And Summer 2011 Begins...

Turns out I am not an avid Blogger *in case you hadn't noticed* :/ I really have too much to do and too little time to remember to keep up with it! :) Life has been hectic-DHS asked us to take on 3 kids this time... and of course-we said "sure, we can handle it!" And while we have *if I do say so myself* done a great job ;) we have also been working VERY hard at making sure our 4 kids get the time and attention they deserve while also working very hard at trying to undo all the years of deglect and mistreatment these 3 kids have been through... and to top it all off-2 of them are teen girls. HOLY CATS has that been hard. We got the boy in July of last year and then his 2 sisters 2 days before Christmas. It is coming up on their permanancy hearing and a time for the judge to decide what their future holds. We have out fingers crossed that they get to go live with a family member who loves and misses them. It is summer time now and while I LOVE sleeping in :) (no more 6 am wake up the kids, make lunches, "brush your teeth!" "brush your hair!" "do you have your lunch? your homework?") I am not so sure I love having all 7 of them around ALL the time to mess up every room they enter and eat me out of house and home. OH MY GOSH can these kids eat... I have plans to try to work in a fun thing a few times a month-beach, river, camping-that sort of thing. ALSO trying to get some dogs to some dog shows. I got an opportunity to work with a handler I admire so that will be exciting to have her out showing my dogs while I get to spend time with my kids :) Got to have some TX family out for 10 days-that was FUN FILLED! :) Lots of going going going and got to actually get to know cousins I haven't been in touch with. That was great-spent time with Sister and some of her kids-we had a FULL HOUSE. My oldest has been teaching me about how kids grow up and start to try to do things their way when and how they want... he didn't like that I told him he was grounded and could not go to a party in Seaside... so he snuck out and went anyway-while I was caring for my sisters 3 foster babies AND we had 4 family members here from TX. *thanks son* That was so dissappointing and frustrating and disrespectful. Yeah-I did the same thing when I was his age... BUT the difference is I grew up in a home that did not have the love and guidance and good example that this child has. Turns out we are not perfect parents with perfect kids. *shrug* go figure. There goes that idea. So we sent him off to my sisters for a couple weeks where he can reflect and we can have some time apart. Not sure how much more rounded the kid can be... "God grant me the serenity..." My oldest daughter is morphing into a young lady-makes me scared of what to expect next :) my "baby" finished the 1st grade... 20th high school reunion is next month-can't believe I am old enough to have one of those! I am still in love with my husband *yeah* and things are going great there. *phew* We got a Bullmastiff puppy :) named Lily who started showing this weekend... got Reserve at the specialty, Reserve the next day and WB the last day *woohoo* So this is what has been going on lately. :) Maybe I will post again before next summer :-P

Becoming a Foster Parent

Again... it's been a long time since my last blog. :) no excuses, it just is what it is. I am a busy girl and sometimes life turns in to triage rather than doing whatever I want. Who needs me most urgently to do what/be where? So my blog time gets pushed to the bottom of the priority list *shrug* it is what it is. And I am OK with that. One day my kids will be all growed up and on their owns and I will have all the time in the world on my hands... *sort of* knowing me, I will find a new priority to fill the emptiness. I am who I am, I need a job to feel important and when I don't have one, I make one or find one. So, most recently I must have "needed more on my plate" because Honey and I spent over 2 months getting certified and back ground checked and house rearranged to welcome 2 littles girls into our busy home who needed someone to guide and love them. We became foster parents. I have to admit-it is rather annoying to hear so many people rave about our act of kindness because we didn't do it for the "atta boys". We did it because there is a need. Because we have children we love and can't imagine that someone would be blessed with these gifts of life only to abuse and neglect them. No one asks to be born so when God gives parents these precious gifts they treat them like garbage. It's sad. Honey and I feel like we have been blessed more than we could have ever imagined. We have a great life-no bragging, only very grateful! We KNOW like we know like we know-only by the Grace of God go I! We have a relationship that works, more often than not :) we have healthy loving children who are perfectly imperfect but who are loved and placed on top of our priority list. We are blessed with God's favor in employment, finance, provision-so we pay it forward. We feel like one day these children who we get to spend time with that don't belong to us may be changed in a way that will help them be the best possible person they can be. We can so we do. The "rent" for living is service. And as quoted from Matthew 25:40- "...In as much as ye have done it unto least of these ye have also done for me" so we do what we can. I have found that I can be tested beyond what I thought I would be and that my patience endures. I have found places where I thought I was on top of things and realized I need to do more. I have prayed to be the Mother these kids deserve more than I have prayed for anything for myself. Praying for patience only gives God opportunities to allow you to show patience and sometimes I wish he didn't trust me so much! LOL But I endure. I have also found that when I think I am at my wits end-there I find strength to go further. A pretty neat part of this journey for me has been that I thought I could not love these kids. I thought I could care about them and take care of them but that they were not mine and so I could not love them that way... but that is not so. I do love them and I feel especially protective over them. I am so grateful that my kids understand that these girls need to be shown care and concern so they don't get jealous of them :) instead they follow our lead and show them compassion and care. Don't get me wrong-they sure no how to push our buttons-but it is easier to handle when you know WHY they do what they do. So that is our biggest news lately. So much more has been on my mind and with so many lessons I have learned recently I feel like there is more to write. It has been helpful for me to go back and read what I was feeling and thinking during certain growth spurts :) so I will try to get back here more often. Happy May! :)

Baseball n stuff

Today was the end of season party day :) and we decided to have it at our place for the first time... Honey has been coaching T Ball, baseball for 10 years. And it was fun! I liked not having to put my shoes on. The boys played *wild and crazy* football and all the little sisters held puppies. Parents hung out and gabbed. It was great fun getting to know everyone a little better. I complain about all the time and energy that goes into having my kids in sports/activities but all in all I really like it. I like the comradery, I like cheering my kids and their teams on. It is a great experience for them and us alike. I am proud of Honey for being such an involved Father. It is special that Honey gives them his time and it is something our kids can look back on and know that Daddy cared enough about them to devote that time to them. Now we start the All Star season... the team that gets to ride on the floats in the parades of our small towns :) So there we go. Today's blog. ;) Happy Sunday!

Gift of Goodbye

It's been a while since I have blogged so I thought it about time I have a good message I picked up from Joel (Good Ol Joel) about "the gift of goodbye"You're destiny is not tied to the people who walk away."Let Them Go"That they walked away was not an accident... Don't ride a dead horse. If the horse is dead-dismount and get on the living breathing one who will take you new places.Don't talk people into staying who are meant to go. They may stay for a while but you are only putting off theinevitable.Rejoice the gift of goodbye.The sooner they go the better off you will both be. When you're meant to be in someone's life, God puts you there. When God joins people to you, you don't have to bend over backwards toplease them. You don't need them to fulfill your destiny. You can't live your life trying to make someone want to be with you.1st John 2:19They went out from us becuase they were not part of us.When someone is WITH you they are there as long as you do all the right things, as long as you keep them happy. As long as you don't make mistakes but when they are there FOR you they give you room to make mistakes. They accept you for who you are. They give more to the relationship than they take. They see the best in you.When it is time to part, let them go with love and appreciate what they brought to your life.Don't fight the change. If you don't let the wrong people go you won't have room for the right ones.Some people keep you in limitation to keep you in their life-they put you down or tell you that you can't do things without them. A true friend will not only help you get to where you are going but love you enough to let you do it on your own.Let your friends help you when you need it.But don't use tem as a crutch; a crutch is temporary and only to help you till you can stand on your own. It is no way to live.Don't let people talk to you through your fears-keeping you from your destiny.Anytime you hear the phrase "God told me to tell you..." RUN! that sould be a warning. If God wanted to tell you something... he would tell you himself.It's not important how many people you have in your life... it's WHO you have that matters.Don't be afraid to let the wrong people go.You and God are a majority.When you put a demad on your Faith... that pleases God.God doesn't give you 1/2 the talent you need to accomplish what he has put in your heart Some people are WITH you but not FOR you.Tap into the gifts and talents the Lord has put in you. Amen.have a great day!xxoo

On Being A Christian

On Being a Christian When I say... "I am a Christian" I’m not shouting "I am saved" I’m whispering "I was lost" That’s why I chose this way. When I say ..."I am a Christian" I don’t speak of this with pride. I’m confessing that I stumble and need someone to be my guide. When I say... "I am a Christian" I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on. When I say... "I am a Christian" I’m not bragging of success. I’m admitting I have failed and cannot ever pay the debt. When I say... "I am a Christian" I’m not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are too visible but, God believes I am worth it. When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain, I have my share of heartaches which is why I speak His name. When I say... "I am a Christian" I do not wish to judge. I have no authority. I only know I’m loved.

Joel's thoughts

We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer "So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself…be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes…" (II Timothy 2:21). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Are there people or activities in your life that you know you need to separate yourself from? The Bible says that bad company will corrupt good morals. God wants you to constantly be growing and rising higher in life. That's why this verse encourages us to separate ourselves from corrupting influences. And those influences are more than just the people in your everyday life. The influences are anything that influence your thinking. Be careful about what you are allowing into your mind. Be careful about what you read and what you watch. Don't give your attention to things that are going to drag you down. Choose to separate yourself today. Remember. God wants you to live an abundant life. He wants you be separate so that He can work through you and fulfill his purposes in you life. As you cleanse yourself God will work in and through you so that you can live as an over comer the way God intends! A Prayer for Today Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word which is the Truth that sets me free. Give me strength to separate myself from anything that does not honor You. In Jesus Name. Amen. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power" (Ephesians 6:10). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Everyone has times when they feel weak or discouraged in life. But you don't have to live that way! You can be strong in the Lord and in His power. You don't have to walk around defeated and depressed. You can have joy today! In fact, the Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. God's joy isn't based on circumstances. It isn't based on the news, the stock market or the housing economy. God's joy is based on Him. When you think about what He's done for you—that He's given you life, that He's cast your sins as far as the east is from the west—you can't help but get happy! You can't help but have joy inside of you. That supernatural joy on the inside of you is supernatural strength. The enemy can't take away what God has given you deep on the inside. So put a smile on your face today and rejoice in the Lord no matter what battles you may be facing. The joy of the Lord will give you strength, and you'll live the life of victory God has promised you! A Prayer for Today Heavenly Father, thank You for joy which strengthens! Thank you for empowering me today no matter what I may be facing. Fill my heart with Your supernatural joy so I can stand strong in all things. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Good Stuff To Think On

Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can drag downwards; an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Thomas Aquinas Believe and Receive Today's Scripture "Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:24, NIV). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Has God spoken things to your heart that haven't come to pass yet? Sometimes when we are believing for things, it's easy to let circumstances and the pressures of life drag us down. But when you make the choice to receive your promise by picturing it in your mind's eye, and declaring it with the words of your mouth, your faith becomes stronger. You begin to feel more confident. You begin to feel more settled. You begin to have joy and peace because you know God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. What are you believing for God to do in your life today? Can you see it in your mind's eye? Can you see yourself healed? Can you see yourself paying off that last debt? Can you see yourself at your ideal weight? Can you see yourself sharing the gospel with a family member or coworker? Ask the Lord to give you the picture of what He sees when He looks at you. As you open your heart and allow God's thoughts to become your thoughts, and your receive His promises by faith, just like it says in the above verse—whatever you ask for in prayer will be yours! A Prayer for Today Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to serve You. Thank You for the gift of faith. I ask that you search my heart and mind and remove anything that does not please you. Give me your thoughts of peace and joy today so that I can learn to receive all you have for me today. In Jesus' Name. Amen. "Get up each morning, look at yourself in the mirror, and see yourself not as someone who is overweight or out of shape, but as the someone you will become." Dr. Phil McGraw "My dad used to say, 'You wouldn't worry so much about what people thought about you if you knew how seldom they did." Dr. Phil McGraw Have a great day! xxoo

Thinking Your Way Out of Bondage

How you act and what you think while you are "in the wilderness" will determine how long you will stay there... We have to move past the things keeping you in bondage. We all have dissappointments, we all have people who let us down and times when things don't go our way or things come against us. How we deal with them determines our path. Proverbs 23:7 As a man thinks in his heart-so is he. There will be tough times in your life! But God will be there with you-your worst day with God will always be better than your best day without him. Too many defeat themselves just by thinking bad thoughts. Choose your thoughts carefully! Your mind is a battlefield. Don't believe the enemy when he tells you that you can't. The devil can't have your joy without you giving it. Stop being uphappy about someone else's bad choices. You cannot get "over there" without going THROUGH... If God brings you to it He will bring you through it. Your past does not dictate your future. That is a lie the devil tells you. Don't even let the Devil steal from you. An attitude change can change your circumstances. Let it go to God and release it. Use it as a seed for God to bring a harvest in your life.The more bitter you get, the more angry you get the more you shrink inside. Everywhere you are wronged God will make it right if you believe in him. Isaiah 61:7 & 8 For the shame of your youth I will give you a double blessing. God is not happy when someone robs you-but first you must sow your pain as a seed. Forgive those that come agianst you so that God can vindicate where you've been wronged. Amen. Blessing's to you.

Dfficult Times Are Times of Testing

God never created us to be overcome-he created us to be an overcomer. God is bigger than any problem that may come upon us. You have a heritage of the bloodline of Christ. Keep reminding yourself that nothing that comes upon you is forever. "This too shall pass." There is a peace in knowing that God is in control. We are in a "fixed fight." He had the solutions planned out before we ever come into the situation. Stay in the Faith and no weapon forged against you shall prosper. "I am a child of the Most High God." Sometimes we have difficulties because of what we are doing wrong-because of our bad choices. But sometimes we come into difficulties because of what we are doing RIGHT! When you take steps to improve your life, to fullfill your God given destiny, don't expect the enemy to roll out the red carpet and cheer you on. When you face difficulties it could be the enemy evoking opposition to your God given victory. Don't be discouraged by opposition. It is not over till GOD says it is over. The difficult times are times of testing as well. If you're going to be who God made you to be you have to have a deep resolve. Even when you go the opposite direction as God has sent you, he is so merciful that he will always make a way out for you. You don't have to suffer through life. Activate God's promises by BELIEVING. God is there for you and will be your protector and your vindicator-not because of who you are but because of WHO'S you are. *There was a story about a bear cub sitting in the woods when a ferocious lion came up on him and wanted to eat him. The cub was very afraid. Just as the lion was about to pounce... he was stopped in his tracks and he shrunk back, cowerring in fear he ran away. The cub thought to himself "I must be pretty powerful to have scared off that lion..." but what he did not realize is that the mama bear had come out of the woods and stood behind him. The lion saw who was backing him up and left in fear.* What we need to remember is who is backing US up. The Creator of the Universe is our protector. The Great, I AM. Don't get discouraged by opposition. Don't get discouraged when you have difficulties. When everything seems to come against you, very often that is because God has something very special in store for you. When you are close to a victory, "the fire gets turned up." God will bring you through the "fire." You can get to a place in your life where when opposition comes upon you or difficulties arise, you will be encouraged instead of discouraged. Just turn it around and know favor and increase are on the horizon. Isaiah 54:17There is nothing that has been created that the Lord is not bigger than. My problems may seem big but MY GOD is bigger! Amen. xxoo

Sometimes Faith Is Unreasonable

If you want to change your life, change your mind... If you have stink'n think'n you'll have a stink'n life. You can choose to think about whatever you want to think about. Just because a thought pops in your head doesn't mean you have to keep it there... Fight for your thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 As a man thinks so is he. Where the mind goes the man follows. If you let the devil defeat you in your mind you have let him defeat you. Think positively and you'll speak positively. Mark 24:4 Say to yourself "Everything I lay my hand to prospers and succeeds. I lend to many nations but never have to borrow. Bless me Lord and make me a blessing to others." Reasoning causes confusions... you can't get confused if you don't try to reason something. Once you try to think something through and then become confused you have thought it too far. Think less and Thank more. You can think your way into a good mood or a bad mood-it is up to you. Or as a dear friend likes to say... "you got mad in those shoes, you can get glad in those shoes!" I like that one. Have a great and blessed day

My new blog

Well, I thought it was time to start my BLOG To start off, I must remind anyone reading this or looking at my page that I am a multifaceted girl. I am a wife and mother and Pom breeder/exhibitor. I am a deeply spiritual Christian with deeply rooted Christian beliefs. I am a child of the All Mighty God. I am optimistic since I know all things are possible through Him. I love a good joke... and sometimes laugh at others expense. I do not like to see an injustice though. I believe in fairness and honesty. I am a strict parent who struggles with giving my budding teens and preteens some freedom while wanting to protect them from the big bad world. I love deeply. I have a few close friends that I would sacrifice for and I have several not so close friends whom I enjoy the company of that if they needed me and asked for me I would be there. Family is very important to me as are family traditions. I have a very colorful family history with "dysfunction" that has made me the woman, mother, wife and friend that I am. I know these things about me and while I work to be a better person all the time and I love those Ah Ha moments that help me grow I also recognize that I am who I am. No need to fake it and try to be someone I am not. I can be a contadictory conundrum. *shrug* I care about others but put those I know and love above strangers. I like to be generous but I have limits on what I can and am willing to give when I feel taken advantage of. I love love love my famly but also know that there are some of them I can't stand to be around. I like to think I am funny... sometimes I really crack me up. So I thought this would be a fun place for me to post my thoughts and the lessons I learn... little "pearls" if you will. Mostly this space is just a place for me. If you happen to stumble in... "Hello".