Back in the bloggy saddle

Thanks for being patient with me y'all! Boy starting a home-based business is A LOT of work on top of my already busy schedule so I had to cut out on a lot of my blog memes.
I know that I have lost a few readers from that and I am so sorry! I am hoping after this craft fair in November that I will be back on my regular bloggin schedule!
Anyway here is something for Friday :-)

Kendall and I
Halloween 2006
She wasn't super impressed apparently.

Our last hayride with the trailer before we sold it
October 2006

Kendall's first Halloween
2006
Isaac forgive mommy because I can't find those pictures right now for you!

Halloween 2007

Halloween 2009

Isaac you are the sweetest tigger ever!
2009

Right before Halloween 2008
Not sure where our 2008 Halloween pictures went!

Milspouse Friday Fill-in at
http://wifeofasailor.com/
1.What’s the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?

Gosh....lots of people have done nice things for me. Ummmm.....I will go with the most recent. We received 2 photo quilted blankets for our children made by many different hands so that they will have some comfort when their daddy is not with them.
2.If you are having a hard time going to sleep, what do you do to help yourself?
Get on the computer!
3.Name something that makes you wish you were a kid again.
Dressing up for Halloween!
4.What is something you never believed until you experienced it?
Love between husband and wife
5.What can’t you say “no” to?
Anyone asking for help
Friday Fill-in
So...here we go!
1. While the cat's away duh....the mice will play!
2. Friendships are  fabuloso!
3. Children say the craziest things.
4. I will do it when I get home from work or shopping or what have you.
5. This may seem odd, but I love to facebook
6. Wearing childrens clothing as an adult and that seems like a fine idea to me!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner with friends (even though it will be our last with our friend who is leaving for Afghanistan, tomorrow my plans include Kendall's last soccer game and an adult fall party and Sunday, I want to go to our neighborhood fall festival and trick or treating!




1. If you could be a fly on any wall, which would you choose?

I would say the white house but only if I am a fly with teeth so I can bite when people are being stupid!
2. Do you budget your Christmas shopping or just get it done without budgeting?
We try to stick to our budget esp since we save year round for our purchases with our Christmas club
3. What is the craziest fad diet you have ever done?
Don't hate me but I have never dieted
4. Is there a TV show that you have seen every episode/season of?
Nope
5. What one song always pulls at your heart?
Praise you in this storm: Casting Crowns


In honor of Veteran's Day, many businesses give discounts as a way to thank our American Heroes past & present for their service. Here is a list of some of those participating. 
 
Restaurants


Applebee's Restaurant - Free dinners to veterans throughout the day.

Outback Steakhouse - Free Blooming Onion and beverage. One non-alcoholic drink or one draft Anheuser Busch beer except where prohibited by law

Golden Corral - Free buffet dinner from 5-9 p.m. on Nov. 16 to anyone who has ever served in the U.S. military

McCormick & Schmick's Complimentary Lunch or Dinner -The McCormick & Schmick's Veterans Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 7, 2010 is offered at participating restaurants to veterans defined as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

Krispy Kreme - One free doughnut of any variety.

UNO Chicago Grill - Free entree or individual pizza with an entree or pizza purchase of equal or greater value.

Market Place Grill & Express - Veterans and active-duty military receive free entrees.

Masala Wok - The Northern Virginian restaurant is offering a free entree to veterans.

Hy-Vee supermarkets - The mid-western supermarket chain is offering a free breakfast to veterans.

Abuelo's Mexican Food Restaurants - All veterans and active-duty military receive a free entree.

Carolina Burgers & BBQ - In Matthews, NC is offering a free meal to all service members and veterans.


Retail

Brides Across America - Provides free wedding gowns to qualified military brides.

Lowe's & Home Depot - Extra 10% off to active-duty military members, National Guard and reserve members, retirees, honorably discharged veterans and immediate family members.

Sam's Club -Over 25,000 Hugo canes will be given away to U.S. veterans in need of mobility assistance. Membership is not required, but supplies are limited, so check with your local store.

Amazon.com - Free "Veterans Day Honor" MP3 album download. The album includes 12 songs by The Bands and Ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Cabela's Outdoor Store - Offers their employee discount to all veterans, active-duty military and reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel Nov. 11-12. Discounts vary from 5% to 50%, depending on the item.

Build-a-Bear Workshop - Members of the armed services including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserve Officer Training Corps, will receive a 20% discount Nov. 11-15 on any one transaction at Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Dollar General - 10% discount for all veterans, active-duty military, National Guard and reserve and their immediate families.

Fashion Bug - 20% off all plus-size and misses clothing purchases with a copy of military ID or spouse's military ID.
Entertainment

National parks, forests and monuments - Admission is free to everyone on Veterans Day.

Colonial Williamsburg - Free admission Nov. 6-11 for active-duty military, guard and reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents.

Historic Jamestown - Free admission to veterans, current Armed Forces members and their family members.

Natural Elements Spa & Salon - In Chesapeake, Virginia, will provide free services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to both active duty and retired military.

Anheuser-Busch Parks Free Admission - Complimentary admission for active duty military representing all five service branches, active members of a reserve or National Guard unit, and/or up to three direct dependents. Valid for one complimentary single-day admission per person, per year.

Knott's Berry Farm Free Admission - Knott's annual tribute to our Military, past and present, starts November 1st. FREE admission for Veterans or current serving military personnel and one guest with proper I.D. presented at turnstile

Mohegan Sun Hotel Discount Rates - Enjoy special discount hotel rates on select dates from October 2010 through February 2011. On available dates you can lock in an exclusive $99.00 per night rate for a standard room, and can upgrade to a one-bedroom suite at an additional $100 per night.

For all our family.....

Kendall's modeling debut
Featuring her mommy's (me) new line of clothing
Skidz Wife Creations

Mike's Farm
HMLA 467 Family day

Marriage Monday & Making your home a haven

Here's week #3's Challenge: List a few of the spots in your home that make you visually stressed because of all the clutter. Now go buy something for that spot - like a basket to put it all in! Work on cleaning up clutter. Throw things away. While you're at it - clean up some clutter in your spiritual life. What gets in the way of your peace spiritually?

Courtney at http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/ has issued another challenge. Are you up for it?

Anne Graham Lotz says "Repentance must be a spiritual discipline or you will become a hypocrite. Root out basic sins early in your life." Most of Women Living Well's readers fall in the 20-40+ range...we are young! Root out those sins now before they become habits - do not get cozy with sin!


So today - this is a call to repentance. I am down on my knees with you and I want all of us to be right with God. Practice repentance daily - free yourself of spiritual clutter.

Marriage Monday
Julie at http://comehaveapeace.blogspot.com/
Talked yesterday about "dump talking duos." I think that you should check it out. I know that Ben and I are definitely guilty of falling into the dumps sometimes.

Phil. 2:14-15


Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

Being a complaining couple keeps us from shining. To keep conversation lifted above dump talk, try these reminders:
•· Instead of annoyances, talk about what you appreciate

•· Instead of problems, talk about potential

•· Instead of discouragement, talk about your dreams

•· Instead of irritations, talk about ideas

•· Instead of quarreling, talk about your quiet time

•· Instead of bashing, talk about your blessings

I hope your talk time together will be sweet. Listen to what you’re saying together, and then love your spouse by lifting the content of your conversation. And praise the Lord that huge branch didn't come all the way through our house and injure anyone, that the whole tree didn't fall, and that it's not raining! When we ask God to help us see our problems HIS way, it often ends up in praise, doesn't it?

Growing as a wife each week along with you,

Monday Mugs (Fall) & Mamarazzi Monday

Kendall with all the pretty mum's a local place called Mike's Farm

Family pic at Mike's farm this past weekend

Sweet moment with my cranky man

Pony rides at our Fall festival at church

He's having fun can you tell?

Daddy in the dunk tank at the fall festival where it was very chilly!

What fall festival would be complete without mommy throwing you up on a giant velcro board?



Happy 60th Birthday Dadoo!

Any man can be a father.  It takes someone special to be a dad.  ~Author Unknown

Since I heard this song (on the radio which has only happened like 3 times in my life) on the radio last week and it was my song that I danced with my dad to at my wedding, I thought that it would be appropriate to share it on his 60th birthday!

That's my job: Conway Twitty

I woke up cryin' late at night when I was very young

I had dreamed my father had passed away and gone
my world revolved around him I couldn't lie there anymore
so I made my way down the mirrored hall and tapped upon his door
And I said Daddy I'm so afraid how will I go on with you gone that way
Don't wanna cry anymore so may I stay with you and he said

Chorus:

That's my job
that's what I do
everything I do is because of you to keep you safe with me
that's my job you see

Later we barely got along this teenage boy and he
most of the fights it seems were over different dreams we each held for me
he wanted knowledge and learning
I wanted to fly out west
said I could make it out there if I just had the fare
I got half will you loan me the rest
and I said Daddy I'm so afraid there's no guarentee in the plans I've made
and if I should fail who will pay my way back home
and he said
::CHORUS::

Every person carves his spot and fills the hole with light
and I pray some day I might light as bright as he

I woke up early one bright fall day to spread the tragic news
after all my travels I settled down within a mile or two

I make my living with words and rhyme and all this tragedy
should go into my head and out instead as bits of poetry
but I say Daddy I'm so afraid how will I go on with you gone this way
how can I come up with a song to say I love you

That's my job
that's what I do
everything I do is because of you to keep you safe with me
that's my job you see

everything I do is because of you to keep you safe with me

Friday!!!

1. What do you listen to while driving? I normally have contemporary christian, country, classical, or sometimes the oldies (from my parents generation......) Oh yeah I frequently listen to the kids fighting :-)

2. What is your least favorite thing about Fall? It used to be raking leaves or picking them out of the rocks in front of my parents house. Now I guess I would have to say the approach of Christmas and not being ready!
3. What does your dream house look like, inside and out? Gosh....Ben and I find things daily that we like. It will have to be 2 story, have a basement, and a wraparound porch. Besides that, we are still working on the details!
4. Would you ever own a minivan? If it was given to us for free......
5. Do you wash new clothes before wearing them? It solely depends on what item it is & how much of a hurry I am to wear it!

So...here we go!
1. My favorite month is December because I love Christmas and Ben proposed that month too.
2. On a hot summer day, I love a fresh breeze.
3. I love to sniff  the kids after their bath.
4. Turkey bacon and french toast is what I like to have as a treat for breakfast.
5. The hobby I enjoy most is photography
6. I am waiting to hear if I got into the craft fair, oh my!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to staying with the family, tomorrow my plans include Kendall's soccer game, church, & life group and Sunday, I want to serve in the nursery & get some more sewing done!

Marriage Monday & Making your home a haven

Today is Marriage Monday over at http://comehaveapeace.blogspot.com/ Now I didn't copy the entire blog post today but I came close to it because Julie always makes so much sense to me. I hope that it brings you as much to ponder as it did to me.

I guess it's the way God knit me together, but "reunioning" plunges me into deep thought ... and the capacity to consume large quantities of coffee. Since it's Marriage Monday, I'll share one thought that bumped around in my head this weekend. I couldn't help but ask myself, "Have I done my husband good?" Life is so much about choices. We both could've ended up in other relationships, lived other lives. But we chose to do life together, and at markers like 20 reunions, it's good to ask, "Have I done him good?" O, I hope so!

I do tell you that I am so thankful every day that I ended up with Ben and not any other relationship. He pushes me to grow (even if it is painful at the time) and change. He is a good, godly husband and provider. And I pray that I am "doing him good."
But you don't have to wait for a 20 year reunion to ponder these things. In fact, I think it serves us well if consider questions like these early and often:
•Who is my husband, because of "me in his life"?

•How have we changed?

•What has he gained because of me?

•What have we done together?
Is his _____ better? Fill in the blank with words like: faith, reputation, character, health, confidence, experience, endurance. Have I lifted him up to help him be the "best him" he can be?
I sincerely hope that I have lifted him up to be the "best him."
Fortunately, I know I'm NOT responsible for all my husband is. He has the Holy Spirit for that! But I'm that "helper suitable for him," (Genesis 2:18) that one who "brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life" (Proverbs 31:12). That's quite a calling, friends! Part of my mission in life as a wife is to "do him good" all of my life. That's what Marriage Mondays is all about.

Other than his relationship with God, a wife can be the best thing that ever happened to a man! When I've let my flesh rule me, instead of God's Spirit, I can be relieved to know God's grace covers my mistakes. God wants us to keep growing as a wife even more than we or our husband do. Besides that, there's always another reunion to come, and that means another day to ponder ... "Have I done my hubby good?"

Are You Distracted and Distant or Making Your Home a Haven?

It is week 1 of the Making Your Home a Haven Fall Challenge. Here is this week's challenge: Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. I will be starting mine in the morning! But you can start yours at dinner time. Do what makes sense for your family. I will be placing mine in the kitchen - the main hub of my home. Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home.

This is just a snippet of the whole article. Go visit Courtnet at http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/ for more!
May your husbands and families be blessed by you this week.

Scripture Sunday/The wedding prayer/week 41 of 52

Last week during a laundry break

Our pastor preached the best sermon on submitting, marriage, & well to be honest his best sermon yet! The word submit is such a hard word/concept to swallow in today's world view. Listening to Jason's message last night, it made so much more sense.....an AHA! moment at it's finest. I thought that while I was doing a little blog surfing that I would share this and a few other tidbits.

Wives and Husbands

Ephesians 5:22-33

22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[b] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Truthfully, I am looking forward to letting my husband lead us more spiritually and in life. How about you girls?
For more on this sermon you can view it at http://www.fbcjax.net/ It is well worth your time!

I read this a week or so ago and loved it. I am so glad to finally have the opportunity to share it with you. It was originally posted by Lysa at http://lysaterkeurst.com/



The Wedding Prayer
Father in Heaven, thank you for this husband Ben, and wife, Jamie, and their commitment to Christian marriage. As we look ahead, we pray that their future will never lack the convictions that make a marriage strong.
Bless this husband, Ben. Bless him as provider and protector. Sustain him in all the pressures that come with the task of stewarding a family. May his strength be his wife’s boast and pride, and may he so live that his wife may find in him the haven for which the heart of a woman truly longs.
Bless this wife, Jamie. Give her a tenderness that makes her great, a deep sense of understanding, and a strong faith in You. Give her that inner beauty of soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast to the things that never age. May she so live that her husband may be pleased to reverence her in the shrine of his heart.
Teach them that marriage is not living for each other. It is two people uniting and joining hands to serve You. Give them a great spiritual purpose in life. May they seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, knowing that You will sustain them through all of life’s challenges.
May they minimize each other’s weaknesses and be swift to praise and magnify each other’s strengths so that they might view each other through a lover’s kind and patient eyes. Help them every day to be kind and gentle, more like Thee. Give them a little something to forgive each day, that their love might learn to be long-suffering.
Bless them and develop their characters as they walk together with You. Give them enough hurts to keep them humane, enough failures to keep their hands clenched tightly in Yours, and enough of success to make them sure they walk with You throughout all of their life.
May they never take each other’s love for granted but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims. “Out of all this world, you have chosen me.” Then, when life is done and the sun is setting, may they be found then as now, still hand in hand, still very proud, still thanking You for each other.

May they travel together as friends and lovers, brother and sister, husband and wife, father and mother, and as servants of Christ until He shall return or until that day when one shall lay the other into the arms of God. This we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, the great lover of our souls. Amen.