tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22525281482195500192024-03-13T23:18:11.221-07:00Made for His purpose"God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey His own purpose" Phillipians 2:13Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-15591485522124144712012-04-25T20:25:00.002-07:002012-04-25T20:25:55.621-07:00Wow... What a year!As we near the end of the school year, I am amazed! December found my child very unhappy, angry, unable to read at his grade level and just not the kid I once knew. Something had to change! As I've blogged before, that change happened in the form of home school via Connections Academy. What a difference this made in my life, and the life of my child. He is happy, we are closer than ever, he is reading at grade level, he's making great grades!
(All A's, with 1 B by one point). We laugh, we play, we experiment. I give credit to so many people for this success! First and foremost, My God and Savior for allowing me the opportunity to share this incredible experience with my son. Second, my family and friends for supporting our endeavor and working with us when we needed help with scheduling issues with Caleb, etc... Third, Christopher had one of the most amazing teachers EVER this year, Mrs. Ashley Dickert. She has coached him, encouraged him, joked with him, pushed him, and has just been someone he could count on to see that he got to the next level! We love you Mrs. Dickert! Joy Adams, who volunteered and took on the task of tutoring Christopher in reading. What a saint she is. He literally fusses every week when it's time to go, but then comes out saying "mom that was so much fun, I love Ms. Joy". I love Ms.Joy too! I thank my son for being open enough to try this. It was a change that was necessary, but one that impacted our lives forever. Will he be going back to a public brick and mortar school next year you ask? NO! We will continue at Connections Academy and continue with the success we have begun. My daddy always told me "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Well, there isn't a thing to fix here! Wow, What a year we had! We are done with Science and Social Studies for the year (provided we don't get the opportunity to do an extra credit project to bring that B in Science up to an A). Just Language Arts, Math, and Art. Less than a month to go. We are ready for the break, but you can rest assured we will be ready for a new year come August.
3rd Grade, here we come!!!
Picture below: Christopher & Mrs. Dickert when they met at Park day! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-adFKF9V9aA8/T5i_pLGhNWI/AAAAAAAAAL0/T9QLBWtppNc/s1600/christopher%2Band%2Bashley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-adFKF9V9aA8/T5i_pLGhNWI/AAAAAAAAAL0/T9QLBWtppNc/s320/christopher%2Band%2Bashley.jpg" /></a></div>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-50955902935739787902012-01-20T15:10:00.000-08:002012-01-20T15:27:41.616-08:00Week 1 SUCCESS!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMODsgEdYA8/Txn3LWvf7II/AAAAAAAAAJw/kZ9d_yJ-pao/s1600/earthfare1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMODsgEdYA8/Txn3LWvf7II/AAAAAAAAAJw/kZ9d_yJ-pao/s200/earthfare1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699858577869499522" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So.... We started week 1 on a Thursday (Jan. 12)... We ended today (the 20th) with a much different perspective of homeschool! Do we like it? WE LOVE IT! I have listened to so many people ask questions: (What kind of curriculum do they use? Will he have any social skills? Will he be able to keep up with other kids his age (i.e. the same level of work).) Are you kidding me? This curriculum is amazing and heads and tails above what he has been doing at his local public school. He had his very first spelling test this week. WHAT, you say? That's right. My child who is in 2nd grade, had never had a spelling test. I'm pleased to say he did very well. His 3 science words this week were adapt, annual, and nutrients. Well, adapt was a very easy word to explain. We did it all week long. Christopher adapted to me being mom and teacher. Caleb adapted to not being the center of the universe anymore. He went with Nonna and spent the night on Wed. night, so Christopher and I could have some extra time to do school (he was such a big boy). Fred adjusted to not having my undivided attention at night (well maybe not so much a stretch for that one, LOL). Christopher started really learning phonics this week. He learned that when you add and e on the end of hid, it made the short sound of i, long. Imagine that, it makes reading so much easier when you understand the rules. He learned, 00 and u can have the same sound and not say pool or you. They can say push and cook. He is excited to be reading new words. I am excited to ride down the road and him just blurt out words he reads on signs. It's like a whole new world has opened up to us. We practiced his math (geometry is our subject right now) while cutting his sandwich for lunch. "What shape is your sandwich?". "If we cut it in half this way, what shape is it?". "How can we cut two lines and make 4 triangles". We also completed a weather chart, and a science project on condensation and evaporation. He received a 97-A on his first portfolio submission and a 100-a on his first two quizzes. He is a NEW CHILD! He is positive about school. He is happy. Our home is peaceful. What a difference a week makes. We went on our first field trip with the local Connections Academy group today and had a blast. We went to Earthfare and had a yummy lunch and then got a tour of the store...and just for you people out there who ask..."Will he be social...."<br />I THINK SO!!!!!! What fun these kids were... Looking forward to hanging out with them much more!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yA3PVS3A8JI/Txn3ZlNfxNI/AAAAAAAAAKI/UqMZgDZ6CmU/s1600/earthfare3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yA3PVS3A8JI/Txn3ZlNfxNI/AAAAAAAAAKI/UqMZgDZ6CmU/s200/earthfare3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699858822271583442" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdFhxE9yQn4/Txn3ViY9vKI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/ZGW9r26Jh3Q/s1600/earthfare2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdFhxE9yQn4/Txn3ViY9vKI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/ZGW9r26Jh3Q/s200/earthfare2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699858752794901666" border="0" /></a>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-44250393053609505852012-01-10T12:57:00.001-08:002012-01-10T13:02:31.340-08:00The Adventure Begins!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lq7mP6aX2_Q/TwynQbqylTI/AAAAAAAAAJk/os66SJwqorI/s1600/home%2Bschool%2Bsupplies" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lq7mP6aX2_Q/TwynQbqylTI/AAAAAAAAAJk/os66SJwqorI/s200/home%2Bschool%2Bsupplies" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696111529463813426" /></a><br />Pardon the fuzzy pic, it was taken with my cell phone. I received a big box via UPS today. Inside was a plethera of goodies. I almost squealed with delight! Everything I need to help Christopher be successful as a student. He of course, is outside enjoying one of his last days before school starts, so he hasn't seen them yet, but I know he is going to be so excited. He loves science and the science kit is so cool! He loves art, and as you can see from the picture, they sent so many neat things for him to use. He may just drool over the headset alone, just to talk online to his teacher. Once again, I marvel at God's goodness at allowing me the opportunity to be able to do this with my son. I never thought in a million years, I would be teaching my son, but hopefully you can tell from my post, I am super excited. I hope one day, he will appreciate just how much this means to me! And so.... The adventure begins!!!!Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-29687734386989388032012-01-09T19:17:00.000-08:002012-01-09T19:31:07.747-08:00A new adventure!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpHuG1LAtu4/TwuweCLUpqI/AAAAAAAAAJY/mX5qv260ck0/s1600/christopher%2Band%2Bsanta%2Bknuckles.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 185px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpHuG1LAtu4/TwuweCLUpqI/AAAAAAAAAJY/mX5qv260ck0/s200/christopher%2Band%2Bsanta%2Bknuckles.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695840183767049890" /></a><br />Two more days and a new adventure begins for our family! HOME SCHOOL! Out of necessity and for many reasons we have prayerfully and thoughtfully made the decision to homeschool Christopher for the rest of 2nd grade. I'm not sure who is more excited... Christopher or myself? It's a step we almost took after Kindergarten, but then he had such a great teacher in first grade, we were glad we waited. Then came 2nd grade. Shew, I was determined to make the best of a bad situation, but my sweet natured, independent, self-confident child was somehow changing and I did not like the changes. I wanted him back! Meeting after meeting with his teacher and other school officials brought no change. He was sliding further and further behind, but not enough for them to reach out and help him. (don't get me wrong, there are some great educators at his old school and I love them). We were at a crossroads. I prayed all night and day one complete day and the only thing that came to me was HOME SCHOOL! I finally went to Fred and said "I think I am going to home school Christopher". I did all the research and found out which program I wanted to use. Fred listened and said "let's pray about it". We did and agreed, this was our best choice. Then we worried how our little social Dragonfly would take it! He was thrilled. His last day at his public "brick and mortar" school, he literally heaved a sigh of relief and smiled when we left. I didn't realize how much my son was holding in. Over Christmas break, he told me more and more that made me realize what a good decision I had made. One night, on a quiet ride home, it was just he and I in the car. Christopher looked at me, he said "mom, you are my best friend". I said "Why is that Christopher". His response brought tears to my eyes. "Because you always believed in me and never gave up on me, I love you mom!". What a validation to my decision! One thing I know for sure.... We will have challenges, there will be days when I wonder, "Why did I think I could do this" and then there will be days when he just "gets it" and I get to be the one to see it "click". That will make it all worth it! I am so ready for this adventure!!!!!!!! We got this Christopher... I love you!Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-24293667347725933642011-12-23T13:52:00.001-08:002011-12-23T13:58:13.370-08:00The Great Big Year End Celebration<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8ZljJtgprc/TvT5NvJB-iI/AAAAAAAAAJM/ahXJ-BAhUEE/s1600/great%2Bbig%2Bgiveaway.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8ZljJtgprc/TvT5NvJB-iI/AAAAAAAAAJM/ahXJ-BAhUEE/s200/great%2Bbig%2Bgiveaway.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689446243663739426" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128); line-height: 14px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span>amandabuechlerphotographyblog.</span><wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block; "></span>com<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">This is an AMAZING giveaway for photographers. Go to the link above and follow the instructions! What a way to end the year! All photographers could use this stuff! It's a plethera of good stuff! </p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Good luck, but hope I win!! :) LOTS OF LOVE! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</p>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-68072953343235782812011-07-20T17:32:00.000-07:002011-07-20T18:22:18.469-07:00God has led us through His word!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfg5HrgxMEw/Tid_PCug1mI/AAAAAAAAAJE/qbq4RtIFWVg/s1600/myrtle%2Bbeach%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Bpic.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfg5HrgxMEw/Tid_PCug1mI/AAAAAAAAAJE/qbq4RtIFWVg/s200/myrtle%2Bbeach%2B2011%2Bfamily%2Bpic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631609755456820834" border="0" /></a><br />Following vacation, you would say I should be relaxed, but I wasn't. Things still weren't normal! We still were "floundering"... We just didn't know what we were supposed to do about church, and what God's will was. Well He showed up, and showed out! We went back to the church Christopher was insisting on, and it was again, GREAT! However, my question was "how do I make a decision, when my husband can't go to church with me?" How do we do this. My answer came in the form of an "old" friend. She attends the church and is leaving this Sunday to go on a Mission Trip to Guana. (SN: please be in prayer for the Guana Mission Team). She came up to me just bubbling over and insisted that Fred and I must visit her small group on Tuesday night. Ok, let me just say, this was not a step I was ready to take. NO, NO, NO! I said yes on the outside, but my insides screamed "NO! I can't do this! I can't do it, I don't want to!". Reluctantly I talked to Fred about it and he said "let's try it". It was on a night he was off and at the Pastor's house, so it was a way he could find out about the church and meet the pastor, etc.... Well.... all I can say is WOW! What a blessing we received. The small group was exactly what we were looking for. The people there were uplifting, godly, understanding, above all strong Christians who wanted us to join with them and grow the kingdom of God! We were overwhelmed at some of the issues we had dealt with in the past at other churches and in general that were brought up and discussed and how the leader of the group led us back to the Bible and ultimately back to God each time. I left with a smile from the inside out! Fred was equally happy! We never felt like when we went through such a horrible situation at our past church that God would lead us here. We knew He had a plan, we just didn't know He would reveal it so quickly. He lead us 1. Through a terrible situation (because He knows the plans He has for us Jeremiah 29:11). 2. Through our child, and us being sensitive to his needs (and a little child shall lead them Isaiah11:6). 3. Through our godly steadfast friends (<em>because, but there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother. </em><em>Proverbs 18 verse 24). <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ultimately, he led us through His word! We are so excited to see what happens next! God is AWESOME all the time! </span>And by the way, I'm relaxed now!!!<br /></em>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-8100659584681533592011-07-05T21:56:00.001-07:002011-07-05T23:05:58.198-07:00Where I'm at (or where am I?)I seem to be floundering... partly in due to a debilitating headache for the past 3 days. I've lost my sense of "what i'm doing", but in honesty, I think it's the calmness of life! The drama is gone, the craziness and hectic parts of my last 6 years has passed and i'm kind of at a loss for what's next. I know God has a purpose and a plan. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CueR5tzDA8M/ThPvnkMiHxI/AAAAAAAAAH0/jIU0WbCeFjU/s1600/fred.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 301px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CueR5tzDA8M/ThPvnkMiHxI/AAAAAAAAAH0/jIU0WbCeFjU/s320/fred.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626103822526062354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0SEB1ZG2ayo/ThPv8VAGP0I/AAAAAAAAAH8/eM8jt9FiWVc/s1600/caleb%2B039.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 169px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0SEB1ZG2ayo/ThPv8VAGP0I/AAAAAAAAAH8/eM8jt9FiWVc/s320/caleb%2B039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626104179224624962" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: right;">Christopher is pushing hard for us to go to one specific new church. Should I<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14kpkgzYdFg/ThPwSeyMkCI/AAAAAAAAAIE/nTqDURN8CMk/s1600/Christophers%2Bglasses.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 246px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14kpkgzYdFg/ThPwSeyMkCI/AAAAAAAAAIE/nTqDURN8CMk/s320/Christophers%2Bglasses.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626104559807795234" border="0" /></a> listen to him? That's what my parents did and it was the best decision for me. I on the other hand, want to visit one more. BUT.... Is it for selfish reasons???? Am I trying to get back what I feel I lost? I really didn't lose anything, I gained tons. I gained my family's respect, I gained time with my family, I gained an awareness of what ministry is and what it is not! Christopher has truly excelled away from the madness and drama of what where I was turned me into. He has had a very impressive summer with basketball <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeUNL1itWsU/ThP30p7FuQI/AAAAAAAAAI8/X7EgJPT57Yk/s1600/day%2B2%2Bdisney%2B028.JPG"><br /></a> camp, and landing two solos in music camp next month. We leave for the beach with friends and family this weekend. Life is good, so why am I so torn. I need to turn back to the Word and let God lead the way. I think I've gone back to trying to figure things on my own, and I've already proved that doesn't work! That's my rambling for the night. I'm going to go to bed and lay it at the foot of the Cross. God knows.... He knows! Peace is what I need, and He is the only one who can give it to me!!!! Thankful for my blog and my blog buddies who always direct me back on the right path. I don't feel so conflicted any more. Somehow writing it all out gives me a much clearer picture of what I'm here for and why! My God, My family, and my friends! That's it! That's where I'm at!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tk4y7BRpOc0/ThPwqmlhDFI/AAAAAAAAAIM/SuruCy-FqrQ/s1600/day%2B2%2Bdisney%2B131.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 202px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tk4y7BRpOc0/ThPwqmlhDFI/AAAAAAAAAIM/SuruCy-FqrQ/s320/day%2B2%2Bdisney%2B131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626104974218955858" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeUNL1itWsU/ThP30p7FuQI/AAAAAAAAAI8/X7EgJPT57Yk/s1600/day%2B2%2Bdisney%2B028.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 140px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeUNL1itWsU/ThP30p7FuQI/AAAAAAAAAI8/X7EgJPT57Yk/s200/day%2B2%2Bdisney%2B028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626112843494832386" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeUNL1itWsU/ThP30p7FuQI/AAAAAAAAAI8/X7EgJPT57Yk/s1600/day%2B2%2Bdisney%2B028.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqSS5IK5Nxw/ThPt-jNuv5I/AAAAAAAAAHk/51e7pcOrJxU/s1600/me%2Band%2Bdaph.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 189px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqSS5IK5Nxw/ThPt-jNuv5I/AAAAAAAAAHk/51e7pcOrJxU/s320/me%2Band%2Bdaph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626102018376384402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pb8S3LvhRcU/ThPuihbx_zI/AAAAAAAAAHs/wbwTuATzGto/s1600/ball%2Bfamily%2Bpic.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 126px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pb8S3LvhRcU/ThPuihbx_zI/AAAAAAAAAHs/wbwTuATzGto/s320/ball%2Bfamily%2Bpic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626102636373737266" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5dgz9204cDE/ThP2srhOZaI/AAAAAAAAAI0/eG6YYzEnpK4/s1600/day%2B2%2Bdisney%2B052.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 153px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5dgz9204cDE/ThP2srhOZaI/AAAAAAAAAI0/eG6YYzEnpK4/s200/day%2B2%2Bdisney%2B052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626111606972638626" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeUNL1itWsU/ThP30p7FuQI/AAAAAAAAAI8/X7EgJPT57Yk/s1600/day%2B2%2Bdisney%2B028.JPG"><br /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OyZPzVMb4cQ/ThPyGZuNLRI/AAAAAAAAAIk/8LUdRjGKToU/s1600/hollywood%2Bstudios%2BDec.%2B24...%2BChristmas%2BEve%2B071.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 135px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OyZPzVMb4cQ/ThPyGZuNLRI/AAAAAAAAAIk/8LUdRjGKToU/s320/hollywood%2Bstudios%2BDec.%2B24...%2BChristmas%2BEve%2B071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626106551313706258" border="0" /></a>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-90500772086461521542011-06-22T11:09:00.001-07:002011-06-22T11:27:26.190-07:00My baby's "trials"So in a previous blog, i alluded to "trials" with Christopher. First grade was a tough year. It started out easy enough with a FABULOUS teacher and right where we left off at Kindergarten. However, it wasn't long before he started getting in trouble for talking. What? My child, talking.... NO, say it ain't so!!!!! Yep, he's all mine. Then we started noticing he was having trouble reading. What was once coming so easy, was suddenly like pulling teeth. Each night ended in tears for one or both of us. We spent the whole year working with his teacher, the reading teacher, the pediatrician, etc... the words ADD, Learning Disorder, Dyslexia, etc...all floated around, but none stuck. None fit! I had been around kids with all of these and it just didn't seem right. The school nurse tested his hearing and eyes. Hearing was perfect and his eyes tested at 20/20 and 20/30. One day, while taking Halie to get her new glasses, I mentioned to our friend David Oliver, what the eye exam revealed. He said to me that it was possible that the 20/30 eye could be just enough to be causing a problem and it wouldn't hurt to do just a simple eye exam. I scheduled it right away. The last day of school saw us in the eye doctors office. He tested 20/20 in both eyes and the doc looked puzzled. Then in my explanation he caught something. It seemed when the reading teacher would cover all but one line, Christopher could read perfectly. When she uncovered it and he would see the whole page his eyes just could not focus. The wise doc, Scott Oliver, immediately ordered another instrument be brought in and saw that Christopher's muscle in his eye was going spastic every time it tried to focus on a whole page. This brought us to another day of tests. This time was much more "painful" for he and I both. We had to begin dilating his eyes the night before. The muscle had to be totally paralyzed. The drops burned! We "dropped" his eyes 3 times before his appointment the next day and when we went in, he was very farsighted. To our amazement, this was his problem. He could not focus. Not mentally, but visually! He now has glasses and is starting tutoring to catch up on his reading, but the doc says he could gain a whole level this summer because now he should be able to focus! I'm so glad I did not accept those labels and neither did his teacher or his pediatrician. We all worked together to find an answer. God is awesome and answered our prayers for our precious Christopher. I can't wait to hear him reading his little heart out to me. He is excited. He no longer has to be frustrated on a nightly basis. He no longer has to think he is stupid (which I told him all along he wasn't). AND.... He looks sooooo cute in his glasses! <br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uB1mVMUALZA/TgIzw5S20CI/AAAAAAAAAHc/VuW3R94kF04/s1600/Christophers%2Bglasses.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uB1mVMUALZA/TgIzw5S20CI/AAAAAAAAAHc/VuW3R94kF04/s320/Christophers%2Bglasses.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621112200018448418" /></a>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-82230002061604544792011-06-21T17:28:00.001-07:002011-06-21T17:45:05.999-07:00My current purpose<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LITRpAkRfX4/TgE50Hb5piI/AAAAAAAAAHU/1TJK6UmRBks/s1600/my%2Bboys%2Bvignette%2Bfor%2Bchecks.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LITRpAkRfX4/TgE50Hb5piI/AAAAAAAAAHU/1TJK6UmRBks/s200/my%2Bboys%2Bvignette%2Bfor%2Bchecks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620837377447142946" /></a><br />Wow! As I stated in my earlier blog, so much has changed for us in the last 7 weeks. Due to unforseen circumstances, we were forced to make a decision to change churches. It was painful, it was gut wrenching, it was down right heartbreaking! I was treated horribly by a church leader, and let down by people I respected and looked up to. Then again, so was Christ! In the last seven weeks, I've reflected on a lot of things and realized that part of the reason we've gone through this is because God has been talking to us for a long time, and we resisted His voice. Change was needed for many reasons. The main reason, for our children. Their spiritual health and growth is our responsibility. We were comfortable, we were "happy" or so we thought, and we were in a rut! Christopher was getting absolutely nothing out of church, except to spend many hours watching mom and dad "serve". Caleb was just there playing with friends. For what purpose? So mom and dad could work in their "ministries". Seriously? My eyes were opened wide this week when we visited a new church and my children's eyes lit up and they asked "when are we going back to church". Christopher told me all about his "Bible book" and what he learned in Children's Church. I woke up Monday morning singing a song from the service on Sunday.... WHAT? I got my happy back! I see potential for ministry at this church, but one thing I want to be sure of this time... NEVER again, do I want to get bogged down so much in ministry that I neglect the reason I am doing the ministry, or neglect the needs of my husband or children. That being said, my current and most important purpose... Mine, my husbands, and my children's needs spiritually! Meeting those needs through church worship and at home. Being a Christian Wife first and then mother.Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-40866188417793963362011-06-15T14:25:00.000-07:002011-06-15T14:29:03.043-07:00Down but not out!I can't post much today, cause i'm not even supposed to be on the computer due to tendonitis and a much needed but very painful cortisone injection. The past few months (well I haven't blogged since January and we are now at June) have been POWER PACKED but I will catch u up in a few days when I am able more to type. Right now, my title is "Down but not out" and that is how I feel. Satan has been on the war path, but he is not winning. God has my family in the palm of His hand and we know He has big plans for us. Small catch up. Christopher finished first grade, and is enjoying his summer. I'll post about his little "trials" and our fix soon. Caleb has one more year at home with mommy and thinks he is a "mini-me". We are enjoying our summer and our new pool. Headed to the beach in July and can't wait! Catch up in a few days. Ta-ta for now!Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-6864822368078600822011-01-21T23:12:00.000-08:002011-01-21T23:29:13.481-08:00Seriously!?!?!?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/TTqG7Wac_8I/AAAAAAAAAHE/msSwyfra4Ao/s1600/family%2Bpic%2Bfor%2Bchristmas%2Bcard.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 186px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/TTqG7Wac_8I/AAAAAAAAAHE/msSwyfra4Ao/s200/family%2Bpic%2Bfor%2Bchristmas%2Bcard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564908643756605378" /></a><br />Time flies when you are having fun! I just got on to see someone else's blog and realized It has been over a year since I last blogged. My baby was heading off to Kindergarten. WOW, has it been a year and a half? He's now almost half a year into first grade and my little one is 3 years old . Let's see, I'm not even gonna try to remember it all, but a major summation would be CRAZY! My dad passed away Jan. 31'st 2010. Truly one of the worst days of my life. Fred had surgery for a hernia the next day. Within a few months he went to school, retrained for a new job that turned out to not be "legit", and was unemployed until YESTERDAY. I started my own business "ForeverSmiles Photography" and have loved every moment of it! I have a new website up and running www.foreversmilesphoto.com if your interested in checking out my work. Besides that, let's see, thanks to my inlaws, we took a very excited 3 year old and 7 year old to Disney World for Christmas. It was a magical trip for the whole family. Fred's parents, sister, and friend, along with us four and my mom had a fantastic time! Christopher wants to live there and Caleb wants to "go back to Disney World RIGHT NOW!". The day after we got back, i had "the rest of the story" as far as my hysterectomy goes. In other words, the doctor removed my last ovary and tons of scar tissue and adhesions. Much worse than I ever anticipated and I am still recovering, but happy to say, I am feeling better each day! My mom received her 5 year award at work just last night and I was able to go and celebrate with her. I am chairing an event at Christopher's School this next month and continue to volunteer in his class. I am also the media coordinator at our church, as well as the Children's music coordinator, where we just hired a FANTASTIC new pastor. I think that brings me up to date, except to say that as we start this new year, I am going to do much better at my blogging. I am HUNGRY for God's word and have started a new bible study and am just loving learning how to be a better Child of God! It's amazing the miracles that occur when we strive to line up with God's word... I've seen it and i'm living it! I can't wait to share with anyone who wants to read the blessings in my life!! Night for now, or should I say morning since it's 2am.!!!!! More blogs to come.....Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-68530857285529029622009-08-20T09:36:00.001-07:002009-08-20T10:26:51.048-07:00I blinked AGAIN!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/So2GbD-PAFI/AAAAAAAAAGo/n6r1ILL2R2Q/s1600-h/DSCI0059.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/So2GbD-PAFI/AAAAAAAAAGo/n6r1ILL2R2Q/s200/DSCI0059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372097730003796050" /></a><br /><br />Well, it's been a while since I've blogged, but evidently I have blinked AGAIN; My baby headed off to Kindergarten this morning!!! It seems just like yesterday, that he was a 5 lb 13 oz. baby and now, WHAT.... He went to school! I have received a couple of updates through the day from friends who are there that he is having a GREAT day. Like I expected anything else? He is such an amazing child.... he adjusts to his surroundings and always goes with the flow. I am so proud! He is insisting that he ride the bus this year, but I flatly said "NO!" to it this morning. My baby was NOT going off to school and me not walk him in, hug him bye, etc... so we compromised. He is riding the bus home today... t-minus 1 hour and 15 minutes and counting. Brownies are in the oven, cold milk ready to pour... I can't wait to hear about his first day! Off for now, the little one is demanding some attention... I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me, as we tackle MANY firsts this year!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/So2GbSXQ2qI/AAAAAAAAAGw/hD0JO-OgLx4/s1600-h/DSCI0065.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/So2GbSXQ2qI/AAAAAAAAAGw/hD0JO-OgLx4/s200/DSCI0065.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372097733866871458" /></a>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-77129157519310442322009-05-14T13:28:00.000-07:002009-05-14T13:34:22.068-07:0015 Years<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SgyAEiIXjvI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/xaRFR55YHDY/s1600-h/family+pics+2007+032.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SgyAEiIXjvI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/xaRFR55YHDY/s200/family+pics+2007+032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335780473896931058" /></a><br />Today, my wonderful hubby and I celebrate 15 years of wedded bliss! Hmmmm, wedded bliss? Well, maybe not every day, but YEAH! God blessed me with an amazing man. He is a considerate, loving, patient, hard-working, did I mention patient, caring, sensitive, dedicated, and did I forget to mention PATIENT husband. He is my best friend, my lover, my confidant, my rock! He's also the world's best daddy to our two gorgeous sons. Thank you God for creating him just for me. I love you Fred!Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-77557626744507077032009-04-25T15:14:00.000-07:002009-04-25T15:30:35.495-07:00Best Friends<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SfOOioWL41I/AAAAAAAAAF4/bg2kC98dwE0/s1600-h/school+field+trip+and+first+tball+game+058.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SfOOioWL41I/AAAAAAAAAF4/bg2kC98dwE0/s200/school+field+trip+and+first+tball+game+058.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328759509706597202" /></a><br />I always thought, having a best friend was a "girly" thing. Seems I was wrong. As you will see evidenced by the pictures I am posting, Christopher now has a "Best Buddy"! Growing up, I always had friends. I always had close friends , and I always had a best friend. However, we were never "exclusive". We didn't shut others out of our friendship, we didn't exclude people from our activities, we just knew we could always count on each other. AND.... to this day, we are still just as close, and still know we can count on each other. Our lives have gone in two totally separate directions. Her kids are older, mine are younger. She's doing the middle school/high school thing, choosing classes, school trips, boy scouts, etc.... while mine are just heading off to school, starting sports, saying their first words, etc.... Even so, we remain close. There is a bond, that cannot be broken. We both have other friends, even very close friends, but... WE JUST KNOW !!!!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SfOOjFGxK3I/AAAAAAAAAGA/iSir0yCuFB0/s1600-h/school+field+trip+and+first+tball+game+031.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SfOOjFGxK3I/AAAAAAAAAGA/iSir0yCuFB0/s200/school+field+trip+and+first+tball+game+031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328759517426559858" /></a><br /> I'm so glad Christopher has found that kind of friendship. Zachary and Christopher are two of the most amazing boys I know and they have a "love" for each other that brings tears to my eyes. They don't see color, they don't see barriers, they just see the opportunity to be there for one another. This year they are in the same class. They may not always be, but one things for sure, they'll stay close! Even when they "fight" (thank God for boys, one minute their hitting, the next their hugging) they always say "I'm sorry Buddy", and move on. In such a mean world, it is a refreshing sight!!!! God bless these two sweet children, and God bless my dear sweet, BEST FRIEND FOREVER, Daphene... Love ya girl!!!Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-41659622667232857402009-04-12T21:09:00.001-07:002009-04-12T21:35:54.261-07:00Blogging<div> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SeK-DupDShI/AAAAAAAAAFo/qnE28SQdPMc/s1600-h/Copy+of+tball+first+practice+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324026680774445586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SeK-DupDShI/AAAAAAAAAFo/qnE28SQdPMc/s200/Copy+of+tball+first+practice+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />
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<br /><div>I try, honestly I do! But look at the time I'm blogging, 12:09 AM!!!!!! With the recent events in this family, life has not been condusive (sp?) to blogging- it just isn't. The madness has officially started.... My 5 year old discovered he is a social butterfly (or is that dragonfly for boys?). He has discovered a new friend (his best friend in the whole word mommy!) that lives only four doors up. Zachary would be the appendage on Christopher's right hip. They are inseperable. In addition, we have started t-ball. Not only are they playing t-ball together (like they would have been torn apart for that), they have enlisted a tight group of friends to play with them (Landon, Brooke, Ryan, and Makai). What a fun group they are- I can't wait till games start! This weekend alone, we had t-ball practice, a birthday party, neighborhood easter egg hunt, and cookout, then Easter Sunday with church, dinner at grandparents, another easter egg hunt, and then of course playing with Zachary (like you thought he'd miss a day). Where does that leave Caleb you may ask. RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING! At 18 months old, he is discovering the world, somedays faster than we'd like. When Christopher takes off up the road on his bike, whom do you think is following as fast as his little Fred Flintstone legs will follow... That's right- CALEB! Fortunately, Zachary (the bestest friend) has a little sister who is absolutely an angel and loves Caleb, and vice versa. Amber and Caleb have quite a <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SeK-D0vwGlI/AAAAAAAAAFw/afao0f4lPow/s1600-h/tball+first+practice+062.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324026682413161042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SeK-D0vwGlI/AAAAAAAAAFw/afao0f4lPow/s200/tball+first+practice+062.jpg" border="0" /></a>time playing together too. Temper tantrums for this not even two year old are not a daily event, but more than likely an hourly event. I'm told this is normal... REALLY? OMG, we are setting boundaries minute by minute and he's testing them second by second. Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing! Life is hectic, chaotic, crazy and downright fun and happy!!!!! Did I imagine life as a mother of two would be like this.... NEVER... it's so much better than I could have ever begun to think up. I LOVE THIS PHASE! Am I exhausted? You bet! Is my life full of exclamation points, YEP! Do I love it? You better believe it!!!!!!!!!</div></div></div>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-15886851225581329602008-12-24T14:25:00.001-08:002008-12-24T14:38:27.198-08:00A Christmas Wish<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SVK5s96_WVI/AAAAAAAAAFM/WuzbvfZr7B4/s1600-h/buzz+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283489495046379858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SVK5s96_WVI/AAAAAAAAAFM/WuzbvfZr7B4/s200/buzz+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>With only a few hours to go until Christmas, I decided to take my friends advice and "chill-out". Instead of stressing, I have enjoyed the past few hours just spending time with my boys and making new Christmas memories with them. To name a few things, we have had fun baking cookies for Santa, visiting daddy at work, visiting with Great PawPaw, wrapping a few last minute gifts, and my favorite... making Peppermint Bark. Christopher so enjoyed crushing peppermints. He got to get some of his energy out by taking the bag outside and "beating the peppermints to pieces mommy". :) It was a lot of fun! He has sung Christmas carols all day long, and Caleb just thinks it is GREAT... He has danced and danced and danced. I'm sure tomorrow will be TONS of fun.... I can't wait!!!! Here's a wish to all my family and friends: I pray you all have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy Healthy New Year! God bless you all.</div><br /><div></div>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-8551347264681989142008-10-13T15:27:00.000-07:002008-10-13T15:34:05.962-07:00Thought provoking!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SPPMjg0TpDI/AAAAAAAAAEs/drs_6mEBhbQ/s1600-h/didyouhear-header.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256770100548314162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SPPMjg0TpDI/AAAAAAAAAEs/drs_6mEBhbQ/s200/didyouhear-header.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div>There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'<br />One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.<br />He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.<br />Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'<br />This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.<br />Life Is a Gift<br />Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.<br />Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.<br />Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.<br />Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.<br />Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.<br />And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.<br />And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around. </div>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-46445470329403474852008-10-11T07:31:00.000-07:002008-10-11T07:32:26.218-07:00Handbag PlanetCheck out www.handbagplanet.com. There getting ready to launch their new website and are giving away a free handbag every hour. Who can't use a new bag, and uhh.... FREE!!!!!Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-79811723760608833442008-10-07T15:28:00.000-07:002008-10-07T18:11:54.447-07:00Reflections<div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SOwEYcKll4I/AAAAAAAAAD8/tKJMikBpqNc/s1600-h/caleb+coming+home+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254579683158497154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SOwEYcKll4I/AAAAAAAAAD8/tKJMikBpqNc/s200/caleb+coming+home+003.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SOwFzYD8XiI/AAAAAAAAAEM/j3z5h2SIKeY/s1600-h/caleb2+037.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254581245424983586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="136" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SOwFzYD8XiI/AAAAAAAAAEM/j3z5h2SIKeY/s200/caleb2+037.jpg" width="177" border="0" /></a><br />Looking back over the last year, it is hard to believe all that God has accomplished in our lives. I can't believe our precious son will be one tomorrow! It seems just like yesterday we got a call that we had been "chosen". In only a matter of 3 days, we were in the delivery room, watching our beautiful son be born. God is soooo good! This has been a year of firsts for us... Trying to sell a house for the first time, sending our 4 yr. old to school for the first time, watching the baby smile, speak, walk, etc... for the first time,going through (AND BEATING) cancer with a parent for the first (and hopefully only) time. I'm reminded often to cherish the moment! How precious our two sons are, I so enjoy watching all they accomplish day after day. My greatest joy is truly that my childr<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SOwGvnReYlI/AAAAAAAAAEU/g838qfpWhkE/s1600-h/fireworksjoyshowerpark+081.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254582280300421714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SOwGvnReYlI/AAAAAAAAAEU/g838qfpWhkE/s200/fireworksjoyshowerpark+081.jpg" border="0" /></a>en grow up loving and fearing God, being great men of God, teaching others how to be the same, loving each other, and their families, and did I mention LOVING THEIR MOMMY?! Every time one of them smiles and says "I love you mom" I just get chills... Does God really love me that much to grant me this much joy? He must, cause I assure you I am the world's happiest wife and mother!! I reflect on the joys and heartaches my husband and I have shared. I thank God for each and every one of them, cause they've brought us so close and we share a bond that no one can break! In the uncertain economic times we are experiencing, I am glad one thing is certain... God's love for us, that He will always take care of us, and that we can depend on HIM! I pray we never lose sight of that!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SOwExpbunWI/AAAAAAAAAEE/LhJXNjVcU_Q/s1600-h/the+boys+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254580116216782178" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SOwExpbunWI/AAAAAAAAAEE/LhJXNjVcU_Q/s200/the+boys+015.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-76199102758284409792008-09-09T17:15:00.000-07:002008-09-09T17:20:14.601-07:00Creatures of HabitIt would appear I am a "Creature of Habit". The evidence is undeniable! Today, as I explained to my son (the oldest) that he should have done something differently, he replied "Well, mom, I'm just like you, I like to do it the same way every time". Ok, so there it is square between the eyes. Am I creating a monster? Hopefully, I am cultivating a love for order, organization, planning, etc... Don't get me wrong, I can certainly change gears midstream (having two active boys ensures that), but my passion is to do things systematically, the same way, and get the job done. Every night... eat dinner, take a bath, lay out clothes for school in the same place, take meds, brush teeth, head to bed, etc... Is that so bad? I mean routine... Isn't that what teaches them to remember to do things and to get in good habits? Somebody tell me if I'm wrong on this one!Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-63805605809597397472008-09-02T04:39:00.000-07:002008-09-02T04:50:28.825-07:00I've discovered the Joy of Morning<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SL0oZmj1T2I/AAAAAAAAAC0/NQXS6OeZ2L4/s1600-h/sharon2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SL0oZmj1T2I/AAAAAAAAAC0/NQXS6OeZ2L4/s320/sharon2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241389961641807714" /></a><br />Ok, so all of you who know me, know "Sharon is not a morning person!". In fact, up until recently I didn't even do mornings. Even my children have been trained that to get up before 9:30am is just WRONG! Suddenly, without warning, life has changed (Maybe I blinked again). As I write this, it is 7:44am. I have a cup of steaming hot coffee, two kids awake (1 is still in bed), and I've already had my devotion. SCAREY!!!!! The morning air is crisp and cool, the birds are singing, and for once in my life I'm enjoying it! VERY STRANGE, but I think I like it. We'll see... Is it nap time yet????Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-79358992625707144042008-08-29T12:57:00.000-07:002008-08-29T13:22:25.288-07:00I think I blinked!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SLhWBNQaooI/AAAAAAAAACk/PBLcq0-O1vY/s1600-h/Photo_082708_002.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SLhWBNQaooI/AAAAAAAAACk/PBLcq0-O1vY/s320/Photo_082708_002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240032745183945346" /></a>According to a friend, evidently I blinked! It seems overnight, my little boy has grown up and gone off to school. He had so much fun his first day and didn't even seem to care that mom was a "basket case". He bee-bopped off to class and was gone before I could even say "Have a good day son". When I picked him up, I was pleasantly surprised (although I don't know why). He jumped in the car and said "Mom, I had a ball, I LOVE school!". Even so, on my second day of dropping him off I was weepy. When did he get so big? Sob sniff snob- I think I blinked!!! (going now to glue the eyes open- NO MORE BLINKING!).<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SLhWBQFy4GI/AAAAAAAAACs/lAv7TvA3kDg/s1600-h/Photo_082708_004.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SLhWBQFy4GI/AAAAAAAAACs/lAv7TvA3kDg/s320/Photo_082708_004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240032745944703074" /></a>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-79635119939743497872008-08-15T11:38:00.000-07:002008-08-15T11:48:37.194-07:00A boy, boy!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SKXOzjfPGoI/AAAAAAAAACU/vu3Ml7BsMiQ/s1600-h/princecharming+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SKXOzjfPGoI/AAAAAAAAACU/vu3Ml7BsMiQ/s320/princecharming+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234817526982974082" /></a><br />Ok, so I have this meeting at church this afternoon. I'm planning my day, laying out clothes, etc.... I proceed to tell my oldest son that I would like him to wear what I pick out today, instead of his usual and he tells me..."Mommy, I don't want to be cute, I don't want to be handsome. I want to be a boy, boy! I want my spiderman shirt, my jeans, and my flip flops and that's it. None of this cute stuff". A boy, boy? Is that anything like a manly, man? How do they get this stuff so young? I don't exactly remember, but I think at 4 or 5 years old, I was more into playing and not what I looked like. Who knows? I try so hard to instill a sense of self esteem and self worth, but it seems society is beating me to it. I can only imagine if I had a girl. More power to you girl mommies!!! As you can see from the pics above and below, there was a time he let me dress him as Prince Charming (of course it was a costume party)and now we are on t-shirts, ripped jeans, and barefooted. Where has the time gone? Going now to lay out the spiderman shirt, jeans, and flip-flops. I'm not picking that battle today! LOL :)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SKXOz1Bjy2I/AAAAAAAAACc/eUxtQRVO2gs/s1600-h/christopherlandonplaydate+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SKXOz1Bjy2I/AAAAAAAAACc/eUxtQRVO2gs/s320/christopherlandonplaydate+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234817531690339170" /></a>Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-52036858422368084632008-08-15T01:44:00.001-07:002008-08-15T01:55:04.129-07:00How SWEEEETTTT!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SKVDf4vc99I/AAAAAAAAACM/9pwGd8er3ag/s1600-h/auntbeth+003.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-QWUcz7bx8/SKVDf4vc99I/AAAAAAAAACM/9pwGd8er3ag/s320/auntbeth+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234664356974491602" /></a><br />How sweet it was as I was going to bed the other night (although sleep is always sweet). My two boys were having trouble falling asleep. Somehow, everyone ended up in bed with mommy. We were laying in bed, I was telling stories, singing songs, anything to bore them to sleep (err. lure them to sleep). I looked over and both boys were drifting off. Seems all they needed was each other! They were hooked arm in arm and rubbing each other's hands. HOW SWEEEEETTTT!!!! We prayed before we decided to have another child. We so wanted our children to be siblings who cared for each other, played together, etc.... Not constantly fight, bicker, etc... (Not that they never will, but as a whole, we wanted them to enjoy being siblings). We couldn't have been more blessed! Our oldest son absolutely adores our youngest and vice versa. They play all the time, giggle, wrestle, and always have a smile for each other first thing in the morning. I tried my best to take a picture of their little hands joined as they drifted off, but alas.... both boys know as soon as the camera comes out, they are to perform, so it was completely railroading my plans to get them to sleep. Instead, the pic attached above is just one of them sleeping side by side recently. They really are quite a pair and I'm incredibly blessed to be their mommy!Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252528148219550019.post-24056830958348816942008-08-02T15:06:00.000-07:002008-08-02T15:11:14.095-07:00Beth MooreOk, so who else has been keeping Beth Moore a secret? I "reluctantly" went to a simulcast weekend and had a ball!!!!!! I've heard how great she is, been invited to bible studies, etc.... But it was always "I just don't have time". From now on, I'll make time!!!!!! She is awesome and so easy to listen to. Even sick and on cold medication (which we all know makes us tired even though it says "non-drowsy") I could've listened the rest of the day! Her points really hit home and she definitely speaks an "inspired Word"! God is really using her in a mighty way! Going now to work on being "competently competent" (for those of you wondering, that's "fully equipped" but i like competently competent better!). Check out her blog- there's a link on my page- ENJOY!Created for His purposehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00891364188774865132noreply@blogger.com0