Lost

Don't you hate it when you lose something, something you need and use on a regular basis. For the longest time and through all the house cleaning I still haven't found my camera USB to upload my pictures. So, this week, one of my goals is to get another one. Then I can make the changes to my blog that I would like to make.

I sat and thought long and hard how I could revamp this blog, make it more appealing, make it more exciting to visit, other than the ramblings of a mom of 5. Not that I won't ramble...every so often. I started this blog with the intentions of encouraging other moms in their walk with the Lord and serving the Lord and their families. It isn't too often I find that.

I have even went through and revamped my life. For instance, here is an example. I find it so important to be a joyful mom of children. Not just solemn in my walk as a mama, but one that really enjoys being with her children. It isn't just a job or a chore, but my passion. So, I have been so careful in regards to friendships lately. I have been careful with the people that I have decided to be with. I don't want solemn faces and modest dress, I don't mean to classify, but sometimes I see people who try to follow all of the laws of men who look so sad and solemn. I talked to Bret about it and we decided to really be careful in that. What is important to me is to be with those who are truly joyful, that have that sparkle in their eyes, that passion to love on their children. But also, that their children have that sparkle in their lives.

So I think, as soon as I get my USB cord up and running I am going to have a giveaway. I really want to get my blog out there and will need some help with that. I want to encourage others in their walk, but to follow the ways of the Lord is not burdensome, it is when we follow the ways of man that it all of a sudden becomes a chore. So, please visit back to see what the giveaway is, it will be for Valentine's Day since it will be coming up soon, you won't be sorry.

To enter, just send out my blog address on your blog, then enter your name in the comments section with your blog. I will draw by the end of the week and will have the picture up later on tonight or tomorrow of the freebie...I promise you will LOVE it!!! Just think pink, red and hearts.

Enjoy!

A Change

I am thinking of making a change to the blog, or maybe even starting a completely new one. I love being crafty and sewing and I would like to have some fun giveaways, and just change my pace. What do you think? I love the Lord, but who wants to read about my boring life???

So I am asking my readers what you love and don't love, what attracts you to a blog and keeps you reading? I want a change for a new year and I want a fun one. Let me know.

Hope you like the changes.

Well, after much deliberation it was time for a change. Time for a new profile picture, new wording, the works. So I made some changes and I hope you all like it. Here are a few questions that you can help me answer to make my blog more enjoyable for you.

1.) What do you enjoy the most about my blog?
2.) What topics do you enjoy reading about?

If you can just leave those comments in the comments section I would appreciate it. My goal is to make my blog a really great place to be with all sorts of good stuff to keep you coming back for more. :)

Enjoy the evening.

Pictures from Christ Led Family

As I said before I really admire the Maxwell family and all their sacrifices they have made for their family. It was truly an amazing experience to hear them speak again. After the Saturday sessions we took the Maxwell family out to Sweet Tomato's. Luckily for us, it was one of their favorite places to eat.

Mrs. Maxwell and I with Mady.

Bret and I helping with packing up. He just makes me laugh, I feel so blessed to have such an amazing man in my life.

One of the sessions was for the younger children learning to make balloon animals for evangelism. We bought 2 packs of balloons and 3 pumps. Needless to say, I have balloons everywhere.

I realize how important it is to stay encouraged, but most importantly how much my life depends on my Jesus. My precious quiet time with him in planning, discipline, training, and everyday walk. It isn't the easy road that we took, but one of struggles. This family has been through it all and shares openly of the how and why's of their decision. I really appreciate that. I am not perfect and I don't desire to see perfection, I want to see reality and transparency. You get that with this family.

You can visit their site at http://www.titus2.com/ for more info on their books and CD's. You will not be disappointed.

On a side note, Sunday evening I fainted and hit my head on the door frame of our bathroom. I was taken by ambulance to the ER where I was found to be just fine. I opted for butterfly sutures instead of stitches, because having 5 kids is easier than having a wound cleaned out. Being the big wimp that I am. :)

Life has been good as we rearrange our furniture, again, because life isn't exciting enough. I have taken to making our own bread, rolls and bagels, and they have been a huge hit. I will post the recipes here in the next couple of days.

It is cold and rainy for a first in a long time and I pray it won't be the last till spring. But who knows. I do know that I am enjoying each precious moment of winter because it ends way too fast.

I pray you all have a precious weekend. I will post again real soon.

A Christ Led Family Conference

A family that I truly admire is the Maxwell family. They have a site http://www.titus2.com/. They have a wonderful ministry of encouraging families as they walk their walk with the Lord and home schooling. I LOVE them!

I invited them back along with our home school group to a conference this weekend. Last night was their music and testimony night and today, a day full of encouraging sessions. The best part is that it is all FREE!

If you ever get a chance to hear them speak or are able to host a conference, please do, you will not regret it at all.

The one thing I really admire about the family is that their goal is to show how God has worked through their lives. With anger, depression, etc., they show you what God has done to get them where they are now. They give all the glory to God. They are not perfect, though it may appear so on the outside, but their lives were truly transformed.

Well, it is almost 8:00am and I still have some getting ready to do before we leave for the church. I hope you all have a blessed weekend.

Oh, and don't forget to have the peace of the Lord, resting in Him.

Too Long

It has been way too long since I have posted. Sorry about that. Unfortunately as I was cleaning up one day I misplaced my USB cord for my camera to download pics and now I cannot find it anywhere. So hopefully I will recover it shortly.

Our holidays were awesome! We told the kids this year that there wasn't a santa because we wanted our Christmas to really be Christ centered. They took it like troopers. It was actually kind of funny, and next year it will be really nice to be able to take them out shopping and spending time with them.

My husband took off 12 days! That was unbelieveably awesome! It was so great to have him at home for so long and I know that the kids really loved it as well. We just really hung out and he went to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

This year, well, I am not big for resolutions, but I do have a few goals in mind. Organizing our school, making more things from scratch, sticking to a budget, and just enjoying my kids more.

We have been going to a new church, that is smaller and it is awesome! I love it. Our church family is so wonderful, I feel beyond blessed and after much searching have found our home. The kids love it as well, and having like minded people around really keeps you focused.

Mady is going to be 7 months in a few days and it is amazing how sweet she it. She has 2 little teeth on the bottom and hates baby food. It is funny, I think she was doing it for me, but she could care less, though she does love those biter biscuits. It gets all over her and she get cute and crunchy. I love it.

Other than that, it has been pretty boring here at home, which I don't mind. In March we will be leaving on a cruise to Mexico and that hopefully will be a lot of fun!

Well, I will be on the lookout for our camera USB cord and when I find it, you will have tons of pics to look at.

God bless you all. Thank you for being so patient during the holidays.

Sick

Okay, so 4 of my children got sick, then I got sick and now we are all sick! It really isn't fun. And it went from high fevers and chills, to now a sore throat and cough that is lingering. So it may be a few more days before I post. Hope everyone is doing well! Have a blessed day.

A New Business

Well we have started a small online business. It is a baby boutique called The Green Pampered Baby. You can visit us at www.thegreenpamperedbaby.com. Come and check it out!