Random picture's from vacation

We always go to the book store on vacation (family tradition)
Chris and Seth trying to get out on the patio..

Sweet picture..

Meeting baby Jay..

Baby Jay with Mom and Dad
Baby Jay eating birthday cake with mommy, we got to celebrate his 1st birthday with him. It was touching to hear his dad praying that they didn't know if they would ever see this day.

Baby Jay is doing well and NOT missing any meal's.

Vacation picture's...Panama City Beach, Florida

Sunrise...
Chris really took to Aunt Jo..
Cam caught a crab, he caught the first one, 3 were caught in all and all were thrown back into the water.
Cute picture with daddy..
Cousins having fun in the ocean
Ross crab hunting...
Making sand castles..
Beautiful ocean....

Beautiful sunset...

YAHOO!!! VACATION TIME!!!

We are off to the beach, Lord willing tomorrow. We can't wait to feel that warm sand on our feet. We have waited all summer to go on vacation. Generally, we plan to go during most of the off season because we prefer "not" to be in crowd's. One of the blessing's of HOMESCHOOLING.

My sister-in-law is going with us this year, which is also a blessing and we are glad that she can join us. We also have Chris this year and we can't wait to see how he'll react to the ocean. He loves water so he should love the ocean.

The resort that we will be staying at is directly on the water so hopefully it will be a blessing. All of the balcony's are facing the ocean so I can't wait to get out there and be with God in the early morning.

Pray for us as we travel.

I plan to post picture's when we return.

Having fun with the boy's

CHICKEN ANY ONE????

Do you remember the 6 Rooster's and 3 Hen's that we have? Five lucky Rooster's are now in our freezer.

A really nice man came over to our house from Church to help my husband PROCESS them. I proudly walked down to the area in which they were setting up with Chris on one side and the other was the camera. As I watched them carry the bird's up one at a time from the pen, I just couldn't stay. I turned the camera over to my son and walked back into the house. Temptation got the best of me so I looked out of the window of the HOUSE of course and I saw the headless bird wiggling! That was enough for me. Needless to say the job is done and the bird's were actually a really good size. The very last thing to do was to wash them and prepare them for the freezer. I had the hardest time touching them, even though the looked just like a bird that had been purchased at the grocery store! I just couldn't hardly stand it so my friend helped me wash,o.k. she washed them!!! I held the bag open. I am such a, dare I say " C H I C K E N".!!!
I guess one day I will proudly say....I helped in processing the bird's. I can see purchasing bird's, raising them up for meat and egg's but processing and actually eating them is another story. I can even cook them for the family to eat, but the true test will be if I EAT THEM!

Having fun with Chris....

I had fun taking these picture's of Chris the other night. He had fun too!

Visit from DFCS

We had our quarterly visit for the Social Worker today. It went well, and nothing specific happened.

Initially Chris was hesitant to go close to her and clung to me. For a moment I wondered if he "remembered" her taking him from his previous foster mom and bringing him here. He reacted like he thought something was going to happen. It took him a long time to warm up. Surely, he is to young to remember all of that?

Later in the visit he returned to being himself, but it was odd for him because he is generally a PEOPLE PERSON.

He's the baby that screams across the department floor at "anyone" who will give him eye contact and tries to get their attention. I thought that was really odd for him to react so shyly today.

Sometime's I wonder if I like punishment. Why? I am up way to late AGAIN it is 3:01 a.m. and I should be resting right now. So, good night!

Thankful for my husband

Always thankful for my husband's calm heart. I tend to get overly concerned about things that are out of my control.
Lately, it has been concerning the future of our "foster son" Chris. I've felt so torn between what to do and what not to do, if you will. As, I shared this with my husband he reminded me that I don't have to be concerned about something that I don't have control over and espeically not right now because there is still plenty of time left to pray.

It felt like the pressure just left my shoulder's with his words.
God never cease to amaze me, in how he knows just what I need and when I need it. I am thankful for my husband because he is the "calm" and level head in our lives.

First steps...

Chris took his first steps today without holding on to anything. Of course he did this for Randy...It was so awesome. He was a little stinker today, but everything that wasn't so "good" got erased today when he took his first steps. He is turning into a TODDLER for sure. He is busy, busy, busy! I am up late and totally enjoying the "sound" of NOTHING! Well, maybe my typing on the keyboard but not a voice in the back ground. This is nice but morning comes fast so I shall retire.

What is interval training?

I found out tonight! We are considering joining this running club to stay motivated and get in shape as a family.

Let me tell you that interval training was for ME, VERY difficult! They ran "sprint's", at the 100, 200 and 300. They walked the 400. I did my very best which meant I was left in the dust, but hey I'm not sad about it, I have a goal! "To just be able to keep up with the group". It may take me until next year or later, but that is alright I feel really good tonight and I should sleep good as well.

All of us tried our very best and I am so proud of my family for supporting me in my effort's to get back in shape. Even little Chris was standing at the gate cheering me on.
Thanks you Lord for such a blessed day. I love it when the whole family is together doing something that we can all get into. Please pray for Randy as he continues to challenge himself and get his knee back in full swing.

A really good book called Home comforts By Cheryl Mendelson

I checked this book out from the library and knew that I needed to have it in my library. It is a really huge book with approximately 900 pages of GREAT information. A very good reference book to go to when you are ready to learn to do something the correct way as it relates to keeping the home. An all around great book for the beginner house wife or veteran could definitely benefit from this book. I decided to purchase it and I can't wait for my copy to come in the mail.

What does BEING A PROVERBS 31 WOMAN MEAN?

The bible tells us what a Proverbs 31 woman is/ does,but I need it broken down even further. I've been searching and I found this link. It is interesting.. check it out and let me know what you think. I will break down my thought's later.
http://www.wcg.org/lit/bible/poet/prov31.htm

Created for work....

Yes, young men are created for HARD work. This book has been a blessing to our family in that they are taking it to heart. Today we discussed how "MAINTENANCE" and how if we don't keep our belongings maintained they wear out and age quicker.

How acquiring is easy, and how if we continue to do that we aren't improving the earth that God created for us but polluting it. How costly it can be to keep repurchasing things.
A quote from the book: "Whether you consider a business, a home, or a fruit tree, each will fall like the sluggard's rock wall without regular maintenance."

Another quote from the book that shed a ton of light for me personally " The Bible says that Jesus created the world and currently maintains it (Colossians 1:15,16) Imagine what it takes to maintain a water system that feeds every living plant and animal on the planet." Think of the challenges to provide continual oxygen, heating, and cooling for a whole world. He's a maintainer and He created us in His image! Those who accept this role prosper in His kingdom. Those who won't adopt maintenance mentality, suffer consequences.
As parent's we do understand this and try to teach it to our children, but is so nice to have read it in his book to our young men tonight.

I'll end with this scripture: Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Picture's of Chris...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ONE SPECIAL LIL' GUY!

We've had you for 3 month's now and we are all so in love with you. It was such a pleasure watching you eat your "whole" cup cake! I can't believe it. You know I NEVER gave my older 3 children a whole cup cake at 1 year's old. I'm getting weak, ha,ha,ha! What a hoot to see him enjoy it so much.

I FINISHED THE RACE!!! YAHOO!!!

I actually finished the road race in a decent amount of time considering I haven't done this type of thing in a while. I believe I averaged approximately 15 to 16 minute's per mile. Which is very SLOW, but I am still encouraged and proud. My journey continues on with participating in races and exercising, controlling my eating and finally loosing this unwanted weight.

I am also thankful for my dear friend's who participated in the race with me Mrs. M and Mrs. J. It was truly a blessing to me! Thanks again!