Prayer

Sorry I haven't blogged in soooooo long. Holidays. I just received some bad news. A "distant" neighbor friend of mine just found out her unborn baby girl has trisomy x. She is not married, but has a steady boyfriend (father of the unborn baby) and a 17 month old daughter. They are obveously reeling from the news -- just found out last night. I am unsure where their faith is. Please pray. thank you.

Drum Roll Please......

(Bada bada bada bada bada bada)

Announcing....... with much pleasure.....we are.......

(Bada bada bada bada bada bada)


The new recipients.......

(Bada bada bada bada bada bada)


Of a Habitat For Humanity Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (CHA CHING!!!)
Yes that's right, folks!!!!

We will own our very own home in just a few (hopefully short) months! :D

Oh if you could only feel the excitement! If you could only hear the praises of Thanksgiving to the Lord!

If you could catch a glimpse of the renewed hope, the sense of joy overflowing, the feeling of peace in our household!

We are not only completely THRILLED that we will be able to move out of our tiny apartment (approx. 600 sq. ft.) to a much bigger (approx. 1100 sq. ft, maybe more), but I was very quick to realize that we will be able to PUT DOWN ROOTS for our children!!!

The Lord has given us a sneak peek at the future in telling us that he wants us to stay here awhile to do some of His work! Although that may be a little sad to our friends/family in Michigan, we can always still visit. And who knows where we may be in 5 to 10 years? Only God. Much praise is given to the Lord Most High for giving us a preview of what I'm sure everyone wonders about -- "What does God have in store for us?"

Without further adieu, here is a picture of the house
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The most work that will be required is that the bathroom needs to be gutted and the cabinets need to come down in the kitchen. It is a 3 bedroom so now DD can finally have a room of her own, which she is THRILLED about, I might add! We will be turning the attic into a playroom and we have a 1 car garage (not the one pictured, though) with a backyard. We will be putting in a chain-link fence in the back as well. We are asking (begging, really) volunteers of our church and my MOPS group to help. We need to log 500 hours total to complete our commitment and we want as much of the labor to be free as possible because the remainder goes into our mortgage.

So, here we sit, in the middle of paint swatches, cabinet and bathroom catalogs. What's that you ask? Oh, "aren't you jumping the gun"? Nope! Because #1) I'm excited!!!!!!!!!!!! #2) You try deciding paint, making it match, and designing the looks of your flooring, walls, trim, cabinets, sinks, toilet and tub as well as exterior paint and landscaping all at once and tell me how long you think it would take you to plan! HaHa! Oh, but it is a fun thing that I get to do all this and that my DH told me before we got married that decorating was completely my choice!!! :) We shall see if he sticks with that or renigs! :) I'm not a complicated person, but I tend to change my mind a lot esp. when it comes to decorating. I tend to go for very trendy looks, so I need to choose wisely so I won't be outdated in like a year or two. I also know for a fact that I most definitely will not be having any eggshell white or light tan like my dreadful apartment. No more of that! That is definitely too drab for me! I like liveliness! Excitement! Pizazz! So, keep checking......I will post when I get a chance. With DH working 6 days a week, I have to coordinate all of the work dates as well as oversee the crew and be present while the house is being worked on. ~~ Anyone want to come and help??? Do you know how to swing a hammer, wave a paint brush, rip off shingles and put on new ones?? C'mon over!!! Do you like kids? Come watch my angels while DH works and I am supervising. Do you not know how to do any of that stuff and you still want to help? That's ok too! We'll all learn together! Anyone who puts hours in to helping us counts toward our 500 hours, so the more the merrier! Well, I must be going! Decisions to be made! Hope to write again soon!

Stay Tuned......

Big news in the Baker household to follow..........after our local homework assignment(s) are completed......

Precious Children

Sitting at the dinner table tonight. I can tell this is going to be a long week. DH having trouble with his knee again; bursitis or something. Not sure. More appointments and poking/prodding in the very near future while DH works in quite a bit of pain. DD is excited about a field trip tomorrow, DS#1 just now seems to be hitting the terrible twos or will it be tumultuous threes??? Heh heh...time will tell on that one....we shall see.....DS#2 is climbing and then standing on everything with a victorious look like he just conquered Mount Everest each time. So, we sit down to have baked potatoes with broccoli, cheese (not for the DD and DS#1 -- they don't like it if its not highly processed), some bacon bits and "Salad Toppins" (look them up in your groc. store -- crunchy things to put on salads & stuff). I quickly cooked the broccoli in the mic and then semi-cooled them to cut up for the kids. I found little bugs in my broccoli. Dead bugs, but bugs none-the-less. Luckily, I hadn't served it yet. At first, I thought it was just one or maybe two, then upon closer examination, I realized it was in all the broccoli that was on the plates I was just about to serve the kids. So, I decided to chuck that, saving just a bit in case the entire bunch that I purchased yesterday was ruined. Either I bought organic for $1.99 on sale, or the pesticides that they no doubt use for the non-organic doesn't work. Either way, not too pleased at this point. Cooked up some more, there were no bugs. Yea! So, without nary a word to the children, I served the bug-free broccoli. I was planning on waiting for DH to get home from work before eating, but then upon smelling the delicious aromas from the kids' food, I decided to go ahead and eat with them. So after preparing their plates, I started doing mine.

Ya know how they say hindsight is 20/20? Why do they say that? You can never go back and change whatever you've done wrong anyways. Like putting the bacon bits and Salad Toppins on the table where a (almost) three year old is present....first came the bacon bits -- just about 2 Tablespoons, I'd say, onto a single ice cream scoop sized potato. OK, not too bad. Just know that you are gonna have to eat all your potato, DS#1! So, do I take into consideration the Salad Toppins are now fair game? No. I turn back around and continue preparing my potato. DD says, "Mom, look what DS#1 just did!" Now, on top of the bacon bits, there are about 1/4 cup (maybe more) of Salad Toppins. AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
I took off as much as I could and put back. They were dry, and he didn't have any sauce or anything on his potato and well, there was quite a heap of them, so I could pick out the potatoes.

I sat down to eat. The kids were doing a lot of bickering this afternoon. And attempted to carry it on at the table. I just tried to eat and tune them out. It was nothing serious they were fighting about. I tried to carry on a conversation with DD about what she did in school today, and she said "all I can remember is not taking out a white card." Which is good that she didn't get into trouble, but she's not going to school to narrowly avoid the school system's discipline... LOL! As voices raise to a deafening height, I find myself staring at one of my pictures on the wall. And my thoughts start to wander...It has two ff's in it. That's like fortissimo. (a musical term, for those of you who don't know) I wonder if I can shrink myself and just disappear into those ff 's? Then, I could be really loud, like fortissimo. Maybe I could even be fortississimo...hmm. Then I wouldn't have to listen to their silly fighting... Yeah! I know! It'd be like DH & Twig going through the holes in the wall in their boredom at the guy's house! {Note: In between the fun and silliness of the goings-on with DH and his roommates, there was much boredom -- this was an inside joke developed during one of those times}. I was instantly snapped back to attention when I noticed DD's plate looking real shiny. She was dumping on the salt. She has done this before, and we have made her try a bite with all the salt. You'd think she would remember, but I guess she had a brain fart. Oh well, we all have them. They can't be helped. So I look across the table to DS#2, (who is watching everything that's going on and taking mental note, no doubt) and say "What am I gonna do with your brother & sister?" He looks at one sibling, then the other and back to me and smiles real big. -- He can't wait to join them! DS#1 says "I have a idea!" "What?" I said. "Let's go someplace." slightly chuckling, I said, "OK. Where?" DS#1 "On 'Cation!" That really brought the much-needed laughter out of me! "Where do you want to go on vacation, DS?" "To town!" (Now, I am really laughing!) Sissy said "Let's go to Florida so we can go to Disney World!" DS then said "No, I wanna go to town and watch baseball! Far far away!" They excitedly rambled on their plans. All in all, it was a fun dinnertime.

Thank you, God, for loaning me some of your most precious, prized and beloved possessions! They are a treasure from heaven and I love them dearly.

My eczema story

My eczema started 2 months after I got pregnant with DS#2. So, I have suffered with it for almost two years. It started on my pinky finger on my left hand. At first, I didn't know why my finger was peeling and slightly itchy. It didn't start really being a bother until about six months after it started. But then it was only one finger, so it wasn't a big deal. It is now on my pinky, and middle finger all the way around on my left hand, and in between my middle and ring and ring and pinky fingers on my left hand. It is on my right hand on my middle and ring fingers all the way around and starting up my pointer finger. So, it has gotten progressively worse over the two years and is a HUGE deal!! It is also on the backs of my hands near the mentioned fingers and on the palm of my left hand. I have tried Noxema or Aquaphil and gloves at night, Topicort, a prescription given by my family dr and Eucerin lotion several times a day. Nothing really helped. Especially when my kids were sick and hand-washing quintupled! At times, I have had to take Tylenol or Advil just so I could sleep at night. I have worn rubber gloves while doing dishes for probably about a year. To put a rumor to rest; eczema is NOT contageous. I learned recently that it is hereditary. If asthma, hay fever, or hives runs in your family, you are suceptable to getting eczema. (And also if eczema runs in your family, obveously.) Well, we have all of those except eczema in my extended family. On with the story....

I had waited a l-o-n-g time to go to the dermatologist, because my family dr told me that I had to have DS#2 weaned first, due to the fact that I would be getting an oral steroid treatment. So, at the beginning of Sept., I went back to family dr so he could refer me to a dermatologist and he decided to give me the steroid pack himself first. I took it and it was like a miracle! Within 48 hours, my eczema was gone! Then, 24 hours after I finished the steroid, it was back. So I had to go back in to the family dr to get a referral to the dermatologist. They at first couldn't get me in until the end of Oct, and I called and begged them for anything cancellation-wise. They got me in two days later (which was Thurs). I was told that I had a "severe" case of hand-eczema. {Like, tell me something I don't know!} Further, that he was going to prescribe a hydrocortisone cream but the best way to help myself was to pamper myself, and to sit tight, they had a lot to teach me. So, they told me that eczema wasn't curable, but they could teach me how to make the itching, redness, swelling and pain go away. I thought, Ok! I am game! When I informed them of my "occupation" of a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) with 2 children in diapers, they said "oh, goodness! You probably get your hands wet 25 times or more a day!" I said, "Yeah, you're probably right!" They told me that I was to only wash my hands or get them wet 5 or 6 times a day! How was I going to accomplish that, I wondered? Well, they said get a pair of cotton gloves and also a box of latex gloves and double glove for everything that might get my hands wet except after I go to the bathroom, when in the shower, and of course before and after meals. That's it. Everything else, double glove. When doing dishes, I have worn the long gloves for about a year, because without them, by the end of one day, my hands are soooooo raw I cannot bend my fingers. Seriously! They look very old and even arthritic. Well, before doing dishes, I would slather on the lotion. I thought the heat was helping the lotion to soak in. Come to find out, that was worse! It actually caused my hands to sweat, and that is a bad thing because it makes your natural skin oils come out instead of staying in where it can moisturize. Oops! So now, I have to put the cotton liners on, then the rubber gloves. I have to use Norwegian formula Neutrogena Body Emulsion Lotion LOTS each day. ;) Dr said it would work better than Eucerin cream. He was right! Major difference! And a tube for my purse. I also had to buy Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser for my hands. One bottle for the kitchen and one for the bathroom. It doesn’t foam or bubble which, I’m told, is what I want because the bubbling and foaming is what dries your skin. Don’t ask me how it actually cleans and I won’t pretend to know what I’m talking about! This was a hefty little investment, but as my DH said, if I don’t have the things I need in multiple places, then I won’t always use what I’m suppose to and will defeat the purpose of the other efforts I’m making and I wouldn’t get better. Also, when I do a diaper change or even peel veggies, prepare meals, and give the kids a bath, I have to wear the cotton gloves then latex! Well, not actually latex. I was concerned being that I would be touching the food the kids eat that they may have a latex allergy that we don't know about yet. Fine with the diaper changes and baths, but if I'm going to be touching food that they will take internally, I don't want them to have anaphylactic shock and have to beat the clock to get them to the hospital when there are alternatives to the latex. I chose Nitrile exam gloves. They were 40 gloves for $4.46 at Walmart. Yikes!!! I will be contacting medical supply companies to find out how much they are in those types of stores next time! The Nitrile gloves are non-latex and powder free. Anyways, for the plain jane latex they were only 50 gloves for 3 bucks, so not much of a difference in price. I just didn't want to take the risk, can you blame me? Well, I decided that when changing the boys' diapers I am only gonna wear gloves if they did a #2. This might sound gross, but if its just a #1, then I don't touch anything that's wet. You get quite efficient after doing diaper changes like 15 times a day for 5+ years, believe me! Then, I also reasoned that when I change a #2, regardless if my gloved hands get anything on them, I would wash my gloves (while I am wearing them) with antibacterial soap (which is also very drying and bad for your skin 25 times a day, by the way) and dry the gloves really well and reuse them. Sound gross? If you think about it, that's exactly what you would do even if you weren't wearing gloves and you had bare hands, right? You don't throw away your hands after each diaper change...so why the gloves? I can't possibly be throwing away multiple pairs of them each day, esp at a price of .11 each! Sounds cheap, but if you add it up day by day, it gets expensive very quickly! It's a pain in the neck to apply two layers of gloves just to grab a washcloth to wipe off the kids' faces, but I'll tell you something -- it hasn't even been 48 hours since I've started this regimen and it has made a drastic improvement in how my hands look and feel. I was also told to double glove when scrubbing the floor, washing the car, and washing windows. I'm telling you, though: the chemicals and soaps we use for everyday cleaning burn my hands terribly! I don't know why I didn't think of the glove thing myself. Even the acid from grapes, apples and bananas stings. Who would have thought? Anyways, the topical steroid cream I use before bed and right when I get up is good. My only regret? I wish my family dr would have sent me to the dermatologist months ago when I originally asked him about it -- I could have found relief much sooner! I have had a bit of adjusting to pampering myself. Most moms put themselves last. I am one of them. Perhaps this is the Lords way of saying "you need to do this for yourself so you aren't in pain." I would almost cry giving my kids baths, it was terrible! I kind of feel like I've been given a life-sentence. The dr said that my skin-system was failing me much like having lung or heart failure. Well, when you put it that way, I guess hand eczema isn't so bad. But it is still life-changing -- since I have to do everything so differently than before. It's so weird and amazing how one little doctors visit can change your life as you know it. I am truly thankful that it is not more serious!

If anyone learns something from this that will help yourself or anyone else you know, please comment. If you have an eczema story you'd like to share, please comment. Or, you may email me at: seeker_4_christ@yahoo.com.

BTW, in case anyone is wondering, I use a different pair of gloves for diaper changing than I do for food prep -- just in case! ;)

A change was due

A change was due to this blog of mine. It had to match the season. I've added my picture (finally) for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of knowing me IRL. I've added other things, and taken other things away. Browse, lurk, check it out, comment. Commenting is good. Feedback is better. I also added a "theme verse" for myself. When I searched my heart and asked God which to choose, He led me to the verse listed. (See under blog title). And so I read the chapter and found great comfort in His words to Jeremiah. I am hereby claiming Jer. 31: 2-8 as my verses that I will cling to and claim as my own. I claim them over my life in the name of Jesus.

Note to self...and anyone else who might heed my warning...

When taking the task upon yourself to put new staples in your stapler, don't wonder if there's any "whole sticks" of staples in the box, and thereby dump out your box of 5,000 staples. For it is a Pandora's Box in reality.
Now why, in the world, do staples come in boxes of 5,000??? Does anyone know? I mean, I know if you were working in an office then you go through a lot quite quickly, but come on! 5,000? I also know from my days in the office that when you place an order through your purchasing dept that they come in packs of like 6 or 8 boxes (maybe more) from Office Max or wherever. Yet another type of conspiracy, if you ask me. Oh, there are hundereds, maybe even thousands of those, right under your nose, and you probably don't even realize it. You've probably never stopped to think about it before. And you think Big Brother is just a reality tv show! Ha! Sorry for me going weird. I'm gonna have to do a post soon about my own conspiracy theories. Stay tuned -- its bound to be a great read! All joking aside, though. To make my staple matters worse, did you know that you cannot just "shove" those blasted things back in the box? Oh, no. You've gotta stack 'em. Makes sense, I guess, since that is how they came out of the box. So, the pic above is my Pandora's Box mess, and the pic below is how I had to reorganize them just to put them away.

Yellow Jackets

Reading a friend's blog about flying ants made me think of an expierence of my own, so I thought I'd write about it. It was terrible! Read on...We have had a serious problem with Yellow Jackets this month! I can't put my daughter on or get her off the bus without the terrible things swarming around and dive bombing me and my kids! Its really aweful! About 4 weeks ago, I got stung by one. DS#2 almost got stung cuz it landed on his face and he went cross-eyed and swatted, which made the yellow jacket mad, and it dove for DS#2 so then I instinctively swung at it for coming near my baby. I connected with its head, which, needless to say, made it come after me. Then, as it landed, I knew what was going to happen, and I dropped DS#2 in the process of trying to ward it off and not get stung myself. It didn't work. I got stung anyways, but at least my baby didn't. And he only got a scrape on the leg, which was much less than what is still "bugging" me. (no pun intended.) That thing, thought was rotten! I had to squeeze it to death to pull it out of my arm! It wouldn't brush off. You know, when something lands and stings or bites you, you try to give it the ole"brush off"? Yeah, no. Not happening with this one! I guess it got stuck. The sting-site ached and kept me from sleeping well for almost 4 days; also my inside forearm swelled, got really hot and there was a red area about the size of a softball. it only swelled about and inch and a half, though. My parents were not as concerned, until they saw what I was telling them was true! My brother saw 24 hrs post sting, then saw it 48 hrs post sting and became alarmed that my body was reacting that way but I wasn't having any breathing problems. My dad took an Xacto knife to my arm and removed what we thought to be not only a stinger but also the venom-sack. But why am I still itching? I am highly allergic to Benadryl. I cannot take a children's dose of the children's liquid without passing out for at least 2 hours. Let alone and adult pill. So the only comfort I have is the cream (tried it, it KILLED me to try to rub it in!) or the Caladryl, or that AfterBite stuff. Both work ok, but only last for about 20 minutes, then the immense itching/redness/hotness is back. We have not been able to play outside or get into our van without 4 or 5 coming in with us. It really makes you leary and edgy and kinda like a looney bin in your head to see them or have them flying around you after getting stung that bad! You start freaking out, I mean really losing your mind whenever you are outside. I wouldn't classify myself as an outdoors kinda girl, although I am making an effort to be moreso for my kids' sake, but I'm not typically scared of stinging insects. I usually just calmly shoo them away and they don't get to me. Not now. Hopefully next year we won't have such an outbreak or bumpercrop or whatever you want to call it. The first year we were here, was the year of the houseflies. Terrible. Much rather that in my house that I can chase and kill without the potential of harm coming to me and my children vs. the Yellow Jackets. See, I thought it was just my apt. complex, till I started going to the store, and I was 4 blocks from home at a stoplight and saw them trying to get into a car 3 cars behind me. Yes, I could see them that far back -- that's how many there were around here! Plus, they were all around at two different stores in two different cities about 5-10 miles apart, and about 15 miles from my place. Apparently, it is a NE Ohio thing. Yeay! Aren't we special? I only hope I don't get stung again. Ever. I haven't bene stung by anything since I was a teen, and back then, I wasn't allergic. Now, who knows? The reaction I displayed was so bad that I wonder what would happen if I got more than one sting? I don't want to find out, but I'm considering myself borderline allergic. I spoke to my Pharmacist friend, who said my only option was to use the topcial cream or lotion. So, it has been a l-o-n-g time healing. Although the pain was gone by about 7-10 days, the bump is still there and quite itchy when touched or brushed against something. Which is like all the time since it's on the inside of my forearm. What do you think?

This wonderful time of Autumn

First, I want to say a big CONGRATULATIONS to my friends Mindy & Mike!! The Lord has blessed them with a baby! They are now pregnant after trying to conceive for 6 1/2 years! Much love to them! :)

I love to keep the temp inside down low so I can dress warmly and drink coffee or hot cocoa frequently! :) Besides, my birthday, anniversary, DS#1 b-day and Curt's b-day are all in fall! I love it! The football, although I can't see many MSU games down here. :( Only if they play Ohio State or Penn State; maybe a few others. But, I frequently call my dad during the games to get that great play-by-play action! Today, my DD was suppose to wear the color red, as they are studying the word, color, and things that are red. And the fact that OSU plays Penn State tomorrow. DD asked me to wear red, too. I thought and thought, and told her, "Ya know, Mommy just can't do it! This girl bleeds green and white!" Of course, that alarmed her, so I had to explain. But I can't betray my home state of Michigan just because we moved here 2 1/2 years ago. Looking forward to a great year w/ MSU -- can they do it????? Will this be the year?? We shall soon find out....

Also, this time of year causes me to be introspective. Which is a great thing. It can turn out to be a bad thing if I do it too much, but to heck with reevaluating myself at the end of the year, I like to do it now, when everything is crisp. I feel more alive now. By January, I'm ready to hibernate and do nothing. That is not my best time to be creative. Today, I will be getting out my autumn decorations. I love fall so much that I heard a name once I might use if we ever adopt (considering biological kids aren't coming anymore) a little girl. The name would be Autumn Rain. Now, don't steal this from me! I wanted it for my DD, but everyone told me I couldn't use it because my DD was born when? (just checking if you all have been reading my posts! Ha!) she was born in the summer. Somehow Summer Rain just wasn't as nice sounding to me. If I could name DD all over again, it would most definately be Autumn Rain. Mindy, if you want, you can steal the name. :) I don't know anyone else who's pg, but I don't really care if someone steals it. I've always wanted to meet someone with my name, but never have in person. Once over the phone while working in a call center I did. Needless to say, we were both shocked! I could like totally roll around on the ground like a dog, that's how much I love fall! However, the last two years I have had allergy problems. But then, I was either pregnant or nursing. Now, I'm not, so I can pump my body full of drugs so I can enjoy this time of year! (jk!) Seriously, though, my options for medicine are now wide open, so I shouldn't be so miserable due to the fact that the dr cannot give me anything. I will be taking many pics of trees and maybe my decorations and posting, so stay tuned!

I Won! **update**

Yesterday, I won tickets to go see Anberlin (christian hard rock) at Cleveland's HOUSE OF BLUES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has been my hubby's and my DREAM since moving here to go to a concert there!!!!! (that and the bloom amphetheatre). I am totally GEEKED to say the least! I have not stopped running, skipping and jumping around since I won them. It was the greatest radio station in the whole universe that I won them from; The FREQ 107.1!!!! I love them and we here are truely blessed to have them. I won the Jolly Time Popcorn Question of the Day. (Thanks, Matt!! :-D ) I just can't stop listening to Anberlin. I can't decide between the radio and them! It's great! We have hubby's mom coming to watch kids for us. I will definately post pics (if they let us take them). At least before and after pics of us. What's more, is that DH and I get a date night! We haven't been out since our anniversary (which is coming up in a few weeks, by the way!) So we really need it! Thanks again, Matt! You're truely the best DJ ever!

**update** We went, we had a great time! Pics to come soon! Wanna get my fall decorations out today, then maybe post pics, or post Saturday. :) Awesome concert, though! Will go down in history as one of my favs based on location alone, not to mention the band ROCKED!

Its been a looooonnnnnggggg time!

Yes, I know it has. Between not having time to blog with end of summer vacations, school starting and spending quality family time, blogging has taken a back seat for me. I apologize. My daughter is now in kindergarten, and loving it. I was sent a note home yesterday that I had to sign and return! She was being disruptive in class and bossing others. :( I just knew that I would get a note home -- was hoping it was going to be a little further down the road. Three days into the schoolyear means that it may be a long year with trips to the principal's office. (Three minor offenses, which this was classified as, equal one major offense.) We shall pray continually and look for "teachable moments" to guide her heart in the right direction. Maybe we will end up homeschooling afterall??? Ok. Not going there and getting myself all rialed up. She loves riding the bus, and says she's already invited one of her friends for a sleepover. (To which I had to remind her to ask me first.) She loves music class, but really gets "bothered and annoyed" with her friends copying her in class. I explained to her that it was because they liked her and they thought she was cool and they wanted to be like her and you should have seen her face light up! "It is! Wow! I didn't know that!" she said. Last evening, we spent about 2 1/2 hours at K*Mart doing school clothes shopping. It was stressful. Let me tell you! She has the know-it-all attitude of a teenager with none of the reasoning skills. I'm not being mean here, but that's the best way I can sum it up. For instance, when asked "do you like these jeans?" her response: "Well, what was your question again? Oh yeah do I like the jeans, right mom? Let me think....(meanwhile, I'm standing there still holding the jeans and another 30 seconds goes by, then) No. I don't. Well, yeah, I guess I do. But I like those ones you asked me about before, too." By this, she would be actually referring to ones she turned down 3 pairs previous; meaning we have to go through like 10 pair to find them. Am I making my point? I guess I gave her too many choices. I should've just gone myself and bought them for her. I know she adores the color pink and also princesses. Next year, I will do this. It's just plain easier. The papers the teacher sends home is going to surely drown me by Christmas. Its not homework, just what equals a lot of "bathroom reading material". Its the PTO and Open houses, support the football team and the soccer team, and its the book fairs, etc. You all with kids in school or graduated know what I mean. Its a bit intimidating, and I typically have had about 45 minutes of reading per night to stay caught up with the goings-on of the school!

Ok. DS#1 is still doing well on his Zantac and we have a checkup appt tomorrow with the gastroenterologist. His appetite seems to be quite supressed, so I will be addressing this issue. He is also getting better at computer games and asks frequently to play games on the "On-a-net" (internet). We do some of the Yahooligans games, and some of the Nick jr games. He is getting good at doing a CD ROM game that is Maurice Sendak's "Little Bear". He can find things and games I ask him about, and he doesn't realize he's learning. He is also talking tons more without sissy around interrupting and speaking for him. Last week, DH asked him if he wanted a dog and that if he gets one, he's gonna have to pick up the dog poo from the yard. To which DS replied "EEEEEWWWW! No! I do want a dog, though. And a ball. I will throw the ball and say 'go catch, boieeeeee!' " (that would be 'boy' with the y drawn out.)

And now for DS#2. He is already 14 months and 5 days old! Waaaaaaa! My baby is growing up. I know he's still a baby, but my hormones are out of whack as he is weaned now. He hasn't nursed since Monday at about 11am. It was time. He was only nursing twice a day, before nap and bedtime, but he wasn't nursing to get to sleep much at all. I am currently not feeling so good in the chest area -- painful. Its amazing how quickly you forget stuff like that! That will pass soon, though. The main push for weaning was my problem with eczema. Its only on my hands, but come November, I will have suffered with it for 2 years. It came about when I was about 2 months pregnant with DS#2, and I was told not much can be done because of him being nursed. It has spread to double the surface-area than the original outbreak, and is itchy and I get water-filled bubbles that are very painful. Not to mention that my skin cracks and bleeds at the joints. My goal was to nurse to 12 months, and then take it from there, so I feel satisfied for reaching that goal. I just told my DH he should be happy that I have the eczema to make me want to wean so I can take care of it because otherwise who knows how long I would nurse, knowing this is my last baby??? LOL! I wouldn't nurse him past probably 18 months, if even that long. Did I mention that when DS#2 was 9 months old, my doctor told me that he was fairly certain that my eczema could be cleared up with one weeks worth of steroids and he thought it had only a low chance of returning? Let me say for someone who is extremely pro-nursing that made me want to wean him and start the formula right then and there!!!! But, I had to do what was in the best interest for my baby. I chose to suffer and put him first, because for me, that's what motherhood is about. Me taking a backseat and letting my kids enjoy life. :) And most of the time, I'm happy to do it. :) Today, DS#2 was in the backpack carrier while I was preparing dinner (yes I still use the backpack carrier! He is the biggest momma's boy you'll ever meet -- ever challenging him for that title is his big brother, though!) Anyways, I realized that right behind me, I heard DS#2 singing 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star'. No, I'm not kidding. And yes, I am bragging. :) Of course, he wasn't using the words, but he was saying "nana nana" to that distinct tune. What's more, is that I asked him if he was singing 'Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star' and he nodded yes with a big smile. I have been singing that to him lately to calm him before bed or during a diaper change when he just wants to get on with playing! Bragging about my kids is a decision I have made to go ahead and do on my blog. I have tried to be careful in past entries so as not to make people feel like I was saying "my kid is better than yours", but I decided that every parent feels like their own kid is the best kid, so I'm going ahead and doing it! Please don't take offense. It's nothing against your kids, I just love mine!!! :)

my fear of the Lord personal study

Remember a few posts back when I said I was gonna do that study? Well, I have. I was hoping to delve much more into individual but with hubby being gone around 80 hours a week, I am really taking care of the kids and household by myself, so I just don’t have the time. That is sad to me.

Here is what I believe is the bottom line of what I have learned: I looked up Psalm 111:10 in my New King James Personal Study Bible (by Thomas Nelson Publishers) and here is what it said: v10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever. I have footnotes that coincide with each verse and they say fear of the LORD: This phrase is used in the OT to designate true religion. That is, a life which expresses its accountability to God. This awareness of accountability to God is seen as the foundation of wisdom. See “The Fear of the Lord” at Gen. 20:11. So in Genesis 20:11 we read (v11) And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife. Then below in the footnotes area there is a grey box that’s the “focus” area which says: The OT has no word for religion. This is probably so because for the OT people all of life was religion. But the phrases the fear of God or the fear of the Lord come close to expressing what we mean by the term religion. It reflects a life-style which always takes into account that there is an all-wise, all-powerful, all-righteous God who holds people accountable for their behavior. To act sinfully is to act as though God is either too weak, too ignorant, or too inconsistent to enforce His will. To live in loving fellowship with God is possible only for those who “fear” Him.
That really about sums up this study for me. I miss doing that with my husband. We used to spend a few hours a day sudying the Bible when we were dating -- (I was working 40 hrs a week and he was laid up and we had no kids. Sometimes I really think "those were the days".) Maybe some day I can come back and reopen this study. That would be cool. I feel a peace about ending it now, though. And it has raised my awareness of the things that I do read, and I am slowly learning to filter more of what goes across the tickertape of my mind.
Those of you wishing to know more about what I found can contact me via email at: seeker_4_christ@yahoo.com.

Save your Money

Just a quick note: Save your money. Don't buy that Clorox Anywhere Hard Surface Cleaner. Pretty periwinkle blue bottle, but after purchasing and comparing to my large bottle of bleach at home, I'm quite certain it's just bleachwater in a fancy spray bottle. It was between $2 and $3 and I at first thought I was getting a good deal. I like it, but I could've made it myself much cheaper. I think those Clorox wipes are much better -- handy, although expensive. Just a heads up! ;)

Ooops!

I apologize for forgetting to update about DS#1. I talked with my mom and family members about it and forgot about my blog friends :( sorry! Anyways, the test results came last Thursday and he was put on Zantac twice a day as they believe that he has acid reflux. Poor lil guy! I'm glad that's all it is though. They tested and searched for many other more serious, life changing things (a bunch of things I cannot remember/pronounce) and it was none of them. Thank you and praise you Jesus! We have a follow up appointment in about a month to discuss if the Zantac is working. So far, it is. The last time he threw up was about July 13th or 14th. It has been over a month! Wow! But he's only been on the medicine since last Thursday.

My Lil' Guy

**UPDATE** Yesterday was the two scopes. Upper and lower. Doctor said there was nothing to cause major concern. Upper showed possibility of acid reflux, and the lower showed some signs of redness but was thought to be caused by the scope itself. No colitis, or Chrohns (sp?) Disease. Nothing abnormal or out of the ordinary. He did take some small tissue samples with a tiny brush and swabbed some different areas. They are testing for flu-like bugs that he maybe hasn't fought off that are hanging around. Those results will come back in 4-5 days at which point they will call me and discuss what meds to put him on and for how long. They will be giving him something for the reflux, but they want to know more of what they are dealing with first. We praise you Lord Jesus that You are the divine Healer! Thank you that my little boy has nothing major wrong! Do you all know how many times I myself have wanted to shrink and crawl into DS body just to try to help? It is an awful feeling to have your baby sick and not be able to make it go away or know what is causing it to avoid those certain things. It is miserable. Not to mention how the child must feel. Took awhile to get the procedure started. The other child that was there was picked up by the nurses and carried to the OR, but they said my DS looked so comfy they just wheeled the gurney he was lying on and took him that way. Let me tell you that was a God thing!!! Right now, DS doesn't like being taken away from his "mom-mom". It's not really a separation anxiety (at least at this point) but he just really likes to stick close to me. So for him to go with strangers and to be carried away by them would've been a lot worse. See, we had just made him a "nest" out of the warm blanket they brought him and his "fafa" (favorite blanky he goes NOWHERE without!) and a big fluffy pillow and his "fuzzy puppy" stuffed toy. He was chillin. I did well, too. But I will say that as he was being wheeled away and I was walking the other direction there was a moment of sadness in which I almost lost it and ran back blubbering, but right at that moment, the Holy Spirit calmed my nerves and said "I am with you. I am with him. Everything will be fine. Trust Me." And that's what I did. I didn't pray the whole time. I didn't feel like I needed to. In fact, I forgot to ask for prayer in church on Sunday, and I forgot all week to call my pastor! But it wasn't that I didn't want them to know or anything, I would lift up the procedure in prayer each time it came to mind during the week, and trust and know that God was in the midst of it, and then I would leave it at the throne. Isn't that what casting our cares on the Lord is all about? Sure, it surfaced in my mind occasionally, but not near to the magnitude as most things worry me. And each time I prayed, I felt an amazing amount of peace. Then I would forget to worry. Most previous times, I would worry then pray, then go right back to worrying again. I know that the Holy Spirit is moving over my life right now. I have gone back several times to my blog entry of what God is speaking to me and read it to myself. To remind myself both of what God said and what I am suppose to be doing and not doing. It is so hard to not read things other than what God told me to! Let me tell you: I LOVE to read!!!!! I will read anything news online, watch CNN's ticker tape, or occasionally MSN ticker tape to get caught up with what's going on in the world, but I read billboards, signs, even things like street signs I know what street they are. I am a reader of everything. But you know what? I realized I also read things like Hollywood gossip both on the opening page when I get online and in the checkout line of the grocery store. I never pick it up, but I still read. Its like my brain says "oh look there's some words." and that thought is instantaneous and I just read it without thinking what it is I'm looking at. I need to create a conscious, huge filter when I leave the house. But also about the Holy Spirit moving; I recently had a pretty long conversation via IM with a friend who is really searching for Christ. It was wonderful! I was able to answer most questions for her and had some help. (Thanks mom! The Lord will bless you for your willingness to be available to me on a moment's notice! :) ) I kept praying over the conversation. There was a definite spiritual battle as Satan was trying to get me to take the credit and I was not accepting, and Satan was trying to get me to admit defeat, which I did NOT do. There was warfare done during said conversation, as well as praise and Thanksgiving to God for using me! I am thirsty to learn more and be used more in this way! It was so awesome to see God woven through the conversation. Hallelujah!

Things the Lord is showing me right now

Start taking notes on the sermons given in church. On Mondays, take the specific points and/ or scriptures from within the notes that the Lord has laid upon my heart and type them and post around the house.

I am to soak up like a sponge each bit of scripture. I am to read only the Bible and concordances for right now. (With the exception of finishing the Karen Kingsbury book I am ¾ the way through and the book God specifically called me to order from Christianbook.com) After those books, only Bible and nothing else.

I am to highly guard the content that plays on my television. Both for my children and myself. Also the content that comes through my front door.

The Lord wants to do a mighty work in me. He told me: Daughter, you are a beautiful and gorgeous lady on the outside. You need to "wear" that knowledge and carry yourself as so, because it is so. Do not look at your body and think about how you want to change your weight. I love you the way you are. You are desirable to your husband. Do not worry. The inside of you, Daughter, your heart is what I want to change. You are cracked and dry and hardened by the things of your past. Those things that have happened have caused you to be angry and resentful and though you try to be happy, this is affecting your outlook on life. Anger is a sin. Anger is ugly, and I want you to have no part of it. You must let it go, cast it off. I will help make it a foreign thing to you and to your heart. Another thing; do not be so quick to judge others. For though they may seem ugly on the outside or even like they have it all together on the outside, I am doing a work on their hearts. Can't you see it matters not what is outside? It is a heart issue. Every time. I will teach you how to be skillful at approaching those subjects/problems you used to approach with anger in a different manner. To learn this, my daughter, you must get your head in My Word. Focus on it. Devour it. To say "soak it up" does not begin to tell you how to do it. I want more than that from you. I will make you voracious for my Word. Memorize it. Hide it in your heart. The second thing you must do is be silent before Me. I cannot speak to you if you are not silent before Me. I want to tell you so much more than this. But you must listen. I speak to the quiet places of your heart. It is there that you will find me. It is there you will be able to discern My will from yours and from Satan's. The more you listen and are silent before Me, the more easily you will discern and recognize the difference between the voices. You are so easily swayed right now by confusion. This will be no more if you heed my instructions. You will know exactly what to do in each situation.

I love you. You are my daughter and I love you very much. Consider this message a message of joy and love that will change your life, ignite your heart and grow your spirit. ~ God


Please be gentle, careful and loving with your comments. This is the most personal thing I have ever shared on my blog.

Also, Proverbs 9: 10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” I will be doing a study on this verse and what it means to fear the Lord in the near future.

What celebrity do YOU most look like?

I heard about a website from the christian radio station Air One. It has a free service where you can upload a picture from your computer of yourself or a family member and it will scan the picture and do a cross-reference of sorts to show you out of 3,500 most popular people of the world whom you most look like. I found that it mainly goes on the smile. See what you can come up with. Just a little bit of fun, but be forwarned: you may want to set a timer -- this can take up a lot of time if you really get sucked in to these things.

So who did they say I most look like? Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts. I found it interesting that it showed Emma Watson for both myself and my daughter. Also, she had one that was the same as my husband as well. (Yes, you can choose after the scan male, female or both.) Its not entirely what I would call accurate, but it is fun. Click here if you want to go directly to the site. The address (in case you want it for later) is: www.myheritage.com

I did read through the "EULA" or the "Terms and Conditions" and it didn't seem bad. (No profanity, nudity, or copyrighted stuff.) Its free to sign up.
(Note: I will soon be posting my picture and then you can judge for yourself.)

Are you a slacker mom?

That's what was asked of me. I thought nothing of it at first and then decided to take the quiz.


Its not as bad as it sounds. Or maybe it is. I guess I scored pretty well. I don't usually do these things, but I can throw caution to the wind ~ once in a while! :) {FYI: It's meant to be fun, nothing serious.} If you do this, please share your results with me! :)

Here are my results:

Your quiz results make you a Zen Mom. How do you do it? Even when explosions are all around, you are able to take a deep cleansing breath and chant your mantra "this too shall pass." You are a calming influence on your kids in a hectic world.

Take this free personality test by Clicking Here>> or going to www.areyouaslackermom.com

Psalm 121 (NIV)

A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Speaks for itself. I cannot add anything to make it relate better. This is like a healing balm to my soul in the wake of what has happened and what lies ahead for my little boy. Praise the LORD!

Pediatric Gastroenterologist

Yep! That's where our pediatrician sent us. They said that it may be a food allergy, but since it was "tummy trouble" that he was having they wanted us to go to this kind of dr first. Then he could handle the allergy if there was one and if he needed allergy testing, that specialist would refer us out. On Wednesday when we went to the pediatrician and they found a cancellation at the pediatric gastroenterologists office for the next day! It usually takes about 1 month to get in, so can you see God's hand in this already? (For those of you who don't know what that kind of a doctor is, its a doctor that specializes in the tummys and digestion for children.) :) The doctor was very patient with DS#1. You can tell that kids are his specialty. He checked for blood in the stool. An immediate test. None. Whew! Thank you Lord Jesus! The next thing was to get an endoscopy from both ends. That is a scope done of his esophogus (throat) and stomach (to check for acid reflux and ulcers) and a scope done of his colon and lower intestine. He commented that it could be a resistant bug that won't leave, or acid reflux. Didn't mention anything else, although I know they will be probably looking for polyps and stuff. Once again, there was the ability to schedule soon, so the scopes will be done next Thursday. I will have the 40 minute drive for this one, though. Please pray that my son will be able to hold down the magnesium citrate that I will be giving him the day before. If he throws that up, I will have to give him a pediatric fleets enema. Yuck! But I will do ANYTHING for my son to help him! Doctor said that the upper scope would take one to two minutes and the lower no more than 5 to 10. However, they are going to be using general anesthesia and putting my little baby under. :( Now, I have faith in my regular pediatrician's office that they will send us to excellent specialists, but....it seems so sad that my baby has to have problems at such a young age! Each time I feel burdened with this; I fervently pray about it that the Lord's will be done and that he will be guiding the doctor's hands. That DS will wake up right away from the anesthesia with no problems. Please be in agreeance with my DH and myself on that day! BTW (by the way), DH will be taking the day off work to stay at home with the other two kids. (To understand more about this post and how things started, click here then scroll up.)

The Innocence of a 2 1/2 year old!

I want to share with you a conversation that took place between myself and DS#1. IT may be a little explicit but I mean no disrespect to my son or anyone reading this. I found it hillarious! It will be a great story to share with his future wife! Here goes:
DS:"Mom-mom! Help me peese! Got pdsklfasj (unknown word) im my bahow. (butthole) Here look with dis." And he hands me the focusing-part of my Easy Show Projector from when I was a kid. [Now I know that there was no way he could know that it was a magnifying glass of sorts! We haven't been able to get the projector to work in over a year.]
Me:"What?!" As I turn to look at him, he is bent over. I never knew a kid could bend over so far that his place "where the sun don't shine" could actually be pointed to the heavens and the sun could shine on it! For it was pointed straight up! Trying not to show the fact that I was alarmed and chuckling, I said "Whoa there! Now what is going on?" At this point, he has my FULL attention.
DS:"I got something, a p-jklelshghn. Its in my bahow, mom-mom! GET IT OUT! PEESE! I looked and saw nothing. I said "Buddy, you're clean as a whistle. There's nothing there. What are you tryin' to say, though. Poopy, puddle, puzzle, potty..." I could tell the word was starting with a 'p'. He was getting frustrated. He said:"It has one, two, free legs, mom-mom! Look!" And woump! There he is bent over again! I said, "Buddy. Really, there is nothing there." DS:"Mom-mom!!! [then very slowly] it has one, two, free, four, fi, sick legs. [wiggles fingers like crawling bug legs].
Me:"Oh! You mean a spider!? No, honey. There's no spider on or in your butthole."
DS:"Uh huh! I can feel it! [bends over again and points] Right here!" At this point, his rear is again pointed skyward and he points to the wrinkly part.
Me(now laughing uncontrollably):"Buddy, you are fine. You have nothing to be scared of. That is your butthole. Its part of you and how God made you and me and all of us. Don't worry, honey. "
DS:"Ok, mom-mom. Need new diaper now."


Another thing happened today: I was in the bathroom. Usually my dear daughter comes in unannounced and uninvited. Today, much to my surprise, it was DS#1! He was mumbling something about his sister and the baby that I'm watching. I couldn't understand him, so I asked him to repeat. To which he said .[while tapping his index finger on his chin]Hmmm. [then scratches his head] Me no no (don't know) what me saying."

Too funny! I love my kids so much! I learn from them every day.

The Timothy Posts

I will no longer be posting every day on Timothy.

DS #1 and my hubby

In my daddy's truck! :)

Nanananananananana Batman!

DH by his work truck! I am soooooo proud of him! :)

Happy lil guy!

DS#2's New Look

(Offering me a piece of cheese!)

Here's his new 'do! How do you like it? We had to trim the bangs; they were poking his eyes and he was rubbing them a lot. Then the hair over his ears had to be cut. It was past his earlobes! So of course we had to cut the back so he didn't have a mullet! Ha!

My Little Girl is 5!

Boating/fishing with her Hampa and Daddy. She just loved soaking them!

Opening presents from Grammy and Hampa and other loved ones in Michigan. (Not all presents are for her, though. Some are for her littlest bro, too!)

My darling little girl! I love her so much! It is happy and sad that she is already 5! This fall brings kindergarten and riding the bus! I will miss her dearly as she will attend 5 days a week all day. She will really grow and mature, though. I feel a total peace about having enrolled her in public school. Homeschool is out on the horizon for this family, that we do know. The Lord God will tell us which kids and when. She is already wise beyond her years.

Here is a story I would like to share about her:

Just the other day, little girl said "Daddy! Watch! I can drink this whole cup of juice really fast!" [According to my DH, he started saying "Chug-A-Lug! Chug-A-Lug! Chug-A-Lug!"] to which she replied "Daddy. Thank you for saying that but I didn't need the encouragement! I could have done it all by myself!" DH:" Wow! That's a big word! What does that word mean to you?" DD:"It means like teamwork, Daddy. That's the best way I can describe it. Like a team." DH and I were shocked and amazed that she has grown up so much. She is learning new words from the Noggin show "Pinky Dinky Doo". It teaches new big words each day and how to use them correctly.

(*Note: her birthday was actually the 9th, but busyness with summer activities and computer problems has kept me from posting sooner.)

2 Timothy 1

5I am calling up memories of your sincere and unqualified faith (the [b]leaning of your entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), [a faith] that first lived permanently in [the heart of] your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am [fully] persuaded, [dwells] in you also.(AMP) I hope one day someone will say the same about the faith from my grandmother and mother has been passed on to me. You both are amazing ladies of God! I look up to you and all that you have been through!

7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.(NIV) I love this verse.

11-12This is the Message I've been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It's also the cause of all this trouble I'm in. But I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my ground—the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end. (MSG) Do you know of any christian now days that would truely profess to live like this? I'd like to say I do, but I'm not 100% when it gets down to the nitty gritty.

Please Pray for my baby

My DS#1. Ok. I know he isn't my baby baby, but he will always be my baby. All of my kids will be. Last night, he awoke at 11:45 with a stomach ache. I tried not to read too much into it and just gave him a gas antacid tablet. He awoke about an hour later. It seems that he has like stomach cramps. He was almost doubled over at times holding his stomach crying. Then about and hour after that (now 1:45 am), DH and I awoke at the same time to a cry we now know as the "I've just thrown up or I'm just about to throw up" cry. I asked DH if that was why he awoke or if it was because I was grumbling about being awoken 3 times in 3 hours (the first two times the crying awoke DS#2) and he said he awoke immediately from the way DS#1 was crying.

We know the routine well by now. The problem is that he didn't have any whole kernel corn. This is what the doctor thought he was allergic to. About 2 weeks ago is when he threw up and had diarrhea from kernel corn. After a trip to the doctors, it was decided that we wouldn't do allergy testing just yet. Well, now I think the time has come. He is 2 years and 9 months so I know it should be affective. Frustrating. And scared. That's how I'm feeling. Part of my brain tells me if I think about every aspect hard enough then I will be able to figure out what is going on. I know that I'm not a doctor, but still. Then another part of my brain says its probably just a food allergy and we will have to get him tested, then we'll know and we can stop feeding him things that are poisoning his body. But then I think either way, this is going to revolutionize things in the Baker household. Lots more cooking from scratch. Like I have the time! But yet I cannot afford not to. I will go to the ends of the earth and back for my baby. For any of my babies. I would do ANYTHING to make him better or help him to feel better. Then another part of my brain is afraid that we're not gonna find an answer as to what the problems are before something really bad happens. Then another part of my brain knows that God knows the plans He has in store for my family and my little boy. I try to cling to Jeremiah 29:11, but lots of times the other parts of my brain think too much and I worry. I know it is not of God. But still I do it. I worry that I'm going to worry myself crazy. Deep breath. I have asked my neighbor to find another babysitter for her daughter. I don't know if I've posted this before, but I took on another baby about a month ago. I did it to help, but mostly to supplement our income while DH was getting on his feet with his new job. Things are going quite well for him, so we no longer need the extra money, which is a WONDERFUL PRAISE REPORT, I must say. Right now, I just don't need the added stress. She is 2 days older than my youngest. (So 1.) Makes it very difficult to go anywhere with 4 kids ages 5 and under! My neighbor seemed to understand. I told her to find someone asap, but I don't want her tripling what I am charging just for my sake, unless that's what she chooses. Please pray for our family as the Lord leads. I will try to keep you all updated. I will be calling the doctors in a few minutes when they open.

1 Timothy 6

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.(NIV) One of my favorite pastors in Michigan had bought a White Pontiac GTP. I believe it was loaded, and he got it when GTPs first came out. I cannot remember the entire story, but I believe it is related to this part of Scripture. He loved this car very much. It was a beautiful car. But he had to remember one thing: that he could not take it to heaven with him. So he put a red round sticker on his car to serve as a constant visual reminder to him that the car would, one day, burn and that we cannot allow ourselves to get obsessed with material possessions because when we are in heaven, all our "stuff" would be staying here. (I am not sure if I got all the details of this right, but I know that was what he did and the reason why. Perhaps my DH will come on as my guest storyteller later....)

11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. (NIV) This part in the NIV is called "Paul's charge to Timothy" and it seems quite hefty to me. But you know what? It gives me not just hope, but fills me with excitement to know that this same charge given to Timothy we can still carry today. Its like a torch to be continuously carried on for all of time.

20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. (NIV) People, please be careful. There are so many people out there that will try to distract you. They believe their way is correct. They believe they know the future. Please don't depend on anyone but God and His word to direct you. Be discerning in what you allow into your home. Not just your homes, but the conversations you take part in. Constantly hold it up to the Word of God and see if it measures up. If it does not, discard it or stop the conversation. This is my prayer for you.

Does Anyone Know?

I am looking for a website that compares secular versus christian music. For instance:
If you like Nickelback, try Scott Stapp (from Creed). Please post comment if you know of such a site. Thanks!

1 Timothy 5

8a If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith [by failing to accompany it with fruits].(AMP) This is good. The Bible also says in 3 places that faith without works is useless: James 2:18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.(NIV) // James 2:20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?(NIV) // James 2:26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (NIV)Good stuff to remember!

11As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 12Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. // 14So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.(NIV) How do you interpret this? It seems sort of contradicting. First saying that they have broken a pledge by marrying a second time, then saying he counsels them to marry. I thought sure that when a spouse died you were released from the pledge of marriage and that this was the one and only situation where God was clear that remarriage was ok.

16Any Christian woman who has widows in her family is responsible for them. They shouldn't be dumped on the church. The church has its hands full already with widows who need help.(MSG) To what extent, do you think, are we responsible?

21I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
22Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.(NIV) Here, it seems like Paul is telling Timothy in the NIV translation that its ok to drink wine because of being sick a lot from the water. History tells us that water in Biblical times was full of bacteria and sickness and this was the primary reason for them drinking wine. Not for the relaxed feeling that most people here in America drink it. In fact, many other countries around the world still do this because their tap water isn't up to the standards for drinking like ours is. 23Drink water no longer exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.(AMP) This version seems like Paul is saying it is ok as well.

Father God, thank you for your rules. Although they may seem hard to follow, we know that You know what is best for us and You have our best interests in mind. Help us to be mindful of your Holy Spirit and to seek Your face daily. Keep us in Your word, Lord. Give us the unquenchable desire for You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Praise The Lord

1Praise the Lord [Hebrew Hallelu Yah]
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.

2Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and the lyre,

4praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,

5praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

6Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. [Hallelu Yah]
Praise the LORD. [Hallelu Yah]

Bad Attitude

Today, I have a bad attitude. Don't know if it's a funk or what. I do not feel I can post on 1 Timothy 5 objectively with an open mind. Some things are going on in there right now that would prevent me from hearing God's Word. Maybe I will post it later today, maybe tomorrow. Please keep me in your prayers as the Holy Spirit directs. I am frustrated.

1 Timothy 4

1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.(NIV) I don't want to read into this, but I wonder if this portion of scripture includes some false prophets that are masquerading as tele-evangelists? There are SOME that are false prophets. Now, that is my opinion. I do not mean to offend anyone. But come on, people! Let's be real! Those evangelists that are out their for their own agenda that preach only 'health and wealth'....I have to wonder. I could go on and on about that but I won't. Just be careful who you listen to. If you do watch teleevangelists, ask God to give you a discerning heart.

7Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.(MSG)7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.(NIV) This is speaking to us to lean on God and His Word and not get caught up in the world around us for ways to be healed. Check out my friend Kellie's blog. Read her entry for Sunday, July 16th. It really applies to this. And how about the Message calling it "spiritual flabbiness"? Too funny, yet we all can clearly get the picture of the metaphor!

12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. This could almost be my anthem for doing this study. I am doing my best to do these things. Are you???

Dear Lord, please be with me today. Thank you for giving us your Scripture so that we know how you want us to live our lives. I ask that you would guide me so that I don't misguide others, God. I only want to do Your will in Your timing. Speak to my readers today, God. Impart wisdom to them. Speak clearly to their hearts. Allow them to soak up your word. Keep us all humble, Lord Jesus. It's in Your Name I pray; Amen.

1 Timothy 3

2Now the overseer must be above reproach...(NIV) according to dictionary.com, the word reproach means 1to express disapproval of, criticism of, or disappointment in (someone). 2to bring shame upon; disgrace. I just wanted to clarify the word. I knew that I understood the concept, but wanted a clearer view.
6He must not be a new convert, or he may [develop a beclouded and stupid state of mind]...(AMP) I thought that was kind of a funny way of explaining it, but very true. We all succumb to this once in a while, especially when our emotions get in the way, right?
9They must possess the mystic secret of the faith...(AMP) I don't like that version. To me, mystic secret sounds like its dark and evil. But who am I?
13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.(NIV) I always thought that we were all viewed the same in God's eyes. Hmmmm.....
Overall, this chapter gives good teaching on what is expected of the leaders of the church and how they should live in order to remain upright and godly. But what happens when you know of a leader or pastor in a church that is very much not living a godly life? Do you only pray for them? Or do you approach them? What about if its in another church than the one you are attending? ***PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT SPEAKING ABOUT ANYONE IN MY CHURCH FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW ME IRL (IN REAL LIFE). *** But I do know a church or two that I believe is unfruitful because of the pastor/leader(s) in it.

Dear Lord, please be with those you have called into ministry today. Speak to their hearts, Lord God. I pray that the Holy Spirit would convict them when and where needed and would either drop them to their knees or hit them over the head with a two by four if necessary. Help them to realize that there are souls at stake that they are responsible for if they mislead them. Allow them to live a life holy and pleasing to you, Lord. In Jesus Heavenly Name, Amen.

1 Timothy 2

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.(NIV) This is such a good reminder for us to pray for our government. Did you know that today is President Bush's 60th birthday? This is not a coincidence that I am reading this today! :) I understand why the Bible says "pray continually" (1Thessalonians 5:7). Think of all the things outside our little bubbles where we live! You cannot stay silent. Our lives should be continual prayer. I love to pray for people, but I don't like praying out loud if there are more than one or two people. I found myself a few years back saying to everyone who said "pray for me....." that I would pray for them. But then I'd forget. It made me feel sad, and like I'd let that person down. So, a wise person (I cannot remember who) advised that when someone approaches you and asks for prayer, that you tell them you will pray for them as the Holy Spirit leads you. That means that you are living in sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and when he places a person on your heart that you will pray as He leads. This works out much better, and still conveys that you care about the person and their situation.

8 I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], lifting up holy hands. (AMP) This is good, but this 9Also [I desire] that women should adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with [elaborate] hair arrangement or gold or pearls or expensive clothing,
10But by doing good deeds (deeds in themselves good and for the good and advantage of those contacted by them), as befits women who profess reverential fear for and devotion to God.
11Let a woman learn in quietness, in entire submissiveness.
12I allow no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to remain in quietness and keep silence [in religious assemblies].
13For Adam was first formed, then Eve;14And it was not Adam who was deceived, but [the] woman who was deceived and deluded and fell into transgression. 15Nevertheless [the sentence put upon women of pain in motherhood does not hinder their souls' salvation, and] they will be saved [eternally] if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control, [saved indeed] through the Childbearing or by the birth of the divine Child. (AMP) This confused me. First, from biblical days to the present - the clothing has changed almost immeasurably. What is now considered modest in clothing would still probably be considered immodest in biblical times. I did not realize that jewelry was wrong. Second, I did not know the Bible specifically said anything about women teaching over men. My sister-in-law is a pastor (and married to one), although she is not currently preaching. There are different denominations that do allow women pastors. I wonder why? My mom leads a couples bible study, does that mean she is wrong to do so? Third, I did not know that childbirth had anything to do with salvation. ? Well, there is the obvious -- that being the birth of Christ Jesus, and maybe that's what Paul is saying here. Maybe I am reading into this too literally, but I can't understand it.

Dear Lord, please reveal your Word to me. Help me to understand its meaning so that I can apply it to my life today. Please be with our President today, bless him and keep him safe. Allow him to have an enjoyable day. Please be with our service men and women. Guard them. Go before them, and allow them to seek you as they make decisions regarding the war. Be with the other offices of our government, Lord. I pray that you would bring more honest, christian men and women into office and that your divine will be carried out. In Jesus name, Amen.

Surprise!

Betcha didn't see that one coming, huh? Well, what do you all think? Do you like it? I am getting more and more comfortable with my Template, and I have made some updates. Check it out. Let me know if you're dazzled (or not). I know my Spiderman 3 timer isn't working yet....still learning. I haven't found out how to make it tick yet. More to come on that. I must be off to nighty-night land for now, though! Watch for more changes real soon......