Signed, sealed, delivered, it's ours! (and soon to be YOURS!)

What? No semi?
















The unloading team












Bill, I told him he'd be blogging famous!
(and he is going to try the Hawaiian chicken recipe!)












Plenty of Billy and Sophia to go around!














EVERBODY helped!













Really.
















No, REALLY. Lol












Loved everyone's willingness!













It's a family affair!











Drum roll please....













Ta da!!! It's a MAGAZINE. (whew)

Bits and Pieces...

BOY do I miss the blogging world. I check in about 1xwk and try to catch up. But I thought I would just give you a few things to show what happens when one tries to build a magazine. Lol

Kate got this bad "burn type" injury when she took a rubbery racquet and stretched it over head and got it stuck. When Lauren "popped" it off, it took the top layer of skin with it.

This would be my very FIRST child who tried this. Yes, it's permanent. Yes, Magic Eraser, who I would be happy to become a spokesperson for, took it off. Kate cleaned it herself.

After two weeks of sandwiches and pizza, I finally acquiesced and let Lauren make homemade waffles. "Well, home made from a box anyway)

My new beautiful DESK!!!!!!! Well, I gotta get somethin' out of this deal!!

American (give me a) Midol

Ok, I admit I did NOT watch all of AI last night...but I caught the last 30-40 minutes. No Tif, it is not 2 hrs each time. Thank goodness. I can barely take it for one hour. How about that pornographic commercial for that new viewer-discretion-advised show? I am SO SICK of my kids viewing porn during commercial breaks. Anyhoo...

I officially reiterate my initial prediction that Michael Johns will make it to the top (what did I say initially, 5? )Well, I now say top THREE and as a matter of fact, I'll even go all the way to the final with him. Why not. Even though I haven't heard half of them sing and I didn't totally love his performance last night. He just has it.

Who else do we love? I am afraid our current "secret pleasure" is the dreadlock guy...he is a cutie and a fun singer. I wish he didn't act like such a dyot at the end though...that is my pet peeve...perfomers, actors and singers who don't know how to carry themselves AFTER a performance. Or if they win an Oscar and blow their speech....be funny, be poignant, be political heck, be BORING but don't be a fool.

P.S. Miss you guys and our inaugural issue is "at print"!!! Woohoo!

Who's this sexy mama?

American Idol

I predict Michael Johns makes it to the top 5.

I am tempted to say the final but I missed so many singing that I cannot properly judge.
Just so you know, I predicted that Taylor Hicks would win the whole thing during his first audition! Ha!
S

Starting the Day...

What a beautiful day! After a couple of days of rain, to see the sun shining through is uplifting! I actually LIKE grey days...makes me feel white chicken chili-ish! BUt gimme the sun everytime! Happy Happy says the sun!

Coffee is in a big fat cup.

Business meeting this morning here. Business meeting? That is so NOT a phrase I have used in my life for the last 5 years. More like, poopy diaper meeting. Awww, but I can't give up the poopy diaper meetings! But as usual, I digress...

So, all is good! I leave you with a pic of Kate's new...friend, Lol I'm gonna have to watch that girl! She's fickle! Lol

Eating Life!

No, really, I am eating a bowl of Life.

bloggin

Wow. You got me bloggin' now. I wondered if I would have anything left in me! Just sayin'. Whew! Lol

But I guess I do...and I am sew happee to have! anie. kind? of punctuashun and spellling I want.

so don't expect too much out of me in that vein anymore. Here, I want to chillax.

(music from Cheers) "I wanna go, where everybody knows my name" do do do do do...bum!
"Norm!"

Ok, sorry---I neva promised you prose. Lol

I wondered how I would feel about blogging and if I would feel like it was any different than editing (except in a more general sense)
It is different though.
And I wondered if I would want to blog and feel safe blogging still...but I do.
The Lord of course is all, but you guys may become my touchstone of sorts...

WOW. There is real life somewhere. Honestly, this is the most fun and fulfilling thing I have ever done. I feel like I have come into my element after a near 40 years. But there is nothing more important to me than serving the Lord and getting his message out and living day to day life. Changing a diaper, giving a bath, making a meal has brought SO MUCH MORE enjoyment to me now that I am so busy elsewhere. I never minded those things and even liked them to begin with but now there is such JOY in them. What a cool benny God gave me through this....a fulfilling project AND more joy in daily tasks. How in the world did I RATE???

And who KNEW that I would enjoy time AWAY from the computer so much. That is truly bizarre.

Rach set me up a tea party in the corner of her room last night and we drank three pots of tea while laughing and talking and pretending to be the cast of P & P. She is a hilarious Miss Bates. "Tea, motha!"

And I felt myself slowly relaxing, shoulders dropping, teeth unclenching...lol and I LIKE to live life that way! But relaxed is good too.

And I know it will calm way down after the learning curve sooo...bear with me and please don't let me drop out of life guys...at least not completely!

Love you guys! Thanks for transitioning with me!

Happy Birthday Sloan!

My baby's 15. Did I say FIFTEEN! Yep. And I am thankful, ever so thankful that I am one of those mother's that enjoys each age. I have no lamenting over their moving on to the next level. Sure it can be a little nostalgic and I am not saying I didn't tear up a time or two that day...especially when I gave her the "With God all things are possible" KEY CHAIN. Did I just say KEY chain?? Lol
But...our first one is beginning to slowly "leave the nest" and it feels amazingly wonderful! I mean, for where Jeff and I came from, it is a miracle that the kids survived it, let alone turned out to be such great blessings. THANK YOU LORD! IF the Lord wasn't in our lives....I shudder to think...but anyway, yes, she is FIFTEEN! And beginning to be future minded...her home, her husband...it's gonna be a beautiful thang!

Hello blogging world!

Hey man, someone do me the HUGE FAVOR of finding out where my tool bar went here...someone has just GOT to know! Lol

It was good to catch up on everyone's blogs. Funnee stuff.

I got nothin' but shop talk, lol, so I leave you to it!

Ok, one cute thing: Sloan's bd on Sat was fun but all she wanted to do was STUDY! Study, study, study. I never saw her study so HARD!
Jeff says they should mix some American History in with the Fl. DMV driver's handbook. Lol

I am humbled...

Well, I beat it into church last night..running behind, a mess.
Scattered because I have been SOOOOOO busy as of late. (Forgot what a deadline was like! Lol) So I needed something from God. A refueling. A shot of His almighty B-12. Somethin'.
So I stroll it on in there and must have kinda stopped in my tracks. I mean, I don't think I REALLY stopped in my tracks but I must have SOME kind of look on my face. Confusion maybe.
Because a woman there goes, "It's not Agape Feast." So, this woman does not read my blog so I am somewhat perplexed because I think, Yikes! Has it gone around that I don't come to Agape Feast? I doubt it. She probably was just telling me because I looked confused... I hope. (BTW- the reason I don't go is because I have nowhere to put Kate after for church and I don't want to just go and eat and then leave)
So in I go and get settled and find it is PRAYER night.
Now I have nothing against Agape Feast and nothing against prayer night but I confess: I was looking for something for ME.
Boy, I underestimated God. Because he gave it to me... From both barrels.

So we begin to pray...I settle in and begin to try to seriously apply myself to the task at hand. Pray Stephanie. We are praying. You were supposed to be here. Supposed to be praying. So pray.

A:(adoration) Love this one....love to praise His Name and everything else about him.
C:(confession) impatient, working out out of my own strength, impatient....
T:( Thanks) perfect timing, husband, family, faithfulness when I am not faithful
S:(Supplication) Wisdom, prudence, patience, surrender, reliance....
Ok, so I have honestly though a bit dutifully, prayed. I have applied myself to it. I have tried to switch gears into what I should be doing. And thank goodness at least for that TINY bit of effort, lame as it was, or I never could have walked out of there after this:

The double whammy. A girl named Alexis gets up to tell her story and let me just cut to the chase ok? Her Mother (who is there in a wheelchair with oxygen)is about to die from cancerous brain tumor unless a miracle occurs...Father left the family and now they are in need as well. She goes on to say how her Mom is the most selfless person she knows and is always putting others first and herself last. She SOBS this story out with help from Ben and we all gather around them and lay hands on them to pray. When I hugged them, they held on. As if that was the very thing sustaining them.

So I sat shaking, so humbled and in awe at my own pathetic martyrdom the last few days...don't you KNOW what I've been through?????
And I wonder, what is wrong with me?
WHAT was I thinking? HOW could I have let these thoughts take over when I KNOW how important thought life is?

I have always joked that I have the "spirit of conviction" blessing me...NOT condemnation to be sure...but either I have no trouble hearing from the Lord or He has no trouble telling me what's what LOUD and CLEAR.

I have been guilty of many things before but never can I remember being so overly focused on my (gulp) self. Man that is hard to admit. I mean to say. Because really, I DON'T!!! Really I don't! Lol Evidently....I do.

I'm tired. I'm busy. Busy. Busy. Busy. Don't bother me. Just a minute. No. I have to raise these kids. Deal with the house, school them, discipline, start a business, man I'm beat. I can't, Jeff's not here. I can't, Jeff IS here. My progesterone is low. WILL YOU GIVE ME JUST A MINUTE??? Me.
Me-me-me.

NOW I dare to walk it into church looking for something for ME?
FOR ME?

I got it alright. Right in the bootay with his size 777.

I was humbled this night. And securely set back into the protective and forgiving arms of our Lord. Thinking right again. Focusing right again. My joy is back. My REAL thankfulness. My lighthearted what-can-I-do-for-YOU-Lord attitude.

When I got home, I could still smell Corinne on my hands.

Forgive me Lord. Forgive me. I am humbled.

Well, it's official!

The for sale is permanently staying down! (Well for now anyway and Lord willing!)

I haven't been around as much as I've been terribly busy trying to close up a business deal and get ready for March's issue!

YES! We have bought The Family Enquirer!! (from Chris and Heather Renaux)

For those of you who don't know, it is a locally distributed free magazine that focuses on family. We are, needless to say VERY excited and have many ambitious plans for the magazine including immediate expansion, new interactive website (almost done!) and meatier content!

We will be selling off and wrapping up properties in Vero and Jeff will be coming home!

He will do sales and distribution and guess what I'll be doing? Lol Of course, I'm the editor!

So, I will unfortunately not be on nearly as much!

If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or would ever like to contribute in anyway, please email info@thefamilyenquirer.com

Ha! It is so fun to say that! But seriously folks, you can always use my regular email! Lol

I just want you all to know that you are the biggest reason that I love this town and that I wanted to stay...if I get pg and add another baby to this mix I am fully expecting TONS of help! Lol

Honestly, I am just so happy to be able to exhale and say, "I'm home."

Test Results!

It was my PROGESTERONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Need I say more? ;)

Happy BIrthday Lauren

Lauren turned eight yesterday and it turned into an all day celebration!
First Daddy took her to breakfast and on her annual birthday hike. Then on to putt putt golf and then her favorite pasta dish by Sloan and her party! Whew! She is one special girl! Sloan's is on Saturday and then we are done with Birthday's for awhile.

More bathtime metaphors

I don't know why bath time for Kate has turned into my "reflecting on life" moment but so be it!

During bathtime she loves if I squirt a little soap into her hand. She rubs rubs rubs her tummy and arms. But she's moved on to her legs and that is where the problem lies. You see, her legs are under water. So try as she might she cannot get her soapy hands to her legs fast enough before the water washes the soap away.

It got me thinking. God gives us all the tools we need to live effectively. Grace, forgiveness, mercy, joy, peace, kindness.

But if we don't USE God's tools properly, they are ineffective. We must use what God gives us..what He says we have in abundance, or else it is just like Kate, letting the water wash the soap away...rendering us ineffective Christians.

Online Devotional

This really spoke to me today!

New Places

Today's Scripture

“…you have not passed this way before” (Joshua 3:4).


God desires to take you into new places in your life. He wants to take you to deeper places in your walk with Him, and He wants to take you into higher places of blessing in your life. Are you ready to go to places that you’ve never been before? So many people today get stuck in a rut because they don’t want to get out of their comfort zone. They want to stay with what they know because it’s comfortable. But in order for you to reach your full potential, you have to be willing to step out into the unknown. You won’t ever walk on water until you step out of the boat! We all have areas we can rise higher in. Open your heart today and be ready to step out into the unknown. Trust that the Lord will guide and order your every step. Begin to expect that the unexpected is on the way. Be ready to step out into new places. As you approach your day with faith and expectancy, you will move forward in the abundant life He has for you!

Blogging Lull

ONE of you said my blog was BORING lately...LOL I have to agree but I have been pouring a lot (ok, nearly all) my creative energies elsewhere right now. I don't expect I'll be blogging near as much anymore but perhaps occasionally.
I am not getting as much chance to read other's either but imagine one day some normalcy will return!
So anyway, sorry for the bore...but I have been blogging in an expanded version lately...;)

Will blog again soon I hope!

Bloggers please help!

Hey guys, can someone PLEASE tell me how I accidentally removed half my tool bar for new posts? My fonts size is gone...
Thanks

Congratulations to the Winners!!

Tiffany came in numero uno with the correct tribes-

Amy came in second with the correct tribes and a SERIOUSLY good try at the bonus question.

And Marissa came in third with correct tribes as well!

Congrats you guys and GREAT job looking into the very Word that gives life!

Here are the correct answers:

The Twelve Tribes are:

Asher
Benjamin
Dan
Gad
Issachar
Joseph*
Judah
Levi
Naphtali
Reuben
Simeon
Zebulun

AND a bit of a trick question for the bonus!!!

(It was around the Tabernacle and in order of their marches)

The Eastern Tribes

Judah
Issachar
Zebulun

The Southern Tribes

Reuben
Simeon
Gad

The Western Tribes

Ephraim
Manasseh
Benjamin

The Northern Tribes

Dan
Asher
Naphtali

*The sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Menasseh, were also given the status of independent tribes.

Good Job! I'll save the gift card for another day contest!

(lest you think I knew this, I didn't. I SO used the computer!!!! (for me? Allowed. Lol)I NEVER would have been able to get it either! It was a tough one! But you all always get the answers SO FAST I had to go difficult with the bonus...I can't even think UP good enough questions to ask you guys!!!)