Tag Archives: friends

Things I’m Enjoying

I’m linking up again with OhAmanda this week for a Top Ten List. There’s been a little sickness going around my house which has made my brain just a little bit fuzzy. I couldn’t come up with a new topic, so I’m just going to use what Amanda suggested. That’s why the title of this is strangely similar to hers. Forgive me for the fuzzy brain, and I will work in advance for next week’s topic.

These are in no particular order. That would require a clear brain as well.

10. I am enjoying my kids.

They are getting along, and it’s such a sweet thing! Last night, Brooke decided to make brownies with a peanut butter icing that she whipped up from scratch. (They should have a place on this list. So. Very. Good!) While she was doing this, the boys were sitting in the kitchen and they were talking to one another! Granted, they may have been silently begging for a taste of brownies, but I enjoyed listening to them.

9. Maraschino cherries.

I picked up a jar at the grocery thinking I would splurge and put a couple in my diet coke. When I put two in, they looked lonely. I ended up with six in the cup and it was so tasty. I also enjoy them in my water, and it adds a nice pink touch to it. I guess it makes me feel like a kid!

8. Basketball

Brooke is cheering on the Cougars and and Matthew is playing on the Louisville Cardinals team. This last weekend we had 5 basketball games, and I loved every minute of it!

7. My awesome church

Every Sunday God is in the house! I alternate between frantically taking notes and mesmerized and unmoving. I am fed with the Word, and encouraged to feed myself the rest of the week.

6. Siri

This is my first iPhone, and Siri just rocks! We left the basketball game Saturday night and we were starving. I promptly asked Siri for the number to Pizza King and she asked me if I wanted her to dial it. I didn’t even have to dial!

5.Bed Head Hair gel

Call me crazy, but I’ve been letting my hair grow out, and it’s been quite a while since my last trim. My hair is thick and naturally wavy, but I normally straighten it. The longer the hair gets, the more time it takes to straighten it. I’ve been lazy lately and just going with the waves.

4. Reading the Bible in 90 days

I’ve done this a few other times, and I get so much out of it every time. Every single time I am in God’s Word, He speaks to me.

3. Ecclesiastes

Solomon teaches that true satisfaction comes from knowing we are following God’s purpose for our life. It’s not found in things like money, knowledge, or popularity. That’s a great thing to read often.

2. Praying friends

I am so thankful for praying people in my life. I’ve used them a lot lately, and God is pressing me to write about it, but I’m not quite ready yet. Do you have people that you can call or text and know they will stop right then and pray? If not, contact me and I will be that person for you. It is such a blessing.

1. Prepping for Blissdom
I’ve never been to a blogging conference, but I won a free pass to Blissdom next month! I am so excited, and nervous at the same time. Is that even possible? Well, if not, then I’m more excited. Just a little bit nervous that I will be out of my comfort zone of being a total homebody. Slightly nervous about leaving my husband and kids at home for a few days too. Are you going??

A GREAT RECIPE

A GREAT RECIPE

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the
ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what
is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, ‘My
purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for ______________ ‘.

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is
manufactured in plants..

5.. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of
the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest
your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a College
kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to
disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

14. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey
is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years, will
this matter?’

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything – but you have to ask Him.

20. However good o r bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am
thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You’ll be
smiling before you know it.

I received this in an email and it was too good to just delete.

Indiana Friends

FRIENDS   VS     INDIANA   FRIENDS
FRIENDS: Never ask for food.
INDIANA   FRIENDS : Always bring the food .


 
FRIENDS: Will say ‘hello’.
INDIANA   FRIENDS : Will give you a big hug and a kiss .


 
FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. And Mrs.
INDIANA   FRIENDS : Call your parents Mom and Dad .


 
FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
INDIANA   FRIENDS : Cry with you .


 
FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
INDIANA   FRIENDS : Will spend hours there, talking,  
Laughing, and just being together .


 
FRIENDS: Know a few things about you .
INDIANA   FRIENDS : Could write a book with direct quotes from you .


 
FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.
INDIANA   FRIENDS : Will kick the whole crowds’ back-ends that left you .


 
FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.
INDIANA   FRIENDS : Walk right in and say, ‘I’m home!’


 
FRIENDS: will visit you in jail.
INDIANA   FRIENDS : will spend the night in jail with you .
 
FRIENDS: will visit you in the hospital when you’re sick
INDIANA   FRIENDS : will cut your grass and clean your house  
Then come spend the night with you in the hospital  
And cook for you when you come home .


 
FRIENDS: have you on speed dial
INDIANA   FRIENDS : have your number memorized .
   
FRIENDS: Are for a while.
INDIANA   FRIENDS : Are for life .

Friends

The other night I get a text from my friend Stacy.  “Call me if you can”.

So I immediately call.  She says she just wanted to tell me she loves me!  Her mother in law is getting ready to lose her best friend to cancer, and they were talking about their relationship.  Even though you don’t see each other often, each of you knows that you can count on the other to be there when you need it. 

I love you too Stacy!  You are my sister by choice, and I am blessed to have you in my life!

Dance Update

Yesterday was Brooke’s last dance competition of the season.  It’s kind of sad, but kind of a relief too.  It went really well.  Hip Hop had some changes made, and they were missing M, who recently had surgery.  Get better soon M!!  We miss you.  It looked good, and scored a gold, with overall ranking placed 3rd out of 5.  Tap and Jazz were the best I’ve seen ever.  The judges thought so too, because they both scored a Platinum.  Both of them placed in the top 10 as well.  It was a very good outcome for them, and I’m very proud of them.  Most of them have worked so hard.  My Boo bear certainly has! 

Tomorrow she’s gonna try out for cheerleading.  My baby, entering the 7th grade, and she wants to be a cheerleader.  One of her friends from dance is trying out as well, and her mom is having a hip replacement tomorrow.  Please keep Kim in your prayers.  She’s been suffering in pain for a while now. 

 

Scrap Fest

So, yesterday was the big day.  Scrapbooking with the girls!!!  We got off to a little bit of a late start, as none of us can seem to be on time.  I had packed way too much stuff, again.  And I bought way too much stuff, again. 

I had a little bit of a setback when all of my creativity left me, but I just looked at a couple of magazines and came up with a really cool layout.  Not much like any of my usual pages, but I LOVE IT!  It took me way too long to do, and only features two pictures.  But did I say how much I LOVE IT?  Yeah, if I told you I’d take a picture and post it, I know you wouldn’t believe me, so I won’t.  Trust me though, it’s good. 

Page totals-

K-?
Ki-12
S-19
me-21
Kr-27

We got some serious scrappin’ done!   For lunch they provided ham or turkey sandwiches, with chips, cookies and snacks.  Olive Garden soup, salad and breadsticks were brought in for dinner, then strawberries,cookies, hot fudge, two different kinds of cake, and angel food or dessert.  I was surrounded by chocolate and diet cokes, the two things I’ve totally given up for this 40 day fast.  It was hard, but I didn’t cave.  We scrapped, ate and laughed until 10 p.m.  and boy was I tired!  I love you girls, and we have to do it again very soon.  The future of our childrens’ heritage being documented depends on it. 

I came home to a house that was a wreck!  Obviously everyone had a great time while I was gone, so I’ve spent most of the afternoon after church picking up and tackling the laundry pile.  Boring!  Brooke went with a friend to the mall, and then sleep over at her house.  The boys went with Brian to Grammie and Grandpa’s to work on race cars.  I’ve been flying solo doing this cleaning thing, and finally took a break to fill all my loyal readers in on the excitement of my life.  (Hey Mom and Dad, Love You!) 

Well, my kitchen’s still a disaster, the dishwasher needs unloaded and then loaded again with what is in the sink.  Counters and floors need cleaned.  My work is never done….

Sunday Scripture 3

Sunday-Scripture

Today I chose Psalm 126:3
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
It’s very simple, and a great reminder. We do have so much to be thankful for, and it all starts with God. I just pray that in this week of Thanksgiving, you remember why you have what you do. Try not to focus on the things, and put your focus instead on God. Without Him, we have nothing!

Sunday Scripture 2

This is my second Sunday Scripture post, following after Amy.   Please check out her scripture as well!

I started this post a couple of hours ago, and a lot has changed since then.  Sometimes it seems like the walls are falling down around me, but God brought me back to this.  It is found in Philippians, and the lead in to these verses is Imitating Christ’s Humility.  Verfses 2 and 3 are my favorite, but I’ll lead you in with verse 1.  So Philippians 2:1-3 says this. 

1.  If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  3.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 

To be humble means that we are conscious of our weaknesses and are quick to give credit to God and others for what we accomplish.  We are dependent on God, we NEED God, because we are sinful by nature, and we can do nothing without the help of God.  And sometimes other people can help us when they are humble.  The bible has a God-centered view, and we need to have that view also. 

Ok, I have to go on and finish this.  Philippians 2:4-11Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.  6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross!  9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

So let’s dissect that a little, because it is so good.  Jesus is our example, and we should put others first.  That’s what He did for us, isn’t it?  Our attitude should be the same.  Jesus was so humble that He left glory in heaven and made himself nothing, a servant, and was obedient to death for the sake of others.  For the sake of us, you and me.  He was made fully human, and had all the humanly temptations that we have, yet remained sinless.  He humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross!  For you and me.  He came to serve us, and He came to sacrifice for us.  I know I need to be more Christ like, and adjust my attitude to put others first, and be humble to the point of a servant.  I pray that God will lead me in this journey, and show me the way. 

Prayer Request

I have been remiss.  My dad called me Wednesday morning to ask me to get all my friends to pray for 2 couples.  I did talk to them, and we have been praying.  What I forgot was all of you.  So now I am bringing you in on it.  The first couple is Kent and Kayla.  They are a beautiful christian couple who are unable to have children.  They decided to adopt, because they just want to bring a child up in christian love.  The first time fell through, for the reason I can’t remember right now.  They were matched with another birth mom, and she chose them to love her child.  It has all been going smoothly.   With the due date approaching quickly, they had decorated the room, and some people had given them clothing.  Kayla had not wanted the church to have a baby shower for them, just in case something happened and it didn’t go through.  On Sunday at church they were both so excited, stating only 1 week and 2 days left before the baby was here.  Two days later the birth mom called them to say that she had changed her mind.  Kent told my dad that they had a lot of crying, but also a lot of praying.  They felt like God knew more than they did, and He was stopping something that just wasn’t right for them.  I am in awe of them and their faith.  They know who is going to carry them through this.  I have no doubt about that.  I just ask that you would pray that God will continue to bless them with strength, especially as it gets closer to the delivery date that they have been so looking forward to.  I ask that God will fill them with peace and joy, and provide for their needs.  That they will feel Him working in their lives, and seek Him even more.  Please pray for this couple as it touches your heart. 

The next loving christian couple are Lance and Jenny.  Lance was in a business situation that was not good for him, so he got out of it.  Now he is looking for a job.  They were a smart young couple, and have put back some money in savings, so he can take a short while to find something.  That is not the concern.  They are both under a great deal of stress, and I just pray that they let God take control and pull that stress away.  They have started praying together, and are finding that is helping tremendously.  I pray that their marriage and faith will continue to grow stronger, as they allow God to work in their lives. 

These couples are members of my parents’ church, and have a great network of people there to pray, but prayer is so powerful!  It is such a simple thing for us to do, and can bring such great blessings.  I have felt the peace that prayer can bring to you in the midst of a struggle.  He wants to help us.  Christ died for us, to save us.  Talk to Him continually. 

As I said, the power of prayer is beautiful.  I believe in His favor, mercy, love, grace, and healing.  I will pray for you if you need it, so just ask.  I am now a prayer team member of Christian Women Online because of this.   Visit their prayer room sometime, or join the team too.  God Bless You! 

A terrible loss…

As many of you know, I love to scrapbook, and I love Creative Memories. I sell the stuff because I love it, and I love the company. The consultants are a close knit group, and I love the support they provide. I received an email requesting prayer for an upline who lives in Florida. Her 19 year old daughter contracted bacterial meningitis at college. She was on a bus trip Thursday, and Friday in a coma. They were pumping her with antibiotics, and wanted everyone to pray. When I checked my email tonight, I learned that she had passed away. Rachel was only 19, she has two brothers, and she had a love for life and dance. The email had a few pictures, and as I read I was crying. My daughter was sitting beside me, and profoundly, said ” God has something bigger planned for her in Heaven.” We may not understand it, but Brooke is right. God called her home, to be with Him. This place is only a temporary residence, our eternal future is with God. Rachel is dancing in Heaven, and she feels no sorrow. Please pray for her family, that they will find peace and healing in this painful time, and that they will cling to God for strength. Now thank God for all He has given you, and go kiss your kids one more time tonight.