This and that

Finally supposed to be warm today.  It's been very cold the last couple of weeks.  Quiet in the house right now.  Girls are all still asleep.  We had Awana Grand Prix last night.  I so love watching the joy in Jessica's face as she runs around with her car!  All our kids are growing up.  This was Josh Brown's last year.  Next year will be Zac's.  Jessica did well again this year, her car came in 3rd.  She had so, so much fun.  We did too. I am so truly thankful for all the blessings the Lord has given to me. We have a great home church.  The girls have been blessed with a great youth group at DPEF.  Netta has her first job outside the dojo at Dairy Queen and loves it!  Jeana gets to do garden work this year for our friend Ms Fran down the street.  Jessi will help with our garden.Praying for hubby to be able to work more this year.  I would love to be able to step back a bit over the summer and into fall to spend more time with the girls.  Oh, don't get me wrong, God has provided amazing opportunities to help provide while using minimal time . Over the past year you always hear the bad things that happen....thinking back, I look at these families, remembering how blessed they were and how I thought how nice it would we if we did things or said and acted like them.  Satan tears families apart.  My favorite family, the first home school family I meet at my current church, has fallen. I watched babies being born and did bible studies, attended home church services and even did food coop with them.  I'm saddened to know the mom and dad are divorcing.  I knew there were issues 18 months ago, but wow....satan has gotten them. I have a new friend, and my heart is now breaking for her.  Her beautiful daughter is suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts.  The sweet girl is only 12.  Where does such a young mind get ideas of such dark thoughts?  I need to spend more time with mine, studying God's word and reading on how much He values US! 

Well, here it is again....Dec. 31, 2015 New Years Eve

Once again...New Years Eve.  I spend it now with my babies and hubby.  And we all barely make it to midnight.  We might get to the NYC ball drop at 11 but you never know.  Kids are upstairs reading and playing and listening to KLOVE.  I'm trying to stay awake downstairs....it's only 9pm.  Hubby is wrestling with shoulder issues (a nasty torn rotator cuff, waiting to be repaired in the New Year) so he's laying down.  Dinner was earlier. Pizza.  They have sushi for later.  This day isn't really a big deal anymore.  I'm just happy to be with my family.  And THAT'S the big deal.  Happy New Year!

Where does the time go??  I mean the TIME???  Not just the fact that's it's almost Christmas...but the TIME??  My oldest is now 16 years old.  When I started writing this blog it was 2007.  Almost 9 years. She was 8.  Bam, it's gone.  I love the days with the girls now, but I find my self missing those early days.  Am I the only one that does that? I love, love , love being a mama.  I love everything about it.  I love home schooling, spending time with my girls, cooking, laundry....yes, I LOVE those things.  I am blessed to have food to cook and clothes to wear.  A home to spend time with my children.  We snuggle and read and craft.  And bees.  We have the bees.   50,000 and 3 girls is exactly what I have.  Gardens and each other.  And we have our Jessi Tree during this Advent season and our beautiful hand carved Journey to Jesus candle

Never Forget....

Today is 14 years sice the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.   Every year we post Never Forget....but I really think we have.  Oh of course we relive and remember on the day.  But I think the daily shock, dismay and caution has since faded.  Too many other things taking our focus....crazy lady in KY make a big religious freedom stand, while it wasn;t a constitution religious freedon thing so much as it was just a major constiutional faux pas....a formerly famous man dresses us in drag and says he's now a woman and free....(and he's called courageous and a hero???um...no)  These are the things that cloud our eyes.  When we get cautious..fools scream out,  RASCIST!!!!  BIGOT!!!  Really?  Did you say that on 9/11/2001???   Or did you drop to your knees and cry???  Did you scream out that those terrorists should die??  Yes, you did.  We all did.  And now that part is forgotten.    All you need to do is look around and listen....our country really has forgotten.

Sad day......

Incredibly sad day today...just found out my dear sweet neighbor passed away on Monday night. We saw some activity Tuesday morning after returning from bible study, but it was just police presence when we got home. I had just seen her getting her mail the week before. She loved to travel, so I was hoping there was something else and she was away on a trip. Last year she went to Turkey and brought the girls braclets and other little things. Even brought me a travel kit from the Turkish Airlines. Always wrote such sweet notes to the girls....they were her Big J Middle J and Little J. They always hugged her. When Netta told her she collected stamps Ellie made sure to get her some different ones. She also sent postcards to them during her travels. When we first moved to this house in 2012, Ellie and the girls clicked. We had left a place where the neigbor was so good to them and now they had Ellie to fill in. She was their Grama. Due to her travels she was gone quite a bit and didn't really like answering the door but had the girls over a couple of times. It won't be the same here without her. Wishing we had spent more time with her, but she did like being alone. Make time to visit your neighbors. Learn more about them. My heart is heavy and sad. Good bye Ellie. We will miss you a lot. Summer won't be the same without you.

Miss Ellie at her Christmas Party 2014 with her travel buddies. She's the beautiful lady in gold with gorgeous red hair.

My beautiful princesses!! UPDATE 2015!

May 2008












November 2014

Happy New Year!!!

Can you believe it?? 2015!  Wow.....as I look back on 2014, I can truly say how blessed we were.  We have the most adorable home.  We have plenty to eat.  We are still home educating.  We really enjpoy spending time together and wouldn't have it any other way.

Lot's happened in 2014..my oldest received her Shodan...she is a black belt in Shotokan Karate.  She also received her purple belt in Okinawan weapons (Kobudo)  My middle girl is now 2 kyu Brown belt and the baby is 3rd Kyu Brown belt.  I got Licensed as a Zumba instructor in May and have 4 of my own classes so far.  We also got bees.  Yes, you read that correctly...we have a bee hive.  Got them in early May.  We are praying that they make it through the winter.  I am currently studying to be a personal trainer and also get my group fitness certification.  I, too, have also started Karate.  I love, love love my girls and I am so thankful to God for them.  I really believe I have the best, blessed life!!!

Well, I guess it's time for some resolutions...no, GOALS for this new wonderful year so here goes:

1.  Be patient and kind toward the girls and hubby.

2.  Organize the house better and keep it up with my girls help.

3.  God gets the first of me in the A.M.

4.  Work my Mary Kay like a BUSINESS, not a hobbie.

5.  Look to getting a fitness studio opened by year end.

6.  Consistency with home schooling...the schedule must be the same daily.

7.  MORE FIELD TRIPS!!!!!!

8.  Plant an awesome garden this year...bee haven and food!

9.  Lose that last 15 pounds.

10.  Sew aprons, dolls and clothes for me and the girls.

11.  Loom some Christmas gifts EARLY!

12.  Christian Leaders Institute courses!!

Well, that's all for now.  I am sure there will be more goals as well as gratefuls!!!