Me-0 Enemy -1

I think this week takes the cake! I mean what else could happen. First Monday was Monday Cooper was whiny whiny on a trip to Hobby Lobby (love that place and loved that I had a gift card). On the way home from school Duece started to vomit and then when we got home Jesse joined in. For the next 24 hours the tummy virus had 2 more victims! I mean all I can say is YUCK and now "who is going to do all that laundry!" By Tuesday afternoon Duece was on the mend and I was so grateful for that. Michael ended up being off that day due to SNOW which I am so sick of...Days like that totally affect our income! And to top off Tuesday Cooper meet his Speech Language Pathologist. I thought he would show out real big and her leave telling us how smart he was and that her services were not needed. But NOPE we got different news...Our sweet boy has only mastered that of a 12 month old on language and on comprehension. All I know is I can't wait to be able to communicate with him with out us both walking away crying! Duece was able to go back to school today for Wacky Wednesday. I kept Jesse home to make sure she was all better. But this afternoon was the worst. Cooper wouldn't let me put him down, Jesse and Duece were fighting...I seriously thought they might hurt each other. So I sent them to separate corners. The best part of today was Jesse and Duece got to go and pick up their new glasses YAY:) Today's or this weeks cherry on top...My washer died I mean completely UGH! I have already solved this problem thanks to a wonderful friend who had a "spare"one in her shop. I am so excited to get it up here this weekend and wash this laundry mountain.

My momma said there'd be days like these...days like these my momma said! (Isn't that a song) I know most of you don't really care what kind of week I have had. But, I wanted to use this as a chance to share about the Enemy! You know the Bible says he is sent here to steal, kill and destroy. And sometimes it seems he is working over time in my life and in yours. We are not to fear God is just one bent knee or bowed head away. I know I am saying all of this to myself mostly. I just think sometimes we need to remember to put the enemy in their place. I thought he had won this time...But no way! My God is here to help me through ANYTHING broken washer and all. He wants me to ask him about everything in my life. I think sometimes that is my problem I don't always ask HIM for advice even when I know I should. Tomorrow is a new day and the score board will be wiped clean! So watch out Satan I am back and I have an army to protect me!

Snail Mail

This morning I spent a while writing thank you notes to all the sweet people who lifted us up after Michael's PawPaw passing. And as I was doing so I remembered just how much I loved getting something other than bills in my mail box. So I am trying to come up with some kind of system to help me stay on task...But I would like to send no less then 2 cards to friends or family each week. I think it would really brighten a persons day and also be a good way to keep in touch with each other. I personally love nothing more than a magazine coming, a sweet note or a funny article someone cut out and mailed to me! I will keep you up to date on how this goes. Maybe I will inspire someone else to do the same. I have a friend Brandy who is so good at this. I would love to be more like her. So if you get a message from me asking for your mailing address or birthday or anniversary just play along. I KNOW this will be a true blessing to someone!

Almost Done!

Sometimes I feels like I have nothing in the world to blog about. Nothing exciting going on...But actually we have been moving and shaking on our home improvement! We have now painted the boys room, dining room, bath room, living room and hallway. I am very busy now rehanging pictures, making curtains, recovering chairs and so much more. I can not wait to share all our hard work with you all. The best part is it is actually getting done and I love that. The finished product makes me so happy. Pictures coming really soon!

In Memory of PawPaw

This week my family experienced a lose. Michael's PawPaw (Bob Roberts) passed away this Monday at the age of 85. He had been suffering for so long we are happy in the fact that now he is in heaven with his full body and mind restored.

He will be greatly missed at our house not only by Michael but also by myself and our children. PawPaw was a wonderful loving, Godly man. He was never angry, never said a cross word...Always gentle and kind and very compassionate. My life I know was truly blessed to have known him.

I wanted to take a minute and share a memory of him with you...

In November of 2008 Jesse was having Veteran's Day at her school. She decided to invite a very special Veteran to be her guest...She invited PawPaw. She was thrilled when he accepted. He dressed in patriotic (seeing as his old Navy duds no longer fit) colors and wore his metals. He and Jesse enjoyed the musical performance before being part of the parade that went around her school. Children who didn't have a visiting Veteran lined the halls and waved flags as the other children and their Veteran's paraded around the school. This was a long walk and PawPaw had bad knees, but he never once complained and smiled the whole long way. Jesse was so proud as she held his had and walked around the school. But no one was more proud than PawPaw. He would talk about how sweet it was of Jesse to invite a "old man" to join her. I know this small event meant alot to him and will always be a special memory for all of us of PawPaw.

I was hoping to share a photo from this day with you but blogger said my file was corrupt. So sorry!

Our PawPaw was very special to us and he will be very missed around here. PawPaw we love you and you are never far from our minds.

I decided to give up...

I am giving up Soda's this year for Lent...But mostly Mt.Dew! This is so huge for me because it is nothing for me to drink about 4 of these a day! I am giving them up because they are wrecking my body and that is not what we are suppose to do. Our bodies are to be temples and I thought this was a good place for me to start. I welcome anyone who is willing to help me be accountable to this.

For those of you wondering what I will be taking up well...I am going to start having a little more quite time. I am actually looking forward to this and trying to learn how to be more worshipful!

Good luck to everyone with their Lenten commitment. Enjoy this time use it to reflect on what this time is really all about.

Lent

Lent is comprised of the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, not inclusive of Sundays. Sundays are always feast days because every Sunday, even those in Lent, are commemorations of our Lord's Resurrection. As such, they are not part of Lent and, hence, it is indeed appropriate to partake of that which one has "given up" for Lent.


For me personally Lent is a time for me to stop take time out and remember what Jesus did for me on the cross. As a parent I realize the sacrifice that was made for me before I was even thought of...That said I normally give up something in order to allow time to take up something to grow and nurture my relationship with my Heavenly Daddy.

I am not sure yet what I will be giving up. I have done some research and am considering a sort of "partial fast". http://www.prayerfoundation.org/lent_40_days_of_prayer_&_fasting.htm In which I am thinking about giving up either one meal a day or eating in moderation for the entire Lenten season.

I have asked my older children to consider also giving something up. They have some pretty funny ideas that make me laugh:) Duece said Jesse should give up Barbies and Jesse said she was skipping the giving up of stuff!

But as Christians I think it is important to honor our Savior by making a sacrifice of our own.

(This is an excerpt from an article on Lent observance's found at http://www.arkansascatholic.org/article.php?id=1629)

"In some denominations we are reclaiming a sense of history," Dr. Jane Harris, professor of American religion at Hendrix College in Conway, said. "We can still be Protestant yet claim liturgical practices."

Harris gave two reasons to explain why more churches, including some American Baptist churches, although none in Arkansas, now follow a liturgical calendar and observe Lent.
First, she said, many churches want to recognize the rich history of the liturgical calendar.

"Observing church seasons add elements of depth and life to the congregation to spiritually enrich us," she said.

Secondly, society has diminished the spiritual elements of holidays.

"Advent and Lent slow us down and take us away from the commercialism and allow us to prepare for the high holy days of Christmas and Easter," she said.

In fact, Lent is all about preparation. While the word "Lent" means "spring," the season of Lent for many Christians is marked by a concentrated focus on prayer and a sacrifice either by giving something up or taking something on, Harris said.

"During Lent, we know that for 40 days everything is going to be different," Father Nicholas Verdaris, pastor of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Little Rock said. "It is about altering our way of life to allow more time for prayer."

A Yummy for your Tummy

SOUTHWESTERN SOUP
Nell Wise

1 pound ground round---browned (or sirloin or your choice)
2 cloves garlic (1 teaspoon canned)
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped onion, pepper, celery blend (or fresh)
1 package taco seasoning mix (you may use 49% less-sodium taco seasoning mix)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 16-ounce can pinto beans, undrained
1 15-ounce can black beans, undrained
1 16-ounce can kidney beans, undrained
1 11-ounce can white shoe-peg corn, undrained
1 10-ounce can dices tomatoes with chilies, undrained (such as Rotel)
1 14.5-ounce can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
2 cups water, or more as needed


Cook until done—45 minutes to 1 hour. I cook mine in a crock pot all day on low. I served this with shredded cheese, cornbread and sour cream. This makes a ton and my family can get two meals out of it.

HAPPY COOKING!