Contentment...

As I said before, my husband and I run a business out of our home.  We plant storks in the yards of new parents to annouce the birth of their new bundle of joy.  Some of these homes are 1/2 milllion dollar homes and more.  They have their BMW's and Mercedes parked in the driveway.  These are, for the most part, young families.  Unless there really is a money tree, for the life of me I cannot figure out how they can possibly afford these homes and cars. What do these young men and women do to make such good money?  It baffles my mind.  Oh I guess that if my husband was still working at UPS, we would be in much better shape.... but alas, we are just grateful that he was not killed by that negligent driver.  We've adjusted to the loss of income... but still.... I seriously doubt we'd be able to afford the homes and cars that these young kids have (oh my, I sound like a old geezer!!) 

I met with my cousin yesterday for a brief visit... too brief.  Wish we could have visited longer, but alas I had another obligation to fulfill so we had to cut it short.  Hopefully next time we can make a day of it!  We talked about this and that as we tried to catch up on the years past.  There was one thing that stuck in my mind.  She mentioned that she and her husband had also talked about the high dollar homes and the people that afford them.  Her husband told her simply, that there is a secret to wealth and that they just were not privy to that secret.  I guess not everyone is meant to have wealth.  Not real sure why, but it appears that my husband and I are also not privy to that secret.  Another thing my cousin imparted to me...  She knew she would never be a millionaire because she gives things away rather than saving for her future.  She is a giver.  The other side of that is that she reaps from sowing the seeds of giving.  Bottom line, though, she is content and happy.  She is waiting for her riches when she gets to heaven.

We have been a double income family in the past; and have enjoyed the benefits of such.  We have also had to do with less.  We have always had what we needed.  I guess that is where we fall into realizing that we need to be content where we are.   My cousin has the secret after all...

Philippians 4:11-13 (New International Reader's Version)

11 I'm not saying that because I need anything. I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me. 12 I know what it's like not to have what I need. I also know what it's like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough. 13 I can do everything by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.

Gifts and Talents....

I love to entertain... which is odd seeing how I am not comfortable around a lot of people. Maybe it's because I especially love to do baby and bridal showers. I tend to go all out and a bit over the top. I've been planning a baby shower lately.... for a shower that is not until November. I can't help myself. I get so excited and my creative juices start running and then next thing I know, BAM... I'm in over my head! My mom called last night to see what I was doing. When I told her that I was working on something for the shower, she got real concerned that maybe she got the date wrong! I had to assure her that she was correct... it's not until November!!! I was just taking little bites here and there so that I would not be so overwhelmed at crunch time!

One of my friends has said that I need to market myself. Maybe I should.... I don't know. Maybe I can start posting slideshows of some of my crazy functions on my website and see if it generates any business.

The shower I am currently working on has a book that I made to go with the game for the mother to be. I really should have waited until closer in to make it because I am just so excited about it that I want to show EVERYONE, but I can't! I want it to be a surprise for everyone. Sigh....so I guess I will just show it to me... a lot.... sigh... but it is really cute.... I think Lindz will really love it. I can just see her face now.... That is one thing I really admire about Lindsay. She knows how to show excitement and appreciation. She overflows with it!

Yes, I may just check into trying to plan a few events.... I will have to really pray about that... In the meantime... I just want to take this time to thank God for the gifts and talents He has bestowed on me. I know that many have enjoyed the fruits of my labor and hope that I can do this for years to come. Thank you, God...!

Trust And Obey...

Terrible two's are a trying age that toddlers go through. They are trying to assert their thoughts and needs, regardless of what the parental unit (as my kids lovingly refer to us as!) may want or think. It reminds me of the Bill Cosby routine where he is saying..... come here, come here, come here, c o m e h e r e.... My sweet pea started going through HER terrible twos when she was the ripe old age of 16 months. Oh my goodness... it's like she has gone deaf! I find myself repeating Bill Cosby, and not for the fun of it! I am optimistically hopeful that this means she will be out of it before she hits two! I'll let you know how that works out!

When we take Mickey out to potty, sweet pea insists on going with us. I'm about to throw a harness on her as well! Mickey is going one direction, she is going the opposite! I try to get her attention, but I may as well be speaking martian because those words go in one ear and out the other. To say she is strong willed is a gross understatement! Thankfully Mickey is so small he is easy to scoop up as I go retrieve my little darling!!

As frustrating as she can be, she can also be just as loving. There is nothing more heart melting than when she looks up at you and gives you a sweet, sleepy smile as she nods off to sleep.... or that happy smiling face telling you "good morning"! Ah, I am a sucker for her! We love her so very much. Wrapped around her finger... yup....

As I was sitting and watching her start to wind down to go to bed, I thought about how we are often defiant and do not listen (or even hear) our Father's voice. He is always speaking to us, guiding us, asking us to trust him. Defiant and hard headed... tisk, tisk, tisk.... But you know what? He still loves us even when we are acting like two year olds! When we are not listening to him, we are holding Him back from being a sucker for us!

Much like us with our sweet pea.... Our Father wants us to listen to His voice so that we can follow His direction...

He wants us to rest in Him....
He is our provider...
He wants to protect us.....
He wants us to trust in Him..... not try to help him by coming up with our own plans (man am I guilty of that!)
He wants us to be still and know He is God.....
He wants us to believe Him

hmmm... How many blessings have we missed...?

Psalm 23 (King James Version)

Psalm 23

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Sowing and Reaping....

A few months ago, we had a stork delivery for a baby shower. The shower was for her daughter in law who was in her late 40's and expecting for the very first time. The day we were to go and deliver her stork, I woke up very early that morning with the strong feeling that I needed to make a diaper wreath for this customer. It was a gift from me to the expectant mother. I tried to shake the feeling because I would need to go shopping for the materials needed for that wreath. Sigh, try as I might, it would not get out of my mind. So I decided to be obedient to what I felt was God trying to prompt me to bless this lady.

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I really enjoy making diapers wreaths. The one I was led to make was for a little girl so I went shopping at Wal-mart reallllly early that Saturday morning; to go and get girly themed toys to put on that wreath. The diapers I had were green print, so it was actually really cute, if I do say so myself. I really wish we had taken a picture of it, but alas, we did not.

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We don't really market the diaper wreaths.... not really sure why we don't, I guess it just does not occur to try and upsell them. To be honest, we don't make much off of them as I have to buy the materials at retail prices. I basically just cover my costs but really think they make a great addition to a shower or even on the door of a new mother's hospital room!

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So... as it turned out, we got stiffed for the shower rental. (she will have to answer for that with God). But, I had sowed the seeds of a blessing and since that blessing, I've had three orders for these wreaths. I am very grateful that I was obedient to what I felt God wanted me to do!

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Luke 6:38 (New International Version)
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Blessed and Highly Favored....

I have been thinking lately about things that I say, think, watch, hear, etc and have been trying to do better. I am of the mindset that my words carry power. Maybe not the power I'd like sometimes (LOL!) but power none the less! Somewhere down the road I forgot all about that. I use to tell people when they ask how I'm doing... that I am blessed and highly favored. It was speaking positive words into the air.. I was sowing a positive seed. And I was blessed and highly favored. I don't know when I stopped saying that... or even why.....But even today, I am very blessed and very highly favored.

My health is good, my needs are met, I have a wonderful family, I have good friends, what more could I ask for?

There are many scriptures that refer to the words we speak...
I mentioned that my iPod turned up. On the Friday before I told Jenn that I felt my iPod was going to turn up and low and behold it did! Now, I'm not saying that was the only reason it turned up, but it sure could not have hurt! I am also not saying that just because you say it, it becomes true... but sowing seeds of a positive nature can't hurt, right?

From now on, (at least that's my plan!) I am going to work on what I say and try to sow positive vibes. I will speak life into positive thoughts and death to the negative ones and continue to be blessed and highly favored!


Psalm 141:3: "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips."
Proverbs 18:21: "The tongue has the power of life and death...."
Hebrews 13:15: "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that confess His name."

Gotta Love A Blog!!!

As I said yesterday, I am planning a shower for Linz. Now, I am a list maker. I love to make a list for everything when I am planning something like a party. BUT.... my biggest problem was keeping up with the list... If I did the list on my computer at work, it would not be updated for the one at home.... How do I make these two lists melt into one? Quite the conundrum, I'd say.... Then I had an epiphany! Why not create my list online on a blog?!?! So I did. And I love that I can access it anytime I wanna! It's wonderful that as I get a thought I can access the most up to date list available!! I am in HEAVEN right now, I tell you!! In absolute heaven! I am giddy with excitement that I can access this little baby anytime, anywhere... (thanks to my handy dandy air card and notebook!)

Man... I just wanted to tease Linz about how I have her shower plans online... but SHE can't find them b/c I have them unsearchable... then here it comes again.... yup, a thump.... I can also access God's word anytime via that same handy dandy air card and notebook.... Sigh... I really have no excuse to not read and study His word. I do admit, I tend to get tunnel vision when I am working on a project (to the exclusion of everything else)... Point taken....

But still it is really cool!

.... gotta love a blog!!!



image from Google

Baby Shower in the works....

My baby is having a baby in February! We are all really excited and cannot wait to find out what she is carrying!

<--- here she is at her wedding shower with her condom corsage! .
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She is dying to know the theme of the shower and has even had the nerve to tell me that it is stressing her out and stress is not good for the baby.... LOL... I'll give her an "A" for effort!

Hey Linz... psst.... wanna know the theme???? I know that was just mean!
I

Lindsay has always been my "got to know" child. She can't sleep on Christmas Eve and tosses and turns in excitement. She is the first to rise (REALLY EARLY!). Her enthusiasm will be so exciting when her family grows and especially when Russell or Betty Ann are old enough to understand Santa, Easter Bunny, etc... We look forward to spending Christmas with her for years to come! .
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If you know something she is getting and you tell her you know, be ready to enjoy watching her squirm as she tries to extract the info from you. She will follow you like a puppy looking for it's mother.... she will call you at random times.... she will bug you to death in an attempt to wear you down.... Sometimes I give in because I was just egging her on to begin with... other times I stand firm! (cause I can!)
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I told her that I had decided on a theme for the shower. It has been a source of entertainment for me! It also ensures that she keeps in touch with me! LOL.... just kidding she's good about that! (ahem.. unlike her sister who does not call as often! ahem)

She will have to wait until the shower to find out.....

Sorry baby... it would not be fair to tell you and spoil your surprise!!!

LOL... I'm just kidding!
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I have decided to humor her and let her know the theme. There will be things she does not know but it won't hurt to show her the yard display or the invitation..... I have a lot of ideas up my sleeve and I need to start now in order to get it all together. She will most likely try to show up HOURS early becuase she just can't help herself!!! But that's fine... I'll just put her to work!

Anyway...

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A drum roll please?

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The theme of her shower is.......

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A Baby Shower!

I love you baby.... kisses and hugs to you

God has a Sense of Humor!

My buddy, Jenn.... you've heard me speak of her a few times (aka "The Pot" or "The Kettle") took a friend up to Lexington, VA for a day trip. It was his birthday and it was a fun packed day. It ended at Natural Bridge.... The program was called "The Drama of Creation". It is advertised as a light and music show. What she did not realize was that it was also a biblical narrative on .... yup...you guessed it.... God's seven day creation.

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Now, my girl Jenn is not agnostic, but she does have her questions about a higher being. She is an inquiring mind with questions that baffle the best of the priests! She has been known to leave them speechless. But God, in His infinite humor placed her right smack dab in the middle of a bible story! I'm sorry, I had to laugh when she told me! I'm actually laughing now thinking about it!!

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Both she and her friend are of like minds. They do not feel you have to go to a church to talk to God. I am inclined to agree with them. Oh, I understand the iron sharpening iron theory, and I get that you should fellowship with like minded people to help yourself to grow in the Lord. But, I'm sorry, just because you are in a garage, it does not make you a car... likewise, just because you go to church, it does not make you a Christian. That is just my opinion. Now, that being said... I am sorely lacking in my bible studies. I use to crack open that book daily and read it. Not so much anymore... I acknowledge I need to do more of that. At least if I were going to a church service, I would crack it open once a week..... Point taken, God... I hear you and I will work on that!

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Dang it.... I just got thumped.... Mental note, find my bible and read it!


2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

The Wind Beneath My Wings..

My hubby is the best!

He recognized that my past few weeks have been challenging at my day job and wanted to surprise me with a special day, just the two of us, yesterday! He had already arranged the sitter for our Sweet Pea. It started with going to the movie... "The Ugly Truth" (which was hysterical!!) and ended with a couples mani and a pedi. It was a very relaxing day. We had a few business things that needed to be taken care of, but hey... customers rule, right!? Business is a good thing!

I don't know what I would do without my wonderful man. While I am at "the day job", he runs the home, takes care of the baby, basically runs the business(es) by taking the calls, making the deliveries.... When I get home from work, I can usually find dinner ready. I am truly blessed! I love this man more than anyone can imagine. He is my soul mate. He is my very best friend. He's the yang to my ying! He completes me!

If you know us, you are aware that we have been dealt a lot of challenges the past several years but those challenges have made us closer and closer. I thank God that He has placed this wonderful man into my life! He is kind, gentle, condsiderate, romantic, patient, funny, I could go on all day... so let me stop now!

I just want to say thank you, Buddy, for loving me and being the wind beneath my wings! I love you.

I see that I am not alone!!!

As I have been reflecting on the purchases I've made lately, it occured to me that as a new mother, I should have been thrown a shower for my new adopted baby boy. I mean any new baby is an expense as you need the necessary brush(es), bed(s), treats, leash, harness, sweaters, boots, carrier(s), the list goes on LOL!

So... In my quest to document my thoughts, I go to google images and lo and behold... I AM NOT ALONE! It appears that may have already thrown a shower for new furbabies. I typed in "puppy shower" for idea on websites and received 2,510,000 results! Lots of folks are of the same mindset as me!
http://www.dogbirthdaysandparties.com/puppyshowerarticle.htm

So, that being said, I think I'm going to drop some hints around my close friends and see what my chances are for a shower for my furbaby. I am betting the odds are ... oh, maybe ZERO! They humor me, but only to an extent! But... I do have some friends that have their own furbabies so.... maybe??

<---- look at that sweet face! How can you say no? His birthday is in April, maybe I should throw him a birthday party?




Puppy Shower image from google

OUCH..... got busted by the kettle

It appears that the kettle has turned the heat up on the pot. I had written a post about people in my life and after posting it, I felt like it was a bit too depressing to leave up. My buddy Jenn was quick to call me on it.... so... I will try and reconstruct it quickly.... it started something like this... (I'll do the Reader's Digest version)

I never was one who was popular, be it in school or in my adult life. I never was one to be in a clique. There were times when I would have liked to have been. I mean who does not like to feel like you are important to someone?

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There are different types of people in my life.... lets start with acquaintances: They are the people that come into my life, but I don't really have a relationship with them. Oh... I thought I did. I met a lot of them at church. The church I use to go to was large (even though it was small when I started going there). The very people who talk about love and compassion were the very ones who turned a deaf ear to me. I felt like I was invisible. I went to a small church and felt the same way there as well. Not that they were exactly the same, but I still felt like I was not truly a part of them. Again, even in my adult life, I was not part of the clique...

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Then there are my co-workers: I am not really part of the clique here either. When my birthday rolled around, only 98% of them took the time to either say "Happy Birthday" or shoot me an email to tell me to have a great day! When each of their birthdays rolled around, I made sure that everyone knew so that they could wish that person a great day. It appears that 98% of them felt that by signing my card that one person bought was sufficient enough. This has happened more than once, by the way.

But the ones who really matter are the ones that are close to my heart. My true friends I can count on one hand ( I know because I just did it!) Oh, my mom and my hubby are my closest friends, no doubt. But my true friends are the ones who "get" me. They understand my humor. They have been a shoulder for me and have seen me cry, are the ones who truly know my hopes and dreams, they know my fears. They are the ones to wish me a Happy Birthday and mean it. They are the ones who get into mischief with me by doing random things (like tying someone's door handles together so he can't get out)! I like to think that they know that they can count on me as well to be there and listen or hold them as they cry, or rejoice with them in their happiness. My true friends... I love them with all my heart! I am grateful for each of them. (Even the one who called me out for removing my feelings!!) Love ya, Jenn!

Images courtesy of google

Ch.. Ch.. Cha... Cha... Changes...

I'm coming into the next century! I am not one for changes. It's not that I am against change. I just have so much bouncing in my mind that to stop and learn something new is really more than my little pea brain can handle. Hence why I wait until my phone is almost dead before I venture in to get another one. My phone has bit the dust. I had to break down and get a new one! Meet my new phone-->

My new phone does way more than I will ever need and I have yet to figure out some of the basic stuff, but it is kinda neat, don't you think? It will help me immensely with texting (as my kids and a few friends are notorious texters, even though I have told them over and over again to just call me and don't text! But, now, I am not as against texting anymore because I have a keyboard at my disposal! YEAH!!! I have yet to figure out how to make the touch screen respond to my touch when I need to scroll. I often end up opening up the flap and using the up / down key manually, but I'm working on it! I'm determined to figure this out! I consider it my stepping stone to getting more technically UNchallenged! I plan on figuring out all the stuff this little baby can do! ... sure do hope my exploring does not inadvertantly run my phone bill up :o/

HELP! I'm out of control!

No thumps today! Just a cry for help before I get in too deep! I need an intervention!! I can feel that I am getting out of control. It ususally happens when I'm on Paxil. All sense is squashed as I have no self restraint! I call it Paxilated!

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When we were blessed with Mickey, I wanted a nice carrier to put him in so that I could sneak him into stores with me. Yes, I am ashamed of myself. (But not enough to stop myself)! Our first stop was a pet store and I was lucky enough to find a small REDUCED price purse style carrier. It would not have been my first choice.... and obviously it was not anyone's choice as it was marked down to a very low price!

.One big downfall..... the color was burgundy! Not a lot of stuff to go with it in my closet! The other big downfall, and the major on in my opinion.... it looked like a purse. So my dear hubby, who is very secure in his manhood, would carry it on his shoulder and there might be some question as to who he really was... if you get my drift. LOL.... so, I've been browsing the web the past few nights to see what I could find on ebay that might be a unisex type carrier so that we both could use it.... Then I'd get distracted and start looking at the designer stuff, LV, Coach, etc.... and in my Paxilated mind, I really was thinking.... that's not too bad!! .. Glad I had enough sense about me to just say NO! It is not acceptable to pay more for a dog carrier than I do for my own purse!! (or even an entire months grocery!).

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I am happy to say that I did find the Eddie Messenger bag that both of us will be able to use. I cringed a lot on the price (another good sign that I'm not as Paxilated as I could be!) but bit the bullet and got it. Now I need it to hurry up and get here!! I hope my hubby likes it! But shhh... don't tell my mom that I blew some of my birthday money on a dang dog carrier... she might have me commited!

The Weakest Link....

I've been accused of spoiling two little ones in my life. How absurd! How can you spoil a baby (be it a child or a dog!). I mean really! They are looking to you to provide what they need.... If that means holding them, then so be it :o)

Plus, come on.... how can you not give in when they give you that sweet little look that melts your heart? Or when they are pulling (or scratching) at you to pick them up so that they can nuzzle your neck. Sigh... it's a wonderful feeling to be loved!

Sounds like to me that the pot is calling the kettle black again... ahem... Jenn... Don't think I have not seen your little precious Tickles get her way... or that I've not seen her dressed up in cute sweaters... ahem... or that she has her place on your pillow.... Evidence!---->


<----Oh... and here is more evidence that I am not alone with spoiling! Ahem...I don't have a doggie carriage!


OK... yes, I admit it. Yes, I'm the weak link with Mickey. When he scratches to get me to pick him up, I do it without even thinking about it. And yes, I do have to admit that I am the weak link when it comes to Malia and Mickey. I can't help it. I was bad cop for so long with the kids that I just want to enjoy the moments in my golden years! When we were trying to break Malia from sleeping with us, she would sneak over on my side of the bed becuase she knew I'd give in. It was so funny to see Bah Bah sit up and point her back to her bed... she'd turn quietly, with her blankie over her shoulder (like Linus from Charlie Brown) and walk back to her bed.

They both know that I am the weak link. All Bah Bah has to do is clear his throat and everyone snaps to attention. I clear my throat and they don't even look my way! (Unless I deepen the sound and then I might get a sideways glance!) But I still love them!

As I was typing, a phrase came to me. Unconditional love, that's what it is! I love them and they love me!.. unconditionally! It made me think of our Father in heaven and how He loves us unconditionally. How he clears His throat and those who can hear him, will respond accordingly, but those who turn a deaf ear to Him carry on with what they are doing. But He still loves us.... unconditionally.



Romans 8:38-39
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."