A long overdue update

Well it has been a crazy month for sure. I feel like I've run non-stop but not sure all what we did.
Hubby started his new job.
Sarah and I went camping for a week and on the weekend hubby joined us. We celebrated my sister's 25th wedding anniversary with a surprise party.
Then it has been just work around home.
The landlord is currently renovating our main bathroom!! squealll!!! I am so excited about that. Hubby and I are trying to decide exactly where we want to be.
Sarah is signed up for dance again this year and she dances 5 days a week. Eek. Not so happy about that as it is a 25 minute drive one way to take her there.

Well all that to say that it has been probably a hit and miss month for my goals.

1. Get organized, get organized, get organized.
           a) I am putting together a planner that works for this household. I just need ink. Oops. LOL
                        I am hoping that with this planner I will be organized enough to keep up with my blog posts.
          b) I need to clear out some junk, file things and just generally clean up the clutter.

I did put together a planner and so far I am loving it. I will show pictures soon, but I wanted to make sure that I would use it before I posted it. There is already some things I want to tweek in it.

I did clean out some of my junk but still need more work on my desk. I need to be more diligent on filing. 

2. Get ready for school.
           a) This includes getting the school room set up.
           b) Getting the school books in order.
           c)Starting her back gently with some cool iPad apps that I will blog about later on.
           d) Get myself mentally prepared.

Well as I said before, we moved where she will do school. We have made her a desk which I can hardly wait to show you. Hubby just needs to finish attaching some boards and I need to finish organizing it. I have to do it this weekend as she is starting back to school full time on Tuesday.

School books were picked up yesterday and today I will finish the planning. At least for the first month. I kind of want to plan for the whole year generally but be more specific per month and be able to adjust it easily if need be. 

She started back this week with some math apps on my iPad that she really enjoyed. She really struggles with math so we are working to help her on that one. Math will be a large focus this year, however here in Canada in Grade3, 6, 9 and 12 they do something called PAT (provincial achievement tests) So this year we also have to prepare for that as well.

Am I ready? No but way closer than I was a month ago. We are both getting excited. Once I get this planning worked on more I will be more relaxed.

3. I am hoping to do the photo a day for a month.
           I found this really adorable blog that does this challenge every month. I am not sure if I will enter my pictures or not. But I really want to take them. I am hoping this gets me using my camera that I love more. 

Epic fail on this one. I did the first 4 or 5 days and that was it. I will try again in September when I am out and about more. We will see. It did help with my taking more pictures. I just need to get used to having my camera with me all the time. 

4. Do the Good Morning Girls group.
             I joined this last week. It doesn't start up until the 20th of August but in the meantime I am trying to get up earlier and spend time in HIS Word first thing. The last two mornings have gone great. I have had really productive days and I tend to be less tense.

Oops OK  the group that I was referring to that started up August 20 is Hello Mornings which I did start by the way. I have been faithful with doing it and getting up earlier every morning. It also is the first thing I do (after bathroom break). 
However I also did sign up for the Good Morning Girls group as well. This starts up September 17. I am so looking forward to this one as well.

The fellowship that I am receiving is amazing!! Definitely God blessed. 


I will be honest and have no idea what I am doing for September. Maybe I will have it figured out by tomorrow?? LOL

I am linking up today with Aurie. Hop over and see what many other wonderful individuals are doing.

Wednesday's Walk

Yesterday I sat down and wrote up a post for today.
This morning when I woke up and went to post it I realized that it wasn't what I wanted to say today.
I then pondered all morning what it was that I wanted to share.

I did some cleaning, I ate, I watch some netflix, I read some of a book, I finally worked on the paperwork I've been wanting to do all week, I was generally lost. I had no idea what to write.

 My Walk is like this sometimes. Sometimes I think I have it all figured out. Sometimes I am going on such a great path that nothing can get me down. Then sometimes God lets me know that He is control not me.

About a year ago, this song came on the radio. I was frustrated with Sarah. We were rushing in to dance. I just wasn't in a good place at that moment. Then this song came on the radio and reminded me that we are not in control of the situation. He uses these times to show us just that. His ways are different than if we tried to go at it alone. Since then this song has sort of become my theme song. Every time I hear it I smile and things just sort of settle down. Even Sarah loves it.

This is the stuff by Francesca Battistelli

I am not sure if you have heard any of her other songs, but she is one gifted singer.

I am linking up today with Mary Beth

Pieces of me that you may or may not know...

Today is Top 10 Tuesday and as I racked my brain thought of something to write I kept thinking about how my blog is. It is real, it is me.
I write about things that matter to me. Yep I know a little bit selfish there. :)
My blog is an extension of how I am doing, how I am feeling, what God is doing my life. It is like I said...ME.

So in saying that I decided that I would put down 10 things you may or may not know about me.

1. I am very shy.
I have a hard time making small talk to just one person. I am getting better but still hard.

2. My hubby and I have been separated twice and have gotten back to together.
As I have said earlier we were married young. We were both immature and being apart really made us grow up. We now have an amazing marriage but one that we both work on really hard. We found out that we are stronger because we chose to stay together.

3. I love to be organized but am a huge procrastinator.
I tend to prefer to curl up with a good book or watch a movie than fill out paperwork or make phone calls that I don't want to make.

4. I have been pregnant 6 times but only have 3 children here on earth with us.
I lost one, had one, lost one, had one...see the pattern. I will admit it was really scary thinking about having more children after Sarah.

5. I have been a Christian since I was 7.
I was staying at my sister's for the summer and went to VBS. It was there that I felt the call to follow God. I was baptized when I was 17. I joined a church in Vancouver Island and had our daughter dedicated there. Now I attend a church in a community about half an hour away that I LOVE!!

6. OK this one if you have been reading my blog at all you know. We are looking to adopt.
I am in the process this week of filling out paperwork so that we can apply for foster to adopt program. I really would also love to adopt a Waiting Child from possibly China or Ethiopia but it is not in the financial cards for us at this time. I realized that I want to be a Mom more than it matter where from.

7. I draw inspiration from several blogs.
These women really inspire me and I love reading about their lives and walks with God.
Lynette, Jenilee, Marcia, Michelle, Carla, Sharla and Aurie. Just to name a few.

8. I long to buy an old house and remodel it.
I am not sure if I could end of flipping it or not but boy what fun it would be. Really get my creative juices flowing.

9. I would love to find a way to work from home so that I could supplement our income.
I am crafty and have been recently thinking about how I could make money selling some stuff. Also love to do data entry however I have no idea how to get started working from home for that here in Canada. Any suggestions I would love.

10. I am very competitive.
I have a hard time letting my children make their own path. I always want to push them even though I know I shouldn't. I love to play card games, or really any kind. I also LOVE to be outside and quading and sledding are some of my favorite activities.

I am linking up today with Angie. Stop by and see what some other great top 10's there are.

My budding photographer

My daughter for the past few years has shown a love for taking pictures.
Now I must admit I have been leary about handing her my 'good' digital camera. I am scared that she will accidentially drop it and then voila I have no good camera again. However when I let go of my fears and give her my new one she has taken some really amazing shots.

A couple weeks ago we met up with Rob's parents for a picnic supper and a visit. I decided to take not only my camera but also my old one which my hubby has taken over. (whom by the way is also a great photographer).  When she started to get bored I handed her the camera and told her to go and take pictures of whatever she wanted. Such is the beauty of a digital camera. hahahaha

I must say that I have noticed in the past how beautiful some of the shots she has taken have been. She sees things very different from myself however they are gorgeous.

Love these flowers. I also love the dry cracked dirt. Such a testament to the prairies. 

Yep that is me looking like I am about to be sick. Truth was I was in a lot of pain. Both my tummy and back hurt. Seeing a side profile of me makes me more motivated to lose more weight. LOL

Love these two perspectives of the gravel road. 

I love the way she see things. She is not afraid to try new angles. I need to learn a thing or two from this girl.

Thankful Thursday

Sometimes when life is particularly hard it is really hard to find the blessings.
Until you realize it really sometimes is the simple things.

I am thankful that although hubbies job is not what we had hoped and things are really hard right now, he is able to come home on the odd night during the week.
I am thankful that it has made us realize how we really enjoying sleeping in the same bed together.
I am thankful my Mom was able to get home care twice a week for herself.
I am thankful that my in laws were able to spend so much time with Rob's Uncle during his 5 weeks in the hospital.
I am thankful that my niece and her very handsome son went down and visited with her grandparents yesterday.
I am thankful that I doing the Hello Mornings study. It has already really enriched my life and I am very much looking forward to starting the Good Morning Girls in September.
I am thankful that I received a great report back from my doctor.
I am thankful for God's grace, strength and understanding this week. I have a feeling I am really going to need it in the next while.
I am thankful we are not in a drought. Even if I have to cut the lawn get my daughter to cut the lawn every few days.

I am learning so much everyday and I am humble by your grace and for that too I am thankful.

I am linking up today with Theresa 

Have you ever wondered if you are a good parent?

Have you ever wondered if you are a good parent?

I sure have.

This week particularily.

Monday morning started off fantastic. Hubby left for work, I started a new bible study, I got Sarah up and ready to leave for her week long babysitting job. It was all going so smooth.

Then I decided to go and tidy up her room for her while she was gone. I wanted to wash all her bedding and pick up and wash whatever clothes she had missed throwing in the laundry. Just tidy up things. In the corner was a bag with a towel in so I proceeded to empty it. In the bottom of the bag I found secrets. 

Secrets that she had wrote. 

Some of these secrets did this momma's heart proud.

 And then I turned the page and I admired her strength and courage to stay true to her convictions even in with peer pressure against her.

Some of them made me torn. Sad that she only has friend, but at least she has one good friend.

Then things got difficult for me. I know that sounds selfish but my oh my was it hard to read some of the next cards. 

To read these words on this card but others was painful. What my daughter has gone through in the past two years just physically hurts me.

There were other cards that I am not going to share with you just simply to respect her privacy but those too had me grabbing my stomach and weeping.

At first I was so mad, how could I have missed this? Why won't she come to me and tell me? Am I that bad of a parent that she had to suffer in silence?

The answer is yes I probably was. I am a sinner, I have moments of terrible parent-hooding (yep I know not a word but seemed to fit). I have moments of selfishness. Moments when I just want to watch that show or read that book, listen to that song. Let's face it she is a teenager and with that have come some terrible mood swings.

I fell down on my knees and cried. I cried out to the Lord what have I done? How can I help her? How can I right this wrong?

The answer is through Him. 

I have in the past tried to parent my way. Sure I drug my children to church when they were younger. Sure I have even made (yep made) my middle son go to youth group. But when my daughter was going this past year there were days when I didn't want to drive in so I skipped it. I know i know another selfish act.

As I was down on my knees praying I realized something I NEED HIM!! I need Him in everything I do. I need His strength, His wisdom, His courage, His patience. I simply NEED HIM!!!

I am broken.

Only since I have broken can I help her. 

I want to talk to her, be there for her like I never have been before. I want to let her know some of my past experiences  Some of which I know she will be surprised but that I hope will help her.

Only through HIM will I find the strength, patience, courage and wisdom to parent her the way she deserves. I can't take back the times I wasn't there but I can make sure I am there for her from now on.

I can not even express how hard it is to write this post. My stomach still aches, tears are close to my eyes, but through it all I feel calm.

I just ask that you pray for me as I continue to parent this wonderful teen. That in the talk we are going to have that the words are the words she needs to hear and that she actually hears them.

I am linking up today with Mary Beth  and Haven of Rest 

Cravings

Even though I have realized over this past year that I am WAY healthier without some food it still does not stop me from craving certain things.
So today's Top 10 is about my cravings.
I warn you now it's gonna be good. :)

1. I love brownies, or rich chocolaty cake warm served with ice cream. This one looks divine!!

2. I love sweet and salty together. Through in a bit of chewy and oh baby you have won my heart. If I can ever have sugar again I am so making these bad boys.

3. Man how I miss a good cinnamon bun. I am hoping that when or if I get sugar again and once it cools down these are on my hit list.

4. I am so craving Ice Cream. I have been denied it all summer long as I am off of dairy as well as sugar and gluten (and various other boring stuff. ) So instead I dream of making this.

5. I love pumpkin and this recipe looks amazing. One of the many things about fall to love.

6. Mmmmm popcorn. I love movie popcorn, I love caramel popcorn, and I recently saw a recipe for peppermint popcorn I think I would like to try. But really could you go wrong with this chocolate and caramel popcorn. 

7. Let's not forget the baked apples of this portion. When I went to this recipe it was actually for the caramel sauce so I decided not to link it up. However how delicious would this be and relatively simple in that.

8. You by now might have realized that I LOVE chocolate. This would be an ultimate birthday cake for me. If I could have flour that is. LOL

9. Let's not forget all things cheesecake. This apple one looks like it would really hit the spot right now. However don't get me wrong, I would be happy with blueberry, strawberry, pumpkin, mint chocolate, or yea doesn't matter to me, just hand me a cheesecake. :)

10. I love these. I miss them so much. I realize there is no recipe for this, but oh what a treat they are for me. One that now I skip. Probably for the better as they are not overly healthy. LOL

I found all these pictures and recipes (except of course the Oreos) on my recipe folder in Pinterest.

I am linking up today with Angie. Pop over and see many other wonderful Top 10.

A glimpse into our lives

What a week this last one was.
On Tuesday I drove 2.5 hours one way so that I could sit on in an appt. my mom had with home care.
 It is gonna work great. She is finally going to get some help. Yay!!
 Then lunch, a short visit and then turned around and drove 2.5 hours back.

On Thursday I drove to town and enrolled Sarah in another year of homeschool. Hard to believe she is grade 9 this year.
 Then to the library to renew our cards and then we headed to the city so I could visit the specialist to see how I was doing.
 I got a great report back. She lowered my drops, stopped two all together and then put me on a high dose of vitamins for the winter. Unfortunately I still have no food back and might have lost them all together but that's a very small price to pay for being healthy.

Then Friday and Saturday were spent rearranging our bedroom. Cleaning it out and making a change. Sunday off to church and then a relaxing afternoon followed by a great BBQed supper.

This morning I started the Hello Morning study!! I'm so excited for this!!
Is anyone else doing this? Between this and Good Morning girls I believe morning actually become one of my most treasured times of the day. Now just to get off the computer at a decent hour and off to bed.

Speaking of which it is time for me to call it a night.
Can hardly wait for Friday so I can fill you all in on my updates with the 3 in 30 challenge!!
Have a blessed week everyone. :)

Wednesday's Walk

My husband is an amazing, hard working, loving, serving man. He would give you the shirt off of his back if needed. He is always there to lend a helping hand and offer words of encouragement.
However my husband is not a Christian.
I am.
This for me has made some things as you can imagine a bit difficult.
He has never once complained of anything I do church related. He has always let me take our children to church and even came a couple times when they were little.
 However, I would love for him to be a Christian.
He was baptized when he was a baby and then when he was a young teenager he had an aunt who was for lack of a better word overbearing in her belief. This turned him off.
This is something that I pray daily will change.

However in saying all this I realized that I was not as strong as I wanted to be in my walk. So I have decided to make changed to rectify that.
I have been reading my bible a lot more. I have been using the YouVersion bible app on both my iPad and my iPhone. I have done numerous bible studies on them. This helps in getting me more focused and in turn I am learning so much more.

I signed up for Hello Mornings starting next Monday and have been debating about also signing up for the Good Morning Girls as well. I am a little nervous doing both so we will see.

I made sure I go to church as often as I can and I most definitely make this a priority.

I read other blogs such as Jenilee at the Goodwin Journey , Lynette at Dancing Again or Marcy at Love my Life, Carla at Here am i... or Aurie at Welcome to our Good Life!
These ladies really inspire me to keep walking with HIM and knowing HIM.

Small things like sending my daughter to youth group or to a teen retreat even help with my growth as I desire for her to grow and I want to be her example.

I know that this walk will be anything but easy but I also know I can do it with HIM by my side.
If anyone has any prayer requests please feel free to ask and in turn I ask for any other ideas you can think of to help me grow.

I am linking up today with Mary Beth and her WIP (Work in Progress Wednesday)

Top 10 Tuesday

Today my hubby surprised me and came home for an overnight visit. Now that he is working only 2.5 hours away he can do that. It has been wonderful. Even though he only left yesterday morning time away is always difficult and I LOVE our time together.
So as I was sitting down tonight to write my Top 10 and having this wonderful thing he did foremost in my mind I thought I would list some of the Top 10 really special things he has done for me.

10 things that have made me love even more and really truly appreciate him.

So here they are in no particular order.

1.  He brings me snacks.
When he was coming home every night he would often stop at the store and buy me a chocolate bar or some other snack that he knew I would love. Now that I have a limited menu option he is always on the look out for things that he knows I can have and would like.

2. He has given me a rose petal bath.
The first time he did this I was pregnant with our first son. I had terrible day sickness and couldn't hold much down. He bought roses and candles and then gave me a rose petal bath. It was awesome and soooo unexpected.
He has since done it a couple other times. Times in high stress or times when he just simply is being romantic.

3. Massages.
When he was home every Sunday he would watch football and give me a massage during the game. Many other times he has blessed me with nice shoulder massages or foot massages. These are heavenly.

4. My camera (s)
My first decent digital camera. He totally surprised me with. He knew I was coveting one so bad. So one day we went to the store and had me look drool over some cameras. He started to ask a lot of questions on which I would like, etc. Then he surprised me by buying it. He had been slowly saving money that I wasn't aware of and wanted to buy it for me.
My second (current) digital camera.
We were in Costco and he knew that was the one I was wanting. He just picked it out and kinda insisted we buy it when we did. I love it so much.

5. My iPad.
He bought me one for Christmas this past year. I will admit that in the beginning I thought it was going to be a bit of a waste, but now I use it so much.

6. My sewing machine.
He has bought both my sewing machines for me. Both were surprises and both I loved. The first I could never really get to work right but my current I love and have sewed several quilts, etc on it.

7. Giving me my 3 beautiful children.
He is an amazing father. He is caring, a great listener and a good disciplinarian. He is not only the father or our 6 babies, (3 which live with Jesus) but is also willing to be a father to more. He understands my desire to adopt and supports it.

8. Doing the dirty jobs around the house.
These can be things like emptying the sewer from the trailer, or giving the BBQ a good cleaning, or throwing away the mice that our kitty leaves as offerings at our door. He has caught a bird that she has let go in our house, he has changed gross dirty diapers, he has changed tires, pulled our son out of the ditch in the wee hours of the morning. He has done dishes, cooked suppers, did laundry, bathed our babies, help clean the house, mow the lawn, take trips to the garbage dump, clean things that really are nasty. He changes the propane for me and cleans the gross yucky hair out of the sink drain.
So many things that really I can't count them all.

9. He surprises me by coming home expectantly.
I love this. Today is not the first time but it is the first time in many years. I am looking forward to these kind of visits. :)

10. He works so hard so I can stay home.
This is probably one of my most favorite. He is willing to sacrifice his time with our family so I can be the full time one with them. This means more than words can say.


I am linking up today with Angie at Many Little Blessings

A Monday Musing

I had an great time this past week. I believe we were actually able to surprise my sister with their 25th anniversary party. I was able to spend time with all but one sibling. My handsome hubby was camping with us for the weekend. The weather was good. All in all a pretty darn good time. I should be happy.
I am happy.

But...

All I can think about these past two days have been how bad I want to adopt. How bad I want to have another child in our family. How bad I want to be a forever home for someone.

Then I think how crazy I am.

Hubby's job just changed. His wage will be a little better than half of what we are used to and still I want to bring another one into this mix?

We are doing pretty good but not fantastic. So how on earth do I possibly think we are going to be able to afford to do this.

That's when I realize we are not. Not without help. So I pray and I pray.
I seek God's wisdom in this. I seek His guidance and His patience when I have none of my own.

Simply I also ask for prayers. Prayers that this is what He wants for us. Prayers that if it is that finances will work out. Prayers that if it is not that I can accept it and my heart can heal.

Camping

Just wanted to give out a shout out! I am having a great time camping. I plan to be back late Sunday night so I will be posting again most likely Monday. See everyone then. In the meantime you can follow me on twitter. SherriDavidson1

Top Ten Highlights from our impromptu family reunion

Well I should know by now that nothing and I repeat nothing about my family runs smoothly. However I even I wasn't anticipating some of the events that happened.

Here is the Top Ten in no particular order.

1. Our trip to Vancouver Island should have been fairly easy. We were supposed to fly from Edmonton to Calgary and then on to Comox. Pretty easy right?
Well...
There was a few glitches along the way. What was supposed to only be 2.25 hour trip ended up being 14 hours.
They had a minor issue in Edmonton that caused a delay so long we missed our flight out of Calgary so we got to spend the night in Calgary. The next morning that flight was delayed and then once in the air we faced a head wind so even in the air it took longer.
We spent a lot of time laughing over the matter because really what else could you do.
Here we are laughing like hyenas.

2. Finally getting to our sister's on the island. Get to bed late at night and I end up sleeping on a air mattress that went flat.

3. My parents stressed and worried as they couldn't get ahold of my brother and his wife. Turns out there flight was also delayed getting into Vancouver and then there was a communication breakdown about where they should fly into next. They got there, just took them a while as well.

4. Seeing the place where we brought Sarah home.
This was actually really hard for me. We lived in a shared acreage with my sister. The boys were little here, it as I said was the place we brought Sarah home. Things have changed. (Which I knew they should but still it was hard).
I love the island and it was hard being there and knowing that things are so different.

5. Seeing my niece again after a couple of years.
We are only not quite 4 years apart.
She is now a Mom of two beautiful children.

6. Playing Bocce ball with all my sisters. Then getting bored with the regular game so inventing new ways to play it.

7. Having a chance to walk around the golf course they have made and admire the beautiful scenery and the flowers that my sister has planted.

8. My sister asking for a 'little bit of wine'. So this is what I brought her.

9. Of course the laughter!!!

10. And last but most definitely not least favorite memory is spending time as a family. We love to be together and bond. However we do it. Whether it is sharing a 'little bit of wine', or playing bocce ball together. Whether it is laughing about something crazy or delayed and bumpy plane rides. It all still is wonderful memories made of time together.

I am linking up today with Angie's Top Ten Tuesday.

A change for the good???, and the Photo of the Day

Tomorrow my handsome hubby starts at his new job. Well technically they are calling it a transfer as he is moving from one site to another. However in a lot of senses his job will really change. For example he will go from being in charge of 300+ guys to 2. His main scope here will be trying to get this part of the business to grow. To have the 300+ men working there. I know he is really excited about the opportunity. I mostly am too. I am a little sad at the fact that instead of having 15 days off a month he will now have 8. I told him today that it was ironic that he is 'moving' 5 hours closer and I will see him less.
However the one BIG bonus is that if he needs to or wants to he can drive home. That for us is priceless. He can be home for Thanksgiving supper or one of the kids birthdays. Our anniversary. Days like that. Events that he had to previously miss as he was on shift and worked 8 hours away.

There will be other adjustments of course but I am praying that God as always will provide.

We are using this time to make a lot of positive changes around here.
Finances
Weight
Goals
Etc.

All in all I think I am looking forward to it as well. :)

Tomorrow is also the day that Sarah and I head off camping for 5 days. Adventure awaits. :)

Now the eagerly (or not ) awaited photo of the day.
Since we were crazy busy yesterday I am again posting two days at once. I also won't be posting the rest of the week until we get back on next Monday.

Yesterday was Logo. I desperately wanted to take a picture of the Apple logo but was unsuccessful so this is what I came up with instead.

 Today was writing. These are the farewell cards that hubby received from some of the guys that he worked with.

Photo of the Day update

Alright I will admit I missed yesterdays photo. We were just way to busy. So I made up for it and shot it today. It was supposed to be coin.

Our penny is going out of use the end of this year. So here I am with a big jar full.

 Today it was somewhere I sat.

I think I spend more time in the driver's seat of this vehicle than anywhere else.

I am loving this challenge. It really makes me think about angles and such as well as lighting.
I am so an amateur, but I enjoy working on being a good amateur. hahaha

3 in 30 August

1. Get organized, get organized, get organized.
           a) I am putting together a planner that works for this household. I just need ink. Oops. LOL
                        I am hoping that with this planner I will be organized enough to keep up with my blog posts.
          b) I need to clear out some junk, file things and just generally clean up the clutter.


Well I haven't done much on this front so far. However I did get ink finally for my printer so it is good to go. Just need to start printing off the pages I want. :) 
As far as the junk goes, that is this weekend. Yay us. hahaha. Actually it is one of my favorite things to do. :)


2. Get ready for school.
           a) This includes getting the school room set up.
           b) Getting the school books in order.
           c)Starting her back gently with some cool iPad apps that I will blog about later on.
           d) Get myself mentally prepared.


Again not much done here. Although we have decided on a different spot for her to 'school' which actually will be much better for both of us. She is kinda separate but still in plain view. So it makes her feel more private but still allows me to be able to check on her regularly. I am also hoping we can get her desk set up this week and then clean up the rest of the 'old school area'.


3. I am hoping to do the photo a day for a month.
           I found this really adorable blog that does this challenge every month. I am not sure if I will enter my pictures or not. But I really want to take them. I am hoping this gets me using my camera that I love more.


This one I have actually done. I took photos for both day one and day 2 (the rainbow). Today is coin. 
This one I am loving and hubby is really helping me remember so it is great.


4. Do the Good Morning Girls group.
             I joined this last week. It doesn't start up until the 20th of August but in the meantime I am trying to get up earlier and spend time in HIS Word first thing. The last two mornings have gone great. I have had really productive days and I tend to be less tense.


Since this one doesn't start up until August 20th I have been just slowly starting myself. Just being more aware that I want to get up and spend time with HIM. It has been really helping. I have done a few small devotionals and I have really enjoyed our time together.




I am linking up today with Aurie at 3 in 30.
I can hardly wait to see what everyone's goals for August are. 

Thankful Thursday

I love thankful Thursday. It gives me an opportunity at least once a week to count my blessings.

Today I am thankful for spending time with family.

Please forgive our appearances. This was taken Monday morning after a total of 20 hours sleep in 4 days. We were running on fumes.

My beautiful Mom, whom at 83 is still looking as gorgeous as ever.

My handsome father. I think we totally made their year by all being together for this period in time. 

My handsome brother and his beautiful wife. Although we were only all together briefly it was so worth it.

 I am thankful for the fact that with all the horrendous storms we have been having, our place has been spared.

I am thankful for the fact that I paid all our bills today. Not that it is exciting to necessarily pay bills but the fact that every month we have the money to do so.

I am thankful for an amazing husband who is supporting me so much.

I am thankful that we were able to get two free T.V.'s today. One for our son and one for a young woman we consider our other daughter.

I am thankful for God's glory. We saw this on the way home today and had to take a picture. Thank goodness I had my camera. :)

This coincidentally is also going to be my Photo of the Day. It is titles ONE.  

I am linking up today with Theresa for Thankful Thursday.

Photo a day.

I promised myself I would really try and take more pictures. So when I stumbled across this fantastic blog. I thought what a great way to get myself motivated.
So for August I am accepting the Photo a day challenge.

So this evening hubby and I went for a drive to take a picture of the 'outside'. Well I will say for me this is my favorite thing besides my family to photograph. So I had a really hard time deciding on what pic to use.

This is my decision. What do you think?

Wednesday's Walk

I want to do something a bit different this week. I am trying this out so bear with me.
I want to try and write something every week about how I am learning to walk closer to Jesus.

I want to do this for a couple reasons.
First so that maybe someone is inspired or can relate to the posts.
Second is to keep myself accountable. I love getting up in the mornings and spending time with HIM first off, however I also LOVE my sleep.  I tend to be very goal oriented so if I try and make this a goal that I am sharing with you guys then I should manage to to keep working at it.

I find that my daily walk is a struggle. Now don't get me wrong I have GREAT, AMAZING, days, however I also struggle. A LOT!!

I struggle with coveting what others have.
I struggle with loneliness.
I struggle with the need to please others instead of HIM.

I know the person that I want to be, now I have to learn how to be that person.
I know that I can not compare myself with anyone else.

No one is perfect!!
Everyone sins!!

Those are things that I need to remember on a daily basis. However HE will always, always, ALWAYS be there for me.
HE always forgives me. (even when HE is shaking HIS head wondering why I would do that)

Learning to walk to the walk I want to walk (follow that? LOL ) is not easy.
I know that I need to give up more.

I am starting with things that are while to some they may be easy for me not so much. Such as giving up some sleep in the morning so that I can spend time connecting with HIM  before my family wakes up.
I need to make it more of a priority to do a devotional with Sarah. She has one. We have done it together. Then we stop. I need to make sure that this becomes such a daily habit that we couldn't imagine doing a day without it.

I also want to make sure that people know that I am Christian. This for me doesn't mean shouting it from the roof tops but it does mean that I need to live for HIM more so that it shows in me.

I realize that this post is long and I do apologize but I needed to have a starting point.

What about you? How are you learning to walk the way you want to walk with the LORD?

I am linking up this week with Mary Beth and WIP (Work in Progress) Wednesdays