Where does the time go?

It seems that I can't keep up with this blog anymore.  While it serves as a wonderful outlet for me to connect and reach out, there isn't enough time in my day to allow for it.  What is keeping me so busy you ask?  It could be the potty training 3 yr old boy.....and he is doing well, thank you.  It could be the 15 week old puppy that we rescued several weeks ago that isn't potty trained like the boy! Or the 2 preschoolers that beg me everyday to play with "rice" or "do school."  It could also be those 3 big kids that need me to teach them the ways of our Lord, along with math, language, history, science, spelling, reading, writing, and home economics.  It might also be those long trips we make (an hour one way) to take 2 kids to soccer practices just 3 days a week.  Or the studying that I do for my own spiritual growth, currently studying 1&2 Thessalonians, Grace Based Parenting and also a book on Women's Leadership in the church.  And then there is that other thing called a house I have to keep clean, the laundry that has to be washed and folded, the meals that need cooking, the dishes washed, dogs fed and walked....you know all the joys of being a Wife and Mom!  All those things that I wouldn't trade for all the money in the world! 
I am finding joy in the small things, joy in the trials, and joy in the big things!  I am busy, yes, but busy doing the things that God has called me to do.  And for that I will not complain about lack of blogging time, but I will love those times sharing in studies with my husband, cherish those moments when my kids finally understand a concept, cheer for the goals reached in sports, relish those times playing with "rice," and just enjoy the JOYS that God has given me.......for He has given me much.  How will you spend your time? 
Where does your time go?

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Hello again.....

Hello again blog, its me.....your author.  I've neglected you long enough and feel it is time we get reacquainted.  I have missed you so these past few months, but life happened and took me away from you.  I am embarking on a new year and hoping for a new found love to blog again.  Bear with me as I make changes, maybe even changes in the direction of this blog,  I want this to be more of an outlet for me and not just keeping everyone up to date on my family happenings. 

Here is a short recap.  December we had 2 birthdays, my beautiful red headed daughter turned 12 and my vibrant littlest girl turned 5.  Time is slipping away from me as they grow up so fast.  We had friends that came to be with us and stayed through Christmas.  It was a very special Christmas for us this year.  A few of the kids ended up sick with a stomach flu the week before Christmas and then another on Christmas Eve.  I also ended up sick with an ear infection that same night that left me with a perforation in my eardrum.  The next few days are a blur of flying wrapping paper, Motrin, tons of movies, lots of sweet goodies, and napping. 

While having sick kids during this time we had to postpone Christmas with our family until we were healthy. The Tuesday after Christmas my children went to be with grandparents while my husband and I traveled to help a friend that was relocating. We were away from our family for a whole week! I missed them so much, but it was good to be with friends and have some time alone. Upon returning from our trip we had enjoyed some much needed rest as a family and finally celebrated Christmas with our family this past weekend. All the decorations are finally down, things are getting back to "normal," the kids have colds now and the saga continues.

So here are some pictures to catch you up on all that has happened.  Some things will go unsaid and others will tried to be forgotten, but life happens, forgiveness is freely given, and a new year brings new hopes for the next.

This is Christmas Day Snow fun!  Our FIRST White Christmas!  Thankfully everyone was feeling well enough to enjoy a little while in the snow!

This is my middle arrows 10th Birthday!  I can't believe how time has flown by!!  She didn't open a present on her birthday because all she wanted was to go to the movie "Tangled" with her family!  Of course we took her, since we don't go to the movies very often it was a real treat for all of us!

A Picture is worth......

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, right?  Well how about a few collages?  Will they make up for my hiatus from the blog!?  SORRY!  It's been so crazy hectic around here.  I truly just haven't had time or motivation to blog until now.  I hope these picture collages will help you understand why I've been so busy and catch you up on the happenings at our "Blessed Little Quiver."

This is our trip to the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival and then up the Blue Ridge Parkway for a day visit!  It was a beautiful day to enjoy God's creation, as is any day!  This was a great family day.  We started the day with 2 soccer games, good food, apple festival fun, a nice drive, hiking and great pictures. I just love spending time together as a family....one of my favorite things.

This is our recent trip to the Creation Museum!  If you haven't been, GO....if you are thinking about it, GO.....it is money well spent!  I wish I could have recorded my Youngest girl arrows reaction to Adam and Eve's joy as they walked in fellowship with God and then after the fall, their sadness.  She was so overcome with their sadness, she started to understand the magnitude of "sin" and what it really means for us.   Precious moments!  We were also blessed to share this experience with our Best friends that recently moved to Indiana.  We will cherish these memories for a lifetime!

 This is the Creation Petting Zoo.  The kids really loved feeding and petting all the animals.  Even little man fed a few animals, but his favorite was the camel.  My oldest arrow doesn't show favor towards anyone and enjoyed feeding all the animals, especially the zebra/horse.

These are our dearest friends that we spent the week with in Indiana.  My heart longs to be with them.  It's so amazing to me how God puts people in our lives that we need at just the right time, my how I needed them and still do.  We have only known them for a few short years, but it feels like we have known them a lifetime!  We truly are more like family than friends. 

The kids are just as close to each other as us parents!  This was a Great "old fashioned," meaning like when I was a kid, park.  They had a merry go round, metal slide, see saws, swings, big rope tree swing, cool train where we rang the bell, and a little boat play set too.  It was a beautiful fall day at the park....a wonderful last day to our short trip.  We spent every waking moment together doing something fun, games, corn hole, outings, shopped the "Rural King," Creation Museum field trip, step classes, zumba, and late night laughter (my favorite).

We returned home on a rainy, stormy day only to unpack the car and lose power for the night and most of the next day.  Things are cleaned up from the storms, power is back on, school is in session and life is just as it normally is, BUSY.

Reformation Day was this past week and the kids enjoyed some dress up fun.  We hosted home fellowship in our home on this evening, so the kids loved showing off their costumes.  As you can see we had "Woody" from Toy Story, "Jessie" from Toy Story, "Astrid" from How to train a dragon, "Mean, Old Neighbor Lady," "Tooth fairy Princess," a Black Eyed  "P" and Daddy's One of a kind....NO costume t shirt.

So there you go, you are now caught up on the happenings in our quiver!  See you around!

Dear Blog,

I haven't forgotten about you, dear blog.  Life has been a whirlwind, ok maybe a tornado in the night, through our house and lives these past 3 weeks.  After having such a great start to school it was inevitable that something would happen to stop that and so we ended up sick with strep throat in the house, again!  Now everyone is well, antibiotics are working well this time, kids are getting back into the swing of school and Mommy is still trying to figure out the schedule!  Between home schooling the 3 older girls, grading papers, home preschool with the 2 little ones, soccer, household chores, cooking, orthodontist appointments, soccer games, several church activities, teaching music to 2 of the older girls, and trying to study for home fellowships......I have NO TIME left over for blogging!  As soon as I get this schedule worked out I hope to be back in the saddle, but right now its too much.  I will only be blogging once a week or less until I can come up with a better plan.  SORRY!  Just remember, I haven't forgotten about you dear blog.  I just need some more time to figure out a better schedule.

In past 3 weeks, we have completed lots of good schoolwork, kids are doing GREAT!  Makenna and Edwin got sick with strep throat for a 3rd time in 2 months.  Magdalene got strep for the 2nd time in 2 months.  Ellianna's steel immune system finally let down and she got strep throat with an ear infection.  Mommy also came down with the sickness and had strep throat! Everyone healed from all the sickies!!  Praise God!  Our A/C unit went out AGAIN, but fall is just around the corner!  Oh, and let's not forget that Makenna got her top braces!!!  Very unexpected at this time, but she had to have it done now in order to make room for some important teeth.  YES, I have 2 kids in braces!!  Never thought I would see that day!  All in all it has been a WHIRLWIND 3 weeks, but it's also been a BLESSED 3 weeks.  I can see God's hand in everything, in every school day!  He has given me strength to get up in the mornings, He has given us health again, He has given us a spirit of peace and for all those things I am so grateful, just busy.  Busy for His kingdom!

A Little Catching Up....

WOW.....I can't begin to tell you how busy we have been the past few weeks.  And I can't begin to tell you how Good GOD is and how He worked out every detail of those weeks.  I was under a bit of stress, but I couldn't blog about it, since my adoring husband reads my blog.  You see, I was planning a surprise 40th Birthday for him.  Tomorrow is is real birthday, but we had a surprise party for him on 7-10!  It was wonderful, he was truly surprised and I even surprised him with a visit from our dear friends that just moved to Indiana.  Over the next few days I will be posting collages of some of the things we have been up to the past few weeks to catch you up!

I don't have pictures of this, but I do have a bit of news as far as our church goes.  We have been looking for a new pastor since our pastor of 14 years left to go into the mission field December of 09.  He and his family have since moved to Ecuador and we stay in touch via Skype!  After 6 long months, our Pulpit Search Committee has found someone!  I have had the privelege of meeting him and his family and they are wonderful!  We are looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for our church.  Needless to say, this is one of the things I've been busy with these past few weeks.  We had lots of meetings taking place, we had the family over for dinner a couple times, and enjoyed lunch with them after worship one Sunday.  They are a true delight and I look forward to getting to know them much better.

My husbands youngest sister and her family came to town a few weeks ago.  We always enjoy being with them, but this time I felt so preoccupied.  SORRY YOU GUYS!  We had our new Pastor and his family in town, BackYard Bible Clubs going on every morning and regular church events keeping us so busy.  The time we did have together was alot of fun.  I truly enjoy spending our summers with my niece and nephew!  They were alot of help with BYBC and to me!  We did enjoy some pool days, dinners at our home and game nights!  I think that "Mad Gab" was our game of choice that week.  Love that game!  The adults played against the kids and we stomped them!!!  : )  But it was all in fun.

Well, I hope this gets you caught up just a little bit.  Until next time!

It's Official....School's Out for Summer!!

Yes, SCHOOLS OUT for summer!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yay.....I don't know who's more excited, me or the kids!  Yesterday was our last day of school for the 2009-2010 year.  Yes we went a bit later than most schools.  We took awhile off to help some dear friends move out of state, took an early summer vacation and all because we can!  Its hard to believe we just finished our 6th year of homeschooling.  I wouldn't change a thing...I mean I love having my kids at home.  Sure I would do a better job teaching them more and improve upon myself, but I wouldn't change having my kids at home with me for anything.  They are my life and I love them!

Now that schools out we will be spending our days sleeping in, watching lots of "Little House" and going to the pool.  I do love the summer break, but it doesn't take long to yearn for the schedules again.  What do you do during your summer months off?  How do you pass the time?  I would love some ideas on fun things to do during the summer that are easy on the budget.  Thanks for sharing!

Big Changes....

We've been busy, busy little bees in this Little Quiver.  The kids have pitched in and helped out alot too!  The older kids no longer like playing on their playground, as it had been taken over by weeds and trees.  After this weekend that is not the case and they have played out there every night since we finished!  I love seeing the kids play outside again.  I used to have to come up with an activity for them to go out, now they just go swing, slide, and play on the fort! YAY!  BIG thanks goes out to Daddy for all his help!  He sacrificed his Father's day to help us load and unload mulch.  Thank you Daddy!


Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy!  I'm soooo happy the kids are happy!  You know what they say, if Momma ain't happy, nobody's happy!  Well this Momma is HAPPY, Happy and the kids are too!

The Lord hears and answers.

Wow...one little prayer and the Lord supplies!  :)  I prayed for the Lord to keep me busy and He has!!!  We have had a wonderful week getting packed for our beach trip, doing school and attending our homeschool conference.  The week went by very fast and the kids are thrilled.

Faster weeks are so much easier for me and the kids.  Thank you for your prayers for us.  Our hearts are healing and we are keeping busy, busy for the Lord and He has supplied for our every need.  We are off to the beach today for a week in the sun.  My mom has a home at the beach, so the kids are thrilled about being with their Mammaw n Pappaw.  I will try to blog when I can, but you know how vacations are...too much fun to stop and blog!

Enjoy your Memorial Weekend! Stay Safe and Blessings to yall!

Lord keep me busy....

Today is a good day, I'm pushing forward.  My oldest arrow is off for lunch and a movie with her Uncle, my little brother.  He just graduated from college last week and we haven't seen him in so long.  It's good for him to bond with the kids.  They love their Uncle Trav. soooooo much.  The other kids are very jealous of her "private uncle time" and happy for her too.  I can't wait to hear about all they did!

I am going to a "homeschool" store today to buy some used curriculum.  I'm trying to prepare ahead of time for next year.  Trying to busy myself with things to keep my mind from feeling so lonely.  I've realized that when I am idle I am lonelier, depressed, and sad.  That is when the uncontrollable urge to cry all day sets in and I don't get off the bed.  The kids are really feeling the loneliness because mom isn't doing a good job of keeping them busy enough.  I wish I had the stamina to get up and just go, but it physically hurts most days to get up.  I hate this feeling!!!  I want so badly to shake it.  I lay in bed at night and pray that the next day will be better, I beg God to give me the strength to get out of bed.  The next day comes and the hurt over powers all other things.  However, today God prevailed and won the battle this morning.  I was able to get up and move.  I have to force myself NOT to turn on the tv or just lay there a few more minutes.....and today we are up and the house is hopping!  I pray all days could be like this, busy. 

Lord, let me be busy everyday.  Busy for you, busy focusing on your children and your will.  Keep my hands and feet from idleness.  Keep my head clear of the voices that say "its ok, try again tomorrow."  Lord I know its not ok, its not your plan....help me to seek you and only you to fill the void I feel in my heart.  Amen.

Friday's Here....

Ahh, finally Friday!  I made it through my first week.  I may have spent 3 days in bed, but on day 4 I got up and showered...that's progress!  Day 6 is here and I had lunch wtih my Mammaw, grocery shopped, washed and folded laundry, cooked dinner and did the dishes!  I have to say that I am very proud of me, for getting all that done today.  If you have never suffered depression you won't understand what an accomplishment this is for anyone, but trust me it is!

I can't say that things are getting easier, they aren't, but we are getting over the initial hurt and trying to look to bigger things.  We are going to try and plan a trip to the beach with my mom in the next few weeks and we have our annual homeschool conference to attend.  I have lots of things to keep me busy in the next few weeks.  We need to finish up our school year, finish testing, look at new curriculum for next year and start planning for next year also.  I'm hoping that we can get caught up with some schoolwork, as we are a few weeks behind right now.  I got spring fever a few weeks ago, then we helped our friends move and this week was a total bust, cause I didn't feel well.  Great thing about homeschool......it goes where we go and we can do it at OUR pace!  The kids are actually excited to know we will be continuing some subjects through the summer.  We will still take time off for fun, but I think they like knowing that there will be some consistency to their days...not just a free for all.

Tomorrow we have our LAST soccer game of the season!  It's the Big One....Championship Game!  I'm looking forward to it and to the end of the running around for awhile.  Fall will be here before I know it, summer will be over, a new school year beginning and soccer season right behind it, but for now I will embrace the spring and enjoy my kids!  Have a Great weekend yall!!

Fully Restored....

I don't know where this week has gone, but it certainly flew right by me.  Mondays are always busy days for us, but then again, everday is busy!  LOL

I had the joy of watching 4 extra girls this week, while my girlfriend packed up the rest of her home for the big move.  We had a GREAT time!  There were 9 kids in the house and yes, only one of them was a little boy!!  My youngest arrow was surrounded by girls, but he loved every minute of it.  The youngest babe was 9 1/2 months, she is a doll!  My youngest arrow loves having a younger person in the house, he feels older I guess.  While he enjoyed being the "big brother" for a few days, my oldest arrow was like an extra set of mom hands.  I couldn't have done it without her.  During day 2 of our adventure she said, "see mommy, 4 more kids isn't that bad, you could handle it."  I stopped dead in my tracks and stared her down....."are you kidding me child?"  She replied "hee hee, no, you haven't lost your mind yet, WE could do it."  My reply was gentle, but blunt.  "There is a HUGE difference in watching 4 extra kids and BIRTHING 4 more kids! Ha Ha"  She laughed and we continued with our day without another thought of adding to our brood.

I have to admit, there are days when I think about having more kids, but then the Lord gently reminds me of the blessings I have now.  I am so grateful for the Lord entrusting me with 5 of His children (and 1 that is in His care) and I couldn't feel anymore complete than I do at this very moment.  What a great and wonderful God to serve.  I prayed for this day when I would feel "complete" and no longer desire more children.  What an answer to prayer.  I would welcome another child if He thought us worthy enough, but I really feel like He and I have a common understanding.  : )

So after 2 1/2 days of pure joy with 9 kids I am fully in tact, totally grateful, overwhelmed with love and wondering when I can do it all over again!  When I serve the Lord and do everything in His name, He fully restores my soul and gives me unmeasurable blessings!

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Productivity

Today was a great day!  Productive too!  I love days like today.  We woke up early, got going and at the end of the evening I can relax!  I can smile at all that we were able to pull together.  School is done for the day, laundry isn't completely done, but it is manageable and not overflowing, grocery shopping is done, dishes are done, kids are bathed, flowers are planted and watered, dinner was homemade not fast food, and the house is fairly picked up and orderly.  Is there a better ending to any day?!

God is so good to supply all our needs.  If only I could remember this everyday, my days would be so fulfilling!  Hope you had a productive and completely wonderful day too!

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10

God's Calling....

Where oh where have I been??  I don't even know myself.  It's been a crazy week, I can tell you that.  Lots going on and there never seems to be enough time for me and my blog.  It's always the last thing to get my attention.  Sorry for anyone that was wondering if we are ok.  We are GREAT, just busy little bees.

Several weeks ago I spoke to some women at my church about being too busy to listen to God's calling on our lives.  I prayed so hard that I would learn from what the Lord was teaching me.  It was a hard week, busy trying to prepare to leave 2 little ones behind while I took the older kids on a field trip, leaving my husband behind as well.  I wanted the house to be comfortable for him while we were gone, the clothes to be clean, kids to be well taken care of, even if I wasn't providing all the care.  I was often too busy to stop and pray, stop and listen to God speaking to me in the midst of it all.  Do you ever get that way?

Well, I sure don't want my kids to remember me always being "busy" for everyone else.  I mean, being busy for the Lord is great, busy with church is awesome, but too busy for my kids is a big NO, no!  It makes me ask myself, "what kind of legacy do I want to leave?"  What do or will my kids remember about me?  Was mom always on the computer?  Too busy to read a book with them?  On the phone too much to see to my scraped knees?  Too busy with household chores to notice I was lonely and needed a friend?  Or will they remember the things I want them to??  Mom stopped everything to tend to my scrapes and tears.  She read me books over and over even though I had them memorized.  She prayed for me when I felt worrisome over schoolwork or friends.  Do they know that I pray for their futures?  Do they know I pray over them?  Do they even know that I pray?

I have been trying to spend more "time" with my kids, doing more fun things with them, putting aside the laundry, the hustle and bustle of the day.  I struggle with this so much, there is so much being neglected, but for now....My kids are NOT neglected, they are More important to me than a load of clean clothes or dishes.  So, forgive me when I don't blog everyday or every other day, or even for a week.  It's because God has a bigger plan for me, He has more to offer me through the real world than this blogoshpere.  He gave me 5 precious children to mold in His image, His likeness, show His love, teach His ways and I am choosing to obey His calling on my life.  I pray you are listening to His call on you as well.

He's calling.....do you hear??  Will you listen?  Blessings to you all!

Change

Another Monday, ahhhhh, the wonder of a new week and the contemplating all that goes with it.  Will it be a good week?  Will it linger on forever?  Will I accomplish all I have set for the week?  Will we get our schoolwork done?  Will I get time for coffee with friends?  So many questions, yet no answers.

Mondays are such a tough day for me.  Its the second day of the week, but it feels like the beginning.  Mondays my husband goes back to his work week, we are back to our school grind, and I am back to dragging my kids here and there for this and that.  Ahhhhh....the busyness of the week begins on Monday, that must be why it feels like the beginning.  Right?  I mean, Sunday is the start of the week, but it is so relaxing and worshipful it doesn't feel like work.

Mondays seems to be when the chaos begins, at least for me.  However, I have found a peace about my weeks over the last 3 weeks!  What has changed you ask, I am attending a women's Bible study at my church.  Let me tell you, all that talk about spending time wtih God will improve your life, improve your outlook, improve your marraige, is RIGHT!  I've heard of this thing called "God time" or "quiet time with the Lord" but it never seemed to happen in my hectic day(s), week(s), month(s) or year(s).  Until this year, when I finally chose to listen to the calling God has for me.  I chose to listen to Him telling me to change.  Hey You, its time to change your body!  Hey You, its time to get healthy!  Hey You, I want to spend more time with you!  Hey You, why don't you Pray about that question?  Hey You, I'm here anytime you need me....will you look for me?  Finally I decided to listen, I decided to ask, I decided to pray, I decided to let Him change me.  What a wonderful God we serve that He desires us to be like Him!  He created us in His image, so of course He wants us to live like Him!

Will you let Him change YOU?????!!!!

Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within me.  Psalm 51:10

Still Going...

Ahhhh....we've been so busy that I haven't blogged in some time.  Sorry!  As you can see from the ticker above, we are doing well on our "goal" for this year!  2 1/2 weeks into our lifestyle change I have lost 15 pounds.  I'm happy with that and hoping for more loss when I get back into my workout routine.

I recently implemented a schedule for all of us and it is working out wonderfully!!!  I have heard less whinning and groaning from the children, less fighting, more fun times and more extra time as well.  I'm amazed at how much of my time was wasted on little things.  The kids have adjusted quite well to the new schedule, except the teenager of course!!  She doesn't like getting up so early, but she is trucking along with the rest of us and I am so proud of her and the other children.  I knew I was blessed, but with these new endeavors of late they are being real troopers and doing GREAT!

I hope to blog more often and keep my weightloss updated every week.  Some weeks there may not be a change, but that's ok, at least I have somewhere and someone(s) to keep me accountable!  Thanks for the support everyone!

Retreat.............

Sorry it's been so long.  You know life with 5 kids is never boring and there is always much to do!  We have been on field trips, to soccer practices and games, catching up on well checks, getting eye glasses fitted correctly, homeschooling and living the good life.  God is good!  All the time!

Today I am leaving for a women's retreat!!  I am excited and sad.  I am looking forward to the time with my Lord, but I will miss my family too.  My dearest husband is such a blessing.  He is taking over the mom duties and taking all the kids to 3 soccer games this weekend.....all so I can go relax, learn, and get closer to God.  I will not say I don't need this break, but I wish he had the same oppurtunity.....he needs a man retreat.  : )  I will return on Sunday and look forward to hearing all the fun things that the kids get to do with Daddy....you know they will do something spectacular!

To my Hubby....thank you with all my heart!  I am blessed beyond all measure to have such a Godly Husband, Friend and Father for our children!  I thank God for you, I pray for you daily, and I love you more than you will ever know.  THANK YOU for allowing me this oppurtunity!!

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!  Psalm 34:8

Busy Hands

These are some busy hands at my house today. We are having a wonderful time with our friends that are visiting with us for the week. There are 7 girls in the house and 1 Little boy!!! My poor son! Nah......he's got it made! He has 8 Moms in the house because everyone loves looking after and playing with him.

Thanks for some friends on the web, I have been playing with some pictures. Tell me what you think? Please be honest as I am new to this...you won't hurt my feelings!

Here are some pictures of busy hands and busy mouths. Everyone seems to hold the mouth a certain way while working. The concentration is so cute! I love to watch children imagine and learn.







And others choose to do real school work in the peace and quiet! :)


I hope that your hands are busy today doing the things that you love. My hands are full of love and ready to learn today. My heart is overflowing and my prayer is that you have busy hands for the Lord too!

Listen

Today was a day of concentration for the kids. They really had to work hard on their school work, as they do everyday, but today was a bit louder in the house. We had laundry beeping every 40 minutes or so, phone calls for mom, groceries to bring in and put away, along with 2 toddlers that were less than cooperative today.

Even in all the noise, they got their work done and did it well! It makes me think of all the noise that I hear during the day, and why I don't hear the Lord when He speaks to me. I don't hear Him because I am not listening for Him. How that makes my heart ache. I want to hear the Lord, I want to be obedient to His word, but time and time again I let myself get too busy in the day to day busyness that I don't listen. It is not that He doesn't hear my cry for help, but I don't wait and listen for His response. His word tells me the He hears me when I cry out....

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17

His word also tells me that He hears....

I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me. Psalm 120:1

So, why, if He will do these things, do we not wait and listen for Him? We don't need more time in our day, we need to prioritize our time better.....give unto Him that has so freely given to us! The Lord delights in our time with Him and He will bless us all the more if we obey His commands. Have you listened for God today?

Busy, Busy

Sorry, it's been a while! I've been busy! I had a friend over last week for a play date with the kids and the mommies got to scrapbook!! I haven't scrap booked in over 3 years! It felt so good to get some pages done. I wasn't being very creative, it was more about getting the pictures down on paper. 9 pages later I was a very happy mommy and inspired to do it more often. After realizing that my supplies are just not very accessible during the evenings when I could scrapbook it was time for a change. After about 6 1/2 hours on Thursday I got the job done. All my supplies are now in my loft area, which has now become the scrapper/sewing area. The 2 oldest arrows now have more room in their bedroom and it is more their own room, not mommy's storage room. They have a computer in their room now too which makes it GREAT for playing Webkinz again! We had taken a long break from playing webkinz, but they seem to be interested in it again. Here are a few pictures of my accomplishments last week.








Not only did I scrapbook 9 pages, but I made 2 sundresses, finished 1 Easter skirt, and 2 Easter dresses. Now I only have 1 Easter dress and 1 Easter skirt to go! Not so easy for the scrap booking, as I have many, many, many years to catch up on!

Anyway, as you can see, it was a busy week. Weekends are always fun with Daddy and friends. This weekend was no different! We had friends over on Saturday for games, movies and Easter Egg Dying! Our friends brought some egg dying kits over and the kids did about 4 dozen eggs! They had so much fun and I didn't get one picture! I don't know what I was thinking, other than we were having so much fun that we forgot.

Sunday was the Lord's day! While getting ready for church I was rushing around and hit my toes on a baby gate. I have walked by this gate so many times and never had a problem, but yesterday the Lord had a lesson for me to learn. Either watch where you are going or SLOW down! My toes were throbbing so badly I took 2 Motrin before we left for church, BTW, I taped them and put on a pair of flip flops. Hee Hee While at church I could see behind the tape that there was some blue discoloring. Then while waiting to go to lunch my son toddles over to me (without me seeing him coming) and he kicked my toes!! After another 2 ibuprofen we left for lunch. Upon returning home we took the tape off so we could see just what was going on under the tape. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So many shades of blue, purple, black and a touch of pink. I put my foot up and put ice on my toes for awhile. It did seem to help with the swelling, but the throbbing was not going away. I slept with my foot propped up on a pillow and tossed and turned all night long, feeling my pulse in my toes. When I woke up this morning I went about my normal routine with a slightly swollen toe and then it happened.....I HIT IT AGAIN!!!! This time I was in the school room and hit it on the steel leg of the desk! I really thought I was going to pass out from the pain! SO.....what to do now?

I am terrified of hitting it again, but there is nothing to do for a broken toe, just tape it, but I can't do that because the swelling gets worse when I tape it. I can't stand the pressure either. Ahh, what lesson did I miss Lord? How then should I glorify You in the midst of all this throbbing!? I am to slow down and enjoy the little things in life for right now. So, I will.......take a deep breath, exhale and now I will bask in the glory, beauty and knowledge of what a Sovereign, Loving God you are.

Busy...Busy

Busy is the perfect way to describe our past week. We have been running here and there, visiting my grandmother, basketball and schooling at the same time. I am happy to report that my grandmother had back surgery and is home recovering now. She will have a few months of physical therapy ahead of her, but we are praying that the surgery was a success and she will have more movement in her back and a lot less pain. She had 4 screws put into her vertebrates to get them off one another and unpinch a nerve. She has suffered for years now and God knew to hold her off until now for the surgery....it was a new procedure, but one they have had great success with too. I just marvel at how God's timing is so much better than our timing. Please continue to pray for her.

Now, for our household. We have just been busy all around. Last week we were visiting my grandmother in the hospital alot so that took a good portion of the week. We had basketball games last weekend, our oldest arrow shot the winning shot for her team!! So, we had to celebrate with ice cream once we got home! The other 2 arrows had their games on Saturday afternoon and one team won and the other team lost....it was the first loss for that team, but I think it was good to teach them how to lose gracefully. I think it is important for kids to learn how to lose gracefully, God doesn't promise us a life of happiness everyday, no trials, but He does promise us......

For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." Acts 2:39 ESV

God is with us during our trials, strengthening us, conditioning us, drawing us closer to Himself....for our good, for our sanctification. I am so grateful for such a loving Father. Aren't you?

After such a busy week last week, this week has been slower. It has been nice to relax, get back into the school swing, since last week it was school on the go. We got the school room cleaned up and organized again. The kids are still enjoying their curriculum on the computer...and I am so thankful for them! That was the hardest to teach on 3 different grade levels. Now we just do Science, History and Spelling together. Reading they do on their own, or we read a book aloud together, with discussion afterwards. Speaking of school....it's past time to get our started! Gotta run! Have a Blessed Day!