Amazing late night!!!

Wow! What an amazing time of fellowship we all had last night. We carpooled and drove to Pensacola to meet David Eells and his fellowship group. www.unleavenedbreadministries.org We had a blast yakking all the way there. How refreshing!

We arrived at David's in plenty of time to enjoy meeting him and some of the brethren that gather every Sunday and Wednesday. I learned much about the Jubilee! And here I thought it was every 7th year. It is the 50th year! We discussed Leviticus 25:10 and Joshua 3:7. Simply amazing!

Cat, the Lord is talking directly to you- we just talked about your thoughts on Jubilee the other day!

We had the priveledge of having a local celebrity along for the ride- Kristie God has truly blessed you what a pleasure to spend several hours with you.

I want to say thank you to my boss, Jeremiah @ Golden Gulf Limousines (www.goldengulflimousines.com) for allowing us to use the van.

We are old-fogies we fell into bed when we got here about 1:45am. I can't tell you the last time we got home that late. The Lord blessed me thought as my friend had kept both of the kids and for the 1st time in years I woke up on my own- no phones ringing, no knocks on my door, and no screams from down the hall.

Have a blessed day everyone!

Snow!!!!!!!!!!!!

It snowed in southern Mississippi this morning!!!!

Mia thinks we can go ice skating and have a "snow fight."

If only we could!

The kids are becoming more independent...

And we are all enjoying it!

They are little hams as this proof shows: Ok, so this one was obviously staged but they do come out and play just the 2 of them on their own accord.

And sometimes, Mia comes in and says "Mommy, I need you."

And I say "What do you need me for, Mia?"

"Josiah fell off the ramp."

And as you can see he just laid there waiting for me to come and "unhook" him!

They are letting me have a little more time even in the house.

Now that Josiah can make the Jeep go- he loves to drive all around the house.

Too bad he can't steer and push the pedal at the same time.

But that is coming and then I'll say:

"I wish he would stop growing and stay little- just a little while longer!!!!!!!!!!"

And in no time flat, I'm going to hear Mia reading him a real book.

Part of me can't wait and part of me can wait a little while longer!

Livestock Day!

Stacey and Wayne loading Sassy.
The kids and I helped Stacey move last week. It was hard work but I loved moving all the horses! Last Tuesday we moved 13 horses- 4 trailer loads! We had a few scary moments, loose horses, 1 broken lead rope, 1 near trampling, and most of the horses loaded and unloaded like they do it every day.

I wish I had a picture of Mia leading a horse out of the 30 acre pasture! And another of her pushing the goats her dad and I were leading to the trailer!

Thank you Stacey for this opportunity!

A New Journey!

A new journey, does that mean that the old ones ended? Or does it simply mean that one has been added? Or could it be a combination of both?

I have been inspired this morning reading a couple of other blogs (Joyful Chaos and Cheaper By the Half Dozen) to enjoy the learning and creative process I am in right now.

New journey; well our new journey is that 2 full months into homeschooling we have ordered, received and begun using the new curriculum. So far (after one whole day of using it) I love it and Mia seems to enjoy it too!

I have just been encouraged that the way I do things is perfectly ok! I can have 6 books going at one time. I can start and stop books as I see fit. I can learn about homeschooling, raising boys, horses and God all while I through a good fiction work in the middle. Guess what, surprise! All of this just might encourage my kids to love learning as much as I do! And guess what else, the way my Mom chose to do it is perfectly okay too! At least it sure gave me a love of learning that takes on many facets and even though I am 33 and haven't take an official class in several years I learn and grow daily and use all of that knowledge in some form or fashion!

Thank you Lord, for teaching me that I can do things differently than others and its okay it doesn't mean I am wrong.

Weekend of Blessings!

Where to begin???

Well, my Dad's surgery went even better than the first one! NO swelling! (Is that actually possible- I guess so since that is the report I received.)

We had a very successful yard sale!

I was able to stay home on Saturday and spend a day with the fam!

Sat night was a royal adveture complete with a palace. As we wished Bryan best wishes and prayers as he ascends to the sky to journey to Israel.

We got to eat out! ... more than once! (We'll have to pull that back into line - quickly.)

Josiah is doing very well with potty training!

Mia is learning, learning, learning!

We have groceries!

We have gas!

We have the Lord!

We have family!

We have friends!

We are truly blessed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please pray for my Dad!

My dad has his second knee replacement this morning! His first was in Aug and they are completeing the second almost as we speak.

Please pray for a smooth surgery with NO complications, NO blood clots, and a quick and thorough recovery!

Love you Dad!

Hair cuts... may not be perfect but they work.

Shaggy is how Josiah appeared to me this morning. With bangs hanging in his eyes and sides covering his ears it was definately time for a hair cut. Easier said than done considering his neck and ears are about the most ticklish I have ever seen.

So I got brave and got the clippers with combs of course and set to work.

Quit a while later and with a few wispies here and there this is the finished product.

Not too much the worse for wear if I do say so myself. How mature he looks (minus the sippy cup). Well, there he is my "son - shine."

Fear- how quickly it grows.

I opened my email this morning and read an e-mail from Jared. Welcome surprise since we haven't heard from him in a while. The subject of his e-mail: fear and how with God it can quickly be overcome.

As I sit reading I hear a distinct rattling in the foil that remains on some of my windows to block the Mississippi summer heat. I decide to go investigate expecting a tree roach. But when I raise the blinds I see ... a tail hanging out from under the foil. My first thought - scaredy cat that I am - mouse. But silly me realizes that if it were a mouse I would see a bulge in the foil.

So I begin to remove the foil to find exactly what I am now expecting, a gecko. Lizard - mouse almost equally as repulsive and scary. For the first time - I am very grateful there was no screen in that window!!!!! I just opened the window and directed the gecko out into the bush.

Thank you Lord, for the small things like a missing screen in the right place and time.

Josiah! Such a big boy!

Josiah is doing well with his potty training! He knows where and when to go and what to do when he's done. He stands over the flushing toilet hands on the rim watching his accomplishment go down the tubes! Then we all (Mia, Josiah and I and sometimes Daddy) hoot and holler and clap and tell him what a good boy he is.

Now if we can figure out how to get him to do all of this when he has on more than his birthday suit.

Wonders never cease....

When I lay things down at my Lord's feet it is amazing what happens. Several weeks ago I was laying down my self esteem or lack there of. When the gracious one himself showed me exactly what my husband and I accomplish together.

• raising children
• running a household
• two jobs

And suddenly he added homeschool to that list of things that we do together with him and guess what? The three of us are pretty competent.

Now today he adds a new one:

I can function on about 5-6 hours of very broken sleep and handle the busiest day at work I have had yet. Amazing!

Thank you Lord for using me as a vessel. Thank you for giving my boss confidence in me to allow me to see that I could handle what has been dished out to me. Lord I pray that I have handled all of this with grace and dignanty and treated each person involved as you would want me too. Please forgive me if I mishandled the dispatcher last night.

Amazing revelation! I am woman hear me roar! I am on a mission with a vision and a passion.

I can't wait to see what's next and yet I am ready for a nap.

Thank you, Lord.

For libraries, horse-back riding lessons, for women's resource centers, for husband's who are incredibly patient, for children who love you even when you didn't handle the discipline right, for times of reflection, for groceries, for friends, for miracles, for flexible jobs, for mercy and grace.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13

My God shall meet all your needs through his riches in glory. Phil 4:19

Thank you for your Word- I don't have to remember everything- I can just look it up.

And most of all thank you Lord for your sovereignty in all things.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance...mature and complete. James 1:2-4

You are blessed!

Lord, I lift some loved ones up to you today.

Lord, I am so very grateful for your sovereignity! I could not function without you oh, Lord. I am so glad that you are ever present, all knowledgable, all able. Lord, your Holy Spirit steps in and gives me words when I have none, gives me actions when I don't know what to do. I have to do my part but even before I come to the end of me you have already started. You have guided me and directed me through every second of every day. Thank you. What is even more is that you do all of these miraculous things for not just me but for everyone else as well.

So I come to you asking for break through, direction, guidance, strength, patience, etc. I ask not only for ourselves but also for the Maag's, the Munger's, the Stuebing's, the Blansett's, Johnson's, the Cameron's, the Peter's, the Sodini's and the McDaniels' and all whom we know and love or whom we have never met.

Thank you that all bills are paid in full; all pantries supplied to overflowing; all physical, emotional and mental pain gone; all health is whole the way you intended; all are restored and refreshed in the name of Jesus. Thank you that each of us will be able to reach out to others and help them in there need. That we would all "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33.

Thank you that: "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 futue. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

"Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request." 1 Chronicles 4:10 I think other versions have the last part different in that it asks that we not cause pain for others.

Lord, I ask your forgiveness for any and all sins that I have committed both known and unknown. I thank you for the priveledge of being your child, wife, mother, teacher, friend, and sister. Lord, I love you with all my heart and ask you to be in everything today.

Daddy Time

Chris and Mia worked together to change the oil in both of our vehicles this afternoon.

Thank you Lord, for Mia's eagerness to learn.

Josiah woke up about 9:30p the other night and we ended up having a very precious memory created!

The whole family playin' around! (from July)

Home School!

Well, we are now in our 3rd week of homeschool! I can't believe it! The book Angi shared with me many monthes ago and her words just a few weeks ago are priceless! She encouraged me that I wouldn't know until I tried. That everything would come into it's own and yet somehow we would grow and change with it.

I'm not sure there were ever truer words spoken! I have with the grace of God changed and molded my unusual schedule to accomodate homeschool most days. Even when I feel I have accomplished little to nothing I know that homeschool was a top priority that day and had been accomplished. Had you told me 3 weeks ago that not only would I be homeschooling but for the moment consolidating my own curriculum I would have laughed and thought you were as crazy as a loon. Now I jump at opportunities to go bird watching, see brand new , 24hour old, baby kittens and anything else I can get my hands on. I was able to take Mia and Josiah on a bike ride the other day and you know what? That would be considered PE or gym! Add that memory to my lesson plans would you?!

Family... it is a many splendered thing! All 6 of us!!!

The girls were here for a visit at the beginning of the summer!

I can't believe it! Bekah (redhead in the back)was 4 when I came into the picture and she has turned 17 this summer! Someone please tell her she can't graduate yet! Jen next to me, turned 16 last Feb. Jen is a sophmore in Midland, MI at the rival school to where Bekah goes. Mia is 5 and loving homeschool Kindergarten. Josiah is 2 and all boy!
Don't tell anybody because it seems like yesterday- but Chris and I celebrated our 12th Anniversary a couple weeks ago!

All of the kids with their "famous" Papa Red!

Red and his wife Nancy helped us escape Katrina in 2005.

Mia and Jen

Mia and Josiah

Bekah and Mia

Jen and Bekah! Their favorite pass time while they were here was taking pictures of themselves. They look more alike than I ever realized.

Girls, we all miss you tons:)

Waterslide Party

Saturday we had a blast with the home fellowship gang! We celebrated Israel and Keeton's birthday!

My hubby! Soak and wet and having a ball!

My babies! Having more fun than they could stand!

John, Josiah, and Keeton (Happy 1st B'day! Big boy!)

The famous slide: Angi and the DellDog!

Aw, they are hugging each other!

Angi heading down the slide! Bethany going up!

Bethany, Chris, Angi, and John all preparing for take off!

Angi, the traveler and her GilGuy.

An Unexpected Adventure... Face to Face with the big guns.

I had 2 bus runs yesterday. Nice. Unexpected. I went in for a normal bus run yesterday and got a surprise: President Bush was flying in and therefore my 2nd bus run would be delayed. They were closing the airspace from 4p-7p. No big deal.

When I got to the Atlantic Aviation (FBO) (a.k.a. the private airport) I was not only able to see Airforce One- I was able to take pictures, too.

The police officer who took me out on the tarmac to see it said that the 2 men on the platform were holding AK 47's (or some big guns) and that they would be looking at me to see what I was pointing at the plane. Moment of uncertainty. And then I snapped away. By the way Mom, I think my new camara takes pretty great pictures.

So we waited and waited and then they told us to go out and load our passengers. While we were loading passengers on the tarmac they told us not to drive away until they gave us the go ahead. Well, I wasn't going anywhere because there was a police car parked immediately infront of my bus. We got on our buses and waited for the go ahead and all of a sudden: AirForce One went right by us. There was maybe a 100-150 feet between our vehicles and the plane. Then it turned around and began to prepare for take off. This picture is just before take off- maybe 5 seconds before they were airborne.

And there off...........................................

What do we do when nothing seems right and yet... nothing is wrong?

I am in one of those places the last couple of days where nothing feels right or even ok. And yet what do I have to complain about? Nothing! We have each other and the kids.

Phone calls and packages from home! The packages are the best!!! They have come over the last several weeks with just about everything they could possibly carry. Our mothers have sent books, crayons, clothes, toys (for young and not so young). Mia loves school! Everyone is healthy! We have a NEW roof (literally) and a home we love! Vehicles that run well and are dependable! Faith! And last but certainly not least friends and family we love!

And speaking of kids:

Josiah got a little frustrated with the sit-n-spin today.

So Mommy "stepped in" to help him out.

Thank you Lord

My dad came home from the hospital today! He is doing awesome. Thank you for all your prayers, angels.

What a week... full of blessings!

We have had a full week! Chris has had a full week! Praise God - he is picking up the hours at both of our jobs!!!! Mia has been waking up every morning for school even though she would rather go in a couple of hours later. Josiah and I have helped our friend move all week! Whew! I think she is almost done! Just 6 horses, 4 dogs and several cats and a few stray boxes and odds and ends to go!


The kids have worked awfully hard this week:

More importantly, the Lord carried my dad through his surgery and he should be coming home today. Wish they were here or we were there. Dad's going to be walking again in no time! Thank you Aunt Karen and Karen for being there for my Mom and Dad!


Josiah thinks he's ready for school too!

Computer Science, already!?!?!

Blessings...Sometimes I need to stop and count my Blessings

Several times in the last few days I have been reminded to stop and count my blessings. I had an e-mail from my friend concerning her court date tomorrow to have her daughter placed back in her custody. How scary to have a child taken from you. I can't begin to imagine. I can't imagine what waking up and not having one of the kids here would be like. So I am thanking God in advance that in his infinite wisdom he is going to return this precious child back to her mother.

I am thankful that my father's surgery is going to go smoothly tomorrow. There will be no complications and certainly no blood clots. His knee will heal quickly and completely and be as good as new. I am very thankful that my father and mother have each other.

I thank you Lord for putting the 2 women in my path this weekend that you have. For the young woman I thank you that she is safely in Japan, fed and rested. For the other I thank you that she is receiving a home and a job today. The restoration of her belongings that disappeared in the fire.

Lord, I pray for peace to all of the many who have lost loved ones recently. Thank you that each of those that have "passed away" have had personal relationships with you and have therefore, passed into your arms.

Lord, I thank you that through all of these many trials and circumstances you make us stronger, you draw us closer to you. James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

Josiah...The Wonder Boy

Well Tim, boy were you right when you said the peace and quiet of having a girl was gone forever. And yet we love our adorable bouncing baby boy who grows leaps and bounds by the second more than we could ever imagine.

He has a never ending imagination that leads him in a million directions:

from dressing up in Mom's shoes:

playing with Mom's cooler for work:

cleaning up his own mess:

to driving:
the new trampoline:and here is our freshly trimmed handsome boy:

the object of his curiosity: "Saint"