New Friends

It is not always easy making new friends. I am an extrovert, and have lots of friends, but mostly I keep people at arms length. I don't like to get real personal with people. I am learning that there are only a couple of people who "really know me". Anyway, a couple of months ago a new pastor at our church introduced us to a man and his son. Instantly my husband and him seemed to hit it off. Shortly after that we met his wife and daughter. In just a short time our lives have changed and it is a blessing to watch. My oldest son is very interested in our new friends, and references them often. See, the man we met is deaf, and therefore makes it a challenge for us to communicate with him. However, God is moving our family in ways that I could have never imagined. We have begun to learn sign language, and I must say, I am impatient. I am enjoying getting to know this family, and I really wish that I could sign. His wife is hearing, which makes it a little easier, but it frustrates me when I am not able to talk with him. Anyway, it is really neat watching this relationship develop and watch as God moves in our family. All 3 of our kids are enjoying learning sign language, and one day, we will be able to carry on a conversation with this new friend of ours. So, to my new friends, what a blessing you are to us in so many different ways that I can't even put them into words. I look forward to getting to know you all more and learning more signs too! Thank you for being patient with us as we learn :)

Super Hero Powers

My 3 year old is priceless. Lately we have been watching Curious George in my bed before we start they day. This morning he says to me "Mom, I am thirsty". I say "can you wait a few minutes until the show is over?" He says, "no Mom, I need water so I can have more super hero powers and it can't wait!" I must say that all of this conversation happened over a commercial, and right when I was getting up to get him some water, because he has to have his super hero powers, Curious George came back on and he no longer needed his water. What a blessing he is! I never thought of water giving us super hero powers, but I have a friend who has been encouraging me to drink more water. All I can say is that if I would have known that I would have special powers from drinking water, I would have been drinking more of it! It also got me thinking about the Living Water that we need. I am thankful that I have that to drink and to quench my thirst, because I do not know how I would survive with out my Jesus!

First times...

It is easy to forget what it was like when really started to understand what Christmas was exactly. When your parents would bring out the tree and start to decorate it, how exciting that was just because you knew that it something exciting was going to come. Then, when it was all done, we would turn the lights off and just look at our masterpiece twinkling and sparkling, and giggle with excitement. As the days went on and the end of the month would get closer, I would begin to get even more excited, just wondering what exactly I would be getting under the tree on Christmas morning. Finally, it was Christmas eve! We would get through the day, then go to church, and then it really hit..... Santa was coming!!!!! Christmas eve night always seemed like such a long night to me. The excitement and anticipation would be more than I could handle sometimes. I am sure over the next month I will share more stories with you, but tonight it is all about my kids. Mostly about my youngest, little E. He is 3 and he is so excited about Christmas he is about to bust. Today after church we were walking through Walmart and "Santa" was walking down the isle. Little E just got so excited that he ran up to him and gave him a big hug. This is huge for him because he does not just go up to anyone, but for some reason, this year, he is really into Santa. Later we saw him in the back of the store and he sat on his lap and just smiled. It was precious! All little E wants for Christmas is a new choo choo (he is very into Thomas the train) and that is all he is talking about too. Little E keeps adding to his story about what is going to happen during this Christmas season, and I am loving his story each and every time too. He gets so excited ever time we talk about it, or watch a movie about it. He is starting to get that he will get presents on Christmas morning and I think I am more excited to see his face than anything. He was telling me today that he is not really going to go to sleep, but fake it so he can get up right away and get his presents. I don't know how this year is going to play out completely yet, but I do know this much, it has been such a blessing to watch him discover this holiday. It has also been neat to listen to my older two explain what is going to happen, and tell him that Jesus is really the reason for Christmas and how all of it makes Christmas special!

blah...

This week has just been blah. It is now 3am and I am wide awake! So, here I am on my computer thinking of something to write and wishing I could get to sleep. Tonight was a great night to end this week with. I was blessed to be able to have dinner with my Mom and finish up my Christmas shopping. Well, I still have some dollar things to put in the stockings, but other than that I think I am finally done! While I was out, my hubby and kids put up our tree. It looks so good! I think I am finally getting excited about Christmas.... finally! My goal now is to have everything wrapped by the weekend before Christmas so that I can sit back and enjoy every day of the holiday season, and celebrate the real meaning of Christmas... JESUS!!!!

Friends :)

I am so thankful that the Lord gave us friends. They are always there when you need them, and when you think you don't need them. The older I get, the more I am learning about myself. One of the things I am learning is that when things get really difficult for me, or there is something going on in my life that is really tough for me I shut myself off from everyone. I don't get depressed, but I don't really share anything with anyone and try to "work it out" on my own. Well, that is not working anymore and the Lord is using my friends to show me this. He is revealing things to my friends and they are asking me about them and they don't even know it. I can say this much, I am so very thankful for each and every one of you! You are so very precious to me. "Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9 To you, my dear friends, thank you for refreshing my soul and helping me get back on track. For showing me that you can be trusted and that you love me. I LOVE YOU TOO!!!!!

Pumpkin Seeds :)

I love pumpkin seeds. I love getting big pumpkins, scooping out the slimy seeds, washing them off and baking them. Most of all, I love eating them! This year the kids helped me with all of it. Little E loved getting his hands wet and playing with the slimy seeds in the water. He had water everywhere and was really upset when we were done. J and T loved scooping them out of the pumpkin. I tried a different way of baking them this year and I think I found a new way. I dried all the seeds before I baked them. Then covered them with some butter and salt and then baked them until they were golden brown. Yummy! These were the best seeds I have made in a long time. I have 2 more pumpkins to cut into and I can't wait. They are a special pumpkin that is not supposed to have the shell of the seed on them, just the seeds. They are used in making oils, but are really good to eat the seeds too. I cannot wait to try them. I am also going to attempt to make my first pumpkin pie completely from scratch. I have a couple of pumpkins that are good for baking, so I am hoping to get to that here in the next few days. I love this time of year and can't wait to try my new pumpkins!

Competitions

As a kid I participated in several different competitions between band and 4-H. Each one was different depending on if it was individual, as a team, or on a horse. I am sure I was nervous, but honestly that is not what I remember now as an adult. I remember being confident in what I was doing and doing the best I could do. I remember my parents were always there cheering me on, and supporting me whether I did good or not so good. They are great memories. Now, I am a Mom and it is completely different being the one in the stands watching my child competing in something. I am learning things about myself that I did not realize. Just one more area for the Lord to teach me about and show me how to handle my thoughts, words and actions.

Okay, now for the reason this all has come up. Saturday was my daughters first trampoline and tumbling competition. She did great! She was so nervous, but went out there and did her best. Honestly, I think her performance was the best I have seen her do so far! First she did the rod floor. This is where she does two passes, a front roll pass and a back roll pass. Out of 9 girls, she got 3rd place!



Second she did the double mini. This is a small trampoline where she runs up to it and jumps on it 3 times before she lands on the floor. She has two passes where she does tucks on one pass and straddles on the other one. Out of 10 girls, she got 2nd place!

The last event was on the trampoline, where she has a routine that she performs. It is hard to explain, but out of 9 girls, she got 3rd place! I am just so proud of her. She looked so cute in her outfit, and just lit up when she got her trophy. Her next competition is in December and I can't wait for it! Watching her compete and do such a great job makes it so easier for me to go and work hard selling food at a Blue Jackets game to earn money for her fees. Princess, I love you and keep up the good work!

Struggles

For many years now I have struggled with my weight. It started when I began infertility treatments and has been a never ending battle since then. It is not something I am proud of, nor something I want to pass onto my children. More and more the Lord is showing me that the kids are eating what I am eating, and that is not good. I do not want them to be overweight or learn bad habits from me. So, He showed me a bible study that is geared to changing the way I think about food and helping me to focus more on Him. In the past 2 months, I have started over twice because I have just not been focused or really wanted to. Well, it is time for the change to happen. I need to do it because He told me to do it. There is no longer an option. He has given me what I need and now if I don't do it I will be in disobedience. Well, I don't want to be there so tomorrow I am starting over again on day 1. I am going to be dedicated and not beat myself up if I have struggles. I am going to do the best I possibly can and completely rely and turn it all over the Christ, because I can do all things because Christ is my strength. I am sharing this on here because I need to be more transparent and open in my life. I know I am not alone in my struggles with the sin of gluttony. I want my life and testimony to be an encouragement and maybe even a motivation to someone. I will post my journey with on here, the goods, the bads and the uglies. In doing this, as the Lord leads you, I ask that you would pray for me. This is not an easy thing to do, but with His strength, I can do it! Thank You Lord for such great friends to help me through this journey. Thank You Lord for loving me so much that You won't leave me where I am at. I want to be a living testimony to You and I WILL give You ALL the praise and glory!

Growing up

My daughter is getting so big. She is on a trampoline and tumbling team and her first competition is this Saturday. She does not really understand what is going to go on, but I do. I am so excited for her. She has been practicing since March and has improved so much. Her leotard has not come in yet, so we are borrowing one from one of her team mates that has one they out grew. She tried it on today and she looks so cute and grown up all at the same time. I cannot wait to take pictures of her on Saturday so I can post them for you to see. I am so proud of her! I love you my dear, sweet baby girl. Don't grow up too fast for mommy!

following...

Well, so many thoughts.... where to start? I have to say that God is so amazing! I have been praying for a schedule and a routine for a while now. I did not realize how much I needed one. Well, one day I was sitting here, frustrated and He began to show me how my day should be going and how to plan it out. I got a piece of paper and began writing it down. He totally gave me a routine for my day, from the time I need to get up to the time to go to bed. When to teach school, when to do work around the house, when to play with the kids, all of it. It is so cool! Now, I just need to kick my butt in gear and follow it. What He is showing me now is that I have no more excuses. He has given me what I need, now I need to follow it. So, I am making no promises, but I am asking for His strength and desire to follow it. I am not beating myself up when I don't follow it, but those days are not the best days for us, so I really want to follow it. I figure He is the One who gave it to me, so He is the only One who can help me follow it! Thank You Lord for loving me so much!