Is it really a word?

Earlier today, Cheyenne and I were working on getting the house all cleaned up and getting our fall stuff put away (sniff sniff sob sob) in order to get our Christmas stuff out. She was in charge of her room, so that I can get it rearranged. She soon came out with a basket that I had found at a yard sale for her earlier in the year. She asked me what she should do with it, so I told her that she can make room on one of her dressers for it and keep her Bible and notebook in it, or if she didn't want it, she could throw it away. She proceeded to show me that it was broken in a few places and then to contemplate whether or not she should keep it. After a few minutes of thought, she said, "I think I'll just keep it, Momma. It's still worthful."



And that was that. She will keep the worthful basket for now. Until which time it becomes so broken that it is no longer worthful.

Anyone Up For A Game?

After lunch yesterday, we were talking about which game we all wanted to play and Johnny's nephew, he's 11, thought that a game of 'kick the bucket' would be fun!! ROFLOL.

So, anyone up for a killer game of kick the bucket? I think I want to go first!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

Well, I am up early again. I am in charge of the turkey today, so it will need to be in the oven in about 30 minutes in order for it to be ready by 12:30.

We are having Lester, Marlene, Joel, Hannah and their four kids over today. It should be lots of fun.

Gotta get the turkey ready. I'll be back.


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The turkey's in and now I can start my list of thanks. In no particular order:

I am so thankful for my Saviour. The price He paid, so that I can live eternally with Him is worth more than words can say. Thank you for saving me.

My parents. No one can compare to the parents that God chose to bless me with. They have been and are going through so much right now, yet their love for me is still evident in everything they do!! Thank you mom and dad. You mean the world to me! I love you and wish I could be with you right now. Just know that I'm praying constantly for you.

My sister. I only have one and I don't know how that can be improved. We are as different as night and day but as close as if we were twins and I love everything about her. She's honest, sincere, talkative, selfless, sympathetic and a great prayer warrior. If I have any troubles, I know I can call her at any time and she will pray for me. And pray fervently. What more could I ask for? At nearly 1800 miles away, there's not much more she can do, yet it's the best thing she could ever do.

My wonderful husband. Wow! Where do I start? He is so unselfish and full of unconditional love for me. From the words he says to the little acts of love he shows, forever, for always and no matter what, I know I am loved. And loved deeply. He is my world. There's nothing like being married to your best friend. The one you want to laugh with, live for and love, for all of forever. He is the best Daddy. I love you Honey. And I can't wait to see what 'forever' with you is like. You make me happy, and mad and frustrated and sad, but mostly happy! ;)

My Chey. She is so sweet, and smart and loving and forgiving. I want to be like her when I grow up! LOL She is a great big sister and a wonderful daughter. Her energy astounds me, and her love moves me. Stay sweet, my Chey and know that Mommy loves you from the tippity top of the sky to the bottomy bottom of the sea. ;)

My Trav. My emotional little boy. He has as many ups and downs as his Mommy I think, but yet he still makes me smile and laugh and want to just squeeze him. He loves to just be alone and play. But yet he doesn't want to miss out on much and likes to be in the middle of it all. For a while. Then he's off playing by himself again. I never have to worry about him getting into trouble. He doesn't bother anything. He's so big, yet such a little boy still. I love you to the moon and back and around the world 150 times. You're my little man and I wish for it to stay that way. Don't grow up too fast.

My Ty. 'For this child I prayed'. He is the best baby. I just want to pour chocolate syrup on him and eat him up. He is so content and happy and smiley. I can't wait till he giggles. I just know it will be contagious. Because everything about him is contagious. He makes me smile, and I love to smile. I love you, love you , love you sweet baby.

My friends. I don't have many which makes me even more thankful for the faithful few that I do have. Johnny, Sherri, Marlene, Hannah, Heather, and Toni, thank you all so much for putting up with me. It's not an easy job, I know, I have to do it everyday! Thanks!!

My house. I love my house. If I could take it with me, I would move to Montana right now and reside there for the rest of my life, quite happily. It has plenty of room for company. Today we will only have 12 people here, but we have hosted parties with 30+ people and have had plenty of room. That is exactly why I wanted to get this house when I saw it. We have so enjoyed being able to entertain people. Plus it has plenty of room for the kids to run around and play.

My health. With the exception of pregnancy, I am a very healthy person and I thank the Lord for that. I don't make a very good patient, so I think my husband is thankful for that too! :) There are so many people that I know or 'know' through this blog, that don't have their health. Yet they choose to praise God anyway. I have it so good.

For all of this I give God the glory and thanks.

There is so much to be thankful for. It's too bad most of us don't really think about it until Thanksgiving. The other 364 days of the year, we choose to dwell on how rough life is or how things could be better or how someone else has it so easy, why can't we? The Bible say, "In everything give thanks." We need to learn to be just as thankful for the valleys as we are for the mountain tops.

I'll leave you with this:

If I had control of all of my life,

And I could choose what would come,

I'd not place any trouble or days of distress,

Only what I'd enjoy, would be done.

But the Heavenly Father knows just what I need,

And just what I need to become.

And each trial I face, is only a chance

For great things to be done.

And you can never know joy,

Until you've felt sorrow.

You can never know peace,

Until you've been afraid.

And you can never know the comfort that the Father can give,

Until you've felt completely alone.

So, don't ask the Lord, "Why?"

And don't question His plans.

Through trials, great things can be done.

All things work together for good,

The Lord has said this is true.

For now we see through a glass, darkly,

But someday, face to face,

We will understand why, the trials have come,

And just what the Lord had in mind.

For our light affliction is but for a moment,

So great things can be done.

And you can never know joy,

Until you've felt sorrow.

You can never know peace,

Until you've been afraid.

And you can never know the comfort that the Father can give,

Until you've felt completely alone.

So, don't ask the Lord, "Why",

And don't question His plans.

Through trials, great things can be done.

Someday, up in Heaven above,

The Lord will make all things known.

We'll see the One Who faced all our pain,

For our sorrows, everyone.

And we'll no longer care,

What in life we did bare,

If through trouble, someone saw the Son.

For Him to say "Well done, a crown you have won",

No greater thing can be done.

-Jennifer Cassel

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

May this be just one day of many to give thanks.

Lullabye Baby

Whenever Tyler is really tired, he doesn't get fussy, he just starts to sing. And he sings himself to sleep.

Just What The Doctor Ordered

Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Meyer weiner.

Just kidding. This was in the parking lot next to us and I thought it was funny, so I took a picture to share with my family and friends that may never get to see a 'weiner-mobile'.

You're welcome.

Now, are ya'll ready for some real pictures!?!?

We just got back from a wonderful vacation to

Lester and Marlene invited us to go with them. They were invited to a wedding and thought that we would enjoy the time away. And they were SO RIGHT!

We left our house Friday morning and got to our motel around 6:30. We didn't have reservations anywhere, so we just drove around and checked a few different rooms out. Our original plan was to get a cheaper room, but this is what we found

Yep, that's a Hilton.

Right on the

Our room was on the 16th floor.

This was the courtyard as seen from our room.

We had a 'room with a view' to say the least.

I am not a morning person, but I was the first one up every morning (6:00) just to see this...

and this

There. That was two days worth of sunrises! Worth every minute of lost sleep.

Jealous yet?

This is not the most beautiful view, but it shows that we were totally surrounded by water.

We had to travel across a 3 mile bridge to get to the island. Although that wasn't my favorite part, we did get to see some sort of sea life (dolphins most likely), on our way to church Sunday.

Saturday was the most relaxing day I have had on a vacation in a long time. I think since our honeymoon.

After starting the day with a beautiful sunrise, Johnny and I went down and ate breakfast in the motel, while Lester and Marlene went to the wedding. We then decided to just stroll the island a little bit. We walked to the fishing pier

and got to see some scuba divers in training
Then we came back to our room to get some more pictures

This guy was way out there. That's why it's a little blurry.

A little later in the afternoon, after much more walking around the island, we decided to take a walk on the beach. On the way back, Johnny decided to leave me a message that I would be able to see from our room.

Isn't that the sweetest thing ever!!

The sunset that night was spectacular.

It was cloudy Monday morning before we left, so there wasn't much of a sunrise, so here is just one last parting shot of the most spectacularly beautiful ocean.

Sunday night we also got to get together with some wonderful friends that I grew up with. We went to church with Ron and Janelle and their little boy Aaron and had a great time. It was so good to get to see them and visit with them again. Aaron is the cutest little guy and, may I say, very well behaved!

I'm ready to go back if anyone feels the need to send me some money.

Oh I kid.

Just a little!

But seriously, if anyone is looking for a glorious vacation, may I suggest Pensacola Beach. You won't regret it. And if you're anything like me, you may just want to go ahead and pay the 40 million dollars to buy the Hilton and live there!! But that's just what it cost them to build the tower that we stayed in, so it may be a million or two more for the whole thing! I'm just sayin'.

Thank you for letting me share. I had the most wonderful time ever.

Wordless Wednesday - Cheap Entertainment

Ah! Fun times!

Life's Ups and Downs

You Might Be A Redneck...

... if you don't have an Ace bandage in the house, so you use a sock and duct tape!

Tickle Me Tuesday

Oh. My. Word.

Must. share. this. recipe. Once you get to this site scroll down to: The Classic Monte Cristo Sandwich...yes, classic!

You'll be glad you did!!

Oh, and I prefer Pepsi to Coke. Just for the record.

To Get Your Mind Off Of All The Chocolatey Goodness

I love the apple pie scent in my house right now.

Someone asked me to bake two apple pies to sell at the Fall Festival at our Christian School and I couldn't say no, so here they are. Johnny brought me some apples from the garden center last night and I got busy with it this afternoon. I have one hour to spare before we have to have them there, so hopefully they will cool enough to get them sealed in their bags.

(sniff sniff) Mmm mm mmmm!