Well we got rid of Gary. Hubby said he creeped him out. So I took him back to the pet store and got a spotted catfish instead. He has been named Catman for the masklike features on his head and face. Don't tell hubby but it rather saddened me. I got kinda attached to the little critter. But I told him no more in and out with the fish critters. That's it! They only go out if they die.


The South Beaching is goin okay. I have cheated a few times but not too bad. I had some fries yesterday and they tasted good but I payed for it later. So I have come to the realization that I don't desire them anytime soon. I am enjoying salads more and am experimenting with other foods that I haven't tried before. Funny enough cauliflower does taste like mashed potatoes.


I went out and bought all the school supplies for this year. Geesh! Some of the things they ask of you. Twenty-four pencils sharpened!? Excuse me but my life doesn't revolve around sharpening 24 pencils for each child. They know how to do it. Then I have to label all 24 with the childs name on them. I have also found out what this fall will be like with them all in school. Quiet. Too quiet. I have found so many things to do to keep my mind busy. They have VBS this week so I have tasted what it'll be like. I drove hubby nuts the first day. He said I need to find something to do. It is just too weird with all kids gone at the same time. I guess I don't have much else to say right now.

Yet another addition!

Well Gary and Mr. Bubbles are getting along fine. The first night he nipped at Gary and since then he has left him alone. He must not taste very good. Our newest addition is a chinese algae eater. We named him Ping. He is white with a black stripe and bounces around the tank like a ping pong ball. Hence the name Ping. Mr. Bubbles is trying to catch him but he is no match for Ping's speed. I was first told that Gary would eat the algae but the person was wrong. He eats the leftover food that floats to the bottom. So we needed Ping. Funny how all 3 have very different personalities. Just like my kids.


It is hard to believe in less than 50 days school starts for them again. Where has the summer gone? I guess time really flies when you are having fun. About 2 years ago I started to knit hubby a scarf. Well I think I might actually get it done in time for winter. It is just so hard to pick up and knit when you can be doing so many other things.


I love church rummage sales. I went to ours last week and spent $7.00 and got 3 bags of shirts for the kids for school. THREE BAGS!!! I was so thrilled. They were all in perfect condition too. I then bought a clock for the kitchen that I had been eyeing in the store but didn't want to pay that much for and at the rummage sale I got it for $5.00. So I was excited about that too.


Not too much else to say. I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer.

*hugs*

A new addition

So we have a new addition to our tank. We bought a snail and named him Gary. Mr. Bubbles is curious about him. He did bite off one of Gary's long thingies and it has grown back. My hubby said that Gary should be fine in there. I wonder. Mr. Bubbles is a very aggressive betta and doesn't like new things. We got Gary because we needed something to eat some of the gunk off the side of the tank. The tank is new and so far so good. I hope. Mr. Bubbles is trying to adjust to the movement of the water in the tank. Figuring out his food is another thing. He used to come to the top of the vase and eat one pellet at a time. Now I have no idea if he is eating them. I drop them in and he will take one or two and swim away. Silly fish. I hope he is eating.


The beach eating is going okay. I started Phase 2 last Thursday. I goofed that night. We went out to a buffet kind of place and all they had that I could drink was root beer. I have an allergy to something in the water around here so I try to drink bottled or run it through our filter at home. So that was a no-no. I then decided to enjoy some foods that are on the eat rarely/avoid list. But the next day I got right back up and firmly planted my rear on the wagon. So I am rather happy with the fact that I didn't take one slip-up and turn it into a complete sabotage.

Back to business

So it has been a while since I have said anything I know. I hope everyone is having a good summer. I have just been busy being mom. I also started changing some things that needed to be changed. Like eating habits. I have started South Beach (again) and this time I am doing it right. I read the book first and completely understand that this is not a diet. It is a new way of eating for life. I have lost 11 lbs. so far and am rather happy about it. I didn't know good food is so tastey. I am also working on myself in other areas and am seeing an improvement. So I hope you all are enjoyin your weekend.

~God Bless~

To all father's out there...

Happy Father's

Day!!

A few good reads

Miss Patriot has hit on very important subject today. Child molesters are the lowest of the low and they cannot be rehabilitated. I was watching something once where a man was being interviewed and he begged to stay in prison because he knew if he went back out into society he would molest again. Miss Patriot is right when she said

"THERE IS NO MOTIVATION FOR PEOPLE NOT TO COMMIT THESE CRIMES"

There needs to be a punishment so severe that these people don't want to do these crimes. It is sad that these molesters are now killing their victims so that they don't talk. There has to be something done about this. What? I don't know. The only thing I know to do is to pray for our children and pray that the Lord will deal with these people in His divine way.



Alyfireman has a good point. So many times I have heard people take what the Bible says out of context. To get a full understanding of the meaning of something you must look at it in context. It is kinda like a recipe. You look at just the sugar and think "Gee it looks like I am going to be eating nothing but sugar." But what you aren't looking at is the whole recipe. The bible is our recipe for life. It tells us what to do and how to do it just like a cake or cookie or any other recipe does.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

(2) a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

(3)a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

(4)a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

(5)a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

(6)a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

(7)a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

(8) a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.




Upon reading this I have no choice except to take HIM at HIS word. Someone recently asked about suicide and the "It wasn't their time" idea. I have to say that I believe this scripture when it says there is a time for everything under heaven. This kinda goes along with what I was saying about seasons. You don't plant your corn crop in the middle of winter when there is 2 feet of snow. You plant it in the spring. Hence there is a time to plant (spring) and a time to uproot (fall). So all of you who pass by and read this I would like to hear what you have to say about this scripture.

How pathetic!

I got this from Flannel. A sharpened screwdriver? I think not!

What Is Your Battle Cry?

Who is that, stalking over the tarmac! It is Juliet, hands clutching a sharpened screwdriver! And with a mighty roar, her voice cometh: "I'm going to pound you backwards in time!"

Find out! Enter username: Are you a girl, or a guy ?

created by beatings : powered by monkeys

Seasons change

Seasons change and it seems that summer is coming slowly but surely. But there are seasons in life too. It seems like seasons are changing in that area too. It is funny how things change in life. Friends come and go, kids you once babysat turn into adults (yeah that made me feel old), priorities change, relationships change and all the while you are oblivious to some of it. Then one day it hits you and you notice these things. So as seasons change so must we. We tend to get caught up in the big things that the little things (which are some of the best things) go unnoticed. I have learned lately to pay attention to the little things. Take each day as if it were your last. Live like Jesus were coming today. There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that is called "Next 5 Minutes" and it has been a song that has stayed with me for the past few days. So now I will go and enjoy some little things.

Life...I think

Where to begin. Emma is doing good (last I heard). I got to go for a quick ride in my dad's plane. No big deal. Awful cramped though. Ummm...what else? Well the Lord is dealing with me on a few issues. Self esteem is one of them. Man is that one a tough issue. But anyway...I am happy that summer is almost here. So much to do during the summer. I am hoping to do a lot with the kids this year. I have been lazy in summers past and I don't want to be this year. My favorite part of summer is the zoo. I just love the zoo. I especially like the water shows. Some day I would love to go to like Busch Gardens and that kind of thing. I always get asked why I take pictures of the animals. I like them. I guess that's it for now.

I'm baaaaack!

I was gone for a while and I missed all of you. So now I am back. It may take a few days to get back into the swing of things. How has everyone been?

*huggles*

My thoughts on heaven

Flannel did such a good job with this but here are my thoughts.




I found in Rev. 4 that it describes the throne in heaven. Maybe I missed something but other than this I cannot find any further descriptions. According to Webster's dictionary the definition of heaven is as follows:

1. The abode of God; the place or state of existence of the blessed after death
2. God; Providence
3. A state of bliss, extreme happiness or exaltation
4. The visible sky; the firmament

But do any of these definitions tell you what heaven really is? I don't think they do. When we think of heaven we get this image of these big gates on a cloud. Is this what heaven really looks like? I don't know. What we do know for sure is that we will be forever in His presence. And since we are forever in His presence there will be no pain or sorrow and nothing to mourn. Then I came across this scripture and I wonder what else is in store for us.

Matt. 16:19&20
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (20) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal."

So there are treasures in heaven. When we think of treasures we think of that pirate's chest full of gold, gems, and the like. So what are these treasures in heaven? (feel free to leave me comments on this because I would really like to know) I don't believe they are material things but it that is true than what are they?

So we are still left with the question "What is heaven like?" Well we all know what it takes to get there. Our price has been paid through Jesus. I really don't care how it looks. The most important thing is I will be with Him, in His presence for eternity. Which only brings me to the conclusion that however it looks and whatever it is like that it will be beautiful and wonderful. You know that wonderful, joyful and yet peaceful feeling you get when you are worshipping Him and you are oblivious to those around you? That feeling of completeness and of comfort. I believe that is what heaven will be like. Totally in His presence.

Stupidity

I got tagged by Miss Patriot for the stupidest meme. Hmmmmm....this is gonna take some thinking.

When I was one of those rebellious teens I did so many stupid things. I did the drinking and the experimenting. (None of which I am proud of.) Once I drank about 12 beers in a half hours time and then threw up all over the inside of my boyfriends pride and joy truck.

To be honest I do so many stupid things daily that nothing really sticks out. Oh wait!!!

I was about 16 and was in charge of doing my chores and making my brother and sister lunch. I do the stupidest thing of all. I go to make a can of ravioli and use my thumb to open the lid. It slipped and I ended up in the hospital getting my thumb sewn back together. Yep stupid!

Like I said I do so many stupid things in daily life that nothing much sticks out unless you count putting glass cleaner in the fridge or putting the jelly in the freezer. Uh oh!! I thought of another kinda.

I skipped school and spent the day with friends at the lake. Well first stupid thing was no suncscreen. I hurt for days. But trying to get it past the parents was even stupider. I said that I didn't skip and go to the lake. (I didn't know at the time I looked like a lobster.) I know if I sit here long enough I could probably entertain you for days. Being blonde has it's advantages. You can get away with more before people think your stupid. Bad part? People think you are stupid even if you aren't.


Flannel I will get to your bible study by tomorrow. I promise.

Meet Emma

(7-11-06 There used to be a beautiful picture of her here but it has since disappeared somehow.)


Meet Emma. She was born at 28 weeks and is my newest niece. Please keep her and her daddy in your prayers.

Funny!

I laughed 'til I cried when I read this. I have to thank Black Currant Jam for this much needed laugh. Thanks Lora.

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Alyfireman!! I hope it's a good one!

From Holy Tornado

Holy Tornado had this up so I took it and here are my results.....

Take the quiz at dicepool.com

"You are the large, round, friendly d20! (You probably didn't know this, but the shape of the twenty-sided die is called an Icosahedron.) You are the friendly, outgoing, outspoken, leader of friends. You are often looked up to, even though you don't normally deserve it. Most other types secretly wish they were you, and you'd give them tips on how, if only you had a clue yourself. Your charisma is often all you need, but you have your occasional moments of brilliance as well--just never when it's actually needed. You are the all-around good guy, a dependable chum, a respectable foe, and an inspiration to those who need one. Who says you can't get by on a smile and good looks alone?"




This is how they describe me. I don't think I am a natural leader. But getting by on a smile and good looks? I can do that.

Lookie here!

I found this quiz through Black Currant Jam. It seems I am better off in Texas. I can deal with that! :D

American Cities That Best Fit You:

80% Austin

65% Denver

65% Seattle

55% Atlanta

55% Honolulu

Which city best fits you?

Long time....

I apologize for not updating a lot lately. Between allergies, kid's school stuff, and being sick to my stomach for about a week I haven't really felt like doing a long update. There are some changes in my sidebar. You will note some blogs under INFJ's. I don't know them yet but they are supposedly the same personality type that I am. To check out your personality type go to the link that says Type Blogs.

OOOH! I am in the top 5 at Google.Type obedience not sacrifice.I tried to link to it but had issues. I am still learning this blog thing. Hmmmm....interesting. Maybe it will bring more people by. Nobody seems to comment here. Am I really that boring? Just kidding.

Response to "Blogospheric Bible Study #7: Hell"

In response to Blogospheric Bible Study #7: Hell .


I agree with there seems to be no Biblical description of exactly what hell will be. Eternal separation from God would be horrible enough. I think we all have different ideas of what hell would be like. We think of the worst possible things and that is what we imagine as hell. The one thing we can all be sure of is that it is not a pleasant place. Pain, suffering, and all the other nasties. Nope. I make sure daily that I am not going there. Who do you know that is going to hell? We need to share the love of Jesus with everyone (not pushing it on them, but doing it all in love) so that they too may see the joys of heaven and be spared this eternal suffering.



Here is a suggestion for Robbie. We have discussed hell, I say we discuss Heaven next.