Just in case

If you are wondering where I went...I am now posting at my old blog again...I guess I missed it too much...ha ha.

Dream a little dream....

"Satan wants to destroy our dreams. God wants to surpass them. He gives us dreams so we'll long for His reality." ~Beth Moore

I am a silly-heart and a dreamer. I have a most unusual dream life. I have had dreams of flying...soaring through the sky, leaving the earth, and whoever is chasing me in that dream far below. I have dreamt of being a superhero, singing for a multitude, witnessing to celebrities, my home being invaded, nuclear war, talking broccoli and just general weirdness...(okay, the whole list is weird...)

Now I know that most of what I dream has been affected by what I fill my mind with. But I feel as though most of my dreams are God-inspired. Most recently, I have had one certain dream that reoccurs. (I feel like King Nebuchadnezzar) I KNOW it is the Holy Spirit speaking to me. This dream is based on what I wish would happen, but I think God is telling me that my pride is part of that wish. That I am trying to control a situation that I can't control. But the other side of that is that this dream is a reflection of what it will be like in Heaven. The perfect situation...no human sinful part will be involved. Just pure joy.

Life is a dream, and heaven is reality....

Tribute to a Corn Bag

Oh Corn bag...full of hot feed corn and yummy smelling herbs...I love you! In a quick 3 minutes, you are there, ready to be draped over the achy part of my body. You are just what I need at just the right moment! You soothe the aches and pains, and make me drowsy when I can't sleep. My back adores you! My legs cherish you! My cold feet fancy you! You have the fragrance of popped corn and yet you are calorie-free! You only wait to be heated...and you are heaven in January, and amazingly, just as heavenly in July! (well, this particular July anyway!) What's better than a corn bag? TWO corn bags!!

What would I do without you?

Here is a movie I made that includes a few separate occasions that we have enjoyed this summer so far. Our maiden voyage with the boat, Wynne's new easy bake oven, the fourth of July and one night at the tennis courts.

Music by the David Crowder Band: Everything Glorious.

Enjoy!

Click To Play

p.s. Four eggs in the nesting box now!

We're expecting!!

Before you get the wrong idea...let me clarify...our parakeets are going to be parents!! Today Prism laid her first egg in the nesting box. Only God knows if it's fertile...we'll just have to wait the 18 or so days to see if it hatches.

I will be updating as much as I can and posting better pictures. For now, this one shot will have to do. Keep in mind that the egg in this picture is the size of a dime!!

I'm bored. The announcement all parents hate to hear. This time it was coming from my 6 year old. I was informed of this three times yesterday at different intervals. Of course, she has many, many toys. Many puzzles and many games. I don't want her spending too much time on the computer or watching DVDs...so what's a mother to do? Sometimes she just needs something out of the ordinary to do...so, here are a few of the ideas that popped into my head:



The first time I gave her the idea of writing a letter...a real letter to mail with a stamp and everything! She was so excited, she got right to it and within 30 minutes a short, but sweet, missive, complete with a pop-up picture, was ready to mail. She and her sister walked up to the mailbox, hoping that it would get picked up that day.



The second time, I told her to take the scissors out to the garden and cut a bouquet. Again, she was thrilled to take on this project and got right out there to look for the prettiest blooms our yard had to offer...which isn't very much at this point. She came back with a bunch of roses, some wild geranium, a foxglove spear and a few coral bells. Pretty. She arranged them as best as a six year old can and went off to play on her own again.



The third time she came to me, I was just about to make dinner. I didn't have the imagination or the energy to spare on another fun diversion at the moment. Hey, wait a minute! I could set her up at the stove and have her stir the mushrooms I was sauteing for the stuffed chicken breasts I was preparing. She was a bit skeptical of being able to handle the job, but I reassured her that it was going to be easy. She moved the counter stool and started to stir. Phew! Another few fun-filled moments to enjoy! After awhile, she got tired of stirring and went off to find her own entertainment.



I guess it's an ongoing battle to keep things interesting in life. We have so much to do, and nothing to do. It all depends on how you look at things...

The Story of My Life:

~Before I formed you in the womb I knew you
Jeremiah 1:5 (God knew me before my parents knew me!)

~for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23 (I was born a sinner)

~For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (God loved me so much; but He couldn't be with me because of my sin, so He gave me a Way to come to Him)
~I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (Jesus died for me, all I have to do is believe in Him!)

~I have chosen the way of truth; Psalm 119:30

~He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. Psalm 23:3 (He made me brand new)

~But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 (He gave me the gift of His Holy Spirit, which lives in me)
~I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-9 (Someday, I will be in His presence...the day I can't wait for!)

Early Bird

I woke up early this morning. Really early. It was 4:30am...I heard the birds singing and saw the first rays of sunlight coming through the trees out back. It was so beautiful, I couldn't go back to sleep. The air was fresh and the birds seemed to sing with more vigor this morning. How could I resist?!

I got up as quietly as possible, but the dogs are so aware of my every move that I had to bring them along. So much for my own time! I let them out, fed them brekkies and we settled in the den....them with their rawhide and me my Bible. (They had something to chew on and so did I!!)

After a quiet hour, I went and made some banana muffins. I was so happy to have them ready for Paul. He was shocked to see me up before him...a very unusual occurence, I'm sad to say! I had his lunch all ready and the coffee was sending out it's tantalizing aroma...

There is something to be said of the joy in getting up early and being quiet with the Lord. Now I can get on with the day and know I started it with His counsel. It is good.

"Why do we fall?...So we can pick ourselves up." ~Batman Begins

What a stupid line. I fall all the time and if it were up to me, I couldn't begin to pick myself up. I have made so many silly mistakes in my life...it's pathetic. As a matter of fact, there is a verse that sums up what I'm trying to say here:

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?
Psalm 130:2-4


Only my God can pick me up and set me straight. He doesn't remember the past and accepts me today, just as I was yesterday. He is in me and I know each day I grow...even just a tiny bit more. I may hold onto the same old sin from yesterday, but He has already forgotten it!
Now, it's up to me to stop bringing it back into the limelight.

Silence is Golden

I talk too much. And it seems that alot of it is complaining and grumbling. Here is a sampling:

~I slept terrible.

~I have so much to do today. (maybe this could be taken two different ways...but the tone says it all!)

~Why can't anyone clean the food out of the sink after they do the dishes? (You got that, right? Someone actually did the dishes for me and I have the gall to complain about a food spattered sink!)

~My feet hurt. (apparently from standing at the sink all day long!)

~My back hurts. (again, some chore caused this...and everyone around me is going to hear about it!)

~This computer is SO SLOW!! (Hello? Remember dial-up?)

Okay, that's enough. I am going to keep this mouth of mine shut from now on. I have heard myself and it's not pretty. Imagine the good that could come just from remaining silent!

By the by, just thought I mention how much I LOVE rootbeer floats. They just hit the "spot". If you're looking for a low calorie dessert...it's only about 300 cals! Not too bad!

One more year under our belt...

We are officially into summer. It is a very good feeling. Our homeschool evaluator came today to look over the piles of work we accomplished this past year. It's a long afternoon, but after it's over, the relief is overwhelming. It exhausts me!

Sometimes I find it difficult to believe that I am a homeschooling mom. I am responsible for 4 children at four different grade levels. It isn't easy. Not to mention how very different each child is. I won't describe how they are different, as I know that two of them read my blog...but I will say that the differences are what makes my day interesting. I mean, if they were all the same, how boring would that be?!

So, each day could include four different lessons in history, math, grammar, etc...although I must also mention that my oldest is pretty much on her own now. She is at the point where she does all of her lessons on her own, with me occasionally checking up on her progress.

Okay, this is probably THE most boring post I've written in awhile...

Coming soon, a new movie....

Fear is not an option!

This world ain't looking too good. Hate crimes, scary politics, pandemics, etc. Should we be worried? Well...it's difficult to look on the bright side of things...wait a minute! The "bright side" is the opposite of worry, right? I believe that my Heavenly Father is THE bright side of everything. He isn't losing any sleep over what's going on in this world today...as a matter of fact, He is the God who NEVER sleeps!

Is fear an option? Only if I don't trust that God will protect His own. I refuse to pay attention to what the media (on both sides) says. They don't know the truth.


The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
~Psalm 27:1

Fly on Fire

I am not meant to huddle in the eye of the storm, trying to keep my flame from flickering out....I have a fire that Jesus started inside of me...and He will give me the strength to fly out into the hurricane force winds and light the world on fire!

I knew all those dreams of flying meant something!!

Past, Present and hopefully, Future

I love being a wife and mother.

I remember being a kid, hanging out in the kitchen while my mom cooked dinner every late afternoon...whether it was homemade pasta sauce or a chicken dinner, sometimes even roast beef! It was a great feeling to come home from school and know that my mom was there and taking care of the home...

I would unload the cares of my day on her...she would comfort me and encourage me. It was so good. Even to this day, I know I can call her and she will be there with a listening ear.

So, here I am. Doing that same job. Making THE most succulent pork ribs you will ever taste, just picked baby lettuce from the garden...and some grilled bread topped with feta cheese, sliced grape tomatoes and red onion. (she trained me well!)
As I am working, two of my girls are sitting at the table coloring and drawing...just enjoying the time. Nice. History repeats and it's good.

Click To Play

Lord, help me to give you all the glory.

Nothing much

Rain
Growing garden
End of the school year
Anticipating Olivia's 13th birthday.


That's all.

Brilliant....right?

So, I had this idea yesterday. String eight sheer curtains (that have been hanging around forever) together and drape them just so over my deck umbrella...presto! Instant screen house!! (okay, it took a few minutes and Mel's help)
It actually works! There are a few gaps on the bottom, but the bugs don't come in! A great place to have morning and/or evening coffee with the hubby...we spent about two hours relaxing in it last night, listening to the Baltimore Oriole sing...no bugs!




Who knew my idea was already thought of...?

But mine is much prettier,sturdier and free....so there!! (their's cost between $30.- and $80.-!!) For the cost of 8 long sheer curtains...you might even have a few of those hanging around like I did...the rest is some electrical wire I had hanging around...did I mention it's NO SEW...I stapled the sides together with a common household stapler...seriously)

Can it be true?

For the first time in 25 years, I have been apart from TacCom on my birthday! I hope it never, ever happens again!

Another interesting birthday fact: I had 3 different cakes this year. A chocolate cake baked by Melody, a yellow cake with chocolate frosting baked by my nephew Michael and a Martha Washington cake baked by yours truly! (did I mention that my sister baked me a Strawberry Rhubarb pie, too?!) All yummy, I assure you!

Here is a list of birthday gifts received:

~ipod shuffle/itunes gift card
~garlic press
~mandolin vegetable slicer
~beautiful coffee mug
~a beautiful birthday prayer/e-mail from a sweet friend and neighbor.
~43 one dollar bills. (most appreciated, but next year, how about 2 twenties and 4 ones?)
~gerbera daisy
~herb cookbook
~beautiful crockery from Salmon Falls stoneware
~something that hasn't been finished yet and will be forthcoming at a later date. (?)
~candy
~and last, but least of all...a sink drain...no kidding.
~a myriad of wonderful birthday wishes over the phone! I LOVED getting those! Thanks y'all!

This was not a typical birthday. I never expected to spend it apart from TacCom...and I never thought I'd survive! But I did. It wasn't easy, but I'm still alive! Actually, it was a pretty good birthday after all! (prayer answered!)

Soundtrack

One of my neatest birthday gifts so far: an ipod shuffle. I know it's not the most advanced piece of media equipment, but it's mine.
So now, just like all my favorite movie characters, I can have a soundtrack to accompany me throughout my day....

Let's see-
~TobyMac and Mandisa for dance-vacuuming(come on, you know you all do this)

~Pride and Prejudice music for flitting around the garden(okay, maybe I am the only one "flitting")

~Anointed and Smitty for slogging through dishes(I definitely "slog")

~Chris Rice when I'm feeling reflective. (which is quite often lately)

The only drawbacks are:

~I feel like I've finally "sold out" to the mainstream way of enjoying music.

~I hate earbuds. Not only the fact that they are NOT comfy, but the fact that it marks me as a typical 21st century person.

~I might retreat into my own world...if so, I'll see you when the battery dies...

Okay, that's about all.