What a Wonderful World

I've had the privilege to live, cry, go on road trips, move 5 times, laugh, sing, have and raise 4 kids and dance with the same man for the past 11 years.

He loves, hears, understands, sees and completes me as no other could.

I've watched him work hard to provide and also work hard to become a better: Husband, Father, Man and Pastor. It has been a joy to witness him interact and grow with his kids at all the different stages of their ever changing lives.

I know he's not perfect, but he's perfect for US!

You are more than I ever dreamed possible and I am privileged to be called Your Mrs. So......here's to the best Dad I know, my husband, the father of our kids, my Lion Hearted and Knight in Shining Armor. Ben, I love you.

If God Never Did Anything More

I heard a Pastor (maybe a Reverend?) by the name of Jack Hayford tell the following story. This is not an exact quote, 'cause I can't remember perfectly :)

There was a man, who wasn't prolific in practicing thankfulness and was trapped in a bank vault. It was closing time, he knew no one would be checking the vault. He knew he'd die if he didn't get some help. He decided to scream and yell for help. He also prayed "God help me! I know there's not enough oxygen to survive the night. Get me out of here!" (Now don't get the wrong idea...Pastor Hayford wasn't saying that asking God for help is wrong)

Same situation but switch the unthankful man out for a thankful one.

This man rose every morning saying "Thanks God for the oxygen you've allow me to breathe and for choosing to wake me up this morning." Now his prayer (in the reverse vault situation) was different. "God you've been so good to me. You've blessed me so much, I can't ask for anything more. You've already done so much for me. Thank you Lord for the last breath I breathe."

Now, everyone has problems with bad attitudes or wrong choices (my kids could tell a few stories about my bad attitudes, sad to say), but this story encourages me. I try to wake up and say thanks to God, because if God truly never did anything more for me, He's already done enough. He is the Author of my days and the fact that He thinks I should stick around a few more days is a blessing to me. And if He chooses to take me home, I can thank Him in person!

God help us to use these precious, few days of our life to honor You.

Psalm 139:16,18 "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." "When I awake I am still with you."

Stopping This Mother's Heart

Since Zach and Joe were 6 months old, they have loved playing in water. The larger the amount, the more fun! I remember the first time we went to a pool, my little babies would flail to try and get away form me and be on their own in the water. It scared me!
Over the years, their love and lack of fear for water has been a concern to me.
My in-laws came to visit this past week-end and stayed in a hotel with a pool. Needless to say, we visited the pool twice. By the end of the second visit, Zach had become Freak Boy in the water! He insisted on not wearing the water floaties, and performing 'tricks' for us. He learned to: swim underwater (he opens his eyes and can travel about a foot and a half); jump in, from the side, unassisted and uncaught; do a flip from the side into the water. (his head looked to be about three inches from the edge....ahhhh!).
Watching him tormented me! My mother-in-law and I were not in the pool but watching from the sidelines and Ben was in with the kids. Zach would stay under longer than we could handle and we'd end up yelling at Ben to pull him to air. Right after we'd yell, Zach would pop up like nothing was out of the ordinary and wipe his eyes.
Honestly, just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes! I was so scared several times the memory is frightening to me.
Any advice to help keep me calm?
The picts were taken last year at our Aunt's pool.

Good to Know

I had a Dr. appointment yesterday afternoon. Reason being: I was having strange symptoms; Very sensitive gag reflex, nauseous (to the point of vomiting once), head aches, feeling cold most of the time and lack of weight loss (even though I was going to extremes). He grilled me with questions for about 35 min. took my blood pressure and pulse, then went to his office to research my symptoms further. Basically I was drinking too much water (didn't know one could!) , not eating enough protein and not getting enough sleep. All the former and the fact that I went to extremes with my diet stressed out my adrenal gland(s) (the over drinking of water flush out the gland so much that they couldn't retain salt which is required to help regulate blood pressure, hence the fact that I had low blood pressure). I learned that the adrenal glands regulate blood pressure (blood pressure obviously effects the whole body) and an overall sense of well being (euphoria). I think the chemical adrenalin comes from the adrenal gland???? I should have asked him!
He said I was in good health and that I shouldn't worry about loosing the 10lb's I think I need to and just LIVE healthy. And about 45 min. after taking the prescribed vitamin, I started feeling warm......I'd say that's successful!

Berries and Mileage

We went strawberry picking yesterday. Pictured is me and the kids (of course), my Mom and my best friend Stephanie and her TWO month old daughter, Ella.

Just getting there was a miracle! I planned to pick up Steph on the way to the field. Thinking no problem......right? Steph mentioned that her hubby had the rear facing car seat base in the car he was using and didn't think she could go. I quickly assured her that there was no problem! "We can still strap the seat in without the base" I heard myself say......or.....could we? Not on your life! We got to her house and there wasn't a way to get it strapped in. Then I read the caution sticker on the side of the seat(after first trying for several minutes to get poor Ella secure) that it CANNOT be used without the base......Ahhhhh! We called almost everyone we knew that had a small infant to see if we could borrow their seat but came up empty. Then I remembered Kari! My cousin came to our rescue! She's due with their third mid August. Thanks Kari!

Oregon berries are the BEST! I found out (from an OPB show) that OR strawberries are more popular that any other state's. We process and sell ours more than any other. Apparently I've become a strawberry expert :)

Oh and one last thing......I ran THREE miles this morning! It took 34 min. but I went slower so I didn't burn out nearly as fast. At the table this morning I just commented that I was moving slow this morning (my patootie hurts!) and Joey said "I bet I know why. 'Cause you worked so hard exercising!" Then he kissed me. Ahhhh, livin' the dream!

Pushing

I've started my first quilt! Essy needed a new comforter and her b-d is coming up, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone.

I started about a month ago, and I'm not even half done. It's WAY more time consuming than I was prepared for. In order to complete Es's quilt, I would have to push myself and neglect the kids and the house for the next 13 days. And until about a half hour ago, I was going to do just that. Then I was reminded of a fact......

This past week-end Ben and I attended a retreat (locally). The focus was to understand who we are in Christ and who our enemy would want us to believe we are. It was probably the best Biblical teaching I've ever heard (and now applied:).

Anyway, at this retreat, I learned that I tend to push myself faster than God wants me to go. When I do this, I actually 'miss the mark', so to speak. I end up not getting the results I expected. I get so focused on persevering and completion that I miss the journey. I learned that God is a God, not just of arrival and completion, but also joy in traveling.....

I, as I was pushing to sew oogles and oogles, wasn't enjoying myself at all. I just wanted to make it to the birthday deadline. So much so that this morning I started to snap at the kids, telling them the reason was because I just needed to get done with this project.

Now that's a great memory for my dear Daughter! I so don't want her to remember Mama working so hard for her, that I made everyone else CRAZY and hurt every one's feeling in the process. I don't want her heart to drop every time she looks at the thing remembering the stress and hurt. I want it to remind her of joy!

So, I will miss the deadline in order to enjoy the journey. Because I am a woman who values traveling light!

The pictures above are some of what I've accomplished so far (I have completed 50 such pieces). Hey, can anyone advise me how to alternate the pictures from one side to the other? The set up looks so boxy......

Happy June Day!

Today is June first, but I think the only thing that is remembered at our house, today, is that it's only 17 day's until Esther's birthday. (She's been counting down from 48 or so day's 'till B-D. Hum, I wonder if she's excited?). She'll be 8 this year. I heard someone say that time flies. I'm here to testify......IT DOES!

Here's a little peek at what's been going on around here:
*1* I ran again for the first time in 6 days and met my 2.5 goal again. It was easier not to look at the display. Thanks Heather! Next time I run I'll go for not as intense but longer time and thus more miles.
*2* Okay, I need to clarify about Lucy. She didn't die.....we gave her away! Sorry for the terrible communication!
*3* We got two guinea pigs to 'replace' Lucy. The reason being, the kids would still have a live, lovable thing, yet they wouldn't be as much work. The problem is.......our guinea's (Fluffy and Samson-both are males;) are soooooo messy! They spread their bedding all over the bathroom. Not sure if I mentioned but I love my house to be continually clean. Hummmm, sounds like a contrast to me!
*4* And lastly, we might be moving soon.......ahhhhhhh! For several years Ben and I have desired to have 5+ acre's in the close-in-but-still-country area. We also desire to be debt free so.....to do that we have a bunch of options and decisions to make in the next few weeks.
Here are some of our options:
*Sell and move out of currant house into a rental
*Sell but still live in and rent currant house
*Don't sell currant house and live here longer than we expected (like move in 2009).
*But then we wonder if we wait that long the market will just continue to get more and more desirable (and more expensive:), but then on the flip side we wonder if the market will come down and waiting would be better???????
We totally want what God wants first, but secondly we want to make decisions that will enable us to be debt free.........aren't those two reasons synonymous?
I'm going to thank you in advance for praying for us because I know you will! Have a great week-end!

Good-bye and Honor

We said farewell to Lucy, our best dog ever, yesterday. Sam cried when we got home. Funny thing is, he was the one child I was concerned with the LEAST! I thought for sure Sis would be the hardest hit. Even today, she's fine. Sam has made a few comments...."Lucy was good." and "I miss her."

I have realized that......I am NOT a dog person. Don't get me wrong, they are cute and fun but to live with one is a complete difference. We will not be getting another dog until my husband doesn't have to work every day.......I'll enjoy them at someone else's home!

Now, moving to honor. I would like to give honor and respect to all the persons who have served or are serving in America's military. Without them, we would not have voice or life. Even if some choose to raise their voice in opposition to them, this is a privilege THEY have fought and died for! GOD BLESS OUR HERO'S!

Nothin' Better

Ben playing fetch with our soon-to-be-adopted-dog, Lucy.
Zach and I playing war. We have our 'war' faces on!

Joey's closest to Es.
Joey's on the right.
Ben took this one! I love it!
Zach's in the middle.

This past week has been busy.

Ben and I celebrated our anniversary by getting away to the mountains for two nights (Ben's Mom, Nadine, stayed with the kids. Thanks Mom!). The cabin we stayed at boasted of a wonderful hot tub. It WAS hot and clean (Yea! For all who don't know, I love hot tubs so this was a major selling or rather renting point)......too clean! There was so much chlorine that my skin got terribly dried out. In spite, we had a great time of peace, quite and reflection. We took stock of our relationship. We also talked about how we are doing parenting. I love conversing with my Husband. He is so wise and his point of view is truly refreshing.

We also went to the beach for two nights with the kids (Thanks Steve and Kathy!). We had a great time playing cards, board games and putting puzzles together.

There is nothing better than laughing with Ben AND the kids at the same time.

Can anyone say.......LAUNDRY!!!!!!

Tag-a-long

Goals are great, but the one downfall of them is this; trying to surpass it or reach it again!
As mentioned, I passed my running goal. The next day I got on the treadmill and walked 60 min. to give myself a break. The day after that (48 hours after passing my goal)I got back on the treadmill with the purpose to reach the new 2.5 mile record. I totally and completely could not do it! Not only that, but I could only huff and puff out 0.9 miles! Ahhhhhh! That was completely frustrating for me. And then to realize later that same day that I had kinda hurt my shin (not a total shin splint) and I developed a blister under one of my big toe callouses!
It's fun to reach goals, but some of the results from reaching those goals aren't so pleasant! I know, I know, my body just need to just get used to my new goal, but that's hard to accept sometimes.
Hurry up body and acclimate!