Babies Don't Keep

I LOVE this poem!!!  This is what I was doing after baby was born this May <wink>  It's a good reminder...especially as I stand in awe of my young people who surround me.  We have 3 now tall as or taller than I am and they certainly grew up FAST (16, 14, 12).   Baby Levi is in my lap as I type this.  I love his snuggle, kissable, little self.  Not so long ago it seems those same almost adult dc were nestling in my arms and toddling around.  Chubby cheeks, love for momma and loving his siblings already so much!  9 months and growing...where indeed does the time go??  I kiss his little forehead and smile, loving every moment....God is good!  


                                                                   ~BABIES DON'T KEEP~

                                                                     Mother, oh Mother,

                                                                 come shake out your cloth,

                                                                      empty the dustpan,

                                                                       poison the moth,

                                                                    hang out the washing

                                                                    and butter the bread,

                                                           sew on a button and make up a bed.

                                                            Where is the mother whose house

                                                                        is so shocking?

                                                                    She's up in the nursery,

                                                                        blissfully rocking.

                                                      Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue

                                                                (lullaby, rock-a-bye, lullaby loo).

                                                       Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

                                                      (pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).

                                                               The shopping's not done

                                                             and there's nothing for stew

                                                        and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo

                                                        but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

                                                     Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?

                                                                (lullaby, rock-a-bye, lullaby loo).

                                                               The cleaning and scrubbing

                                                                   will wait till tomorrow,

                                                                   for Children grow up,

                                                              as I've learned to my sorrow.

                                                               So quiet down, cobwebs.

                                                                    Dust go to sleep.

                                                I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep......

      

                                                                  ~Author Unknown ~

FAR too long....

I have been neglectful of my blog...sorry, to my few friends that do like to read...but I did have a new little one last May and then we started having issues last summer with the computer only to have it blue screen in Nov...the one with all my pictures and ebooks in it.  ACK!  Waiting on tax refund money now to find someone to rescue my "stuff" off of it.  Also took me awhile to find where I hid the address of my blog!  My computer that crashed had it all "saved" and I had gotten lazy and forgot how to find it and what the PW, etc were <facepalm>

I have written SO many posts in my head though and all of course have been witty and brilliant.  Really will be doing better, I so miss writing...so with all that said, I'm first going thru the drafts and digging up anything I've had waiting and then play catch up! 

AND I do admit a little thing called Facebook has kept a bit too much of my attention. ;o)

A little excitement, some new changes we are starting a garden and several projects so hoping to blog about that too, not sure if I'll keep it all here or start one just for gardening.   Been reading up on Back to Eden gardening and finding it very interesting.  Ben had me look it up so I have to give him the credit for learning about it and why we are trying to do that this year.  That's all for now.
Blessings!

Birthday Fun

Just found this in my drafts....I'm going ahead and sharing, a few pictures are missing but as soon as we deal with the computer that crashed and find them I'll share.

2010 birthdays and cakes...

Twins 5th birthday...went the easy route and just made regular cake and put big cars on top!  They thought it was great!  The yellow candle played "Happy Birthday" tune.  We were in the middle of soccer games in May!

Blowing out the candle...Zeb in red, Josiah in blue.  I couldn't get Zeb to sit up tall...he's not that short!

Birthday dinner w/Mema and Pepa in Clarksville!  Twins choice...PIZZA!  Got everyone but Briar in this picture...well, and me, of course but I was behind the camera :o)

[Abbie]
Abbie's cake and pictures are on the computer that crashed and will have to wait...she turned 7 and we celebrated w/my folks at Chik-fil-a and had a sort of carousel cake but it's better told w/pictures...I'll make a WHOLE post on it...a bit of a drama to that one LOL!

I don't know what happened to the pictures of Hannah's bday and cake (9th).  We had soccer championship games before and after her birthday and I must have used one of the older children's cameras or a throw away one.  When I find it, I'll add it.
[Hannah]

While at church camp (July 2010), Briar made the decision to become a Christian.  We got a call and made it to camp in time for Ben to do the honors and baptize our oldest son in Christ.  The same camp we met 22yrs ago!

July is now Briar's SPIRITUAL Birthday.

So glad we made it in time...Ben has now baptized both of our oldest children.

Moments after his baptism--so proud of our son--now our brother in Christ!!!  Oh HAPPY DAY!
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" 3 John 1:4  Our oldest 2 now walk in truth...

July 16th...few days after our anniversary...Bonnie's birthday cake...Panda Bear...w/pink candles!  Had a few issues w/the cake, but it turned out okay!  This is what the b-day cakes USUALLY look like!  Some sort of animal, etc.   By the way, those aren't sunglasses she's wearing, those are Irlen filters on her lenses!

July 28th, Ben's fire hazard cake LOL!  Yes, we actually lit all 39 candles!

The smoke that lingered after he blew them out!!  Amazed that it didn't set the fire alarm off!  LOL!

Close up of cake...John Deere tractor and what was left of the candles...look at all that wax!!

My handsome Hubby on his birthday...at our neighbors.  He had no idea we planned a party!  He was surprised!!   We even had pizza there!  He thought he had to go help with their plumbing~!  HAHA!!

Hmmmm, seems I did several easy cakes this year just in the pan with decorations on the cake...  Briar LOVES Star Wars and these were his new figurines.  Cake decor and present all in one LOL!

Happy Boy!  Officially a teen...13th birthday, Aug 5th.  His birthday signals the end of the long string of spring/summer bdays!

Oct 3, Pop (our neighbor who adopted our dc as more grands!) helping Angus open his present from them...such a serious look there...

Happy Birthday!!  Handful of cars from Pop and Ms. JoAnn and the hat from Mom and Dad...he's ready to go home now and he had to carry his cars instead of use the new bag he also got for them LOL!  Another little boy who LOVES cars!  Poor sweetie had chicken pox on his birthday...so we did his official b-day cake later when he wasn't spotty!!

Another picture AWOL....I KNOW I made him a cake :o)

You ARE a Soul

"You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body."  ~C.S. Lewis

I heard this yesterday and was struck with the profound simple truth contained within.  God made all of us spiritual beings that will ALWAYS exist, but this body won't always exist--just a temporary shell.  Our focus should be on where our soul will be eternally.  I knew this but needed the reminder...thus the reason for this post.

Yesterday was a mixed day.  A blessed day, yet a heartbreaking day.  Blessed because I got to spend a lot of time with my man alone in the middle of the day/week.  We were able to have some heart to heart talks and even a steak dinner!  We listened to an uplifting message that included the quote above and saw many dear friends we had not seen in a LONG time.  My heart and soul needed that.  Reminder to self to PLAN more time alone w/my sweetie!

On the other hand, it was one of the saddest days...the reason for this day together...was to attend a funeral.  Ben has known Doug and his whole family all his life, Doug is the brother of our friend, cousin of our former landlord, our ins agent (we'd even bought a horse from him yrs ago) and just a GREAT man!  He was only 47--not much older than us, a very sudden and unexpected death.  Another stark reminder that our days ARE numbered and this world is, surprise folks, not our final destination.  We need to be ready at ANY time!

But the funeral was an uplifting funeral.  As humans we are sad but yet joyous when the person who died is a Christian and has committed themselves to Christ FIRST and set eyes on eternity--these are the things the preacher reminded us of yesterday.  This is what we should strive for...to be ready always for our eternal reward, and was what Doug did and lived.  I needed that reminder yesterday, I think we all did.

Which is why I'm sharing this today--as a reminder to all of you as well.  It's the Little Things we do, day in, day out that show our TRUE character, our TRUE bent in life.  We need to see every day as a gift--to make it COUNT for Christ.  I used to keep these thoughts in the forefront, but I have taken my life for granted lately, worrying too much about tomorrow and not making each moment count--instead of living for Christ TODAY.  I've put a lot off for tomorrow and I am NOT guaranteed a tomorrow here on earth.

Lord, may I always strive to make today and every day COUNT as I live for you and Christ and live to bless my family.  May the day I am taken home for eternity (whether soon or long time from now) be a day my children and friends can rejoice saying, she lived for CHRIST and we were blessed because of her love and example.  Amen.

Blessings my friends,
Becca

PS.  If any of you, dear readers, would like to know how to have the same assurance in Christ, I'd be happy to chat w/you privately.  He is THE reason I have joy.  Feel free to contact me at my email addy  becca95@centurytel.net

What is your perspective??

Some quick thoughts as the old year ends and a new one is about to begin...it is funny how perspective and attitude is everything.  Think about it.  I could dwell on all the negative moments (and believe me this year there were plenty) and say it was an awful year, or I could instead look and see where God carried me (us) thru the hard times, even preserving us and protecting us at times.  No, not from all the hard or bad things in life but from a worse case scenario, or by giving us peace or walking with us, or by keeping us from a worse situation...GOD NEVER ABANDONS HIS CHILDREN!!  It is we, that sometimes walk away from him.

I personally choose to see the glass half full, rather than half empty.  I choose to find the good in others and in each situation.  I admit that sometimes I do not think this first :o) I am after all human and have my moments and down times and can cry with the best of the best...and bemoan, oh why oh why...but ultimately I seek to find the good, the redeemable in the situation, in others, in myself.  I choose to think instead...okay this is not great but boy it could be worse, look at what could have been.  Pollyanna is a good starting point for all of us.  The glad game is one of my favorites from the book/movie.  Jesus said blessed are the children and that we need to be childlike...so as 2010 is now officially over and yes, I am optimistic that 2011 will be even better :o) I choose to glance back (never dwell in the past, only glance) and say, thank you Lord for the blessings of 2010, for helping us through the rough spots, for never forsaking us.

May you find joy and peace in the little things as you look back over 2010 and more importantly think on how you choose to go thru 2011.  What will your attitude and perspective be in the new year?  May we all remember to keep God first, and to be not of the world but be like Christ.

The joy of a new year, oh, the joy of a clean slate...I admit I do love the thought of it all, but one last thought...aren't you glad that we don't have to wait every year or even every week??  For those of us who are Christians and IN Christ, HE continually cleans our slates for us...every day he renews us!!  Praise God!

Blessings my friends!  Happy NEW YEAR!!

Cute Candle Project for just $3 each

I had fun before Thanksgiving making some WONDERFUL candles. Originally these were to grace the community bldg tables where we were to spend Thanksgiving with my family this year...my brilliant plan was to beautify the place and then have a fun (inexpensive) early Christmas present for my parents and my sister/BIL to take home afterwards and enjoy for the holidays.  What I did not count on was for our extensive car drama (short version--car broke down on our dirt road the week before, still not fixed by Thanksgiving, so we didn't get to go)

However, I did get to enjoy mine, and gave a pair to my wonderful neighbor who let me make them at her house!  Our kids LOVED having our candles lit, when we FINALLY got to have our official Thanksgiving dinner--my folks came up the next week with LEFTOVERS (yum!)  I gave them their candles to enjoy and sent my sister's with them as they were to see her later that week!

The inspiration came from this blog post with just a few changes.  I couldn't find the huge candles she used and actually think mine ended up both prettier and safer (not as heavy).  I also used special glue that permanently bonds to glass for more safety.  Her original directions were to use a glue gun...while faster, I worried it wouldn't stay on long/well.

All items (except glue) purchased at my local Dollar Tree :o)

Below is the finished product and following that are the directions to make your own.

Coming soon--picture of supplies before assembly--when I made a pair for my mother-in-law 

Stage 1:  Purchase items from Dollar Tree (any dollar store should have these)--glass candlestick holder, pretty glass hurricane, and my store had a set that included one glass votive holder w/two white candles :o)

Total cost for each completed candle above was $3.27 including tax, just over $6.50 for a pair!!!  I removed all tags and washed and dried the hurricane and votive holders first (lots of newsprint/fingerprints on mine)

Candlestick holders are the base...apply glue on the top outer rim...

Quickly center glass hurricane on top of candlestick holder.

IMPORTANT:  I forgot strong glues put off toxic fumes, not good anytime, but especially not when preggy!!  OOPS!  Make sure to have well ventilated area AND a face mask...glad JoAnn had one (glad I did these at her house, no WAY I would try to make these at home with all the glass, glue, and 24-36 hrs dry time!!!  LOL!)

Stage 2 finished

Now add glue to the bottom rim of the glass votive candle holder and carefully set it inside the hurricane glass

Center the votive holder and press down 

Stage 3 is complete--allow 24-36 hrs dry time (or whatever your glue says) 

Now comes the really fun part...after the glue is dried...add candle inside votive holder and decor!

for fall add fall leaves (used what we found outside, JA wanted the colored ones, I used brown for mine)

So pretty...and the great things is you can change w/the seasons.  After fall, I just turned mine over, tossed my leaves and added red berries and the bright evergreen leaves from my holly bush for a festive look for Dec.  For Feb I think I'll add those metal red, hearts used for decor.  The ideas are endless!!

Now, go have fun creating  your own inexpensive, pretty candle holders!  

I need to download to computer pictures of MY candles from Nov and Dec (stay tuned!)

It's the Little Things like this that make me smile :o)  Blessings!

A-B-C of Thanks

Another friend did this on her blog and LOVED the idea (thanks Loretta!)...a few of ours are similar.  I am so BLESSED and I have MUCH to be THANKFUL for.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday...a day to remember to give thanks!  Enjoy and think what YOU are thankful for today!

The A, B, C's of Thanks  
(things I am thankful for, in alphabetical order)

A-Art...drawing, crafts, sewing, cooking...art is expressions of ourselves.

B-Books...Love all kinds--fiction, non-fiction, bio, medical, picture books, children's, poems, plays.  Thankful  to have access to so many great books...especially thankful for THE book...the BIBLE

C-Camera...one of my dearest possessions!  To record memories, special moments and be creative and express myself...I have always LOVED taking pictures.

D-Dark Chocolate...proof God loves me!  :o)  Choc makes everything better AND dark choc is good for ya!

E-Electricity...makes my front loader washer run, dryer, computer, printer, dishwasher, music, stove, lights...don't forget a/c in humid summer.  Blessed indeed to have electricity for so many wonderful things!!

F-Family...one handsome, hardworking hubby and soon to be 9 children beautiful inside and out.  So thankful for my many blessings!

G-GOD...without HIM we'd have NOTHING, zero, zilch!!  Thankful for all He has created and all He has blessed us with...He really is first in my thanks, but G is the 7th letter :o)

H-House...roof over our heads, real house that won't blow away w/wind, a LOT more room than we used to have and NO brown recluse spiders!!

I-Internet...my window to my friends and an aid in our schooling, business, ministry, homemaking and my continuing education, plus fun w/blogging and FB...instant connection w/friends/family...priceless!

J-Jesus...thankful for his sacrifice on the cross so that I can one day be in Heaven...not on my own, but because Jesus paid a debt I could not pay...

K-Kindred Spirits...where would I be w/o you?!?!?  WHO would I be w/o you?!?!?  I am so thankful for all the kindred spirits God has placed in my life over the years...dear friends that KNOW me and still love me, encourage me and accept me for who I am and we hold each other accountable...you know who you are!

L-Laughter...necessity...healing...soothing.  I have finally learned after many children and many "accidents" it's better to just laugh and go on...less wrinkles and it makes your day go MUCH better! :o)

M-Music...love music...listening, playing, singing...I FEEL music...the words, the notes...just love music.

N-Nature...the beauty, the sense of peace surrounded by nature, little creeks, sun warming your face, snow falling down, leaves changing colors, garden growing, rain, rainbows, tadpoles to frogs.  God created so many wonderful things in nature to enjoy.  He also gave us herbs to heal, and food to harvest.

O-Outdoors...tied to last one...sometimes I want to just sit outdoors and just be still...I also love camping, hiking, walking, exploring, horseback riding, canoeing, swimming...all things you do outdoors.

P-Pets...love our furry family members!  EVERY ONE of our cats and dogs have killed multiple rodents and one of our dogs killed a copperhead in our yard this year!!!  Not only are they great companions...they earn their keep!

Q-Quiet...essential need to find moments of quiet, to reconnect with God and refresh myself, to have quiet to THINK...needed so I can have that peace later in the midst of storms.

R-Riddles...puzzles...brain teasers...sudoku...crosswords...FUN!!  I just LOVE riddles... plus keeps "the little grey cells" working.  One reason I LOVE mysteries, something to solve...

S-Sibling(s)...for me that was my little...SISTER...I am so thankful for my one and only sister!  I love YOU!!  I enjoy watching our children as they develop their sibling bonds!!!  I'm also thankful for my sisters (and brothers) in CHRIST!

T-Tea...good ol' Southern SWEET iced tea...and also herbal tea and tea cups and little sandwiches or cookies especially with my girls.  MMMMMMM...good times...tea parties are for all ages!

U-United States of America...our country has it's problems but I am still thankful to be born in the USA, to live here in freedom, to have the freedom to vote...thankful to our founding fathers and the heritage they left and pray we return to our roots, to the original design...soon!

V-Vehicles...amazing how not having one to drive for a week changes your perspective LOL!  Makes me realize just how important and thankful we should be for this huge BLESSING to drive to so many places as needed...doctor appts, store, field trips, worship, family, park, library!

W-Water...thankful for water at the turn of the faucet.  After 2 winters in a row with one week each time of no elec or water (have a well) you REALLY appreciate water from the tap...plus no issues here of well going dry!  Another thing to be thankful for indeed!  Abundance of CLEAN good water!

X-Xerox...copies from my printer/copier...thankful for this little tool here at home with schooling, business, bills, charts, recipes, and more!

Y-Young children (Youth)...their energy, their innocence, their fun-filled play, their intensity, their quickness to forgive and forget, their joy in the simplest of things.  So many lessons learned from watching and teaching children.

Z-Zion, another name for HEAVEN...thankful for our real home God has prepared for us!  While I love my family and home here, I am not fearful of death and look forward to Heaven and reuniting w/Christian family.

Now it's YOUR turn...what's your A, B, C list of things to be thankful for?  If you facebook it or if you blog it share it!  Love to see what you all come up with.

God is good...ALL the time!  He works all things together for good.  Love ya!
Blessings and have a Happy Thanksgiving!