I don't reply to my comments...

at least not as a comment. Welcome to any new readers. I love getting comments and readers. It makes this feel like more than just a journal. It makes it more like a conversation...with grownups. I love it.

To all questioning about the Daniel Beth Moore Bible study, YES! I would totally recommend it. The first part was most relevant to me and the second part is a learning roller-coaster. I just don't like talking about end times. I think there is too much opinion and supposition. I know my God will make it fabulous. He's just that way.

I finally got my day yesterday. We did not leave the house and I got it straightened and some laundry done. BY the way, vinegar and baking soda totally rocks on our gross bathroom too. We have an old shower that is really impossible to clean, we need to replace it. It has gunk on the doors that was there when we bought the house and despite every possible cleaner, I cannot budge it. We settle for just getting the shower part clean. I normally use comet to accomplish that and the vinegar and baking soda did the same job. OH VINEGAR, you are my new best friend. Anyway, we now have clothing and a semi-neat home. I cannot believe it is Thanksgiving this Thursday. It is like the whole year has been stuck on fast-forward. I would prefer the pause button! We are off to go and deliver candy and nuts today as well as do a little traveling booth selling. Great jolly fun!

Enjoy your Saturday!

I'm a little nuts

At least my living room is full of nuts and candy from our fall product sale with girl scouts. I guess we will be delivering and selling, selling and delivering this weekend. I'm so excited. REALLY! I am so happy that my chldren will work hard to earn these prizes we will give to the salvation army later. Fundraisers, gotta love them!

It's getting colder...

This is both a song my husband's band sings and also a weather forecast for our neck of the woods. It is quite chilly and I would not be shocked if snow started. One of my favorite things about KY is that we get it all-moderately. Our winters are very cold but also, unseasonably warm many days as well. We usually get a really good snowman building snow once or twice. That really good snow shuts our towns down. Northerners would laugh at what we close down over. All of our other seasons are very distinct as well. I have visited many other states, but I have not ever liked another one better than home.

Although, I do have alot of friends in Texas!! Let me warn you, we are heading that way in the spring so you better look out!! Hubby hasn't agreed to it yet, but if I compromise with a stop in Austin, somehow we should be able to make a compromise.

Today was the last day of my Beth Moore Bible study, "Daniel". I have to say I really liked the first part of this study-AWESOME!!! The second half though, I just could not internalize it. The lessons and broadcasts still resonated with me, but not on the same level. Perhaps because this was meant to be a "learning" Bible study not a personal Bible study. Revelations has always made my eyes glaze over and my head ache-so it isn't any wonder this study kind of did the same. I still highly recommend it though, especially if you have lots of questions about the end times. She does a very thorough account that is all backed in scripture. The first half will knock your socks off. I will never again hear the story of Daniel the same way ever again!!

Babies...

I only miss them a little. I think I can wait until grandkids as long as we have some at church I can hold. Tonight I held Davin and it wasn't long until Lilly wanted to hold him too. So I let her.

"Let me know when your arm gets tired." I said.

In her most serious voice, "My arm will never get tired."

PAJAMA DAY!

Well 1 errand and then pajama day. Probably not though, I am in hyperdrive mode so we will have to do some things(LAUNDRY). Maybe we will call it fun day and make some playdough or something.

Here is a funsie!! I tag Susie and all the rest of my tens of readers. LOL. Let me know if you played!

Subject: Holiday Edition


1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg nog (boiled custard is best)

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Unwrapped pile thoughtfully spaced near the tree.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? YES!and we kiss under it : )

5. When do you put your decorations up? 1st week or so in December

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Dressing

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Seeing what Santa brought

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What do you mean? That he is really skinny and wears a pillow?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? YES! New pajamas to wear to bed for good christmas pictures!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Hallmark, homemade and gift ornaments.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT!!

12. Can you ice skate? never even seen a rink aside from TV.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My engagement ring.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Family. I would pefer to skip all of the gift and shopping nonsense. It means nothing to me any more.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pumpkin pie with whipped cream and chocolate squares that Erik's grandma makes

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Putting Baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas day.

17. What tops your tree? An angel (paperplate angel specifically)

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Definitely giving!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Nat King Cole’s “Christmas Song”

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yummy: How about pretty?

21. Do you have music playing while decorating your tree and house? YES!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow.

We don't have anywhere to be and for that I am thankful. We may go somewhere with a friend but she is calling me early in the day to let me know for sure. If we don't do that with her, it is totally PAJAMA DAY. I am glad too because I am tired. We have gone too much too many days in a row. Mount washmore has developed into it own mountain range. If we do go with her, that will totally be fine too, because it will be for fun, not obigation or commitment.

Social studies fair was tonight and it was fun. It may be my favorite homeschool function. Some of the kids are total hams and others are funny. Some are funny on purpose, others not so much. It is a great time and the kids always learn alot. Eve, if you are reading this, Hats off to you for another successful year. I'm glad we skipped the whole refreshment thing. It is more fun, less stress without it.

If it's not one hurdle, it's two...

Okay, yesterday I barely cleared the "past" hurdle. In fact I think I bumped my hip as I went over. No sooner did my feet hit the floor and I am facing another. My parenting skills. They are not equipping me very well for the job I have to do. Satan is on the prowl. I feel like such an ineffective mother. There are moments when I feel good, but something quickly comes along and snuffs that moment out so fast, I think it must have been a mirage. I know this is all his plan; make me doubt myself and my life so much that I just throw up my hands and quit. I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Join me as I say that one hundred times tonight.

A checkered past...

I ran into my past again early this morning. I used to be a rebel against God and everything I knew I should be doing with my life. I got into every form of trouble that I was able to get into. I was "awakened" at an early age to alot of "stuff" I had no business being involved with. This compounded with a rebellious spirit and a flirty, aggressive personality kept me involved with constant sin. So early this morning when I came face to face with my past in the form of an ex-boyriend, I had those same feelings of unworthiness and guilt over my lack of faithfulness to my awesome savior. Ordinarily, I hang my head in shame and spend many days in the trenches where I fight the devil to prove I am different now. He argues that I am not fit and I question my life and all the decisions I've made.

This morning, I had three darling reminders that my life is different. I was able to speak and be polite and not feel like I was betraying my husband or family. I was empowered to know I am different now. My regret as I look back on my 2 minute conversation is that I did not witness. I wish I could have not only held my head high with pride, but shared with him that I am different and he could be too. This is probably not my place to witness to a former boyfriend, but if it is, I will. I AM different, I may be tempted sometimes, but I am equipped. I have believed the lies of the devil before and it is emblazoned on my soul forever what an empty life it was. I am blessed beyond words with a husband and three darlings that love me-flaws and all.

My checkered past is covered with the blood and remains forever forgiven. Praise YOU Father for mercy and forgiveness. AND a clean sparkling white slate to begin again forever replacing the checkered one!