Marriage

Lately I have been hearing of people we love and care about calling it quits. Satan is after marriages and it is sad when you talk to the people and hear why. One of our friends said she "had put up with his stuff long enough" Seriously. That doesn't sound like a biblical reason as to why to leave and mess your family up. Especially when he truly wanted it to work. I feel like so many people focus on the negative. Instead of saying man my spouse really loves me by doing ... They say man he never picks up his socks and he never puts his dishes away. My husband works really hard. He is self employed and works in the army reserve. He also takes time to coach our sons sports. But you know what? By him working so hard I am able to stay home with our kids. Work part time and not have to coordinate child care. I have chosen to look at the positive. If he goes golf one day, why not, he works hard and should get to enjoy himself sometimes. So, because I have these beliefs and I enjoy reading and listening to focus on the family. I love when my simple, uncolleged self hears Harvard grads/authors say the exact thing I have been saying. Happy marriages are perfect marriages. They are two flawed people who have CHOSEN to be happy. People have made a choice to believe the best in their spouse. People who have made a commitment to one another and are going to honor that but who are choosing to be happy in that as well. Today in my bible time I was reading in Proverbs 26 and 27 and guess what? Talks about a quarreling wife. Thats right ladies. We have to stop nagging our husbands. In this life does it truly matter if he doesn't fill ALL our needs? We can't have Hollywood expectations. Our husbands are human and maybe if we get off the cycle of nagging and nitpicking maybe our husband will see it and desire to spend more time with us and want to bless us in different ways. Is that a for sure thing? No, but the less we nag and the more we bless I am guessing our home will become more peaceful. I know for a fact when I stopped nagging and started speaking kind and blessing my husband our marriage got better. Am I perfect. NO!! I do get grumpy at time and don't speak kindly to him or the kids. But if you ask him today he will say we have a great marriage. So, start today. Say a kind work. Tell him thanks for what he does do and don't correct him for all the things he isn't doing. Just bless him with that. Do it daily and before you know it you won't notice the socks on the floor and all those things. Just be thankful he is home with you and able to leave the socks on the floor.

Gifts

I took a class a few years ago at church on my spiritual gifts. It was awesome and wonderful. It really freed me of feeling guilty when I say no. Mine were encouragement and faith and hospitality. I always thought the hospitality was funny until I heard my friend Vanessa speak and she described it as being open and welcoming to having people in your home. I can do that. Things don't have to be perfect and have appetizers and the right glasses and dish wear and decor. Pheww. So much more how I do things. So even though our home is not large we entertain a lot. I also have been realizing that I have friends who celebrate every holiday in great detail and with great decoration. I mean we are talking they set traps to catch leprechauns and go all out. But I have tried some of those traditions and I have realized. I STRESS and WORK really HARD!! And guess what. My family could care less. I even used to do elaborate cakes and cupcakes and guess what. Again they didn't care. They only care about who is there. Is there Uncles and Aunts and good friends there. They are happy. So this year for my daughters birthday I didn't even hang streamers. Did she notice? NOPE. Do I decorate my house perfectly? Nope. I do it very casual and relaxed. Less is more is my moto. And as I took a meal to a family in need and I stressed and stewed about it all week. I am reminded. THAT is NOT my gifting. It would have been better for me to serve them with a gift card to a restaurant. So again I am thrilled with the differences that God has created. I love attending some of these elaborate parties people plan. But have no desire to do it myself. I also love going to peoples homes who decorate beautifully but no longer feel any stress to have that be my home. Stuff really stresses me out. I also love pinterest but am feeling so free to just look and not feel like any of it will become a project. I am also realizing as I am aging I am feeling no need to do projects. I mean I like to have the walls painted or small things like that but I would rather not have to personally do any major projects. So crazy how I am starting to feel more relaxed with who I am and how God created me.

Dogs and Snow

I have been thinking a lot lately about our dog stella. She's a cutie and super sweet. I get frustrated at her. But overall I love her. We have decided to find a new home for her. It is a sad decision and one that is hard for me. But we are not good big dog owners. The kids don't want to play with her, the neighbor kids are afraid of her. So, when the kids go in the back to play, the ask me to lock her up. They want their friends to play in the back. I am not a huge fan of having to pooper scoop first. Just normal dog things annoy me. So in that I feel guilty. I have always thought I liked animals. And then it snowed. We needed her to come in more to stay warm. (even though she is fine) She is so sweet and good. So, I am relieved that I do like dogs. I am still an animal lover. I just need something that doesn't need so much attention. So we are still looking for a new home for her. Just someone who either has property for her to run and play. Or a person who she will be where there attention is. She is 4 so at a good age. Please if you know of someone who would be a good fit. Let us know. We are all saddened by this but know it is best for her. Also, we have SNOW. Yes we don't get snow very often. So when we do it is a big deal. We completely shut down. We have had no school for 2 days already. All activities this weekend have been canceled. A little sad with some of the things and yet so great that we have just been able to hang out and be together. Also, so fun because our kids are older and go out for hours. A down side is that it makes me want to bake. And that isn't good when you aren't able to get to the gym. I have gone out walking with the kids and that is good exercise. Yesterday I was out for awhile and it was so cold and started freezing rain. I decided I love snow and I am glad we have it right now. But I am sure glad we don't have it all winter. Happy February everyone.

Papers

Man the amount of papers! I think I have made it clear here in my blog, Yes the one I rarely post in, that I am a less is more kind a gal. That also goes for papers. This weekend we had to do our taxes. (We are self employed and filed an extension) and my goodness the amount of papers I had filed. So, in order to rid ourselves of some I called everyone and said please do NOT send us statements or bills. Please email all that to me. And I got rid of lots of papers. Then this morning I was working on my grocery/costco/walmart list and I wrote down a 3 ring binder to buy to print off all the email things I get that I love and want to save. Hmm. Yes I stopped myself crossed it off and said you know I will make a file in my email and save them there. They will be with me wherever I go and I won't have one more thing to keep track of. Yes, I am in a fall cleaning mode and stuff has to go. Less needs to come in. Are you a saver or a less is more person?

Thinking

I know I am a horrible blogger. I actually think of things to blog all the time but never get around to it. Now that my youngest is in school all day though I don't have an excuse. Yes I am filling my time. However, I am in no way busy. I have time to work out. Wander through stores and just look. Look through my boards at all I have pinned on pinterest. We have tried some new recipes. Some good and some are no longer on my board. But that brings me to my thoughts for tonight. When you moved out for the first time, yes I would say college would count, how did you decorate? My little sister just moved out. Her and her roommate are coordinating things and making it look so cute. All kinds of pinterest ideas in there duplex. So here is my question. Are you just a decorator or not? I remember my first apartment. We bought a used couch and table. I bought cheap silverware and all that and took whatever freebies I could get. I think my mom gave me a few towels and we just mixed and matched. I don't even think we had pictures on the wall. Fast forward to my life. I have a style. It is called relaxed/ modern/livable/craftsman. So basically I decorate very simple. I can't have to much stuff. It may sound weird but it causes me anxiety. I love pinterest and all the ideas. But other than the recipes and some of the kid crafts not much of that stuff will ever be done in my home. I love my matching couches and recliner. I love my modern looking tv stand. I love that the only pictures on my walls are of my family. So, I think I am just not a decorator. I know what I like and it isn't that. I love having a clean and tidy house and don't like having projects all over. If I start something I will finish it very soon. Would love to hear your style and if it has changed as you have gotten older and as your situation has changed. Just my thoughts for the night.

Worry

Any of you that are parents or human for that matter have worried. If you haven't, wow, I am impressed. I prayed all night. I am tired and I just got up. You see I am a cautious parent. I like to make sure my kids are protected from things. Now that being said I don't mean I keep them from getting dirty, climbing trees or jumping on the trampoline. I mean I am more nervous about people. I tend to have playdates at my house instead of having kids go to homes I don't know well. So, today I am breaking that and needless to say I didn't sleep. Brayden is going to a boys home after school. I have gotten to know his mom. She also works at the school with me. Very nice lady. I however, haven't ever talked to her about what they allow. Not that I wouldn't be concerned if it was Riley. But boys are different. I don't know if this boy has been exposed to pornography, violent video games. I know we have taught Brayden. However, when he isn't with you who know what he will choose. He is a very cautious, sensitive kids so I am hoping if he feels awkward or uncomfortable he will call right away. I will for sure remind him about that before he goes to school. I have just been praying that if my worry is actually an intuition something will happen that will protect him from going there. I also pray Brayden can be strong, stand up for what he knows is right. And that I will never do this again! Have a great day.

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.