Our New Life

Those little moments..

2012-02-03T09:09:00.000-06:00

When you know you are truly in love with your best friend.

When he will drop everything and dance with you in the living room.

When he will take a day off work to be with you.

When he still tells you, you are beautiful even after being together 16years.

When he kisses you good bye from the window of the car.

When he still says I LOVE YOU!!!

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New School Year around the corner.

2011-07-28T16:45:00.000-05:00

The new school year is sneaking up on us quickly. I love this time of year when we start getting ready for the new year. We started looking at new curriculum for Sephy. I can't believe my baby girl is now a jr. high kid. Just seems like yesterday I was walking her down the hall to Kindergarten. This year is a special year for her. She gets to be in the Youth Group. She was so excited she gets to do what the BIG kids get to do now. Plus with us having another exchange student this year she gets to do things with them. I hope that Sephy and our new student have a good bond and get a long great. I want this year to be perfect for both of them.

Our new exchange student come to Mississippi on Saturday!! I am excited. This year is going to be a fun year. Since I am now working for the company AYUSA, we use to host the student in our home, I am supervising 4 other students in my area. One of them will be right here in the same neighborhood. I am so excited. I don't think I can say that to much. =) I am having a slumber party for them in August so they can get to know each other and me. I am really looking forward to that.

Are you ready for the new school year to start?

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Women of Faith

2011-07-19T11:18:00.000-05:00

I have been chosen by Book Sneeze to blog about the Women of Faith conference.
I am so excited. I have always wanted to attend one of the conferences but have never had the opportunity. It is a great time to fellowship, praise God, worship God and all with women around you sharing his love.

Here is a video about the conference.

Thank you Book Sneeze and Women of Faith for this opportunity.

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When is enough, ENOUGH?

2011-07-15T20:08:00.002-05:00

I am the first one to admit I SPOIL my child. She is my only one. It is very easy to say yes, yes, yes when you don't have to worry about saying no, no, no because there is no one else to say yes to. I am thinking that all the yeses are starting to pile up and its just getting to much for me.

Persephone is an animal lover, me not so much. My husband really isn't an animal lover at all. In fact if it was up to him animals wouldn't exist. In over a year we went from no animals when we moved here to Laurel to having 4. It started with a small caged animal our rabbit Midnight. She is easy, in fact out of all the animals, she is Dusty's favorite. He spoils her with fruits and veggies, even buys pumpkin seeds for her. Then she wanted a dog, so we surprised her last summer with Captain. He is a great, funny looking, rescue I got her. He is a great dog. Minds, knows commands and tricks. Just likes to visit the neighbors from time to time. Then we got Macee, she is a cute little dog but pees every time she sees you or you talk to her or just walk out the door. But she doesn't run off and she stays close to home. Plus she is just cute. These 3 animals are maintenance free really.

THEN,

She wants a horse, not a big horse just a Miniature one. Okay I am thinking she can handle this little horse. She has been showing her friends minis and does well with them so we said YES. A friend of mine help me to find one. She found him, he was cheap, just he was a stud, so we had to geld him. So money is going right out the door left and right because, first, I have NO, I mean NO idea what all we need to have for this new guy. So yes the horse is cheap but everything else isn't. The money just adds up and it isn't like we can't afford for her to do it but it was just a lot all of a sudden. But the money isnt why I am writing....

So here is Persephone with her horse "Mars the Star", I love this little horse but I think I love him more than she does, but the deal was, she gets the horse she has to care for the horse, right. Well she goes every morning to feed him. That is all she seems to want to do is feed him. She hates to give him water because it is WORK. Well today I had enough because it seems like the only time his water is actually filled to the top is when I am going down there to help her get ready for a show. I had ENOUGH. So I yelled at her and told her I didn't care anymore because I was tired and hot and I shouldn't have to get mad at her because her horse, yes YOUR HORSE, doesn't have water. (he had water last night btw, his keeper verified that for me) But the point of my madness was that it seems that she doesn't care. She wants to be able to show up at a show all dressed nice show the horses, get a ribbon, and go home. That is what she thought horse ownership was like until she realized how much work it truly is. A part of me wants to just sell the horse and be done, but what does that teach her? If you don't like the work, just go to the next thing that is easy. I don't want a lazy child at all. I want her to know that she has to work and take care of the things that belong to her.

So when do I say enough is enough before I go insane because she just doesn't get it???

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Back to my First Love

2011-06-22T22:40:00.000-05:00

Tonight while I was at church, I texted my husband, why do I bother coming when I feel so alone when I am here which is not normal. He texted me back "Well if it is not normal then it would be the reason to go. You're just having an off day." I was sitting alone with just Sephy, granted there are people all around talking and enjoying each other's company. But I wasn't talking to anyone just sitting there eating my dinner. I could have gotten up and moved to another spot with other people to talk to but I just didn't really want to move. In my head I was thinking why didn't anyone sit with us tonight to eat dinner. Do I smell funny? I know I probably look horrible because my face is broke out. But it hadn't stopped people from talking to me and sitting with me before. So I was sitting there and we had special guest tonight and listening to him sing it sunk in a little bit. I needed to be alone, I need to hear God speak to me. We sang a few songs and praised God. Then the guest speaker spoke to us about unity in the church and how we are all different and don't have a lot in common with everyone. But we do have our love for Jesus in common. He talked about getting back to your first love. He wasn't talking about your first boyfriend/girlfriend. He was talking about getting back right with God. Your love for God. Your Love for God will unite you with the people around you. His first way to do this was to challenge the adults (elders) and the young people by the young people need to RESPECT your elders and secondly the elders need to LISTEN. Then the second point was to get back to Remembering your FIRST love.

So after me going into church feeling alone, I left feeling refreshed and challenged. So much that I felt like writing again. It has been a long time. I have plenty of excuses but I am not going to lay them out for you. I just want to start getting back to my love of Christ. Worship him with all my heart and praise him every day. He needs to be the first thing I do in the morning when I get up. I need to say Thank you Jesus for allowing me to be alive today. I need to study his word on a more regular basis. Its nice that in todays world we can have devotions delivered to our emails and cell phones but it gives us the excuse not to sit down in a quite place and just worship him and study the word of God.

I will leave you tonight with a few verses that he shared with us tonight.
1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Revelations 2:2-5 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.³ You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

⁴ Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. ⁵ Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

How do you go back to your First Love??

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HSBA MARCH SWAP

2011-04-11T13:22:00.000-05:00

I am a ~~little~~ very late a posting this. We moved and everything got crazy around here and I finally can breathe again. My partner was Kristal again! Which is cool because I have gotten to know her better and was able to get her something she could use and vice versa.

I received some silicon cupcake liners a big tip for icing and an awesome pink flamingo made by Kristal. The picture doesn't do it justice because it had a mind of its own.

I used my tip in Saturday to make an easter basket Jumbo cupcakes for a church dessert auction. I made 4 of them and they went for almost $60 total. That is really good!

If you would like to join in the fun head on over to HSBA and join in. A new one starts this week!!!

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Cancer Sucks!

2011-04-09T22:26:00.000-05:00

Cancer is hitting my family like a ton of bricks the last couple of years. It makes me sad to think about all the pain they are having to go through. How the treatments make them sick. Just everything about it sucks!

I have had a cousin battle cancer for the last 2 years and now a uncle and my MIL.

I feel helpless because I know there isn't much you can do for the person but pray.

So I PRAY. I PRAY A LOT AND OFTEN for them. I pray that God wraps his arms around them and comforts them through all of this. I pray for peace for my Aunt, my Cousin's wife, my Husband.

I pray that my little girl really understand what is going on when the time comes.

It is hard to explain to her about things when all I want to do is hide her from the world and protect her from everything. I pray for my Granny. She is a strong woman and needs a shoulder to lean on.

I ask if you are reading this please just say a quick prayer for my family right now. We could sure use all the prayer anyone can send up there!!

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Edit Me

2011-03-29T15:12:00.001-05:00

I decided to join in this challenge because it is featuring one of my favorite bloggers Amy.

This is the before shot:

This is the after shot:

Update: I didn't know at first that you are suppose to put what you did. I am going to try really hard and remember what I did.

First I ran PW's action Fresh and Colorful. 2nd I ran an action called Dreamy Soft Diffusion. I found that on deviant art but its been a long time.

If you would like to join in head over to Ashley plus three.

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Grieving

2011-03-16T21:00:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, my pastor spoke about grieving and how to deal with it. My first reaction was I know this topic all to well after loosing both my grandmothers. But, it did prepare me for the news I received last night that my Great Aunt Janice passed away. Then today we received news that was really upsetting but I was asked not to share what it is on the internet. I am full of sadness right now.

God has plans for us. He knows when it is our time. He also has a place for you in his kingdom when you die. Last night I felt him wrap his arms around me and show me his presence when I heard the news of my aunt died. I will trust him with his plans for my other family member that is going through something really hard right now. I wish I could be the one there wrapping my arms around them and helping them through this difficult time.

I pray that God gives my family the strength they need to get through some of these difficult times ahead. I pray that God shines his light to them and they will know him and that his plan is what you should trust.

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2011-03-07T11:39:00.000-06:00

“May God give you

more and more grace

and peace

as you grow in your

knowledge of God

and Jesus our Lord.”

2 Peter 1:2

The picture is of my daughter and two of her friends at a recent field trip to a local dairy farm. They where listening to the farmer talk about the company and the cows.

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How do I answer a call from God?

2011-03-04T22:22:00.000-06:00

I am really struggling with knowing if I am being called into missionary work.

I have always enjoyed doing things for other people. I am quick to help if I have the means to do so. My heart has been heavy and I want to answer God's call.

I want to put my medical training to a good use without having to take on a full time job. There are so many opportunities for me to go on mission trips as a medical assistant.

So my question is how do I answer my call?

I have never felt so passionate for something.

I want to do what is right for me and my family.

I know that it means leaving my family behind while I travel the world but I really feel that this is what I need to do.

Will you please pray for me as I struggle with this decision.

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We got a new little girl!!

2011-02-22T14:09:00.000-06:00

We got a new little girl puppy last weekend.

She is so adorable, I thought I would share her with the world!

Her name is Macee Lou.

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HSBA SWAP

2011-01-26T20:28:00.000-06:00

Thank you Kristal for my package I got in the mail today! It was full of neat things. A Flamingo bookmark that my husband won't stop playing with. Some really neat erasers that you can take apart and put back together, markers, gummy bears, mint chocolate chip gum, and some note cards. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

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Blonde Moment!

2011-01-24T16:52:00.000-06:00

I put a package in the mail today to be shipped to my swap sister and we get home the flag is down. So my daughter goes and gets the mail and carries back the package I get in the mail. Well I get upset because the box that I was shipping was perfect when I put it in the mail box and this box she carried in looks like it was dropped on the ground. So to me I think the post man took the package out of the mail dropped it and put it back in right? I called the USPS and was telling the lady on the other end what had happened. I pick up the box in case she needs the tracking number. I looked down at the box and went oh my gosh while I am on the phone. The package was address from someone else, not me and I was like Who Is Kirk?? I start laughing because the package is actually for my exchange student and is from her former host family. The box is identical to the one I shipped my package in, so it was an easy mistake. We all had a huge laugh, including the lady on the other end of the phone. =)

At least today I had something to laugh about!!

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5QF ~ 1/21/11

2011-01-21T13:27:00.000-06:00

1. Where did you meet your spouse and did you instantly know it was love?

I met my hubby online. It was in the days of the old school Bulletin Board Systems (BBS). You would dial in on a, catch this, a modem GASP! There was no fancy text or colors. It was all black and white. Just letters and numbers. We got on there to play dos games. Boring huh?? Well we chatted and then talked on the phone, so one day I was home and I was suppose to have a date with another guy and they didn't show. I logged on and was talking to Dusty and told him what had happened and asked if he would like to come over. He of course said sure and headed to my house. He lived 45mins away so I had to hurry up and get ready and finish dinner.

He came over we talked and talked. He hated what I cooked but never told me till years later. I never thought I would have married him back then. I was young and he was too, but He fell in love with me instantly. awww.. I love how he tells me that, and it took us a month before we kissed, he was so polite and when we finally did kiss IT knocked me off my feet, and he is mine now forever!! :-)

2. What is your favorite room in your house?

My living room :) This is my long wall. I didn't have a picture of the whole living room and it isn't clean enough to take one of it to post today. =)

3. Can you wiggle your ears?

Umm No.

4. What is your evening ritual?

I climb in bed around 11pm and play on my husband's phone until I go to sleep.

5. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?

6 to 8 hours is normally enough.

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"To Kill A Mockingbird" Opening Night

2011-01-14T17:21:00.001-06:00

Last night was Opening Night!! We had a full house with chairs in the isles. It was a good crowd. We had a lot of fun!

Here I am in the my scene! I am the only woman in the mob scene. Last night I had them laughing just by my rolling pin! Ha!

I of course didn't take the picture its credit goes to a friend! Thanks Eliza for taking great pictures!!

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Happy 1st Blogiversary

2011-01-13T15:01:00.000-06:00

I am late in posting this... but 1-1-11 was my 1 year blogiversary!!!!! You would have thought since it was such an unique date I would have remembered to make sure I posted about it. But you see I have been so so busy this past week. I am playing an extra in the play "To Kill A Mockingbird" It opens tonight. I haven't seemed to take a break in my days since the 1st of the year it has been crazy. I am hoping to get back to blogging and my life back in order starting next week, but there is no gaurntees that is for sure.

Our exchange student "H" is doing great, she is a real joy to have in our home. She is active and likes spending time with Sephy. She is liking school alright and she has made friends with girls at church. I am glad we chose to host her. She is really a fun person to be around.

Sephy now on the other hand is trying to be a mini-teenager and oh my let me tell you she is driving me crazy. I think she is trying to test her limits now that "H" is here. I have had to get on to her a lot the last few days and I really hate having to be the mean mom but lately she is just at my wits ends, someone send me some chill pills for the chicka so I can make it through her teenage years.. =)

Well I hope that this post finds everyone well!! I hope you have a blessed rest of the week!

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Happy New Years!

2011-01-01T11:13:00.000-06:00

I hope that Everyone had a great holiday and that you have a Happy New Year!!!

We are getting our Exchange Student today!

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Ruckman Christmas Card

2010-12-15T17:58:00.001-06:00

Love Peace Joy Holiday 5x7 folded card

Create unique holiday cards with Shutterfly

View the entire collection of cards.

Forms of Apologizing

2010-12-12T20:44:00.000-06:00

When you decide that chunking a bottle cap at the person in the next booth over because, heck, you didn't have a parent around to tell you not to do it, there are several ways you should apologize.

1. Get out of you seat and walk over to the table where you just chunked the bottle cap at and say Please forgive me. I did not mean to do that.
2. When the person turns around and says That was uncalled for, you quickly say " I AM SORRY!"
3. Just say I AM SORRY!

What you do not want to do:

1. Laugh and giggle
2. Say MY BAD!!!

What the heck is up with saying MY BAD???? Did parents forget to teach their children the words I am sorry ? Seriously?? Did they forget how to teach them to behave when eating at a restaurant too? I have noticed more and more that children do not have manners and it is driving me crazy. Teach your children when they do something wrong to apologize not say MY BAD! Teach them to be remorseful for doing something wrong. If they don't realize they are doing something wrong then how will they realize that they are doing something wrong when you finally point it out after they are behind bars. Teach your children manners for the sake of other people around them or just don't let them out in public since you don't want to watch them anyways when you are out in public or you let your teen child watch them and they don't say anything either.

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Lets Say Thanks!

2010-12-09T23:25:00.000-06:00

Xerox is giving you an opportunity to send a free printed postcard to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas showing your support and appreciation for their service to our country.

It only takes a minute to do.

Please take the time to do this. Click the Button above to participate!!!

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Needing Rules..

2010-12-03T22:19:00.000-06:00

We have to make a list of family rules for our exchange students.

I NEED HELP!!!

I have never made rules before. We are fly by the night people.

I need to have a set in stone list of rules so that we don't have a lot of conflict.

If you have any rules that you use or used with your 16 to 18 year old girls. I would love to have your input.

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We are going to be a Host Family!!

2010-12-01T18:23:00.000-06:00

It is official!!

We will become a host family for exchange students starting in 2011!!! Whoo hoo!!!!

I am excited. Can ya tell??

We have hosted in the past when Sephy was little. It has been over 4 years since we have had an exchange student. We had our ups and downs in the past with them but I contribute a lot of it to the fact that we where so young. Sephy was 4 and 5 and Dusty and I where still in our 20's. The kids where like not even 10 years younger than us. It is kindda hard to be taking care of teenagers when you your self aren't grown up yet. So, we stopped and decided to grow up some more, be set financially helps too. Although you do not have to pay for them to live here, you do have to provide, food and shelter. Since we can provide this for them with out it putting a financial drain on us we started to look into it.

We choose a company that is our of California. It is called AYUSA. I have had a great experience with them so far. Great Communication! I strike that, We are looking forward to hosting. Sephy is overly excited because she will have someone to "hang" with.

We have our student picked already for next school year. She has a lot of the same interest as Sephy. She jumped out at us when we where looking at students the other night. When I get to start communicating with her I will ask if I can share about her.

I am so excited about this! I can't wait!

If you are interested in hosting an exchange student and would like more information let me know and I can help you out!

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Shutterfly!

2010-11-30T16:19:00.000-06:00

I love Shutterlfy for original gifts. It is one of my favorite sites to go to for that one of a kind Picture gift and cards.

I love plastering Sephy's picture on things for my family and friends. That could just be the bragging mom in me. But it is always fun to do. I have made notebooks, coasters, and bookmarks from Shutterfly.

My all time favorite are Photo cards! This year they have lots of designs to choose from.

Religious Christmas Cards

The Christmas Photo Cards

Holiday Cards

Shutterfly has over 800 designs to choose from. I really like my cards to be about the true meaning of Christmas. I want them to show a little bit of us but tell you that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season." I haven’t chosen my card for this year yet. But when I do I will let you know what I choose!

I hope that you have a wonderful Holiday season!

Oh yeah and Shutterfly is giving bloggers 50 Free Cards for blogging about them so if you want to check it out hit this link for more info: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

Thank You Mary from The Englar Fam for letting me know about this wonderful opportunity!

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Review: "Featuring...Nora Jones"

2010-11-22T14:41:00.000-06:00

Norah Jones' new album, …Featuring, is a star-studded collection of the multi-platinum selling, multi-Grammy Award winning singer’s musical collaborations from the past decade.

The 18 songs on the album include cool cameos, collaborations and duets with such legends as Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton, and with 21st Century icons from OutKast to the Foo Fighters.

The tracks on …Featuring span Norah’s entire career and reveal her astonishing musical versatility, from jazz to country, hip-hop to rock.

…Featuring was released on November 16 buy your copy here!

...Featuring Track Listing:

1. Love Me – The Little Willies
2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones
4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones
5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
7. The Best Part – El Madmo
8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast featuring Norah Jones
9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones
10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones
11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones
12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones
13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones
15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton
16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones
17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones
18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward

My take on her new album:

I have always loved Norah Jones. I love her voice. I was really looking forward to hearing this new cd! It was not a disappointment at all. I loved every song on it. My favorite is number 4 with Willie Nelson. I do not think that you will be disappointed either if you hear it.

How to find Her on the web:

* Website: http://bit.ly/norahsite
* Facebook: http://on.fb.me/norahFB
* YouTube: http://bit.ly/norahYT
* Link to order on Amazon: http://amzn.to/Njpreorder

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Disclosure: I received the advanced cd to review by One2One Network. In participating I have been entered to win a gift card through One2One Network. All opinions are my own and may not be yours. No monetary compensation was received by me.