Finally A Date

Well, sort of.  Chris' first novel will be released but not just yet.  Finally, the publisher told us we can expect a release date in late March or April 2011.  I was a little disappointed just because I am so excited to see this book in printed form. I want to see it now!  However, we have been a little busy the last few months so March is probably a much better time for our family.  It also gives me more time to plan a release party and put together a few more contacts.  If you or someone you know has great info for me about a release party for a new book PLEASE don't hesitate to share that information with us.

I know God has plans for us and even this book, plans to prosper us and not to harm us.  I am confident that this book will bring glory and honor to our Lord and Savior.  Since I can't see into the future I'm not sure what that means other than I can trust He has our best interest at the heart of the matter.  I can't wait to see what His plan is.  My prayer is that we do His will and always point all glory back to Him.

WriteLife is a small publishing company in Omaha, Nebraska that has picked up Chris' book.  WriteLife is interested in helping out new and young writers.  If you have any interest in submitting some writing go to this site http://writelife.com/  This is a great place to start.  Once again I remind you, the book you want to get hot off the press is THE NEW PHENOM3NON by Chris Raabe.  You will find it on http://www.amazon.com/ and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ .  If you reside in Omaha you may find it in the local storefront at as well.  I think tonight we got a great connection at B & N.  Chris will also be making several book signing stops across the nation.  If you have interest in an up and coming author visiting your area please contact me via this blog.  Soon we will have an official site with more information.

Happy Wednesday to each of you.

Christmas Hangover

That's the only way I can explain it. Two days after the big holiday and I have a headache to top all headaches.  It's not just the holiday it's all the extras that a person either deals with or lets build up stress, here are a few of those things:  staying up way too late, eating too much junk food, no exercise, company, the stress of hoping everyone is pleased with their gifts, hanging out with sick people, dealing with unpleasant people, crazy traffic, too much Wii...it all adds up to one big hangover type of headache.  I don't want to imply that our Christmas was bad. There's just lots going on this time of year and when everything finally dies down it leaves my head pounding.

I tried all kinds of things to feel better today, you know the usual...
chiropractor
lots of water
shopping with a dear friend
pedicure
Starbucks
lunch out
nap
ignoring my phone calls
but then finally I hit happy hour with some girlfriends.  I think nachos, a margarita and some girl talk did the trick. 

May you all enjoy the days after Christmas as much as the days leading up to the birth of Christ.  I urge you to remember why we celebrate December 25th.  It's 363 days until Christmas 2011...plan ahead in order to avoid the pre-christmas headache.

Christmas Dance Recital

The 2010 Dance season is in full swing around our house now that we have two beautiful dancers.  Lil' Sister is following in the footsteps of her Big Sis.  Every Wednesday Liv has an important date with 9 other little dancers.  I am simply amazed how Ms Jackie can teach these little darlings the art of ballet and the discipline of not jumping in taps.

Even Chris enjoys the Christmas recital, after all it's a one afternoon ordeal and lasts just over one hour.  What dad wouldn't love it?

Christmas Dance Recital 2010

I tried to fade out the other dancers to highlight Emma but it kind of looks like she is dancing with a stage full of ghosts.  Love your smile and beautiful dance movements on stage!

This little cutie-pa-tootie had a brief moment of fear and then she poured on the charm.

Final Bows

Great job girls! 

May you continue to grow and learn all the while acknowledge that your gifts and talents come from God.  I love you both.  Mommy

Berry World

It's been 32 days since our family joined the rest of the world in texting, internet via the phone and constant connection.  This little device called the Blackberry is my friend but might become my foe.  I am about to learn the importance (once again) of boundries. 

I won't be a driving texter but have been known to answer a text at a long stop light.
I won't text during bible study.
I won't surf the net during church.
I won't facebook during dinner.

With this new level of availablity you should be able to reach Chris, my oldest or myself most of the time.  If not try our home phone. (yep, it's new)

Judas Asparagus

The bible through the eyes of a child: The Children's Bible in a Nutshell In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas.  The Bible says, 'The Lord thy God is one, but I think He must be a lot older than that. Anyway, God said, 'Give me a light!' and someone did. Then God made the world.  He split the Adam and made Eve.  Adam and Eve were naked,  but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet.  Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden.....Not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn't have cars.  Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.  Pretty soon all of the early people died off, except forMethuselah, who lived to be like a million or something.   One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a Ham.  Noah built a large boat and put his family and some animals on it. He asked  some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check.  After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast.  Jacob had a son  named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat. Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston.  Moses led the Israel Lights out of   Egypt  and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people.  These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable.  God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti.  Then he gave them His Top Ten Commandments. These include: don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor's stuff.  Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor thy father and thy mother. One of Moses' best helpers was Joshua who was the first Bible guy to use spies.  Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town. After Joshua came David..  He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot.  He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines.  My teacher says he was wise,  but that doesn't sound very wise to me. After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets.  One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore.  There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we don't have to worry about them. After the Old Testament came the New Testament.  Jesus is the star of The New.  He was born  in   Bethlehem   in a barn.   (I wish I had been born in a barn too, because my mom is always saying to me, 'Close the door! Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter of fact, I was.') During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Democrats.  Jesus also had twelve opossums.  The worst one was Judas Asparagus.  Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him.  Jesus was a great man.  He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount.  But the Democrats and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot.  Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus.  He just washed his hands instead. Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again.  He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminum.  His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.

Mary Sunshine????

No, not really!!

Yes, I try to avoid the yucky part of life in my blog entries because there's plenty of that all around us.  Every day the newspaper, television, freeways, grocery stores and internet are full of discouraging stories, mean acts and dangerous truths so if I can concentrate on the positives about my life it's better for all of us.  I don't mean to portray a life that isn't real.  We have issues.  We have faults.  We have trials.  Do you really care to read about my garbage when you have your own junk to deal with?  I didn't think so.

However, just to make Lindsey fell alittle better about herself I have a few things to say...

The past 4 months have had moments of joy, pleasure and excitement but they have also held some of the toughest times that Chris and I have encountered in our fourteen years of marriage. 
*I finally decided to face some of the junk in my past; it brought up more junk and then I had to decide what to do with that information.
*Our good friends moved out of state.
*Fall is always busy but this year Chris coached high school softball as well as Reagan's competitve softball team.  We had very little time for family.
*We learned that some close friends had no use for us.
*Chris' father has been in the hospital five times.
*Amelia lived only a few hours
*I moved my aunt to town only to take over her financial and health decisions.
*We have a middle schooler.  YIKES! I'm stuggling with my parenting
* My last 2 scrapbook weekends have been cancelled.
*One friend is getting a divorce
*Family...
*We have children in 3 different schools.
*My house is a mess most of the time.

I could probably come up with several other stressors if I stopped to think about it for a minute or two.  This is a list of "yuck" but I can offset each bullet point with a silver lining.  My positive view point is not because I am Mary Sunshine but because God gives me hope.  Never has He put more on my plate than what I can handle.  Growth comes through trials.  Precious metals are refined by fire.  I pray that my struggles will help me focus on God and not on myself...some days are easier than others.

PaRty TiMe

Can it be true?  My baby is turning five years old today?  Does that mean I'm not a mommy of toddlers anymore? 

There may be a sad little corner in my heart as I think about the baby years, cute little clothes, learning her colors and knowing I won't have more babies but the rest of my heart is overwhelmed with JOY!  Watching Olivia overcome many of the struggles she faced the first two years of her life and becoming a delightful little girl makes smile with contentment, knowing I have a powerful God who cares about the smallest of details to the biggest concerns.

As with every birthday in our house, this morning Olivia woke to a room filled with streamers and balloons.  The breakfast of choice always seems to be donuts...go figure.  Then we had a little photo session as she opened her gifts but I was careful to stay out of the pictures as I was sporting my jammies and CRAZY hair.

As soon as everyone is showered and dressed we'll take a van full of donations to the Salvation Army, go see Aunt Delma and then have a little birthday party this evening with some close family friends and the grandparents who can make it today.

The bible tells us that all good things come from Heaven.  My sweet baby was created by a loving God and sent down to our family for a time.  I am so privilaged to have the opportunity to love, care for and teach this little blessing from God.

Healthy Food for Healthy Living

As Cold and Flu season attempts to invade our life, it is important to consider some very easy ways to stay healthy that doesn't include drugs and shots.  We have tried hard this year to eat more organically grown foods however the budget can make purchasing such foods difficult. 

I found this list via Pearson Chiropractic at mercola.com. 

Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories tested by the Environmental Working Group and included in their Shoppers' Guide to Pesticides in Produce, these 12 fruits and vegetables had the highest pesticide load, making them the most important to buy or grow organic:

Peaches


Apples


Sweet bell peppers


Celery


Nectarines


Strawberries


Cherries


Lettuce


Grapes (imported)


Pears


Spinach


Potatoes


In contrast, these foods were found to have the lowest residual pesticide load, making them the safest bet among conventionally grown vegetables:
Broccoli


Eggplant


Cabbage


Banana


Kiwi


Asparagus


Sweet peas (frozen)


Mango


Pineapple


Sweet corn (frozen)


Avocado


Onion


So if you need to work within a certain budget, use this information to help guide you to the best choices when it comes to lowering your overall pesticide exposure.

We live a healthy lifestyle which keeps us out of the doctor's office.  Thanks to good food, plenty of rest, food suppliments and chiropractic care our family doctor doesn't even know we exist.  That's they way I like it.

Happy December 1st!

Better Than An Oreo

I love Oreo cookies but just can't allow myself to eat that stuff.  This week Reagan found something so beautiful at Trader Joe's...Candy Cane Joe-Joe's.  They taste just like pepermint oreos without all the HFCS, bleached flour and hydrogenated oils.  Trader Joe's, I love you and this product is just another reason why.

Making Memories

What are your fontest childhood memories?  My include making homemade taffy, cooking, riding my bike to the pool, going to summer camp, being with my grandma and aunt and playing in the big dirt pile to name just a few.  When I think about the people who made me feel special I remember my Aunt Delma.  Through the years she has remembered special days, sent me letters, taken an interest in the things I care about and most importantly she loves my children and Chris.  The last couple of weeks have been very stressful for my aunt (me too) but I am so blessed to be right here beside her all the way. 

This year our family was able to share Thanksgiving with Aunt Delma.  Just look at her, she really enjoyed her time with us.  I am so thankful to be sharing special moments with this wonderful woman.

Joy In The Little Things

I am so thankful to have children who teach me to find joy in the little things. 

 Fall is my favorite time of year for so many reasons but once in a while I start to dread the winter weather that is sure to follow this beautiful season.  We've had a little taste of cold with some 10 degree temps at night, oh how that brings back ugly memories of last winter.  However, when my youngest says things like, "Mommy, now I can jump in the leaves because the cold made them all fall on the ground," it is difficult to focus on the negative.

Today we are enjoying a day of relaxation.  I am so thankful that God gently reminds me to find joy in the little things too.



Sabbath Living

Do you know people who are over scheduled, over committed and just barely hanging on by a thread?  Well if you know us, then you do.  We aren't always like that but it is so easy to over commit, even when everything on the calendar is a good thing, it can be too much.

Today we heard a great message on the Sabbath.  Pastor Mark didn't pull out all the laws or try to make everyone feel guilty, no he told us about the gift God gave us in the form of a day of rest each week.  It doesn't have to be Sunday, it doesn't have to be Saturday.  It does need to be about God, family, friends and rest for 24 hours.  Chris and I have not been good about this command and we are excited to start living a life that teaches our children God wants us to rest.

I just had to capture this image of Chris as we were enjoying some quiet time in the living room. I am so thankful for God's gift of rest.

Thankfully Tugged

I know I have blogged about Random Acts of Kindness in the past, infact I have a list of 25 Random Facts on my facebook page that also comments on my love for RAK.  There are many things that make the "world go 'round", I believe one of them is the practice of RAK.  Just a simple note, hug, gift or kind word can change a person's entire day and when passed on to the next person the simple act is multiplied.  There are certainly people who are not Christians who partake in this practice however I know it is God who tugs at my heart when I suddenly decide to pay for a stranger's cup of coffee or offer to pray for a guy's wife in the elevator at the hospital.  Every time I listen to that tug, I am grateful that I have a personal relationship with a Savior who cares about people so much that He knows it's the small details like a hug that can change the world.

The last two weeks have been not only physically exhausting but mentally draining as well.  Each and every day I have tried to find a silver lining, some days are easier than others.  A few days ago a friend from several years ago surprised me with a RAK in the form of a Barnes and Noble gift card.  How cool is that?  This was a complete unexpected surprise...just what the doctor ordered.

I am thankful for precious people who listen to that tug from God

Get Moving

The last week has been exciting, exhausting and un-explainable.  Seeing a loved one begin to fail is difficult, no matter if it is their health, wealth, faith or something else.  For as long as I can remember I have had a close relationship with my Aunt Delma, so it is not at all surprising that I would step in when she needed help.  I feel blessed to have her moving close to us however the process has been very involved.  The people in the picture above gave of themselves and had nothing to gain.  I am so thankful for Aunt Helen, Ryan-Dean, Marianne, Rachel and my very hard working hubby who missed his birthday to help my aunt relocate.

Certainly, it is Christ who compels us to offer love to others.  Not because we are good or they deserve it but because HE loved us first.  I serve a great God!

Conan O'Brien

Yes, I am thankful for that tall red headed guy, Conan.  Tonight is his first show since the big NBC debacle.  This guy makes me laugh!!

Short post tonight cuz Conan just started...

Naturally Thankful

There is so much joy to be found in the great outdoors.  Several years ago I bought some beautiful red mums from Sam's Club and I am still enjoying their beauty.  These incredible plants return every June and by October I have stunning red blossoms in my front yard.  Love it.  Love it. Love it.

It's not just my red mums that bring me joy and amazement.  I am in awe of the variety God created in plant life.  Some of it provides food, some of it provides clothing (think Adam and Eve in the garden.  :) ) and some of it is just for our enjoyment.  Thank you Lord God for your beautiful creation.  Could this really happen by chance?  No, I think not!  I am so thankful for the beauty found in nature every day.

Love Me Some HUsKeR Football

It is Game Day in the great state of Nebraska.  The Huskers will match up against the Iowa Cyclones.  There's nothing I would love more than a replay of last weeks first quarter...let's beat ISU and do it big time!

It's not so much that I am thanful for Nebraska football as much as I am thankful for the tickets we get every year.  Chris' grandfather purchased 4 tickets about 55-60 years ago, the family still has those same 4 seats.  Every game at Memorial Stadium is like a reunion.  Everyone around us knows us, remembers grandpa and inquires about the family.  Tickets are (in my opinion) extremely expensive at $54 per seat.  GEESH!  Then add on the donation at the beginning of the season, it's a big investment for Nana and Papa.  This year I have been to 2 games, Chris has gone to 2 games and Emma just attended her first ever UNL Husker football game.  Thank you Nana and Papa for being so generous with our family.

Thankfully Clean

I love to vacuum!  It's not really a fetish or anything weird like that but I get a joyful rush when I see those clean lines in my carpet.  The sound of dirt, rocks and filth being sucked up into my Dyson almost makes me giddy.  Probably 4 or 5 years ago I was in Omaha shopping for a Dyson.  I don't make purchases like this on a whim, it was well researched.  Chris and I had saved up, I had found the best possible deal and I went into Kohl's, coupon in hand, ready to make a purchase.  A very special person was with me that day and when I checked out, she whipped out the cash to pay for this machine.  I had no idea she was going to do that, I know I dropped a tear or two.  What a blessing K & R were to us that day.  Every time I use my Dyson (at least twice a week) I think of them and hope to pass that kind of blessing on to someone else one day.

I am thankful for my Dyson!

So Thankful

I grew up in a family that attended church almost every Sunday.  As a child I was proud of my near to perfect Sunday school attendance record.  I sang in the choir, learned my bible verses (usually cheated with the help of my partner in crime Abbey), was baptized and went through confirmation in middle school however it wasn't until I was married and living in Arizona that I learned what a relationship with Christ looked like.  Our new church was intentional about 1. Winning People to Christ 2. Training People 3. Sending Disciples out to spread the Gospel.  Chris and I began to realize that if we wanted to tell others about our Loving Creator we really needed to understand the love letter He gave us...the bible.

After years of bible studies I know I have grown closer to the Lord.  It's my prayer that I will never take my faith for granted and will always have a thirst to know more.  My greatest desire is to be more like Jesus, our King and Savior.  I want to see others as He sees them.  I want to love others as He loves them.

Thank you God for sending your perfect Son to live amongst us and while we were still sinners die for us so that we will one day live eternally with our Father in Heaven.

Attitude of Gratitude

As we enter the month of November, we naturally start talking about being Thankful. 

This month I will be posting pictures of things I am thankful for.

My beautiful family certainly deserves an early vote.

Halloween

(edited 11/01/10)

Dinner with some great friends and then we sat around the firepit drinking hot cider.

Our great crew of kiddos trick or treating and the Moms and Dads didn't even have to walk with them.

White puking pumpkin

Dragon Pumpkin...in honor of Auntie Angie

Cannibal Pumpkin

Cute kitty cat Pumpkin

Happy Ghost Pumpkin

I'm not really a very big fan of Halloween but the family carving party is pretty fun.  Chris is really the expert!



PUMPKIN PRAYER:

Dear Jesus, as I carve my pumpkin, help me pray this prayer:

Open my mind so I can learn about You; 

(cut the top off the pumpkin)

Take all my sin and forgive the wrong that I do.

(clean out the inside)

Open my eyes so Your love I will see;

(cut eyes)

I'm sorry for the times I'ce turned up my nose at what You've given to me.

(cut a nose)

Open my ears so Your Word i will hear;

(cut ears)

Open my mouth to tell others You're near.

(cut the mouth)

Let Your light shine in all I say and do!  Amen.

(Place a candle inside and light)

Change is Good

Life is ever changing and isn't that a good thing?
Just about the time I think it's getting easy I have a surprise.
In case it wasn't obvious in my writing,
fall 2010 was a little over whelming for the Raabes.
The most stressful part wasn't even blogged.

It's post high school softball season so
Chris has started writing again
and we are working on marketing for the book.
Change is Good

Comets soccer has ended as well as Sizzle softball
so I am working on year end parties and fund raising.
Reagan is talking about what sport she can play next.
Change is Good

Dance never ends!
Ok, so that doesn't change.

Scrapbooking has become a thing of the past
My poor client is going to fire me if she doesn't
get something fabulous in the mail SOON.
The worst of it all....
I've had TWO scrap weekends cancelled.
Change would be good.

So you might think that I have some time to myself.
Well...

My aunt is moving from Kansas
to a townhome in my neighborhood.
This is no small feat. 
I have found an assisted living facility
which she refuses to live in.
I have found a townhome
that hopefully meets her needs.
I have secured movers, trucks and boxes.
I have talked to doctors, attorneys, accounts and finance managers.
I have signed paper work.
I have made decisions that I didn't know I was qualified to make.
This is no small feat!
Change is Good.

Today I shifted gears to a loved one in the hospital
Healing can begin but only with change of lifestyle.
Change is Good.

Not that life should be easy or boring
Life is not static, it's ever changing
Thank you God for a life that shapes me and molds me
into something I never knew I could be.

Date with My Daughter

Emma and I really needed a fun night out. 

We laughed

We ate cookies

We took lots of pictures

We even saw a "private" moment between 2 llamas.  (yikes)

Emma and SL

cello performers

Michelle and Melanie

Some of my favorite things...

my daughter

fall

pumpkin patch

hot drinks

friends

We were pleasantly surprised to run into our friends,

certainly a topper to an already great evening!

New Pictures

Sorry friends, these are quick snapshots of pictures we had taken this week of my beautiful daughters.  Please excuse the blurry dark condition of these photos.

Let me start by saying we went in to get a black and white picture of Chris and Reagan to complete my wall of pictures in the living room and a large picture of the girls for the family room.  Here's the problem, the lady tricked me...she took too many great pictures of the 3 subjects that I am a sucker for...my girls. 

seriously...LOVE this picture.  18x28

it's going to look amazing on my wall.

This one is going on Chris' desk.

There are also pictures for the grandmas but I can't show them here, they have to wait until christmas.

LoVe GrEeTiNG CarDs

Lately I have displayed a lack of ability to mail off cards in a timely matter so it is to my great surprise to open my mailbox and find birthday cards BEFORE my special day.  Reading greeting cards is something I really enjoy, so much that I sometimes hang out in the card store reading and laughing.  

  The card I got from my mom-in-law today was perfect for me.

Linda knows I blog and look to see who has visited and who has left a comment.  BTW, not many comments lately.  :)

Tonight I have a house full of kiddos playing Rock Band.  Tomorrow you will find me at the soccer fields watching Reagan in her final soccer tourne of the fall season.  I am hoping for a yummy carrot cake when we get home.  Maybe Chris will even remember candles but just a few.  (38 candles may be unsafe.)

U-G-L-Y

Nothing like a Saturday afternoon in Memorial Stadium, the 3rd largest city in Nebraska on game day!  As far as today's game, I hope there really is never anything like it again.  It was one of the ugliest football games I have attended in YEARS!  Not only did Nebraska play poorly but they were out coached.  The officials were not the greatest but honestly when you drop 3 touch down passes, who cares how bad the refs were.  The family was going to sell the 4 seats for this game which would have paid for the whole years worth of football tickets, looking back I think that would have been a good idea.  :)  Actually, I still had a great time..I just love college football.  The best play of the day came in the 4th quarter when we had a 95 yard return for a touchdown.  I was hopeful that play would jumpstart our team, no such luck. 

A huge thank you to my father-in-law for staying home with my hubby and daughters to watch the game from the couch so I could take in the game day atmosphere again.  I love you guys...and not just for your season tickets.  :)

The Year Was 1997

I am refering to the last time I shopped for apartments, until today.  The girls and I hit the road looking for new living arrangements for my dear aunt who will be moving to Omaha in the next few months.  Believe it or not, the ammenities I looked for in 1997 were much different from what my aunt needs in 2010.

Even though the girls were not overly excited to listen to the leasing agent and me chat about square footage, monthly rent, garages, bathrooms and mailboxes but they did enjoy discussing our findings at the end of the day. 

I'm not sure that I will be making the final decision about where or when Aunt Delma moves to Nebraska but it is a pleasure to do some of the foot work to get her here. 

Middle School Dance

Need I say more?

Reagan and the Ripstick

Ever since Reagan spent some time in GI with her friend K, she has wanted a Ripstick.  Here she is showing off her brand new toy that she purchased with birthday money.  This is 3 minutes after the thing was taken out of the box.  Way to go Reagan!!

As you can see she is dressed and ready to go to soccer. 

This weekend they are playing in the Toyota Cup. 

So proud of our girls, they played hard and scored lots of goals. 

The Rat is Wearing Down

Back in the day I was a sprinter, never did I pretend to run long distance, I simply do not have the staying power for distance.  I remember running the mile relay and wondering why on earth anyone would really want to sprint ALL the way around the track.  Well it was early this August when I heard the gun go off that started this race.  You could call it a "rat race!"  School started August 11th but before that day Chris had meetings and if I remember correctly softball started early as well.  Shortly after school started, Reagan was knee deep in soccer and softball.  Olivia started preschool.  By early September, Chris' team was playing games, Reagan was practicing and playing games on two teams.  Emma and Olivia were dancing.  I was running kids here and there, volunteering, scrapping for clients, starting up bible study and wondering what I had forgotten to do for the day. 

It is now October 3rd and I can smell the cheese at the end of the maze.  As it turns out, I can run the distance races as well.  This week won't be any less chaotic but I know soon we will be eating family dinners together every night.  There's something about all five of us coming together at mealtime.  No matter what has happened during the day, we first thank God for His blessings and know that together we can work anything out.

Emotionally and physically I have broken down but spiritually I have remained strong.  The poem "Footprints" really hits home.  In my weakness God was right there beside me and when I couldn't run the race any longer He carried me until I was strong again.  I will finish this race!

Enjoy your first week of October.  Take the time to notice the changing leaves and cooler temps.  Don't forget to water and dead head your mums...that's a reminder for me mostly.  Until next time, I may see you at the ball field, soccer field, grocery store, between here and school or the dance studio just don't peek in my windows...that will really freak me out.

Smores Galore

I love this picture!

  Fall...everything about it warms my heart.  The colors are breath-taking, the cooler temps are so welcome after months of heat and humidity and breaking out the fire pit for smores is a great family activity.

Really Chris, do they need to be on fire?

No you won't find of picture of me eating a smore...don't like them.  I enjoy sitting around the fire and watching the kids get covered in melted marshmallow and chocolate but that's where it ends for me.  Tonight however, I did eat a couple apple slices with a piece of dark chocolate.  Now that was yummy and in my mind somewhat healthy.  Really I can justify about anything.

Just a Playdate

I am a SAHM.  If you aren't familiar with that term it stands for Stay At Home Mom.  Being able to stay home with my children is a blessing that I do not take lightly.  This is a calling, not just a crazy idea to cut our income in half.  There is a badge of honor that SAHMs or SAHDs wear but from time to time I feel like I am looked down upon for choosing to follow this calling.  Staying home is my greatest joy.

Today I proved to be the "least at home" SAHM.  As I pulled out of my driveway at 8:20am I knew there would be very little time at home to take care of household duties, I just didn't realize it would be only 90 minutes.  The last child was picked up from school at 3:45pm.  I really thought having kids at school would mean I could come home to eat bon bons and watch Oprah.  Nope, that's not what I do all day.  Geesh, who knew?

Tonight was pizza night and then everyone outside to play ball.  Oh how I love to just hang out with the family.  We had a blast until we couldn't take the biting bugs any longer.  Even though our family is busy, I am so thankful that we know how to take care of each other and make our moments count.

NiNe yEarS

Today is a big day around our house.  Reagan turned nine years old.  WHAT??  How'd that happen?  We've had my parents here with us since Friday which has been nice but my routine is all messed up.  The house is cluttery, there isn't any milk or bread, Reagan's birthday treats are half done and I didn't fill the birthday girl's room with balloons last night. Some how I still don't think the day is a bust.  I'm taking lunch up to Reags at school which is one of her favorite things for me to do.

Thinking back to nine years ago, our lives were so different.  First of all, I was still in my 20s and probably looked better nine months pregnant than I do now.  We lived in Arizona and it was still in the triple digits the day she was born...it's fall like temps here in Nebraska today.  Chris was teaching and coaching in the high school but dare I say our life was almost boring compared to the schedule we keep in 2010.  Just starting our family, we had only one child and anxiously awaiting the birth of our second perfect little girl.  (Little did we know that the next year would be full of crying until the wee hours of the morning.)  Reagan certainly rocked our lives and we thank God every day that He her to us to love and care for until the day she goes back home.

Holy Buckets, I'm almost in tears.  Now that I have enjoyed that stroll down memory lane, it is time to get my day going.  Give your child, niece, grandchild or neighbor kid a hug today, they will be grown up before you know it.  Blessing to you all!

Do Versus Done

My evening has been filled with thoughts of these two words.  Here's what Merriam-Webster says:
DO
 to bring to pass : carry out


 perform, execute b : commit


 to bring to an end : finish —used in the past participle


 to put forth : exert

 
DONE
past participle of do


Oh I'm sure we all know the definition of these two words but I wanted to fill space in this post.  (Just wanted to see if you are really reading)  ha  I know a better way to contrast these two words. Christianity versus any other religion in the world!  Just to list a couple well known religions: Jehovah Witness...gotta do works for salvation. Mormon...gotta do works for salvation. Muslim...gotta do works. Seventh Day Adventist...gotta do works.  All the cults...gotta do works. Your after life is based on what you DO in this life. The Christian faith is the only one in which it has already been DONE for you.  Here's the big plan...You accept Christ as your savior and BAM! you have a secure spot in heaven.  Sound easy, it is! Christ did the hard part when he took the beatings, hung on the cross and died on Calvary. 
 
There are things in this life that have been left up to me to do...cooking, cleaning, carpool. Possibly I have gotten so use to that role that from time to time I forget that I am not in control of everything. When others have strong opinions about me or my loved ones, I also have to remember they aren't in control of me or my salvation.  They didn't DO the hard work. If I do the best I can to love and serve my God it doesn't matter what Joe Schmo thinks about me or my ability to love and serve God. We serve a powerful God.  A loving God. He would never put Betty Homemaker across the street or Bobby the Boss Man in charge of our eternity. Now that's something you can take to the bank.
 
Chris and I have pulled through a rough couple of weeks. Trials are worth it if you learn something new about your relationship with God. He didn't make this happen but He allowed it to happen. He didn't call us to do his work because we were already equipped but He is continually equipping us to do His work. Satan wants nothing more than to distroy relationships.  Focusing on what you have to DO can distract from what has already been DONE.
 
Now go out and be a blessing today! (not because you have to but because you want to!)


You can find the verse of the day on the right side of this blog.  Today just happened to be this verse.
Hebrews 10:30-31
30For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[a] and again, "The Lord will judge his people."[b] 31It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Love My Husband

I don't want to brag...ok maybe I do.  I am married to an amazing man.  He is the first person to admit when he has done something wrong and he is always willing to give the other person a way out.  By that I mean, if someone wronged him, Chris first of all gives them the benefit of the doubt and then gives them an opportunity to save face.  While these are characteristics instilled in him by his parents he also has refined his actions by trying to have a like mind of Christ. 

Honey, if you read this (and I know you don't) I want you to know how proud I am of you.  You are a blessing to me.  I love you!

Pruning

This morning before church I sat in the dinning room looking out the window to the north noticing our overgrown bush and wondering when I should prune those branches back.  The bush is pretty scraggly which makes it an easy target for weeds. Timing is everything when it comes to gardening.. 

Just as I need to prune the bush in my yard to rid the dead or unhealthy branches to insure growth, I am noticing that this is a season of pruning in my life.  God's ways are always loving so I know that even though I am feeling pain, He is preparing me for growth.

Not too long ago I wrote a blog entry titled "Change Your World."  I had no idea how much God was preparing my own heart for what was about to come.  In that post I made mention of how God comes at me from so many directions and He did it again.  This weekend I was in Grand Island at our old church for a Beth Moore Simulcast. (LOVED IT!!!) Beth talked about "The Law of Kindness."  How did she know I was going to need a refresher to keep me from saying and doing things I would later regret?  God's attention to the details is amazing.  Kindness is not an action it's a disposition.  When I open my mouth (and I will) I prayerfully ask God to let the words that flow be words of wisdom.

So this week when it warms up a little, while I am in my yard pruning the dead or overgrown branches from bushes and flowers I will be thinking about my Father in Heaven who is doing a good work within me. I challenge each of you to show kindness today.  Not just being nice which can be faked, I mean genuine kindness.

Have a great week.

Going Hard

Reagan knows only one way to play soccer...going all out! 

The girls played a hard fast paced game today.  We all were so proud of their effort!  Another "W" for the girls, 4-3.

Love My 'Skers

Two of my favorite things together...my handsome hubby and Husker Football!!!  Chris and I had a great day watching the Huskers put it to Idaho.  What was I thinking wearing jeans?  It was hotter than heck today!

Brook Berringer #18 played football at UNL in the 90's.  Brook and I got to know each really well during our college years and then the night before the NFL draft Brook was killed in an airplane accident.  I'll never understand why he was taken to Heaven at such a young age.

Today was the 9 year anniversary of the terrorist attack on American soil.