You never let go

I am constantly surprised at how God loves us and takes care of us. A few weeks ago we were really struggling with our money and I wasn't sure how we would provide enough groceries for the week. I was getting nervous but hadn't really mentioned it to anyone because I knew God would provide. Sure enough my Mom called me up and said "I'm going to Sam's Club, do you want to ride along?" She did her shopping, we paid and went back to her house. She started dividing stuff up and setting some aside. I didn't really think much about it until she said "Here's some stuff you can have for your house. We'll never eat all of this here." I thanked her and told her she didn't need to do that. She gave her standard answer "That's what Mom's are for! I'm not asking you if you want to take it, I'm telling you that you have to. Grandma used to send stuff home with me and now it's my turn."

A couple weeks later I had sent hubby to the store to pick up groceries but I forgot a couple things on the list. When he got home I realized that he had used the whole grocery budget and we hadn't gotten any meat. The very next day my friend Julie came over about 20 minutes before playgroup. She had a freezer bag in her hand and asked "Do you have room in your freezer for some meat? Someone at church gave us a bunch of meat and we'll never eat it all." She gave me 4 packs of hamburger (2 lbs each), a couple steaks and some frozen hamburger patties. I was so amazed by God and His goodness to our family! I hadn't even asked Him for anything extra but He knew we would need it.

Lately we've been praying that God would continue to bless our family so that we could in turn bless others. I know God is in control and only He knows the plans for our family. I'm trying to sit back and let Him do the planning. It's hard sometimes but I've found this song is a great reminder...



Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Chorus:

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Stacey's Mom has got it going on

My Mom informed me this morning that she just couldn't get this song out of her head yesterday. I think she was trying to tell me something : )

My Mom is a beautiful woman! I've known for a long time just how young she looks. I remember when my sister and I were young, we would go to the store or school and people would say something about our big sister. I didn't think anything of it until I was older and realized just what a complitment that was. We still get asked if we're sisters all the time! I'm just hoping it will get passed down to me!! Here are some pictures, see what you think...

My Mom and Dad, still very much in love after 27 years

Still young enough to swing and play with her grandkids

With my boys at her 45th birthday dinner (this year)

Blog-o-Latern

Theresa over at Bullfrogs & Butterflies wants us to carve a pumpkin. I think it's going to be a great little contest. If you're interested go check out her blog for details. I can't wait to see everyone's creations. I know I'm already thinking about what I'm going to do!!

Prayer for my Grandma

Just wanted to take a moment to ask all my bloggin' buddies to pray for my Grandma. She was taken to the ER last night with pain in her stomach and chest. We all thought it was her heart at first but they've ruled that out. They are looking into her pancreas at this point. She's supposed to go in for a CT scan this afternoon/evening and see if they can locate the problem. If they can't then they may have to do surgery. My Grandma is very special to me and I hate to see her in pain. Please pray that it will be something simple and that God would help the doctors to see it clearly.

This is a picture of my Grandma and Grandpa from a couple months ago

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Talking with Lauren 1…. She is just as funny on the phone as she is on her blog 2. She's very loving and kind 3. She's a great listener! 4. She's patient... Seth asked me for something so many times I can't even count and I couldn't understand what he was saying. She just let me work it out with him. In fact, she tried to help me figure out what he was saying : ) 5. We discovered that birth order played a big part in both of our families. 6. My oldest son acts a lot like her's 7. My youngest son acts just like her's and she's now encouraged me to harness that and use it for good around the house with chores in a couple years : ) 8. Her husband, Julian, really can't help himself from joining the conversation. I think maybe he should have his own blog! 9. Lauren and her family used to live in AZ ~ probably only a 35 minute drive from me. 10. Her voice sounds nothing like I imagined for some reason 11. But it was very nice 12. She'll make fun of you about your sidebar but in such a nice way that you will want to laugh, too! 13. I will be talking with her again for sure! My next goal is to talk with Shalee. Lauren and I both think she would be a blast! I also need to call Theresa back... Sorry, T : ) Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)


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THIS IS HOW THE PINK STYLE LOOKS:

Fun meme with Josh

Answers given by Josh, Age 5:

1. Something I do well: Playing video games, math & drawing pictures

2. Something I'd like to improve on: Drawing pictures

3. My favorite food: Mashed potatoes and corn

4. Three words that best describe me: Caring, sweet & serious

5. My happiest moment: My birthday (getting irritated now)

6. The most important thing in my life now: Spending time with my family

7. Then to the moms - Is there anything that surprised you? Actually, only that #1 and #2 contain the same answer. I think he was a little confused.

I did however really enjoy #6, he said it without absolutely any prompting on my part!

Now I'm tagging Tina, Andrew and Kaleb over at Four kids, no brain cells

Julie and Noah over at Desert Diva

Kate and her kids over at the Tate school

Hare today, gone tomorrow

A few weeks ago Josh decided that we need a new pet at our house. We already have a dog and four fish. I'm not sure where the idea came from but he's sure of it. At first he was talking about a hampster or a bunny. I think hampsters are a little too much like mice and I'm not sure what I would do if it got out. So I persuaded him that we could look into getting a bunny. He's been saving his money and has about $10 now. Today I'm supposed to call around and find out about how much we're going to need to get a bunny.

Do any of you know what kind we should get? I don't want one that's going to get huge, we want something that will stay pretty small. Any ideas?

A girl's night out

No, I'm not talking dessert or coffee with a girlfriend. I went to see Chonda Pierce in concert! What a gift God has given her to encourage women through laughter. She is just hilarious. It was so great to sit there with my Mom, sister, Grandma and sister-n-law and laugh, cry and then laugh until we cried.

She has so many good points that made me stop and think. The one that really hit was about the depression she had a couple years back. She said she basically just hit a wall and couldn't go on. It was easier for her to just stay in bed then to face her day. I've felt this way. I know what it's like to just want to stay in bed. I can't say I've ever actually done this but I've wanted to so many times in my life. It was great to hear her talk about it and share what took place in her life. God just gave her the strength to push on and keep going. It encouraged me to keep trusting God and to live each day for Him!!

When the concert was over and almost everyone had left we were still hanging around the front of the church. Chonda actually came out and started visiting with those standing around. She had no shoes on and was so relaxed. It was great to shake her hand and to know that she's just another lady like you and me! She thanked us for coming and told us she appreciated us. As we were walking to our car, I asked "Why didn't anyone get her autograph?" Duh!

Oh yeah, at least I didn't pee my pants like someone we all know... Gibee : )

What time of day are you?

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

My September 11th story

I remember getting up and getting ready for work. I had to be there at 6:30 so I was up pretty early. I got the baby ready to go to Grandma's house.

When I got to my Mom's house, the news was on like it usually was. She said "Honey, did you hear about the accident? A plane flew into the twin towers this morning." I remember thinking "what are the twin towers anyway?" I knew they were in New York but I had no real idea what went on there and why someone could accidentally fly a plane into something so tall unless it was on purpose.

I went ahead and went to work. When I got there they had the TV on in the back. I thought that was pretty weird since we never turned it on while the store was running. A few people said something about it "being just horrible" or "how could someone do something like this?" I didn't really think much of it and went to my office in the front of the building. I turned on my radio to my favorite country station and started my daily routine of counting the drawers from the previous day. All they kept talking about on the radio was the plane crash and then I heard those two little words that will stay with me forever... "terrorist attack!"

I called my Mom right away and asked her what it was all about. She was able to tell me more in detail about what was going on. I remember her telling me about the other plane crashes and I welled up with tears. It was so hard to understand. I remember we had hardly any customers that day. My boss finally let me go home early to be with my son, Josh, who wasn't even two months old.

When I got home, I remember sitting on the couch with Josh and crying wondering how something like this could happen to our country. I remember thinking "God, how could I bring a child into a world like this?" My heart went out to all those families who lost loved ones that day. I prayed for the children who would never get to see their parents again. I prayed for the single parents who would have to put their children to bed that night by themselves. I prayed for the Mom's who were pregnant and who's husbands would not get to see their children and the miracle of birth.

I don't remember everything about that day because I was so overcome with emotion but I do remember thanking God for opening our eyes and bringing us together as One Nation Under God!!

Today my heart goes out to all the families who were affected by that horrible day!! I will continue to pray for all of you!!

Teacher's Pet

Okay, I know what you're thinking... "Oh you're one of those people!" Well actually, yes I am!

When I was in school I always wanted to impress the teacher. I think it started in Kindergarten without me even really trying. I would take little things to the teacher or do something special. I got straight A's more times than I can count. I worked hard and usually had my homework done before I ever left the classroom each day. When I got into higher grades I started skipping recess and extra classes to help do filing, copying and grading!

Here's where it gets bad, not only was I the teacher's pet in my own classroom, teachers all over the school loved me. In fact, a couple times the teachers requested me! I don't know how things got so out of control but they did. I tried not to be loved, really I did. It got me in trouble with my friends more than once!

Now that Josh is in school I've started doing it all over again! I just can't help myself. We've been on time to school every single day, all for that crazy morning when we walked in right after the bell. Ooops! We've turned in every paper and homework and it's been our (I mean his) best work. Last Friday we took her a wind chime with lady bugs (her favorite) just to say thanks for the best first month of school ever! Tomorrow I'm going in to help in the classroom for about 2 hours or so. I've gotten on the rotation for helping in his class each week!

I just don't know how to break the cycle... sickness is more like it!!

Moms for Modesty and My Own Experience

I've been on several blogs that are promoting this Moms for Modesty campaign. I do agree with the fact that little girls should dress appropriately. Not having any little girls myself I cannot tell you what I would do in each situation but I do have a good idea. I've also heard all the controversy. Please read my story and see my point of view...

When I was about 17 I had a cousin try to rape me in my own home. I don't often share this with people because it is a hard thing to talk about. That night I was wearing denim overalls, a t-shirt and had my hair in a pony-tail. We were at church and I had forgotten something at home (2 doors down). I went back to grab it and my cousin followed. I went to my room not knowing what would happen next. I don't really need to go into details but you get the picture. It was only by the grace of God that there was a noise in the other room that scared him off of me and made him leave. He threatened me not to tell and I took him seriously! That night we returned to the church together where I tried to act normal. I cried myself to sleep in the same bed that night. About a year later, he was still hanging around and actually started dating one of my best friends. I had finally gotten up enough courage to tell my Mom what happened. It was a long night and the police finally got involved but we didn't press charges. I lived with an order of protection from the court for about 18 months and not once did he try and contact me.

I've had my share of couseling and I still have to deal with this on a daily basis. My Mom never once had to worry about what I was wearing or how I left the house. I dressed very appropriately for a girl of any age.

Some men just have very dirty minds and some men are very respectful of women. Either way, I think it's important to dress like a lady and to teach our little girls to do the same!!

Please go over to Jules' site and check out what she has to say. Other blogs talking about it... Shannon, Theresa, Barbara, Chilihead, The Hutch, and Bean Brain.

Bedtime prayers

Here are some recent bedtime prayers coming from my kid's room...

Seth 2 yr (in his words)
Dea J-sus,

tank you day, tank you Mama, tank you Daddy, tank you Joshie, tank you me!

Amen (Hands thrown up in air)

I thought it was great that he thanked the Lord for himself, too!!


Josh 5 yr
Dear Jesus,

Thanks for the food you gave us tonight. Thanks for my Mom, Dad and Seth. Thank you that we had a nice day today. Lord, please help me to color in the lines tomorrow at school. We love you God.

In Jesus name, Amen

I love the fact that even the smallest things like coloring in the lines at school matter to him. He is very sincere when he prays and takes it so seriously. I love that he loves the Lord!!

Bargain Hunting

Yesterday I headed to the second hand store with my Mom and Sister. We were on the look-out for some big women's dresses (muu-muu style) for a skit we're doing at church. We did find a few things that will work for that. Plus, I got some great deals on kids books. I bought 24 children's books, two read and learn story cartridges and a cool three tier serving thingie for only $16! I got some really cool books including Clifford, Golden books, Dr. Seuss, the Hungry Caterpillar and many more! I donated 12 to Josh's Kindergarten class and kept 12 for our house. I'd say overall I did some pretty good bargain hunting!!

So tell me, have you found a great bargain lately?