Gardening Again- FINALLY!

Finally I'm getting back to gardening!  I quit before we moved from our old house, knowing we were moving soon.  Then once we moved I was too exhausted to start back!  But I'm getting back started

If you've ever seen the little video on FB saying you can regrow veggies...it's true.  I'm regrowing lettuce and celery on our front porch. They've now been planted in a container that is outside.  I still have to put together the "square box garden" to put them in.  We got a bit sidetracked by a Hurricane named Matthew  (we did fine just alot of rain)

here are some herbs and lettuce I bought and planted




And this is my welcome Fall decorations.....




And a new composter!   Some women love the mall- and it's ok sometimes - but take me to Lowes and I get happy:)

This one is better than our previous one.  it's on rollers so it's easy to roll it around every time you add new scraps.  I'm very happy with it.




So my plan for the Square Foot Garden is going to be different than before.  Instead of wood, I'm using concrete blocks



This is my idea.....we will see how it works out.  The wood would get rotten so easily because untreated wood had to be used so it'd only last a few years here in Florida.  It's much cheaper to use the blocks but we loaded up about 30 of them and my van was FILLED!  I was terrified of having a wreck I figured we'd die!  I'm looking forward to getting started if the rains would stay away.  This morning was cool and the first day we were able to turn the A/C off since about April. I'm sure it will get hot again but it was nice to have a nip in the air ( the temp was 68 LOL)

BTW I borrowed this picture from a site on SFG.  I've not started our garden yet.  This is what i hope it will look like.






I also bought way too many fruit trees and berry bushes.  Our property gets very wet- it will be challenging to find spots for all of them.  I'm hoping to get started this weekend.


There is something about getting down and getting your hands dirty working with plants that just satisfies my soul.   Maybe for it goes back to my childhood- I don't know but I love it!   And it seems that my family rubbed off on me:)  I'm a green thumb most of the time.

September Fun

It's been a busy month for us!  Homeschooling is going much better than I expected.  I found I love having a Planning Book   LOL.  I should have done that years ago!

For the past week one of my very best friends from college visited me.  We had way too much fun- went to the beach and to our Alma Mater, looked for gators in the swamp and bargains in the mall. It was a perfect week!

That's my friend's feet- her picture was better:)

An almost empty Honeymoon Island- that's perfect!

All my Besties in ONE place!  My heart was so happy!

We got to see another college friend and "ate breakfast'  at Cracker Barrel for 6 hours...no lie!

Then it was Shad's 13th birthday and my ?? birthday~  Fun times with family & friends at our favorite Olive Garden

Fun times......



So now to get "controversial"....


I'm a TRUMP girl and have been almost from the beginning.  Someone gave me a yard sign....but alas it got stolen so a friend sent me TWO large Trump signs....I'm thinking they are safe!  I cracked up when I opened the package!







This has been a strange political year.  I've never seen people so angry at other people for voting for who they want.  I saw that in the primaries by Republicans and Democrats alike and I'm seeing this in the general election.  Hey guys this is AMERICA- we vote for who we want and we respect that others folks  vote for who they want to!  The important thing is to vote.  BTW I will delete any negative message so don't bother to try and get it on here!

End of Summer

Well I keep saying I'm going to blog more  and I lie!

What a fun summer we've had!









Just last week we went to Disney's Animal Kingdom.  To let you in a a little secret- It's HOT in Florida in august!  Oh my I thought i would die! Plus my LYING son got me on Mount Everest....said that it was no worse than the little Thunder Mountain.....while in line I remembered I didn't like Thunder Mountain.....let me tell you another secret...it's worse......100x worse!!!!!  What a day!

Oh and Hurricane Hermine snuck in while all this last of summer stuff was going on.  We had a tornado in our rural neighborhood but didn't personally have any damage.  Jon said he was up watching and praying while I was snoring!!!!   My hometown of Perry Florida in Taylor County got hit so bad!

Then it was his last weekend at home






  Summer is  now officially over!  Sadness!!!!!!


Steve headed back to college last weekend

Steve and his roommate (we love that boy!)

see the Dad and Mom shirts?

my first dorm there!

Steve is taking 18 hours and working with the media department in several areas this year.  Every day he seems to get another assignment LOL  This year he will be taking a big class load both semesters and we didn't want him to work a job but i think his volunteering is going to be just as many hours as a job would have been.  He's excited to start his sophomore year!  We went and helped him move in although he didn't really need us but we got to see a lot of old school chums who were there dropping their kids off.  That's the best part!  No tears this year from me or Dad:)  LOL  His parents are growing up!!!!

Today was our official start to homeschooling and although it seemed a million other things were vying for my attention - I really enjoyed it    I am continuing Shad in the curriculum that his school uses.  He is starting 7th grade but is already in all 8th grade books)  In two classes he is a full 1 and a half year  ahead so we are just going to plan on finishing through 8th grade this year- he'll still be a year ahead.  On top of that, he is doing more.  We are doing a video series on history ( by Mike Huckabee)  He's working in a Geography book and right now learning all the state capitals.  He is also working on a SAT college vocabulary book, learning the meaning and spelling of five words a day.  He's in a reading program to read the Bible through in one year.  He is also reading "Run Baby Run" by Nicky Cruz.  He's adding to his algebra by working in another algebra book too.  Today was fun for both of us.  The curriculum his school uses is good- it's called ACE.  Obviously it worked fine for Steve (who made the Dean's list both semesters last year)  but I find it is not very interesting and there is little Geography (something i love) and the history is boring.  The Social Studies section truly needs to be updated too.  Shad is so very smart I want to give him every chance to really grow.  I'm actually really excited about this (except for math)

We made the decision to home school for several reasons.  The biggest was it was easier time wise for our family based on Jon's schedule.  We were already deeply involved in his schooling so it's not a big leap to take it over.  Personally I see this being very good for Shad and for me- I think it will grow our relationship.

Speaking of Jon's schedule- his doctors have recommended that he exercise 1 to  1.5 hours a day!  He is doing it but it takes alot  of effort on everyone's (mostly mine) part to make it happen.

And something that will make you chuckle...my FB post from last might
Fun times tonight.... My favorite cat Vermont always is the last one in. Between our house & our neighbor's is a gully/ small stream that generally has at least a little water in it. Right now it's overflowing the banks. It runs into a swampy area in their yard-then under the road to a large swamp. So Vermont loves to go across the water to get to the neighbors yard.... Tonight when I was calling for her she kept answering back but not coming across... I got the flashlight & saw gator eyes!!! I went all the way around into their yard & called her. Their driveway has deep ditches on either side filled with water.... That cat came running to me & jumped in my arms!!!! I was quite unnerved! It was so dark out there- every horror movie with monsters was running through my mind not to mention news reports of gators attacking!!!!!!


Then my morning update
Last night I was pretty sure I saw gator eyes.... It was confirmed by our neighbor this morning. He was walking around looking for THEM! He said a small gator had been seen ( that's what I saw - eyes close together) AND he & another guy saw a 7-8 foot one! At our old house we were more in the woods/ swamp but we had 2 fences Here there are more people/ houses but we have less between us & the water. While I'm not overly concerned our cats are indoor/ out cats.....


Yikes!!!!

You can always go to our blog's FB page for updates!!

https://www.facebook.com/My-Real-Life-By-Yvonne-1405082996394656/

Bahama Cruise

So we finally went on a cruise!  I think we were the last ones of all the people we know to go on one:) Jon had wanted to go for years but I get soooooo seasick/motion sickness  I was afraid to go on one.  BUT right before Jon went into surgery-and things were so tense- I promised if he'd be "a good boy" in surgery we'd go on a cruise  He was able to laugh and he was a good boy so within a month I'd booked us a cruise:) 

The first day I had a tiny bit of dizziness and slight nausea but after that i was fine.  I got THE patch that goes behind the ear and started using it days before we left.  

our window!

Our first stop was Nassau Bahama 

our ship

we didn't do any of the ship's trip- we took some advice and  got our own cab and it was half the price of  the ships tours and we got to go all over.  We are adventurous!  

We saw this sign and I just had to take a picture!!!

we visited the fort

Then we went to the Queen's steps 

I'm used to heat....but it was so hot I almost had a heat stroke!   Our taxi did not have good AC!  And August in the Bahamas is HOT!

we went in Atlantis 

 then we went by a beach

 

The next day we went to the private island and swam.  I didn't take my phone with us so we didn't get any pictures that day.but it was beautiful

 we watched a a show one night

We listened to a couple of bands- playing "our" old music

But we mainly relaxed and read books LOL 

The dinners at night were amazing and we did get a small table to ourselves.  I did not want to have to be with other people.  But to our chagrin- next to our table was the absolute worst children on board!!!!   Even the staff had to say something to the parents as the parents let them be rolling on the floor and just ignored their behavior!  It was awful and before anyone says that maybe there was something "wrong" with the children- there was not!  These kids ruled their parents and the parents didn't care!  We should have changed tables but we liked our waiter and we didn't want to end up at a large table.  But other than that- we had a great time!! 

We traveled on Royal Caribbean (4 days 3 nights) and was very pleased with it.  the staff were awesome!   Our boat was a smaller boat so there was only one pool and a little less entertainment but it fit us just fine.   

We want to take the kids on a cruise now!  It's such an easy type of vacation.  I'm glad I finally agreed to go on one.  It was just what we needed!

Healing Part II

Ok I'm so sorry it's taken me awhile to get back but my computer decided to get a real virus and had to go to the doctor (aka Steve's friends) for a cleaning.  Now it' like I have a new laptop!  Thanks Guys!!!

So I got some interesting emails-some amazing stories of God's grace -but no healings like I was looking for-no what I call "Jesus healings"  One lady did share her story of the birth of three children even though her husband had had a terrible accident as a child and has an almost zero sperm count.....other stories were more like our stories with our children where death had been averted and some things were better but not a complete healing.

I guess I'm still looking.  Call me Doubting Thomas but I want to be real.  In being real I do not feel that it lessens who God is....God is God.  But I do think it calls some teaching that may border on false doctrine out into the light.

I have no doubt at all that God can do anything but I also have no doubt that He chooses to limit Himself.  He doesn't go against His own scripture.  And I feel we Pentcostals have tried to make the scripture say something it doesn't.....

I still would love to hear from you guys....thanks to all who have shared.


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We are enjoying our summer around here.  It's just been a great few months- of course I love having our oldest home with us.  His college is starting late this year because of some construction on campus and that just makes me happy!

I've posted some summer videos on my blog's FB page - My Real Life By Yvonne

https://www.facebook.com/My-Real-Life-By-https://www.facebook.com/My-Real-Life-By-Yvonne-1405082996394656/?ref=aymt_homepage_panelYvonne-1405082996394656/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel


Jon and I are going to be going on a cruise soon!  I'm sure I'll be posting some pictures of that:) We are excited!

Hope you have a good week!

Healing-Have you ever had one?

Before I get started on my blog I want to invite you to Like or visit my blog's FB page.  I'm able to load videos on it and I have some really cute ones lately of Sarah.  She is walking by holding on to things now!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/My-Real-Life-By-Yvonne-1405082996394656/




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So what's on my mind?   HEALING! 

First I want to say I'm not trying to put doubt into anyone's mind or cause conflict but unlike most folks I'm not one to just close my eyes and say nothing.

My husband is a pastor in a denomination that teaches Divine Healing.  I've been raised from a baby on in churches that teach that, the college I went to taught that......but I ask where are the healings?

Obviously we have prayed for our children over and over and over again.....throughout the years  and it is personal struggle with us.  However as a pastor's wife, even if our kids didn't have their challenges I'd still question because we see so much more suffering.

Currently we have a wonderful woman in our church who is close to death from cancer.  It just tears me up to see people and their families walk through this.  I don't question God as much as I question the teachings I've been taught all these years.  I know God is a good God-He is so faithful especially in our worst times. 

I'm now in my 50's- all my life I've heard of how God can and does heal.  But I am not sure - I've rarely seen a true healing. 

What I classify as a TRUE HEALING is a healing that is not one that comes by the hand of a doctor or medicine or surgery.  While we are incredibly grateful to God and our doctors- to me that doesn't constitute a miracle.  I remember after Sam's eye surgery a woman said to me "You got your miracle"  I was nice but inside I thought "if 44 eye drops a day, monthly doctor trips and all the work I have to do is a miracle we are missing something!"  Now I am so grateful for our Dr A and I truly believe God gave him the wisdom to do such amazing surgery to give sight to blind children.....that's a different level than a healing miracle. 

I also want to clarify this I'm also NOT  talking about  a person just getting better faster than normal.....One time I was talking to a man & he said God healed his broken leg.  Being curious I asked for details and he told me that he got the cast off in 5 weeks rather than the 6 weeks the doctors had originally told him......  Another friend told me God healed her of an ovarian cyst.  Well I've had ovarian cysts off and on for years.  As their nature they come and go and they can be worrisome.  I had a huge one while I was pregnant with Sam & was so relieved when it dissipated after months.  I firmly believe God made our bodies in a way that they can heal themselves for lack of a better term. 

I'm also not a believer in a "progressive healing'  When Jesus healed someone- they were healed...

I had one real Jesus type healing.  After Steve's birth-I had a lot of scar tissue.  It was a traumatic birth to say the least.....  My doctor wanted to do surgery on the scar tissue and I just couldn't dare think of doing that!  It was painful enough!!!!    Well I went to a Good Friday service and the minister said before a prayer to 'ask God to heal you right in your seat if you need healing"   Me being the sarcastic person thought " haha that is exactly where I need it"   Later that day, I sat on the floor with Steve to play with him and didn't feel any pain....at all..... I went and checked and the scar tissue was gone...it wasn't in my clothes or anywhere to be found.  I will say my doctor and her assistant were absolutely amazed.  I can't say it was a medically documented healing and I have no paperwork but my doctor could hardly believe it! 

I have a missionary friend who had kidney cancer and was treated by surgery and chemo.  A few years later the doctor found a large spot on a lung.  My friend had a travel commitment and went ahead and went and while there he was prayed for.  When he came back the spot was imaged as a hole ( as if something had been cut out) and since that time new healthy tissue has grown back.  I've not seen medical proof but I do believe his story. 

So those are the two healings I'm sure of.  My question is why are there so very few?  Some people say it's because we are in America and not desperate enough for God- they'd say there are miracles in other countries but I don't buy that at all. First people are desperate for God's healing touch in America, believe me I've been told too many times there was no hope for change in our situations and if you don't think a mom with a little girl in a coma (now for almost 4 years) is desperate, you are absolutely crazy!  Secondly this may sound mean...but I've seen people caught up in a revival/healing type meeting who have proclaimed that they were healed of various things but actually they were just wanting to be healed,.   My husband tries very hard not to e3ncourage things like that but once we had a woman say she was healed of deafness but she wasn't......she was just excited.  Unfortunately many ministers are not that careful and they proclaim that someone is healed while they actually are not. 

So my question to you is do have proof of a physical miracle???  I'm interested.  Please send it to me at theclanton5@aol.com and let me know if I can publically share it. 

Again I'm not sharing this to have some big theological fight- this is something that is a HUGE deal to me both in our family and as a pastor's wife.  Also TRUTH is very very important to me.  There are times I am very uncomfortable with things people in the Pentecostal movement say.  Our doctrine on healing is based off of the scripture in Isaiah 53:4-5 (the scripture is a prophecy of Jesus the Messiah)
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Many theologians believe that last portion of the scripture "by His stripes we are healed" means only a spiritual healing while most Pentecostals believe it is a physical healing.   (if you are wondering I believe it means a spiritual healing)  I do believe the New Testaments talks of "gifts of healing' but I do not believe that physical healing is on the same par as salvation.  What I'm saying is I do not believe healing is provided for in the atonement.  That's pretty much is a statement on the same level as blasphemy in the Pentecostal world!  (And I'm speaking ONLY for myself on this blog)

It seems like to me we so often parrot things without really understanding scripture and we make scripture say what we would like it to say....... I'm not going to do that.  I'd love for God to just do everything I want Him to do but the scriptures don't support that belief. 

Another kitten!

We've had a relaxing few days catching up and doing some chores before we get back to our schedule.  We decided to bring the hammock and outdoor swing in and put them on the back porch so I had to go get new cushions since ours were pretty dirty. 

it looks crowded in this picture but it's not actually.  Jon and I took a nap out there yesterday evening before Shad fired up the Fireworks! I love the back porch/patio because it's so quiet and surrounded by trees. 

 

 

Sam enjoyed the fireworks with me from the front porch.  Shad did a good safe job with them and had a blast LOL

 

 

 

 

Saturday we had a surprise....another kitten came up!  Obviously he is from the same litter as Kia and he came from out of the same wooded area just crying and crying!  They are exactly the same the size and same fuzziness.  He is a lover boy- he's playful but is more a cuddlier than Kia is. 

This is the funniest picture taken just seconds before Kia pounced on Dobby. 

 

So we now have FIVE cats and only ONE of them is a cat that we actually asked for ( sort of- we offered to take her because her owner didn't want her anymore.)   The others have all been strays.  I'd like to find a home for the two little ones together but I doubt that will happen. 

 

 

Tonight our oldest son is flying home.  We left him in Ohio with his girlfriend and her family for the week.  It's his first time flying alone and I'm nervous.  I'm sure he's not!  He's had a fun filled week with them doing all kinds of different activities.  It gave her family time to get to know him in  a more relaxed environment. 

 

We are still waiting on the all the test results to share - hopefully we will learn a lot to share with you -especially if heart disease runs in your family. 

 

Have a great week!