Yeah, well- whatcha gonna do?

Last night, my friend and I were sitting in the living room and I said to her,

"I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug."

So she got up, unplugged the Computer, and threw out my wine.

She's such a rat.....

(compliments of Amy W.)

Shamelessly stolen from Cheryl's Blog

FUNNY!

Chipotle Wraps

This is what Chipotles in Adobo Sauce looks like. You can find it in your ethnic aisle.


You only need one or two to flavor. They are not "hot", they are smoky, spicy. Hard to explain...
they work wonderfully to spice up a dish without a 'cayenne' hot. Thought the more you use, the spicier your dish gets!Love 'em!

This is Phyllo dough. But you knew that. It was MY first time working with it. It kept breaking...Grrr! Oh, I was supposed to DEFROST it first? Make note to self...


A little brushy brush with some butter.

Glad they broke actually, because I thought the full size ones were too big. Wrapped and ready to go!

Fini!

Looks pretty good eh? It was pretty good actually and with a few minor variations for next time, it could be great! It was fun to make though and easy!

Quick Recipe: (in other words, too lazy to look up measurements, especially since I don't measure much.)

Ground chicken mixed with chopped scallions, garlic cloves, 1.5 cups shredded cheese, chipotles, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Brush with butter and salt and pepper 3 layers of phyllo dough and pipe meat onto wrap long wise. Roll up like a burrito and brush with butter again. Bake, seem side down at 400 for 15 minutes. I forgot to show the avacado dipping sauce but that is what you serve it with.

Notes for next time: use shredded chicken instead of ground. (I couldn't find ground chicken so I used ground turkey,it was a little meat-loafy) A little less meat in the wraps. More onions-more chiptoles-generally more spice.

Avacodo dipping sauce: Haas avacados, couple good dashes of evoo, garlic powder and salt. Add a little water, blend until dipping consistency. (so you can pour it)

Can she bake an apple pie Billie Boy, Billie Boy?

Ok, I know the song is cherry but that wouldn't work now would it?
I had forgotten just how easy apple pie was to make. Even your novice chefs can manage this one. Here is Lauren making her first apple pie yesterday!






I left while it was still in the oven and it cooked faster than the directions said...good thing they checked it when they did. Slightly browned but still DE-lish. We ate the whole thing. Well, there ARE six people in the house!

Happy Birthday Amy from the Clunn's and Melissa Yates' Eggs!

Stream of Thought

It's 3:14 am.

I remember once my old pastor said that people who go around saying they are "early risers" are just bragging. Lol

Not me, I just woke up, and felt like a cup of coffee. :)

I didn't have a single cup yesterday. So, no I am not weirdly addicted to it. I can take it or leave it. I just like it, that's all. I also like Margaritas. But I don't drink them at 3:14 am. At least not yet.

I am blessedly FREE from Saturday mornings. I am liking the word FREE lately, in terms of freedom.

Can't wait to try out the new "talk show" online. I decided that the best talks Deb and I ever had were when we sat at my table. Add a mike, voila!

New issue will be here Monday. RiDICulously great cover. Can't wait for you all to see it.

I am contemplating blueberry muffins or rice pudding for church today. Though I was supposed to stay home and put the new issue together that is due, gulp, Saturday. The issues are running closer and closer together now that we are growing so large...I had the production schedule for May's issue before April's got printed. Sheesh. They are trying to kill me.

Busy week next week, Dentist appt, committee meeting, new issue is out so I am SUPPOSED to go the networking meetings but....Sloan babysits, Dragon Boat Festival vendor...fair...
so I am trying to work ahead a bit.

In my reorganizing, I cleaned out Kate's clothes closet. Yikes. Two garbage bags full of clothes that do not fit. Now the kids have to go through those to see which of those are Heather C's that she lent us. I am afraid they may have gotten sucked into the vortex. Heather, if you read this, will you release me????

If I stay home from church, then I will likely put the kids on that sorting chore.

Next will come the 3 year old sock basket that needs matching. 3 drawers deep. Have fun kids!

Been finding some great houses....making sure there's room for one more! Jeff and I are HOT for another kiddo. Hmmm, doesn't the word HOT in that context, along with the idea of a child just sound WRONG??? Let me rephrase.

We are really, really, really ready. We will adopt, try for our own and beg God for one. Are we ready for a boy? Sure, why not! Though all our baby stuff is for girls!! We are going to start trying again for our own after our 3 miscarriages and look into adoption. Except I don't know how. Seems like a biiiiiiiiig undertaking, adoption. The idea of raising the actual child seems less difficult than the adoption process. I would prefer a private adoption.

Ok, gots to go! Can't wait to hear how International Day went! We opted out. Lol Surprise!

Lake Family Magazine has left the building! (well, the radio station anyway)

Taking back control of my LIFE!

An excerpt...one down, one to go. ;)

Hello fabulous guys-

I just wanted to thank you so much for the fun opportunity to do the show- you all are so great. We have decided that at this time, we will not continue the show but we wish you all the best success! We're taking the show in a new direction....................

............We have grown fond of you all and love you and wish you God's Greatest Blessings. :)

Love you guys! Stephanie


So that was it. I am RELIEVED and Deb and I are EXCITED to "bring it home". Stay tuned!

On the radio, ooh-oh-oh-oh-oh...on the radio-radio

Today's show should be interesting. We began a new format though it is likely our last show. If you want to, you all will get to listen to the next one we do online at your leisure sometime soon!
But today will be about women feeling judged by other women so much and why.
Tune in to 1240 WKIQ at ten!

Good Dinner

Good dinner tonight-
Garlicky pork chops, homemade mashed potatoes, sauteed apples and cinnamon, spinach salad and cheesy garlic biscuits. Next time you make pork, peel and cut up some apples, sautee in a 1/4 cup of water with some sugar and cinnamon until thick and soft and serve on the pork or as a side. YUM.

Can anyone tell me how I can freeze the meat/potatoes/apple portion of this properly for Jeff?

I was going to post a video of what the kids did after dinner. But it takes too long. Croquet and well, general stuff. Not too exciting anyway.

Why NOT to stay on the computer...

Should I really post this? I am not sure.

But here is one reason why not to get caught up on the computer.

I let Rach and Lauren go upstairs to play without the baby and leave Kate to her own devices.

That was my first mistake.

As any Mom knows, a quiet house, is a house of real danger.

I all of a sudden hear Kate OUTSIDE by the side of the house.

I go running.

Kate! Kate! I yell...

She comes running around the side of the house- I've got a mouse! I've got a mouse!

We are beginning potty training so she is diaper-less a bit these days and that is all I can really think of. Naked outside baby.

But when she makes the corner of the house, I see that she has pulled her arms out of her tank top and pulled it down to cover her nakedness like a skirt. (she has been told she may not run around outside without clothes but is free to roam naked in the house, so I am at least thankful for this.)

But she is HOLDING a bunch of my...um....girl items, if you know what I mean, while yelling I've got a mouse, I've got a mouse.

She turns and runs back around the house to a big. fat. rat. being eaten by multiple large bugs.

No, I am not kidding.

The whole dead rat is WRITHING with big bug movement for those of you who are visually inclined.

NOW I am very calmly, but seriously asking her, "Did you touch it, did you touch it??"

Being careful to remain calm because if anyone gets upset around her, including herself, she will not answer.

She says, No I didn't. No I didn't touch it.

So we head in the house with her all the while holding her ITEMS and saying Look Mommy, I've got packages, I've got packages! Then she promptly throws them all down in the house...

I immediately and THOROUGHLY wash her hands while praying she did not pet the cute little mousie, or pick UP the cute little mousie, or KISS the cute little mousie.

I put a diaper on her, gave her an apple and wow, now I am back on the computer.

Something is definitely wrong here. Lol

But I realize that I now really understand the conversation I had with Dear M today about not stopping by un-announced. Had you stopped by at this time, you would have found a dead rat, a naked baby, girl items strewn about the foyer and a Mom slightly disheveled.

Yeah, sometimes the computer can be a BAD thing!

Wal Mart Alert

There are cool, black Twilight T-Shirts at Wal Mart for all my teen level-vampire- book loving friends.

Market Update

Holy Rising Mortgage Rates Batman!

Ok,peeps- this is it. The market is starting the upward turn. We are seeing houses selling right out from under us...literally! We see a house, like it, and it's sold before we can offer on it.

The good deals are getting SNAPPED up now.

Mortgage rates are slowly rising. Just inching up now but that is still UP.
So DO NOT WAIT to buy or refinance if you are intending to.

NOW is the end of the time that things will be so low.

It will return only slowly but still, if anything causes a flux up...which can TOTALLY happen, then you will be out a good mortgage rate.

Go get 'em house hunters and dollar savers!!!

Pepperoni Quiche Recipe

1 unbaked pie shell (we doubled the recipe and made two. Ate one and froze one for the hubs)
Shredded cheese (about 8 oz, I use Fiesta Blend for everything)
2 oz thinly sliced pepperoni (about 20-30) cut into quarters
1 can evaporated milk (for denser quiche) OR about a cup of regular milk for fluffier quiche
3 large eggs
2 tbls. flour
1 tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp garlic powder

Oven at 350

Bake pie shell as directed (we used frozen pre-made;Suzie Homemaker that I am)
sprinkle a cup of cheese on bottom of shell and half the pepperoni. (we only put it on top because we only had about 15 slices)
whisk eggs, milk, flour, basil and garlic powder in bowl. Pour mixture into pie shell(s)
sprinkle with cheese and top with pepperoni (and anything else you'd like!)
Place quiche on baking pan if pie pan is made of foil (we didn't) but I can see the benefit of this in the future. They're pretty flimsy.
Bake 40-45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool for 5 minutes.

Notes:

We used canned milk this time because Sloan is a CRAZY girl about such things as following recipes, UGH she is SUCH a rule follower. I can't get her to break any rules. Should I count my blessings? Lol but next time we shall use milk because it makes for a very fluffy quiche.

Go ahead and top with chopped onions, red and green pepper, or whatever.

DEFINITELY use deep dish pie shells if you use frozen. Our doubled recipe filled both deep dishes to the top.

When it comes out, it will be kind of raised in a dome shape but after cooling, settles down to what a respectable quiche should look like.

Go for it! It's your party you can quiche if you want to. ;)

Easy Quiche

I used to make a lot of quiche in Vero. So easy and so good and so versatile.





Here's a new one we tried today. Pepperoni Quiche! You know Sloan is involved any time there is pepperoni in a dish around here.

It's currently in the oven. We'll give you the report later and if it is any good, we'll post the recipe.

The Final Product!















And the verdict is: DEEEEElicious!!! Next time some chopped onion and but wow. Very tasty and different from your typical quiche. Definitely a keeper!

Stream, stream, stream of thought

My LIFE is one long stream of thought, lol.

I don't think I have enough creative energy to spin a real post anymore! That's funny!


I think I am going to "dis" the radio show. I am discerning something amiss and Jeff says to trust my instinct. I just think the station is going in a direction I am not sure I want to go...and it seems a little like spinning my wheels, the radio station isn't frutiful for me or LFM....it's just fun- but a LOT of work. Seems smarter to do it from here in a new internet venture way that can be listened to whenever one wants. Plus I can gage listenership that way and build a higher listenership as well. Deb seems happy about it too so there ya go.

Went out for some "girl time" last night with Deb. Had a GREAT time. Thanks Deb! I think we should start dating. lol

Worked in nursery at church. SUCH little cuties. Nobody cried. Even the cryers! Which was good because I was not in the mood for crying. We played and played. Got to talk to Alexis a bit, she seems like a nice girl.

Feels weird on days I serve, it's like being on a whole different church plane. Like I'm there, but I'm not.

I met Miriam's friends from Ohio. The mom's countenance was amazing. I could have looked into her eyes forever. Some people just seem to have Jesus so close to surface...she really just beamed. Did anyone get a chance to talk to her/notice that?

Their conservative attire reminded me of a modest clothes topic that I've discussed before on how any outfit, modest or not, that draws attention away from countenance is not Godly attire. I am totally guilty of this...I bet you even KNOW when I'm wearing clothes that aren't Godly. They aren't immodest but they say something other than "I am a Christian." Totally guilty. But we try. Depends on my mood.

My POINT is that it was a good reminder when I saw her countenance beaming away like that.

She was so....warm and friendly and I was totally focused on her, not anything else.

I was embarassed to be in jeans and a T-shirt. Jeans should be outlawed from life. Or at least from women. I know this freaks most of you out. Sorry. But girls and jeans should=NO. I should have been in my skirt, but it was dirty and I gave into the jeans.

This is what I am wearing right NOW: moo moo. Very attractive, no? No. Decidedly no.
We call it my Mrs. Roper dress. You have to be old enough to know who that is. Jeff likes it. Jeff likes me in anything. It makes me insane. Though he normally is trying to get me OUT of whatever I'm wearing so I guess ultimately it doesn't matter. Hey, it's my blog and I can TMI if I want to. Lol




I totally cropped out my messy desk. Lol

Jeff JUST left this morning...PROOF that we do not like to be separated. What was that, 4 days ago or so I said he was leaving? I am so in love with that man! Call me stupid, but I am a sucker for love. Love to love him. Even though he does not read my blog. Can you BELIEVE he does not read my blog??? If HE blogged, I would be reading it ten times a day! He says he LIVES my blog with me. But I know that is his way of being nice. Now, let's take a poll: Which of your husband's read your blog?

Hope you are all having a peaceful Sunday.
Kate pulled my Shalom Ya'll ceramic plaque off my front door and it shattered. I got it from the Holy Land Experience. I LOVED that plaque and I am not attached to much, materially speaking. I loved it though and am sad. And will now no longer sign off with Shalom Ya'll.

Sheesh, I am soooo melodramatic.

See Ya. Sniff Sniff.

Happy Birthday P. Diddy!

Doug’s Birth Verse: March 21st

John 3:21 NIV

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

You are a child of God, His treasured possession. He created you in His own image. He chose the day for you to be born. He has a plan and a purpose for your life.

You are well loved every day, but today we think of you Doug especially, and love you most exceptionally.

Happy Birthday!

Friends

Caught up on your blogs this morning and it was soooo good to see what everyone was up to.
You all are doing just fine!
Hang in there.
When I win the lottery, I'll share.

Shalom ya'll.

Stream of thought

I am out of things to say. This may seem funny or even impossible to some of you but it's true.
I cannot blog...I cannot come up with anything new. No new ideas of inspiration for LFM. I have completed an entire circle of magazines and now, I have nothing further to say. I keep waiting, waiting- but it is not coming back. It doesn't make for much of a magazine.

I feel that one year is likely the max of a project time frame for me. I am ready to move on.
Went there, got the t-shirt, came home. I'm done. I think it was a successful endeavor but I am ready for something new. Does that make me non-committal? Entrepreneurial? Flighty?
It doesn't feel that way. I FEEL like I tried it, succeeded, and now, what is there left to do? Let someone else do it now, I already did it.

I think it is possible that I get bored easily.

I had my teeth cleaned yesterday. Um, do yourself a favor and do NOT wait umpteen years to do this. If I had done this first I would have never gone back. They saved it until last and now I know why.

I cannot WAIT for the coffee to be done.

I get to start my whitening process now for my teeth. Be looking for my Joel Osteen Bling in the near future. Bling-Bling, Bling-Bling...Hello?

Jeff has to go to Vero today. We both are devastated and feel like this separation is hard and ridiculous. He hasn't gone in a while. We've both been enjoying church with him going to early and then us switching Kate and me going to the later. Kate stayed in nursery last week and he got to stay for both. Now he has to leave and my heart is breaking.

Coffee's done. Hooray! When I went to get my coffee all my favorite cups were washed and ready to use which is a miracle because the kitchen is a disaster.

Went to the park yesterday and it was soooooooo weird. I felt totally out of place. Someone new came up to introduce herself and I was excited. I thought her daughter was a little cutie and I had recognized her name. She said, I know you! (and I was thinking-wow! she knows me! Must be from the board) and she goes, You're that editor! My heart sank! Here I was wanting to be all homeschooly and I couldn't get away from it. I am not complaining at all, I just guess I will not ever completley be able to go back to scones and skirts. I know I brought this all on myself, please try not to be too hard on me. I just miss you guys and the old life still. I actually saw Lisa Freeman. I haven't seen her in I don't know how long.

Life seems short to me these days.

I feel like I have aged 10 years in 1 short year.

I am looking forward to lots of things in the future.

Don't underestimate your freedom.

If you are bored, you better be careful.

I watched most of AI last night. If you honestly have enough time to watch this and are enjoying it, I must feel sorry for you. We viewed a commercial for I don't even know what about these mankins and a customer comes by and rips the clothes off of one and these two black lines appear to block out her breasts and bikini area. This male manikin goes, "Sweet!" and then this other male mankin tries to cover up the ogling manikins eyes and says, "Hey, stop looking at my wife!" and the first manikin says, "I can't. Your fingers won't close." (because he is a manikin and his fingers are splayed open so the manikin can still see through, get it?) and then the naked manikin with the black lines says,"Haven't you ever seen plastic before?"

All my daughters sat through this with me and if this doesn't outrage you, I don't know what will.
I turned to Jeff and demanded, "What are you going to do about this?" to which his response was, "I'm going to get rid of cable, that's what."

Of course I was hoping for a DVR....but I guess I can't complain.

No cable may end up in more scones and skirts, right?

Stream of Thought

Miracle Two? Looks like a no after all. The house deal seems to be going through for the other people. I wish them blessing! A little heartbreak around these parts...but I for one, am taking comfort in the words: "Trust in His response."

Spent all day at the chamber business expo yesterday...interesting...excellent exposure to lots of people. Sloan came at the end and was a total star. Everyone loves her!

I think I will take most of the rest of this week off.

My kids leave me little notes around the house all the time...I woke up to one from Rach by my computer: I love you with all of my heart and soul! Ray Ray

Gosh, I love my kids.

I am IN Love with this new song by Fernando Ortega and am now convinced that Doug should sing it as a solo. So simple. So pure. So beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1O_Jf_fdkI

I have to go now. Blessings to you guys.

Miracle one: accomplished

We got the money for the house!

But before you woohoo-

never say you got it 'til the check is in your hands-

it's currently at the lawyer's...a dangerous place for anyone's money to be! Lol

BUt- in about 10 days or so...we should get it.

Now all we need is the HOUSE!

AAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Sloan gets a taste of Mom 101

Sloan was funny Sunday. I was SO sick after the radio show I went straight to bed and just barely made it through church on Sunday and then back to bed for a bit to keep on recovery road. (Boy, that's just too easy I won't even do it)

Anyway, she said: "Boy, Mom. I had NO idea how much you did!"

This surprised me because I know how much she can do and it is plenty.

But I never really realized that I am always really "here" in one way or the other. They are not on their own...until I got sick. TWICE. First with the stomach bug and then with the flu or whatever it is.

Saturday night she had to get the chores done, make dinner, clean it up, prepare dessert for church, get the kids bathed and pull out church clothes. Not a lot really, but somehow my being "out of the picture" made her feel the actual weight of the responsibility for an extended period.

She said, "My legs were shaking I was so exhausted when I went to bed."

Lol, ha! Just wait!

The really funny part was though, was when I asked-"Did you get the baby in a bath?"
and she answered, "I just hosed her down outside!"

My own kid decides to take it up. Already talented! Check it out!

For the Photographer's in the mix

Enjoy!

Whatever you do, SCROLL DOWN when you get there!

Stream of thought

Sorry my last one was so long. Seems I have broken my own rule of not too long posts. BORING.

The deal on the house may come through after all. PLEASE PRAY. I am confused at how to pray for this. When you want something, are you supposed to pray for God's will as to not presume upon His will and so you are not praying in vain? In case he doesn't want you to have it? Or just pray like all get out for it? Tell me oh wise people that I might pray correctly! Either way, I will still believe in the Lord's goodness!

We met the neighbor who is like 10 acres away. Lol Saw him on his tractor close to the road while we were leaving. (We just go and hang out there now. Heck, We should have just started claiming it in the name of Jesus. It's a beat up old mess, but we love it!) Anyway, a Christian, homeschooling family! I asked him to pray for us.)
I believe in and will pray for, the Lord's goodness for this family!

We are all still sick and re-catching the same thing and the stomach bug too. Kate is delirious with fever, Rachel got knocked down with it again and I've coughed so hard and long by abdominals are sore and I had to excuse myself from the service! And yet, I cannot stop rejoicing. I still believe in the Lord's goodness!

I'm hungry.
I've lost 6 llbs from being sick.
Not a bad trade off.

I'm having a love affair...
With my church.

Let's just discuss this: How can EVERYONE love CCOTL? How is that possible?
I met this couple yesterday who was dissatisfied with their church and it was all I could do not to invite them! (I'm not big on trying to get people to leave their church instead of work out their problems. But I will be seeing them a lot if the Lord wills it, so I will keep my eye on that because I believe in the Lord's goodness!

THE BIG NEWS

THE COUPLE FROM CHURCH WHO CAN NOW OFFICIALLY BE NAMED:
Steve and Miriam Oyler
have put an offer in on a house here!!!
(chills)
now, I know I am not the only one who wanted them here but I have to say, since the day I met them I knew I was going to love that family. And NO, for you cynics, not because of the "reformed" way they appear (which would be legalistic now wouldn't it?)
but because of their amazingly sweet spirit, kids you could just EAT and openness that is rare.
Man, I couldn't BELIEVE it when I heard. Not sure why I was shocked. I said it was my mission. But I didn't do anything but hope for it! You just MUST believe in the Lord's goodness here! Plus they offered on a house we looked at a few times too!

My heart is filled with love these days. I don't why. Things crashing down everywhere. I imagine it is a good sign that I am not lamenting. Maybe I'm just past it. Maybe when there is nothing left to be done but wait, it is easier to rejoice. All I know is that I am grateful for the peace and the great love I feel.
I will believe in the Lord's goodness.

I'm a people lover to be sure. But as soon as I got my priorities in order with HOPEFULLY a little continued accountability (hint hint) I was able to plug in better at church, and when I am in the community now, my focus is unabashedly on the Lord.
I mean, if they don't like it and are able to shut us down somehow, then I'd be free of it anyway! It's a win/win either way! So there ya go! Mulitple ways to believe in the Lord's goodness!!!!!

Shalom ya'll.

Good Morning!

Wow. What an amazing day yesterday was.
I printed out the sampler of this high school curriculem from Sloan to read and set it aside.
It is called FAR. (Far above Rubies)

Then, I started in on my day and the phone was just ringing off the hook with advertisers. I mean CONSTANT. PLUS they all seem to be CHRISTIAN and looking for a magazine just-like-this--one.

I spent 40 minutes on the phone with a new client talking about the Proverbs 31 woman and the balance we strike as Moms and business women. She was telling me her friends wanted her to start a Professional Mom's Group but she was too busy....

so she is going to round them up and come to W.I.N. We talked and talked about the work from home, balancing game and well, it was great.

Then when I finally had to lay down (I am sicker than a DOG. If you listen to the radio show this morning you'll have to tell me how I sound)
When I layed down I took Sloan's curriculum with me to read and the whole thing was based on the Proverbs 31 woman! How a woman must be intelligent, well educated, well rounded, industrious, shrewd, capable, make money but NEVER forego her family. Her kind of industrious spirit and work ethic is unparalleled.
(Just wondering-what do men do by the way???Lol)

Anyway- SUCH an affirmation. Pulled out of the groups and activities that took me away from home and God blesses those efforts to maintain priorities by sending me advertisers in droves? Without my having to go get them?Is that true?

I don't know, but I'm taking it!

Pray I get better guys---just long enough to make it through the show.
You all should tune in, we are talking about parents being the authority in the home and the ridiculous ask a mom question this month. How kids have too much say in parent's decisions. Should be fun. ;)

Shalom Ya'll

Done! (almost)

You know, I was going to jump on and say "Can you believe I did it!?!?!"

But as I was about to type, I realized we had talked about God having to perform some kind of miracle for me to get it done by Friday.

Well, it's Friday 6:00 am and I am done. I didn't do it. HE must have.
I have never put an issue together in 1 day. There was not a minute I could have begun work on it earlier than yesterday in the wee hours.

Supernatural efficiency a good friend prayed for me...

It worked.

I pulled a 19 hour day yesterday and just finished up this morning minus a few things that always hold to the last minute. I had to miss church but it's okay.

So...HOPEFULLY this won't be how it goes each month but guys- HE did it!!! He put together an entire issue in one day.!!!(tearing up)

If you had ANY idea what that entails you would know that only GOD could do such a thing.

I'm not dead. It's a miracle. But I'm not dead. Lol

Glory, Glory to the Lord God almighty.

Selah

This came in a newsletter from a couple(Sid and Vilda Collison) that discipled Jeff and I years and years ago through a program called Exchanged Life Ministries.

Little Words:
“Selah”

Early in my teens, I remember reading this word several times in the Psalms and wondering what it meant. I wasn’t into doing heavy research at that time, but I did ask my parents, my pastor and some Sunday School teachers what it meant. The answers I received were the same: “Stop and think calmly about this.” As I now have done some research on this, I find that there are answers ranging from “stop and listen” to “forever” and from “amen” to “measure wisely or weigh what has been said.”

After reading so much about the interpretations/translations of this little word, 'selah', I believe it is right on target to use scripture to interpret scripture and the context in which the word is used to show that it really does mean that we should 'measure' or value care-fully what has just been said. There are many illustrations from scripture to prove this statement: “Whether of urging our meditation upon our sinfulness, declaring God is our refuge, or speaking in 'types' about Christ, this word is an exhortation for us to be wise and measure or weigh what has been said that we understand.”

My only purpose in presenting this word is to share some thoughts, questions and maybe some quotes with you and then ask you to selah (measure and weigh what is said) to come to a deeper understanding of, love for, and trust in our Great God.

Meditate on this quote by C.H. Mackintosh: “Faith must pass through the furnace—it will not do to say that we trust in the Lord, we must prove that we do, and that when everything is against us.” (Selah).

Selah this verse: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:7 KJV).

“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail” (Isa. 58:11). (Selah!)

Selah this song, “Rejoice In The Lord” by Ron Hamilton:

God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

Chorus: O rejoice in the Lord.
He makes no mistake.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take.
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.
Selah and be blessed!

Update

House was already pending with a sale. Somehow, I just know it's ok. If God doesn't want that one for us then ok! Momentary disbelief and disappointment for all of us but we are moving on!

I have what Lauren and Rachel have. I have to make it past Saturday's show. At this rate though, I would be at my most sick on Sat am.

I actually have a lot of the magazine done. I should just pull a couple of all nighters each month.

We're broke. Anyone else? PRAY for the sale of the property!

Just hunkering down for this period and waiting out the storm with some kind of weird joy in my heart.

Go figure. It's a God thing.

Stream of Thought

That last one was long so I thought I'd do this more well-liked post.
Actually, I just FEEL like blogging, so here I am.
Wasting time really, when I should be working.
Which is why I am up.
At 2:00 am.
To work.
I know.
Crazy.

I LOVE the house and am getting excited. But I do not know why I am saying "the house" as if it is a done deal. It is bank owned, we don't have the money yet and we haven't even called them yet. But I can't help it. I'm excited! I can't even imagine that endeavor and should really start cleaning out the house...in all my free time.

If last post was too long let me summarize. W.I.N. was a hit.

My coffee is HOT, the baby is ASLEEP and I am FEELING happy but also have peace... so that combination, rare for anyone, is a pretty good one.

I'm beginning to cough and sneeze a bit and it is worrying me. I don't want to get it!

I just heard a LOUD crash. Like multiple cardboard boxes being knocked over. I am never scared in this house amazingly enough. Even when Jeff is gone. But this scared me because it was so loud, something had to knock it over but even more weird, I don't have a big stack of cardboard boxes. I tentatively went to investigate but could find nothing. Yikes.

Missing church, glad today is Thursday and praying I get to go! Oh, tonight is is Agape night. That means dinner and prayer service...I remember thinking, Oh, shoot, It's agape night- because I loved to hear Doug teach and didn't want to just PRAY.
Ha. How funny and mature is that? Now, I RELISH the time I could pray for an entire hour straight. It is so amazing even just to practice being with God that much.

Rachel is soooo sick. Lauren is better. Who's next?

Amy, who totally deserves a private email for this, sent the most amazing looking HS curriculum called Far Above Rubies for Sloan. Over the last few days, I have been lamenting hard about what to do with her since the others are schooling away but I have nary a thing for her. This would be so from God in it's timeliness it wouldn't even be funny. Thanks Amy, God was in this one!

I tried to get layout to move my deadline until Monday but they said they couldn't because they have another job scheduled. That means that the issue is due tomorrow. I have Bits and Pieces Department done. That's it. I am afraid the magazine has now moved to the top of the priority list. Is that how it will work? The DAY before it is due it will move to the top? That doesn't help. Can someone please biblically counsel me on this? What in the world am I supposed to do?

I feel so happy I do not even care. I never did that before. Not care I mean.
I mean, what would happen if I just didn't do it? Really. What would happen? Scary thought. I know what I'm going to be praying for tonight at church. Release!

If I followed the practice of doing one article or department per night after the issue went to layout, I would probably be better off. I just can't ever seem to get to it. I do not know how realistic putting together a local, community magazine is by one's self. Really. Seems a little ambitous to me. Hmph. Seemed like a good idea at the time. But have you seem March issue??? It's fantastic!

I always get a lot of feedback when the issue comes out from the public but this month seems extraordinary. It no sooner went out than I was inundated with emails. From Who found Teddy (the hands down new favorite) to people seeing something in there and wanting more info, or us to do a story or ad inquires (my favorite). It is affirming I must admit but I also don't have the need to hold on. I am totally willing to let it go. I think that is a good thing for when it happens. I love that people love it, it is affirming to my work, but making scones and skirts still has the most allure. Wow, Scones and Skirts, if that's not a book title I don't know what is. Wow. A book. That's a good idea! Lol

I am still thinking about this little girl who played Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast. She was so good you guys, very over the top with her french accent. Totally cute. The girls really think they want to do a play and I feel a bit bad for them. The good being the enemy of the excellent, we just cannot let them. We are looking into Baystreet and may let them try out for something there. We may all try to do one together. Just once. They seem to be a serious a theatre but generally, we have no desire to put them in such a setting at all.

It's the little compromises that end up making the house fall down.
This is just for us, you guys who do it are NOT being judged at all...you are the authority in your own home! I just know that we like how the girls are coming along and making too many compromises on what we do or not do will slowly begin to erode that. Picking and choosing is hard for any of us when it comes to kids.


We met a couple who is practicing courtship and they have invited us over for games and dinner. They have boys. Older boys. Now, THAT'S scary. We like them and their boys but still. Is this really a first time look into what could be in the future? Is this an inital "summing up" of families and potential marriages? Am I really this old? I used to be young you know. I am probably reading more into it than necessary but it felt that way when I got the invite. We probably will go over there and there will be a big group of people having fun and it will have all been in my head.
I mean, just because one family practicing courtship invites another family practicing courtship over doesn't mean they are trying to make a match. Right? RIGHT? Lol
The great part about practicing courtship is that it can take years. Just families getting to know each other and spending time together as families. It is sooooo much better. We are all just friends. No alone time for the kids with their kids just families playing. Then if the connection appears, it takes a loooong time to develop etc.

One of my favorite parts about being a Christian of reformed nature is that we have the ability to teach our kids the biblical roles of marriage. A marriage saver! I know all things cannot be perfect of course but going into marriage knowing what's what so to speak, is a HUGE jump on marital success.

Kate is so cute and so full of herself and SO mature. Here's the latest. I pour her a drink yesterday and she takes it and looks in it. She walks it over to the kitchen table and sets it down. She goes to the fridge, opens the bottom freezer (which is no easy task for a 2 year old) and pulls open the heavy drawer. She then pulls out the top drawer and scoops a big scoop of ice from the bucket with the scooper. She goes to her glass and carefully dumps the ice in. Back to the freezer where she replaces the scooper, shuts the slide out drawer and closes the freezer. Walks back to her cup picks it up and walks out of the room without even a glance up at us, obviously full of herself. Jeff, Sloan and I just standing there with our mouths open.
You're TWO I exclaim! Two! Do you understand me?
Evidently not.

I have very independent kids and the more I raise the more capable each one gets. It's an amazing sight. This one is really going to be something!
We left the new house yesterday and she is in her car seat. We are all quiet and trying to warm up and she outs with, "I really like that house." Too funny.

Independent kids can be a bit of pain when they are young with the constant:

I do myself! I do myself! (translating to: "I can do it by myself.")
But in a year or two, it pays off.

She can mostly dress and undress herself, nearly make coffee (and that's important in this house) do laundry and totally can pick up all her toys.
She is however, going through this stage where she immediately gets frustrated when things don't go exactly how she likes. So we are already working on patience, meek and quiet spirit, love and joy and mercy. It is working well. She is learning. Training is fun to watch with an objective eye.

Ok, well- I could likely go on but you've likely had enough and I have no more excuses.

WORKTIME.

May YOUR day be blessed, YOU, who are reading right now, may you experience the joy of the Lord today, and be filled with the peace that surpasses your very understanding. May you be free of the ties that bind you and filled with the laughter of eternal hope. Guess what? I love you!

A W.I.N.ing hit!

So much to tell!
I should be working but am too excited to share.

W.I.N. (Women in Networking was great!)
We had about 15 ladies and they were thrilled to be there.
From Camp Boggy Creek, Deveraux Kids, to Sherri from Veggie Table, we had them all! A new young friend (no kids yet even) who has become my little "pet" was there, from NY Life, she and her husband's passion is teaching kids financial responsibilty! You'll be seeing some fun stuff from her in LFM in the future.
She is going to set Sloan up on a financial plan, goal of saving, etc. Really Fun!
We had the GM from a Leesburg Hotel, a new chiropractor and many more!

They almost all stood up and said how thankful they were for a group that cared about biblical standards matching up with business practices. They were blessed! Everyone shared heartaches, and heart-happies, told stories from fertility to business deals and is exactly what I had envisioned. I really enjoyed myself and am soooo glad we did it.

One member/friend is a caterer and brings beautiful boxed lunches for 7 bucks with pink tulle wrapped around and beautiful sandwiches, garden salad and gourmet cookie. So they can pre-order ahead for the next meeting.

It was really wonderful and if I ever get rid of the mag, (common theme I know) I see myself keeping the networking group and the radio show!

THEN we went to look at a house Jeff found when he was out "distributing". Lol

Can I get a WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVED IT!. BIG with 4 big bedrooms, open kitchen, huge living room with cathedral ceilings, office space, lots of closet space....AND an enclosed big pool AND....a brace yourself,
10 stall horse barn!

And that my friends is all she wrote for the girls. Lol

Really nice place high on a hill..bit far away but closer to dear M (too bad she doesn't read blogs anymore) and Sherri! Sorry NewHope, even though you've become LFM's little darling through Angel Food Ministries, CCOTL is our HOME> We have never felt so happy to be there...

When Sloan and I walked in today for W.I.N. we just felt the peace of the Lord envelop us.
We LOVE CCOTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And that's a true reformer talking! WOOHOO!
(Hey, pretty cool that I said woohoo long before joining CCOTL, lol)

anyway, the house price is juuuuuust right and well, there could be some serious busy times ahead if that all works out.
We are trying to discount sell a piece of commercial property elsewhere and buy this one outright. If so, there would be NO HOUSEPAYMENT. WOW.

So...still behind...still tons of work, but happy and good to see Jeff more hopeful too.
Ladies loved W.I.N. and we even talked about courtship, submission to authority and a lot of other cool stuff.

Now, that's some serious networking! Ha!

Thanks to Lisa and Doug for making that happen. WHAT a service to the community that will be!

Here is the speech I gave:

Welcome to Win.
Women in Networking is a group that formed in mind about a year ago. I envisioned a group of dynamic business professionals who were women of course, building each other’s businesses by building relationships. That was our tag line and is still in some of the marketing materials. We met in Leesburg, what I consider far from home, and I soon shut it down due to the stress of meeting weekly and keeping track of everything. It seemed fruitless. I was relieved and have never regretted it. However, I have been fielding emails ever since from women who missed it and wondered if it were starting back up again as I left that option open. After much thought and prayer, here we are.

I actually give credit to my friend Sheri Owen of Veggie Table which is an organic produce co-op I joined. I went out there to collect my first round of veggies and I was hooked, on the veggies yes, but even more so, on the people. I LOVED this group of women who met and found one of my greatest pleasures was going out every other Thursday to collect my veggies, but even more so to see these amazing women who were just like me. Crazed & busy with kids running everywhere, paperwork in one hand and a diaper in the other, but always with a smile on their face. They were FUN and running a business. My very dream. The exact way I wanted to run my business. I wanted to keep having FUN, bring glory to God with my endeavors and attract others by being able to shine God’s light still. I immediately started thinking of the WIN group again and how I wanted it to have the same feel. Unassuming, unpretentious & loving. So in a few short weeks, here we are- up and running again.
I did not want to repeat the same thing as before so I went ahead and developed and announced this new group into what perhaps it always should have been; A Christian woman’s networking group focusing on God in our lives, which includes business, instead of just business, which is actually the smaller part of our lives.
I watched the old W.I.N. begin to take on this bent as it developed anyway and often thought, “Oh, why didn’t I just do that to begin with?”
This networking group is designed to be first and foremost a group that glorifies God. God is, or should be, the very center of all we do in business and out of business. Here we will encourage, inspire and support each other to not be afraid to take God with us into the workplace… In a way that does not turn off or appear overbearing or haughty, but rather by example and encouragement of others to be who Christ calls us to be; Witnesses.
Women face a unique challenge in business. And I for one am on a new journey in my life. I came from a very liberal household but thankfully the Lord got ahold of me pretty young! So I began as a career woman and was brought through that, and into the biblical truth of caring for my children and being a keeper at home. Now that is not a judgment on what anyone else does. That is just what happened in my OWN life. We are all on different paths and all of our beliefs are slightly different. I ask that we respect differences in this group, not judge them. We also know that God’s Word says the biblical woman can turn a profit from home which is when we bought the magazine. As an aid to our family financially and a good fit to the gifts God had given to my husband and to myself.
Fast forward a year later and I find myself facing the same challenges and even more, than working outside the home. We run the magazine from home and their always children under foot and the work is always there calling..calling… Busy Busy Busy all the time!
Hence W.I.N. being re-born. (no pun intended)
Since the beginning of our journey, I did a lot of networking and saw a lot of things and was somewhat discouraged by the world I had re-entered. While we are called to be in the world and not OF the world…I found myself at more and more and events and functions where Christ was non-existent.
Could I operate in business successfully while not attending these functions?
Could I be set apart but still be sharp and business savvy?
It was difficult.
W.I.N. is as much for me as it is for you.
It is meant to encourage us all, keep us closer to Christ, trouble shoot situations with sisters in Christ who understand the unique challenges that women in business face. We are here to promote our businesses… build our businesses but also be a haven; a balm for our spirits as the sometimes Christless business world can rub us raw and can leave us a bit jaded, on edge, or even discouraged.
We can be doing God’s Work whether it is changing a diaper or running a staff of 200.
I am not sure what God has planned for this group but I don’t want to get in the way of whatever it is. So I surrender this group to the Lord for his will and good pleasure.
I wonder if it will mean some women returning to their first calling?
I wonder if it will mean calling some women out even further?
I wonder how the encouragement we have to offer each other will build us up and keep us strong in the adversity we face as mothers, wives and businesswoman.
What I do NOT wonder is what kind of networking group this actually is.
This is a different kind of business networking; here, we focus on Family, Honor, Integrity, Faith.

If you made it through all that, you ROCK. LOL

Shalom Ya'll.

Day Two

Tuesday...Shaky at Best. I'd give it a C...minus.

Started ok. I had a networking meeting which I almost skipped but then got irritated at home and decided to go so I could decompress without blowing it. I was saying goodbye anyway and that I would not be back as much so I did do that. That ends the weekly networking meetings.
I will return to them as needed. My sales team will attend as they can which frees me up a bit too but keeps the mag out there.

Then a meeting back here at 9:30 went near to my 2:00 which in turn, ended around three.

The kids decided not to take school into their own hands, which they well could have, so all they did was read all day. By the time I was done I had already put in a 12 hour day and it was only 3. So I was tired...I knew it was my time to work but I had spent no time with the kids.

So I went to them and watched a movie while dozing in and out: Transformers. YIKES. COOL effects, too many sexual inferences. But they were thrilled that I was watchiing a movie with them so I counted that as my time with them. Jeff wanted me to deliver some issues with him a little bit away and I would be back by 7 for church. So off I went.

Back by 7..could barely move...skipped church and FELL into bed exhausted.

Woke at 2, thought OK, work time. Got up, made coffee.

Baby woke up. So I dealt with her.....back to bed, came downstairs, baby screaming.
Back up, dealt with her, laid in my bed with her, put her back to bed...back to work, baby hysterical. Back up dealt with her, gave up. Went back to bed, fell asleep. Woke up at 6.

Got up....WORK says I.

NO says God. Or the natural- or the enemy. I know not which.

Get up and JUST sit down and...baby's up and is now currently on the edge because we MISTAKENLY let her crack eggs once and now she wants to crack 30 eggs in everything she cooks in the kitchen with Jeff and I.
She is learning scrambled eggs and pancakes right now which both call for eggs so she gets a little nerved up wondering if we are going to let her crack them.

SO, here I am blogging with LUKEWARM coffee (tsk tsk) from 2 am and no interest in work. I am going to go do Bible Study and prepare for W.I.N. (women in business support network)

This is the first day (it's only an every other week thing) and something I am looking forward to. It is one of the few things I look forward to now.
I hope God will show up. I know the people are coming! Will you pray for that?

So that means another day...no work.

But I got a little more sleep, am doing a good thing for others today and well, I guess we'll just keep on trusting.

The second sickness is also running through our home. Everyone but Rachel and Lauren got the stomach bug but then ironically, Lauren got the fever, cough, achey thing and now Rachel has it too.

Wanna come over? Nothing but fun over at the Clunn house these days.

Sickness, financial ruin, behind 17 eight balls in regards to work but, here you will still find HOPE.


The eternal optimist. That's me.

Day One

Success.

Well, success at school, priorities, bible study...but little work.

Are you ready for some boring stuff?
Here we go! (This is for you Tif, to prove it and have you bo oh-so-proud of me!)

We did all the regular stuff PLUS we learned about writing paragraphs in the 4 writing styles: narrative, expository, descriptive and persuasive. I was able to teach this to all 3 at once.
We learned about subject, focus, topic sentence, body and closing.
They each chose one and wrote their subject, listed ideas and wrote their topic sentence.
Then rough draft, editing, revisions and final draft.

I am teaching them much working through the Writer's Express Handbook. Everyone I ask has never heard of it and it is wonderful! Colorful and userfriendly and all encompassing of all things grammar, writing, and much more. We also READ ALOUD from the Moody books (one of our pre-magazine favorite things to do) and from this weird Christian science book called Nature something or other. Really different. Kids don't know what to think of it. But of course I love it because it is weird and different AND right off the bat they distinguised between soul and spirit and placed soul in it's proper place (mind) so I was like, hmmm...a scripturally ACCURATE science book. AMAZING!

So I am pretty full of myself having done a good day of school.

Catch me on Friday when the mag's due.

New magazine is here!!!! It is up 4 pages and went to a stitch binding instead of glue. Cool.
Cover is so cute. I'll post it later.

Lauren is sick. 103 yesterday that I barely kept at bay with Motrin. I was terrified to wake up this morning and realize I had slept through without checking her (rare) so I ran to check her and she is still fevering but only about a 101 so...we'll see how she does. Bad cough too.

Coffee is done and that means BIBLE STUDY. See ya!

New Week New You

I am not sure if I am flying on the "God is blessing me by releasing me from stress because I have my priorities in order"

or if that really translates to:

"I'm not doing any work so I don't feel stressed"

but today is where the rubber meets the road.

Time has gotten shorter and shorter to get the magazine done. The new issue, (slightly behind) is coming today and the April issue is due to layout by Thursday. I have not even started a thing. Are you seeing my point?

I am anxious to see what miracle God is going to come through with. I am just going to try this month to walk out the natural. School during the day...home and husband. Church which includes a 3 hour stint on Tuesdays which would be work time according to the new schedule and then just see how it goes. The worst that can happen is...well, I'm not sure what the worst that can happen is. I guess we are all about to find out.

Today's Bible Study of course follows along this same theme I am in lately. God took me straight to 2 Corinthians 7 even though I am in Mathew and John right now.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Philip kind of hit on this a bit yesterday too...the great and sacrificial gift that has been given to us should at LEAST result in true repentance. You cannot remain fixed in your spot. In your sin. You must turn away from it. You must STOP.

2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore come out from them and be separate, Touch no unlcean thing and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters.

There is no harmony between Christ and the enemy. Nothing in common between a believer and an unbeliever. No agreement between temple and idols.

We are the temple of the living God.

We ought to act like it.

It is amazing how much we do not act like this! How I don't!

We are the VERY TEMPLE of the living God and yet we seek after idols?

Whatever idol it is...work, material things, food, praise, security even...we have nothing in common with idols or those who seek after them.

Surround yourself with those striving for holiness so that you are pulled up and toward the Lord as you are pulling others up as well. You have nothing in common with the world.

God's Speed this day to you all in whatever capacity you need it.

Healing, finances, hope. Whatever. God's plan for you is better than your own. Seek hard after Him and the rest will come.

Shalom Ya'll.

Stream of Thought

I feel like the weekend just hit and now it's practically over! It was a busy but really, really fulfilling since I was following my 4 step plan. I am not sure when the magazine work is going to get done...as it hasn't hit the top of my priority list yet but it sure did feel GREAT to school, do fun things with the kids, enjoy the radio show and generally be RELAXED. NOT a state I am normally in these days.

I'm hungry. What's for breakfast?

We had a homeschooler's newcomer's meeting yesterday with about 20 people. It was great to do. I had really been looking forward to that. The ladies were all so sweet and Sloan landed a couple of babysitting jobs to boot. This was a much needed meeting and likely I will do a follow up to it with them as well. I do so love homeschooling and I am returning to many of my first loves.

Deb A. will be joining us at church today. Can I get a WOOHOO! Pastor D is under the weather so let's lift him and the dear Teel family up to the Lord for healing and also for God to annoint wonderful Philip and his teaching. I am not teaching today for the first time in (has it been?) 5 weeks. A little sad...a little woohoo! I think I'll peek my head in for a quick hello though. I love that they will have a little connection with me when they see me even if I am not their teacher.

Went to the most wonderful performance of Beauty and the Beast last night. Holy Moly! I cried through it. AS USUAL. But I have finally discovered why I cry through children's performances. I think that I am secretly mother to the children of the world. My heart bursts with joy each time I see such things...each child feels like my own. I am so proud of them and have such love for them. I cannot help but tear up at their little endeavors. Sigh. Call me a sap if you like, but I imagine there are worse things than loving children.

Next Wednesday is the first meeting of W.I.N.! Very excited about that! Should be an interesting group of Women coming together for networking. I hope that it is fruitful but mostly fulfilling and bringing glory to God. That is what I want to happen first and foremost.

Coffee's on. Life is good.