Wednesday, November 24, 2010

30 days of thanks!!

This month marks the time for us to acknowledge and give thanks for all the blessings God has so generously bestowed onto us. Not just on Thanksgiving but everyday.

1. Relative ease that I came to be a Christian. Raised in a Christian home, saved at the age of 6 because it came so simple to me. God was there from the beginning.

2. My family of origin... parents, siblings, and grandparents.

3. My chosen family. Husband and his family, whom I am thankful raised Steven the way they did and helped him to be a good father and husband.

4. My given family or my children. Never a day goes by that I am not thankful for each one of them. They keep me going.

5. My church family. God has led us to an amazing close church home.

6. My home and basic needs met. Plain and simple.

7. Good health for myself and my family.

8. My job. While new, I am finding I love it.

9. My education. Glad I pushed through.

10. My hobbies, derby, exercise, reading, graphic art, etc. helps me to unwind.

11. Sleep - Need I say more!

12. My friends. They are truly a blessing to me.

13. My ability to organize.

14. My discernment. I need it daily and always could use more, but thankful for what I do have.

15. My kids' school and preschool. It's nice to be able to send them out and trust that they are well cared for with someone I trust.

16. My ability to come up with solutions quickly, or my Macgyver ability.

17. Vehicles that run...knock on wood.

18. A yard for the kids to play in and a fairly safe community that appears family oriented and that doesn't shun God.

19. Art. God's art. Walking outside to a beautiful sky or at this time of year, beautiful changing leaves.

20. Good Music.

21. To live in a free country where I am free to complain about it.

22. My dreams. I am convinced I am different than most on this and won't elaborate.

23. My physicality/athleticism. Hope I can keep it up. Would be nice to be the old granny who could break dance.

24. My empathy. Makes me decent at my job. And yes, some do not have this.

25. Thankful for the fact I hate alcohol.

26. Thankful I stayed away from all drugs. Don't regret not trying any or cigarettes. Still don't get why most have to.

27. Decent hair. Could always change though, lol.

28. Thankful I FAILED the NAVY. (discharged for health reasons that have since resolved themselves) Wouldn't be where I am today.

29. Thankful for my senses. So much beauty in this world and I am glad to be able to enjoy them. Ah... the smell of fireplaces and wood burning on a cool crisp evening or after the rain. I could go on.

30. Above all... GOD, who continues to bless me with so many awesome things.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

28 things

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 28 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 28 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you. (To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 28 random things, tag 28 people then click publish.)



1. When I was 12 years old I was shot in the foot with an arrow by one of my brothers friends. Went all the way through and I ended up having surgery and missed out on Halloween that year because I was in the hospital. To this day I somewhat cringe when someone mentions shooting arrows but I don't fear them and could probably learn to shoot them if I wanted.


2. I am extremely introverted. Every personality test I am on the extreme end of it. Many people do not know this because I overcome it after awhile. But yes people drain me after awhile. Husband is the extrovert.


3. I get along better with guys and always have. They are more honest to your face. I do appreciate the females that are this way as well.


4. I am good at reading people but have been told I am hard to read. You can thank my awesome wall for that. It's great at letting few in.


5. I don't really care for shopping, unless you count online. Must be that introvert thing again.


6. I have been a Christian since I was 6 years old. Most people confuse me with being Religious. I am spiritual. There is a difference.


7. I have an inventors mind. I have several inventions in there. Some I think are pretty awesome and could save lives. My Mother even agrees. Sadly I haven't the money to get them patented and going.


8. I met my husband in high school, but knew his Mother from Junior high from a church camp I went to.


9. I abhor alcohol... the smell, the taste, yuck. Haven't drank a drop in 5 years. Pretty sure I never really liked it.


10. My parents have worked for the same liquor company for over 20 something years.


11. I am artsy. I love to paint and do stuff with chalk. I used to draw a lot when I was younger. Used to want to be an artist before I realized there is not much future for the majority of them.


12. I love children and I have never felt "done" nor will I ever. I suffer from Duggaritis but my husband and body limit me.


13. When I was young I didn't think I wanted children.


14. I rarely ever studied for tests or took any homework home before college. Apparently I didn't "apply" myself and didn't realize my potential until College. Sorry Mom.


15. I am very competitive with myself. If I set my mind to something it will get done if I have the tools to do it.


16. I have a huge appetite and always have, usually only 1 big meal a day though, the rest are small. I was the kid who would eat everyone's pizza at lunch if they would let me. It's also the reason that I work out a lot.


17. I hate watching sports on TV. Football, basketball, or what not. Live is fun. But I am also the type to rather be out there playing than watch from a box and yell at it like I could do better if I were out there. I would rather like to see if I could.


18. I once played on a mostly all boy pee wee baseball team and out ran them all one at a time. I would have loved to play football.


19. I hate rudeness and disrespect. Pet peeves 1 and 2. It is not an honest trait and is actually a lack of a social skill people.


20. I can block out noise so much as I don't hear "ssshhhhh" then I flip.


21. It takes a lot to make me angry, but I have a bad temper the rare times I get mad.


22. I used to have a hard time saying "No". I use it a lot now and it's freeing.


23. Don't ever try to scare me. My instincts are set on fight mode. My husband learned this the hard way.


24. I am very organized and somewhat OCD. Gets worse as I get older. I give up around my home and family though. They balance me with their constant disorganization and messiness.


25. I like being early and feel anxious even if I am 5 minutes late to something.


26. I am legally blind in one eye.


27. I like foreign horror films.


28. I have a very vivid imagination, had it since I was little. It's how I treated my insomnia.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

I did it!

Well one day away anyway. Tomorrow will be the last day for the Insanity program. This week has been killer. I will still do the workouts here and there and mix them up with the dozens of other workouts I have, but I am not doing the program straight through, at least not for awhile. It definitely is good for defining. I have this line down my abs that I am not sure if I have ever had. Steven told me I am not allowed to get a 6 pack, he says it just doesn't look right on a female. I will work on the 4 pack then, lol. Also liking my arms and legs right now. I am not about to stop for the holidays either and risk starting all over. As it is right now I feel guilty if I miss a workout. Another milestone is I can do more push ups in a minute than I was able to do when I went to the NAVY. Up to 54 with a pause or two in there, and yes these are not with knees. As far as weight, I quit using my scale a long time ago. When you do a program like this you will gain muscle which weighs more than fat. I have lost inches though, particularly in my stomach, back, butt, hips, and legs. May have actually gained some in my arms and calves, not complaining there. For the first time in like forever my shins don't kill me. They sometimes get sore but are quick to recover. Overall, I am pleased with my progress and not even close to thinking about letting up.

On another note, Happy Birthday Mom!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

So proud!

I cannot tell you how proud I am of my home town today. A few women and children (how sad) from Westboro did show up today in protest. I wonder if these individuals or this church ever realizes that they are only creating the opposite affect then what they had intended. Their anger and hatred brought more people together and garnered more support from this town more than I have ever seen. Another ironic thought is these people have probably never won one person over to their side in the midst of their rants. They are failing themselves and their intended purpose yet God is still bringing out good in the situation. And I am pretty certain that they will think twice about coming to this town again for the same reason. Below are some pics of just a small amount of the support that was there. Pics are taken by my friend Shae Lenardo .

Shae on the right

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Apparently the motorcycles helped to drown out the protesters

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Very touching pic

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Thursday, November 11, 2010

Do not feed the hate!

I cannot tell you how it breaks me heart when I hear of soldier’s funerals being picketed by the Westboro Baptist Church. On Saturday November 13th, 2 days after Veteran’s Day they will be at my home town picketing the funeral of Sgt. Jason McCluskey at 9:15am at the First Baptist Church in McAlester. Many friends and family of course will be there as support and are planning to make a human fence to help keep them as far away as possible.

These people thrive on hate and do NOT represent what Christianity is by any means as well as the Baptist religion. They are in basic terms, attention seekers. The verses they quote are misinterpreted and the very least abused out of context. God hates no one! God is love! He hates sin not the sinner. “…Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone...” John 8:7.

These individuals want nothing more than everyone’s backlash. They want to be physically attacked so they can “show” everyone just how right they are. I know it makes no sense to the typical person with sense. I am not going to go on a tirade about what should be done to these individual’s, it is not for me to decide. But I ask, please refrain from any type of physical retribution. This goes for the individuals who are threatening to “punch” or worse. You have every right to feel angry with them, but don’t feed their hate by turning your anger into hate as well. I can’t imagine what it must be like to go everyday with this all consuming hate towards people and claim that it’s in the name of Jesus Christ. Will they ever realize they are wrong? Unfortunately, only after it is too late. So do not waste one ounce of energy hating them or trying to get back at them. It will be in vain. Honor this soldier and be there for the family. Make your wall, it and in itself is an awesome way to stand up for him and the rights he and other fellow soldiers have fought for that these individuals abuse and take for granted. Let their energy be in vain.

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Girls invite

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Trying not to jinx myself!

Yesterday I went and got my last check from Vista. This was my saved up days off check. The main reason I gave a months notice was so that I could get these. So how is my new job going? So far pretty darn good. I drive a lot. Much like when I worked at DHS. But I get paid for it so I am not complaining. My day usually consists of doing two families. One in the morning and then one either in the afternoon or evening. I am in the homes for 2-3 hours at a time. I also go and visit some kids in their schools. I don't have to get up so early and that is an added bonus. I work Monday - Thursday and I am able to pick Gage and Kieran up from school 3 days a week. And as far as the actual therapy I love it! I think this is my style from start to finish. My only fear is I don't jinx myself. I hate taking things for granted because they can so easily be taken away, but it would be nice if I can relax a little about this.

I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner. Which also means Kieran's birthday is even closer. She and her cousin Zoe will be having a combined Monkey Party since they are both turning 7. Kieran on Dec. 3, and Zoe, I think Nov. 7?? The party will be Saturday the 27th and we are going to have it in Oklahoma this year at my Mother in Laws. Thinking I may actually do the shopping today to give me something to do, otherwise today is going to be a total lazy day. Steven went on the Men's "retreat" last night and today and they spent a great deal of time shooting guns. Now he is home and conked out on the chair. From what he said it was pretty chilly so I am not feeling like I missed out on anything. Not a big fan of the cold. Therefore, I am also not looking forward to the winter, although they said it is supposed to be a mild one this year. That could be good and bad. Ice storms occur when it's mild. So just a head's up.

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Belated Fall Festival / Halloween post

Sorry life happens. We of coarse had a blast. Kieran went as a "Queen Bee", I made her crown and wings last minute with some toile from one of my sisters dress and some black panty hose and her bridesmaid flowers I had in my closet. Yes I am Macgyver.

Ryker went as Dash (The Incredibles) dressed up as a dragon. Yes, even Dash has to dress up for Halloween. Mostly because he would be running all over the place and the dragon one would not stay on all night.

Gage didn't dress up. Guess he has grown out of it. His own choice.

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