Laughter for the Weekend!

There is nothing that blesses me more than good hard belly laugh. While I was dropping my son off at school the other day I was listening to 'Insight for Living' and heard Chuck Swindoll read the now infamous camp letter from Cole to his parents. If anyone was watching they would have thought I had serious problems...laughing out loud like I was!

If you have heard it already, like me, you just have to hear it again.

You gals in the blog world have been such a blessing to my heart, I just had to share a good laugh with y'all. (That's how Fran and Kim would say it!)


Camp Letter from Cole to his parents.

Mmmm Mmmm Good!

I know without a doubt that many of you gals out there are chocolate lovers. I have a few close friends that on occasion would sell their children for a bit of chocolate. I too love it, but even more than chocolate...I LOVE peanut butter!

The other day I was busy cleaning the house and had a sweet tooth. I decided to find a recipe online that would doctor up a cake mix. I ended up making a 'Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cake'. Here are the ingredients. If you are on a diet...hide your eyes!


The kids loved it and I loved it too. Here is a picture of my 13 year old master taste tester. He requested a second piece!



Since it was a hit around here, I thought I would share the recipe.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Recipe

1 box of yellow cake mix
1/2 Cup peanut butter
*make the yellow cake as directed, only add 1/2 Cup peanut butter. Bake and cool completely.

8 squares of unsweetened chocolate
2 Cups peanut butter
1 Cup powdered sugar
1/2 Cup chocolate syrup
*I melted all ingredients in a double boiler. (I didn't add the powdered sugar, it was sweet enough for us) Frost cake!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

'Blessed' Books-Tuesday

As Christians, our marriages should be a living breathing example to the world. Our marriages should look different to people. Unfortunately, just as the secular world, shamefully our statistics for divorce are not much better.




The book 'Love and Respect' is written from the Ephesians 5:33 mandate "But every husband must love his wife as he loves himself, and wives should respect their husbands." I have enjoyed many books on marriage and this one is one of my favorites. It is not only an easy read (my husband and I read a chapter together each night), it is a great encouragement.

My husband and I make a point to attend our church's marriage conference each year. We have also been blessed to attend 'A Weekend to Remember' put on by Dennis Rainey and Family Life Today. We always try to make a point to take what I like to call our 'marriage temperature'. We get a marriage check-up, if you will. When we leave these conferences we go down the check list, marking off the things we are succeeding at and highliting those things that need work. This book was one reccommended to us by friends who had heard author Dr. Emerson Eggerichs speak at their church. It is now a book that I keep on my shelf and as recently as yesterday, gave to a neighbor of mine who is hurting in her marriage.


If you are married, take the time to read this book. Whether you think you need it or not...you will be 'Blessed'!



"My husband and I have never considered divorce... murder sometimes, but never divorce." Joyce Brothers

Last Minute...YOU BETCHA!

Being a self proclaimed 'Last-Minute-Lil' has been a genetic trait of mine for as long as I can remember. I grew up with a sweet mother who rushed around completing any task only moments and sometimes even seconds before her deadlines.

Her legacy continues...

Our 3rd grader had a lovely school book report due today. We were given a full month to complete this task. Did we take our time working on this project when we could have done so in a peaceful and stress-free way?

Of course not.

That would have taken all the fun out of it.

We decided to do it yesterday afternoon...the day before it was due.

And to add I believe, a bit of sinister joy on the teachers part, we were asked to make this book report on a cereal box.




My cereal box job behind me, breathing a huge sigh of relief, it was almost time for our children to head to bed. Since it was Sunday night, I called to my youngest to bring me his Friday folder to peruse.

What, you actually look over your children's Friday work on Friday's?

Not us 'Last-Minute-Lil's'.

If we were to do that, then we wouldn't have the joy of being mind-blowingly surprised from time to time.

Like I was last night.

With only ten minutes before the kids bedtime I discovered that my darling youngest was no less than 'Star of the Week' this week. What does that mean, some of you may ask? It meant that I was now working with my son on his own artistic adaptation of himself.

...and this son is NOT artistic.

Out came the pens and paints..yet again.



Ahhhh the joys of last minute mothering!

For the first time...

This weekend was one that I have been so looking forward to. I wish I could convey into words just what a blessing it was for me to attend my first Christian Writer's Conference. Let me just briefly say that I am having a mountain top moment and I pray that it lasts.

For the first time, I was surrounded by other people who love to write as much as I do.

For the first time, I was able to speak to authors who are actually doing what God has gifted them to do.

For the first time, I knew without a doubt that God has put a burning passion to write for Him, inside of me.

For the first time, my gift of writing was set ablaze by the words God spoke through these godly men and women.

For the first time, I am able to call myself a 'writer'.

We don't forget our 'firsts' do we?

Active or Passive...which faith is yours???

While reading my daily 'Streams in the Desert' this morning, this touched my heart. It made me stop and think...am I passive or active?


Passive faith accepts the Word as true-
But never moves.
Active faith begins the work to do-
And thereby proves.

Passive faith but praises in the light-
When sun doth shine.
Active faith will praise in darkest night-
Which faith is thine?

Seriously...are you kidding me?!?

Welcome once again to what I fondly like to call my "Seriously..are you kidding me?!?" favorite police call of the night.

AND THE WINNER IS....



Caller or Little-Man-Syndrome-Man(From here on out will be known as LMSM) ..any similarities to the Ronald Mcdonald Clown are purely coincidental.


Me: 911..what is your emergency?

LMSM: (Talking very fast, very agitated and angry) I was just at Mc Donalds and didn't get all of my food that I ordered.

Me: ...and that is an emergency?

LMSM: Let me finish. I went back in to the restaurant to get my missing food and to report the poor service to the manager.

Me: Uh huh...

LMSM:..and after I told this manager about their poor service and his employee's awful work, I was walking out of the place and the employee who messed up my order started throwing me hard looks. You know I was in the Marine Corp..

Me: ..okay...

LMSM: So I went right back in to Mcdonalds and started asking him , "Why are you throwing me hard looks, huh? What is your problem?!?" Then I saw the man put his hand in his pocket. So I asked (his voice getting louder), "What is in your pocket, Hey..what is in your pocket?!?"

Me: Did you see anything in his pocket?

LMSM:No..

Me: So what would you like the police department to do?

LMSM: Someone needs to go out and talk to this guy!

Me: Sir, there doesn't seem to be any crime here. But if you want to wait in the parking lot for the police to come by and talk with you and the management there we can do that.

LMSM: No, I can't do that. My girlfriend and I are headed to a business meeting. I am just so mad. You know, I was in the Marine Corp. What did you want me to do?!?

Me: Okay, sir, I get it that you were in the Marine Corp. I understand that. I was raised by a Marine, my daughter's birthday is the Marine Corp birthday..I get it, oohrah and the whole bit. I understand being upset over not getting all the food that you ordered. But really, is it worth it to possibly get in a fight over a Big Mac and some fries?

LMSM: This is just wrong. Someone needs to go out and talk to that guy.

Me: Sir, the next time this happens..and it will happen again, that you don't get your complete order. My suggestion to you is to let your girlfriend go inside and pick up your fries...you should just stay in the car.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Our Annual 'Why we don't live in the snow-trip.'

Have you ever gone to the pet store with your children and held a new puppy? The kids were all around begging you to take this adorable little creature home with you? And maybe like me, you were smitten...for that moment, and took the puppy home. Only hours later wondering to yourself, "What in the world was I thinking?!?"

That is how it is every year when we go to the snow.

After only an hour on the hill, kids crying because they can't feel their feet, tears after tumbling down the slope on their faces...lost gloves, noses running,...I am pretty ready to go home.

We are blessed to have a dear family friend who lends us their cabin. It is the kids favorite family vacation and (minus the snow) it is ours too. Since we don't live in the snow, after twelve months of pretty warm weather, we are usually beside ourselves to get bundled up and hit the hills with our sleds.


These past four days were wonderful hanging out in the cabin, reading, watching movies and eating lots of junk food together. But once again, I take my hat off to you gals LIVING in the ice and snow. God Bless your hearts and homes.

You ladies are much more amazing than I give you credit for.

'Blessed' Books - Tuesday

Have you ever read a book by Christian non-fiction writer Francine Rivers? If your answer was no, then let me be the first to encourage you to do so. Originally a highly awarded secular romance novelist, Rivers opened her heart and her life to Jesus Christ and is now a Christian novelist whose books have been made into movies.




Her book, 'Atonement Child' was one of the first of her books that I read. This book tells the story of a young woman and college student 'Dynah' who lives through a very traumatic sexual assault and soon afterwards finds herself pregnant. Dynah who is almost a child herself, has to make decisions about whether to keep this child or to have an abortion. As you turn each page you find yourself silently praying that she will make the right decision. Throughout this ordeal her faith is not only realized but strengthened.

If you are anything like me, whether you start with this Francine Rivers book or one of her many others, my guess is that you will be hooked!

How Hard Are You Looking???

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with ALL your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

While driving my son David to school, he pointed out a cat sleeping on the roof of a neighbors house. I was not only amused but once again amazed at my sons' ability to see things that most people do not see. David is our child that can find a needle in a haystack. This gift has been used to our family's advantage. Lost car keys...ask David. Lost permission slip...get David to help. Missing a shoe...David can find it. When we are out in a rural setting, David shows us bugs and animals that we would never ever have seen on our own.

"David, you should be some type of special investigator or detective when you grow up." I told him while turning our car onto the freeway. "Why do you say that mom?" He curiously asked. "You just have such a gift of seeing things that no one else has the ability to see." I told him. He surprised me by his relaxed reply. "Mom, anybody could see the things I see...they just don't look hard enough."

His response reminded me of God's words in Jeremiah 29:13, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with ALL your heart." The word seek means to diligently inquire, to pursue, to search from place to place or to hunt. God promises that we will find Him if we look for Him with all of our heart, with more than a casual glance in His direction. If we purposely fix our gaze to see and believe, He is waiting for the opportunity to show His hand in our lives. There is a saying, "Is seeing believing? No, believing is seeing." Only then will see God in ways that our imaginations couldn't begin to dream.


How hard are your looking for Jesus in your life today? Are you seeking Him like a bird dog on a hunt? Or, are you taking a casual glance at His word in between phone calls and shuttling kids from one place to another? Let today be the day that you diligently seek and pursue Him. Make a conscious effort to look for the Lord in anything and everything that may come your way. Open your eyes my friends...then stand in awe of the God who loves you and watch our all powerful God at work!

I think David said it best, "Mom, anybody could see the things I see...they just don't look hard enough."

The Heart of a Missionary

Missionaries have always been so very interesting to me. People that would leave the comforts and safety of America and put themselves in harms way to further the gospel, I just can't explain it. I am in awe of that commitment, that gifting of the Lord. We have two dear friends in Russian, Olga and Igor who spend time with us every time they are in the U.S. I love that the children can be around people who have given their very lives to the One that gave His life for them and us. One of my girlfriends from church 'Dana', has been to Russia quite a few times. The group of ladies that she goes with serve the Russian women there by putting on women's conferences, basic teachings of God's Word, showing them how to get the meat of God's Word in their spiritually hungry mouths. Dana sells homemade apple pies every year so she can afford the trip. This year with all that was going on in her home, Dana was not able to attend. Instead she made dozens of homemade pies and donated the money to the group of women in her absence. The group left without her a couple of days ago. Oh, the growth of an obedient godly woman who waits on the Lord before running ahead to do what she wants to do, when she wants to do it. I know in my heart that the next time Dana is able to fly to Russia...OH what the Lord is going to do through her!


My heart swells to do many things in this lifetime, taking each of our kids before they move on to college on some type of missions trip is one of my hearts desires. If you too are inspired and truly 'Blessed...' to watch the fruit of a missions trip, God's hands and feet in action. Please go to the blogs BooMama and Rocks In My Dryer and read about their trip to Uganda, Africa. Both of these ladies are there now. Also for those of you who are interested in a beautiful young missionary family who are living overseas, please go to their site Joy In The Journey.

For now, I will continue to pray for these very special people with their very special callings. My mission field is a small town in Northern California, in a home filled with four young children and a wonderful godly man...until the Lord gives me the green light, this is where I am to stay and bear my fruit for Him.

Happy Valentine's Day

Blessed...

Monday evening I had made a coffee date with my girlfriend Aly. At 6pm I was ready and waiting. My jacket was on and my purse was over my shoulder. I was anxiously expecting her to be at my house any minute to pick me up...what I WAS NOT expecting was the beautiful group of women that showed up alongside her!

My husband Paul had taken it upon himself to invite many of my dearest girlfriends over for a surprise 40th birthday party. I had a small idea something was up, I just didn't know what.

If I had known, I would have vacuumed my house and maybe even cleaned the bathroom.

I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pictures.



"Hold that blow!" I tell the kids this when I am trying to take their candle picture.


Are girlfriends a gift from God, or what?!?


Men in the kitchen serving us girls. (Paul and his dad Paul)


Every single gal at my birthday is an exceptional example to me of God's unique giftings. Just on this couch alone there sits the gifts of hospitality, administration, joy, patience, faithfulness, teaching of the Word, godly parenting...



...the food just kept coming...


Good friends and desserts...am I in Heaven?!?


This picture is a very special one for me. My blogging pal Chelle from 'The World of Chelle' got a hold of my girlfriend Aly. These two were in cahoots and the fruit of that was that Chelle, even though she is in Pennsylvania, had a 'Starbucks' gift card there for me. Is she pretty amazing, or what? Chelle is the real deal...if you haven't been by her blog already, go there today. Her heart for the Lord will bless your socks off!

Friendships made through Jesus are eternal and no matter how far apart we are, His hands of love can reach. This is one of the reasons that I love blogging so much. Through this blogosphere I have found in so many of you, a beautiful group of godly women that even though I may not be able to hug in person, I will be first in line to hug when we meet in Heaven!

I am truly 'Blessed...'

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY...well, kinda.

My darling 'Stalker Walker' buddy dropped these by my house on Saturday. I ate THREE of them! Do you see what I mean?!? That girl is trying to get me fat so when her ankle is well I WILL HAVE TO walk with her again!

My sister Jennifer gave me some Karate Kid advice when I told her what Gina had left for me this weekend. In a very dark and menacing voice, Jen told me over the phone just how I needed to take care of my donut fairy.

"Joanne...sweep the leg."

Under the Weather...

Our family has been 'Blessed' with good health so far this year. Forty eight hours of a runny nose is all we have had to endure and that was from only one child this winter. Our close to perfect record changed this morning. Meghan had a stuffy head and sore throat, David had a sore throat and Grace said she felt fine but admitted waking up last night with a sore throat.

Sound the alarm! Mom is now in sick-mode!!! Out came the Airborne, Vitamin C tablets dropped fom the sky into their little hands. Zicam flew at the kids from all directions and all sugar is now on a lockdown!

Only Meghan really was sick enough to stay home. The others I kept home just to make sure that this flu/cold or whatever they have will not get any worse. This mom is armed and ready. My family is not going down without a fight from me.

I have included a few pictures to show you what the kids were doing this morning in my multiple roomed sick-ward.


Meghan has never once minded hanging out to read in her bedroom.


Gracie is trying to write in cursive while cuddled up in mom's bed alongside 'Princess Violet Rose', her cat.

David is finding anything he can in the house to eat. Hmmmm...I don't think he is really that sick...do you?

'Blessed' Books - Tuesday

Are you getting tired of Christian non-fiction books yet? I promise to post a fiction book next week, but for now, here is a book that is on my annual reading list...

'A Woman After God's Own Heart' by author Elizabeth George was one of the first books I read after becoming a Christian. I know that some people read her books can become stressed out over how far they may be missing the mark of godly womanhood. I find her books quite the contrary. I love to read something that encourages me to the high calling which was planned for my life even before I was even born...or should I say re-born to it! If you haven't read this book, get it. You will be 'Blessed'.




Today you are getting a 'twofer' book post! For those of you moms out there with young daughters, here is a book for you. This book would be a wonderful book for a mother/daughter or aunt/niece, youth group leader/preteens and teenagers...'A Young Woman After God's Own Heart', again by author Elizabeth George. If you feel like you just don't have the time to do a daily Bible study with your daughter, take a chapter a week and sit with her and do a devotion. Go over the points in the chapter that speak to your heart and let your daughter share what she thought was important in the chapter to her. It can open a great dialogue between the two of you.

And like I say, there is not much difference between toddlers and teenagers. They both need your undivided attention to grow and thrive from the love and one on one time you give them.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK...FEB. 11-17

Did you know that this week is Random Acts of Kindness Week? I'm thinking this would be a good time to challenge you all. I would love it if you would think of some kind thing to do for someone this week. It can be big or small, you can do it for someone you know or a stranger. Just keep your eyes open for ways you can help someone this week. You may enjoy it so much, that you do more than one kind thing! There are some ideas above, but you may have some great ideas of your own. Please feel free to publicize this on your blogs, but ask people to link back here, so we can see what fun things people do.


Have fun being kind to others and don't forget to comment on what you have done!
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"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:11-13

I got this from my friend Mari at 'My Little Corner of the World'
I just had to get on board with this one. I am always telling the children to be kind to one another. I pray that you too will find a moment and ask God to show you someone who could use a hand or heart of kindness today.

My Best Birthday Gift

When I was a young child, there are certain family members that I remember loving so very much. It was my aunts and my grandma who were my favorites. I was closest to my mom's youngest sister Cathy as a child and young adult. She was only fourteen years old when I was born. I remember as a little girl asking to try on her song girl outfit, sleepovers at her first home when she was a newlywed, hanging out with her at the court house where she worked (and having her and her friends XEROX my face and hands on the printer!) wedding showers and baby showers that she threw for me. I remember at seventeen, driving to the hospital with my girlfriend when she gave birth to her daughter Lindsey. She was the one I would turn to when I desperately needed a babysitter for Meghan and again the one I turned to when I was so heartbroken over mom's cancer. When I had my daughter Meghan, I think my Aunt Cathy was almost as excited as my own mother was. The first ten years of Meghan's life she was a constant fixture. My oldest two children were so blessed to have her around. She just doted on the little ones so much.

Six years ago my aunt and I had a disagreement. I come from a family who has a bad habit of not talking to one another when hurtful words are said. To tell you the truth I don't remember exactly all that was said between us, I just remember being hurt and I am sure that I hurt her too.

We haven't seen each other or talked much for years now.

My aunt has missed out on being a part of my youngest two childrens' lives. That has been so hard for me. No longer do I call to share with her about something funny the kids have done, or said. No longer does she receive calls from my kids inviting her to their birthday parties or school activities. I don't even think my youngest two would know her if they saw her today. In return, I wasn't there for my cousins big days, their graduations or special birthdays. It has been a hurt that over time I have let become a callous on my heart...dead skin so that I don't feel the pain. She has gone through some very difficult health issues and I make sure to keep up with how she is through my other aunt and Grandma. Praying for her if I know she isn't well. The past few months I truly belive that the Lord has put her on my heart. Like Jacob with the Lord, I wrestled with God about this...ALOT. "What would I say to her Lord?" "I wasn't completely at fault here God!" "How can I make things right?"

Yesterday was my 40th birthday. It was dark when the doorbell rang. My husband answered it and received a package from UPS. It was from my Aunt Cathy, for me. Inside was a book and some wonderful smelling lotions from Victoria Secret. I immediately called her to thank her. After so many years, I still know her phone number by heart. When my aunt answered we had a wonderful conversation. I loved hearing her voice and that thick protective skin on my heart became so very soft. I have missed her so much.

With my mom gone, having my aunt remember me on my birthday was more of a blessing than I can convey with words. We ended our conversation with telling each other 'Love you'.

This was my best birthday gift this year.

I only wish I had given her this gift on her birthday.

Blessed are the Flexible

Pneumonia has a way of getting your attention. After my sister Jennifer was released from the ER late Thursday evening, her mother in law Geneva who has been staying with their family was admitted to the same hospital Friday morning, with the very same diagnosis...pneumonia. Geneva had one added concern though, her x-rays showed a spot on her lung that they want to check with more testing. Please keep her in your prayers.

Our plans to leave for a family snow trip Friday morning came to a screeching halt. Celebrating my birthday in Lake Tahoe and sledding with the kids would be an impossibility to do with a care free heart. I couldn't leave my sister being so sick. I wanted to be there in case she needed me or if she headed back in to the hospital.

When we shared the news with our children on Friday morning, our youngest two cried. They had all gone to bed so excited to wake up the next morning and leave for their big trip. I was very disappointed too. During our devotion, I shared with them that I knew God had something for them this weekend. That He is a loving God and they should have hope. I told them to keep their eyes open and to watch and see what He would do.

Less than five hours later my father and stepmother called to invite us all out to dinner and to ask if they could keep the children overnite. The kids were thrilled to have a sleepover with their grandparents. They loved on the kids and filled them up with goodies and a trip to the movies to see the 'Chipmunk Movie'. I was so grateful to the Lord!

Of course God didn't stop at blessing the children. Paul and I found out late last night that Lee Strobel, the author of 'The Case for Christ' book series is going to be speaking at a church close by. We are loading up the car this morning and even picking up my sister's oldest girls and taking them along to hear him speak. How cool is that?!?

Oh, and the cabin of our dear family friend, that we were going to stay at...it is available next weekend.

GOD IS SO GOOD!

So Grateful...

My sister Jennifer was released from the hospital late last night. My brother in law Eric and I spent most of the day and much of the evening in the emergency room by her side. She was diagnosed with pneumonia. I have never seen her so sick in all my life. After being hydrated with 2 liters of fluid, a bag of antibiotics, a narcotic for pain (7X stronger than morphine), tylenol and oral antibiotics...she was sent home. She has very little memory of her evening last night. I am so grateful that she is on the mend, so grateful that she can be home to get well, so grateful that her family will be around her today.

"A thankful heart is a grateful heart."

"It is so good to give thanks for the Lord, and to sing praises to your name, O Most High." Psalm 92:1

Profound