Blessings

As summer fades, or as we say here on the rock- pass us COMPLETELY by.. I have been doing a lot of reflecting.. Oh Snap.. And I must say, even though my husband was gone entirely WAY to much this summer, and a lot of BIG changes have happened, like this-

Baby Boy Due 12/09/10

I have realized that even under all the stress, change, and what not. 

I AM BLESSED!!!

We have money in the bank (not a lot but enough to get us by), a roof over our head, beds to sleep in with blankets that keep us warm, a mound of dirty clothes piled up that need to be washed with plenty of clean ones still in our drawers, food in our bellies, clean water to drink, messes to clean (made by three VERY healthy and active boys), cars that run, toilets that flush, and a husband that WILL eventually come home to his eagerly waiting family.  I AM BLESSED!!!!

I am thankful the Lord put it back into perspective for me.. I was really starting to get over-whelmed with all the To Do's that go along with all the big changes that have been taking place the last 6 months or so. 

Things may not always be well with my circumstances, but Lord THANK YOU for opening my eyes to see that I can choose it to be well with my soul. 

Birthdays!!!

Shane had a birthday..

 Can you guess how old he turned???

Dale had a birthday too,

and turned-

(What a PIGGY!) 

(That's better!)

It's tradition in our family that you get to pick what you eat for the entire day. Shane went easy on me. He asked for Eggs, Bacon and Sausage for Breakfast, Donuts for Lunch, Dinner @ the Pizza Parlor, with Dirt and Worms and a Pinata for dessert. Dale... Well He had to go "needy" on me and ask for two very complicated items.. Actually he knew I wasn't feeling very well so bless his sweet heart- he requested a simple pasta dish with some type of banana dessert because our naner's were almost BLACK.

It was his 30th!!!

 I was not about to cook blah!!! I took "pasta" and had to make a very complicated vegetarian lasagna. Along with a pumpkin cheesecake!! First time cooking either one of them and just about everything that could go wrong with the process did!!! Thank the Lord it all came out AMAZING! Never mind that 20 minutes after singing him Happy Birthday and making sure the kitchen was cleaned up I was in bed PASSED OUT.. Poor Guy.. At least I filled his belly full of goodness before ditchin' him. :)

Leisure Reading!?!

So as many of you know, I have decided to take a FACEBOOK FAST for the month of Feb. Since the beginning of the month my nightstand book collection has grown from my journal, bible and devotional books to this...

<-------

I think next month I need to take a fast from AMAZON!!! My poor little night stand can't take much more.

The hard cold fact to this insane amount of books- I am actually reading all of them. A chapter from this one, a blurb from that one. I am even re-reading a couple.

So I decided to share my current reads and a mini review of what I like about each one. I am curious to see if you have read any of them as well. If you have anything to add like "STOP READING _______ because you are REALLY INSANE for reading over 13 books at one time and ______ is really not worth reading," I would much appreciate it.. :) Or if you are a big meanie and want to add to my reading list, go ahead.. My Amazon fast doesn't start for another 2 1/2 weeks!!!

Journal: I journal every night. Usually it's my prayer requests, or it's a scripture verse that I have read in my bible that spoke volumes for one reason or another- sometimes it's just a run down of my day. It's neat to go back and re-read entries and see how the Lord answered prayers, walked me through a time I thought was one of the worst moments EVER, sometimes giving me the occasional reminder of what I need to still pray for that He hasn't already worked out yet. I love to journal. And I am very thankful for one VERY special young woman, not mentioning names (LIBBY) for making it for me. :P

Holy Bible: Really what else can I say besides- I would be soooo very lost, bitter, and alone with out the Word Of God to inspire, encourage and rebuke my sinful self. If I am too tired to read anything else on my night stand I try to at least read one chapter out of the most important book laying next to my bed, the WORD!

Grace for the Moment: When my Grandmother was diagnosed with cancer I flew down from our last duty station so she could meet Ian, He was 2 1/2 months old. She was in so much pain, and Hospice kept her pretty well medicated, but one of my Aunts had brought over this book and left it. So I read it to my Grandmother every day while I was there. She would go on and on about how she could hear Jesus calling her home. Those moments were bittersweet, I selfishly wanted her to stay here with me on this earth but I knew Jesus was calling her home. Although Lucado has made other series to this devotion, I re-read this one every year. If there was a fire, this would be one of the things I would grab (besides my children, bible, photos, wedding ring, and dog) And NO that was not in particular order!

Jesus Calling: A devotion my mom bought me a couple years ago that I fell in love with. The author speaks her perception of particular verses- showing us how the word teaches us how to deal with day to day worldly struggles. It brings encouragement and humbleness, two things every one in this life should have.

LIP BALM: Yes, I know it's not a book. But it's part of my nightly routine. It rocks!

Nourishing Traditions: Just got this one a couple days ago and am still reading the first chapter. But the more I read the more I realize how much I DISLIKE THE FDA, USDA, and POLITICS!

Created To Be His Help Meet: I've had this in my Amazon shopping cart "Purchase Later" for over 4 years. And I finally broke down and bought it. This book is like a big fat steak, I have to take really small bites and chew thoroughly. :)

The Well Trained Mind: I flip through this one on nights that I have had a really ruff day homeschooling. Or I need to re-focus my planning, thinking, or direction. Great Resource for Homeschoolin' Mamas..

Creative Correction: Hilarious, makes you feel like you are not the only mom in the world with "issues" and she gives very helpful tips on creatively correcting in a God honoring way. :)

Shepherding a Child's Heart: This one I bought a while back and it's one that I keep passing over. I have read the first chapter, ummm, I am pretty sure 3 times now. I guess it's because I read "Don't make me count to Three" first and that book is kinda like the "How To" of this book.

Sacred Marriage: About four years ago I started reading this book out loud to Dale. Even though we have most likely read through it several times now, we still enjoy picking a chapter out here and there and reading it to each other. We have learned so much about how God designed a marriage to work through trial and error AND reading this book... If you are married did you know that you are married to God's son or daughter. Would you talk to God in the same manner you talk to your spouse? When I first read that line it was like a sock to the stomach and still is a very good reminder in how I am to treat God's son. Right above this book is the devotion. We usually read this in the morning together to start our day. We also read Devotions for Sacred Parenting.

From Belly Fat to Belly Flat: Seriously I just bought this book 2 days ago and I am on the last chapter. WEALTH of knowledge!!! It covers why we crave certain things, how our cells change as we age, how our hormones play a huge roll in getting a pot belly and most importantly how to fix the belly bump and maintain balance in our body. Also talks about poison food we put in our bodies that make our hormones go on the fritz.

Don't Make Me Count To Three: If I could afford it I would buy this book for every friend with children under the age of 18. I only wish I had read this years ago. Where were you then Stacy??? :P (She is the one who let me borrow it.) I had to go and buy my own copy so I could continue to go back and read it, highlight in it, and underline key points. Along with the Wise Words for Moms. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING... Wait did I say AMAZING because seriously it is A M A Z I N G!!! If you don't own a copy, NO you can not borrow mine, you MUST go buy your own copy off Amazon RIGHT NOW!!! Stop reading. Seriously.. Go.. Buy.. It!!

A Boy No More: A book that Caleb and I read this past year during quiet time and now I am reading it again with Shane. I will most likely read it with Ian too. It's a great book to introduce your kids to Pearl Harbor. It gets them asking questions about History and that tragic day.

Kleenex Box: Removes the residue off my finger from my Burt's Bee lip balm, removes smudged eye makeup, boogers and tears... If you tear off little pieces- it stops the bleeding from the massive zit you said you were not going to squeeze one more time to just make sure you got all the puss out.. haha.. TMI?? Just tryin' to keep it real.. :P

Poor Boy Crab Cakes

A couple days ago Shane helped me make Zucchini "Poor Boy" Crab Cakes. He was very proud of his creation and even stated that when he grew up he was going to be a Professional Chef just like his Mama.. I am FAR from being a Professional, but I am flattered my sweet boy thinks of me that way..

Poor Boy Zucchini "Crab" Cakes

1 1/2 C. Shredded Zucchini (Patted Dry)

1 C. Bread Crumbs

2 Tbs. Chopped Onion

2 Tbs. Flour

1 Tbs. Mayo

1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning

2 Eggs (Slightly Beaten)

Seasoning Salt or Salt & Pepper to taste

Olive Oil for Frying

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Heat 1/2 inch of Olive Oil for frying in a pan set to med/high heat and drop rounded spoonfuls of mixture into oil, press down to make a patty with the back side of the spoon-

fry until light brown and crisp.

Serve with Tarter Sauce or Favorite Dipping Sauce.

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! Created by MckMama You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
This is a great way to show you that I am perfectly unperfect!!! I hope it makes you smile.
I did NOT go swim 20 laps at the pool at 6 o'clock this morning and then come home and eat 3 oreos and a piece of Mocha Choc. Silk Pie for breakfast...
I most certainly did NOT eat another 2 oreos for lunch, while I made sure the boys had a proper serving of fruit, dairy and grain.
I with out a doubt did NOT think eating nothing but Oreos for breakfast, lunch and dinner could possibly be the next fad Hollywood Diet.. Ohhh but don't I wish!!!
I did NOT start a load of wash, come upstairs set the timer to remind me to go switch it out, and then 50 mins later forget what the timer was for...
I did NOT seethe with envy wishing I could trade places with my husband at work knowing full well he got to slowly start his day with other adults draggin' cause it's MONDAY- while I had one child doing flips off the arm of the couch, one child jumping on the trampoline while trying to do his math, and one child secretly climbing on top of the fridge to get to the candy jar.. Ohhh No, that would NEVER happen in my house.. My children are well mannered polite boys that wake up with calm spirits, quietly eat their breakfast and eagerly ask to start their homeschooling for the day while I make bread, sing hymnals and knit all at the same time. :P
PS.. Those Oreos were NOT double stuffed!!!!

Yesterday...

I got a message from one of my sweet friends.. I truly believe that she was lead by the Holy Spirit to share with me a link to Molly Piper's blog yesterday and I have been pouring through her posts ever since. She speaks my heart. I think she speaks every mothers heart that has ever lost a child.

If you have a chance, go to her page.. To the right side of her blog you will see "Popular Blog Series" and under that you will see "How to Help Your Grieving Friend" She speaks my heart.. http://ow.ly/ZAOn

Some do not understand because they have never experienced the loss of a child, either in the womb or out. Some do not understand that you can not compare this type of loss, because we all grieve differently. Some say things that hurt you deeply that on any other day would have been just fine to say, but just not that day. That moment. In that way. Some do not understand why I am taking this so hard. But the reality is, I don't understand either. This is our 4Th loss. The others hurt but not like this. Not this deep. I saw a yoke sac turn into a bean and that bean turn into a small outline of a baby, I saw and heard a beating heart, and then no more.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Yesterday the Boys and I watched the famous "I have a Dream" speech along with learning a bit more about Martin Luther King Jr's up bringing. It was great to learn together about the man behind the famous name and famous speech.

Moments.

Moments in my life feel like the vast Sea.

Some days are calm and as smooth as glass, and then there are days where the undertow sucks me down under- too deep to see which way is up. As I finally find my way, I get pulled under again, not able to catch my breath.. I start to panic, desperately grasping for anything to pull me back up, and then a quiet voice whispers to me-

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters ... they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God" (Isaiah 43:1-3)"

Trying to handle this life on our own, without His guidance, grace and comfort will ALWAYS leave us feeling overwhelmed.. Like a itty bitty minnow trying to swim away from the great white sharks. But the amazing thing is that we don't have to feel that way. Our moments don't have to be in our own effort.. That was never His design.. And that is exactly why it is sooooo important to etch the word of God onto our hearts. To have scripture on the forefront on our minds..

I started reading a book called "Putting On a Gentle & Quiet Spirit" By: Elizabeth George and I came across this-

"as we put on God's gentle and quiet spirit and rely on the Lord instead of our human efforts and emotions, as we wait on Him to make sense and use of our suffering times, then indeed we have much to show in the end. Every time we endure hard times, we prove that the glory of the Lord is truly revealed in the end. As the psalmist declared,

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man [or woman] who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8"

Thank You Lord for providing me with a Life Jacket.

Help me to remember to always wear it.

New Beginnings

So I haven't blogged in a while. Hope ya'll can understand. :) December was AMAZING. Dale surprised me with a GIRLS TRIP to Hawaii with one of my very close girlfriends, which was MUCH NEEDED and soooo very much appreciated.. Nov. and Dec. we had a lot of time just hangin' out as a family.. Even though the pain from loosing the baby comes in waves, and is still very raw at times, I give thanks.. Going through the last couple months has helped pull our family back together tighter than ever before. Don't get me wrong, I miss hanging out with friends, but at the same time I have SOOO been enjoying just being US. :) Well enough about all that.. This is a NEW YEAR with NEW BEGINNINGS!!! Yay! And one of my goals for this year is to write a blog every week... So here goes week one!

On a side note-

A local Coastie's Wife and AMAZING photographer is giving away a FREE photo shoot.

If you are local check out her site here-

http://www.simplybphotos.blogspot.com/