Wedding Pics

Josh's step brother got married a few weeks ago and here are just a few select pics.  It was exciting to get away for a night.  They had the wedding at a winery in IL. near Redbud and we got a room for the night. We had a very good time. The pink suit is also what I will be wearing for Easter this Sunday.  This also gives you an idea of how longgggg my hair was before it got cut.  I know you all are just chomping at the bit to see my new do but I just havn't had pics taken of us yet.  Coming soon promise.  I think my next post will be about Ladies Retreat.

Wow! I'm so proud and excited!!!!!!!

Have I ever told you how smart my son is??? Oh I know I have lol. This is the 11yrd boy that dreams of going off to Oxford to attend school just because his favorite authors C.S. Louis and J.R.R. Tolkin were once professors there. Sometimes I just can't keep up with him, if you know what I mean?  He amazes me all the time.  I am telling you God has some big plans in store for my boy.

This year the after school club he choose to be in was Quiz Bowel.  He loved it because he is a trivia buff and likes that sort of thing. I was a bit disappointed that he choose that club over the Christian Club that was on the same day but as long as he had fun what could I say.  Now I think maybe that was the preparing/testing ground for what is about to come next for him.  Just yesterday he was telling me some interesting unsung Civil War fact he had read about (soldiers when they were board liked to race.. lice.. eww)  and asking if he could stay up later than normal to watch a History Channel Special about one of the battles that changed the course of history.

Last Friday Zane asked if he could go to the Jeopardy web site and apply to be on Kids Jeopardy. He had saw on TV during comercial break for Jeopardy that they were seeking applications (I didn't even know he watched Jeopardy but I'm not surprised) I shrugged my shoulders and said sure, not really thinking much of it but he was pretty excited about it.  At first he asked if he could go to Chicago for the auditions but then kept reading and saw they are holding them here in the Saint Louis area too.  That seemed be do-able.  So I gave him the OK but kept in mind that there must be tons and tons of applications for the Jeopardy people to go threw, what are the chances.

Today I got an e-mail asking for me to call and RSVP for his spot to audition!!!!!  WOW!  Good thing I actually got on the computer today and didn't just do my standard delete delete delete because of massive mail in my box.

I have never been one to really watch regular Jeopardy much less the kids version.  How does one even begin to prepare for such a thing? Can you even prepare for it?  I suggest that he start reading the encyclopedia and dictionary lol.  But above all I just want him to have fun and not get stressed out.  I am not going to lie.. I want him to get on and yes win.. if they are offering money for collage as a prize that would mean a lot to us as a family.

So keep him in your prayers and if you have any hints or suggestion to offer us I am all ears.  His appointment is Thursday, May 4th at 4:00. 

Where to even start???

Can you believe it? I have not done a solid blog entry since March 15th??? Why??  I don't know!  For whatever reason I just have had no real desire to be on the computer.. shocking I know.

Sooooooooooooo much going on.. I do not even know where to start.  I may have to do several entries this week to focus on each topic that has been prevalaint in my life.

Obviously I am not that missed around J~Land.. haven't received any "where you been girl".. or "how you doing".. lol but that is ok.. not pouting.. we all have lives. And UGH! My counter must of gone back to Zero.  While that is very annoying because I have been bloging well over two years and it was way way up there.. I am not going to fuss about it.. ain't nothing but a thang.  And Yes I Know.. there is some way to fix it back.. but that would require more computer time looking up how to do that and I am just not feeling like investing myself to do all that work right now.  I have over 500 e-mails to go threw and delete.  Sorry I have not been able to stay up to date on all my friends blogs and journals.

Josh left for out of town work and will be gone all week, so maybe I will be on more often with out him here. 

Some exciting foot notes of what I have been up to while off line.. Went to a Wedding and got all deck out and had a blast.. just Me and Josh.. no kids.. and we got to stay overnight in a room alllllll to ourselves..heehee. 

Kids had spring break what seems like forever ago now and are already back to school and doing the standardized testing. 

I went on Ladies Retreat last weekend at Lake Of The Ozarks, Awesome time and I hope to post more about it later with pics. 

 Getting to know new friends in life and building new relationships.. that is always fun but also remembering not to neglect old ones too.. you know like the Girl Scout song goes.. "Make New Friends But Keep The Old, One Is Silver And The Other's Gold." 

Keeping up with the house is a full time JOB that I know I should be fired from lol.  But we have gotten some decorating done.. pics later of those.

On a sadder note, One of my Pastors is very sick and in the hospital. Been doing alot of praying and drawing close to the Lord and trying to be there for his family and our friends who are grieving.  Personally I am at Peace with what ever happens because I know and he knows where he will go if he doesn't recover but I don't feel it in my spirit that it is his time.. just yet. Just praying for the Father's Will to be done. Sunday it our other Pastor said that he asked Bill if he could give us a message what would he say and he said, "Don't let the little things in life trip you up with your walk and relationship with God. Your relationship with him is the most valuable thing ever, all else will fall into place, don't get side tracked."  I'm holding on to that this week.

 I have become more active at church and able to go to Wed. nights more often.  The kids are getting ready for Easter, they are in a play at church this Sunday so there has been lots of practices for it. 

Oh and I shaved my head. Ya I think I'll leave you  hanging on that lol.  Till Next time. *wink*

Can you say most ridiculous idem of the day?

AOL News - Clinton Cites Bible in Attack of Immigration Bill

I HAVE COOKIE MONSTERS!!!

Monday night I bought 4 boxes of cookies from the Girl Scouts in front of Wal-Mart and before that two packages of pinwheels from the store.  3 of those boxes I put up in my room  because they were my faves and I wanted them to last.  I shared one box yesterday and told them they could have the pinwheels to take to school.

I woke up this morning... and all the cookies are missing.. gone.. finished.. nothing but empty boxes hidden under a bed and behind the couch in the living room.

gurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Um, ya Sophia.. I wonder why you have a belly ache.  It is going to be MONTHS, before I get anyone of them cookies, or candy, or any goodies.  Because it is one thing to get into my stash of yummies, but ANOTHER to lie about it.

This is reminiscent of the '04 G.S. Cookie. Debacle.  Thankfully this year we are not on the selling end and I only got took for $12.

 

 

Long over due update with pictures

I do not know what is up with AOL'S YOU'V GOT PICTURES, but it would not upload any of my pics so I had to fall back on flickr.com to upload them.

I do not know what it is, my entries and postings to my blog seem to be getting farther and farther apart and my online life is about nill.  I guess it is a sign that life around here is as busy as ever!!  My radio interview was an awesome experience.  I am trying to figure out how to get that file from my computer uploaded and linked in my blog for those who missed it and still would like to hear it.  Below is a pic with me and Debra Peppers.  I look crappy because I stayed up the night before and have no make up on, but hey it was radio lol no one was going to see me.. just hear me.

Some mile stones from the past few weeks:

Registered my last baby, Sophia, for Kindergarten!! And signed up all the kids for summer school programs.

Annie and Lilly celebrated a birthday.  Annie is now 9!! and Lilly is 6! 

Our pup Valentine is getting soooo big.. and cute!

Josh painted some of the living room (will post pics of that later when it is all done)

I am addicted to decopage and crafting. LOL (again will post more pics when YGP is not acting up)

Women's retreat is coming up at the end of March and I am all registered!

Let me hear from you all!!  I need to catch up terribly and I am sorry for my lack of presence online.. I still love you and think and pray for you.

 

If you give a girl a basketball... she will want to play.

Don't Forget to tune in and hear me on the radio/net today!

  This is my reminder entry about me being on the radio TODAY at 3:15 p.m. (central time) on KJSL A.M. 630 in the Saint Louis area OR you can listen online here.  If this is news to you, here is my previous entry about how it all came about and they why's. 

I am really excited and a bit nervous too!  Please pray for me and of course listen in.

AND... here is the finial draft of what I gave my Pastor for the church news letter.  I got it in too late to make this month's edition but he said he will use it for the next one.

I Can Be Silent No More, and so can you.   

 Proverbs 24:11-12  If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?  

Psalms 139:13-14  For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  

The abortion issue is a sensitive subject in our society today.  It is the one issue that has divided the American people in politics and religion over the last 32 years since the court case Roe vs Wade made abortion on demand at any stage of pregnancy legal and a so called privacy issue.  Some see it as murder and some see it as a fundamental women's right over her body.  It is easy to get frustrated over all the rhetoric put forth from both sides of the issue and want to just avoid the subject all together.  I have heard Christians, who are to be salt and light to this world say things such as, "I can't change minds and only God can change hearts over this" or  simply "it is not my issue to be concerned over" and "These are The End Times, it is expected to have horrible things come about and there is not much we can do about it"  And while it is true we can not change hearts, we can plant seeds.  And yes, I do believe we are living in The End Times but we are to still be that shining light all the more in these dark days.  It hurts my heart greatly to see such apathy because for me, abortion is not just an issue or a political topic up for debate.  When I hear the statistics that every 23 seconds an abortion is performed in our country and that yearly 1.4 million unborn children loose their life in America due to abortion, I put a face and a heart beat to each number and it makes me weep that this is an acceptable norm in America, how much more does it hurt our Lord's heart?.  

 I know the pain of abortion, the consequences and after effects.  I take this issue very personally because I myself had an abortion when I was 15 yrs old.  Sadly I am apart of the statistic that says 45% of women under 47 yrs old who has bought into the lie that abortion helps women.  I am that one in three women sitting in our pews who has been hurt by abortion.  I am the face of the women going into the clinic scared and confused and walking out with such a deep pain it takes between 5-11 years to face exactly what I have done to my child and my body.  I am the subject that is avoided in polite conversation.  

God has taken what was hidden and brought it to light.  Often women who have had an abortion do not and will not speak about it.  It is that little secret that eats at their soul until they can confess it and ask the Lord to bring healing. Because of the Love of Jesus Christ and the healing he has brought to my life he has enabled me to talk openly about my own pain I went threw because of abortion.  Because of Jesus Christ that shame and guilt is wiped clean and I can be a voice for those being lead to the slaughter and a warning to women and I hope a beacon to other women hurting because of their own abortion.. a light for them to see there is hope and healing after abortion, there is Hope in the Lord.   

When we are obedient in our walk with the Lord he will take you to some very interesting places.  I am normally a shy and quiet person and you would think the thought of giving a public speech about my own abortion would be a terrifying one, but in all honesty because Jesus is my strength and I ask the Holy Spirit to give me his words to speak, all fear is wiped away.  This last January he opened doors for me to speak at a few prayer gatherings for aborted children in the Saint Louis area and in my new home town Troy and also tag along to Jefferson City with the group called Silent No More, to give information out at our state capital building during Missouri Right To Life's annual prayer vigil.  February I have the opportunity to attend training threw the Pregnancy Resource Center for ministry work with crisis pregnancies and post abortion counseling and be interviewed on Christian radio to help raise awareness and reach out to other hurting women and men.     

You may think you do not know any one who is effected by abortion but if you have a sister, a mother, an aunt, a girl friend, co-worker, neighbor, chances are you do know some one who has faced this or is facing a choice but they are just not talking about it.  I don't expect everyone to feel lead to stand out side a clinic or even be as vocal as I am on abortion but to at least be informed and keep an eye and ear open to when and where God can use you to plant seeds of hope and love. To do or say nothing and avoid this subject all together is against Proverbs 24: 11-12. With God all things are possible and I do believe threw him, we can and will see an end to what has been called The American Holocaust.