Thankful Thursday.....I mean Tuesday!!

For Today:

Outside My Window: It's dark at 5:45 in the morning! The beginning of another wonderful day, no matter what the weather or circumstances, because God has blessed me and I will honor Him and give Him praise!!!!

I am thinking: I have another busy busy day ahead. Being taxi for Sarah Boo, Post Office, Shopping, Cooking, Cleaning, Rearranging........the list goes on! I'm also thinking about the wonderful time we had at the river Sunday. We spent most of the time in the truck riding around, but we did check out our camper (which has sprung another leak, ugh!!), walked around the campground, and rode to Gloucester to shop a little. Can't wait till April. This year will be like last since we're still working on the house, we won't get to go as much, but any little time away is great!!!

I am thankful for: My family. Our health. We've had more than our share of medical problems this year, but I look around and see people suffering everywhere. Our problems were so small compared to some. God spared us heartache, but others have to face that and it tears me up. I'm so thankful that our problems have resolved, and pray for those facing the unthinkable. We may not know why the ones we love have to suffer, but God has a plan.....and even if it's not our plan....it is a perfect plan.

I'm also thankful for my husband. I know I say it all the time, but do you really know how special it is to be in (almost) perfect harmony with your spouse?????? I say almost because nobody is perfect except God!!! It's amazing how God can create something so wonderful when you ask Him to be Lord over your marriage, family, home, and life....and then really LET HIM BE! It's awesome to have as much fun with your spouse after 29 years as you did when you first met!!!!!

From the Kitchen: Something quick cause we have to eat and run. Sorry honey, but I'm thinkin Spam (lite of course), Green Beans, Mac & Cheese!!!!

I am hoping: To get my hair done soon. It's hideous! I haven't been to see Lorie in over 6 months. One day I'll get there....I hope.

I am reading: Same book with hubby, Love is a Decision. Devotions on line. Bible.

I am creating: Finally something fun!!!! I went yesterday and bought a whole new bedroom set. Mine is about 10-15 years old and I still love it, I'm just ready for a change. I haven't shopped as much as I did yesterday in years! I left at 10:00 yesterday morning and got home at 9:00 last night, except for a pit stop between 4:30-6:00 to fix BLT's and pick up hubby!! Well, I figured I might as well do it up right, so I got the comforter set, 2 sets of sheets, 2 new blankets, a new quilt, a curtain, a picture, Candle sconces, and new matching trinkets to set around! It was sooooo fun.

Rob's taking me to Tuesday Morning after work because I saw another picture in the window that would match perfectly I think, but I got there too late and they were closed. I figure I better get everything I want all at once, cause I might have this one 15 years too!!!! I really don't like change, can you tell???? (But this was so fun I just might have to rethink that, lol!!!)

I am praying: For a special request. Won't you help me pray too? Bobby's former girlfriend Slibs (Sylvia King) needs our prayers for her and her dad. He was just diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread to his liver. Slibs will graduate this year, and it breaks my heart that she has to go through something so horrible when it should be a very happy time for her. Please pray for her dad, his name is Tony. Thanks so much!!!!!!!!

I am hearing: The heat pump outside my bedroom window. I'm on the laptop this morning because Bobby's asleep in the living room.

One of my favorite things: My new bedroom of course, it's beauteeeeeful!! And also the wooden tea holder I got from Starbucks last night for 90% off. I'm not a big tea drinker and it was filled with different tea bags, but I can't wait to empty it out and use the wooden holder with 3 little compartments for something, it's just too cute!!! And because I had a Starbucks coupon, my $20 wooden box was only $1.53!!!! Now that's a deal I can live with :-D

Around the house: Oh what a mess. Yesterday I wanted to clean. It wasn't my intention to shop all day because I had actually bought another bedspread when we went to the river Sunday, and I was only going out looking for a curtain to match it. But thanks to Jaclyn Smith and K-Mart, I found this gorgeous set that I loved! Soooooo, I didn't get any cleaning done. Mom usually does some laundry for me on Mondays, but the first load went off balance and she couldn't fix it, so that didn't get done. Today I need to get all that done plus work on eBay. I need my Superwoman costume today!!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Tomorrow Sarah has a Drs. Appointment at Stony Point.

Here is the picture I am sharing: My scripture of the day!



Sometimes we have to wait under a cloud of trial, but wait faithfully! That cloud will eventually break in showers of blessing!!! Praise the Lord!!!!!!

For Today

For Today:

Outside My Window: It's cooold and snowy. I need to go to the shed to get some items to ship, but I don't want to freeze!

I am thinking: My hubby made me sooo happy this morning. When I woke up and went into the kitchen, I found this by the coffee pot:

Two valentine coffee mugs, an "I Love You" chocolate chip cookie, and a picture he had made of us "back in the day". He is the most awesome loving man in the world, and I'm soooo glad he's MINE!!!!!! Supposedly there's more to come.....oh la la!!!

I am thankful for: My sweet hubby, and my wonderful kids! All the blessings in my little world, and a God who loves me so much He cares for my every need!!!!

From the Kitchen: Ah, the kitchen.....such a happy place this morning. Not much going on in there now though, gonna eat some high fiber cereal and start this diet thing one more time, but we're having tacos for dinner, eek!!!!

I am hoping: I can actually stick to this diet and exercise thing now. I'm too miserable NOT to. And the River calls in 2 months, yay!!!!!

I am reading: The Bible, Devotionals, and "Love is a Decision" with my hubby.

I am creating: Ads for Craigslist to sell off some of my decorative things around the house. I'm ready to say "out with the old, in with the new", and since I have to do it a little at a time, I'll start by selling what I have to buy what I want, lol!!!!

I am praying: That I can stay away from Goodwill for another week. Hey, I did good last week. Yea, it was because it snowed and I couldn't get out. No, it wasn't really but it did help. I could have made it over there, hubby even offered to take me if I REALLY wanted to go, but I was a good girl!! He did take me to Peebles though to buy their jeans on 5.99 clearance, but that doesn't count, you have to get those when they have the big sale, whenever that may be!!!!!!!

I am hearing: Rebels snoring.

One of my favorite things: My new Valentine's coffee mugs of course. Rob and I are always looking for great mugs when we go out, even at yard sales, and he found the perfect ones for us!!!!!!

Around the house: Mitzi is being very vocal about something, which is unusual. Rebs is sleeping beside me on Bobby's bed. Sarah is sleeping, I think. The boys are gone to work. It's very very quiet!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Errands today, and have somebody coming by to pick up some jeans they bought. Sarah has an appointment on Thursday but it's not by a Goodwill Store that I know of, so not too excited about that!!

Marriage Enrichment idea: Okay, this isn't an idea, but a great devotional that was on the CBN website this morning called Perfect Love! Check it out!!! My favorite part: Happily ever after doesn’t always come with ball gowns and white horses. Most of the time, it comes with sweat pants and minivans . . . but that’s ok, because if it comes from God, it’s perfect and nothing less. Amen!!!

Here is the picture I am sharing:

Hubby working hard on Bobby's floor!

Thankful Thursday

Good Morning! God is sooo good, and I'm feeling extra blessed this morning! A little unsettled in my spirit, but I'll get to that in a minute. I just want to thank God for all He has blessed me with, all He has provided, all He has done in my life. I'm just a happy girl, and it's because of God's love for me and His blessings!!!! Oh yea, and a husband who is the bomb and makes me feel special even on my worst days helps a bit too :-D

Now, on to that "unsettled" thing. I'm not sure what it is, and you've probably been there too. I think God is preparing me for "something", I just don't know what. It always seems to happen that way. I feel a tug at my heart, a need to pray extra hard, and then WHAM, something comes up that says "this is what I've been preparing you for"!!

There have been a couple of things I've been asking God to show me lately. The first is to show me what I need to sacrifice. Have you ever felt like God is telling you to sacrifice something so He can show you His power and love? I've been feeling that lately and am praying for God's direction. Actually, I'm praying that He would hit me over the head with it, cause I'm afraid I won't hear what He's telling me otherwise!

Secondly, I've been feeling that God is wanting me to be more hospitable. I just finished reading a book that I thought was made just for me: A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others. What a great book. It gave me some awesome examples of ways to show God's love to others. Little things mean a lot to people who are hurting or need a helping hand. And you can be hospitable without having people into your home, which is good, since nobody really wants to come over and sit on Bobby's bed in the living room anyway, lol!!!!! But eventually we'll get our house back in order, and we WILL have people over.

If nothing else, God is telling me to pray more, and getting my attention by putting this feeling inside me. Not a feeling of dread, but a feeling of anticipation, looking for something great to happen, and EXPECTING a blessing or miracle or whatever He is choosing to do in us or through us next. Ain't God good????

Okay, let's move on. The not so good feeling I've had lately is that of expansion. I feel like the air bags on the sides of my hips have been deployed and that is just NOT GOOD!!!! Too much junk food while being cooped up inside, and no exercise. That was one of my resolutions, more exercise, and you people have NOT held me accountable!!!! Yea, that's it, blame it on somebody else. I feel better now, lol!!!! TODAY, I will exercise and eat right, and try to remove these air bags from around my caboose!!!! I started my day off good, with a nice bowl of HAIRY oatmeal!! Yep, it was real good until I pulled that long nasty hair out of it. It was mine, but it still made me want to hurl. Made me want to throw it away and reach for the brownies instead, but I didn't!!! I forced it down, gagging most of the time. Score one point for me, yay!!!!!

I've been a little worried about this whole eBay thing too. BUT, I will reserve my judgement (somewhat) until the end of April, when I see just how all the changes will affect my business. I do know that for a lot of people, the changes are bad. Because of WHAT I sell, I don't think they'll be as bad for me, we shall see. People will always want to buy jeans at a discount, but a lot of people who sell little trinkets and non-neccesary items will be closing up shop from what I can tell. I just thank God that he led me in this direction in the beginning, because I had no intentions of selling jeans when I first started!!

Haha!!!

Now, on to last nights dinner. I told those of you on Facebook about the wonderful bread I made last night. I can't believe how easy it was, and how yummy!!!! Here's the recipe. Mine didn't quite look like that, but it was lalicious!!

I didn't have buttermilk, so I used 1 cup milk and 1 Tablespoon white vinegar. Let it sit 5 minutes before using.

Here's what it looks like when you first put it in the pan. I used a cast iron skillet.

When it was done. Mine wasn't as high as theirs, but still yummy!!

One of our family favorites: Goulash!!

What's wrong with this picture? First of all, no green except for the peppers in the goulash. Second, I didn't think this through very well in the planning stages. The corn casserole is made with cornbread mix, and then there is the biscuit bread. A carb lovers dream meal!!!!!

Ok, so here's a few tips if you do try this bread. First, it says to cook it on medium, which is #4 on my stove. It actually started to get too done on the bottom, so I took it off the heat and let it sit a minute, then flipped it over like it said, and cooked it on and off the heat the rest of the time. I'd sit it on the burner for a minute, then take it off. it cooked up perfectly that way. Next time I might try cooking it on an even lower temp.

Also, I used a well seasoned skillet, and coated the inside with plenty of oil. I was afraid it would stick, but it didn't stick at all thanks to the generous oiling!!

Next time I'll use buttermilk, but it was great without it.

This tasted like the fluffiest homemade biscuits ever (I've NEVER made any this good!) without all the work!! Awesome! I found this recipe recently in one of those papers that come with the Newspaper. Relish or Parade or something?????

Well, that's all for now. Got to go list some jeans, make a post office run, clean and do laundry, and hmmm, something else I'm sure I'm forgetting.......oh yea, EXERCISE!!!!

Have a great day everybody! Remember that happiness is a choice, so choose to smile and be happy today. It's contagious ya know!!!!

"The Lord your God...will exult over you by singing a happy song." Zephaniah 3:17

P.S. The purple words are brought to you today by Crystal's Happy Place, where purple rules!!!!!

Thankful Saturday in the Snow!!!

For Today:

Outside My Window: Well......you know! Snow, Snow Snow!!! I'm sitting at the computer and from here I can look to the left and see out the front picture window. Look to the right and see out the den window to the back yard. It's soooo pretty!! Rethinking that picnic outside today though, it's wayyy too cold!

I am thinking: about all the plans I have for today. Finishing this blog, cooking, cleaning. Would love to have a day of lounging around on the sofa in my pj's, but I just can't make myself do it. Only when I'm sick, and then it kills me not to work (especially on eBay!!!!)

I am thankful for: The beautiful snow and the fact that I DON'T have to go out in it!! My wonderful hubby, who ran around with me all day yesterday. We needed a day together to just do "whatever", and it was great!!! All the sales I've had recently on eBay. God still provides!! My hubby is doing the laundry while I'm blogging, and he cleaned the bathroom this week!!!! He is sooo awesome! I'm thankful he sees when I'm overwhelmed, and helps out without being asked!

From the Kitchen: Well, just finished French toast and sausage. Gonna make Egg Salad and Tuna Salad later. Then steak and baked potatoes for dinner, Sarah's request. Maybe homemade bread, and either Brownies or Williamsburg bread!!

I am hoping: things are not as bleak with eBay as I've been seeing lately. For those of you who didn't see on Facebook, eBay has "decreased" their fees (that's how they sold it to us anyway), which is gonna cost me an extra $42 dollars a month, unless my listings get more exposure and therefore more sales come April. We'll see, I'll give it a month or two before I really start complaining!! Robert Lee is jumping ship though, moving on to another selling site. Can't wait to see how he does so I can possibly move some of my inventory over too!!

I am reading: Love is a Decision (awesome!!), A Home that says Welcome, online devotionals, The Bible.

I am creating: I'm TRYING to create an orderly home with help from the FLYLADY, but so far, I only read the e-mails and think I'll get to it later. It's kinda hard to do when you have inventory AND your son's bedroom in the living room. But, things are coming along. We picked up Bobby's floor yesterday, and the sheet rock primer. Can't wait to get that room put back together and get my living room back!!!! Also creating another ebay strategy of course. Selling off everything that is not jeans or new bathing suits. Gotta get the inventory under control so I can put the jeans outside and get ready to remodel my living room (ok, might be a year away, but a girls gotta dream!!)!!!

I am praying: to keep my sanity in the chaos!

I am hearing: Bobby just came home, boy his truck looks pretty in the snow, lol!!! All the animals are soooo happy to see him!!

One of my favorite things: SNOW!!!! Today anyway. When I'm ready to go somewhere and can't, it won't be so great anymore!!! Also, the new friends I've found and that have found me on Facebook that have SB or kids with SB. I've gotten lots of great info and even found some going through the same thing Sarah just went through. It's awesome to connect with people who understand and have advice to give!!

Around the house: Sarah's still snug as a bug in her bed, Bobby's home and in the shower, Rob's doing laundry, I'm blogging, and Reb's and Mitzi are being extremely lazy as usual! Other than that, not a whole lot!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Sarah has a Drs. appt in Richmond on Tuesday, maybe!!! Depends on how the roads look. Otherwise, just the same old same old (which is GOOD!!).

Here is the picture I am sharing:

Candy Love Note from my hubby last year!!!!
He's so romantical!!

The boys asleep in THEIR bed, lol!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Gaskins

Congrats you guys, the wedding was beautiful!!

That's all for now folks! Remember: Your words are a window to your heart, so speak words of kindness today and share the love of Jesus!!

...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Matthew. 12:34b

Thankful Thursday!

What a week! I don't usually say this, but I'm glad it is almost over. I have so much to be thankful for, but this week I've let the little things really get me down, and I'm ready for a change of attitude and scenery. Looking foward to my cousin's daughter's wedding on Saturday. That will get us out of town and away from the chaos of this crazy house for a while!

They have given me a job to do at this wedding. Serve Punch. Jack says that because of my ability to serve some pretty crappy dinners, he would keep me away from the food, but he thinks he can trust me with punch. Oh boy, just wait till you see how I can screw up a bowl of punch, lol!!!! Don't say I didn't warn ya.....Just kidding Kim!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm honored to help and can't wait to see these two love birds tie the knot!!!!!! Will you be posting a Facebook status update from the alter? Just wondering, lol!!

I don't like to complain, especially because my hubby is working sooo hard to get this house finished, but I'm really feeling overwhelmed by all the EXTRA clutter and mess right now. Bobby's bedroom is in the living room along with all of the eBay stuff, and Sarah's doing good to be able to squeeze through a tiny path to make her way to the kitchen!! I know that this too shall pass, and I keep trying to remind myself of that. All I know is I NEVER want to undergo another BIG project in this house as long as I live. New paint and furniture will do me just fine from here on out, lol!!!! Ok, enough about that, I don't want to get all blahhh again, let's move on!!

Since the last time I blogged:

Bobby got his job back at Great Dane!!!! Yay, another glorious miracle from our Lord and Saviour! One whole year we prayed about that job, fussed about that job, and almost gave up on that job but God is faithful!!!!!! He got his insurance reinstated right away, and he's back with his bestest friend!!! Now if Brandon would just stop trying to convince Bobby to move in with him, we'd be all set!!!!! Doesn't that boy know just how close Bobby is to FINALLY having a GREAT big bedroom?????? I don't think he's going anywhere for a while, lol!!!!!!

Sarah got final clearance from her last doctor, the plastic surgeon. He said NO MORE SURGERY! Thank you thank you thank you Lord!!!! He also said we should go to him for pressure sores and not mess around with PCP's who have no idea how to treat them in most cases. Thank you Lord again. That was what we were talking about on the way to her appointment. Wondering who we were supposed to go to now, not wanting to go to the PCP, and never even thinking it would be him!!!!!

Rob and I have starting attending the Lifetime Covenant Marriage classes at Church. They are AWESOME!!! Mark and Catherine do a great job! So far we've played with Playdough, watched Barney and Andy Griffith, and wrote our mates a love letter!!!! Oh what fun!! Here's a plug: If you want a FUN and life changing experience with your mate, head on over to the Enon Church of God on Sundays at 5:00. It's open to anyone, and it's very casual, laid back, fun and informative!!!!

Jeez Rebel, I coulda went all day without smelling that!!!! You made me lose my train of thought............anyhoo

Bobby's room is looking amazing, and I'm so thankful that Rob has been able to take lots of time off this week to work on it! The drywall is up, the old carpet is up, new doors are in, now we just have to pick out his wood floor, which we haven't been able to agree on yet!! We also don't agree on room color. I want taupe cause I think it would look awesome with all his camo bedding, but he wants white, and alas it is HIS room Crystal, so put your big girl panties on and deal with it!!!!!

As far as my resolutions go, oh don't even go there!!!! Stress eating has been my friend this week. Yes, I know exercise is a great stress reliever, but trying to find my gazelle in all the clutter is even more stressful, so..........I really need to work on getting the clutter out. The bad thing is Mom and I are cleaning out and storing things up for a yard sale in the spring. That means more clutter until the sale, grrrrrr!!!!!!! It never seems to end. Why do I keep going back to this? I guess this is my ugly cross to bear this week!!!!

Let me make a conscious effort to think about what I'm thankful for this week:

My family, who puts up with me through the mood swings.

My wonderful hubby who holds me at night until he's sure I'm okay, cause he says he can't sleep until I am. I love you baby!!!

My mother, who makes life easier by going above and beyond what she's paid to do at my house!! Where would I be without you?????

My Church family, just being in God's house lifts me up! I have a wonderful Church and thank God for the way He's moving among His people!!

My eBay job, even though stressful the last couple of weeks, sales have been steady and great!

That everybody is back to work which gives me some alone time during the day. I sure did miss that, and it's nice to have it back, even if I'm still just working while they're gone!!!

That Bobby came back to Church Sunday!!! For the longest time there was not much there for kids his age, but that's starting to change, and I'm thankful he honored God for answering his prayer about the job by coming back!!!

Oh my, look at the time! Gotta run take Sarah to work now. I have sooo much more to be thankful for, but I'll stop for now!

Take time today to count your blessings! It really does help to bring you out of the blues when you think about all you have been blessed with instead of what you don't have for a change! And don't forget to pray for the people of Haiti, and help out if you can! God called us to service for others ya know :-)

Love and Joy to you!!!!!!

Crystal :-)

New Year, New Resolutions!!!!!

Wow, I can’t believe it’s been a year since I started blogging! Well, almost. That first blog took me 2 weeks to finish, so next week it will be a whole year!

So much has happened in that year, and if it’s not in the blog, it’s splattered across Facebook! For somebody who doesn’t like to talk (really, I’m not kidding!), I never thought I could ever say so much! That first blog talked about my New Years Resolutions, so I want to go back and revisit all those great intentions I had and see how well I did. Pfft, okay, see how miserably I failed is more like it!!

The BIG THREE resolutions were weight loss of course, get better at eBay, and improve my prayer life/Bible study habits. Last January, I complained about gaining all but 7 pounds of the 30 pounds I had lost in 2005. Well…….now I’ve gained all but 5 pounds back. On the bright side, I only gained 2 pounds this year!!! Honestly, I gained more, lost more, and evened out at gaining 2 pounds for the year. Last year I wanted to lose 20 pounds by the time our Campground opened so I wouldn’t be miserable in my tight clothes. Okay, I’m keeping this resolution for this year, and I already know that I will make it this time! How’s that for determination?????? I’ll also add that I want to start exercising regularly again this year. Last year I only did it sporadically.

Ok, enough about weight. The next resolution was about eBay. I did pretty good with this one. I managed to finally figure out a strategy that works for me, and business has been excellent lately, but on the down side…..my house still looks like a warehouse, and Bobby says I CANNOT use his new big room for storage! How rude……. :-D

The last resolution was to improve my prayer life and Bible study. This is the one I am most thankful for and proud of. I was able to do this, thanks in part to reading the Bible every day on the computer. Rob and I also started doing nightly devotions together and praying together before he leaves for work in the morning. All these things have brought us closer together and closer to the Lord this year. Which is good, because this has been one of the toughest years we’ve had in a long time. I can’t imagine how stressful it would have been if we hadn’t been united by prayer and God’s promises to see us through!

Here is my list of Resolutions for this year, and it‘s a LONG one. I’ve posted them, so now all of you will help to keep me accountable, right??? RIGHT??????

Health:

• To cut WAYYY down on sugar and carbs and save them for special occasions, like going out to eat.

• To only drink 2 cups of coffee in the morning, and replace the rest with hot green tea.

• To eat LOTS more veggies and fruits, cause if I had my way, the only veggie I would get would be in ketchup!!!

• To eat one pro-biotic yogurt a day, cause Dr. Oz told me to!

• To eat more low fat protein.

• To exercise at least ½ hour 5 days a week.

Well, so far so good. I’ve managed to lose 2-½ pounds and exercise twice this week.

Home:

• To reduce the clutter in this house!!!!!!

• To use up the groceries I have before I have to throw them away. Hoping to get much better at this cause it makes me sick to throw away good money I coulda used for a new outfit, lol!!!!!!

• To only buy the best of the best of jeans and list them on eBay. That will help me to not spend as much time working, but still make a good profit!!

• To work on getting my living room back in order, and get eBay out of here. My goal is to have new furniture and maybe (?) new flooring by next Christmas, if my furniture will hold out that long. I’m serious, it’s REALLY REALLY bad!!!

Ummm, well…….right now Bobby’s bed is in the living room and it’s so cluttered with his stuff and eBay that I can’t find a thing, but Rob’s working hard as he can on getting Bobs room done in between working 10 hour days. It’ll get there, I have faith!!!!!!!!!!!!

Personal:

• I plan to spend more time on taking care of me, and I started by finally removing the toenail polish I’ve had on since Summer. Hey, that’s a great start, dontcha think!!!

Spiritual:

• To spend more time reading God’s word and actually studying what I read. I bought a great book to help me with that, it’s called “The Bible for Dummies”. STOP LAUGHING, THAT’S NOT NICE!!!!! GO TO YOUR NAUGHTY CORNER!!! Even that book makes me feel like a Dummy, but at least I WANT to learn, that’s gotta count for something!!!

• To continue doing nightly devotionals and reading great relationship building books with my sweetie. That time together is precious, and it we need it to help us recharge after some grueling days.

• To put into action some plans Rob and I have talked about concerning ministry to others.

Well…..geez, once again, there’s a slight problem. I’ve misplaced my Dummy book, the last time I saw it was when Sarah was in the hospital. I hope I didn’t leave it there. But I plan to get right on that as soon as it shows up! In the meantime, I’ve subscribed to four daily devotionals online, so I’ll keep up with that for now.

I guess that’s all for now. I know it’s Thankful Thursday and this wasn’t really a “Thankful” blog, but in a roundabout way it is. I’m thankful for the blessings God poured on us this past year, and I’m thankful for all we will accomplish this coming year with His help! I'm thankful that I was able to keep some of my new years resolutions, and I'm thankful God has given me the desire to keep even more this year!!!!!!!!

My prayer is that everyone reading this will have a much better year in 2010. Of all the posts I read on Facebook, soooo many people had a tough 2009 for one reason or another. I pray that God will bless you and prosper you spiritually, financially, and healthfully (is that a word?).

Below is the reason for much of our prayers:

Bobby keeps us on our toes and on our knees, lol!!!!
I'm a little jealous though, looks like it was GREAT FUN!!!!

A Blessed Christmas!!

For Today:

Outside My Window: It's right before 6 am. Dark and frosty, and all seems right with the world.

I am thinking: I am so blessed. Even though this Christmas was different in almost every way, it was a WONDERFUL Christmas! I got to spend time with my family that I don't normally get to because I'm spread so thin trying to get everything done. Rob was wonderful, even on Christmas morning when I cooked breakfast for my parents and us, he came right in and did the dishes as I cooked to help me out. He kept the laundry going too till the dryer pooped out Christmas night. I LOVE that man, have I told you that before?

I am thankful for: The way things worked out this year. I was so afraid that we would be lost without all the parties we usually host, that we would be sitting around bored to death, but that didn't happen! Christmas Eve we had plenty of time to spend with my parents and brother and his family. Usually we have to hurry to work that part of our Christmas in in between other things. It was so nice just to relax and spend time with them. After we left there, we drove around looking at all the Christmas lights. The neatest thing we saw was thousands of real luminaries through the whole Conjurer's Neck sub-division. It was absolutely beautiful. Every single house except one was lit up. I've never seen anything like it before (in person)!!

I'm also so very thankful that Sarah's wound has almost completely closed. The wound is so tiny you can't even see an opening, but it still has a tiny bit of drainage, so it's not closed 100%, but it will be by the end of this week. PRAISE GOD!!! It's been about 8 months since we started fighting this battle, and we are soooo thankful that it is almost over!!!

From the Kitchen: Well, I don't know yet. Something to eat I'm sure, lol!!!

I am hoping: To finish working on cleaning the house after I run some errands today. I got all of the Christmas boxes, wrap and gift bags, that sort of thing, put away already. I've already started weeding out junk and filling up bags for a spring yard sale. The first of the year always makes me want to clean out and start fresh, and I'm just getting a little head start this week!

I am reading: I'm sooo excited. Just a few more days and I will have read through the whole Bible in one year. I'm so proud of myself for finally following through after years of starting and never finishing!!! We also finished Night Line Devotionals for Couples. Now we are reading Love is a Decision, an older book by Gary Smalley. So far the first chapter was awesome, so I can't wait to finish this one as well.

I am creating: A plan for the New Year! I don't know about you, but the new year always brings excitement as I reflect over the past and determine what needs to be done the coming year. I did a blog at the beginning of the year stating the goals I wanted to accomplish, and I will soon do one to see how that all worked out, lol!!!

I am praying: For God's direction for our lives the coming New Year. That we put God first in every decision and area of our lives, because He is our counselor, our saviour, our confidant, our healer, our everything, and He deserves our total commitment, worship and praise!!!!

I am hearing: Just the dog. He's giving us a fit with his allergies and the constant licking of his paws is causing us to go maddddddd!!!! Ugh, now the cat has joined in and it's really gross in here!!!!

One of my favorite things: My new silver diamond heart necklace, a gift from hubby!! I have a thing for hearts, ever since he gave me my first sweetheart ring (that I still wear!!) 32 years ago!!!!

Around the house: Yesterday I worked on Sarah's room most of the day. Katybug got a new bedroom set for Christmas, so she gave Bobby her old dresser. Bobby gave Sarah his two small dressers, and I rearranged her room. Together we went through almost every nook and cranny in her room and cleaned, tossed, moved and basically totally redid her "space"! She loves all the new counter space she has now, and she was able to move some of the stuff in her drawers that would fall out when you opened them cause they were so crammed into new spacious drawers! Thanks Katybug and Bobby :-)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Since none of our Christmas was normal this year, why should our New Years be normal? We've always had the big New Years Party with our parents, my sister in law and brothers in law, and Sarah's friend Shana. This year, since Johnny isn't able to be here, we've decided to skip the party. Since Bobby is off, we are going out to eat as a family and just spend time together. It sounds great to me, as we hardly ever can get the 4 of us together at once anymore!!

Devotional: "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race." Philippians 3:13-14

Coming up on the New Year, many of us will make resolutions for the umpteenth time, only to forget about them a couple of weeks later. Then we'll beat ourselves up about not being able to stick to them.

God doesn't expect us to be perfect, and we shouldn't either. Everybody fails at one time or another. The secret is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, ask forgiveness, and forgive YOURSELF!!

When we mess up, God wants us to confess our sin, accept His forgiveness, then MOVE ON! Don't wallow in the past, determine to press on and try again with His help!!!!!

Here is the picture I am sharing:

Christmas Eve Dinner in our jammies!
Bobby couldn't go because he had to work. I made it almost to Mom and Dad's before breaking down and crying cause my little boy wasn't with us! I don't like the fact that my kids have to grow up!

There's my wittle boy! He was off Christmas Day, thank God!!!