Property Rights Threatened

Supreme Court Decision Threatens Property Rights Putting Homes, Businesses, and Churches at Risk. Have you heard about it? You can get more info at www.aclj.org
Basically, the government can take away your property and give it to someone else, if that means it's going to improve the community, and enhance economic growth.
Example... Removing homes to put up an apartment complex. The Supreme Court gave local governments broad power to seize private property to generate tax revenue. This puts churches at risk, because they are tax exempt. You can sign the petition to have this stopped at www.aclj.org

Allergic Reaction

Isabel had an allergic reaction to something Sunday night. We took her to the doctor yesterday because it got worse and the benydryl wasn't helping. The doc prescribed prednasone, which seems to be helping, at least where her face is concerned. She still has alot of bumps on her stomach. I hope she gets better soon. She will visit the doctor again on Friday.

Stop Complaining

Do everything without complaining or arguing. Philippians 2:14

There are 4 common types of complainers:
The "Whiner" Psalm 73:13
The "Martyr" Numbers 11:11-15
The "Cynic" Eccl 1:2-4,9
The "Perfectionist" Proverbs 27:15

How to conquer complaining

Admit it is a problem. Proverbs 28:13
Take responsibility for my own life. Proverbs 19:3
Take the attitude of gratitude. 1 Thess 5:18
Look for God's hand in circumstances. 2 Cor 4:17-18
Always speak positively. Eph 4:29


When you find yourself complaining about something, stop and think of two things you’re thankful for instead.

As the world around us continues on a downward spiral, Christian men and women need to be an example of how a person can have a positive disposition regardless of the exterior circumstances.

The Lord is speaking to me on this one. As I look over the weekend I can see how I complained about alot of things, and gave thanks for very little.
Sorry Lord that I complain about alot of things when I know that you always bless me. And sorry that I complain about people, when I know that I'm not perfect. And sorry that I complain about my circumstances when there are worst things happening to other people.
Amen

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace.... was lost but now I'm found....

This is the song that my two dogs might have been singing in their head when I picked them up from the Animal Shelter this morning.
I'm thank God that he allowed the dog catcher to catch them, and I'm glad they are in my possession.

Loba & Nugget

Loba and Nugget are my two dogs. They've been living at my sister's house for the past month. Last night we realized that they were gone. Either someone let them out, or they escaped. Pray that they get picked up by the animal shelter, so that I can go and get them and bring them home.

Balanced Life for a Working Woman

The priority list starts with relationships!

With God: Guard your time with Him ruthlessly. He will help set priorities and give strength for each day. Some busy days may be a verse or two, while enjoying longer time on days off, holidays and vacation. Take a thought He gives you and integrate it throughout your day.

With Husband: View marriage as a friendship. Develop a hobby together, seek friendships with other couples, shut off the television and take a walk. Go to bed at the same time. The greatest gift you can give your children is a good marriage.

With Children: Concentrate on an atmosphere of love, support and security, being aware of each child’s love language. Multiple activities and nights out cause stress, fatigue and limit family togetherness. Sports and lessons can inhibit church ministry and relationships. Remember, the habits they learn at home will be their habits as adults.

Practical Tips

Say "I’ll get back to you" before making new commitments. Get input and take time to pray. The prayer God is sure to answer is "Lord, what do You want me to do?" The answer may be "Wait, and I will show you." In our instant credit card society this is difficult.

Examine your motives honestly. Are you trying to please someone? Is it a necessity for success or a diversion from responsibility? Is it truly God’s leading?

Drop something before committing to more.

Limit how many errands you run.

Grocery shop only once a week — and at one store.

Let’s break the guilt of trying to live the balanced life, and seek God’s help to live according to His priorities.

Seven Ways to Reduce Your Stress at Work

1. Work on things that are important, instead of just easy.
2. Keep an "activity log."
3. Set daily goals. If you must commit to a date, be conservative
4. Be gentle with yourself, don't try to achieve perfection
5. Avoid interruptions.
6. Don't let other people's problems become yours.
7. When you are feeling overwhelmed, say so.

These tips can make your work more manageable, and might even reduce your stress enough to let you go back to drinking double lattes.

Bragging Rights

We brag about alot of things. Our kids, possesions, accomplishments, etc... But do we brag about who God is?

"Let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD." Jeremiah 9:24

Do you know God well enough that he could brag on you if he wanted to?

Mama, Mommy, Mom...

My little girl (2yrs) is growing up...
She started calling me "Mom" yesterday....

I almost cried.


p.s. and she even sometimes calls me "Michelle"

He comes through again

Well guess what... I got another financial blessing, that is going to take care of those unexpected expenses... Praise God.

"Nothing is impossible for Him"

Counting Kisses

We'll Isabel has her first official boyfriend. Andres the little boy that she took up for 2 weeks ago. I can't even count how many times they've kissed each other. It's fun to see them play and chase each other around, play peek-a-boo. Knock each other over. Yesterday Andres, keep running and pushing Isabel to the ground. She didn't seem to mind though. She just get up and run some more. His parents at one point had him apologize to Isabel and give her a kiss (on the lips)... Eddie is teaching Isabel to say "foochi boys".... same as "yucky boys".... I don't think it's working.

A Prophetic Word

I attened a conference this weekend entitled "Desperate for Jesus". The first speaker talked about being so desperate that you turn only to God in your time of troubles.
2 Kings 4:1-7
This is a story of a widow whose in debt up to her ears, and is about to loose her sons to slavery.
She calls on the prophet Elisha to give her a word from God.
He tells her to go and get all the empty jars from her neighbors. Take the only thing that she has, which is a jar of oil, and fill the empty jars. Then tells her to sell the jars, pay off her debt, and her and her sons can live on the rest.
God is so awesome. This lady went from an impossible situation, to retired in one day.

As I was driving home thinking about the unexpected expenses that we had incurred, I cried out to Jesus and asked for his help. As I drove up to the mailbox and opened it. There was a refund check for $168 from TXU. God is so good. I know that he only can pull us out of this situation. Not the banks or creditors. Only Him.

I ask God, what is my oil. What can I give to someone else as a blessing, so you can bless me in return?

Father's Day

A father's ultimate task is to be faithful to his heavenly Father, to the spouse that God has given him, and to his children. If a father goes to his grave a pauper, but is faithful on these three levels, he is a successful man.

To Eddie:
Thank you for being a great father to our two girls, and a great husband to me. You are my hero.

Happy Father's Day.

Backseat Driver

Ok, people have always told me that I'm a bad driver. That I drive too fast. I've never believed them until yesterday.
I was driving in a remote area around a curve under a bridge. As I made the turn, Isabel yells out "Whoa! Watch out, watch out"
I guess I'll slow down now.

Finances - Managing Your Money

I so struggle with this.....
As I battle with this I look to the God's word for help

This is what he advises:

Keep good records, Proverbs 27:23-24 (I never do this)
Plan our spending, Proverbs 21:5 (I do this 50% of the time)
Save for the future, Proverbs 6:6-8 (I do this)
Be content with what we already have, (I do this 50% of the time)

Proverbs 21:17 he says, “Indulging in luxuries, wine and rich food, will never make you wealthy...” and in Ecclesiastes 6:9 he writes, “It is better to be satisfied—CONTENT—with what you have than to always be wanting something else.”

And give back at least 10% to God. (I always do this)

A. Well first of all we should do so as an act of OBEDIENCE because the Bible repeatedly and clearly suggests a minimum giving standard of giving ten percent back to God. For example, in Malachi 3:9 God says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house.” In Proverbs 3:9-10 Solomon says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces.”
B. But tithing is also an act of GRATITUDE. When we give the first tenth we are saying, “God, I wouldn’t have anything if it weren’t for You. Thank you Father, for as Your Word says, every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights Who does not change like shifting shadows. ( James 1:17)”
C. And then tithing is an act of PRIORITY. It’s a way of saying, “God, I want You to be number one in my life and I prove it by putting You first in my money.”
D. It’s also an act of FAITH that says, “God, I know all those promises in the Bible that say if I put You first you’ll take care of me. To prove that I believe these promises I’m going to give to you first.”

Well I have these steps. Now I need to apply the principles... Hope this helps anyone else out there.

411 for Less

Use you cell-phone service provider's directory and you'll pay about $1.25 plus airtime. Instead try Google's free lookup. Text-message the name, city, and zip code of the person or business you're seeking to 46645. In aobut a minute, you'll get a text message back with the search results.

Beauty is Skin Deep

Was just reading a parents magazine... Parents from all over sent in pictures of their child for a chance to win the cover and other prizes. The mom who's kid won said. "I'd love for her to do more modeling, but this was her first shoot, so we'll have to see if she really enjoys it"

I've thought about this... about sending in pictures of my kids. You see almost everyday when we are out in public with our kids, strangers will walk up to us and say "She is so pretty"
"That's the cutest baby I've ever seen"... This started when Isabel was born and continues on with Emma.

I don't think I'll ever enter them into a beauty contest. I want to teach my girls that what makes them beautiful is not just good genes but having the light of Jesus shine from within you.
I want to teach them that their attitude, generosily, humbleness, humor, thoughfulness, respect for others... is what makes them beautiful.

Lord help me to instill this value into my children.

Think McFly

Odd News...

I read them every so often. This morning I read an article about an lady who let her 11 year old drive the minivan to school with her in the car, of course he wrecked. If I was the judge I would make her pay a hefty fine and not allow the child to get a license until the age of 18.
I think if our laws were tougher people wouldn't do stupid stuff.

Question: Where did the phrase "Think McFly" come from???

Sweet Echo

Her attitude, voice, fear of no one... she gets from me. I'm describing my little Isabel.
As her language develops more and more everyday, I start to hear my phrases echoing from her mouth.

"In a minute"
"Stay"
"Later Alligator"
"What's up dude"
"Jesus, Amen"

My all time favorite... "I love you" / "Amo Mommy"

Me Me Me

Three things you like about yourself: sense of humor, generosity, nails
Three things you don’t like about yourself: diet, ad/hd, allergies
Three parts of your heritage: TexMex, Christian, Homemade tortillas
Three things that scare you: loosing my children, loosing my husband, leaving my children/husband behind
Three of your everyday essentials: car, cell phone, lunch
Three things you are wearing right now: sandles, capris, blue shirt
Three of your favorite songs: The Love Song (Third Day), Pass Me Not, Blessed Assurance
Three new things you want to try in the next 12 months: sticking to a diet, exercisizing 3 times a week, ASP.net
Three things I want in a relationship: Humor, Love, Respect
Two truths and a lie: I was rescued from drowning, I fell out of a canoe in freezing water, I've fallen through an ice rink
Three things you can’t do without: my salvation, laughter, hugs and kisses from my kids
Three places you want to go on vacation: Disney World, a cruise, Aspen
Three things you just can’t do: call in sick when I'm not, eat tripe, cartwheel
Three kids’ names: Isabel, Emma, Noah
Three things you want to do before you die: ski, see a waterfall, have a little boy
Three Celeb crushes: Sonny Corenthos (GH) , Antonio Sabato Jr., Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama)

Lighthouse Club

Our chuch started a backyard bible study at some apartments called "The Lighthouse Club". We got there sent the youth to go and invite kids to come to the pool area. We had music time, story time, arts and crafts, a game, and refreshments. It was a huge success. There were over 10 kids there. We'll be going back every Tuesday. All the kids were excited because whoever brings the most friends wins a giant candy bar. I can't wait until next week.

In the back of my mind I think to myself...as a parent I would never left my kid go off with someone they didn't know just because they said they were having a bible study. There are still naive parents out there.

An Eye for an Eye

Did you hear about the lady who left her 2 year old in the car with the windows rolled up in the middle of the day yesterday. She lady was found shopping inside Walmart, with 2 baskets full of groceries, and she was with 2 friends. The child is alive. He was found drenched with sweat and severely dehydrated.
People like this make me sick. SHE should be left in a car in the hot sun with the doors locked and never let out. I wish stoneing was still in effect.

Mr Mom #2

As I'm driving to work I get a call... Eddie is at the grocery store with the kids...

Eddie: "Did you change their diapers?"
Me: "Yes, I changed Emma's twice this morning"
Eddie: "Oh cause Emma pooped alot. I'll find to find somewhere to change her here in the store"
Me: "ok"

Do they have diaper changeing stations in the men's restroom? If not there should be.
I'll be praying for him today.

Take my pain away

My 8 month old is teething, she's got the 2 top ones in now. She hasn't been herself, not crying persay, just not laughing all the time. My 2 year old wakes up in the middle of the night crying too, is she teething? Makes me wonder. Last night at 1:30 am in the morning I woke up with a toothache and shortly after the 2 year old woke up too. We both couldn't get comfortable. I took some baby orajel (didn't work) and then 2 ibprophen (that did work)... She wanted to get out of bed and watch tv. I let her out of bed, but that wasn't enough, she wanted me out of bed too. No way, it was 2 in the morning and I was tired. So she cried and cried. Finally she crawled back into bed with me, tossed and turned and fell asleep. Thank God Eddie was working because I got to sleep in a little bit this morning. I guess God wanted me to experience what my children are experiencing so that I can fully understand the pain that teething gives. I get it okay. Now it's off to the dentist.

And the Winner by a knockout...

In the left corner.....It's Chevron... weighing in at $2.09 a gallon
In the right corner...It's Texaco... weighing in at $1.97 a gallon
In my hand is a Chevron Texaco credit card....
Who do you think wins?

David and Goliath

You remeber the story... A little bity boy defending his country against a mean o' Giant.
Well that's exactly what happened this Sunday. See Isabel became that little David, and she had a bone to pick with her Giant (our Pastor)... and he really is a giant, even for me... he's over 6 feet tall), so for Isabel you can imagine that he looks like a Super Giant... But that didn't scare my tough little girl...
As the story goes....
There was a little boy names Andres (only 3 months younger than Isabel)... He was playing with a fuseball... The mean o'l giant, came and took the ball away, causing the little boy to cry....
Here comes Miss Isabel to the rescue. With a mean look, she points and starts shaking her finger at the Giant, yelling at the top of her lungs, for the mean Giant to hear....

("Blah, Blah, Blah, da, da, da, BALL, Andres.... Okay".....

Wow... no one has ever talked to the Pastor, I mean Giant, like that.... not even his wife....

Needless to say, she won the heart of Andres, and her parents won a (wink wink) custom sermon series next week entitled "How to raise respectful kids"......

For - Get - For

Friday night at the mall, Isabel had eaten a whole blowpop, with gum and all. I was like wow. So we leave the mall and are in the car, my 4 year old nephew hands Isabel some water. As she is drinking she starts to cough. So the 4 year old says....
"See, eating bubble gum, candy... that's what you FORGET Isabel, see"
I totally started laughing....
"J, that's not how you say it... you say that's what you GET FOR eating candy..."
"No, you're wrong, you're wrong....." He interjects...

I know I wasn't very good in English as a child, but I THINK I'm right... don't you?

Party of the Year

The party was a blast. I'm still recovering. It lasted from 2-5:30 in the afternoon on Saturday. We had a limbo contest, tv charades, kareoke, costume contest, and guess that 80's movie. I had a rubiks cube cake (that I forgot to take a picture of), pac-man video game going, and St. Elmo's fire on the big screen. Isabel won the best costume contest for the girls. She had a pink 3 ruffle shirt with little white poka dots, pink/white checkered vans, pink and silver belts hanging off of her waist, a white shirt, hot pink crinkled up socks, and a pony tail on the side of her head.
Our friend Steve won for the guys. He was Micheal J. Fox to the T. I can't wait until our next party in October for Eddie's Birthday.

Girls Just wanna have fun.

What were you doing in the 80's... I would stay up all night watching movies on HBO.
Sixteen Candles (Jake was so cute)
Pretty in Pink
Breakfast Club (I have the poster)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Bueller... Bueller)
Girls Just want to have fun (Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt)
and the list goes on....

Tomorrow we're having an 80's party, it's going to be so much fun. Complete with a Rubik's Cube cake, and neon colored plates. From Nerds to Pop Rocks (Candy that pops and fizzles in your mouth). Listening to 80's Hip Hop to 80's Rock. Can't wait.

You know you are a child of the 80's if...........
You wore a banana clip or one of those slap on wrist bands at some point during your youth.
You wore French rolls on the bottom of your splatter painted jeans.
You owned a doll with 'Xavier Roberts' signed on it's butt.
You know the profound meaning of ''Wax on, Wax off.''
You have seen at least 10 episodes of Fraggle Rock.
You fell victim to 80's fashion: big hair, crimped, combed over to the side, and you wore spandex pants
You wanted to be a Goonie - (hey u guyz!!)
You could break dance, or wished you could. (I said hip hop....)
You remember when ATARI was a state of the art video game system. (Remember Pong)
You actually spent countless hours trying to perfect the care-bear stare.
You had Wonder Woman or Superman underwear.
You Believed that ''By the power of Greyskull, you HAD the power''
You thought that Transformers were more than meets the eye.
Partying ''like it's 1999'' seemed SO far away!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't worry be happy

For the past month I have had this feeling that God has been trying to prepare me for a big change in my life, I just don't know what it is. Last night I had a dream that I was going to be laid off from work, but even in the dream I was calm and said "that's ok, God has prepared me for this" Eventhough I know that in all circumstances God is there to help me, I can't help but feel anxious. Theses verse comes to mind.

Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." Exodus 20:20

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Lord, I cast all my fears and worries upon you.

God's Coloring Book #2

As I was driving over the lake this morning I looked over and saw a beautiful site. The lake had been colored pink and gray. It was so pretty. Thank you God for the beautiful picture.

SAHD

You probably see the acronym SAHM (Stay at home mom) well Eddie is a SAHD (Stay at home dad). Today was the official first day. I got to wake up a little bit later, I got to feed Emma breakfast and make breakfast for Eddie, myself, and Isabel. It was a good morning. Last night was good too, Isabel went to bed after about 15 minutes of rocking and massaging. Gotta cut this short because I'm at work, and I have alot of work to do. Will discuss more later.