~All Things~

There and Back!!

2012-07-15T19:06:00.002-07:00

So ages ago I thought I was ready to go...ready to blog...I believe that was February. I also thought I understood this blasted thing and could change up the way the layout was...after all I had changed things before, so I sort of left it meh...looking. Then as with many things of late I forgot all about it!! So today I thought I would jump back in here! Update my page and get rolling!!HAHAHAHAH the best laid plans!! Every time I try to change the lay out it tells me there is a problem! So here I am ready to blog, and now I am so frustrated that my blog has gone from something fun to this! nothing more than a hello and why yes my background still looks like a toddler put it together! I am going to continue to mess around! I am sure it's me!After all computers only do what we tell them?yes? Hope you are having a lovely summer and I really am trying to fix this mess!!!

Blessings!!

Forget About it Friday!

2012-02-03T22:22:00.000-08:00

Speaking of rust, my mind has been full of it! Anyway I think I've stated this before but I do intend to blog more often...I often day dream as to what I would blog about but never get past that. I forget, or get busy...or just I don't know whatever!!!!

So forget about it Friday is all about just whatever comes to mind!!It's Friday, who wants to do a heck of lot of thinking!!! Today I was thinking about old/new stuff... & laughing at the fact that I have actually bought things brand spanking new & then tossed them in my back yard until they are rusty enough to be permitted entrance into my house!!! My very proper Aunt & Grandmother would die if they knew of such shenanigans!!! My Grandmother was one who heated plates for dinner, ironed ALL of her laundry...and so on. I was 2 when she died, but I am certain I would cause her to have heart trouble should she see what I drag in my house!!! The older the better I say! If it's pink or rusty even better!!!!

That's it!! Nothing to deep, nothing to contribute to society just my wondering mind! I'll be back on Monday. My baby moves out on Monday...That should give me plenty to blog about...perhaps I'll title it "Mourning Monday" Ok that might be a little dramatic! Just trying to keep your attention!

Good Night my pretties~ I would love to promise that the next time you return my blog will not look like a 5 year old put it together...but well I'll not kid us both! Enjoy your weekend & squeeze your babies, they really do grow up way to fast, I promise.

Be Still......

2012-01-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but it always seems that I am on the go.....sometimes it's just my thoughts, sometimes I am in and out all day long!!! Either way it's just go...go....go! Right now we are in a sort of transition time of life, some I can share, some not just yet. Some fun, some I am not so sure yet! We have had a grand baby born, not a bad change! It doesn't effect my every day life so much, but have found my thoughts are on that little boy!!! Our youngest son has finished up at the local junior college and is heading off for a semester at Bible College, then who knows what or where next!!! I am excited for him!!! He needs to be out on his own, this is what we raise them to do, to get along in life without us!!! Right!!??? We have done our job raising him, and now he is ready to go, more than ready I am sure!!But he is my baby, when I look at him sometimes I don't even see him as young man with whiskers, but as a big blue eyed smooth faced baby boy, excuse me I need to run to grab a tissue......! Some memories are just seared in my brain, different times & moments of his life. Like the day he sat next to a little snake hole in our back yard, patiently waiting for the little gopher snake to poke his head out so he could grab him, to keep as a pet! I told him it was pointless that the snake was wiley to his ways and would never be dumb enough to stick out his head....but he did...and Alec caught him! Or the time Alec wanted to plant a cantaloupe seed straight from one of the melons we had just cut...I told him you have to dry it out...or buy it in a package from the store son...that little seed won't grow...but he planted it and it grew!! It grew to about the size of a large softball.....then a gopher got it...but still it grew! Or the time he found a part in the grass and told us that it looked like it came from the lawn mower, Tom had just been working on it. Tom had his doubts, but he's smarter than me and didn't voice them, so off they trotted to the garage, and sure enough...the part was from the lawn mower....all these things happened before he was 7! There is more, but I choose not to bare all my parenting blunders! I've learned a thing or two!

So while I am happy! I am also a mom, a mom that frets, and thinks of all the crazy things that can happen when your child moves out, thinks of how quiet the house will be, and wonders who will rescue me when I need tech. help, or when I've let a few things go around the house only to recall at the last minute that we have guests coming..."Alec can you pick up a bit"? Oh dear......and to be really honest I'll just miss his company! In our family we like each other! We laugh & talk & tease each other! We are in and out back and forth with crazy schedules.....but we love to be together, I will miss that.

But in the midst of all of my crazy thoughts & fretting, my busy days I saw a card that said..
Be STILL....and know that I am God. it's from Psalms 46:10 and I thought that's it!! My word is STILL, for me it isn't a physical need to be still, but my mind. To not worry and fret over every single thing in my life...which then brings stress in my house & we all feel it! So I am going to work on being still....and know that He is God...and what ever is on my mind (or plate) God has got it, He is in control, and I need not fret or worry, it all comes to nothing, it changes nothing...But God.....He can change all things!
K~

Made to Crave

2012-01-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

Recently I heard the Author of the book "Made to Crave," I had actually never heard of the book prior to hearing her speak, but was intrigued! The book was written mainly for those who struggle with food. But as she spoke she also shared that this book can help in many area's of our lives. Her question was this. "What do you Crave More Than God?"

I started really thinking about it, asking the Lord to search my heart and show me.....and did He ever! I typically don't like to jump on the diet/book fad bandwagon. If its new and hip in the media world I usually am not interested...i.e. Atkins Diet, The Prayer of Jabez, Purpose Driven Life, Palm Beach Diet...I run...run the other way!!! So I was a little sceptical & felt a bit defensive that I was even considering ordering this thing!!! But I went the the Proverbs 31 website, and discovered that this book is in fact NOT new!!!! Hoooraay!!! But still I was beginning to doubt my need to read this and wanted to pass off what God had revealed to me as perhaps just a bit of bad potato...wait no..that's from Christmas Carol...um just thought I could weasel my way out of facing the truth! It hurts to do that....but I believe in order to move on and be all that God has planned, I need to clean some things up!

So not only did I discover that the book was indeed not new, but that they offered a free online class to help you stay accountable and connected! Boom baby! I'm in!! Not only that but signed up for a few conference calls to listen to more encouragement! Was so excited that Matthew Barnett from the Los Angeles Dream Center will be one of the calls! He is a great speaker & we have been to the Dream Center many times!

So what about you? What do you crave more than God? Is it food? Drugs? Facebook!!(sorry had to put that one!!) Other people's approval??? Not sure? To many to list? Well know this, whether you choose to read this book, or think it's just a religious crazy craze.....just know this! There is a God & He created you to crave & be passionate! But more than that He created you to worship Him!!!Not food, or other people's approval, not media! But Him!

Ask Him, He will show you! He will reveal to you just what you need to change! Then He will make a way for you to do it!, He's good like that! Remember Roman's 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! No guilt or shame! He loves you right where your at, in your mess!!! He is not afraid of your mess, He wants to help you out of it!

So......what do you crave?

New Beginnings!

2012-01-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

I have a love hate relationship with the New Year! Love to set a few goals, hate looking back and seeing where I have not met or kept last years "resolutions" However this year I intend to cling to the fact that I know and love a God who is the God of new beginnings! Not a God of condemnation....I tend to carry this load of guilt when I fail, and for me that translates to not trying again.

In the last few weeks headed up to this new year it was either pointed out to me, or because of a situation I was going through...revealed to me that when I fail, I quit all together, usually never to try again.....mind you I love all those quotes that talk about how failure doesn't define you, or that a failure doesn't mean that you should give up...I like those quotes...and for some reason I thought that I actually believed them, until I started looking back at my life at work as well as personal, and how often I just toss in the towel. Not across the board, but pretty close! There are some things of course I try try again. But often not. So I have been asking myself why? Why do I do that, and what am I going to do about it? I'll not bore you with my answers, but am determined to not only answer that question, but to move on! To try! To apply to my life all the advice & encouragement I so freely give to others (when asked of course!)

It isn't so much about wanting to loose weight, or be more organised, kinder, more patient, read through the whole Bible, be a better wife, mother, nonna...I want to do all of those things! Sheesh it's an admirable list isn't it!?? But what I plan to do is not give up when criticized, or when I fail, to listen when someone has constructive criticism, but not give up because of it. To not be overly concerned what "everyone" else will think...I am 48 I really should have shed that skin a long time ago!! But intend to do it now!

While thinking of all that I want to change I of course had to ask myself how? How do I, a quitter, plan to....well.....not quit at the first raised eyebrow, or crumble when I have failed at something? The first thing that came to my mind was this ~Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.~

All Things.....the name of my blog, the irony is not lost on me here! In fact when that verse came to me, I didn't even think of my blog title! When choosing the title I knew it was a bible verse, but wasn't thinking of it in that term entirely, I was thinking mainly that my mind is all over the place at any given moment, and that I tend to have a million things on my mind at one time, so didn't want to confine my blog to one subject!!!! By naming it All Things, I could blog as random as I think!!! I can be pretty random...just as my hubby!

So here I go, I am going to lean on the Lord, He is the God of All things, and if He is able to make the blind see, the deaf hear, to part the Red Sea...then He is able to make these tiny little changes in me!

And you too! Never think you are a hopeless case, in Christ you aren't! He can do All Things!

Blessings!

A little Bit!

2011-12-06T13:13:00.000-08:00

Corban James!

My daughter in-law,Christin, asked what it is like having a grandson...I will have to be honest and say....I cannot say! I was unprepared for all the emotions that I have been feeling. In fact as I type this he is just a little over 2 weeks old, and it has taken me this long to sort out what I am feeling....I'm not quite there. I tend to need to chew on things when it comes to my emotions, and that's ok. I call myself an "under-reactor", not sure that it's better than a person who just reacts to a situation or is an over reactor....all can be useful, all can be harmful..

Anyway I had no idea I would feel so full of love for a child that isn't even mine! But then it hit me, as I was watching Tom hold Corban & the look on his face I realized that in Corban was a little bit of all 4 of us (that were in that room! )I know he has a lot more in him than just his parents & Tom and I. But in that moment, in that room with just us 4 I realized that that little baby was a little bit of all of us! How could I not love him with all of my mothers heart!? No wonder it's called "GRAND-parent"!!! It is indeed a grand thing! I am amazed at all that we are feeling about this little guy! I am looking forward to the days and weeks ahead sharing in the joys & milestones of his life! This "little bit" of us!!
K~

For the Love of Pumpkin!

2011-11-08T13:13:00.000-08:00

Fall is here & we have finally been enjoying some crisp nights & mornings!! We even have our first fire of the year burning as I type this!!! With all this comes the anticipation of Holidays & yummy food! I would much rather bake than cook, so I have been rummaging around my holiday recipes and found one for Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls. I had wanted to try them last year and never got around to it, so last night seemed the perfect time! It had been a long week, my mom in and out of Dr's Appts. and nothing relieves my stress like baking! So I gave them a go. With that said. While these were super tasty & the texture was DEVINE! They didn't taste as "pumpkiny" as we had hoped. The recipe doesn't call for any spices to be added to the dough, I added pumpkin pie spice, just a smidge, to see what it would do & in hindsight I would add at least 1tsp. and go from there!

Here are the beauties!

Here is the recipe, although I changed a couple things. I used white sugar rather than brown, for the filling, personal preference here. Also I made a cream cheese frosting rather than the caramel frosting in the recipe. Again personal preference! Tom's favorite is Cream Cheese, so I choose that, but I do love Caramel too!

Let me know if you bake these and how they worked for you!

2-3/4 to 3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1/2 cup solid-pack pumpkin
2/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
CARAMEL FROSTING:
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 teaspoon Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract
Dash salt
1/4 to 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour and yeast; set aside. In a saucepan, heat and stir pumpkin, milk, sugar, 2 tablespoons butter and salt until warm (120°-130°) and butter is almost melted. Add to flour/yeast mixture along with egg. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Roll into a 12-in. x 10-in. rectangle. Melt remaining butter; brush on dough. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Roll dough, jelly roll style, starting with the longer side. Cut into 12 slices, 1 in. each. Place rolls, cut side down, in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
For frosting, melt butter in a saucepan; stir in brown sugar and milk. Cook and stir over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Stir in vanilla, salt and 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar; beat until well blended. Add more sugar, if necessary, to achieve desired consistency. Drizzle over rolls. Yield: 1 dozen.

It's the Little Things!

2011-10-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

Many of my friends know I am an avid collector of old things, or some folks might call it junk! I find and decorate my house almost all with estate/garage/& thrift store sales! This helps me not to be overly attached to my things! Seriously who can be attached to a couch you paid $60.00 for, or for dishes that were given to you!!? Because your friend knew you liked "old things"

It turns out that not only do I like old, but I also happen to like pink, yes still! Anyway some friends of ours are moving and she called me and said she had 2 boxes of "old pink" glasses (could 2 words make me more happy? "old & Pink"?) ok so I said sure I'll take them! Tom was running errands and headed over to their home and I warned him that they were giving us glasses & to be kind because I had no idea what I had just adopted, that this was sight unseen!! He returns with the boxes I open them and....find these beauties!

tada!!! Pink and lovely!!!

What my friend didn't know is this!!! I was given pieces to this set when I was still in High School! We use the plates bowls just about weekly! Over the years I've had pieces broken and when we are out and about I look for pieces to replace them, I have found a few, but generally the stores ask to much, trying to pass them off as depression glass....which I resent....since I was not in High School during the depression!! Anyway, She added to my collection without any knowledge that she was doing so!!! Totally made my day! It really is the little things!

The same pattern!

We have had these for over 26yrs!


Can you believe it!!!

And this.......

What Happens at a Womens Retreat.......

2011-10-25T13:34:00.000-07:00


The view from our window!

Last weekend I went on a Women's Retreat with 55 other ladies, and 1 man, we called him our "token man", really it was Tom, my hubby, he came along as our worship guy...not my husband!! I wanted to be in a room with girls & be as crazy as I felt,and talk about girl stuff!!!

While we were there we may or may not have done things like. Jump from bed to bed, toss water over a balcony at 2 unsuspecting young men,hey it was 91 degrees they looked like they needed help, rode in a golf cart while yelling "beep...beep" at every person we zoomed by (to the horror the 16 yr. old staff boy who was driving us) , laughed so hard and loud that the ladies in the room next to us asked us to "pipe down", laughed so hard and loud that 2 ladies from another church knocked on our door because we were having such fun that they wanted to be a part of it! Went to a mall and had one of the ladies in one of those kiosks curl or straighten our hair, then didn't buy a thing!!!

Not sure that we got much sleep, but did we ever have a good time, and I think we might even be permitted to come back!!!

Hard to Believe, but True!

2011-10-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

In just a matter of a few weeks, my "baby" has turned 21, my oldest will be 25 and we will become grandparents for the first time!!! Isn't it all wonderful(and emotional!)!?? We are so proud of both of our boys, errr I mean "young men"! They love the Lord, are kind, have super fun sense of humor (at my expense, but I can take it!) they love each other. Joel is so good to his wife & works so hard to insure that they have all that they need & provide for the baby! Alec is working hard in school, tutors students & works in the college library! Wow...wow,wow,wow!!!

I am just so full of joy & overwhelmed with thanksgiving that these 2 young men, whom we sat with when they were sick, drove to youth events, listening to broken hearts, wiped noses, wrapped presents for, kissed owies, prayed for and over, laughed and cried with, and endless other things, have now grown up into such fine men!!

It reminds me of the faithfulness of God. We were far from perfect parents...and I mean far! And even in that His grace covered all our bad parenting, and so much more!!! It's so hard to believe we are even old enough to be waiting on our first Grandbaby, but here we are!!!!

With expectant hearts!

Oh Baby!

2011-09-30T19:06:00.000-07:00


So today it really, I mean really...hit me that I am about to become a Grandmother!! I made the error of watching The TLC channel! 1 Minute I am watching "What Not to Wear", then before I know it...boom a husband and wife are in a labor & delivery room, having their first baby...oh dear. I just know I should change the channel, but of course I don't...and then they are holding their brand new baby boy!!! Every memory of having two baby boys comes rushing back! The laughter the tears! All of it! And then I think how much fun it will be to have a baby around again! I glance at my calendar & see that we are just 6 weeks away from having a grand baby ! I am so excited for Joel & Christin! They have just moved into their first home & have been fixing it up and getting ready for the new baby! such a fun and exciting time for the two of them! So much work, but they have been handling it like pro's! I am so proud of them both, and can't wait to watch them both step into parenthood with the same maturity and grace that they have done everything else! Not sure how "mature" Tom and I will be as grandparents, after all we are not known for our "maturity" in any given situation! But nevertheless I am beyond excited & more than ready to be a Grandma! K~

My Sister and Me

2011-09-20T13:45:00.000-07:00


It may come as a surprise to many that I have a sister! She was 16 when I was born, and I was 2 when she had her first baby, needless to say, we didn't spend much time with each other. Ours was not the typical sister relationships. You see my memories of her are actually mostly of me visiting her and her husband in Idaho. I played with her children, she had 5(the top photo is her, her husband & her firstborn, along with our dad, mom Keith &I!)! While she, and my parents visited over dinner and such. While they were in the house being grown ups, I was outside with my nieces and nephews riding the calves (they lived on a dairy farm) or playing in the water, or giving kittens milk from one of the cows in the barn. But what I wasn't doing was getting to know her. One of my brothers called us bookends. She was the oldest, I am the baby, with 3 boys between us. Because our age difference was so great, coupled with the fact that she was married and started her family while I was still a toddler, we just never connected beyond birthday cards(that I still have a few of!!) and then those summer visits, with which I played with her children, I have very few memories of her. I often think how I would have loved to have known her & been sisters in the way a lot of my friends have sisters. You know, the one who you tell your secrets to, borrow clothes from & get on each others nerves!!! That kind of relationship. But for us it just wasn't meant to be. About the time we would have had something in common (marriage) she was in a car accident, that left her in a assisted care facility for the remaining years of her life. I was just 19, newly married, perhaps just a few weeks, when the accident happened. Her children were much younger....from 5-17yrs, I believe. While I may feel the loss of never having had a relationship with her, it is nothing compared to what the rest of my family felt. Her children & husband...their loss was 100x worse than mine. My dad & her mother....again their loss was worse. Yes, she was alive, but the accident left her in a coma for a long time & once she was no longer in the coma the brain damage was such that her long term and short term memory were just not like yours our mine. Just this summer my nieces reminded me that it has been 5 years since she died. She lived 20 years after the accident! She was a tough cookie that one! At the funeral I was blessed to hear so many fun stories of her life after the accident. Things like she still had a wicked sense of humor! She loved seeing her grand babies!! The most exciting thing was that my nephew was able to share the Lord with her & she accepted Him as her Savior! Not only is she in heaven with her new & perfect body, but I know that someday we will get to spend eternity together...getting to know each other, my sister & I! K~

New!

2011-08-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

Trying not only to use my iPod to blog, but checking to see if I can add photos..... Nope! Oh well at least I can blog for now, I'll work on adding photos later! Be blessed!

Test

2011-08-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

Trying to see if blogging works from my iPod!

Had a bad Day......

2011-07-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

So do you ever have bad days?? I do! In fact I just did! I have been battling this little cold ( I say little because I am not sick enough to stay home...but not well enough that I am much use out of the house!!! I'm a mess!)

Ok, so back to my bad day! It wasn't that the whole day was bad, as a matter of fact it had started out rather good. Church was great, I thought Tom did a fantastic job teaching Sunday morning! It was also a great time of fellowship, people stuck around until after 12:30 & I had a great conversation with the "other mother in-law"!! Joel's mother in-law, whom I love & have a deep respect for!!! She is a fantastic woman of Faith!

So with that said, it started out great. Went home ate some lunch chatted with Tom, took a nap, youth group at 3:30! Doesn't it all sound great!!!??

During youth group we played a game, somewhat like duck duck goose, but with a pool noodle!! Fun, but it does require running.....aannnnnnddddddd while running would never have been one of my loves, it more than ever is something I dread. You see after my attack of transverse myelitis http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm

running is a problem. Most times my limitations don't bother me, and very few people would even notice that I even have limitations, and I realize that compared to some my limitations are really minimal. But they are mine, and sometimes I really, really tire of them & have a big fat pity party. Last night was one of them.

I get tired of feeling like I have a rubber band holding my knees together, that is the only way to describe how it feels, I don't walk like they are tied together(thankfully!) But it feels like it! I also get tired of numb fingers, I get tired of feeling like I have to hide my wobble, since my legs feel funny I often sort of totter...?( is that even a word??!) when walking around, I have to watch the ground very carefully when walking, & when I have to walk someplace that is narrow...dear Lord...my brain has to yell at my legs to do this, they do not get the message!!!

So I try HARD to walk straight...my family calls me "teeter totter"! We laugh. I mean really what else can one do? It's how it is, it's what it is..."in sickness and in health" yes???

All in all it isn't so bad, when I step back and look at the big picture. I know it could be worse, waaaaay worse. But it isn't, and most days I am thankful. Very thankful.

So why am I blabbering about this? I guess to say, having a bad day, throwing a pity party isn't the end of the world...it isn't however a healthy place to "live", if you choose to live there you will find nothing but empty longing...." I wish I would have"..."If only I"....."if only he"......"I wish..." I wish..."

I believe God has me where He has me for His purposes, I may never ever understand all the "why" on this side of heaven & that is ok. I haven't always felt that way, but lately more so. It really is ok. When I was first sick and we were waiting for my MRI results I was reading read Psalm 16 and verse 6 jumped off at me it says "The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance". I believe that more than ever...God set the lines....He knew just how sick I would get & just how far I would recover. I was confident of my healing because of this verse. I knew no matter where I stopped in my healing process...it was very gradual....that the lines...or boundaries would be pleasant. They really are! So there are a few things I am clumsy at, walking, running, picking up small objects & a few others, but so what. I have read others stories of people who have had this virus & they are permanently disabled. Can no longer walk or use their arms and in constant pain....it could be much worse....while I long for the new body I will get in heaven....I will do my best to enjoy what I can do now!!!

Even if I have a bad day or two along the way I am confident of this "indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance."Psalm 16:6

Much Love

26 years & a Lesson Learned!

2011-06-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

Last week was our 26th wedding anniversary and I have been wanting to post something, but couldn't quite decide what I wanted to say...26 years is a long time and I could say a lot! but sometimes less really is more, and so despite my reputation I will try to keep this short & to the point!(haha!) Ok to the point!

Then!

A few times I have been asked, "how did you make it last?" While my off the cuff answer would be "a lot

of hard work", the real answer would be God. We would not have made it

had we not allowed Him to work in us! For we could never change each other, we all know that never works out!

And

While we can change ourselves on our own, it would have been temporary

at best.

I do remember days of just wondering when the end would come,
feeling there was no hope.

Then God placed a couple in our lives who could see we were struggling, without ever even asking, and they took us under their wing.

Met with us, loved us, encouraged us & I know prayed for us.

How awesome is that?!
While most people simply gave up on us from the very beginning. "They are to young" "What are they thinking", "It will never last", "To immature" "Don't know what they are getting into".....While all of that may have been true at the time, speaking those things over a couple is never really helpful.

However I do have to say that even though those comments hurt...I secretly am thankful for them, sometimes they are what caused me to dig my heels in, I simply refused to give anyone the reason to say "I told you so"!!! I'm a stinker like that!

I am forever thankful for one comment that got back to me that was positive. "I can see Tom and Karen growing stronger in the Lord together", just one comment relayed to me, that I tucked away in my heart and held fast to! On top of that this couple whom God placed in our lives, praying for us & pouring into us.

I will say that we didn't see the fruit of all that right away, God had 2 stubborn people on His hands! We had to walk a hard road (mostly by our own doing) But through it all He was with us, calling us to a better life!

Eventually we heard!

I did learn a valuable lesson in all of this. The next time you hear
of a couple whom is planning to get married, why not begin to pray for them...
right away. You see, even a couple who seems to "have it all", education, maturity, financial security....is just as prone to a divorce as one who seems to have everything against them. We see it all the time.
We were a couple, who by the worlds standards, had nothing....nothing that would put the odds for us, but every mark was against us.

But God...........

He placed just a few people & situations in our lives that changed them, for His glory!
So rather than judge, predict, condemn & gossip. Pray! There is a battle out there against marriages & it can only be won by prayer.

Looking back... I wouldn't change a thing. That is quite a statement considering how painful some of our marriage was.
BUT I know that had we not gone through all that we did, our love would not be what it is now. So deep and rich! I cannot describe it in any other way than it's like having that old pair of jeans that you throw on at the end of a work day and just go *ahhhhhhh!*
Ok I could describe it better, but I am trying to be brief here!

So comfortable is this love! We still have to work at it.....oh do we ever! We still hurt & misunderstand each other, but because where we have been, it is somehow easier to wade the waters of a fight. It is easier to admit when we are wrong & move on!
To know when there are just some things not worth fighting over.
And sometimes we can "fight" and both of us know we were both wrong & because

we know each other so well, we have just let it go, not having to go back & talk it all out, we can simply look

at each other & see what we need to see in each others eyes.

I also realize that had we given up, when things were hard, we would have missed all that we are living right now! Raising our 2 boys in a home where we both were present, it makes a difference you know!

And a life full of people whom we love so dearly & who love us (warts and all!)

We would have missed out on all that God had planned for us!

It was worth it.

it was worth every minute.

Now!

I have payed for you...that your faith may not fail. Luke 22:32

2011-06-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

Read this as one of my devotionals, just thought I'd share it. I have, of late, been thinking a lot about my faith & wondering just how much faith I really have. When things are hard where do I turn? How do I respond? Do I try to take things into my own hands? Do I blame others for what is going on around me? Or do I respond (react) in faith, knowing that because God always wants whats best for me does not mean I will live a life of ease...If life were always easy & the seas always calm, I would soon forget to look to Him & instead rely on myself. I am not saying it's easy, and I fail often, but I am learning & growing! How about you!?
K~

Remember to take good care of your faith. For faith is the only way to obtain Go's blessings. Prayer alone cannot bring answers down from His throne, because it is the earnest prayer of one who believes that leads to answers.

Faith is the communication link between heaven and earth, it is on this link of faith that God's messages of love travel so quickly that even before we ask, He answers. And while we are still speaking . "He hears us" (1 John 5:14) So when the connection of faith is broken, how will we obtain His promises?

Am I in trouble? I can receive help by expressing faith. Am I being battered by the enemy? My soul will find refuge by leaning in faith upon God. But without faith I call to Him in vain, for faith is the only road between my soul and heaven, if the road is blocked, how can I communicate with the great King?

Faith links me to Holy God and clothes me with the power of Jehovah. Faith insures me that each of His attributes will be used in my defense, helping me to defy the hosts of hell. It causes me to march triumphantly over the necks of my enemies. So without faith, how can I receive anything from the Lord?

Therefore, O Christian, carefully watch your faith. "Everything is possible for him who believes"

(Mark 9:23)

Charles H. Spurgeon

Life Moves On

2011-06-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

So very much as happened in the last few weeks since my last blog. So much. Some good and fun and exciting, some hard & new. But all within God's perfect plan for my life!

Mothers Day was nice, spent it with Joel & Christin, at her families house. My first as a Mother-in-Law...loads of milestones when your child gets married! I haven't struggled as much as I thought I might. In fact I am rather enjoying this time of life! I love my daughter in law...a lot! I also love her family, they are great people, who are not weird or demanding with the kids & so it's very easy to just follow suit.

How does one go from changing diapers, to graduation, to wedding, to being a grandparent in such a short amount of time? I'll never know....I close my eyes and still see and smell those two big blue eyed boys...giggling & running wild through the house! Yet here we are!

My mom, who is 74, got sick & ended up in the hospital for 8 days...that was a scare. Her oxygen levels were below 50, normal is 100....the Dr's said had she gone to sleep that night it is likely she would not have woke up the next day....While this was hard on both of us, we have come away with some great new plans. She is currently in the midst of quitting smoking..pray for her this is going to be hard...very hard. We have realized that she needs more help around her place and physically for her. So the Dr. helped us line up visiting nurses, some physical therapy, and we are looking at house help, to help her stay on top of the cleaning. So far she has loved everyone who has come & her physical therapist made her work hard!!!! She seems more determined than I've seen before, she had quite a scare. If you can believe it,this was closer to death than the stroke she had 6 years ago, that was mild & she was out of the hospital in 3 days. Not this time. Oh and in the midst of all this, right after she got home she fell and broke her tail bone...we both need a vacation!

Joel and Christin have not only told us that we are going to soon be grandparents, but that they are looking to buy a home here in Lompoc! Wow...what fun that will be! I promise I will do my best not to be an annoying in-law who can't stay away from her grand baby.....unless it's a girl, then disregard this statement!

Alec, has received multiple scholarships in recent months...to the tune of over $2,000! We are excited and oh so proud of how hard he works! He is a great student & really loves school! His hope is to be done with AHC and outta the Poke in 18 months! We are excited to see what this leads to & where God will take him!

As for me & my sass & junk....there has been little of either.when you are in hospital/Dr. offices with someone, sass isn't always a good thing, although let me tell you it was runnin through my mind...but they don't know me & might not think it is funny, so I behaved! Really!

Tom and I spent 4 days in Rancho Cucamonga, he went to a class, I messed around! It was nice to just be out of town & to talk and laugh! Love being with my best friend. This is looking to be a very different summer for us, in so many areas. But we are trusting God for all that He has for us, remembering that all things work together for good! So we had a great chance just to talk and talk!

Managed to run down a couple garage sales,though not much. found a very old red Pyrex dish! Love it! It's faded & kinda square shaped!! Beauty!

I also caught the crud these last few weeks, however I couldn't let that get in the way of my habit now could I!! So while Tom had a meeting in Santa Maria, it was next to one of my favorite thrift stores..I drug myself out of bed & went. I went in. found a vintage Christmas apron, stood in line, tossed the money on the counter (ok not really) but barely stood long enough to pay...limped to the car..crawled into the back seat & slept!!!! S.C.O.R.E.!!!

That's it!

Mothers Day!

2011-05-09T07:23:00.000-07:00

Enjoyed a nice day yesterday! Always blessed by my family & the love they shower on Mothers Day! I spent Saturday making truffles for our church to give to the mom's & while I was making them I just reflected on how thankful I am that my mom is still alive. I know a lot of people who's mom's are no longer with them & it made me thankful I still have mine to celebrate with. Growing up my mom was thee most patient & kind person I ever knew. I remember even recognising it at a young age. Being appreciative that she would help bake a batch of cupcakes at the 11th hour for a party that I had forgot to tell her about, or running me to town for a white shirt & black pants for a choir performance that was that very night, the endless hours of driving me all over, or the free time she gave up to help lead Girl Scouts!! I'll not bore you with more, but I just recall how patient she was with these things, very rarely getting upset at doing something that wasn't on her "radar" for the day, she wasn't so task/appointment oriented that when I came up with something last minute she would come unraveled, most often is was a gentle scolding & then on with whatever we needed to get done! It just made me so thankful for what she taught me about being patient & flexible when little curve balls are thrown at me! She taught me a lot, by just doing what needed to be done, without complaining, yelling, or being cruel. She wasn't (isn't) perfect, but she is pretty great, and I am so thankful for her!
K~

The View From my Chair

2011-05-04T07:37:00.000-07:00

Today was a rare day on the Central Coast, it was actually warm and not foggy or windy this morning! So I chose to take my Bible & my addiction of choice, coffee and sit outside!

It was so peaceful; ton's of birds, & sometimes other wildlife are all just across the small chain link fence that separates us from what is actually state property (La Purisima Mission!!) It was so relaxing & just beautiful and I thought this is sooo nice I should take a picture! Then I looked around my yard, and had second thoughts...

Then I had a 3rd thought...SO WHAT...so what if my yard is not perfectly manicured & landscaped...it's lovely out here & this is really how we live, my lawn furniture may need new cushions, I have weeds to pull, little garden fences I'd love to put up, stone pathways that are only dreams & a foundation for a shed that is still just a foundation...but those things take time & I guess $$ too! But right now they are not on our priority list! What is on the list is family & like most people work & then there is the youth ministry that we love so much!...so my yard it is....well it's real! And it's ours, and for now it's enough!

So I threw caution to the wind & took a couple of photos, from where I was sitting! Hope you will still love me & my unlandscaped yard!!

This was at about 7:00am & it was sooooo nice! Notice the right hand corner, that is a swing set that will survive way longer than Tom or I ever will!!!We take our swing sets very seriously!

Ok, so this wasn't the view from my chair however....this is what was waiting for me when I tried to get back in! They only dream of going outside to frolic in out un-landscaped yard!


I planted all sorts of cute little flower seeds in these pots, placed them in an old green enamel tray & they are just now starting to sprout! Someday they will look lovely!

The sun was just beginning to say hello!

We should follow London's example!

2011-04-13T20:44:00.000-07:00

We spent several days in London, co ministering with the Calvary Shoreline London team, and while I have much to share on that..my mind is still processing it all as well as a bit mushy from lack of sleep. So I'll start with something that struck me since I have been home from the UK...They have some great ideas when it comes to recycling!

In London it is the rule, not the exception that you BYOB, bring your own bags!! In fact they do several things to encourage this! The first is adorable reusable bags! Some are made of a hemp, some of canvas, some with just a smart logo of the store, say "Budgens" in the lower corner, written in cursive. Some have adorable pictures, flowers, ladybugs....and so on. All very desirable to carry!!

Most cost under 3$(American)!!Not only are they great for your food items, but because of the design you want to use them!

Second is that the stores, or at least one of them, gives you "points" for using your own bags, which you use as savings when you reach a certain amount of points......

I am not a earthy crunchy, save the trees/whales/planet kinda gal. At least not in the carry a sign wear a t-shirt worship the earth sort of way. BUT I do whole heartily support the idea of recycling & tossing less paper & plastic into our landfills!
SO why don't our stores follow suit? If our stores offered a variety of bags to purchase, that were half as fun as the ones we saw in London, I know ton's of people who would gladly purchase these for their shopping needs....I bought a couple & love having them to use, my only wish is that I bought a few more!!

Hoping and praying the good ole US will pick up on this & give it a try!

I wonder!

2011-03-28T13:06:00.000-07:00

Several months ago, my oldest son was married...and I have to say I just wasn't ready!! While I love & am so thankful for the beautiful woman he married, it was just one of those moments in life that seemed to just happen so quick!! He was ready, she was ready, and I have been so blessed to watch them as a married couple! Nothing makes a parent prouder than to see your child treat their spouse with care and respect! Their personalities compliment each other so well! It has just been a joy to watch!

But I wasn't ready!!!

We are ready!!!!!!!!

Now fast forward 8months......yesterday they announced to us that they are expecting!!!! This means...Grandparent.......WOOP!!!

I am READY!!!!!

So how is it that I wasn't ready to have my son get married, but on a dime...quick as you can blink....I am ready to be a grandma!!!???? Crazy isn't it!?

Here they are!!! Won't they have beautiful babies!!!?

We are looking forward to this next wonderful adventure in life!!!

I am ready!

Life with Cats....

2011-03-28T13:04:00.000-07:00

Love this picture!!!I didn't take it, my son did!Typical of Hobbes to be a bit clueless!

"Dreaming" I label it that since our kitties are indoors only, they will never catch a birdie on the bird bath....never.

This is Hobbes...he is perfect!!! We love him to death!

This is Davie, he isn't the smartest, but he's the biggest & super lovable!!

Big Man on campus....er I mean carpet, he's indoors only!!! He looks smart here, but don't be deceived......!

This is Tyger...isn't she lovely!!!

I see you.........!!!


This is Precious....she isn't, but we call her that anyway!! We have to many cats, I know this...but they are a constant source of fun in out home! K~

Favorites....

2011-03-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

I have several coffee mugs & of those I go through phases of which I choose to drink & which is my favorite!! I love the bright red Starbucks Mug! It is big & cheerful!! then I love the clear pink one, what is it about drinking coffee from clear coffee mugs!!?? I love it! then there is my bright blue Polish Pottery mug! I love the shape, colors & my thoughts of my best friend drinking out of her's as well...all though she is actually living in Poland while drinking from polish pottery!!! Are you like me? With favorite dishes you like to drink or eat from? I even have a favorite fork.....hmmmm...perhaps I'm just odd!! anyway! these are just a few of my favorites! k~

For my Home Brewin Coffee Lovin Friends

2011-03-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine passed on some great tips on where to get coffee in town & he was right on the money you don't have to drop $6.00 to have a good cup of coffee!

However Tom and I love nothing more than to sit down & enjoy a cup of hot coffee together most often here in our home & over the years have tried several ways of making coffee! Our favorite thus far has been the Melitta brewing system.

While I have tried & tried to convince Tom that we wanted a schmancy drip system he kept telling me he loved this way of making coffee and he felt that often with the drip style (no matter cheap or expensive) the coffee more often than not would taste bitter to him. So we have been using our Melitta for several years & enjoy it! I stumbled across this blog a few days ago & found it (a bit lengthy) but he is pretty spot on! We have a espresso maker & we like it ok, we don't have the chemex maker he shows, but the Melitta is the same idea, we do have a French press & that is my favorite way of having coffee..it's thick...& creamy you can almost chew it, and interestingly enough we have the AreoPress system (Thank you Keith!)

What I have never done was try the side by side taste test, I just knew what I liked! It's a bit long to read, I skipped a few things, & cut the chase!!But for those of you who like coffee & enjoy having it at home as opposed to going out this may be interesting to you!

http://http://lifehacker.com/#!5778831/dropping-the-drip-how-to-get-started-with-better-coffee-making

Tom was right, though, this guy also found drip system coffee to be bitter! while I still prefer French Press I do have to say I am going to pull out the AreoPress & give it another try, I was put off by all the pieces & only attempted it one time, so to be fair I will look at this a bit closer! Hope you enjoy the tips he give &Happy coffee drinking!