tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55538339508205268732024-03-07T00:56:43.858-06:00My Peacefully Chaotic LifeFinding joy and peace because of the chaos in my life, not in spite of it!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.comBlogger311125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-69156159655039293042014-02-08T08:30:00.003-06:002014-02-08T08:30:52.550-06:00Peaceful SurroundingsSweet Saturdays! It's been a great week of homeschooling and work. We are screening in a porch and applying fresh paint to the outside of the house. Hoping today holds a little TLC for the inside of the house! I find it has gotten away from us!<br />
<br />
Do you have those times too? The times you find yourself so busy you can't keep up with the normal things in life? Don't beat yourself up. It's not a problem when it's a season. It only becomes a problem when it's a habit! Unfortunately we all know that anything you practice long enough does become the regular way of doing life. So if you find yourself buried in the everyday life responsibilities, step back and take a deep breath.<br />
<br />
Think about what will bring you peace in your surroundings.<br />
<br />
Clean laundry, smelling fresh and sweet?<br />
I will admit I have a penchant for clean towels that are perfectly folded and stacked.<br />
<br />
Clean dishes, filling your cupboards? <br />
Uncluttered counters?<br />
I find I don't like to cook in a dirty kitchen.<br />
<br />
Gleaming floors? Fresh carpets?<br />
I love bright hardwood floors and the little vacuum lines left on carpet!<br />
<br />
Maybe you just would like the floor to not look as though the toybox exploded! <br />
Easy to say pick up your toys. Harder to enforce, depending on the age!<br />
<br />
Whatever it is that will bring a little peace and harmony in your home, jump in and do it, even if it's a little at a time. For me, well all of the above needs to be done today along with scrubbing some toilets lol! So I'd best be getting busy! <br />
<br />
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-53491093891399048062012-08-16T11:15:00.001-05:002012-08-16T11:29:32.631-05:00And so it begins...Once again I find myself arranging ballerina buns and finding missing tap shoes. A new year of dance has begun and my girls could hardly contain their excitement.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjystNBoHTMA0WEuNb4P_JdhEOy9AGQNcvNm5WenysjZJDLt05HG1CLIuBRDVoDraYVQ9whq2rUyX3R2Dsrf8XfNAzo33N-xUYHE_Gq7jMozV4BumST_3G9l3tj9QjgOT4kNRQ0iwd00cRk/s1600/Dance+Recital+Spring+2012+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjystNBoHTMA0WEuNb4P_JdhEOy9AGQNcvNm5WenysjZJDLt05HG1CLIuBRDVoDraYVQ9whq2rUyX3R2Dsrf8XfNAzo33N-xUYHE_Gq7jMozV4BumST_3G9l3tj9QjgOT4kNRQ0iwd00cRk/s320/Dance+Recital+Spring+2012+050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The fun of pulling socks over shin guards is also here. The only difference is that it is now my sweet boy that is playing soccer. They can start at the age of 3 here and he was excited to play last year. But when he arrived for his first practice he balked and retreated to the safety of Mama's arms. He was barely 3 at the time and was even still in a pull-up so we really weren't surprised. This year, however, he was ready! Funny how they can seem so big at home and look so tiny on the field! He did quite well at his first practice though. I had no doubt he would. From the time he took his first steps he would grab a ball and dribble all over the yard. (Dribbling in soccer is when you see them lightly kick the ball to move it around the field. Very important skill as they must be capable of maintaining control over the ball.) I must admit to feeling very sentimental as it feels like yesterday that it was my oldest son I was watching at T-ball. My youngest could be his twin so it really brought it home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJshR9MNV3oVRCV_ui1hMYF0FN8yZJlBfQ9ZhTpVnh0iut4e0WxDXQWPKshyphenhyphen2SqbKg_KjDuS6OEGkYKkeLDT4f31Z6S6X_UPor0E0zdOQ3Q1wTyGlD1h3UFck_AxjV_TAvO_w11_iZkM6t/s1600/Easter+2012+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJshR9MNV3oVRCV_ui1hMYF0FN8yZJlBfQ9ZhTpVnh0iut4e0WxDXQWPKshyphenhyphen2SqbKg_KjDuS6OEGkYKkeLDT4f31Z6S6X_UPor0E0zdOQ3Q1wTyGlD1h3UFck_AxjV_TAvO_w11_iZkM6t/s320/Easter+2012+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My oldest daughter will still be playing soccer, too. This year the city league had her on a travel team that would have her gone on Saturdays and Sundays. She didn't feel right about missing church for soccer and when she realized she would also miss her baby brother's games, it was a no-brainer for her. As much as she loves it, she said no. Instead she will be playing for a private school that allows participation from homeschoolers. She will also be taking some elective classes there so she is very excited at how God has worked it out. God is faithful!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-55918751637785605902012-08-14T10:58:00.000-05:002012-08-14T10:58:13.384-05:00Must have jinxed that...So I said in my last post that so far the new recipes had been well received. Last night's meal...not so much. I should have known better than to say that LOL! I liked it well enough and so did my youngest daughter. But the husband wasn't so fond of it. It was a Mediterranean recipe that had whole wheat rotini, grilled salmon, tomato, artichoke, olives and garlic. It also called for white wine but I used chicken broth instead. I think we are going to try it one more time with a few tweaks. Maybe a half box of noodles instead of a full box and add some canned tomatoes. I even thought about using quinoa instead of noodles since we all love it. I think extra artichokes and olives might be good, too. If that doesn't work, then this one will be discarded. It's funny but my husband hasn't been too crazy about any Mediterranean recipe I've ever tried through the years. When you look at the separate ingredients, he ought to love them. And the heart health aspect makes me love them. But surprisingly many of them are somewhat lackluster in flavor. Hoping I can tweak this one to add a boost in flavor and salvage it!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-83848278624678303832012-08-11T13:35:00.000-05:002014-02-08T08:12:55.597-06:00A Little Peek into Our Life LatelyREADY FOR:<br />
Are you like me, wondering where summer went? It's passed by so quickly. Dance and soccer will start again next week. Yet, at the same time, there are days when I think autumn will never get here. Yesterday when we sat outside in the early morning and it cool and breezy. Yet it didn't have that fall feeling to it. I don't know about other areas of the States but in the South there is a certain feel to the weather, a certain way the sun and sky look, a certain scent to the air that tell you fall is on its way. I only wish it lasted a little longer!<br />
<br />
WORKING ON:<br />
We've been working on organizing our school room. Organization. Does it ever end?! It seems as though about the time I think I have things perfectly organized and running smoothly, I find a glitch that makes me start all over. I hate to call this organization prompt a glitch. He's certainly more important than that. :) It's my sweet boy. You see, he turned 4 in May and as such, is quite ready for a more formal approach to school. While he's enjoyed doing little pre-K workbooks and occasional reading lessons, this year he will be taking part in much more. He needed his own space.<br />
<br />
I was also finding storage to be an issue as well as motivating my girls to be disciplined in taking care of their supplies. I tried separate adult desks, which they loved, but found that their personal papers over ran to the point that we usually wound up in the dining room during school time. (personal papers being letters, pictures, stories, lists, etc) We also had the problem of The Disappearing Pencils. The Disappearing Scissors. The I'll Borrow Mama's And Lose Them Too's. <br />
<br />
Enter School Room Makeover! We had a rather large, well huge really, computer desk in the corner. We've had it for about 11 years and while it was perfect for the space it was originally purchased for, it quickly became a chore to find a place for it whenever we moved. Not to mention, it wasn't light to move! We also had an armoire that housed a TV. So my handy dandy husband tore the desk apart and used it to create shelves in the armoire. Then he painted it a lovely mossy green. Now I have one spot to hold ALL of our supplies. I also had a small bookcase that my uncle made for me when I was a child. We painted it green also and it now gives the girls each their own shelf to hold their books. I have an old metal crate to the side of that to hold the Pre-K curriculum. The additional adult desk became mine, yay! We have acquired one old fashioned child's school desk and hope to find 2 more. A large dry erase board on the wall is going to be great compared to the small handheld size we've always used!<br />
<br />
I know many people have tried having a home classroom, complete with desks, and quickly discarded it, preferring to spread out on the couch or around the kitchen table. While I am all for curling up to read together (or alone) or gathering around to practice flash cards or play games, I will confess I love having a room just for school things. For years I had to make space as best I could which was no easy feat. It's so nice to have everything in one place. We've been in this house for a 1 1/2 years and I finally feel like the room is not only functional but also pretty. As for desks, they have to sit somewhere, and there's no losing pencils or crayons in the couch this way. ;)<br />
<br />
TRYING:<br />
I've been trying to incorporate more vegetables and fruits into our diet. The juicer is wonderful for this! It's amazing how it can raise your daily servings in such a quick and tasty way. I've also been trying different recipes and surprisingly most of them have received rave reviews. I say surprisingly because I never thought my meat and potatoes man and picky children would ever be very open to vegan meals or even just using less meat. But we have found some keepers. Portabello mushrooms are a weekly grocery item now. Use them in place of hamburger patties. My husband now prefers them over regular burgers. I still use traditional patties for the girls (my little guy won't touch a burger) but I found they love stuffed mushrooms so there is hope for them to make the switch in the future. Last night we tried spaghetti squash. I tossed in lemon garlic shrimp and crab and it was a hit. I'll definitely be trying it out again with spaghetti sauce.<br />
<br />
SEEKING:<br />
All in all, I've been looking for those peaceful times. I've let life get so busy that I don't stop enough to recognize them. But they're present even when we take them for granted. For instance, a few days ago I realized I had some ground turkey in the fridge that needed to be used. I had already cleaned up from supper but decided to throw a pot of chili on to simmer while I put the kiddos to bed. Wouldn't you know, the next day it rained all day. It was gloomy and dreary out, but inside we had warm chili and an afternoon movie to keep us cheered. <br />
Do you like scented candles? Try the Febreeze candles. They smell heavenly and last quite well. I bought apple cinnamon and burn it every day. For an extra boost, try Arm & Hammer's Autumn Breeze carpet fresh when you vacuum. I know it's not "green cleaning" but it does make the house smell so cozy. <br />
<br />
So that's just a bit of what's been going on at our house. Striving to be healthy, get organized and live on purpose, with purpose! Be blessed :)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-29798938396540664182012-01-07T18:46:00.000-06:002012-01-07T18:46:55.884-06:00Time For A ChangeWell, it's that time of year again! New Year's resolutions and good intentions on steroids. While most are making plans to improve some area of their life and just hoping for the best, we have been busy at our house! <br />
<br />
For quite a while now, I have struggled with keeping up with clutter. Some might think, hey, you're home all day, what's the problem? Therein lies the problem. I am home all day! Along with a 9 yr old, a 7 yr old, and a 3 yr old. Not to mention, the husband who is right next door at work and pops in and out at varying times. When you throw in books, paper, projects and all those enriching activities that fill a day...well, it tends to fill your home. <br />
<br />
After Christmas (which was lovely, by the way), I looked around at the piles of gifts, dishes and paper and groaned. It didn't help when a couple of days later the tree toppled over. Oh, what a beautiful mess!<br />
<br />
My children do pretty well about cleaning up as long as it hasn't turned into a chaotic mess. But when it reaches that point, they simply do not know where to start. I found my attitude turning sour way too often as I felt as though I was doing the same chores over and over. I felt overworked and under appreciated, even though I knew I wasn't. Feelings! Can't trust them, you must trust what you KNOW! So, what to do?<br />
<br />
My children love going to the library and are very careful about keeping up with their books. I thought, "Why not apply the same principle to our home?" I've been cleaning out the hall linen closet and have converted it to the Toy Library. All toys (except for a few 'lovies' and special toys) and games are in the closet. Children must go through Mama to check out an item. When they do check it out, I have a pad that I write down their name, the date, the time, and the item. When they clean it up and return it, it is checked off. Although I am not quite finished, it has already eliminated so much chaos! When something is out, I know who left it there. The children know they are responsible for what they take out. They are enjoying the fact that there is so little to pick up at any given time. When they already had things strewn, I wouldn't allow them to take out games. Needless to say, we've been playing games this week!<br />
<br />
I also am working on the schoolroom. It wasn't working as a playroom/schoolroom. (See above!) I have cleaned out a cabinet that used to house games and now it holds all the videos and art supplies. I plan to utilize the same approach as the Toy Library. <br />
<br />
I've moved the children's bookshelf to the living room so they can more readily access the books at any time. All of this is really opening up the schoolroom. I am excited to have space for more visual aids and to house all of our school things in one room, instead of various shelves and cabinets throughout the house.. <br />
<br />
In the meantime, I've also done a little rearranging and decorating in the house. I hope to finish everything over the next couple of weeks and share a home tour. I can't wait to complete this project and start reaping the benefits of peace! :)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-15734465691866059022011-12-03T13:48:00.000-06:002011-12-03T13:48:11.574-06:00Thanksgiving Catch UpHow was your Thanksgiving? Ours was very good. My oldest son was able to come home. We were afraid this might be the first Thanksgiving he wasn't with us but he was able to arrange his schedule to make it home. His band was away shooting a music video. What might have taken all week, they managed to do in one full day! He headed homeWednesday and stayed until Sunday. <br />
<br />
My guys were able to do quite a lot of hunting over the holiday. They both love to fish and hunt. We've been very blessed that our last home and this one, there are several places for them to enjoy the outdoors. We love deer meat. It is healthy and really helps to stretch the budget. When prepared correctly you might even think it is beef!<br />
<br />
The kids and I got a little creative with our vegetables on Thanksgiving day and created a fun centerpiece. My youngest named it Pluto. ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx5iIBDy4vL-iZrQx5IXv7hJ3sTaM2KkFerMexEpPT8XJtm5jIlV-ZD3OIQ39BCh1RDEeYj90qRrciOw_MkZR4KcV9Nochk1xFExhqlfgpCwY_33kOv_DnkObMkYzm0YZFFwdatsvq3pB/s1600/166929_293659133990277_100000385797879_1000662_979465211_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx5iIBDy4vL-iZrQx5IXv7hJ3sTaM2KkFerMexEpPT8XJtm5jIlV-ZD3OIQ39BCh1RDEeYj90qRrciOw_MkZR4KcV9Nochk1xFExhqlfgpCwY_33kOv_DnkObMkYzm0YZFFwdatsvq3pB/s320/166929_293659133990277_100000385797879_1000662_979465211_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Since I had a smoked turkey and a brown sugar ham, we opted for sandwiches for lunch and ate our Thanksgiving Dinner for supper that night. I fixed dressing with gravy, cranberry sauce, fresh snap beans, sweet potato casserole, homemade macaroni and cheese, and collard greens. Dessert was pumpkin cheesecake (a paula deen recipe...it was ok), sugar free lemon pie, chocolate pie, and apple pie. All homemade!<br />
<br />
I noticed Wednesday that the palm of the left hand at the base of my thumb was sore and tender as though I had scalded it. I thought perhaps I had and just hadn't noticed it. But by Thursday my hand and my arm all the way to the shoulder hurt to the touch. Friday when I got up I felt awful as though I had the flu. Sore and achey all over, headache, soooo tired. This went on through the weekend. Then I began breaking out on my arm. Have you guessed what it was? <br />
<br />
Shingles! <br />
<br />
Talk about miserable! I had no idea that you could even get them when you were younger. Not only that, I thought it was only on your beltline or on your face. Not so. <br />
<br />
I've always heard about the pain associated with shingles. I assumed it was the rash that hurt. But the problem stems from nerve pain because the virus travels along a nerve. I am taking antivirals and pain medication. I hope this is a shortlived experience and there are no residual effects!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-78073610233666252602011-11-15T09:31:00.000-06:002011-11-15T09:31:02.300-06:00Home Sweet Quiet HomeThis week we have been enjoying a business trip that has us staying in the Atlanta area. Coming through Atlanta was absolutely crazy! The place we are staying is actually considered a suburb. You can't tell though because you never knew when you left Atlanta itself! Our hotel is very nice and that is always a plus. I had hoped we could sneak in a field trip of sorts but there really isn't anything close enough. There is a lot of shopping here though and our family enjoyed seeing the large malls and letting the kids ride the train and carousel. <br />
<br />
Wow, what a difference from any of the places we ever called home! Even the place we used to consider the big city is really nothing more than a town in comparison. <br />
Before we moved to our current home, we lived in a very rural area. Snakes and coyotes were a constant in life, traffic and people were not ha ha! But I loved my quiet life. It was peaceful. Peace was welcomed anyway we could get it during the stress of the last couple of years there! One of my favorite places was at the top of the hill behind our church. Each day the sunrise and the sunset engaged in a rival of beauty. The downside of living in such a rural area is, of course, that when you need ANYTHING it requires either a trip to a small grocery where prices are sky high (double to triple the normal price) or eating up time to travel to a larger town where there are more choices. There are no city sports for the children and no malls for the teenagers. The hangout there was literally the carwash.<br />
<br />
<br />
So it was nice when we moved to a little bigger place. We have several grocery stores and a walmart along with several different types of dollar stores and drugstores. We also have a choice of restaurants. Our house is just a few miles from town and while we are in a neighborhood, it is still quieter than town. However, not having to worry over wild critters has also been good. ;) The girls can take dance now and play sports right in their own hometown. FlowerChild's soccer team even won the city championship!<br />
<br />
Then we come to Atlanta! It has me contemplating how grateful I am to live in a smaller town. I know some people absolutely thrive on the frenzied pace of life that a big city offers. I am not one of them though! I can not imagine having to face the crush of activity and stress it requires, just to run a simple errand or have a family outing.<br />
<br />
Although this has been a nice trip, I am looking forward to getting back to my quiet home. My little yappy dogs that drive me crazy will be excited to have their children back to play. My kitties will be happy to have a lap back to lay in. I look forward to cooking instead of eating out. I look forward to my children playing outside. Their favorite spot is under a big pecan tree they have nicknamed "Big Mama" and they call it their bakery. <br />
<br />
Yes, we lead a simple life but I love it. I love having our little routines. I love home. :)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-72113473898512349612011-11-12T21:49:00.000-06:002011-11-12T21:49:20.511-06:00Christmas ShoeboxesAre you familiar with <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/">Samaritan's Purse Ministries</a>? Maybe you've heard of their ministry, Operation Christmas Child where you pack a shoebox with goodies of all kinds and it is sent to needy children around the world. <br />
<br />
This year my girls wanted to do something in honor of their baby sister, Abigail, who is in heaven. I suggested they pack a shoebox. These girls have been so excited. They chose just the right wapped box from our church windows (the one with disney princess wrapping paper). They chose just the right knitted cap from the Christmas tree in our sanctuary. ( we have a member known as "the knitting lady" who makes dozens of caps and hangs them on a tree to be included in the boxes). They plotted and planned for what they might like to include. <br />
<br />
While we did buy about a dozen items from the dollar store, we went elsewhere also in order to buy some nicer toys. The cheaper ones do not last and we wanted her to have something nice. I would rather fill one shoebox with some quality things rather than several boxes with cheap quality items that will just break.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/wws_index?launch=Mongolia"">Here</a> is a link to the page that has several videos that show the impact of this ministry.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-60442939343493786332011-11-11T07:49:00.000-06:002011-11-11T07:49:34.095-06:00Furry Family<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8ju229mZCXnfoaEUVxhcNQkla5i7nGf95uiwWBey3Rwh95aCRVQ96PHOV27JJ5oxy1kYF04X8QPRnguw92n6tas1kTH3mfrpiVxmxLTvwRdp9OxXsQxrElcfUmD5jse6YQOUqfQVo6fq/s1600/daisy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8ju229mZCXnfoaEUVxhcNQkla5i7nGf95uiwWBey3Rwh95aCRVQ96PHOV27JJ5oxy1kYF04X8QPRnguw92n6tas1kTH3mfrpiVxmxLTvwRdp9OxXsQxrElcfUmD5jse6YQOUqfQVo6fq/s320/daisy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, she is as tall as a water bottle!<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span id="goog_273845751"></span><span id="goog_273845752"></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-41517462846920229182011-11-10T22:16:00.020-06:002011-11-10T22:26:35.595-06:00Artist at Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HhddASS7mpBYyZomBYFI8t7SQB0TNnbtWr-C9w8UcRGr-dEJ5auc9PawJhaDvnhMvro3wkhFdkhyNbGj6JC9n_PVNPDzr80C97NItTsnR-MXgpWigX0CR-w2pgQp_F49kCZg3Qwh_c1L/s1600/camellias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HhddASS7mpBYyZomBYFI8t7SQB0TNnbtWr-C9w8UcRGr-dEJ5auc9PawJhaDvnhMvro3wkhFdkhyNbGj6JC9n_PVNPDzr80C97NItTsnR-MXgpWigX0CR-w2pgQp_F49kCZg3Qwh_c1L/s320/camellias.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's been a lovely week here. The weather has been absolutely perfect, not too hot, not too cold. The leaves are changing with colors so vivid that I almost can't take it all in! I mean, have you just stopped to admire the beauty lately? The sunsets this week have been breathtaking! God's amazing artwork is at its finest in autumn, don't you think?<br />
<br />
<br />
Yesterday afternoon the children played outside, busily piling up leaves and jumping in them, only to do it all over again. Today the weather suddenly took a turn and temperatures plummeted with freezing temperatures expected tonight. I went out and cut armloads of camellia blooms to decorate the house with. With their delicate pale blooms, I wasn't sure how well they would stand up to the freeze and I wanted an excuse to bring their beauty indoors!<br />
<br />
Now I sit here curled up in the recliner with my cat, Tiger, trying to get warm by the fireplace. He has a hard time staying warm now that he is older (almost 16 years) and he adores the fireplace. If he doesn't have a lap to climb into (he can't jump up anymore) then he gets just as close to the fire as he can. It's so cozy to have him snuggled up with a contented purr. :)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-4106783178785573472011-11-06T07:55:00.000-06:002011-11-06T07:55:25.648-06:00Crockpot Conspiracy TheoriesDid you get your extra hour of sleep? Not me, my body knows when it is time to wake up. I lay there for a moment before the alarm went off. I marveled that I had finally managed to sleep in. But when I got up and saw all the clocks said the same thing, I realized my husband had forgotten to turn the clocks back. ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
Just as well, because I needed to get Sunday dinner started. I wanted to put the meat in the crockpot last night but it was still frozen and I wasn't so sure about that. I am hoping it will be done by the time church is over. I had originally gotten the recipe from the facebook sensation, Crockpot Girls. They are in the process of changing up their facebook site because of the whole trademark name change deal. they are Crockin girls now, I think? They have loaded a lot of the recipes on the new one, but I couldn't find the one I needed. So I thought I would google it.<br />
<br />
<br />
I was shocked to find all these blogposts up that were criticising them and were suspicious of foul play. Over a facebook site? really? Has to be the green-eyed monster rearing its head. I mean, who cares how many likes they have? <br />
<br />
One point that was repeatedly made was that there were no recipes. Umm, noooo, not on the wall, they are in the discussions and photo sections. Another was suspicious about bots causing the numbers to rise dramatically. And all the talk about that it can't be real people who are liking the page? I am very real. And the friends from church are very real. and the soccer moms yesterday at the tournament discussing what they were cooking from crockpot girls are real. And the folks on our town page who recommended it are real....get my drift? A lot of people just find it to be a convenient and more personal way to try out a new recipe. <br />
<br />
Never knew something like that could cause such conspiracy theories, ha ha. Just my thoughts ;)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-55505637880507447522011-11-02T23:37:00.003-05:002011-11-03T09:03:24.863-05:00ShakenI had never been inside her home until the day she told me CPS had removed her children. On that day I had gone over with some clothing for her daughter. When she came to the door I rattled on about what the bags held and if she could use them. Open mouth, insert foot.<br />
<br />
She took me in the first few rooms. My impression was that of dark rooms and general disarray, as you might find in a case of depression. The windows are busted out and they had no water. Their dog had messed in the floor and was jumping in and out of the busted windows.<br />
<br />
I immediately told her I would help her clean, organize, repair, anything. I truly wanted to see this young woman piece her life back together. Well, of course, to her I am "the pastor's wife" and she is too embarrassed to let me see the whole picture. So I tell her that when she is finished that I will gladly do a walk through and see if there was anything obvious to be done. My work background qualifies me to be of a particular help in this area. <br />
<br />
<br />
It's been 5 weeks. During that time they have worked very hard. Truckloads of stuff have been hauled away and thrown away, both from the yard and from inside the house. Friends have helped scrub the walls and floors, paint ceilings and repair the windows. Throughout this month I have repeatedly emphasized that the goal should be clean, shiny, smelling good, lots of light, safe, no hazards, child centered, an obvious family home. So when she asks me to walk through I am expecting a total transformation.<br />
<br />
It isn't quite what I had hoped for. Yes, much has been done. There are now curtains on the windows, albeit mismatched. The front room is set up as a living room. There is a bedroom for the parents and a bedroom for the kids. However, open the door off the children's room and it is a dropoff of 3 feet to a dirt floor, because the floor had to be torn out. The smell in this side room of urine and feces is oppressive. Combined with the odors of cigarette smoke and old, musty wood and it is sickening. Their room, while it contains a bed with a dirty mattress, a chest of drawers, a small bookcase, and a dresser, gives no evidence of being a child's room. Well, unless you count the fact that the shelf holds some children's movies and a few small toys. No babydolls or barbies. No hotwheels or tractors. No little colorbooks or crayons. No teddybears worn out from little hands loving them. No little nightlights to chase away fears.<br />
<br />
There is no crib set up in happy anticipation of the new addition. No clean children's clothing stacked in a basket. Nothing that would indicate children running through the house. One thing.Throughout the visit she stops to show me this little pumpkin or little ghost she had out that her son made at school. She keeps repeating how sad she is to be missing their trick-or-treating. I dont have the heart to tell her our family does not celebrate Halloween. I just listen.<br />
<br />
When we get to the kitchen there are dirty dishes waiting to be washed. The stove has burned on black rings 2 inches out from each burner. A pot of water sits waiting for use. I mention she needs to make sure she labels her cleaning supplies and locks them up. She opens the cabinet below the sink to show me and a section of 3 doors comes off in her hands. Her face crumples like she wants to cry, then she quickly turns away as she attempts, to no avail, to prop the doors back on. The drugs she is on make it hard for her to complete a thought or comprehend when I give instructions or ask questions. But they still can't drown out the emotions of shame and discouragement she is trying so desperately to bury.<br />
<br />
I go back home to my family and impressions wash over me. The children run to greet me as they tell me how much they missed me. A hot, home cooked supper is shared around the dining room table. Clean sweet smelling jammies, night-night prayers, crisp sheets, favorite lovies to cuddle with. Suddenly I can't stand it any longer. I feel as though I can't shake that dismal odor that still fills my nostrils. It's as though it has covered me and I can't escape it. I can't bear the thought of going in my children's bedrooms smelling this way.<br />
<br />
When I tell my daughters I will be in to say good night in a few minutes after I bathe, they give me hugs. FlowerChild jerks away and says, " You don't smell like....you." I give a wry smile and retreat to my room. When I at last enter their bedroom, they are still awake. As I give them their goodnight hugs, my daughter gives a contented sigh. "You smell like Mama now."<br />
<br />
___________________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
This is a snippet of my day last week. I am not the type of person who is sensitive and must have everything sanitary before I enter. I've seen situations that were pure squalor. But something about this was different. The contrast between this family's home and my own just hit me so hard that it shook me up. I haven't been able to get it out of my mind and I have prayed over them constantly. How often do we really examine our lives and truly recognize God's hand over us? <br />
<br />
We like to think that if we are not like this then it must be because of something we have done. We are somehow "better" if we don't happen to have the same type of problems. But do you know what the root of her problem was? After talking with her I am sure I know. It wasn't the drugs. It wasn't poverty. It wasn't a lack of education. It was that the circumstances in her life had left her OVERWHELMED. Have you ever felt this way? I know I have. Oh the causes may be different for each person. Responsibilities. Money trouble. Health problems. Relationships. Jobs. Grief. Loneliness. <br />
<br />
But the feeling of lack of control is the same. Overwhelmed. Have you stopped to realize that it is only God's hand upon your life that has protected you from the storm? Just because you may not have battled debilitating depression, drug addiction, problems paying bills, children acting out, or any other myriad of problems people battle everyday, it doesn't mean you are somehow better than them. It just means that you are blessed in different ways. Honestly, I think that is why I have been so touched by this situation. I came home that night and I was overwhelmed with how blessed I really am. We all are just one event, one accident, one poor decision away from a tragic life.<br />
<br />
If you are battling something today that is leaving you tired and ashamed I want to remind you of something. Most likely your real battle is that of being overwhelmed. But you are not the clothes you wear, the car you drive or even the one you can't afford to own. You are not your job, no matter how important or how lowly. You are not your looks or your education and you are not the roof you happen to live under. No, you are none of these things. YOU are God's creation and He has a plan for your life. Satan wants to deter you from this plan so he distracts you from it with worries and hurts of this world. Reach out to Jesus! Your life will not be magically freed from problems. You won't suddenly be exempt from circumstances you have created. But you also will not fight the battle alone! Tomorrow can be something that excites you as a new day, a fresh start, rather than something that causes you to groan, wondering what bad things it will hold. Be encouraged, friend. :)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-47715459746951419202011-10-23T15:16:00.000-05:002011-10-23T15:16:33.624-05:00It's my husband's birthday today. We haven't done anything particularly special to celebrate but it's been a good day nonetheless. We went to church and he preached a great message on being useful and not wasting your life away. <br />
<br />
When we came home, lunch only took a few minutes. I had already cooked lunch in the crockpot. Have you seen the crockpot girls on facebook? They have some terrific recipes. <br />
<br />
I cooked the pork chops and gravy one except without pork chops LOL. It was SUPPOSED to use thick cut pork chops. Have you priced those? Good grief! So instead I found a family pack of country style ribs. By the time we got home from church they were perfect. Everyone liked it and the gravy was divine. <br />
<br />
After we ate we all curled up in the living room and watched some of the Love Comes Softly movies I had taped. My little guy crawled up in my lap and promptly fell asleep. Great excuse to not get up for 2 hours!<br />
<br />
Now we are all out back enjoying a lovely day. The FisherMan is reviewing his sermon for tonight. The children are chasing butterflies. They rescued a Monarch from the dog and Cornbread named it Jimmy. It has somehow flown away and now they wandering through the yard calling, "Jimmy! Jimmy!" As long as they're happy LOL<br />
<br />
And on that note I must run. I've got choir practice soon. The church is planning to take the FisherMan to a nice fish camp after services tonight. Sshhhh....don't say a word, it's a surprise! ;)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-89382674526093578552011-10-22T08:06:00.001-05:002011-10-22T15:46:37.763-05:00Wake-up CallAround 6:00 AM this morning my little guy trudged into our room and I pulled him up in bed with us. I was greeted by ice cold legs and feet where he had kicked his covers off. As he snuggled down between us, I tried to go back to sleep, hoping to find the dream I had been in the middle of. <br />
<br />
Which is when the Rat Terrier woke up and jumped down from the bed. Gravity doesn't work well with Pretzel when she stands up after sleeping all night so I jumped out of bed to catch her and run to the living room where I unceremoniously dumped her out the back door. <br />
Not having much fur, she wasn't impressed. <br />
<br />
I didn't care. I went back to bed, grateful to see my son still curled up trying to go back to sleep. I quickly slid under the covers, pulled him close, and tightly shut my eyes hoping to go back to dreamland. I didn't care what dream at this point as long as it was good.<br />
<br />
Then Pretzel decided to remind me it is cold outside and she started up crying and barking. Sigh. I decided to try the age old remedy of pretending to not hear her. But my husband did and the next thing I knew he was throwing back the covers (he never just slides out of bed, he must THROW the covers WAYYYY back when he gets up) and was stumbling loudly through the house to let her in. <br />
<br />
Up pops a little boy's head. I pull him down and whisper urgently to go back to sleep. <br />
<br />
My husband lumbers back in and sinks in bed, yanking the covers up, just as wildly as he had thrown them off.<br />
<br />
Quietness descends once again and the I hear little paws tap-tapping through the house. Suddenly Pretzel jumps up in the bed with us. "Pretzel!!" a gleeful little voice shouts. "SSHHH, it's nite-nite time," I say. (Ok, so I realize 6:30 in the morning is not exactly night but it is Saturday and it is still dark.<br />
He wasn't fooled. He lay still for a moment and then I hear, "But my hungwy, Mama." Then quiet. I peek through half-closed eyes and see his eyes close. Oh, I couldn't be this blessed, he's going back to sleep!<br />
<br />
No. Because a minute later the kitten jumps on the bed as well. Pretzel decided to sound the alarm, barking madly, and scrambling after her from under the covers. After it all calms down, I try vainly to yet again convince him...myself....it's time for sleep.<br />
<br />
I hear an earnest little whisper. "Mama! My wonts a cinny pop-tot and me milk!!" <br />
Now I wish I could say that at this point that I lovingly swept the hair from his eyes, hugged him close, and said, "Sure, my love, and while I'm at it, let's have homemade pancakes, too!" Then I would gracefully arise, don my silk robe, and go to greet the day with a smile. I would magically transform from robe to dress with perfect makeup and hair, smiling and singing as I went. Bluebirds would fly to settle upon my window sill. <br />
Um, that would be a decided NO! Because as my precious son declared this, I knew sleep was a lost cause and I wasn't ready to lose it. So instead I sat up and growled, "Come on! let's just GET up!" as I stomped towards the door. No silk robes or beautiful dresses. Running pants, a sweatshirt and fuzzy house slippers. No perfect hair or makeup. <br />
<br />
Then my husband murmurs, "You need me to get up?" <br />
Once again, I WISH I could say that I answered sweetly, "No, sweetheart, you just sleep, you need your rest."<br />
No, instead I snapped, "No, it's fine! I got it!" Then I muttered under my breath, " That way YOU can sleep." He heard me. Sweetly he says, "Okay!"<br />
Ggrrrr. Oh, I was a serious martyr at this point. Poor me. "I" have to do everything. "I" have to be the one to get up. What about me? Ouch. I despise that attitude. <br />
<br />
So I prepare the "pop-tot" and milk for son and fix a cup of Hills Bro. Cappuccino for me. He wants to watch a taped episode of his favorite show Wild Kratts. Suurre, I think to myself. Why would I want to watch anything? My eyes sweep around the room taking in the mess the kids had left yesterday and I groaned at the thought of the laundry and clean-up awaiting me today. Oh, yes, I was seriously entrenched in stinkin-thinkin. <br />
Then I checked my FB. One family had lost a beloved grandfather. Another is battling a stroke with their mother...who is only 40 years old.<br />
One friend, a teacher, had posted a prayer in the wee hours. She's at a new school and is experiencing major spiritual warfare. She grew up separated from siblings, being shuffled from one foster home to another to group care. She still battles that feeling of loneliness and not being accepted. But she repeatedly leans upon the Lord for her strength and guidance.<br />
Then there's the mom with 4 kids, ages 5, 4, 2 and a newborn. She worked for me when she was a carefree teenager. Her 4 year old suffers with Mitochondrial Disease. Among the many problems it causes, he doesn't walk or interact the way her other children are able to. He has many health problems which will only grow worse as he gets older. Sleepless nights are frequent for her. She had overslept this morning. She's been working very hard on doing a fall market to benefit their missions program at church. It's taking place today and she was trying to get there.<br />
<br />
Then there were happy posts from people who were already up and planning a day with the family. <br />
<br />
And here I was grumbling because my little boy had the audacity to want mommy up with him. I was allowing a bad mood because I have the burden of housework. I was jealous because my husband was able to stay in bed longer. Ouch.<br />
<br />
I remember what it is like to want children so badly and think you will not have that blessing. I remember what it is like to want a nice home. I remember what it is like to work all week outside the home to where Saturday is pretty much the only time you have to do the housework. I remember the days when my husband worked crazy night hours and I hated him being gone. And yet here I am complaining over it when I have a houseful of children, a lovely home, and my husband is home with us. <br />
Lord, forgive me for taking your blessings for granted! While I do struggle with fatigue, it's no excuse for a bad attitude! Strengthen me and refresh me with energy and a renewed mind and spirit to face the day with gratitude! Help me to treat my family with love and to cherish them, not treat them as a burden to be tolerated. Most of all, help me to set "me" to the side and focus on You!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-59701557774699641272011-10-21T09:18:00.002-05:002011-10-22T15:45:48.320-05:00It's Not Lemonade Until You Sweeten It<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Pitcher and glasses of fresh lemonade in the garden Stock Photo - 7854841" border="0" class="compImg" src="http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/dasha11/dasha111009/dasha11100900054/7854841-pitcher-and-glasses-of-fresh-lemonade-in-the-garden.jpg" title="Pitcher and glasses of fresh lemonade in the garden Stock Photo" /></div>My oldest son loves it when I make homemade lemonade. I add some extras that are not necessarily needed to make it good but just put it over into the extra special. It's really sweet and gets stronger the longer the ingredients mix.<br />
<br />
My lemonade is not unlike a marriage.<br />
<br />
I start out with the basics, lemons and water. In marriage you begin with an ordinary man and an ordinary woman. <br />
<br />
But it doesn't become lemonade until you add the sugar. In marriage this is the love! To become more than just separate ordinary people, you must mix in love. However, just a romantic love won't be enough sugar to overcome the sourness of the human spirit or the blandness of a self centered person coming into marriage. The love must be grounded in friendship and self sacrifice. <br />
<br />
The idea that you must fight to not "lose your identity" is one that the enemy has planted in order to destroy. Before you jump to a conclusion I am not drawing, let me explain what I mean by that. :)<br />
I am not suggesting that you lose yourself in your spouse. It's sad to see a classy, strong individual marry and then they morph into this henpecked shadow of a person. What I am saying is that marriage will and should change you into a better person, one who is capable of putting another's needs before their own without becoming a martyr.<br />
<br />
When we are saved we become a new creation in Christ. If we fight to hold onto our identity then we are fighting to hold onto an old person and lifestyle. This brings a wedge into our relationship with Christ that changes everything! While you may be saved, you are depriving yourself of so many blessings that Christ has for you as well as holding yourself back from joining Him in HIS plan for your life! Marriage is such a picture of this. When we fight so hard to hold onto our old, unmarried self it may not change our married status but it deprives us of the fullness of blessings that marriage brings! You may be a feisty lemon or cool water on your own but when you come together and add enough love then you can become something more together than you would have ever dreamed on your own!<br />
<br />
But there are other ingredients that can be added to a marriage that can raise it to an even more special level. Respect. Appreciation. Concern. Flirtation.<br />
<br />
Respect and build up your spouse. Flippant remarks, jokes at their expense, outright putdowns even, are all things that disrespect and tear down the protective walls of your marriage. Bringing your spouse down doesn't make you look better. Remember God says you are one now. So you are really hurting yourself when you engage in ripping them apart, even when you attach an "I'm just kidding" to the end of your statement.<br />
<br />
Appreciate the things your spouse does for you and your home. Too often we attach a selfish version of ourself to every appreciative remark. Don't know what I mean? Have you ever noticed your spouse looking tired at the end of the day and immediately the thought entered, "Well, I 'm tired, too! Look at everything I've had to deal with today!" Appreciate how hard he or she works. Appreciate the little things they do to try to help out, even if it isn't the way you do it. You shouldn't engage in a competition with your spouse to see who had it worse today.<br />
<br />
Show concern for them. Don't allow your other responsibilities to overshadow your responsibilities as a spouse. Other than your relationship with Christ, your marriage should be the number one relationship in your life. Make your spouse the priority. Remember when all you could think about was when you'd see them again? <br />
<br />
And for goodness sake, flirt with your spouse! Do you remember that little thrill you got when you first got together? A look, a smile, a touch could send electric shocks through you. A song on the radio made you think of them. Who wants to go without that feeling just because they hold a marriage license?<br />
<br />
You may be saying, "Well, you don't understand, my spouse doesn't do these things. Why should I?" To that, I would say....well, why shouldn't you? <br />
<br />
To the wife who makes sure to tell her husband how he isn't good looking anymore like he was when they married....to the husband who jokes about his wife as though she has no common sense....to the wife who confides in her friends instead of her husband....to the husband who enjoys his sports more than his family....to the wife who lives for her kids and their activities but has no time to join her husband in activities they might share....to the husband who looks at other women and sees their attributes but only sees his wife's faults...to the wife that views her husband as a bumbling loser....to the couple who feel trapped by marriage rather than protected and sheltered by it...<br />
<br />
If you apply the philosophy of why should I bother, then you must allow your spouse to apply the same philosophy. Why should they bother either? So every time one of you messes up then the philosophy would be OK it's my turn now! You mistreated me so now I will do the same! And you are left with nothing more than a mess. It's funny how we can plainly see it when children act out this philosophy and we are swift to correct them, yet we rarely see ourselves acting it out in our marriage.<br />
<br />
Someone has to be the one to add sugar when things turn sour, to add the extras that will bring vitality and sparkle to a lifeless marriage, to add the ice and cool things down when hot tempers flare. <br />
<br />
To bring refreshment when life has worn us down and we just want peace. <br />
<br />
I don't know about you, but I want to be that refreshment to my husband. I want to be his resting place. That won't happen if I am not actively becoming that person to him. If I am running around putting him down, making everything and everybody more important than him, making sure he knows I am better than him, telling him he is lucky to have me....is he really going to view me as his peace, the one person he can trust and always count on? <br />
<br />
A conversation in a group was going on the other day and I don't even remember now what it was about. I do remember joking that my husband is perfect, for why else would I be married to him! I thought nothing of it for I can make a statement like that and not feel threatened by it. Yet you should have seen the reaction by the other guys! "Man, she just called you perfect!" "You better get that in writing or on tape!" and on and on it went. <br />
<br />
No, my husband isn't really perfect and neither am I. But he is perfect for ME. <br />
<br />
The longer the ingredients are allowed to mix the stronger and more vibrant the flavor will be. What can you do to make your lemon and water something special? Remember, the best recipes are not the ones where the ingredients compete with one another but rather the ones that blend together into something wonderful!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-89352186663138580892011-10-19T14:40:00.003-05:002011-10-22T15:50:12.666-05:00Autumn FunWell, I promised to share some fall pictures as well so I thought I would show you some pictures I took when we took a recent trip to the river. Well, trip probably isn't the right word because this is only a few minutes from my door but here goes. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YSJLQNKOW_1Dv8BqfYIzPHwZboXQZGqFD68otM9XdDjcfyszfZkYOBvOi2L1oqSCtqo1dGiE8EZm8caL-7yAum3ue29gscfha4q1JO9bUHf6l1ZHNqUY8ofiq3JHx-WkbtNmCApT44yj/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YSJLQNKOW_1Dv8BqfYIzPHwZboXQZGqFD68otM9XdDjcfyszfZkYOBvOi2L1oqSCtqo1dGiE8EZm8caL-7yAum3ue29gscfha4q1JO9bUHf6l1ZHNqUY8ofiq3JHx-WkbtNmCApT44yj/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The water was low but still it was beautiful because you could see all the river rocks.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjFTMFWPRvAKAbztHXCpnx38LBza7FZ78PhzW-UvPIcLnAjNR99YaIruZL1WT6-a7DwQZ6Ng6N2wnOzMpb6bSiMm05-neCP0n2BzZzJnuJXOchgzU8IiogkTqdw0ymCyco0odcBJA74iG/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjFTMFWPRvAKAbztHXCpnx38LBza7FZ78PhzW-UvPIcLnAjNR99YaIruZL1WT6-a7DwQZ6Ng6N2wnOzMpb6bSiMm05-neCP0n2BzZzJnuJXOchgzU8IiogkTqdw0ymCyco0odcBJA74iG/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+113.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUngiO8-ldGSo12zG0p1TuzkDBiMx-IpPdb3wiW_IOXe3ZVCMpBci_f2BBI44aWEkOw63TWnEIkgTTcLeL5oPjh8toGw5WKVY1knXimhdv46utSd1KFjc8jKhjDXyufjimTcSWhnsgtzgw/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUngiO8-ldGSo12zG0p1TuzkDBiMx-IpPdb3wiW_IOXe3ZVCMpBci_f2BBI44aWEkOw63TWnEIkgTTcLeL5oPjh8toGw5WKVY1knXimhdv46utSd1KFjc8jKhjDXyufjimTcSWhnsgtzgw/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+104.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_loqy1unXgskESe9CB8cEBa-7fc6lPrQFPIIzyhGVEBbCuupFtO8m5OJ-co5XLww_HveB9UXtidw2Q357aJeaozHnuJtG5nhnvq_j7x4_k0OKI_FUBedbgJI8O1e9umYEYsZOIXjixe9/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_loqy1unXgskESe9CB8cEBa-7fc6lPrQFPIIzyhGVEBbCuupFtO8m5OJ-co5XLww_HveB9UXtidw2Q357aJeaozHnuJtG5nhnvq_j7x4_k0OKI_FUBedbgJI8O1e9umYEYsZOIXjixe9/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+149.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We hiked along the riverbank...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tcrhBQDAlihyphenhyphenOAGQAYXJntuhb_iUxWuF4yEJSDoQWHdMGnrwid7HLXk-xhoFc9yiW9IRVQdbsv9c5axtSif8OrU4WvuSgDC5DQI11ybXgDka4osXq8zdo8lgktaICUcyOQB2MfQiXm-A/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tcrhBQDAlihyphenhyphenOAGQAYXJntuhb_iUxWuF4yEJSDoQWHdMGnrwid7HLXk-xhoFc9yiW9IRVQdbsv9c5axtSif8OrU4WvuSgDC5DQI11ybXgDka4osXq8zdo8lgktaICUcyOQB2MfQiXm-A/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+085.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Mznh43QDa70FbmSaqk-KswSwOLw0WfRGXj_bcBysMdtqr2Ws-JolULUNbCLKAqsxyFBm9ecJe45deKqfvT6wobIQLoebK7MrGVCWJmwd9RzCe5VovzKaDlOlfHS5xqo_Ve0SlBxCU6MR/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Mznh43QDa70FbmSaqk-KswSwOLw0WfRGXj_bcBysMdtqr2Ws-JolULUNbCLKAqsxyFBm9ecJe45deKqfvT6wobIQLoebK7MrGVCWJmwd9RzCe5VovzKaDlOlfHS5xqo_Ve0SlBxCU6MR/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsS1q5VjyDeLT2OJ842c04EOylt6hQZwCe5N95tN257z6UW0Xvcz5ncTJPIDQ9HSuI-SHOPxz-aQDKwiovFUn3EvpQPENLI4qvWkXVvTtwkncGxkQYRIv8XHYfbrQKE2VCkGA1Dl_w5RkJ/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsS1q5VjyDeLT2OJ842c04EOylt6hQZwCe5N95tN257z6UW0Xvcz5ncTJPIDQ9HSuI-SHOPxz-aQDKwiovFUn3EvpQPENLI4qvWkXVvTtwkncGxkQYRIv8XHYfbrQKE2VCkGA1Dl_w5RkJ/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+110.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">....and found a few blooms hanging on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aj1-46WHfaULAg19fVWqhHEpkPTjEPb18-SqEpfs2Jvd9b6Ho0lOGXfACQk8tBxLBu040jjOsFbMWEHfkmhkJs58p9DpZfLc1hwsaZqRHbj9TA_6y0tq9DDzZ3kADQMGKzSyjIpay7rR/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aj1-46WHfaULAg19fVWqhHEpkPTjEPb18-SqEpfs2Jvd9b6Ho0lOGXfACQk8tBxLBu040jjOsFbMWEHfkmhkJs58p9DpZfLc1hwsaZqRHbj9TA_6y0tq9DDzZ3kADQMGKzSyjIpay7rR/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7CSttPnsLcJRWmF5pZX8QTkWsPu13s20I-h8fzhQoLD5xFFQz6VH31Bz8zVjtR4YgJGaGA6Fu3UPmh4sg7CKRWntpYmbu16vAkDSBHROKIQRhwvgTH7xhGlMMVQMlnPBlyVGt8QIQ5jY/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7CSttPnsLcJRWmF5pZX8QTkWsPu13s20I-h8fzhQoLD5xFFQz6VH31Bz8zVjtR4YgJGaGA6Fu3UPmh4sg7CKRWntpYmbu16vAkDSBHROKIQRhwvgTH7xhGlMMVQMlnPBlyVGt8QIQ5jY/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Little LadyBug spotted the sunlight hitting the tree above us just right to catch this shot.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ8XBOnBHQKzqivLQEMBym3laHuanKdpvQE_FDinZFGcNy9a1GVgvuaO5-ocWRBlNlqM2J_Y8Y_YQjRx5RUQxaklhR8ry9vuBNjW_GrdERNb6UkB7-01RnfAtY0-0DnaJi2X9S54ndtku/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ8XBOnBHQKzqivLQEMBym3laHuanKdpvQE_FDinZFGcNy9a1GVgvuaO5-ocWRBlNlqM2J_Y8Y_YQjRx5RUQxaklhR8ry9vuBNjW_GrdERNb6UkB7-01RnfAtY0-0DnaJi2X9S54ndtku/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+130.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The children observed everything closely....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoqgwJpAJsZ1ahNCh_-7oaOuGk3I6cEyfIIo0sRn0Yj3oKNMst0NhzyjlQjV5rPZaF1sSrp3ifmohGQ_R-yyhgstv6sMaj2eaGzcGlDEliC7JIjRhj5662APDOm88z6i8ejtqBboa-bc2/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoqgwJpAJsZ1ahNCh_-7oaOuGk3I6cEyfIIo0sRn0Yj3oKNMst0NhzyjlQjV5rPZaF1sSrp3ifmohGQ_R-yyhgstv6sMaj2eaGzcGlDEliC7JIjRhj5662APDOm88z6i8ejtqBboa-bc2/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+135.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpx1S83Gg8dXjZ_TAf-B6rv_xzZWWxQHmWMKhMWSCZ9J_f1zFmDnlc-PFL_CNNANBWwtJIohpgjuAwrg49p1xWVTo3WNS14u1Ixq4Lm6NtPM_iWB8QhldosGjHAj5-ObpltwZXSwFREx6/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpx1S83Gg8dXjZ_TAf-B6rv_xzZWWxQHmWMKhMWSCZ9J_f1zFmDnlc-PFL_CNNANBWwtJIohpgjuAwrg49p1xWVTo3WNS14u1Ixq4Lm6NtPM_iWB8QhldosGjHAj5-ObpltwZXSwFREx6/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+177.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xZ7spjN6osD3JFt9jY0mOewnr30y1lYpAiJ0oezW5sjm2SZ6PEk4V2a4NeHZqH2q9tE_iA_88Q9c3qkRtYLx_5YrgYjeRMXW6r9aKbTnr-8VmavAHbAs2D-cv6DyDSzgi3m1fyVYrmtt/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xZ7spjN6osD3JFt9jY0mOewnr30y1lYpAiJ0oezW5sjm2SZ6PEk4V2a4NeHZqH2q9tE_iA_88Q9c3qkRtYLx_5YrgYjeRMXW6r9aKbTnr-8VmavAHbAs2D-cv6DyDSzgi3m1fyVYrmtt/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+191.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
They even managed to learn something new!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrdvcv9IRm5ugReHV9nS2JcZ12y4VyqLIPPdAZQDWcFidS0Spbmvm_R1olj4Xxs5nIvemJh_5E8Z697YYwt1akzVhZ4fwhemHiW8KNc84VYETuKMczfzhLClt64bpgJpSO_Q_tDqBbatt/s1600/Splashpad+and+the+River+123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrdvcv9IRm5ugReHV9nS2JcZ12y4VyqLIPPdAZQDWcFidS0Spbmvm_R1olj4Xxs5nIvemJh_5E8Z697YYwt1akzVhZ4fwhemHiW8KNc84VYETuKMczfzhLClt64bpgJpSO_Q_tDqBbatt/s320/Splashpad+and+the+River+123.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Yes, that is indeed a porta potty. They had never seen one (well, that they remembered anyway!) and wanted to peek inside LOL. Chalk it up to life experience LOL<br />
<br />
It was a beautiful day spent together. What treasures are you passing by that would be a fun time for your family?Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-75319483102705884832011-10-13T16:03:00.004-05:002011-10-22T15:51:07.528-05:00Where Did Summer Go?Summer has slipped away and here we are right in the middle of fall, my favorite time of year! Over the summer we had birthday parties, gardening, the GuitarMan had a big concert with his band, and there were countless evenings spent outside while the children chased fireflies. Well, here, let me just show you!<br />
<br />
What is summer without grilling out? <br />
Our gas grill is great if there is a crowd or<br />
we're in a hurry but <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgog-_HmA7wYaOEadHcyvMvU6ly1xfmdmXSUxRnlrY7HlzLdZwryjgaByff7MQNhwhIDhoDr8irzEr7gK5awIA0g2WuiiY7GU5XAjQDoIqDiA5kr986vJVjHiVMuFy0kFkwQk6RU8w313Ri/s1600/June+Bday+2011+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgog-_HmA7wYaOEadHcyvMvU6ly1xfmdmXSUxRnlrY7HlzLdZwryjgaByff7MQNhwhIDhoDr8irzEr7gK5awIA0g2WuiiY7GU5XAjQDoIqDiA5kr986vJVjHiVMuFy0kFkwQk6RU8w313Ri/s320/June+Bday+2011+045.jpg" width="320" /></a>the taste can't be beat on this old grill! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">The sunsets looking out from our back porch were breathtaking! That's the roof of our church you see.</div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomSInjkK3J51m0w1qNyjdwSLZswmdqLTkliJgyR_79wTsLStzf_LC8BBgm96GhPbf1nMVEDkcGhgYOcmwAEUBUlFAbmOAZP63lHo_ITxMgvGOs3qZjCvwVQU5L3n-1LCRHygLaVwXCoG5/s1600/June+Bday+2011+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomSInjkK3J51m0w1qNyjdwSLZswmdqLTkliJgyR_79wTsLStzf_LC8BBgm96GhPbf1nMVEDkcGhgYOcmwAEUBUlFAbmOAZP63lHo_ITxMgvGOs3qZjCvwVQU5L3n-1LCRHygLaVwXCoG5/s320/June+Bday+2011+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">FlowerChild and The GuitarMan had birthdays in June. She wanted a Flying Backwards birthday party. What is this, you ask? That is the name of GuitarMan's band. Their symbol is the hummingbird. We bought a plain ice cream cake and her big brother drew their symbol on it. </div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBoKXqMB-e7C-pUYFjh1n5n6FEK3BAfjR8EVWZOH8fo_TqSKVaXkLcaA3DBicAM0b94YWM96nzsvu4_mRMYiW54klZQD9yGM22JwbR4qEfyIj2dJJMGdSCO2u1_BR_GuOyYwfFGPUgu0A/s1600/June+Bday+2011+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBoKXqMB-e7C-pUYFjh1n5n6FEK3BAfjR8EVWZOH8fo_TqSKVaXkLcaA3DBicAM0b94YWM96nzsvu4_mRMYiW54klZQD9yGM22JwbR4qEfyIj2dJJMGdSCO2u1_BR_GuOyYwfFGPUgu0A/s320/June+Bday+2011+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The things a brother will do for his baby sister!! <br />
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZubkWYH61X3-5helaQK9A_e7CIHJsIghbin82Xr48eZZRYiiByWDjlItWl8TEbn99xs3LX4sN7ICuVvhRd8OSVQlwfBj5XRPQW3V3uA8n1cBQzsr_6KbvXHu_s8fEXLuWsPy-XxTcEBh/s1600/June+Bday+2011+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZubkWYH61X3-5helaQK9A_e7CIHJsIghbin82Xr48eZZRYiiByWDjlItWl8TEbn99xs3LX4sN7ICuVvhRd8OSVQlwfBj5XRPQW3V3uA8n1cBQzsr_6KbvXHu_s8fEXLuWsPy-XxTcEBh/s320/June+Bday+2011+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Lots of time was spent outside in the backyard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc0fn6nkCuxW-Lp_-ebbjFS4FDHewZYzpNknTQsBhXBBT9YG6V7W5c8dlHeeuzMBlWNVlVyq8SEGMEs4YraZzti9sn12cjsoB_B_01J-jYQlYvh-Ts3AiJJEaMspNsN0BtKbKlMXwNdTf/s1600/Spring+2011+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc0fn6nkCuxW-Lp_-ebbjFS4FDHewZYzpNknTQsBhXBBT9YG6V7W5c8dlHeeuzMBlWNVlVyq8SEGMEs4YraZzti9sn12cjsoB_B_01J-jYQlYvh-Ts3AiJJEaMspNsN0BtKbKlMXwNdTf/s320/Spring+2011+049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHMFOCROkMT3l2u3jx-LOqVR16vDcYbzhehGPwyI2PL6PzL9Y4-248oM-xG5dSC1n5kf6ytAhZfA5IhD41TIt4vqLnGieUxraOJmX06oH9vaCH3At0x0NnQubf8KbupOruq9Bc3BZUX07/s1600/Spring+2011+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHMFOCROkMT3l2u3jx-LOqVR16vDcYbzhehGPwyI2PL6PzL9Y4-248oM-xG5dSC1n5kf6ytAhZfA5IhD41TIt4vqLnGieUxraOJmX06oH9vaCH3At0x0NnQubf8KbupOruq9Bc3BZUX07/s320/Spring+2011+063.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">Big brother worked on helping his little brother become a fisherman. </div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">(You can see the very beginning of the garden in this picture)</div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIJutjJwGUuaTJ6Mu12ZnvvHYKk9q5JUbmxiWDK2zAPIZL4fFtju39Zfk9WF8tcEHUAIWfGI9a1olypKjEfxsxgXWnER3CyD8gfyKygksJqOBKlQpTSko1ZYLxAWZBm4R6zuWjLIxCxcp/s1600/Spring+2011+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIJutjJwGUuaTJ6Mu12ZnvvHYKk9q5JUbmxiWDK2zAPIZL4fFtju39Zfk9WF8tcEHUAIWfGI9a1olypKjEfxsxgXWnER3CyD8gfyKygksJqOBKlQpTSko1ZYLxAWZBm4R6zuWjLIxCxcp/s320/Spring+2011+021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">The garden was a HUGE blessing! We had squash running out of our ears!</div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">Flying Backwards did a big concert and we traveled south to be there. Since they do a lot of concerts in churches, the FisherMan had never seen our son perform with his band.</div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbto1LHjX-eIBuYxiDbmgakCnGQUxAuYFqLjeK03L8zl3dcF-zBdNqDOKcdmvrtCtsImvf2FFwb6swB30vJCOSJWh5EW1avbdMcwdf1nViFlpJwit3hsOhTb3W2K_wBJrq0ZgVweRsRCa/s1600/National+Night+Out+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbto1LHjX-eIBuYxiDbmgakCnGQUxAuYFqLjeK03L8zl3dcF-zBdNqDOKcdmvrtCtsImvf2FFwb6swB30vJCOSJWh5EW1avbdMcwdf1nViFlpJwit3hsOhTb3W2K_wBJrq0ZgVweRsRCa/s320/National+Night+Out+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We were not disappointed. <br />
They put on a great show!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_ypHQsHA7-HsbPxw4NpyA-Gih9FY-kjX5OBFI_yUebBei73RZrwrDC71ZjfOaQaSDzWayKwCkT41Zc5bZ7la6AOXu6tilnUoxVvdDTZBJcWcrr5qEFYO3tEZV2I8_R6N7znNiQYQ6DUY/s1600/National+Night+Out+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_ypHQsHA7-HsbPxw4NpyA-Gih9FY-kjX5OBFI_yUebBei73RZrwrDC71ZjfOaQaSDzWayKwCkT41Zc5bZ7la6AOXu6tilnUoxVvdDTZBJcWcrr5qEFYO3tEZV2I8_R6N7znNiQYQ6DUY/s320/National+Night+Out+045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0anYow_zjOrjodIiRqe3XYaIsc8E5eypsukVQHn0j3TzSTQB6JmEBJyA8X9d1n50T7HYvQ8-iT7t9WIRLLWUhR0yVHBR9YDiQJEuvWZDLAIvcoBQiQbwUBfxfQG1XOStyij60nxVkQaX/s1600/National+Night+Out+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="72" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0anYow_zjOrjodIiRqe3XYaIsc8E5eypsukVQHn0j3TzSTQB6JmEBJyA8X9d1n50T7HYvQ8-iT7t9WIRLLWUhR0yVHBR9YDiQJEuvWZDLAIvcoBQiQbwUBfxfQG1XOStyij60nxVkQaX/s320/National+Night+Out+046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's my boy, the GuitarMan, otherwise known as Jacob :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXgljaIjHYWbT-jA79uO5QsE1Ke_IsmVlb9ENcjA7OWdt3WkHJksVHbpeRMGTp65YmO0H3MgNswS-izG_JtKZ-bedwfYYBTFFMcopxrm4GtOX4ybgFSAIbXQOsjpgsKDGXFueAyb4UIf6/s1600/National+Night+Out+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXgljaIjHYWbT-jA79uO5QsE1Ke_IsmVlb9ENcjA7OWdt3WkHJksVHbpeRMGTp65YmO0H3MgNswS-izG_JtKZ-bedwfYYBTFFMcopxrm4GtOX4ybgFSAIbXQOsjpgsKDGXFueAyb4UIf6/s320/National+Night+Out+023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-_zYjgnacC5frL7gD_d7X24jQgWQfJomAss_IvmZoRlqRxReezRu81yXpYKHbwoHu7sNMWkIWEPFNwLK1OeKD8h519sSSf8W-MR6zVoWt2eOy2fwcH6LfVcofmXGyrQ2JbZY53Lc_TOy/s1600/National+Night+Out+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-_zYjgnacC5frL7gD_d7X24jQgWQfJomAss_IvmZoRlqRxReezRu81yXpYKHbwoHu7sNMWkIWEPFNwLK1OeKD8h519sSSf8W-MR6zVoWt2eOy2fwcH6LfVcofmXGyrQ2JbZY53Lc_TOy/s320/National+Night+Out+039.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5bp7hyVkCrTmWsocbGMcMDaySCS8Nru-VRNXH4x2wXqPPR5cIDfSlVwaWzJ-MTIDQUBCVvwoRyzAaNsj4pAES6r9BAQHYE_Er8JE1vujwyEsYGeLUKiMFr5DR6qvU4vt3F11T4ya-sTF/s1600/National+Night+Out+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5bp7hyVkCrTmWsocbGMcMDaySCS8Nru-VRNXH4x2wXqPPR5cIDfSlVwaWzJ-MTIDQUBCVvwoRyzAaNsj4pAES6r9BAQHYE_Er8JE1vujwyEsYGeLUKiMFr5DR6qvU4vt3F11T4ya-sTF/s320/National+Night+Out+035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">Amidst all this we also had VBS, visits to the splashpad, and other summer fun. But the fun didn't end with summer. Next time I will share what we have been up to with the cooler weather. :)</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-12706877859390604232011-08-27T12:12:00.000-05:002011-08-27T12:12:08.639-05:00Go, Go, G...can I stop now?Every time I sit down to write a post it seems I get interrupted. Do you ever get that feeling? As though you can't finish anything for having to start another? Well, today is no exception for me. I have laundry going and need to finish organizing our playroom/schoolroom. And I don't even want to think about our master bedroom and bathroom. But for now, it looks like I am about to head out the door to take the kiddos to the splashpad. We promised them we would take them today and since we are going to grill chicken for supper we can't be too late. Oh, it never ends LOL. Sometimes you just have to hang on for the ride. ;)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-20477687989326379492011-08-26T09:29:00.000-05:002011-08-26T09:29:39.164-05:00A Few of My Favorite ThingsAs tempted as I am by that title to post a picture of raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens I will be strong and show you a little something else from my home. ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-0zcyy0Wa2KjPXGBrZQ3ejY2DBYuCBhWx-TdMTE4JKfXVD5GbvBs9WzH0FdwUQdX6KpVUfb8NbiEhTRSCynG6tTd9dOqZ0pMawuVqW1XdsPFAGBcMXlrcIJY1ffJUlcGXoBKo9ICi4gz/s1600/A+Few+favorites+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-0zcyy0Wa2KjPXGBrZQ3ejY2DBYuCBhWx-TdMTE4JKfXVD5GbvBs9WzH0FdwUQdX6KpVUfb8NbiEhTRSCynG6tTd9dOqZ0pMawuVqW1XdsPFAGBcMXlrcIJY1ffJUlcGXoBKo9ICi4gz/s320/A+Few+favorites+018.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Oh, so much I could tell about this little snapshot. For starters, this was in my foyer. However, in my recent organization spree I did some rearranging. Okay, a LOT of rearranging! While the quilt still hangs here, the table has been moved and replaced by the piano. I told you I did a lot!<br />
<br />
But let me just tell you what I see here. One, the chocolate wall. Autumn is my favorite time of year and the color of this accent wall just makes me happy. You can't see the bottom of this table but I think it is so pretty with the dark wooden legs and the marble top. Fresh flowers always lift my spirits. <br />
<br />
But what I really want to show you is the quilt along with the quilt rack. The rack was handmade by my aunt's uncle. Yes, I am Southern and have that need to explain family ties even if we aren't actually related at all. Our family trees are sometimes curvy but at least mine ain't straight. (I'll let you think on that one!)<br />
<br />
So anyway, he handmade the quilt rack and up top sit the Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy that I played with as a child. Now the quilt, oh the quilt. It is made from pieces that belonged to my grandmother. She died when I was only 2 years old. My mother had these quilt pieces sitting in bags and she pieced them together and found a quilting group who agreed to quilt it. The thoughts of my grandmother cutting those pieces out and my mom piecing them. Well, that makes this a treasure to me.<br />
<br />
It first hung in my oldest son's bedroom when he was a baby. Since then it has warmed the living room wall and graced the bedroom wall. Now it welcomes folks in my front entryway. Isn't that the best way to show hospitality? To surround yourself with comfortable happy memories and share that love with all that enter? :)<br />
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-65080755817627399822011-08-19T06:00:00.003-05:002012-02-05T12:40:40.750-06:00Stuff That Makes You HappyHave you ever watched Hoarders? Oh, my! Talk about motivation! Then, of course, there is always the wakeup call of a move. What to keep. What to throw away. <br />
<br />
Over the years, you tend to accumulate items that can overwhelm you. You wind up with just too much STUFF! I've gotten to where I try to only keep what I love. The result is that I am pretty much surrounded by things that make me happy. <br />
<br />
DISCLAIMER: This does not include the numerous toys, art projects, dirty dishes, or laundry that seem to just follow my children LOL. Oh, and it also does not include the litter box. ;)<br />
<br />
So I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite things with you.<br />
<br />
Today's favorite thing is:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofAwlfvCup_TZsoptg_Bcr6FXP8oDbsFHiL_yMs-003W_cQfQaWuf8ltqBLXFKYF6cd4Lf8eqVc9bwQgWAkIlOIGRaFp6jRLuwfyFgsjhzJrC5HsRprrs030xMZaxkln7aXnKIF7eSJ64/s1600/A+Few+favorites+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofAwlfvCup_TZsoptg_Bcr6FXP8oDbsFHiL_yMs-003W_cQfQaWuf8ltqBLXFKYF6cd4Lf8eqVc9bwQgWAkIlOIGRaFp6jRLuwfyFgsjhzJrC5HsRprrs030xMZaxkln7aXnKIF7eSJ64/s320/A+Few+favorites+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My rooster</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli6ZnXWP73PaHNWuuwrwzilDGoVL6jhwGe9tazc6ln1yi6v6hoCSgqNf_3XuJFf_RWaeB2kiaLRKSPxqtuIdJsaA5Rm-XkxD8ckpdM_WytM1omGeWLwf9k6pbTzKwHp9in4eiWXfWGKfx/s1600/A+Few+favorites+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli6ZnXWP73PaHNWuuwrwzilDGoVL6jhwGe9tazc6ln1yi6v6hoCSgqNf_3XuJFf_RWaeB2kiaLRKSPxqtuIdJsaA5Rm-XkxD8ckpdM_WytM1omGeWLwf9k6pbTzKwHp9in4eiWXfWGKfx/s320/A+Few+favorites+016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and my hen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
There's nothing valuable about them but they are very special to me. They hang in my dining room.They hung in my mother-in-law's kitchen, on either side of the door leading to the dining room, for years and years, probably from around the time they built the house. There are pictures of my husband as a little boy and there they were. <br />
<br />
The kitchen was always the hub of activity at my mother-in-law's house. You never found her in front of the tv, although she and I did share a few hallmark and Lifetime movies, always snuggled under a blanket and usually eating leftover toasted biscuits or fried egg sandwiches. Most of the time she was at her place at the kitchen table or puttering around in the kitchen cooking something.<br />
<br />
She let me have these before she died simply because I told her that I wanted them. It felt so strange at the time to see them come down from the wall. But now I am so glad that I accepted them. They remind me of her and of big family gatherings at the holidays. <br />
<br />
Next week I will share another favorite thing. :)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-89119019642434830752011-08-18T10:50:00.001-05:002011-08-18T10:55:31.937-05:00A Little Change'll Do YaWell, I have been sooooo busy this week! I've been going room by room cleaning out and rearranging. (Insert high sing-song voice) L-O-V-E it!! I wasn't able to rearrange much in our last house. While it was home and I loved it dearly, it was a case of get it in there and it fits only where it fits. So maybe that is why I even moved the piano this week...just because I can!<br />
<br />
I joked on facebook that everything I am not sure about goes to the next room and by the time I get to the last room I will need energency crews to rescue me! But it's not really that bad. I basically am trying to be sure that I am surrounded by things that I love. I also want each room to "work"..ya know what I mean by that? I am applying the critical eye to each room and anything that doesn't feel right or causes problems or chaos, well, it's outa here. Oh, maybe not out of the house exactly, but moved around so that there is a calm peacefulness. <br />
<br />
Sometimes just moving things from one room to another helps open things up. I moved my childhood bookcase my uncle built for me from Cornbread's room to the playroom. I moved the little white bookshelf from his room to the girls' room. The little gold shelf in their room went to his room. The piano went from the living room to the foyer. I also added a small table to the washroom area so I could put detergents/dryer sheets on it and not constantly bump my head on open cabinet doors. <br />
<br />
The result? A lot more reading going on again with so many books in the play/schoolroom. And the girls' have a sturdy shelf for their books and trophies instead of the flimsy one they had (which sat out just far enough to make you run into it and knock the books down and trophies off if you weren't careful!) They have a beautiful lamp in their room which sat in the corner on the nightstand. I moved it to the dresser where it bathes the entire room in its soft glow. <br />
<br />
The piano being out of the living room makes it a lot quieter in here. And roomier! which seems to have the added benefit of settling the children down instead of hyping them up. I also put the wooden bench and shoes in the laundry/kitchen area so they weren't constantly spilling across the living room. The table that originally sat in the foyer now sits in the living room. I've always kept fresh flowers on it but now I can really enjoy them!<br />
<br />
My next project is to get this big desk out of the living room and replace it with a small dresser that I was using for my desk in the school area. The goal is to eliminate the hot spots in the house where "stuff" winds up in piles instead of going to its proper place.<br />
<br />
If I was pregnant this would be considered nesting. If it was spring, I'd be spring cleaning. But it's not either of those! Honestly the little health scares I've had recently (mammogram scare and skin biopsies that showed precancer) have just made me more determined to make my home more streamlined and easier to keep clean so that I have time for the things that count. I also want to be surrounded by things I really enjoy and appreciate, not just things I have accumulated. <br />
<br />
Tomorrow I will begin a Friday series to show you some of my favorite things. Are you surrounded by things you enjoy and people you love? make it count!!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-87601313217861867472011-08-14T15:09:00.000-05:002011-08-14T15:09:38.800-05:00Lazy DayIt's a quiet Sunday afternoon. My girls are watching Pollyanna. The little guy is playing with his Buzz Lightyear behind my chair. Every so often you hear a little cry of "NOT today!!" He calls out all the little Toy Story quotes as he plays LOL.<br />
<br />
When I dropped him off at his SS class he cried and clung to me. This was highly unusual for him. His teacher said he cried for quite a while. When I picked him up after church we had church conference (some call it business meeting). It wasn't very long yet he almost fell asleep. I noticed he was scratching and when I lifted his shirt he was all broken out in a rash. Since we've been home he obviously doesn't feel so great but he isn't running any fever. I am wondering if it could possibly be a light case of chicken pox. He has had his immunizations. I suppose time will tell. Just in case, I think I am going to stay home from church with him tonight. He won't be happy about that. We usually go out to eat with friends afterwards. <br />
<br />
I've been working on cleaning out and organizing. My poor husband has to put up with me rearranging furniture when I get in these moods! But I am pleased with the results so far. It feels good to reevaluate things every so often. Where things aren't working you can change it up. where things just don't feel peaceful you can rearrange. it's also nice to have everything clean and fresh. Speaking of which, if you have never tried the Mr. Clean Gain scent, you are missing out! It smells so good and the scent is pretty long lasting.<br />
<br />
But for today, it is rest. And I am falling asleep at the computer so I think it is time for some sure enough rest! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-16538123206032437822011-08-11T10:34:00.001-05:002011-10-22T16:00:51.516-05:00Plate FillingI'm sitting here relaxing for a few more minutes before heading back to the schoolroom. Are my kids the only ones who have a morning snack first and like to eat their breakfast mid morning? I guess they get it honest. I like my Hills Brothers Cappuccino first thing and then I eat midmorning. It works for us. Then we will eat our lunch around 1-1:30. Funny how the time difference when we moved reset our internal body clocks. We are finally getting to where we don't think of Central time as being "what time it REALLY is" ha ha<br />
<br />
It's been a busy summer. Although it is surely hot there is something in the morning breeze that hints at fall. I can't wait to see the colors change. We are closer to the mountains and I hope some scenic trips might be in our autumn plans! I can't complain about the scenery right in our own town though. Even a trip to Wal-mart is rewarded with the mountains jutting up in the distance. And a 5 minute drive from my home gives a breathtaking view. Maybe I can share it with you sometime.<br />
<br />
My plate is slowly filling up. We've been here 6 months. The first few months at a church are a settling in time. But gradually you begin to find your own niche and fill the spots where you are needed most. It started with doing the music for VBS. What fun that was! <br />
<br />
From there the Lord has laid it on my heart to start a children's choir. It seems inadequate to call it that because it conjures up pictures of children lined up stiffly at the front of the church as they sing little songs. I want it to be more like VBS music with lots of movement and sign language.<br />
<br />
Then I joined the choir. It's been a lot of fun. I've always enjoyed making a joyful noise. <br />
<br />
Then the ladies SS class teacher suddenly took a new job opportunity and moved. So this month I've been teaching the ladies. Next month I am starting a new College and Career age class. <br />
<br />
Yesterday I agreed to take on coordinating the AWANA program. Several people had been asking me to do it. I've been reluctant and had not given them a definite answer. I finally told them my main concern. I worry that I will take on the leadership position but it will mushroom into having to teach, etc. They assured me this won't happen. Hhmmm....we'll see! LOL <br />
<br />
But the place I am needed the most is right here in my home with my precious family! I am blessed to be here. I love that when my husband goes to work at the office I can look right out the window and see the building. I love that I can be here to make home a place he wants to come to. I love that when my children are curious about something that they come to me. I even love that when they act up it is me that deals with it. Misbehavior comes from a root of heart trouble. I want to be the one who holds my children's hearts and guides them to the ultimate Keeper of the heart! <br />
<br />
I just want to be very careful to not allow anything to start creeping in and taking over the most important part of my duties. Sometimes we can be guilty of thinking this is just home and that the other responsibilities we have are the ones that can't slide. While it wouldn't be right to accept a responsibility, only to give a half-hearted effort, it's worse when we give a half-hearted effort for those who are most important to us. I'm not saying this as I stand on a pedestal, patting myself on my back, because I would NEVER do that. I'm just as guilty as anyone else of letting laziness creep in and taking my biggest blessings for granted. Just as laziness is no excuse, neither is busyness. So I am trying to carefully evaluate what God would have me take on. <br />
<br />
I don't want to let life get so full, even with 'good" things, that I miss out on the best! :)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-76122321908441022832011-08-09T22:32:00.001-05:002011-10-22T15:52:20.368-05:00Are You Dense?Guys, if you are too delicate to read this post, please have your wife, gf, sister, daughter to read it. While I do joke around in this post the info provided may at the least, help her with questions and at the most, save her life!<br />
<br />
I finally went to the doctor for a physical a couple of weeks ago and she scheduled me for a mammogram.<br />
<br />
This was my first mammogram so even though I had heard stories I was still unsure of what to expect. I had always heard how it hurt, etc, etc. But that's it. Well, let me fill you in. No one ever mentioned the stickers to me. Yes, you get pretty little flowered stickers. And let me tell you, it takes a talented technician to keep the awkward vibes down when there you are standing in front of her naked from the waist up while she decorates your bosoms with flower stickers. So from there you stand at this machine and she positions you and repositions you to make sure you are just so. Once again, major awkward factor as she pulls and tugs. There's really nowhere to look at this point so I just plastered a friendly expression on and tried to appear attentive. I mean, she's about to squeeze the ta-ta's in a vise, so I figured friendliness might be key.<br />
<br />
It really wasn't horrible pain by any means. I've experienced worse. Well, at this point she told me that I had dense breast tissue and that the pectoral muscles were short and deep which complicated getting a good view behind the muscle and she was surprised since I had nursed 3 babies long term. This warranted extra views. I noticed she only did extra views on one side but thought no more about it. She mentioned my "young breast tissue" again and I thanked her and went on my way. How do you respond to this anyway? I'm Southern you must remember. So thank you it was.<br />
<br />
Then I got the dreaded call back to return for a spot view compression mammogram and possible ultrasound.<br />
<br />
When I arrived the first thing they told me was that there was an area of concern on the left chest wall. I had told myself that they just couldn't obtain an adequate view but when I heard this I had to face the possibility of something more.<br />
<br />
Now a spot view compression mammogram is performed using the same machine but with different paddles and a LOT more pressure. It allows them to hone in on a particular area rather then the entire breast. Unlike the first mammogram, this one got pretty uncomfortable. After the spot view was taken the technician took it straight to the radiologist and had me wait in case he wanted additional views. While she was gone I prayed. I didn't beg God to not let there be anything there or anything like that. I just prayed that He would let the radiologist see everything he needed to with clarity, to protect my body and to walk with me through this.<br />
<br />
When she returned more views were taken. Unlike the last mammogram, this one was excruciating. She had to get from under the breast to almost at the throat and squeeze it all in. Whew, had to shut my eyes on that one. But the radiologist was satisfied with this set of views. <br />
<br />
Now why did all this have to be done? Because of dense breast tissue. You see, the breast is one area you actually want fatty tissue! Fatty tissue shows up as gray on a mammogram. Dense tissue shows up white. However, cancer also shows up as white. So when the radiologist reads the mammogram of a woman with dense breast tissue, he is trying to look through white to find white. They liken it to trying to find a polar bear in a snowstorm. <br />
<br />
Younger women tend to have more dense tissue. But as you age the tissue turns more and more fatty. This is a good thing! Doctors used to think that having dense breast tissue simply made it harder to spot the cancer at an early stage. While true, they have recently discovered something else. Having dense breast tissue raises your risk of getting breast cancer by 4 - 6 times!!! <br />
<br />
What does all this mean? Well, for one, every woman needs to know how dense her breast tissue is. It is actually rated. You can only tell by getting a mammogram and chances are you will have to ask. For women whose tissue is considered to be very dense it means that just having a traditional mammogram probably isn't enough. Now my doctor sent the orders for an ultrasound to be performed if the diagnostic mammogram had not been enough. If he had not been satisfied after the second round of views, that would have been the next step. Most of the resources I have studied indicate having something additional performed whether it be a spot view, an ultrasound, or an MRI. <br />
<br />
I was given the all clear from the radiologist. But this experience forced me to research the topic and I for one, was shocked to find out about the risk factor dense breast tissue presents. So please, do your own search on the topic. Inform yourself. Take care of yourself. Don't rely on a form letter to tell you that your are healthy. Request the actual reports and see what the radiologist wrote. I read many testimonials from women who were diagnosed with advanced cancer after several years of the radiologist making a note that the tissue was dense. Many doctors are not aware of this! So arm yourself with knowledge! Be blessed!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553833950820526873.post-44952717225157231692011-06-03T14:28:00.000-05:002011-06-03T14:28:05.814-05:00But I don't want to!I'm having an attitude problem. I'm looking around at what needs to be done. I have the desire for the work to be done but I have no desire to actually do the work! Therein lies the problem. <br />
I think we could truthfully apply that to a lot of areas in our life. <br />
<br />
We want our church to have "programs" but we don't want to actually work in them. <br />
<br />
We want to be healthy but we don't want to work or sacrifice to get that way.<br />
<br />
Same thing with weight...(don't even want to go there LOL!)<br />
<br />
We want our children to behave, make good choices, etc but we are tired.<br />
<br />
We want our homes to look nice but don't want to do housework, yardwork, work!<br />
<br />
Ugh, so what to do, what to do? I'm telling myself the answer right now as I type. <br />
<br />
Get over yourself! Sometimes you have to lay aside the selfish, less important desires and just do the harder thing in order to get results and have the real desires of your heart. <br />
<br />
Sigh..so I guess that's where I am headed now. I'm going to go jump back into the actual process of work so I can see the results and have the real desires of my heart...a peaceful home! <br />
<br />
Is there an area of your life that needs a little work too? Be blessed, friends :)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074600741074384419noreply@blogger.com2