks for todays Sunday Songbook I came upon this one and thought it was perfect in every way. For the season, the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, and just for how I have been feeling of late. Times are hard, the economy is in peril, our nation has turned against itself but still God prevails, provides, and His will perseveres.

Come, Ye Thankful People Come

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.

Henry Alford, 1844

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:4-5

Tag Tag and a Confirmation

About two weeks ago I got tagged by Ladies of the House who asked us to share a bit about our wheels. Well, I seem to be unable to catch a photo of myself in my minkidhauler so a pic of My Love in his wheels will have to suffice.


Everyday when Daddy gets home from work the kids run (literally) screaming (literally) and jump (literally) into the back of his tired old compact pickup and go for a wild ride around the property. I asked My Love if he minded coming home every day to a screaming mob of hooligans... and this is so sweet... He said, "It will be a sad day, years from now, when the house is empty and I come home from work and no one runs out to greet me." I didn't want My Love to be sad so I volunteered, "Aww, I'll run out and climb in the back of your truck, baby."

After a moment of laughter he replies, "Now THAT... I would like to see."

I hope he knows that I meant I would do it WITH MY CLOTHES ON!

Sicko ;-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just the other day my friend at Fresh Fixins tagged me with this one:

Tag of 7s

• Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules in your post.
• Share seven random/weird facts about yourself.
• Tag seven random people and link to their blogs.
• Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment in their blog.

SEVEN RANDOM/WEIRD FACTS ABOUT MYSELF:

• Whenever I am put on the spot to find random interesting/weird things about myself I suddenly become a huge bore AND completely normal. Go figure.
• I love the way my cats smell. Their fur, their breath... I don't know why... call me weird.
• Every night I MUST read my comics from the newspaper in a certain order as I fall asleep. I love comics. :-0
• Long nails totally gross me out! Especially on feet... oh sick :-p
• I would rather spend time with My Love then any other person. ( I think that is kind of weird in this day and age).
• I never liked kids, even when I was one. I did the whole babysitting thing (for the $) and I was good at it, but whenever someone would ask if I wanted kids I would always say NOOOOOooooooo! LOL, now I have four of my own and I love them more than I ever thought I could and I couldn't imagine my life without them.
• I am actually an incredibly lazy person. If I were alone and independently wealthy, I WOULD NEVER GET OUT OF BED. Seriously. Remote in one hand, beef jerky in the other, and a computer in my lap. All I would need is for someone to bring me the comics.
  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And as if all that wasn't bad enough I found this at 2nd Cup of Coffee. You can find out where your blog stands... if you dare. Here is what it said about me.

That just confirms what I knew all along. I stopped maturing in Junior High. Well... mentally anyway. Which may explain why I make myself feel awkward.

Oh the humanity!

pppptptptppbpbpbpbbbbttt.

Writer's Workshop

Hostessed by the fatabulously hilarious Mama Kat!
YES! I know hostessed isn't a word... but it should be :-p

The Prompts:

1.) The last time I laughed really hard...

2.) Forgive and forget...I think.

3.) I remember when...

4.) Write about something that bothered you this week.

5.) Write a poem about a favorite color.

Yay! I'm feeling full of it so I'm gonna do all five. What!?! HA!

1) The last time I laughed really hard it had something to do with a horse kicking up its legs and passing gas on America's Funniest Home Videos. I know, I am so mature... so mature in fact that I put my DVR to good use and watched the incident approximately 43 times. Seriously, I was CRYING and the kids were begging me to not go back again. Poor things. Oh the humanity! Sometimes ya just gotta let loose.

2) Forgive and forget especially when it comes to your kids being kids. I'm sure they didn't mean to clog the toilet giving their stuffed bunny toy a swirly bath. And I'm sure they didn't want to break that window pane fighting over whose turn it was to help Mommy sweep. I know the little darlings did not intend to spill milk on the carpet, drop eggs on the linoleum, and empty three boxes of cereal onto the table... they were just trying to help with breakfast. And when you are changing your shirt for the third time this morning because the kiddles mistook it for a towel once again it really is best to forgive and forget and move on ... I think.

*shrug*

Kids will be kids.

3) I remember when I was skinny and I didn't even think so at the time, but I WAS! I felt good, I looked good, I worked out, I was fit, and I fit into EVERYTHING in my closet. What happened!?! Don't remind me... I know, I know, four kids later... but is that really an excuse? NO WAY! I just spent so much time taking care of everyone else that I have forgotten to take care of myself. *sigh* pppptptptppbpbpbpbbbbttt

4)This week I was bothered by many things I'm sure. All so significantly life changing that I have completely forgotten what they are. Oh wait... see prompt 2. At least I have the forgiven part down.

5)My favorite color is blue.

Acrostic Blue

Balmy

Languid

Utopian bliss,

Ethereal.

Haiku Blue

Peace big as the sky.

Eternally flows the cool.

Floating, eyes closed, blue.

Rhyming Prose Blue

Its not easy being blue.

Such sadness expected of you.

When all I really want to do

Is take a moment or two

and be myself when its all through.

Eh, that last one wasn't so hot :-p

But I'm just plain worn out!

Happy reading!

Watch Me Wednesday

Kiah will not be the only ballerina in the house if Eden has anything to do with it.

Eden asks at least three times a day, "Do you wanna watch my ballet."

At least three times a day I say, "Oh yes."

"Then you'll havta close the 'puter Mom." she replies.

That is how the conversation goes... every time. So either she only asks me to watch her ballet when I'm using the computer or this thing is in my lap waaaaaay too much.

In any case,



Pretty good, I'd say, despite the distractions of fairies flitting by and camera flashes going full force.

Stop in Any Time

We found the most delightful spot amidst a ring of oak. Padded with pine needles and painted with moss.

A gift from our friend the kinglet. She had to move on with her song but left you the softest of beds. We gathered a lovely leaf for you to cover and a single shingle of bark to ward off the chill.

I do hope you find it to your liking.

The sitting room is set with a table of stone and a drop of dew to assist you in washing up and settling in. Please enjoy a sway in the green leaf hammock and rest your tired wings.

We welcome you fairies and pixies and sprites. please enjoy a stay in a nook made with you in mind. You may come and go as you wish without a single soul in the know or...

...we have a confident staff who would be delighted to fulfill your every whim.

Twas the Night 'fore

Twas the night 'fore Reformation
and all through the house
not a child was stirring, not even my spouse.

The pumpkins were chosen and set aside with care
waiting to be reformed with artistic flare.

I sliced off the top and scooped out the guts
no faces for these, they escaped that ol' rut.

I stuffed in some foam and replaced the top
Then brought in some carns from my grocery stop.

I snipped and I poked all those flowers in place
my fingers worked at a joyous pace.

Fall was at hand and I was crafting away
my ceterpieces shaping up quite nice I would say.

Finally done, I cleaned up my mess
My pumpkins were ready for my table to bless.

Now ready to greet my guests with glee
One for you to take home and then one for me.

Fall blessings to all
who stopped by to play
Thank you for reading my blog today.

Sunday Songbook ~ Fireproof

I tried to write a review but the words just weren't coming out right.

Fireproof is a lower budget movie so don't go expecting a huge production. JUST GO. It is totally worth seeing by anyone who is married or plans on getting married, believers and nonbelievers alike.

Not convinced? Here are three good reasons to see it:

1. As believers we need to send a message to Hollywood that we highly approve of good, clean films.

2. It can open up discussions between you and your spouse that are, perhaps, long over due.

3. Use it to evangelize. Invite a non-christian friend and offer to buy her ticket. Maybe they won't go to church with you but who wouldn't accept a free show.

P.S. If you don't carry tissues in your purse then grab a couple napkins from the concession stand. I leaked several times and even My Manly Love darn near spurt a tear.

Beckyjomama at Sweet Abundance is going through each love dare from the film. She discusses how she applied it to her own marriage. If you are interested in doing the love dares visit her or go to the fireproof website by clicking on the poster above.

In my own marriage I am incredibly blessed to have a man such as My Love. He is truly a gift from God and I thank My Heavenly Father every day for coupling me with a man who loves me as Christ loves me...

Just As I Am

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Miss Charlotte Elliott was vi­sit­ing some friends in the West End of Lon­don, and there met the em­i­nent min­is­ter, Cé­sar Ma­lan. While seat­ed at sup­per, the min­is­ter said he hoped that she was a Christ­ian. She took of­fense at this, and re­plied that she would ra­ther not dis­cuss that quest­ion. Dr. Ma­lan said that he was sor­ry if had of­fend­ed her, that he al­ways liked to speak a word for his Mas­ter, and that he hoped that the young la­dy would some day be­come a work­er for Christ. When they met again at the home of a mu­tu­al friend, three weeks lat­er, Miss Ell­i­ott told the min­is­ter that ev­er since he had spok­en to her she had been try­ing to find her Sav­iour, and that she now wished him to tell her how to come to Christ. “Just come to him as you are,” Dr. Ma­lan said. This she did, and went away re­joic­ing. Shortly af­ter­ward she wrote this hymn.

1835

Cyber Hymnal

King Castle

Down here on the Street we know how to built a nest for nap time. Often referred to as a fort or, my favorite, king castle, these piles of comforter and fluff show up in various locations around the house. A few times a day I am summoned by, "Mooooooooommy, come look at my king castle."



I walk towards the voice noticing along the way that every bed has been stripped. The nester is my little Eden. My chipmunk. Her nest is usually filled with books, a few special toys and whatever she had left from snack time. There is nothing more quirkalicious then checking on my little one during her nap and seeing her passed out in her king castle down on the Street.

I Have Been Instructed to Go to Bed Early

So I'll make this quick...

Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee has borrowed this fill-in questionnaire and since I have nothing better to do...

What is your writing process?

I write pretty much how I think. I ALWAYS have spurty, yes, spurty bits of commentary running through my head and for the most part it is completely random. Random and rhymy. My thoughts rhyme a lot. If I am lucky I actually get to jot down an idea and fill it out. My blog is mostly just the overflow of my brain. On the other hand, when I speak out loud, its just pppptptptppbpbpbpbbbbttt.

What are your greatest creative inspirations?

That is a great question... meaning I have no idea.

What are your greatest creative barriers?

Time, energy and a junior high vocabulary. Sometimes I have a supafantastic idea blossoming and I don't have the energy to think it out or the time to look up words that make me sound half way out of high school.

What is your favorite word?

pppptptptppbpbpbpbbbbttt.

What is your least favorite word?

"Stinkin". See, told you, junior high. Now my son is saying it and I hate the way it sounds :-p

What sound or noise do you love?

Silence. Is that a sound? Ah-ha! Simon says!

What sound or noise do you hate?

pppptptptppbpbpbpbbbbttt.

What is your favorite curse word?

To me "stinkin" IS a curse word :-0

A song/band/type of music you'd risk wreck & injury to turn off when it comes on the radio?

Any song that plays itself out then repeats the same phrase (lyrically or instramentaly) over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.....

Best show on television?

The Office. Right now I would give up all other tv just to be able to watch it. Even American Idol.

Favorite movie?

Anything with Audrey Hepburn, any well put together romantic comedy: Ever After, You've Got Mail, Princess Bride, The Holiday, The Truman Show, Sabrina(new and old). Cheezy Christmas movies, and I'm in love with Spiderman NOT TOBY MCGUIRE! I love super hero movies.

Favorite room in your house?

Would I be evil if I said any room that is currently empty.

Best concert?

What's a concert?

Brass or strings?

Strings, please.

If you could have anything put on a t-shirt what would it be?

Couldn't I just have all the kid stains removed from my current ones.

The best part about being your age?

I think I'm finally old enough to know better but not too old to try it anyway.

Favorite Girl Scout cookie?

Samoas.

Poker or gin or bridge?

Huh? Ever heard of Spite & Malice? Nothing brings a husband and wife closer.

Shower or bath?

SHOWER! Now if I had a tub with jets... I would never get out.

Favorite pajamas?

:-0

Nightmare job?

:-0

A talent you wish you had?

I want it all, baby! OK, maybe just get paid for writing and play the piano (or my flute) well enough for people to actually want to listen.

Dream vacation?

Europe, My Love, two months, back packs, no kids.

What's on your nightstand?

Lamp, earplugs, candy wrapper(s), Small tin of misc. buttons, various books and mags I have been meaning to crack open, back scratcher, Sudoku puzzle book, last nights comics page from the news paper, Calvin and Hobbs treasury for when last nights comics didn't put me to sleep.

3 weird things about you:

• I didn't really like dogs until I had kids. Guess I became accustomed to the dependence.
• I have a love/hate relationship with bathroom humor.
• pppptptptppbpbpbpbbbbttt.

Hmmm... 1:30 a.m. is early... for me. Shhh, don't tell My Love.

Watch Me Wednesday

Well, for crying out loud...

so much for being sympathetic to mother nature...no... God's creation.

Just to clear things up Black Widows are not vicious man eaters... OK, yes, the female eats the male after mating but hasn't every one of us women felt that way at least once in our life. Lets cut the girl some slack, huh. A black widow is not particularly fast moving if you're not another insect. We had spent so much time looking at her and talking about her that I just didn't feel particularly right about squishing this ONE spider.

As I said, any other spider would have been toast. I was just taking advantage of the teachable moment. The beauty and uniqueness of one of God's creatures, and then a lesson in compassion.

I promise it won't happen again... (now where did i put that 'eyeroll' smiley)

;-)

And now, on to the show...

There is a near nightly event which occurs in my home that may baffle the mind of the mere mortal in us all. A collection and release of so much spontaneous energy that it puts atom splitting to shame.

Usually after dinner, in the calm before the storm, a slight rumble begins to swell somewhere in the living room. A giggle here, a snort there, then like a herd of wild horses spooked by thunder,

they are off...






If you got dizzy or nauseous from watching this I do apologize.



As I mentioned in yesterdays post, I am going to pick up my parents at the airport. I will have to leave the house before dinner in order to do this. My Love is a very hard working man and I sometimes feel guilty about abandoning him with the kids after he has had such a long day at work. (and after watching the video you can see why) I usually get at least one night out by myself to buy groceries but this week he is going above and beyond the call of duty. He insists that he doesn't mind and that I deserve the time away but I thought I would do something special for him nonetheless.

Thank You My Love :-D

I've Got Nuthin'

... as in ideas. They are somewhere around here. I had them a few minutes ago. I think the problem is that I sent my brain on vacation and it got stuck in traffic on the return trip. At least thats what it keeps telling me on the cell which suspiciously keeps cutting out. Such a shady character that brain.













My parents will be returning from Africa on Wednesday. I can't wait for two reasons. First I get to go pick them up at the airport which may seem like a chore but it gets me out of the house :-D And second... I will have some adults around to interact with during the day. YAY! please pray with me for their traveling safety.




A few nights ago My Love points up to a corner above the door and asks, "Did you see our pet black widow?" My response, "nuh uh" I know... I'm smart and witty.

But it was indeed a black widow. They are common here outside where they prefer to be but this one must have hitched a ride into the woodbox. My Love and I coerced her into a baggie and showed the kids the red hourglass and shiny black body and long spotted legs that characterize this spider. Then we let her go out in the woods far from the house. It was all very dramatic.

I believe I heard a small, whispered "thank you" as we turned to walk away.

Honestly, if were any other spider I would have squished it so don't start thinking I'm a spider hugger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Veteran's Day!!!

To all of you
who faught to protect our freedoms,
I salute you!
My Love is a veteran af a foriegn war.
A Navy man.
Thank you to every veteran out there
of every branch.
God Bless!

Technicalities with the Sniffles

What a week. I feel like I got so much done despite being run ragged by the technicalities in life.

Hmmm... seems kind of stoic referring to my kids as technicalities but I'll have you all know that they are the apples of my eye. Sometimes crabapples but apples nonetheless ;-)




Every Sunday My Love and I attend church with an optimistic attitude and high hopes that Mommy (me) will be able to sit through an entire service, the kids will be silent and not whisper "I'm hungry" "I have to go potty" "She touched me" "I'm thirsty" "Can I color" "He hit me" "She's breathing my air" (seriously!?!) every ten seconds to the power of four. However, the past two weeks have not been in my favor. Last week the kids were collectively trying to be helpful which I appreciate but tended to have a too many cooks in the kitchen effect. Everything I tried to do was undone before I could finish doing the next thing. Sitting and waiting patiently for Mommy to fix their plates at the church fellowship was not on the kids' list of things to be helpful about.

Yesterday's service was great ... until it started. With Sunday morning all a bustle with two adults and four children trying to get dressed and ready and out the door I didn't notice that the mild case of sniffles that the kids had come down with on Wednesday had, in fact, not subsided but become worse. WHY DIDN'T I NOTICE THIS BEFORE WE GOT TO CHURCH? That would have been convenient. When it came time to sit down and be still the kids could not.

They were not loud, and to the average congrigent their struggles may have been unnoticeable, but to the trained ear of the Momminator it was akin to an ice pick stabbing my eardrum. It really wasn't their fault. They were uncomfortable. SO at the break I made the decision to take them all home rather than trying to force them through to the end of service. We even skipped Awanas.

Anyway, back to what I accomplished this week. Clothes. That's right. They were everywhere. It appeared as though all of our closets and dressers had thrown-up onto our bathroom floor. I caught up. Yippee! AND I put away all the spring/summer outfits AND I did a clothes shift for the girls (Kiah's clothes to Eden's drawers, Eden's to Marli's and Marli's to storage... anyone in need of girly baby clothes 18 mo. down?) AND I went through and dispersed all the Fall/winter clothes AND sorted tons of hand me downs (we have been very blessed in this area, thanks ;-) you know who you are).

Finally, yes Mommy, I cleaned my room. Yes I did! I even vaccuumed which hasn't been done in an embarrassingly long amount of time :-0 I got rid of and put away piles of clutter and unfinished projects. Its so satisfying to get that off my mind.

My next project... the office.
No, not the show.
The area.

Scary, I know.

Sunday Songbook

With all the hustle and bustle of living life I almost completely forgot that Thanksgiving day is nearly upon us. I've got to get some new sweatpants ;-) I am thankful for sweat pants. I am thankful for our unusually casual Thanksgiving dinner which allows me to remain in my sweats all day. I am thankful for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. And I am thankful for my little man, James, who upon seeing the Rockettes perform last year, stated matter-of-factly, "Mommy all those kickers forgot their pants."





Now thank we all our God

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessèd peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills, in this world and the next!

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
The Son and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God, whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

Martin Rinkart 1636

CyberHymnal

What Day is it Again???

If you normally do not read longer posts but just the first paragraph then jump to the comments then, please, do me a favor, and go to the last paragraph before you get bored... that's where the important stuff is... BUT WAIT! If by chance you have lost all respect for me because I actually expressed an opinion which you didn't agree with please accept my apologies. I would still like to be your friend :-D

I now return you to your regularly scheduled,
pathetic excuse for a fill in post.

Well 10 minutes and some odd seconds ago it was Wednesday. WEDNESDAY! The single mostest fastest day of my week! And usually Watch Me Wednesday but since I was a little distracted AND my kids are sick AND I can't upload videos at home AND there is no way I am going to Safeway now, YOU my loyal fans are out of luck.

Really, I just forgot. My brain is such that I will remember something I need to do and pretend for a moment that I am going to write it down then I here a loud "EEEWWWWWW!!!!" from the bedroom and I end up spending the next twenty minutes getting poop off the floor only to see that one of my other lovely children tried to clean the VCR by shoving golf ball size wads of wet, soapy toilet paper in the video slot and upon prying them out I hear an odd noise from behind the dresser which turns out to be the lizard that some how escaped from the cage a week before. Then Kiah asks, "Mommy, when are we going to do school?" And James screams, "NOOOOOOO!!!! I don''t want SCHOOOOOOOOL!!!" As Marli runs by spanking her own dimpled bum singing, "NAKEY NAKEY NAKEY NAKEY!"

Now what was I going to do?

See what I mean?

:-p

This morning as I woke up the kids I was greeted by a trio of snifflers stumbling forth mumbling something about temperatures and sickies and tissues and all day on the couch with videos.

Uh huh ::insert eyeroll here::

No, I'm not heartless. I coddled and took temperatures and passed out tissues but it is just a case of the sniffles. Enough to keep us home from ballet but not enough to keep us from the school table. Although it did turn out to be a half day ;-) See, I care.

Now its Thursday. The day I write the shopping list in eager anticipation of getting to go out on Friday BY MYSELF! :-D The day we usually take a drive into town to visit a park or library or drivethru or toy isle (we don't buy, just dream) because Mommy has a little cabin fever. The day My Love comes home for dinner then rushes off to Bible study. The night I usually let the kids watch a full length video because an hour and a half before bedtime I. HAVE. HAD. ENUF. So much so that I can't even spell out the whole word. The night My Love gets home from Bible study just in time to snuggle up to watch The Office together before he snorts himself off to sleep.

~sigh~

One last thing before I sign off for the night/morn. I want to send out across cyber space a hearty heartfelt thank you to all of my sisters in Christ out there in the blog world. I have had some concerns and naughty thoughts over the events of the past two days and I appreciate all of your wisdom and faith in our Heavenly Father that everything will be OK. It is not ours to fret or to worry but to pray. Thank you for reminding me of that, for letting me know I am not alone, and for encouraging my heart in Him.

By His Grace, Becky

Now I Get to Ramble

I have no subject in mind but I will try to remember to change up the font every so often and add a random pic so you don't get too bored. This is going to be a doosie. Dosey. Doosy. Anyone have a clue as to what the correct spelling of doosie is. Your best guess is fine... my spell check has nuthin'

BTW I want to let all my loyal readers (all three of you including myself) that when I misspell something it is usually on purpose to denote how I am actually thinking it in my head. Consider it a compliment that I give you a rare glimpse of what goes on in there.

WARNING:
Radical subject changes ahead.
There will be no further warning!

So I was driving my minikidhauler the other day and was so excited about the declining gas prices. I think the lowest I saw was $2.59 (for cash) I was giddy! I remember a time when I was thrilled that the price of gas dropped lower than $4. And I distinctly remember telling my mother, about six months ago, that we would NEVER see gas prices go below $3 EVER EVER EVER again! Goes to show what I know... I was such an optimist 6 months ago... now I think recession are GRrrrrRRRREAT! Oops...er... not recession... uh... depression... no... ?... Will someone with a brain full of left wing liberal media opinions fill me in here?

Wait... shh... listen... can you hear my eyes roll?



Sorry, perhaps I am out of line... I'm a little bitter :-(


When I started this blog I had intended it to be something for myself and as it turns out I am my kids. Could I possibly talk about anything else? Do ya think!? I was scrolling through my posts and realized that what I have on my hands is a MOM BLOG! Oh the humanity. Not that mom blogs are bad, just not much of an escape for me :-p

It actually turns out that I just need to know that other moms are going through the same angst as me. Where I come from it does not seem that having angst over your children is possible or allowed. I am proud to be a mom blog reader. I feel much better about myself ;-)

I totally intended to NOT watch any news or any coverage until 10 tonight but there I was at 9 a.m. scanning the news stations to see what was going on out there. I was appalled at the lack of serious reporting. However, when we tuned into Sesame Street I was quite impressed with the time the Muppets spent explaining voting and different aspects of election. We held our own election here at home. It was between Democratic hot dogs and the Republican PB&Js. When Hot dogs won (written on the board in blue) Kiah shouted out, "OH NO Mommy! We don't want blue to win!"

Good girl Kiah :-D But I digress...

JUST KIDDING!Hmmm... apparently not it would seem :-/ And I promise that will be the last I speak of polytics except to say that at least we got prop 8 approved.

Anyway, it turns out that we were out of hot dogs (but actually they were hiding behind the tea) so we had grilled cheese sandwiches instead.

Mission Monday... and Whatever Else Comes to Mind

Go Go Go!!!

You only have until midnight then this blog turns into a pumpkin! Okay, not really but the midnight part is true. PLUS, you can win a super schnazzy hand bag by Carissa's Apricot A Lot.


They look like this...


Kinda SASSY, don'cha think?


Just go to go to HalftimeLessons or DirtySocksandPizza to get the entire run down on the rules. It really looks like fun and who doesn't like fun and prizes and pumpkins!? Sorry, again the pumpkin is irrelevant. :-p


Be sure to do the Mr. Linky thing then go on a scavenger hunt blogosphere style! These blogs are TOO funny so they are worth visiting even if you aren't going to play


FUN! FUN! FUN!


SHOOT! I was gonna ramble on about nothing and respond to a few tags but its time to start dinner... :-p Where did that extra hour go!?