This is Our Journey

I said, "Let me walk in the field." God said: "Nay, walk in the town." I said: "There are no flowers there." He said: "No flowers, but a crown." I said: "But the sky is black; there is nothing but noise and din." But He wept as He sent me back, "There is more, there is sin." I said: "But the air is thick and fogs are veiling the sun." he answered: "Yet souls are sick and souls in the dark undone." I said: "I shall miss the light, and friends will miss me they say." He answered: "Choose tonight, if I am to miss you or they." I pleaded for time to be given: He said "Is it hard to decide? It will not seem hard in Heaven to have followed the steps of your Guide." I cast one look at the field, then set my face to the town. He said: "My child, do you yield? Will you leave the flowers for the crown?" Then into His hand went mine and into my heart came He: And I walk in a light divine, the path I had feard to see. George MacDonald

5k fun fun fun!!!

Fun day with family, Mavis, my sister, nieces and I ran the 5k Race for the Cure! I love running these 5k's, everyone is having such a great time, sweating, gasping for air...but hey it is for a great cause:). Thousands turned out to run in the misty rain and hundreds were there to cheer all of us on!

Walk by Faith and Not by Sight

Home Tour {For Sale} We are selling our sweeeet home:(. Husband would love to build again on more land add some chickens, cows, maybe a horse, goats, a pig or two???? Do you think we are crazy? I am just walking by faith and not by sight these days. I should always do this, it is kinda intoxicating to say the least. Hubby has always given me everything I ever asked for so I think it is way past time for him to have what his heart desires. He has wanted a farm for awhile now. I am all for this, I would just like to see the land now, the house or house plans. I like to plan, doesn't all women like that security in knowing what is going to happen next. God is not working like that this time, He is asking me to step out on faith and just wait. I totally feel like He may have something completely different in mind for us than either one of us have thought of. I love my Jesus, I trust my Jesus and yes I will obey!! But...if you happen to come across 5-10 acres of beautiful land with several old oaks, flat land for a pool, sunny garden spot, maybe a clothes line in the back....please let me know so I can hint to God;).

http://knowimsaved.com/I-Prayed-The-Sinners-Prayer-And-Still-Doubt-My-Salvation.php

Do you ever doubt your salvation? If you are relying on a prayer you need to listen to this message. You can know your saved and never have another doubt. Salvation is all of Jesus and not what you have done!!

Home Tour {For Sale}

Home Tour {For Sale}

Selling our Home!

We have just put our home on the market! 
Husband wants a farm with chickens,  cows,  maybe a pig or two... and a garden!
I am excited at the thought of building again,  lots of ideas!
stay tuned

"Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken"

NO Time To Waste!

spent the day with these two little sluggers:)

I am being taught to number my days...

Today,  up and going,  first baseball game of my grandpirate big A..then off to run/power walk 5 miles, 40 lunges, 50 sit ups, 45 reverse crunches and 100 jumping jacks.  I am amazed at what our bodies can do if we just push ourselves out of our complacency!!! Wooooo Hoooo!

Then...off to pickup my two buddies up above to play with Henry and me,  spraying them with the water hose as they rode the go-kart,  run from them with little A in the go-kart,  Lego's, puzzles, Wii, little people,  all jumping in to clean the house back up,  grilling steaks, making frozen yogurt pops.  Then off to watch "Belles On Their Toes"  with Mavis & Henry munching on homemade salsa and chips.  Oh and then 2 Saxon math lessons for me(love math)!  Time chatting with Mavis in bed and kisses from Henry and off to sleep...

Great Day and looking forward to another one today:).

Lesson's Learned

I used to think that I had to have the house spotless before I could do anything else;  play with the kids, go to the store, library,  sit down with my husband.... .  Time has caught up with me and I think of all those fun  moments I put off until the house was just so.  I can't go back but I can dig in deep and spend my time now with conviction that every moment will count!!  I don't mean to say it is fine to have a "dirty"  home,  no,  just tidy up and make sure you stop to gather those precious times when someone is wanting your attention.  Have joy in every day even when you are cleaning.  My personality is that I could clean all day and love every minute of it  but those around me don't feel this way and I have to keep in mind it is not about me:).  They teach me how to number my days.
                                                                Psalm 90:12
           " So teach us to number our days,   That we may gain a heart of wisdom."

I numbered my day today by having Bible time with Mavis and Henry,  prayer and private devotion time,  gardening and sharing with Mavis,  fractions with Mavis,  reading with Henry,  exercise with Mavis,  dyeing cracked eggs,  playing with Rosie,  laughing with Julie,  tricking little A into thinking he was talking with a CAT;),  laughing so hard at Henry's dry humor....now on to riding bikes, in line skating and power walking with family! 

"Cleanliness is not next to godliness. It isn't even in the same neighborhood. No one has ever gotten a religious experience out of removing burned-on cheese from the grill of the toaster oven.”


― Erma Bombeck
 

LOL!

 

Never, Ever, Ever Give Up!!

                         I dare you to be the same after watching
                                                THIS
                                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDgVske63cY&feature=fvst

Thought for the day...

“IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER




I would have talked less and listened more.



I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.



I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.



I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather rambling about his youth.



I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.



I would have burned the pink candle sculped like a rose before it melted

in storage.



I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.



I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more

while watching life.



I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.



I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.



Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment, realising that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.



When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."



There would have been more "I love you's" and more "I'm sorry's"



. . . but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute . . .

look at it and really see it . . . and never give it back
Erma Bombeck

Cool, Huh?

http://gallery.xemanhdep.com/2009/01/some-awesome-pictures/

TIME

"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all."
Julie Beck

                                              (Source ) http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/

Turkey Trot

Today I am thankful for such a wonderful husband and father to our children.  Thankful that he pushes us to do that extra mile,  literally!  He has had Mavis and I in training to run a 5k,  she is jogging 2.5 miles and I did my sixth 3 mile run last night.  I have never been athletic so this is wild!!
If I can do this...believe me,  anyone can.  I had this as one of my goals before hitting the big 50 and he made sure it happened.  Lovingly of course:).  Henry rides his bike along side of us cheering us on. 
We are starting a new tradition with my sister, brother in law, daughter and son in law, nieces and hopefully nephews this Thanksgiving,  running the 5K Turkey Trot!!!  Then off to the deer camp for our Thanksgiving Feast this time without the guilt;).
  

A day late and a dollar short?

A day late and a dollar short...  I want to try every day this month to list one thing I am thankful for.  Since this is the second day of the month,  yesterday I would have to say I am thankful for back doors that actually open.  Ours would not yesterday for some crazy reason,  lol.


Where does the time go????  I hit the floor this morning running,  breakfast for hubby,  shower,  kids up,  out the door for early appointment.  Mavis and Henry read their science and readers in the lobby as they wait for me,  receptionist said she heard not a peep:).   My hygienist is really sweet,  I love the fact that she talks about interesting things while she works on me.  Time flies by,  now we are on our way home.  I have heard that McDonald's has wonderful Carmel Frappes,  so I pull in and order a lite.  Everyone has different taste,  I had to throw it away,  sorry:(.   Soon as I am home I fill the sink with hot soapy water and soak breakfast dishes then make a dash upstairs to start school.  Of course Mavis and Henry are sitting on the edge of their seats too excited for words!!! NOT.  Mavis starts her math with no problem,  very compliant.  Henry,  where ever is Henry???  Ok,  now on with math for Henry and a promise of chocolate milk... I rush back down the stairs to feed the sourdough starter and make dough for homemade pizza.  I think I can wash a few dishes then run back upstairs for the rest of math.  Now handwriting for Henry and history for Mavis.  I love, love, love math and history,  why are our children so different from us,  does anyone know??  Henry does not think I mean to do all his handwriting,  only 1/3 of it.  I let Henry know momma really means allllll of the paper has to  be written.  By the way,  I am trying out "Have a New Kid by Friday" 

 by Kevin Leman and so I just let Henry know the fun things for tomorrow are officially canceled.  No big fuss,  just let him know.  This book is fabulous!  Henry is absolutely in shock that I would do this to him,  he does all his writing without another word.  I see an opportunity to practice calligraphy while they are working,  I love that I am in school learning everyday too!  Now it is time for spelling, heritage studies,  piano,  English,  building an elk (yes we do build elks in school,  didn't you?).  Henry and I are hearing our tummies growl so we make a beeline downstairs to create our masterpiece pizza.  Wash all the dishes,  clean counter tops,  boot laundry.  Pizza is out of this world delicious!!!  We watch a history DVD "America the Story of Us"while enjoying lunch.

  This DVD is so amazing!  I feel like I have been transformed back in time when watching these episodes.  Monday we were in the Revolutionary War,  today with Harriet Tubman,  slave traders,  on cotton plantations and the building of the Eerie Canal.  If you homeschool this is priceless for history especially if you have a child that is a visual learner.  As with any thing you read or watch,  there are some parts I do not agree with,  I just stop and tell mine the truth about the situation.  Ok,  back to school to finish up then freeeeeee time.  Free time for them... Mavis uses hers to read,  Henry darts out the door for a ride on the go-kart.  Free time for me,  scouring and decluttering the master bath.  Last night I enjoyed a "mom's night out"  with TACHE.  The subject was on decluttering your life,  compelling.
   Mavis kindly whips up a yummy mocha for me and I am out the back door in a flash for the solitude under the oaks with a delightful book. 
       Thankful today for the FREEDOM fought for by others that I so enjoy today!

Life

"Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
 but about how to dance in the rain."

************love this************

          have a delicious crisp weekend

Do You Want Real Life?

I have to say this "Flower Patch Farmgirl"  blog is most delightful indeed.  She thinks out loud and we get to eavesdrop into her very soul.  Her life is real in every sense of the word.  I feel a kindred spirit with her even though I have never even emailed her!!  I love her to pieces,  she tells it like it is.  She loves her Jesus and serves him REAL!!!  Go there to be blessed!!  You can thank me later , thank you very much:)!!             http://flowerpatchfarmgirl.blogspot.com/

"What's Up- Mavis & Harriet?"

  My dad has been telling me for quite a while that as you age,  your body may be getting older but your mind can still be 25, 30 or even 18!  Well,  I am finding out for myself exactly what he meant by this.  I will be turning 50 at  the end of this year,  never has bothered me to tell my age,  I am who I am.  This number has had me thinking though,  for some time now.  I realize I can't keep waiting to do those things I said I wanted to do in my life.  Determination has set in,  a will power that I have never felt before.  I don't just think about what I want to do,  I do it.  There are no more excuses why I can't or shouldn't.  Being a little crazy can be fun,  acting like an adult all the time is highly over rated:).  My mind thinks I am only 25 give or take and it is telling my body to get up and act like that before I can not.  Silliness with my little ones and grandpirates brings me joy,  time is so fleeting with them.  There will come a day when they will not have time for me like they do now,  I will relish them while I can. 
   So what am I getting to?  Well,  some of you have emailed me and called wanting to know "what's up?"    "Why are you not selling on Mavis & Harriet,  are you going to start back?"  The answer is no,  I will not be selling any longer.  Starting  "Mavis & Harriet" was fun,  lots of fun and buying,  hunting down all the fab finds was a blast.  I had such a passion for it that I thought about decorating and junking all the time!!!  All the time,  did you catch that?  Some women can probably juggle being a wife,  mom,  teacher and have a home business and do just great,  not me.  I felt convicted about my lack of time for areas of my family's lives.  I prayed about the situation every day!  Finally,  I knew I had to do something different,  so I prayed and asked the Lord to take away my desire for decorating and give me a love for teaching my children.  Guess what?  He did just that!!!!  I have fallen madly in love with teaching Mavis and Henry and our school year has been the best we have ever had so far!!!  I could do school all day long:).  As for decorating,  my house is fine like it is.  As for hitting the sales?  I have been out one morning in probably 2 months.   Now I go just when the mood hits me or we may need something and I don't want to pay full price, nice leisurely junking though.
  God has said in His word,  "Delight thyself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart",  the key is that He will give you His desire for you and it will become your desire.  How loving our Lord is and isn't it just wonderful how he changes us to want the true treasures,  time with our little ones,  those chubby faces of grand children,  listening to them,  the best things in life are free.  This is where Jesus would have me,  are you in the place He would have you?  I sure hope so,  don't be deceived by the masked riches of this world.  Dig deep into those treasures that are right in your own home.
  The years have zipped past but my 50's are going to be the most thrilling of all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Want to Go to Neverland!

We just returned from
"Neverland"

tonight.

Totally magical :).

Mavis,   Henry and Grandpirate were on the edge of their

seats.  My dearest A asked,  "Nono,  are those people real?"

His baby blue eyes as large as saucers!

I just hope he does not try and teach little A how to fly tomorrow...!

You may want to grab some little ones full of imagination and visit "Neverland" yourself this weekend.

Grace Community High School

Tyler

Be sure to keep your eye on the lost boy(really an adorable girl) with a black curl loose on her forehead...stellar performance to say the least!!!!!

Fun Loving Fair Day in Dallas!

What an absolutely gorgeous day for the State Fair!!

Weather was perfect....

we had no idea they were going to be there and about

1 hour into our adventure...there they were,  yea! 





The exhibits were wonderful,  pig races,  African acrobats, exotic bird show,  children's aquarium,  Frisbee dogs......

The food,  welllllll,  just not my cup of tea.  Sorry,  but I could not bring myself to eat the deep fried Oreo, fried coke, fried lemonade, fried butter, fried bread pudding, everything was fried.

We opted for the famous Fisher's Corny Dog,  two bites was enough for Mavis, Henry and myself:(. 

I have to say the fresh squeezed Lemonade was delicious!

Rides were extremely expensive but we all know that before we head to the Fair,  right? 

I had not been in 30 years so I was tickled pink to go!

All in all it was a fab day,  love my family sooooooo much!!!!