"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11


Monday, March 24, 2008

Happy Easter (a day late)!

Sorry, I meant to post Easter Greetings yesterday, but we were just way too busy (as all holidays seem to be nowadays.)


We have been trying to explain to Punky that Easter is when Jesus rose from the dead (a concept she doesn't quite get yet). So when I asked her what Jesus did on Easter, she said, "He found ALLLLLLL the eggs! Too cute.


Here is a picture of Punky in her Easter dress holding her new baby Jasmine, which was in her Easter basket. She looked very cute and even let me put her hair up for church!




Friday, March 21, 2008

Ten Things...

Ten things I can't live without (in no particular order):

1. My computer...Blogging and email is so much fun...and now I have started Facebook...endless possibilities!

2. Baby wipes...Who knew how useful these would be! I use them for everything...cleaning the bathroom, wiping faces, cleaning hands...even the kitchen sink!

3. Hairspray...what did women do before it (or should I say, what did they look like!)?

4. Makeup...I would be a homebound hermit without that.

5. TV...I admit I don't watch nearly as much of it as I used to before Punky, but it is still addicting.

6. My minivan...it hauls so much stuff...very handy.

7. Chapstick...I would feel completely gross without it.

8. Milk...my most favorite drink.

9. My heating pad...no, they are not just for old people! They are the best invention ever...I can usually get rid of my headaches using it instead of taking medicine. (they are also good to heat up your bed before you get in it!)

10. Sweets...I have cravings EVERY DAY for something sweet, sometimes on more than one occasion. Since I have given up chocolate, I have to find other interesting ways to satisfy these cravings.

These may seem trivial, but I am so thankful I don't have to do without them. Email or leave a comment about the 10 things YOU can't live without!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Texas Friends

Tuesday night Punky and I got together with my friend N and her adorable little girl H. N is one of my best friends from high school, but sadly for us moved to Texas. She was up for a visit, so we had a girls night (sorry for the rest of you CBA girls, you should have come!). It was fun and the girls really enjoyed playing together. H is so cute with her little glasses! Here are a few pics of the evening.

Summer

Well, we have been struggling as of late knowing that we would be needing to find a new babysitter for Punky for the summer (our wonderful J will be moving out on her own in a few months and needs to get a "real" job~unfortunately, we can't pay her a ga-zillion dollars to keep her, or we would!). Please pray that she finds the perfect job! We knew we couldn't keep her forever, but hopefully she will still be able to watch Punky part of the time.

Our next door neighbor has been watching Punky a day and a half each week and Punky really likes it because she has a nine month old little boy. Punky is all about babies. However, her schedule is becoming crazy and she will only be available as a back up. So, I have had a few leads here and there as to someone that could watch Punky.

As a brief history lessen, our family has been VERY spoiled with J. Since Punky was almost 3 months old, J has been coming to our house each day instead of us having to take Punky out in the morning. What a blessing. It is so easy to just be able to leave the house knowing she is in good hands. Well, I was starting to think (and others have told me) that phase may be over and I will probably have to start taking her somewhere.

However, there is a girl Hubby and I went to high school with that lives just behind our house. Her sisters are younger (in college) and I have been told that one of them is looking for a summer babysitting job. I have called and talked with her and things look promising. She is interested. So, please be in prayer that things work out with this, so that we can continue to be spoiled (or should I say Blessed) by having someone come to our home.

Either way, we truly have been blessed with the people we have found to watch Punky. Also this year, I was able to find a wonderful family in our church that will watch Punky anytime I need them. So, I am definitely feeling better about this whole situation. I pray (and know) God will work all things together for good. I am so thankful He knows what is best for us.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Really?

So, Hubby and I were talking and he brought up a very good point, one that I hadn't thought about...

I guess everyone is supposed to get "free money" in the mail courtesy of the U.S. government's economic stimulus package. Great! I will take it! I initially thought this was a good idea. However, do American's realize that all this money is going to be used for is gasoline!?!? It went up 50 cents just this last weekend...so really, the government is just feeding our gasoline habit. I am sure most everyone will not save the money they get for gas for their vehicles, but it is something to stop and think about...

All criticism aside, I am very thankful that I live in America. It truly is the best country in the world and I feel blessed to be here. God Bless America. We need it!!!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Busy Times...

Sorry everyone...it has been a week since I last posted...we have been so busy, and when we aren't I feel like I am just catching up on the regular everyday tasks of life!

Punky said the cutest thing the other day...we were running an errand and I had a shirt and hooded sweatshirt on, so I didn't wear my coat. Punky said, "Mama, you forgot your coat!" I said it was okay and I didn't need it. She said, "Mama, you NEEEEED your coat!" I said no, I had a sweatshirt on. She sighed heavily (much like I do) and said, "Mama, this is NOT a good idea!" AAHHHH, sometimes it is the little people that teach us the most (and sometimes we don't realize what they pick up from us big people!)

I feel like I am surrounded by sickies...people with the flu and bad colds...I pray I do not get it, or especially that Punky does not catch any of this stuff. I am so thankful that we have been VERY healthy this winter, with only one round of a mild cold...I hope we make it to Spring!!!

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Look at these!

Someone I work with emailed me these pictures...they are amazing...babies made of frosting! I just want to kiss them! Too cute!

Thursday, February 28, 2008

!!

I found my first gray hair yesterday...I'm so sad. Oh well, at least Hubby got a lot more first!!!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Friends

Just thought I would share a few pictures of Punky and her friends...

This is cousin Buddy...I had some glasses frames that we had them try on...they look so smart!


This is Cinderella Punky and her friend Cinderella...they loved playing dress up...


We are so thankful for friends!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Why?

Sometimes life is just hard. Things happen that we don't understand, want, or agree with. It scares me to think that your life can change drastically in a moment, with no warning or opportunity to change it. I am amazed that your heart and soul can hurt much more than any physical pain. While going through the struggles of life, I can't imagine how people go through them without God. Yes, family and friends help us through, but it is God that loves us so much more than any human person ever could. It is He that has the power to make all things new, to bring good out of a bad situation (even if we can't see it right now). I am not saying it is always easy to trust God, but eventually, by coming to God, things do work out. Pain subsides over time, and God renews our joy and strength.

I refuse to ask God "Why do bad things happen?"...for who am I to question Him? I know that He knows my life, and has planned everything for me. He will not leave me. He will take care of me. I ask for your prayers for a very dear friend of mine, who is going through a very difficult time. My heart breaks for her and her family, but I know she is seeking the Lord and all will work out in the end. I am reminded of another of my favorite verses, Phillipians 1:6...For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

I found a wonderful song by Jaci Velasquez entitled "Lay It Down". I could not stop crying the first time I heard it. I know God brought it to me just at the right time. Click HERE if you want to listen, and I have printed the words below:

Verse:I've been lookin' till my eyes are tired of lookin
Listenin' till my ears are numb from listenin'
Prayin' till my knees are sore from kneelin' on the bedroom floor
I know that you know that my heart is achin'
I'm running out of tears and my will is breakin'
I don't think that I can carry the burden of it anymore

All of my hopes and my dreams and my best laid plans,
Are slowly slippin' through my folded hands

Chorus:So I'm gonna lay it down
I'm gonna learn to trust You now
What else can I do?
Cause everything I am depends on You
And if the sun don't come back up
I know Your love will be enough
I'm gonna let it be,
I'm gonna let it go,
I'm gonna lay it down.

Verse:I've been walkin' through this world like I'm barely livin'
Buried in the doubt of this hole I've been diggin'
But You're pullin' me outI'm finally breathin' in the open air
This room may be dark but I'm finally seein'
There's a new ray of hope, and now I'm believin'
That the past is past, and the future's beginning to look brighter now

Oh, cause all of my hopes and my dreams and my best laid plans
Are safe and secure when I place them in Your hands

Chorus:So I'm gonna lay it down
I'm gonna learn to trust You now
Oh what else can I do,
Cause everthing I am depends on You
And if the sun don't come back up
I know Your love will be enough
I'm gonna let it be,
I'm gonna let it go,
I'm gonna lay it down.
 

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