Where's My Little Boy?

I realized I never posted a senior picture of my son, Jordan! He moved in when he was a chubby faced 3 1/2 year old. That was 15 years ago! Now he is tall and thin with a huge heart for people.

He's thinking about going to college to become a history teacher. Jordan is passionate about any history he can learn and he loves to talk non-stop about anything he's learned! LOL! So I would love to see him be able to utilize his love for both history and telling facts. We used to call him our own little CNN news!

Please pray for him as he is making life changing decisions. Thank you!

Wordless Wednesday

Now that's what I call dog tired!

Wordless Wednesday

This was on a Monday evening. Ooh, scary!










This was the next evening. What a difference!

Camera Critters

This is the lovely face I get to wake up to each morning! And trust me, she has morning breath too!

Do you have a lovely picture to share? Join in the fun at Camera Critters today!

Aloha Friday

Do you Twitter?

I'm looking for more people to follow. Like I don't have enough to do already! Please let me know your name so I can follow you!!

In Honor

Thank You

Wordless Wednesday

My baby had eye surgery on Monday. This new funnel thingy has been oh so much fun. As if she wasn't spoiled before, we now have to hold her bowl as she eats and drinks. And she still thinks that she can sleep right on top of her daddy with that thing on! I have to admit I have laughed a lot this week!

1000 Blessing's Friday

326. My daughter had quite a scare and was told she could possibly have a tumor in her head or Meniere's disease. She had an MRI done and it showed it was neither of those. There is something wrong and we will find out on the 11th. But for now I am thankful for the good news!

327. My son ran away from home a couple Sundays ago and moved in with his sister. I do see where he is learning that it was not the wisest choice to make and he is dealing with the consequences. It's hard watching your child turn from God. I am placing my child completely in His arms and know that His plan is best. Please do pray for my son. He is very naive and a follower. He just wants to fit in somewhere. He does have a heart for people, but right now his heart is completely self focused.

328. It's always a blessing when money comes in to the shop! A new customer just showed up and wants all kinds of things done to his Mustang and he put down a deposit. Just when the bank account was very, very dry! God is good and I see His miracles all the time!

329. Blessed with new friends on Twitter! I love getting to know people! Do you Twitter?

330. I was part of a blessing for someone else this week and it sure feels good! My best friend's daughter has started dating a young man with a rough background. He wants to be in church and is open to the teaching. All of the sudden he quit wanting to come to church. Come to find out he didn't have a Bible and had no money for one either.

My friend told me that she wanted to buy him one, but money was also tight for her as well. She wanted to get him a parallel Bible because he does have some reading difficulties.

It just so happens that my mom gave me a nice parallel Bible a month ago with the NIV version and the Message. It is a beautiful brown and blue leather bound Bible. Very masculine looking. I immediately sent Bridget out to my car to go get it. It was still in the box! She said it was perfect.

She asked me how much I wanted for it. I said, "NOTHING!" I had been saving the Bible back for just the right person. And he was it!

Bridget emailed me and told me she gave him the Bible. He asked where she got it from that he wanted to pay her back somehow. She told him it came from Jesus and it was his for the keeping. I guess he smiled and even smelled it and held it with pride.aid, "Yes, it did come from Jesus because He loves me."

Is that not sweet? Please pray for this young man. He's 18 and his name is Shannen. He has been tossed around from family to family and has nothing. Well, except his Bible. And it has ALL the answers!

Wordless Wednesday

I saw this car at our local library the other day and just couldn't believe it. To me, this is not funny. This person needs help. I can't imagine getting in a car completely filled with trash. This made me very sad.

Wordless Wednesday

Ewww!

1000 Blessing's Friday

The following quotes have been a real blessing to me this week. It's just what I needed to hear!



321. “Give yourself permission not to know and be satisfied knowing the One who does.” ~ Joyce Meyer

322. “Let God's promises shine on your problems.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom

323. "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." ~ Bill Cosby

324. “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie Ten Boom

325. "I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all, but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess." ~ Martin Luther

Do you have a favorite quote? If so, please share!

Praying For Stellan

UPDATE: This precious baby was flown to Boston to the Children's Hospital. Please keep praying he gets the care he needs. He's been in the hospital for almost a month I believe. While our lives continue theirs has stopped in a sense. Please take a moment or two to visit McMamma's blog and get to know them. This little guy is famous all around the world! Cool things are happening. God is using Stellan in mighty ways!





This little one needs our prayers! Please visit this mom and read her story. She has hundreds and hundreds of readers. And she is an amazing photographer! Please take some time to get to know them and pray for this little guy. Thanks!

Whew, What A Week!

I've got that sniffling, sneezing, aching, coughing, stuffy head, fever, but I can't rest feeling. Sigh!

In other news, I want to brag on my husband a little bit. This is the 45th anniversary of the Mustang. The editor of Mustang Monthly did an article of the 45 most significant Mustangs of ALL time. My husband, David, made the list!

Oh yes, he did! Uh huh!! I doubt many of you buy Mustang Monthly, but if your husband does the article is in the April issue on page 34!! What's cool too is the gentleman that wrote the article has seen thousands upon thousands of Mustangs during his career. So to make it in the top 45 is quite an accomplishment!

My husband and I both give the praise to God for we know that we can do nothing without Him!



This is not the April issue, but this is my hubby on the cover with the car that made the top 45!

What Makes Me Smile?

First and foremost knowing that I have a Savior who loved me enough to die for me so that I may have eternal life!

I found a couple of new blogs to read and they just touch the very center of my heart.

Smiles & Trials I just love this family! You need to read from beginning to end about all of their wonderful children. I promise it will be worth the time!

My Charming Kids This woman takes the most gor-ja-mous photos I have ever seen! She's a lot of fun too! Again, I would read from beginning to end!

I hope you are having a wonderful week!

Change

I'm the first to admit that I do not handle change well. This is a problem! For the past several weeks at church we have been doing the Bible study "Changed Into His Image".

At first I sat there and listened and would think to myself, "Hmmm, I sure hope my husband is paying attention to this because it's exactly what he needs to hear."

But that very next week while doing the daily devotions in the book I soon realized that it was ME who needed to change. OUCH! The truth hurts, I tell ya!

My husband and I are going through it together and both making changes in our lives and with each other. We've got a long way to go, but we've finally turned a corner and we're headed in the right direction!

I praise God for our pastor and his wisdom in knowing how to teach this amazing study. He brings out so many aspects that sometimes I overlook when doing the study on my own.

If you are looking for a new devotion book I highly recommend this one and be prepared to change and be willing to let the Lord do it!

Change My Heart Oh God
Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You

Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You

You are the potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray

Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You

Wordless Wednesday

As a kid a TV dinner was such a treat. Imagine my delight when I saw that Banquet was concerned for me as a consumer and now sell an even higher "quality" product. I never knew a corn dog would be considered as a select recipe. LOL! And at almost twice the price of a regular TV dinner I'm wondering now why I didn't stock up. Too funny! I'm still laughing about this one!

Thursday Thirteen #12

Thirteen Things About Me That Start With The Letter "L"

1. Loves of my life - First, my Savior. Second, my husband David. Third, list making! I take the first two very seriously though.

2. Laughing - I'm glad I can laugh at myself, but it's good to be able to learn something too!

3. Listening to my husband sing - My husband has an amazing talent and I'm glad he has chosen to use it again for the Lord. He is singing I Stand In Awe by Chris Rice this Sunday. It gives me goosebumps every time!

4. Licking the mix out of the bowl - sometimes I would rather eat the leftover cookie dough or lick the cake batter than enjoy the end result!

5. Lemonade - pink, preferably please! Since I quit drinking NOS energy drink I've switched to this. And water! Can't forget that.

6. Leftovers - they don't bother me a bit and sometimes I like them better than when it was first made. Especially soups!

7. Letters - you remember the hand written kind? I love to get one in the mail and hold it in my hands and read it over and over. I cherish them and hold on to them forever!

8. Lazy days - I haven't had one of these in SOOOOO long. I want and I think need a day where I can lounge around for most of the day and do things like read a book or play a game with the family or just lay in bed curled up with my husband and dream of our future. Sounds good to me!

9. Leaves - when they begin to change in the fall! Oh my, do we have some beautiful trees here that I look forward to watching change!

10. Loraine - that's my moms name. Since my dad died two years ago she has aged 15 years herself. Her personality has changed, she has become demanding, she is different. My brother and I are going to have to make some tough decisions in the near future. Please pray for us that we do His will, not ours.

11. Limping - I am quite bionic with my replaced knees and new hips, but I still limp quite a bit. And that's okay. It used to bother me to get called names like Hop-along or crip, but now I embrace it. I've come a long way and am doing so well now. God is good, without Him I can't imagine what my life would be like.

12. Long lost friends - It's been great re-connecting with old class mates and friends from church through Facebook! I love my friends! No matter how far apart we are they are forever in my heart!

13. The Love Dare - I just watched Fireproof on Friday and am waiting to get my book, but have started already. I love this! Good stuff. My husband really enjoyed it too. It hit home with us for sure.

I Stand In Awe

I long to leave this world behind me
With its hatred, pain and fear
When I’m reminded of my journey
That I’m just a pilgrim here
Then my eyes begin to fill with tears

That’s when I think about eternity
And a place I’ve never seen
I wonder how it’s gonna be
and I’m caught up in a dream
Where I find myself at Jesus’ feet

I stand in awe of one so Holy
I stand amazed before His majesty
And soon I find myself no longer standing
But bowing down in His glory
Knowing I’m unworthy
Until His hand of mercy
Raises me again to stand in awe

Someday my dream will be reality
When He finally takes us home
From every nation, tribe and family
He will come to claim His own
And we’ll find ourselves before His throne

We’ll stand in awe of one so Holy
We’ll stand amazed before His Majesty
And soon we’ll find ourselves no longer standing
But bowing down in His glory
Knowing we’re unworthy
Until His hand of mercy
Raises us again to stand in awe

"Not Me!" Monday

/
It was NOT I who was hungry and yet so tired that I opened some ravioli and ate a few right from the can. Don't judge me!

And nope, it WASN'T ME that ran out of drinking glasses so I used a measuring cup for my iced tea.

I WOULD NEVER be so lazy that I threw in the whites, darks and dress clothes together in the washer. And I WON'T ADMIT that some of our undies are a disgusting gray color now.

It really WAS NOT ME who spent a lot of Valentine's day Twittering even though I'm not really sure what it's all about instead of paying attention to my husband. Why did I start that too?

But it WAS ME that learned so much yesterday at church on worshiping God in the midst of trials and then last night a valuable lesson on being humble. I can do NOTHING on my own. Any success, no matter how big or small, comes directly from Him!



Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

1000 Blessing's Friday

/

1000 BLESSING'S FRIDAY

316. My mammogram came back free and clear! I admit I didn't want to go. I'm 44 and should have done this years ago. My husband has begged me to go all this time and if anything I should have gone because he asked me to. But it's all good now!

317. I've been able to reconnect with some very old friends on Facebook! I definitely spend too much time on there, but it is SO nice to get reacquainted!!

318. I got my hair cut last night and for once I really, really like it! It is going to be easy to do in the mornings which is great because my fingers are pretty stiff then. I've never had a haircut where I can wash it and dry it and go. Until now!

319. My back is getting stronger all the time. I've been able to really help this week in the kitchen, doing laundry and even took a long shower without using my seat! Much progress! Taking it one day at a time baby.

320. My husband has been very sweet all week and sending me texts of why he loves me! It's been a rough few years for he and I. The trials aren't over yet, but we're making changes and working at it! We'll be married 25 years this year. Wow!

How have you been blessed this week?

"Not Me!" Monday

/
Welcome to another addition of Not Me! Monday, where we can be brutally honest with each other, and live to tell about it.

I got the test results back from my first mammogram and I am happy to report that I can say NOT ME, nope, free and clear from breast cancer! PTL!

No, it really WASN'T ME that got the giggles in church yesterday at a very inappropriate time. Well, when is an appropriate time to be giggling during church? I had to excuse myself for a few minutes until I gained some composure.

NOPE, NOT ME. It wasn't me who ate four oatmeal creme pies from Little Debbie on Sunday while working on tax stuff. And they weren't even that good. With all the freshness and stuff I could barely choke them down. Thank goodness for that glass of chocolate milk!

I will continue to DENY that I did see the dog throw up and left it on the shop floor for my husband to clean. Don't judge me. It was on concrete. Thank goodness!

Twitter this and Twitter that. It was NOT ME that joined this fad. Like I need another distraction from doing my real work. Pssst, but if you are a Twitterer please let me know!


This blog carnival was created by MckMama. Head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. I promise you won't be sorry!

What I Learned This Week

1. I am 44 and went for my first mammogram this week. Over due I know. I learned that a squashed bosom can be quite painful. But to ease my pain and suffering I was given a bar of chocolate afterward the test!! I learned I recover quickly when given a Hershey bar. ;o)

2. I learned that when you drink a NOS energy drink practically everyday for months and months you get addicted to the caffeine. I also learned that when you decide to quit drinking them because you know that it is SO bad for you that you will have a migraine for days and days. Not fun, but will be worth it in the end.

3. I am learning that my frustrations and lack of patience is my own fault because I won't say no to people. It is okay to say no once in awhile. Even to your own mother who doesn't understand it. She will live.

4. I have no money. Seriously. Our line of work (restoring old Mustangs) has been affected by the economy. My husband and I are really praying fervently on what we should do next. He keeps opening doors for us that tells us we should continue. We want to do His will not ours. And sometimes that is very hard. I am learning to be still and listen. Please pray for us as we wait on His answer!

Anything you're willing to admit you've learned this week? Join the fun at Musings of a Housewife.

"Not Me" Monday

/

Welcome to Not Me! Monday, where we can be brutally honest with each other, and live to tell about it.

Yay for new memes! I saw this one today at several of the blogs I read and have been laughing ever since!

So....

It was NOT ME who griped and complained that I never have a moments peace to get my work done.

It was NOT MY family that decided to give me ALL day Saturday to do my paper work.

No, it was NOT ME who couldn't get motivated for a long, long time because the house was too quiet. Where were all the usual interruptions?

It was NOT ME that made excuse after excuse for not taking full advantage of the day.

It is NOT ME that just completed some very important paper work that is due TODAY!



This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Tuesday Top Ten

Top Ten Things I Should Be Doing, But I'm Not

1. Leaving comments when I visit you. I have been very, very bad lately. How do you know if I've stopped by if I don't say hi?

2. Getting my year end tax stuff done. Yeah, this is worse than not leaving comments. I have deadlines to meet and I'm not doing so well. Gotta focus.

3. Taking pictures. I got a really nice little camera for Christmas and have yet to learn how to work it. I was so excited when I got it because I realized I could actually start putting pics on my blog. Yes, I am ashamed.

4. Keeping up with the laundry. If I don't get a load done every night then it tends to pile up quickly. When I work from nine in the morning until eight or so at night I'm too pooped to think about it.

5. I really want and need to e-mail some friends. I have made a new friend that also has arthritis and she enjoys having someone to vent too that understands her pain and frustrations. It's been a couple of months since I wrote her and that's just too long. I also have another dear friend that's been going through some rough times and I haven't been encouraging her like I want to. I let my own family trials get in the way of helping others.

6. Oh my do I have stacks and stacks of papers to file for our business! I despise filing. Enough said!

7. Cleaning out the fridge. I went to get some spaghetti sauce last night in the fridge that I thought was still fresh. Boy was I mistaken! I am not looking forward to that job. Weak stomach have I.

8. Putting away the Christmas stuff. Yeah, it's generally all together, but I need to actually organize it and have someone take it back down to the basement. Why do I get so lazy?

9. I should be spending less time on Facebook. Yikes, I can't believe I wrote that! I love me some Facebook.

10. Drinking more water instead of my NOS or other sodas even if they are diet. One good thing is I've given up McDonald's sweet tea. Do you have any idea how hard that was? But I did it!

1000 Blessing Friday's

311. We started the Bible study Changed Into His Image last Sunday night! I think the most important thing I learned that night was it's easy to look at the person next to you and hope they are listening to what is being taught and then realizing that what the pastor says is really for ME. I had to take a step back and ask myself why I do some of the things I do. Is it really to please God and glorify Him or is it to keep peace in the family because I don't like dealing with conflict? This series is going to be great!

312. I know some of you are colder than we are here in Indiana at -19 degrees. And no, that's not the wind chill temp! But as I sat in my nice warm house and turned up the heat to 71 degrees I couldn't help but think of all the homeless people out in this weather. Where I live I don't see anyone on the streets or asking for money so I admit I don't always think of those that are without shelter. I want to see what I can do to help.

313. Willpower. I know that might sound crazy, but it's true. Not that I can resist everything, but I am getting better at wanting to eat when I'm not even hungry and that feels like an accomplishment!

314. Achy bones. I won't say I am blessed because I hurt, but because of the severe drop in temperature I have hurt more which means I am slower in the mornings which means we don't get to work too early anymore which means I am not at the shop for twelve hours a day! Now don't get me wrong. I don't mind working. But it's nice to be able to take some work home and do it there in my pajamas! Oh how I wish we could have pajama day at work. LOL

315. Laughter. To me laughing is really a blessing. I can laugh at myself. I laugh at people on American Idol (probably when I shouldn't, but I do). I laugh a lot at my bulldog! My kids and husband like to dance goofy for me just so I will laugh. Even on days when I hurt terribly it's nice to be able to laugh and know that tomorrow will probably be better. And if not, I pull out my old Peanuts comic books from when I was a kid!

How have you been blessed this week?

Wordless Wednesday

Poor girl was shivering on the ride to work this morning. Spoiled dog!

My Precious!

If you know me at all you know how much I love to drink NOS! I'm really not into energy drinks and such but I love the taste of this one. When we went to the SEMA show a few years back they were giving free samples. Uh, hello? FREE? I was hooked.

I admit I don't like to share my precious NOS with anyone but my husband. Call me Gollum if you like.




I was determined to make it my New Year's Resolution to treat myself to this delicious nectar only on special days. Like a birthday, an anniversary, my son's birthday, or if the sky was blue! Yeah, only on those special days.

My husband, bless his generous heart, bought me two cases of the BIG bottles of NOS for Christmas! Yep, that's right. 24 of these beautiful blue and orange bottles are there to tempt me daily.

But I've been pretty good. I could easily chug one of these beauties at breakfast, lunch and dinner with my hands tied behind my back! I received this gift twenty one days ago and I am proud to say that I still have 16 bottles left. Trust me, this comes as a shock to even me!

I'm learning to say no thank you and be satisfied with my tasteless water. My head no longer spins and I have quit foaming at the mouth at the mere mention of my precious. There is hope!

I think I might even share a bottle or two. Okay, probably just one. But hey, at least that's a start!

For Today

Outside my window... it is trying it's hardest to snow. We're expecting 1 to 3 inches. But I'll believe it when I see it!

I am thinking... of the Miller family. Pete developed bacterial meningitis and his family had to make the decision whether to take him off life support or not. There was absolutely no brain activity and so they did. Pete passed away within an hour. We went to the calling and waited over 2 1/2 hours in line. This man was loved by all! He will be missed greatly.

I am thankful for... my father. It's been two years since he passed away, but I have been thinking of some wonderful times we had together and laughing about them. He and I had the same sense of humor!

From the kitchen...not much tonight because tomorrow night we are having my daughter's boyfriend over for the first time. Yikes! My hubby is making a delicious pasta he concocted himself, garlic bread with cheese, some kind of veggie and then....drum roll please....Chocolate Mousse Cake! And the people cheered!

I am creating... a mess when I work on the year end tax stuff for our business. Not fun!

I am going... to do a cartwheel when I am finished with all the taxes. No really, I am. At least in my head!

I am wearing... A gorgeous blue long sleeve top with only one stain on it that I have no idea what it is, a slightly faded pair of jeans, and yep...brand new tenny bops! Except they are hurting my toes. Sigh.

I am hoping... that we don't get the snow, that I find a $20 bill in a coat pocket, that I can lose five pounds without feeling like I am starved all the time!

I am hearing... my husband laughing with the boys out in the shop. He's got a great laugh!

Around the house... well, it's been pretty quiet since we all got back into the swing of things. But sometimes quiet is good!

One of my favorite things... knowing how much I love my kids and husband. But knowing that God loves them even more than I do!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... we're doing the Bible study Changed Into His Image at church and I started last night. It's gonna be good folks! Just what I need right now.

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

Wensley heard daddy take out the bath mat in the tub so she knew that sound meant bath time! She went and hid on his side of the bed. She thought if she couldn't see dad then surely he couldn't see her. Wrong! She smells much better now!

A Fresh Start

I miss blogging. I miss you. Yes, you! I think and pray for so many of you. You have not been forgotten.

It may take awhile to get back in the groove of things, but this is what I would like to accomplish in 2009.

1. Read the Bible daily instead of waiting to study it when I am facing trials. By hiding God's word in my heart on a daily basis will make even the smallest of challenges not so overwhelming.

2. Lose five pounds. Yes, I need to lose a lot more than that I know. Losing weight is hard, but I know it can be done! And so I don't get discouraged I like to set small goals in the beginning. After I lose the five then I will set it for ten pounds. Pray for me please!

3. I want to be a better communicator with my husband and children. I've always been the listener. I used to think that was a good thing. It's not bad, but I can see now that I should have worked more on expressing myself and learning to work on conflicts together.

4. Managing our money. Owning your own business can be very difficult when it comes to cash flow! Instead of learning how to manage the money I've learned how to juggle it. There's a big difference. God keeps our doors open and I want to make sure I am using His money in a way that is pleasing to Him.

5. I also want to be open to God's calling. I am one that does not like change. But how can I grow in Him if I am not willing to do as He asks? I know He will give me the strength and the resources to do what I am called. I shouldn't look at it as a scary thing, but an opportunity to grow and be more like Christ!

What is something on your to do list for 2009? Let's pray for each other to achieve our goals!