Life On Beech Grove Road

Changing Direction

2012-01-09T21:42:00.000-08:00

Changing direction.

It can be a painful process sometimes..

If you consider the speed you are going when the directon changes.

I have found in my life my direction hasn't always been perfect and thus plunging forward at break neck speed a change in direction can flat out hurt..

Example: Once when I was little I wanted to go to the store with my Sister and one of her friends (nameless friend you know who you are) they on the other hand did not want me to go. To get to the store you cut through the neighbors yard and through a field..so they thought they could run and loose me, but I was fast and on they're heels burn'n a trail right behind them (at break neck speed) until I realized they jumped up in the air and I didn't BHAM!! I was clothes lined by an electric fence..it was painful (well it didn't last THAT long but lets just say Sister and nameless friend took me to the store after that and I might have played on the big red mark on my neck for days..but who remembers that was so long ago)

The sudden change of my direction was painful I was so focused on catching up with them I totally missed the electric fence right infront of me that put me flat on my back.

Sometimes we are going at such a break neck speed we loose our focus..the whole reason we started in that direction.

Changing direction in life is not tragic.

Losing passion in life is..
Something happens to us along the way convictions to change the world downgrade to commitments to pay the bills..
Rather than make a diffrence we make a salary..
We trade our smile for a scowel, and give the ones we love the most a def ear.
Instead of looking forward we look back.

Then..BHAM!!

Thats useally when it happens, the break neck speed and lose of focus clothes lines us and lands us flat on our back..

What to do when we are in such a place? The Bible has a scripture for that..

12 I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his.13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead,14 I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above. Philippians 3:12-14
Get up..dust yourself off..focus on your new direction and press on.

Blessings!
M

2012-01-03T23:15:00.000-08:00

Pop's early Christmas present from Chad

2011-11-22T08:52:00.000-08:00

My Dad recently received a early Christmas present from my Son Chad.

Chad had called Daddy ahead of time and ask him if he wanted the particular gift and Daddy declined....

Chad brought the gift to him anyway.

That's all it took..one look at "Booger" (previously named by his old owner) the bob tailed cat and Daddy was sold...

Booger is now full time entertainment in the Mosby household and Peyton Thomas has a new BFF...

And don't let Nana fool you she is just attached to this cat as Pop is!

Blessings!
M

The Day with Peyton

2011-08-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

Today I got to babysit Peyton (I totally forgot how hard it is to keep up with a crawling baby...)
I took a few pictures and before you say anything...

Yes..those are baby dolls in the floor, don't worry he DID NOT like them...

Yes...he is sitting in Cassie Marie's baby doll stroller, it was the only thing I could find to set him in so I could feed him his baby food...which he regurgitated in the living room floor and then made like a swiffer mop and scooted right through it and cleaned it up..wonderful.

I do love that little boy...

Blessings,
M

God is Faithful...

2011-07-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee,
Trust Him when thy strength is small,
Trust Him when to simply trust Him
Seems the hardest thing of all.
Trust Him, He is ever faithful,
Trust Him, for his will is best,
Trust Him, for the heart of Jesus
Is the only place of rest.

Anonymous

The good ol'l 2000 Ford Explorer, (we refer to her as Bertha) She has taken our little family many miles...

Shortly after purchasing "Bertha" she developed a squeak, it did not affect her ability to get us from point A to point B but it did fiercely embarrass my children they along with the rest of our small town heard me coming waaayyy before I arrived (and on occasion I complained too) we took her to many mechanics and no one could fix the "squeak"

Shortly after the squeak started she began to lock the doors (while we were still in the truck, and wouldn't unlock them) once Husband and I sat in the Mall parking lot for 30min. unable to get out of the truck (I had flashbacks of the old movie Christine..If you've seen the movie you understand if you haven't...never mind)
We had to pull the fuse so her doors would no longer lock....

At the beginning of summer I loaned her to the boys, to go to the creek...they returned and the next morning when I got in the truck to go to work "Bertha" smelled "creeky" (not sure if that's a word) The hotter it got outside the worse the smell became....four days later I found a crawdad very dead, very stinky under the seat...It is still up for debate how that happen....

Bertha's tires were worn..wire hanging out of the tires worn (and my checking acc. was on empty...did I mention I have three teenage boys to feed..who can afford 4 new tires?)
Bertha hit 175,000 miles three weeks ago and my Son Chase said "Mom, you need a new car."
It was then That I explained that I refused to go into debt for a new car, that God would either have to drop a new car out of the sky or help Bertha to run 175,000 more miles....

Well....

My very hardworking Husband was recently put in a drawing for a new car at work....

He won the car....

I am still in awe at God's faithfulness.

And just in case you wondered "Bertha" will remain in the family...I've grown quite fond of her and I believe she just might make 175,000 more miles....

Blessings,
M

Guide you Home

2011-06-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

These are some pictures I have been working on, they are all from here in my hometown...many of the homes and old stores are empty, but they all hold so many great memories for me, hope you enjoy!

Blessings,
M

Father's Day video

2011-06-20T21:03:00.000-07:00

Because you loved me...

For you my heart will forever be thankful...

2011-06-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

"Watch it now."

"Because I said so."

"Get off the phone...I'm on call." (That was in the old days kids...long before call waiting.)

"Be careful where you step." (that could be advice given on life or when we were in the barn feeding cows...)

"Pull my finger." (mom's gonna love that I added that one..)

"Maria Hunt Mosby!!!" (yes my middle name is Hunt...)

"I love you."

Those were a few of the many famous quotes spoken by my Dad growing up. I still hear the last one everyday, and for that I am thankful...

It's very hard to put into words the Love that I have for my Dad, but I'll try...

Strong- I couldn't begin to tell you the strength he possesses within...he holds everything together.

Caring- I have never met a more caring soul...

Soft hearted- He may look mean, but trust me if you cry he will too...

He loves my Mom with all his heart.

He will swim to the end of the ocean and back for his girls and he loves his grandchildren like no other.

Dad, Thank you for all you are, thank you for loving me and Melissa everyday always...no matter what we went through you stood beside us hand in hand and said "we'll get through this."

And we did...

Thank you for teaching us to Love God with all our heart and to stand for those that had no one else to stand with them...

Your love and example in life has seen us through so much and for you our hearts will forever be thankful...Happy Fathers Day! I love you!!

M

Randomness...

2011-06-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

Things have been really busy around here lately, The Salon is running wide open no slowing down in sight...I think most women will starve before they let their hair color go (no complaints here)

My sixteen year old son is running wide open since he got his license, and my mind has not rested since...if you have a child old enough to drive you understand if you don't you will soon enough...

Lots of Graduations Cassie is moving on to the 6th grade, and Chase will be going into the 9th grade so I will now have one in Middle School and 3 in High School (I am requesting prayer in advance...)

Cassie's first piano recital, she hit every note, the boys declined to show up for it because they said they had heard the song a gazillion times...they knew how it went already....

Garden time on Beech Grove Road and Husband and I got it all planted (except for peanuts...those go in the ground tomorrow..something new we are trying...) in one day
Cassie Marie painted markers so we would know what was where...the kid loves to paint!

So this post is to catch you up on whats been going on around here...and of coarse there are a few new pictures of Peyton too...

Shew!! That was alot of pictures!!

Blessings!
M

What's your goal?

2011-05-23T20:15:00.000-07:00

I had a conversation many months back with a close friend of mine, the conversation hasn't left my mind since....

God never ceases to amaze me how words from others can change ones heart...

There was a point in our conversation where I ask her the question "So what's your goal?"

And her face softened and her eyes squinted almost as if she could cry ,she placed her hands on her heart and said....

"I just want to make a difference."

I can't really tell you what we said in the rest of the conversation because her words struck me so...
Over the last few months our conversation has played and replayed in my mind...Her answer to my question...those seven simple words changed the way I look at so many things.

I think many of us get up each morning with many thoughts racing through our minds like:

"Shew it's Monday...."
"I wish I had one child that knew where there shoes were...."
"How in the world am I gonna get off work to ball practice and cook supper in 20min?"

But how many of us wake with the thought "I just want to make a difference today."

God has called each of us to make a difference in someones life we all have opportunity's It's up to us to take the time..

My Daughter spent 4 days in the Hospital last week with a UTI, Strep throat and tonsillitis...It was a very long week, but because people choose to take time they made a difference in our life...They took time to stop by and pray with Cassie and I, they took time to send cards, flowers, balloons (which made Cassie so happy) I had one night that I ran home to cook supper for the boys and got a phone call as I walked in the door from a friend who had cooked supper for us and was bringing it to our house (which made the boys happy..) My parents took turns to stay at the Hospital so I could go home and sleep for a few hours and the hospital staff went above and beyond to make us as comfortable as possible....

Each one of them made a difference in my life last week. They showed Gods love by taking time...
God has challenged my heart through my friend's statement...

His question to me daily has been "Are you ready to make a difference?"
And I pray that my answer will pack as much passion and conviction as my friends did.

As you open your eyes in the morning I pray that your first thought will be "I just want to make a difference today."

Blessings
M

A few Pictures from Easter

2011-04-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

I took a few pictures..yes most of them are of Peyton, but he is growing so fast hate to miss a min. of it....How very blessed I am and so vey thankful for my family!

Blessings,
M

The Path

2011-03-08T18:06:00.000-08:00

You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn. Psalm 18:35-36

When I look at this picture I think of what this place use to look like...and believe me it didn't look like this.
As you know my boys sleep, eat and breath motorcycles and they are forever searching out places to ride, they found this spot and out the door they went with anything that would cut down a tree or could be used to move dirt. I'll be honest I thought it was impossible...wasted time...no way they could clear a path.

Never underestimate teenagers.

They had a vision and started clearing a path, cutting trees, hauling dirt and now we seem to be the place that all the boys from miles around flock to with their dirt bikes...(my apologies to the neighbors)

So my question is are you looking for a path?

Searching to only find the path is over grown with stuff...people, lack of money, doubters, tall grass, stumps, rocks.

Maybe you have been on a path and as you walk it seems to get narrower, the weeds seem to be covering what was once your vision and you feel like you can't take one more step, there just seems to be to many rocks, to many people asking you "Where in the world are you going?"

The Bible Says God has given you his shield of victory, and his right hand sustains you...If he has called you (***NOTE*** He has called all of us) then he will see you to your victory, and with every step his hand will sustain you and hold you up.

And that path?

Well, that path that seems so impossible will begin to widen...rocks will be moved...buckets of dirt will be hauled away, trees will be cut, doubters will disappear...

That's how much he loves you...

He will always go before you...

"He broadens the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn."

So if your looking at a path that you think you will never be able to walk down grab a bucket and something to cut some trees and watch what God will do!

Blessings!
M

Love my Boys!

2011-01-31T18:42:00.000-08:00

We had the greatest weather here in Kentucky this weekend! Chad Allen and Chase couldn't wait to ride I ventured to the top of the hill to take a few pictures...Missed a lot of good shots, because My oldest (Chad) nearly made me have a heart attack, and because I closed my eyes a lot...here are a few..and Of coarse A "few" of Peyton Thomas too...

So maybe that was more than a few...(grin)

Blessings!

M

This post is for Uncle Toby

2011-01-24T17:07:00.001-08:00

Just a few Pictures of Peyton..Notice Husband is holding him in all of them (I think he is a little attached)
I promise I will do better and post more pictures soon!

Blessings,
M

A few Christmas Pictures....

2010-12-27T22:34:00.001-08:00

My Christmas present from Husband was a new camera lens...a EFS55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS to be exact...I love it! Still learning but here are some pictures I took Christmas Day.

Blessings,
M

Christmas 2010 Memories...

2010-12-27T19:54:00.000-08:00

Jam cake...

Green felt stockings stuffed with one orange and one apple...

Rook games til midnight...

Cousins that would have the opportunity to torture me once a year by hanging me upside down by my feet (Tony and Timmy...)

Pop Pop shaking every gift to see if any money might be hid in it, and Grandma reading the notes aloud that were in her packages sent from Aunt Carol and Aunt Jan...
Santa (Which was Bob Barnett every year) entering the front door and passing out candy canes...

Never understanding what the adults could possibly talk about so long while eating dinner (dinner first presents after dinner...)

Memories forever engraved in my mind, that seem like it was just yesterday. If I could go back I think I would eat the jam cake a little slower..

Say thank you more than once for the one apple and one orange in my green felt stocking...

Watch a rook game and actually learn how to play..

Hide money in every gift Pop Pop had and take in the look on my Grandma's face a little longer as she beamed with joy while reading notes from her girls...

Hugged Santa's (Bob Barnett) neck for even thinking about entering the Mosby house on Beech Grove Road...

Thank the adults for talking about EVERYTHING for HOURS so I could spend more time with my family (yes even Timmy and Tony)

Memories are made everyday and even the smallest thing could be something that shoots you straight back in time, like you were there all over again. It may not be green felt stockings, jam cake or rook games but we all have something that takes us back in time... Praying you will take time to make memories with your family that they will cherish and share with others someday.

Blessings, M

Peyton's First Christmas Pictures

2010-12-18T17:40:00.000-08:00

If you must know I thought it would be quite easy to take a few pictures of a sleeping baby....

Well I was wrong...

Never knew the damage such a little person could do with his diaper off, lets just
say a baby with his belly full and no diaper on whom decides to sneeze equals a little fire power!

And did I mention the baby only went to sleep for about 2 minutes?

He sure gave me a run for my money but we managed to get some really good pictures out of it....

Blessings
M

Christmas Play

2010-12-12T15:03:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share a video clip of the kids singing in the Christmas play...(and yes Cassie's solo too) They all did such a good job!

Blessings!
M

Meet Peyton Thomas Turner

2010-12-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

The best conversations with mothers always take place in silence, when only the heart speaks. ~Carrie Latet

I am most certain these feet are blessed...a strong foundation for the things to come in his life....God has already mapped and planned his life and these feet are gonna take him places...

And be prepared...

Your gonna see this face alot cause I'm sure I'm gonna take a zillion pictures!

I must introduce you to Peyton Thomas Turner...

The miracle we have all been waiting for.

...all 6lbs 10oz of him..

And hows Mom you ask? Well she breezed through labor like a pro barley broke a sweat..no pain medicine...no epidural...only a faint quiet conversation with Jesus (where she said "Oh Jesus this hurts") and done...he was here and she had a Coke and a smile..

Darin (Melissa's husband) made it through the whole thing without hitting the floor, and he is all smiles...a very proud Daddy!

Love at first sight? Yep!

Blessings

M

Hello Stranger

2010-11-28T19:25:00.000-08:00

Yes I know...I have been away for awhile, my computer at home has been very sick and blogging at work is near impossible. But thanks to someone smarter than I the computer is up and running (very slow but at least it works)

Lots has been going on here in Whoville, we've had Baby Showers, Birthdays, Thanksgiving, and a grand Parade to finish off the week! For those of you who are wondering my Sister (Melissa) is due to have her baby Dec. 18th....actually she is at the point she can go anytime, I am very excited about the baby and I'm sure he will decide to come in the middle of the night and I will have to show up at the Hospital with terribly big hair (this is my fear) my hair is natural curly and when I dry it at night I look like Medusa...it is a truly disturbing sight, so I pray she goes into labor during the day so my hair will look nice for the arrival (grin) And grey hairs have been added to the Medusa hair I have...I now have TWO sixteen year olds in my house, shew where does time go? Chad went last week to try for his permit and he passed his test with flying colors, so now I feel like "Driving Miss Daisy" I no longer am behind the wheel I am now actually under the dashboard praying lots (not really...he is a good driver)

And of coarse we had a great Thanksgiving with lots of food...lots of calories...many grams of fat..it was all worth the many extra miles I will have to put on the treadmill this week...no regrets!

And to end on a great note we finished our weekend off with the Marrowbone Parade it was great! I put everything together in a video for all to see! Blessings! M

Home

2010-10-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

~John Ed Pearce once said "Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to."

My small hometown of Burkesville celebrated their 200yr. Birthday this past weekend I haven't seen that many people in Burkesville in a long time.

They brought back the Riverboat Review Show...something I was in when I was in school (I won't even share how long ago that was) And this year I had the honor of setting in the audience and watching my Daughter preform on the very same stage.

I understand getting older is a part of life that we all must except, but for some reason this weekend made that all the more real to me...

Faces of people I hadn't seen in years, and while setting in the audience listening to the speaker pay tribute to so many that loved this town that have now passed away...time truly does march on weather we want it to or not.

So I took it all in...

Wondering if anyone else was thinking that this is quite possibly the greatest place in the world to live...

I love my town and the people in it, they are most certainly my extended family.

Happy 200th Birthday Burkesville!!

I'm including some pictures from this weekend and a few videos from the Riverboat review Show (one of which is my Daughter Cassie Marie singing her solo "Blue Moon Of Kentucky")

Blessings
M

What do you get....

2010-09-13T19:54:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you have a teenager with six bucks in his pocket?

Oh let me share with you what you get....or maybe it's just me.... and your teenager decides to take his six bucks and spend it on a sweet card for his dear Mother..ahem..

Last Wednesday night on the way to church...

Chad Allen: "Hey Mom, I bought a duck from a kid at school today."

Me: "Yeah right Chad tell me another good one."

Chad Allen: "Really Mom I paid him six bucks...and by the way he's dropping him off at church, that's why I have that cage in the back."

Me: .........<- that's me praying the kid doesn't show up at church with a duck.

7:45pm Church is over and I walk out into the parking lot to see a crowd of kids around my truck....with a faint "quack, quack, quack" in the back ground.

Cassie Marie barreling towards me screaming at the top of her lungs "Momeeeeeeee..we have a duck!!"

Yep....that's what you get when you have a teenager with six bucks in his pocket!

So Aflac is now offically part of the family, and pretty darn cute if I say so myself.

Blessings
M

The last first day of School...

2010-08-10T08:19:00.000-07:00

As a Mom we find lots of things to get emotional about, seems like the older I get the more I cry...

I hear my Son (Chad Allen) say often "Mom really...are you gonna cry? Suck it up...REALLY MOM IT'S NOT THAT SAD!"

I can't help it, some things just get to me more these days.

Which brings me to my latest (at 7:15 this morning to be exact) melt down.

The last first day of School.

My boys are now older, Chase is 14 and in 8th grade. Chad and Kane are 15 and in 10th grade so the whole walking them into school thing on the first day of school would not be an option (they wouldn't even let me drive them to school this morning)
But Cassie Marie is still in Elementary School so she wanted me to take her and even ask me to walk with her to her classroom. Cassie is in 5th grade this year her classroom is located on the third floor, and as I climbed those steps I realized this is "The last first day of School" for me...with each step I became more emotional and thought I might have to have a melt down right in the hall way.
It was one of those fan your face repeat in your head over and over "don't do it, don't you dare cry." moments.
I spoke to Cassie's teacher told her to have a good day, and out the door I went...got in my vehicle and at precisely 7:15 while on my way to work cried..lots...

Yes, I know it's not like she graduated...
But there will never be another first day of school where I'm invited to walk hand in hand with my child...

Am I crying right at this moment you ask?

Yep.
I guess as the years have passed I have learned to take more in, listen a little longer, talk a little softer, laugh more often.

It all passes by so quick.

I have no idea where the time went, but I know I sure am gonna miss "The last first day of School."

Blessings.
M

Pass The Salt Please

2010-07-31T19:06:00.000-07:00

Salt...Now there is alot of history.

Did you know?

-It is an essential element in the diet of not only humans but of animals, and even of many plants. It is one of the most effective and most widely used of all food preservatives (and used to preserve Egyptian mummies as well).

-Salt also had military significance. For instance, it is recorded that thousands of Napoleon's troops died during his retreat from Moscow because their wounds would not heal as a result of a lack of salt.

-Roman soldiers were paid “salt money”, salarium argentum, from which we take our English word, “salary”.

These are just a few fascinating facts about salt...

Who knew?

Jesus talks about salt in Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."

He calls us to be the salt of the earth...

How you ask?

By being living examples of him.

Examples:

-A friend calls you don't want to answer the phone knowing the only thing she will have to say is how everything is going so wrong in her life....answer the phone give her encouragement....Pass The Salt.

-A person behind you in the store stands with only a few things, you are in a hurry to get home and have stood in line for a very long time....only to smile and say "go ahead in front of me." Pass The Salt.

-Stop and see the elderly or shut In's...Pass The Salt

-Listen when your children speak...Pass The Salt.

God has called us to be the salt of the earth, some days are harder than others to put that into practice but remember a little salt goes a long way.

So won't you please Pass The Salt.

Blessings
M

Dear Dad

2010-06-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Dad,

I don't think a letter (or in this case a blog post) could ever do justice to what my heart really wants to say but here goes..

You are truly my hero in ever sense of the word...when I look at you I don't just see my Dad I see a strong ,honest, hardworking man that loves his family and always puts them first..Thank you for that.

Thank you for loving me for me, through all the messy and unpretty parts of my life, for picking me up when I thought there were no parts of my life to be picked up and helping me put back together things that were very broken in my heart.

Thank you for always teaching me that everyone needs compassion, no matter what the outside looks like we were put on this earth to minister to the hearts of people and you have been the shining example of a compassionate person..Thank you for that.

Thank you for always taking time to be a Father to those who don't have Fathers in their life...you may not remember them all but I know they will always remember you.

I love you more than words could say...

I am truly blessed to be your Daughter!

Happy Fathers Day...I love you!
M

SWIM!!

2010-06-14T20:43:00.000-07:00

I heard a story about a young girl that wanted to break a record in swimming it was a very long distance and as she swam her Mother was in a boat along side her encouraging her coaching her, cheering her on. The distance was long and with each stroke she became more tired, the fog began to set in it was thick and heavy after hours of swimming and miles of cheering from her Mother the young girl stopped and ask to get into the boat, she said she couldn't go any further it was just to hard, as she crawled into the boat and her Mother gave her a towel the fog began to lift and the young girl could not believe what she saw....

Land...the finish line on the horizon only one hundred feet away...

The young girl looked at her Mother and said "If I had known it was that close I wouldn't have got into the boat...I would have finished."

I have thought about this story alot lately, and even shared it with a few people...

How true it is to God's direction in our life.

You know the questions we have like

"What in the world am I doing here?"

"How long will this last Lord?"

"Will this ever end?"

"Did I make the right decision?"

Sometimes God speaks and we hear him loud and clear we jump in with both feet and swim like crazy, but the longer we swim the harder it gets and doubt sets in our arms feel like paper weights and we are all but doing the dog paddle to stay afloat...

The bills are piling up...SWIM!

The kids are needy, whiny, and unappreciative...SWIM!!

You can't take one more day of deadlines at work....SWIM!!

You want to give up, you just don't see God's plan...SWIM!!

Many times we swim in this big lake called life praying God will show us what to do which way to go, feeling very alone..like he doesn't hear us but his word says

"I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20
I think that means he hears us loud and clear, he sees the bills, hears the kids, knows the deadlines and most of all...

Sees the BIG picture, above the fog.

This weekend has been a long one, and when I say that I mean I wanted to crawl in the boat a few times...there were a few times I was barely treading water...but I know God is in control.

He sees what I can't and knows what I don't.

Sometimes we are all to quick to give up crawl in the boat only to see the fog lift and miss what we have been swimming for all this time...

Swimming blindly not realizing with each stroke and kick God is at work it could be a person that is touched and changed...

Which brings me to this thought...

If we quit and climb in the boat who else will it effect?

How close were they to the finish line when we decided to bail?

SWIM!!!

The fog will lift and when it does you will see the bigger picture and know that so many more doors were open, lives changed and it was all because you chose not to give up...

you chose to swim.

Blessings.

M

2010-05-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

My oldest Son Chad Allen is now "officially" in the cow business...

Kinda, if you would call raising two baby calves a business.

He will be 16 in November and he is now thinking vehicle, so he has decided to buy a few calves, to sell later and make a little money.

He rolls (drags) himself out of the bed every morning at 5:15am to bottle feed them and then again at 5:00pm...they will be off the bottle in 3 1/2 more weeks...

They are nameless cows, because when you name something you get attached and we are trying really hard not to get attached...

But I did take a few pictures.

Yes...They are cute.

Blessings!
M

Cassie Marie's Debut

2010-05-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

My Mom sings... Some of the greatest memories I have growing up is her singing. I can't say I got that trait from her but my Daughter Cassie Marie did. Mom bought Cassie her very first soundtrack last week and I finally got her to stand in front of the video camera tonight to show the world our upcoming worship leader for church... I'm so proud of her! Blessings! M

MOM

2010-05-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

She was the one who always woke everyone up with a song in the morning (literally..she would sing.."rise and shine and give God the glory, glory)
I can remember as a little girl her and I singing at the top of our lungs on the way home from school in the afternoons...

Breakfast on the table every morning..even when she was sick.

Homework? It was a must...EVERYONE in my house knew how to spell my spelling words by Friday..

Reading was very important, I can rarely remember a night that she didn't read a story to me..(Jack and the Bean stalk was my favorite)

She taught me "Please" and "Thank You"

And no matter how very sure I was that my Sister was out to kill me...

She assured me someday we would most certainly be best friends...

And she was right.

As a matter of fact the older I get the smarter she gets (grin)

Lots of very special memories...

The most important thing she ever taught me, was the gift of salvation...

To love God...They weren't just words that she said they were actions that she lived everyday, everywhere...all the time.

And

I love her for that.
Proverbs 31:10-31 (King James Version)

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
My Mom is a Proverbs 31 woman.

Thank you Mom for all you do for Melissa and I. We love you so much! Happy Mothers Day!!

Blessings

M

2010-05-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

Blessed would be the word that comes to mind...

Actually it has been on my mind all day.

Sunday morning I woke up to a text message from WBKO a local news station, we were under a tornado watch, within 30 min. that watch went to a Warning and we loaded up to go to my parents house (we live in a mobile home) after waiting the storm out we returned home to get ready for church, as we got closer to town I realized that they had received damage with various roof damage and no electricity...

So we had church in the dark..(not total dark there were emergency lights)

It was a really good service by the way.

Then the rain started, I knew the creek was up when we left home but I was shocked at how fast it had risen while we were in church, so much so that my Parents, Sister, Brother-In-Law and nephew were all stuck at my house, they wouldn't allow anyone into Marrowbone because water was over the road.

I'll be honest as I watched the news and the water rise outside my kitchen window my stress level grew greater with each passing hour.

So while my children ran about with a touch of nervous energy and my Sister paced the floors and Tony and Daddy stood on the porch I began to pray...

I prayed Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God."

So that's just what I did...I began praying for a wall of protection around our home, and with each passing hour I prayed harder.
At one point one of my children said "Mom aren't you afraid! Our house is gonna get washed away!"
What did I almost say? "Uh, YEAH!"
But I Looked straight at my Husband and said "No, because I have be praying that God put a wall of protection around our home, and I believe that is what he will do."

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

When 8pm rolled around and the water was almost to the house, my faith was a little strained...

When My Dad and Husband said "Start packing bags." the stress level went up.

When they started talking about setting furniture up off the floor, my anxiety started to rise.

As I drove away from my house looking in the rear view mirror at my Dad and Husband standing in the rain.. I was on the verge of breakdown.

At around 10:00 the water stopped rising...My Husband said it got to the porch..

Right to the edge...

And it stopped.

Like some kinda wall just stopped it. (grin)

Then it started going down moving away from the house...

We were able to load up and go home..not really home, home, to my parents home..Just because my Dad said he wouldn't be able to sleep if we didn't come there for the night..

I think after we got there he probably thought he had a moment of insanity (grin) Husband , myself, 4 kids and good ol' Pete (our Chocolate Lab)

Poor Pop and Nana what would we do without them?

And God? Well, I'm most certain without him I would be writing a post about a flooded house..

No doubt in my mind he stopped the water from rising!!

I put a few new pictures some were from last night right before we left home and the other are from today..just so you can get an idea of how much water was around us.

God is GOOD! Thank you for all the prayers that went up on our behalf!
Blessings.

M

Lord will'n and the creek don't rise

2010-05-02T15:23:00.000-07:00

So we are thinking we may have to leave our home...we live near a creek and the rain hasn't stopped all day...here are a few pictures.

Blessings!

M

Let'n the cat out of the bag

2010-04-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

I have literally sat on my hands for days now busting to blog about a great big

SURPRISE....

SECRET....

Are you ready?

If you happen to make it a habit of standing up while useing your computer you should really set down...really.

Cause I was driving down the road when I got the call and almost got to try out the full coverage plan on my vehicle insurance...

Are you ready?

Here goes...

Just a year ago I blogged about my Sister getting married...

Nine months from now (Actually eight months) I will get to blog about the new addition...

MELISSA'S PREGNANT!!!

Shock? Uh yeah... But we are all so happy!
I don't think you could get the smile off my Brother-In-Laws face if you tried...

Her due date is December 19th, Who could ask for a better Christmas present?

SHEW!! I feel lots better now that I have shared "The secret" with you which is not such a secret since I have blogged and told the whole world (grin)

Blessings!

M

Priceless Pictures

2010-04-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday while I was at work Daddy came down with the tractor to disk the garden, seems like it is a magnet for kids and in this case Pete too...Tony ran and got the camera and took a few pictures..Husband knows me so well he knew this was blog material (this blog'n thing is contagious ya know)

Garden season has officially started Husband and I put out two rows of potatoes and a row of beets....This is our first year growing beets but ask anyone in this house and they will tell you I have become addicted to pickled beets...really...I eat them EVERY night! So I'm gonna attempt to grow them and can some this summer.
I can't wait to get the rest of the garden out, it;s still a little early yet so we are gonna hold off til the first week of May.
More Pictures to come!! Stay tuned. Blessings.

M

2010-04-05T22:33:00.001-07:00

***Notice*** I did take a few...(I stress a few) of these pictures Sunday afternoon at Dad and Moms house...seems while I was trying to prove to Chase that I hadn't lost my touch and I could still indeed ride a dirt bike my camera was high jacked by someone whom acted as though they were the paparazzi, I won't name names...(Allen) So while some were keepers there would be no way I could post them all..it took me an hour to go through and look at all that were taken...uh, 406 were taken to be exact..but I will include a few that are what we would call "paparazzi moments"
We really did have a great day, with great food and a very long game of corn hole (about 4 hrs.) in which I have no idea who won...

Blessings

M

2010-03-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

I am at a loss for words as I write this post.

Heavy hearted, sadness, and many tears are a few words to describe the state of our small community here in Marrowbone.

Friday morning we heard the news of a terrible accident involving a semi and a 15 passenger van carrying 12 people (10 of whom were a family)

With later news we found out those people were from our small community here in Marrowbone a Mennonite family on there way to a wedding in Iowa, the van carried a family of 10 the Esh family, one young man Joel (who was engaged to Rachel Esh) and a family friend Ashlie. All perished in the accident except two of the younger children that were recently adopted from Guatemala.

I would be lying if I said I haven't question God...

The Esh family holds a special place in my heart as I remember 4 yrs. ago when we lost my Brother-in-law in a very tragic accident...they came to my parents house to offer they're condolences, offer their friendship and prayers for our family just the day before the Esh family lost they're Son John Esh Jr. in a snowmobile accident while on a missions trip in Ukraine...they were grieving the loss of their own Son and took time to extend their prayers and friendship to our family..I have never forgotten that.
Joel lived just down the road from us I cut he and his Brothers hair, a few years ago when the building beside our house burnt down they along with their Father were the first to arrive and offer their help..He was a very hard working young man, who loved God with all his heart, I will miss him greatly.

Yesterday as I drove through my small community to go to the gas station the feeling of sadness was very apparent for everyone, the quietness of the people here spoke so loudly as truck loads of chairs were being assembled in the building the Mennonites own preparing for the funeral services...the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach became more intense as I watched the Media buzzing about and reporters walk with pens in hand to collect a story for the news....

The thing is I'm not sure they will ever have the full story of how this has changed so many...
I began to pray on the way home for God to help me understand, how something so tragic could happen...my heart breaks for the family's..not just a wave of sadness a very present, I can not sleep grief...But God sees the bigger picture.

The Esh family had a well established business here in Marrowbone they constructed storage buildings.
Joel's Family also had a well established business they poured concrete.

Strong structures and solid foundations thats what they did.

But as I prayed yesterday I realized how God has used them to build more than buildings, they built friendships, in the midst of their hurts they extended Gods love and comfort to my family and so many others...
Joel's father taught him so much more than poring a good concrete foundation he taught him about the one true foundation on which we all should have and his life spoke volumes of that foundation he stood on as he shared his love of God with so many...he lived it everyday.

As I watch my small hometown I am reminded of the bigger plan..

Weather it be placing a chair, preparing a meal, giving money , our just holding the hand of the hurting family, I see Gods love...

The Esh family, Joel and Alisha knew Gods love and there is no doubt in my mind that they are with him today.
Please continue to pray for the family's. Blessings.

M

Pop, Cassie, Tractors and Rollers

2010-03-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

The sun came out this weekend and Pop showed up with the tractor to turn our garden, I love this time of year things begin to green up and warm up..kinda.

The weather is still hit and miss.

Sunshine and cold.

But the garden being turned tells me it will soon be warm weather and I can't wait.

Cassie Marie spotted my Dad on the tractor Saturday and when I started looking for her and couldn't find her in the house I looked out the kitchen window and there she was...

When I took this picture I had to laugh..thinking to myself how much Cassie talks that's one way to let her ride the tractor without having to listen to the never ending talk...Pop could just smile and wave and enjoy the hum of the ol'Ford tractor.

And though she is such a tomboy at times she loves dressing up so with the flip of a switch she can go from riding in the bucket of a tractor, the bucket come complete with 100% cow poop included (and a little girl who could care less that she is setting in it)

To..

A Princess wearing pillow rollers in her hair dreaming of singing for millions someday...

She actually sat up and had a rather lengthy conversation with me after I took this picture...which she will not remember because she was talking in her sleep...really I mean it when I say she loves to talk..even in her sleep. (grin)

Blessings.
M

2010-03-15T22:06:00.000-07:00

The boys have begged forever that I let them buy Airsoft Guns, so I told them if they saved their money up they could buy them...

You must understand I watch "A Christmas Story" every year on T.V. and yes I am the Mother that says "You can't have a bb gun you'll shoot your eye out."

I really hated to see the UPS man coming down the drive that day because I knew he was bringing the dreaded eye-shooter-outer guns. The boys were so happy tearing into boxes..(while quietly I prayed under my breath that the plastic bb's had gotten lost)

But each box came with a gazillion bb's (which I pick up out of the floor on a daily basis)

So today when they all came in from school they decided the wanted to go outside and play "war" with their guns...I had visions of one eyed crying children.

I was cooking supper and had the news on and just as the last boy started out the door with a loud war cry I heard the news anchor say "Today an eleven year old boy was killed..he had been shot in the head with a bb gun)

WHAT???!!!

So I herded them back in the house and said "did you just hear that? I told you those things are dangerous."

So here is the solution we came up with...(my kids tell me I am way over protective, and a little on the crazy side...I say you can never be to safe!)

They also say "Now the neighbors REALLY think we are crazy."

Oh well..It gives "Crazy ol' Mom peace of mind." (grin)Blessings!

M

42 years and counting

2010-03-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

March 15th may be just another day for most people but for my parents it marks a milestone their 42nd wedding anniversary.

Growing up I never realized how very blessed I was.

I can honestly say not one time in my life do I ever remember hearing my parents fight, yell , scream...

Not once.

I was just reading a blog about hand written notes and how that it is almost a thing of the past, it took me back to when I was a kid finding notes stuck here and there...

Love notes my Mom and Dad had written each other.

As an adult today my parents still leave each other little notes to each other.

I can remember the morning routine years ago getting ready for school and setting down to eat breakfast they always prayed for each other and for my Sister and I.

Everyday. They still do that today even though we are grown and have family's of our own.

Over the years our family has taken many hard left turns, lots of unseeable hardache, and unthinkable sorrow...

What got us through?

Two parents that love God and love each other.

They have taught me to hold fast to Gods word, to forgive, and to love those who seem unlovable.

They have taught me to work hard and be honest.

They have taught me to dig in and hold on to the things in life that are good and right no matter how many give up and walk away.

They are truly two very special people.

Thank you Dad and Mom for all you are to Melissa and I and so many others!

Happy Anniversary! We love you!
Blessings.M

IT'S A BOY!!!

2010-03-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

So I have literally been up since 6am Friday morning we have been on "baby watch" Callie Lou Tony's horse was due to have her foal any day...

After five million trips to the barn last night and finally getting in the bed about 5am this morning my phone rings at 6am and it was Chad Allen he had went to the barn to find Miss Callie Lou and her new colt..

She was cleaning him off so we're thinking we missed it by about 30min.
He is the cutest thing!

So here's some pictures of our newest addition (Tony hasn't named him yet)

Think I'm gonna take a nap now...Blessings!
M

This and That

2010-03-07T21:16:00.000-08:00

It was absolutely beautiful here in Kentucky today...LOTS of sunshine, so I took a few pictures while we were out and thought I'd share them with you...

Cassie got to ride her horse today (bucky) and we are keeping a close eye on Tony's horse Callie Lou, she is due to have her baby any day now!!! The other pictures are random...The barn and a feed shed on the farm..the picture of the "flower arrangement" is actually willow that was grown right in my back yard, my Pastor and his wife raise willow and sell it to florist...and they gave me some yesterday when they were cutting...It is beautiful! The Fantail is my favorite! So there is my day..I promise I'll blog soon! Blessings!

M

HAPPY POST!

2010-02-22T21:00:00.000-08:00

So I have been informed that my last two post were depressing...

I had no intentions of being depressing.

So today a happy post not a long one but HAPPY!

I took a few pictures of one happy dog (and behind the camera one happy owner that loves this dog)

Pete my Chocolate Lab has returned home from the animal hospital and is on the road to recovery (he had pneumonia)

I normally don't let him in the house (I know thats hard to believe, since we had baby goats in the house for three weeks..(grin))

But because the weather here is cold and rainy, and because I love him so much (so does Husband) he gets to stay in the house til the weather warms up!

He sounds like a large horse clomping through the house but he never bothers a thing he's just take'n it all in!

So here he is...in all his cuteness!

Blessings!
M

Cards

2010-02-18T20:51:00.000-08:00

I have really struggled these past few weeks with things going on...

A pity party.
A why me fest.
A this isn't fair whimper...

Some of these things are out of my control I just have to pray..wait..and pray some more.

Some of these things I have brought on myself and I still pray..

But I ran across this video today and it was so true to what God was speaking to my heart all week long...

We may not like what we've been dealt, but there's a plan and we have to trust...

Blessings!

M

I'm back

2010-02-14T16:42:00.000-08:00

So I have been told by a few that I am falling way behind on my blogging....Where do I start? We have lots of news..

Friday morning I was out the door to take the kids to the school bus and saw Pete (my chocolate Lab) trying to eat and with every attempted effort his dog food would fall out of his mouth..he was struggling to breath I did what every girl would do..I called my Dad (grin) on the verge of breakdown I explained what was going on and he did what every Dad would do he rushed over and took Pete to the vet for me (thank you Daddy..) Later that morning I got a call saying Pete had pneumonia and he had to stay at the vets office over night (which happens to have turned into 3 nights now) the Vet called me bright and early this morning to tell me Pete seems to be on the road to recovery and we could possibly pick him up in the morning...
Just as I hung up the phone my oldest Chad walked in the door he had been to the barn to feed...

He looked VERY sad..

"Molly died Mom." (Chad's Goat)

Shew! I could cry typing this. I felt soooo sorry for Chad he has been so responsible feeding and taking care of Molly...and poor Melvin (Molly's brother) looks lost.
So this afternoon as it started to snow outside Chad went back to the barn and buried Molly under a tree...K nuff of that I can't think about it anymore.

To happier news Husband and I spent a very romantic afternoon at Studels...

Oh! Is that a fancy restaurant you ask?

No.. It's where we get our taxes done..but we were together and that's all that mattered..

Can you tell we don't get out of the house much? (at lest not together)

All jokes aside I am very blessed to have Tony in my life...he has been my everything through so much, and I must say everyday (almost) is Valentines Day with him...he always does the sweetest things for me..just because.

Blessings

M

Snow, Snowboards..and many Wipe Outs!!

2010-01-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

After a very anticipated wait the snow is here....More than we've seen in a long time.
We searched endlessly yesterday for sleds...

So did everybody else within 100 miles of us..

Sorry we're sold out..

Nope we don't have any...

So this morning Husband made one last call to a friend of his who happens to own a store right here in little ol' whoville and who happen to have 4 snowboards...(and Sean my Nephew brought his sled from last year over when he came to the house)

Do we know how to snowboard you ask.. Uh...No...

But the boys got better at it as the day went by.

Husband on the other hand will be the one in the video on the ground...often.

Blessings!
M

2010-01-25T21:33:00.000-08:00

Saturday I finally made myself go the the grocery store...with a list a mile long I took Chad's girlfriend Katelyn with me to make sure I shopped for things that are on the list only (she's very quiet, and said not a word when I went astray from my shopping list)

After returning home we (the girls) whipped up a little supper Kateyln made dessert, which was totally gone the next day..It was a great day..

Blessings!

M

Moments..

2010-01-23T20:01:00.000-08:00

We all have those "moments of opportunity" in our busy day that we may later play back in our mind...

Did I say the right thing?

I have those "moments" alot...and tonight on my way home, by myself in the quiet I was praying about one of those moments..

Could I have said something different?

Should I have said anything at all...

God has really been dealing with me lately about opportunity, and how to handel my words...

The world views on many things now days are (to name a few..)

-stick it to em, after all they deserve it

-sure step on them after all isn't that how we reach success in our life?

-a little lie never hurt anything....

I often find myself "presented" with moments of opportunity that I totally pass up because of pride...

What will they think if I say that?
Or..

Really God? You want me to say that? They'll think I've lost my mind!

But I am learning that when those moments present themselves and I listen to Gods voice, no matter how strange the response may sound to some God has granted a moment of opportunity.

I have recently started reading a book called Jumping Ship it is a book on what to do so your children don't jump ship to the world when they get older...as a christian parent I realize what a great responsiblity I have in raising my children and as I read the book I realize it's moments

Moments of..

Not just telling them they must do the right thing but leading by example.

Training, that means not just telling but showing (in some cases over, and over and over)

Spending time with them..Moments

laughing with them..Moments

Moments may not seem like much...but they add up to a lifetime. Moments are what they remember.

Blessings!

M

2010-01-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

I am almost certain that whom ever make Lysol is making a fortune off my family...It has been one after the other as this nasty virus passes among us, and I am so ready for it to pass...

Really..

I am soo ready not to hear "Mom I need toilet paper!!"

"Mom I think I'm gonna be sick...opps sorry Mom I really tried to make it to the bathroom."

As of today EVERY child in my house was up and on the school bus this morning with no complaint of sickness...first time in 2 weeks.

And for those of you who may be wondering about our new additions to the family Molly and Melvin the goats they are now in the barn (THANK YOU JESUS)
and seem to be doing well in they're new home.
I have many pictures that I want to post but haven't had the time,

soon..I promise I will catch you up.

Praying all are healthy in your home! Blessings!

Maria

When you feel there is nothing you can do

2010-01-15T20:50:00.000-08:00

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:29

Watching the news tonight like so many in the world My heart breaks for the people of Haiti.

The stories are heartbreaking, and with each passing day hope for these people seem to be dwindling..

I'm at a loss for words..

As I watch the sea of faces flash across the T.V. and wonder what will happen to all the children that are left without parents...

I only know to pray..

Psalm 68:5
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling

So as you go through your busy day, please remember the people of Haiti..

And when you feel like there is nothing you can do, you can pray.

Blessings.

M

2010-01-13T20:22:00.000-08:00

This is Cassie on Sunday...she started feeling bad on Thursday.

Thinking it was a stomach virus and it would pass we waited it out but by Monday morning it was evident it wasn't getting any better...Cassie ask for ice just before we headed out the door to see the Doctor, and when i open the freezer I realized that everything in the freezer was thawed out...upon further investigation I knew we had a dead fridge on our hands..

sooo out the door Cassie and I went while leaving Husband and Chad to deal with the deceased fridge.

The Doctor sent Cassie to the Hospital for IV fluids and thought she would get to go home in a few hours, but after they started Iv's she started running a fever and the vomiting and diarrhea got worse so they admitted her she was put in a private room in isolation, lots of test run but no solid answers..but I can assure you that it is one nasty virus! So today Cassie was released the vomiting has ceased and the diarrhea has slowed down, no fever...and one very tired little girl.

So after getting things unpacked I thought I would do some laundry...

I'm thinking this must be some sort of National All Appliances In Your House Must Die Week cause yes..

The dryer was dead too..

I love my life...really I do.

Why you ask?

Psalm 18:35- You give me your shield of victory,and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. (36)You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

HE SUSTAINS ME...Always.

Blessings.

M

2010

2010-01-02T19:28:00.000-08:00

As the new year has arrived I have thought about the year that has passed and how God has truly blessed my family..seems like lots has went on in the past year, and when I think back at how many sleepless nights were spent on worry I am ashamed of myself..but I am also reminded of the God I serve..

Psalm 18:35- You give me your shield of victory,and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. (36)You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

Many nights were spent in prayer...asking God for wisdom, for healing for my Husband for relationships to be mended, finances to stretch...but with that said, there were nights that I spent on useless worry..

I look back and see that through the trials, sickness, and tears the God that loves me..HE SUSTAINS me...

Where the paths seem so small, so narrow he went before me and broaden them...

He did that for me..

Through 2009 he Sustained my family, my Husband, the relationships that I had all but given up on.

And what did the worry do?

It wasted a lot of my time, because God had already taken care of it.

So what is my New Years Resolution this year? To remember he's in control and spend my time thanking him for all he's gonna do in 2010! Blessings!

M

Molly

2009-12-29T19:46:00.000-08:00

Yes this is Molly...

And Yes she has a pacifier in her mouth...

Hey sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, and in this case it made her happy and quite!

Yes I've lost my mind

2009-12-28T19:59:00.000-08:00

I have just returned from a very long journey....

Where have I been you ask?

Well I have been to Rock Island Tenn to pick up Two of the newest additions to the family..

Meet Molly and Melvin..

The plan was to put them in the barn..That was the plan..but the temp here is dropping and Molly and Melvin are only 5 days old, they have to be bottle fed 3 to 4 times a day and we have no heat lamps to put in the barn (first thing on my to do list tomorrow)

So Can anyone say Green Acres?

Because that's what it's feeling like...I never thought there would come a day that I would have Goats in my house but as I type this I have two in my house..

They are Chad and Chase's new pets so Chad has them in his room in a box he is officially on goat duty...that means if they get up in the middle of the night he has to fix a bottle and feed them..

Have I lost my mind you ask?

Yes I have.

M

Christmas 2009

2009-12-26T17:30:00.000-08:00

Just four days before Christmas Sister and I had not one thing bought for Christmas...We loaded up at 9am Monday morning in hopes to start and finish our shopping in one day..we returned home at 1:30am Tuesday morning, it was tense but somebody had to do it. Just two days before Christmas Husband had a flare up and I was almost sure we would end up spending Christmas in the Hospital we were in the Doctors office on Christmas eve They increased his meds and we are still waiting on test results BUT he seems to be feeling ok for now and we were home not in the Hospital. The kids had a great day, Cassie was in shock she got a horse (which came from her Dads, they brought it to our house so she can ride more often.) and Tony and I bought her a saddle the look on her face as priceless! Chase and Kane got Motorcycles and Chad got a new pipe for his dirt bike and a new helmet that he wears around the house because he is so proud of it (yes my children are some what strange..but there mine so what do you expect?) Husband got lots of cloths and I bought him a new wedding band.. AND..Husband..Dear Sweet Man of mine bought me a Canon EOS Rebel XS Camera...I've wanted one for so long and he so surprised me I cried when I opened it and the kids thought I was have some sort of nervous break down..it was GREAT! So I put together a little video of our Christmas this year, this was from my old camera...can't wait to post pictures from my new camera...when I figure out how to use it..AHEM! blessings!!

Dropped Call Part II

2009-12-15T19:43:00.000-08:00

So if you haven't read my last post "Dropped Call" you should it would clear up any questions you may have about this post.

I had a question from Miss Carrie if I kept the cell phone...Uhhh..no the cell phone is no longer with me....

Which leads me to the "Dropped Call Part II" post...

I needed a phone to replace mine and we have one as a back up phone, my oldest son Chad had used it last (before he got his new one for his birthday) So I took the back up phone and had it hooked up...as I was flipping through the phone I saw the title "moto home" in the video section so I thought I would see what that was all about...

In the video I could hear Chase laughing hysterically and then I saw Chad on Chase's little dirt bike and while I was watching it wasn't registering with me and I look closer and think..

"hey that looks just like my kitchen table"

Uhh...WAIT!!! THAT IS MY KITCHEN TABLE!!

Yes my friends he was riding his little Brother's dirt bike IN MY HOUSE!!

I was in such shock I didn't know what to say...

BUT..
Believe me when Chad and Chase got home I had thought of a few things to say.

So lesson learned here...

A. Boys have learned to not video things that might incriminate them.

B. That when Mom says she speaks with Jesus on a daily basis and prays that they will always be found out when they are doing something they shouldn't she means it!

Blessings!

M

A Dropped Call...

2009-12-14T06:17:00.000-08:00

This weekend was full of running. We had our Christmas play Fri.-Sun. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and all the kids and adults did so good! There were a few mishaps this weekend...My dryer decided to die once more, after behaving for a solid week it went on the blink again, gotta love those appliances!

And then there was the issue of the "dropped call"

Does anyone feel this could be a Cassie Marie story?

Well she was talking with a friend on the phone (using my cell phone) and the fact of the matter is we all know (even if we would rather not know) that sometimes you gotta "go" in the middle of a phone conversation...don't act like you've never talked on the phone while doing your business...Ahem.

Well just as she reached to flush she dropped my phone in the toilet..and if you must know (which I'm sure you would rather not know) it hit the toilet before it was flushed...

I don't even want to talk about fishing the phone out of the toilet..Because I assure you it wasn't pretty.

So just in case you wanted to know (even though I'm sure you didn't) that's the story of the dropped call. Blessings.

M

I did not run away..

2009-12-12T08:24:00.000-08:00

I am very behind on the blogging these days...Tony is home and is feeling "ok" he goes next week to see the specialist, they want us to retry the gluten free diet and on top of that take yeast out of his diet too...I'm feeling a little responsible for the last trip to the hospital because I gave up so soon on the gluten free diet so once again we will give it a try...

In other news we had our Grand Opening Play at Church last night they are doing The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I think this is one of my favorite things about Christmas time I love going and watching the plays. Cassie Marie is in the play She plays the part of Imogen Herdman and boy does she play it well! If you've never read the book or seen the play your missing out it has a great message.

I have to close for now but I promise I won't wait so long before I post again.Blessings!

M

2009-12-07T05:12:00.000-08:00

In a rush to get out the door, I'm heading over to the Hospital. Tony is back on solid food as of yesterday, Dr. K is sending him to see a specialist as soon as he is well enough, I'm learning to cope and lean on God more than ever. I'm a little stressed that Christmas is coming up but it is what it is, and I'm trying to stay on the positive side. Thanks so much for the prayers, I'll keep you updated! Blessings.

M

Again

2009-12-05T17:34:00.000-08:00

Tony went back in the Hospital Friday, He is having another round with Crohn's...At this point and time I feel very helpless, and he is very discouraged. Please pray that God will give us direction and the Doctors wisdom. Blessings.

M

New Post

2009-12-03T19:59:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all my faithful readers who visit and see that I have slacked on my post lately, I would tell you that I have been so busy that I had absolutely no time to post except that would be a lie...I've just been a little on the lazy side (grin)

So the weather here is beginning to get colder around here...and so now is the time that my heating and cooling unit at my Salon has decided to quit..die..it has went on to be with it's maker. Did I mention the unit was 3 yrs. old..and did I mention that it is no longer under warranty?

AHHH the joys of owning your own business!

We have hooked up a few heaters to hold us over until the repair man (which name will go unmentioned to protect him,) shows up to fix the very dead unit.

So tonight as I put a load of towels (which would be every single towel we own...Mom that would be a great Christmas present if your reading this) into the dryer and I hit the button to start the dryer...

NOTHING..

Great, this is just great! I have wet towels, and two children who have yet to take a shower...what to do you ask?

I will admit that paper towels came to mind..or they could just drip dry...

I found two very thin...you can see through them..why do I still even have these towels in the very back of the bathroom cabinet, the boys never even batted an eye when I handed them the see through towels so I didn't say anything either..just one problem, we now have NO towels..

Guess Husband will wonder why Paper towels are on the bathroom counter instead of a fresh clean towel tonight when he gets home from work...poor Husband.

Blessings.

Maria

Thankful

2009-11-28T18:27:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving dinner has been eaten and I will admit it was not a gluten free Thanksgiving...

We fell of the wagon..not really, it wasn't helping, the gluten free diet, and though I may still try to cut gluten in the house 100% gluten free we will not be...whew I feel better now.

We had a great time at Mom and Dads for Thanksgiving LOTS of food and a fun game of scrabble. I would show you pictures to prove it but I forgot my camera.

Today was the BIG parade here in Marrowbone, no it's not quite as big as the Macy's Parade but close...not really..but it was big for Marrowbone. The fist picture is of our beloved "Bean" a local here that loves this community and has always organized the parade...Bean had a stroke a few months ago and hasn't been out much, but here he is riding in the sleigh...so glad to see him.

Mom and Dad were in the parade here they are riding the Veteran's float (I think Daddy ate more candy than he threw to the kids..)

And just a few more Pictures...I love the Marrowbone Parade..I'm so thankful for the people in my community, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Blessings!

M

Life Changing

2009-11-24T19:46:00.000-08:00

We all have events in our life that change us, make us step back and realize that life as we know it is no longer how we "knew it" such a life changing event that when we look back we could not imagine what life was before....

Fifteen years ago was my life changing moment, it was when I held my firstborn for the fist time....I remember thinking "My life will never be the same"

And it hasn't.

I can't say it has always been perfect

or fun

or happy...

But it has always been better

blessed

a gift...He was a gift sent to me, that changed me forever...and I love him more than I can say.
Happy 15th Birthday Chad Allen! I love You!

M (Mom)

Gluten Gluten Go Away

2009-11-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

I have searched tirelessly on the Internet for gluten free food trying to read and reread labels, it really can be overwhelming..I mean you are talking to the homemade bread queen here. So a few days ago I called a friend that goes to church with us and she has been on a gluten free diet for awhile now she gave me hope that I could do this and not have a nervous break down in the process. Her Husband is a chef and he can help with converting recipes so they are gluten free, she even gave me her cell number which I have on speed dial so when I am grocery shopping and have a question I can call and ask her. She did inform me that Captain Crunch cereal was something we could eat because it was made from corn (Praise The Lord, something sweet!)It seems bread isn't out of the question except I have to use rice flour and alter a few other ingredients so i guess I'm gonna have to learn how to make that..and the gravy...well It's not completely out I just have to use cornstarch instead of flour..now if I can just figure out how to make biscuits without flour (grin)
The bottom line is I want my Husband to get well, and If Dr. K thinks this will help I'm willing to rid my cabinets of flour, wheat gluten packing products and replacing them with Rice Flour, Almond Meal,Arrowroot Starch, and Xanthan Gum which I have no idea what they are or how to use them but I'm willing to give it a try...

Need I remind you that Thanksgiving and Christmas is coming up..Which would be my favorite time to bake so I'm already trying to figure out how to make Gluten free stuffing and convert my Grandmas recipe for Jam Cake.Blessings.

M

Adding and taking away

2009-11-15T19:21:00.000-08:00

So over the weekend we have added a new addition to our "farm" her name is Callie Lou, actually it was two for the price of one day because Callie Lou is soon to have a colt we are thinking January or February...This is Husbands new past time cause Callie Lou belongs to him...Ask me if he knows anything about horses? Uh no...not really but he loves this horse and she seems to love the farm so I guess that means she's a keeper here's a few pictures

And now for the taking away part....

Dr. K spoke with Husband today after church and ask him to try a new diet to see if it will help with his crohn's disease, he ask him to try it for two weeks sounds simple enough hu?

Well it's a Gluten Free Diet...far from simple in my house.

When I started looking this up on the internet I found out that gluten is in viturally everything...Like:

-Bread
-Muffins
-pastry
-pasta
-pizza
-lunchmeat
-gravy (give me a break..we live in Kentucky gravy goes on everything)
-anything wheat or rye

And
-toothpaste
-lip balm

And the big kicker...playdough...Husband was really upset when he found out he could no longer eat Playdough (grin) just kidding..But who knew? Gluten in Playdough!

So tomorrow I will attempt to plan out a menu for the next few weeks that is gluten free, wish me luck! Blessings!

M

Kids..you gotta love them

2009-11-09T19:37:00.000-08:00

I have heard the sound of motorcycles nonstop all weekend, quick flashes of boys flying by the window at one time there were 6 boys...six motorcycles all zipping through our yard, lots of noise...
So I sent them across the road to the farm...behind our ~~grumpy~~ sweet kind neighbors house (grin) to ride til there little heart's were content. Today after the kids got home from school this is what I saw when I looked out of the kitchen window
That would be my 9yr old Cassie Marie riding her brother's bike...she has never rode before and the boy's thought it was time to teach her...at lest they remembered to put a helmet on her. And then I couldn't resist I had to video my oldest on the same bike being silly (he almost died when he saw I was video taping it...he's way to big for this bike, he is so silly!

And he will so kill me if he knows I posted this video..(GRIN)Blessings!

M

2009-11-06T19:30:00.000-08:00

I apologize to those of you who visit my blog and have seen no new post this week, I have had "blogger block" all kinds of things stuck in my head that I just couldn't seem to put words with...Let me start with Husband is doing good he has been home this week and will go back to work Monday, my blood pressure is still up and down but better, in the midst of all the other things going on around here Tony's Son Kane is now living with us that makes TWO 15yr olds in the house now (I may need a little prayer) with all that has went on around here in the past month and believe me it has been a month packed full of twist, turns, drama, and LOTS of prayer I feel like God is trying to get my attention (grin)
I have come to the realization that there are some things in life that I have to step away from and learn to live with, there are others that I have to change my attitude about and ask God to help me with and above all trust God and know that he has a plan. I realize more than ever that way to often I let the days go by without realizing how blessed I am...I have a business that in the midst of a crumbling economy is thriving, I have a roof over my head, a Husband whom loves me and tells me that at least 20 times a day, kids who are healthy and family whom I love and adore...My blessings way out number any problems. WHEW...I feel much better now.

M

HUSBAND"S HOME!!

2009-10-31T17:37:00.000-07:00

I am happy to report that Husband is now home...The Doctor released him from the hospital around ten this morning. Did I mention how very happy I am that he is home?
They sent us out the door with SEVEN prescriptions (it looked like I was taking a small booklet into the pharmacy) some meds he only has to take a few more days and others he will be on for awhile. I am so thankful for Dr. K he has been really great, he has spoken with Tony and I in great length about crohns disease and explained so much.. it's been alot to take in but I know God's in control. Thank you to all who have prayed, called, and simply listened (Mom, Sister,Carri, Lorie) Please continue to pray that God heals Tony. Blessings.

2009-10-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

Wednesday's and I have a "love/hate" relationship I love going to church on Wednesday nights I just hate the rushiness...(I don't think rushiness is a word, if not it is now) Here in the Jeffrie's House we have a schedule and at 9pm ALL children are in the bed, but on Wednesday nights with many children getting baths and grabbing a snack it turns into well...RUSHINESS...

ALL the kids went to see Tony tonight in the Hospital...many kids in a small room with MANY blinking buttons, rubber gloves, oxygen valves, and a husband on pain medication makes for a "Calgon take me away moment" but I could tell he was glad to see them all and they were glad to see him.

The Doctor said this morning he didn't see a big change since last night, he is still a little unsure of any solid food so he told Tony maybe tomorrow...maybe.
Husband was a little down tonight, he isn't recovering as quick as he thought he would and I could tell he was down when I came in to check on him after church..I felt really bad leaving him tonight, but I was most certain the Hospital would not allow all 4 button pushing, rubber glove blowing uping, T.V. channel changing children (and one delirious Mom) to stay all night so out the door we went.

Once again thank you for the prayers and comments left here on the blog, they get me through the day. Blessings.
M

Not One More Thing..

2009-10-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

Not One More Thing..

This is a statement I have learned to NOT say because just as sure as I do...That one more thing is piled on.

It flops right on top of the load of laundry that still is in the basket unfolded
It jumps right on running back and forth trips to the hospital..It screams "HERE I AM" while trying to adjust to an extra kid in the house....

It is overwhelming me just a tad...

But today I read a comment from one of my blogger friends and she included this

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Col. 1:17

It was what told me I COULD handle, withstand, endure, survive that one more thing...I don't hold it all together, no matter how much I would like to think all my shedule ,planning , thinking ahead has to do with the day the bottom line is "He is before all and in HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER"

***Thank you for your comment today Lorie, it truly snapped me back to my knees to seek the answers from God the only one who really knows what's going on around here***

Update on Husband: We have now determined he has chron's disease...not what we had hoped for but it is what it is...he hasn't had solid food since Saturday and the Dr. say none til Thursday. There is so much inflammation he thinks it's best to wait until Thursday to give his body time to recover. If all goes well he will get out of the hospital by Friday or Saturday. He said to thank all the strangers that were praying for him (he had just gotten a pain shot about 10 min before)

My blood pressure is weird it was 180/101 this morning when I got out of bed but tonight it was 168/92...but I am glad it is lower tonight. I'll be glad when it levels out.

Thanks again to all the friends out there who have taken time out of their day to pray for us and who have left comments. Blessings.

M

2009-10-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

I'm not gonna make this a long post just an update...

I spent the day out of bed all day which was a good thing since the last week has been in the bed. My blood pressure is still up but I'm hoping this medicine will kick in soon.

Now for the "Lord what in the world is going on around here"

The Doctor put Tony (Husband) in the Hospital tonight...He thinks his colitis is acting up again, his blood work came back showing there is infection and he is unable to walk upright because there is so much pain in his lower stomach.

Am I a touch stressed? Uh...that would be a yes.

But I know God is in control and he will see us through, Please pray that NO ONE else in this house is put in the hospital..when you begin to know the nurses by name that means you have been there long enough (grin)Blessings.

M

A Little Pressure...

2009-10-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

Today is first day I have had my computer on in a week, I had surgery on my leg Monday morning and they removed a rather large cyst from right leg...and I must brag on the "small" Hospital where I had my surgery done they were very kind and took great care of me. The problem started after I got home Monday afternoon....
Out of nowhere I got a horrible headache and started vomiting, Tony went to town to get some medicine for me, mean while my Dad stopped in to check on me and called Tony to tell him I had gotten worse, when he got here he took me straight to the ER where they gave me a shot to try to ease the headache and one for nausea. The Doctor decided to keep me until the next day. They thought that the sedation medicine they gave me during the surgery had caused the headache, so I got to come home except that the whole headache thing started again last night and my blood pressure went sky high again, so back to the Doctor today when I got there my blood pressure was 169/102 (no wonder my head was hurting) so I got another shot in the rear to try and ease the headache and they have started me on blood pressure medicine....so much for a simple surgery...Thank you Sister for manning the salon while I've been out..Thank you Dad and Mom for all the help with the kids, supper , and laundry I don't know what I'd do without you! And to Husband Thank You for getting up at 5:30am to get the kids ready for school (even though you had got home from work at 2am) and taking such good care of me...I Love You.
So thats what's been going on around here, thanks to all who have been praying. Blessings.

M

Getting Back On Track

2009-10-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or do you feel a little overwhelmed when you have been sick and have to step back into the "real world" not that Moms ever really get a full day off( (sick or not,) but the whole schedule thing around here has been out of wack, and the fact that the kids are on fall break adds a little to the whole off schedule thing. My oldest (Chad) is in Florida with my Sister and her family visiting Alex her son, I have talked with them almost every night and they inform me that it is 100 degrees there, lots of sunshine a beach within 2miles and they are staying in a house with a pool and hot tub....nice. Cassie is at her Dads this week and Chase well, he kinda had plans to go to the Smokey's but because of the flu he wasn't able to go so we've kinda hung out here at home, and took a few sporadic trips to the store nearby at 8pm to grab a frappuccino (which is a big deal, cuz I rarely leave my house once I'm home.) Chase is at a friends house tonight so maybe his fall break won't be completely boring.
I had to go to see a surgeon today, I have a place on my leg that appears to be a cyst, we thought it might be a varicose vein but after seeing the Doctor today he said it was some sort of "growth" not necessarily a cyst, or tumor just something that needed to be removed, so I am scheduled to go next Monday morning to remove the "unknown growth" Doesn't seem to be a big deal, the Hospital on the other hand is a bit well...small my Dad and I joked about it on the way home, saying it makes our local Hospital look like the Hilton, when I called Husband to tell him about it he wanted me to cancel and go to a different Hospital (worry wart) but I think it will be fine...hopefully (grin)
I'll be back to work tomorrow trying to get back into the groove, what ever that is..hope all is well at your house! Blessings!

M

Just in case you wondered

2009-10-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

Just in case you wondered where I have been...

I have been in the bed with the flu...

On the couch with the flu...

Pacing the floors at 2am with an aching body with the flu..

On the phone with a very panicked Bride (whom is getting married Sat.) reassuring her I will be in the Salon Sat. Morning fever free to do her hair for her big day while eating Tamiflu and Motrin and drinking Ginger Ale praying that the room will stop spinning....

I have been "fever free" for 24 hours which means I will be able to go to work tomorrow. A wedding party of five...please pray (grin)

Chase is totally recovered from the flu and his face has healed up nicely, the other kids and Husband have been flu free and healthy.

I must brag on all of them they have taken great care of me, washing dishes, clothes and the boys haven't done any bodily harm to each other this week (grin)
Hope everyone is healthy your way! Blessings.

M

Chase

2009-10-04T16:57:00.000-07:00

Just a note to say thank you to all that have been praying for Chase, I thought we were in the clear, but an abscess appeared on his face Saturday and the whole side of his face became swollen so after consulting with our Doctor (who happens to go to the same church...perks of living in a small town.) I went home to break the news to Chase that we would have to go to the ER..there they had to lance the spot and drain the infection...Thank goodness for my Dad stopping by the Hospital to assist in the procedure...nothing like Pop being present in the room to calm a frantic kid down..the whole thing was not for the weak stomach which I use to not be but in the middle of watching assuring my son it would be over soon I found my self feeling on the woozy side, I will most defiantly send Husband next time (grin)
After a round of flu and now this I hope poor Chase will be on the way up. Please continue to pray. Blessings.

M

Chase

2009-10-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

I am most certain that I will not be receiving the MOTHER OF THE YEAR AWARD this year....

In my last post I wrote that Chase my 13yr.old had an earache and the next day I took him to the Doctor with complaints of a earache and sore throat, his ear looked a little red but no big deal, his throat showed no signs of redness and he had no fever he seemed to be fine last night and this morning when he got on the bus to go to school, so when the Nurse called from school today to say Chase was in her office again I ask her if he had a fever and she said no but he said his throat hurt I said give him Motrin and he'll be fine......fast forward to 3:30 this afternoon...Chase all but crawled off the bus and drug himself in my salon in tears, I then realized he had a fever (102) So while I rushed to rinse hair color off of my clients my Mom took Chase to the ER and I met her there they tested him for the Flu and it came back positive for Influenza A (better known as swine flu) they sent us home with medicine in hand and said to bring him back if his symptoms got worse, he has been asleep since we've been home only waking up to take his meds and drink a little sprite..(now I'm having the whole Mom guilt thing) so I'm prepared for a long night seems like the later it gets the more restless he gets..please pray for a quick recovery and that my other two don't get the flu..Blessings.

M

Unwireless

2009-09-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

If you could see me right now you would wonder why I don't just invest in a wireless connection, no joke I have wires stretched every which way so i can set in my bed and use my computer, that is something I normally never do, but I am growing more and more unfond (I'm not sure "unfond" is even a word, but it sounds good) of setting in that uncomfortable straight back chair at my desk...so here I set blogging away with my unwireless laptop computer with cords running every where for the sake of comfort...did I just type comfort? Really that's a fib because I am quiet uncomfortable, not because of the unwireless computer, it's because last Friday morning while in a rush to get everyone up and going for school I ran into a suitcase (that I have yet to return to my parents house)and hit my toe...I cried ALOT and thought at one point I was gonna pass out...it hurt, really, really bad. So as a result I have a toenail that is lifted, just hanging around, flop'n..to many details for ya? (grin) But other than the Flop'n toenail alls good except
Chad has a headache,

Chase has a earache,

and Cassie well she has taken up sewing...I draw my toes in at this very moment just thinking about her loosing a sewing needle in the floor and someone stepping on it. But so far she has kept up with it, she ask tonight if we would "seriously" think about getting her a sewing machine (a real one) for Christmas...I'm feeling like that's a bad idea, is there an age limit on operating those things? I took a sewing class in High School and flunked it, I don't even have the foggiest idea on how to thread a sewing machine...I guess we'll have to think about that. Until then I guess she is stuck sewing as she says "the old fashion way" with a needle and thread.

M

Blessings

2009-09-27T19:28:00.000-07:00

I look back on the events of this past week and realize that there are many days that I coast through without a thought of how very blessed I am.

It has humbled me to watch how very fast things in life can go from good to bad in a split second, and how careless I toss another day away without a thought or a thank you to God for all he has done in my day.
I have watched a little more intently to the things going on around me whether it be my Husband washing yet another load of laundry, or sink full of dishes, not because he feels he must but because he wants to help me and for that I am blessed.

Or this afternoon when I had my nephew Sean over and him and my boys were being silly and I stood at the kitchen counter listening to Sean laugh hysterically and found my own self smiling..I could listen to that laugh all day and for that I am blessed.

Or for tonight, when my parents stopped by my salon (I was giving all the boys haircuts) to chat with Husband and I for a min. and as they walked out the door we told each other "Love You"...simple coast through the day words to many, but so much more to me after this week...I am blessed.

Or a simple comment from one of my blogger friends recently...for her friendship I am blessed. ( (((Hugs))) to you Lorie)

They may seem like everyday things to you, but believe me they are so much more so take time out to thank God for the blessings.

M

Update

2009-09-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

So Husband and I have returned from Louisville today after spending the last two days at Jewish Hospital with Jay (my Husbands Brother) while he went through his evaluation for a liver transplant...we saw many, many, many different people over the last few days, dietitians, social workers, physiatrist...a three hour meeting on liver transplants the what to expect, what to avoid, what not to eat, how much medicine to take, how much medicine not to take...and much more very life altering, life changing things to think about.
At one point in the 3hr class I remember feeling very overwhelmed by all the information, and I looked at my Brother-In-Law across the table and could clearly tell he too was overwhelmed..let's face it this operation wasn't a walk in the park, and some things they were telling us were down right scary to think about. So as Husband and I fell into bed last night at the Hotel I spent alot of time thinking on all that was said by so many different people in a days time, and alot of time praying about the following day.
This morning we were off to the Hospital for our final meetings with the liver Doctor and the Surgeon, we saw the liver Doctor first and he asked a gazillion questions ordered more test and left the room...then the Surgeon came in...

Let me remind you of the words the Doctor that diagnosed Jay said..and I quote, "It is by the grace of God that you are standing here, I have seen better liver's in dead people." (pretty straight to the point hu?)

And let me tell you last Sunday morning when our Pastor ask people to stand that needed a miracle I stood for Jay (Jay was in the balcony standing too) praying that God would heal him...

And when the surgeon came in the room he said "Mr. Jeffries looks like you won't be needing our services."

Hu? Did he just say Jay didn't need a liver transplant?

That is exactly what he said, no need for a transplant. I think we were all in shock and found out as we spoke with the Doctor that Jay was at a level 9,on a scale from 0-40 you need to be at lest a level 15 to be put on the transplant list, they found a small lesion which they will continue to monitor but with medication and diet change he can live a normal life....

As we walked out of the Hospital today I knew God had preformed a miracle, some would say that the first Doctor may have read something wrong, but I choose to Thank God, along with Jay ,Husband and Kathy (their Sister)

I encourage you today to remember God hasn't forgotten you, he sees what your going through and all it takes is a little faith (just the size of a mustard seed) and he'll give you that miracle! Blessings.

M

2009-09-20T19:43:00.000-07:00

Husband and I will be on our way to Jewish Hospital tomarrow afternoon for a few days to be with his Brother Jay as he goes through his evaluation for a liver transplant, I'm asking all that will please be in prayer as these 3 days of test will determain if he goes on the transplant list and at what level he will be placed. the last few days we have been swimming in paper work and forms to fill out...pray that everything is in place.

And of coarse on a side note pray for My Sister and parents (grin) as they will be my babysitters (my 14 yr. old would die if he knew I said "babysitter") while we are gone...My oldest does not like change or being away from home, he's a routine kinda ~~kid~~ teenager and he would much rather be home in his own bed, so Sister, Nana, and Pop will need all the prayers they can get! Blessings!

M

To The Love Of My Life...

2009-09-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

This post is to the love of my life, the one who has been my rock through some of the deepest valley's in my life. This is to the man that loves Reese's Peanut Butter Cups almost as much as I do and could recite to you almost every scene from the movie The Notebook because he's a hopeless romantic at heart, he does dishes, cleans toilets, and folds laundry which I might add looks like they have been folded in a department store all without complaint...I am so thankful that God has blessed me with such a wonderful Husband! Happy Anniversary Tony, I love you!

M

2009-09-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

My Daughter Cassie Marie loves to plant flowers in the spring, we were a little late getting flowers out this year and actually only planted Zinnia's and Sunflowers along the outer row in the garden, I happen to notice how pretty they all still are this morning and took a few pictures to post.

Blessings!

M

Pray

2009-09-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry I feel like I have been a MBP (Missing Blog Person) lately. It's not that I don't have lots to blog about, it's more about the time I haven't had to blog...and the timing in which I would blog about things going on.

About 5 weeks ago my Husband and I found out that his Brother (which he is very close to) needs a liver transplant. Jay (Husbands Brother) has a condition called
Wilson's disease which is an inherited disorder in which there is too much
copper in the body's tissues. The excess copper damages the liver and
nervous system, in most cases it can be controlled with medication, but in Jay's case his liver is damaged beyond repair...The Doctors words were "It is by the grace of God that you are in my office today."
So the plan now is that we (Jay,Me, my Husband, and his Sister Kathy) go to Jewish Hospital for an evaluation Sep. 21st, 22nd, 23rd there they will do test to determine whether or not he will be put on the transplant list and at what level. My Husband and I along with Kathy will meet with the Doctors and we are required to take a class while there to more understand how to take care of Jay after surgery...It has been a very emotional roller coaster but as the days have passed I have seen God at work. I don't know what the next few months hold for us but the important thing is that God does. Please be in prayer on the 3 days that I mentioned above. I will update you as I find out more. Blessings.

M

Run For Your Life...

2009-09-08T20:44:00.000-07:00

Please scroll to the bottom of my blog and pause the music before starting this video...This was a sermon given by Carter Conlon a senior Pastor of the Times Square Church the first Sunday morning following the tragedy of 9/11.

Picnic's and Pawpaw's

2009-09-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

We had Landon for the weekend our 6yr. old Grandson, he was FULL of energy but was lots of fun.

He went to church with us this morning and it just so happen that the church had a picnic planned after church at one of the church members farms, it turned out to be a great day with the rain stopping and the sun not to hot.

Landon was first in line to bob for apples, and to be honest I'm glad after thinking about how gross it would be to be the last in line...AHEM.

They took all the kids on a hay ride which was a hit and had lots of great food, here are a few pictures from the day.

After we returned home my Dad stopped by and brought me two pawpaw's.

What are pawpaw's you ask? If you haven't tried one, you are missing out!

When I was a kid my Grandmother (who happen to live right across the road from where I live now) had pawpaw trees 3 that I remember...I lived for this time of year to eat all the pawpaws possible. They are not something you will find in a grocery store because they're shelf life is so short, Lot's of people would not even attempt to try them because of they're appearance...ugly fruit would be an understatement to describe them...

My Dad told me that there were still two tree's across the road and the people that owned my Grandmothers old house didn't like them and we could have all we wanted...so I took a trip down memory lane for awhile sitting on my back porch eating pawpaw's.

Funny how a small thing's like that will take you back in time. Blessings.

M

Give Me Your Eyes

2009-09-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

I think we all have our "routine" a daily rhythm if you will that we coast through each day.

And with no ill intent intended we have tunnel vision, we don't see the person to the left of us as we stand in line to pay for gas or grocery's....

Or maybe we do see them.

We see them each day and pass them by with as little as a "hello" or "how are you?"

What if for one day we woke up and prayed "Lord give me your eyes, so that I can see the broken hearted, a heart that will feel they're pain, and the opportunity to share your love for them."

I challenge you to step out of your routine tomorrow...Pray that God will give you the eyes to see people differently...Blessings.

(Please scroll to the bottom of the page and pause the music before starting the video)

M

Perseverance..He's not done with me yet.

2009-08-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

My Sister called today and told me I needed to get with it and post something new on my blog, I have had some issues with my computer lately and to be honest I have had writers block...kinda.

I have lots of things that I want to post about, lots of things that God has really spoken to my heart over the past few weeks one is about perseverance.

Let me start from the beginning.

I by no means am a perfect person, my life has been a road of many turns, hills, and valleys. Some of those turns, hills and valleys were out of my control and ~~some~~ many were from my own choices....From time to time I think about how different my life would be if I had made the "right" choices, but how different it would be if I hadn't made the choices I made (have I lost you yet?)
When I was 19 yrs old I found my self as a single Mother working at a job that I started at 16 that I had no intentions on staying at forever but after a failed marriage and a son to provide for I felt "stuck" so then and there I decided to pursue a career in Cosmetology.....

Perseverance....

(I never said this story would be pretty, decorated with happily ever after...I'm just being honest and real with you)

I won't get into all the Choices I made for the sake of other people involved, but for every trial came the question, "Do I give up? Or do I hang on?"

I can remember many, many nights praying God would just change things....After all he's God, he could make the road straight, make the baby quit crying, stretch the dollar for one more bill, because I didn't think I could work one more hour because I was so exhausted...he could do that for me right..?

In the midst of all my poor choices, valleys, sufferings, and trials he was shaping me, stretching, molding.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only so but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trail, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

I'm sure I would not be the person I am today had I not been through some of the trials...with each valley God shaped my character...he used those trials to strengthen me.

I recently read that when a potter bakes a clay pot he checks to see it's solidity by pulling it out of the oven and thumping it. If it "sings" it's ready. If it "thuds" it's placed back in the oven. The character of a person is also checked by thumping...Been thumped lately?
Children under foot, grumpy spouse, deadlines, lots of bills with little money, sick family members...Thump, Thump, Thump...
So how do we respond?

Do we sing or do we thump?

2 Corinthians 4:8
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.

Reread that verse notice the BUT NOT'S...

Perseverance, Character...Molding and Shaping...Singing and Thumping.

"If you have the Shepherd, you have GRACE for every sin, DIRECTION for every turn, a CANDLE for every corner, and an ANCHOR for every storm."
(Max Lucado)

Blessings.

M

Untitled

2009-08-26T20:04:00.000-07:00

My computer has been on the blink the past week or so. I just got it back tonight, now I seem to have a touch of writers block...so I thought I would post this video tonight. Blessings! (Pause the music at he bottom of my blog before you start the video)

M

Catching Up..

2009-08-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

I have not run away...I'm just trying to adjust to the whole School, the kids have to be on the bus by 6:20am thing I'm not a morning person but I'm working on that.

My oldest nephew Alex is leaving tonight for Florida he's

Cut'n the cord..

Fly'n the coop..

Move'n out...

Gonna get lost.. (just kid'n Sister..Thank you Lord for GPS)

I went by Sister's house tonight to say my goodbye's and let the kids tell him bye, he's moving to Fort Myers with one of his buddies. Although I hate to see him go so far away, I understand there's not alot here in this area as far as jobs, he's young and wants to experience life...We've all been there (and later wish we were back home with Mom (grin))
Anywho Sister ask if I would make a cake for his going away get together and you know me (even though it was last min.) I can't do simple...I MUST do something different like this....

I teased Alex and told him he wouldn't have room for all his shoes (he has MANY, MANY, shoes) so I had shirts, boxers, and his famous Jordan filpflops falling out the trunk of the car (told you I have to go all out)
They all thought it was funny with him and D.J. hanging out the windows...Alex liked the cake and even posted pictures of it on Facebook...

I'm gonna miss him lots, hard to believe he's old enough to be on his own, guess that's what time does, they grow up and we get old..

Love you Alex,

M

Reunion

2009-08-10T20:43:00.002-07:00

We had a family reunion over the weekend. I'm including a few pictures and a few video clips of my Aunt Carol's daughters singing (Aunt Carol passed away last year, she fought ovarian cancer for 2 years..her birthday was on this day also) take a min. to listen to her girls..you'll be blessed. M
***NOTE***Please pause music at the bottom of my blog before playing video

Reunion

2009-08-10T20:43:00.001-07:00

Back in School

2009-08-10T20:03:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of school here...I must admit this was one of the hardest "back to school days" for me...My oldest Son Chad Allen started High School...

And it's not that I feel old....

It's that I can't believe he's in High School..

I could cry just thinking about it, time really does go by soooo fast.

Chase is in 7th grade and Cassie Marie is in 4th...which means I have one in High School one in Middle School and one in Elementary school...WHEW!

I was so excited to hear all about they're day when I saw them get off the bus this afternoon..

Except no one seem to have had a "wonderful" day.

Cassie said no one would talk to her (what is it with this age? Are all girls this age sooo dramatic?)

Chase Say's he wants to quit band (NOT, I REPEAT NOT GONNA HAPPEN! I told him he should have thought of that $450.00 ago after he HAD to join band and HAD to have a trumpet..ahem)

And Chad, well..he had a place on his arm that appeared to be some sort of bite..we noticed it about four days ago, and it has gotten worse everyday..
When he came in he said..."Mom your gonna freak out when you see my arm."

Well... he was right I did...and off to the Doctors office we went (great...first day of school and we are already going to the Doctors office.)

They put him on antibiotics and said if it didn't start healing up in the next few days after taking his meds or if he started running a fever he may have to be put in the hospital for IV meds (great...)
He has felt really bad all night...and for the first time in months he had a really bad headache so we had to give him Maxalt, which is medication his neurologist prescribed for migraines..I'm not sure if it's from his arm or the stress of the day or both...I checked his temp a few hours ago and he is running a low grade temp...This is NOT how I envisioned the first day of School..not at all..Please pray that his arm heals quickly with no complications.

Sooo this has been the events of the day! Blessings!

M

My First Award

2009-08-07T21:43:00.000-07:00

I wanted to send out a thank you to my new friend COUNTRY MOM..She gave me my very first Award, For being a loyal friend and visitor. Funny, that in the blog world you meet new friends...(but you never really meet) I started my blog a little over a year ago, and I love reading other blogs...I guess you could say it's my "calgon" in life, my outlet...I have gained five whole followers since I started my blog (grin) but I feel a bond with each one and I thank them for there friendship..So thanks again Country Mom I will pass this award on to others! Blessings!

M

Focus...Matthew 14:22-36

2009-08-05T22:46:00.000-07:00

The rain fall was heavy...

The boat rocks back and forth...

The wind blows, and the waves crash..

In the distance they see something walking on the water, and they were afraid and they cry out in fear...

Sound familiar?

Matthew 14:29--30
Jesus said "Come!"
And Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But when Peter saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink. He shouted "Lord, save me!"

I think we all have been Peter...

We step out of the boat in faith focusing on Jesus, but the harder the wind blows the more the waves crash, the louder the kids scream, the longer the lonely nights get, the more we worry, the more the mountain of bills grow......

We loose focus... and begin to sink.

We sink in thoughts of:

What if?

Why now?

Faith and Focus..

It moves us from the boat to the water faith picks our feet up to take the step towards the one who will reach out his hand and catch us when we begin to look at the waves that crash from every side...the rain may blur our vision, the wind may take our breath...

But Faith and Focus will keep us afloat.

Never loose focus of the one who will carry you through your storm.

He will guide you, protect you, fill you when you are empty, comfort you when you are hurt...and most importantly...

He will save you when you are sinking...Just focus on him.Blessings,
M

Birthdays and Baptism's

2009-08-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

Well I haven't run away...

But I have had the thought enter my mind a few times in the last week (grin)

We have had a overload of activity since last week...

Cassie Marie turned 9...

Sean my Nephew got baptized Sunday at church..

And School starts back next Monday here which means we have been shopping for school supplies...every year the list grows....I'm not talking about school cloths either..I'm talking about:

-3 plastic folders with pockets and clasps (green, blue, red)
-2 packages of #2 pencils
-2 packages of loose leaf paper
-white school glue (do they make any other color???)
-scissors..Fiskars preferably (I don't care what brand they are...they still cut hair I see it everyday)
-24 pack of crayons
-1 package of erasers
-markers and/or coloring pencils
-1 box of tissues
-small container to hold supplies (with zipper if possible)
-clear or mesh backpack
-$5.00 for agenda
-disinfecting wipes
-germ-x
-baby wipes
-plain white paper plates (do they eat in the classroom now??)
-Styrofoam cups (guess so...)

Sooooo....
This is ONE list and we have FOUR children in school...
Our two older boys will both go to High school this year so the list isn't as bad as the two younger ones but just in case you were wondering where I have been now you know...

I have been wandering aimlessly in the aisles of Wal-Mart looking for all this stuff thinking I may need to get a second job just to pay for it..AHEM...
Blessings!

I'm including pictures of Sean my Nephew getting baptized Sunday...My Dad (his Pa)baptized him.

M

Through The Eye's Of A Child...

2009-07-29T20:58:00.000-07:00

I usually help on Wednesday nights with the youth, but my Daughter so graciously volunteered me to be the teacher in her class for the month of July....

Did I mention the age group was 6, 7, and 8 year olds? AHEM...

Do you know it is a really bad idea to break out glitter and glue with 9 small children?

Did you know that when you let one child go pee they must all pee....

Did you know that you will know much more than you needed to know by the time your one hour class is over?

Now you must know that this class has changed me....challenged me...and forever made me look at our young children (including my Daughter) in such a different way..

They are eager to lift they're small hands to pray for:

-Mom or Dad that my not be saved
-a injury they occurred while out playing that day
-for Aunt's ,Uncles, cousin's
-and for pork chop (a dog)

They get that God cares about EVERYTHING nothing is off limits when it comes to prayer not even Pork chop the dog....

A few years ago our pastor ask that all the kids in the church come up front from ages 1-18... he gave a statistic and said by the time they were out of High School this is how many of these children would still be in church....he had over half of the kids to sit down...it shook me to the core...really I remember sitting there looking at those faces and tears running down my face...this was the reality we were facing and still are today....

I remember that Sunday often as I look at my children and so many others.

What do we have to reach them?

We have Time...

We have ears to listen..

We have voices to speak up for them..

It was just a month but I survived...and I got so much out of getting to know these small little individuals, that love God.

Never, Never pass up the opportunity to get to know them...

I found God today through the eyes of a child
He looked up at me and he gave me a smile
He brought me such comfort for which I have longed
Through the eyes of a child I realized I belonged (Author: Tommy Q)

Blessings

M

Up To Our Ears In Corn....

2009-07-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

I am still mourning the passing of so many of our tomato plants...Blight has taken it's toll here on so many gardens.

But, the corn on the other hand has done really good...I put close to 85 ears up Saturday and we picked the rest today which I cut off....

That is a very, very , very, messy job...corn on my kitchen window, all over the counter tops, all over the floor, all over me..very sticky, very messy, and I'm very worn out...

Everyone got in on the ~~fun~~ work even Pete our dog...

Speaking of Pete...that silly dog tried to be a stow away on the UPS truck today...poor UPS driver comes shooting out of the back of the truck (as Pete was attempting to board the truck through the side door) I tried to explain that he doesn't bite he just thought since the door to the truck was open he would go ride'n with him...silly, silly dog!

Blessings!

M

Blood ,Sweat and now Tears....

2009-07-24T20:22:00.000-07:00

We have spent many hours on our garden this year and up until about 2 weeks ago it looked great....

But I noticed a few leaves on our tomato plants looking well...dead (sniff)

I chalked it up as unnecessary roughness from waiting a little to late on staking and tieing them up, but then.....

Many, Many lifeless, brown, yellow, dead leaves started to appear...(sniff, sniff)

The diagnoses?

Tomato Blight...

More like the BUBONIC PLAGUE...

This stuff is brutal, the more I research it the more I feel like I'm fighting a loosing battle...I learned today that it can attack potatoes this is the same fungus that caused the Irish Famine in the 1800's...

Guess where my potatoes are planted?

You got it right beside my tomatoes.

Husband spent today digging up and removing the very dead tomato plants and I spent the afternoon trying to remove leaves and anything that may look infected with this nasty fungus...

My research tells me to remove infected plants and burn them...(sound a little rash hu?)
It also says I can buy a spray that may or may not "save" the rest of my tomatoes, we'll see...

I have talked to many people in this area who have the same problem, seems all the rain we have been getting is the culprit of this funky fungus that is popping up all over the state.

Guess what the forecast is tomorrow?

Yep...RAIN.

So tomorrow I will lay more plants to rest by cremating them in the field near by, and attempt to fight any lurking fungus that may remain in the garden....praying your garden is blight free! Blessings!

M

Never know what you'll see around here....

2009-07-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

I have survived yet another day of canning and after I finished with my green beans for the day I decided I would try cooking a roast in the pressure cooker, it took 45minutes flat...I was a amazed and had to ask myself "Where has this stainless steel monster been all my life?" Yes it was a "love hate" relationship at first but anything that makes my life more simple! On a different note... you never know what you may see around here...thought I'd post a video of our silly dog and his favorite past time...he loves, loves, loves this!! Blessings! M

Canning 101

2009-07-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

I spent more than an hour after I got home from church trying to sike myself up for firing the ol' pressure cooker up, with MOUNDS (I'm talk'n many, many green beans) to break (with the help of Cassie and Husband)I convinced myself I could do this (use the pressure cooker I mean) well in canning 101 today I learned it is always a good idea to have someone on speed dial that actually knows how to use a pressure cooker....and that would be my dear friend Karen, she walked me step by step through it and even called about 9 tonight to make sure I didn't blow beans on the ceiling. Actually it was fairly easy and I think (kinda) I know what I'm doing now....here's a picture of my first batch only about a gazillion more beans to break and I'll be done! Blessings!

M

Let The Canning Begin!!!

2009-07-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

We've really been blessed with a beautiful garden this year, I have picked green beans today, when I stopped I had FOUR bags and one 2 gallon bucket full...that was one row of beans! Husband dug some potatoes and we are starting to get tomatoes...I was a little overwhelmed by the amount of beans and decided to go out and buy a pressure cooker to help speed up the canning...I have always used the cold packing method which takes about 3 hours for beans..I confess I am terrified of pressure cookers, once I was at my Grandma's house while she was canning beans and the pressure cooker blew up...beans were stuck to the ceiling, on the windows, stuck to the side of the refrigerator...I vowed to never use a pressure cooker when I grew up, but the time has come to overcome my fear (or call Mom to show me how the heck to use the thing) I plan on coming home after church tomorrow and coming face to face with the stainless steel monster...If I don't post by midnight tomorrow night be worried (grin) Blessings!

Spinach/Spanish...This will make you Laugh

2009-07-16T19:40:00.000-07:00