Music Therapy Thursday

Today I needed to be up lifted and I thought that some of you might need a little also during this Lenten time. I have heard this song "Children of God" by Third Day several times and it really speaks to me I can't read or say the words without getting a lump in my throat. Read and enjoy and know you are loved!


Praise to the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ
Our God and our King, to Him we will sing
In His great mercy, He has given us life
Now we can be called the children of God
Great is the Love that the Father has given us
He has delivered us
He has delivered us

Children of God, sing your song and rejoice
For the love that He has given us all
Children of God, by the blood of His Son
We have been redeemed and we can be called
Children of God Children of God

A mystery is revealed to the universe
The Father above has proven His love
Now we are free from the judgment that we deserve
And so we are called the children of God

We are the saints
We are the children
We've been redeemed
We've been forgiven
We are the sons and daughters of our God

40 Days or forever...

Today is/was Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of the 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Resurection Sunday. I LOVE this time of year...I love how we slow down a little and really look at ourselves from within. I always make a point to be extra honest with myself and God but I really make an extra effort this time of year. I mean we are talking about the ultimate in love God hung his only son on a cross to pay for my sin...Do you even realize how huge that is? I have to admit I honestly don't. As a parent I kind of get it as I can't imagine nor would I want to what it would be like to hang my only child on that cross and as a parent of multiple children I sure can't imagine choosing one of them to die for the others. But that is exactly what Jesus did for us! As our pastor impositioned the ashes upon my forehead I said thank you and I love you to Jesus. My price is paid and I am humble, broken and grateful!

Most every year I have given up something during my Lenten observance. I normally try to take up something that brings me closer to God. This year my family decided to give up something as a family. We are giving up T.V between the hours of 7 and 8 pm. We don't watch alot of TV around here but during that time we do...Michael likes to relax that way after work and we "spend" time together watching TV at this time. We are giving that up to have more time for our family devotional and just being together. It is important for us to spend more time as a family since Michael's new job has insane hours. I am not sure if any of my family member would agree but if we can do this for 40 days I think we should do it forever!

I am the only person in my family giving something else up in addition to TV. I with a heavy heart that I need Divine wisdom and revelation on (before Satan drives me crazy with his lies!) I have decided to have a day of prayer and fasting every week. In addition to my normal prayer time. I have yet to decided what day it will be but I can promise you one thing I will let nothing stand in my way...I am seeking the above and know exactly where to find answers....In the arms of my Jesus.

Organize Your Life

A couple weeks ago I posted about how I was joining my friend Lindsey to "Organize My Life". I haven't blogged much about it but I am on track to doing so. So far I have organized my calender, planner, sewing closet, Cooper's bedroom, all 3 kiddos closets, under my bathroom sink, Jesse's bathroom and her bedroom. I have been "busy" doing so! Well today is all about the cleaning schedule. And well I have tried several over the years and I have longed for one that would work for me because I have to admit I do general pick up and cleaning everyday but my laundry is always piled high and deep cleaning is often neglected:( So I am taking my cue from Lindsey and breaking it up day by day and I am going to see if that helps...maybe just maybe between my own schedule and the kids chore charts (which I might have to post on later) I will now be able to stay on top of things. Below is my new cleaning schedule...I promise a cleaning schedule update next week!

Monday: Living Room and Kitchen/Dining Room

Tuesday: Master Bedroom and Laundry Room

Wednesday: Bathrooms and change sheets (whole house)

Thursday: Catch up laundry, Dust Children’s bedrooms and vacuum

Friday: Catch up day-This will be the day that I finish up anything that I may not have been able to do during the week before the weekend. My hope is to have done everything during the week and really use this as my sewing day!

I plan to do 2 loads of laundry every day no matter what. Also, my older 2 children clean their own rooms but I will have to clean Cooper's with his help but it very well could find a permanent home on my schedule:) Also, not listed are things that are done every day such as general cleaning!

My #1 cleaning tip is...I always use Scrubbing Bubbles and A Mr.Clean Magic Eraser to clean my bath tub. Spray on the cleaner let it sit and you will literally be able to wipe off the dirt and grime leaving only a good rinse needed!

Come back next week to see if I have been able to make this new plan really work:)

Incase anybody wondered where I have been...

I have had kids home sick last week and this week. I really enjoy blogging no matter the topic so I hope to get back to it ASAP and keep it regular. I was wondering what was on your minds? Any topics you would like for me to blog on? Here's what has been on my mind....Sickness, Church, God's Promises, Michael's new job, finances, homeschooling, upcoming summer, friendships, relationships, home improvement projects...all that just to name a few. Guess I will put them in a grab bag and just pick one when I start back blogging.

God has burdened me with something so if you have time could you just say a little prayer for myself and our family?! Thank you

Dancing In the Mindfields

Michael and I celebrated a huge milestone on Thursday...Our 10 year wedding anniversary. I have to almost laugh out loud at the fact that when we said I do some people thought that we wouldn't make it 6 months more less 10 years. We give all credit and glory to Papa God who held us together in some of the roughest times one could imagine. But we KNOW His promises are true and we are meant to be a pair because we found His face in the face of addiction, abuse, adultery, lies, chaos and so much more. I thank Papa everyday for Michael he is hard working, loving, compassionate, he is my lover, and my very best friend. I look forward to many more memories and years together.

I heard this song today and I was thinking about using it for whenever we renew our vows (soon we hope). I changed up some of the words to fit our story...but you can find the "real" ones here. I hope you enjoy it. This one really speaks to what Michael and I have experienced. With God at the center of our marriage we have gone so far and His favor and blessing are really showing through. So I believe what Papa has done for us is a testimony to a Living, Miracle working, mountain moving God!

I was seventeen, you were twenty

The year we got engaged

Everyone said we were much too young

But we did it anyway

We bought our rings for forty each

From a pawn shop down the road

We made our vows and took the leap

Now ten years ago

We went dancing in the minefields

We went sailing in the storm

And it was harder than we dreamed

But I believe that's what the promise is for

"I do" are the two most famous last words

The beginning of the end

But to lose your life for another I've heard

Is a good place to begin'

Cause the only way to find your life

Is to lay your own life down

And I believe it's an easy price

For the life that we have found

And we're dancing in the minefields

We're sailing in the storm

This is harder than we dreamed

But I believe that's what the promise is for

So when I lose my way, find me

When I loose loves chains, bind me

At the end of all my faith, till the end of all my days

When I forget my name, remind me

'Cause we bear the light of the Son of Man

So there's nothing left to fear

So I'll walk with you in the shadow lands

Till the shadows disappear

'Cause he promised not to leave us

And his promises are true

So in the face of all this chaos, baby, I can dance with you

Sewing closet

On yesterday's post I talked about trying to get myself more organized...I should have started all that today but hubby is working and I don't like to tackle the big jobs alone;)

I did however want to share with you my lasted organizing endeavor...I am getting rid of my sewing room and turning it back into Coopers room. Duece and Cooper have shared a room for just over a year and it is not working out. For one Cooper is scared of the beds in there and says he wants his crib back (which was a toddler bed when we took it down) so now he is sleeping in his pack-n-play in my bedroom. He also will not play in there he says it is Duece's room. So with homeschooling next year I decided that I wanted the boys to have separate spaces so that they have their own "corners" to retreat to after spending hours together. My sewing room is a mess and I have my work cut out for me! My great friend Lindsey has offered to help and I know her mad organizing skills joined with those of my other great friend Brandy could really help me turn my hall closet in to the most wonderful "sewing closet" there ever was! Watch out you two I will be calling on you for help...that is if I ever get motivated enough to start!

I was wondering if any of you reading had any good ideas on ways we can out fit that closet to keep it well organized for CHEAP!!!

Organizing your life

My friend Lindsey over at Squeezing the Day has been following and working a organize your life challenge. I have been thinking about joining her and the others to organize myself a little more. I have always been rather on top of things but as of late have dropped the ball more than I care to admit. Yesterday it was about your to-do list and your planner so I am going to work on both today...I am a day behind but think I will play catch up and join her on this endeavor every week. I need to be better organized as we are going to be homeschooling next year and I want to be as effective as possible in all areas of my life. I don't know about you but I crave that feeling you get when you know your house is clean, everyone is fed and watered, clothes are done, kids are groomed and all task are complete. It makes me feel like I might actually have a handle on this crazy thing we call life. So hope on over and catch yourself up on organizing your life and check back next week and see how we are doing.