Music Therapy Resurrection Edition!

I can hardly contain myself as Sunday is drawing near...It is my most favorite of all holidays! It is Resurrection Sunday (Easter)! It really wasn't until I knew the unconditional love of Papa God that I began to LOVE this time of year. But as I have yielded to His love for me I realized the what was really done for me. So I am sharing Hillsong "Hosanna" this week as my Resurrection Sunday Edition. I can see the generation that they speak of and I believe we are raising that very generation now! Read...Enjoy...

Hosanna, hosanna

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna, hosanna

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna in the highest

I see the King of glory

Coming down the clouds with fire

The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes

I see His love and mercy

Washing over all our sin

The people sing, the people sing

Hosanna, hosanna

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna, hosanna

Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation

Rising up to take the place

With selfless faith, selfless faith

I see a near revival

Stirring as we pray and seek

We're on our knees, we're on our knees

Hosanna, hosanna

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna, hosanna

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna, hosanna

Hosanna

Heal my heart and make it clean

Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love like You have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks Yours

Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause

As I walk from earth into eternity

Hosanna, hosanna

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna, hosanna

Hosanna in the highest

Music Therapy Thursday-Third Day!

I couldn't resist posting this wonderful song by Third Day titled "Love Song" for today's therapy. When I hear this song and sing its wonderful words I can almost hear Papa God singing them to me. I am overwhelmed by the love He pours out on us. And I think the Lent season is a perfect time to remember that He loved us so much He hung His only son on a cross to pay the price for us so we might receive what Jesus deserved which is eternal life with Papa. I have had a really rough last couple days and I needed this song for my own therapy today. Enjoy and know you are truly loved!

I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain

Just to be with the one he loves

How many times has he broken that promise

It has never been done.

I've never climbed the highest mountain

But I walked the hill of calvary

Just to be with you, I'd do anything

There's no price I would not pay

Just to be with you, I'd give anything

I would give my life away.

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean

Just to be with the one he loves

How may times has he broken that promise

It can never be done

I've never swam the deepest ocean

But I walked upon the raging sea

I know that you don't understand

the fullness of My love

How I died upon the cross for your sins

And I know that you don't realize

how much that I gave you

But I promise, I would do it all again.

Just to be with you, I've done everything

There's no price I did not pay

Just to be with you, I gave everything

Yes, I gave my life away.

If it aint broke don't fix it...

Ok this is possibly my new out look on birthday parties. Since I think somewhere in all the keeping up with the Jones we have lost sight of the simple pleasures all kids enjoy! So Duece is getting what I have been calling a "throw back" to the way it use to be done...with our spin on a few things:) I need to say right now that I DO make a BIG deal of birthday's at my house. Because when you have more than one child I think they need one day that is ALL about them and what they want to do with their little friends. Let me take you back... In February we attended a lovely birthday party at our local (ok hour away) Build-A-Bear. I thought it was a wonderful idea since the store does 90% of the work for you. Duece and I talked about having his there since it is his favorite store ever. But when he couldn't tighten up the invites to a manageable...I mean affordable number we had to come up with a different plan. Since our house is rather small I suggested the bouncy house. That was a NO! He didn't want to do the same thing as we were planning for Coops upcoming July b-day. Soooo since the use of our church is always free and I was trying so hard to rein in the budget (point of not doing B-A-B) I suggest we have it there and play REAL party games. Duece looked at me like I had grown an extra head as I explained that when I was a child we didn't have bouncy house, Build-A-Bear, or other outrageously priced parties that we played actual games at our parties. So ounce I sold him on a little pin-the-tail on the donkey, bean bag tossing, 3 legged race, musical chairs, face painting, fishing, and a horse race (using pool noodles) the planning began. We decided not to have a "theme" we would use a very gender neutral red and blue color scheme with lots of balloons and streamers! I think it is going to be alot of fun. I am going to set up several games inside and then a number of them outside split the kids into 2 groups let them rotate around to 3 of 7 games the switch saving "fishing" for last to collect their goodie bags. I have enlisted the help of several moms, friends, and grandparents to run the games. I think it is going to be alot of fun...He is excited and so am I. These games are sure to be a crowd pleaser:) I am happy to report that so far I haven't spent more than $20! And doing it on this budget I can actually offer lunch which Duece really wanted to do (I have no idea why). So if you ask me I think this is a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday...the old way! Because hey if it aint broke don't fix it...right?!?!

Cheeseburger Meat Loaf

So many have asked me for this recipe. I have to admit it is super cheap, easy, and extra yummy! And I promise the kids will approve. I hope you enjoy. Cheeseburger Meatloaf 1 lb ground beef 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 3/4 cup uncooked regular oats 1/2 cup milk small onion chopped fine 1 lg egg 1 tsp worcestshire sauce 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp pepper 1 cup chili sauce for topping ( located with the ketchup and condiments use as much or as little as you like) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine first 10 ingredients in a large bowl; stir just until blended. Shape into a loaf in a 13X9 pan or lace in an ungreased 8X4 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Pour chili sauce over top and back 15-30 more minutes or until no longer pink in the center. Let stand 10 minutes Drain and cut into 8 slices. To freeze: If you used meat that had not yet been frozen, you can freeze this uncooked. When you're ready to eat, thaw, and follow the above instructions for cooking. If your meat was already frozen, bake without chili sauce on top. Freeze. When you're ready to eat, thaw meatloaf. Pour chili sauce on top and heat in oven until hot.

Happy Birthday Duece!

Happy Birthday to one of the "Best Little Boys I Know"! My Duece is 7 today and I almost can't believe it. It seems like yesterday that we were on our way to the hospital to have him. I promise I will never forget the day of his birth....things happened so quickly that my mother-in-law who lived an hour away almsot didn't make it. I think he was born something like 90 minutes after we checked in. He was the best baby slept wonderful and was so sweet and chubby. We have traded all that for a kind, compassionate heart, a total love for all people and a true childs heart for God. I believe Duece sets aside all stero-types for boys since he is not rough, rowdy and almost always really kind. Happy Birthday Duece Mommy and Daddy, Jesse and Cooper love you so much. *Photo from Duece's first day of 1st grade this year! Believe it or not he has already changed:)

Weight Loss

One topic I don't usually touch here at the McClendon Madness is...Weight Loss! But I guess it is going to be touched on some now. I had some blood work done several weeks ago and went Friday to get the results. Most of it was normal but for my age my cholesterol was too high and well my hormones (the real reason for the test) were really out of whack. And while you may not think weight and hormones go together...they do! My BMI is way too high, I feel like crap most of the time, and I am no longer ovulating. So along with hormones to try to jump start the later I was strongly advised to drop some pounds. And while this was nothing new to me I was faced with it head on as something I now HAVE to do. So here's my plan and I am telling all of you (AKA the world) so I can/have to be accountable for what I am doing. My first step was joining the gym, I have to start moving around more I was way more sedentary than I had imagined. And for now I am eating the same just smaller portions. I want to do a total pantry over haul but I have to make food changes as money allows and since I have a full pantry I can't justify trashing it all. I also joined here to help me keep a log of my calories and how much moving I am actually doing. I feel like I am off to a great start! After logging the past 3 days on my counter I found while I was staying in my recommended 2000 calories I wasn't getting enough protein and was getting way too many carbs never mind if they are good or bad! I have some how talked a friend into joining me at the gym and we have been going every day and believe it or not I am still walking at least a mile a day in addition. I don't know if any of it will pay off but here is to hoping! I still have a long way to go but I am proud that I at least have started. I have alot to work on since I tend to be an emotional eater. But I am putting this one in God's hands and I will keep you posted and tell you what is and isn't working for me.

Duece's boldness (AKA longest post ever!)

* Please don't forget to visit Linny for more information about that sweet little boy named Krill who's adoption in Russia was denied because he had Down Syndrome. My heart breaks for this sweet child of God and the wonderful parents that are fighting to bring him home. *

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. —Hebrews 4:15-16

Since I had decided to join Linny in a day of prayer I had to share a little about my son Duece who has taught me a little about prayer.

We know prayer is our direct line to Daddy and that He hears all our request even when we think He is not listening. He is our advocate always. I use to find it rather hard to openly talk with God. But then I experienced the power of prayer in more than one supernatural way and I guess you could say I was hooked. I love spending time soaking in the wonderful presence of God.

Ok back to Duece...Almost 3 years ago at church a sweet lady Mrs. Vada feel and was hurt entering our fellowship hall. Immediately Duece prayed for her and every single day since the he as prayed for Mrs. Vada for healing after her injury, for energy and so much more. Mrs. Vada did recover and did rather well and is now living just south of her in a Nursing Home. I was moved by Duece's trust in what God could do. I knew shortly after that he was going to be a prayer warrior of sorts. Duece is so sweet he prays for everything from moms headache, to dads safe drive to work, and so much more. He really understands that God wants you to tell it all to Him and Duece is bold enough to ask. He never misses a chance to pray for someone no matter the place or situation. But he had NEVER prayed for a stranger. And that brings me to Monday night...

After dropping Jesse off at gymnastics Duece and I decided to make a quick run to the grocery store. When he was getting out of the car he smashed his finger. Instead of getting our items I brought him home. Duece prayed the whole mile from the store to our house. But by the looks of things Michael and I thougth his finger was broken so off to the ER Duece and I went. When we got there Duece was a wreck he was so scared. So I prayed for calm and peace and Daddy delivered and helped calm Dueces nerves. The waiting room was pack and it was so busy due to several critical cases and the nurse said they had 3 in cardiac arrest...needless to say we with our smashed finger were in it for the long haul. A gentleman came in with his daughter after triage he sat down across from us. We over heard him telling the man next to him that he had surgery back in February to have his gallbladder removed and was swelling in his stomach and had fever in it. Then he raised his shirt and Duece looked at me and said "Mommy that mans tummy sure looks bad." I agreed and continued reading my magazine as Duece laid his head in my lap. The man went out to smoke and returned taking a seat on the other side of the room. About that time Duece sat up and said " Mommy we need to go and pray for that man and his tummy." I was floored asked Duece if he wanted me to go with him and he said yes. Duece approached the man asked if we could pray and Duece did! He laid his sweet hands on the mans stomach and prayed for him. It was amazing Dueces words were so sweet. After praying Duece didn't stick around long to see how the prayers had worked and shortly after the man was called back to his room.

I had to share with you the sweetness of the heart of my prayer warrior. He has asked many times if I thought the man was better. But we didn't get his name and I can't help put wonder myself. But I know one thing that man saw God in Duece, he saw the love a father has lavished on us. I can't be more proud to see my child out being the hands and feet of God.

Prayer is a very important part of my spiritual life and the frame work of my family. I think it is wonderful that God gave Duece the courage to branch out and pray for a stranger....And you know what it taught me that I need to be a little more like Duece.

“Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. —Jeremiah 33:2-3

NOTHING you need, desire, need advice on or whatever the case my be is too big for our Daddy in Heaven. He wants to hear from you and His heart does break for what breaks ours. Go boldly before Him and it is amazing what happens.

Oh yeah I was going to tell you the thing I learned from Duece....It was the next time Daddy is tugging my heart in the middle of Wal-Mart to pray for that sweet lady a row over....I will listen!