I'd forgotten.

I was listening to our local Christian radio station the other day. It's what I do if I can sneak it in between DVDs playing in back. The announcer mentioned an analogy about a child learning to ride a bike. How we are like that child and we can get unbalanced by the things around us. Troubles, fears, trauma, even just the busyness of everyday life. She went on to remind the listeners that we can trust that God has His hand firmly on the back of our bike, keeping us steady, even helping to steer us along. I was so surprised by my reaction after hearing this. I had a light bulb moment. I thought 'duh', I had forgotten. I have been overwhelmed with my life lately. It helped me to remember that He is always there. Even when I don't acknowledge Him or remember His presence. He is always guiding me and keeping me steady. It was no accident I heard that.

ABC Game.

I saw this on another blog and decided to join in on the fun. Feel free to do it yourself.

A~Age: 34

B~ Bed Size: King

C~Chore you hate: There are so many...Sweeping

D~Dogs: none

E~Essential Start your Day Item: pony tail/bun type thing in hair

F~Favorite Color: red or yellow

G~Gold or Silver: Silver

H~Height: 5'10"

I~Instruments you play: none

J~Job Title: Stay at Home Mom

K~Kids: 3

L~Live: In a house on almost 3 acres.

M~Mom’s Name: Mary

N~Nicknames: James

O~Overnight Hospital Stays: Pneumonia bout when I was little. Child birth x2.

P~Pet Peeve: negative people

Q~Quote from a Movie: "Drink your juice Shelby, drink your juice."--Steel Magnolias

R~Right or Left Handed: Right

S~Siblings: Two sisters, one older, one younger.

T~Time you wake up: it varies a little, somewhere in the 6:45 to 7:15 range.

U~Underwear: Yes.

V~Vegetable you Dislike: celery

W~What Makes You Late: my poor time management

X~X-rays You’ve had Done: Teeth, chest (see O)

Y~Yummy Food you Make: Garlic Chicken

Z~Zoo Animal Favorite: Tiger.

I got nuthin', pictures help.

I think of good post ideas all the time, EXCEPT when I actually have time to blog. I've got to start writing things down. How about some pictures to fill the silence?

This one is Big Sis. Not the best quality, but I had to share. She is a member of the 4th grade honor choir at her school. The choir sang at a Christmas Nativity celebration. One of the songs everyone sang together was a song the kids didn't know. Big Sis spent the whole time hiding behind the hymnal. That's her on the bottom right. Thankfully, the rest of the concert we could actually see her precious face. She did a great job.


This one is Little Sis on Christmas day. Poor girl had tummy bug the day before. She was feeling better but still looking a little puny. She is sporting the glasses that she asked Santa for. They are purely for style, no prescription. She wears them to school a lot. She has a style and flair all her own.


Last one is my little baby boy. I took this picture with my phone on the night The Bub became ours. I loved the picture and I sent it to an online album. I forgot about the pic and came across it a little while back. I'm so glad to have it for ever. We were so proud to have him that night. We sat him on the bed at the hotel and just looked at him. So thankful he's ours.

This is the table that Josh built.

I have wanted my husband to build this table from Ana-White.com (formerly Knock-off Wood) He got started on it in November and it was finished in time for Thanksgiving, the benches took another few days. We have been wanting something casual for the breakfast nook area of our kitchen. I thought this would be the perfect fit and we love it. For now, we all sit on the benches. As the kids grow we will find two chairs for the ends, and Josh and I will sit in those. The table is pretty heavy duty and we expect it to take the abuse that 3 kids can give. The more it is abused, the more rustic it will look which is perfect. Now if I could just figure out how to decorate. The picture really shows off my bare walls. I'm a terrible decorator, but I do have a small excuse. We have yet to paint the kitchen, that is a project for the near future and I will hopefully get some things on the walls after that.

What are you doing today?

We are snowed in at Nana and Papaw's house. No school for the girls Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so far. Thankfully there are lots of trains here(the Bub's latest obsession) so we are keeping busy. Here is picture proof:

On the board this week.

Philippians 2:14
"Do everything without complaining or arguing,"

Of course, I got upset at my hubby on Saturday night. He fell asleep while I was still mad (the nerve!) and I was still mad in the morning. I spent the morning steaming as I got the kids ready for church. Nothing like a deep sense of conviction everytime I passed the living room. Ugh. Don't worry. We made up and all is right with the world again. Just think, I put the verse on the chalk board hoping it would teach something to my children this week. Ouch!

2011. A clean slate.

I have a chalk board in my living room. Some people probably think it's weird. Once when we were touring a potential house to buy I saw one like it. A small chalk board in a painted frame,over the fire place. Around the frame is a larger empty frame and the color from the wall shows through. I instantly loved it and knew I wanted to do that over my own fire place some day. So, when we moved in I did it. The purpose of the board is for writing a wise saying or a thoughtful word. A person could write a fun message for a loved one's birthday. When I first put it up I wrote words like "smile" and "love". Then I went through the fruit of the Spirit. I got a little teasing when "Self-Control" was above my fireplace. For Christmas the girls asked me to write "Joyful" and I did. When I took down my Christmas decor I erased it. I left it blank for a few days. Then the other day, while considering what to write I got to thinking. That board is like this year, 2011, an empty space stretching out before us. We don't know what this year holds. I know struggles will come, as will blessings, but I'm not sure what form they will take. I am happy to say that I do know Someone who does know what this year holds. God knows what's going to happen. I want Him to write the story of my life, my year, my days. I want to give Him the chalk so He can fill this year with the things he wants to, the good he sees for me and my family. I pray that no matter what comes that I will draw closer to Him and I can give Him the glory for my 2011.