Emily's 3rd Birthday

3 years ago today our little Emily was born. She is such a blessing to me & a precious gift from God. Here are some pictures from the last 3 years, yes there are a lot of them so I don't expect people to look at all the pics :D

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Week #5

I forgot to weigh myself yesterday but did manage to weigh in this morning before breakfast. I am still 196lbs. I really need to discipline myself so as not to get distracted when I should be working out. I've never been good at finding motivation for loosing weight at home but Richard & I made an agreement that if I loose 10lbs at home then we will get a gym membership. That is more so we both know that I have the will & want to loose the weight. Unfortunately I have plenty of WANT & not enough WILL. It would just be easier if the weight/fat would just melt off me but I know that is NOT going to happen.

Workout Log

Well, I only managed 22 Wii Fit minutes today but still had a very good workout. 3 yoga stretches, 3 balancing games, 4 aerobics. No strength today because my legs were already getting sore & I didn't want to over do it. I also took the kids for a 45min walk around the neighborhood.

Workout Log

Well, I just spent 30min on the Wii Fit. I did 4 yoga workouts, 3 aerobics, 5 strength & 3 balance. I always feel better when I work out some.

'Defence of Fort McHenry'

Otherwise known as 'The Star-Spangled Banner'. Was originally written as a poem by Frances Scott Key in 1814. This is the whole poem.


O! say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Daily Workout Log

I've decided that I'm going to do a daily workout log{except Sunday} as well as a weekly weight-loss journal due to the fact that I hardly workout during the week but then I hope to have some weight loss by the next Fri. However this last week has proven what I already knew & that is that you have to actually workout somehow in order to loose the weight. Hmm.. how about that.

Today I spent 30min{Wii min, so more like 45min} on the Wii Fit & 2min running on the Treadmill. I was planning on no less than 5min on the treadmill but I think it might be broken so I'll have Richard take a look at it later. I know that 30min on Wii Fit doesn't sound like a lot but I was still short of breath & my legs were wobbly from it, so I guess I'm doing something right.

Have you?

I wonder if anyone has gone to the grocery store, put banana's in the scale thingy then forgot to put them in your cart & left the store without the banana's? I did. Emily asked me for a banana cause she saw me grab them but I couldn't find them. I even went out to the car to check the trunk, but quickly realized that I never took the yummy banana's from the scale. Oh well, guess I'll be grabbing some when I go to the store to get more milk.

Week #4

Well bad news for my body. Not only did I NOT lose weight this last week but I also gained 3lbs. Which is more than I lost. So my weight is now 196lbs. Logging off here & going to the treadmill right now.

Food for thought!

Cell Phone VS. Bible

Ever wonder what would happen if:

We treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go.....hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.


Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected

because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!

Noah's Birthday Party

Noah's first birthday party will always be one to remember with the power going out for about 6hrs, having to take the pizza to my mom's to cook, the frosting being peeled off the cake because I didn't have toothpicks & stuck the foil on anyway{oops}, to just craziness with kids & adults running every which way. However, we had a great time & I do hope that those who came agreed. Now all I have to do is clean up everything that we had already cleaned the past two days because it definitely is no longer clean lol. It was a good day & Noah loves all his new toys{so does Emily :D}. Thank you to those who came & also for those who bought gifts for Noah.

P.S. I'm really bad about thank you cards so this may be all you see of that.

Week #3

Well I weighed myself today & guess what? I didn't loose any weight, but I didn't gain any either. I am still 193lbs.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOAH!!!

One year ago today my sweet baby boy was born. It may not have been a very easy pregnancy but my little Noah makes up for it every day. I thought I'd share some photos from Noah's first year.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Week #2

Well I am loosing weight just at a very slow pace. I am now down to 193lbs. Hooray for the right direction now I need to get my butt in gear & work out a little harder.

Week #1

So I weigh 194lbs. Not a big loss but I'm hoping to work at it better this week.

Weight Loss Journal

So... I am going to use blogger as my 'Weight Loss Journal' so that I can hold myself accountable. I weighed myself today & I weigh 10lbs more than I did the last time. I am wearing size 16/18 pants {Mostly 18 but some 16 fit}. I will normally be weighing in every Friday but since I wanted to get started today I made an exception.

I now weigh 195lbs. The heaviest I have ever weighed not being pregnant.

Potty Training

Emily is FINALLY potty trained!! YAY!!! It's only taken a year but hey, once less diaper I'm changing everyday. Now for Noah... J/K... he won't be ready for maybe another year.

Our 4th Anniversary

Four years ago today I married the love of my life, my best friend. Here's a few pictures of us.


Us shortly after becoming engaged.

Our Wedding Day

This last Easter

The House

So I was wrong about the home inspection being our last BIG hurdle. We had the inspection today & it went great. There are a few things that we need to work on but its all just normal wear & tear from being built in 1974. Now we have to get through the VA appraisal. If they don't appraise the house for the amount that we offered then we have to either fork over the remainder {cause the VA will only approve the loan amount that the appraisal is for} or see if the homeowner is willing to come down in price to match it. We don't have money to fork over so if the homeowner isn't willing or able to come down to the appraisal price then we are back to square one of house hunting. So PLEASE pray that the appraisal will go well & preferably that the house will appraise for the amount already agreed upon.

An Answer to Prayer!!

So, Richard has a coworker that knows some things about computers yay!! He sent the hard drive to him & he informed us that he CAN save the files we want!!! I'm still going to have all my pics & videos from the first 7months of Noah's life! He also said that he can fix the hard drive altogether but there apparently are some known problems with the hard drive that we have so we may just see if Dell will replace it since we still have a warranty. Anyways.. Praise God for answered prayers... No matter how big or small they may be!!!

Computer

Well... Our computer stopped working the other day. I'm on our laptop now. Richard just found out last night that either our hard drive is fried {argh} or just needs to be readjusted. We are hoping for readjusted or we could loose ALL our pictures & videos of Noah's entire life!!! Please pray,I don't want to loose those!

Kids

Well, i haven't posted much on our kids lately so here we go{I'll try to keep it short}.

Emily is doing great. She is incredibly smart with a great memory already. However she is still so stubborn & is indeed in the 'terrible 2s'. She is yet to be potty trained but has her good days where she'll go on the potty all day & then bad days were she just won't go{No matter what I do}. There are some days where she'll go every once in a while too. She also in a stage right now where she wakes up every night & climbs in bed with me. She absolutely loves to play with Noah, especially when she makes him laugh.

Noah is growing tall. We now have a walker for him & he will follow me around the house when he's in it. I think he's been eyeing our DVD's cause when I first put him in the walker he went straight to them & started pulling them off the shelves & trying to eat them lol. He also loves to ram into his sisters legs lol {she doesn't enjoy that too much}. He has finally learned to crawl forward but seems to still be learning the concept. I'm pretty sure he'll have teeth soon. I'm not sure if I'm happy about that or not yet lol. He loves his big sister & even sympathy cries when she gets hurt. Its so cute.

Unless their tired, hungry or just not feeling well Emily & Noah are pretty good with entertaining themselves which can be very helpful when trying to clean the house or cook dinner.

House

So its been awhile since I've posted anything on here. So here's part of our life the past few weeks or so...

We've been house hunting for a little more than a month now{technically longer but we weren't very active}. We put a bid on one house that was everything we wanted & in the neighborhood we wanted but was WAY under priced so we were out bid by $10k. So needless to say the house hunting continued. We saw this one that we really liked & went back to it a second time last week just to make sure. Well, we went to put a bid on it & of course it was bought already. The selling agent didn't change it in the computer but we found out that they had their inspection the day we went to bid on it. So again the house hunting continued. We planned an appointment for yesterday to look at this one house but were skeptical because the pictures didn't look the greatest. However the house was great with a fully fenced in yard {even a gate for the driveway!} and just beautiful. The owner of the house actually still lives in it & was there when we went to look at it. We also had our kids with us & so she was able to meet us all. So we put a bid on it. We just found out about an hour ago that our bid WAS excepted!!!! Yay PRAISE GOD!! Anyways.. we now have to get through the inspection. So just pray for us that all will go well with the inspection{I think this is the last BIG hurdle we have to go through}.

Just a prayer request for the owner & her family.. Her husband just died last week & she wants to move down south to live with her son & his family. So pray for everything to go smoothly not only for us but also for the owner{I can't remember her name}. I will keep you all updated as we go through the process.

Any Advice Would HELP!

So Emily has put potting training on the back burner. I've helped with potty training other peoples kids working at the daycare/preschool & babysitting but it doesn't seem to compare to your own child who is just as stubborn as you are. She was doing so good but regressed when Noah was born. So now we'd really like her to use the potty to help save a few dollars in that area{& she hates to be changed soo...}. Any advice on how all you moms were able to potty train would be greatly appreciated.

My Grateful List....

The sermon that Pastor preached on Sunday morning{which was Easter morning} was one I needed to hear and I was glad that God made it possible for me to be there. It was summed up as this: EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK! I really felt some conviction on things that I should be grateful for but wasn't. So here is my grateful list.

I am grateful for:

-My husband--Richard loves God & loves me & our children. He works hard so that I am able to be a stay home wife & mom. I don't give him enough praise for what he does, instead I complain or nag him for what he doesn't do{this is something I am working on}

-My children-- God has blessed us with two beautiful, healthy children. Yes, I have always wanted at least 3 & yes they can drive me crazy sometimes, but I'm grateful for our two children that God DIDN'T have to give us.

-My house-- It's far from our dream home & there are many things wrong with it, but when I really think about it, there are many people out there that don't even have a house or apt. to go home too.

-My Car-- We didn't get the car we absolutely wanted{we were told we couldn't afford it at the time} but at least we have a car to get us from point A to point B, even if it reminds us of our grandparents car.

-My clothes-- They may not be very stylish, & they may be 'Hand-me-downs' but at least I have clean clothes to wear that keep me covered & warm right?!?

-My food-- I sometimes complain that we don't have food to eat when it gets close to payday, but what I really should say is we don't have anything that looks appealing. I still shouldn't complain about that though because yet again there are people out there who don't have the luxury of 'food at their fingertips'.

There are many more things that I am grateful/thankful for but these are a few things that I need to remember no matter how bad things may seem: EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK!

One More Day...

{I don't know who wrote this but I liked it. -Shannon}

-Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

-Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

-Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

-Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.

-Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

-Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

-Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

-Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

-Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

-Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

-Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

-Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given..

-I will think about the mothers And fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore...

-And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer.... It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day.............

Isaiah 65:24

This beautiful story was written by a doctor who worked in South Africa:

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the laborward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator). We also had no special feeding facilities.

Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst(rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). 'And it is our last hot water bottle!' she exclaimed.

As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways. 'All right,' I said, 'put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm.'

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough,mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died. 

During prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children.... 'Please, God' she prayed, 'Send us a hot water bottle today. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon.' While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, 'And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?' 

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say 'Amen?' I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the verandah was a large 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. 

From the top, I lifted out brightly-colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored... Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.......could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. 

Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, 'If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!' Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted! 

Looking up at me, she asked, 'Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?'

'Of course,' I replied! That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it 'that afternoon. 'And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.' (Isaiah 65:24) 

Shannon

Tag- You're it!!! Let others know a little more about yourself by re-posting and tagging your friends. Re post note as your name "
1) What is your favorite salad dressing? Kraft Catalina
2) What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Olive Garden
3) What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it? salad
4) What are your pizza toppings of choice? Pepperoni
5) What do you like to put on your toast? Butter
6) How many televisions are in your house? 1
7) What color is your cell phone? silver & maroon
8) Are you right-handed or left-handed? right
9) Have you ever had anything removed from your body? A child & appendix
10) What is the last heavy item you lifted? A box of magazines
11) Have you ever been knocked unconscious? no
12) If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? No way
13) If you could change your name, what would you change it to? If you would have asked me about 10 years ago it would be Emily :)
14) Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? Yes, if I could drink it slow
15) How many pairs of flip flops do you own? 5 I think
16) What’s your goal for the year? buy our own home
17) Last person you talked to? Richard
18) Last person you hugged? Richard
19) Favorite Season? Summer
20) Favorite Holiday? Thanksgiving
21) Favorite day of the week? Whatever Richard's day off is for that week, right now Fri
22) Favorite Month? December
23) First place you went this morning? the kitchen{didn't leave home today}
24) Do you always answer the phone? nope
25-27)Where'd these questions go? someone didn't want to answer them so they just deleted them. Where's the fun in that???
28) If you could change your eye color what would it be? I like my blue eyes
29) What flavor drink do you get at Sonic? never been, don't think we have one around here
30) Have you ever had a pet fish? Yes…but I won it from the fair & they never last long
31) Favorite Christmas song? There's a New Kid in Town By George Straight 
32) What's on your wish list for your birthday? dinner at Olive Garden
33) Can you do push ups? not really
34) Can you do a chin up? umm, no not right now
35) Does the future make you more nervous or excited? I'm excited
36) Do you have any saved texts? nope
37) Ever loved a dog like its your child? nope
38) Do you have an accent? No
39) What is the last song to make you cry? Can't think of the name right now, but its good 
40) Plans tonight? relax & vegetate in front of tv or computer :)
41) Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Once
42) Name 3 things you bought yesterday? ummm, it's hard to buy stuff when you don't go anywhere
43) Have you ever been given roses? yes
44) Current hate right now? Not having gas money til thurs
45) Met someone who changed your life? Yes
46) How did you bring in the New Year? At home with a few friends & my kids
47) What song represents you? My Redeemer Lives By Nicole C. Mullins
48) Name three people who might complete this? ?
49) What were you doing 12 AM last night? on computer{should have been sleeping}

50) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?I need to read my Bible before the kids wakeup... very rare occasion

I tag whoever reads this & hasn't done it yet :)

In the Eyes of a Child

Here's some pics Emily took with her Fisher Price Toddler camera that Grandma Karen bought her for her birthday. I added some special effects to some.

This is called Edge Detection.

She did alot of self portraits. 
 
Grandma & Noah
Just randomness
Negative.
So sweet. 
 
She's so beautiful. 
Look at those lips!

Lessons in Life

A little wordy but I hope you enjoy the lesson I've learned.

I was getting my Hots Tots lesson prepared the other day & read a few verses in my Bible to help me. The teacher's guide gives a few verses that apply to the lesson to help with preperation. The story was about the widowed lady who had two boys & needed money. She went to the prophet Elisha who told her to borrow many empty jars from her neighbors & friends. She was to go home & shut the door & fill all those jars with the oil from her little jar. Which she did by the grace of God. Honestly I've heard this story & read these verses but since Alice's Sunday School lesson the week before & Pastor Hake's sermon the other day were also about this same story, these verses hit me a little different then they ever did before.

Philippians 4:11-13{KJV}: 

{11}Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. {12}I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. {13}I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

We have{as well as many others I'm sure} been struggling some financially. Maybe not as bad as some, Richard still has his job & I am still able to stay at home with our children, but nevertheless we can't always get the things we want or even sometimes the things we need. Lately I have been getting very upset by that. I've gotten so used to being able to just spend & not worry about whether we have enough or not. But when I read these verses I felt a tug at my heart. It made me remember something God did for us & I wanted to share that with you.

Our Story of Need:

When Richard & I were married, it wasn't exactly how we had planned. We had a courthouse wedding. Yes we choose to get married that way{& we don't regret our decision}, but I always dreamed of a big outdoor wedding, which we were planning on having. We were going to pay for it with the bonus Richard was getting from enlisting with the National Guard in 2004. Well anyone who knows the military knows they procrastinate with many things, his bonus was one of them.

In Nov. of 2006 Richard lost his job. We knew it was coming & he was searching for a new one but with no luck. He was still working with the NG one weekend a month which was about $200 a paycheck{once a month}. There was still no sign of the bonus he was promised two years before. We were living in a one bedroom apartment when our little girl Emily was born that same month. Richard was unable to find a job for seven months. Yes we were struggling in a way, & by that I mean we had to learn that we couldn't always do the things we wanted to do. 

During those seven months we were able to move into a two-bedroom apartment, pay all our bills{with very few going late} & have food on the table. In April of 2007 Richard finally recieved that 15 hundred dollar bonus he was promised{back in 2004}. We were able to use that to survive until he was finally able to find a job that June. 

Richard & I often think back on that & realize how much God was there for us through that time, & how He provided us with that bonus in the time we needed it the most. God wanted us to rely on Him & trust that He would take care of us no matter what. It took a little bit of time for us to realize that during our struggles but I know that we are both closer to God because of it. 

Those verses the other day helped me to remember that time & all the times I had so little but I had all I needed. I know God will take care of us through this time of struggle as well. All we have to do is pray & trust in God & He will give us all we need & sometimes even things we want. A lesson in life that is worth learning in so many ways.

Our Story of Want:

Richard had always wanted a big screen tv. He had a certain one picked out & everything. Last summer Richard was 'tv shopping'. He was wanting to settle for a tv that he didn't really want & we couldn't exactly afford. He was very upset when we left that store without a tv. We both decided to pray{neither one knowing the other was praying} that Richard would be content with what we had. The very next day Richard saw an ad{which he never looks at} for the exact tv he wanted at half the price. So we went to take a look at it. When we got there we found out that it was even cheaper than the ad said so we bought it. It feels silly sometimes thanking God for things that we don't need but God is the reason we were able to buy that tv. 

Four Things You Can't Recover...

The stone........after the throw. 

The word.........after it's said.

The occasion........after it's missed. 

The time.........after it's gone.

My Bucket List

Place an X by all the things you've done during your lifetime.

(  ) Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
(x) Watched someone die
(x) Been to Canada
(  ) Been to Mexico
(  ) Been to Florida
(  ) Been to Hawaii
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been lost
(  ) Gone to Washington , DC
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only
(  ) Climbed to the top of a mountain
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(x) Made prank phone calls
(  ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(  ) Lied about your weight
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x) Danced in the rain
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Got straight A's on a report card
(  ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
(x) Gone to the movies
(  ) Been deep sea fishing
(  ) Driven across the United States
(  ) Been in a hot air balloon
(  ) Been sky diving
(  ) Gone snowmobiling
(  ) Lived in more than one country
(x) Laid outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish
(  ) Enjoyed the beauty of Ole Faithful Geyser
(  ) Seen the Statue of Liberty
(  ) Ate dog food as a kid...or adult
(x) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(  ) Been to the Grand Canyon
(  ) Won cash or prizes worth more than $1,000
(  ) Been on a cruise
(  ) Traveled by train
(  ) Traveled by hitch-hiking
(x) Been horseback riding
(  ) Ridden on a San Francisco Trolley
(  ) Read a Bible from Genesis to Revelation
(x) Been to Disneyland or Disney World
(x) Truly believe in the power of prayer
(  ) Been in a rain forest
(x) Seen whales in the ocean
(  ) Been to Niagara Falls
(  ) Ridden on an elephant
(  ) Swam with dolphins

1. Any nickname? Shannypooh
2. How much do you love your jOB? very much!  
3 Birthplace: Napa, California
4 In how many states have you lived? 2, 3 if you count CO when we lived in a hotel for 2 wks while my mom worked
5 Ever been to Africa ? nope
6. Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? guilty
7. Ever been on TV? not that I know of
8. Ever steal any traffic signs? nope
9. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4
10. Can you drive a standard shift car? yes
11. Favorite pie: banana cream pie
12. Favorite number: 3
13. Favorite Movie: Sweet Home Alabama
14. Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving
15 . Favorite dessert: banana split
16. Favorite food? Italian
17. Favorite day of the week? Whenever Richard's off, it changes every 28 days
18. Favorite brand of body soap? Bath & Bodyworks
19. Favorite toothpaste? Crest
20. Favorite smell? a baby after it's bath
21. Favorite vacation spot? camping at the beach
22. How do you relax? read a book
23. How do you see yourself in 10 years? getting old raising my 2 beautiful children
24. What was the name of your first pet? I believe CT {Chopped Tail}

25. What were you doing this time yesterday? playing on the computer

I tag Kat.

Results...

 I didn't realize how much I was subconsciously worrying about the results until I started shaking when I saw Group Health on the caller ID this afternoon. I am healthy Yay!! All I can say is Thank You God. I am able to breath again. Thank you for those of you who were praying for me.

Prayer Request...

I'm asking for all of you to keep me in your prayers. For all who weren't able to be in service on Wed. I had an ultrasound on Wed morning to look at the possibility of gallbladder problems. Instead they had an "accidental find". There is a mass of some sort in between my kidneys. They believe it is just the kidneys didn't form properly when I was in my mother's womb and if that's the case then it won't cause me any problems.... however if it is not that, then it can be a cyst or a tumor. Scary thought, but I'm not too worried about it. I'm leaving it in the Lord's hands. I have a CT Scan on the 23rd to better determine what it might be so just keep me in your prayers please. Thank you.

I will update you when I get the results back. Thanks again.

Parenting & Children

These are just a few things that I have observed over the years through friends and family. I'm not trying to attack anyone or offend anyone, if you don't agree with me that is fine, you can even leave me a comment and tell me why or why not OR you can act like I never even wrote this blog. I won't get offended if your view{opinion} is different then mine.

In MY OPINION there are three types of parents & children.

{1} The 'Over-Protective' Parents:
These parents tend to shield {or protect} their children from everything. Pain, drugs, sex, language, etc. They shield them so well that their child looks for answers elsewhere and most become very rebellious and wind up doing the things their parents were trying to protect them from.

{2}The 'Laid-Back' Parents:
These parents often don't shield their children from anything. They would rather be their child's best friend then their parent. Their children can do 'no wrong' and are 'just finding themselves'. These children are typically more rude to those they are around and can become very rebellious as well. Their rebellion stems more from wanting their parents to 'be parents' and to set some boundaries, not just be another friend.

{3} The 'Just-Right' Parents:
These parents realize that they can't protect their child from everything. They give their child SOME freedom but they have set boundaries and they are always right there when their child 'falls'. They don't promote sex and drugs etc, but they don't try to hide the fact that those things DO EXIST and no matter what they say or do their child may still give them a try. These children typically have the best morals and are the most giving and considerate to those they are around.

Now I'm sure your thinking that I'm wrong. That's fine, you're entitled to your opinion as am I. I didn't say that you couldn't have good, rebellious or average kids in any of the three 'categories', I'm simply saying that these are the 'typical' outcomes that I have observed through my friends and family. I've had friends come from 'Over-Protective' parents that were and/or are good kids. I've also had friends come from 'Laid-Back' parents and they actually have some really good morals and are very sweet people. Then I've also had friends come from 'Just-Right' parents that were/are very rebellious and rude.

The point of all this is to say that you need to raise your children the way you, as parents, see fit for your child. It doesn't matter what other people say or what their opinions are... you are the one that will answer to God for your parenting. If you don't want your child to watch something because there may or may not be subliminal messages in it, then don't let them watch it, same goes for music and so on and so forth. If you want others opinion on how they are raising their children or why they won't allow certain things that's fine, get their opinion but then FORM YOUR OWN! It doesn't matter how spiritual or unspiritual you are, you need to do what's right for you and your family. In the end your child will ultimately decide how they're going to live and who they're going to be. I do believe that society puts pressure on us all but I also believe that the final outcome of what your child chooses to do stems mainly from the type of parent you are. There are no 'Perfect Parents' out there, though I'm sure we all would like to be one.

My husband and I CHOOSE to raise our children in a God fearing home, going to church three+ times a week{health pending}, because that's what we believe and feel is right for our family. We won't protect them from everything because we can't. All we can do is pray that God will help guide us in our journey of parenting and that our children will grow up believing in God and have good morals. You don't have to believe in God, I will not push that on anyone, but I will ask you this.... what is the harm in believing there is something greater out there {ie. God} and find out there isn't, then not believing and finding out there is. You have a much higher price to pay without God.

I know I kind of went a little off topic that last paragraph but I felt the need to add that in there. Please leave me comments... I WANT to know your opinions.

Blogging

'Adventures In Shopping'

I didn't know that running one simple little errand with two small children could be so adventurous. 

I had to run to the store today for some milk, cereal & peanut butter. I was even able to park in the very first spot closest to the door & cart return. I figured it would be so easy to run in & out & get home, I never get that lucky.... I didn't this time either.

It started out great, I put Noah & his carseat in the basket & let Emily help me navigate through the store{she loves to push the cart}. Then we went to checkout. It wasn't busy so there were no lines, however Emily was starting to get hungry for lunch & spotted the candy. Of course she was picking some out trying to open them. I was able to get her attention onto something else & we were heading out the door. Now because Noah was in the cart the groceries had to go underneath on the rack. If you've ever been to Safeway then you know that there is a slight incline going into the parking lot & of course the cereal & peanut butter went rolling onto the ground. I thought "Great, there's a car coming right at us & if I let go of the cart Emily & Noah would be heading across the parking lot". Sooo... I reached out my foot & kicked the food to the curb in hopes that it would stop rolling. Luckily there was an employee gathering carts & she rushed over to help me. I picked up the food & made it to the car. I was putting Noah in the car while Emily stood between me & the cart, & what does she do.... she pushes the cart. I jump after it as it starts careening down the slight slope towards other cars. Thankfully I was able to catch it put it in the cart return & get Emily in the car without any more problems lol. That's just a little too much adventure in one shopping experience for me thank you. 

Ten Things I am Thankful For

I know it's a little late but I just saw that I was tagged lol, & it's never too late to be thankful for something.

1} My Heavenly Father.... he has blessed me & my family with so much throughout the years

2} My Salvation.... I thank God for sending His Son to die for me so that I can someday enjoy the beauties of Heaven while enjoying the life He has given me here on earth

3} My Husband.... I am truly blessed to have someone who loves me & is willing to serve God with me, I am proud to be his wife & to raise two beautiful children with him

4} My Children.... Two of the most beautiful blessings that God has given me, I just pray that Richard & I can raise them to have the desire to serve & worship our Lord

5} My Mom.... for raising me in a home that serves the Lord... it may not have been a perfect life but mom made sure we were in church every Sunday morning, evening & Wednesday night

6} My Home.... It may not be my dream home but God didn't have to give it too me in the first place

7} My Siblings.... It sure made childhood fun with a brother to pick on & a sister to fight with, I love them both very much

8} My Friends.... I think I have some of the greatest friends out there... I'm glad God brought you all into my life

9} My Church....in this church I have found salvation, love, hurt, friends but most of all I have found an extended family that I love

10} My Pastor.... he is human, he has & will make mistakes but he is the best Pastor I have known... He preachs from the KJV Bible & he doesn't sugarcoat a thing, which I absolutely love

I've Been Tagged

1. I AM... a servant of God
2. I WANT... a vacation with my family
3. I HAVE… more than I deserve
4. I KEEP... too many sweets in the house... it's not good for my figure hehe 
5. I WISH I COULD... keep my kids safe from the hurt in this world 
6. I HATE… spiders...ewe
7. I FEAR... losing my family
8. I HEAR... Noah cuing & Emily playing
9. I DON'T THINK... too much, it hurts
10. I REGRET... nothing, it has all made me who I am today 
11. I LOVE... the outdoors, especially the ocean
12. I AM NOT... perfect... I do make mistakes & I may offend you sometime...I'm sorry 
13. I DANCE... with my kids
14. I SING... in the car
15. I NEVER... have read my Bible all the way through...working on that one{prayfully this year}
16. I RARELY... get offended by things
17. I CRY WHEN I WATCH... sad movies... like last night, 'A Walk To Remember' so sad
18. I AM NOT ALWAYS... on time... I need to manage time better that's for sure{I hear its a Baptist thing lol} 
19. I HATE THAT... I let myself gain so much weight
20. I'M CONFUSED ABOUT... alot... just ask my husband

21. I NEED... to manage my time better, than maybe I can actually get together with my friends outside of church

I tag Aleshia.

2008 Three Words

Describe 2008 in three words{no more, no less}.

Here is my three word description:

Lots of Pain.

I tag Aleshia.