The election

I am sick of the election.
The mud slinging is driving me insane.
Who cares about Sarah Palin's clothes, her moose hunting, and her jet flights with her kids?
Also, who cares about Obama and his stupid friends?
The only difference between Obama and most of the politicians out there, is that he blatantly denies his friends and then turns around and hugs them, attends a rally with them, or goes to hear them at church!
America has been dragged through their political mine fields for almost two years. The United States of America's election time has become like Hobby Lobby getting ready for Christmas. It comes waaaaayyyy too soon! Yes, I walked into Hobby Lobby in June and there were Christmas trees waiting to be set up. Come on people!

Most politicians are lawyers or at least have a background or backbone (spineless) related to a lawyer. They ALL are corrupt in some way.
I have chosen my "candidate" based on his running mate. That is sad.
Out of all America, this is what we come down to-a cunning smooth tounged liberal and a veteran with a pistol "hot librarian" at his side. Wow America. We are weirdos.

What a day...

Today was single handedly one of the craziest days I have had at my job. We have gotten over the past few days 12 new students. Now for those of you who don't understand what I go through on a daily basis, this may shock you. But, I compare my days at my job to that of a bad United Nations meeting. Opinions flying everywhere, racial issues at the highest, ethnicity a major issue, drugs, family problems, power struggles with a teenager who has always gotten to be the boss, all kinds of behavioral issues and that does not even scratch the surface.
It is days like today that I am thankful for all the OTHER days I have experienced teaching. Some days are great. We get through those days usually without a squabble or a fuss. Most days, however, are just hectic. They end with all the teachers and staff on the verge of being committed to an insane asylum. Well,not that bad, but they are crazy!

COOL!

It was awesome tonight to see how the chain of events went. When God has a plan, you go with it!
We had a call from our Bible Study baby sitter that she could not make it at like 3:30ish. Immediately I began running through my head who we could find. I drew a huge blank, so I called Rachel. She, being my helpful sidekick and bud, springs into action and gets on the horn calling every available teen that she knows, no luck either. We decide to cancel and I call Kim Terry, my mom, and Jeremy. Then, out of the blue, I was talking to God and someone was placed on my heart, Grace Allen. I was like duh! Grace is awesome with the kids. She is so sweet and easy to work with my kids and their hyperactive personalities. She also has her Bible Study group on another night and I knew she would not be missing out on her Group for the week! So, from that point on, we were set! Anne was like cool, and I was like cool too!
Well, the coolest part about tonight, which I can tell it made Rachel very happy, was that we had a full house! And, it was people that did not ordinarily get to make it! We had Kim Terry, Anne Allen (she decided to stay while Grace watched the babies), Rachel and Jonathan, my brother and his wife, Matt and Haley, and Jeremy and myself! The topic of discussion was how often we leave God out of our everyday
routine and how we can change that. Our scripture was from Luke 24. The gospel of Luke tells how these two men were walking on the road and Jesus, whom had just been crucified 3 days before, came to them and walked with them and they were unaware that he was with them. But once they dined with him and he revealed himself to them, they were shocked at their own faith because they did not recognize Christ. It brought discussion of how often we lose sight of God in our everyday life. What can we do to show others that Christ is the center of OUR lives?
Very good discussion tonight. I am beaming for Christ right now. He just amazes me by his love and forgiveness and his way of bringing things full circle.
I am so thankful that he sent Grace and Anne to us tonight. What an awesome change to a "normal" Tuesday night. I also thank God right now that he is using us and the Clifton's as a way of reaching others for His name. We were a little nervous at first, all four of us, about starting a Bible Study that was not part of the Crosspoint groups. But, we felt lead to do this and what an awesome chance to relax and talk about Christ and HIS love for us and how it fits into our everyday lives. We have been taught well by our previous Bible Study leaders and it just all falls into place when we discuss the Upper Room devotionals and put them side by side with our lives and the Word.

Essentially we are Christ's love and He is ours. That is really COOL when you think about it.

inspired

I am particularly inspired about my husband tonight. He is no sissy man, he is a man of all men! He works hard all day only to come home and help cook, take care of his babies and his wife, and he watches the kids when I need some "me" time (most of the time without complaining).

He spends all his free time trying to make me and our boys happy. For instance,a couple of weeks ago I was having a particularly rough day and he tried to surprise me with a rose on my car. Except I left early to get across town to wash my car and missed him and the surprise. What a loser I felt like. I get home and find my man chasing our kiddos around the house and a beautiful long-stemmed rose on my counter top.

He also spends a lot of time volunteering, without complaining, at our church. He truly has a servant's heart and I admire him for that. He never ceases to amaze me with his patience and his easy temper when I have screwed up. God truly did design us in Heaven as opposites meant to be drawn together. I forget that sometimes when I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life of a hectic career, rowdy boys, errands that need to be ran, and a household that requires constant attention.

I just thank God for husbands like Jeremy that no matter what continue to love, trust, and honor a crazy, sometimes non-deserving wife like me. We all feel inadequate at times. I know that next to my two children, Jeremy is my biggest fan and cheerleader. I struggle to live up to his expectations and hope that I can create an environment only he would love.
I love you Jeremy. God Bless men like you.

1234

I have this little thing I do with numbers. No one really understands it but me. I love the consecutive 1234. They add up to a perfect 10. Wish I was a perfect ten. I miss those days of feeling like that.
Having a hard time right now, don't expect anyone to pitty me or even feel concerned. But, I feel like a bit of an Eyore from Pooh Bear stories and then also a little like Ren from Ren and Stimpy. One second I feel sorry for my psycho self and the next I feel jacked up and wired with crazy hair and bulging eyes.

Who needs drugs and alcohol when you are crazy?

Love me?

Hey all you four people that read this, will you go to the side of my blog page and click on the link that says, The people that acknowledge that they read this ,and write in your email address so that I don't feel so all alone when there are not comments. Like one of my buds said, I read it daily, but don't do well with the comments! Love you all and stuff!

Who would have thought Batman could look so great?

An angel with a Batman mask...but gorgeous eyes behind it all!

A pair of pants

As I was doing laundry today, I caught myself today eyeing a pair of blue jeans that once belonged to Tristan, but now Samuel wears them. My heart got all gooey when I thought of how small the pair of Levi's actually are. And then just as my heart was all warm and toasty of the tiny pants, my heart sank as I felt the twinge of disappointment that Tristan was no longer a baby. He no longer babbles and googoos words, he does not have to be helped into the car, he does not need me to even get dressed anymore. For a while when Tristan was smaller, I had the biggest ordeals every morning as I agonized over leaving my screaming baby, toddler, and little boy at daycare. We fretted over separation, we cried every morning for three years. And then one day as if magic, he finally did as I asked him to do, I had prayed for him to do for three years, he just went into his classroom and waved goodbye and said his love you's. Since that moment of his official separation, I felt like Tristan grew up a lot that day and the days to follow. He would joyfully skip into school every day, happy to be there! What a change and a sigh of relief I felt as his mommy.


I have had so many emotions over him lately. I felt like there was this separation from him and myself. What it has been, is that Tristan is growing up, gathering ideas for himself and desiring his own independence.


Today I was called from his preschool to "talk" to Tristan on the phone. Tristan had a little fall at recess time and he lost it. He immediately reverted back to that screaming toddler that do longed to feel his mothers arms around him and have her kiss on his cheeks. He gave into his big boy feelings and let loose to want his mommy. As I spoke tenderly to my baby on the PHONE, I felt like the world's worst mom. I could not just jump up and grab him and hold him like he needed right at that exact moment. Someone else was doing that for me. It was hard. As soon as I could break away from work, I went to the school and there was my big boy, whom an hour before had had an emotional come apart, making a bead bracelet in his art class. I stood in the doorway and watched him. My eyes danced in amazement as I watched my boy, my big kid do big kid things. Tristan was sniffling still from his earlier tears as he poked beads onto a red pipe cleaner that looked a little worn out from his constant shoving and forcing of the small beads. After a few minutes of "my mom is here" moments we parted ways with hugs, kisses, and a beaded bracelet that he "made for me." He told me, "Mom, I make everything for you. You are my love, my heart." I cannot explain to you the emotion it exumes in a mother when those precious words are spoken from her child. I shed some tears as I thought in a few months, my baby would attend Kindergarten for the first time and he would be thrust into an environment foreign to him. A public school world where Jesus and God are left at home along with prayer in schools.

I Heart Sarah

The more I listen to and learn about Sarah Palin, the more I like her.

She is one classy lady that has taken America by a pleasant surprise.

Watch her here by clicking on this link from SNL.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/39812/saturday-night-live-backstage-gov-palin-visits

Which Monkey would you be?

I needed to do something humorous...which one are you?

It is strange and freaky how similar humans are to this species.

Proof God has a sense of humor!

My lovey

You know how when you are a child you may have toted around a lovey, blankie, or as my kids call it a Boo! Well, I believe as adults we find humans to be our loveys or Boos! I have someone I love very much that I lug around with me to comfort me anytime I need...Ju-Ju is my Boo. She hears the same worn out saga that my life plays over and over and everytime she is honest and forthright with me. I love that. Just like I loved my own bankie as a child. I carried that thing everywhere with me to hold onto for security. I babbled my first words to it and then as I got older I prayed to be safe in the night with it right by my side. Now, it would be kind of weird for a 29 year old woman to carry around a ratty yellow gingham blankie with laced fringe that hangs on with years of worn out thread. Instead, I pick up the phone, make trip to her house, just even think about her and something she would say, or just email or text her. She is a lovey to me.

A pic I love

I found these pics on my hard drive that I did not realize I had.

I love them! It truly speaks out the relationship my hubby has with my best friend's hubby!

Love you guys!

Time to pray

We have some dear friends that are suffering from a tragedy right now and they need your prayers. Be with us as we pray for strength and love in their lives right now. Help us lift them up in prayer as they fight through the tears and get through this trying time in their lives.
I pray in Jesus name that they feel the ever loving power and love and sacrifice of the blood of Christ that was shed for us all. The Lord gives and takes away and we have to accept that in times like these and hold onto that in every way we can. I am comforted by the story of Job. When I was confronted with a similar situation about a year and a half ago, I ran to Dana, my pastor's wife. I did not know how to handle this type of death. She shared with me Job's story and now I turn to it again. I cling to it.
Job's friends sat by him for a week and said nothing, but they just supported and loved him. And then when Job began lashing out in sorrow, they listened and then gave him the reality that God is in control here buddy and you need to stop it and move on. Only a true friend would say that to you. The friends did not say it automatically, they gave Job time. We all need time to grieve. I am also reminded of the passage in the Bible related to their being a time for every season and everything. Jeremy and I have listened to our friends and the stories of tiring nights spent in a hospital waiting room. God just give all of us the patience and fortitude to be there for our friends and have a listening and willing ear for the word of God and not our own words.

Letting Go

This is the Upper Room Devotional for Friday, wanted to share. If you want to visit with us and study like this, we meet Tuesdays at our house at 6. Sometimes we meet at the Clifton's house!

Read Luke 6:27-38
The Lord Almighty says, [My sinful people's] tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit through the mouth. They all speak friendly words to their neighbors, but inwardly are planning to lay an ambush.
-Jeremiah 9:8 (NRSV)
AS I walked by the nurses' station at work, I caught the ending words of a conversation among my co-workers. It was about me! What they were saying was not very favorable. What's more, it wasn't true. That really hurt. Upon seeing me, all the talkers became very quiet. During the rest of the shift, all of them either avoided me or were overly friendly. I carried a heavy heart the rest of that day.
The next day I prayed about how I should react to their behavior. How do I handle my hurt? Soon I came to realize that I am not responsible for deceit in others. I am not responsible for people who say one thing but act otherwise. I have no control over others; nor do I have the right to judge them. I am, however, responsible to God for my actions toward others, even those who hurt me. I took great comfort in this truth. So I resolved not to retaliate or hold a grudge.
Letting go of hurts is not easy, but it is possible. Jesus said, "For God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27). He didn't say all things are easy. The Bible tells me not to judge others. We cannot monitor their hearts or change their behavior. That's God's job.
Sandra K. Ramirez (Ohio, USA)

Loving God, teach us to show kindness to one another and to forgive when others disappoint us. Amen.

Treat others as you wish to be treated.

Prayer Focus: Those hurt by gossip

Forgiveness

In Matthew 5:38-48, it says:

38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[g] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies 43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[h] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[i] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

I have been harboring something lately and my Upper Room devotional spoke this to me on Friday and it has taken me this long to get to it.
Thank you heavenly Father for allowing me to be forgiven. You died so that I do not have to. Praise YOU and the Heavens that you dwell in. Thank you for dying on the Cross and taking away my sin. Forgive me for not following you always and forgive me for turning against you when all you do is hold your arms wide open for me to fall into when I need rest from resistance. I love you Father. Thank you for your blessings on my family. Amen

Fireproof

Jeremy and I went to see this movie tonight. It really hit home with me on several issues in my marriage. I strongly recommend that you go and see it whether you have been married for years, a few years, newlyweds, or single and thinking about marriage. This is how so many people can get if they work alone in a marriage. I have loved the two films that this church from Georgia has produced in the past few years. I own a copy of Facing the Giants and there are a few "cameo" appearances from those actors in this movie. Kirk Cameron brings a lot of emotion to the movie that will keep your eyes streaming throughout the whole movie. Watch it.

scandolous...

I just did something outrageous, I left the dinner dishes on the table and got up and did something else! Try that one, it is liberating and at the same time pestering the back of my mind to clean them.
Hope you had a great day! I had a crazy, long, headache filled day; but I began it smiling and laughing even when I did not feel like it and it was better because of it!

Some needs

I need to get my camera back out and do some shooting.
Matt Pitts says I need to actually shoot a rifle or something with fire power.
I think that I can do equal damage with a camera and feel just as relieved and probably get some good shots.

another need I have is that I need to sell my house before I go loco.
We are having another open house today. Wish us luck, but mainly just pray!

A newer more refreshing day

I am better today. I am going to be okay. Things were good today at church. They were quiet. Not a whole lot of people there for the first service, but it was still very nice and typical to an earlier service, quiet and reserved. I miss being with the "large" crowd and seeing all the familiar faces, but we were called to go early to make room for more people, so that is cool. I get to leave at 10 most Sundays and I love it. I wish my man could leave that early too so that we could actually have a Sunday together from beginning to end. Things will have to eventually change there, but I just need to give it more time. Jeremy and I are going to go see the movie Fireproof, hopefully by the end of the week. I have really been wanting to see that.

Reality Check

On Saturday, I had my heart explode. I have had a person in my life for like 15 years or so, who has called me their best friend, and I them. That person got married and did not ask me to be a bridesmaid. I tried to be the better person, be a good sport and all. But I just couldn't. I mustered up the courage to attend the wedding and I bought gifts; showered her when I didn't feel wholeheartedly inclined to do it, but I did it. I tried to be the good sport. Well, I went into the church, trying to hold it together and I saw her, surrounded by a mass of turquoise chiffon maids in waiting and I lost it. I did not recognize a single person. Who were these people that sat at her feet and attended to her on this special day that she and I used to dream about at sleepovers as teenagers? We used to draw on pieces of paper these crazy tests of when you would get married and day dream about Mr. Right together. Where were they when I used to hear her cry about how she did not have someone special? How did they fit the mold and not me? What special power did they have? I am tired of being someone's friend and always being the first one to call, e-mail, text, etc...
Why can't people love me the way that I love them? Why do I have to go over the top for people only to always be disappointed by their lack of desire to make me feel that special too? I do it in so many ways. I try to throw nice birthday parties for my family members, I exhaust time, heart, and money into them. Only to be left in the bathroom on my birthday because they fell short of even trying to make my day as special as I made theirs. My expectations are too high. I need to lower them to scum level in order to be happy. I want to be someone's special something. I am, in many ways, that to my children and husband. I see people with friends that they both are inseparable. Where is that in my life? Why would one of my oldest friends, who I have always kept in close contact with, do me this way? Reality check central here. I gave myself a day to be upset about it, to hash it all out, to try and be really pissed about it. After this, I am over it-really.