Peace

"Jesus said 'Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'" ~Matthew 11:28

Sometimes life seems too busy and overwhelming. Sometimes there seems to be too much for us to handle. We feel stressed, maxxed out and tired. Ever have one of those days? Or maybe you have those days often...? I felt I needed to share these verses of rest and peace from our Lord. With all the trials and temptations thrown our way...sometimes we feel as though we are trying to carry the weight of the world. Want to know why it is too much for us? Because we weren't designed to carry these burdens ourselves. Our beautiful and wonderful Creator says He will carry these for us...we just need to release them and trust Him.

"Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." ~Psalm 55:22

Give them up....today....right now. Lay those burdens down at the foot of the cross. He knows what you are going through...he is just waiting for you to release it. Let Him care for you. I feel this was layed on my heart to share with you all today. I hope it gives someone reassurance and proof of Christ's love and care for them. I plan on continuing my study on proverbs. I have left it go too long. I hope you will follow along with me!!! xoxo Happy Monday!

All I can say is....WOW!!!!

Look at this picture! Isn't it positively AWESOME? This is a pic from the Hubble Space Telescope that takes pictures of all over our universe. This is the Whirlpool Galaxy. Do you see it? See the cross? See the image on the cross?? Isn't that absolutely amazing? My pastor watched about this on a Chris Tomlin DVD and shared it with us in church this morning! I think it is absolutely stunning and beautiful!

What a wonderful reminder...that Jesus's blood saved us from eternal death. He is the only way to the Father and without Him, we are nothing. I thank Jesus of this beautiful reminder of what His love did for us....how it saved us. Our God is an AWESOME God! Amen?

Hope you all have a wonderful and restful Sabbath with your families! xoxo

To Homeschool or Not? THAT is the question....

I had posted about this....a LONG time ago..and here I am at it again. My daughter, M, is in Kindergarten and doing just fine....the school she goes to is in between 2 big school districts so it is known as a small "farm" school. I want to do what God wants us to do as parents...and I am not 100% sure He desires for all Christians to homeschool. And I am also not sure that He doesn't. I have blog friends who do homeschool and I think it is great. I also have blog friends who don't...and that is great. I need your thoughts...and what works for you.

My hubby and I decided we will look into it more. See the costs and requirements etc. I know I can definitely homeschool my kiddos....but part of me thinks they should have the fun, public school experience as well...and as long as I am raising them right when they are home..that it is OK. I don't want pride or selfishness to get in the way of this huge decision.

There are soooooo many blogs/sites online that totally condemn the public schools and rant and rave about stuff and that homeschooling is the "only" way. And then when I mention homeschooling the kids, I have people (christians included) telling me that I will drive myself nuts and the kids need to be away from their parents some and school is good for them etc etc etc. It is driving me nuts with this confusion in my head.

And now, on top of it all...I am so afraid to make a decision based on the wrong thing....
Like, if I decide to homeschool...would it be because I think it is the "christian" thing to do...?? Would I be acting out of pride? Or if I decide to continue letting my kids go to the school in our area....then what? Would I be acting selfishly because I won't take the time and effort to homeschool? AACK! It has me soo confused!

I have to say that right now, my daughter's teacher is a christian and they even sing a prayer before snack time. It's so cute. I am totally NOT worried about things my daughter is learning at the moment. She is doing just fine. It's the older grades I wonder about...and just what I am suppose to do as a christian mother. My husband and I are going to research information and then pray about it and make a decision for next year.

I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this...I just can't determine what is the right way to go? I just ask that in your comment to not get too "pushy" one way or the other. I would love to hear your experiences and thoughts and I will discuss them with my husband as well. Ultimately prayer is our biggest companion on this...but I would love to hear thoughts and views from friends! Thank you!!! :)

M's Room

Well, I got M's room cleaned today as well. First I rearranged it...I know it looks kinda cluttered..but the room is super small...and the girl loves to save things and "decorate" her own way...and I like for her to be able to express herself that way and so I don't get super picky about it. Also...I know the thing hanging in the corner is meant to go over the bed...but it drives her bonkers...LOL..so we hang it at the end of the bed now! LOL Oh..and see those dragonflies hanging over the curtain? They light up...it is sooo pretty in the dark!!! M made her own bed....she always does. She does a pretty good job..don't you think? I just wish i could get X (my four year old) to make his as well. Also..If you havent before....you can look HERE to see pics of the boys' rooms!
Oh..and the sun's eyes in the middle pic look like they are different colors...but they aren't...it must just be how the flash is reflecting off them! :) I am still coughing a lot. I need to relax...but sometimes it is hard when you have stuff you want to do...know what I mean? I hope you all had a fantastic Thursday!!! xoxo

Progress so far......

Well...i haven't really "spring cleaned" these rooms...So I am not entering them in The Homespun's Heart's Spring Clean 2008. But I am just generally picking up the rooms and such...they get to be such a mess when not kept up with...ya know?And I thought I would share some pics with ya anyway! ;)


I started with J's room. I wiped things down and straightened it up and vacuumed. Let me tell ya....trying to clean while still nursing a cold and dealing with your two lil boys is a TOUGH job! LOL The boys wanted to be in a pic...so here they are in the pic below. Notice we only have curtains for our upstairs doorways. The upstairs is super small and never had doors. The only room that has a door is our bedroom (well..and the 1/2 bath...LOL).

Next, I cleaned up X's room. His room has NOT been redone...notice, ugly walls, ceiling and carpet. We don't have closets in our house...AT ALL....so the other half of X's room is a closet...where things are kept and clothes hung up. His room used to be our storage room area (one big closet) until I went through everything in the room and purged stuff and organized it and now it is his room!!! Notice in the pic on the bottom....paint on the wall....yep...X was being artistic...ARGH. I tried to get it off....but didn't have much success. Just made it worse. I may need to try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or something. Our house is a work in progress.....definitely! LOL
I plan on working on M's room later on today...if I can. If not..there is always tomorrow... ;o)

Happy Easter!!!

J, M and X

Wow...I am pooped! What a day!!! We were up and into the Easter baskets early...then off to Sunday School and Church. I was soooo nervous to draw that pic of Jesus...but I had a lot of prayers and encouragement from friends...and I think it went pretty well. In the middle pic you can see some of my practice drawings in the background! LOL After I finished, my Jr. High sunday school class cheered for me *blushes* It was so sweet! :)


Then we went to my mom's for lunch...came home to put the kids down for naps..I needed to do some cleaning and then went to my MILs for supper. I am totally exhausted! I am ready for bed...and it is only 8 o'clock!!



I have to get up in the morning around 4:30 to get ready....I need to take my mom up to the hospital for some tests. Chris is going to take the kids to his mom's when they all wake up..before he goes to work. (Except for M....she is going to the neighbors so she can get on the school bus) So ~ I am going to take a book to read...(this will take all morning) and am meeting a good friend for lunch and then I will take mom home.

Sorry...I know that was a ton of info...most of which you probably aren't too interested in...LOL...but I was in the mood to type! ROFL! I hope you all had a blessed Easter with your families and I hope you all have a FANTASTIC week!!! xoxo

A Ladybug? Where??

Ahahahahaha!!! J walked into my room the other day and didn't even realize he had a ladybug on his cheek! It was so funny....I just had to take a picture!!! I had to hold his head cuz he didn't understand why I wanted a pic of the side of his face...LOL ~ he had NO idea it was there!!! LOL


Also...I received this lovely award from Paula at the Fraker Farm! I thought that was incredibly sweet!!! Thank you so much Paula! **She has a GREAT blog...I encourage everyone to check it out! I love it! I know I am suppose to give this out to a few people as well...but honestly...when you have such a great group of friends...how do you just pick a couple?? So this is to you.....each of you! I value your comments, support and encouragement and love to read your blogs! Thank you for being my friends and making my day!!!! xoxo

GREAT NEWS!!!

We are loved abundantly and can go to Heaven!!!

How is this?

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever shall believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." ~John 3:16

Yep....God loves us soooooo much that he reedemed us through the blood of Christ!

"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitation for our sins." ~1 John 4:10

I looked up the word propitation and this is the definition I found:

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Propitiation \Pro*pi`ti*a"tion\, n. [L. propitiatio: cf. F.
propitiation.]
1. The act of appeasing the wrath and conciliating the favor
of an offended person; the act of making propitious.

2. (Theol.) That which propitiates; atonement or atoning
sacrifice; specifically, the influence or effects of the
death of Christ in appeasing the divine justice, and
conciliating the divine favor.

Jesus, the Only Perfect man to have walked this Earth, loved us sooo much that
he went through terrible suffering and pain and then death for US!!! You and
Me! He payed the penalty for our sins.He took the wrath of God upon himself so
that we can get into Heaven.

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us."
~ Galatians 3:13

Remember that the only way to Heaven and to see our Savior's beautiful face is to
believe that Jesus died for us. You don't deserve it, I certainly don't deserve it.
But He loves us that much! AMEN!Celebrate this Easter remembering the sacrifices made
for you and me by Jesus...and his resurrection 3 days later! I hope to be rejoicing
with you in Heaven someday!!!

If there is anything you need prayer for.....please....email me or comment. I will be
happy to lift you up!

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~ Psalm 37:4

Sewing Plans

So, I am going to start sewing!!! I am soo excited! A few people have asked me what I plan on sewing first...so I thought I would show you. I am going to make the shirt the girl is wearing in the pattern below and I am going to use the flower fabric I have beside it there! Don't you think that will be so cute? I am going to wash the fabric and then my mom and I are going to work on it. I am going to do it all..but I want her to be here for guidance!

THEN...my mom got me this cute bee fabric!!! I absolutely love it. I have a TON of it too!!! WOOT! I would like to maybe make a dress for my daughter and maybe a purse/tote bag for me! But that is once I start sewing well enough!! LOL

And then...just for fun...a pic of my boys this morning. They are so silly...LOL.

So those are my sewing plans to begin with. I am just sooo excited to actually start. We have been super busy lately though so I haven't had the time. I am hoping after Easter that I can start!! Do you all sew? I know some of you do! I would love to know what you are working on and when you first started sewing...what did you start with? Did anyone help you?

Hope you all have a very blessed Thursday!!! xoxo

Another Answer To Prayer!

God is good.....ALL the time!!!

So...remember how I told everyone that my hubby is going to Romania on a mission trip in June? (if you don't remember...HERE is the post) Well...through fundraisers and donations from family and friends...he has over half of the money he needs to go!!! There are still more fundraisers going on as well! But isn't that just AWESOME?? I just feel incredibly blessed. Although we have never been apart for that long before...I know God is calling him to go. I will probably cry...ALOT. But I know that Chris will be used to further God's Kingdom and that is just AWESOME!!! So...I wanted to thank anyone who has been praying for him and this trip..I really appreciate it! And please keep it up! I want Chris and the whole team that is going over to be covered in prayer! That is the most important thing!!! Thanks again!!! And if you haven't checked out the post about who killed Dipstick, the chicken...go HERE.

I killed Dipstick :*(

Apparently, I am the one who killed our chicken....I had taken M to the dr on monday cuz she was sick and when I got home, the chicken was dead in the driveway...and my mom said an animal must have gotten it...but the truth came out...I guess I killed her. :( I am just crushed. I had NO idea that she was even near my vehicle!

So...on top of this...let me tell you about how things have been lately...

OK..we've been busy with the easter play we are doing this past weekend and this coming weekend. Then, M has been sick a lot lately...and just not herself...so I kept her home Monday and took her to our dr. She is doing better now..but then I got sick yesterday..my sinuses had me all off balance and miserable ~ and while I was out of it basically all day...our dog, Cash, got into the bathroom trash and ripped stuff apart all over the place. He dumped a box of cereal all over the floor and POOPED in the dining room!!!! *cries* Plus, my boys were being stinkers as well. I was feeling horrible and that all made it worse.....

THEN ~ this morning (I am feeling better...WOOT!) I read over a paper of M's..and realized she needed 2 hard boiled eggs for school TODAY!!! AAAACCKKK! So, i thought, "ok..i will hard boil a couple real quick"...I open the fridge..and remembered..DUH...we only have BROWN eggs!!! She can't dye brown eggs at school. I was panicking...well...luckily..my mother in law (MIL) only lives down the road and she had a couple that M could take. WHEW! Then, I am helping M get ready for school and realize..."ut oh...is today her snack day?" and wouldn't you know...it IS her snack day today!!! Well...today is grocery day and I don't have enough of anything to send....so she is out waiting for the bus and i am freaking out. Luckily, MIL to the rescue....I called and she had a new bag of Oreos..and she drove up here just as M was getting on the bus to give them to her! How much I appreciate Chris and I's mothers. My mom has always helped us with things when we need it...and today...my MIL was my rescuer! (TWICE!)


If you have made it this far in reading, I thank you...and apologize for complaining...it has just been ZANEY!!! I am praying for a better day from this point on!!! I think I need a nice relaxing bath and a good book! LOL

We lost one of our girls......

Look at her....laying in the driveway...blood and feathers all over *sob*. I know it's just a chicken....but I am still soo incredibly sad. She is the only one that had a name...Dipstick. I know...silly name, huh? But she was so silly. She would fly the coop and at night..she wouldn't go in the coop...she wanted to sleep at the top of a small wooden post...it was crazy! Poor girl...I am bummed.
She is still laying in the driveway. I can't bear to move her. Chris will have to do it when he gets home. I think our cat, Jack...who used to be an inside cat till he couldn't seem to control his bladder..(YUCK)...he is now an outside cat...;o) well...I assume he is the one that got her. Looks like she put up quite a fight. I am bummed. (i know, i keep saying that...but i really am!) Just wanted to share.

Our Church Easter Play!

Here is Chris..being silly...i told him I wanted a pic of him..and he was posing and being weird!! LOL

Our church puts on a pretty large Easter play that runs for 4 nights. We did 2 this past weekend and will do one next friday and Saturday as well. I am in charge of the nursery. Chris has 2 parts in the play...he is a disciple....and then he plays a totally different part of hanging on a cross beside Jesus. he is the thief who doesn't get saved. I hate to watch it and haven't done it yet. Chris's mom saw the play last night and she said she has to plug her ears so she can't hear him when he cries out in pain. The older two kids are in it and just love singing the songs etc. The play is exhausting and a lot of work...but is totally worth it to all the cast and crew if one person is saved because of it...or if one person really understands what Christ did for each one of us!

Chris and Me

J just turned 2 in December...so I kept him with me in the nursery. I didn't even take pics of him with me...aack..I will have to do so next weekend! :o) But I do have pics of my other two!!!
Here's a couple of X:


Here is my sweet M....see her eyes? She was so tired. I think she has a sinus infection. I am going to keep her home from school today and see if I can get her into the doctor.

Snow Fun!

A couple of Sundays ago, after lunch at my mother in laws house, some friends and family went sledding and for a sleigh ride on behind my father in laws meat market. There is a big hill there and everyone went and had a TON of fun! J had a cold so I stayed home with him.....but Chris took the older two and my sister in law took some pics for me! :) I wanted to share them with you!
My daughter, M:

Here's my sweet Christopher...probably on his cell with me!!! ROFL!!! :

My son, X:

And M again...hehe:


They had so much fun and came in the house virtually ice cubes!! Look at those red cheeks! LOL

A phrase I can't stand!

"I'm bored"

I can't stand that phrase. My kids will say it and I about fly into the roof! How can anyone ever be truly bored? Now, honestly, I am sure I have said that phrase many times in my lifetime....but lately...anytime I hear it...I think "how can one possibly be bored?" There is always cleaning that could be done, or reading, or singing or playing and using your imagination. There is absolutely NO time for boredom in our lives.

Also, I thought about what God must think when we say we are "bored". Ya know? There is plenty of things in this world to do...including prayer. You can pray anytime, anywhere, for any reason. Now...this is not to say we shouldn't have a time of rest. I totally think rest is important...and required by God.....during times of rest though...we should never be "bored". We should sleep, read, pray, do a relaxing hobby or spend time with family and friends, fellowshipping.

This is my challenge for myself and anyone who reads this....the next time you are tempted to say "I'm bored"....instead say "I'm blessed" and start to pray! And during that prayer....we can even ask God to give us something to do to glorify Him during our time of "boredom"...such as making cards and sending them to people who are sick or just to say you are thinking about them. Or maybe turn on some praise music and just lift up in worship to God!


I dunno...that all has just been laying on my heart lately and I wanted to share it! :) Today I will be attempting more spring cleaning...but we will see how it goes....LOL. Hope you all have a wonderful day!!! xoxo

Doing BIG things for God!?

I was blog hopping today...and came across Pearls and Grace. And as I was reading some of the posts....I came across THIS post that really spoke to me! How often do we really want to organize huge events for God? How often do we wish we could minister to millions of people and share His love? Pearls and Grace shared how we can really show his love by "protecting the reputation of others"....wow...how true. By not gossiping or talking badly about others...even if others are doing it...speaks volumes!

I have been involved in gossiping before....and I called it "venting" about the person. I spoke unkind words that really tarnished my reputation and people's look at my Christian walk. I felt horrible. I repented to God and asked forgiveness of the person. It is sooo easy to gossip..and not even think of it that way. None of us in this world has any room to judge or speak negatively about anyone else...ya know?I think any way we show God's love is doing something BIG for Him! I am so glad I found that post at Pearls and Grace and hope you will read it too. I also believe showing forgiveness is huge. If someone has wronged you....show them forgiveness and that too will radiate Christ's love! Every seemingly small thing we do can really be a BIG thing for God. You never know how the smallest thing you say, way you react, or things you do can affect someone!

Protect and love others by starting with self. Maintain self control over your thoughts, words and deeds. Be slow to anger! I know that I am feeling challenged to really do this. I hope you are too.
Have a blessed day!!! xoxoAnd don't forget to check out my part of the Ultimate Blog Party.....HERE!!!

Spring Clean With Me!

Monica is hosting Spring Clean 2008. You can follow along HERE. I am going to attempt to try it as well...although it will be difficult. It isn't spring yet here...and although we had a warm day a couple days back....it is freezing again with lots of ice and snow. It's so hard to get in the spring cleaning mood when you can't open up all the windows and dust out the house....know what I mean? But I am going to give it a good try! She is even offering prizes! How fun is that? So anyone who wants to join in...please do! It will be fun! And if you are joining in..please leave me a comment and let me know..i would love to be cleaning buddies! LOL

Here is my cleaning schedule (It all happens within the month of March):

5th and 6th~ Kitchen

7th and 8th~ Dining Room

10th and 11th~ Both Bathrooms (the upstairs bathroom is only a half bath...really easy)

12th and 13th~Living Room

14th and 15th~playroom/sunroom and laundry room area

the week of the 17th through the 22nd~ I will be focusing on all the upstairs bedrooms and the hallway

24th through the end of the month~ Analyzing what I have done and finishing up anything that needs finished!

Birthday Party Fun!

Chris's lil party at my parent's house was fun! My mom got him this chicken hat and made him wear it. Isn't it TOO funny?? LOL In the above pic he is showing off (with a weird face) his authentic Johnny Cash autographed picture! My parents got him this for his birthday gift!

Here he is checking out his cake that my sister made!!! LOL He didn't get it at first...but once he did...he was cracking UP!!!! LOL

Here is a pic of me and Chris....the stinker. I am smiling all normal and he is making a crazy face. Doesn't he look scary there?? LOL

J soooo wanted a pic taken of himself...so I took one and thought it turned out cute so I wanted to post it. Look at my poor lil guy's mouth. He gets so chapped. My other 2 kiddos were like that when they were younger too. They all just have such delicate skin.

So....the party was a success. Everyone had a great time and had a ton of fun! We laughed most of the night! :) Chris said thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes you all sent his way on my previous post!

Happy Birthday Chris!!!

Today is my sweet hubby's 29th birthday!!! We are going to my parent's house for supper tonight in honor of him and my sister, Devon, made him a cake...it is hilarious!!! See it HERE. I haven't bought him anything for his birthday. Isn't that horrible? I just don't have the money at the moment...plus, he is honestly not into "stuff". So...instead, one of these weekends we are free and our friends Chris and Heather are free...we are all going to go bowling. My Chris has wanted to go bowling for a while now...so my mom said she would watch the kiddos and we can all go out on a double date night for food and then bowling! :) I think that will be fun!

I know, you are probably wondering why I changed my look....AGAIN. Well...i got some graphics from Trina Clark and I just love them...and I keep seeing what I like best. I just can't help myself!!! :) Have a GREAT day everyone!

Time For A Big Boy Bed!

J turned 2 in December. He is my last baby...and gosh...i wasn't ready for him to move to the toddler bed. I don't know whether to be happy or sad. Today he started vaulting himself out of the crib...so I figured there is no sense trying to keep him in there....so naptime was taken in his toddler bed...and he did get out a couple times and tried to play with toys in his room..but I just went back in and put him back in bed and told him he could play after naptime. And he fell asleep! :) So...of course, I had to snap a pic!!! LOL

Here is a pic of me and J. It is awfully hard to photograph yourself and a child in your lap! LOL Right now, J is snuggled into his toddler bed, asleep! I am so proud of him. He is making the transition so well...I just hope he keeps it up. *fingers crossed*

Guess What???

It is still winter here in Western PA....yessiree, with lots and lots of snow on the ground too.....however...I have my windows open!!!!! Am I crazy? Not at all! (OK...maybe a little LOL) but it is an absolutely gorgeous day here. It is warm out....all the icicles hanging from my house are melting and the air smells like SPRING!!! No joke! It is wonderful! I opened up some windows and am totally loving it! I am just soo looking forward to spring....and I absolutely love when I can smell it in the air!!! The pictures I have posted here are of my backyard....I just took them...doesn't it look gorgeous? I can't wait till all that snow melts!

Cash seems to be adjusting nicely to the family. We're still working on the barking...and he does like to chew...but I keep trading the kids' toys for his own toys. LOL It's a reason for the kids to keep their toys cleaned up!!! WOOT! LOL
Right now...he is laying on his doggie bed...and Ruthie (our lil terrier mix) is laying on my bed. Gosh it is sooo nice not to have them barking at one another! Whew!

Anyway...thank you all for your wonderful comments on my different posts! You are all so kind and I really appreciate it! I hope you all have a fantastic day! (I plan on doing some spring cleaning....since I am starting to feel springy!!!!)