KJ-52 Mountain Dew

I dedicate this song to all my blogy friends trying to eat healthy and kick their caffeinated, sugared up soft drinks for the Skinny Girl Chalenge. Just replace Mt Dew with you favorite drink. Mine would be Dr Pepper or most definitely coffee!!! BTW I do like KJ 52!

What Am I Called To?

A lot has been rolling around in my head lately and most of it needs to be taken before the Lord. I get lost in my thoughts at times and need more Truth from the Lord. Recently though I have been wrestling with the question "What Am I Called To?" I am a stay at home mom with no kids in the house. In years gone by many would not have bat an eye about that but not so in today's world. I get many questions and looks about how could I possibly stay home when all the kids are in school. I have to go back to work because the economy demands it. You see if I were a home school mom I may have to debate the whole home school vs. public school topic but they wouldn't argue the staying at home vs. working. Most people understand if you are teaching your children you would need to be at home.

Unfortunately, I just get the raised eyebrows of why don't you work? Why don't you work from home? I even get the how can you talk about having a tight budget when you choose this type of lifestyle? It is your choice. Why don't you sell your goods and make a profit off your work? So many questions...sigh.

So I took it all to the Lord because I can no longer carry everyone's opinion and expectation of me. I just need to know what the Father thinks. This is what I heard.

The Lord has called me to my family and our home. He has even called me to Himself. He has called my husband and I to stand on His financial provision. He has called my husband and I to depend on Him and not our own means. He has called me to His people. He has called me to pour into prayer over my children, my husband, my friends and my family. He has called me to pray over our schools. He has called me to draw into His word and tell others of His truths. He has called me to be different.

You know, it's OK to be different and it's OK that God calls us to be called to various things. It doesn't make me less or better than anyone, it just makes me who God wanted me to be. And maybe in a few years my season will end and I will be called somewhere else. All I know is I need to be where He wants me to be right now.

Everything in my life can fall by the wayside as long as I am doing what God called me to do. My God, my husband and my children come first. Sewing, weaving, art, book writing, knitting, ministry and all my other things can be put to the side from time to time so that I don't miss what He has called me too. Don't get me wrong I love these things but if He calls me for an hour or more in prayer and worship that morning those things must be put aside. If my kids need their mama for the afternoon those things are pushed aside. I will put my love and pour my self out over the things of eternal value and those are God's people.

I just needed to get that off my chest. At least now with the Lord's truth in my heart I feel as though I can respond to those who have tried to place their own thought's and value's on me with the confidence of the Lord that I am doing what God has called me to do. So what is it God has called you to do in this season? State it and believe it! Don't let others expectations and ideas sway the voice of the Lord in your life. Remember the Father, your family, your children, your spouse and those people God has put in your life are the things of eternal value. Put your time and energy into them and you can never go wrong.

Raising The Bar Higher

My twin brother was a pole vaulter in high school. During practice he would run up to the pit lower his pole until it became lodged in a groove in the pit. There the fiberglass pole would bend very severely and propel him upwards. He would lean his long lanky body back and precariously perch himself on this pole. The force of the pole springing up would vault him over a high bar. With each practice the pole vaulters on the team would raise the bar higher and higher. Newbies would train at lower levels but those who had been on the team competing for some time would need to continue to raise the bar. The competition wasn't baste on weather you could just fling your body over the bar at a set height but that you had the ability to increase your height with each jump and successfully complete the jump.

The Lord has been talking to me about raising His bar in my life and in the Body of Christ. For too long we have been satisfied with the lower level. We have gotten relaxed and not desired to try to reach a higher bar. At times we have been even satisfied with just watching others reach the higher levels and grasp onto the lie that it's not for us. My brother was told by my parents and family he was too tall for pole vaulting and that's why he struggled. I didn't think so because when I watched the Olympics I saw how tall these men and women are. I believe people do make excuses for us or we come up with them on their own. My brothers ability to successfully vault over the higher heights was not determined by his size or build but his discipline in practice and the want to.

Some where between 70-80% of Americans state they are of the Christian faith but choose to not walk as a believer. We see constantly in the world around us that some of the greatest offenses people experience are from those who call themselves Christians but walk another walk. I feel strongly the Lord is done with that and He is starting to raise the bar. We can either opt out and watch while others choose to go higher or continue to stay at our current state, but there is a price to pay with that choice.

I used to stay after school and watch my brother and the team practice. I enjoyed that but I could not call myself a pole vaulter just because I watched during practice I did not actually participate. Why do we then believe we can call ourselves Christians in name only and sit by the sidelines? I was not invited to attend the track meets and had no authority with the team because I was a spectator only. Too many Christians title themselves as believers but never actually run the race.

Jesus came to raise the bar. He told us in the New Testament that He did not come to do away with the Law but to fulfill it. If we have hatred in our hearts then that is just as bad as committing a murder or if we think lustful thoughts we have just committed adultery. We take our standards and place them on the unsaved. We judge severely those not walking with the Lord but constantly extend mercy to one another. I think we have this backwards. I am not stating that we shouldn't extend mercy towards each other but listen to this example..."There is a man living with a woman and they have 4 children. A believer judges that man for his actions. He treats that man as an outcast because of his sin constantly condeming him for his actions. However, this believers friend is dealing with p*rn*graphy. He tells the man God forgives you and there is grace for you when you sin."

We need to reverse this. The man not walking with the Lord living with the woman needs God's love. He needs to know God's mercy. The man's friend dealing with the sin issue doesn't need a spiritual bandaid but somone to help him breakfree and maybe a little tough love. Does that make sense? Let's stop using the fine tooth comb on the unbelieving world who doesn't even know God. Let's begin to raise the bar for one another. Let's get the Body off of the side lines and into the game. Next time you go out remember you represent the Living Body of Christ. The standard is raised. You may be the only example of a real believer others may see. Allow the Holy Spirit to quicken your spirit. Is your attitude right? Are you patient when the world is anxious? Do you bless others above and beyond what they asked for instead of trying to get something from them.

I will leave you with this one personal example. We have a friend who works on our vehicles when it is beyond my Knights ability. He is not saved. Every time he works on our cars we ask the Lord how much to bless him beyond what he charges. Mr. K has asked us repeatedly why. My Knight responds with "You are a blessing to us and we want to bless you." Mr. K has told us that he has not met Christians like us. They have tried to rip him off in the end and then asked him to church. We send a lot of business his way but are cautious at the same time. My Knight keeps a tight reign on who we send because we don't want to indanger this relationship with a "Christian" trying to rip him off. He is on the verge of salvation. Some have asked us why don't we tell him it's wrong to live with a woman? When he gets saved I believe the Lord's love with so fill him that the Holy Spirit will move in and take care of that. Right now we are called to be God's love to him and his family. It's time church.

We may stumble sometimes but don't give up. I saw my brother and others knock down the bar many times or even fall while attempting the jump but they kept going. We may not always hit the mark on the first run but it is the attempt that counts. It is time to become the Spotless Bride of Christ without blemish or wrinkle. It is possible because all things are possible with Christ.

School Projects

When working on school projects with the boys I try
to stay positive, creative and fun. Many would just say
crazy but that's ok too.
Rocker has a project called A Famous American In History.
You have to write a paper after researching your famous person.
Create a Life Line(some thing similar to a time line)
and then make a paper doll of you person.
Well we just couldn't do the easy paper doll. Remember
I like to make it creative.
So we sewed a doll. Yes, Rocker did help alot!

Here is the doll sewn together. We did have to dress him. Rocker
can't take in a nude Famous American Person.

Now he's not naked. Any guesses who this Famous person is?

Since it's not a life-like image I will let you know it's
Teddy Roosevelt. Any resemblance?

The next project is Shaggy's. He had to write a paper for
geography about a region (desert, tropic...). Shaggy picked
desert. Then he could choose to make a poster or a diarama.
Well again with crazy mama we came up with a desert in a bowl.

We are still working on the catuses. We are going to plant a few dwarf ones
but then we have to make a saguaro cactus. It's one he is researching for his paper.
They grow upwards of 50 feet so I think that one will be paper mache'.
I will post pictures of his final project once were done.
So what happens at your house with school projects? Do the creative juices
flow or do you just get the thing done and hope your kids will one day
just have to write only papers? Personally I really like having fun with
the boys on these projects. I just wish they weren't due at the same time. :)

Deactivated My Facebook Account

I just wanted to let the few friends I know and have on FB that I had to deactivate my account. Personally the Lord convicted about the amount of time I was spending on there and that for a personal reason I cannot go into detail about. If your are that curious you may ask me latter but I just can't blog about it.

Anyway, I will miss it but I rather just call you all up and have coffee one morning. So I will continue on with my blogging. I know many have left the blog sphere for the greener pastures of Facebook but I still love this cyber journal. If you come across anyone asking about me on FB you have my permission to just let them know it's been deactivated. Thanks!

Had To Post This

A friend sent this in an email but I had to post this. Read and weep if you grew up in the 80's. I found it very scary in the fact that I knew every point mentioned and actually owned a "Where's The Beef" board game. I also found myself singing the songs referred to.

You know you grew up in the 80's if....

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.


2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton


3. You know that 'WHOA' comes from Joey on Blossom

4. If you ever watched 'Fraggle Rock'

5. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.



6. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.

7. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.



8. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
9. You played the game 'MASH'(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)


10. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.


11. You know the profound meaning of ' WAX ON , WAX OFF'


12. You wanted to be a Goonie.


13. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (Some of us...head-to-toe)


14. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off, his cheeks shifted and his nationality became questionable.


15. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.



16. You took lunch boxes to sc hool...and traded Garbage Pail Kids in the schoolyard.


17. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.


18. You still get the urge to say 'NOT' after every sentence.


19. You thought your childhood friends would never leave
because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.


21. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.


22. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying 'I know you are, but what am I?'


23. You remember 'I've fallen and I can't get up'



24. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.




25. You have ever played with a Skip-It.


26. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.


27. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.



28. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.


29. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.


30. You remember New K ids on the Block when they were cool... and don't even flinch when people refer to them as 'NKOTB'


31. You knew all the characters names and
their life stories on 'Saved By The Bell,' The ORIGINAL class..


32. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.

33. You just sang those words to yourself.

34. You still sing 'We are the World'


35. You tight rolled or french cuffed your jeans. And still debate on which is the right term!

36. You owned a bannana clip.


37. You remember 'Where's the Beef?'


38. You used to (and probably still do) say 'What you talkin' 'bout Willis?'


39. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!

40. your hair looked like this for at least 1 school picture!

So how did you do? Recognize anything or did it bring back nightmarish memories?

Stuggling With The Quietness of the House

I know this sounds foreign to many of you but I have been struggling with the quiet of my house. This has been such a huge transition for me as a woman, as a mother and as a wife. All three of my kids are independent of me for 6 hours of the day. I get them ready in the morning kiss them goodbye and they are off.

It just seems like yesterday my house was full of laughter and tears and diapers and sippy cups. I have enjoyed some of the freedom it allows me but I sit here today listening to the hum of my computer, I hear the train rattling by on the tracks right outside our home and the wind beats against the window panes. I know this is a season the Lord has me in and I don't want to wish it away and miss what He is showing me but I also struggle with it at times. I no longer have sleepless nights. I don't feel the drain of toddlers or infants but I stand at the precipise of another level of parenting. It is the beginning of letting go. I now must intrust my littles (who are not so little any more) to the hands of the Father. I wonder did I do enough, did I say enough? I know only the Lord can fill in the blanks that I or my husband my have left for them.

So I guess I say all this to encourage those of you with little ones in your midst. I was a mom rushing to get to the next stage in hopes of finding myself or something I guess. I did enjoy the time and have so many great memories with my kids but from someone who is now here looking back whatever I was searching for has alluded me once more. Don't always look ahead inlife so you miss what's happening right under your nose. I can honestly say sitting in this abandoned home, quiet and calm I miss the craziness of it all. I miss the voices and the giggles. I miss at times being needed and wanted. I am glad to have had those times and the abilitiy to be such a huge part of their early years. It just makes me realize how precious life is. I want to enjoy this next level of parenting too. I don't want to rush but take my time. I look forward to what God has for me today instead of always wishing for tomorrow.

From Kongfu Panda

"Yesterday is history and the future is a mystery. Today is a gift that's why they call it the present."

Why Do I Do This To Myself Every Valentines?

Every year I tell myself I am just going to go and buy the
stupid valentines. Then I get some silly creative inspiration
and bada-bing bada-bang I am stuck in the middle of a
valentines craft frenzy. This year the boys and I saw these
cute valentines in FamilyFun Magazine.

The ipod-like valentines were suposed to be boxes of conversational
hearts wrapped in construction paper but after realizing
how much money it would cost to buy 48 boxes of them
I some how got the briliant idea to make my own boxes with
card stock. I really needed someone to give me a V-8 slap
on the forehead. What was I thinking in making 48 stupid
ipod-like boxes. Uhhhgg! So Rocker & DK & I got to work.

So after I cut them out and then scored them so the boys
could fold them properly they put candy on the inside and
taped them up. We just downloaded the free templates
for the ipod-like face.

Thankfully Shaggy picked an easy one and could do it all by himself.
I am so glad he didn't want anything else. So what are you doing for valentines
for you kids? Do you have school parties to provide for or just making
some for your kids friends? Do you go all Martha Stewart like, like I do or
do or do you just buy the Hannah Montana, High School Musical pre-made
valentines? If you ever see me in the craft isles the week of
valentines slap me silly before I purchase anything please. Thank the Lord
next year with Shaggy in 5th I will only have to come up with
valentines for Rocker and DK. Apperently 5th grade is the year
you stop doing parties and stuff like that. Phew!!