Bring It On!

I have had such a busy day today.

It started out with three little girls and two boys waking up quite early and then wanting to eat right away. So, I let Johnny get up and feed them while I rolled over and groaned. I'm the model wife, I tell ya!

I soon decided that I better get up, because my friend had called me the night before and said that she may show my house.

I got up and made sure the kids were all taken care of and then I went and started cleaning my bathroom. I came back in the kitchen and wiped off the table and told the kids to go get dressed and then play for a while.

My friend calls me at 8:30 and says, "I have someone here who would like to come look at your house."

Great! That's wonderful. Just give me a few HOURS to get my house cleaned.

Then my realtor calls and says, "You do know that Kelly is coming to show your house now, right?"

And I said, "RIGHT NOW?!?! Um, she said she was going to show it, but she didn't say she was COMINGRIGHTNOW!!! I have five kids here and my house isn't READY to show."

Bring it on! LOL

So my realtor then called my friend and had her stall a little bit for me.

Long story short, my friend showed up with the guy to look at my house at 9:15 (giving me 45 minutes to clean my house with 5 kids in tow), while I was still in my pajamas trying to get the breakfast dishes washed, because I had been upstairs the rest of the time trying to get that room straightened up, plus taking care of a naughty little 16 month old with a messy diaper and three girls that would rather talk then clean.

It was a wonderful way to start the day, but if my house sells, it will be completely worth every ounce of stress I suffered from.

My sister-in-law then stopped by to pick up her girls and stayed for about an hour and a half. It was great to visit with her.

Cheyenne also had piano lessons today and I had to go to the store to pick up some groceries for tonight.

Needless to say, I am exhausted but enjoying my clean house while my kids sleep, and getting ready for company tonight after church.

Food, fun and fellowship with friends. What better way to end 2008? I can't wait!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!

Away In A Manger... My SAVIOR!

I am so excited about Christmas this year.

I look at the excitment in my kids faces, and I can't help but join in.

All of my shopping was done last week and I finished up a big project yesterday, so now I can just sit back and relax and marvel at the joy all around me.

I didn't get caught in any of the hustle and bustle of the season and have been able to sit and reflect on the story of Christ's birth quite often lately...

Can you imagine being 9 months pregnant, hopping on a donkey for what would seem 'the longest ride of your life' and telling your husband, "I think it's time. Can we please find a place to stop?"

So your husband says, "Yes, Honey. I will ask in this next town." He asks around and everywhere he stops he says, "Please! Do you have a room for my wife and I?" And the only reply he gets is, "Sorry, sir, there's no room."

Time after time.

Until, finally, he comes to this one place where he says, "Please, sir, my wife is ready to have her baby, and we need a place to stay for the night!" (Can you imagine the panic in him at this point?) So, the owner says, "Come with me!" They follow him out to a stable and the guy says, "It's not much, but it will keep you out of the weather. I'm sorry, but it's all I have."

They didn't tell the man, "But we are going to have a KING, you can't possibly expect us to lie on the ground and bring our baby into the world in these conditions!"

And I'm sure they didn't say, "Lord, WHY? Why can't we have a nice soft bed and a room with a door?" Or, "We deserve better than this! Do you not know who we are?"

I imagine that they humbly accepted what the man had to offer and politely said, "Thank you, sir!!"

It was nothing like I can even imagine. I have given birth to three children, one in a hospital and two in my home and I can tell you, there were no foul odors, we were all nice and warm, and I had my family surrounding me for each one of them. And as special as my children are to me and to the Lord, they were not the Son of God!!!

Yet He humbled Himself to be born in a stable and laid in a manger.

A manger... something the animals eat out of! No fancy crib, or cute little clothes.

Born in a stable, laid in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes... The King of kings and Lord of lords!

It is so easy to get caught up in the 'spirit' of the season with all the food, decorations, gifts, both giving and receiving and so easy to forget the "Reason " for the season. As pretty as all the gifts under the tree are, they don't even compare to the Gift that was wrapped in swaddling clothes!! THAT is the Greatest Gift of All!!

As I look at each one of my children, I am that much more thankful for His humble beginning.

There are so many details that I left out...

Like, having visitors... strangers... bringing gifts to your child, knowing there is something very special about Him, and politely and humbly welcoming them and thanking them for their thoughtfulness. (Not pouting about your poor conditions, and being rude to your guests, and maybe thinking, "Why me, Lord? Why didn't you make it nicer for me?")

If the mother of the SON OF GOD can be content with very little, why not us? Why not be thankful for healthy children and be glad to spend time with them? For they truly are God's gift to us!

Don't get me wrong, presents are fun, (our's don't even all fit under our tree), but let's not make

that the focus of our Christmas this year.

Follow the star, to a lowly manger bed and see your Savior lying there, wrapped up for you. Then reach for your children and thank the Lord that you have it so good!!

As you read the story of Christ's birth this year, don't just sit there and read the words. LIVE the words. Delve into the story as if it were your own.

And have a wonderful CHRISTmas!

We love you all very much!!

Another Tender, Tennessee Christmas

Well, it's that time of year again.

Time for the...

I debated on whether or not to participate this year because I have nothing new and the decorations I do have are very sparse. But here I am... #890 in the tour!

Welcome to my home.

Come on in and join us for some milk and cookies.

Here we have Santa's little helper and Jack Frost. They will entertain you during your visit. They're so cute, you could just eat 'em up! oh, sshhh, don't let them hear you say that.

Rudolph has also shown up, pulling Santa's sleigh.

Hop on board one of our trains and it will take you on the tour through the rest of our house.

Have a seat at our table and let's chat while we see how some of these goodies taste.

My piano is pretty much the only piece of furniture that I have, right now, to decorate. It houses my nativity and a few other odds and ends.

And let me take a moment to say that THIS is the real reason for this season! Let's not forget that without Christ there would be no Christmas!

Here is our Christmas tree. And I promise you that our kids have more than four presents. I just haven't taken the time to get them all wrapped.

Be warned that if you stand too close to our tree it will reach out and grab you, causing you to trip and fall over the few presents that are out. Not only are they a fire hazard, but they could do some serious damage to a small child who refuses to smileforthecameraalready!!

Thank you for visiting us this Christmas season. Our doorman will see you out.

If you would like to tour more homes, surf on over to BooMama's site. This is really a fun way to entertain guests without really having to clean anything!!

Oh! I almost forgot to show you my outside lights. After living here for four year, we actually bought icicle lights this year.

And one week before Christmas, this is how they look...

Yep, all ten boxes of them... still full.

Oh well, 2009 is another year :)

Humor

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I Love Company

My house is clean, and it smells like fresh bread and warm apple pie!

There's nothing like having someone over for supper on a regular basis to keep you on your toes, but I absolutely love everything about it.

44 ODD Things about me!

1. Do you like blue cheese? um.... nope

2. Have you ever smoked? never tried it and never even had a desire

3. Do you own a gun? (who wants to know?)

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Cherry

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? don't go to the doctor

6. What do you think of hot dogs? if I actually THINK of hot dogs, I think they are disgusting, but if I just make one and eat it then they are pretty good!

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Shoes (hands down)

8. Favorite thing to drink in the morning? orange juice

9. Can you do push ups? absolutely don't mess with me and my big man arms!

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? my wedding ring

11. Favorite hobby? sewing

12. Do you have A.D.D.? I don't think.... Hey look at that! What a beautiful... Woa! Did you see.... Hey wait! What was the question? Actually, no I don't have A.D.D. I'm just a goofball.

13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? only ONE? hmmm... I guess that I am too picky about myself

14. Middle name? Marie Hey wait! That's not ODD!

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. Why am I doing this? What are my kids playing? Who's cleaning my house right now?

16. Name 3 drinks that you regularly drink? water, milk, water

17. Current worry? am I a good mom

18. Current hate right now? the mess in my house

19. Favorite place to be? with Johnny

20.How will you bring in the new year? sleeping

21. Where would you like to go? Hawaii

22. Name three people who might complete this. Sherri, Amanda, Melisa ???

23. Do you own slippers? nope

24. What shirt are you wearing? tank top

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? never slept on them, but I can imagine that I wouldn't like them.

26. Can you whistle? as loud as the best of them

27. Favorite color? red?? not really sure, but I always say red, cause Johnny likes it LOL

28. Would you be a pirate? nope, I'm not a good thief or murderer. At least I don't think I would be. I've never tried either one.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Sugar pie, honey bunch. You know that I.love.you! I can't help myself! I love you and nobody else! (of course I'm not singing that TO MYSELF!! LOL)

30. Favorite Girl's Name? Cheyenne, Skylar

31. Favorite boy's name? Travis, Tyler

32. What's in your pocket right now? no pockets

33. Last thing that made you laugh? the thought of some of the answers I could put in some of these questions.

34. What vehicle do you drive? '02 Suburban that I love to pieces

35. Worst injury you've ever had? concusion from a three wheeler landing on my head

36. Do you love where you live? yeppers

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 1 unused one

38. Who is your loudest friend? Kelly, but she's also my sweetest friend!

39. Do you have any pets? three horses, one dog, two cats and two hermit crabs and I think the kids put a caterpillar in with the crabs.

40. Can you balance a spoon on your nose? yep

41. Your favorite book(s)? don't really have a favorite, but I do like to read

42. Do you collect anything? apple stuff

43. Favorite Sports Team? I like the Atlanta Braves and the Indianapolis Colts, but I'll cheer for the Tennessee Titans if I don't like the team they're playing against! LOL

44. What song do you want played at your funeral? Haven't thought that far ahead.


And now I tag anyone that actually still reads my boring, blaahhg!

Tagged

I have been tagged for a few different things recently and a really long time ago, so I figured I would take the time tonight to do some of them.

Only One Word:

Where is your mobile phone? Car
Where is your significant other? Couch
Your hair colour? Brunette
Your mother? Crazy
Your father? Loving
Your favourite thing? hubby
Your dream last night? short
Your dream goal?
The room you’re in? livingroom
Your hobby? sewing
Your fear? bridges
Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
Where were you last night? church
What you’re not? patient
One of your wish-list items? mower
Where you grew up? west
The last thing you did? bush-hog
What are you wearing? clothes
Your TV? unused
Your computer? handy
Your mood? jolly
Missing someone? family
Your car? wonderful
Something you’re not wearing? shoes
Favourite shop? Cato
Your summer? fast
Love someone? Johnny
Your favourite colour? red
When is the last time you laughed? today
When is the last time you cried? (((Shrug)))

List seven random things about yourself:

1. I can't just clean my house. I have to CLEAN my house. This drives Johnny crazy. Straigtened up is not clean in my book.

2. I iron my bedding and any clothes that hang up. Kids clothes included.

3. I would rather be outside doing just about anything as opposed to inside doing what needs to be done. Housekeeping is not my forte. Probably due in part to #1.

4. I had Johnny rent a motel room so we could watch the Olympics ('cause we don't have our tv hooked up) and it just so happened that we picked the night that Michael Phelps set the world record. It was fun, but I'm still glad we don't have cable.

5. I love Spring and Summer, but can't stand the fact that most women walk around mostly naked.

6. I don't like the cold of winter, but it's so nice to see people covered up.

7. Fall is my most favorite season of all. I want a yard full of Autumn Glory Maple trees. They are gorgeous.

How was that for RANDOM!!

8 Wonderful Things About My Husband:

1. He is patient beyond words. Nothing EVER bothers him.

2. He loves me!! Even when I'm unlovable.

3. He is a wonderful daddy. The kids can't wait to see his truck pull in the drive.

4. He is a very handy man to have around. He is a jack-of-all-trades.

5. He is an exceptional friend.

6. He rarely ever sets his heart on something, so when he does I like to see him get it. We just bought some land that he really wanted as soon as he saw it, but he was more than willing to forget about it if it wasn't the Lord's will for us. I am so happy for him that we got it.

7. He loves to hunt, fish, ride horses... basically anything outdoors, but he will give all of that up to stay home and help me if I need him to.

8. And the most wonderful thing about my husband is... He's MINE! And I love him more than words can say.


There. I think that just about catches me all up on the memes I was tagged for. If you tagged me for one and I never did it, please leave it in my comments cause I am ready to update my blog more often.

It's not that there hasn't been anything going on around here to blog about, I just haven't had time.

I spent all day yesterday cleaning and ironing after being gone most of the week helping Johnny. Then last night we had a Fall Festival at our church that I had to bake two apples pies for. We ended up not getting home until about 10:00.

Today, Johnny wanted to go over to our land and get things cleaned up a little bit, so I spent most of the day on a tractor, bush-hogging while he cut down some trees.

Life has been non-stop around here, but maybe it will slow down for a little bit so we can catch our breath.

Good Night and God Bless.

Math Fun

Absolutely amazing!
Beauty of Mathematics !!!!!!!

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321



Now, take a look at this...


101%



From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:



What Equals 100%?
What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to
GIVE OVER 100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?


What equals 100% in life?


Here's a little mathematical formula that might help
answer these questions:


If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.


If:


H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K

8+1+18+4+23+ 15+18+11 = 98%


And:

K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E

11+14+15+23+ 12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%


But:

A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E

1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%



THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:



L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%


Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
Get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

It's up to you if you share this with your friends & loved ones just
the way I did.

Have a nice day & God bless !!