Matthew Funny

Here's a random Matthew funny...

Today we're driving around, the whole family, running errands. Matthew knows we're going to the mall and was anticipating riding the train and getting a new backpack for school. First though, we needed to go to David's Bridal to try on and order my dress for my sister's upcoming wedding...

As we turn into the DB parking lot, I say "Matthew, we're going to the mall, but first we have to go to the dress store."

He says "Ohhhhh man!"

Jamie goes "Yah, Matthew. Me too."

I laughed SO HARD! It was priceless.

Sayla is in Heaven.

Sweet baby Sayla Grace was taken home to Heaven yesterday afternoon. The funeral was today at 11:00 this morning. My dear friend KB has been keeping me updated. Last night she called me on her way home and we talked for a lengthy time. She told me about the amazing awesome God we have and I reminded her how He is still in control. She told me about the box that Daniel had made for his sweet angel girl to be laid to rest in. She told me how the family was able to say goodbye. She told me how glad she was that her own daughter got to see this miracle baby and get a glimpse of God's marvelous handiwork. We are very sad that Sayla has left this side of Heaven, but I think we are all so grateful for the amount of time she did have here. For the love that all around Mandi and Daniel were able to show her and them. For the impact she had and will continue to have on all our lives. I don't know Mandi personally, but I am blessed beyond measure to be a part of her journey.


Dear God above I pray for this family. Continue to hold them today as they are home without their daughter. Lord Jesus, comfort Mandi's aching heart. Lord Jesus thank you for the knowledge that Sayla's body is now healed and new in Heaven. Father God thank you so much for the blessings you have given us and continue to give us. May we never forget how truly awesome and gracious you are! Amen.

update on Sayla

This is from my friend who's with the family now...

pediatrician came today to see Sayla, they couldn’t believe what they saw and were amazed. Sayla’s heart rate is better, color is better, she is eating, and having bowel movements. Hopefully she will be going home today. She was weighed again and came in at 4lb., 2 oz.


THANK YOU SWEET JESUS!!! You are still in the business of doing MIRACLES! Thank you Father for each moment this precious family gets to spend with their new miracle baby.


UPDATE: 4:25pm...
I just refreshed Mandi's blog and it looks like they ARE heading home! God is AMAZING.

Please Pray for Sayla Grace

Yesterday, a sweet angel was brought to earth. I don't know how long she'll have. And I should have posted this then... I don't know the current status update, but yesterday, Sayla Grace was born around noon. She wasn't expected to live five minutes. And God showed mercy. She lived through the night. As of 5pm tonight, over a whole day of life, the last update my dear friend KB got was that the family was being called back and that the end was near. I haven't heard anything since 5pm. I don't know if Sayla is still in the arms of her mommy or if she's now in the arms of Jesus. Please pray for her. Please pray for God's perfect and holy will to be done. Please pray for their families. Thank you.

Go here to see Mandi's blog about her beautiful precious daughter, Sayla.

Children are gifts

Our Sunday School class started a new study yesterday and will be continuing it for the next several weeks. I'm excited to see where this leads. The book that we're working out of is Charles Stanley's "How to keep your kids on your team." We discussed chapter one yesterday. There was lots of thought provoking comments in class, but I'm glad to say that throughout the week Jamie and I were able to have several conversations about the study too. (It's handy that he taught this week). Some things I took away that I thought I'd share...

1. Your children are a GIFT from the Lord.

--what is a gift? ...it is something given to you without anything expected in return, it is unearned, something given to show favor

2. Your children are a REWARD.

--what is a reward? ...a prize, something you win or earn, something given in return for merit or service or hardship

Psalm 127

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

¹ Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
² It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.

³ Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
⁴ Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
⁵ Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.



Here's some of the hard questions from the study...

1. Do you view your children as gifts?
2. Do they see themselves as burdens or blessings?


I'm very interested to see where else the book takes our thoughts. I've made a promise to myself to show my children that they are blessings daily. To tell them verbally and also show them with the non-verbal. To take time to spend the time with them. To value their words. To sit down and play with them. To put my "stuff" aside for them. To snuggle extra long on the couch. To do projects with them when I'd rather to other things. To read extra books, even when I'm tired. To pray with them more. To choose to give them the attention they need and desire so that they don't ever feel unwanted or not cherished. I need to work hard on being kind and patient and gentle with them while they are so young still and impressionable. I want them to always know they are loved and never question it.

If you have this book or can get a copy, I highly recommend reading the prayer on page 11. It has drastically helped my mindset this week.

Wait on the Lord

Lately, I've been feeling anxious. I wanted to calm my worries some, and the words that came to my mind was "wait on the Lord"... so after a search and many many verses with these words, here are the ones that jumped out at me the most. Number 11 is actually one of my favorite verses in the Bible and is on a wall in my kitchen. When I am worried and stressed and anxious, I know I need to be still and wait on the Lord. It is when I "wait for God, my Savior, my God will hear me."

1. Psalm 27:14
   Wait on the LORD;Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!
   
   
2. Isaiah 30:18
   Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
   
   
3. Psalm 39:7
   “And now, Lord, what do I wait for?My hope is in You.
   
   
4. Psalm 130:5
   I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.
   
   
5. Lamentations 3:26
   It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD.
   
   
6. Philippians 3:20
   For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
   
   
7. Isaiah 8:17
   And I will wait on the LORD, Who hides His face from the house of Jacob; And I will hope in Him.
   
   
8. Psalm 37:34
   Wait on the LORD,And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
   
   
9. Jeremiah 14:22
   Are there any among the idols of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the heavens give showers? AreYou not He, O LORD our God? Therefore we will wait for You, Since You have made all these.
   
   
10. Lamentations 3:25
    The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.
    
    
11. Micah 7:7
    Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.
    
    
12. Psalm 37:7
    Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
    
    
13. Isaiah 40:31
    But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Trust in the Lord

So the verse that's been running through my mind the last couple days has been Prov 3:5&6. However, the rest of the proverb has great volumes to say.

Proverbs 3

Guidance for the Young

¹ My son, do not forget my law,

But let your heart keep my commands;
² For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
³ Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
⁴ And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
⁸ It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.
⁹ Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
¹¹ My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
¹² For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
¹³ Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
¹⁴ For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
¹⁹ The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
²⁰ By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.
²¹ My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
²² So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
²³ Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
²⁶ For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor,

“ Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
²⁹ Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
³⁰ Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
³¹ Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
³² For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.
³³ The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
³⁴ Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Holy Wipes! (take two)

HELLLLLLO FREE WIPES!!!

If you'd like to see my first post/PSA on this issue, click here.

OMG! A GIANT "THANK YOU!" to Sherry, Susie, Nancy and Toni who gave me their $2/1 Pampers Wipes coupons from 6/06/10.

TODAY I "bought" 14.... f-o-u-r-t-e-e-n... packs of wipes for FREE! I love free! I love free wipes! Something we quite literally buy only to throw away! WOOOOOT!!!

NOTE: These coupons expire 7/31. If you hold on to your papers out there and don't have any use for a free wipes coupon, please please please please please dig through, find them and pass them on! If not to me, then to someone else who has little ones near you. WHO can turn down free wipes?! NO ONE!

The best place I've seen for this deal is Wal-mart. Their wipes are $1.97 which makes them totally free. At my Kroger it is $2.19 for a pack so I could have gotten super cheap wipes. I mean 19 cent wipes would have been fabulous, but I'm telling you what... FREE WIPES ROCK!

Hello Yogurt take two!

In my first yogurt score, I think it was 8 of the four packs. Well I'm super excited to say that today I got 10 of the four packs. TEN! And not just the little cups, I'm talking the bigger, double the calories cups! Ten four packs... that's 25 dollars worth of yogurt! I got it for around 3 dollars!!!

Today I bought Listerine, Sunblock, two boxes of cereal(BOGO), and 10 4packs of yogurt(BOGO) from Publix, all for $15.52, a total savings of $33.93 !!

That's DOUBLE WHAT I SPENT!!!!

You are worthy

After reading more on the author of yesterday's devotional's website, I found a treasure there. I would like to share this treasure to you, giving Melissa all the credit she's due, here's something she's written... Read it. Out loud if you can, and change all the "you are"s to "I am"s. So powerful.

Top Ten Ways To Know You Are Worthy

by Melissa Taylor

Top 10 Ways to Know You Are Worthy

By Melissa Taylor

10. You are worthy of redemption. God is your redeemer and will redeem time for you. No matter what you’ve been through, He gives you a new day. Thank Him for today. You are here because He ordained this day in your life. That is His choice.

9. You are worth fighting for. God, Your Creator, is on your team, on your side. Deuteronomy 20:4, “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” (NIV)

8. You were worth creating. God doesn’t make mistakes. He didn’t have to make you. You didn’t appear on earth by accident. God never said, “Oops! Didn’t mean to make that one!” No way baby!!! He loves you and believes in you!

7. You are worthy of forgiveness. The Lord God forgives you!!! No Matter What!!! How cool is that. There are people that may never forgive you. Don’t fret about that. The One Who matters most, He forgives you. (Psalm 86:5)

6. You are the worthy recipient of God’s gifts. You have been given gifts of appreciation, and you are trusted to use them well. 1 Peter 4:10,“Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.” (CEV)

5. You are worth keeping around. You are a survivor. Are you reading this right now? Then God ain’t finished with you yet!

4. You are worthy of protection. God loves to prove His strength when the odds are the greatest and hope is the smallest. (Psalm 32:7)

3. You are worthy of unconditional love. (Ephesians 3:19, Psalm 130:7)

2. You are worth dying for. (John 3:16)

1. You are worthy of royalty. Your Father is the King of everything.

John 1:12-13, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (NIV)

Another winner from the Proverbs 31 daily devotionals:

Is God Enough?

2 Jul 2010

Melissa Taylor

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

Is God enough? It's a question that my life circumstances force me to keep going back to. What I've concluded is that not only is God enough, but He has to be enough. I've also concluded that it takes effort on my part to keep myself aware of this.

As a young child, I didn't realize my need for God, but I did realize that I had a need that was not fulfilled. I was sexually abused when I was seven years old. My dad left our family when I was eleven. Both circumstances left me devastated, and I didn't understand how God could bring healing at that time. I spent many years trying to heal myself and make myself feel better. Nothing worked.

As I grew older and began to move from being a Christian who simply believed to a Christian who was actively involved with Jesus, my life began to change. Because I was having conversations with Him directly and reading His Word consistently, my life was challenged. I learned that when the hard knocks came, and they would, I needed to ask myself one question in order to move on. "Is God enough?"

When a friend betrays me, is God enough? When I need to forgive someone for something that seems unforgivable, is God enough?

When my child is having issues that are out of my control, is God enough? When my marriage is on the brink of destruction, is God enough?

When I am not forgiven by another person, is God enough?

When my mother is dying of cancer, is God enough?

When others don't recognize my value, is God enough?

When I am struggling professionally, is God enough?

When someone I love uses words to hurt me, is God enough?

When I am in debt and don't know how I'll pay my bills, is God enough?

When I am reminded of something I did in the past, is God enough?

When the world is in turmoil, is God enough?

When my health is declining, is God enough?

When I am let down and disappointed in my life, is God enough?

Just last night, I sat in my room crying. Here I was again asking, "Is God enough?" I opened a box full of personalized Bible verses that someone very special gave to me. I began reading them out loud to myself. Verse by verse, I began combating the thoughts that were paralyzing me with self doubt. What I discovered is the conclusion I always come to when I ask myself "Is God enough?" Yes He is.

I could lose everything in life. There's not anything I have here on earth that is guaranteed. If I lost it all though, I'd be okay because no one can take away my identity in Christ. Whether I live in a mansion on a hill or a shack in the swamp, I have my Jesus. Whether the world is for me or against me, I have my Jesus. When I am knocked down, I get on my knees and there I find my Jesus. His Word is planted deep in my heart and I believe it all.

When life becomes more than you think you can handle, don't quit. And certainly don't believe the lies you may be entertaining in your head. Instead, ask yourself, "Is God enough for me?" The answer could change everything.

Dear Lord, help me to realize that the secret to being content in all circumstances is You. Help me to be aware of Your presence in my life at all times. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Honestly assess if God is enough in your life. Do you find yourself needing or wanting more?

Remind yourself that God knows you inside and out. He loves you no matter what and He always will.

Reflections:
What can you do today to remind yourself that God is enough?

Is there a situation in your life that you need to turn over to the Lord?

Power Verses:
Psalm 33:4, "For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does." (NIV)

Isaiah 46:3b-4, "You whom I have upheld since your were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (NIV)

Star Spangled Banner

Did you know there was more to this beautiful song that our country claims as the National Anthem? Did you know that there are more verses to be heard? To be sung? And it also tells us what our motto should be "In GOD is our trust!"The second and third verses are telling the story of the battle that Francis Scott Key must have been witness to. The fourth verse gives GOD all the glory and honor. "Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven rescuted land, PRAISE THE POWER that hath made and preserved us a nation.

In high school, I honestly can not count the number of times I sang the Star-Spangled Banner. I would sing with or without the school's band for MANY sporting events, mostly basket ball and some football. I sang our National Anthem for DARE Graduations and DARE training events and award ceremonies. I sang our country's theme song with multiple choirs I belonged to. In one of these choirs we sang our National Anthem for a St. Louis Rams Game. I sang it by myself for my uncle's last basket ball game he coached. I sang it by myself when my sister wrestled in the State Championships... .... Never once did I know there were more words. WHY?!?! Why in schools are we not taught the rest? Why do our schools try to teach us that the country was founded with men of a great many faiths? Why are the schools trying to cover up the truth about our country's history? There is so much I wish I would have known...


Here are ALL the words to the Francis Scott Key's beautiful song he wrote for our nation in 1814. May we never forget that our COUNTRY was grounded in Christianity as our founding father's were. May we never forget that GOD is who we should place our trust, not on the things of this world. May we never forget that WE are FREE because CHRIST died for us!


Oh, 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 thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, 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!

Oh! 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!

Happy birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you so much. I'm glad I am yours and that you love me. I hope you had a good day today. I am sorry I don't get to see you but know that I'm thinking about you! Matthew thought it was pretty special to have your and Grandpa's birthdays so close! You're amazing Mom. Thank you for teaching me more of who I want to become.

mom and me just after the wedding

Mom and Matthew and me, Matthew is 5 or 6 days old.

Matthew and Grammy on the STL Zoo train July 2008

Grammy and Mark, 12-24-08, one day old.

Grammy and Mark, May 2010

me, Kris and Mom, May 2010

Happy Fourth (tomorrow)

Here's the cake I made for today's cookout at my friend Kathy's parents' house. I was pleased. You can't tell from this picture, but it's a two layer cake. Red cake on the bottom, blue on the top, white icing of course and the sprinkles!

GOD BLESS AMERICA. MY HOME SWEET HOME!
OH GOD BLESS AMERICA, MY HOME SWEET HOME!

June 2009

June 2009

June 2008

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July and my Daddy's birthday. If you get to watch any fireworks... he'd tell you they were for him. (This must have really been said a lot as a child, be/c I just went back in my posting archives and basically said the same thing July 4, 2008 and 2009).

Happy Fourth, America! I pray that we'll be able to get out of the mess we're in as a Nation. I believe that if our founding fathers could see what we've done to the nation they worked so hard to build and keep our freedom safe and secure, they'd be horrified. However, we are instructed to respect our authorities. This comes hard in a situation where you do not think your leader is deserving of respect. But it's not up to me to decide that now. He is in charge and it's our job to pray for him. And to pray for those serving him. And to pray that lots of people vote in November! (cough cough) okay, I'm very rarely political in my postings, so I'll stop. but there you are. Either way, America has survived another year. And we have MUCH to be thankful for. God has blessed us with a great freedom, both in this country but also so much more importantly, from our sins, through the blood on the cross shed by Jesus Christ, His Son. Thank you Lord for the Cross!


And thank you Lord, for my Daddy.

My daddy, leaving me at the aisle to marry my sweet Jamie.
Oct 2, 2004

May 2006
Grammy and Grandpa

July 2007 (with Matthew)

July 2008 (with Matthew)

August 2009 (with Mark)

May 2010 (reading stories on Memorial day morning)

Happy birthday Pop! I love you so much.
I hope you're having a great time in Arizonia with Kris.
Here's just a few things my dad is good at (I went to excel and put it in alphabetical order so no one can know what I thought of first haha!)

-Being a good example

-Being a grandpa. His boys love him.

-Being a pillar of strength

-Being a teddy bear when no one is looking

-Being a voice of reason

-Cooking

-Dancing. I can remember dancing on my daddy's feet when I was little. I bet he'd still let me…

-Driving -Eating whatever I cook.

-Grilling

-Holding your hand, even when he might not want to

-Hugging

-Knowing what you need to hear, even if you don't want to hear it.

-Loving -Loving my mom

-Making breakfast in general

-Making Eggs

-Making the Goofy and Donald noises

-Making waffles

-Making you spit milk at the table… and I swear it's his goal to get me to do it every trip I go back home…

-Playing cards… well playing any game really

-Quoting old movies

-Requiring laughter when you're sobbing

-Showing respect for my mother and teaching us girls to do so

-Singing

-Watching movies (with you)

Father's Day weekend pictures

Father's Day weekend threw us many emotions. It was definitely a roller coaster of events. It's started with horribly sad and tragic news Friday. Matthew's birthday party on Saturday. Leaving our children Sunday morning and driving towards family. Sunday afternoon spending with Granddaddy and celebrating his 84th birthday. Sunday night at a funeral home. Monday morning, saying goodbye to Jamie's cousin, Katie. Monday afternoon driving back home to pick up our children and hold each other tight as a family unit. We had such sorrow mixed in with moments of happiness. I tried to capture the happier moments. At the end of the day, we're still family and we need each other.

Remember to hug your children before they go to bed tonight. And if they are grown, call them. Tell them you love them. You never know when it might be the last time to say so.

Matthew's party:

Matthew with his conductor's hat!

Happy birthday time!

Mark and Papa
Matthew and his presents!

Matthew and an upclose of the Thomas Train!

Grandaddy's Party Sunday:

Granddaddy and his cake!

Jamie and his Nanmommy

Jamie's mom and me

3 generations: Jamie, his grandaddy and his dad.
It physically hurt that Matthew and Mark weren't there with his granddaddy.
We'll have to go back soon.

Us kids: Jamie, Kate, Rick, Chasity and Kimby

After the service Monday:

Jamie and his Nana

The men:
Rick, Chuck and Jamie

The girls:
Kate, Sandy, Kimby, Chas

The family, minus the children:
Rick, Chas, Nana, Kimby, Chuck, Sandy, Jamie, Kate

Being that it was Father's Day weekend, let me share with you the gift that Matthew made for Jamie at church. ( I love our church! ) On a travel coffee mug is Matthew's big smiling face. And in someone's neat handwriting is Matthew's dictated words: "What I love about my dad is that he plays puzzles with me and makes bacon with Mommy." It was a sweet gift. We'll cherish it. Thank you to Matthew's teachers at church for it.