Friday's Finds :: Free to Good Home!

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Good Day! ~ dear friends.  How is everyone this morning?

I'm feeling pretty good.  Actually.

Excited, too!

I don't know if you've noticed or not.  But lately, my blogging and photos have been a tad sparse.  I'm not saying that is going to change much any, I'm just saying that I've had my reasons.  

I've been enjoying the S.L.O.W.

Remember, not too long ago - when I thought my computer was a goner - due to it getting wet?  Well, I wasn't too far off.

The thing was slowly, truly dying.  It was old anyway.  Keys were missing or completely not functioning.  If it ever got turned off - the Lord only knew if it was coming back up.  And, every time I would try to upload a photo - it would shut down... along with making some VERY strange noises.  So.

I said a lot of prayers over that laptop, and to my amazement the Lord kept it limping a long but working.  However, lately, because of that, I just kept to older photos or used "reruns".

I couldn't stand it.  I would take photos with my camera (which, that is another story!) and wouldn't be able to implement them.  So.  Yes!  It feels like I have a lot to catch up on.

I liked the flexibility of the laptop.  You know?  Sometimes, you would often find me out here, on the front porch...while the kiddo's played in the yard.

The sunflower was given to me by my son!  ;)

But you won't no more.

Now.  I'm stationary.  And, that's okay.

I certainly do not mind "FREE to GOOD HOME!"  

It was one of those things where it was from a friend of a friend of a friend, kind of thing. ;)

With my hubby being the techie-dude in this home... and he willing to set this freebie up for me.  

YOU BET!!  I'll accept.

Turns out this is, was, and will be a better blessing than ever anticipated.  God is good!

***

Have yourself a wonderful weekend!  Anything "special" going on?

We do.  But I don't want to talk about it.  At least - not until it's over.

The proof in the pudding... know what I mean?

the Stage is Set ( and winner!)

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The setting of the stage has long begun, yet the final details are nowhere near completion.

Who are the characters, again... you wonder?

Look around, and you'll see that you hold the lead supporting role in this exact moment of time.

Ready!  Get set.  Go!

Today is the day to make a difference.  All the difference in the world.

Are you ready for this?

***

Good Morning!  Happy rainy Wednesday, to you, my friends.

I just want to say - thank you! - to all who shared their thoughts & comments on Monday's Mugs & Muffins post.   The GIVEAWAY is, of course, now closed.  But the conversation isn't.  It was great, by the way!  Thank you for joining in.  I greatly appreciate it.

I am hopeful  that the door will remain open to continue to talk and encourage and challenge (me!)...on this topic of schooling.  For it is I who eats the humble pie.

The winner of the Giveaway - the book - Homeschool Supermom... NOT!,  by Susan Kemmerer...(selected by random generator) is!!

Shirley Ann - Under an English Sky!

Yeah!  

Congratulations, Shirley.  Email me your mailing address (please!) and we'll get this great book sent out to you - ASAP!  You're going to love this book!

Mugs & Muffins :: (Back to School) Expectations! :: GIVEAWAY (now CLOSED) !

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***

Good Monday Morning - Ladies, Mom's!

It's that time again.. so here's a big, hearty welcome to Mugs & Muffins.  I'm glad you stopped by.  And hopefully you'll take a few minutes to sit a spell.

Don't you agree?  It's good to be feeling - or am I being hopeful? - that feeling of FALL that is in the air!

With that, is the start of school... everywhere! Some of you are already in the thick of it.  But.  Today my son has started his first full day of school -  First Grade.  And I, I tear up.. sniff, sniff.

While I go get myself a Kleenex... you go ahead and pass around this plate of Applesauce Corn Muffins (link for recipe) and be sure to fill up that coffee mug of yours, okay?

**  These muffins aren't much to look at, but they sure are tasty.  And.  It's a great recipe to use up "older" applesauce - should you have some left over from the previous season.  I know many of you, myself included, are about to start canning or freezing up *new* batches of Applesauce for the winter.
Can't wait!!
***

Here we are!  It's Back to School time!!  

As a mom, what are your thoughts? Your expectations?  How are you feeling?

If you're at all like me, you find yourself... Nervous, Excited, Uncertain, Unsettled, Ready, Confident...overwhelmed.  Yes!   I feel all of that and then some.

What did you think of that little quip I found, ironically enough, in one of my cookbooks?  It was the one I  shared on Friday.  Let's read it again.

Boy at the chalkboard to his teacher:  "I'm not an underachiever.  You're an over-expecter."

Like I said before, this little quip; it made me want to both smile and squirm simultaneously.   I can be this... guilty as charged!  The over-expecter.  While expectations are not always good, neither are they all that bad.  I can easily place a lot of expectations on folks that can quickly make those people seem "a true disappointment".

The same against situations.  Ideas.  Plans. etc.  However, I also want things to work out - for the best. As expected.  Meaning.  Things coming out of the kitchen or my sewing room and especially within the functionality of my vehicle...they better impress... you know what I mean?

Over the summer - we've been working with our kids - preparing them to get back into School!  Writing, reviewing Math and even reading, for my son.  Yes!  My kindergartener son can read.  He says he doesn't enjoy it - AT ALL!  But, I am praying that this will be a great year for my son to grasp how - what he thinks is SO boring - to be instead, enjoyable and fun!   I'm ubber excited for my daughter to get out and go "to Pre-school"... I know she's going to love it! and yet, I'm sad.  This is going to make her grow her up so fast.

 My two year old is going to feel "so lost" without her big sister around - all of the time!!  I'm expecting to have a little bit more of a shadow, at my heels, than I already do. ;)  And, that is quite alright..

At the same time, it's been rough - this preparation bit.  I wonder if all of this "bucking" and "fighting", from my son, to get to it, grasp it, enjoy it... is truly because we might expect too much of him.  My daughter was/is showing some of those same signs...I'm not sure if it's because she sees it come out of her brother, or what?  I don't know.  Then again.  I KNOW they are fully capable... and so let the encouragement and insisting/pressure begin. (said, tongue in cheek)

Expectations are good for us.  They are our boundaries in a sense. (Micah 6:8)  

But - at the same time... when I, as a mom, over expect... over demand...over insist... I will ultimately face overt disappointment.  I will have a bunch of, what will appear to be, little underachievers on my hands.  Yikes!

I highly admire many of you who homeschool your children.  I know a lot of you who read here are in "that community".  And, maybe one day I will join you. Who knows for sure.

Currently our decision - as a family - is to send our children to both a private Christian preschool and to the local Public school.   Some days I really wish we were a homeschooling family and then on other days I can't even imagine that possibility, at all... and it's then that I'm so glad I don't.  All that to say is this, you ... you (you know who you are!) inspire me!

However, these thoughts of schooling at home are in the deep places of my heart, places that result in prayers being prayed continuously.  I'm confident that if it (homeschooling) is meant to happen, at all, for our family then - it will.  And God will make that clear!  Very clear.

It just makes me wonder how you honestly do it?  I know it is not apart from the Grace of God...I'm sure of that.

So tell me!  

Do you meet your own expectations as a teacher-mom?  What are some of your (own, personal) expectations when it comes to your kids in school?  What are some of your favorite memories and stories of being in school, for yourself?  Lunch ideas?  (I'll need some..) and what aspirations or tidbits of encouragement can you share?

 I would love to hear your thoughts.  Hurry... before the bell rings!!  ;)  

 My mom used to use that expression all of the time...and many others.  She was full of these sort of one-liners.  Anyway. Speaking of my mom!  I was thinking about this the other day.  My mom packed a lunch for my dad every single work-day of their 24 years of marriage, until he passed away.  She had nine kids, of which, I'm the oldest.  And so, she packed school lunches every. single. day. for all nine of us kids as we each went through 12 years of school..  It blows my mind!  Some days.. when I think about.. we helped but still...

Talk about commitment and steadfastness... to her family.  I really appreciate my mom!!

In preparing for this Mugs & Muffins post today - I had high hopes that a certain friend of mine would be able to guest post today.  That expectation fell flat when she had to decline -and I completely respect her for her reasons.   On the flip side... the GIVEAWAY that I had in mind for today - came through.  I can tell you - I have never been more excited than I am to be able to get this book into your heart and hands.

If I ever were to fully feel motivated and called to homeschool - it would be because of this lady right here.  Talk about living it out and living through it -in the thick and thin - enough to talk about it.  WOW!  And... there are plenty of photos sprinkled through out to prove it.  I love this book.

:: GIVEAWAY ::

My dear (IRL) friend Susan Kemmerer has challenged my feelings in more ways than one and encouraged me a lot as I think, consider, ponder the possibilities of (a future in) homeschooling.  Susan is a wife, a mom to nine children (7 of which are boys)  and a grandmother to six - with more on the way. I think. ;)  She has written many a book, and curriculum to boot, and is the author of this blog...Homeschool Supermom ... NOT! - When Grace Meets Homeschooling.

Follow her blog for another chance at winning!  Just let me know in a comment..

Susan has agreed to donate a copy of her book - by the same title - as part of my GIVEAWAY today.  Let me tell you!  I have read and reread this book - always feeling encouraged and (yet!!) overwhelmed..

Because, when it is all said and done... I know it is all and only by God's Grace that anything can be done... and that is our only hope and where our expectation(s) should lie.  I can't do this or anything by myself.  ONLY Jesus!  It is only by Jesus' help..that I can.

Susan and her husband, Dale, also run a home business:  School House Publishing.  You are invited to explore their web-site at your leisure.

**Each comment counts as one entry towards our GIVEAWAY today!  Share as many thoughts as you would like. I'm serious..
(This GIVEAWAY is now CLOSED.)
***

In closing, I came across a selected piece, from an old book; Ideals and Moral Lessons, that I thought I would also share with you, today.  This may read a bit outdated... but go ahead.  Read anyway.  What do you think??

 The Test of Education

A professor in the University of Chicago told his pupils that he should consider them educated in the best sense of the word, when they could say yes to every one of the fourteen questions he should put to them.  Here are the questions:

Has your education given you sympathy with all good causes and made you espouse them?

Has it made you public-spirited?

Has it made you brother to the weak?

Have you learned how to make friends and keep them?

Do you know what it is to be a friend yourself?

Can you look an honest man and a pure woman straight in the eye?

Will a lonely dog follow you in the street?

Can you be  high-minded and happy in the meaner drudgeries of life?

Do you think washing dishes and hoeing corn just as compatible with high thinking as piano-playing or golf?

Are you good for anything to yourself?  Can you be happy, alone?

Can you look out on the world and see anything except dollars and cents?
Can you look into a mud puddle by the wayside and see anything in the puddle but mud?

Can you look into the sky at night and see beyond the stars?  Can your soul claim relationship with the Creator?

Do YOU feel educated - against this list?  I cringe.  

A few of them.. make me wonder if I shouldn't go Back to School.  (smile!)

***
On the side:  Here is a link to a simple habit that will make your kids smarter.  In case you're looking for ways to make that happen. ;)

Take it for what it's worth.
What I find interesting about this article is that my husband and I have already been implementing this habit - wholeheartedly.  No wonder we always hear Grandma say - "You (grand)kids are so smart!"  lol.  Who knew?

***

Anyway.  Thank you for coming by today.  For hanging out!  For reading.  For sharing your thoughts and comments.  I greatly appreciate it.  Let me know what you think of those muffins - if you get a chance.

The Giveaway will wrap up on Tuesday Night at 10:00pm, EST.  I will announce the winner sometime on Wednesday.

Have a great day!

Friday's Finds :: Boy at the chalkboard to his teacher: "I'm not an underachiever. You're an over-expecter."

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***

Today's Find is this little...this little quip.  You read it up there in the title!

It kind of made me want to both smile and squirm all in one simultaneous moment.

I can be quilty as charged - just like that teacher was!

Read more on Monday??

I invite you back for my upcoming  
Mugs & Muffins.

I don't think you'll  won't want to miss it.
***

We'll be celebrating my baby girl's 2nd Birthday, this weekend!  I can hardly believe it.
What does your weekend have in store?

Doing the Salsa Today (but, kickin' it up a notch)

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Photo of last season's salsa..with a story!  I tell you.

For your reading (and dining) pleasure.

This stuff was so, SO good!!  Thick, Chunky, a nice hefty heat.  We loved it! and wanted to share... and we ended up giving it all away.  Because,as I said, we wanted to share.. ;) the love.

 

Today, I decided to attempt my hand at this again.   I thought I was using the same recipe as I had last year.  I had forgotten that I had posted about it. :)   Lo and behold, I found this photo and recipe (in above link) after I finished today's batch.  Uhoh... I realized that I (ahem!) didn't use the same recipe after all.  Yikes.. close!  But, not quite. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.. and I quote.

Then again.  Are any recipes ever the same, coming out of this kitchen?  Again...I'm commenting/vocalizing/quoting a thought I KNOW my hubby would say.   

Anyway.

The reason I say I'm kickin' it up a notch is that this time... although I didn't use even one Habenaro... I did use a bunch of Serrano, Chili and Jalapeno Peppers... along with some regular Bell.

It's getting canned right now.

Did I mention... we loved last years Salsa ?!?!?

We'll find out later if this stuff is a keeper... or not!  Hence I am not sharing the recipe, at this time.

***

How is your day going so far?

A Daybook in August

   

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FOR TODAY


Outside my window... the Canadian Geese are starting to flock in to our backyard cow-pasture.  It sure makes for a noisy morning out there.  (smile)

I am thinking... I can feel it... almost.  Is Fall in the air?  Or, am I pushing it?  One thing - I will say.  This by far has been the most comfortable summer ever.  I love that nearly every blade of grass is still green - around here. 

I am thankful... to be feeling a bit better (from this Lyme Disease) every day.  I am nearly finished with the 30-day dose of antibiotics.

In the kitchen... it's time to make some home canned salsa.  We like it thick, chunky, and medium-hot.  I found a great recipe last year and in my excitement of finding this recipe, making it and enjoying it so much that we wanted to share it with everyone... we have none left.  Can't wait to make it again!!

I am wearing...  that SMILE!(choosing to, at least) or maybe I should try this one on!

I am creating... my husband and I are thinking about and working on creating a Chore Chart to have in place over the school year.  Ultimately we will be implementing the use of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace, Jr.- Teaching Kids About Money!

I am going...to close my eyes and take a nap.  May I?

I am wondering...how this school year is going to pan out?  I cannot believe it- here we are!  Caleb will be in 1st and Aubrey headed off to Pre-K.  Wow!  The real question... I am wondering what my baby is going to do without big siblings around all of the time?

I am reading...actually, I have been thumbing through a magazine gifted to me, by my sister!  The summer issue of Life:Beautiful.

I am hoping... that dinner will turn out as expected, tonight.  It involves buttermilk and chicken..and seasonings.. ?? and whatever else with it.

I am looking forward to...seeing the blooms on Caleb's sunflowers.  The heads are there, but they are not opened yet. He's been so patiently waiting.  Actually, we're all excited...about them coming.

I am learning...  to say "yes!", more often.  That is not an easy word  for me, to say !  any questions?

Around the house...heading back into the kitchen.  On the list to make and bake:  Chocolate Applesauce Cake, Zucchini bars and Homemade Granola.  I already talked about Salsa...
Oh, and if you want to talk about smelling something around the house... ?  The farm smells around here have been pretty nice too.  I'm not joshin' either.  I like it!  A lot.

I am pondering... do you really want to know?  I've been burdened; this world in all of it's sickness and hopelessness and loss is really, REALLY (desperately) in need of J.E.S.U.S!  Amen?  This slippery slope...we're on (as a society, a nation).  We need Christ Jesus - The ROCK of our Salvation. It's the only thing that is sure.  Solid.  Unmovable.  Unchanging.

A favorite quote for today...
"Don't let yourself get so busy that you miss those little but important extras in life -- the beauty of a day...the smile of a friend...the serenity of a quiet moment alone."  ~ unknown

One of my favorite things... (I was thinking about this the other night!).. you know when your holding a sleeping child, and well..trying to get them to sleep or back to sleep, you know they're not fully there yet.  It's that moment when you feel their body fully relax in your arms and you hear that deep audible sigh.  And you know... they have fully entered la-lah land.

A few plans for the rest of the week: We have CG (small group with our Church) this week...and I am on schedule to bring the snack.  I'm sure you can say the grocery store will get frequented and maybe even a small family birthday party will take place for little Miss Jayne.  I cannot believe my baby will be two years old.

A peek into my day...
what one might see when taking the kids out for a long stroll around the farm!

Thank you, for reading along.
**

Joining up with Peggy from The Simple Woman's Daybook.

The Clothesline (a poem)

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I recently came across this poem and I had to smile - at what it says - simply because it says so much.

I'm not kidding... I think it is pretty "right on" and true!   At least it was for back in the day, and it probably is somewhat even truer today - more than one might know.  You could say - the author of this poem surely pinned this one, "right on the line".

I just thought I would share it with you today...

The Clothesline 

A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the fancy sheets
And towels on the line;
You'd see the company table clothes
With intricate design.

The line announced a baby's birth
To folks who lived inside
As brand new infant clothes were hung
So carefully with pride.

The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed
You'd know how much they'd grown.

It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.

It said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare.

New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy gray,
As neighbors raised their brows,
And looked disgustedly away.

But clotheslines now are of the past
For dryers make work less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess.

I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line!

~ Marilyn K. Walker

***

Happy Monday!  

I love that I'm hanging out with you today.  :)  

I certainly don't ever want my line to "disappear" if it don't have to.

Quiet Moment

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{via}

When we stop the mad

rush, when we say no

to some of our many

responsibilities and take

the time to come quietly

into God's presence,

then, in that simple, quiet

moment, He will breathe

His peace into our hearts.   
                                                                                       ~ Ellyn Sanna

***

Enjoy the rest of your week and on into your weekend.  Okay?

The Blessed (go from strength to strength)

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Every Morning... every day... I get to wake up and see this framed piece sitting here on our side desk.  This was a gift, to me, from a dear friend of mine - who drew and wrote this out for me.  The Scripture is: Psalm 84:1-4.

Not long ago we had a sermon at church out of this very chapter.  Reading further on through these verses... you read the phrase:  strength to strength.

I got to thinking about this.  Our own strength - as weak as it is - is in someways what we choose to rely on, the most. Isn't it?   We, too often, say or think; "I got this.  I can do this".

I know I do.

But.

The reality is... we need HIS strength FULLY.  Every single moment of every single day.  Here is one way that this verse (or phrase) has affected and been invested into my life.  Walking through this current trial of Lyme Disease... I've been really struggling to accept help from others.  It's either my strength or theirs.  When friends or family have offered their time via bringing meals, childcare or cleaning...oh, it's been so hard.

However, as I chose to accept it I realized, more and more, the blessing both for me and the giver.  We go from strength to strength... because we need to.  It truly is encouraging.  Beneficial.  A form of One-Anothering. 

To dwell in HIS presence...daily...brings blessing.  It is HIS presence that brings true satisfaction.  His presence that sustains...
I wonder if I truly realize how Blessed I am..?  You know? 

I thank God for friends and family willingly being the hands and feet of Jesus!

Praying for My Spouse!

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How do I do it?  Well, let me share a bit of a secret...

This isn't written in stone, meaning while I do pray for my spouse regularly it isn't always with this method, by any means.  Often when I pray for my husband, it involves many one sentence thoughts/prayers, randomly throughout the day.  But if and when I want (or need) it to be a bit more intentional in my praying for him, and when I get a chance, it will often be something along these lines...

Here it is...

But, first, I want to say.  I realize this way of praying for your spouse may seem a bit too personal to share (I'm almost practically blushing myself), but I felt that it just might be of some encouragement for someone; especially if you find yourself at a loss on how to pray for your spouse or even where to begin.  I'll be honest, I have no idea where I came up with this idea or from whom... but it's helpful to know that this way is certainly simple, effective and certainly beneficial.  You'll even notice that I've implemented some scripture verses to "help me" find the right words.

Oh, and just remember this method can happen at any time and place.  You can use it during dinner, while snuggling on the couch, or even while riding in the car.  It's not just for when your lying in bed.  

Using the Word of God, as a guide...

Take your hand and rest it on his head.  Pray that his mind would be free from worry or discouragement. That he would think on things that are pure, lovely and true.  That his eyes would be clear and see the vision for his future.  That his eyes would keep focused on the Lord and not on the (crumbling) ground around him.  Pray that his ears would be inclined to hearing truth.  That they would let the "trash  & filth" of this world (if that's what he destined to hearing all day) go in one ear and out the other.  May the words of his mouth be pleasing to the Lord, may they speak kindness and truth.  May there be a door over his lips. Keep his tongue from speaking evil.

Rest your hand on his shoulder and down his back.   Pray that the weight of this world would not burden his shoulders.  That his shoulders would be held strong and square...not given in to slump or apathy.   "When his back is to the wall - may he remember that yours was to the cross, Lord".  Pray that he would (please) let things roll off his back instead of bearing the weight of burdens that are not his to bear. 

Reaching around to his chest... and over his heart.  Pray that he would "Trust in the Lord, with all his heart and lean not unto his own understanding."  That his heart would beat true to you as a spouse, given to faithfulness, and commitment to you and your marriage.   Pray that his heart would remain soft to the way of the Lord and that it would continue to be a seedbed for growth and godliness.  For out of the heart the mouth speaks...

Down his arms to the tips of his fingers.  Pray that his arms would be strong for the task of care and providing for his family.  May they extend to embrace the hurting and hopeless around him.  May he have hands that are open to caring, sharing, extending grace and service...willingly.  May his hands ever be lifted up in praise and worship to his Maker.  Pointing others to Christ...

Pray that... when he sits, he will long to be in the presence of Jesus, not seated among the mockers.  That when he stands he will stand among the faithful...firm to the end...and not in the way of sinners.  When he lies down to sleep - that his sleep will be sweet and that he won't be afraid. (reflecting on Psalm 1)

Pray that he will run the race that is set before him... that he will walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.  That his legs will be strong to endure the journey - whether easy or hard.  May his feet be beautiful (I honestly don't know too many feet that are beautiful), but God's Word says "how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news". And, so I ask that they would be quick and ready to go... to share the good news of the gospel.  Maybe your spouse just needs strength to put one foot forward, on a day-to-day basis... pray that his feet would not stumble, wander or be tempted to stray.  Pray that his feet hold firm and are focused to closely following in Jesus' foot steps.

  and so on, and so on....

See!  how easy it is to pray specifically for your spouse, by taking this approach?   I've got to tell you that I had just written this post and for some reason "SAVE" did not save... I had to start over with writing it...devastating, to say the least... but, in which this proves my next point.  

Every time I go to using this method for praying for my spouse, the words will be different.  There is no exact formula... even though the idea and method is essentially the same.  And perhaps you've already thought of other things that you could pray.... and that is wonderful.  The point is to Pray for your spouse.  Or, for your children... I can think of the song that says...oh be careful little hands what you do; little feet where you go; little eyes what you see; little ears what you hear...  It is essentially using the same idea.

** The biggest secret is this; the whole time he thought he was getting a back rub or full body massage. ;)  (ta-daa...there you have it, and now my secret is totally out!)  But I think it's wonderful how we can use what seems as just mere physical touch with our spouse and in turn, implement a spiritual blessing as well.  

You might be surprised how prayer changes things... not just for him but for yourself as well. 

Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  Mark 11:24

** a modified re-post for today and I hope you don't mind.

***

Here is hoping you all have a wonderful weekend!  God Bless..

How do you see it?

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I can complain because rose bushes have thorns or
rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.

It's all in how you look at it.
~ L. Kinfield Morley

**
Something to think about, isn't it?

A bit of an Update..

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Good afternoon, my dear friends.  You're probably wondering, thinking ... "an update on Bevy??, please?"... and, I don't blame you.  Sorry about that.  I know, I've been kinda quiet on here, this past week.  And, that's okay... too!

For starters..

 

Scott and I attended the wedding of Scott's cousin, Ryan - over the weekend.  It was a very quick trip to Southeastern VA, for us... and I won't lie, it was very tiring, for me.  

But. 

Beautiful weather.  

Beautiful Bride.

Happy Couple.

Lots of family... catching up!

 A wonderful weekend..all around.

Introducing... the newly-wedded Mr. & Mrs.

Mom & Dad of the Groom..

I absolutely LOVE this photo of Scott and his older brother - Ben!

Sisters! - and Aunts of the groom..

Another Aunt and Uncle, Cousin and family of the groom..

Scott with two of his Uncles..

Handsome Dudes.. :)

I love this photo of Susie Mom and daughter's in-law..

 Scott and I left the wedding reception early - as we had a six hour drive home and kids that were waiting for us.  So, we missed some of the "festivities", there at the end of the reception..
We were just so glad that we decided to go, make the trip despite everything, and that we got to see and visit with most of the family.  Several of Scott' cousins were unable to attend.

Congratulations to Ryan & Kendall, once again.
God bless!
***

Like I said... I was pretty tired throughout the weekend.. and spent as much time as possible resting (ie; sleeping in the car, or at my bro & sis in-laws, etc.).

I was blessed that our children were with dear friends of ours - keeping them under their wing.  It certainly freed me to enjoy the weekend as best as possible.  However, I missed them terribly.
And, when we got home late last night... it seemed the feelings were mutual.  (sigh!)

Back to normal routine today... of course, and the wash line is flapping full and then some.

And I.
I need a nap, for sure!
Because... on the flip side.  As much as I missed my kids... I'm ready to send them back.  lol!
Shew...

But for the record.  I am getting better, stronger every day.  I think these antibiotics are certainly doing the trick.  I pray that I will continue to get better (from the Lyme Disease) and am so grateful for friends and family who are continuing to stand by.  Thank you!