Following in Your Footsteps

As I was reading an article from Homelife I realize what type of man I want my little boy to grow up to be~ Godly. In the article it says,' "Manhood, as defined by the Bible, requires a man to put the needs and best interests of others before his own. It's about living sacrificially. A man uses his strength and influence to help others and defend those who cannot defend themselves. Read how manly the following verses sound and how they speak powerfully to a man's heart: "I rescued the poor...and the fatherless who had none to assist him...I made the widow's heart sing...I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth" ' (Job 29:12-13, 15-17, NIV).

WOW....doesn't that just make you want to go out and search for that man right now. If we had all the men in the world like this we wold not be in the shape we are in as a country/planet! I wish I could just quote this entire article. It just really spoke to me and today being father's day it means that much more to me. It is time for all the men to rise up and be the Godly men that God has called them to be. We are following in your footsteps men, so rise up and take the oath. " In the movie Kingdom of Heaven, a dying knight speaks the following masculine challenge to his son:
Be without fear in the face of your enemies,
Be brave and upright that God may love thee,
Speak the truth even if it leads to your death,
Safeguard the helpless.
That is your oath!"


Excerpts from June 2009 HOMELIFE magazine pg. 17 "A Noble & Dangerous Man" by Rick Johnson.
"Kingdom of Heaven," directed by Ridley Scott (Twentieth Century Fox Film corp, 2005)

On A Journey

Life is a journey that we all must take but what journey are you taking? My days have been filled with so much chaos the last couple of weeks that I have found myself lost in the midst of my own journey. It is so amazing how God works each and everyday that if you are not paying attention sometimes you will miss the little things. I have noticed that when I do not spend quality time with God that my day does not go smoothly and I become stressed very easily. I have had a lot going on with work that it has taken away not only from my time with God but with my children. I have been short with them over little things. I always see this pattern in my life that when things get busy in one area the other areas of my life suffer and to me the most important areas of my life are God, husband and my little sweet pea and dragonfly!

I was determined today to have a good day and get out of this funk that I have been in. I had some coffee this morning, spent some time reading a study, Living Free, and then we went on a long bike ride. Thinking the bike ride would be an enjoyable event. Well event says it all. Remember that I have felt a little chaotic lately so that spilled over to my "suppose to be pleasant" bike ride. Sweet Pea and Dragonfly were whiny and I can't do whiny!@!@ They are 2 1/2 I get it but really just site back there in the doodle bug and enjoy the ride. I am the one doing all the work here is what I am thinking. Yes I know you can tell I am having a day, week, whatever.....

Get a call about the truck on the "pleasant" bike ride. He comes to take a look and says he will let me know. Days that I wish it would just sell! Called another lady who was interested but they bought something else. Hopefully this last call that I returned is the one who will by the truck.....

Wow, this journey of life is always an adventure and I will continue to keep my head up, eyes opened, ears tuned to see what God has in store for me on this daily ride.

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13

WOW, What a week!

This week has been to say the least a HUGE challenge for me.

Monday:
I accomplished my weekly trip to the commissary for groceries. Well I saved $10.30 in coupons, how awesome is that! Got home had lunch, put up groceries, put them down for a nap and I think I may have taken one that day as well. I planted more plants and cut the grass today. What a feeling of accomplishment when you have a completed yard.

Tuesday:
We ran a few errands and checked on the condo I have listed to see if the tenant was out yet....NOPE. We are suppose to close on Friday with the new buyer. We then went to Jump Zone to have lots of fun. My babies are growing up because they went down the slides all by themselves without me. Granted they had the girls next door with them to encourage them. My little babies are not babies anymore. We went to Hobby Lobby to get some things to make daddy a father's day gift. I found some great things for the kids and myself as well, oopps. Came home and off to Napland we all went....yes another nap this week and it is only Tuesday. Something about some nighttime planting. Lovin it.

Wednesday:
Noah's appointment. He is improving so much with his speech! We are sooooo proud of him. Off to take a look to see if tenant is out yet....NOPE. I decided we would go to the PX to get some weed and feed and we, of course, found a few other items (batteries for elliptical, watering wand to water those great ferns, a flashlight for my car emergency kit). Off to lunch and then home. Lots of phone calls about the condo issue and closing at the end of the week. May have sold the truck! Mimi and Pop came in late tonight, YEAH!!!!

Thursday:
We woke up at 8 am which was such a nice gift. I then took the monkeys upstairs for a surprise: mimi and pop. They were so tickled about them being here and waking up to find them here at their house. We got to talk to Josh for a few minutes and then off to a termite inspection, while Pop cooked his famous breakfast of fried eggs, grits, biscuits and bacon. Didn't get to eat with them but it was still good at 10:30 am. My pour sellers of this house have been troopers through it all: dishwasher broke, new one installed, water damage from new one and on and on but they are doing the right thing and GOD is good. Lazy day somewhat in the midst of still trying to deal with the condo which will not close until Tuesday. Took a nap, which was much needed with the stress of work and my joints hurting this week. Had a great dinner, prepared by Mimi: Shrimp and Sausage with pasta, fresh squash and zucchini, salad and bread. UUUUMMM good. After dinner walk with everyone and off to beds the monkeys went. Watch a good movie with the in-laws and then off to bed to type. Good day overall. God is good.

Friday:
Blessings unknown but it will be good I know because of my GOD.

The Joys of Playing in the Dirt

I have had the best two days. I started off my Sunday morning just totally refreshed and ready for the day. I got the monkeys ready for church, fixed breakfast, cleaned up the house and out the door by 9:30 am. Yes, this is a big deal for me....the worship service was so amazing and just uplifting for me.

I will have to tell you more about the sermon later but just remember these two things. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and Love your neighbor as yourself. Enough said......If we would get SELF out of the way the world would be a better place, work would be better, marriages would be better, our families would be better, and our country would be better.....OKAY enough about that.....

Then from church we went to Lowe's to spend some birthday money....flowers on sale for $.50 whewwho!!!! I bought a lot for $91.00.

I just love different size pots just randomly placed. UUMMM what a great feeling.

The way my back porch looks now with ferns and pots filled with trailing petunias is so calming! Just a haven to come to at the end of a long day! Just wish my honey was here to enjoy it with me.

Well I also cleaned up our garden area which my friend Sharon will be excited to hear....I planted to Beef Master tomatoes, Golden Jubilee tomatoes, cinnamon Basil and Sweet Basil and the funny things is I thought I picked up green peppers, well we will have lots of HOT banana peppers, oh well.

Yes I took all these pictures tonight! More day light pics later.

I also put my blueberry plant in the garden as well...not producing yet like Sharon's but I am praying it will soon. Didn't put it in the ground as soon as she did....who me, procrastinate.

In cleaning up the garden area I mean pulling out the weedeater and going to town on some seriously tall weeds. Turned to soil and pulled weeds with the help of my little monkeys. Since I had the weedeater going (if you know weedeaters, as a woman, they are the hardest things to get started) I thought I would just weedeat around the entire yard as well as my neighbors since I was planning on mowing on Monday. I am glad that I did!

Well this morning I was blessed with sleep. We all slept until 8 am. I would not believe it. Obviously I worked them hard too! I mowed the grass today and the place just looks great!

Because of the Brave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPN8H_B3674&feature=email

Thank you for all our men and women who serve for our freedom and to those who have lost their life.

Give it AWAY! What are your kids sleeping on?

Give it AWAY! What are your kids sleeping on?

Vera Bradley Giveaway

Vera Bradley Giveaway

Special Day

Do you ever just wake up with such joy in your heart? Today was one of those days, granted it is my birthday today but it wasn't that...it was just feelings of joy and knowing that I am blessed beyond measure. I have a God who adores me, a husband who cherishes me, children who love me, family who are there for me, no matter what and friends who are there to laugh with me and support me. I am truly blessed and I owe it all to my Jesus. He is the best gift ever. I hope that each of you have a special day everyday!

Jeremiah 29:11

flat on my back

do you ever wonder why things happen....maybe God getting your attention...well it could be God wanting me to slow down and me being clumsy....slipped on some pine straw this morning after Sydney and Noah's preschool spring program. I am not sure if I broke a toe or not but it is swollen and hurts, update on that tomorrow after a trip to the doctor.

"Be still and know that I am God." Today was a day to reflect on the last year for Sydney & Noah as they finish their first year in preschool. Milestones are precious and how I wish daddy was here to witness those times. God has a perfect plan and continues to bless our family each and every day. This week I also finished a 10 week Bible study of Breaking Free by Beth Moore. Wow what a journey and I must confess it could have been a deeper journey for myself is I would have done everyday worth of homework. There are still areas that I need to work on and learn to let God be in charge and for myself to become bolder for Christ. During my study I met some wonderful ladies and I pray that God will continue to bless them and open doors for them, as well as help through those strongholds. Remember if we give it to God, He will work it out but we have to let go completely and know that His will is best. Till tomorrow......

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