Show us where you live Friday (Kellys Korner)

Okay...My kids rooms are not as elaborate as some, but it's where we live. And these are the good pics-if you were to look in my kids rooms now-they are a wreck...I am purging...remember??

We only have a three bedroom house right now, so the boys are together and then the girls are together!! Can't wait to move!!

Here is the boys room. The boys have a tri-bunk bed! We love it!!(It was a hassle to get, but I'm glad we did. We ordered it and it took 4 months to get here,then they still have to replace a part because it had a scratch on it)
The walls are deep apple green, which I love!



Here is there dresser

And the girls room! The paint color is Lavendar Sparkle! It's my fav!

Jordybugs bed...she wanted to be in the pic...
Caitlyn's bed...

This is not all they have in their rooms, but for now that's all your getting because I have too much mess goin' on!!

Thanks for stopping by and join Kelly on her tour!

Lewa's Designs/giveaway

At Lewa's Designs, she has some really cool wall decals that are amazing! I scrolled through her gallery and found this:

Of course I was in love because that is my babies name (and they spelled it correctly-in my opinion!! And the birds to boot!! I love it!

So if you want to join in on the giveaway, just follow these directions!!

If you blog about Lewa's Designs, you will win your choice of a Medium Caterpillar Wall Decal, or Baby Swirly Bird Wall Decal or Baseball Wall Decal in the color of your choice. You can write whatever you want, just make sure to link to Lewa's Designs website (www.lewasdesigns.com) or etsy shop (www.lewasdesigns.etsy.com)AND if you add Lewa's Designs badge to your sidebar, you will receive your choice of TWO of those items! Seriously!!!! The badge is available on the Lewa's Designs blog. Once you've blogged about Lewa's Designs, send an email to contest@lewasdesigns.com with with a link to your blog post along with your choice of decal, color desired, name & mailing address.

On to happy shopping for me!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Proverbs 20:27 NLT

The Lord's light penetrates the human spirit,

exposing every hidden motive

Memorial Day fun...

Yes, I am only gonna do a short post. I've been really busy (working-no less)! Memorial Weekend was awesome!! We went to go see Night at the museum 2-it wasn't as good as I was wanting it to be-I won't ruin the details for those of you who haven't seen it. Sun was church and Monday was Great!!
First, we went to the Virginia War Memorial so the kiddos would know why we get the day off and what all the red, white and blue I dressed them in was certainly for!!

Thank you men that serve, have served, have given your lives-we do appreciate you!!

After that, we went to our friends, Ashley and Scott's house-she ended up having 40 people!! Wow!! Most of them kids-practically killing each other in the pool (no, really, they were good for majority of the day!). The girls (one includes, Kasie) jumped on the trampoline (I am surely aware that there will probably be some video on her blog soon that she will most likely black mail me for babysitting with-oh well-she's got cute kids...plus I think we are praying (silently) our kids will get married eventually seeing as they were born in the same hospital only a day apart!!) P.s...we won't tell them that..they think it's gross right now, which is fine with us!
Ahem....back to subject...
So, I jumped on the trampoline-I've never had that much fun since I was maybe what??? 10?? Who knows!!
Thanks Gals for a GREAT Memorial Day!!!

Show us where you live (Kelly's Korner)

So I decided to jump in for Kelly's "show me where you live Friday". Today was Dining Rooms!

I had to do a little clean up...but I think my dining room is pretty. It needs some workfurniture (all are handmedowns)with a couple exceptions-I would never give up the china cabinet or the !!

My Grandmother gave me the China cabinet and all her china which I totally love and have only used once (for the fear of breakage by children!)

A little side table that has our "African friends"

Here they are close up. They were from our trip to Nairobi, Kenya in 2003...It took a lot for them to get here in once piece!!

And my favorite thing of all.....a painting my brother did for me!! I absolutely love it!! I keep telling him he owes me one with pink callas because this one was when it was just the boys and us...they are supposed to symbolize all of our family! (he better get to work-he owes me 2 for sure) They are also my favorite flower!
Isn't it awesome!!

So what you didn't see is the bassinet (waiting for sweet Carmen to pick up) and a bunch of boxes for giveaways. I am on the purge!!

The sensitive one..turns 11.

Dearest Jacob,


When you were born, I knew you were gonna be the sweetest, most sensitive child of mine. You are always giving. You are always considering others before yourself (except in the mere moment of brotherly "love" you decide it's just yours :0) )
You are my smiley child. Your the first to notice the little things that count. One of the first to notice when I am upset or just need some lovin'. You are bright, smart and going to make your dreams come true. This is just who God created you to be.
I think the world of you. I love you. I love when you bring me weeds instead of my roses, only because you see the beauty in them, not that they are overtaking my grass. They are just beautiful..........................Like you!

My baby, Jake at 6 months (one of my fav pics)

Now.....the big 11!

Happy Birthday Jake!

Blue is NOT my color!

My lovely children gave me a bath "bomb" for Mother's day. I love the things...I love how they smell and make your skin feel after you use them....however..this one proved to be different!

It smelled of blueberries and was egg shaped. It was really big, so I only decided to use half.

I run my water, and I drop it into the tub.....I jump in.

A few minutes later I realized I was blue!! The tub was blue!! It was sorda funny!! I told the kids that they really wanted me to be like the girl from Willy Wonka!!

They laughed hysterically!

Yea, imagine this with no clothes...not a pretty picture at all!

Now, I'm gonna go scrub my tub.......and me!

The weekend that went all wrong...until....

Friday began ok. I had cleaned the downstairs and was awaiting hubby to get up and just go do something....well...let me back up..
For months now, we've supposedly been planning on selling one of our 3 vehicles. It's just sitting-no point in that right? They are all paid off and we need to do some repairs to our house before putting it on the market (part of the change). So why not sell a car...here in lies the dilema. See..it's his baby and I hate selling it too, but ya know..some things can't last forever and I believe if it's his hearts desire, God will bring another car when the time is right....(that's my thoughts on that one-which we agreed upon)

Fast forward to Thursday..a man, out of the blue knocks on our door and wants to buy it (granted it didn't have a sign on the car) and I'm thinkin' "Praise the Lord! God is sending someone that I've been prayin' for!". (We had to buy a battery for the car, because it has been sitting and the battery hadn't been changed since before we got it.) I tell the guy to come back tomorrow because it wouldn't start until a new battery was put it~which is the only thing wrong with the wonderful, cherished car of his. (I know, a man and his car~whole nother story)
Friday morn came and like I said I was just waiting for him to get up to go get the battery. So he gets up, everything is fine. We go to the mall (where Sears is) and buy the battery.
We were fine until we get into a huge argument over the fact that he apparently has had the car listed for months now and has had 3 offers!! None of which he has taken! Was I a little pissed??Yes! I felt lied to. I felt like he was hiding something. I don't like that.
We didn't talk for the rest of the day.......on to Saturday.

Saturday was our church family picnic. (notice I highlighted family) They usually play softball with the Pastor first, then lunch and all throughout the day games for the kids. I let him go early and play for almost 2 hours while the kids and I got ready. Thinking that he could help with them when I got there, seeing he would have had time to enjoy himself (by himself...no children). I get there and about that time it's lunch. He helps Jordybug get her lunch, he sits with us and eats. As soon as he's done, he retreats to the softball field AGAIN.....I'm really pissed now....."HELLO...I think you could possibly help with the kids!!!" his response "I've gotta finish the game" mine "how long is that gonna take??" him "Until 3 when it's over...we play until the championship" me "THAT WAS SO NOT THE PLAN....I'M LEAVING!" See...on top of all of this crap, the boys were acting disobedient and back talking, it was hot as you know what and I was so over it!
I went home and put everyone to a well needed nap including myself, while he played his precious softball (all trying to impress others-)...... I sent him an email (a very to the point and pissed email I might add)
3:30 rolls around and I heard him walk in the door. He came up, but didn't wake me. I was glad. I didn't want to talk. I didn't want to fight.

I woke a little later and started dinner. Not speaking is easier for me-no arguments doin' that. He got my point. He realized what a jerk he'd been. I ignored the fact that he was rubbing my back while I was making dinner (all while trying to talk to me-I not havin' it)...I tried to ignore (however not an easy task considering I love when he does that! It melts me and he knows it) him.

The kids wake and he wants to go pick up some drinks since we're all out. We're slightly joking about silly stuff...so we're kinda talkin'. He gets ready to leave and he leans down to kiss me (another thing that melts me to pieces) and he breaks down. I mean slight tears (he's really a softy...) "I don't want you to ever think I don't love you. I'm not saying what I did was right at all. You have the right to be mad. Just don't think I don't love you. I do... I really love you. I'm sorry.".......
Okay Gals....How could I not forgive him??? It didn't make it right, God just made him see where he was wrong. I love that about him...I love him. I forgave him.

Love always wins when you let it.

P.s.... I wasn't all right either-I could've acted in love first. Silence is my hiding place sometimes. God has to help me with that one.

Life sucks.period...

That's just it...Life sucks...and I wished I didn't live in it!

Men suck.period.

Yes this is a terrible post, but it's been a TERRIBLE day.....

Life just sucks sometimes.

I'll explain later...time to go pray...maybe THAT will help..

Photo Story Friday...

While I should be doing the bills or the laundry I am sitting blogggin'...oh...I'll do those things soon enough!!
I thought I'd join Mama Geek on this photostory Friday!! What fun!

So, from my garden...my sweet son, Jake picked these:

He's definetely the softy of the family...always thinking of others and he loves to pick flower for me!! Like the rest of these that he got from my Grandmother's garden yesterday:

The deep red ones are from my garden, the pink rose and the white peonies are from my Grandmother...they smell a.maz.ing!!!

Jake turns 11 on the 21st...I can't believe it!! Can't wait to bless him like he has me!



Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Emotional

I said I would post some seriousness...so here it is. It may be a little TMI...but it's what is on my mind since Mother's Day.

I rocked Caitlyn to sleep Mother's Day night (she was having issues with her ears and she had a major breakout from all of her allergies) and as I was rocking her, in a rocking chair Chris' Grandmother gave us when Jordan was born. Memories of my childhood flooded back. Memories of my other childrens childhood. Just family in general. I miss all the days of rocking them, loving them....how precious they are. How I take that for granted. How blessed I am. Why is it I can't begin to explain the emotions that rolled through my body as I held my sweet baby.

Wondering, thinking if my Mother even missed the life we would have had if things hadn't gone so south. I mean, I can't imagine my life without my children-no matter what they did-I just cringe at the thought of never seeing my Grandchildren (when I become a Grandmother). To only see glimpses of pictures or hear about them through the grapevine.

I ache for her. I yearn for her. Yet, I know it is best to stay my distance as I will only get hurt again. I have put out my hand so many times with it only to return hurt from regection.

I have said this to my closest friends, If my husband was abusive (which he is SO not! Thank you, Jesus), I would NEVER, EVER leave my children for him. No matter how much I loved him-my children didn't ask to be brought into this world-I owe them the best. I owe them me and the best life that I can give them with God's help.

Yes, that is what my Mother did. She chose Him. She picked Him. Oh, those words hurt deep. Being a Mother I all too well know the word Sacrifice-and she did not choose us. She chose him. She left us.

I am not saying she was a complete failure, she just chose her life before ours. I couldn't even imagine the thought! Oh...how I love them deeply! They are so precious!

So, as I rocked my sweet baby, I cried. I cried because God has blessed me abundandly in my loss of my real Mother. He has given my Mother in Laws, Vanessa and Kathy. Who have loved me, given advice, spoiled the kids and I could go on for hours....but I won't.

I yearn for her.......What would my life have been like if she hadn't left...If she chose us. I will never know, but God will heal my wounds. And maybe in the future.....She'll change. But in the meantime, I am so Thankful. Thankful God has chosen me to be there Mother and I will always choose them.

Quick post from the Park..

I'm really busy today, so I'll post the more serious tomorrow...but for now enjoy these:

And please be praying for this family!!

Mother's day Blessings in Disguise

This mother's day didn't go just as I would have thought, but I am finding peace in it all. Why you ask?? Because, whether or not they buy me flowers or actually think to make reservations...I am still their Mother. And I love them dearly.

We did enjoy our Friday afternoon at Maymont, one of our favorite parks! It was a Be.a.u.ti.ful day! Saturday was spent cleaning the house and making the lawn look lovely. Sunday came and the kids had a surprise from them (I am sure Granny had a play in this one), they had chocolates, a big bath fizzy and lipstick. All the things a girl needs! (now I just need the bathroom to myself-ha! if that will happen!) We then got Outback to go and they all took a nap!
Not such a horrible day after all!

And today, I am stealing my child from K3....(she's playin' hooky already), we're stayin' in our Pj's all day (well, she's wearin' her princess dress!) What could be better?? All the girls together! Sorry the video is sideways...but you all will get the point......This is what little girls are made of!

Serious post tomorrow...got some lovely things to share!

Photo Story Friday

A church is St. Augustine, Florida. I love that city. It's so beautiful!



Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

*UPDATED*Prayers needed...Surgery tomorrow

**UPDATE**5/6/09
Caitlyn did GREAT! I bought her a new pair of pjs-which she ended up peeing on before we even walked out the door this morning-aw well...I guess she'll wear them tonight after I wash them! We had to be there at 7:20-Which I will say put a bend in hubbys and my relationship-we ended up getting in an argument over where to park in the stupid parking lot-so dumb! We made it in on time, that's what counted!
They took her in for surgery at 8am and came out at 8:20am!! They were great at the Virginia, Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery Center! They were very informing and made sure we felt comfortable! She sat and watched Nemo before they got her. After it was done, they came and got us and of course she was crying and fussy (just like they said she would be)-but they said she did great-most kids would bounce off the walls-Praise the Lord! They said her left ear wasn't too bad-but her right ear was filled with puss and probably wouldn't have drained if we didn't do this procedure. So that is another thing to be thankful for. She fussed a little on the way home and she ended up throwing up right as we pulled in the driveway to come home-so another pair of pjs lost to bodily fluids-o well.
She wanted to play right away-but we could tell she was exhausted. I laid her down and she took about an hour nap. Now she is tearing the living room apart with toys. She is as happy as a clam!!
Thanks for your prayers!


Initial Prayer Request
Caitlyn will be having surgery tomorrow (5/6/09). She will have tubes put into both ears. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and she will have no reactions to anything! Thanks and I will update as soon as I can!

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week too!


1. I so did not have a meltdown at the bowling alley because everyone was late...nope not me.2. I did not do a walmart run at 10:00 because it was pj day at school today and the boys so do not sleep in their underwear. (that wouldn't be a pretty picture at school if they came lookin' like that!)3. I did not leave the dishes in the sink last night only to find baby ants swarming everywhere (yes, gross...but I so would NOT do that)4. I did not throw a major tantrum because I didn't want to watch another stinkin' basketball game, and I most certainly did not stomp upstairs and go directly to bed because he wasn't giving me my way...NOPE...not me!

Grappling Change

grap⋅ple 
1.to hold or make fast to something, as with a grapple.
2.to use a grapple.
3.to seize another, or each other, in a firm grip, as in wrestling; clinch.
4.to engage in a struggle or close encounter (usually fol. by with): He was grappling with a boy twice his size.
5.to try to overcome or deal (usually fol. by with): to grapple with a problem.
–verb (used with object)
6.to seize, hold, or fasten with or as with a grapple.
7.to seize in a grip, take hold of: The thug grappled him around the neck.

Yes. I am trying to seize, to hold onto the idea of this change. I am having to struggle with the fact that God is in fact in control and knows what He is doing. He knew I would be in this place in my life.
The place where I find my self looking to the flesh instead of my spirit man who is just yearning for the change to come. My spirit man knows how wonderful it is to just put my trust in Him, to not look at the circumstances. (Did you know there is a difference?)
God never said it would be easy. He said trials would come and He would be with me-He would lead me, guide me....What a wonderful thought....but yet my mind (my flesh) has a hard time gripping that.
I was in my bible school class last night and I just about lost it. God is so good! Our teacher was talking about change (right on time....right?). How our "flesh" (or "natural" man) will always resist God and what He tells us to do. Your "flesh" man will always persecute your "spirit man". They can't go together. We have to make a choice which one is in control.

He also said these things:

1. You can't allow your wants to manipulate your integrity.

2.There can be NO faith exercised when there is sin! (doubt is sin by the way)

3.The word of God tells you who you are AND what is yours!

4.The key to blessing and change is being a doer of the WORD.

5. Most of the things God wants to tell us are about US changing, not that other person!!

Uh....WOW!

Oh, how I could see where I have fallen short. But thank you Jesus for showing me how to start over, to repent, and to change. I need the word....everyday. Not just when it's convienient or when I can.....I need it always.

What am I getting at? Well, all this time I have been listening to every other voice saying things like "are you sure that's what God told you to do?" "You really aren't thinking of homeschooling are you? That's crazy" "I don't know if you have what it takes".

Yes, this is what I have heard, some from close relatives or friends. I kept wrestling with what they had said.....WHAT WAS I THINKING!! What do they know???

I hear God for myself!! I know His voice!! I know what He has told MY family to do!!

Isn't it just like the devil to make you think that you didn't really hear Him? Well, tough cookies, devil...you don't win.

I have control over my thoughts.....God has a plan for us. He HAS told us what to do! He knows that you, lying devil, would put people there (even ones that think they know what's best, but don't) to say those things-to confuse me. But I'M NOT BUYING IT!

I am healed and delivered from this depression-I am free because He set me free! I am healed, because Jesus paid the price for me. I am a good Mother, wife, possible homeschooling mom, worker, planner, and all the other wonderful things God has put in me that I am finding that are so awesome and only because of my Jesus.

I am not listening to my flesh or anyone elses!

By the way...Thanks BFF's for the lovely card and be.a.u.ti.ful flowers!! I love you bunces too!