Blessings Beyond: February 2009

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Growing In Grace and Love Dare

Click on the book to be taken to a great giveaway, The Love Dare book. Growing in Grace is hosting this wonderful give away! What a wonderful way to help your marriage and your life!

Hugs and Blessings,

It's ok....

Talk about a sweet moment. I had gone to the doctor yesterday, and Lil E was with me. And I had to get a couple of shots. So she tells me "Mommy, it's ok, I'm right here!" The sweetest words! And sometimes we thing they are not listening to us, but they are for sure! Then after we got home and all, and I was laying down, she ran in there with me and jumped up on the bed, gave me the biggest hug, and said "feel better baby, I'm just right in there with Daddy." It makes me so proud to see what a caring and loving lil girl she really is! I pride myself on this very thing!

Have a great weekend!

Hugs and Blessings,

Day 27

Day 27

Pray that your husband will understand the importance of taking care of his body—the temple of the Holy Spirit—for the glory of God. Pray that he will practice self-control by making wise food choices, and get sufficient exercise to stay healthy. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 9:27)

Romans 12:1-2 (New International Version)

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New Living Translation)
19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 9:27 (New Living Translation)
27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

Hugs and Blessings,

Day 26

Day 26

Pray that your husband will discover and live his God-given purpose. Pray that he will offer all his dreams to the Lord, and pursue only those goals that will bring God glory and count for eternity. (Jer. 29:11; 1 Cor. 10:31)

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

1 Corinthians 10:31 (American Standard Version)

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Hugs and Blessings,

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Song Survery about Me

I was tagged in this fun lil survery and thought I'd take part. It was fun to see how silly it was or how much it actually made sense...

RULES:
1. Put your MP3 player, iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.3
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag at least 10 friends (make me #11 so I can see your results).
5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.
6. Have Fun!

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
I love Rock and Roll.... Joan Jett

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Lucky Man... Montgomery Gentry

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
She's everything.... Brad Paisley

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Days of Elijah .... Twila Paris

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
White Christmas..... Drifters

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
(do it) Anyway..... Martina McBride

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
I can love you.... Gary Allen

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
your the one that I want.... grease soundtrack

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
This aint no rag, it's a Flag.... Charlie Daniels

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
How Great Thou Art.... Loretta Lynn

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
cuppycake...... strawberry Shortcake

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
American Soldier..... Toby Keith

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
That's what I love about Sunday... Craig Morgan

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Angels in waiting... Tammy Cochran

WHAT DID YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Find out who your friends are.... Tracy Lawerence

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Jesus take the wheel..... Carrie Underwood

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Drift Away... Uncle Kracker

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
There's a girl in Texas..... Trace Adkins

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
It's your Love..... Tim McGraw and FAith Hill

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Healing Rain..... Michael W Smith

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Ladies Love Country Boys.... Trace Adkins

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Paper Angels... Jimmy Wayne

Apple Crunch ~ Slow Cooking Thursday

You can click on the picture above and it will take you to Sandra's Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. She is an awesome host of Slow Cooking Thursday!

Apple Crunch

8 medium apples, cored, peeled, sliced
1/4 sugar
1 - 2 tsp cinnamon
juice of 1 lemon
1/4 c. (1/2 stick) of butter, melted
2 cups granola

Combine ingredients in crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours, or on hight for 2 1/2 - 4 hours.

Makes a great breakfast if you cook it over night. Or a wonderful dessert served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Hugs and Blessings,

Day 25

Day 25

Pray that your husband will be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice, and that he will stand for the truth. Pray that he will protect you and your family from Satan’s attacks. (Ps. 31:24; Eph. 6:13; Ps. 27:14)

Psalms 31:24 (NIV)

24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Ephesians 6:13 (American Standard)

13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.

Psalms 27:14 (NIV)

14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Hugs and Blessings,

Day 24

Day 24

Pray that your husband will have a balanced life—that he will balance work and play. Pray that he will fear God, but also gain favor with people he knows at work and church. (Luke 2:52; Prov. 13:15)

Luke 2:52 (NIV)
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Prov. 13:15 (NIV)
Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

Hugs and Blessings,

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Day 23

Day 23

Pray that your husband will be a good father—disciplining his children wisely and loving themunconditionally. If he is not a father, pray that he will find a young man to mentor in the thingsof the Lord. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 2 Tim. 2:1-2)

Ephesians 6:4 (New King James Version)

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Colossians 3:21 (New King James Version)

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

2 Timothy 2:1-2 (New King James Version)

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Hugs and Blessings,

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Our day!

We are begining to see some spring peaking out! Lil patches of green here and there, a few trees are starting to green, warmer days. And with this, today was a nice beautiful spring like day! It was really nice and warm, and we were off to the park! A favorite activity for us! It's so hard to believe my sweet lil one is growing up so fast, and boy is she starting to do so much more! She things she is a big girl and can do all the things her sister and their friends are doing. They don't think so though. She would have no part of the wee one's area the park today, she wanted to go where the big girls were going! It was too funny!

Lil E loves the super duper fast slide! She has no fear at all!

Both girls had so much fun playing at the park today!

Oh no, look, Lil K isn't going to be able to stand up in the tunnel for much longer!

But she is letting you now she is going to get ya here! She loves to make silly faces while looking out at you.

Then we were at home to make dinner and get daddy off to work. Lil K was taking a late afternoon nap, and Lil E was watching out the door at the horses, she was ready to go give Buddy his treat, but had to wait a bit on Mommy.

Lil E loves Buddy, and he loves her! He is so gentle with her and he loves when we bring him carrots!

Better than that, though, is just how sweet he is to her! Look at the picture below! It is by far a favorite from today! I love it! He just lets Lil E put her face to his, hug him, pet him, feed him. We have taught her to be gentle and show love though.

After a slow start to the day, we sure had a bus afternoon. It was all good though! I hope and pray everyone is doing well and having a great time!

Hugs and Blessings,

Monday, February 23, 2009

What a Blessing!!!!!!!!!!

OH MY! Today was the most wonderful day!! I had to appear via phone for a tele conference with the case workers, state attorney, etc for Lil K. The Biological Mom was to be there too, and this would be our first time to converse in several years.

Well it started late and I was so nervous, but I had spent my morning praying and thanking God for the answers and for all that he was doing for our Lil K and our family, and for keeping us together forever. I have stood strong in believing, since the begining, that Lil K was ours forever. The phone rings.........

... I answer, Hello. The Case Worker says hello and introduces me to all. The lady facilitating this meeting, says right off, "If any party has any concerns or questions, please lets go ahead and address these first." And then it was said, Biological mom wants to surrender her rights! She tells me that she knows it's the best thing she can do, and that she has to work to straighten her own life out, and she knows she can't ever give her the life we have and will, as well as the siblings are together. And then she thanks me for taking her, since I had told her way back with Lil E, I wouldn't deal with her drama again. I am blown away! God is soo good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even believe this!!!! This is greater than anything I could have dreamed! I knew she would be ours, but I thought this was going to drag out, I never dreamed in a million years, she would surrender rights! Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!! So we get to move on with the plans to adopt our Lil K (And yes, K is for the name we have picked out for her). I can't begin to tell you all how over joyed we all are!... At the conclusion of the conference, they were working at getting a court date for her to go before the judge to sign her papers! WOOO HOOO! Thank you, Jesus!

When the call was over, I was so over come with emotions, I was still standing in a lil shock, but went to hold and hug my sweet baby girl a lil tighter! Then we shared the news with big sister, Lil E that we would be seeing the judge soon for the adoption for baby sister, just like we did in her Adoption Story book. It was truly a blessed morning!!!!! Even though I'm still soaring high with the grand news! Thank you, Jesus!

Hugs and Blessings,

Day 22

Day 22

Pray that your husband will practice forgiveness in your relationship and with others. Pray that he will recognize any roots of bitterness, and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord. (Eph. 4:32; Heb. 12:15)

Eph. 4:32 (King James Version)
32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Heb. 12:15 (King James Version)
15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Hugs and Blessings,

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Our Weekend

After a crazy week we were all much ready for the weekend. Friday night we kicked it off with our usual night time stuff. Baths, stories, cuddles and all! It means so much to me, to see the girls loving on each other and just being so sweet together.

Saturday was way way way cold and super windy! We were having a yard sale, and it was super redneck. We huddled in the shed with the heater, and it was the pay spot too. It was just too cold to stand out under the carport. When things slowed down, us girls, went inside and watched out the windows and door for customers. While chilling in the house, we had so much fun playing games and too.

After the yard sale, James and I took the girls and went out to dinner that night. It was a much needed lil break! Then we came in and got the girls to bed and he and I watched FireProof. If you haven't seen it yet, you really need to watch it. It's beyond awesome!!! I can't say enough good about this movie! I thought our relationship was really great and that we do a lot for each other, a lot of little things, but this movie showed me we could do more. And for me the biggest is not to speak in a harsh voice to him, even if frustrated with something or someone else.

Sunday was our Family Day! We even took some pictures with the kiddos! That sure makes Mommy happy!!!

I love to see what a sweet big Sister, Lil E, is! She loves to lead and teach Lil K so much! It is just too sweet!

After all this, Daddy shampooed our carpets! He is so good at doing this for us! And it made the biggest difference! It is much softer and more plush! We really had a simple low key weekend, but it was with lots of great family time together! And that is truly what matters! I love my life!

May you and yours have a beautiful and blessed week!

Hugs and Blessings,

Day 21

Day 21

Pray that your husband will learn how to relax in the Lord and, in his greatest times of stress, find joy and peace in his relationship with God. Pray that he will submit his schedule to the Lord. (Neh. 8:10; Prov. 17:22; Ps. 16:11

Neh. 8:10 (King James Version)
10Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Prov. 17:22 (King James Version)
22A A joyful heart is good medicine,But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Ps. 16:11 (King James Version)
11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Hugs and Blessings,

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Day 20

Day 20

Pray that your husband will yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord. Pray that he will not entertain immoral or impure thoughts, and that he will resist the temptation to indulge in pornography. (Prov. 27:12; 2 Cor. 10:5)

Proverbs 27:12 (King James Version)
12A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

2 Cor. 10:5 (King James Version)
5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Hugs and Blessings,

Friday, February 20, 2009

Day 19

Day 19

Pray that your husband will be patient and a man of peace. Pray that he will not give in to anger, but will allow the Holy Spirit to control his responses. (Rom. 14:19; Ps. 34:14)