https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkFf7d-cKPk
Steve's graduation video...... very meaningful to me!
"Our life maybe a crazy life but it's our life" I'm married to a pastor of a small rural church, who is also the prison chaplain. We have 5 kids, each with their unique story. I love gardening & we all love the outdoors. Our life is not the way we planned it to be, but we are learning to trust God in every area. Come and read about our life as we live it to the fullest!
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Just another day in Paradise!
Well this has been a busy day for me. Shad's next to the last day at school and Steve went to work at Habitat for Humanity Restore (working on our family hours) Sam decided to go buck wild:) He was into everything. Spilling juice, grabbing things out of Selah's room....so after lunch I put him in the tub. Sarah was playing quietly in the living room and I sat on Selah's bath chair and read while he was playing in the tub. Oh was he happy & laughing.....I found out why in a minute....he pooped in the tub! Needless to say, he got a shower and I put him in bed for a nap!
Once he was in bed, I felt obligated to go through mine & the church's mail. We get so much junk mail it is pathetic! It hadn't been touched for over a week1 So I got all of that done by the time the boys got home. Then it was time to go grocery shopping. At the grocery store, me and my "Bag Boy" (sorry Sam don't know the correct term) got a "civic lesson" in the parking lot. LOL I was wearing one of my Ukraine t-shirts and an older man began telling me why Ukraine was in so much turmoil..... BTW, I'm sure he'd never been to Ukraine nor knew any Ukrainians! Anyhow poor Sam (who goes to our church) he looked like a deer caught in the headlights!
Selah has been "off" a little lately. Generally she's had great oxygen levels. But lately she's had lower oxygen levels and an elevated heart rate. Usually when her heart rate is up so is her oxygen levels. This is just different for her, and it worries me that something is wrong. She also was making grimaces today which is so unlike her. We think she may have had some muscle spasms from physical therapy. We took her leg braces off early and that seemed to make her happy. She doesn't usually mind the braces so that's why we think it may have been spasms. It's so hard to tell with non verbal children. Sam, Sarah and Selah are all non verbal. Selah was also before the accident, you just have to watch them and learn them for clues.
Selah also has a few little cold sores. She always gets a bump on her cheek, by her nose and in the corner of her mouth. We've tried so many over the counter remedies but nothing seems to help. I called the doctor told and he gave us a prescription. If this doesn't help then he will culture it. Sarah often gets cold sores too. We think it is something that is in their system from Ukraine.
Tonight I made a big salad! YUM! I've been hearing NOT to buy prepackage salads, they just are not clean. So I bought an organic head of lettuce, added onion, green pepper, tomato, and the thinnest sliced cucumbers....then I made the best dressing! We are trying to avoid any vegetable oil that is not Expeller Pressed. The research I've read, leads me to think that normal vegetable oils are not good for the heart because of the high heat that they get processed at, seems it changes the monocles. I'm sure I'm not explaining it very good.....but you can research it if you are interested. Anyhow almost every salad dressing, even "organic" is made with some type of vegetable oil that is not expeller pressed. And since oil makes up the majority of salad dressing, I certainly don't want to be ingesting that much non expeller pressed. Well a friend of my son's gave me the best homemade salad dressing.....
Paige's Apple Cider Dressing
=====================
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Dried Basil
Lemon juice
Dijon Mustard
salt & pepper
Olive Oil or Expeller Pressed Vegetable Oil
pinch of sugar
Apple Cider Vinegar (organic)
How much of each? That's what I asked and she told me to just half & half the Oil and Vinegar, maybe a little less oil than vinegar. ( I think she will grow up to be like my grandmother who could never tell you a recipe since she measured nothing! LOL) Everything else I just used a baby spoon to measure it out, except for the lemon juice, I put a lot in. I like lemon juice. I added Non nitride ham and it was so good. That's my other thing, we don't eat anything with nitrides in it unless we eat out. I figure a little is ok but we don't buy any lunch meat with it in it.
Well I'll finish this discombobulated blog with some pictures I took today
Just another day in Paradise ........
Once he was in bed, I felt obligated to go through mine & the church's mail. We get so much junk mail it is pathetic! It hadn't been touched for over a week1 So I got all of that done by the time the boys got home. Then it was time to go grocery shopping. At the grocery store, me and my "Bag Boy" (sorry Sam don't know the correct term) got a "civic lesson" in the parking lot. LOL I was wearing one of my Ukraine t-shirts and an older man began telling me why Ukraine was in so much turmoil..... BTW, I'm sure he'd never been to Ukraine nor knew any Ukrainians! Anyhow poor Sam (who goes to our church) he looked like a deer caught in the headlights!
Selah has been "off" a little lately. Generally she's had great oxygen levels. But lately she's had lower oxygen levels and an elevated heart rate. Usually when her heart rate is up so is her oxygen levels. This is just different for her, and it worries me that something is wrong. She also was making grimaces today which is so unlike her. We think she may have had some muscle spasms from physical therapy. We took her leg braces off early and that seemed to make her happy. She doesn't usually mind the braces so that's why we think it may have been spasms. It's so hard to tell with non verbal children. Sam, Sarah and Selah are all non verbal. Selah was also before the accident, you just have to watch them and learn them for clues.
Selah also has a few little cold sores. She always gets a bump on her cheek, by her nose and in the corner of her mouth. We've tried so many over the counter remedies but nothing seems to help. I called the doctor told and he gave us a prescription. If this doesn't help then he will culture it. Sarah often gets cold sores too. We think it is something that is in their system from Ukraine.
Tonight I made a big salad! YUM! I've been hearing NOT to buy prepackage salads, they just are not clean. So I bought an organic head of lettuce, added onion, green pepper, tomato, and the thinnest sliced cucumbers....then I made the best dressing! We are trying to avoid any vegetable oil that is not Expeller Pressed. The research I've read, leads me to think that normal vegetable oils are not good for the heart because of the high heat that they get processed at, seems it changes the monocles. I'm sure I'm not explaining it very good.....but you can research it if you are interested. Anyhow almost every salad dressing, even "organic" is made with some type of vegetable oil that is not expeller pressed. And since oil makes up the majority of salad dressing, I certainly don't want to be ingesting that much non expeller pressed. Well a friend of my son's gave me the best homemade salad dressing.....
Paige's Apple Cider Dressing
=====================
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Dried Basil
Lemon juice
Dijon Mustard
salt & pepper
Olive Oil or Expeller Pressed Vegetable Oil
pinch of sugar
Apple Cider Vinegar (organic)
How much of each? That's what I asked and she told me to just half & half the Oil and Vinegar, maybe a little less oil than vinegar. ( I think she will grow up to be like my grandmother who could never tell you a recipe since she measured nothing! LOL) Everything else I just used a baby spoon to measure it out, except for the lemon juice, I put a lot in. I like lemon juice. I added Non nitride ham and it was so good. That's my other thing, we don't eat anything with nitrides in it unless we eat out. I figure a little is ok but we don't buy any lunch meat with it in it.
Well I'll finish this discombobulated blog with some pictures I took today
Sam's going to be happy with that watermelon!
I call this sister cats....these two love each other.
I love sunflowers, they make me happy!
Just another day in Paradise ........
Monday, June 2, 2014
Judge Not
This morning I am sitting in the car dealership waiting for our van to be serviced. I have free, fast Wi-Fi, a Pepsi, a bag of Cheetos, and Fox news...no kids....this is a mini vacation:) Before last week, I had not had any Pepsi for over 3 weeks but that record is shot now!
All weekend I was off internet, it was great! Last night I relaxed by catching up on FB and emails. I'm in a few groups still and there was a discussion going on in one of them. Basically saying that someone who was gay had been treated bad by some Christians or by their family who were Christian. I usually don't say a lot in this group, as many times I don't' know the situations or people being discussed. But as most people in the group are Christian, I shared that we should always love but we should never ever compromise what the bible says either. Of course I was attacked by everyone on last night and made to look as if I hated everyone who were not fundamental Christians. Anyone who knows me, knows that is far from the truth. It doesn't bother me about myself, I know who I am and how I love & care for folks without compromising the word of God. But what bothers me is when so many Christians want to rewrite the Bible. I don't' mean just that conversation, I mean in general. That conversation got me to thinking. Lately I've been shocked by some of the "cultural war "I've seen on FB.
It amazes me how far and how fast the Christian evangelical church has changed in the past 25 years. Before that time, we evangelicals expected non-Evangelical churches to be liberal in their view of scripture. But we (evangelicals) pretty much "kept the faith" as it had been for hundreds of years. But throughout my adult life, I've seen how fast we have fallen from that.
I'm not just talking about just views on homosexuality.....but there is a fast fall from believing the Bible is the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct to now people want to rewrite, reword and reinterpret the word of God. From evolution to abortion..... to adultery & fornication.....now it's no big deal for people who profess Christianity to live together without getting married.
It bothers me! Just for the record, I believe the Bible is correct, even if I don't like it! For example, the bible teaches that there is only two causes for divorce. One is adultery and the other is if an unbelieving spouse walks away. That's it..... That's hard for me. I want to add abuse, child abuse, and extreme miserable marriages..... And I'll be honest, I'll even tell people who are in situations like that what I believe, BUT I will tell them there is not anything specific in the bible that would uphold what I am saying. (Not to get sidetracked here but I don't believe in separation in cases of abuse BECAUSE the victim in the case is still legally bound to the one who is doing the abuse. And if a child is involved and the victim dies (from others things besides abuse) , then the abuser might have legal right to the child ) So I am probably wrong. BUT I don't' try to rewrite the Bible to make it fit my world view.
There was a time when I was "out there" I had chosen to walk away from God and be involved in some things that were wrong. While I was in that time, I knew I was wrong. I didn't try and justify my sin, I didn't try and rewrite the bible to fit my situations. It's hard for me to understand why people feel they most try and change the bible to fit their lifestyle choices.
Then I shared an article I found interesting/unusual on my FB wall.
http://www.charismamag.com/entertainment/tv/20476-oprah-tackles-charismatic-christianity-s-belief-in-casting-out-demons and I wrote something sarcastic (no not me LOL) and was told I was judgmental. It was no biggie, and made me laugh because I know my friend was picking at me but it made me think about the whole "Judge not"
You so often hear that "Judge Not" "Don't be judgmental" Or "Christians are so judgmental" But is that true? Is that really what the bible says? Jesus told others how to live and specifically told them not to sin or continue in sin. Paul admonished the church at Corinth for not judging sin in their midst. There are plenty of scriptures that tell us to judge righteously.
http://twerkzerker.hubpages.com/hub/What-Does-the-Bible-Really-Say-about-Judging-Others
this is a great article that explains the difference between having a judgmental spirit and judging righteously. There is a difference, a big difference!
It seems many today are so quick to quote "Judge Not', as soon as they disagree with someone. One thing I will NOT do is use that verse or that small part of the verse ever on anyone. When I see it used, a warning bell goes off in my head. In my opinion, it is used as a total cop-out and that's why I'd never use it. Go ahead and judge me....with a righteous judgment using the bible, rightly divided. The bible tells us to judge what we hear and are told.
We need to judge ourselves first and foremost. I judge myself and often find myself in the wrong. My goal is to bring myself under the Lordship of Jesus in all areas, and some of the time, I fail. However that does not mean that the word of God changes. There is no one who is completely righteous and without sin. So if you say that NO one is perfect, then that makes you automatically free to do whatever and no one can speak anything into your life.
I think as in so many areas...it comes down to BALANCE! Balance is so lacking in the church world. It seems either we are Puritans who put people in the stocks for missing church or we are telling everyone "you are going to heaven regardless of your lifestyle" How about let's have balance, share the word of God in love. Love people where they are at and love them whether or not they ever change. But let's never compromise the word of God.
I don't like mean spirited people who use the Bible to hate others, can NOT stand them but neither do I like when people are spineless and fail to use the bible correctly and teach that grace covers everything with no personal responsibilities. Both ways are dead wrong based on the Word of God.
I don't fit in with the Bible thumpers, I love people where they are at. That's not to say I want share truth with someone but I can love a person whether they change or not. Also I don't fit in with "we are all ok" group either. I believe in personal responsibility & the Bible.....
The reason I tell people what the bible says is because I love them. I don't want anyone to go to hell. If a person is not a Christian, then I only share with them that SIN separates them from God. It doesn't matter what sin, for we are all sinners. Once a person says they are a Christian then it's time to gently guide someone about what the bible says. Hey, I don't try to get into deep points, I tell people to go read the bible for themselves. But we as Christians, especially ministers have a responsibility before God to tell the truth. The bible warns ministers to tell the full story to others. I believe in a real Hell, and I believe the bible teaches us how to avoid it. I also believe the bible teaches us we are in trouble if we do not share the whole counsel of God, or you could say, both sides of the story. Yes God loves with an everlasting love, He is calling people to Him. But the human race is sinful and we find it hard to lay the sin down, discipline ourselves and live holy. As Christians we should encourage each other to live as close to God as possible no matter what temptations come our way.
I'm in the middle....which is fine with me. Both sides think I'm on the other side.....it's ironic....wish I could get the two groups together to discuss ME, that would be funny:) Oh that's right.....both groups DO discuss me just not together....and both find me wrong. LOL
Anyway I love everyone....where ever you are at, where ever you stay and no matter what you think of me! And I want to see everyone in heaven (except Hitler and a few more awful people!)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for your prayers for my father in law, he seems stable today. They ran some tests on him, haven't' heard the results yet. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.
All weekend I was off internet, it was great! Last night I relaxed by catching up on FB and emails. I'm in a few groups still and there was a discussion going on in one of them. Basically saying that someone who was gay had been treated bad by some Christians or by their family who were Christian. I usually don't say a lot in this group, as many times I don't' know the situations or people being discussed. But as most people in the group are Christian, I shared that we should always love but we should never ever compromise what the bible says either. Of course I was attacked by everyone on last night and made to look as if I hated everyone who were not fundamental Christians. Anyone who knows me, knows that is far from the truth. It doesn't bother me about myself, I know who I am and how I love & care for folks without compromising the word of God. But what bothers me is when so many Christians want to rewrite the Bible. I don't' mean just that conversation, I mean in general. That conversation got me to thinking. Lately I've been shocked by some of the "cultural war "I've seen on FB.
It amazes me how far and how fast the Christian evangelical church has changed in the past 25 years. Before that time, we evangelicals expected non-Evangelical churches to be liberal in their view of scripture. But we (evangelicals) pretty much "kept the faith" as it had been for hundreds of years. But throughout my adult life, I've seen how fast we have fallen from that.
I'm not just talking about just views on homosexuality.....but there is a fast fall from believing the Bible is the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct to now people want to rewrite, reword and reinterpret the word of God. From evolution to abortion..... to adultery & fornication.....now it's no big deal for people who profess Christianity to live together without getting married.
It bothers me! Just for the record, I believe the Bible is correct, even if I don't like it! For example, the bible teaches that there is only two causes for divorce. One is adultery and the other is if an unbelieving spouse walks away. That's it..... That's hard for me. I want to add abuse, child abuse, and extreme miserable marriages..... And I'll be honest, I'll even tell people who are in situations like that what I believe, BUT I will tell them there is not anything specific in the bible that would uphold what I am saying. (Not to get sidetracked here but I don't believe in separation in cases of abuse BECAUSE the victim in the case is still legally bound to the one who is doing the abuse. And if a child is involved and the victim dies (from others things besides abuse) , then the abuser might have legal right to the child ) So I am probably wrong. BUT I don't' try to rewrite the Bible to make it fit my world view.
There was a time when I was "out there" I had chosen to walk away from God and be involved in some things that were wrong. While I was in that time, I knew I was wrong. I didn't try and justify my sin, I didn't try and rewrite the bible to fit my situations. It's hard for me to understand why people feel they most try and change the bible to fit their lifestyle choices.
Then I shared an article I found interesting/unusual on my FB wall.
http://www.charismamag.com/entertainment/tv/20476-oprah-tackles-charismatic-christianity-s-belief-in-casting-out-demons and I wrote something sarcastic (no not me LOL) and was told I was judgmental. It was no biggie, and made me laugh because I know my friend was picking at me but it made me think about the whole "Judge not"
You so often hear that "Judge Not" "Don't be judgmental" Or "Christians are so judgmental" But is that true? Is that really what the bible says? Jesus told others how to live and specifically told them not to sin or continue in sin. Paul admonished the church at Corinth for not judging sin in their midst. There are plenty of scriptures that tell us to judge righteously.
http://twerkzerker.hubpages.com/hub/What-Does-the-Bible-Really-Say-about-Judging-Others
this is a great article that explains the difference between having a judgmental spirit and judging righteously. There is a difference, a big difference!
It seems many today are so quick to quote "Judge Not', as soon as they disagree with someone. One thing I will NOT do is use that verse or that small part of the verse ever on anyone. When I see it used, a warning bell goes off in my head. In my opinion, it is used as a total cop-out and that's why I'd never use it. Go ahead and judge me....with a righteous judgment using the bible, rightly divided. The bible tells us to judge what we hear and are told.
We need to judge ourselves first and foremost. I judge myself and often find myself in the wrong. My goal is to bring myself under the Lordship of Jesus in all areas, and some of the time, I fail. However that does not mean that the word of God changes. There is no one who is completely righteous and without sin. So if you say that NO one is perfect, then that makes you automatically free to do whatever and no one can speak anything into your life.
I think as in so many areas...it comes down to BALANCE! Balance is so lacking in the church world. It seems either we are Puritans who put people in the stocks for missing church or we are telling everyone "you are going to heaven regardless of your lifestyle" How about let's have balance, share the word of God in love. Love people where they are at and love them whether or not they ever change. But let's never compromise the word of God.
I don't like mean spirited people who use the Bible to hate others, can NOT stand them but neither do I like when people are spineless and fail to use the bible correctly and teach that grace covers everything with no personal responsibilities. Both ways are dead wrong based on the Word of God.
I don't fit in with the Bible thumpers, I love people where they are at. That's not to say I want share truth with someone but I can love a person whether they change or not. Also I don't fit in with "we are all ok" group either. I believe in personal responsibility & the Bible.....
The reason I tell people what the bible says is because I love them. I don't want anyone to go to hell. If a person is not a Christian, then I only share with them that SIN separates them from God. It doesn't matter what sin, for we are all sinners. Once a person says they are a Christian then it's time to gently guide someone about what the bible says. Hey, I don't try to get into deep points, I tell people to go read the bible for themselves. But we as Christians, especially ministers have a responsibility before God to tell the truth. The bible warns ministers to tell the full story to others. I believe in a real Hell, and I believe the bible teaches us how to avoid it. I also believe the bible teaches us we are in trouble if we do not share the whole counsel of God, or you could say, both sides of the story. Yes God loves with an everlasting love, He is calling people to Him. But the human race is sinful and we find it hard to lay the sin down, discipline ourselves and live holy. As Christians we should encourage each other to live as close to God as possible no matter what temptations come our way.
I'm in the middle....which is fine with me. Both sides think I'm on the other side.....it's ironic....wish I could get the two groups together to discuss ME, that would be funny:) Oh that's right.....both groups DO discuss me just not together....and both find me wrong. LOL
Anyway I love everyone....where ever you are at, where ever you stay and no matter what you think of me! And I want to see everyone in heaven (except Hitler and a few more awful people!)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for your prayers for my father in law, he seems stable today. They ran some tests on him, haven't' heard the results yet. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
yes we are alive:)
WOW what a crazy busy few days!
Steve's graduation and party was just perfect....except I cried "ugly tears" LOL I'll put the video my friend did of Steve up tomorrow, it's on youtube but on "private" so you can't see it. It was perfect:) Another one of my friends took pictures too but hasn't had the time to post them yet.
Today was my niece's birthday lunch after church. We had a wonderful time but got a call saying my father in law was back in the hospital. Please keep him in prayer that the meds will work and he'll have relief from the congestive heart failure. His body really needs to respond to the meds quickly. He seems to be comfortable and very peaceful. He has dementia but seemed to know me. he was so cute with the doctor, she asked if she could listen to his heart and he said "yes if you'd like to", it was just so his personality coming through. He is a great guy, thank you for your prayers for him!
========================================================================
Here's our picture at lunch today....Sam is behind Steve. Sarah ate 3 bowls of soup, she was quite happy!
Steve's graduation and party was just perfect....except I cried "ugly tears" LOL I'll put the video my friend did of Steve up tomorrow, it's on youtube but on "private" so you can't see it. It was perfect:) Another one of my friends took pictures too but hasn't had the time to post them yet.
Today was my niece's birthday lunch after church. We had a wonderful time but got a call saying my father in law was back in the hospital. Please keep him in prayer that the meds will work and he'll have relief from the congestive heart failure. His body really needs to respond to the meds quickly. He seems to be comfortable and very peaceful. He has dementia but seemed to know me. he was so cute with the doctor, she asked if she could listen to his heart and he said "yes if you'd like to", it was just so his personality coming through. He is a great guy, thank you for your prayers for him!
========================================================================
Here's our picture at lunch today....Sam is behind Steve. Sarah ate 3 bowls of soup, she was quite happy!
Later at the hospital lobby....these two fell asleep:)
we didn't' have a stroller with us, luckily there were some wheelchairs. Sam doesn't like to walk far distances, especially at nap time!
Hope everyone had a great weekend. Hope to post lots of things tomorrow!
!!!!!! I got some emails/posts saying that the handicapped van contest is STILL not over as far as there are new winners to announce next week. I've not even been on line all weekend long so I've not looked in to it, we will find out more tomorrow...
Friday, May 30, 2014
Getting Ready for Graduation!
This has been a very busy week for me!
A Graduation ceremony and party is time consuming! The last couple of days, I've spent most of the time focused in someway or another on it or on Steve... Today I've been running since this morning, and I tracked down a tassel for his cap! YEAH! Finally printed out all our beautiful pictures that my friend took and I put some pictures on canvas for Steve, that took hours. Then he helped me clean our whole house, and do a bunch of things today.
Can't help but think of my high school graduation. No one attended it just to come for me. I had no family that attended, my great aunt didn't really leave the house at that point and no one else cared enough. Of course I had friends who were graduating and some of their families who loved on me but it's unreal to think I graduated with no one there for me. Back then I took it in stride, I felt like I was an adult and didn't need anyone anyhow. Looking back, I was so young, just 17 years old and really for the most part alone in the world. It's very sad to me to think about all of that.
My college graduation was also very odd. My "birth mother" who I'd only seen a few times in my life came to it. At that time I was dating a guy who was a youth pastor and several people came from the church for both of us. (In fact the SAME church that we now pastor....."it's a small world") But we just went out to McDonald's afterwards and then my mother took me and my boyfriend out to eat....it's was a bit surreal to me. I didn't want her there but he had invited her. Back then, I was a bit nicer so I didn't say what I thought like I do now. Any ceremony or big occasion is stressful, even if it is a good thing so to add the stress of having her there, really bothered me on top of the stress of the graduation. Can we say awkward????
What a difference for Steve, surrounded by his family and friends.....
Thank God that He is a restorer.....
I determined that I was going to walk in God's ways, and be faithful to raising my family in God's truths. In my heart, I was determined not to see my children toss around like I was. Living for God not only affects YOUR life, but it affects your children too.
In my growing up, I reaped the harvest of bad decisions my mother and father made. They sowed to the wind...and I reaped their whirlwind. But even in all of the pain, God showed me that things didn't have to stay the way they were. I'm not sure I had a clear picture of just how I wanted my life to be but I knew I was going to make decisions to follow after Gods ways. And God was faithful to give me a husband who knew what a "normal" family was like, he'd had good examples in his parents.
After a pretty disastrous relationship with a guy who had a MESSED UP family, I KNEW I'd never ever get serious with anyone who was in the "same boat as me". So when I met Jon, I wanted to meet his folks right away. I met them the week after Jon & I met! As soon as I met them, I breathed a sigh of relief! I could tell there was no "funniness" about them....just good southern folks who'd worked hard and raised their boys. No secrets in their closets, no problems hidden, just nice normal people. Then I was ready to get serious with Jon, I'm not kidding, that was the most important thing to me.
So I think of the contrasts, and the blessing that our children have because of the decisions we've made to live for God. Every action has a reaction.....whether Good or Bad.
So tomorrow is the BIG day and I'm already tired:) It's going to be great and I'll be posting the video my friend made for Steve. It has pictures on it set to music that really show Steve's heart.
Shad had his field trip today to Disney Quest. He had a blast! Disney Quest is a game room. I've never been to it but the boys have and love it. The good thing about living in Florida is many field trips involve Disney....and I don't' have to go LOL One of my close friends rode the school bus with the kids, she works for the school. She had a good time, I'd have probably jumped out a window LOL! Me, kids and unair-conditioned school buses do NOT mix!
Well just wanted to jump on here and say HI and let you know all was well with the Clanton family, just a very busy time!
A Graduation ceremony and party is time consuming! The last couple of days, I've spent most of the time focused in someway or another on it or on Steve... Today I've been running since this morning, and I tracked down a tassel for his cap! YEAH! Finally printed out all our beautiful pictures that my friend took and I put some pictures on canvas for Steve, that took hours. Then he helped me clean our whole house, and do a bunch of things today.
Can't help but think of my high school graduation. No one attended it just to come for me. I had no family that attended, my great aunt didn't really leave the house at that point and no one else cared enough. Of course I had friends who were graduating and some of their families who loved on me but it's unreal to think I graduated with no one there for me. Back then I took it in stride, I felt like I was an adult and didn't need anyone anyhow. Looking back, I was so young, just 17 years old and really for the most part alone in the world. It's very sad to me to think about all of that.
My college graduation was also very odd. My "birth mother" who I'd only seen a few times in my life came to it. At that time I was dating a guy who was a youth pastor and several people came from the church for both of us. (In fact the SAME church that we now pastor....."it's a small world") But we just went out to McDonald's afterwards and then my mother took me and my boyfriend out to eat....it's was a bit surreal to me. I didn't want her there but he had invited her. Back then, I was a bit nicer so I didn't say what I thought like I do now. Any ceremony or big occasion is stressful, even if it is a good thing so to add the stress of having her there, really bothered me on top of the stress of the graduation. Can we say awkward????
What a difference for Steve, surrounded by his family and friends.....
Thank God that He is a restorer.....
I determined that I was going to walk in God's ways, and be faithful to raising my family in God's truths. In my heart, I was determined not to see my children toss around like I was. Living for God not only affects YOUR life, but it affects your children too.
In my growing up, I reaped the harvest of bad decisions my mother and father made. They sowed to the wind...and I reaped their whirlwind. But even in all of the pain, God showed me that things didn't have to stay the way they were. I'm not sure I had a clear picture of just how I wanted my life to be but I knew I was going to make decisions to follow after Gods ways. And God was faithful to give me a husband who knew what a "normal" family was like, he'd had good examples in his parents.
After a pretty disastrous relationship with a guy who had a MESSED UP family, I KNEW I'd never ever get serious with anyone who was in the "same boat as me". So when I met Jon, I wanted to meet his folks right away. I met them the week after Jon & I met! As soon as I met them, I breathed a sigh of relief! I could tell there was no "funniness" about them....just good southern folks who'd worked hard and raised their boys. No secrets in their closets, no problems hidden, just nice normal people. Then I was ready to get serious with Jon, I'm not kidding, that was the most important thing to me.
So I think of the contrasts, and the blessing that our children have because of the decisions we've made to live for God. Every action has a reaction.....whether Good or Bad.
So tomorrow is the BIG day and I'm already tired:) It's going to be great and I'll be posting the video my friend made for Steve. It has pictures on it set to music that really show Steve's heart.
Shad had his field trip today to Disney Quest. He had a blast! Disney Quest is a game room. I've never been to it but the boys have and love it. The good thing about living in Florida is many field trips involve Disney....and I don't' have to go LOL One of my close friends rode the school bus with the kids, she works for the school. She had a good time, I'd have probably jumped out a window LOL! Me, kids and unair-conditioned school buses do NOT mix!
I told him I had to take a picture for his fan club:)
Well I'm guessing we did not win the handicapped accessible van. We didn't' get a call or email and today was to be the day. Oh well, I still appreciate ALL the effort you all put into voting for us! It meant a lot to me, that folks would take the time to vote!
Well just wanted to jump on here and say HI and let you know all was well with the Clanton family, just a very busy time!
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Memorial Day 2014
Hope everyone had a good weekend~
On Memorial Day we went and visited Jon's dad at the hospital. Please be in prayer for him, he is still having a great deal of difficulties. I'm thankful he seems comfortable and that he is loved and watched over closely. He really has been like a father figure to me as well. He's been a faithful father to his children and his wife. And he certainly taught my husband by example how to be a great dad.
That night we went to our close friends home and had a cookout with them and some other family members. I say this all the time but there is nothing like having life long friends who've been there in the good and bad times. When we first got married, there was a group of us, all newly married. Most of us knew each other from college days also. We've all remained friends to this day, over 25 years of friendship, it's precious...we don't always agree, and we can pick at each other (my little bro in law is part of that group and he is CERTAINLY the "little brother I never had" LOL) but we love each other! But it's all sweet..... here is a picture of some of my favorite teens in the world:)
My dear friend and former roommate in college did a video presentation for Steve's graduation party that is so amazing. I've watched it about 20 times and just feel so much emotion every time. I'll post it on here following his graduation Saturday. It captures the last 18 years so sweetly.
So Steve is graduating Saturday, we are having a ceremony with some other homeschool grads from our church. It's a surreal feeling for me to think his school days are over (of course unless he goes to college)
My advice for young moms...
1. Take LOTS of pictures (you want some good ones for his slide show) this is the #1 thing!
2. the days are long but years are short
3. ENJOY your child and treasure each day
4. Make memories-you don't have to spend a ton of money to make memories!
For us we committed to keeping Steve in private school when he was very young. To be honest, my husband had a stronger conviction than I did in the beginning. I worried about the "MONEY" or the lack of it! But we just started with kindergarten and took one year at a time and God provided. Steve finished his last two years out as a home schooled student, using the same curriculum as his school did because while we were in NY with Selah, he had to go under a "umbrella" for testing purposes so we used a Christian company, Lighthouse Christian Academy. So he did his work and sent it in to them for grading and keeping tabs on. Their subject curriculum was different than the private school he attended here. So since he did his junior year under them, he would have had extra classes (just different ones) to take if he went back to the private school. He still got in the state required classes and then some but it was just simpler for us. I admit I've enjoyed him being home, not only is he a huge help but it's been a time that we've talked a lot, and got to do some fun stuff during the school day with other home school families. If you home school like we did, we bought our curriculum so it's like being in a private school in that sense. It's not "free" In some ways I'm very happy with his school years. The first school he went to preschool-4th grade had a very hard curriculum and I think it gave him a good base. The one he went to from 5th grade- 11th grade and the curriculum we used for 11th & 12th grade is not my favorite but it is very strong in English grammar, reading comprehension and that is my strong area and I feel if one has good comprehension skills one tests well and picks up new skills easier.
Steve's got a lot of "life skills", maybe a bit too much of life skills but I feel he is well rounded emotionally and ready to face life. In that area, he is much more mature than his dad or I were! I love that he has traveled with us and seen so much. He certainly has learned life is not easy, but he's learned how to cope with the things life has thrown our way. As you can tell, we are just a little proud of our boy.
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Update on Sonya-she had the surgery and is doing fine. The parents are very happy with the results but pray for her post op pain and care. I'm so thankful to God that He provided for this little girl's surgery and that we could be a part of it!
Connie had successful brain surgery on the tumor. She still doesn't have the whole pathology report but is scheduled for chemo so we know it is cancer. Please pray for her, we just love her very much. She has been such a support for my husband in the prison ministry. She is busy working for God.....she even cleaned our church! She told me she knew I'd be praying hard for her to get better!!!!
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Saturday in the Kitchen.....
UGH I have a sore throat that I can't get rid of, usually hot tea and vitamin C will cure me. Hope I don't have the MERS.... doesn't take much for me to become a hypochondriac! Believe me, I usually don't share the places my mind goes LOL!
Lazy Saturday, the kids played outside for a couple of hours while I cooked. We are really really trying to not eat out. It is so hard! So I cooked three meals.... cooked a pot of spaghetti, 2 casserole dishes of spinach stuffed shells, spinach mashed potatoes, AND a huge pot of 15 bean soup with sausage & ground chicken & made 3 gallons of tea......MAYBE that will last the weekend? LOL! We do good if food is cooked but if it takes awhile, that when we head out for fast food. We are really trying to get on a strict budget since soon we will have a house payment! When I look at our bank statement it is embarrassing how often we eat out or grab some type of fast food. When we eat at home, we eat organic but it's not that easy to eat good healthy food when you eat out. There are a few places that we will not eat at, and there's one place my family loves that I will not even go to. We have decided that Wendy's is the "healthiest" fast food place. Please no emails telling me how bad it is LOL. I REALLY don't' want to know! My goal is to get us down to eating out ONCE a week on Sunday after church. There are the occasional weeks we actually do that, but if we get busy, that is just out of the window. My family LOVES to eat! Sarah and Sam may be small but they are BIG eaters and Sam has absolutely NO patience whatsoever! With Sarah we have to blend everything but she can chow down. Her favorite place is Olive Garden, she can get endless soup for about $4. She will usually eat at least 3 bowls of soup, they blend it for her at the bar and she eats it. The servers are always amazed at her :) The nice thing there is my three 10 and under eat for about $4, about what they'd spend at a fast food place. Jon and I usually have soup & salad so the only expensive one is Steve. BUT my goal is to only eat out occasionally. I'm very good in all other areas financially, but the eating out is my Achilles Heel! Plus it is so much healthier to eat at home.
Well we are getting ready for graduation around here. Steve is graduating next weekend along with two boys from our church who also homesechool. I'm putting together a video of Steve's life and it very emotional for me. I pulled out all the pictures to use out of our 40+ photo albums. Up until the accident, I was GREAT at keeping up with pictures and putting them in albums in chronological order. Right now I have a huge bag of pictures to put in albums and 3 memory cards to print pictures from. I'm so overwhelmed but yet too anal for them to be put in by anyone else because they HAVE to go in chronological order! It is a requirement ...yes I have issues....
Anyhow we are excited about focusing on our boy. He's been nothing but a joy to raise & we are just blessed to have been given him by God. It's been emotional going back through pictures, to look at the past 18 years of our lives....some photos are incredibly meaningful to us for various reasons. He won't let me use the first picture of him......still with the umbilical cord attached ....I LOVE that picture but he forbid it! I will obey!
Trying to figure out a meaningful graduation gift....that's been hard, still not sure on that one yet.
He's ready for new furniture for his new room, you know the one that isn't built yet....but we don't have room to store it. Don't think that is quite what we are looking for anyhow.
Shad has a great field trip scheduled for next week, he can't wait! Next week is the last week for many of Sam's, Sarah's and Selah's teachers from the school program. Summer is coming!!!!
We are going on vacation in June with some close friends. Both families are renting cabins at a Florida State Camp ground. Last November we all went to Fannings Springs and rented a cabin, it was a blast even though it was quite cold. The Florida Parks are absolutely wonderful, most cabins are about $100 a night, with 2 bedrooms, a bath, large living room with a fireplace and a full kitchen. They all have wrap around screened porches with rockers and a big swing on them. We all like to kayak and I'm not even sure how many kayaks we have between us all but we have a bunch. We're going to another spring and this time our cabin will be on stilts, really looking forward to the view. It's really a blessing in so many ways to have life long friends who you love being with and love their kids, just doesn't get much better than that! This site is not too far from my home town so I'm looking forward to seeing some of my Perry Peeps:) There is something sweet about going back to the place you were raised. At least for me, it just brings back the good memories. And I'm going to eat at Deal's Restaurant, one of the best places I know of to eat seafood!!!!
Hope you all have a great weekend and for my American friends....Happy Memorial Day! Thankful for the men and women who have served our country!
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Violence has come to Torez Ukraine....
http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/militia-backed-by-presidential-candidate-lyashko-takes-credit-for-murder-of-russian-backed-separatists-349093.html
there is a video of the building we went in to the day we got to Torez to sign paperwork for the girls. Unreal to see that! Please pray for our friends in that area, and the orphans!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOoySo_RNug
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