Testing a new program...

Hey there! I am trying out a new program for creating preview slide shows. You can then post them to YouTube. I wanted to try and see if I can manage to then post them to my blog...

Thinking about blow-flowers

I was thinking about "blow-flowers" this morning - otherwise known as dandelions. When I was a kid, it was so much fun to find a dandelion that had gone to seed and see if you could blow all the fluff off in one breathe!! My kids seem to have inherited that same delight. Sam especially loved this - it was one of his favorite things about spring/summer! With that in mind, I have to tell you a quick story! Roscoe has been so diligent in visiting the cemetary and keeping every possible weed off of Mom and Sam's graves. Last year they really looked nice. The other day he went out there to check on them. When he got home, he came in and said, "You're not going to believe this!" When I asked what was up, he told me that Sam's grave was "covered" with dandelions! They had not bloomed yet, but they were definitely there! I had to laugh! I found a little humor and joy in the situation! It just seemed to "fit" the essence of my sweet, mischieveous Sam to have a blanket of flowers that everyone else thought was a weed - he loved them!

OK - don't worry!! I know Sam really did not have anything to do with them being there!! BUT - I could just hear him complaining about Roscoe pulling them up before they became "blow-flowers"! It was a good reminder to me. Sometimes there are weeds in my life that I can't seem to get rid of!! That tends to irritate me to no end! This reminded me, though, that sometimes, if I wait long enough, the weeds will turn to "blow-flowers" and bring me a little joy!!

Have a great day!! Remember - watch for the blow-flowers!

Thoughtful musings of a crazy busy Mom!

Life just seems to fly by lately. Between school and church and scouts and family get-togethers and garden planting and... well, you get the idea!! We seem to have "stuff" going all the time. I really try to enjoy it as I know these early years will be gone all too soon. There are times, though, that it can all be a bit overwhelming! but we are hanging in!

It is hard to believe the school year is nearly over. Today Rachel came home with information about "graduation" - oh my!!! Next year she will be at Huey for the Head Start Pre-K. I was really hoping she could go to Haynes next year, but that did not work out. One more year, and then my kiddos will be in the same school! She already knows the name of her new school and is looking forward to making new friends.

Noah has been working hard on his Pine Car for Cub Scouts. Our Derby is on May 10th. I will be sure to take and post pictures!! He is really excited about it!!

We had a really busy weekend! Saturday we had Samantha, Sara, and Matthew here all day. It was a beautiful day so they played outside most of the day! Roscoe finished tilling the garden, and Saturday evening we planted some tomatoes, broccoli, banana peppers, bell peppers, pumpkins, and watermelons. We already had onions, garlic, and brussel sprouts growing. We need to get our squash, zucchini, and cucumbers in. Rachel and Noah's favorite things to "plant" the other night were WORMS!! They had more fun putting some red worms in the garden....

Sunday was busy!! After a.m. church we went for Grandpa's 74th birthday party. Rachel and Noah enjoyed playing with their cousins! Then we headed back to church to see ELVIS!! We had an Elvis impersonator and his band come do a concert of Elvis Gospel music. It was alot of fun! We had a full house and everyone seemed to enjoy the show!

This week is shaping up to be as busy as any!! Tonight is Cub Scouts, tomorrow I take my dear MIL to the doctor in Arlington, Wednesday night is church, Thursday night is a fiesta for Rachel's school, Friday is Friday, Saturday we are going to Ft. Worth to get some bees out of our pastor's MIL's house, and then Sunday is church. Then it all starts over again!! But that is our life! (See why I say "crazy busy"!)

Finally, I just wanted to share some thoughts that I have been pondering. In Sunday School we are studying I & II Kings. We have been talking about Solomon the last few weeks. Of course, we have studied about how he requested wisdom and God granted it and so much more. Yesterday, though we discussed some of Solomon's not-so-wise decisions. We talked about how he did not destroy the high places and how paganism ran rampant - even in Solomon's own house. Of course, God then told Solomon how after his death God would take the kingship away from Solomon's son. Then we we looked at the choices Reheboam made, you can see the lasting repercussions of Solomon's actions (or lack there of). When the people asked Reheboam to be a "servant-king", he wisely asked for time to make his decision, but then look at the counsel he sought!! He spoke to the elders, and then to the young men, but he NEVER sought the Lord's counsel!! Then, he foolishly chose to listen to the counsel of the younger men. Now, here are my thoughts on that:
1. If Solomon would have provided his children with clear examples of serving and worshiping the one true and living God, then maybe Reheboam would have at least considered requesting the Lord's counsel when faced with a major decision.
2. If he had grown up being taught about the love and faithfulness of God, he would not considered being an oppressive, cruel king instead of a loving servant-king.

Now, that challenges me as a parent! I need to be sure that my children view our faith clearly. They need to know decisively what we believe and why. I do not want our beliefs to become all mixed up with non-Christian, ungodly beliefs just for the sake of "tolerence". That way they (hopefully) will know what direction to turn when faced with tough life decisions.

OK- I am done for now! But I just wanted to share with you a few of the thoughts that were laid on my heart while looking at the life of the wisest man that ever lived. There is no doubt that God granted him great wisdom, but in his humaness, Solomon still made mistakes! I don't know about you - but boy, can I relate!!

Hope you have a great week and I pray God will reveal His bleesing for you each and every day!!

Rachel is 4!!

Well, my girl is 4years old now! Sigh... she is growing so fast. Today was pretty out, so after school we put on her "birthday dress" and went out for a few quick pictures. She even took a couple of her own with her own (new) digital camera! (Thank you, Aunt Joanne!). After church she chose McDs for her birthday supper. We had her bday party week before last. It was alot of fun. I will post pictures soon. For now, I hope you enjoy these from today!!

Spring is here!!!

I just love this time of year! The weather is warming up (it was 92 today! :0) ), the plants are starting to grow again, and there is just a fresh start feeling in the air!
The kids were on spring break last week. When you add in the bad weather days they were also given, they had an 11 day break!! Over that time, we had cousins and freinds over and had a fun time!! On Sunday, we went to Aunt Joanne's after church for a family get together and Easter Egg Hunt. What a great day!! There were 12 kiddos there and many adults. It was a great family get together.

Rachel and Noah headed back to school on Tuesday. So far, their week has been good. I think they both were ready to see their friends and get back into routine. It is hard to believe there are only a couple of months left in the school year. Summer will be here all too soon!

Noah got his report card on Tuesday!! Once again, he did a great job!! All A's with the lowest grade being a 97... he worked hard and we are very proud of him!!

As for me, I am currently on a sewing kick. In the last week I have made Rachel 4 dresses and a jacket, and I have made myself the cutest little tote bag with frogs all over it! Tomorrow I am suppose to make Noah some pj pants with race cars all over them. I will try to post some pics of the kids in their new outfits soon!

Well, I am off to get some chicken ready to go on the grill. It is a beautiful day and we are going to enjoy it!!

I hope you all have a blessed day and enjoy the fresh beginnings spring brings!!

Happy Birthday, Noah!!

EIGHT IS GREAT!!

Well, at least that is what Noah has been telling me all day!

It is hard to believe that my little man is growing so quickly. He still has the sweetest smile and is so smart he scares me sometimes. He definitely keeps Roscoe and I on our toes. One of the recent lessons we have been trying to teach him is self-control. Roscoe was telling him, "If you do not control yourself, someone else will control you." Good advice, right? Well, Noah, showing a perception beyond his years comes back with, "But don't we want God to control our life?" So, now we are having discussions on God-control vs. Self-control and how they work together. Although, it definitely keeps me challenged, I am so proud of how intune Noah is with spiritual concepts. He is still young child, but in many ways has a greater understanding of the Christian faith than some many times his age!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LITTLE MAN!!

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I wanted to take a few quick moments to wish all of you a Happy Valentine's Day! Noah and Rachel were both so excited to go to school today to share their valentines with friends and teachers! I remember how much fun those school day valentines were.

As I was thinking about Valentine's Day, I couldn't help but be awed by the recurring realization of how much our Father above loves us! He gave us such a precious gift when He gave His son for us. That is so amazing!! Then, He continues to show His love for us by blessing us with family and friends to love and who love us. Isn't my God so great?!?! I hope that today each of you experience not only the love from you sweet-heart, family, and friends, but also the love of a God who loves you beyond imagination!!

Have a wonderful day!!