Wow, January 2013. I am really believing the saying of as you get older time goes faster. I am really feeling that. 2012 was a great year for our family. Can't say one thing specifically. It was just a great year. My daughter turned 5. Son turned 8. My husband is flourishing in business and in his role as 1st Sgt in his new battalion. Riley is in Kindergarten. Brayden is in 3rd grade. Both have amazing teachers. My sister left to work in Iraq. Yep she is an amazing young lady who will be 22 this coming Saturday. My youngest brother is working for my dad and doing great. He is a huge help to me with Riley when I am subbing or cleaning a house and need him to pick her up. My other brother and his wife surprised us at mother's day announcing that they are having twins!! Yep and they gave us 2 beautiful little boys on November 14. They are so sweet. We hadn't seen Jim's sister in 5 years due to choices she was making. But she is clean and sober and doing awesome now. She has a little boy Daniel who is 2. Very sweet little one. Spending time with them at Christmas and Thanksgiving was a big treat. I mentioned it earlier but I have been able to get on with Salem Keizer schools as a Substitute aid. I have only subbed at the kids school but I really enjoy it and would love for it to turn into something more permanent. I have also learned some things about myself. I really struggle with saying no. Not to my children. I feel like I say it to often to them. But to others. Can you do this today? Of course I can. So that is something I am really working on. Something else I have been reminded of. I like the idea of a dog. We have a dog and she is great. She is outside and pretty good with life. However, she has nipped at a few people this year and that stresses me out. I love being the place where kids come to play. I just never want it to be a scary place for kids. Jim and I also thought we might like a small dog some day. Well, we have been dog sitting for a family and this small dog thing isn't us either. He follows me EVERYWHERE!! Driving me crazy. He yaps at everything and chases my sweet kitty. Both our kids are sick of him jumping on them and trying to lick them. It doesn't help that they are sick and just want to be left alone. I actually did something I have never done before. I backed out of my commitment. I mean sure we have canceled things before but never in the middle of doing it walked away. I called the family yesterday and asked if there was possibly anyone else to watch him. With the kids sick and him yapping. It was just time to be done. So, he goes to his grandmas house this morning. I am so ready. I will get to sleep with out him right beside me and let my kids just cuddle with their cat and not have him chasing the cat. They can just focus on rest and getting better. So, in looking at this new year. It is going to be a good one. Excited to see how it turns out. I just hope we do it healthy!

Again

I know it has once again been months since I have posted. I am right now sitting in a hotel in California. I am at an army weekend with my husband. Tonight is our Christmas party. I am excited to go tonight. We are going to the Winchester Mystery house. It should be a great time. I went to Ihop for breakfast by myself and read my book. I love those simple little places. They don't have the fancy decorations but that is ok by me. I love that. Since I last posted my brother and his wife had twins. They are the sweetest babies. I am so in love with them.

We are excited about Christmas this year. We aren't going out of town so that is great. We have the cards out and the tree up. We are excited to have a special season celebrating the birth of Christ. Merry Christmas to all!

So I knew I had to get this on here before the excitement wore down and I didn't remember all the details. My kids love Jesus. They love him and want there friends to know him. They aren't perfect children and they are still naughty and mean to one another. However this has me so excited to see where God is going to lead them. This particular incident was mostly Brayden. Riley was involved a little at the begining. In June we went to our friends kids birthday party. They had rented a bounce house and the kids jumped all afternoon. We love this family and believe God has put them in our life for a reason. So our kids know we pray for them to learn to know Jesus. They know I meet with the mom and we sometimes talk about Christ. On this particular day nothing major was going down. We happened to be the last ones to leave the party. On the way home Brayden tells me that him, Riley and the boy were chatting in the bounce house and J doesn't know Jesus. Hum I say. Yes, and he isn't sure he wants him in his heart yet cause he doesn't know much about him. Interesting I say. Mom, he doesn't have a bible either. Oh. I say. I was pretty sure about that but found this very interesting that the kids had talked about this. Now I have to jump off to say that Brayden had been planning a lemonade stand for WEEKS if not Months. He really wanted to have one and we were having a garage sale so I had told him he could have it then. So he tells me he is going to use the money from his garage sale to buy J a bible. I thought that was a great idea. So the garage sale was going to be in 2 weeks. He talked about it non stop. He was so excited. He prayed for his friend daily. He asked Jim and I if he didn't get enough if we would help out. Of course we said yes. How could we not. So awesome was this. He was excited to read the bible with his friend. The weekend of the garage sale came. He sat out there and told everyone who came he was raising money to buy his friend a bible. That Sunday we went to church and he went to buy the bible and he had all but $2 for it. It was very exciting. Now because his parents don't know the Lord we felt we had to make sure this was ok. We knew they were open to it because they do upward with us. They wanted him to go to camp with Brayden. They know we are very involved in church. So, I texted the mom and just said hey Brayden wants to do this for J. And she said that was fine. Phew. That was an answer to prayer. Well, Brayden gave it to J and all was good. And then camp came. Off to camp they went ready to enjoy there week. I picked the boys up the first day and Brayden jumps off the bus. "Mom, J asked Jesus into his heart". What?? I gave him a big hug and was so thrilled. I hugged J and told him I was so happy for him. He asked if he could come to church with us and I was absoultly buddy. Later I asked Brayden more details. He said that after bible time they were putting there bibles away and he asked J what he thought and he said that he thought he would like Jesus in his heart. And so Brayden prayed with him and then wasn't sure if it worked so he told J to pray again. That was last week and the parents LOVED camp night and I have seen mom a few more times since then. They haven't been able to come to church yet and we are gone the next few weeks. But we are praying that they will come and that they will also learn to know the Lord. But Brayden keeps talking about how excited and happy he is to know his friend will be in heaven with him. Next, I will have to tell about how my sister thinks Brayden will end up over where she is and what he told me last night.

My Sweet kids

Brayden at Camp

Riley

Sometimes

Sometimes I wonder why I try. Sometimes I wonder what I am good at. Tonight I tried making cake pops. Everything I have seen and read said they are easy. Well they aren't. So, I am at home here pouting and reminding myself about my inability to do crafty new things. And while I was cleaning up my big mess I prayed. God, what am I good at? What is my skill? The only thing I came up with is I am good at loving and taking care of my family. Most of the time. The times I don't do such a good job are when I am grumpy from trying a new project. So, tonight I go to bed happy. Even though my stuff didn't turn out. I know my kids will think it was great I tried and they will love me and celebrate the 4th with friends and my wonderful family. Happy Birthday America.

I have been trying some knew things. I always get excited about a new project. Now a reminder to myself. I am not good at it. Crafty projects. I LOVE pintrest. However, I am not good at it. I love all the ideas, but I am not going to go buy the clothes I like, I am not going to make the stuff I see. I will however make some of the yummy recipes. I love that as I get older I can be okay with it. I don't have to decorate like anyone else. It is okay that I don't like stuff. I like the simple clean lines of my house. I love that for the most part it is clean. I love that because I don't have a lot of hobbies (and the stuff that comes with that) I play with my kids, hang outside and chill with my husband in the evening. I love that about myself. So I will probably keep on doing pintrest and be completely okay with the fact that I am a simple person who is who she is. I also need to post pictures soon.

Feeling Challenged

I have been reading a blog called "Hands Free Mama" I am loving it. I don't feel like I am overly absorbed with my Iphone or my computer. I LOVE being away from them and have my phone on me more for security of being able to be gotten ahold of when the kids are in school. I do love texting. Even as I sit here writing this I hear my phone going off in the other room. I love that I don't have to respond right away. I love that if I am busy or don't know the answer I don't have to right now. My husband does tease me about taking the time to phone. It is just that I feel like it takes more time to call than to just text. However, after reading this blog I am challenged to put my phone down. Leave it in the house when we are outside playing. (When I have both kids with me) And just enjoy. Really connect. I don't do all the things that they say on the list but I for sure want to engage and connect more. I adore my kids and just don't want to miss anything. They are growing far to fast.

Favorite Child

I have heard several times that every mother secretly has a favorite child. At first I was thinking that is crazy! The more I have thought about it though, I agree. I do have a favorite child. It is the one who isn't throwing a fit at that moment. Who is obeying. Who comes up and cuddles. Who is kind to someone new at school. Who is running crazy through the house crazy like. The one who is sensitive because someone was mistreated. So yes you may have figured it out. Both of my kids are my favorite. It is because they are different and have qualities that are different and make them individuals and so very precious.

God can change you 2

I have to give you a warning. One thing that happens when you open your heart to the Holy Spirit to come in and work through you. Well, you may get put into uncomfortable situations. Ones that aren't always in your "Spiritual Gifts" column. This has happened to me lately. So, the neighbor boy is good and all that. And my husband and I are really called to a group of non christians. Not totally sure how it all happened it just did. It started out (however) and we really gravitated to the 3 couples in the group who had kids. They were close in age to ours and they all played well together. Well the one lady whom I felt I knew the least. Her son is younger and they live out in Turner, where as the rest of us are west siders. Her and her husband came to the birthday dinner my hubby set up for me. Well, she plops herself right next to me and proceeds to tell me that she went to church on Sunday. I mentally made note not to let my jaw drop. And she was telling me that the pastor challenged them to choose a word for the year. She chose learn. She has one other friend that was a Christian, however, she had decided to become jewish and since that just didn't seem very solid to just switch that way. Well, she asked if I would mentor her and help her understand it all better. Yep thats right HOLY COW. If you know me, that isn't me. My spiritual gifts are not teaching, leading any of that. Now if you need me to encourage you, have faith or show hospitality. I am all over it. Needless to say I am freaking out and yet so excited that God feels like I can do this. We have invited one of the other ladies to join. Not sure if she will yet or not. Her husband has been asking mine questions and they do upward with us. But, since all that I feel like satan may be attacking her. Just strange things she is doing. So, I am praying harder for them and their marriage. So again I give you a warning be careful what you pray. And yet be ready for the ride of your life that God will lead you on.

God can change you!

God sometimes puts you in places or situations you didn't ask for and if you are willing he can use that for his glory. Last year I took two additional neighbor boys to school. Not a big deal. They were on time and easy. But they were off to middle school and so I was excited to have it just be my son. However, that was not to be. Right before the school year started our neighbor came down and asked if I would be willing to take his son to school and pick up. Here is a little background on our neighbor. First, they are nice and all and have been through so much. But, the little boy is rowdy, wild, and had no supervision. His mother had died before he turned 5. He lives at Great Grandmas house. With Grandma, dad, uncle, sister (17) and Brother (16) and himself. Needless to say he was at our house a lot and sometimes just wore me out. But, it is someone to play with and like Jim said. Would you rather not have a kid for our kids to play with? I know, at least they were always at our home and I could supervise. So, I begrudgingly said yes I would take him to school. Well, every morning I would pray for patience and that I would grow to care for him. I was encouraged by the people who told me good job. He needs this and my husband telling me I was becoming like a mother to him. Another neighbor saying they could tell he was with me a lot because he was getting Sparkman manners. (I expect my kids to have good manners) I started kind of side hugging him when he would come out after school. He started leaning in. He has started being even more respectful in the mornings and he LOVES good news club after school. So much that his grandma called and asked if he could go to church with us. Now you must know. I was still praying about him but I have grown to LOVE him!! I don't worry now about dropping him off after school if I have stuff to do. I just bring him with me. So of course I told his grandma YES he is more than welcome to come with us. The kids were estatic. They couldn't wait for Sunday. However, that first week was not to be. They overslept. That was okay. My kids cried and we prayed he would be able to come after Christmas since we were going to be gone. Well, last week I had to go to the church after school on Wednesday to set up coffee for my mom's group and so I took him with me. His grandma asked for the churches address so that maybe they could come. We got there and he loved it. Again we weren't doing anything amazing. There was no programs or anything. But he asked several times if he could come back with me. I said of course. Just come down Sunday morning. Well, he didn't come but I saw his dad and grandma getting in the car and figured they had something to do. Well, they did. They ALL came to church. They didn't stay for Sunday school so we are going to see if he can stay late with us but they all came. I am so feeling loved by the Lord in all this. That yes he can for sure use me where I am and how I am loving on the kids in my life. Jim and I have always said 2 kids was for us and we wanted to be open to having kids in our home that need us. I just didn't think it would be happening when ours were so young. So excited about his leading. I will post another one on some other things he is doing. :)

Another sad thing of Divorce

Our kids are growing up in an age where divorce is so "normal". I hear my kids playing it, they tell me when they get their new mommy or daddy. It breaks my heart. I explain to them that that won't happen to mommy and daddy. It is so sad to hear of separations and divorces of friends and people we know from church. It is so hard to here how they must have let their focus come off God. I know marriage takes a lot of work but it is so worth it. Now I know there are some situations where it is a must and it is safer for all involved.
So, I pray for our kids and that they realize how sad divorce is and that they should be so thankful that we have no plans for divorce. Today I think it actually sunk in to Riley how sad it is. I clean a new house where the dad was married before and his daughter from that marriage comes only a couple days a week and then he is remarried and has a son.
So as we are driving there and I am explaining who lives in the house. I left out the daughter. And she asked if they had a girl. I went into the divorce and remarriage and how there is a girl just not all the time. She got quiet and then she said, so she doesn't get to see her daddy everyday. I said no. Isn't that sad? She said yes that is really sad. Made me glad that she got it and yet sad that we even had to have that talk. And so happy that she loves her daddy SO MUCH she can't imagine not seeing him every day.

Christmas Baking

I was just thinking this morning as I looked around my kitchen. Why do we do all this Christmas baking. In my house I usually do sugar cookies and some gingerbread and chocolate covered pretzels. But each year I try something new. (tried some candy cane cookies, taste good don't look good) But as I looked at it all I wondered why? I don't enjoy eating it, except the pretzels, and no one else in my family does after the first day. So it ends up going to Jim's office or my neighbors. Which if they enjoy getting it then I am glad. I think I am going to slow down on the baking. I just isn't needed and I want less dishes to wash.

I know

Once again it has been to long since I posted. I don't know why I don't post more. I mean yes we are busy but so are all the rest of you. And I read a lot of your blogs at night. So no excuse.
We are happily preparing for Christmas. This year it is coming faster than I thought it would. However, we will be heading to Canada this year so I think that is why. I know Christmas can be so stressful for so many but for me it isn't. I really try to keep life low key. So when I say I am busy that means I cleaned one house that day (not my own), ran kids to and from school, maybe did some work for my husband at his office and then came home and played with the kids and tidied up our home. Okay so seeing it on there does seem like a lot. But most evenings are home and that is where I feel my days feel busy. Is if I do that all day and then have to go out at night.
Life is good. Christmas is coming. This is the first year in a long time my husband hasn't been stressed financially at this time of year. He usually is stressed with Christmas and finances and making it all work. This year God just keeps blessing us with work. Either cleaning jobs for me or more houses closing for Jim.
This year as a collective family we drew names. There are 8 of us adults. So that makes it nice. I only have to buy for one person. So much less stress. Jim will handle his man gift just fine to. So on the gift level we are just about done. So we are enjoying baking, listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas movies. Just such a great time of year. Hope you are all having a wonderful season.
Now just bring on the snow. But in all reality since we are traveling I would like it to wait until January. But I love the snow!!

Marriage

I again am going to go on a rant. But first I have to just throw some thing out there. I guess I am going to embrace this by typing it on here. I can't cook. I can bake and I enjoy it. But I can't cook. I again tried it last night. I thought fried chicken with mashed potatoes sounded good for supper. Yep, it didn't turn out. So I again am at least blessed with a family who is so gracious to me and they don't care and at least try everything I make.

On another note our chickens have started laying eggs. We have one that is ancona. We have named her Ramona. All the anconas we have had are super friendly and LOVE Brayden. That is why they are named Ramona. Because Ramona always chased Davie around the play ground trying to kiss him. Anyway Ramona is laying eggs now. How do we know they are hers? Well they are a light green. So for 13 days we have gotten light green eggs. So Riley has been saving them for something special. So we are going to make a cake. It will be fun. Again, I can bake. Just not cook. So the cake will be fine.

Now on to marriage. I may have ranted about this before but I just am so sad about it and how this has so affected society. Why as women do we not lift our husbands up. I have a t-shirt that says "My husband Rocks" I completely believe that my husband is awesome and he works so hard for our family. He plays with us and loves the Lord and is awesome. Now, I know not everyone has a great awesome husband. But, I believe that men tend to live up to what is given them. What I mean is if you are nagging them, down on every flaw they have, getting together with your friends and talking about all their problems and yours. You are for sure going to not see the amazing man for what he is. So, yes my husband isn't perfect. But I could focus on the negative or I could encourage and build him up. Which makes such a difference.

So my challenge to you is text your husband today. A fun text about how you think he is a Sexy stud, or he is your hunk a hunk of burning love. Or how much you Respect him and how hard he works to take care of your family. You will for sure see a difference.

Health food stores

I am a funny one at times I know. I think you would call me old fashioned at times and yet I am not totally there. I love technology and all it has to offer. (Except Facebook keeps changing and that is hard for me) I love that I can teach my kids where there food comes from first hand. Like they gather the eggs and we kill chickens and have them for supper. They go with me to the butcher to pick up the meat. I can and they also help with that and making jam. I feel like it is important for my kids to eat healthy. I however, don't buy everything organic or fresh or all that. I the other day thought it would be fun to make my own vanilla. Now the question was poised to me, Why? I didn't know just thought it would be easy and fun. However, after going to Trader Joes (which I LOVE) and them not having any vanilla beans. I went to a health food store here in town. I CAN'T STAND that place. I don't feel I have ever talked down to them but they always seem to talk down to me. AND it stinks in there. While there Riley had to go to the bathroom and even their soap stunk. They also had some strange things on the shelf. That is why I have decided that my family will eat healthy but if I have to go there to get the healthy stuff we can do with out. Now again Trader Joes will be fine. I can still get good healthy food other places. I think it also has to do with the fact I feel like a hippie in there.

Cooking

I have realized a few things about myself lately. I am working at embracing these things about myself. I don't stress about them. I am just not that type of person. I have realized that I am not a gardener. As much as I LOVE veggies grown fresh from the garden. I am not a gardener. I can grow a few things but what happens is I am all go in the spring. And then I forget to water them and well they die. So, I have accepted this about myself and am fine with it. Especially since my neighbors garden and do GREAT at it and they have more than enough and share their bounty. You see if I truly could garden then there would be so much bounty and it would go to waste. So I am really helping them out.
The other thing I have realized about myself is that I am not a cook. I am a baker. Not a cook. I don't like having all kinds of spices. I don't like how it smells. And it works great, my family are really basic eaters. We love Brinner (Breakfast for dinner) and we like the basics. I do try knew things and sometimes they are a hit. But I am just thankful that my family isn't picky that way.
So, even though I still make the attempt. I just know that I won't be like Giada, Martha or Rachel Ray. Oh well, I still love their shows. Great baking ideas.

My sister

I am sure most of you who read my blog know a little about my family. I would like to start off by saying they are the best. I am the oldest of 4. It is me then my brother Ryan, Sister Jodi and Brother Kyle. We are very spread out. I have been married just about 12 years and have the two kiddos. Ryan and Meggan live in Seattle and just got married a year ago. Then there is Jodi who is just about 21 and Kyle who will be 19 here in a couple weeks. My youngest siblings are closer in age to my kids then I am to them. (my Siblings that is)
The thing is. We are all very close. Even though Ryan and Meggan live 4 hours away we are all very tight. I do have to say technology helps that very much. We are a crazy texting family.
Anyway this is supposed to be about my wonderful and amazing sister. (Another thing you have to know about me is that I say that about all my siblings)
Jodi LOVES JESUS. She is 100% in love with him. I look up to her in that way. Nothing can keep her from doing what God has called her to do. She is thinking about doing a mission trip. Which we support completely. But can I stop for a min and say. I have been having doubts about it lately. She just took a temporary position at Western Mennonite in the girls dorm. Now again if you have ever met my sister. She is amazing. Young girls flock to her. Yep, that is right they flock. Because she radiates Jesus. So that is why I am having my doubts about her mission trip. She is so amazing with young people. ( Yes, I know she is still a young person) She is just so patient, loving and kind with them. Willing to give up her time to spend time hanging out with them, listening. Starting bible studies. Her passion is helping them grow.
So please pray for my precious sister. Pray that she listens and knows when, where and if she is to go.
Oh and on a side note she is a great Auntie. My kids are beyond excited for her to come over today. Another advantage to having younger siblings is they babysit.


The original four of us.

Us with our spouses

I am so doing this

I am not sure how to connect to other blogs but I found this amazing one on 21 days of Prayer for Sons. It starts Sept 6 and I am going to do it. Especially with school starting and I believe so strongly that God will and can do amazing things through prayer. I also feel like our sons are thrown so many things that girls aren't. Don't get me wrong girls are thrown a whole different load of things. I would also participate in one for girls. But I wanted to spread the word on this.
The website is Warriorprayers.com

Summer ending

I am a mom who LOVES having her kids home with her. I have been reading an amazing book about public school. It is called "Going Public" I am a mom who would homeschool if I felt called to it or felt it would be best for my kids. Purely because school is SOOOO long. I don't like being away from my kids. Every once in awhile for a date or something with my husband but on the whole being with my kids is what I prefer.
Anyway back to the book. It has really encouraged me about public school. As we get closer to school starting up again I start getting sad. My kids are growing up so fast. They will be in 2nd and Pre-k this year. I am not excited. So to ease the sadness I started reading this book that was highly recommended. It has encouraged me. Most of the things they are saying aren't new to me. They are actually the reasons Jim and I feel strongly that our kids should go out into the public system when they are young. Some of the ways they have handled situations that have happened have inspired me.
I am very sad summer will be ending and our lazy summer days will soon be ending as well. I am just glad God has cushioned that with his promises to love and care for my kids. He loves them even more than I do.
We are switching schools as well and so with that transition will be an exciting new venture of Moms in Touch. I am excited about getting to start off in a new group. They are just starting up this year. So I will be connecting with moms at a new school as well as covering my kids, theirs and the whole school with Prayer. It will be good.

Busyness

Isn't it crazy how our expectation of how things are going to go and how they actually go are two different things. Summer is here. The days are nicer and yet I feel like I am running non stop. I clean houses which is fine but I do a vacation rental that has been incredibly busy. Then we have had weddings and birthday parties, graduation for my brother and even a baby shower. July is looking better. Today is another busy one but with the promise of a down Sunday and a wonderful 4th of July. I LOVE 4th of JULY. One of my favorite holidays. Then on Tuesday we take Jim to the airport. Praise the Lord it isn't another 6 am flight. The kids can actually come. Then we will go to the zoo. I also LOVE the zoo. The rest of the week should stay fairly relaxed. Fun stuff but not over running stuff. More play and less work.
Then B goes to camp. So, Riley and I are going to play. I have noticed she is grumpy more and I am guessing it is because she isn't getting as much one on one. So that will be good. Then after camp we are going to Seattle and the beach and by then July is just about over and we will have Jim home again soon. August really doesn't have much going on which is great. One wedding and a adult weekend away.
Have a wonderful 4th of July. Hope you all get to be outside and enjoy the sunshine with friends and family. Go to a parade and have a yummy BBQ and fireworks. I know I sure will.

Summer

I am really enjoying summer so far. Not to hot. There have been rainy days however not to many. I really like not having to get up and out on time. I have been busy cleaning but yet even that is low key enough. I am realizing about myself that I like to get a lot done in one day. So, I have really been working at stopping to play. Today we put a ladder golf thing together and played. It was so much fun. Brayden also has had one birthday party already. (Jim is gone for his birthday) And recieved lots of games. So even though it was hard. I stopped putting the kitchen back together from breakfast and stopped and played a game.
Jim and I have been very busy with birthday parties, graduation (my youngest brother) and weddings. So, Saturday we will go to another. Then we are done for awhile. He heads off for a month with the Army. Not a big deal. But life is going to be crazy if you look at the calendar and yet so chill cause it is fun stuff. We are going to Seattle and the beach. B has camp and Riley and I have some play dates to catch up on.
I hope summer is treating you well also.