Thankful Thursdays

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
2 Corinthians 9:15




Today I am giving thanks for:

• My salvation and my relationship with my Lord & Savior! I am so glad that He knows me and I know Him, I just long to know Him better, deeper, more!!
• I am thankful for the help, love, and support of my Lord and Savior; "Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, 'My foot is slipping, ' your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." from Psalm 94
• The fact that I won the blog design contest hosted by Blessed! I can't wait to get my new look!! Keep checking back so you won't miss it!!
• For our screened in back porch, for the nice weather that allows us to eat our meals out there, and for the fact that my kitchen table and floor stay much cleaner when we get to eat on the porch!!
• For my sweet husband who just called to see if we could eat lunch together!! (the boys are at 3-k right now!!)
• For precious friends who leave sweet comments on my blog that make me cry!
• For the opportunity to exercise outside everyday before my husband leaves for work, and the motivation and energy to do so!
• For my children, for their abundant love, hugs, and kisses!!
• For all the artwork on my refrigerator and everywhere! (They can tell if one is missing so I do not dare remove one without their permission!)
• For Publix!! My favorite grocery store!

Don't forget to be thankful today! It just does something for your heart to sit and think about all that you are thankful for, and to acknowledge Him who gives you all things for which you are thankful! For more thankful Thursday posts head on over to Sting My Heart. What are you thankful for today?

Word-Filled Wednesday

Psalm 68:4-5,19-20,32-25

Sing to God, sing praise to his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds -
his name is the LORD -
and rejoice before him.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families,
he leads forth the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign Lord comes escape and death.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth,
sing praise to the Lord,
to him who rides the ancient skies above,
who thunders with mighty voice.
Proclaim the power of God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
whose power is in the skies.
You are awesome, O God, in our sanctuary;
the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Praise be to God!

This picture is actually one I took, and I was so excited to figure out how to get text onto it!! I am not very computer savy so I was very proud of myself for figuring out how to do this, in a short amount of time also!!

Have you spent time in God's Word today?

For more Word-filled Wednesday posts go to 160 Acre Woods

Wordless Wednesday #13

Desires...

This morning during my quiet time a verse from Psalm 73 just really jumped off the page at me, and I spent most of the time on that verse. I feel led to share what God spoke to my heart this morning.

Psalm 73:25-26
"Whom have I in heaven but Thee?
And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."


Can I honestly say as the psalmist said, "And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth."? The NIV words it as "And earth has nothing I desire besides You." That is a mighty big statement, to be able to desire nothing of this world and only God. Can you say that you desire absolutely nothing, nothing more than God?

I made a list of earthly things that I desire: nice, pretty clothes, a mini-van, nice things for our home, a playground for our boys to play on out back, books, music, milkshakes from Chick-Fil-A, dinners out, nice, long vacations to places I have never been, etc (the list really could go on and on). But isn't that normal, to desire this and that, I mean, we are human and we do live on the earth.

Then I made a list of spiritual things that I desire: to have more of God's Word hidden in my heart, to be more like Jesus to my family and to the world, to be more consistent in praying through my prayer journal, to journal more consistently, to have a deeper understanding of God's Word, to be so full of the Spirit that the fruits of the Spirit are very evident in every role in my life, (this list also could go on and on.)

I realized that I do desire lots of things this world has to offer, but I also realized that the majority of the time that I am not driven by those desires. I do not spend lots of time sitting around thinking about this and that that I would like to have, and I do not want something just because others have it. You see, I can honestly say that I am content, with what I have and with who I am in Jesus. All of my needs are meet, and lots of my desires are graciously granted, not that I deserve any of them. What I think truly drives me is my desire to know God and to be known by God. The Lord is my life and I try to center my life around Him and not around this world. I learned the hard way a long time ago that the things of this world only bring you heartache, despair, and anguish. But God brings you peace, comfort, joy, love, strength, and hope! Who wouldn't want the things of God over the things of this world!!

I did a word study on the word desire, the Hebrew word is "chaphets" and it means to find pleasure in, to take delight in, to be pleased with, to have an affection for, to desire, to choose, to bend, to bow. So this week I will be examining myself, to see what it is that I take pleasure in, what delights me. Do I find lasting pleasure and delight in my Lord, my God, my Savior, or do I find fleeting and temporal pleasure and delight in the things this world has to offer? My prayer is that my desire for God would increase more and more, and that my desire for the things of this world would weaken and lessen.

So, does anyone have any thoughts you would like to share?

Thankful Thursdays

Psalm 107:21-22 "Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing."


Today I am thankful for:

• A good night's rest last night!
• The power of God's Word to change my attitude and focus!
• For a fun day shopping and out to lunch with a friend!
• For Edgar's chicken salad & yummy desserts!!
• For my boys starting to say their "own" prayers rather than memorized prayers, they are so precious!
• For my husband, who seems to be planning some sort of surprise for me, maybe, we'll see!!!
• For beautiful weather!
• For the fact that I can carry my Bible with me wherever I want to!
• I continue to be thankful for good praise and worship music! (Thanks to all who shared their favorites with me last week!)
• For my salvation!

So, what are you thankful for today? Leave a comment and let me know, and for more thankful Thursday posts head on over to Sting My Heart.

Word-Filled Wednesday

Psalm 71:15-24

My mouth will tell of your righteousness,

of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord;

I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,

and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

your might to all who are to come.

Your righteousness reaches to the skies,

O God, you who have done great things.

Who, O God, is like you?

Though you have made me see troubles,

many and bitter, you will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God;

I will sing praise to you with the lyre,

O Holy One of Israel.

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—

I, whom you have redeemed.

My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long,

for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

For more Word-filled Wednesday posts go to 160 Acre Woods

Wordless Wednesday #12

I'm Glad I'm A Mom!

In honor of Mother's Day, there is going to be a giveaway of a new book that has been released, called I'm Glad I'm A Mom. All you have to do to enter the giveaway is to do a blog entry about why you are glad you are a mom, then go over to Extravagant Grace, download the button to put on your site, and leave a comment that you have blogged about "Why I'm Glad I'm a Mom!"

So here is my post!

Why I'm Glad I'm a Mom.... (and a mom of twins at that!)
I am glad I'm a mom because:

• I get double the love, hugs, and kisses!
• I love hearing the little pitter patter of their feet as they play around the house...
• I love playing tickle and hearing their laughter...
• I love lazy days of just playing outside with my boys...
• I love tight hugs around my neck, when they hug me so tight and say "Mommy, I never let you go!"
• I am the one they want to comfort them when they are hurt, sad, or sick...
• Sometimes they tell me "Mommy, you are so cute!"
• I treasure seeing the excitement and joy in their eyes when they experience and learn new things...
• It blesses my heart to hear them sing praise songs while they play, just because they are in their heart!
• I get to tell them about Jesus and His love for them!
• I get to see how excited they are when Daddy comes home!
• I enjoy sitting back and being a spectator as they have fun and laugh with their Daddy.
• We get to go do fun things while Daddy works, like go to the zoo, park, lake, storytime, ...
• I like to have them sit in my lap while I read the same book over, and over, and over...
• They like to play beauty shop and make me pretty for when Daddy comes home!
• It gives me someone to take pictures of and make scrapbooks of!
• I get to cry tears of joy as I see them participate in cute little programs!
• I have the privilege of praying over and for them daily...
• Of the joy I have when I hear them talking about God and wanting to pray to Him for themselves and for others...
• Of the precious way they say the blessing at our meals, and sometimes rather loudly in restaurants so that everyone looks!
• And because I love to hear them say, "Mommy, I love you too!"

Well, I could go on and on, but I will stop here, you might get tired of reading. So, if you are a mom, tell me what makes you glad about being a mom, I would love to hear!

Yummy Apples!!!

The boys were coloring and drawing at the kitchen table and they said they wanted to draw an apple. So I thought I would put an apple on the table for them to look at and draw. I left them coloring and drawing and went to do a few things.

Well, the next thing I know Paul is eating the apple!! Now this is really a miracle. He is SUCH a picky eater, and does not willingly try very many things. So the fact that he picked up the apple, tasted it, liked it and kept eating it just made me so happy.

I took this little video and thought it was too cute not to share, so enjoy! And go eat an apple!!

Thankful Thursdays

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness; That my soul may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to Thee forever."
Psalm 30:11-12


Today I am giving thanks:

• For the fact that "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth."
• That God is my great I AM; He is exactly what I need when I need it!
• That my husband loves to spend time with us as a family and makes it a priority!
• That my husband is so helpful with the kids just when I need it the most!
• For God's Word and for prayer warriors!
• For wonderful weather!
• For people using their God-given talents for His Honor and Glory! I am so ministered to by praise and worship music, and I am thankful for the men and women who have chosen to use their talents to honor God so that through them He can minister to me!!
• For chocolate cake!!
• For reliable transportation!
• For strawberries! They are my favorite fruit and the boys and I plan to go pick some soon. We have done that the past 2 years and it was great fun!!

So what are you thankful for today?

And on a side note, what praise or worship song ministers or speaks to you? I just downloaded some new songs on my ipod and the Lord ministered to me so sweetly during my walk with Him this morning. Share your favorite with me, it may be one I need to add to my collection, thanks!

For more Thankful Thursday posts visit Sting My Heart

Word-Filled Wednesday

O taste and see that the LORD is good;

How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Psalm 34:8

Psalm 34

I will bless the LORD at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul will make its boast in the LORD;

The humble will hear it and rejoice.

O magnify the LORD with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

I sought the LORD, and He answered me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces will never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him

And saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,

And rescues them.

O taste and see that the LORD is good;

How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

O fear the LORD, you His saints;

For to those who fear Him there is no want.

The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;

But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.

Come, you children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Who is the man who desires life

And loves {length of} days that he may see good?

Keep your tongue from evil

And your lips from speaking deceit.

Depart from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous

And His ears are {open} to their cry.

The face of the LORD is against evildoers,

To cut off the memory of them from the earth.

{The righteous} cry, and the LORD hears

And delivers them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

He keeps all his bones,

Not one of them is broken.

Evil shall slay the wicked,

And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,

And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

This is one of my favorite Psalms, and the Lord used it this week to encourage me, comfort me, and bring me peace. Isn't His Word just awesome!

For more Word-filled Wednesday entries visit the 160acrewoods

Wordless Wednesday #11

Little Boys are Getting Big...

My little boys are getting to be big boys, and I am very excited for them but it makes me a little sad. You see, they have learned to ride their bikes without training wheels!! And they are so proud of themselves!!

James took them to the park on Saturday and David did great right from the start, he rode around the whole walking path at our city park with really no help at all (I think it is about 1/2 mile). Paul was a little shaky on Saturday and was a little more hesitant. But tonight you should have seen him! James helped him get started and off he went. He rode for quite a distance before stopping. When he got off he had the biggest grin on his face, and ran towards me, saying "Mommy did you see me!!" and gave me the biggest hug!

They are both so proud of their accomplishment! They were grinning ear to ear and talking about how soon they can go ride at the bike track at the local state park. Now I think that is a ways off but it does give them something to look forward to.

But can you believe that both times I have forgotten the camera? I take pictures of everything so I can not believe I have forgotten both times. I will definitely remember next time!

So my little boys are getting bigger, but they still like to snuggle with me and give me lots of hugs and kisses. I hope they never get to big for that!

A Teachable Moment

Last night as I was gathering the trash to take out, I walked past the boys playing on the floor with their legos, and we had the following conversation:

David looked up at me and said, "Mommy, they had a baptize."

"Who had a baptize?"

"At cubbies, they had a baptize."

"Oh, you saw the baptistry."

"No, It was a baptize."

"No, sweetie, it is called a baptistry."

"No, it is a baptize!"

(at this point I decided not to agrue with a 4 year old about the correct name...)

"Did you see someone get baptized in the water?"

"No, but Bro. Hal got in it."

"Oh, he did."

"Yes, the water washes your sins away. "

"David, water can't wash our sins away, only Jesus can wash your sins away."

(I tried to explain a little about baptism being a symbol of the fact that Jesus is your Lord and Savior and you wanting to live for Him. David goes back to playing with his legos.)

After he and Paul had played with their legos a few more minutes, I restarted our conversation...

"So David, who is the only one who can wash your sins away?"

"Jesus can."

"Can you tell Mommy something that is a sin?"

At this point Paul and David both begin answering...

"Lying..."

"Hitting someone..."

"Taking toys away..."

"Talking ugly..."

"Hitting Bootsie (our cat) ...."

They came up with all of these on their own, but of course I had to throw a few more examples out there, like not obeying Mommy and Daddy and talking disrespectfully.

I just think it is so precious how during the mundane things of life God often opens up an opportunity for us to share with our children about His marvelous grace and love. I fear that all too often I let those opportunities slip by, but my prayer today is that I would be extra sensitive to the leading and prompting of His Holy Spirit, and that I would be eager and willing to stop what I am doing and spend some time teaching, training, and instructing my children. The housework will get done, and if it doesn't, that is ok!

So what about you? Are you taking advantage of those precious teachable moments with your children and letting them know about the marvelous grace and love of our Savior?

A Quote to Think On...

My husband and I watched the Hiding Place tonight, about the life of Corrie Ten Boom. There was something her sister said in the midst of the horror of the concentration camp that has really stuck with me, and then Corrie repeated it at the end of the movie. I just thought I would share it...

"There is no pit so deep, that Jesus is not deeper still." Corrie Ten Boom.

No matter what pit you find yourself in, Jesus is deeper than your pit, and has the power to lift you out!! Praise God!!

Thankful Thursdays

Psalm 107:8-9
"Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good."

Today I am thankful for the following:

• For the Lord speaking to me through His Word today during my quiet time
• For an impromptu picnic lunch with my husband (just me and him!) beside a nice, peaceful stream
• That my boys still take naps and give me some quiet time in the afternoons!
• For the beauty of springtime
• For friends
• For our cat, Bootsie
• For contentment and satisfaction in Christ
• For God's hand of protection upon me and my family
• For the laughter of my children
• For the love & affection of my husband

For more Thankful Thursday posts visit Sting My Heart

What are you thankful for today?

Word-Filled Wednesday

Isaiah 54:9-10 "...'So have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has mercy on you."

photograph taken from www.wallpaperdave.com

For more Word-filled Wednesday entries visit the 160acrewoods

Wordless Wednesday #10

Boys & Bugs!!

Well, I am officially inducted into the world of boys and bugs!

This afternoon Paul was playing on the porch and excitedly called to me, "Mommy come see what I found." I go out there and he has caught a ladybug in his hands, and he is soooo excited! He wants to hold it and watch it, and he wants to carry it around in the house. I really didn't mind him having it inside, but I started thinking; if I let him carry this ladybug around in the house, what else is he going to want to bring inside and carry around later!

So I told him he needed to keep it on the porch. That did not make him very happy, he wanted to keep it close so he could watch it. Then I remembered an empty jelly jar that we still had so I got it out, poked holes in the lid, and in went the ladybug. That little ladybug has entertained them for about an hour now! And now they are out back trying to find him a friend! Oh my, I wonder how they will take it if their little ladybug doesn't survive this adventure. Hopefully we can let it go when daddy gets home and sees it.

Enjoy your afternoon!

I've Been Tagged!

Melanie from The Fruits of the Spirit has tagged me for a meme.

Here are the rules of the game:
1) Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog
2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4) Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So here are 7 facts about myself that you may not know:
1. I went to a military school for my last 2 years of high school and graduated as Valedictorian of my class.
2. I worked as a camp counselor one summer during college and loved it.
3. My husband and I are both left-handed, but our children our right-handed.
4. I participated in Alabama's Junior Miss as Perry County's Junior Miss.
5. Growing up I wanted to be a ballerina and a veterinarian, I became neither.
6. I met my husband at a car dealership, (but I did pray before going in that I was available for God's plans and purposes only for going in; I just meant regarding purchasing a car, not finding a husband!)
7. My husband thinks I am the world's best cook!

The following can consider yourself tagged:
1. DeeDee
2. Krista
3. Marsha
4. Darlene
5. Jenifer
6. Julia
7. Faithful Chick

Can't wait to learn something new about all of you! What most surprised you about me?

Strength in Him

"And David found strength in the Lord his God." 1 Samuel 30:6

The Lord used this verse to speak to and minister to me in my quiet time this morning and throughout my day today. And this afternoon I have had the following song in my heart, I know only the Lord can give me the strength that I have had today and the joy that is in my heart even in the midst of the storm.

My life is in You, Lord

My strength is in You, Lord

My hope is in You, Lord

In You, it’s in You

I will praise You with all of my life

I will praise You with all of my strength

With all of my life

With all of my strength

All of my hope is in You

In You, it’s in You

In You, it’s in You

In You, it’s in You

May you find what you need to get you through whatever is happening in your life in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the great I AM! He is what we need!

Thankful Thursdays

Well, it is amazing how your life can change so in just a week's time, but how comforting it is to know that God's faithfulness and lovingkindness never change. Even though life brings change, some good and some bad, we can and should always give thanks.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God with transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7

Today I am thankful for the following:

• The Anchor that holds in spite of the storm
• The power of praise and worship to my Lord and Savior
• The power of prayer
• The fact that I can pray anywhere at anytime
• The peace of God that surpasses all understanding
• His Grace that is sufficient
• The fact that when I am weak He is strong
• That my God is the Father of all comfort
• My husband
• Friends close and far away who lift me to the throne of God
• My church family

So what are you thankful for today? No matter what you are going through, remember to give thanks to our God and Father!

Word-Filled Wednesday

Psalm 62: 5-8
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone in my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. "

Psalm 61:2
"When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

Isaiah 26:3
"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

God has used these verses to minister to me this week. What verses has He used to minister to you?


For more posts on this Word-FILLED Wednesday, visit The 160 Acre Woods.

photograph taken from http://wallpapers.russian-women.net

Wordless Wednesday #10

My Lord Is...

Today my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ is for me:

• My peace in the midst of the storm
• My comforter
• My counselor
• My refuge and my strength
• My fortress
• My provider of abundant grace
• My hope
• My all and all
• My joy
• The sustainer of my life
• The Truth that sets me free
• The Word of Life that speaks to my soul
• The Bread of Life that feeds and nourishes me
• The One who intercedes for me at the right hand of God

What is our Lord to you today?

Birds in the attic, or not!?

Well, today has turned out to be an interesting day so far. I headed upstairs this morning to have my quiet time before being bombarded with my daily duties of a wife and mom. I was all nice and cozy on our little couch upstairs, with my Bibles and prayer journal next to me, and I heard some birds chirping. I didn't really think much of it, but then I heard it again and it sounded like there were birds in our house! It sounded like they were coming from our attic!

So downstairs I go to wake up my husband and tell him that I think we have birds in our attic. I woke James up and went back upstairs. A little while later he appears, with work gloves on, a hat on, a trash bag and a crowbar. He opened the windows in the room we were in and took the screens off (and our cat Bootsie tries to go out the window onto the roof, wouldn't that have been an adventure!). He goes into the attic and cannot find any signs of birds, and I can no longer hear them chirping. Now I feel real silly that I woke him up and everything and there was really nothing in the attic.

James then goes outside to look at our roof, and there next to the whirly bird (or whatever the real name for that thing on your roof is) is a little bird, chirping, just like I had heard earlier. I guess the whirly bird just transferred the sound and made it sound like it was inside the attic. James was really sweet and didn't even get mad or complain that I had woken him up, I then left to go for my morning walk.

Well, just a little while ago the boys were playing happily upstairs, when all of a sudden I hear David start screaming and I hear thud, thud, thud. David had fallen down the stairs while trying to carry his big crane truck down, and he did not let go of that truck the whole way down. Paul was really sweet and went and got David's favorite bear for him while I was holding him and checking for injuries. You will be glad to know we had no blood, no broken bones, and no holes or scratches on the wall. David's only complaint was that his face was hurting (it looked like he may have bitten the inside of his check). He has recovered quickly and he and Paul are now reading books to each other and to their animals! I am so blessed that they love each other and play so well together most of the time!

Thankful Thursdays

Today I am thankful for the following:
1. Seeing the awesome sunrise during my morning prayer walk today!
2. A fun day spent with a friend! My mentee and I treated ourselves today to a pedicure and lunch and shopping (although we didn't buy anything, it was just lots of fun to look!)
3. The gorgeous day the Lord has blessed us with (after typing this post I plan to go out back, relax in a chair, and read a good book while my boys are napping!)
4. Having a washer and dryer that work!
5. Sweet tea!

So what are you thankful for today? I am off to my backyard!!!

Word-Filled Wednesday

Psalm 27:1-2, 4-5
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? ... One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me."


photograph taken from www.wallpaperdave.com

For more Word-filled Wednesday entries visit http://the160acrewoods.wordpress.com

Wordless Wednesday #9

God's Faithfulness & Unexpected Expenses

I want to share with all you in "blogland" how God has been so faithful to our family in 2008!

Earlier this year I read a book by Randy Alcorn, called the Treasure Principle. Our church gave this book out free to anyone who desired to read it. As I was typing this I was just reminded that the fact that I got a copy at all is also proof of God's faithfulness. The 1st Sunday they were given out I was reaching out to take the last available copy and someone snatched it right out from under me (yes, in church!). The next weekend they gave more out but I was serving in the preschool "Worship Care" during the service so I missed my chance again. Well, a few weeks later I went to our ladies leadership team meeting and there on the table was a copy with a sticky note with my name on it! Thanks DeeDee & Bro. Hal!

Anyway, I got a little sidetracked there. If you read my blog regularly you realize we have had a lot of sickness in our family this year, and along with sickness comes doctor visits and trips to the pharmacy. We are a single income family and we do live on a budget, but sometimes you just can't budget for everything. In January and February we spent an extra $600.00 on doctor visits and medicine (and we do have very good insurance). Also in January and February we had the "expected" big expenses of my life insurance, my professional dues (for speech-language pathology), homeowners dues, and James' car insurance! Talk about money stresses, we definitely had them!! And to top it off, a couple of weekends ago when the boys had the stomach virus and we really needed our washer and dryer to work, our dryer broke! James is really good at fixing things but he was unable to fix it this time (he did 2 years ago.) So we have parted with our washer and dryer of 12 years and now have new ones which were delivered today!! (We decided to go ahead and get a new washer too, since it was 12 years old and was probably going to break sometime soon anyway; but maybe we can sell it for a little bit of money).

Back to The Treasure Principle for a minute. After reading it I decided that we should tithe after each of James' paychecks rather than just tithing once a month like we normally did. Normally we would wait until he got his bonus check, since it is different every month, and then just tithe one check, since we knew what the other 2 checks would be. We have always tithed, but now we are doing it after each payday rather than just once a month. And I was also convicted of spending money on "extra" things that we or I really don't need, but would just like to have. So I am making a conscious effort to spend our money (James makes it and I spend it!!) more wisely and in a way that is honoring to the Lord. So all this to say that I think Satan has tried to attack our finances majorly since we are really making a conscious effort to use our money as the Lord would have us to.

However, God is so very faithful!!!! He has provided us with the means to pay for everything! He has provided for our every need, and even some extra for us to give to some friends who are going on a missions trip! We have even been able to pay the "extra" we like to pay on our mortgage every month, and have put some into savings. Now isn't that a great and awesome God! God knows our needs and will provide for them, all we have to do is to keep seeking Him with all our heart, soul, and mind.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you."
Matthew 6:33

Happy Resurrection Day!! (one day late!)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Resurrection Day and that you were able to go and worship our Risen Savior! We had a nice day. Granny, Paw-paw, and Aunt Cristi were here to celebrate with us and we all went to our church. We had a very good worship service, with wonderful praise and worship and wonderful preaching of The Word!

After the service we came back to our house for a non-traditional Easter dinner. We grilled steaks and corn, had sweet potatoes and tossed salad, cranberry salad, and chocolate pie. We all enjoyed it and no one had to work too hard slaving away in the kitchen.

After our family left and we all had had a nap, we dyed Easter eggs and then hide eggs for the boys to find. I tried to download a video of us dying Easter eggs but it was taking an extremely long time so I canceled it. Maybe I will try again later.

There are no pictures of us as a family posted because I did not like any of them. Either someone has their eyes closed, we are all squinting, or the boys have their hands in the faces. So I have decided that another Sunday we will all wear the same clothes we wore for Easter and we will retake Easter pictures, after all, I have to have some good ones for my scrapbooks!!

Don't forget to continue to rejoice everyday that we serve a Risen Savior!!

Thankful Thursdays

This is another idea I got from the Ultimate Blog Party, so on Thursdays I will try to share something that I am thankful for.

Today I am thankful for a fun outing with my boys, and the blessing that they are. We went to the Montgomery Zoo today and had a really nice time. The weather was just right, the boys did not fight at all, and we all enjoyed ourselves. We even had a nice picnic outside on the grass.

I am thankful that I have the privilege of staying at home with my boys, and that my husband works so hard to provide for us so that I can stay home. I am thankful for our home, and for all the "extras" my husband has added to our home to make it extra nice (like our screened in back porch, my pantry and lower cabinets with pull-out shelves, etc). I am thankful the Lord blessed James with such great skills and excellent work ethic.

I am thankful for my family! And I am really thankful for naps, I am going to go join my boys and take one too! So, what are you thankful for today?

Word-Filled Wednesday

"There is none like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to your help, and through the skies in His majesty. The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:26-27

I found this idea of doing a Word-filled Wednesday on the Ultimate Blog Party and I just loved it! God and His Word have so changed my life that I just could not pass up posting some Word-filled Wednesday entries. I love the Word of God. It is amazing, life-changing, encouraging, comforting, it gives me guidance and direction, and most importantly, God uses it to change me and make me more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Have you spent time in His Word today?

Wordless Wednesday #8

Recovering from more sickness...

Well, our household was once again hit with some sickness. David and Paul both had a stomach bug over the weekend, David's was worse than Paul's; but both have seemed to recover rather quickly from it compared to all the other sicknesses we have had this year. Thankfully James and I did not catch it.

Due to our sickness we had to cancel a visit from grandfather, (James' dad). Aunt Susan had already had to cancel, she called Friday and was sick; we told her not to come, we didn't want anymore sickness. Well, we got it anyway, but are glad they did not come and catch what we had. We also missed an Easter egg hunt with the Mother of Multiples, and had to miss church on Sunday.

Now we are taking it easy and really enjoying our week of having absolutely nothing planned to do. It has been really nice to just take the day as it comes and hang out and have fun with my boys not worrying about getting ready for this or that.

Nothing major to write about, I am going to implement some "new" blog formats that I have found to be encouraging and uplifting as I participated in the ultimate blog party. Check in tomorrow for the 1st change!

Wordless Wednesday #7

Ultimate Blog Party

My friend Darlene is participating in this blog party thing so I thought I would give it a try too. If I am successful at getting the little sidebar on my blog you should be able to click on it and find out more about the Ultimate Blog Party.

I started blogging because some of my friends from church were doing it and I thought it would be fun. I am really enjoying it and find that sometimes it can be rather addictive, especially reading other people's blogs.

Anyway, my blog is sort of like a journal of my family life and my walk with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I desire for all that I do to bring honor and glory to Him and to point others to Him. Jesus is my reason for living, and He alone is what enables me to make it through the rough, hard, and tiring days (lots of those when you have 4 year old twin boys!). Jesus is also my source of joy, peace, hope, and love. Without Him I am nothing but some stinky flesh!!

I am a stay at home mommy, with a degree in speech-language pathology. I love being home more than I loved my job, which I really did enjoy; but when you are doing what God created you and called you to do there is nothing more fulfilling.

Sweet times of prayer...

Last night I led my youth girls Bible study on prayer. We are doing the book, "A Young Woman's Call to Prayer" by Elizabeth George. We are basically through the "meat" of the book, and the remaining 4 chapters are really just some suggestions to help grow your prayer life. Since we didn't have lots of material to cover in the lesson, I thought we would spend a larger amount of our class time in prayer together.

After going over our lesson I explained to the girls that we were going to spend some extended time in prayer, and no one complained (as they did the first time I made them pray out loud.) I guess they have figured now that since it is a class on prayer they might as well do just that, and pray. Anyway, I explained that we were going to go around one by one, first doing praise and adoration prayers to God, then prayers of thankfulness, followed by prayers of petition for one another and ourselves. Before starting our prayers of praise and adoration, I told them to take some time to quietly confess their sins before the Lord, making sure their heart was clean so they would have unhindered fellowship with our Lord.

So our prayer time began, with some soft music playing quietly in the background. I just want you to know that my heart was so touched by hearing the heartfelt and sincere prayers of these young girls. That room was flooded with the presence of God and He moved among all of us last night. It was so precious to see and hear the Holy Spirit working and moving among us. There were some big hurts and fears in that room last night. One girl is experiencing a breakup with a boyfriend of over a year, one girl is facing some major surgery, one is trying to make a major decision, so wanting it to be a God-honoring one; one girl is dealing with the possibility that her grandfather may die, and another is dealing with tough situations at home. These girls opened up their hearts to God and to each other. They were able to give God thanks for some very tough things that have happened, and they all were desiring to seek God and His will and to know Him better. There were lots of tears, (and I had only one tissue!) but also lots of joy and peace.

It was a very sweet time in the presence of God, and my heart was so encouraged that these girls are obviously learning and desiring to pray. After praying together, it seemed our group was more bonded, closer, and more wanting to minister and care for one another. It was just a precious evening, one of those I don't think I will ever forget.

Please pray for these young girls, we have 3 more weeks together, and will have more times of prayer like we have last night. Pray that they will feel comfortable praying to our Heavenly Father, and that they would be drawn to a lifestyle of prayer. Thanks!

Weary & Tired...

I am feeling tired, weary, and in need of rest, physically as well as spiritually...

I thought things were going to slow down drastically in March, but that doesn't look like it will be happening now. Last week we really had no major things on our calendar for March and now it is quickly filling up, some things of which I can not say no to; so I will just have to ask the Lord to give me extra strength, energy, and endurance to do these things as He would have me to.

I feel I am overextended in the things I am committed to in my life right now. None of these things are bad things, they are all good things, "fruit bearing" things, but I truly feel they are taking me away from my family too much. My #1 calling in life at this time is to be a wife and a mother. I really feel right now that the Lord is telling me to look closely at the things at my life, to lay them all down before His feet, and allow Him to show me what I need to step back from. So I will be saying "No" to more "things" now and "yes" to more time for and with my family.

So that is what I am going to do, because I want so badly to be a Godly wife and mother, and for my family to get my best and not my leftovers. I want to focus on my calling at this season in my life, I want to bear fruit as a wife and a mommy, and I want to honor God by doing what He has called me to do.

Just my thoughts for today...

The Sickness Continues...

Well, I had to take David to the doctor today. He has been rather puny for the past couple of days. He has had a low-grade fever, has only wanted to lay on the couch, and has not wanted to eat anything. I had debated on whether or not to take him to the doctor since he didn't have any real specific symptoms, but I decided to take him today; and he has strept throat. They did test him for the flu and it was negative, so that was good. He got one really big shot for the strept and won't have to take oral antibiotics, so hopefully he will be well in a few days.

When I told David that I was going to take him to the doctor, he looked at me and said, "Mommy, I feel so bad that I don't even want a lollipop." Isn't that just pitiful, he didn't even want the lollipop they give the kids when they leave the doctor. However, he did change his mind when we were leaving, and he enjoyed his green lollipop!

Please pray that the rest of my family stays well, and that once David gets over this we will all stay well for a really long time!!!

Wordless Wednesday #6

Cleaning Out the Dirt!

I am almost embarrassed to share this but I will anyway...

Yesterday I was doing my normal Monday cleaning and was mopping my kitchen floor. As I was examining my work, I noticed that there was a buildup of dirt on the edge of one of the tiles. I scrubbed it and it came off rather easily. Well, then I started looking closer at the floor and I noticed that practically every tile had a build up of dirt around the edges, it had just built up in these little grooves. Well, in the past I think I thought it was just the color variation in the tile. You know how some tiles have different shades of colors. Well, ours in the kitchen and the laundry room is a light brown, so I had just mistakenly thought the "dirt" was a "color variation".

I was absolutely horrified to know that my kitchen floor was that dirty. I consider myself to be a clean person and I clean my house A LOT. Instead of watching TV I frequently clean. And I do some routine cleaning every Monday, including mopping the kitchen, laundry room, and the bathrooms; so I just could not believe how all that dirt got there without my noticing it!!

So I went to work. I got down on my hands and knees and scrubbed that kitchen floor, every tile! And I am glad to say that the dirt is gone!! It really was not too hard, just a little elbow work and it went right away. After I scrubbed it on my hands and knees, I mopped it again, just to make sure I got all the dirt. And later when the boys went down for a nap, I got down on my hands and knees again and scrubbed the laundry room, and all the dirt is now gone from there too!! Next week I will tackle the bathroom floors...

Well, as I was scrubbing I began to hear God speak to me in that still, soft voice. I felt like He was saying, if all this dirt has accumulated on your floor over time without you really noticing it, even when you were "caring" for it, what about your heart? What has accumulated in your heart and mind that you are not really aware of? What is there that needs to be cleaned out by My Word and My Holy Spirit?

Often times we spend time in the Word and in prayer, we check our devotion or quiet time off of our to do list; but do we take the time to sit and soak in His presence, to let Him reveal to us things He wants to work on in our lives, and things He wants to do in and through us? I plan to spend extra time with My Lord, allowing Him to reveal things to me that are on His heart, and listening for that still small voice to give me direction and guidance. I am looking forward to times of refreshing found in His presence. How about you? Do you have some "buildup" in your life that you need to allow God to take care of?

Birthday Celebration!!

My birthday was Saturday. It was the best birthday I have had in a while, so I thought I would share how we spent the day. (The past few years I have been working the Mother of Multiples Consignment sale on my birthday, so there really was no celebrating).



















I wanted to do something fun as a family in the morning, and then later have a date night with James. So Saturday morning we decided to go bowling. The boys had never been before and I thought it would be lots of fun. When I told them what we were going to do they were so excited, they had seen Curious George go bowling, and wanted to know if we were going to do it like he had! So off we went to Oak Mountain Lanes. It was a very nice family environment and it was a non-smoking bowling alley! It has been quite a while since I have been bowling, everything is computerized now! We all had lots of fun, the boys are ready to go again! After bowling we went to lunch at one of my favorites, Panera Bread.

We all came home and took naps, and then James and I left around 5 for our date! We went to Cheesecake Factory, and had a wonderful meal and dessert! We then went to see a movie, Juno. It was good but did have lots of language and was a little edgy, so we don't really recommend it.

And I got some "girlie" gifts!! I got 2 rosebushes, planted and everything. I also got a really nice shirt & sweater and a dress! The only thing that was missing was a strawberry birthday cake from Edgars, but I am not complaining! I did buy myself a small birthday cake at Publix yesterday when I bought groceries. Then last night the boys put candles in it and sang to me! Is that bad?

The Happy Housewife

I was looking through my files for something I wanted to share with the girls in my Wednesday night Bible study when I came across this and just thought I would share it with all of you. It is titled "The Happy Housewife" by Elizabeth Baker

A woman who depends on outside decoration and eternal youth to satisfy her need for acceptance is on the wrong course. She should seek the spiritual beauty which cannot be erased by time and does not depend on financial status. To be spiritually beautiful is a command of God, and all the commands of God have one interesting thing in common. They all pay read dividends in one's physical life. When you take the time to let the Lord make you spiritually beautiful, your physical appearance takes one gigantic step forward.

To learn to depend on Jesus for tomorrow's needs can do more for a wrinkled complexion than facials.

To learn self-control or temperance can do more for the figure than a health spa.

To allow the quietness and meekness of Jesus to be expressed through one's own personality can do more than the most expensive charm course.

To let Jesus make your life an adventure can put a joy in your heart, a spring in your step, and a sparkle in your eye that all the doctors' pep pills and all the paint and pretty bottles from the ding-dong lady can't match.

1 Peter 3:3-4
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

Wordless Wednesday #5

"Just Stick to the List"

Well, this is my "Just stick to the list" list. At our ladies Christmas party at church this past year we all made a "Just stick to the list" list. This is a list for those special people who buy you gifts on those special gift giving occasions. If for some reason you don't have your eye on that "thing" that you just really, really, really want and you can't think of any real specific hints for gifts, they can just stick to the list and they can't go wrong.

Well, I did not give the list to my dear, sweet husband around Christmas time, and I ended up with some not so "girlie" gifts for Christmas; 3 knives (a pocket knife, one to keep on my keychain, and a leatherman like tool), and a grill cover. Since I have a birthday coming up this weekend, and I am a girl who loves to get gifts, (it is one of my love languages) I thought I had better make sure that list was made and in the right hands!

So here is my "Just stick to the list" list:
1. Gift certificate for massage, pedicure, &/or manicure
2. Any new releases by Karen Kingsbury, Dee Henderson, or Francine Rivers
3. Anything from the Yankee Candle store
4. Jewelry
5. Any bath or spa stuff
6. A day at the spa!!
7. New pajamas
8. Clothes (James does have very good taste in clothes!)
9. A whole weekend at home by myself to do whatever I want!!
10. Pay for me to go on a scrapbooking retreat so I can get caught up on my scrapbooks!!

Anybody else out there have a "stick to the list" list with some good ideas! I can always add to mine!

More Sickness!!

Well, I have been to the doctor again today, but not for myself. Last night we were up with Paul almost all night. He was complaining of a really bad headache, and then later started complaining of an ear ache. So I promptly called the doctor as soon as they were opened and got a 9:30 appointment.

It just so happened that my wonderful friend Mrs. Sandra was off work today, and she graciously responded to my plea for help and kept David while I took Paul to the doctor. David loves to go to her house and had a great time playing there, he even took her a Valentine. Thanks so much Sandra, I greatly appreciate your friendship!

They tested Paul for the flu and it was negative, Praise the Lord! I was so scared that he had it. It turns out that he just has a bad ear infection, so they gave him an injection of rocephrin (?) and he starts a round of antibiotics tomorrow. Modern medicine is amazing, he is already feeling better and playing out back, and he was a very sick little boy this morning; if only I could have started feeling better that soon, oh well. I am just thankful that I am better now so I can take care of my little man!

Hopefully I will have more exciting things to blog about next week, we will see!

Happy Valentine's Day

Well, I am finally starting to feel a little bit better!! Praise the Lord! Being sick is not fun, especially when you have a family to take care of. James has been wonderful, the boys have been to work with him several days, and he entered the world of 3-k as he took them back and forth last week.

I actually went back to the doctor again yesterday afternoon, as I was not feeling any better at all. It ends up that I also had a bad sinus infection on top of the flu. The flu was pretty much cleared up but the sinus infection was just getting worse. So I got a shot, which the boys thought was hilarious, they wanted to see it and everything, but I did not oblige; and I am now on a round of antibiotics... so I am on the road to recovery.

One of my best Valentine's memories is from 2004. That is the day we got to bring Paul and David home from the hospital for the first time! They were born 8 weeks early and had to stay in the NICU for 3 weeks. During those 3 weeks, I recovered from a 2 1/2 week hospital stay, finished packing our home in Trussville, and moved to Calera! We had been in our new home exactly one week when we got to bring the boys home, we basically had the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms unpacked, the rest came slowly. But we were very excited to have our family home together!

On our drive home we stopped off at Driver's Way and let everyone there look at the boys through the car windows, we didn't want them exposed to any germs. Shortly after leaving there they started to get fussy, so we found a remote parking lot and I nursed both of them before we got home, how awkward was that for a new mom!!

But the best part of that Valentine's Day was that night when I went in the boys room to do their first middle of the night feeding. James had secretly left red roses in their nursery for me to just happen upon, and he left me the sweetest handmade card. On the front he had drawn roses in a vase, and had written "Happy Valentine's Day". When I opened the card on one side it read: "How beautiful you are my darling! O how beautiful!" The other side read: "It is a great honor and privilege to be able to call you my wife. It is with even greater gratitude that you are the mother of my children. Love, James"

I still have that card, in my scrapbook of course!

Today has been good. I am feeling better, the boys brought me flowers and a balloon this morning, James gave me a sweet card, and I got to go to the boys Valentine's Party at 3-k, which they keep referring to as a birthday party!! I hope to enjoy a nice relaxing evening with my man, snuggling and watching a girlie movie I picked up at the library, and I may just make him that chocolate cake he likes!

Sick with the flu...

I have been sick with the flu since last Tuesday night, and it is now Monday. I still feel horrible, and am quite ready to be well and healthy again. So far James and the boys have managed to dodge it, please pray that they will stay healthy and will not get sick. And by the way, I did have my flu shot!!

I will rejoin the world of blogging when I feel better.