Not just a window........

Did you know how precious a window is? When you open one up, you can feel the cool breeze on a fall day. You can smell fresh cut grass and hear the crickets in the summer . In the winter you can sit by the fire, sipping hot cocoa and watch as each precious ornate snowflake falls slowly to the ground. For those of you who have windows you probably don't think twice about them(unless it was about complaining because you had to clean them). I really never gave them much thought when I had a house full of them. Now that we live in a basement and do not have any windows......I now know what a blessing it was to have them and I now will Never Ever....take having windows for granted in my house.

Having had sickness in our house the last couple of weeks.....OH HOW I WISH I HAD A WINDOW to open up and let some fresh air in and let some of this stale sick air out.

I know this is a simple hole in the wall covered by glass and a pane that can be beautiful when decorated with a gorgeous tapestry or window covering...........it can let in SUNSHINE........So right now, go to your window....open it and BREATH IN!!! See, enjoy what you have for one day it may be gone. We should find simple pleasures in our lives to enjoy. Just a window.........just a window!!! *SIGH*

A few of my favorite things....

So here are a few of my favorite things. They are not in any particular order and there was no way I could list all of them........hope you enjoy!

I think this is one of the most relaxing enjoyable things to do. I LOVE to sit on the beach. Number one, I just get overwhelmed by the enormity of the ocean and that I am a child of the GOD that created that. Number two.....is there anything more beautiful. The sound, the smell, the feel of the wind. Ohhhh.......I just love to sit on the beach!
Okay....so don't laugh, but sometimes......okay....most always.......when I am taking the warm clothes from the dryer......I bend over and lay my head on the warm clothes and just breath in their aroma. CRAZY...I know. What can I say.....I love WARMTH and things that smell good!
Sometimes us moms just need to stop what we are doing and LISTEN. Listen to the sweet laughter of our children. I love to hear my children laugh.
I can't think of anything more lovely than a sweet hug from a child. I love when my children hug me. They hug with all they have and they love you with out condition.
So this is one of my most favorite things to do.......to cuddle up on the couch with my sweet hubby and watch a movie. I love being in his arms. I love his smell and his warmth....OKAY.....I will shut up now!
Okay.....I don't know what it is, but I LOVE me some party food!!! BBQ little smokies, chips and dip, meatballs, chicken fingers.......oh the list could go on and on.........
I love grilling. I love the smell, the sound......the TASTE!!!! Mmmm....if it were up to me, I could eat grilled food everyday. I love sitting on the porch with good friends, enjoying a nice meal and a glass of sweet tea!!!
I love the smell of fresh cut grass. I especially love the smell of fresh cut grass and a summer rain.......
I love STORMS. I don't necessarily like to be out in them, but I do love the sounds and smells of a good thunderstorm.

I don't know what it is, but I love staying at a hotel. Even if it is only for one night. I guess the thought of being some place different even for a little while.

A Daily Dose of Humor.......

There were two blondes, and they had just came from a store.

The blonde that owned the mustang had locked her keys in the car. She was trying to pick the lock when she stopped to rest for a second.

When she sat down, her friend said, "Hurry up, it's starting to rain and the top's down!"

Count your blessings......name them one by one......

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

I love this song. There have been times in my life when I have felt less than faithful, and certainly less than grateful. I sing this song often to myself when things just don't seem to be going the way "I" had intended for them to go.

I have SO MANY blessings in my life and sometimes you just have to sit down and COUNT them....and I promise you once you start counting them, you will realize you probably can't count that high.

I love the last verse....so amid the conflict whether great or small: do not be discouraged GOD is over all.

MY GOD knows all about my conflicts and trials in my life. I am THANKFUL to HIM and ALL of the COUNTLESS blessings I have in my life!!!!

Have you counted your blessings today?

Just Say No.....

Just say NO.......easier said than done...right??? For a couple of months I cut out chocolate(which I love) and a lot of sugar in my life. I lost about 13 pounds and was starting to feel better about myself and how I looked and how I felt...........UGH!!!!!!!! AND THEN...........I FELL OFF OF THE WAGON........I KNOW.........HORRIBLE!!!!!! I have eaten my weight in sweets over the holidays and I am sick of it...NO MORE!!!!!! As of today those days are OVER....that's right CHOCOLATE......I'm done with you, we are officially broken up. Leave me alone......I do not want you to find me. I do not want you to haunt me in my dreams. I am OVER you!!!!!! I seriously feel like I have a relationship with sugar...LOL. So here goes......I am starting my new year off right.....MORE WATER, NO CHOCOLATE. I am telling you CHOCOLATE...it's for your own good and safety...for when you come around, I would only eat you.....you wouldn't have a chance to melt in my hand!!!!

P.S. I still love you

Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas other than the fact that Tyler was and still is sick with the FLU. This will be a year he will always remember or rather one he would rather try to forget!!! Poor guy....felt so bad for him. Even through all of the hard times....I truly LOVE my life.....I wouldn't trade it for anyone else's. I am thankful for a husband that loves me, wonderful healthy, happy children. Parents who always take care of me. Wonderful brothers and their wives. Terrific nieces and nephew. A great church with a wonderful pastor. Awesome friends!!!

Year in Review 2010

WOW...I can not believe how fast this year went by. I must say though, I am ready to see it go. The last 2 years of our lives have been filled with many ups and downs. I am so very thankful the Lord has allowed us to be where we are and to be surrounded by the people we are surrounded with. We have truly learned throughout these times the friends that are truly ready to go to bat for us and have our back and are there to pick us up when we fall. Brad and I have learned a lot about each other and I truly love him more today than I did a year ago. We have experienced heartache like no other this year with the passing of "GREAT", Brad's grandmother. You know you expect in someway for your grandparents to die due to old age and sometimes I am sure for some that creates some sense of comfort knowing that they lived a long fruitfull life. Charlotte who we called "GREAT" was like no other woman I had ever met. Her death was harder on me than any other death I had experienced in my lifetime. I am tearing up just thinking about it. She was beautiful, she was kind, she was generous, she was caring, she was matter of fact, she was honest, she was hardworking, she was GREAT!!! I don't take for granted the 14 years I was priviledged to have been her granddaughter in law....although, she NEVER made me feel like an in law......if you were to ask all of the inlaws......they would all say the same thing. I am so thankful both of my children were loved by her. I am thankful we have so many wonderful memories of her to carry us through this life. Great, you are missed with each passing day!!!

This year has also brought some disappointment with Brad's job situation. We are still praying the Lord's will be done in our lives. We are diligently seeking HIS wisdom. The Lord knows all about it and we are trusting in HIM....although sometimes we ponder why?

WE are BLESSED beyond measure and truly know where our treasures are.

With this upcoming New Year just a few days away....there are SO MANY things I want to improve on and there are some goals that Brad and I want to attain. I am going to list some of them so I can keep myself accountable.

1. Become a better wife and mother. I strive at this daily...but fall so short in so many areas. My husband and children deserve for me to do better. I think a lot of this can be attained by becoming a better steward of studying God's word.

2. Be a better soul winner. I need to REALLY get REAL and serious about so many people dying and going to HELL and it is my obligation to tell them.

3. Be a better teacher to my children with homeschooling.

4. Be a better friend. I need to worry more about being there for others and being a blessing to them than to worry about being blessed.

5. Continue to lose weight. Really get focused again and be fit and trim by summer....and KEEP IT OFF.....also to encourage my husband to lose some weight.

6. Be MORE organized.

GOALS:

1. Become more financially stable

2. Purchase a home

3. Brad find a stable job ( I would love for him to find one he enjoys........I know selfish....but I want him to be happy)

4. Really build up my photography business!!!

Well....there are a few things to strive to be better at......I've got my work cut out for me because I know who I am dealing with....ME!!!

Take care and be thankful for each and every day the Lord hath made!!!