This Weekend's To-Do List

Stain bathroom vanity (Done.)
Tile fireplace
Change 2 ceiling fans
Change kitchen cabinet hardware (Almost done. Got the wrong size drawer pulls)
Put shelves in hall closet
Remove bathroom door (Done.)
Replace bathroom door
Tile entryway
Deliver couch sold on Craigslist (Done.)
Swap boys' room/office
Sort boys clothes
Take donations to airmen's attic
Haul off recycling
Enjoy our time together (Always)

I hope to have some pictures off all this hard work next week. Things are really starting to look up over here.

It's July Already?

Wow! Summer seems to be flying by at warp speed here in my neck of the woods. I cannot believe it is July already. I love summer! It's my favorite season, so that's probably why it seems to be going by so quickly.

Our summer seems to be extra busy this year. I'm not sure what it is, but we just seem to have no free time at all anymore. I told Keith last night on the way to church that the reason I loved going to church so much was because it was the only time I get to see him. (Real spiritual, I know. And I was just kidding.) But we really don't seem to have much time for anything right now. Hubby has been working 12 hour shifts for what seems like forever, and when you add in getting ready, travel time, and PT to that it makes it more like 16 hours. That doesn't leave much time for family or anything else. The little time we do have is spent doing other things that need to get done.

Here on the homefront I have been busy cleaning, organizing, decluttering, and simplifying. I had a yard sale with a few other ladies from church 2 weekends ago. I decided last minute (Thursday) that I was going to do it, and it was pretty successful. What items didn't sell were either donated or the bigger items I listed on Craigslist. I love a clean, organized house but the chaos that comes along with getting it that way drives me nutty. I don't know where all of our "stuff" comes from-I think it multiplies in the dark. =)

We have a cat now--a foster cat. We are watching her through a friend's deployment. She will be here for 8 months. I cannot believe we have a cat. But she is really low maintenance and pretty affectionate, so I'm sure she'll be fine. The boys love her, and she toletrates them.

We are trying to plan a real family vacation this year, Lord willing. In 7 years of marriage we have never once been on vacation together. Any time we go anywhere, we go home to visit family. We love visiting family and I am really homesick to see them now, but we need some time to relax, reconnect, and truly vacation together. I have found that deciding where to go is way more complicated than I thought it would be. It's not easy to find somewhere that would be good for the whole family, especially with small kids. We thought about Disney for about 30 seconds. I would love it, so would Keith and Tyler. But poor little Jackson would probably be misserable. I think we have decided on Savannah, GA. We will be looking more into that and hopefully making plans soon. =)

Well, there really is more I'd like to say. There are some things that I'd just like to spill my guts about, so to speak. But for now it is best to guard my tongue and my heart. God is great! Life is good! Sometimes circumstances stink. =)

I hope you all have a great 4th of July! Be safe.

I'm As Happy As A Pig In Mud!

Two of my best gal pals are now blogging!

Manuela is my super-sweet German friend. She has three children and is married to an Army recruiter. I feel so blessed to have her in my life. She is a great friend and such an encouragement. She is also my source for natural living, as well as legal and homeschool information. Please stop by her blog, The Gohn Family, and say hello.

Kelly is like no other person I have ever met. She is such a great friend, and always challenging me to be a better person, wife, mother, and Christian. She has 3 little boys and is the wife of an Air Force Captain who will be deploying soon. Kelly will be leaving the area while her husband is deployed, and I am so sad to see her go. But I am thankful that she created her blog, The First Commandment, so that we can keep in touch while she is away. And, I know I'll see her again...I'm going to have her cat! =)

So, would you please stop by these ladies' blogs and welcome them to the world of blogging. Thanks!

An Attempt At A Family Picture

This was taken about a week ago at our Pastor's son/deacon's daughter's wedding. I guess this is as close to getting everyone to look at the camera as we get these days. =)

One Day to Live

Image

Had I but one day to live,

One day to love, one day to give,

One day to work and watch and raise

My voice to God in joyous praise,

One day to succor those in need,

Pour healing balm on hearts that bleed,

Or wipe the tears from sorrow's face,

And hearten those in sad disgrace-

I'd spend, O God, much time with Thee

That Thou might'st plan my day for me.

Most earnestly I'd seek to know

The way that Thou would'st have me go,

For Thou alone can see the heart-

Thou knowest man's most inward part.

--Alice Muir

I read this poem in a book today (The Steps of A Good Man by Eldon Martens) and it was a great blessing to me. I pray that my heart's desires would be to wholly please the Master. I hope you all enjoyed this poem as well.

Have a great weekend!

Papaw and Nana's Wild West Adventure

Over Memorial Day weekend we were blessed to be able to have my dad and step-mom visit us. We all had such a great time. The boys loved having Papaw and Nana here! Tyler is still talking about sleeping in Papaw and Nana's bed. =) Here are some pictures of our visit.


Getting ready to go to the airport.
Eating at our favorite restaurant-Charley's Mennonite Buffet. If you are ever within 100 miles of Lincoln, MO you should go. Seriously. It's that good! The first pictures are of us waiting to get in. The doors open at 4:30 and there is always a line around the building, but it moves very quickly once the doors open.

This is a picture of the sign they had that said "All of our food is fat free! We charge for the food; the fat is free."=)

We visited the Amish community in Windsor, MO.

We visited historic Warsaw, MO.

We played at the park.

We went to Cabelas.

Saying goodbye at the airport. That was hard!

We had a great visit and can't wait to see you all again!!

~*~Seeking His Will~*~

Do you ever wonder if unsaved people have as hard of a time making big decisions as saved people do? I mean, why wouldn't an unsaved person just make the most selfish, self-promoting decision? Anyhoo. That's another topic for another day.

However, what brought that thought to mind is something that is very much on my mind right now. There is a situation going on with Keith's job right now that involves a big decision for us. In the flesh, the decision seems like a no-brainer. But we do not want to act in the flesh. This is something that will have a big impact on our family, and that is not something I want to do out of God's will.

I am being pretty vague right now for a reason. I feel like if we share too much with too many people, we will be more sensitive to other people's persuasions and possibly less sensitive to the Holy Spirit. So for now, I just want to ask those of you who will to pray for us. Specifically for wisdom in making the decision, for clear direction, for peace, and that the Lord's will be done.

Once we have made a decision, I will share the details. Either way. The specifics are just too interesting not to share (in a big world/small world kind of way). And because I know that inquiring minds want to know.
=)

Our Visit to Tennessee

I am finally getting around to posting pictures from our trip to Tennessee.

Here we are visiting with family:

Playing:

Having "Christmas" with Gramms:

Playing with Papaw:

And of course, no trip would be complete without a stop at the ER. This time it was Jackson's turn, although we were all very sick by the end of our trip.

Being home with our family was great!! We always have a great time visiting. Thank you all for a wonderful time!

7 Years Ago Today

We said "I Do"!

We blew off our plans for a big wedding, hopped in the car, and got married at the Wedding Bell Chapel in Pigeon Forge, TN. Though the $49.99 drive-thru option was tempting, we decided to go inside and actually stand up during our vows =). I had a 104 fever and three days later passed a kidney stone. It wasn't exactly a storybook wedding, but definitely one of the best days of my life!

In the past 7 years, God has blessed us tremendously. If it were not for Him, I can honestly say that we would not be together today. I just want to give Him the glory for all He has done!

Happy Anniversary, Honey! I love you!!

Tyler's First "Real" Haircut

Doesn't he look like such a big boy now??