16 Things

I was tagged by my bloggy buddy Shelly, whom I just adore,
and am to write 16 things about myself.
So, here it goes.

1. I love to read. I've been doing a lot of this lately as I have
found a new great author Philipa Gregory. My favorites are
historical fiction. It's the best way to spend a day. Does
anyone know how I could earn a paycheck doing this?

2. My day doesn't feel like it has started until I get a cup of
coffee. I love that first cup of Hazelnut with Half and Half.
Yum.

3. I wear make up every day. I don't think I have ever left
the house without at least foundation and mascara on. They
are my staple and a good lip gloss. I just feel naked without
them.

4. I wear jeans every day. Even church days. I'm a denim gal
and am always on the search for a great pair.

5. If I could, I would work the Night Shift. I've done that
shift before and if you can make it till 4 am it's smooth
sailing from there. I love to be up at night and definitely
can sleep in the daylight. I'm not able to do this right now
but you never know what might come up.

6. I love working with the elderly. I've worked at a nursing
home for a total of 11 years (have had 4 positions there.)
They are the best people to work and serve and I miss
them dearly.

7. I've only been a stay at home mom for 2 years. I love it
and wondered how I did it before working and having 3
children. I know I didn't see my husband much and felt
like I was missing out on their lives. (I worked evenings)
Not fun.

8. I have a hard time saying no. I'm constantly getting
myself roped into volunteering because of it. I actually
feel ill having to tell someone that I can't do something
even if I'm screaming inside that I don't want to do it.
Sick I know.

9. I have two sisters (that have blogs but are private so I
won't send you over to them) that I am blessed to walk
this earth with. I am the oldest and have always felt like
they were my babies.

10. My hubby and I met at a youth group event when I
was 14. We've had our ups and downs. Dating and break
ups. I love him more each and every day. He's my best
friend.

11. I'm allergic to cats. I own two of them. They are
adorable.

12. I've lived in the same state all of my life. We live in
the town that my hubby grew up in. A suburb of 50,000.

13. I love collecting recipes and making new things. I
usually peruse my friends cook books while over at their
house for a play date. I love talking food with others.

14. My least favorite household chore is laundry. I would
rather clean toilets and mow the lawn before tackling
clothes. It's a never ending battle and it feels draining to
me.

15. I love cauliflower. I eat it several times a week.
It's one of my favorite snacks to eat.
My hubby thinks I'm nuts and it's known in my family
that I love it so my mom always cuts some up in salads
when we come over dinners.

16. My toe nails are always painted. I only see them bare
when I am switching colors. They are a sporting a dark
wine color at the moment.

Well, that's me in a nutshell. Hope it wasn't too boring.
I lead a pretty mundane life here in the midwest.

Hope you all have a beautiful weekend. I'll be celebrating
my little girl's 7 year old friend party. Wish me luck. :)

Happy Birthday Sweetie

My darling little girl Mara is 7 years old today.
How can it be that she is growing up so quickly?


Mara, I love you more each passing day. I love everything
about you. Your smile that lights up a room. Your
giggle that comes from the depths of your belly.
The way you hold my hand, wrap your arms around
me for a hug, and kiss me goodnight.

You love your friends and you also love to entertain them.
You make everyone laugh with your wit and charm.

You most love to play with Barbies, horses, anything miniature
and to draw. You have grown so much
in your reading and to hear you read is absolute joy.

You still sleep with your blanky and a thumb
plopped in your mouth. It's a hard one to give up especially
the first time I saw you do it was during my ultrasound of
you.

You love all animals but especially our kitties. Your
tender heart is beautiful. You love Jesus and tell me all
about him often.

There is no other that loves to be in the kitchen with me like

you. You love watching cooking shows, cutting up food, and

mixing it in the pan. Your favorite is kneading the dough and

tasting it of course. What a little foodie you are.

What a blessing this little 6 lb 10 oz girl is to me.

She came 2 weeks early and was my easiest labor.

She had a beautiful red fuzzy head of hair and a pair of

sparkling blue eyes. She has grown is so many

ways. I cherish her like no other and can't wait to

see her sleepy little head in the morning, her

bright smiling face as she returns from school and

to see the person that she is becoming every day.

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Girl!!

My neck of the woods

You might live in my state if your house looks like this.

A little buried in the snow.

You might live in my state if it looks like this out of your

front car window while driving to a play date today and

you don't even flinch. You just keep driving.

You might live in my state if your children have spent

more days doing this than not. We love our sledding

hill behind our house.

You might live in my state if your children can take

ski lessons for 5 months of the year.



Finally, you might live in my state if skating is an indoor

activity because it's too cold to do this outside.

What's winter like in your neck of the woods????

Lately

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials
of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your
faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3

Lately, my life has been increasingly difficult. I have been
tested and trialed in just about every area of my life since
September. One event has lead to another and I find myself
grown very weary.

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow
weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31


Back in August I wrote this and little did I know what God
would be asking of me. The trust that he would require of
me. The trials, tears, heart ache, anger, and ultimately
my humbling.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand,
that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on
him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

My faith has been tested. My body has grown
very tired. My mind wants to give up. My heart wants
to cry. I have walked dark valleys these past months.
Some of which I won't be able to share on these pages.

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me
beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me
in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod
and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table
before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint
my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness
and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will
dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23

However, there is a piece of me that has clung
to a thread of hope that there is a reason for this season
of my life. At this point, clinging to the cross is all I know to do.
Hold on for my dear life to my rock, my refuge, my salvation, my hope.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Romans 12:12

Not Me Monday

I did not let my son wear his pajamas from New Years Eve
Night on for the next 48 hours. Which means he didn't
bathe or change his underwear even. Gross.

I did not eat desert for breakfast twice this last week.

I did not eat Arby's yesterday after making a resolution
to not eat fast food this year. Do I have any will power?

I did not swear and then be repeated several times by my
children. They really didn't think it was hilarious. Not us.

I'm really not posting at 4:50 am because I don't have
problems with insomnia. Not me. I sleep like a baby.
O.K. maybe a newborn nursing baby that wakes ALL
the time.

I feel much better. How about you??