When you pray for rain, be prepared to deal with some mud!

...and the rain came! This is as the storm was approaching. I stood on the back steps and invited and welcomed it as it made its way across the valley. (If you look at the very bottom of the picture, you'll see a tiny pine tree. Jess brought that home almost four years ago, from school. It was only a spindley branch with roots! It will soon be at home in the front yard.)


A wonderful rain!
....and the mud...that will probably be gone by tomorrow noon because this corner of earth is so thirsty!

Because I shouldn't be on the computer at all! I have work to do!

My ponderings today:

1. Today will never ever happen again.

2. I can never have to many scented candles!

3. If wood floors visibly need to be cleaned every two days....what in the world does carpet contain? Yikes!!! I've lived in filth all of my life.

4. Why is other people's junk so cool and mine is junk? I love garage sales and glad other people have this same disease.

5. Where does Cody get it? I mean, seriously. His love for spreading the gospel is amazing.

6. I want the metabolism of a hummingbird AND their sugary diet.

7.How in all the world can Heinz 57 sauce be $6.99 a bottle????? Did I miss the news flash that they are putting gold in those bottles?

8. Matthew is on my mind so strongly lately. I hope he's okay. Love hurts. It IS worth that risk though. Please pray for him.

9. My family prefers store bought lettuce to home grown. How sad. I thought they were country bumpkins!

10. Why does Jess care about the color of carpet in her new room? She seems to prefer clothing covered flooring....(I was just like this, but I was so much more tolerant of myself..)

11. Why am I blogging right now? I've got things to do!

Multitude Monday---1000 Gifts

I decided to join the Gratitude Community. All that means is that every Monday, I will intentionally count my blessings and blog them here. I have enjoyed reading the 1000 gifts on "The Holy Experience" blog---a stranger who really inspires and encourages me.

Randomly, as I feel them today....

1--my family's closeness; our sharing and growing together; our love of God.

2--the rain that is finally here on our dry, dry piece of earth.

3--a hard working husband. His work ethic is amazing.

4--generosity. Without it, life would be different.

5--health, as I remember my friend Todd who is fighting liver cancer.

6--Matthew. What a big impact this boy has made on my life. I miss him, I love him, but most of all I pray for him and his Granny. Even the broken heart times, I'm thankful for him.

7--country roads for walking

8--neighbors who wave and share a sense of belonging

9--parents who love unconditionally. MY parents..the ones who have always believed in me.

10--my children's phone call to tell me something small..because those are the big things.

Control freak!

I heard a story, in a Love and Logic seminar that went like this...a boy grew up and married a woman who hen pecked him to death. She told him what to do, she controlled every aspect of him and he was miserable. So was his mother!! She hated how her son was treated. Someone pointed out to her that she had raised her son to be dependent on HER for every decision, never relying on his own judgement and never having to suffer the consequences/rewards of his own decisions. Then, he grew up and married a new "mother" who would continue him in his miserable cycle. Ouch.

I love Love and Logic and no, they don't pay me to blog about them! I'm really working on giving my kids autonamy. It is a process and against my nature, sometimes, but I do love it. I've seen how controlling moms can ruin their children's lives from lack of confidence to make decisions, total lack of confidence in themselves, and even broken marriages because a mom couldn't stop meddling. I don't want my kids to live their lives to make ME happy but rather to live for God and fulfill His plan for them. (When it comes down the road to marriage, I want to support them. Marriage is a challenge and is difficult, even though wonderful too. Every marriage has struggles and I want them to be able to handle those gracefully, in God's way, even when it means I have to see them hurt, which WILL kill me! )

I like James 1. In one verse, it says to be slow to speak but quick to listen. In another, it says if a person doesn't bridle their tongue, his religion(faith) is worthless. There are more verses about keeping quiet, all over the Bible. I continue to learn from these verses. As my kids get older, I hope I can keep my opinions to myself more often and enourage them to make wise decisions. I want them to be able to live without being dependent on ME but rather to be dependent on God. It is an ongoing lesson for me...prayers appreciated! Motherhood DID come with a book of instructions, I just need to read them and seek out my tutoring from God!

Our projects continue

Taking boards up to the second level of our house. Romo showed up to help, as you can see. Glad he broke up with Jessica and was freed up for this event. :) Actually, I liked the Jessica/Tony combination, but that is WAY off subject, isn't it? Child labor laws? Nah...they don't apply, sorry.


Old traditions die hard. We've done hand prints in wet concrete in every place we've lived. The kids wanted to do it again, so here they are!

The Shaffer Hotel

I finally downloaded more pictures! The kids and I traveled, a couple of weeks ago, and stayed in a tiny town, in a 'haunted' hotel. Here are a few photos of our adventure....

The bathroom floor. The kids loved this little "ghost"
The "ghost" who haunted my sleep in the bed we shared!

The bathroom was huge! As big as the bedroom. Here is part of it. If I were a ghost, I'd live in the tub.

The living room "ghost" all comfy on his bed.

We get so used to modern hotels with their conveniences and comfort. It was a fun adventure to stay at a 1800s hotel, even though it is very updated from then! Many of the rooms in this hotel have to use a community bathroom. That was a bit to much of an adventure for us, though!

I wonder what I'll do?

I've had those days when I thought...if only I had a day alone at home..oh the things I would do! I've daydreamed about those days..mostly while I'm at work.

Today I'm home alone for a few hours. I don't like it. It is quiet and boring. Oh no, there is plenty to do but while I'm doing it..it is quiet and boring. I miss my family.

What in all the world will I do when my kids go to college? YIKES!! I have a high school and a mid schooler..it is coming way to quickly. I'm not thinking of it anymore. BLOCK.block. block.those thoughts.

I'm thankful for every day, every moment with my kids. They are each more precious than anything else.

Summer memories

The kids and I went to a few hours of my parents' church convention. We saw some old friends, cousins and the new place they have the convention. Cody stayed and rode home with my nephew. Here are a few photos of memories made...(Thank you, Susan, for sharing these pictures with me!)

My Mom and Dad with their daughters' firstborn baby boys! Cody, Lorin and Daniel. I wonder which was more stressful..three girls or three boys??!
Four handsome young men.

Lorin, Daniel, Jess and Cody (Daniel and Jess are the affectionate ones! :)

The bedroom

I'll blame it on hormones(isn't that what makes us make spontaneous, crazy, unjustified decisions of all kinds?? Yeah, yeah..they get the blame!)...I suddenly decided Monday was the day to paint the bedroom. I am not a white walls kind of person, in my home. (I don't mind them in other people's homes.) So, off I went to get my paint and decided on "verde" though I was leaning toward a darker shade. I'd taped everything off before I left, so I was ready to go! Jess and I put on our painting clothes and jumped into the project with my friend, Murray's CD playing and us singing. 1.5 days later, we finished up the project! Nearing the end, I wondered, "what was wrong with white walls? I can't remember...". Only because it was hot and our walls, as it turns out, were never primered so they drank in the dark paint and we had to do a run for more. It is all done, I love it..so does the rest of the family! Now..onward to the master bath.

The quilt on the bed is one Jerry's mom made for us. She died a year or so after she made it for us and we've had it stored. When we moved, I decided she really wanted us to use it and in a couple of generations, it won't mean a lot to anyone so we better just put in on the bed and enjoy it. She cross stitched each big square...it is the size of a king bedspread!!!

Footnote: One reason (of several) I decided on shades of green in my room is because of my "green" experience a couple of years ago. From my bed, I can see a picture of a pink rose bud surrounded by green and matted in a tealish color. Reminds me of my relationships and how they open more as they deepen, only in God's time and planning. My hunter green heart shaped clock...always time for what is in my heart. There is more..but you get the idea. If you don't know about it, you can read about it here:
http://countrybumpkins.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/gods-way-with-disabilities/

Lazy days of summer

A little b-ball in the pool.....

Your opinion please

We have a porch! What color of pro panel (metal) roof should we put on the porch? Red? Silver? Other?

Please cast your vote.....

What did God say to you today?

I love this song sung by Tracy Lawrence. It comes to mind OFTEN and I just love it! I'm singing it to you...ready?

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare

This is where the rubber meets the road
This is where the cream is gonna rise
This is what you really didn't know
This is where the truth don't lie
{Chorus}You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think 'what's in it for me?' or 'it's way too far'
They just show on up with their big old heart
You find out who your friends are

Everybody wants to slap your back
wants to shake your hand
when you're up on top of that mountain
But let one of those rocks give way then you slide back down
look up and see who's around then

This ain't where the road comes to an end
This ain't where the bandwagon stops
This is just one of those times when
A lot of folks jump off
{Chorus}

When the water's high
When the weather's not so fair
When the well runs dry
Who's gonna be there



And in connection to the song(though totally switching gears), I am thinking of what we studied today in Bible study. Galatians chapter 6 starts out talking about how if a brother/sister is sinning, we should restore them "GENTLY". I LOVE it! It goes on to say we should bear each others' burdens. I loved this discussion though it hurt lots too, for various reasons.

In the course of our study/discussion, my heart felt very sad. Our society is one that values independence. We strive to be independent and self reliant. That is not what God's word says we should be doing. We should be relying on each other and loving each other as ourselves. Why don't we rely on each other? Well, I believe it is often a trust issue. We can't bear our hearts down to nakedness because of fear and lack of trust. We fail God because as a family, we should be so much more connected.

I thought of churches I am familiar with and how that principle is missing in all of them(there are friendships in all, but I'm talking about a larger scale). That is what made my heart sad. Gossip, back stabbing, avoiding open communication, busy-ness that allows no time for truly bearing the burdens of others. Churches focuses are on so many things from having to prove they are more right than the one next door to how much the new parking lot will cost and everything in between. If we could just go back to the words in red....the one's Paul was referring to in Galatians. I'm so thankful God has been there for me and everyone else, when we felt alone and had no one to turn to with a naked soul.

My prayer today is that I will become trustworthy to my brothers and sisters. I want to lay everything aside that hinders me from loving others as myself, bearing the burdens of others, and allowing others to hurt inside just because they feel alone.

I pray God will first make me trustworthy and then use me.
It is an ugly peek in the mirror that I am thankful for.

My Best Girlfriend, in a small nutshell

Best friends...

I got to spend 18 hours or less with my best girlfriend of 27 years! I was reflecting on best friends and what makes them. I like that saying..you'll always be my best friend because you know to much..which might just explain it all! But, no, there really is more to it.

Vicki and I met in school, but we weren't friends. In fact, I doubt we "met". We actually met at St. Vincent's hospital where we were both candy stripers. That summer turned into a summer of Taco Bell, sunbathing, boy talk, music, secrets, painful teen growth etc. That was the beginning of our sisterhood. (and much of those high school years will remain in diaries and memories at this point!)

She moved away from our high school and valley but just a half hour away. Eventually, her (ex)boyfriend and I, missing her, got close. Being afraid to hurt her, I didn't tell her. Our friendship suffered. In college, I was dating the same boy and got a call from Vicki saying he'd called and asked her to meet him at a park near her home. She said she would, stood him up and called me. He and I broke up..Vicki and I got back together. THAT is friendship.

College life for both of us was full and busy. We were in neighboring states and wrote the most hilarious, fun letters the entire time. I wish we'd saved them all, but then again...maybe it is best our kids don't know ALL our secrets! They were GOOFY fun letters and cards. However, when she was moving into their home about 15 years ago, her mother in law found her stash of my letters and....READ THEM!!! I think she's worried about me ever since! (note to self: ask Vicki if she still has those!!)

Vicki met Jeff...God sent him to take care of her and help her grow into who He had planned. I was in her wedding, and a less than a year later, she was in mine. Three years later, she celebrated my pregnancy with me, even though she was desperately wanting a baby. We took turns giving birth for three years and then came Miss Madi after a 2 year break. By this time, we lived ten minutes from each other. Playdates, parks, zoos, movies, swimming pools, dinners, lunches, pregnant bellies, health scares, deaths of loved ones, husband troubles, worries, celebrations, victories, growth of all kinds....we were there, right by each others' side whether on the porch swings or on the phone. A whole novel could be written on these sweet years. As I type, I think of the evening Jerry dislocated Jess's elbow at Vicki's and Jeff's home..just playing with her..and off we went to the ER with Jess saying, "My daddy did it, my daddy did it" and Jerry cried along with her. There's a story of an airplane that would make you wet your pants, but Vicki would have one to match it and I'd be the source of embarrassment! When I had a scarey ovarian cancer scare, my VERY pregnant best friend, my husband and three small children under that age of 4, all went out to Mc Donalds and the movie to give me quiet recovery time at home. People gawked and stared in disgust thinking that couple needed to get a TV!! They laughed till their cheeks hurt knowing the real truth of our combined family.

Time has made our visits shorter and more time between, but just as wonderfully sweet! I know God gave Vicki and I each other to make life's path more pleasant, humorous and bearable. For that, I am thankful!

Inspiration

I don't know the author of this poem that was shared with me, I apologize. I loved it and wanted to share it with you. Isn't it beautiful?

When I say I’m a Christian,
I’m not shouting I am saved.
I’m whispering I get lost.
That is why I chose this way.

When I say I’m a Christian,
I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble
and Need someone to be my guide.

When I say I’m a Christian,
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak
andPray for strength to carry on.

When I say I’m a Christian,
I'm not bragging of success.
I’m admittingI have failed,
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say I’m a Christian,
I’m not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are too visible
butGod believes I’m worth it.

When I say I’m a Christian,
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
Which is why I seek HIS name.

When I say I’m a Christian,I do not judge.
I have not authority.I only know I’m loved

And two more thoughts....
Salvation is a free gift. True discipleship will cost you your life.

Today we heard one of our favorite teachers. The message moved me to tears more than once. The one sentence (paraphrased) that keeps coming back it this: Holiness is not a law that can be enforced but rather a relationship that must be nurtured.

Happy Birthday, America!

Mass exodus, on tractors, from our neighborhood..headed to town on the 4th of July.
Adding the finishing touches at the starting line.

The title of our float was , "Just another day in paradise". Ron made me think of a Jimmy Buffet song or two as he sat under the palm tree. That is a sucker, not a joint in the corner of his mouth! (Hee hee...)

Our dear friends who are game for all of our silliness and ready to make memories with us!

Cody beat Bill to his seat!

Memories of a tree

This is part of our view from the south side of our home. See that big tree right in the middle of the picture on the edge of the hay field? This is on the ranch my family used to own and where we lived for 10 years. This tree has a funny memory that keeps coming to me when I look out..so I'll share it with you.

One day, when Jess was about 3 or 4, she said, "Mommy, would you wook at that siwy bull?" I looked and there was Mr. Bull doing what bulls are paid to do. I thought, oh boy..do we really have to talk about the birds and the bees at this age?? I simply said something like, "Oh, yes, I see that bull." She said, "He's twying to get a boost up into that twee from that cow. Siwy bull!!"

Yeah!! That's it! Getting a boost into the tree. Why didn't I think of such a thing! So now that is the bull tree....and now you know about it too!

Highlights of a week

We've had a busy week, So let me catch you up.....

I love these two monkeys! They make my life have meaning. Moms understand that, don't you?
Our neighbor, a state cop, gave my nephew the grand tour of his cop car and pinned him with a Junior State Police badge. He is such a nice, nice guy!

The tour...Blue was the only one who smiled for the camera!

Uh oh...three bad guys! Well, two bad guys and a bad girl!

In the back of the truck headed to Valle Vidal to see wildlife..and BE wildlife!

Almost to the top, their long day caught up with them!

Getting our picnic table ready.

Checking out the elk. We saw hundreds!!

Our first day on the boat this summer. Cody was driving us over the the dam for a scenic lunch site.

And FINALLY!!!!! We got our certificate of occupancy--final inspection--this week!! Yea Jerry for all of your patient (mostly) hard, hard work!