Thankful on this Blustery Saturday Morning

The word blustery makes me think of Winnie-the-Pooh. Calvin used to LOVE Winnie-the-Pooh. Oh how I wish I could get those days back. There are so many things I would do differently. Like slow down, not take things so seriously, but maybe take other things more seriously. It's true what they say, they grow up SO FAST. I loved them as babies and I also love them at this age. It is so much fun to see the young men they are changing into. But this time is very full of worry for me. I fall asleep every night just praying for wisdom in how to parent them. And trying to give my worries to God about just how much I am screwing them up. These teenage years are definitely NOT for wimps. But I am thankful for them. Thankful for my boys. So very thankful. Thankful for the presence of God in their lives. And seeing evidence of that.

So back to my title....I'm very thankful for this 'blustery' Saturday morning. It's very windy outside, a storm is coming in today. Looking forward to having a family day of working together in the attic. Gotta tackle that beast together, it's a danger zone.

1. Spring - it's like a celebration of God's beauty.

2. Baby Lucy - some sweet friends just got their little baby girl last week and I got to hold her for like two blissful hours. I love her story and all the lives that her LIFE is impacting.

3. My Sweetie - he is such perfection to me.

4. My baby Dave and his softness, inside & out.

5. My Calvi and his big heart.

6. Kitty - he finally snuggled with me this morning.

7. The opportunity to purge and get down to more basics.

8. We are moving soon, to a home that will be ours to stay for a long time and enjoy being settled.

9. My small group & church family - they are like Christ in my life, everyday.

10. My God - the one God - who forgives me, who sustains me, who loves me like no other.

I hope you are finding lots to be thankful for today. There are blessings and joys all around us, you just have to choose to see them.

...it's good to be back...

What We've Been Doing

I used to have this listed in the sidebar. But I wanted to have it saved, as a journal of our doings for future remembrance and nostalgia. Your welcome.

My mama and daddy were here for 12 days. It was too much fun. We went to Asheville, NC to visit the Biltmore. We went to Tennessee to visit friends, very fun and relaxing. Spent a day on the lake on a boat, very cool. And laughed A LOT.

We've started back to school. Co-op craziness & busy-ness. Science class in my dining room. Doing math & spanish on the computers. Good times. The boys are having fun, except for when I have them actually do school work, they don't have so much fun with that.

The boys football games have started, so our Saturdays are spent at the park, relaxing (for us, not them) & playing (them, not us) and seeing friends.

Me, being the lover of all things scheduling is trying her hardest to fit everything in, find a doable schedule, not neglect relationships and figure out if loosing weight is really worth a precious time-slot. Blech!

Sunday Blessings

My heart is full.

I awoke this morning to these goobers playing catch in the backyard.

The sun was peeking through, and the coffee was brewing.

We get to go to church this morning, what a privilege.

Happy Sunday everyone. Love you.

Thankful on a Saturday Morning

I didn't do my thankful post on Thursday this week. It's sad, but I just wasn't feeling very thankful, I'm not quite sure why, but I've been working on praying more and wouldn't you know it, God has overwhelmed me with a thankful spirit again. He's so good that way.

1. I just said it in my sidebar, but I am VERY thankful that summer is coming to a close. I love the schedule of the school year. And I LOVE the cooler temperatures. I cannot wait to be able to enjoy the outdoors a whole lot more. This heat and humidity tends to make me feel sick. So even though it's not officially here yet, I am thankful for cooler temperatures and the season of Autumn.

2. My boy Calvin. I tease and complain and whine, but he's such a joy. He's a typical teenage boy with his quirks and all, but overall, he's SUCH a great kid. His heart is seeking Christ, and even just typing that makes me want to cry. He's super sweet to me and others as well. We are constantly getting comments from others about how much they like him, and I say that only because to me, that is such a direct testimony to what God can do in our lives. Calvin is all God's. I have had to pray and pray over the years that God would make up for all my short comings as a Mom to him. I have and do fail constantly, but God is prevailing and I am SO thankful.

3. The Word of God. My Bible. Every morning I yearn for time in it. Sitting with the Book open on my lap. Praying and just soaking It in.

4. Mrs. Elisabeth Elliot. Her writings are just precious and I'm so thankful for them. I just started to read (for the second time) "Keep a Quiet Heart"....

"This was my heart's desire then. It is the same today. A willing acceptance of all that God assigns and a glad surrender of all that I am and have constitute the key to receiving the gift of a quiet heart. Whenever I have balked, the quietness goes. Iit is restored, and life immeasurably simplified, when Ii have trusted and obeyed.

God loves us with an everlasting love. He is unutterably merciful and kind, and sees to it that not a day passes without the opportunity for new applications of the old truth of becoming a child of God. This, to me, sums up the meaning of life." AMEN!

5. Sweetie's unconditional love for me. No matter what. That's what he vowed. And that's what he shows me each and everyday. We've been together since I was 16, a lot changes in that amount of time, I mean, what am I now, 23? :o) No, really, I'm 38. That's a whole lotta time. Things change, people change, their looks...change, 'things' morph and move and well....aren't lookin' as good anymore. But the man is a saint and loves me. My sin has become harder and harder to hide, and yet, he still extends me that grace everyday. He shows me that forgiveness of God in everyway. And I am so very thankful.

6. My Baby Dave. He's got pimples. He likes a girl. He's learned how to talk back. He wants Justin Beiber hair (ugh). He runs circles (literally) around me everyday ALLDAY. He's a little clumsy and spills things easily. His room is most always a toxic area. And blah, blah, blah. But he's my baby. He will still curl up in my lap. Still wants lots of kisses and hugs from me. Still loves that bedtime ritual of 'just one more hug & kiss'. Is a whizz at memorizing scripture. Loves his Dad mostest and looks just like him, and I love that! He's a comedic genious with great timing. And he's got some sweet dance moves. And when we have to correct him, his heart is full of repentance and his prayers are precious.

7. Our Church. I LOVE going to church. I don't like being out of town and missing. I LOVE going to the Adult Bible Fellowship (Sunday School) with funny and precious Mr. Tim teachin' us; LOVE my time with our Small Group, all our peeps in there, precious friends; LOVE the worship we sing together with the great Mr. Josh leading us; and LOVE Pastor Dwayne and his preaching of the Word. Thank you Open Door, my Home, I just love you!

8. We interrupt this post to give you this video.... my Dave just called me away from my computer to share a sweet video he just found on the web....just for me, little 'ol me....love that boy. I dedicate this to all my friends, hard workin' Moms that you are!



Mahahahahahahahahaaa!!!!!!

9. The second cup of coffee that Sweetie just brought me. Still sitting here in the sunroom, nothing 'having' to be done this morning, reading, blogging, laughing with the family, Calvin getting to finally sleep in this morning. A perfect morning, and I'm very thankful.

10. My parents. They are coming to visit us in like a week and a half and staying for 12 days. And it's hilarious (and sad) to me that when people find out, they ask me, is that a 'good thing'? YES! It's a VERY good thing. I am very excited and can't wait and love them and miss them and have so much fun with them, we are counting the days till they get here. They are precious, and tomorrow marks them being married for 46 years! Congrats, Mama & Daddy, thanks for loving each other so much and for being such an awesome example to us, daily. We all love you so much! (Daddy, this is your yearly reminder to make sure you get her flowers or candy or a card or an apple fritter or somethin'...don't forget!)


Aren't they cute?? (this is them a few years ago, though they still look like this, all cute and stuff.)

My Barbara Walters Moment

I absolutely, 100 % stole this right from Crayola Lady’s blog (but she stole it first from Lori's blog) and had Dave (currently 12) answer the following fun questions:

1. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE T. V. SHOW? Deal or No Deal (family version)

2. WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? Bowl of Coco Puffs, 2 Waffles & 1 piece of bacon

3. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Bob

4. FAVORITE FOOD? Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (he’s getting Dad points for that one)

5. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE? Anything gluten – free (this comes from his mama eating gluten free for a whole month, the poor kid)

6. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? Red

7. FAVORITE LUNCH? See #4

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO? Play football (he meant to say snuggle with his mommy)

9. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Legoland

10. FAVORITE SPORT? Baseball & football

11. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? On leap year day (not really)

12. ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT PERSON? Morning

13. PETS: Yes, a shiba inu terrier mix, named Winston, who is the best dog in the universe. (not really)

14. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? I’ve got a girlfriend (yeh, but she doesn’t know it)

15. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Dentist

16. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? Skittles

17. WHERE IS THE FURTHEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN FROM HOME? California

18. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK? To Kill a Mockingbird

19. WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? Myself

20. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? Mission Impossible 3

21. WHICH CAME FIRST, THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG? What?


And then I did these questions as well…

1. What is your favorite word? Déjà vu

2. What is your least favorite word? Cuss Words

3. What do you like? God

4. What don't you like? Other gods

5. What sound or noise do you love? Ske-doosh (he meant to say the sound of his mother’s voice)

6. What sound or noise do you hate? Fingernails on a chalkboard

7. What profession would you not like to do? Work at the Dump

8. What would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Well done my good and faithful servant!!!"

WIWW (the last one)

This is the last time I'm doing this, cuz, well, I don't like it. But I don't have anything else to blog about tonight, and I do have a camera loaded with self-portraits, lovely. So here you go...oh and Sara, I didn't mean it, you don't get to comment, you goober. (just kidding, you know I love ya)



I don't know what day this was, and who knows WHAT we did.

feet: God
shorts: kohl's
top: ann taylor loft



Sunday, church & lunch. I didn't like this outfit at all, I felt all 'colorful' and stuff, but by the time I got it on, it was time to go and Sweetie was NOT hip with the whole 'I need to change' thing. Geesh.

sandals: kohl's, on clearance for like $5, wee-hoo
jeans: ann taylor loft
tank: eddie bauer
cardi: target



I don't remember what day this was, nor do I remember what I did while wearing it, something riveting, I'm sure.

flips: rainbows
capris: sam's club
cami: target
tunic: eddie bauer



Wednesday, hangin' at home and runnin' around just a tad...
flips: target
capris: gap, regular jeans, just folded up
top: thrifted

Hunting Season

So Dave walked out on the deck the other morning and got greeted by this lovely creature....

We will call him, Mr. Spider. I'm thinking with him being the size of a mini-bus, he deserves the Mr.


So Calvin, being the great protector and all, decided to go hunting....



And this is what was left of Mr. Spider after Calvin got done with him.

Mahahahahahaaaaa!!!! Don't mess with us, Mr. Spider!


We all feel SO much better, having Calvin around.