I think the Lord just wanted to see....

   Last couple of post I had stated that our house sold and we were selling everything and moving to a barn.  Well....that is what I thought:).  The Lord had an extra special surprise for us though.
  Here goes,  you know I do love to tell the whole story(sometimes wayyyy too much) but I will try and keep it short and simple. 
  Hubby had talked with a friend that had a barn apartment on their property and they offered to rent it to us while we look for land and build again.  I had not seen the apt but heard it was a nice place and the land that it was on was absolutely perfect,  great place to go running,  gated, pond for fishing,  beautiful and private.  The only thing was when I actually went to see it,  well,  I was shocked at how small!  I think it may have been about 600 sq ft at the most!  The living area was very small and one of the two bedrooms was about the size of our closet.  My first instinct was panic because hubby really wanted it and the price for rent was unbeatable:(.  I ask if we could just pray about it some more and not commit yet,  he said sure.  I kept asking him to look at another house that was about 1800 square ft and alot more money but didn't this make more sense?  He would do it but I could tell he really wanted the barn so we could save money for building.  Long story short,  I did not have peace about trying to get my way(the bigger house) and finally gave in to the Lord and said,  "OK,  God you will have to just give me grace to live in such a small place with two kiddos."
So I started selling some of our furnishings that I knew would not fit and hubby did not want to store.  Then the Friday after Thanksgiving we got a call from the owner saying he could not rent it to us after all because his daughter needed to move back home and would be using it.  I was thrilled!  I knew the Lord had something else for us!  After another month of delayed closing on the house we still had no place to move.  Then one Sunday night a friend called and said they had decided to move back to their ranch and would we like to lease their lake home?  I was shocked!  This home was way over our budget I felt for sure but told her that I would get hubby to call her husband and they could talk finances.  We prayed then prayed some more that if this was the house the Lord would work it out so we could afford the lease.  When my husband told me what the amount was I thought he was joking!!
The Lord blessed us with this fun home while we look for land and build!  He has given us much more than we could even of hoped for!

Clean Slate

                                        Hubby says to sale all the furniture!!! 
              I have much for sale on craigslist in our area....Check it out!

We are Moving!

Well, we are moving to a barn (for now;)) !! Sweet surrender, I love the idea, downsizing, starting over, wherever the Lord leads. But...anyone that has viewed our home page can see I have tons of stuff! Hubby says sell all I can, he does not like the idea of storing up, so Garage Sale time! My sweet daughter will be having the sale at her home @ 18890 Elderberry Court in Flint. This Friday and Saturday starting @ 8:00 sharp, be there or be square :P.

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/