It's the Most Stressful Time of the Year

Sing it with me now....It's the most stressful time....of the yeaaaaar!! ;0)
Really....I cannot believe how stressed I have been over this wonderful wonderful wonderful time of remembrance that my SAVIOR was born. I think it's stressful to me because that "I have to please everybody" thing kicks in. NO other time of the year to I feel I have to please EVERYBODY....I feel quite confident in being who God made me....being directed to do what He wants me to do....for who HE wants me to do...and it usually does not encompass EVERYBODY all at once. But then Christmas comes along....and my heartrate increases...I break out in a sweat....and I feel like I am going to vomit. I feel this intense pressure that I have to BUY something for EVERYBODY for Christmas, or they will think I don't love them...and I don't know about you, but we didn't get one of those wonderful tree's out in the back yard that you can just go pick money off of....the Lord provides for us....but again, we are not "made of money". It gets so bad for me, that I look at what I have gotten my own children and feel like I am letting them down. I have a sickness....a sickness that is at it's peak at Christmas time.

WELL NOT ANYMORE SATAN!!! I have determined that I am NOT and let me repeat NOT going to let the devil have the victory over me on this one. We all know Christmas is not about the presents....we all know it's not about how much we spend on each other....but somehow, the enemy sneaks in and makes it all about those things....we need to rewind our minds and remember....AS WONDERFUL AS PRESENTS ARE....IT IS NOT NOT NOT WHAT CHRISTMAS IS!!!

Here is what Christmas is to me: Christmas, first and absolutely foremost, is about one of the most wonderful events to ever happen in human history....our Savior gave up HIS throne in heaven....He humbled Himself....and was born, born to do a job here on earth....so we can go to heaven without having to do anything but believe and accept HIM. I know we know that, and kind of skim over it this time of year...but REALLY.....think about it....HE WAS IN HEAVEN WITH GOD....HE HAD EVERYTHING.....AND HE GAVE IT ALL UP....WHY....BECAUSE HE LOVES US!! BECAUSE HE KNEW WE NEEDED A SAVIOR...SOMEONE TO SAVE US FROM THE WRETCHEDNESS OF SIN!! THAT should be our focus. Not presents, not getting presents, not giving presents. I am not saying...don't give gifts...I am saying don't be so focused on giving gifts and pleasing everybody that we forget THE GIFT. We have gotten so far off track....and we need to get back. And second...it's about coming together with family and friends and loving on each other and creating memories with each other...that is a great great gift.

I DEEPLY LOVE EVERY friend God has placed in my life....but I cannot afford to buy something for every one of them...no matter how much I want to. We have determined, Erik and I, that we have to scale back...and we are starting that this year, please know that just cause you don't get a gift from us, does not mean we don't love you...WE DO!!

So, I am changing my "Most Stressful Time of the Year" back to.... "It's the Most WONDERFUL Time of the Year!" I am taking back my heartrate...and wiping the sweat from my brow and holding down my cookies.. :0)

Hope this is not too much ramblin on...have a blessed day!

Change

I have not been here posting in a while....partly because I have been going through some things, then we had our retreat, then, as always, life seemed to explode in activity....making little time for sitting down and really thinking about what I might like to post. Well...as I sit here, only one word comes to my mind....CHANGE. It's amazing to me how when we are young adults, right out of high school, we feel so grown up....so adventurous....so "I can do anything"....then as we get a little older, we realize "I can't do as much as I thought I can do"....we start getting a better grasp on consequences to our actions.....the bills need to get paid again this month.....are my kids healthy....you know...REALITY! But.....every now and then in our lifetime there is a change. You can feel it coming on....sometimes it's confusing to you why you feel differently about something, or why you just flat out feel different. Sometime (a lot of the time) we fight change....not the normal fighting of stepping out of our comfort zone kind of change...but the "my whole mentality of life is changing" kind of change. I know I know...we are always changing, but sometimes that change is so impactful in you personally, that it takes you by surprise and your not quite sure what to do with it. I am not leading up to some big thing that has happened in our lives or anything like that. As a matter of fact, I would say, things are as they pretty much always have been....and I am blessed with the life God has given me. My change right now is more of a inner change. We recently took our kids on a ten day trip to see my sister in Stockton, and then down to Disneyland for three days, then back up to Stockton to have Thanksgiving. It was a nice trip....and I always love to see my sister and her family....but when I got home...I realized I had changed. My husband and I have always been pretty spontaneous people...just getting up one morning and deciding we want to take a drive to nowhere and find something fun to do with the kids at nowhere. It has not been uncommon for me to decide about a week in advance that I will pack up the kids and head to Stockton just on a whim...I have this sense in me though, that those days are starting to come to a close. Not that there won't be trips anymore...or spontaneous local road trips.....I am still married to a very "busy" kind of guy. But I guess what I am saying is my focus is different. I remember when my Grandma Ella May was alive, she once said to me that I would never be happy settling down in one place, I would always have to move on eventually. She was only speaking a characteristic about me, but I remember it kind of hurt my feelings (I don't know why)....I think she was right though. Right until now. I have an overwhelming sense of settling down. Staying "home"...not doing a lot of traveling...just the normal traveling up to Medford...and still to Stockton...but much more planned out in the future. I think I can pinpoint what it is...and I am sure I have blogged about it before...but I am gaining from the Lord, an overwhelming sense of contentedness and peace, and an overwhelming amount of love for HIM. Being able to let go of anything and everything in your life and really handing it all over to HIM....including what tomorrow may bring....it is so invaluable....I wish I could truly express what I am trying to say....well...God knows.
I hope everyone is having a truly blessed holiday season....and I hope to be here posting more.

Adelyn Grace

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting to post this blog. First off...many people know that I have a brother who lives in North Carolina...but nobody has ever seen him...in honesty...I have not seen him in years...that's what happens when there is a whole United States between us...it makes me sad..but it is what it is..and I can keep up with him through our Mom, or even his wife (whom I have yet to meet). Ahhh, the wonder of Facebook...and being able to stay in touch with so many people so far away. SO, I would LOVE to introduce you to my brother...Kelly, his wife, Amanda....and the newest member to our ever growing family...ADELYN GRACE. I am SOOOO excited to have her join our family. This is their first child, and may I say....she is just beautiful!!! SO WELCOME ADELYN GRACE!!!

Just Another Day

I have not blogged in a while again....I just don't know where the time goes. It is only going to get busier too...holidays and all. But I did want to pop in and just write a little something.

This morning is full of chaos. Last night we went to the Pregnancy Care Center Harvest Banquet...which by the way, the entertainment was Mike Williams... www.mikewilliamscomedy.com and he was soo funny, it was wonderful. So, the point though is that last night was busy with that, and this morning is crazy busy with trying to get packed and in the shower and on the road to head to Medford. Sometimes all this feels very crazy, but in truth, it IS just another day in the life of the Jackson Family. Some people have nice quiet lives, things are relatively calm for them, others have somewhat busy lives...they still get the calm, but they do have a lot they need to get done...then there are families like ours. It is literally like riding a big people ride at Disneyland...we'll call them roller coasters. You know when you get on a roller coaster...straight from the line...you step in, they buckle you down and then it takes off immediately at about a million miles an hour....ya, that's us. Sometimes I have questioned God on why He put ME....someone who craves the nice quiet life....into a family led by the Grand Pumba of roller coaster operators (see included picture). Sometimes I wonder if people in nice quiet lives look into our life and think....what a fun way to live...like I do to them. Truth be told, I wouldn't trade my life for anything in the world. I would like a rest sometimes....it's not all "peppermint patties and strawberry fields" as my husband would say...but I think I have been on this roller coaster so long now, that I would not know what to do with myself if I DID have the nice quiet life. God knows what we need, He knows what we can handle, He knows what is at the heart of our heart more than we do. Why do we envy other people? I am realizing with every passing day, that there is NOTHING to envy...they have what God has for them, I have what God has for me, I am so in love with Jesus that sometimes I feel as though my heart is going to burst right out of my chest....and I am fully aware of the fact that this statement does not even scratch the surface of the love HE has for me...we cannot even come close to knowing how well HE knows us, loves us, takes care of us, and gives us not only what we need, but what we want (in His will) and sometimes HE gives us the things we never realized we really wanted.

I am so blessed to have this wonderful life HE has given me, even with it's ups and downs....it really is like riding a roller coaster, and I choose to hang on for dear life with a great big smile!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

So, here is my daybook, but I don't know if I will continue them because apparently you are supposed to set up a blog specifically for the daybook only, and I am not going to do that, but here goes:

FOR TODAY...October 20

Outside my window... the sunshine my husband needs to finish his job on the exterior of a house.

I am thinking... I had a wonderful weekend with my friends, and now bummed my daughter is sick.

I am thankful for... The AMAZING way God showed up (well, really He is always there isn't HE) at our Women's Retreat and wove everything together so nicely and took care of everything!!

I am wearing... Jeans, slippers, blue-ish green sweater

I am remembering... That being a Christian, and trusting God is the most amazing thing in the world!

I am going... to be taking care of sick Maggie

I am reading...not a whole lot

I am hoping... my daughter breaks her fever, and nobody else gets sick.

On my mind... What an incredible gift joy is.

From the learning rooms... if Jesus IS joy, then having joy is only contingent on whether or not you have Jesus.

Noticing that... people need each other more than they let on.

Pondering these words... Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. Psalm 139:16

From the kitchen... meatloaf...salad, probably some corn or something

Around the house... pretty caught up on chores, so hoping for a relatively relaxing day.

One of my favorite things~ fellowship

From my picture journal... Some of our laides from retreat!!

So Much To Say

Don't let the title fool you...I probably won't make an actual novel out of today's blog, but I do have a couple of things to say....first, I will probably wait till tomorrow to do my daybook.

Next, I have to relate something that happened to me last week, I did not blog about it last week, because I was not sure if I was going to use it in any of my teachings at the retreat this past weekend. So, last week was the first week it really rained on us...we had a couple of days that it really poured...it was wonderful!!!! Most people who know me, know that I AM that one weird person in this world that actually loves winter and winter weather. OK, so, I was sitting at my desk, looking out my window, it was pouring down rain, all gray outside, with the green mountains in the background, and I had my candle warmer going with the scent of cinnamon, and I was wearing a nice warm sweater......and in that moment, that moment that lasted a few hours actually, I was overcome with the most complete peace and contentment I think I have ever felt. It literally was like the perfect moment. I just started thanking my God and praising him for giving me that, and I am looking forward to many more moments like it. Who knows, maybe today will be another perfect moment (except for the fact that Maggie is home sick...poor little thing).

Lastly, RETREAT!! It is a little hard for me to blog about the retreat, only in that, when you are the one coordinating it, and doing a lot of the teaching (I did have FANTASTIC help...thank you Annette and Natalie) it's a little hard to be objective about how it went. I think the true test of how it went is, how did the other ladies feel it went, the ones who did not have to teach, or make sure things got done. For ME...from my point of view, I had a wonderful time. I really felt the Lord met us there and did a great work, in me, and I know from comments from other ladies, God was doing a work in them as well. I am so thankful that we allow God to be in control and when we allow God to be in control, he completely takes care of every last little detail. There are so many "little details" that I could go into that was COMPLETELY God, but then I WOULD be writing a novel. So, let's just say, I have no doubt whatsoever that what HE wanted to have brought forth, WAS brought forth, people were touched, challenged, and excited about the future. What more can we ask for?

Whew...well, I think that about covers it for now...I DO have a sick daughter to tend to....so, Have a GREAT GREAT GREAT day....FULL OF JOY!!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook October 12

Outside my window... some of the trees are turning...cloudy day...nice and cool

I am thinking...what am I gonna do???

I am thankful for... a God who can give me direction in this situation

I am wearing... jeans, shirt, black Harley sweater, slip on shoes

I am remembering... that God is in control

I am going... to get some retreat shopping done today

I am reading...Bible and some Barbara Johnson

I am hoping... to get some things resolved.

On my mind... teenagers!!

From the learning rooms... how to deal with a strong willed teenager!! ;0)

Noticing that... this day is already going by way to quickly

Pondering these words... I'm sticking with "It Is Well, With My Soul" it may not sound like it at this moment, but it really is well...because I know the Lord is taking care of it.

From the kitchen... not sure yet

Around the house... almost all my housework is done...so just get to go shopping for retreat

One of my favorite things~ naps

From my picture journal...

THE TEENAGER!!! I LOVE HIM DESPERATELY....but I just want to bop him upside the head right now...I am confident we are gonna get this all worked out.....so nobody worries, he is not doing anything COMPLETELY stupid....just a little stupid, and it's got to stop!! By the way, this picture is of him getting promoted to E3 in the Army!! WOOHOO...so proud!!

It IS Well With My Soul

I am soooo thankful for the Lord's goodness and mercy and love and joy and....I literally could go on and on. The bible says He is the great I AM....so, that means He is anything and everything we need. WHEW!!! Am I glad I don't have to be anything and everything anybody needs, I would fail them miserably...but HE NEVER fails.
Ok...why am I rambling? Well, our Ladies Retreat is coming up fast....I am pretty much the head of this particular retreat, which is really weird for me, but I got God on my side, so no worries.....well that is not completely true...you see, I have been battling depression like you would not believe. Can you guess the theme of our retreat? JOY!!! I really wondered if I was on the brink of insanity, I have been that depressed. Not motivated to do anything, or study anything...just be a blob.
Well, God was having none of that....He let me waller in my self pity for a while, then He rescued me. I love Him so much for my rescue....and now, in all this studying, in all this worship, in all this love from God...I can truly say...and mean with all my heart....IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!! I will set my eyes on God....for HE is where my help comes from!!!
Have a great night, I know I will!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook October 5

FOR TODAY...October 5th from Andresa's Daybook

Outside my window... smoke coming out of my neighbors chimney....the wind blowing on the tree's, the sunshine making it look like it may be warm outside, but knowing there is a wonderful chill in the air.

I am thinking... how much I love when God takes you by surprise.


I am thankful for... God's reminders...and anonymous people who are obedient to Him....and blessing me.

I am wearing... jeans, t-shirt, and same ole sandals I want to wear to Disneyland


I am remembering... that there is more to God than we will ever know here on this earth...MAN
I LOVE MY GOD!!!


I am going... to be heading to church in a bit, we have Women's Ministry-Pot Luck tonight.


I am reading...Bible


I am hoping... for a wonderful Lord lead retreat in a couple of weeks.


On my mind... IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!


From the learning rooms... joy


Noticing that... I have an amazing family


Pondering these words... "It is well with my soul"


From the kitchen... made a pasta salad for pot luck tonight...hubby and kids will have hot dogs and pasta salad.


One of my favorite things~ God's timing

From my picture journal...

Ok, this picture is over a year old...for instance, I am no longer blonde, and I no longer wear contacts...but this is me and my wonderful sister Brandy...who is on jury duty right now, and I MISS MISS MISS our daily chats....I cannot wait until jury duty is over for her. One of these days, I will have a picture of me, my sister and our mom that I can post....looking forward to that too.

A Simple Woman's Daybook September 28

FOR TODAY...September 28th

Outside my window...lots of fog, a chill in the air, beautiful trees and mountains

I am thankful for...as much as I want to shake them all...I am thankful for my family. If I want to shake them ALL....does that mean the problem is probably with me?

I am wearing...jeans, black flowy shirt, sandals I am re-breaking in for our trip to Disneyland

I am remembering...that everything in my life is as a direct result of God's hand in my life, so I need to be better about how I treat it...them.

I am going...a little crazy right now...but coming "home" soon, because I am not going to let my enemy get the best of me on this one.

I am reading...bible bible bible...getting ready to teach a couple of lessons at our Ladies Retreat in October.

On my mind...how frazzled I am at this moment, and all the while, I have to study about JOY....the topic of said retreat....that is irony for you.

From the learning rooms...joy.....well....it is called "learning room" so, I am learning to let joy be at my core, instead of whatever it is we are calling what I am this morning.

Noticing that...I should never try to do my daybook while my family is still home...wait for them to go to school and go to work.

Pondering these words...Newsboys song...Come up here We're making our way To the upside We're gonna stay on The upside We trade our troubles For a room with a view Come up here We're making our way To the upside A brand new day on The upside The future's brighter than a Sky full of blue....ahhh, I love that song.

From the kitchen...Monday night bible study...so finger foods...our contribution, bbq wings

Around the house...so much to do, so little time

One of my favorite things~even after all my screamin' and yellin' this morning....my family is one of my very favorite things.

From my picture journal...

Said family.... ;0)

Have a wonderfully blessed day!!!

Long Time, No Type

Whew...it has been a loooong time since I have been able to really sit down and take a few minutes to write something. We have been a busy busy family, and now our church is gearing up for our ladies retreat, which I am organizing for the most part, and making sure our ducks are in a row has been a little time consuming. On top of all of that, my son the Army Recruit/Future Soldier just got promoted to E3, which is a big deal to all of us, we just planned a trip to Stockton for Thanksgiving and decided to take the kids to Disneyland for the few days before Thanksgiving, so we are in full hyper-active mode! I am so thankful for all the many blessing God has given us. Just sitting here, typing this blog and listening to the new David Crowder Band cd....I am overwhelmed by His presence...he does a remake of "I Can Feel You" and I love the line...I can feel you all around me, thickening the air I'm breathing....I just have to say Thank God for always being there, always being around me, always thickening the air I breath with YOU!!! Still not a lot of time to type today...hopefully I will get to my Simple Woman Daybook on Monday....sorry if this post seems a little erratic...just overwhelmed by the Lord and everything He is doing in my life...and I do mean overwhelmed!!
Many blessings to all!!

Simple Woman's Daybook Sept. 8

For Today...September 8

Outside my window... cool morning, quiet, calm a good mix of fog and sun...only the Lord knows what the day will turn out to be.

I am thinking... How blessed I am with a great family, wonderful friends, and wonderful adventures (not matter how small they may seem to others)

From the learning rooms... I learned that if you put your pointer finger up and blow out a candle with it between you and the candle...the wax won't splash! Maybe I should have known this all along, but it's true, you learn something new every day!! Thanks Mike and Julene for my lesson. ;0)

I am thankful for... fellowship with good friends, old and new...had a great weekend.

From the kitchen...well, we are close to out of food...we ARE out of coffee and that is as close to sin and I care to get...so I have to go to the market today...then I will know what is "from the kitchen" today.

I am wearing... Jeans, long sleeve shirt with a guitar pic on it that says "Pick Jesus" and slippers.

I am reading... mmmmm, one of these days I am going to be able to actually put the title of a book that I am reading on this line.

I am hoping... for heaven, or a place and time when all my friends and I can all be in the same zip code at the same time and be able to fellowship whenever we want....something tells me that is gonna have to wait for heaven.

I am creating... a new attitude about life and love and who God is in my life and love.

I am praying... that the Saunders family does not catch this nasty head cold Erik and I acquired while there...and that we quickly get over it.

Around the house... some clean up here and there...maybe try to find some time for this reading thing you speak of.

One of my favorite things...is knowing that God's mercies are new every morning and there is NOTHING I go through, that He is not fully aware of, and all He wants from me is to trust Him, and let Him hide me under the shadow of His wings, so He can tend to me and my heart.

A few plans for the rest of the week... catching up of housework, and laundry...I am watching grand baby this Friday evening, high schooler's back-to-school night on Wednesday.....hmmm, that may sum it up for me.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Could not decide if I should post a picture of the beautiful Union Creek Gorge, the wonderful pictures of of my friends, or the wonderful pictures of (most) of my family, or a picture of the beautiful Crater lake, then I had to pick which one of the Crater Lake pictures I wanted to add....decisions decisions. We had a great time!!

Simple Woman's Daybook Aug. 31

For Today...August 31

Outside my window... Foggy morning, we have been having a lot of those lately...I love it, the end of summer is upon us and the start of fall will soon be here.

I am thinking... It's getting close to the time to get my kids up and ready for school, and await my little granddaughter to come spend the morning with her Grammie.

From the learning rooms... Getting ready to start a new bible study called "Outflow"

I am thankful for... A God who is with me always!!

From the kitchen...for today...we have finger food on Monday's for our bible study, so I am making some pigs-in-a-blanket and some chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.

I am wearing... Jeans, "tee"shirt, black sweater and slippers.

I am reading... I am finding it SO hard to find time to read...but I gotta get to it!

I am hoping... TODAY, I am hoping my husband and I can get past being snooty to each other.

I am creating... a mess with my attitude.

I am praying... that I snap out of it and stop acting like a baby!

Around the house... lots of cooking to do today, but the best part of my day will be holding Lea...one of the best parts of being a Grammie is that you can hold onto your little one for as long as you want and never put them down...well, until Mommy comes to get her.

One of my favorite things... WINTER!!! I CANNOT WAIT FOR WINTER TO GET HERE!

A few plans for the rest of the week... typical everyday busy-ness for us around here this week, with the one exception that we get to go to Medford again this weekend....I am so excited!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

A couple of my Medford friends!!

Whew!

Well, it seems like a terribly long summer...but at the same time I cannot believe that my kids are already back in school. I love love love my kids, but I am sure enjoying the wonderful peace of silence. Does that make me a bad mom? I don't think so....I think it makes me a REAL mom!

We did a study over the summer with our women's group called "Me, Myself, and Lies", by Jennifer Rothschild. I have to admit, I did not get all the homework done, but I intend to. I really loved this one though.. it's all about what we say to ourselves and how that effects us. It does bring to mind the scripture that says "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" and I have been working very hard to do that this summer. I am very very good at bad self/soul talk. You know....I am a terrible wife, mom, friend, christian....just an all in all failure....HOWEVER, I know that is NOT how God sees me, and if He knows me better than I know me, and I have made him ruler, king and controller of my life, then, why do I sometimes not believe what He believes about me? Why do I allow myself or the enemy to tell me lies about who I am, or what I have done? I think it's time to take back my life, take back my mind, away from me and the devil and give them back to God whole heartily, so my mind can be covered with HIS love, HIS word, HIS Son. I know that is where my peace, joy, and strength will come from.

Other than that...I am hoping to get back into the swing of things around here, get our routine in order...if we even have a routine. I DO get to watch my granddaughter, Lea, on Monday's so that is new for us. It will be such a joy watching her grow. Well, I hope everyone has a very very blessed day!

The Simple Woman's Daybook August 25

For Today...August 25

Outside my window... kids on their way to school....sun shining on the trees...a bit of a chill in the air...it is a BEAUTIFUL morning.

I am thinking... what a full summer we had, despite me wanting a nice calm summer...but loving every minute (well ALMOST every minute) of it all.

From the learning rooms... knowledge is information, wisdom is knowing what to do with that information.

I am thankful for... the fact that I have been REDEEMED!! WOOHOO!!!

From the kitchen...waiting for my elusive cup of coffee...looking at a pile of dishes that need to be put in the dishwasher.

I am wearing... Jeans, thermal long sleeve shirt, and tennies.

I am reading... getting ready to read (and hopefully apply) Curt and Marybeth Whalen's book "Learning to Live Financially Free".

I am hoping... my kids have a great year with school and I get the things accomplished that I need to.

I am creating... getting ready to start "creating" some things for our Ladies Retreat.

I am praying... that I snap out of it and don't spend a whole school year in mourning that Thomas is now a senior and will shortly after graduation be leaving for boot camp.

Around the house... as previously stated...need to get those dishes done.

One of my favorite things... waking up in the morning and being cold and having to curl up in a nice soft comfy sweater.

A few plans for the rest of the week... possible lunch with daughter-in-law, some church stuff...other than that, hoping for a nice quiet week....pppfff ya right!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I love watching the sun come up over the creek at our family property!

She Inspired Me

Just a quick one this morning...have to run out and get some things ready and done before I get the kids and head on up to Redwood Creek....but as my title explains...she (Maggie) inspired me. Here is me before:

And here is me after:

Just cut off all my hair...well, not ALL, but you get the drift. So much easier for me to take care of...I just have to retrain myself how to style it...not too much effort today...got a creek to go float in, so why spend too much time on it.

Well, I hope you all have a blessed weekend...keep us in prayer as we lead a devotional (together) this weekend at Family Camp.

Blessings blessings blessings!

I'm On What We Will Call...Blackout

AHHH KIDS....

This weekend, we moved our Monday night home bible study to Friday night Redwood Creek bible study. Almost everyone made it...and we also were blessed to have a few extras to come and enjoy an evening of fun, fellowship, study and even a little creek playing for some of them.

SO, what do I mean by blackout? Well, this wonderful little guy:

on Saturday, while it was just Erik, Me, Maggie and him (Noah), were all relaxing in the creek, decided to run up the hill and find some goggles. While up at the trailer, he heard my phone beep that I had a message...so, without even thinking about the repercussions of what COULD happen, I told him to just bring the phone down to me. Well, what COULD happen....DID happen. He got right on the dock, about 20 feet away from me and my cell phone jumped right out of his hands and into the creek. It is completely dead. Thank the Lord for phone insurance, with a $50 deductible...my new phone will be here in 2-3 business days. So, if you are not hearing from me, like say...Mom...in particular....it's because I have no cell phone. I am hoping and praying that somehow someway they are able to get my phonebook off my phone and onto my new phone....we shall see.

Other than that, we had a GREAT time...I love to just relax and spend time with my family...and when we are down at the creek, that is exactly what we get to do. I float on a floaty chair that keeps me half in the water and half out of the water, and I watch my kids collect rocks or skip rocks, or have contests to see who can hold their breath the longest....all along, my husband is walking either up creek, or down creek, or just floating in the water as well. I love those moments.

Here are a couple of pictures of what it is looking like down there now.

Have a wonderfully blessed day.

She Talked Me Into It

Just had to share a couple of pictures.
Maggie really really really wanted to cut her hair short...she has actually been asking me to let her do it for some time now...but I LOVE her hair long. So, here is a picture of her beautiful long hair.Well...we went to Medford over the weekend and she finally talked us into it. Of course, having short hair had NOTHING to do with her good friend Riley cutting her hair short (of course not.) Here is a picture of the back:

She looks adorable with this cut... I like it better than the last time we cut her hair short...the last time we gave her bangs, which did not work out so hot because she has a natural part in her hair that goes all the way down the front...so basically, her bangs had a part too, so I told them to keep her bangs long and this is what we got. SHE LOVES IT!!! I am still having a hard time with the short hair, but again...she does look so cute with this style. She wanted shorter, this is as short as I would let her go though.

Anyway.....I am sure I will blog again soon...just too much going on today, but I wanted to share the pics of Maggie's haircut.

Have a wonderfully blessed day.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FINALLY HOME...at least till this weekend, so I thought I would pop this in.

For Today...July 20

Outside my window... I see my American Flag blowing in the wind...I LOVE IT!!

I am thinking... of how very little time I have left today to clean before people come over for bible study, yet, here I am, blogging

From the learning rooms... my own personal learning room...say kinder things to myself, about myself.

I am thankful for... A loving family, and the fact that I did not catch the sickness floating around my sisters house when I was just there for 10 days.

From the kitchen...tea is brewing, lots of veggies for us to munch on...although, I am a chocoholic....sooooo, I think I need to stock the kitchen with some chocolate too.

I am wearing... Jeans, my American Flag tank top, black sweater and flip flops

I am reading... still....no time for reading

I am hoping... all my wonderful friends that I love and miss are all doing wonderfully

I am creating... uhhhh...still not the most creative person, although my sister and the kids and I DID fabric paint some nice canvas bags just for fun.

I am praying... for tooo many loved ones who need Jesus...I wish they would all surrender to HIM.

Around the house... some sweepin and moppin to be done, other than that, I am calling it good.

One of my favorite things... my children...they can be sooo sweet.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Bible study, redwood creek, bible study again, and the climax of my week....MEDFORD and seeing all my AWESOME friends!!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...



I cannot get over how fast my "baby" is growing.

OK...SO I HAD TO POST MORE LEA PICS

I got to go visit her on Monday and take these pictures while she slept so well. She is so cute and cuddly!! We are all so blessed to have her in our lives!!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Lea: Part 2

Ok, here are a couple more pictures of the newest member of the Jackson Family!!
Her Name is Lea (I believe Renee is going to be her middle name)
She was born 8lbs 4oz, and was 20 3/4 inches long. We took the kids to go see her last night, and here are a couple of pictures we got.

Beautiful Baby Lea

Grammie, Aunt Maggie, and Lea (yawning...isn't that soooo cute!)
Grammie, Uncle Noah, and Lea

Uncle Noah, Aunt Maggie, and Lea

They get to come home sometime today...I can't wait for them to get to get settled into their home, with their new baby...new family!! Gotta run...blessings to all!

Taa Daaa!!!

Long time, no write...I know....but I MUST take this opportunity to introduce to you our new little Grandbaby!!! I will blog again, very soon I am sure, with more information and pictures, but had to get these up before I headed back over to start spoiling her...a Grammie's gotta do what a Grammie's gotta do!

Granmmie and LeaGrandpa and Lea

Grandma Renee and LeaAnd introducing Lea...not sure of middle name yet....Jackson!! WOOHOOO

The simple Woman's Daybook June 16

FOR TODAY (June 16)...(was supposed to be yesterday, but oh well)


Outside my window...a little foggy/rainy this morning...loving the neighbors beautiful flowers around their yard.



I am thinking...I should have eaten before drinking this really strong cup of coffee...shake shake



I am thankful for...who God made me to be, knowing that I am gifted with what HE wants me to do, not what I think I need to figure out so I can do.


From the kitchen...back to the Buffalo meat loaf today...forgot to pull meat out of freezer last week, so today is the day.


I am wearing...PJ's and a sweater...lets face it people, if I could live in my Jammie's, I would!



I am creating...hmmm, I think I need to find the definition for "creating" cause I don't feel very creative.



I am going...taking the kids to summer rec, then off to town to find a new handbag, the one I got for my birthday fell apart, got my money back and looking for a new one.



I am reading...have not started yet...but I am going to start the Little House On The Prairie series with my little ones....will be our reading for over the summer.



I am hoping...that my husband has a wonderful stress-free week at work...he is starting a new job(he is a painting contractor, so he is always starting a new job) and he usually gets himself worked up about time with a new job...so I am hoping he just relaxes, God blesses him and he just enjoys what he loves doing...painting.



I am hearing...silence....cannot express how much I love silence...well there is still this pesky ringing in my ear, but I choose to ignore it.



Around the house...little clean up here and there, try to get a couple of things organized.


One of my favorite things...chocolate.....I LOVE chocolate!



A few plans for the rest of the week: hopefully not much...regular schedule of bible studies, other than that, the biggest thing will be company coming this weekend and bringing my son home with them. Hopefully it will be great weather and we can go to the creek.



Here is picture thought I am sharing.....
Maggie's very fun kindergarten graduation...I cannot get over how fast the kids are growing!

Time Keeps on Slippin

Sometimes I am in awe at how fast time goes by. For instance....I could swear I just gave birth to Maggie and entered the strongest prayer mode ever because she was not breathing when she was born, and took three days to start breathing on her own....but now, here I am, getting ready for her kindergarten graduation tomorrow. It really does feel like I just walked her into her class for the first day of school....but that was several months ago.

Then there is Noah...he is already 8 years old, becoming more independent in the last month than he has ever been...trying out tricks on his bike...building elaborate Lego projects...about to enter the third grade.

And Tom...I don't even know where to begin with Tom. He is about to enter his senior year of high school...he works every day, very hard....but above it all....he has joined the Army. My little baby, my firstborn...my anchor to this earth when it was just me and him, and now he is a son to my husband, a brother to my little ones....and a soldier. I have a year to stew that over in my mind....he is a young man, who is such a joy to me...to all of us.

Erik and I have been married nearly 9 years....where did it all go? I think we take time for granted. We think we have so much of it. We think we can't wait for certain times to be done and over with. Sometimes, we want other times to last forever. But none of the above are the cold hard fact of life...time just keeps going and going and going.

I am thinking I need to start taking better care of my time. I certainly take time for granted. I get so busy waiting for time to hurry up and get to what I want, that sometimes I miss the time I have now. Again, with me and my music...there is a chorus by a group called "Downhere", the song is called "Don't Miss Now", here is the chorus:

You get bumped and bruised and worse
For choosing the road less traveled
You know the reward is rich
If you persist through the darkest battles
Open your eyes,Your prize is right before you, somehow
Whatever you do, just don't miss now

I need to resolve that "whatever I do, just don't miss now"
Have a wonderfully blessed day!

The Simple Woman's Daybook June 8

FOR TODAY (June 8)...

Outside my window...beautiful sunshine burning the mist off of the wonderful mountains outside my window

I am thinking...I hope this week FLIES by so we can go to Medford...can't wait to see good friends again.

I am thankful for...good friends, a hard working husband who loves me and children who still adore their mommy! IN SHORT: I am thankful for LOVE!

From the kitchen...thinking of making buffalo meatloaf tomorrow...tonight is home fellowship, and someone else is bringing dinner.

I am wearing...P.J. bottoms that look like a bag of popcorn, a p.j. shirt and a sweater and slippers.

I am creating...I am hoping to buy and plant some flowers...so I guess I am gonna try creating an arrangement of plants outside this week...maybe...if time and money allows.

I am going...taking the kids to this last Monday of school for the year..and counting the days till Medford.

I am reading...still have not found a book to read yet...I need to look through the ones I have and have not read yet...hmmm

I am hoping...this week (well part of it anyway) goes by fast!

I am hearing...kids getting ready for school and Erik fixing Maggie's bike outside....bike rodeo today at school.

Around the house...there is a mountain of laundry calling my name!

One of my favorite things...that first thing in the morning when the sun is out and all is quiet except for the birds chirping away outside, and being thankful that you live in small town, in a quiet part of town and don't have to listen to traffic...just the birds and the family!

A few plans for the rest of the week: birthday lunch with a friend...kindergarten graduation...and a trip to Medford.

Here is picture thought I am sharing.....

One of my many beautiful views out my window...I love the mountains!!

Rambling?

I am feeling a new sort of freedom. I am still dealing with some of the fingers of sickness...however not NEARLY what I have had for the past couple of weeks. My freedom comes in the letting go. There is a peace to be had in the letting go...I am thankful I have that peace. It is a process I am going through...this letting go. My heart still aches to be close (physically) to EVERYONE I love...seeings how part of the people I love live here, others in Medford, others in Stockton and still others in Waltham and Texas and North Carolina....it would be impossible for me to be with them all at the same time. So, I am retraining my heart. When those moments come that I ache for one or all of them...I tell my heart that it's OK to ache for them and to want to be close to them, but you are where you are supposed to be, and while you can't visit all of them....say from Texas east....I can call or write, and I can visit the ones close by. I just need to remind my heart to be content here....and it's working. God is so good to me, I no where near deserve His grace and His mercy and His comfort, and yet.....here it is. It's here in the knowing to be content where HE has me, and in the contentedness of knowing HE has EVERYTHING under control. I guess you can say I am in a season of realizing (again like my last post) there are things about me that I never really realized were there...like control. I always thought God had control of my life...and HE did...just not TOTAL control of my life. I thought I had given HIM total control, but have recently realized, I had not. I think that is what I needed to be shown in order to be content. My "hurricane" of feelings was fueled by my lack of COMPLETE surrender of EVERYTHING in my life...including my future, my past and my present..my kids, my husband, my ministry, my church, my friends, my home. Had I been delusional all this time, thinking I had surrendered all? I don't think so. God knows my heart, and he knows my desire is complete surrender...He is just showing me where I surrendered, then somewhere along the way, picked it back up again and tried to take control. When you can let go of control in your life....it is like a weight lifted off of you, that you didn't know you had, and you can actually breathe again....you can take deep breaths of freedom and enjoy every moment God has planned out for you, even the ugly moments, because you KNOW that there is a lesson in the "ugly" that will make you stronger in Him.

I probably sound like I am rambling...maybe I am....I just know that I am in the middle of a wonderful lesson with my Jesus....and I am SSSOOO excited about the future......and the present.

Have a wonderfully blessed day.

A Far Stretch To Simple

I love the Lord SSSOOO MUCH!!!

If I were honest with myself, I would have to admit that I have had a hurricane brewing within me for quite some time now. It's funny how we don't always recognize that hurricane in us...we just think it's a normal everyday feeling. I have been sick since a week ago Sunday. I AM feeling better...but not completely yet. I only mention I have been sick because that sickness has taken me out of "life" for a week and a half. I am usually much more on the go, much more busy around here, and have MUCH more on my mind. I hate being sick, but I love that when we are sick, it gives us the opportunity to shut ourselves up long enough to hear from God. I think HE has allowed my sickness to linger, so I can learn a couple of things about myself that I either didn't know, or wasn't willing to admit.

I remember several years ago, my Grandma Ella May once said of me that I would never be content to stay in one place for very long...that I always need change, always need to move or be on the go...etc. etc...never "hunker down" in one place for good. I remember that it hurt me that she said that, because, in my mind, even way back then, my dream was always to have a place to call home...a place to stay forever (as forever as we can be here on this earth serving the Lord). A place that I would NEVER have to pack up and move away from again....and the thought that SHE thought I would never be that person, hurt my feelings. I KNOW she did not say it in a hurtful way, and she would have been crushed to think she hurt my feelings...but that statement has always stuck with me. Every time we have moved, I hear Grandma's voice.

I have been in a place where I desperately want to move again, and I don't even know why. I feel like Nebraska is on my mind...I don't know why....I have dear friends in Medford, and would love nothing more than to live near them all, to the point I was almost making myself sick from the fact that I don't live near them, and can't see them anytime I want.

So, what's my point in all of this? In this sickness over the last week and a half, I have been completely, overwhelmingly reminded that "Godliness with contentment is great gain" 1 Timothy 6:6 Contentment...this really has not been one of my strong suits. I mean...I AM content in many many things, but I am NOT content in a few things that I need to let go of. So, I am letting go of moving away (not that that was ever really an option). I AM content here...I have wonderful friends who I desperately love, we live in a beautiful little town, with a wonderful little church, Erik and I were just discussing what wonderful teachers our kids have had this year...we love our little school, we live in a beautiful home (we rent, but who knows what God will provide where that is concerned). I am letting go of having to know what's around the corner for us...God has that under control. I am letting go of feelings that have been feeding me lies: You need to move to Nebraska to be in Gods will....you need to move to Medford to be near new friends and in God's will.

"A Far Stretch To Simple"...I have learned that true contentment for me in going to come in the form of simplicity. I am a far stretch from simple now...but with God's help, for my role as wife and mom, I want to move us to the simple life....less gadgets....more campfires.....less t.v. ....more family walks.....less fast food (which we have been doing immensely better at)..... more fresh food (maybe a trip to farmers market?) I wish I knew how to sew, and make jams...etc....I know it all sounds so "Little House On The Prairie" but, what's wrong with that?

Lord, thank You for this time of sickness!
Have a wonderfully blessed day!

P.S. I should mention that we only live 3.5 hours away from Medford, and I CAN go there pretty much anytime I want. AND I only live 6 hours away from my wonderful sister and her family....can't get there as much as I want...but I sure make the effort to do so. A 6hr trip is a far cry from when they lived in Wyoming....thank the Lord they are soooo much closer now.

Breathing

WHEW!!! I HATE BEING SICK!!!
Over Memorial weekend we had a brilliant plan to go the property and spend the night on Sunday and the most of the day on Monday....however, Sunday I started sneezing like crazy...I mean crazy crazy. So we persevered through the night around the campfire (my favorite part of camping by the way) and then went to bed. Not sleep so much, just bed....I had a hard time sleeping with the ever increasing pressure building up in my sinus's and my throat killing, then came the wonderful body ache...needless to say....I was worthless by Monday. We came home, hoping I would get better, but I progressively got worse....so bad I finally caved and went to the Dr....turns our that I indeed have a sinus infection.....but I also acquired an ear infection. Ahhh, the joys of sickness. Well, today is a new day, with a few days of meds in me....and I CAN FINALLY BREATHE AGAIN!! WOOHOO. Still a little bit of sinus issue but not too bad...the ear on the other hand....still have about half my hearing and a whole lot of ringing.
When you are as sick as I have been this last week....it gets depressing. Well, it used to get a whole lot more depressing...watching my house get dirtier and dirtier, watching my kids eat cereal for dinner because I am too sick to get up and make anything and my husband is working late...you know, all the mommy things we do....well....don't get done. In the past, that would have really depressed me and fed into my "I am a failure" mentality....I did feel it creeping up on me, but I decided to take the opportunity to just rest in the Lord, and draw from His strength and peace, and remembered that, this too shall pass, and I may have a little more work than normal when I come out of this, but it will get done...this housework and cooking (spaghetti for kids tonight, not cereal). I hate this struggle I get into of having to remind myself all the time that it's not about me...even when I am sick, it's not about me.

Breathing: when I can finally let go of all that binds me like a girdle and hinders my ability to breathe....when I can give it to Jesus, and he loosens those bindings and I take my first deep breath....breathing is wonderful....freeing.....breathing is life. Help me Lord to not bind myself up anymore, but to live in the freedom that IS YOU!!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Pledgarism

Ok, I was reminded of a song that has been dear to my heart since I heard it...maybe it will minister to someone else as well:

If You Want Me To

by: Ginny Owens

The pathway is broken

And the signs are unclear

And I don't know the reason why You brought me here

But just because You love me the way that You do

I'm gonna walk through the valley

If You want me to

Cause I'm not who I was

When I took my first step

And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet

So if all of these trials bring me closer to You

Then I will go through the fire

If you want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen

When You lead me through a world that's not my home

But You never said it would be easy

You only said I'd never go alone

So when the whole world turns against me

And I'm all by myself

And I can't hear You answer my cries for help

I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through

and I will go through the valley

If You want me to.

Written by KYLE MATTHEWS, GINNY OWENS

UNIVERSAL MUSIC MGB SONGS

This is my heart....and I know it is the heart of many....but sometimes we need to remind ourselves that this is truly how we feel...instead of letting the enemy or ourselves get rooted in there and try to make us believe things about ourselves and our walk, that really are untrue. Again, I hope this song ministers to someone.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Renewing Our Minds

We had a great bible study last night. We are studying (via a video series by Chip Ingram) Romans 12...and last night was about the renewing of the mind. We were asked what the most effective means of renewing our minds were in our own personal lives, and also challenged to be in the bible at least 15 minutes a day this week. Of course, the most renewal of my mind occurs when I read His word...but we all challenged ourselves to think beyond that....we can't be reading every minute of every day, although, frequently throughout the day, we need a renewing of the mind...so how do we do it...each answer being a personal answer. Many interesting responses from the group...it was quite enjoyable. For ME, I get up in the morning and walk, and I have an iPod, so I can listen to preaching every morning on my walk....I also, during the day, like to listen to some sort of praise and worship music, some sort of christian music...but most of all....I look like the crazy lady because I find my self in constant communication with God. I am ALWAYS talking to Him, frequently out loud. I KNOW, for me, being in constant communication with my Lord, keeps my mind from thinking things I should not be thinking, desiring things, I should not be desiring and putting into action things I should not be putting into action. Don't get me wrong...I make STUPID choices, say stupid things...etc...we do have a battle....but God knows that or He would not call it REnewing of the mind...so, I take those thoughts captive into the obedience of Christ...and renew my mind with Him.

How would you describe your most effective mode of renewal of your mind?

Have a wonderfully blessed day!!

Redwood Creek Part 2

What a busy week we have had...we did finally make it up to Redwood Creek this weekend...almost all of us. Tom was working, so it was just Erik and I and the little ones...the previous pictures I posted were from a year or so ago and over the winter, the weather ruined our canopy that was on our deck, so here is another picture with what we did this weekend. Of course, it looks better when you are actually there. We opted for a screened tent so we can easily take it down at the end of the summer and not have to worry about the weather.
We had a nice time getting a couple of things done, there is still a little bit to get done, but it won't take long. We have decided (THANK THE LORD) to not do a whole lot this year...we would like to just actually enjoy it instead of working it the whole summer.

Anyway, just thought maybe you would like to see the update on the property. Can't wait to enjoy it as a family....and can't wait to enjoy it with friends....hint hint!!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!!

Redwood Creek

Today is the first day of a new week....one that should prove interesting...why interesting....I would have to ask if you have met my husband....he is interesting indeed!! I love him with every fiber of my being, and he certainly makes this life we live a roller coaster ride, with very few stops. The sun is out...which means he pretty much has one thing on his mind....REDWOOD CREEK!

Redwood Creek is a wonderful place that is owned by the Jackson Family, and it's big enough that we all can stake out our little piece of land and do what we want with it. It's right on a creek with a great swimming hole, sitting near the bottom of a beautiful valley.

My family and some friends have worked very hard to make our little section what it is now. It's beautiful, we are blessed. All that being said....my dear, wonderful husband gets slightly obsessed at this time of the year and most of our talk is Redwood Creek talk....it is currently 9:30 in the morning and he should have left for work an hour and a half ago....but instead got caught up in Redwood Creek talk. In the past, and creeping into the present, is the sheer frustration I get when all he wants to talk about is Redwood Creek...I don't know why, but it just irks me. As I start the feel the fingers of that frustration creep up on me this morning, I also felt the Lord "creep" up on me too and remind me of a couple of things: 1) I really do love Redwood Creek and feel incredibly blessed to have access to it. and 2) He is my husband and I need to honor him, and sometimes honoring him means listening with great intent to his million and one plans for our little slice of land down there, and then listen to him change his mind a million and one more times, and know that in the end it will all work itself out...I just need to be patient. Honoring my husband is the most important thing to me in all of this...we may not see eye to eye, we may have totally different idea's on what to do, but honoring him means letting him know my idea's and conceding to what comes out in the end.

Tawny asked in her blog if we ever annoy ourselves....and I will give a hearty YES to that....I annoy myself when I fall into wanting things MY way, and forgetting that this life is not all about me, that I have a Lord to live for, a husband to honor and respect and love, and children to adore and raise to HIS glory...I do fit into all of it, because when I live for all of the above...I AM living for me, just not ABOUT me!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!!

Thankful

I love going to Medford and seeing my friends. I always miss them terribly when it's time to come home...but I am so blessed to be able to go and visit them. We brought back Tom's truck...so he is in hog heaven right now!! And now it's official....Tom is a under contract and is a future soldier of the United States Army! I am so proud of him...and still going through this time of disbelief that he is growing into a man. He is only 17, so he does not ship out to boot camp for a little over a year, but there is much for him to do in the mean time...and he is ready for it. What a busy weekend it turned out to be.....tooo short of a visit to Medford, and a son joining the army....almost makes my head spin. I am so thankful at how good God is to me, and my family. He always takes care of us, no matter what the circumstances may seem....He ALWAYS comes through....Thank You Jesus!!
Well, I must get going on my daily lineup....have a wonderfully blessed day!

The Beat Goes On.....

and on and on and on.....

Just when you think life is going to get back to normal....another explosion of activity (not the normal explosion that is my life...new explosions) encompasses us (me) this week. I did have plans for a nice quiet day at home...doing school, making dessert for bible study tonight, and getting the house picked up....BUT NNNOOOOOO!!! The day started of with a bang...and it looks like the rest of the week will be that way also....of course the light at the end of my particular "tunnel" or week, is that I get to go to Medford again and see my wonderful friends!! WOOHOOO!!!
Again, I struggle for quiet time...and again, will not be denied!! I am clinging to His word...and in particular:
Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
I am so thankful for HIS guidance, HIS joy and HIS pleasures forevermore!! I am so thankful that when I am weak...HE is strong...He is my strength and HIS joy is my strength...I just need to remember to keep every thought captive into the obedience of Christ...THEN I have HIS joy and in turn HIS strength!
I love the Lord SSSOOO MUCH!!!!
Have a wonderfully blessed day!

FINALLY!!

Man, it just seems like forever that I have been able to get on here and blog. I guess that gives you some kind of indication of how busy our lives have been for the past couple of weeks.
Well, I went to Stockton to spend a week with my sister and her family. We had a very nice time, they through a little surprise party for Noah since his birthday was coming up...he LOVED it!! We made it home, only to be bombarded with a hugely busy week...and I think today is the first day this whole week that I don't have to leave the house, and can try to get the housework caught up. WHEW!!
God has been good to us through it all. I love His peace...I covet His peace and I am so thankful to have His peace. I know that as busy as I am, if I did not have the peace of the Lord, I would lose my mind....it's not like there is much left to lose! ;-) I am still learning to stop and have some sort of quiet time with HIM...I guess I should not be surprised the the thing that brought me so much joy and peace a couple of weeks ago (finding quiet time and the value of it...) would be the primary target of my enemy, he certainly does not want me to take that quiet time and draw near to the Lord...he would much rather my focus be somewhere else, anywhere else, good or bad, as long as it is not on the Lord. Well, greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world...and I am not going down without a fight. I will find my ways to have my quiet time, my veg out with God time...even if it means I have to wait until all my little chickadee's are in bed, and I am alone in my room at night before Erik comes to bed....if that is what my quiet time has to be...so be it...I'll take it!
Hope you are all having a great week and looking forward to a great weekend!
Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Good Times

Just a quick note...hopefully pictures later...
We (Me, Maggie, Noah, and my daughter-in-law Sarah) are all in Stockton visiting my sister and her family. We are having a great time. Yesterday, just us girls, Me, Brandy and Sarah all took a day trip into San Francisco. I very unrealistically thought it would be not too bad as far as the amount of people that would be there...but it was PACKED!! And then, being the brain children we all are, we decided to leave the Pier and Wharf at 5:00 and head to the Bay Bridge! NEVER HEAD TO THE BAY BRIDGE AT 5:00 p.m.!!!! We had a great time though.
I am so thankful that God is giving us such a nice time. I am loving spending the time with my nieces and nephews....this is the first whole week trip Sarah and I have taken together, and I am loving spending this time with her, my kids are having a great time...the only "bad" part is that our husbands are still home...working like dogs, and getting a bit stressed out...please pray for them...I don't know about Little Erik, but my Erik could have the best time ever, and still stress out if I am gone for a week...I love that he loves me...I am so thankful that God put us together...I think I am starting to ramble on now....so I will just end with my title....GOOD TIMES!!
Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Overtime

It's funny...well, not funny funny, but you know....how the enemy ALWAYS tries to suck away the joy and peace that God gives us. He has been real good with the "overtime" right now. Tomorrow, I leave with my two little ones and my daughter-in-law, down to my sister's in Stockton...and today has been stressful. I am so thankful He reminded me who HE is in my life and who I am in HIS life, last weekend....because it's those things that I can draw from when the battle seems tough. This is a joyous time for me....I got to spend an amazing weekend last weekend with some amazing ladies....and I get to spend the next week with more amazing people....Sarah, Maggie, Noah....my sister Brandy, her husband Jeff and all my nieces and nephews. I am SOO excited!!
So, even in this stressful day, with my enemy trying so hard to dislocate me....I am in awe of how much my God loves me and how much I love HIM, and He takes the stress and carries it for me, and I can just go about the business of being excited!!!
I am so thankful HE IS RISEN!!
Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Times: They are a Changing

I know that probably every parent feels this way, and it does not matter how much you hear it from other parents, but MAN time goes by fast with your kids! Sometimes, it feels like eternity, but then, that little baby boy you had in a little delivery room in North Carolina all of the sudden becomes a young man. He is getting ready to turn 17, which hits me the realization, we only have a little over a year left with him. As I previously posted, he has gotten his license, because God loves him, he is about to get his first vehicle (which could NOT be a more perfect truck for him), and yesterday.....yesterday waxed me VERY nostalgic. Yesterday I sat in the Army recruiters office with my little baby boy for an hour and a half and watched him sign papers to get the ball rolling for him to join up when he turns 17 (in two-ish weeks). The flood of confusion washing over me was overwhelming. Isn't this my firstborn son, who when he was six months old, we suddenly found ourselves just him and me against the world? Isn't this the little boy who used to sit in my front yard and talk out loud to Jesus? Isn't this the little boy who could weave the most fantastic tales about his day (when he was younger)...so fantastic, you almost believed him? Isn't this the little boy, who was the first real person to steal a bit of my heart away from me, and it will forever be his? YES....I have to say to my self, yes, this is still him, but now he is my young man, who runs chainsaws, clears brush, plants tree's, would help anybody with any manual labor job needed, he drives, he works, and very soon....he will be a soldier. That is when this eternity of parenthood slaps you in the face and says....NNNOOOO....you do not have them forever, they WILL grow up and make lives for themselves, and all you can do is sit back in love and watch what God has done in his life, and hope that he relies on God, for the rest of his life.
Have a wonderfully blessed day.

Retreat and Friends

Well, the retreat was wonderful. Below is a picture of all of us cabin-mates, except, somehow we did now get Tawny in the pic, so I added the one of her and I below it, and somehow I never got a picture of Jackie, but she was there in our room too. It was such a joy seeing old friends again....And making AMAZING new friends...Getting to know the newer old friends even better...

We had a blast. It is SO amazing to be in the presence of the Lord. There was good food, good fellowship, GREAT quiet time, wonderful testimonies...great weather. I don't think I could have asked for a better time, personally. I really felt like the Lord "confirmed" some things to me, and reminded me of some things I have allowed myself to forget....and I am so thankful to have made friends that I really do love quite deeply. I had to fight back the tears when I pulled away from the van full of most of them. To me, such a deep connection was made, I thank God He allows those connections in our lives. There really is not much more to say about the retreat....HE was there, HE was healing, HE was confirming, HE forged new and deeper friendships, what more could we have asked for?

Have a wonderfully blessed day!!