Happy 100!!

This is my 100th post on my bog. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! From what I can tell in the world of blogs number 100 is a big deal. I would love to bless everyone with my list of "100 things about me" on this post. I started that list and then, once again, life happened. I will add to as time goes on and then I'll post it. Come on by and celebrate my 100th post anniversary with me. Yeah!

A Few Random Thoughts This Morning...

I am sitting here this morning while Caleb plays with a magazine I've already read. He LOVES magazines. He flails them around and adores tearing them into pieces. Apparently there is some sort of pleasure when he hears that wonderful crinkly sound as it tears and one page turns into TWO. WOW! The only thing is that I have to make sure he doesn't eat his magazine.

I am waiting for Caleb's nap time to come along at 9 am. Once he goes down I can take my shower and get other things done around the house.

Have I ever mentioned that I really DISLIKE Spring. I mean I REALLY don't like Spring. I know I go against the grain with this but it is true. Spring means warmer temperatures and warmer temperatures mean pretty flowers and blooming trees. Yes, those flowers are so pretty but they are EVIL under all that beauty. Flowers mean pollen and pollen means a headache that just won't go away. The whole left side of my face hurts from sun-up to sun-down. All I can do is take my Advil and Claritin-D. My teeth even hurt on the upper left side. I have gone to the dentist twice in recent years convinced I had a cavity only to have the dentist tell me to take sinus tablets. This morning I once again woke up with a literally splitting headache. I promptly moved to the bathroom and took both sets of my medicine. It has helped a little bit that that booger never truly goes away until the pollen lets up. DARN those flowers!

I am such a FALL person. The temperatures are coolish but not too cold. I can wear sweatshirts but not a jacket. The leaves are so pretty as they fall and it is only a few weeks till Christmas! Fall is the way to go for sure.

Now, there is one thing I do like about Spring. I can use my clothes line again. I really enjoy putting clothes out on the line. I looks pretty in weird kind of way and there is so much pleasure knowing that I'm saving money by not using the dryer. The only time I use the dryer is when the clothes come in and I put the crispy pieces into the dryer for a quick fluff with a dryer sheet. I don't use the dryer nearly as much as I do during the winter and that is great.

I am in month 3 of our new grocery cash only budget. It has been going well except for this month. I am almost out of my money and it is only the 20th. I'm having to think of ways to make our food stretch till I get more money next month. Do I use the last money for milk or something else? Should I get a bag of cereal or should we live on oatmeal in the morning? What to do? Thankfully, I have a very accommodating husband who will do whatever it takes to make our new budget work. Why hasn't my grocery money lasted this month? I've had to buy that darn Claritin-D (or the Equate version) and that stuff is not cheap. Why do I buy that....POLLEN. Ugh! I don't like Spring!

Finally, there is one thing I don't like about selling stuff on eBay. It is the wait from opening the listing till it closes. So many bidders wait till the very end to make even the first bid. I will wait all week and see there have been no bids and that can drive me crazy. Why won't they sell?? They sold so well last week! Then on the day of the listing ending bids start coming in like crazy and my mind rests and gets excited about next week...only to do the wait again.

Today is a "Stay at home in comfy clothes and get things done around the house" day. I might go walking in the afternoon after Caleb's nap if I feel brave enough to brave the pollen. It will depend on how much I want to get out.

Everyone have a wonderful day!!

What A Weekend!

I don't think I would say that I enjoyed this past weekend. It was most definitely different in that I didn't spend much time inside the house. That is a nice change. I spend time with some friends from small group and enjoyed Saturday night church and on Sunday I spent most of the day with Chris' parents, sister, and brother-in-law. The one thing that was missing was my wonderful husband, Chris. Where was he you ask? He was WORKING! The poor guy rarely has to work on the weekends and if he does work it is usually at home. He had to re-do the server at his office because really didn't want anyone else to do it or even mess it up. So, he worked with the other computer savvy guy at work. He worked late on Friday and that is our date night. DARN! He then went into the office at 9 am on Saturday. Thankfully, he left around 2 pm and that allowed for us to go to church together. Unfortunately, he still had to go back on Sunday. He was to be there at 9 am again, so we had an early Donut Connection date. Like I said before, I spent pretty much the rest of the day at Chris' parents house. That was nice. Chris didn't get home until after 1 am THIS morning. I was practically a single-mom this weekend.

The good out of all this is that Chris gets to take a regular work day off. We are going to Atlanta to visit my sister next weekend and Chris decided to take next Monday off. So, we get to have a nice long weekend with my sister and her family. I guess that makes all of Chris' hard work worth it. Yeah!! He even said we might do something special while we're there. I wonder what it could be?

Two charter members of Caleb's fan club are also coming into town today. They might actually already be here. Chris' Grandparents (Mom's side) are arriving today to visit. They usually only come once a year but apparently my son has powers and those powers seem to draw people here to see him. I better get ready so that Caleb can go visit his public.

See ya later!

My Heart and My Prayer

Each and every week (well, mostly) Chris, Caleb, and I go to Church on Saturdays. We've come to LOVE going to church on Saturday evenings because it completely frees up our Sundays and that allows for a more relaxing Sabbath and Family Day. Once we get to church Caleb goes into the nursery, Chris goes to teach his 2-5th grade boys in his small group and I go to the church bookstore to serve. After the first service is spent in service, we gather again for the worship service. Then we go home for bedtime, dinner, and usually a movie.

Our evenings of service and worship are so easy and even routine. Sure, we are fed and we don't move around like robots. But, it is so EASY to realize how EASY we really have it. We give no second thought to getting up and going to church with our two Bibles which are only two of many more left on the bookshelves at home. We have Kiddie Bibles, NIV, NASB, NKJV, German Bibles, Teen Bibles, Precious Moments, and the list goes on. We have our BIG Study Bibles and the smaller Bibles we carry around with us. There is a Bible in my car that stays there for church. We have a Bible on CD for the cars and we have access to any number of Bibles on the Internet.

WOW! How Lucky we are!!!

A couple of years ago, I subscribed to the Voice of the Martyr's newsletter. I read it every month and I am moved and convicted. I am reminded that it is so EASY to be a Christian here in the U.S. of A. It is so easy that people take it for granted most of the time. I hear the word "persecution" tossed around by peers when they complain of someone picking on them at work or from family members. Do they even know what real PERSECUTION is? Since becoming involved with Voice of the Martyrs I know what it is and I KNOW it doesn't happen here

My heart grows more and more for our Brothers and Sisters in places where Persecution is very real. Where they are literally chained up in jail, forbidden to worship together, forbidden to hold even one page of scripture, and even executed because they committed the "crime" of loving their Savior, Jesus.

My prayers for them grow in number and I always wonder what can I do more. I have participated in the Bibles Unbound program and I've donated funds to various VOM ministries. I know my gestures make an eternal difference and yet I desire to keep going and to never stop.

A few months ago, I signed up to blog for the Persecuted Church with VOM blog. I confess that I have been delinquent in not keeping up my end of the bargain. My blog has suffered lately from my lack of writing and unfortunately, my commitment to the VOM blog has gotten the shortest end of that stick. I have confessed to the Lord and I seek forgiveness from the people at VOM blog.

From this day forward, I will make a difference in my corner of the Internet by raising awareness about my Family who can't gather up their families and so easily go to Saturday evening services because that is the most convenient for them (out a choice of 6 total services). I pray that my heart will not grow soft because of how easy I have it and I pray that I can raise my son to remember his little friends in Christ in other parts of the world.

To my Brothers and Sisters in Chains, we hear your cries and we pray daily for you. Keep the Faith and Keep Strong in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I Would Watch This Survivor Series!

I had to steal this from Rocks in My Dryer today. It is GREAT!! What would our men do without us??

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each
for six weeks.

Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.

There is no fast food.

Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of "pretend" bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.

Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time.

Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment. He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care (weekend, evening, on a holiday or right when they're about to leave for vacation). He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.

Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.

There is only one TV between them, and a remote with dead batteries.

Each father will be required to know all of the words to every stupid song that comes on TV and the name of each and every character on cartoons.

The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, which they will apply to themselves while making three lunches.

Each man will have to make an Indian hut model with six toothpicks, a tortilla and one marker; and get a 4 year old to eat a serving of peas.

Each man must adorn himself with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep their nails polished and eyebrows groomed. The men must try to get through each day without snot, spit-up or barf on their clothing.

During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties. They must try to explain what a tampon is for when the 6-yr old boy finds it in the purse.

They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.

He will need to read a book and then pray with the children each night without falling asleep, and then feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair each morning by 7:00. They must leave the home with no food on their face or clothes.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each
child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.

They must have a loving, age-appropriate reply to, "You're not the boss of me."

The kids vote them off the island based on performance.

The last man wins only if he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.

If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years...eventually earning the right to be called Mom!

Oh, To See My Words in Print

I was reading one of my favorite blogs this morning (Rocks in My Dryer) and someone left a comment about Blurb.com . Apparently, you can take your blog and convert it into a book. You can pick and choose your favorite entries and then have it all "published" into a fancy schmancy book. WOW! When I read that and surfed on over to Blurb I couldn't resist but get inspired. What would it be like to have my blog in print? Hmmm. I know there would be a great sense of satisfaction even if it was just me or my friends and family who read it. I also became greatly convicted because I KNOW I've been terribly delinquent about writing here lately.

During my Devotional Time I prayed that God would give me the initiative to write here far more than I have lately. The Lord knows my ultimate dream is to write in some way and to touch lives that way. I believe He put that dream within me. In the short term, my blog is a great vehicle for that. So, I prayed that he would help me find/create/make the time to be more disciplined in my writing. I also prayed for inspiration and the words to write.

Maybe the thought of seeing my blog in print was a little nudge for the Big Guy to get my fingers tapping away. I'll take it. Here's to many words to be written and books to be published. I wonder what the future holds? How Exciting!

I Have Found My Diaper Place

I am so excited and I can't believe that I haven't written about this before now. I have found my place to buy diapers. As Moms, we ALL know how hard it can be to find a great place to get that good supply of diapers. First, how do those kiddos go through them so fast? Geez! The dollars add up so fast. Well, after much looking and trial and error, I have found it. I go to Amazon.com. Not only does Amazon have a great price for the diapers, they also have free shipping for orders over $25. Any box of diapers is going to meet that requirement. Caleb is currently in Pampers Cruisers Size 3. (I remember when he was in Pampers Swaddlers Newborn) Anyway, not only are the prices great I also signed up for their subscription service in which I will automatically get a box of diapers sent to me each month. No more hurrying to get the diapers ordered because I realize I am drastically low. I have this problem going to the store in town to buy diapers because they are so expensive compared to buying them online. Not only is the subscription service convenient it also offers 15% off your order if you sign up!! What!? I get great diapers for a great price and then get a discount! This is awesome! You can cancel your subscription anytime and sign up again. That is what I'll do once Caleb graduates to Size 4. Use my link over there--> (in the sidebar) to order your diapers TODAY!! You will get a great deal AND I'll benefit too. ;-)

Life is too busy sometimes

You know that life is too busy when you end up avoiding the things you love the most. One of those things for me is this blog. I just looked at my blog and I saw that the last time I wrote was February 20th. It is already March 7th!! Where has the time gone??

Caleb is 8 months old. He has a tooth peeking through and he is already trying to crawl. He can stand up on his own in his playpen...as long as he's holding onto the edge. He is talking up a storm and he has a BIG belly. You would almost think he is pregnant or something with that thing. He can eat his little Fruit Puffs on his own while using his thumb and index finger. I'm raising a genius. I found myself looking at kiddie party invitations today because I know that his 1 Year birthday party is inevitable. I've even been compiling a guest list in my head. NOOOO!!! My baby is growing up WAY TOO FAST!

During the time I've been gone, I've been focusing on my eBay sales. They are going well and February was the best month yet. I have my friends and family to thank for that because they have given me great stuff to sell for them. Thanks, Guys! Feel free to check out my auctions. My User ID is over there--->

I have also come to conclusion that I really miss my writing. I miss my blog and everyone in blogsville. I have been a shameless lurker, though. Apparently, I can find the time to read blogs but I don't even leave comments. Well, now that I realize how much I love writing here and elsewhere I've decided to put more effort into it. I'm going to focus more on my blog and EVEN leaving comments on other people's blogs. I'm also going to make an effort to break into the freelance market. I LOVE to write and I would LOVE to contribute to the family that way. eBay has been great to me. Don't get me wrong. It is just that writing is my dream and that is what I'm going to pursue. eBay will continue...business as usual until I have found something else that is substantial enough.

Please pray that I can stay focused on my writing and that I can put my confidence in the Lord and not myself. Lord knows that I will be discouraged VERY quickly if I put my confidence in myself. I've gone down that road and I've quit. (Exhibit A: My absence from this blog). Thanks everyone!! I'll see you again very soon. :-)