~ blimpie at its best ~

B
limpie, is by far my most
favorite deli sandwich place.
Its yummy and I have fond
memories of eating Blimpie
with a girlfriend of mine. It's

oh SO good.

Sometimes I feel guilty for buying Blimpie as I usually like to try and buy local vs.

buying from a national franchise but that soon passes when

I remember how tasty it is :)

On this particular day, the boys and I first went to the library for story time

and to check-out some books.

The boys are super good at the library and are always so willing to help me carry books

and get them checked out with the do-it-yourself check-out stations that our

library has.

After the library, I grabbed our sandwiches and some waters and chips

from a Stinker Station and off we headed to our favorite park.

As soon as we got there the inevitable happened, Pauly had to go potty.

Of course he did! I had just got our blanket lay down and all our sandwiches out

and everyone is good to go - but Pauly has to pee! Man!

So I wrapped everything back up and hide our library books under the picnic

blanket - I was kind of freaked out because the second we sat down up drove up

4 big orange school buses full of huge children. (Actually they were regular sized children but quite huge compared to my wee ones.)

So off we went to the bathroom and we got back, got sat down and ate our lunch.

It was quite yummy and the boys were so hungry!

I really don't know what Pauly is doing here but if I remember right,

I think he was looking for the "hole where the squirrels live".

Next I forced both of them to take a picture with me -

cuz I'm the mama and I gets what I want! Lol! I kid. I kid.

Good Heavens-ta-Betsy! I didn't realize Pauly is holding up THAT finger.

Oh well, y'all know he doesn't mean anything bad by it. Lol!

With all the kids there I was too nervous to let the kids play on the toys... I mean -

they were HUGE and EVERYWHERE.

So after lunch we looked through our library books and then went home to nap.

I try and do something like this once a week - weather permitting.

My boys love it!

~ surprised by 2 ~

I
had an amazing weekend. My
weekend started Friday night
with an awesome concert put
on at my church. It was kicked
off by some awesome worship

and I don't know about you but that is always good for this girl's soul.

Paula Dunn, was the special speaker and she is a great singer - so Friday night,

she shared a little with us but mostly she sang for us. Then on Saturday, she

sang for us as well as brought us an amazing message.

I will be sharing more about her message in the days to come this week but for now,

I have to tell you about the other part of my weekend.

Saturday night, after I got home from listening to Paula speak -

my sister and her friend, Brian made us dinner.

It. Was. Amazing!

Here are some pics of the two of them working their magic in the kitchen.

It was very sweet to watch their excitement for serving us

dinner.

 It was all a big secret and they wouldn't tell us what they were making and

for the most part they did their best to keep us out of the kitchen and to keep it all a surprise!

 I'm sure you all can relate to how nice it was not to have to worry about dinner

that night and to be served something super special.

It was so thoughtful and so very sweet.

 I just love this picture of these pictures of the two of them working together in the kitchen.

They both really like to cook and try new food.

 The magic moment when the ribs came out of the oven!

He was so proud...

and rightly so!

They were delish!

All of it was amazing!

 They made us BBQ Beef Ribs, Loaded Mash Potatoes, Cilantro Lime Rice,

and an awesome Green Salad.

 For dessert, Casi made Strawberry Shortcakes with Cinnamon Sprinkled over Pineapple.

It was divine!

Thank you, you two!

It was so nice of you to work so hard to make it so nice for us.

Have you surprised a loved one recently?

~ screws lose ~

Y
eah...
This is my sister. It was 100
degrees outside this day and
she got home from work, filed
her way downstairs, changed

her clothes out of her work clothes,

and then the knucklehead put on a sweater.

She said that it was because the air conditioner was cold but if I don't put the

air conditioner on she gets in a heat crazed fluster.

I tried to ask her what her ideal temp is and honestly,

I don't think she has one.

She's a nut.



~ quatro ~

Y
es, my little boy turned 4
years old. It amazes me how
time flies by. I remember the
day he was born, I didn't think
I was ever going to get to hold

that little man in my arms.

All my family had been in and out of the hospital waiting for almost 3 whole days

when Paul finally made his presence through an emergency c-section.

Going back and reading the actual blog post I posted about his coming home

brought a tear to my eye.

Now, he's huge!

And now I have another spitfire little brother to match!

My cup runneth over.

Here are some pictures from his little party we had at the park.

~ bigger still ~

T
here is nothing bigger
that God aint bigger still.
~ my mama ♥
 

This is something my mama would always tell me and still does to this day. Last Saturday, I was rushed again to the ER for severe abdomen pain. For those who don't know – I was there about a month ago and at that time, we found out I was pregnant but couldn't figure out why I was having such terrible pain but we did know that it was a threatened miscarriage. This time they found that I had a ruptured tubal pregnancy and I had to have laproscopic surgery to remove it. I have had about a month to mourn yet another loss (as I had a miscarriage in April) – it still stings BUT I know God is ALWAYS in control and He knows what is best for me. As I always tell myself – He's got this. and by just saying that - it relieves myself from having to worry and stress about why it happened, when and if I'll have another baby, and so on. I encourage you all today to remember just how BIG our God is and how much he loves you and knows what is instore for you down the road and often, what's instore is far sweeter than anything our little brains can – ever – fathom. ♥

~ beautiful things ~

~ getting direction ~

E
very single morning I talk to my
mom, it’s how I roll. And every
single morning she reminds me to
put on the armor of God and get in
the Word. This morning I was being

a good girl and well… doing what I was told yes, but also doing what I know kicks off my morning right and I was getting in the Word. I was on my computer and was trying to remember a verse that I heard yesterday at church – I knew it was found somewhere in 2 Timothy… well actually I wasn’t sure if it was 1 or 2 Timothy – but I knew it was Timothy – I Googled 2 Timothy and as Google made it’s suggestions to me, I picked 3 and I was so blessed that I did… Although this is not quite the verse I was looking for from church yesterday – this really spoke to me and I wanted to share.

2 Timothy 3 1-7
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

After reading this I was thinking well … I’m not one of those ”gullible” women which in real life, I know I am QUITE gullible but I didn’t quite think this applied to me… THEN I really started being honest with myself. So I asked myself, ”Do I associate myself with any of the people that were described above?” … and honestly, I do. And did you read the part where it said, ”Have nothing to do with such people”?

I felt this morning, this was God’s way of telling me I needed to reevaluate and it reminded me that he didn’t say keep these people at arm’s length, he didn’t say be friendly and stay away from them, he didn’t say let these people into your home and try and befriend them – NO, he said HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH SUCH PEOPLE. So this really made me think about who I associate myself with and are they these ”such people”? … or maybe, am I one of these people? GASP!

Lord knows I can be selfish, prideful, and I do like money. BUT I would have to say I don’t believe that any of those things have such a rein on me that they keep me from submitting myself to God and his plans for me but as all sin can, it can "worm" it's way between us and the one Truth.

Now I’ve got to think about the people I've been surrounding myself with, my kids and family with. Are they helpful or harmful – conceited or humble –  love God or do they love with themselves, money or idols? All very hard things to think about…

I always love it when this kind of things happens and where I thought I would end up this morning in my Bible Studying wasn't quite what God had in mind for me. It's amazing to know how powerful his Word truly is.

How about you? How does this verse speak to you?

~ what's going on with me ~

I
decided it is time I finally
come back here and blog
a little. Life, for me, has
been pretty adamit that I
put a few things on hold.

About two weeks ago, we all laid down as usual for our naps.

I've been pretty exhausted and I remember sleeping like a rock that day

 but the heat just whips me so I figured that is what it was.

I woke up from my nap and got all the kids little snacks - like I usually do.

I jumped on the computer for a second before I was going to tidy up the house and start dinner. I was

talking to my mom over email and all the sudden, I got a feeling like I really needed to stop and go

to the restroom. I got up and went and that didn't ease this weird abdomen pain. At this point, my pain had went from about a 4 to a 7. I was sweating and felt like I was going to throw up. I went and laid on my bed and just told the kids to play downstairs for a little while.

I don't know if you've ever been so sicky that it causes you to roll around on your bed - well that's what happened. I was ILL.

I couldn't find a comfortable position and by this time my leg started to go numb.

I was in tears and luckily, Pauly had brought me my phone so I called Ben.

Ben was right in the middle of a serious conversation with his boss, luckily he answered the phone and I told him that I must have the stomach flu and I needed him to come watch the kids.

As some of you know, he managed a rafting camp this year up north and at this point, his boss was just telling him he needed to gather his things and get right back up there to manage things. So he was on his way out of town at that point. He said he was going to finish somethings up and then come home.

I figured I could manage till he got there for just a little while before he left - so I just continued to try and ease my pain. I decided to walk around but it got so much worse and I ended up laying down in the hallway because the pain was so severe by this point. So I called Casi, because I decided I probably needed to go to the doctor and so she would need to stay with the kids.

As I layed in the hallway, all the kids gathered around me and honestly, at this point I was praying and telling them all that I loved them. I was so scared.

Finally, Ben got home and came in the house only to run right out the front door to go get our neighbor to watch the kids. We have an amazing neighbor... just sayin'.

Anyhow, I scraped myself off the floor - layed back on the bed for a second and then Ben came in and told me to go get in the car. I got myself up and to the car - meanwhile Ben was making sure the neighbor was good-to-go. Casi drove up, right when I got in the car and all I remember was her looking at me through the window mouthing the words, I love you.

We got to the hospital and the first thing I noticed was how different the ER was from the ER on Grey's Anatomy. Yeah, I'm a dork. At this point I was still in extreme pain, I was crying, and I had to sit and wait probably for about 15 minutes! While Ben filled stuff out and I even had to sign some stuff.

It. Was. Lame.

but, I imagine they have to have all that information to protect

themselves so... whatever.

They finally took me to the back and they got me some pain meds. I had a feeling it

was my "womanly parts" so that is what I told all the doctors...

After they gave me the pain meds, lots of time passed as I was monitored, a doctor physically checked me, I was given a couple different types of ultrasounds. Nothing was found.

Praise God, right? I mean, I wanted to know why I was in so much pain but I also didn't want to find anything super bad!

As you can imagine - I was thinking of the worst thing it could be.

We got back to our room and there we waited for quite a while. I had no more pain so that was definitely a praise.

The doctor came in and proceeded to tell me that I had tested positive on a pregnancy test - my levels showed about 4 days pregnant. About 3 days earlier I had started, well what I thought was, menstruating but come to find out it was really a threatened miscarriage. It was still way to early to see if it could be an ectopic pregnancy and that could be the cause for the pain but it could of also been a hormone imbalance that was causing my uterus to contract and spasm.

What. A. Nightmare.

I couldn't stop thinking, REALLY?

Another miscarriage?

That's two in one year! What the heck was happening!?

I'm O negative and the doctor in the ER gave me a Rhogam shot, which is something I'm totally used to as I've had this shot a several times before when I had miscarried as well as when I was pregnant with my boys. I wondered if that was the problem lately....

Anyhow, I came back home after being in the ER for about 8 hours. My mom dropped everything and came and tended to my kids and helped out. I rested for several days as after my mom left, Granny and Grandad took the boys and Sweet Pea went home with my mom. It was a nice break and I got a lot of rest.

Still today I am showing signs of a miscarriage, I haven't been back to the doctor because, well - what can they do... they can't stop it from happening.

I am waiting.

As I wait, I'm trying to stay positive, happy (I'm trying), and carry on as usual.

It's very tough.

It seems like things are crumbling down around me. The dogs have mites in their ears, my kids are mouthy, for some reason the lights are flickering like crazy in our house all the sudden, I have a huge ER bill and the list goes on and on.

I hope within the next couple weeks I will have some idea of what is going on, until then - I'm just hanging out. Thank you to you who have been praying for me and I will try and keep in touch.

Before this all happened we went to the Car Races and I have a lot of cool pictures from that - so I hope to post those soon.

All in all, I will continue to Trust God and rest in the fact that he loves me and whatever the outcome, I know God is in control and he knows what is best.

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Much Love,

~ His Lambs beat the Wolf Packs ~

~ The Butterfly Circus ~

T
his is a short video that
is beautiful, inspiring, and
I believe - life-changing. It
is a beautiful example of
bravery, love and kindness.

Please take 23 minutes to watch this video.

I know you'll be blessed.

The Butterfly Circus - HD from The Butterfly Circus on Vimeo.

~ attitude adjustment ~

M
an! I've had a week-to-remember
and I'm not meaning in a good
way. My kids have all been... well -
stinkers. I honestly don't know why
this week has been so different from

all the others - it just seems like I was feeling more

frustrated than usual.

This morning I woke up early and just felt...

better.

I've really been praying for God to help me to remember to not

sweat the small stuff.

Who cares if Pauly wants to wear his gloves, hats,

snow pants and winter coat when it is 90 degrees outside -

It makes him SO happy...

Who cares if Sweat Pea constantly asks through the day what we are doing next -

I decided to try and beat her to the punch and tell her before she asks...

Who cares if William has had blow-out after blow-out this week -

Praise God I don't have problems with him NOT pooping, right?

That would be stressful.

I am so immensely blessed to get to hang with these three everyday.

I don't have to jerk them out of bed at the crack of dawn to get them to

a lady's house where they are just one of many.

I don't have to hear from someone else, "William said, hippopotamus today!"

I don't miss out on one darn thing... very blessed.

I've got to remind myself of this more frequently or

 sometimes I let the hustle and bustle, whining and lying,

and cooking and cleaning take over my every thought

and I just get so overwhelmed and consumed.

Today, I saw something on a Brave Girl's Soul Restoration Facebook page that I

thought was kind of fun -

it just kind of encourages you to stop and

Be Still

for a second.

I'm going to try and use positive words throughout - see if I can't give myself an attitude adjustment.

We'll see how it goes.

One word:

1. Where is your cell phone? Cute

2. Your significant other? Loving
3. Your hair: Tidy

4. Your mother?: Funny

5. Your father?: Smart

6. Your favorite thing?: Family

7. Your dream last night? Dreamy

8. Your favorite drink? : Coffee

9. Your dream/goal?: Ocean

10. The room you're in? : Living

11. Your hobby?: Art

12. Your fear?: None

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Happy

14. Where were you last night?: Movie

15. What you're not?  Disappointed

16. Muffins? Blueberry!

17. One of your wish list items?: NYC

18. Where you grew up? : Idaho

19. The last thing you did? : Sip

20. What are you wearing?: PJS

21. Your TV? HGTV

22. Your pets?  Snoring

23. Your computer? Qwerty

24. Your life? : Full

25. Your mood? : Content

27. Your car? Buick

28. Something you're not wearing? Bra (GASP!)

29. Favorite store?  Thrift

30. Your summer?  Beautiful

31. Like someone? Ben

32. Your favorite color?  Green

33. When is the last time you laughed?  Pauly

34. Last time you cried?:  Thursday

35. Today? Races!

Happy Weekend, Love Bugs!

~ duds ~

I
t cracks me up how when
kids just aren't tired they'll
fight you and fight you
during nap time but when
they're tired... well they're

OUT!

Yesterday was a terribly rough day,

the kids were at each other's throats.

Finally at about 7:30p we just separated them and the boys watched Cars upstairs and

Sweet Pea watched a princess movie of sorts downstairs.

It's is such a blessing to see them playing nice together today. Don't get me wrong -

there has been tears already today but it's just a better day over-all.

I layed down this little rascal and gave him a book to look at while

I went downstairs to start some laundry and he fell asleep.

 I couldn't resist taking some pictures.

Often, I'll take a nap when the kids do but since he was already asleep -

I snapped some pictures and snuck out of the room so I

could have some Mama Time.... so I'm blogging/facebooking/and emailing my mama and sis,

working on my menu and grocery list as well as listening to

Praise and Worship music. 

I'm so much more effective of a mama if I can have a moment to breathe.

If not - I'm. a. dud.

Speaking of duds...

our 5 little eggs that our mama hen was trying to hatch out were all duds.
Insert sad face here.

There is a way that you can check eggs to see if there is a baby growing in them -

it involves it being dark in the room you are in or just do it during nighttime like we did,

then you hold a flashlight up to the egg and if it is bad you'll see a dark ring around the bottom and no baby chick inside. 
If it is good - you'll see a baby chick moving around or at least veins in the egg.

We were so bummed out but maybe we'll get some more and I'll keep y'all posted.

Wouldn't that of been amazing to see the baby inside!!!?

It is amazing to me,
how through just about everything through my day -
the Lord speaks to me...

It's funny yesterday, my husband was getting frustrated with me - I forgot to water the lawn and I was supposed to go and take these eggs from the mama chicken and get her movin' out of the chicken house and maybe block it off so she wouldn't be able to go lay in her spot anymore...
this would get her out of this wanting to be in "mama mode"
and that would get her to start laying eggs again...
anyhow, I had forgot and he was teasing me -
telling me I was "On strike" which he knows, I just forgot and that's okay
- he was just teasing me and we were teasing each other back and forth...

But still it made me remember about not being a dud -
the words that first came to mind were:

Rise Up!!

God is the only one who can bring real joyful LIFE to this body.

Only He can put that yearning in your heart, soul and mind to LIVE!

He is the only reason for Living - all else will undoubtedly fall short...

Ezekiel 37:5

This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones:
I will make breath enter you,
and
you will come to life.

Happy Living!