Scrappin...

This past weekend was a highlight of the year. I went scrappin for the whole weekend. Total scrap time was about 25 hours! The place where this event is held is called Crossroads Country Cottage www.bbhost.com/crossroads/ and it is a bed and breakfast. The owners pamper us BIG time! I am including some pictures I took at the retreat to give you an idea of what this place is like. The food is scrumptious and the facilities are beautiful. I was able to scrapbook 30 pages which I think is the most I've done at one setting. I mostly use Creative Memories items

My youngest daughter did not have a "baby book". You mommy's of multiple children understand completely - right?! By the time she came along - there wasn't time for fluffy stuff like "baby books"! Anyway, a few months ago, the other kiddo's were looking at their "baby books" and she wanted to look at hers. Oh my goodness - when I told her she didn't have one yet, she burst into tears. Boy did that make me feel like a great Mom! I determined then, that when I went to the scrapbooking retreat, I would work on her album. So I did, and as you can tell by the picture - she's all smiles now!

Inauguration Day

For the very first time - I watched the inauguration online. I've never watched it before in my 35 years and I was determined to watch it fully so I did.

It was very educational and emotional. I wanted to cry as President Bush came out for the final time. Although I did not agree with everything he did as President, he did keep our country safe after 9-11. I pray that our new president keeps us safe also.

Have a very Blessed day.

New Year Musings...

There are bitter sweet memories today as I think on our new year and all the coming changes. President Bush said his farewell speech last night. And President-elect Obama will take office next Tuesday.

For those that know me, they know how Doug and I feel about the election. We are conservative Reagan Repulicans. So when it was clear who was winning the election on Nov 4th, we were both very disheartened. But we had to realize that we cannot put our faith in the government. We MUST only put our faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

I received an e-mail that I want to share with you. I don't know where it came from but I really liked it:

No Matter Who Won the Election

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.


GOD IS IN CONTROL!

I also want to post the lyrics to an old song by Twila Paris that are quite powerful

This is no time for fear

This is a time for faith and determination

Don't lose the vision here

Carried away by emotion

Hold on to all that you hide in your heart

There is one thing that has always been true

It holds the world together

God is in control

We believe that His children will not be forsaken

God is in control

We will choose to remember and never be shaken

There is no power above or beside Him, we know

God is in control, oh God is in control

History marches on

There is a bottom line drawn across the ages

Culture can make its plan

Oh, but the line never changes

No matter how the deception may fly

There is one thing that has always been true

It will be true forever

He has never let you down

Why start to worry now?

He is still the Lord of all we see

And He is still the loving Father

Watching over you and me

watching over you...watching over me..

watching over every things..watching over you..

watching over me..every little sparrow..every little things...

God Bless Everyone and God Bless America!

What is Wrong with Today's Kids?

I just came back from having lunch with my oldest daughter. And boy did my blood pressure rise. She tells me about how rude the 6th graders are all the time and I have seen it for myself. Today several boys at the lunch table started cussing. Let me tell you people - I did not hold my peace. I came unglued! Needless to say, I've probably made an enemy or 2. Not only did I jump all over them - I told one of the teachers.

What is wrong with today's kids? Let me tell you what's wrong - It's the P-A-R-E-N-T-S! If those kids are talking like that - then you know they are hearing it at home. If they are being disrespectful at school - they are being taught that at home. My children know that if they ever act like that at school and I find out about it - they will be disciplined! I will not put up with that type of behavior.

I'm not the best parent there is. Believe me, I fall short in many areas. But God gave us our children and we have a job to do. Many parents are scared of what their child might do if they discipline them, but I have 3 words for those type parents - Do It Anyway! Don't let your tween or teenager rule the roost! You are the parents - not them. If we discipline our children the way God wants us to, then I believe our children will grow up and contribute to society the way they're supposed to. It is hard - I know. There are times I throw up my hands and say "Okay God - now what?"

My husband went to school with Sarah for a Father/Daughter day last school year and came home shaking his head. He said he didn't know how anyone learns anything because the teacher was continually stopping to correct a child. The schools have no control over the children because the parents do not have control of them.

I could go on about the public school system, but I'll save that for another time.

God help us as parents to teach our children respect for others. And help us to live our lives as an example of you so that our children will always live for you.

Is it Winter or Summer?

We live an area of the world (can you guess?) where it is sometimes 80 degrees in January or 20 degrees in January. Today was one of the cooler days. Freezing rain came down most of the day and covered our bare trees in icicles. It was very beautiful. I took a picture of my rosemary bush. It is a large bush and it was leaning completely over because of the weight of the ice. I hope it doesn't harm it because we love the bushes fragrance. Tomorrows forcast is a high of near 60 and by Friday - back up to 70!



On another note - I got a surprise today when I went to pick up my children from school. Adah came out wearing a pair of jeans. I was horrified. For those that know me, they know that my girls and I do not wear pants. So to see her coming out of school with these things on was shocking. I didn't make a big deal of it though because I didn't want her to start crying. Come to find out - she had a bit of an accident so the teacher gave her a change of clothes. She looked like a little orphan annie though because the pants were too short and she had no socks on. You should have seen Sarah's face though when she saw Adah coming down the hall! It was priceless!

Memories & Family

I'd like to share some memories that we made during our Christmas trip. All of my husband's immediate family lives out in Odessa and New Mexico, except for Cheryl. So since Cheryl came this year for Christmas, everyone was together at the same time. That in itself was pretty incredible.

We also went to Carlsbad, NM to "Christmas on the Pecos". If you dont' know what that is, well let me tell you. It is a boat ride on the Pecos River which runs between a section of beautiful homes. These homes back up to the river and every year they decorate their back yards. It is a beautiful sight. Unfortunately there was no snow this year but it was still gorgeous. The last time we were there was when Sarah was a baby. It had snowed on Christmas Day and it was bitter cold. But the snow just added to the beauty of the decorations. Anyway, our children had never seen this so we decided to go again this year. They loved it. In fact, Adah was quite upset when it ended.

I am very much a family oriented gal so this trip meant a lot to me. I am very blessed that I have a mother-in-law that loves me as her daughter. So when she became so ill that we thought we were losing her it was as if I was going to lose a mom again. And I know that she probably won't be with us too many more years, but I am thankful that I've been able to spend a little more time with her.

Family is very important!

January Fools

Okay - I know you read the last post about our plumbing issues. Turned out it's not an issue at all. We always turn our water off when we go out of town. I went out there today to round up the doggies (ours and my Mom & Dad's which we're taking care of while there out of town). Anyway, I just decided to check the outside faucet. It is wrapped for the winter months, but the wrap was soaked. I tightened the faucet and that's what the problem was. Evidently someone thought they might be able to get some free water and left it on when it didn't come on.

So I feel like it should be April 1st (April Fools) so I think I'll call this one January Fools!

Next time, we'll check all outside faucets if this happens again.

Not much else going on today - just trying to unpack from our trip. That's always fun!

New Years - same greeting!

Well, we're back! And I thank God we had a safe trip to Odessa and back. We went out there to visit Doug's family. His mother is in really bad health. We actually thought we were going to lose her the middle of December, but she has pulled through and may actually be going home next week. I really wish I could stay out there to help her though as she really needs full time care. But God knows our situation and I know He will take care of it as He sees fit. We have tried to get them to move up to our place, but so far that has not happened.

The biggest surprise for Mother was getting to see her daughter at Christmas. You should have seen the look on her face when Cheryl walked in to the hospital room. I did get a picture, but I know Mother would be very embarrassed if she know I posted it on the internet!

We made it home this evening and greeted the New Year with yet another plumbing leak! It seems that this is our lot in life - have a plumbing leak on the first day of the new year! It's like dajavue. We had the same greeting last year ('07) when we got back from our trip at Christmas and New Years. I just cringe to know how much it's going to cost this time! We'll find out tomorrow. I have some horror plumbing stories that I know you just want to hear all about, but I'd probably be up all night sharing so I'll refrain!

I'll share some pictures later, but it is late - actually I guess it's really early according to my clock! Anyway until the next post....yawn!!!!!