Bittersweet Holidays

This morning I received a call that my Grandmother Thorrez has passed away. She became my grandmother when I was 8. My step-dad married my mom in 1979 and that was that. Grandma Betty and Grandpa Al welcomed us immediately. There was never a doubt that they cared for us and loved us. It takes a special love from God to treat someone else's child like you would your own. What a shining example of love she was to me. Grandpa Al is sure to need prayers as he is now half of what he has been for 65 years.

So, we are sad this day, but ever reminded that because Christ came to this earth and died for our sins, we are going to be reunited with those who love Him.

Give your loved ones a big hug today if you can.

Snaggletooth

Hannah lost her 3rd tooth today. She started losing her teeth on the top, but not the middle two.
Now, she has one tooth in the top middle that is stubbornly hanging on.

Christmas is so fun!

This was our project today. I made candy houses with my 3rd graders when I taught school so very long ago, and I figured my own kids would enjoy it. The girls had a blast, especially when I told them they could eat it as soon as they were done.

*Hannah really was having more fun than her expression shows.

Home school humor

This video might give you few smiles.

It's a keeper!

I finished The Samson Effect a few days ago. It's very well written. It's supposed to be made into a movie & it should be very action packed. Bombs, guns, fires, and a lot of snakes give it a thrilling touch.

I learned about the book from a local website. I entered a contest to win a free copy and the author sent an email back to tell me we are neighbors. A few weeks later, he knocked on my door and introduced himself and his adorable twin sons. He also told me that his book is going to be a movie. I hope it's a hit. It's a great book and deserves some great actors.

If you think someone would like a good book for Christmas, and they enjoy mystery adventures, this is a good one to consider. I got mine from Amazon.com.

A Day with Grandma

Today, we spent a day with Grandma Scott at the Gaylord Texan ICE! exhibit. The hotel itself was a treat to visit.

It really made me miss my Nana. She would have loved a place like that. She really made Christmas a fun time for all of us. If you ever get a chance to visit the Gaylord Texan or Opryland at Christmastime, I hope you appreciate the decorations and festive spirit as much as I did.

There is a big ice slide that the girls enjoyed (except for Lindsey, who was too short to go on it). I think the girls would have stayed on the slide until their hineys were frozen if it was up to them.

Here is a photo of us having hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies at the coffee shop. It wasn't to warm up, though, since the trek to the coffee shop was a workout in itself in chasing and/or carrying Lindsey.

Thank you for a memorable day, Rita!

For Marty, who makes me giggle... and sometimes roll my eyes

Fantastic!

Thanks to some generous shoppers and straight-forward donations, Linda will receive $500. She will be blessed by this, I am sure.

Praise be to God who keeps the widows and orphans in His care.

Thanks to all who gave.


Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7

Fundraiser

I know... everyone has a fundraiser these days.

This one is for my friend, Linda, whom I mentioned in a previous post.

If you like Tupperware, please consider buying some from this fundraising event. The link is here:
Tupperware Fundraiser Catalog

You can email me your order. I'll email you back with payment info. My email address is on my profile page as a link.

The main webpage of the lady in charge is here:
JOANN's Welcome Page

Thank you to all who will consider this as a worthy cause.

For those of us who can't get enough books!

And for those of us who have some they'd like to pass along.

Thought for the week

This is from an email I get from the Water of LIfe Lutheran Church.
It really blessed me. I'm sharing it with you with permission to repost it here.

*********************



"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my
salvation.... For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope
is from him." (Ps. 62:1, 5.)

"Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!" (Ps. 46:10.)

"Silence is the simple stillness of the individual under the Word of
God. We are silent before hearing the Word because our thoughts are
already directed to the Word, as a child is quiet when he enters his
father's room. We are silent after hearing the Word because the Word
is still speaking and dwelling within us. We are silent at the
beginning of the day because God should have the first word, and we
are silent before going to sleep because the last word also belongs to
God....

"Silence is nothing else but waiting for God's Word and coming from
God's Word with a blessing. But everybody knows that this is something
that needs to be practiced and learned, in these days when
talkativeness prevails. Real silence, real stillness, really holding
one's tongue comes only as the sober consequence of spiritual
stillness."

(Dietrich Bonhoeffer, *Life Together*.)


Peace in Christ,
--
Vr. James C. Jarrett
Water of Life Ev. Lutheran Church
vrjarrett@wateroflifelc.org
Water of Life Lutheran Church, Forney, TX
http://www.wateroflifelc.org/

Linda's Sorrow

When my family moved to Michigan in 1988, I had no friends waiting for me. It was not ideal for a Junior in high school to try and make new friends. People were nice, but I missed my friends back home.

Then, a wonderful thing happened. I met Linda. We became inseparable. Everyone knew that we would be together wherever we went. She was very outspoken and was a compliment to my shyness. She brought out my confidence when I didn't have much. I love her dearly.

Tonight she is in deep sorrow. Her husband of 10 years has passed away at the age of 39. Greg was everything to her, as he should have been. I can't imagine that grief, and I don't want to. But, her pain is in my heart tonight.

Greg was loved by many. He and Linda were perfect together and I was honored to stand with them on their wedding day.

I can't help but wonder why this had to happen as it did. This was not the plan. I suppose it never is for those who truly love.

So, wives, hold your husbands closer tonight. Pray for Linda as she is in misery and grief. She has been blinded by this and can't see the light at the end of the tunnel yet. Pray for her to have Strength beyond her own. Pray for Providence in all things. She was not prepared for this loss in any way.

Out of commision for awhile

Straight to the point.

I really need your prayers. I have two herniated discs in my neck. They are causing intense pain in my right arm, shoulder, and hand. I'm taking 4 different medications, plus a cortisone shot every now and then to keep me functioning. I had the second cortisone shot yesterday, which is the only reason I can type today.

My girls have been helpful during the day. Friends have been offering help to watch the girls and bring meals. I am going to need help. If you know me well, you know that I don't like asking for help. I know that I can't do this without all of you, though, so I might be taking up some offers soon.

Dear friends, please pray for all of us as we go through this. I belive that it is God's will for me to have a healthy body and mind as Marty and I raise our daughters to be Godly women. This has happened to me because I haven't been taking care of myself as I should. God will renew my body and mind so that it doesn't happen again. I believe that.

In the meantime, I will not be blogging much. It really hurts my hands to use my fine motor skills.

As I go through this I am dwelling on some scriptures to boost my faith.

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him,
that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask,
we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."
1 John 5:14-15

and

"For God hath not given us the sprit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2Tim.1:7

and

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:29

Nana

Today was her birthday. I still miss her.

Click here to read what I've written about my Nana over the years...

A new holiday in Russia

Russian baby boom?
They hope so.

My decorating tastes are changing...

Maybe I've been watching too much HGTV... but I like this chair. It looks like a chair that belongs in a reading room with kids. I found it on Overstock.com.

Irony?

I'm on an email group for Ebay. Today's big money maker is the one below.

LOT OF falcons michael vick CARDS CHEWED ON BY MY DOG

No Fear

Lindsey has been a water-baby since her first bath. Yesterday, at the ripe old age of "almost 3," she jumped off the diving board at Grandpa's pool. She looks so tiny to me... but yet, she's so big.

Happy Birthday, Marty

Have a good one, Honey!
Here's a flashback photo to 10 years ago, just a few days after I met you and the first time I met Rod.

NASA - Dreamy Lunar Eclipse

On August 28th, really early in the morning, there is going to be a Dreamy Lunar Eclipse.

I'm trying to decide if it's worth getting up that early... has anyone seen one in the past?

A windy day well spent in the sunshine

I've been slacking again. Here are some beautiful photos to make up for my laziness.


What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.

Joseph Addison (1672 - 1719)

On TLC last night

Last night on TLC I saw a program about the Arndt Family. They have 13 sons and 1 daughter.

I tell you this to say a funny comment made by the mom. She said with a straight face that the hardest time with the kids was when they only had 5 and the kids were young "and didn't have any brains yet."


That could be the reason that I have a day every now and then when I just want to crawl in bed...

For anyone who thinks 4 is a big lot of kids...

Arkansas couple welcomes 17th child. Four is an empty nest compared to this family.

Whether you agree with her choice to have a big family or not, God is being honored in their family from what I can see.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
~Psalm 127:3-5 ~

Big Brother is Listening

Not that I'm worried for myself, but it is creepy that the FBI can use your cell phone microphone to eavesdrop on you... I checked it out on snopes.com and it is true.

The Samson Effect - by Tony Eldridge

I found out today that a local author is releasing a book that I really want to read. It's called The Samson Effect and it sounds just like my kind of thriller-suspense.

You can help me win an extra chance for a free copy ofthe book by using my email address as a referral in the comment box when you sign up for the author's newsletter.

You can read an excerpt here.

Nightmares

Our oldest came to me this morning very shaken up. "I had a nightmare!!" she said.

I asked her if she wanted to talk about it and she said no. I asked if she wanted me to pray with her and she said yes. So, we prayed and I brought her attention to something else.

A little while later she said she wanted to tell me her bad dreams. Expecting something from the scripts of Jimmy Neutron or Cyberchase, I prepared myself to comfort her.

Her nightmare was that she was at Vacation Bible School and the teachers were not teaching about Jesus or God. ...in addition to that, someone was telling her that Veggie Tales were bad.

It comforts me that she thinks those things are a nightmare. It is a nightmare that Christians by name only are running churches and children's ministries. She know that at the age of 8.

“Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."
I John 4:4

Fried mouse found in Frito Lay bag

Fried mouse found in Frito Lay bag

This might be just the thing that keeps me from eating chips again... and why did it have to be Frito Lay!!!

It Works!

I am so excited at my yard sale bargain! I found an old Kenmore sewing machine table. I had planned to put my own sewing machine in it... but I don't have to. This machine works! I've been playing with it all day, pretty much, in between putting the remnants of Hurricane Theatre behind me and feeding the clan.


This machine works much more smoothly than the newer model I have. The thread didn't even break ONCE! That problem is frequent with the one I've been using.

So, I guess I collect sewing machines now. I have Marty's Grandma Cook's machine, one newer model from my mom, this yard sale bargain, and I also have one in storage in Montana that is an old treadle machine that was my Nana's.


I might be posting some sewing projects on here soon... stay tuned!

yea!!

She did it!

My sister, Jennifer, passed her nursing board (NCLEX) with flying colors.

I'm so proud of you, Jen.

What I've been doing

I've been wondering how to make this "cookie bowl" for a nephew's wedding. It's a huge round box, with cookies attached to the sides AND it holds about 22 dozen cookies.

It turned out as good as I could have hoped for since I'd never done it before. I used advice from many friends and family.

Thanks to all who helped!

Patriotism from a 6-year-old

I just overheard Hannah singing "America, the Beautiful" to herself.

"America, America, God shed His skin on thee..."

Since she is such a science lover, I really didn't want to correct her, but I had to.

Happy Anniversary to us...again

Nine years isn't that long in the scope of forever and ever. But the last 10 years have changed my life forever.

When I met Marty, I knew he was different than other men. At the same time we were introducing ourselves to each other on the internet, there were women in my church trying to "set me up" with some other guy in Ely, Nevada. "Set me up" was the right phrase there, too... Whew! I fell in love with Marty just in time to get out of that one.

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
Mignon McLaughlin

Handipoints - Make Chores and Allowance Fun and Easy

Handipoints - Make Chores and Allowance Fun and Easy

I found the website above by a google search. I've started it today and I'll check back in a few weeks to tell you how it's working for us. The girls are really excited to have a checklist... I find that encouraging.

If any of you sign up, use my email address (jlscott at classicnet dot com) and I might get a bonus reward if I get enough referral points!

Happy Chore times ahead, I hope!

And she's off...

Kim is on her way home. I really do miss her already. The kids were more than ready to have their space back & Kim's kids missed their Daddy... but Kim and I could have had a few more days without the kids whining at us. But, since that was not likely to happen, we had to say goodbye...

In all the photos we took, not one was of just Kim and me. Not that I mind missing a photo op. I am not really photogenic. The good pics that turn out are really just luck, and very rare.

So, here are a few more to share for the road.

Fun in Texas

We went to the The Dallas Aquarium yesterday and stopped for a picnic on the way back at Samuell Farm.

She's Coming!

My "Bestest Friend" is on her way to my house! She is like a sister to me and I have known her for about 25 years.

Kim is making the trip with her 2 excited children and I am so honored that she would drive 1,670+ miles from Montana just to have coffee with me.

While she and I would be content to simply visit, we do have some fun things planned for the kids. So, please pray that she arrives safely, and that I can kick this cold (or whatever it is) by the time she arrives on Saturday.


The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Block Frenzy a.k.a Time waster

Block Frenzy could really waste some time. I played for about 3 minutes and my best score was only 11.005 seconds. Since I made it that far, I'm taking a break... I can see how someone who didn't have kids hollering for Mommy could waste a good 20 minutes on that.

Bwoobewwy Muthins

I left this bowl and spatula out on the counter after putting the blueberry muffins into the oven. When I came back in the kitchen, Lindsey was stirring away in the empty bowl.

She licked the spatula and giggled.



"Mommy! These Bwoobewwy Muthins are so good in my fwoat!"

Learning to jump

Lindsey had quite a fun time today learning to jump...
Click here to watch 'Learning-to-Jump'

God's power

Six months ago, Marty's uncle was diagnosed with cancer in his liver, lungs, and lymph nodes... not good news.

TODAY, I received news that the cancer is gone! We don't know for how long, but we are praising and thanking the healing power of God to have made the treatments work.



"No one is like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power." Jeremiah 10:6

"Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God." Deuteronomy 7:21

"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom." Psalm 145:3

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7

"Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34

My sister, my friend

Tonight is the night...

Jennifer, you all know her as favorite sister, will become a Registered Nurse tonight at 7 pm. She is receiving her Nursing pin from Montana Tech Nursing program.

I am extremely proud of her, especially considering her tendency to gag when in the presence of spit. Seriously, I don't know how she got through it all without getting sick. Amazing.

All of that aside, she is a single mom.


*wishing I was there to see it*

I love you, Sis.

I can relate to this

Mom and Dad were watching TV when
Mom said, "I'm tired, and it's getting late.
I think I'll go to bed."

So she went to the kitchen to make
sandwiches for the next day's lunches,
rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took
meat out of the freezer for supper
the following evening.

She filled the sugar bowl, put
spoons and bowls on the table and
prepared the coffee pot for brewing
the next morning.

She then put some wet clothes in
the dryer, put a load of clothes into
the washer, ironed a shirt and
sewed a loose button.

She picked up the game pieces left
on the table, put the phone back on
the charger and put the telephone
book into the drawer.

She watered the plants, emptied a
wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry.

She yawned and stretched and
headed for the bedroom.

She stopped by the desk and
wrote a note to the teacher,
counted out some cash for the
field trip, and pulled a text book
out from hiding under the chair.

She signed a birthday card for a
friend, addressed and stamped the
envelope and wrote a quick list
for the grocery store.

She put both near her purse.
Mom then washed her face with
3 in 1 cleanser, put on her night
solution & age fighting moisturizer,
brushed and flossed her teeth and
filed her nails.

Dad called out, "I thought you were going to bed."

"I'm on my way," she said.

She put some water into the dog's
dish and put the cat outside, then
made sure the doors were locked
and the patio light was on.

She looked in on each of the kids and
turned out their bedside lamps and
TV's, hung up a shirt, threw some
dirty socks into the hamper, and
had a brief conversation with the
one up still doing homework.

In her own room, she set the alarm;
laid out clothing for the next day,
straightened up the shoe rack.

She added three things to her six
most important things to do list.

She said her prayers, and visualized
the accomplishment of her goals.

About that time, Dad turned off the
TV and announced to no one in
particular. "I'm going to bed."

And he did.

Shane's Wish

Shane's Wish is simple. We are sending our card out soon.

What a blessing it is to have healthy kids. Sure, we have allergies, colds, sickness, and the like... but we have the good blessing of health in that we can recover from our illnesses. I'm sure it's a fear of many parents and families to have a truly sick child. Say a prayer today for all families who love and care for sick children.

Although the little boy I linked to above does not have an autoimmune disease, I just wanted to add on here that May 2007 is National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month.

What next?

Veteran Hillsboro teacher charged with two felonies related to theft of student's winter coat!

This is not worse than a teacher/student sex scandal... but it's close.


Theodore Roosevelt said, "To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society."

Today's update:
Teacher pleads not guilty in ski jacket theft.

Ear Infections and Xylitol

Ear Infections can clear up faster by consuming Xylitol.

That article was interesting. Now I'm going to have to find some other products that contain it. Trident is the only gum I know of that uses Xylitol...

If I can find some good products, I'll post them. I'm too busy to search today, so if any of my few faithful readers care to post some, I'd be thankful.

Hairy Daze

Some of you have heard me say that Lindsey has Gene Wilder hair. This is what I'm talking about.

Birthday Girl #2

Our Sweet Girl #2 is 6 tomorrow. She's "so the drama" much of the time.

Here she is all dressed up and ready to go to the opening night of her Daddy's show.

Yes, I did let her leave the house that way...

The Deputy Chief Prosecutor is in the house!

Well, technically he is at work... but he lives here!

Kudos to my intelligent husband who enjoys his job and is getting rewarded for it.




"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Sigh...

I think I'm on a temporary hiatus for the blog. I just can't seem to get my thoughts all the way here.

So, I think that for awhile, I'll just share a photo or 2 to keep things current.

Here are the latest school pics for my oldest girls. They were allowed to wear anything they wanted. #1 decided at the last minute to wear her uniform. #2, of course, wore a pretty dress.

Hannah's Thoughts on Heaven

After bedtime prayers the other night, Hannah looked up to the ceiling and said, "When I think of heaven, I think of God, love, blue, and food."

My Shelter

The Storm caught my attention today.

So many times as I try to protect my children from whatever storms may come in life, I am constantly reminded that I cannot protect them from everything. I love them. I take care of them. I give them what I can. What I can't give, God gives. And what He gives is far greater than anything I can offer on my own.

"Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine."
Psalm 33:18,19

Flashback

Here's a photo of Marty & me just a few weeks before our wedding almost 9 years ago.

Word of the Day

Maybe I'm a bit behind the times...

Glocal is a new word I've learned to day. I am not sure I like it. I understand what it means... but still, it looks like a typo to me.

Glocal
Glocalisation

Slacker!

I've been slacking, I know... I won't get into all the excuses. It would take all day for me to type it out!


So, I'll just post this quick note to say a few things that I have been reminded of lately... in no particular order. Just as they come to me. I'm sure I'll be interrupted at least 6 times before I finish this post.

1. My husband is a treasure to me. I love him more than I ever have before...

2. My children are pretty much just like me... which is not always a good thing.

3. God is good. (that should be NUMBER 1, but if I stop to change it, I might not finish the post.)

4. Organic coffee tastes so much better than regular. (Sam's Club had some on clearance because it had Christmas berries on the packaging. It's Item #3346 if you care to go find out if your club has some left. It is not marked as clearance, but it is only $2.81 for a box of 24 individual packages which make a 10-12 cup pot of coffee.)

Here is the link to my store, which may or may not work for you since I had to log in- Sam's Club - Marques de Paiva Organic Coffee

5. Life is too short for some people. I grew up playing with this "kid" in Montana. He will always be a little boy to me since I haven't seen him but once since he grew up.

6. Friendship is a necessary part of life.

7. The laundry will never be done.

Anna Nicole Smith

Her death hasn't made any difference in the day-to-day routine of my life. But, I do catch myself thinking of it occasionally. Something about her life was wrong, more likely numerous "somethings" were wrong. Could someone have helped? Was she beyond help? Why do I care, anyway?

Tony Woodlief makes a good point in his blog post on the subject. It's good. Read it.

Anna Nicole Smith was no different than any other lost soul in the eyes of our Savior. Did any one ever tell her about the Hope and Living Water that is Jesus? I wonder... Do I know anyone who is thirsty?

" Jesus said, ' the water that I shall give will be an inner spring always welling up for eternal life.' " John 4:14

A little wine...

Last Friday night, I had mentioned to a church friend that the wine at communion was so sweet to me. I asked her what kind it is, so that I might go and get some. She happened to have a bottle, rather a JUG, of the same kind. She said it was just taking up space in her fridge and that I was welcome to have it all.

Woo Hoo!

Now anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a regular drinker. But, I went right home and poured myself a good sized glass of the sweet, cold, red wine. (Marty thinks I'm strange for liking it cold, but I love it that way. I've even been known to put ice in it.)

I enjoyed a glass of that wine for the next four nights. Yes, four. And I am so thankful I did.

Why am I telling you all of this??

I think that sweet jug of wine is the reason I didn't get sick like the rest of the family. If you have read Marty's blog, you'd know that last Friday was the beginning of the stomach virus that went like wide fire through our house. Since I was the one doing the main clean up duty, you might think I would be the next one to get it.

Not so.

I had one day when I was really cold & I've had many days of feeling exhausted, but I never got anything bad.

So, tonight is the official night that no one is sick in our house... I think I'll go have another glass of wine for good measure.


"No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. "
1 Timothy 5:23

Flying soup makes girl sick

I need sleep.

But I can't because if Sarah throws up while we are both sleeping, it might be too messy...

Maybe I can just sleep on the love seat...

My wonderful mother-in-law is picking up the oldest 2 from school so that I don't have to pack up the sick kids. She's an angel...

Knock on wood...

If I thought knocking on wood would help, I would do it...

We've had 3 of the girls get sick. I'm guessing it's only a matter of time before the 4th one gets something.

First, Erin got what we call "The Pukes" late Friday night. For her, it lasted through Sunday morning. Second, on Sunday afternoon, I took Hannah in to the doctor's office. She has strep throat. Then, Sunday night (very early Monday) Lindsey got "The Pukes." For her, it only lasted about 7 hours. After dinner on Monday night, Hannah also got "The Pukes" in addition to already having strep.

Sarah is the only one who has managed to escape any sickness. I suspect that the straw full of soup that Hannah spit at Sarah's face had some kind of germ in it, though... so it's really just a matter of time.

I'm not really blogging this for sympathy. It's more of my excuse for not blogging lately. Truth be told, when I think of something to blog, I'm not at the computer. Then when I sit down at the computer, I've lost my thoughts.


" I'm eighteen years behind in my ironing.
There's no use doing it now, it doesn't fit anybody I know. "
Phyllis Diller

Where credit is due

I just finished reading Marty's post about Rod . I'm honored to know Rod, too. It is likely that Rod will inspire the hearts and minds of many Christians to get involved in revolutionizing our government. He is worth blogging about and I hope you will take time to read the article.

The article to which Marty refers, speaks highly of Rod. So does Rod's wife, Sherri. They have a terrific love story to which I could never do justice here. In a nutshell, Sherri says it all.

“He is our Boaz,” she says. “He redeemed what was cast off, and we love him.”


And Rod's own words below are a true reflection of the man I know. He is ever-humble and always giving credit where it is due.

“The Lord has provided for us in more ways than I can express. The fact that He could or would do so much with a poor kid from Arkansas—and a flawed one through and through—amazes me. I’m just very, very grateful for all He’s done.”

Rod and Sherri love the Lord and they believe that God has great plans for their lives. I do, too.


If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7: 14

This and That Matters

It seems that I have a lot of irons in the fire... but I'm not getting anything done. I seriously don't know what all I have been doing, aside from daily life duties, keeping up with the kids, and taking care of the basics of life. Those things seem to pile up faster than I can make plans to do anything else.

In the midst of all the laundry, cooking, cleaning, child-rearing, schooling, and all that jazz, I have been thinking often about one thing in particular. I'd like for you, my few faithful readers, to give input and PRAY for me as I consider the plan to go about it.

I'd like to start a Christian school. Not by myself, of course!

As you know, we were homeschooling our girls for a short while. Things became hectic and unorganized for different reasons, so Marty & I thought a temporary placement in public school would be an okay compromise until we can get things rolling again. Maybe things are not headed back home, though...

My girls love to go to school. So, my desire is to find other families who would be willing to start a small Christian school here in Forney. I know there are schools in Terrell, Mesquite, and other towns near us. I don't want to drive anywhere else. I also don't want a school that is going to cost an arm and a leg (or more) since we will have to put all 4 kids into it at some point.

There are some other ideas I have for it that won't really matter until later on. Until then, I need help from anyone who feels like praying.

So, for now, would you please pray with me and for us that God will lead us to other families who have the same desire to educate their children in a Christian environment? This is too important not to pray about. It's something that needs God's blessing.




"...but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."
2 Peter 3:18

Christmas Pictures

This is some of the fun we had in Wyoming...

My mom and Lindsey


So many presents for all 16 of us PLUS my brother in law's family. 19 in all. We were very blessed & somewhat spoiled.


The stockings were hung...


Jenni and Lin


Erin, Hannah, and Sarah NOT sleeping.


Probably more to come as I sort through things.

Interesting... now if I could only find a buyer...

My blog is worth $1,693.62.
How much is your blog worth?

I actually got this link idea from another blogging mom. Her blog is worth much more than mine.

Rough Road

We are back from our Christmas trip to snow country. I guess I could have mentioned that we were leaving, eh?

The road getting home was some of the worst I have ever seen for actual travel. Since we don't own a hummer, we had to travel at speeds of around 35-40 for a loooooooooong stretch of road through Nebraska and Kansas. My strong husband kept us on the road with grace and patience... along with many answered prayers for safe travel.

So, here is a late Holiday greeting to all of you who stop in every now and then.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2007!!




In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1