Jerome's new career!

For all of those who have been waiting and praying with me for the past 4 years, God had has heard and answered our prayers for J to have a new career. I guess I shouldn't say it like that but God's plan has come into play for us. We just had to patiently and faithfully wait for Him to lay it out for us.

In December he went to a job fair in Birmingham. If you know J, he never meets a stranger and talks to everyone. And of course he did that day. A total stranger became a messenger of the Lord.

After a week of "training" with one of the local car dealerships and the lack of $5oo to say " a man is serious about a job that he was training for and will not leave the company to work for someone else after training..." J didn't get the position at this dealership. A blow to any man's spirit.

Determined that he was coming home with out a job, he had his daily talk with the Lord. Raising his request yet again. Praying continually and consistently and with thanksgiving. Asking the Lord for a career that would provide for his family in every way possible. And that God would be there to open every door and close all others.

Well, that day there was a job fair in town. He had already been to several that morning, mind you. All with disappointment and frustration. He calls home and lets me know what kind of day he had had and that he would give this last job fair presentation a try before he came home that evening.  We agreed and I wished him blessing. 

He went in and filled out all the necessary paperwork, turned in his resume, and waited his turn. In the meantime, remember how chatty he is, he meets a new pal and they share their job search stories and what ever else men talk about.  After a few moments, they were quiet and the man began to squirm in his seat. This was very obvious to J and probably rather odd.  The man finally says: (I'm paraphrasing due to poor memory!) "Man, I have to tell you something. God is making me do this." You know this has to be good right?! "God wants you to know that this is your job and that it will provide all that you will need for your family." Oh thank you Jesus!  These were the words that J had prayed that morning while driving to the fair. God is so good to confirm his plans to you, if you'll just listen!

Every time I tell this story I recall the little caterpillar on the Veggie Tales movie "Jonah."  He always said: "A message from the Lord..." with that funny little accent! Yea! We got our message from the Lord!

He has already spent two weeks there for training and physicals. All that necessary stuff. God put him with other Christian men to keep him accountable  and  then those men who need a Christian man to show them Christ.

Jerome has a witnessing heart. Now, I know we all should have a heart to share Christ. What I mean is that J can do it with so much more ease than myself. I call him "Daddy Shepherd." He doesn't like the title but he knows that God has called him to be a leader of men. Calling men to Christ. He can just relate to all men so well that it just flows from him with out effort. It just amazes me.

He was home this week-Valentines week. We had a blessed time together and he returns to PA (Pennsylvania) on Sunday bright and early for another two weeks.

I love you baby! You are my hero!

Working in the Kingdom

Yesterday, our family went to a friend's house to help clean up the yard! They are working on obtaining their home study so that they may adopt an Ukraine orphan. It was good to be working in the kingdom today.

Things Heard Around Here Today!

We were sitting around the kitchen table on Friday, having lunch and discussing things that they had learned this year and school. I was attempting to make them feel like they've come such a long way in their school work, which they have. Keeping morals up and such. Trying to be the supportive mother, I commented how good they had done and how smart they were....

and Sarah said, "...of course we're smart, we're raised!"

All in nutshell!

Hello my dear friends, I've been gone from blogging world for over a year now. I hope that I can now keep up with daily stuff and share the joys of my daily life with you.

This is October 2011 and so much has escaped my busy hands that I just possibly can not tell all that has happened. So as quick as possible:

Chloe: 15 now does have her learners permit and drives everywhere. Ladies I thought that it would be all scary and nerve wringing. I actually get to relax and look at the scenery! It is a joy. Chlo is a cool and calm driver 90 % of the time. We just took the PSAT at the local high school and survived that.

Nate" 11, is so into anything that shoots, has a blade or is an adventure. I pick up hundreds of air soft pellets all over my floor and yard! I say recycle, recycle, recycle!

Sarah: turning 8 in December is a joy. She is a creative girl who is always trying to make something to make money. She loves to cook--but not clean! That figures right. An artist is always messy! We went to Cici's Pizza for a tour and she wanted to own the place! She was so at home throwing a pizza together and into the oven that I was impressed. Jerome has an ol' family BBQ sauce recipe that is to die for! Chloe and her girlfriends named it "Gorgeous in a Bottle." So, Sarah has asked for it to start up her own restaurant! She's 7! Already got HUGE plans.

Sam: the baby, is now 6 years old! Oh, I so feel old. He is still into mischief and quite a hoot. Just the other night, he was praying with me before bed and he prays, and prays, and prays....(real prayer warrior here) "and help Mommy be a godly woman..." and keeps praying. Now I know you are thinking 'Hmmmm" or maybe you are picking your jaw up from the ground or maybe even running to get a tissue to wipe away the laughter tears.... I was a little caught off guard, and then Chloe began to giggle and then Jerome walked into the room and we all just lost it! Chloe says, "Well, Mom, is there something we should know?" Hee Hee Hee...

In all honestly the babe was only repeating what he had been taught! Jerome is USUALLY the one who gets to pray with the boys and he'll pray that they each grow up to become godly men! Oh, such love in this house!

So, Here's a picture of that little squirt on his 6th birthday (where his Capt. America Mask):

The Best things in life are when :

*your baby boy crawls up in your lap with his blankly and his soft, shiny, blond hair to muzzle your face in.
Or...

*when your most handsome hubby brings you a cup of coffee in the morning and a big bear hug.
Or...

*when your biggest boy still climbs up in your lap or always has a hug for his Mom
Or...

*when your youngest daughter always has a "I love you" in sign language for you

*when your eldest daughter is always your right arm

The Madness Around Me

Yes, the maddness around me! I really got myself into a knot here today. I can't even turn around without some project looking me in the face going "Me! ME next!"

Let's take a tour....

We started out this morning good.. We addressed, stamped, enveloped Valentines for the CBS party on Thurs. "Check!"
Oh but wait... I can't put those away yet because S & S haven't done theirs.... Ch either.

(Note: basket of Valentines, breakfast crumbs still ascrew on the table...,

Next came "oh, I want to make a life sized game board to play as a review for science day tomorrow... "Ch get the paint, brushes and plenty of poster paper to go under the sheet.... " Oh blessings, last night I stopped off at the American Thrift store and picked up a perfect, white, queen sized, flat sheet for $2 for the game board.... ;0) Happy Momma!

Back to table picture::: hairdryer to dry game board and stamps to stamp it & our "start / finish" for the board....)

Is the "Beef Its whats for dinner" running in your mind. If not, get it going....& somewhere in the mess I decided to blog about it....what was I thinking...

Ready set draw squares, figure pattern, paint squares...... oh lunch?

Nate

Chloe

Oh yes, gotta get the cookies in the oven for the CBS parties tomorrow... 4 kids X 4 classes X 24 students = a bunch of cookies..... (Notice the board in the back still waiting on me.... I've got great helpers though....)

"N, You've got dish duty, but you've got to take the plants out of the sink first....."

"Trash out too!"

Oh the rice crispy house is still waiting to be done... "Yes, I promise today will be the day we do it, I promise Sarah...."

Oh no! Candies for teachers...I'll get that too..... insane....

Drats the coffee pot is empty....

Thank God for God and excellent praise music....
"even when the rain rises.... I am washed with the WA-ter.... Even when the storm ..... even when the earth crumbles under me.... even when the my loved ones are trying to crucify me (for doing too much!) .... Even when the rain falls, even when the storm comes.... Even when the floood starts rising... I am washed by the water....... "

Oh that sweet feeling that I can do all things through Him is just pricless! Thank you Jesus. Thanks for the patience that I WILL have today and the joy that we WILL SHARE>>> We WILL make it through!

Is it bed time yet?

Oh, that's right, I'm not done..

"Let's go, second round...!"

Sarah turns 6

Sarah turned six this month!

WOW!
How time really flies!

This little, tiny, pink, six pound baby has turned six!

WHAT! This is my baby girl. She is so giggly and shy!

(Look at that pony tail! This is the first real pony tail Sarah has ever had!)
Isn't she adorable!

The grandparents wanted to get with us for her birthday. We met at the local Chick Fil A. This is Papa, Paw paw, Dad and Big Brother Nate the Great.

(Not sure why Paw paw has a growl!)
This is Mi maw (to go with Paw paw) Mimi (to go with Papa), Big Sister Chloe and Sarah.

(These gals don't know how to behave!)

AND this is Aunt Jo with Little Brother Sam!

Aunt Jo made her birthday cupcakes with polka dots on top!
Boy it was YUMMY!

Being in Kindergarten, Sarah was able to move up to Kids Church.

This is her first human video! She did so good!

She is being the water!

She didn't get nervous at all!

She also sat in Santa's lap this year for the first time and not run away!

This Santa happens to be her great- Uncle Johnny!

Now, for Sarah's real birthday-birthday, she had two good friends to come over: Catherine and Gabrielle. They had a blast! They played, played and played!

(Look at my little red head!

Strawberry blond really. But she is the only one!)

and SHE GOT A BIKE! Oh she was so excited!!!

Look at those flip flops. You can tell we live in the South!

Ahhhh. To sit down and rest! It seems like I 've been WORKING all day and I still see mess. Oh, that's right. Not everyone was on my train of thought:

"Put Home Back Together Plan."

I've dusted, vacuumed, unpacked some of our home boxes and packed up some Christmas stuff. I'm on a soap box now. I have a home for nearly everything. When we thought we might be in foreclosure, I started stocking up on those boxes. With us home schooling, we buy lots of books and collect other teaching materials. I would hate for all that to be ruined.

My honey thought I was insane. Why all these boxes? Why are we spending my arm & leg? Why to protect what we have already invested in my dear. It was all clear then.

Oh, did I tell you we get to keep our home? That's why I'm unpacking the boxes and putting our Christmas stuff back up. No, the trees (yes, 2 trees) are not down, the lights, the decorations etc. Nothing is really down. I've been unloading those really nice, worth an arm & a leg boxes to put our Christmas into and throw out the broken ones. Why invest on Christmas stuff? To save all the stuff that we've spent money on so that they will last for years and not have to re buy each Christmas, of course. Plus don't forget the yummy little hand print ornaments and the handmade ones too! After 10 years of marriage & 4 children, wow! A lot of good stuff in those boxes! The memories, the traditions, the love of family oozes from them! That's why I invest in many arm & a leg boxes!

Hey, Merry Christmas!

Photos coming soon.

God is good. Still relying on His goodness to get us through today.

Crying over spilt milk

Today we went on a field trip where I couldn't take pictures. I'm so distressed. I hate when this happens.

Back to reality. Afterwards, we went to a new Walmart, well, new to us.
Very nice, clean, less people than my regular, over crowded, hussel and bussel Walmart.

I had collected all the items on my list. I thought I was doing okay. I kept getting the "look" from some of the other shoppers. Now I admit, we weren't quietest group in there, and probably the largest (me and 4 children). By the time we had picked up our gallon of milk my hair was falling out and my nerves were ready to burst because S & S were on the path of driving me insane. Jumping, hollering, pulling the buggy, riding under the buggy on her stomach (which I have to add, I NEVER let my children do that because I've seen what it does to a little finger when it gets trapped in the wheel.), S was standing on the sides, the back, the front, ALL OVER THE Buggy! I couldn't contain them!

I know your thinking, "This isn't terrible. What's her problem?" Well, I'm SPOILED. I usually get to go BY MYSELF!! It is my calming time, a time of regathering, a time of me NOT talking! A peaceful time. (Hear the birds twittering and the butterflies fluttering past you in a dreamy sort of way?) My only relief. (Sometime, I do take 1 child with me for some "Mommy Time" so I'm not that spoilt.)

Back to my "story."

Somehow, we had made it through and Ch had asked to hit the clearance isle. One of our favorite places. Okay, as of then, we were walking together, no one jumping, hollaring, riding the buggy in some crazy fashion. A moment of sanity. The birds and butterflies were back,

Then...

THEN....

THEN....

BLAM!

Splash!

WET SOAKING thourgh my pants>>>>

(Slow motion)
I turn around and see Na & Sm holding hands & their mouths dropping open in a slow

"NOOOOOoooooooo!"

(My peaceful moment GONE!)
They had been jumping the lines on the floor and Na had DROPPED THE GALLON MILK ON THE FLOOR busting it in 2 places!

WHITE MILK was gushing, like Niagara Falls, out all over their (actually) clean floors! We stood there STUNNED and in a silence that was deafening...

I (slow motion again) grabbed up the gallon, thinking I could turn it to a spot in the container with no holes, I only poured MORE milk on myself and onto the floor.

We were standing at the pet section and I turned and started running with milk gushing out making a path for the poor mop handler to follow! In my mind I having a conversation with myself: " Am I helping? Am I creating more mess? I don't know. Just have to run and put it Somewhere! What to do. Stop? Run? Go! Go! To the trash can!" I ran to the garden shop and just threw the gallon into the trash can.

The cashier, a woman of 50ish and very country, said,

"Well sweet heart what happened! It's all over you!"

Thanks Lady.

Now I have to wash my jeans that I just washed. You know the rule. Wear the jeans 2 times then wash. Not today.

An hour later, Sh poured herself a huge glass of ......milk and spilt it all over the china cabinet. :0((( Whaaaaaa..... more milk..

Yes, I'm crying over spilt milk. (Sorry, no picture of this;0))

How was your day? Got any spilt milk stories? I'd love to hear.

Pictures of Whats going on..

What's Happening:

Thing I've heard or seen this weekend

Okay, I've been inspired by Mama Hen to jot down a few things that I've heard or seen this weekend. Now, it is the last weekend of October. So, strange things are happening!

1.) I got lost going to a birthday party over in the Century Plaza/ East Wood Mall / Mountain Brook area! Our fine neighbors who recently moved had a their 6 year old's b'day party on Friday night. We got lost when I didn't realize that Montevallo Rd and Montclaire Rd are not the same! I was an hour late. But God sent someone to help me out with the correction. I was on Montclair Rd when I passed the Jewish Center. (Well, at least I wasn't at the Package Store asking for directions! Mama Hen!) Spotting a police car I pulled in to ask. He should know right?! Well, he wasn't in his car. I saw a figure walking across the parking lot going to the center. "Excuse me," I spoke in my softest voice, almost as if I didn't want him to answer, " can you help me?" An older, squatty , I assume Jewish man turned and said, " Yeah, what you want?" Friendly right?! He came closer to hear me. Then this man burst out of his shell! "Okay, Where you goin?" After as little info as possible he started giving me 6 different directions on how to get to my location! "DO as I Say. Go down here to the Publix, and take a right. Now you'll see a right aide. Turn left,....then you'll see a .... then a .... turn left and then a right..... blah blah blah. Now do as I say. Now if you want this end of Montevallo Rd go to the intersection and look for the CVS and take a Left..... Now do as I say...." After I realized that this man was no harm to me, I almost lost it with laughter! Every two or three sentences he would say "Now do as I say..." in this very southern, "Joey" off of Friends voice. You know the one. When he says "How ya doin'?" That one! Chloe commented that she saw me tensing up with laughter, but I held on tight and didn't laugh! Surely he didn't mean to sound this way. It had to be natural. When we pulled out on the road, Chloe looked at me real serious and said, "Now, do just as I say." I burst into laughter! I was crying and almost..well you know. The whole van was laughing. God SO has a sense of humor! He knew we needed a good laugh after being lost for over an hour!

2.) We saw TOO MANY GROWN WOMEN wearing "Kitty" outfits at this party and too many thighs and breast! PLEASE people! Put some clothes on! This was a child's party! Not......... Never mind it is over. I had prepared my children that we might not stay to long, only to make an appearance. We stayed for an hour. I instructed Nate, 9 y.o. to just look away. The language was not any better! I kept reminding my self that we were the light in the darkness. The party go-ers knew the moment that we walked through the door that we stood for the light. The attitudes were very evident that they knew. Apologies for language, hushed talking when we walked from one room to the next. I stayed right with my littles and my biggs stayed right with me. When we got into the car, I reminded them that they were the light in a dark world and many times a living wittness is enough. Not a preaching to or condemnation. We made them think about how they were leading their lives. Thank you Jesus for being with us!

3.) As we were getting off the interstate in t ville, there was a truck going up the off ramp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4.) When I got to Staples to buy ink, don't you hate to spend $$30 for ink?, I returned my empty cartridges for credit. I had a ton of them. Last time I was in there, they were only taking 3 at a time. I thought this will take forever to get a decent credit. I walked in, and asked how many they were taking now at a time. Guess how many! 10! They were taking 10! I was so excited! Why you ask. Every cartridge is a $3 store credit! I earned $30! Yeah!!!

5.) Today, I have been so stopped up, and very dizzy with meds. I have felt ran over all day. As I was sitting on the couch, all piled up with covers and a down cast face, Sam crawled up into my lap and states, with his finger circling around my face: "Why you look like.....(not knowing what to say)...that?" Well, thanks Sam. I appreciate that.

Right now the kiddos and Dad are off to the local church festivals and I am here typing away. Photos to come. Chloe went as the fashion police along with a few friends. Kinda like the Charlie's Angels. BUT DECENT! Nate is wearing Alabama and Auburn. He claims he is the Iron Bowl! Sarah is Cinderella and Sam is a Cowboy with chaps, vest and Festus hat!

If you find any misspellings please realize I'm still DIZZY!

Blond Moment

Okay, I just had a blond moment. I was looking over my blog and one of Sarah's pictures had a "smudgy- dot" on her nose. I scrolled up to see more pictures, all the while I was thinking of how to get the mark off the picture. I rolled back to the pic to ponder the problem. The smudge... was gone. I scrolled on, and there it was AGAIN! I leaned a little closer....remember my bad eye site. There on the screen was a dot of dried liquid something or another. Well, I felt a little dumb!

My friend Laurie took this shot the other day when we went to Palisades Park with our CBS group. We had a wonderful time. The skies were good, temperature rose just enough that we didn't freeze. I have some fun shots (optical illusions) of a couple of mighty gals pushing a tree over. Shots of the beauty from the cliffs and just some fun. I hope to get them on later.

The tribe needs to be fed!

Kittens

Well, this batch of cuddles is about to be sent off to their new homes! We just have 3 weeks to go!

We have 6 kittens. 5 with a frosting :

and 1 black and white that we affectionately call "Go T."

Dad says we can't name them. He says they are "1-6" Don't even give them a number! The are just "1-6." Funny thing is we often find him in the basement, the kittens' home, with one curled up in his hands and he is being the "kitten whisperer!" Crazy isn't it.

Well, the 5 black ones all look the same except for their weight! Chloe gave them all a bath in the tub! I'm not sure how that went. I stayed out of there!

Have a good weekend!

I'm thinking about boy stuff, & Elmo

A Dangerous Duo!

Chloe and I were snuggled up in my bed last night, when Sam came into the room. He hoisted himself up on my tall brass bed and declared,

"I'm thinking about scary boy stuff."

Remember he's 4.

"Oh really. And what might that be?"

Propping himself up with his chin in one hand, "Oh, polka dots and a fast skate board that will beat Nate's."

The room burst with laughter.

"That's not funny!" he cried!

"Oh, but it is!"

On Sunday, Sam and Sarah were give tickets to go see the Seame Street show : "When Elmo Grows Up." It was fabulous!

Jerome and I got to go too! That Elmo is so silly! (Jerome) and Big Bird (Me) is such an organized junkie and worrier. The show was excellent. I kept thinking how those poor dancers were making it in those hot, furry costumes! They were really working it too! I hope you enjoy the show.....