Miscellany Monday

I love Mondays! I love reading all of your random thoughts and happenings.  I adore the lovely Carissa at lowercase letters,  who hosts this meme.  Won't you link up your randomness today?

{1}...Weight Loss.  So far, I've lost 14lbs. on my diet. It's been hard, but it's so worth it.  My clothes are fitting loser and pretty soon I will have to take up an offering so that I can afford to buy new clothes.  I suppose it's a good problem to have.  Pray for strength for me, I have another 20 days to go before I hit maintenance.

{2}...Laundry.  I finally folded the two baskets of laundry that have been sitting on my floor for over a week.  However, I now have two more full baskets of laundry to fold.  Laundry is like a merry-go-round.  It never stops.  Round and round I go.  Well, as my good friend Rachel will tell you, there is joy to be found in this seemingly mundane task.  I am going to make a point to look for it while I am washing and drying.   Speaking of drying, I won Rachel's giveaway for these!  I am so excited!

{3}...Freedom.  Today at church was Freedom Sunday.  We took some time to pray for the issue of human trafficking and to educate and resource our congregation on what they could do to fight this issue.  I am especially interested in the subject of Fair Trade and how I, as a consumer, can make wise choices with the products I purchase.  Do you know anything about Fair Trade?  Do you purchase any Fair Trade products?  I know there are two sides of this subject, so please give me any "positive" feedback you would like to share.  I am excited to be volunteering soon with an organization that provides Fair Trade products, many of which were made by woman rescued out of human trafficking.

{4}...Japan.  I have been in prayer over the last few days for our brothers and sisters in Japan. I cannot fathom what they must be going through in the aftermath of the earthquake and Tsunami.  Please remember to keep Japan in your prayers!

{5}...Scripture.  I leave you with this scripture: 

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen
(Ephesians 3:16-21).

Happy Monday my lovelies!

Miscellany Monday

I love linking up with Carissa at lowercase letters for the Miscellany Monday.  It's my chance to be random and spontaneous.  If you would like to link up, grab the button and join the fun!

{1}...Since I started my whole, organic diet, it takes me twice as long to grocery shop.  My family is still eating as normal (they are all skinny), so I am having to prepare two menus and shop for both of those menus. I can never find everything I need at one store.  I run from Raleys to Trader Joes to Safeway.  I was out for four hours yesterday and was thoroughly exhausted.  Maybe if there were a Whole Foods near me, I could get it all done in one shot. We do have a Fresh and Easy coming near us.  Has anyone heard of them? 

{2}...Mr. Tax Man was very nice to us this year, so we will be having our SUV towed today to have the transmission fixed. Please pray that it doesn't cost $4,000.  It would be great if it only cost half of that.

{3}...I went thrift shopping with a friend on Saturday.  I wish I had the patience in thrift stores to score the big deals.  They make me nervous.  I don't know why.  Sifting through racks and racks of clothing just to find my size.  I did score a shirt for my son that only cost me 37 cents!  Woo Hoo!

{4}...Daylight Savings Time begins THIS Saturday.  It's "Spring Forward" my friends, which means we lose an hour's sleep.  I love that the sun is up later in the evenings.  Makes for a nice night time walk.  However, I do mind that I lose an hour's sleep.  I don't know why we can't have the same time all year round.

Well lovelies, I pray you have a blessed day!

Miscellany Monday

Oh how I've missed linking up with all of you beautiful people for the Miscellany Monday! I guess my life has been more structured and scheduled these days.  Nothing too random to post about.  I am thankful for Carissa at lowercase letters for the opportunity to be random. 

{1}...Brrrr! It's absolutely freezing!  As a Californian, I am not use to such weather.  I'ts been in the 40's the last couple of nights. Okay, I realize many of you have it much worse.  But the cold just makes me not want to move. I want to stay in my nice warm bed and not even have to get up to use the bathroom.  That reminds me, has anyone invented the heated toilet seat yet?  Just sayin!  Well, there is a new storm coming that will keep this cold weather hanging around for at least another week.  Oh Spring, you cannot come soon enough.

{2}...Lost MoJo.  Can someone please send me some motivation?  I really need to finish unpacking from our move back in September. I still have boxes in the garage and it's driving me crazy.  I just can never seem to find the time.  And now my garage is too cold to spend any time in.  Maybe I'll wait for Summer to get it done.

{3}...Road to health.  I am on day 5 of a pretty intensive diet.  I have cut out all sugar, processed food, carbs, etc. from my diet.  I had a pretty bad headache until today, but thankfully it's gone now.  I can't say it's been perfect.  I had a small cheat or two, but it really wasn't any big deal because it was not as satisfying as I was anticipating.  I am hoping to eat this way for 20-40 days.  I need to rid my body of some pretty serious and unhealthy food addictions.  I know it will be difficult at times, but so worth it in the end.  I will feel so much better and lose a few pounds in the process.

{4}...Car Trouble.  This three car family is now a one car family.  My husband's truck broke down a couple of months ago. We opted not to fix it because it was going to cost over $4,000 to drop a new engine in it.  But then, a week ago, the transmission in our SUV went out.  I called for the estimate for that and am told it will be between $3,700-4,200.  Thank God we will be getting enough back on our taxes to fix our SUV.  It's been quite interesting working out all of our schedules.  My husband has to work, I have to work, my daughter has to work.  We are using way too much gas.  But, looking on the bright side, most families I know only have one or two cars.  I realize that we could have been left without a working car.  I am grateful for the one we have that is still running.  Hopefully, we will be a two-car family in the next few weeks.

{5}...ETSY.  I just recently created an Etsy store where I am selling prints of my prophetic art.  If you would like to have a look, go here.

Have a blessed Monday beauties!

Miscellany Monday

{1}...The weather the last couple of days has been unseasonably warm.  It was 67 on Saturday and I loved being able to go outside without a sweater on, and in a t-shirt mind you.  Yes, I am still longing for Spring.  It cannot come too son.

{2}...How will I be spending this holiday with my children?  Doing school work.  Yep, they and I have procrastinated on some reports so today we must hit the grind and get it done.  Please pray that I don't lose my mind in the process.

{3}...Do you ladies decorate your homes for Valentines Day? I wish I were one of those women who decorated for every season/holiday. But I don't have the creativity, nor the finances, to fund it.  I would love to live vicariously through some of you.

{4}...First rule of thumb....if you are going to blog on the couch underneath your favorite blanket....take your cell phone with you!  Mine has rang three times this morning.  I have finally gotten up to get it.

{5}...Ive posted the 2nd week of my P365 pictures...all 3 of them! I hope to get better as time goes by.  You can view them on my P365 blog, My Daily Captures.  I am not a very good photographer but I am hoping to see growth by the end of the year.  If you visit, please leave a comment so I know you stopped by!

{6}...I've been meditating on this scripture this week:

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

Please remember Joanne, Edie and Penny in your prayers this week.  I posted about their struggles here.

Linking up with the lovely Carissa at lowercase letters this morning.

Miscelleny Monday

{1}...It is freezing outside.  It was 38 degrees when I took the kids to school. I know it's much colder in other parts of the world, but this is just too cold for me.  When I'm cold, I'm cranky.  Makes me want to sit on the couch under a warm blanket drinking coffee all day. Or maybe I should just go back to bed!

{2}...And with all of this cold weather, it makes me long for Spring. I love Spring. Everything is so new and fresh and beautiful.  And even though it rains, the weather is perfect for me in the Spring.

{3}...I am trying to do the Project365 this year, where you categorize your life by taking one picture a day. I am linking up with Sara.  I haven't been taking a picture daily, but I hope to get there soon. I will post here weekly (on Sundays), but you can also check out my P365 blog, My Daily Captures.  Are you doing a P365 this year? I would love to visit you.

{4}.. I started reading the One Year Bible through YouVersion on January 1st and it's really helping me to stay on track. I love that I can follow along with my friend's progress and encourage them.  Are you following a reading plan this year? If so, what is it?

{5}...I am hoping to get away with hubby tonight for a coffee date. We also have a $50 gift card for Bed Bath and Beyond. What should we buy?

It's always a pleasure to link up Carissa for the Miscellany Monday.  Won't you join the fun?

Miscellany Monday - New Year's Edition

Today I am linking up with the lovely Carissa over at lowercase letters for the Miscellany Monday.  I am not sure how miscellany this post will be today!

{1}...How did you celebrate the New Year?  I spent the evening in prayer and worship at my church's House of Prayer.  I could think of no better way to usher in the New Year than in God's presence. It was so refreshing and I came away with my heart so full. 

{2}...Resolutions.  Did you make any?  I have written a post about my main focus this year here, and shared my Word and scripture for 2011 here.  Even though I am reluctant to make resolutions, there are a few goals I would like to achieve.  I would love to lose weight.  However, I want my focus to be "healthy eating".  I may still decide to rejoin Weight Watchers at some point.  But, I have found out about this wonderful book through other bloggers and am thinking about ordering it. 

 Have any of you heard anything about this book?

Another thing I would like to accomplish is to be more intentional about capturing the beauty in my every day life.  For this purpose, I will be linking up with Sara for Project 365.  I will attempt to take one picture a day, focusing on capturing something that is beautiful to me.  Don't worry,  I will not bombard you daily with photos.  But I will have a weekly post on Sunday where you can see what I've been capturing.  Wish me luck!  One more thing I would love to accomplish this year is to get and stay more organized!  Can I hear an AMEN?

{3}...Bible Reading Plan.  Are you participating in a Bible Reading Plan this year?  I am going to be reading through The One Year Bible using YouVersion.  My Pastor shared about this today, and many at our church have jumped on board. You can follow each other along, share bookmarks, notes and thoughts on what you are reading.  You can have an entire community of like-minded people encouraging you as you get into God's Word.  There are many different reading plans to choose from.  If you have an iPhone, iPod touch, iPad or Android phone you can also download a free app and take it with you.  With my busy life, it really helps to have a structured reading plan.  I am really excited about this!  Oh and if you decide to use YouVersion for your daily reading, I would love for you to be in my community.  You can find me here. 

{4}...O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree.  My Christmas tree is still sitting pretty, branches in tact, in my house.  I was hoping to get the ornaments off, put away and the tree down today but it didn't happen.  Hopefully tomorrow I will have my living room back. It doesn't really feel like the New Year yet with Christmas still hoovering.

{5}...God is Doing a New Thing!  Just to encourage you, I leave you with this scripture:

For I am about to do something new.
      See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
   I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
      I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
 The wild animals in the fields will thank me,
      the jackals and owls, too,
      for giving them water in the desert.
   Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland
      so my chosen people can be refreshed.

(Isaiah 43:19-20)

Miscellany Monday

I am a little late in linking up today, but I hope you will stop by for a visit.  I am so thankful for Carissa and the Miscellany Monday. I have missed linking up and look forward to visiting your blogs!

{1}...I sang, in a store!  I had to run out on Christmas Eve because, can you believe it, I forgot to buy candy for my kids' stockings? I mean really, what kind of mother would forget the candy? Anyways, my daughter was with me (yes, she helps me pick out the right candy) and we decided to go to Target, in the hopes of also finding the missing Beanie that my son wanted.  When I arrived the line was wrapped half way around the store.  It took me just a few minutes to gather up what I needed, and I proceeded to the back of the line.  I noticed not too many people were smiling, and I heard a lot of complaining about how long the line was (duh, it's Christmas Eve people. What where you expecting?)  I wanted to do something to lighten up the mood. I suggested to those around me that we sing Christmas carols, but no one seemed interested.  So, I took a deep breath, and I did it.  I sang, in the store, at the top of my lungs, this song:

I'm Singing.  I'm In A Store and I'm Singing!

My daughter about died, running for cover under the basket.  Oh I sang it loudly and real good.  My voice even cracked at the top, just like in Elf!  Ha ha, I have to laugh at myself.  I did get some looks.  I am sure people thought I was strange, but it was so freeing to break out in a song like this!

{2}...Random photos for my random post.  Sadly, I didn't capture any of the kids opening their gifts.  I was the Santa this year so I couldn't do both.

Our lovely tree with the presents all wrapped and ready to open!

My son youngest son, waiting patiently for his big brother to read
the Christmas story.

My Christmas present from my husband, which I actually got a week early!

I'm in LOVE!

Promises and Kisses!

{3}...What now?  Well, my tree is still up, decorations still hung, cookies half eaten, presents here and there.  The Christmas aftermath is here.  There is a lot to do to get the house back to normal.  I am hoping I can tackle it all by next weekend.  

{4}...Narnia.  I took my 10 year old daughter to see the new Narnia movie today.  Has anyone seen it?  What did you think? I thought it was a good movie, although I do not think it compared to the original.

{5}...New Years!  Are any of you making any resolutions for the New Year? I don't make resolutions really, although I do have a few goals I would like to achieve this year, which I will share later on my blog.  What are your plans for the New Year? I will be spending an extended time in worship and prayer at Convergence House of Prayer.  We will be going all day until about 1:00a on New Years.  There is nothing better than bringing in the New Year with Jesus!

Have a wonderful week my friends!

Miscellany Monday

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....finally!

{1}...We visited the tree farm this weekend to cut down our tree.  We normally go up to the Santa Cruz mountains, but we couldn't leave until 3:00p so we were thankful to find one in Castro Valley which is much closer.  My kids had a blast decorating the tree and the house.  It was fun going through all of their childhood ornaments.  Hubby and I just got to sit back and watch.  Here's the finished tree.  Do you see the little green Christmas Tree ornament in the middle, near the top?  I made that when I was in kindergarten!

{2}...Here's a picture of my eldest daughter and the boyfriend.  He had never been to a place where you cut down a tree before so we invited him along.  Aren't they cute?

{4}...Last night our church staff and board members got together for our annual dinner and gift exchange.  This year we went to The Grill On The Alley.  The atmosphere was wonderful and the food was delicious.  We ended up with two $50 Amazon gift cards.

{5}...After dinner we went across the street to Christmas In The Park.  I took some pictures on my camera, but now I can't find my chord to upload them.  Here is a picture I took of the very large, blue Christmas tree.  

This is the last week of school of the kids, and my last week of work until after Christmas.  I am looking forward to getting some baking done next week!

Visit Carissa at lowercase letters for more of the randomness!

Miscellany Monday

Oh Miscellany Monday, how I've missed you! So thankful to be linking up with Carissa at lowercase letters for the Miscellany Monday this morning!

{1}...Did you miss me?  It's been almost a month since my last Miscellany Monday post.  I am not very good at scheduling posts and my Mondays have been pretty hectic.  I have missed you all and am looking forward to reading your posts this morning!

{2}...Leftovers. I didn't get enough of them. I cooked two turkeys this year and after dividing up the leftovers, I ended up with one sandwich. It's such comfort food to me.  I can literally taste that yummy sandwich in my mouth right now. Oh well, maybe I will have to cook a turkey for Christmas just for leftovers!

{3}...Sales and more sales!  Did anyone get any good deals over the weekend? I got great prices on two of the cell phones my kids wanted. We have Prepaid phones through Virgin Mobile and although their phone prices tend to be higher, I got one for an $80 savings and the other a $50 savings.  My kids will be happy!

{4}...O Christmas Tree!  I am sure many of you have already put up your trees. Do you have "real" trees or artificial? For many years now I have wanted an artificial tree, but my children will not allow it.  We are looking forward to going up to the Tree Farm in a couple of weeks to cut one down.  O visions of  pine needles dance in my head.

{5}...Gifts.  So what is on your Christmas list this year?  Here is the only thing I've asked for:

{6}...Christmas Music!  Love it....Love it....Love it.  I don't have a big collection but am thankful the Christian Radio stations have began playing it.  Puts me in the mood.  I am going to have to download some more from iTunes.

{7}...Traditions.  What is one Christmas tradition in your family that you would like to share? When I was a child, every year we would get new pajamas and we were allowed to open them on Christmas Eve.  I have carried this tradition over to my children.  We try and focus on "something they want", "something they need", "something to wear" and "something to read".  We always open the something to "wear" on Christmas Eve which is normally new pajamas.

I hope you all have a fabulous Monday!

Miscellany Monday

{1}...The rain has finally made it's way here.  I am not much for storms, but I love a nice light, steady rain.  Everything smells so fresh and the best part is my car gets washed!

 (Photo Credit: We Heart It)

{2}...Remind me NOT to drink caffeine after 7:00pm if I am not doing anything.  It usually doesn't affect me if I am running around.  But last night my daughter brought me Starbucks at about 9:00pm and I didn't go to sleep until after 2:00a. 

{3}...Do your kids have staring fights in the morning?  My daughter (10yo) is just refusing to eat, and my son (7yo) won't eat because she isn't and they are staring at each other making each other mad.  Any indication as to how my morning is going to go?

{4}...My daughter is going to let me read her copy of "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers.  I can't wait to get started!

{5}...This morning I will be going baby shower gift shopping with my mom for a friend.  Then home to make sure my son (16yo) is getting his school work done.  Then tonight off to the Apple Store to replace the internal battery in my laptop, which is apparently dead (won't run without the plug).

Have a great day everyone!  Be sure and head over to Carrissa's to link up!

Miscellany Monday

Not too many random thoughts floating through my brain this morning.  Here is a short and sweat post!

{1}...It's finally Fall here.  It rained a bit yesterday and is supposed to rain again today.  Time to get out the footsie socks and turn on the heater!

{2}.. I was going to make pork chops in the crock pot today.  However, I forget to defrost them.  What to have for dinner?

{3}...I finally nailed down a plan for my weight loss efforts.  If you want to check out one of my other blogs and follow along, I would love to have you!

{4}...I am currently looking for a place to take a Water Aerobics class. The doctors say it will help with my joint pain.  By the way, one of my blood tests came back abnormal.  It's the one that measures the amount of inflammation in your body.  So next week I will be seeing a Rheumatologist.  Please keep me in prayer.

{5}...I had a small garage sale with a friend over the weekend.  I netted about $40. The best part was at the end of the day we were able to give away all of the clothes we had left, and some other things, to a family wanting to mail them to relatives in the Philippians.

Have a wonderful day and be sure to visit Carissa for more of the Miscellany Monday.

Miscellany Monday

{1}...Last night I watched Earth with my family.  It was an amazing movie, all about God's beautiful creation. I saw animals and amazing things I have never seen before!  I would highly recommend this movie if you haven't already seen it.  The footage is amazing!

{2}...I discovered a new coffee creamer that I absolutely love!  It's called Italian Sweet Cream. It has the sweetness that I am looking for in my coffee, yet it's not overpowering like some of the flavored creamers.  

{3}...This morning I will be going to have my blood sugar retested, as well as a few other tests they are running.  Please pray that things go well!

{4}...My 10yo daughter was bothered by a loose tooth all weekend.  It was pretty much hanging on by a thread.  I could have pulled it had she let me.  She didn't eat lunch today because it bothered her so much.  She fell asleep on the couch after church and when she woke up, she found her tooth laying next to her.  Isn't that just like Jesus, to take care of something so huge to her so as not to cause her distress.  He really cares about the smallest of things.

{5}...This weekend our church held a Creative Arts Conference and I got to witness first hand the healing power of art.  Several people were physically or emotionally healed through others art work.  More about that to come soon!

Have a blessed Monday friends!

Miscellany Monday

{1}...Nilla Wafers.  I love them.  I actually haven't bought them in a while and yesterday I had some. Yummy! Have you ever tried them with peanut butter?  Heavenly!

{2}..Our Fall weather has finally arrived.  This morning I had to put on a light jacket while I took the kids to school.  I can see the trees blowing from a light wind, and the air smells crisp and clean. Time to curl up under the comforter with a good book and a hot cup of coffee!  Or, snuggle up to some nice fall leaves, like this

(Photo Credit:  We Heart It)

{3}...This weekend I was able to finally get into the garage and unpack some boxes.  The four that I managed to unpack were largely donations.  However, they would not take my large box of VHS movies.  I have one other thrift store who might take them.  Otherwise, I guess I will have to throw them away.

{4}...I finally got my hair done this weekend.  The gray was taking over.  Feels good to have a nice new hairdo. 

{5}...I had the wonderful experience of painting during our Sunday morning worship service and am always amazed at what God accomplishes through me.  

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints."  (Ephesians 1:18)

{6}..Speaking of art, my church is hosting its very first Creative Arts Conference this weekend.  If any of my blog followers or stalkers are in California and would like to attend, you can register and find out more about it here.  Space is limited and is filling up quickly!

Well, that's it for now!  Have a blessed Monday!

Miscellany Monday

{1}...Well, Fall has arrived but you would never know from the weather we are having here. It was in the upper 80's yesterday, and will tip at least 95 today. I am so ready for this hot weather to be over.  Our new house is two story with no air conditioning, so you can imagine what it's like sleeping. I feel like I am in a sauna!

{2}...Iced Caramel Vanilla Latte!  Mmmmmm, delicious!  It gets me going in the morning!

{3}...What are your plans for Halloween?  It's not typically something we celebrate in the traditional way.  I like to try and find a church Harvest carnival to take the kids to without having to dress them up.  Last year I did allow them to dress up and Trick-Or-Treat in grandma's court.  But this year I would prefer to take the family bowling or to a movie.

{4}...Speaking of holidays, I cannot believe Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner.  It seems like it gets earlier and earlier every year.  I have yet to start evening thinking about gift giving this year.  With our very tight budget, we will have to get very creative.

{5}...My precious daughter, who is all of ten years old, has been wanting to start a blog.  I kept telling her she had to wait until she was older, but she was persistent.  So, over the weekend, she set up her first blog and is so excited.  How could I resist.  She wants to be just like her mother!  It's not a private blog, but is under my very watchful eye.  If you would like to pop over to My Life In God's Hands and say hello, she would be thrilled!

Be sure and hop on over to Carissa's place for more randomness!

Miscellany Monday

{1}...I wonder what the record is for how many times a day a mother cleans her kitchen.  I think I washed dishes and loaded the dishwasher four times yesterday.  One of those times, as I was washing AND had the dishwasher open, someone came and placed a dirty plate on the counter.  Umm, you would think they could have placed it in the open dishwasher themselves?  Not!

{2}...Hot flashes...every day....all day....night and day.  Need I say more?

{3}...Why do my two youngest children get their second wind about 8:00p right before bed?  They were running around the house screaming tonight and I thought I was going to lose it.  I am so thankful to hear the sound of their laughter but hey, can they wind up just a little bit earlier?

{4}...Do they still sell bread without the crust?  My daughter likes me to cut the crust off of her sandwiches, but I feel like I am wasting.  At one point, I thought they sold bread without the crust, but I think it only came in white, not wheat?

{5}...We are signing the final papers for the sale of our house tonight, and I will be going over the next couple of days to finish getting the odds and ends out and cleaning a bit.  I am thankful to have this chapter of my life behind me.

Visit Carissa at lowercase letters for more random thoughts and happenings!

Miscellany Monday

I love Mondays, when I get the privilege of linking up with the lovely Carissa at lowercase letters for the Miscellany Monday.  It's my chance to be as random (or not) as I want to.

{1}...My kids have been doing the "elementary school shuffle".  They have been overloaded from their home school due to overcrowding.  They are both first on the list to come back, so that is a good thing.  However, the school they are attending now has a uniform dress policy.  I am all in favor of that, but since I just spent a fortune on school clothes, I was rather upset that I had to go out and buy uniforms which were not in my budget which they may only wear for a few weeks or months.

{2}...Right after we moved in, our family was blessed to the tune of $120 by people we hardly know.  It came at a very good time, as we had no food in our house after moving.  Yesterday, our family received another blessing of $100 from someone that we do know. I am overwhelmed at God's goodness towards us.  His is so faithful to put us on the hearts of those who can reach out and help us during this difficult time.  It will be nice in a month or two after we get caught up financially.  It will be nice to breathe again.

{3}...I must have climbed up and down the stairs in my house 1,000 times since I've moved in.  At least I am getting a little bit of a work out, huh?  I try and plan ahead so I don't have to make so many trips up and down.  I tell my kids when I put them to bed that under no circumstances once they are down, am I coming back up.  That's when daddy takes over.

{4}...My son and I have been watching Season One of 24 over the last couple of weeks.  I got into the show midway through Season Two.  I am a sucker for some good suspense and action.

{5}...I got up this morning, got the kids ready for school, dropped them off, went and picked up my coffee, emptied the dishwasher, washed the dishes, threw in a load of laundry, cleaned all three bathrooms and mopped my kitchen floor and entry way.  It's only 10:15a and I am exhausted.  This afternoon I will turn my attention to some more unpacking. 

Have a wonderful Monday friends!

Miscellany Monday

Happy Labor Day everyone!  I am so thankful I get to link up to the Miscellany Monday this week with the lovely Carissa at lowercase letters.  Although I got around to commenting on some of your randomness last week, I was not able to post myself.  I missed you!

{1}...Speaking of Labor Day, I was reflecting briefly on my four beautiful children and what it took to bring them into the world.  First baby - 32 hours of labor, 3 hours of pushing, ending up in a C-Section.  Second baby - 12 hours of labor, requested Epidural, which never got to me, which made me sit up and calmly tell my husband and the nurse to open the window because I wanted to jump.  I'm not kidding!  I don't do pain very well.  Third Baby - a most wonderful experience.  I labored for about 8 hours, I had friends and family in the room, and a fabulous mentor and prayer partner who prayed me through an almost "natural birth".  I caved and opted for Staydol at the very end.  Made for a fun pushing experience.  Fourth baby - a "scheduled" C-section due to my prior one (dumb, I know).  During my labor my doctor called and said he was on site and that I could go natural if I wanted.  I opted for the C-section.  It's a good thing I did.  My son had some lung issues when born and the cord was very tight around His neck.  I praise God for my birthing experiences and my beautiful, healthy children!

{2}...I have a disgusting pedicure.  Actually, I have the remnants of a beautiful pedicure I got in July while visiting a friend in Arizona.  Someone asked me the other day why I don't just take the polish off?  Well, I would if I could find my polish remover.  It's in a box somewhere and I am too cheap to go to the Dollar Store and get more. I seriously need to unpack!

{3}...My eldest daughter, who is 19, is in a relationship.  She has never "dated" anyone in her entire life.  This young man sat down with my husband and I and asked our permission to "date" her (which we know means they are courting and asking God His plans for their future).  We are excited to see where God takes it.

(Sorry for the poor picture quality.)

{4}...I am enjoying my new house.  I am trying to get into a routine of cleaning it effectively, without running up and down the stairs all the time.  We have two vacuums, so I can leave one up stairs.  There are now three bathrooms, and I have already hired my 10 year old daughter to clean them all for me.  When I fold laundry, I leave piles on the stairs and only take my own up.  Maybe all the stair climbing will contribute to shedding a few pounds!

{5}...My youngest two children do not know yet if they will stay at their new home school.  We only registered a couple of days before school opened, and the school was already full.  My 5th grader has a good chance of staying, but her brother, who is in the 2nd grade, most likely will be overloaded to another school.  So this means more craziness in the morning while I attempt to get them both to school on time.  Please pray that if my son has to leave, a spot will open up for him soon to join his sister.

Join us over at Carissa's for more randomness.