Mountain Top Memories

Please, PLEASE watch this...

2012-01-25T15:10:00.000-05:00

This video is SO important. Honestly, I was hesitant to watch it. It does have a "Public Advisory for Graphic Content" but it's for good reason. Several people on this video claim Christianity but I must say, this video is eye opening as to where the "church" stands on issues that we should not even consider ok. Where are we church?! Why are we so wishy-washy?? WHY?! I have had a post brewing in my heart these last couple of days and this video just reconfirmed the need for me...for us...as Christians to STAND!!

Grateful....

2012-01-23T15:41:00.000-05:00

God is so good to me! My days are so full there is rarely any time to just sit, relax and be. lol! But today, God orchestrated it that Sam took an extra long nap (1 hr and 20 minutes!!) while the little's were in quiet time. Woot Woot! I was able to use the computer without someone on my lap, do my bible study without answering a gazillion questions and type up encouragement verses to hang on the walls. Precious gifts to me from my Father. Here are a couple more of my grateful gifts today...

A wonderful man who gladly says yes to a wife's spur-of-the-moment request to go to the zoo. :)

Finally seeing the panda outside! I can't tell you how many, many times we've gone to the zoo and have never seen the bear outside. I had just told Nolan, no the panda is never outside and lo and behold there he/she was! lol!

My very favorite. Aren't they gorgeous? Grateful for a God who loves color!

Grateful for freedom and these little faces.

Grateful, so very, very grateful for this amazing little boy!

Grateful for a teen son who blesses us with his presence and his cooking skills! :) He made us brunch on Sunday after church and did a smash up job of it! YUM! Eggs, potatoes, onions, sausage and cheddar cheese. Oh and even better than the food is that he cleaned up his mess! Now that's what I'm talking about. :)

Oh goodness, you don't know how grateful we all are for my dad sharing his 4-wheeler with us. Instead of spending hours shoveling or snow blowing now it's an easy 1 1/2hrs to clean our long, windy, very steep driveway!

Grateful for boys emulating their daddy.

A visual lesson...

2012-01-20T17:26:00.000-05:00

It's no secret that we have a child (or two) that has been quite a challenge to us through the years. There are times when I just want to imagine what life would be like without the chaos and stress these said children bring. However, I know that I know that I know that this is where they are to be and this is our ministry, hard as it is. Still, it's not all sunshine and rainbows over here, that's for sure! :)

With these "hard" children it's like you're on this crazy train ride that never ends. This most recent "train ride" started around my son's birthday and has continued on, weaving, bobbing and wreaking havoc and chaos each stop along the way. I'd like to say we are used to it, and in some ways we are, but it still brings up feelings of failure and lots of other heavy emotions along the way.

I just can't wrap my mind around the why of the behaviors. I've begged God to explain it to me countless times but it wasn't until this week that He gave me a very clear visual picture through the wrong behaviors of my son.

This precious child still does not realize the blessing he has been given. He still sees himself as an orphan. Although we have said and shown him innumerable times that we love him and that we want to give him every good thing we can, he still chooses to eat from our trashcan (literally!). I just can't understand why he would choose the filth and yuck when he has a smorgasboard of delicious foods at his fingertips. As I cried out to the Lord about this He spoke this to my heart....how many times have you partaked of the filth and yuck of this world when I am here standing offering you bountiful goodness for the taking? Why do you want to eat from the waste dump of the world when My table is overflowing with all that you need for a full belly and life? No matter how dirty, smelly or repulsive you may be to others you are always beautiful to me. Run to me and I will hold you close, clean you up and tell you once again how very, very much I love you. Then I will sit with you at my banqueting table while you fill yourself up with My very best because this is love.

Oh my. How true. I'd like to say I am that gracious with my son when I catch him but I'm not. However, I do clean him up, tell him again and again and again that he is loved beyond measure and pray hard that my words may someday reflect God's heart in all of it because after all, that is what love does.

Five little monkeys....and a dog....

2012-01-16T15:50:00.000-05:00

As we walked in our woods last week we found lots of fun things to play on. The high winds have knocked a ton of dead trees and/or their branches down. The 5 little monkeys had a great time climbing all over them. And don't forget the dog who thinks he's a child too! LOL!

Do you see our fearless protector? He blends in with the tree poor thing. This is actually his stealth mode. :)

And what's that? Did you ask me if I feed my child? Well yes, yes I do but he wanted to see what being a beaver is like. :)

I'm thinking the whole beaver thing isn't as tasty as he imagined. lol!

C'mon say it, you know you want to......

CHEESE! :)

We R Home!

2012-01-12T21:58:00.000-05:00

Thank you for your prayers! Gabriella did well and she came out of anesthesia surprisngly fast (for her!) As you can tell by the picture she wasn't nervous at all. In fact, everyone was so surprised she was so calm and doing crossword puzzles and giggling. That's my girl! :)

Of course she was oohed and aahed over. Well how could they not?! Just look at that adorable cheeky grin. LOL! She did amazingly well and countless people from the dr. to the nurses complimented her on her behavior. She was starving due to fasting! We left here a little after 10 am and returned home a little after 6 pm. She was dreaming about what she was going to eat for breakfast tomorrow. LOL! She was greeted at the door by her adoring fans (her siblings) and snuggled a bit on the couch. Then, after 2 bowls of applesauce and some water she was ready to crash in her comfy bed. Sweet dreams little princess....

Prayers for Gabi -Girl for tomorrow...

2012-01-11T23:15:00.000-05:00

My girl is having surgery tomorrow (Thursday) so I'm asking for your prayers for her. The procedure will be about 2 1/2 hours long and it is outpatient so she will be snuggling with her family by evening. Please pray specifically for her and the anesthesia. She has a history of having a hard time coming out of it. She's so darn tooting tiny it's no wonder! LOL!
We appreciate your prayers!! :)

2012-01-11T17:41:00.000-05:00

Parents outraged over 'scream rooms' for special needs students at Connecticut elementary school

By Cristina Corbin

Published January 11, 2012

Parents at one Connecticut elementary school say they are outraged over the use of so-called "scream rooms" to discipline special needs students.

The two rooms at Farm Hill Elementary School in Middletown, Conn., came under fire after several students complained about the sounds of children yelling coming from the rooms, while building custodians reported having to clean up blood and urine from their floors and walls.Tricia Belin, whose two children attend the school, described the rooms as 6-by-4-foot spaces with concrete walls used to isolate special needs students who are disruptive in the classroom.

"Closet is pretty much what it is," Belin told FoxNews.com, saying that her children are regularly subjected to "screaming" coming from inside the rooms.

Belin said she complained to the school's principal when she first learned about them last October, and was told they were considered an "alternative learning environment." She claims administrators were "vague" in their explanation about the rooms' purpose and said they did not say whether students were placed in them alone or with a teacher.

Shawn Archer, whose 10-year-old daughter also attends the school, said parents were never notified about the rooms and claims his child and others are fearful of them.

"She doesn’t want to go to school," Archer said. "She's constantly in the nurse's office trying to get out of there."

"I don’t want them to use this as a tool to gain control of students," he said. "I think it's poor judgment on somebody's behalf."

Board of Education Chairman Gene Nocera acknowledged in an interview with FoxNews.com that the reports about the rooms were "disturbing" and said school officials were investigating their use.

"We understand the parents' concern and we take their concerns very seriously," Nocera said. "We want to be sure our students are being treated safely." He stressed that under school policy, no child is to be left alone at any time.

Nocera said he first learned last week about the spaces, the size of a "book room," and said they were being used to handle special education students, a few of whom have a "history of behavioral issues."

Nocera went on to say that he and others presented a plan to parents at a Board of Education meeting Tuesday night in response to the reports. He said the school district is looking to give more resources to the school, including hiring full-time psychologists and providing more training to faculty.

Archer and other parents say they are confident the Board of Education will handle the matter responsibly.

Just Smile...

2012-01-10T16:17:00.000-05:00

Getting the energy out...

2012-01-09T12:26:00.002-05:00

I know it's surprising but we have LOTS of energy bundles around here. LOL! There is this great fitness trail not far from our home. It's in the woods and is so peaceful and quiet (well, until we get there that is! LOL!)

The kids do really well with balancing. Even Samuel gave it a try but he needed a little hand holding help. :)

Sean is trying to show them what they are supposed to do at each stop. Kyalynn is really getting into it. :)

Sean was doing push-ups and soon he had a little monkey on his back.
Then another, and another. Soon he couldn't budge from all the monkeys on his back.

I love how they are all watching their daddy so intently. That's cuz they want to be just like him someday!

He's so patient with the little's. His arms were sore from having to do this 5 times! LOL!

Two cute little chipmunks! :)

Connor trying his hand at hurdles. He actually cleared them all. Amazing considering last time he couldn't get over one of them without falling.

I'm not sure their energy was out by the time we were done but I can tell you that Sean and I's was!! LOL!

Be still my heart....

2012-01-08T19:33:00.001-05:00

Oh my! Is he not too precious?!

This is how I found him one day during quiet time.

He had set himself up on the floor with his little pals and fallen into a sweet sleep. Awww....

Bustin' a move...

2012-01-05T12:12:00.000-05:00

Little man likes to dance. As soon as he hears music he starts a-swayin' and a-shakin'. Here he was really breaking it down. LOL! Nolan has recently been trying his hand at breakdancing. Where he saw that I have no idea but it's really cute. Anyhow, Samuel likes to sit on his butt and try to spin around like he sees Nolan doing. Double cute! :)

When you're married to a builder....

2012-01-04T22:10:00.000-05:00

So I didn't show you yet what I got for Christmas. Here it is....

Does my man have skills or what?! That's one of the wonderful perks of being married to a builder. Anything I can imagine he can build. I've been using a plastic storage container for the toys and when Sean asked me what I wanted for Christmas this popped into my head. I was thinking simple but they (Sean and Zachary) took it beyond simple to fabulous! :)

Here's the boys checking it out. It didn't take them long at all to give it 2 thumbs up and begin throwing their toys in. Nolan is pointing out the quality of the workmanship and wood to Samuel. LOL!

And this is what my son made for Ericka for Christmas. Isn't it gorgeous?! I had no idea this boy could build a dresser. Don't worry, now I have lots of ideas of what they can build me for next year. :)

Please Pray...

2012-01-03T16:22:00.000-05:00

Last week a dear friends whole world was quickly turned upside down. On Monday night her son went to bed just fine but by Tuesday morning he was in the ER and in critical condition. They finally stabilized him (THANK GOD!) and discovered what the problem was. He has a huge mass at the end of his esophagus that also has grown into his stomach and other surrounding organs. I spoke with her late last week and the doctors decided to wait a couple of days for several reasons. One being he really needed to get to a better stabilized condition and two the surgery required has never been done on someone his age or by any of his doctors! The doctors have spent the time researching and speaking to other doctors to try and figure out how best to go about this surgery. At this point, they are not sure if the mass is cancerous or not.

Although Colton is older, his parents understandably, have wanted to be with him at the hospital. Like any hospital stay, it has caused stress with work schedules, childcare and the unknowns that they face.

Colton was scheduled to get surgery early this week and I haven't heard yet how things went. I am asking you to please join me in lifting up Colton, his family, and his doctors. God has been faithful to allow this to have happened now and not later as the doctors said surely he would have died if this happened a couple of years from now! God's timing is always perfect and His ways are always loving.
So very thankful for Him!!
Thanks so much for your prayers! I'll keep you posted as I know more.

More Wedding Photos...

2012-01-02T20:15:00.000-05:00

Here is our whole clan minus the new bride and groom. Unfortunately, Dereck has his eyes closed and Kyalynn isn't looking but it will do. It's incredibly tough to get a great picture with this many people. LOL! I just love Nolan's expression and stance in this one! He is TOO CUTE!!

We were so happy to have a picture that includes our other sons, Dereck and Ed whom we have adopted into our family. One calls us "mom and pop" and the other calls us "madre and padre", Spanish for mom and dad. We love these guys as our own.

Oh.My.Word....have you ever seen anything cuter?! Don't they clean up good?! :)

My beautiful girls.....sugar and spice..... :)

Just look at that smile. I'd say he's one happy man! LOL!

Me and my man. The absolute love of my life!

Our Family has grown AGAIN.....

2012-01-01T18:32:00.001-05:00

Introducing the newest member of our family...our daughter Ericka. Isn't she beautiful?!

Well, really, she's been a part of our family since she was 10 years old but now it's "official". LOL! I hope to post more pictures tomorrow....

Silence...

2011-12-29T18:46:00.000-05:00

Isn't silence nice sometimes? It's a rare treat around here, LOL! Anyhow, I do have lots of pictures and fun things to share with ya'll but it will have to wait just a bit longer. I just had to pull myself away from a rousing game of air hockey to type this much. :) By the way, I won my game against Sean! That's right, Air Hockey Queen's in the house.

Only 1 day and my sweet 9lb baby boy will be a married man. Oh man, does time fly! We've had a light dusting of snow which will make the wedding even that much more beautiful.

In other news, last night we had a wonderful surprise. One of Ryan's friends that we've adopted as our own came back for Zachary's wedding. He recently moved about 4 hours away and we have missed him terribly. :( You should have heard the screams of all the little's when they saw "our" Dereck! It was precious. So our boy is home for a few days and we are going to enjoy every.single.moment. Life is way too short!

And just because I know I will forget later.... as the little's were getting ready to go outside and play we heard a helicopter flying low. Real low! He circled over and over again right around our house and then it seemed he was planning on landing but flew off instead. The boys were SO EXCITED!! I mean this copter was LOW! He did return several times flying over the area and we saw several state troopers flying down the road too so most likely it's an escapee of some sort. We live in the mountains with prime places to hide so this isn't the first time nor the last for this kind of "action" around here. :) It makes Psalm 91 that much more important to me!

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by the day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes

and see the punishment of the wicked.

Psalm 91: 1-8

Alrighty then...back to the game and winning.....much to Sean's chagrin! :)

Christmas around the world....

2011-12-23T16:07:00.001-05:00

I can't write a post without a fabulous picture to go with it so here you go.....my littles ready to go on our annual "see the lights" ride. Homemade cookies, hot cocoa and jammies...nothing better! :) (One child missed out on the extras of the cookies and cocoa. Bet you can't guess which one)

This month in school we've been studying about "Christmas Around the World". It's been fun to learn how other cultures celebrate and to hear Kyalynn trying so hard to say Merry Christmas in another language! LOL! So I thought it would be fun to share with you some of what we learned this month.

How to say Merry Christmas in:

China - Kung Hei Shing Taan (goong-hoh-sheng-tahn)

Russia - S'Rozhdestvom Khristovym (z'roh-DESHT-vohm KRIS-too-vim)

Mexico - Feliz Navidad (feh-LEES na-vee-DAHD)

Swahili (Africa) - Sikukuu ya Kuzaliwa Kristo (see-koo-koo yah koo-zah-lee-wah kree-stow)

Arabic (Saudi Arabia) - Miladun Said (mee-lah-doon sah-yeed)

France - Joyeaux Noel (Zwah-YUH noh-EHL)

Hawaii - Mele Kalikimaka (MAY-lay kah-LEE-kee MAH-kah)

Brazil - Feliz Natal (feh-LEES nah-TAHL)

Tamil (Sri Lanka) - Kirusmas Vazphuphal (KROOZ-ma FAR-too-dal)

Norway - God Jul (good yool)

Go on. Try at least one. It's fun! Oh, and just in case I don't get a chance to get back on here.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

What Shall I bring?

2011-12-23T09:56:00.000-05:00

The wise may bring their learning,

The rich may bring their wealth,

And some may bring their greatness,

And some their strength and health;

We too would bring our treasures

To offer to the King;

We have no wealth or learning:

What shall we children bring?

We'll bring Him hearts that love Him;

We'll bring Him thankful praise,

And young souls meekly striving

To walk in holy ways:

And these shall be the treasures

We offer to the King,

And these are gifts that even

The poorest child may bring.

~author unknown~

Words to Ponder....

2011-12-21T23:56:00.000-05:00

His Love....Reaching

Right from the beginning God's love has reached, and from the beginning man has refused to understand.

But love went on reaching, offering itself.

Love offered the eternal...we wanted the immediate.

Love offered deep joy....we wanted thrills.

Love offered freedom...we wanted license.

Love offered communion with God Himself...we wanted to worship at the shrine of our own minds.

Love offered peace...we wanted approval for our wars.

Even yet, love went on reaching.

And still today, after two thousand years, patiently, lovingly, Christ is reaching out to us today.

Right through the chaos of our world, through the confusion of our minds.

He is reaching...longing to share with us...the very being of God.

His love still is longing.

His love still is reaching, right past the shackles of my mind.

And the Word of the Father became Mary's little Son.

And His love reached all the way to where I was.

~ Gloria Gaither ~

Hungry?

2011-12-13T23:17:00.000-05:00

So this is what it looks like most mealtimes.

I always have plenty of helpers! :)

Half the time I can't find my rolling pin and this is why....

Samuel Tobias loves playing with it! LOL!

That's my man getting ready to butcher our roosters.

No more cockle-doo-doo around here. LOL!

And there is always cooking and baking happening around here. My little's love, love, love playing with playdough. I can't make enough of it for them. This month's flavor is peppermint. Yummy! I love to see their creativity. They use books as cookie sheets for their playdough cookies and put them on the shelf as an oven. Nolan even rings for the timer going off. :)

Today Nolan was using his construction vehicles in it to make roads. So, if you come visit and you wonder what that green stuff is stuck all over our table, don't worry it's just peppermint playdough. :)

Impossible?

2011-12-12T15:53:00.000-05:00

There is nothing which God cannot affect. ~ Cicero~

If thou knowest God, thou knowest everything is possible for God to do. ~Callimachus~

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Do you ever allow that word to escape your lips? Unfortunately, I do. Too often, to be honest. When the little things continue to pile up and become a full blown battering ram upon my soul and my spirit lags, this word assaults my thoughts and heart. Yet why? For I am a living example of how God has done the impossible in my life. Time and time again I've doubted and feared things were impossible but God never failed to make those very things possible! Why do I forget?

I know the stories of the impossible....Noah building a huge ark.....Sarah having a child at 90 years old......Moses rescued and adopted....David fighting a huge giant of a man with just a sling and a stone....a donkey talking.....my Savior born in a stable, died on a cross, and resurrected again....Peter becoming a "Rock"....and Saul having "heart surgery" and becoming the man of faith Paul!

In light of these truths why do my "impossibilities" seem so huge and insurmountable? I mean really, mine are nothing compared to those. It's because I take my eyes off of Him and His power. What makes my impossible possible is only one thing - GOD! Not what I can muster up in strength or ability. Not what books I can read or what website can walk me through it. Not even my pastor can do it. Only God can because as He states in His word Nothing is impossible for Him!

"Your religious life is to be a living proof that God works impossibilities. Your religious life is to be a series of impossibilities made possible and actual by God's almighty power." Andrew Murray

So my seemingly impossibilities? All part of God's perfect plan to show His power in my life and draw others to Him. Just like His faithful servants whom I read about in His word that are utterly helpless without God. He steps in and works gloriously and changes impossible to possible.

Although it's part of human nature to want to be in control and direct my own steps, it's only when I lay it all down at His feet, surrender fully, and acknowledge I am nothing without Him that I am finally free from that "impossible" rut. I once again look up and know that what looks like impossibilities now are the fertile soil for God's hand to move and bring forth a harvest of possibilities!!

So very thankful my God is Elohim. (Elohim is the great name of God, signifying supreme power, sovereignty, and a covenant relationship that He is ever faithful to keep. Genesis 17:7,8)

Christmas Fun...

2011-12-10T15:18:00.000-05:00

We learned a long time ago that when you don't have the extra cash to go and do fun things you need to dig in deep and pull out your fun and creative side. :) Many of the things we do around here are to create memories that last a lifetime. Sometimes it's fun, many times it's corny but the little ones LOVE it. So we continue on. If you've been around much this last year you know that we've started up a new tradition of "Talent Night". Every couple of months we gather together family, yep, even friends (gulp...really have to swallow my pride when friends come. LOL!) and enjoy everyone singing, dancing or doing whatever their talent is for that night. We thought a Christmas version would be fun so we threw one together last weekend. The kids spent lots of time planning out their "acts" and gathering their "materials". They are a riot! I hope I don't forget these moments because these are the ones that really count! Anyhow, without further ado here are some pictures from the show....

Kyalynn played a song from Charlie Brown's Christmas on her piano.

Just look at the pure joy in her face!

This girl LOVES music.

She did an awesome job and even clapped for herself when she finished. :)

Gabriella decided she wanted to make a surprise drawing for her talent.

She worked hard and turned out a beautiful butterfly!

Little man played the harmonica.

Not sure what song he was playing LOL! but it was priceless!

Connor sang Joy to the World. He sang acapella (? - without music LOL!)

He did a beautiful job. So wish I had a video camera!

And Samuel was not to be excluded.

He jingled this bell as we all sang Jingle Bells together. :)

Who's that? Rudolph?? That's just grammy joining in the fun. She sang Up on the Housetop while dancing around. I laughed so hard I thought I'd pee my pants! Nolan wasn't so sure...he just

stared at her with saucer eyes which of course made me laugh even more! LOL! Pappy participated too by dressing in a Santa suit. Now we don't "do" Santa around here. My children know the real reason for Christmas and why we celebrate it. Funny sidenote: Whenever we are at the store without fail somebody asks the kids if they are ready for Santa. My kids always say No which shocks the person asking but allows the opportunity to share who Christmas is REALLY about! :)

We ended the "show" with a live nativity. This was hysterical as the kids planned out who they would be and what they would wear. I had to fill in for Joseph because at the last minute Connor decided he wanted to be a Wiseman instead. :) Samuel was to be baby Jesus but he had no desire to be laying down for that long, hence the baby in swaddling clothes standing up! LOL! Nolan was a shepherd boy but I think he was off chasing a sheep during this photo. Sean was all the animals. I know, you're all jealous my man is so multi-talented. LOL! Let's see, Mary (Gabriella) rode in on his back as he was her donkey. Then Connor rode in on his back because he was his camel and Nolan led him in as his sheep.

All in all, great fun, good clean laughs and much memory making took place. Gosh, I will miss this when they are bigger and realize how corny this "fun" is. :)

Living out Acts...

2011-12-07T15:23:00.000-05:00

They ate together in their homes,

happy to share their food with joyful hearts.

Acts 2:45

How would you have liked to be the one who opened his home for Jesus?

You can be.

"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me. (Matthew 25:40) As you welcome strangers to your table, you are welcoming God himself.

Something holy happens around a dinner table that will never happen in a sanctuary. Don't listen to that voice that everything must be perfect. If we wait until everything is perfect, we'll never issue an invitation. Remember this: what is common to you is a banquet to someone else. You think your house is small, but to the lonely heart, it is a castle. You think your living room is a mess, but to the person whose life is a mess, your house is a sanctuary. You think the meal is simple, but to those who eat alone every night, pork and beans on paper plates tastes like filet mignon. What is small to you is huge to them.

Open your table.

The Greek word for hospitality compounds two terms: love and stranger. The word literally means to love a stranger. All of us can welcome a guest we know and love. But, can we welcome a stranger?

Every morning in America more than 39 million people wake up in poverty. In 2008, 17 million households had difficulty providing food for their families. An estimated 1.1 million children lived in households experiencing hunger multiple times throughout the year. And this is America, the wealthiest nation in the history of the world.

When we provide food stamps, we stave off hunger. But when we invite the hungry to our table, we address the deeper issues of value and self-worth. Who would have thought? God's secret weapons in the war on poverty include your kitchen table and mine.

~Max Lucado~

Are you rich??

2011-12-06T00:09:00.001-05:00

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms

when his hands are empty.

~ anonymous ~

The Countdown is ON!!

2011-12-04T01:12:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that my firstborn will soon be a married man! The date is set, the plans in place, the excitement palatable. Ahh, love. :) What an absolutely beautiful thing!!

The little girls are so ready. They are imaging it as a glorified tea party since they've never been to a wedding before. Since we had them try their dresses on Kyalynn has been asking repeatedly "Zack and Ericka wedding?" Oh my, it may be a long month! LOL!

The countdown is ON!!! :)

Just had to share this one!!

2011-12-03T07:27:00.001-05:00

Prayers for my special buddy...

2011-12-02T10:08:00.001-05:00

Remember this precious little guy? Many of you prayed for him during his last hospitalization. Jonathan has so many medical issues that cause him to be in and out of hospitals way too many times. :( Poor little guy is again in the hospital and needing our prayers. The Drs. aren't sure what is going on so prayers for wisdom would be really appreciated. Also, prayers for his sweet family as they endure the testing and waiting with such grace and fortitude.

He is a treasure, I'm telling ya! A walking miracle boy. Please join me in praying for him so he can get back home and enjoy life at full speed.
Thank you!!!

Hodge Podge...

2011-12-01T18:10:00.000-05:00

I just can't seem to find the necessary time to get all the posts brewing in my head typed out. LOL! I have no idea why I can't find some spare minutes in my 24 hour day to write something down but until this moment I haven't. So here is my hodge podge version of what's been happening on the mountaintop. Most of it is for my sake so I can remember what in the world I was doing with my time and the memories we are creating. All I know is that when I get to the end of my life I couldn't care less if I don't have two dimes to rub together, or a houseful of things to show off. As long as I have been loved by my wonderful man and my precious children I have been the richest woman on the earth!!

So without further ado....the past month (or so) in a nutshell. We do a Harvest Party every year for the little ones instead of Halloween. Some years have been just us and others have included grandparents and/or friends. This year we were so blessed to have Zack and Ericka and my parents to join in the fun. The fun includes sack races, hayride (which really is all of us piling into the back of Sean's truck sitting on leaves!), pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, relay races, stuffing scarecrows and pie eating contest. It's a blast! The picture below is of the pie eating contest. Nolan likes to take his good ole' time and enjoy each bite while the rest of us are speed eating to be crowned the "winner"! LOL!

Every Sunday now for weeks and weeks this is what our driveway looks like. Actually, we've had it where people are parked down the driveway and in the grass!

Our son Ryan holds an Airsoft game every Sunday. It's grown from just a handful to lots of big guys running around here. It brings new meaning to "sunday dinner" as we usually prepare a big meal for all of the ravenous guys. We just love it!! I will sorely miss them when Ryan heads off to bootcamp.

These boys are best buddies. They play so well together! I know that Samuel usually always has the pacifier in his mouth in his pictures but the boy is seriously addicted to it. LOL! We have been working on weaning him but this week he has a cold and we've flexed a bit. Hope it doesn't make it harder in the long run.

Thanksgiving was wonderful! Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday. I love having my home filled with those we love. This year my cousin and my grandma joined us which made it extra special!

Black Friday found Sean and I out on a date in the evening. Woot! Woot! No we didn't join in the shopping frenzy we were just enjoying one another uninterrupted!! Ahh...Heaven! :) Our tree is up, house decorated, and a new unit study begun on Christmas around the world. The kids have been busy creating their masterpieces to give away and I have been busy preparing Advent activities to draw each of us closer to the Reason for the Season!

Often amongst the busyness of having so many little's Sean and I will just look at one another and say, "these are the days". Sometimes it's hard to remember that these days filled with chaos, tears, laughter, exhaustion, happiness and endless activity are the days we will remember and long for when we are old and the house is quiet, but they are. I can't imagine having quiet time for myself, uninterrupted conversations, a clean house, and nothing to do. Honestly, it makes my heart skip a beat, not because of happiness and longing but because of sadness. These children in all their loud, dirty, activeness are what make my world go round! I can not thank God enough for these priceless gifts He's given me.

I am the richest woman on earth!!

Just In Time....

2011-11-22T22:18:00.001-05:00

For your Christmas shopping......

From now until Monday night at midnight I am offering my book

Ransomed

for a flat fee of $10.00!!!!

That's right.....

FREE SHIPPING!!

Forget about elbowing your way through the mall, just click and we'll ship!

Give a gift with a message of Eternal value!!

Happy Shopping!!! :)

For a Healthy Society...

2011-11-21T21:48:00.000-05:00

The Biblical family is an indispensable foundation stone of a healthy society. You want to watch a culture self-destruct? Eliminate the fathers, make the mothers neglect their children, and teach everyone to forsake the weak, the needy, and the elderly. It has happened before. Just read your history. The Spartans declared that children were the property of the State, better trained by experts than by their own parents. The ancient Romans exposed unwanted babies and the elderly, leaving them to die in isolation. Euthanasia and abortion are not new. These things are happening in our nation now, just as they have happened in the past when men and nations rejected God's ways. Man without Christ is lost. God's Word raises a standard His people can confidently trust. This is why ancient Israel had strong laws to protect widows, orphans, and strangers. It is why Christians went against cultural trends in pagan Rome, rescuing babies and the unwanted from exposure and certain death. It's why they boldly took care of plague victims when pagan doctors fled, causing heathen kings to note their genuine hospitality and fearlessness. Vibrant Christian homes where families work together, contented in God's wise division of labor, can quite literally change the world!

~Jennie Chancey, Passionate Housewives Desperate for God~

Please Pray!!

2011-11-20T14:27:00.000-05:00

Another bloggy friend has just brought home a precious treasure from Uganda. Upon arrival in the States she underwent brain surgery {actually she's had 3 so far} and she is desperately needing prayer. Please jump over to Linny's blog to read the latest post and to read the amazing backstory that only God could orchestrate! And then, please pray with us for God's mighty, healing hand to be all over her. Thank you so very much!

Today is Friday Mommy...

2011-11-18T00:30:00.001-05:00

Yes, my sweet girl it is. This is the day she has been waiting for, counting down to, and saying "Friday's my birthday" way too many times to count. :)

Kyalynn, today is Friday and YOUR 9th BIRTHDAY!!!!! Time for a celebration (another of her favorite things to say over and over again this past week! LOL!) We are celebrating beautiful, precious YOU!!

My life has become richer and fuller because of you. You show me how to enjoy the simple things in life. You are the music in our lives sweet girl, singing and dancing through your days. I love the way you are so kind and loving to your siblings, the way you snuggle tight to my neck, the way you grab for my hand to hold it. I love how you love Jesus. You are our prayer warrior, always quick to lay hands on the sibling that is hurt or crying. Truthfully, we love everything about you our beautiful girl.

Happy, happy birthday #9!

We love you with all our hearts....

your biggest fans!!!

Hospital...

2011-11-15T10:48:00.000-05:00

So, I have a confession to make. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being a mom of many but I have to admit I don't do well, at all, with injuries. I've had my share of injuries through the years, mainly with Ryan (he's our daredevil!) so you'd think I'd do better with them now. I don't! I'm not sure if it's the screaming, the blood, the pain or what, but it sends me into the panic zone pretty quick. I don't stay there, I do balance back out but that initial adrenaline....whew, baby! LOL!

The story goes like this.....the kids were all outside playing and Samuel and I were at Big Orange (the forklift mentioned in last post). Nolan, Connor and I had raked leaves for a bit in the morning and there was a huge pile they were playing in. As Samuel and I were making our way up the hill to where the kids were I heard Connor yelling for me. He told me Nolan was hurt {which happens in a small degree everyday, he IS a boy after all! LOL!) but then I saw him. My sweet little boy. He was crying and there was blood everywhere on his face. I scooped up Samuel and we ran to Nolan and then I saw the hole. Oh my word! This is where I felt the panic rising up. I knew he'd have to go to the ER and then my mind is scrambling as to how I can make this happen with all the kids. I heard yelling and realized it was myself and then realizing that I had 5 sets of eyes on me I started praying for him and for myself. After putting a towel on it I remembered Ryan was home from work early today {such a God thing!} and called for him. He got the truck pulled up and ready to go and just as I was getting into the truck Ericka {Zack's fiancee} pulled up. She was coming over to visit {another God thing!} and rode along to help. That's just what I needed, someone else to take over so I could breathe and think straight and within minutes I was balanced back out. The whole thing was likely less than 10 minutes but I still feel like I failed the don't-get-panicked-test and I really don't want to try it again for a better grade. LOL!

Nolan is fine, thank God. Since it was a head wound it was really bleeding. We've had head wounds before and I knew they bled more, but still, at that moment my boy covered in blood it was too much for my mommy's heart. The story is that he went down the slide and tripped and hit the fence. He had a pretty deep hole right in his forehead but he's all fixed up now, 3 stitches later. He was so brave!

There's my confession....when my kids are hurt badly I panic. I wish I handled it calmly and cooly but I don't. I wish I was supermom, but I'm not. I'm just little 'ole me doing the best I can with Father God filling in my endless gaps and boy am I so thankful for that! :)

Our Sweet Samuel T...

2011-11-14T15:41:00.001-05:00

It's so hard to believe he will be 20 months old this week!! I've got to tell you I have enjoyed every single minute this boy has been a part of our lives! He is such a precious gem. I can't tell you how many times Sean and I have watched him asleep in our arms and have just been overcome with gratefulness to God for this precious gift. Yesterday, as we were leaving to do a grocery run my parents ~~begged~~ asked if they could watch him. We were happy to share our treasure and headed off but let me tell you how weird it was for me to look back into the car seats and see that one missing seat. I'm so used to taking the kids with me everywhere I go {except for Gab's various drs. appts. if I can help it} that I just felt "off" the whole shopping trip. We were ALL anxious to get that sweet boy back into our arms! In fact, Kyalynn cried when grammy and pappy drove off with little Sam in their car. She LOVES that boy! LOL! She asked repeatedly where he was and when he was coming home. Anyhow, at one point I said to Sean "look back there and imagine if we had said No to Samuel. That missing carseat would be our reality. Can you imagine?!" He said "I can't imagine and I don't even want to think about it". Then he said I miss him already.....he had only been gone about 10 minutes at that point! :) All that to say......is someone missing from your family? Could you be missing out on one of the greatest treasures ever because of fear?! Is God knocking on your heart? Is there a child somewhere in this world praying for you to be the answer to their prayers to not be an orphan anymore? The need is so great but the blessings......they are beyond compare!!

Sam LOVES Sean's big forklift. Every day he walks down the hill and stands there waiting for me to lift him up to the seat. So funny!

This is his Winnie the Pooh stuffy from his treasure of a birthmom. I mean how could the boy not be a treasure with the amazing birthmom he has!!

It's funny when someone asks me how Sam is doing developmentally. At first it really bothered me and I felt I had to explain why he isn't doing A, B or C like other kids his age. Now, I answer he's practically perfect in every way!!! And he is. :)

Two Moms....

2011-11-10T00:45:00.001-05:00

We just finished watching "Like Dandelion Dust" and oh my the tears......lots and lots and lots of tears. I read the book years ago and although the movie was good the book delves even deeper into the emotions and thoughts going through both families minds. For those that don't know, it's a story about a family adopting a son and 7 years later the birthparents decide they want him back. I won't spoil it with any more details but truly it is so good to see both sides of the adoption....the adoptive parents and the birthparents. Really makes you think!

One sentence just really stuck with me, so I thought I'd share it here.

"I want him to know he has two mothers.

One that loved him so much she wouldn't let him go

and another that loved him so much she had to let him go."

With a heart overflowing with gratitude for the selfless gift of five mothers...

My lap, my arms and my heart overflows because of an amazing gift from 5 strangers that now have become my family.

Two moms....

To Start the Week...

2011-11-07T09:53:00.000-05:00

The little's and I started our day dancing in the kitchen to this song. Nothing like praise and worship to focus your day! I wish I had a video camera to show you sweet little Samuel dancing right along with us. :) So precious to me. Totally believe this is why the Bible says the little children shall lead them!
Enjoy!!

Just in Time...

2011-11-05T20:14:00.001-04:00

Looking for a gift that gives back? Something that can change someone's life? A way you can make a difference? Then look no farther than here.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 30 MILLION SLAVES IN THE WORLD TODAY, MORE THAN AT ANY OTHER POINT IN HUMAN HISTORY.

Each of these items offer women and children a chance at a better life. Whether it's through job training, shelters, or entrepreneurial opportunities. These are gifts worth giving!!

I Was Born For This...

2011-11-03T10:13:00.000-04:00

I Was Born for This!

by Marilyn Meberg

Many of us assume that we were born to do something great, perhaps something that would change the world and make it a better place… Instead, we wake up each morning, eat our Ezekiel toast and sip our green tea that tastes like lawn clippings, and go on with our day. We go to bed at night, with or without Ambian, wake up, and start all over again. Few of us would exult over this routine and crow, "I was born for this!"

But we need to take a minute and ask the question, "Why was I born?" in light of Scripture. Does it answer that weighty question? The answer is yes. In fact, it answers the question with profound simplicity.

Refresh your memory with Ephesians 1:4, which states, "Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us." This amazing scripture says He loved us before He flung the stars into place or created the coastline of Laguna Beach, California. We got top love–billing before absolutely every other created thing. He loved us even before He created us. Does that not blow your mind?

We find the same theme in Ephesians 1:11, which states, "He chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago." What was it He chose? He chose to create us so that He might love us. He chose us to be the recipient of His never-ending, unfathomable love.

So then, why were we born? We were born to be loved by God! Plain and simple!

Some of you may be muttering a bit. I can hear you saying, "How can you reduce that huge question about why we were born to such a simplistic 'God created us so he could love us' answer?"

I didn't reduce it; God did

In the Right Hands....

2011-11-02T16:05:00.000-04:00

He can see me - right there in His hand! ~ Mother Teresa

Many of us have been under the wrong management most of our lives. We have been in the wrong hands. We have been so mishandled that all of the original, superb purposes for which we were created have been totally distorted and misspent. We are virtual slaves to sin, to ourselves and to Satan.

Yet the Stranger of Galilee comes into our lives. He looks upon us with love. He touches us with tenderness. He sees beyond our sins. He extends His knowing to take us into His understanding care.

In our human ignorance and suspicion, we are convinced that to come to Christ's care can be even worse bondage than before. It takes some of us a lifetime to learn that Christ, our Good Shepherd, knows exactly what He is doing with us. He understands us perfectly.

~Phillip Keller~

The righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands.

Ecclesiastes 9:1

~A.W. Tozer~

We please Him most, not by frantically trying to make ourselves good, but by throwing ourselves into His arms with all our imperfections, and believing that He understands everything and loves us still.

For a good cause...

2011-11-01T22:24:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe the holidays are just around the corner. So, in anticipation of that I wanted to share two adoption fundraisers that would be great gifts!

First, if you don't know Kiara you must take a moment to "meet" her through her blog. She is blessed with a beautiful family which will be expanding with the birth of another adoption blessing soon. She makes the most amazing body butters. I know I've posted about them before but seriously, they are wonderful! In fact, I just received our shipment today. This time I bought the original and the Chocolate Peppermint and let me tell you I could eat this stuff. It smells that good! All of it is all natural and safe to use on every body in your house. Why not give some out as gifts? That would be a two-fold blessing...one for those that receive it and one for Andy and Kiara's adoption fund. Go check it out. I promise it's better than anything you can buy at the store!!

Second, my friend Donna is also in the process of raising the "Ransom" for a sweet girl from Eastern Europe. They are joining up with Dutchman Tree Farms and offering Christmas Trees and Wreaths for your holiday celebrations. Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/l/uAQFllWq0AQEJwUK3n1taOARiBE4k5g51_SfFO1F5dUmkPA/www.dutchmantreefarms.com/organization/MANC

You'll be spending money anyways, why not spend it on something that can change a life forever!! :)

Good Clean Fun...

2011-10-31T16:00:00.000-04:00

While the little's were outside enjoying the snow on Saturday I gathered items together to surprise the girls with an "Ohh La La Beauty Day" as per a favorite Fancy Nancy book. They were so excited!

Here's Gabi with her banana and honey facial (yuck!).

And here she is with her hair and makeup done and enjoying a foot soak.

Kyalynn's favorite part was the makeup. She smiled the whole way through. She didn't want her nails done but I finally convinced her and she is still walking around flaunting her nails and saying "ooh pretty". LOL!

Yesterday we all worked (even little Nolan!) on shoveling our driveway because the snow was too heavy for the snowblower. Our electricity went out on Saturday afternoon and came back on Sunday night around 8PM. I will admit that the pioneer-feeling day was wonderful on Saturday but that's because I figured the electricity would come back on overnight, but it didn't. I was cranky and stressed and I'll admit even whiny by Sunday night. I can do well with people chaos but I can't function in house chaos and mine was chaos! So when the lights came back on last night, after we had all cheered and praised God, I set to work getting my physical world in order. When the last dish was cleaned, the floor swept, and everything back in it's own place I was a very happy girl again. :) We are still missing Nolan's Ted (his very favorite, take it everywhere with him, dirty, crusty, loved teddy bear) and after seeking high and low with flashlights I was certain we'd find him today but still no luck. Oh where oh where is that little teddy bear, oh where oh where can he be?! :)

I will say that I once thought I could live like the pioneers but after this weekend I sorely doubt it. Our fervent prayers continue for all of those still without power. Sure makes you appreciate the little things in life when they are gone for a while. Every time I turn that water spigot on today praise rolls off my lips!!

Oh to be like a little child.....they were happy as larks with electricity or without. They thought it was fun using flashlights and eating our meals by candlelight. The girls were such a riot Saturday morning when they saw the snow out their windows. Their voices raised in excitement.....them singing Frosty the Snowman.....talking about what they were going to do in the snow....memories I will always cherish.

It Happened, It Really, Really Happened!!

2011-10-29T09:32:00.000-04:00

The weatherman was *actually* right! LOL! The only problem is he usually isn't and so we didn't plan accordingly. We live at the top of a mountain....the TOP...of a....MOUNTAIN....not a hill....not a small rise...a MOUNTAIN!! (Hence the name of the blog! LOL!) Our driveway is extremely steep....think straight up...so we might be snowbound for a day or two since all the vehicles are up here at the top, with us. :) Oh well, we have hot cocoa, homemade cookies, and lots of lovin' so we are good. Actually....we are beyond good...we are BLESSED!!!

Happy Snowy Saturday!!!!

Just doing his job....

2011-10-27T18:16:00.000-04:00

I'm sure he wouldn't want any thanks or praise for just doing his job but I can't let this go unnoticed. Thank God we have men and women like this "just doing their jobs" each and every day for us to live free. Have you stopped and really pondered that?! Have you said a prayer for them? Have you thanked them? My son's dream is to become one of these men and I couldn't be prouder!! Thank you Sgt. Kristoffer Domeij!

You'll Need Tissues...

2011-10-25T15:27:00.000-04:00

I saw this on another blog and just had to share. I have never heard of or seen this show but it is worth the couple of minutes just to hear his story of redemption! RANSOMED and impacting the world, reminding us again that each of us are "fearfully and wonderfully made"!!

Book Events....

2011-10-20T17:14:00.000-04:00

My Upcoming Book Signing Events:

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Carlisle Expo ~ Celebrate the Book Festival

and

C and C Coffee House from 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

Ragged Edge Coffee House from 1:00- 3:00 PM

Friday, November 18th, 2011

The Strawberry Patch @ Strawberry Square from 11:00 - 2:00 PM

Would love to meet you!

Email me for more info and/or directions.

My lil' pumpkins...

2011-10-20T15:14:00.000-04:00

Awww.....my little pumpkins...

Nolan was not going anywhere near that giant spider! LOL! I told him it was fake but nothin' doing this boy wouldn't budge.

Our crew filled up all the hay bales around the campfire.

Samuel not sure if he wants to go first. LOL! Look closely at my Gabi girls' bling. Girl can't even go to the pumpkin patch without necklace, bracelet and rings! LOL!

Absolutely LOVE this picture. Just look at Kyalynn's face....priceless! And Samuel, his personality shining through! :)

Sam deciding whether the pumpkin is a friend or not. LOL!

This would be a really great picture...everyone looking forward....most with smiles....all except the fact that one piece of my hair is blowing across my face making it look like a very odd mustache! :)

Did you see this?

2011-10-18T18:37:00.000-04:00

A Mother With Cancer Lays Down Her Life for Her Unborn Child

By Penny Young Nance

Published October 18, 2011

FoxNews.com

What mother can’t understand the fierce desire to protect her child? If anyone even looks at my kids wrong, I’m ready to protect them with my life.

Moms understand the ferocity that comes out of nowhere. It doesn’t matter if your child is two years old or thirty-two. But the story of Stacie Crimm’s selfless determination to protect the life of her unborn baby girl goes far beyond the average mom’s commitment.

At 41, Stacie Crimm was shocked beyond belief to learn she was expecting her first child. This was probably the biggest surprise blessing of her life, especially since doctors had previously said she would never be able to conceive.

Unfortunately, just a few months later, she was diagnosed with head and neck cancer, and Stacie was presented with the most difficult dilemma a mother can face: She could either undergo chemotherapy to save her own life or she could forgo the treatment to save the life of her baby. Needless to say, this was an extremely painful decision no mother ever wants to make.

Of course, like any mother, Stacie’s intimate bond with her child was more important than life itself, literally. Stacie made the decision to spare the life of her child and, tragically, died on September 11 of this year. Thankfully, she did live long enough to hold her tiny baby girl, Dottie Mae, in her arms. This mother truly exemplified the courage of womanhood by offering the ultimate sacrifice for her child.

But awe-inspiring stories like Stacie’s are conveniently ignored by our national leaders who stand against pro-life legislation.

In fact, last week when the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protect Life Act (H.R. 358), Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) stated, “Just as the courts ruled unconstitutional and upheld the provision of the Texas law that required a doctor to talk first to a woman seeking an abortion and to allow or force them both to listen, uh, to sounds that, uh, might discourage this needed action, this is going to be held unconstitutional.”

I am so thankful that ultrasound technology allows moms to hear the “sound” or heartbeat of their child. This has saved countless lives. In fact LifeNews.com reports that ultrasound legislation, to which Rep. Lee is referring, is responsible for a 30 percent decrease in abortions within a year.

Obviously, for Stacie, listening to the “sounds” of her baby’s heartbeat was just the action she needed to protect her baby’s life rather than extinguish it.

Yes, Stacie died. And aborting her baby may or may not have changed the outcome. We will never know the answer. But because of her selfless choice, a little girl will have the chance to experience a life of opportunity.

In terribly sad medical situations, such as the one Stacie faced, doctors do face the possibility of their patients’ death. But the doctors should always recognize that there are two patients and that they should do what they can to save both lives.

Sometimes it may be necessary to separate the baby from the mother. If the baby is premature, he or she may not survive. But the intent is never to kill the baby in an effort to save the mother. Stacie decided that her little girl was worth the risk, and other women have made that same hard decision.

So-called feminists like Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Sheila Jackson Lee could learn a lot about being a strong woman from Stacie Crimm’s story.

Stacie made the ultimate sacrifice to save the life of another. If that isn’t heroic, then what is?

In a day when life is constantly cheapened, Stacie Crimm reminded us that it is indeed priceless.

Penny Young Nance is CEO of Concerned Women for America.

Laughter....

2011-10-15T09:21:00.000-04:00

is such good medicine!

For the beauty of the earth....

2011-10-14T11:06:00.000-04:00

Isn't God's work gorgeous?! The little's and I have been taking lots of walks now that the chances of running into a rattlesnake is slim to none. LOL! In just a matter of days the leaves went from green to these striking reds, yellows and oranges. So beautiful!

We are so blessed to live entrenched in this beauty! However, I must share that there are thorns amidst the beauty....lol! Just a couple of days ago my brother (who lives next door) ran into a male black bear. EEEEKKK! The bears usually run when they hear noise but this big boy stood his ground, snorted and did a low growl. I would have been like the cartoon roadrunner getting outta there! :)

Apparently, the bears like my brothers house. They've been there several times to eat their birdseed and suet and just recently broke off 2 tree branches to eat the above. It's crazy really, we have all these animals (ducks, bunnies, chickens, cats, dog) that would make a great meal but he prefers birdseed. Go figure! :)

Anyhow, after meeting the daddy bear {as my kids say} my brother had a cub run off with his bag of garbage. When my brother went to yell at the cub he spied momma and 2 more cubs! That's a momma bear and 3 cubs. Sounds cute but oh so dangerous! So we have the whole bear family right outside our doors....daddy bear, momma bear, and 3 babies. Wonder when Goldilocks will come?! LOL!

Tree Huggers.....:)

2011-10-11T23:45:00.001-04:00

2011-10-10T22:48:00.001-04:00

"Every worthwhile accomplishment,

big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph;

a beginning, a struggle and a victory."

Ghandi

It's the constant and determined effort

that breaks down all resistance

and sweeps away all obstacles.

Claude M. Bristol

"What this power is I cannot say;

all I know is that it exists and it becomes available

only when a man is in that state of mind

in which he knows exactly what he wants

and is fully determined not to quit until he finds it."

Alexander Graham Bell

"The difference between the impossible

and the possible lies in a person's determination."

Tommy Lasorda

It's all about the ride...

2011-10-09T20:29:00.001-04:00

It doesn't matter what mode of transportation you choose, just get going. :)

Two...

2011-10-06T08:11:00.000-04:00

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

Rain, Rain Go Away...

2011-10-05T18:24:00.002-04:00

Last week after a string of rainy cold days my wonderful man decided to help the little's get their energy out. Sean is a 2nd degree Blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do and is such a great teacher he had them sweating in no time. LOL! He began with exercises and some basic forms and then made an obstacle course for them...out of the laundry baskets. :) He's so smart!

So all this time I've been thinking having 6 laundry baskets filled with clothes to fold and sort was a bad thing to have hanging out in my living room but apparently not! LOL! The kids had a blast! They couldn't stop laughing and even asked for the game the next night too! Lucky for them those same laundry baskets were still sitting in the room waiting to be folded and sorted. :)
Oh the joys of overflowing baskets of laundry and little ones full of giggles!!!

Yummy Recipes!!

2011-10-04T15:36:00.002-04:00

If you are anything like me, you don't like adventure in your recipes. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all up for adventure most of the time in any other area but I gag at the thought of eating something that looks...well...gaggable. (Is that a word?! LOL!) However, since my birthday is just a few days away and it's the big 40!! I've decided to tag this fortieth year "Taking Care of Lisa Year". I've done extremely well balancing a GF/CF diet for the little's while still implementing "regular" food for the bigs. Yi-Yi-Yi. :) Now, we are on a whole new adventure of limiting Gabriella's sodium intake due to her kidney issues. That means a whole lot of researching, reading and finding new ways to get food into this child. She is soooooo picky! Seriously, if she doesn't like it, (which most things fall into that category for her!) she will just gag her way through the WHOLE meal. Fun, fun, fun! :)

Anyhow, back to the "taking care of Lisa year", I'll admit, I've fallen very, very short in this area. It's incredibly hard to find time when there are a bunch of little ones always clamoring for my attention BUT no more excuses! This is my year and I'm already implementing little things into my life that will make a big difference overall. Go Lisa go!! :)

So onto the fabulously, yummy recipes!!!!

Squash is in abundance this time of year and is usually very cheap. Last week I bought a big bag of Kale, a Butternut Squash and a Spaghetti Squash. Here to follow are my recipes I made up....

Sauteed Spaghetti Squash

Slice squash, remove seeds. Place in a glass container with a little water.

Microwave until soft. (About 12-15 minutes)

Place olive oil, onions and chopped garlic into a frying pan.

(Watch closely so garlic doesn't burn. Nothing yum about that!)

Add the strands from the squash and cook on low for a few minutes.

Then add just one small piece of turkey kielbasa/or Cheddarwurst.

Heat through and enjoy!

Butternut and Apple Soup

Slice squash, remove seeds. Microwave in glass container with a little water.

Cook until soft.

Meanwhile, cook olive oil, garlic and onions in frying pan until onions are translucent.

Cut the squash into small chunks and add it and 2-3 cups of water to pan.

Simmer until squash is mushy.

Then add 1 apple (I used Golden Delicious)

Add Chicken Base or Bouillon to taste.

Then carefully put mixture into blender and puree.

Return to pan and add milk and cornstarch to make thick and creamy.

Yummo! I had this for lunch today and I'd give it 5 stars! LOL!

The best part is both of these recipes are very low calorie and low fat.

Try 'em, you'll like 'em. :)

Oh P.S. the Kale was made into a kale, sausage and bean soup that was listed on the back of the bag. Not a fan :( Actually, no one was and it was eventually pitched out. Something I hate to do but in this case, it was necessary.

Do any of you have a kale recipe that you can share?

I did add some kale to my homemade chicken noodle soup last night and that was good. So good in fact, that a whole big pot....A WHOLE BIG POT....was completely gone last night! Kyalynn cried today when I told her she couldn't have any chicken noodle soup because it was all.

Oh and one more thing....around here all of my food is good. Everything I cook or bake is delectable and do you know why? Well, because I put love into it, silly! LOL!

We started this to help Gabriella stop saying my food is yuck but it hasn't worked yet. We'll keep on trying. :)

I resolve...

2011-10-03T14:51:00.000-04:00

I resolve to give God everything I've got

and leave the results to Him.

~ Max Lucado ~

Bounty of blessings...

2011-09-30T15:40:00.001-04:00

Here's Looking At You....

2011-09-27T10:02:00.000-04:00

Just look at those lips!

I mean, seriously, aren't they just kissable?! :)

Do you know?

2011-09-27T00:12:00.002-04:00

That dull ache...

2011-09-24T01:53:00.000-04:00

I often have this dull ache in my heart that never fully goes away. Sometimes the ache is bearable and I can continue life as normal. Other days, the ache rages and makes me want to cry or scream or curl up in a fetal position. The ache pushes me into territory I am so not comfortable with. The ache awakens me at night and begs for me to do something to make the pain lessen. It often leaves me in tears and frustration because the ache is so big and diverse and painful and yet I am only one person, and really what can I, little ole' Lisa hope to do?!

Sometimes I'm consumed with grief as I think about all the orphans crying themselves to sleep another night, the young girls selling their bodies just so they can make enough money to eat, children with special needs languishing in their cribs in soiled diapers, those that have lost everything to floods or fires or hurricanes. It all seems so unfair, doesn't it?! I mean, here we are eating 3 meals a day, foods every color of the rainbow and clear fresh drinking water to boot while others try to eek out a living that consists of dry bread and dirty water. I sleep on a nice, comfortable bed while the young girl, a sexual slave, tries desperately to find a measure of comfort on the floor of some filthy apartment or shack. My children, handwoven by God with special needs, are comforted, loved and given hope while others, just an ocean away, haven't been touched or loved since their birth.

Sometimes that dull ache is hard to suppress, hard to ignore. That's when I do the one thing that matters more than any other thing I can conceive....I pray. With all that is within me I pray and beg God for justice and mercy and love for those that cause my aching. Sometimes I'm afraid it's not enough. I do know what prayers have done for me in my life. When people tell me they are praying for me I feel hope rise within me. I know that these prayers have sustained me through some very tough times. I count on these prayers. I have to believe that somewhere in a pit of despair someone is barely holding on and my prayers, in that moment, help them to cling a bit longer. It doesn't remove my ache but it surely helps to ease it a bit because I am actively doing something to help. And I don't know about you but that's the only way I can live another day with this dull ache....

Just had to share...

2011-09-23T15:18:00.000-04:00

We are learning about Limericks and today the kids had to write one about pirates. To be honest, they all dictated them to me and I wrote them down. We are still diligently working on fine motor control and Connor, the only one who can write on his own has lots of frustration with trying to sound out and spell the words correctly. He is quite a perfectionist in this area and it helps for me to write it for him and then have him copy my writing in his own time. BUT, these are their own writings so without further ado, their limericks. To be fun I'll just write them without child's name and you guess whose they are. I will post at the bottom who wrote what. :)

#1 ~ There once was a pirate named Silly Old Jack,

He liked to clap his hat,

He sailed away for a whole day,

That pirate named Silly Old Jack.

#2 ~ There once was a pirate named Ham,

Who ate a jar of jam,

His belly was stuffed,

He was all puffed,

That silly old pirate named Ham.

#3 ~ There once was a pirate named Jack

Who fell on his back,

He spat on his knee, He spat on his shoes,

That funny faced pirate named Jack.

#4 ~ There once was a pirate named King

Who lost his gold ring

He splashed in the sea

Where can it be?

That silly old pirate named King.

Did you guess correctly? :)

#1 - Nolan

#2 - Connor

#3 - Kyalynn

#4 - Gabriella

Goosebumps....

2011-09-23T00:10:00.000-04:00

Doesn't this look excellent? We are planning on going opening night to celebrate our 22nd Anniversary! The best part, beyond the man that has stood by me for this long, is that our 2 oldest sons and their girlfriends will be coming along. It's like a triple date. LOL! I am SO looking forward to it!!

Arg Matey!

2011-09-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

We have found unit studies to be the best way to teach our children. I love that we can take a subject and tailor it to meet each of their unique needs. This month our focus is on pirates. I'm often amazed at the retention of even the littlest ones as they recount various facts we've learned so far.

Come on, admit it, cuter pirates you've never seen! :)

Sam was busy eating supper when the kids placed this pirate hat on his head. So please excuse the food hanging out of his mouth. LOL!

When I was working on planning out the month of lessons I had this ~~hare-brained~~ great idea to turn the picnic tables into pirate ships. Nothing like hands-on play to bring the subject to life, at least that's my philosophy. :)

My precious man wasted no time creating these masterpieces. The sails billow and everything! He added a "cannon" which is what Connor is lying against in the picture. He was pretending he was shooting the cannon off. LOL! Sean even added a plank for them to walk but alas, poor Nolan hit his head too many times on said plank and they are now removed. It was just the right height and as they were running and playing without fail he'd run right into it. :(

Although Sean and I will be happy to remove the "pirate ships" from our yard when this month is over I do believe the little's may not be as happy. LOL!

The best part is when people visit and see these "ships" as they pull up. Their faces are priceless and their comments too. I can't tell you how many have said they wished they were homeschooled or that they didn't know school could be so fun. :)

Remembering....

2011-09-20T10:30:00.004-04:00

Oh how fast they grow!! My littlest man is now 18 months old. He is such a joy and blessing to us in every way! We love you Samuel Tobias!!!

I don't know, maybe it's just me but I see those lonely baby things and it really gets my brain a' cranking.....:)

W.O.F.

2011-09-14T20:41:00.002-04:00

I spread out my hands to you;

my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.

Psalm 143:6

This was my hearts cry as I headed into my Women of Faith weekend. Desperate. Thirsty. Parched. Anxious. Needy. God met me right where I was, no condemnation, no judgement...just love. The whole weekend I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit hovering over me, igniting the stadium of women into fervent praise together. I've been to many WOF events over the years but this weekend was more emotional for me than any of the other events. It's not a coincidence that the thread running through the whole event from the speakers to the special singers to the praise and worship times was that I am loved....deeply...by my Father God. I don't know why I struggle so with that thought but I do. Maybe it's because I never feel "good enough" or "deserving of His grace and love" or maybe it's because I fight my insecurities and allow them to win sometimes. Whatever the cause, Jesus is my answer! It was spoken, "you've never lived one unloved moment in your life", and I soaked that in and I will continue to return to that one sentence when life overwhelms and doubts assail me.

I could write pages and pages about the wonderful speakers and how their stories encourage me and remind me there is purpose in the pain. God WILL make something beautiful from our pain. I just love how the Bible is filled with the hapless, the weak and timid, the "least of these" and these are the very ones God raises up to do His work. It's evident that it doesn't matter who you are, what you've done or where you've been, all that matters is WHO you serve and allow to be in control of your life!

As Sheila Walsh so wonderfully said,"Father, I don't know where you are going today but I am going with you." My voice joins with her each morning as I pray, "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

Thank you Women of Faith for blessing me, encouraging me and strengthening my faith for my journey of life!!

Wordless Wednesday {spoons}

2011-09-07T16:37:00.001-04:00

S.O.S.

2011-09-06T13:14:00.000-04:00

Ok, so here's the deal. I am in distress. I am beyond frustrated. What do I do with this child that thinks rules are just guidelines and that he can disobey or cross them anytime he feels like it with no remorse??!! Of course there is consequences to his choices but even that doesn't seem to faze him. I found said child on top of his dresser this morning playing with some things that were on 2 shelves higher. (There for a reason..thought safe because out of his reach...guess not!) So, the dresser is now removed from his room. This isn't the first time he's gone without a dresser. We removed it before due to him climbing it and trying to jump and hang from his ceiling fan! Then again, due to him smearing his feces on the dresser and his bed and the heater vent too. Yep, good times, I'm telling ya, good times! Is he upset by these consequences? Nope. Not a bit.

Of course, lying continues to hamper every word he speaks and when asked "WHY?" he continues to say, "because I choose to." Again, no remorse, no regret. UGH!!

This child can not enter certain parts of our home without supervision. How awful you think, right?! Not really. It was his choice, not ours. He chose to get into things that did not belong to him. He chose to play with things that could hurt him and others. All sneakily of course. However, he forgets I have the Holy Spirit and I always find out what he's done or is in the process of doing! So why continue doing those things? Why continue lying, sneaking, manipulating? When you always get caught and disciplined? I have NO idea!

Goodness, I'm just at the end of the rope. God has been so faithful to knot this rope and keep us hanging on (even if only by our fingertips!) but if I'm honest, I don't WANT to do it anymore! It hurts! It's frustrating. It's humiliating. Just being raw here. Are we stupid? I mean we've been tilling this "field" for 6+ years, sowing in good seed, adding fertilizer, and praying like crazy and yet nothing is growing.....not good "fruit" anyway. Do we just continue and hope for the best? Is there a better place for this child? Do we ever say Enough?!

Just to clarify....this child has been loved, trained, nurtured, prayed over, prayed for, encouraged, disciplined, blessed and fought for in Spiritual Battles many, many times! Are we not doing enough? I just wish there were some easy answers. Heck, any answers would be nice! It's like beating your head against a wall every day for 6+ years. :(

Sean is always quick to remind me of missionaries and the lives they live and sometimes give for the cause of Christ. Their lives are far from easy...so who am I to complain about this? I get that, I really do but it doesn't help lighten the burdens of my day. Do I expect to live life with no struggles, chaos or pain? Absolutely not. But the continuity of these struggles for all these years (with no end in sight) wears on the body...and the soul. Do I love God? With all I am. Do I trust God? Yes (said with hesitancy - I told you I was being raw here!) I wrestle with the fact that God COULD heal this child or at least heal him a little bit so the behaviors weren't so intense and thus 'lighten our loads' a bit, but He hasn't. And oh how that hurts.

I read the Word (I HAVE to or I'd never of survived this long!), I pray, we pray, we read the Word as a family, we try to live our lives to glorify and reflect Christ. This child, his behaviors, is all consuming. Seriously. I wake up at night and begin praying for strength for the next day. Our "date night" conversation normally ends up discussing this child and what we are going to try next. My days usually begin in a showdown and end the same way with lots of mini-wars in between. Just wearily shaking my head in frustration and heartache and crying out to God to rescue me.

S.O.S.......S.O.S.......S.O.S.......

The Race...

2011-09-06T00:39:00.001-04:00

1 Corinthians 9:24

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours.

Who Knew? Again....

2011-09-01T21:58:00.000-04:00

So, how convenient that we are learning all about insects this month. First, we had Kyalynn's bee sting and resulting allergic reaction and now, tonight, we've added another chapter to "What else Kyalynn can teach us!" LOL! We went for a walk before supper at the State Park and Kyalynn has such an incredible ability to locate any animal or insect within range and quickly found 3 millipedes. (A mommy, daddy and baby as per Kyalynn!) She held them in her hands the entire short walk and then the ride home. I told her no buggies in the house so she threw them down when she exited the truck. Fast forward, about 2 hours later, when she's getting a bath and Sean sees purple all over her palm and 3 fingertips. He thinks it's marker and scrubs at it but she starts saying "ouch" and Sean yells for me. Turns out, it's from the millipedes pooping on her. Ryan looked it up and apparently their primary defense mechanism is to coil in a ball and emit poisonous liquid secretions. Hydrogen cyanide gas comes from their microscopic pores on the sides of their bodies causing minor effects on the skin. The main symptom is skin discoloration but it also causes, pain, itching, swelling, and blisters! {http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millipede} Oh my!

Just another lesson perfectly timed by my precious one who just happens to LOVE all animals but especially insects. :)

Hmmm....wonder what she'll teach us next.

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."

Oh Geesh!

2011-08-22T21:57:00.000-04:00

Long day. Sean took off half a day so he could help me with the kids. Gabriella and Samuel both had appointments with their specialists. Sean entertained the children not seeing the dr. while I corralled (Samuel!) and entertained (Gabi) while waiting (forever!) to see the drs. Gabriella loves for me to tell her stories so we spent some of our waiting time doing that. Then after my brain hurt from thinking LOL! we painted her nails, took pictures with my phone, played hangman, and she sang her heart out. There's alot you can accomplish in those 40 minutes of waiting! :) When it was Samuel's turn he played for a bit with his toys but soon was entranced with all the flashing lights and buttons on the side of the bed. Goodness what are they thinking to make this small child wait for 30 minutes in a room filled with No-No's?! He finally fell into an exhausted sleep about 5 minutes before we were finished. I'm ready to fall into an exhausted sleep myself! I hope to write more tomorrow about Gabi's visit but for now I'm off to bed to recharge for another busy day tomorrow.
Sweet dreams....

Remarkable Creation...

2011-08-16T13:02:00.000-04:00

"But ask the animals what God does. They will teach you.

Or ask the birds of the air. They will tell you.

Or speak to the earth. It will teach you.

Or let the fish of the ocean educate you.

Are there any of those creatures that don't know

what the powerful hand of the Lord has done?

He holds the life of every creature in his hand.

He controls the breath of every human being.

Job 12:7-10

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Pupa stage of a Wood Borer Bumble Bee

I think what I like best about homeschooling is learning right along side of my children. The way I teach them is with unit studies and lots of hands-on learning. Anyways, we are studying all about insects right now and I am constantly in awe of God's incredible, remarkable creation! Not only is He an amazing artist, creating creatures of every shape, size and color but He created with such specific plans on how each and every creature and flower would all inter-relate with one another. Mind blowing intricate details and yet, people say there is no creator? That we all came from formless blobs that crawled out of a cesspool and evolved?! Come on people. Open your eyes!

For instance, did you know that bees can see every color except red? Not so good when the red flowers need pollinated, huh? No worries....God's perfect plan was to create birds to see the color red and so they are the ones that pollinate those waiting red flowers. This way both the creatures have enough nectar to sustain them and the flowers to be able to reproduce.

Did you know that honey bees have designated bees that air condition the hive?? They stand near the hive opening and buzz their wings to circulate air through the hive.

Did you know that the Goliath Beetle is the largest insect and that the cicada is the loudest? How about that only the male katydid and the male cricket sing? That's right, old momma cricket doesn't even hum!

The more we study the more I am amazed at how perfectly created everything is! How blessed I am to learn and grow right beside of my little ones and be reminded again and again of this remarkable creation by an amazing Creator!

Even the wildlife...

2011-08-15T22:51:00.000-04:00

Look very closely. Do you see him? In the filter, looking out....

How about now?

Yep, it seems even the wildlife like our pool. LOL! Since our pool is surrounded by trees, we think this little guy was jumping across the limbs and missed and fell in. He was trying desperately to get out but kept going for a swim. The kids couldn't believe squirrels could swim. Sean opened the filter lid and he jumped out and right onto a tree and scampered right up. We joked that he would sure have a story to tell his family when he got home. :)

Rockin' the glasses....

2011-08-12T15:02:00.002-04:00

Isn't he precious?! This boy keeps me laughing!! He surprised me today by quoting the whole bible verse all by himself. He was only working on the first three words and the other kids were to learn the whole thing. Guess who was listening and learning right along with them!! You go Nolan!

Really he is a master of disguise. He is always wearing something that causes a laugh. Let's see...the other day it was his sisters' white dress shoes. He told me they were his tapping shoes. :) Then yesterday he had on shorts and his cowboy boots because "he wanted to rodeo". LOL! He's been known to wear pink hello kitty boots and nothing but his undies to ride his tricycle. Not sure the meaning behind that. :) So glad we live on a mountain top with nothing but wildlife around otherwise we might scare the neighbors. HA! Actually, my brother is my neighbor and I'm pretty sure we scared him quite a long while ago....before the pink boots and undies debuted. LOL!

It Just Fits...

2011-08-11T13:17:00.000-04:00

We are studying insects this week in school and I received this forwarded email that just fits with our study of ants. I thought I'd share....

THE ANT AND THE CONTACT LENS: A TRUE STORY

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on the ledge where she was taking a breather on this her first rock climb.

As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens. 'Great', she thought. 'Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry.' She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there. She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she might find her contact lens. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse 'The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.' She thought, 'Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.' Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, 'Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?' Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it! The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens. I think it would do all of us some good to say, 'God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will.'

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Yes, I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him...I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

Extravagant Dimensions...

2011-08-10T23:34:00.000-04:00

Next time a sunrise steals your breath

or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless,

remain that way. Say nothing,

and listen as heaven whispers,

"Do you like it? I did it just for you."

~ Max Lucado~

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:18

The Message (MSG)

TODAY!!!!!!!!!!

2011-08-09T06:56:00.000-04:00

Oh my goodness, only God could fulfill this life long dream of mine and allow me to be published! TODAY, TODAY, TODAY is the day that my book becomes available in the marketplace.

Waiting with baited breath to see what good things God has planned in all of this.

Go God go!!

Quiet...

2011-08-04T23:09:00.000-04:00

I am still here. LOL! Just so, so busy trying to get things ready to start school on Monday. The kids are beyond excited to start....me...not so much. :) Today was spent ridding all the extra junk that's accumulated in a few short months in our homeschool room. Not an easy feat when Samuel is on the move CONSTANTLY! LOL! I'd clear a shelf and have to bolt out the door because he was headed up the stairs or down the driveway. No matter that there are a TON of toys right outside the door, he didn't care, all he wanted to do was ramble...alot! :) So after a long days work the room is almost there. YEA!! Now if I could just finish writing my curriculum we'd be all set. Oh well, nothing like taking it down to the wire. LOL!
I'm determined to get things done and ready to go by Monday because I really couldn't stand to disappoint these anxious children. :)

This was the kids at our last movie night. We watched The Incredibles. We had to skip and fast forward quite a bit because the kids get scared very easily. It's crazy but they can't even watch The Little Mermaid yet. They run from the room screaming when the giant octopus lady comes on. LOL!

It's Coming!!!

2011-08-01T14:19:00.000-04:00

It's just around the corner......

August 9th is the official release date for my book. On that date the book will be available at Christian Book stores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other retail outlets. If you haven't got your copy yet and are anxious to get your hands on it you can order directly from me. Just click on the picture of my book on the right side bar.

Originally, profits were going to go towards starting a non-profit foundation to help aid adoptive parents financially on their journey towards bringing their children "home". However as I've learned more about sex trafficking I feel the profits from this book should go towards aiding those on the front lines of this battle to continue their life-changing work! International Justice Mission is one such organization. Please take a couple of minutes to watch this video. THIS is what my book is about.....let me ask you....WHO ARE YOU WILLING TO RANSOM???

Peaceful...

2011-07-28T13:58:00.000-04:00

This is a lake not far from our home. I just LOVE it there. It is so very peaceful and beautiful. It's not the beach but it's not bad. :) It's the local water resevoir so no motorboats and no swimming allowed which helps aid the quietness and peacefulness about the place. I've found myself pulling this picture up on the computer screen (this week especially!) just to gain a measure and moment of peacefulness because boy oh boy, it ain't in great supply around here this week! :(

My mom has offered Sean and I another date night this Friday night (that makes 2 this month!!) because she can see we sorely need to just get away together and gain our footing back. Parenting is hard enough but throw RAD into the equation and WOWZA!

I think we might stop by this lake on our way out to dinner. It would be a great place to just sit, pray and re-focus and shake off some of that dirt and grime that has accumulated from this battle to gain ground in a broken heart. Prayers ALWAYS appreciated!!

Splash!!

2011-07-25T17:12:00.025-04:00

Oh my goodness, isn't he a riot?! He wants to wear these goggles every time he swims even though he doesn't put his head under. He reminds me of a mad scientist or something. LOL!

Say CHEESE!! :) The first day Gabi got into the pool she was TERRIFIED! She held on to me with a death grip. But now, she is all about swimming! She goes under water, LOVES to be thrown up in the air, and can hold her own in a swim race. She's come a long way baby! :)

Kyalynn has surprised me the most with the pool. She LOVES it! She started putting her head under a second at a time and now she can swim under water! She loves to climb on someone's back and say "take a breath, take a breath" and then you go under and so does she. She laughs and laughs. Just a day or so ago she decided seeing her brother and sister being thrown up looked like fun so she wanted to do it too. I was nervous about it at first and she did gulp some water a couple of times but now she has it down and comes up smiling ear to ear. This girl never fails to amaze us. She has the most reasons to make excuses and yet she doesn't. She just keeps on trying until she does it.

Connor is a natural swimmer. He is like a fish. We actually love having him swim because it gets him active and helps to get all that extra energy out (well, most of it anyway! LOL!) He does backflips off the rafts, handstands, and can swim under water well. We keep telling him if he can just learn to follow rules he could be a great olympic swimmer. :)

And sweet Samuel....he doesn't much like the water unless it's 86 degrees or above. A couple of times as I've held him and walked in the water he's fallen asleep but it's hard to stay asleep with all the splashing that comes from the other little's. I think that's the main reason he doesn't really like the pool...he keeps getting splashed and that cold water startles him but he LOVES to watch the kids from the safety of the deck. He gets so excited when they are laughing and splashing and joins in with his "eagle squeal" (loud ear penetrating screams) as Sean lovingly calls it. :)

I'm telling ya' that pool ties right up at the top for best investment, right next to the trampoline. It has been such an incredible blessing not only to us but to lots of others, especially in this hot weather. I love having a house full and a pool full too!!

MOBILE....

2011-07-24T20:12:00.000-04:00

It's finally happened....Samuel T. is WALKING!!! Woot! Woot! He would take a couple steps (2-3) and fall down and just stay down and crawl. Then last Sunday my dad held out his toy and kept moving backwards and Samuel took 6 steps easily but continued to prefer his gorilla crawl instead. :) I'm not sure exactly when, why or how but he just started walking all.over.the.place! I gotta admit...we were smitten before but seeing this boy walk just makes us fall in love with him even more. He is so stinkin' cute! He is soooo proud of himself too. Tonight he decided to walk past the toys, the ride-on cars and head down our long (and very steep!) driveway. Ah, our boy, full of vision and adventure! LOL!

Are you setting a backdrop??

2011-07-21T18:16:00.003-04:00

God wants our availability and obedience to Him simply because He asks. Our availability allows us to do the things that we can do to set a backdrop for God to do the mighty things only He can do. ~David Nasser~

Oh my, we can testify to that!! Here are 5 mighty things only He could orchestrate....

and join together into a beautiful symphony!

A Free Gift...

2011-07-20T21:16:00.000-04:00

Grace is like an unlimited credit card

with Jesus paying the bill.

~David Nasser~

Who doesn't love a free gift? Paul tells us that grace is our free gift and there isn't any small print to read or contracts to fulfill. (Romans 6:23) We can't earn this grace....no amount of good deeds or good words or good doings can earn this grace because it is too wonderful to be earned!! (Titus 3:3-7) Boy am I ever thankful for that! Oh how loved, truly loved we are by Christ! God's incredible grace is like a deep well that never runs dry. It's worth is far more than we could ever pay but God in His love for us offers it to us day after day for free. Yes this grace is free to us but it cost Jesus His life. When we are quick to take this grace for granted and live life for ourselves we cheapen the value of this gift. When we realize the immeasurable value of this gift and what it costed and allow this truth to soak into the depths of our souls, we are changed. Then incredible things happen in us and through us for His glory and praise!! And isn't that what it's all about?!

I'm so EXCITED!!

2011-07-19T09:52:00.000-04:00

If you've read my blog for any length of time you know that I am blessed each year to attend Women of Faith with my "girls". My aunts, cousins, mom, mother-in-law, and assorted good friends gather together for a weekend of laughter and learning. My aunt graciously hosts our large bunch and gets us moving in the right direction. (Have I mentioned directions are NOT my forte? No wonder I was given a GPS for Christmas! LOL!) We all look so forward to this weekend all year and some of us even begin counting down to the next years event as we are driving home from this years! :)

I LOVE Women of Faith! God has done remarkable things in me (and so many others!) at these events. I can still remember sitting beside my sister-in-law watching Steven Curtis Chapman singing and God speaking loudly to my heart. That was a memorable weekend for me in so many ways. He never fails to do something in me every time I go. That's why I am so very EXCITED and humbled to have been chosen to be a blogger

at this years event! So stay tuned...I will be posting all about the event before and after! Last year I was blessed to have met Mandisa. Hmmm, I wonder what God has in store for me this year......

Check out Women of Faith. I promise you it will bless you and change you in powerful ways!!

First Shave...

2011-07-17T13:54:00.000-04:00

I decided that since the girls always get to have their hair done and we paint fingernails and toenails the boys needed something of their own. So...we instituted "barber shop" for them. They lathered one another up and then "shaved" using an old laminated card. They loved it! In fact, Connor had 5 shaves and Nolan 3! LOL! The girls somehow got in on the action and Gabi had her first shave as well. :) Kyalynn just liked having her face covered in shaving cream. Well, they had fun and it kept them busy and laughing for quite a while! Success in my book! :)

Just look at that clean shaven face. LOL!

Beaming....

2011-07-14T23:28:00.000-04:00

Kyalynn started her Therapeutic Riding class this week. She was so stinkin' excited! You know this girl and animals...she couldn't wait to get on "her horse". :) She had to wait a bit while the horse was getting ready to go and she was yelling and trying to break free from the helpers. I was so impressed by how well they handled her! She had no fear AT ALL about getting on the back of this big horse. She loves R.D. her horse and prays for him often. She took to riding like a duck on water. LOL! She couldn't stop beaming from ear to ear and everytime she'd go past us she'd say "hi mommy, hi daddy, look at me, I'm riding a horse." She is so cute! The teacher told me that Kyalynn was singing away to the horse but not loud enough for them to hear what song she was singing. Kyalynn was truly in her "happy place" atop that beautiful, brown mare.

Until now I didn't really know much about therapeutic riding and its' benefits. It's amazing how this program helps so many children and adults not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well!

Therapeutic Riding has so many benefits. Here are just a few:

Therapeutic riding can help to:

•develop mobility, balance & coordination

•improve muscle tone & strength

•increase concentration & improve learning skills

•offer a challenging recreational activity

•foster independence & achievement

•develop self confidence & motivation

•become a means of movement for those unable to walk

My little cowgirl is already counting down to next weeks class! What an amazing ministry this is to the special needs community. We are so blessed to be a part of it!!

Toxic....

2011-07-14T08:45:00.000-04:00

¹tox·ic

adj \ˈtäk-sik\

Definition of TOXIC

1: containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing death or serious debilitation

2: exhibiting symptoms of infection or toxicosis

3: extremely harsh, malicious, or harmful

http://www.merriam-webster.com

God has graciously been pulling back layer after layer of yuck in my life as I deal with the yuck in my sons' life. I'm telling ya....it HURTS! God gave me a visual of why this is so necessary: when my kids have a splinter in their finger I have to get it out or else it will fester and cause more problems down the road. It hurts them temporarily as I dig and poke but when the toxin is removed from their finger, the healing begins.

Like an onion, layer after layer is being stripped off and my eyes are being opened to the toxic emotions and feelings that have been festering in my heart. Of course some of them were very telling by my words and actions, but most of them have lurked silently in the depths hidden from view.

I heard a brief interview on Christian radio with a counselor who was talking about toxic emotions and how they slowly suck our life away. I can attest to that! (see definition #1 above) When we are filled with toxins (caused by ourselves or others) how it festers and our whole bodies are affected. (definition #2 above) And finally, the infection (toxic emotions/feelings) begin infecting others and causing further damage. (#3 above)

Thank God for His faithfulness to teach us and love us through to the other side...the side of healing and wholeness!! I am just as broken as my son. We both need Jesus.....desperately! I am coming to terms with both of our brokenness and the toxic emotions/feelings we give out and take in. That doesn't mean it's suddenly easy because it truly is not. Hard doesn't even scratch the surface but it is doable because Jesus promises to be my strength and my song. Sometimes, ok honestly, most of the time, I am the only one doing the work. My son isn't capable at this point to identify his toxins and/or what to do about them. We are praying for this step but until then I have to be willing to carry his load and mine. Some days I gladly go forward to do the work needed, other days, I drag my feet and I whine incessantly. That's when God shows me what I look like and I see the mirror image of my son! Another reminder of how much we truly are alike even though we were born in separate parts of the world.

Back to that radio interview....she explained how you have to take those toxic emotions/feelings and exchange them. So in my case, the bitterness and resentment I've been holding I need to lay down and ask God to help me instead to see my son with eyes of compassion. Easy to say but harder (in my flesh!) to do especially when said son unleashes his toxins daily, sometimes hourly on me!! BUT, I am trying. I am aware and catch myself before I begin spreading my own toxins in reaction to his. I still mess up...alot...but I am a work in process and am thankful for each and every step on this road to healing...his and mine!

Mommy, is my tongue green??

2011-07-13T20:45:00.000-04:00

Um, yes, yes it is.

Cool, I bet I look like a lizard. Don't you want to take a picture of it?

Of course Gabi! LOL!

To Start the Week...

2011-07-10T20:44:00.000-04:00

This is an oldie but I'm telling you it's worth the 7 minutes. It's a true story and you can't help but imagine it and squirm and laugh. I have no idea what year this was taken but I can tell by the clothes and hair it was quite a while ago. LOL! I have the CD and we were listening to it tonight and decided we needed to see if there was a video. Too funny!!
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did! :)

:)

2011-07-08T08:45:00.000-04:00

Another Eventful Night...

2011-07-07T10:09:00.001-04:00

Ah...parenting, what a ride! LOL! So, last night as we all walked back into our house from the pool Kyalynn starts yelling and saying ouch. No one was wearing shoes and we just assumed she hurt her foot on a rock. After getting her dried off I checked her foot. Here she had stepped on a wasp or bee or something. Her foot was already swelling so I gave her B*nadryl. I fed the troops and went off for a bit on a walk. When I returned Sean came out to the deck and said (the words that bring dread to my heart pretty much every time) "you'd better come look at this." Kyalynn was covered, and I mean covered everywhere, with welts and hives. Her eyes were swollen (but not quite closed) her lips were swollen and (the part that concerned me most!) was her nose was swollen and had a bright red triangle surrounding it! I called the pediatrician to see if she felt the B*nadryl would kick in but when I told her about the nose thing she told me to get her to the hospital ASAP. I asked if I should repeat the B*nadryl and she said "no, you should have enough time to get to the hospital." !!!! Ok, that's when I began to seriously worry. Kyalynn was talking and breathing fine so that was a blessing! To make a terribly long story short, after treatment (which included giving her a shot in her stomach!) she looked 100% better! Apparently, our girl is allergic to something that stings! LOL! So we have a prescription for more steroids for the next couple of days and an epi pen to keep with us at all times.

At one point, as we waited a really, REALLY long time in the ER, Sean and I looked at each other and said "man this parenting gig is hard work!" LOL! Kyalynn did excellent considering the overload of stimuli of noise and people. She was calm and only cried at the shot in her belly. (Side note: Why is it that Drs and nurses lie and say to the child this won't hurt?! I always tell my kids the truth so I tried my best to explain to her what they were going to do and told her it will HURT, and it did! The truth is always best...especially if you want the child to trust drs/nurses, etc.....ok, I digress)

Kyalynn was a riot though because her happy place is animals. So, pretty much from the first interaction with the triage nurses she began saying "go to the pet store?" and I responded "tomorrow". This banter continued the WHOLE time until we walked out the door around 11:30 PM! The nurse (the same one that triaged us) checked us out, gave me the prescriptions and instructions and said "make sure you take this girl to the pet store tomorrow." LOL!

So we are off to .....THE PET STORE!!!

Have I mentioned how much I love this little girl?! She is such a precious treasure!!

Note to self: have children wear shoes from the house to the pool. :)

Giveaway!

2011-07-06T11:59:00.000-04:00

My friend, Donna, is hosting 2 children through Project 143 for the summer. They are having a GIVEAWAY to provide the necessary funding. You have to hurry because the giveaway ends July 7th! Hurry on over and enter..... Counting The Joy

Life changing....

2011-07-05T22:24:00.000-04:00

It's amazing and humbling to realize we each have the potential to change someone's life radically just by giving. Imagine if you lived in a third world country and you were born with a birth defect that could be easily corrected if you only had the money, but you don't. Enter Operation Smile.

Listen to these statistics: more than 200,000 children are born with a severe cleft condition each year — often unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile. In some places these children are shunned and rejected. And in too many cases, their parents can't afford to give them the surgeries they need to live a normal life. That's where they come in as an international charity providing much needed surgical services. Since 1982, Operation Smile — through the help of dedicated medical volunteers — has provided free surgeries to children around the world. As one of the most prominent children’s charities in the world and with a presence in over 60 countries, we are able to heal children’s smiles and bring hope for a better future. Thanks to the generosity and spirit of volunteerism shown by our supporters, we heal thousands of children per year and, today, more than 160,000 girls and boys have a new chance at a new life because of our work. With your help, how many lives can we change tomorrow?

Here's just one story of how Operation Smile helped change a life and a future!

Meet John.

(Before) ( After)

John Maina was a street child from Thika, a town near to Nairobi, where an Operation Smile medical mission was taking place.

John was accompanied by Duncan, Githaiga, a café owner who had befriended John and gave him food. When Duncan heard that Operation Smile would be in Nairobi, he closed his café, found John, and brought him to see the Operation Smile team.

John looked terrified because he did not know what to expect. Duncan explained that John couldn’t speak very well because he had never been to school, having lived his life on the streets.

John was accepted for surgery and while he was being treated, an Operation Smile volunteer spoke with Duncan and told him if he could find a school for John to attend, she would make sure his education was paid for. John returned to the mission site a year later, now speaking English and staying with Duncan on his school breaks.

Life changing!! To be able to look at himself in the mirror and notice his eyes, not his disfigured mouth. To look at himself and feel happy, not repulsed. We have the power to do that just by giving out of our overflow. Amazing! Humbling! And definitely needed.

Campus Book Rentals is an online company that rents college textbooks. A great alternative to the prohibitive costs of buying 'em! The best part about this company is that for EVERY book rented they will donate a portion of those proceeds to Operation Smile. Won't you join them in meeting their goal of 1,ooo life changing surgeries in 2011?

Go check them out.....Campus Book Rentals and make a difference, one surgery at a time.

What Does Freedom Mean to You??

2011-07-03T12:09:00.000-04:00

July 4th.....Freedom!

I am so very thankful for all of our soldiers past, present and future for my freedoms they fight and die for.

I am so very thankful for my freedom that Jesus bought with His blood on that old rugged cross!

July 4th is a day that I remember ALL I've been given through the sacrifice of another. And I'm so thankful!
What does freedom mean to you??

What Are You Looking At?!

2011-06-28T13:47:00.001-04:00

You.....yeah, you!
What are you looking at?!

What? You mean you don't look like this after you eat??

Really??

My mom and dad don't seem to mind. In fact, they usually laugh and tell me how handsome I am. :)

I know, I know...I'm SO LOVED!!

Now, for your viewing pleasure here is a close-up.

Enjoy!! LOL!

Riding the R.A.D. Rollercoaster...

2011-06-23T23:34:00.000-04:00

For anyone who doesn't know or understand R.A.D. here is a quick synopsis. For anyone who doesn't want to read my rantings and ravings about this topic please stop now and move on to another blog. :)

Unfortunately, RAD is very real and very active in our lives. However, to be fair, our RAD does not present as a normal RAD case. (Of course not, we never do anything by the book. LOL!) Our child has another layer on top as there is mental disability as well. It's very hard for us to distinguish what is real RAD behaviors and what is honest-to-goodness-I-have-no- clue-what-I'm-doing due to mental impairment/judgement. Fun, I tell ya!

Now, I love roller coasters (or at least I did back in the day) but if you rode one all day long without a break for years on end, I'm pretty certain you'd be sick and would not want to see or ride one EVER again! Well....that pretty much sums up most of our days around here and I am really so sick of riding this coaster! Sorry to whine but it's the truth.

Let me give you some brief snapshots into our days. These are just bits and pieces that make up a much larger, harder, consuming, overwhelming picture!

You know, I was going to but what's the point?! I don't want my blog to be negative, whiny and/or shaming my child. THAT IS NOT MY INTENTION. My intention is to share that life is hard and some days really wear me down. I know I'm not alone in parenting a hurt child (or two!) but boy it certainly feels like it! There is such a stigma in the Christian community to sharing openly and honestly our struggles not just with parenting traumatized children but in every area of life.....marriage struggles, financial worries, prodigal children, broken relationships, past pain. We fear if we share others will judge us (some will) and/or our reputation as a strong Christian will be impaired. But isn't that what Christ told us to do? Share our burdens with one another? Lift one another up in prayer? Encourage one another? Love one another? Do not judge? Can I get an amen??

Too many good Christian homes are being terrorized and destroyed by RAD children because the help just isn't there. I don't want to be one of those statistics! We are fighting hard to stay strong in the midst of this never-ending storm but goodness we are soooo weary.

I need help. I need fresh ideas, fresh strategies. I need resources to draw from. I need a VACATION! (just me, a good book and the beach!) LOL!

So, come on moms....don't leave me hanging. Share with me your best advice/help/prayers. PLEASE!!

I promise the next post will be much more encouraging. :)

Surgery...Prayers Needed!!

2011-06-23T06:21:00.001-04:00

Please, please pray for my son's best friend today. He is having surgery at John Hopkins to remove his thyroid and all the surrounding lymph nodes because they are cancerous. He also recently found out that the cancer has spread to his lungs. He is only 16 years old!

Please pray for Ed, his parents and the surgeon's hands to stay steady. There is great risk of damage to his vocal chords due to the location of some of the surgery. May God envelope Ed with His peace, comfort and healing and may Ed's life be long, healthy and prosperous to bring glory and honor to the Great Physician!!

Thank you!

An update: Ed came through the 10 hour surgery well. God was guiding the surgeons' hands and no damage was done to his vocal chords...PRAISE GOD!! He has a long recovery ahead so please don't stop praying for him!! Thank you!!

Sleep....

2011-06-21T22:49:00.000-04:00

Anytime is the right time for sleep, according to Samuel. Well, that is, except night time when you are supposed to be sleeping. LOL! Little Sam has been falling asleep in his high chair during lunch the last week or so. He is definately a mover and a shaker all day (and sometimes all night!) long. Sean snapped this picture. Samuel was eating a cracker one minute and sound asleep the next. How stinkin' cute is that?! Out of 7 children this is the first one that has ever fallen asleep during a meal! :) I could just eat him up!!!

Now, if I could just get him to sleep this soundly during the night maybe I could get rid of these huge bags under my eyes! LOL!

Cute!

2011-06-20T21:40:00.002-04:00

Billy Graham was returning to Charlotte after a speaking engagement and when his plane arrived there was a limousine there to transport him to his home. As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and spoke to the driver.

'You know' he said, 'I am 87 years old and I have never driven a limousine. Would you mind if I drove it for a while?'

The driver said, 'No problem. Have at it.'

Billy gets into the driver's seat and they head off down the highway. A short distance away sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap.

The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone. The trooper pulled out and easily caught the limo and he got out of his patrol car to begin the procedure. The young trooper walked up to the driver's door and when the glass was rolled down, he was surprised to see who was driving.

He immediately excused himself and went back to his car And called his supervisor. He told the supervisor, 'I know we are supposed to enforce the law.... But I also know that important people are given certain courtesies. I need to know what I should do because I have stopped a very important person.'

The supervisor asked, 'Is it the governor?'

The young trooper said, 'No, he's more important than that.'

The supervisor said, 'Oh, so it's the president.'

The young trooper said, 'No, he's even more Important than that.'

The supervisor finally asked, 'Well then, who is it?'

The young trooper said, 'I think it's Jesus, because he's got Billy Graham for a chauffeur!'

My Lil' Brown Sugar...

2011-06-18T21:53:00.000-04:00

Happy Gotcha Day precious boy! You are an amazing blessing and we couldn't imagine one day without you in it! Thank you for your brown sugar kisses, you smile that lights up our lives, and those warm snuggles you share with mommy so frequently.
I love you with my whole heart!
Mama