My Super Star!

Not a great pic, but I captured Cody playing with his new ribbon when he didn't know I was watching. Devon has been a big encourager to Cody this year, pushing him in swimming and to get his school work done. Well, Cody is finally coming around, ever so slightly, on the school stuff. But the swimming is really kicking off and giving him confidence!
This week there was a JV meet with several schools. Cody was in 4 heats, he came in 1st on 3 of those heats and 2nd in the fourth heat. So, over all, he came in 4th place out of all the schools in that race!
Cody may give Devon a run for his money soon!

I Do Again ~ A book review

The Week of Love continues.....
I Do Again: How We Found a Second Chance at Our Marriage--and You Can Too by Cheryl Scruggs and Jeff Scruggs is a book about a real-life couple whose marriage is torn apart by lack of emotional relationship, leading to adultery, which led to divorce. A spiritual awkening led them to reconciliation and re-marriage. They founded Hope Matters Marriage Ministries and have been sharing their story with audiences across the nation.

This book can be an encouragement for those who are in a troubled marriage, or going through a difficult divorce/separation. It also shows couples the importance of communication and love in a marriage.

Summary: With their professional success and adorable twin daughters, Jeff and
Cheryl Scruggs looked like the perfect couple. But their polished facade concealed a widening chasm between two people unable to connect on an intimate, soul-deep level.
After years of frustration, Cheryl’s desire for emotional fulfillment led to an affair
and, finally, divorce. Yet, incredibly, seven years later, Jeff and Cheryl once
again stood at the altar, promising to “love, honor, and cherish” one another. A
new and vibrant love had risen out of the ashes of this family’s
pain.

I Do Again details the fascinating real-life story of a couple whose relationship
seemed shattered beyond all hope until a spiritual awakening led them to
reconsider their definitions of “happily ever after.” A riveting account of the
power of prayer and redemption, this remarkable book offers renewed hope for
even the most troubled marriages—and reveals why the rewards of restoration are
well worth the wait.

You can find I Do Again: How We Found a Second Chance at Our Marriage--and You Can Too by Cheryl Scruggs and Jeff Scruggs and Amazon for $11.19.

What Happened to Freedom in the United States?

The United States was founded by Christians who were searching for freedom from religious prosecution and to be free to make choices based on your beliefs.
That is our RIGHT as Americans. When did the government start to think that it could remove the very foundation that allowed them to even become part of the government?

Soapbox time. Sorry.

Some NY parents followed the law and did what was required of them to get a religious exemption from vaccinations in order for their children to attend School. The school decided that they needed to come in and answer some questions with their lawyer first. The lawyer GRILLED them about their religious beliefs and then denied them their exemption! http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=415952

There are videos of the grilling on Youtube. (Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3) (view all three parts).

The lawyer is trying to force them to reconcile their statement that using vaccines is fear based and not trusting God to HIS statement that God gave man the wherewith all to make vaccines to prevent diseases. They can't reconcile their statement to HIS statement because they didn't make his statement. He was out of line and very, very hostile.

Why the parents wouldn't just say that yes, they feel that God told them not to immunize is beyond me. End of story. I don't know why they seemed unwilling to just say that.

I don't feel that immunizations themselves are evil, however, I know that they are not as helpful as they claim to be, and they ARE harmful and have caused great harm in mass numbers. For me, God said don't do it. Through the Holy Spirit I was led not to continue before I knew that you could refuse them, before I knew that they were not all safe, before I knew that one of my children was injured. And I don't have a problem saying that yes, God told me not to do it. And I won't do it to my young children. My teens can make their own decisions, and in fact, both Kaytlin and Drew have been immunized this past year.

I will be jumping on the vaccine soap box a bit more. Right now I have to go work on cleaning puke out of a back pack, mathbook, homework, lol. Nasty! But she didn't want to get puke on anyone, so Hope-Anne so graciously did it in her backpack. Twice.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Snoccer!

These great pics are taken by Laura Clawson. She is amazing! They kids were playing Snoccer, a weird combination of soccer, hockey, football, broomball, all on ice. My daughter Kaytlin is in the white coat with the orange and black scarf.

Love as a Way of Life Devotional ~ a review

The Week of Love continues.........

In his new bookThe Love as a Way of Life Devotional: A Ninety-Day Adventure That Makes Love a Daily Habit by Gary Chapman and Elisa Stanford will rouse a desire to let love guide the way you respond to others in every situation. These ninety short devotionals—perfect for reading on your own, with your spouse, or with a friend over coffee—deliver the insight and motivation needed to make love a lasting habit.

This devotional book corresponds very well with Chapman's book Love As a Way of Life that I reviewed in July, so reading them together is easy and a great way to help you learn and apply what you read in the book. The devotions are very short and fit well in a busy schedule or as a couple's devotional in addition to what you already do for your own spiritual growth.

Summary: In his book Love As a Way of Life, best-selling author Gary Chapman shows readers how to cultivate a new lifestyle built around the seven characteristics of authentic love. Now in a companion devotional, he provides ninety inspirational readings to help Christians consistently live out the characteristics of love in every relationship.
Each devotional entry showcases biblical truths that guide a life of love, offering fresh insight and
practical guidance in how to make love a lasting habit. Over the course of three
months, readers will learn to follow God’s lead as they practice the characteristics of a loving person: kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, and honesty.
The Love As a Way of Life Devotional makes an ideal gift for the holidays or for any special occasion. Couples, parents, new graduates, and anyone celebrating a milestone in life will welcome this inspiring daily guide to richer, more satisfying relationships.

You can find The Love as a Way of Life Devotional: A Ninety-Day Adventure That Makes Love a Daily Habit by Gary Chapman and Elisa Stanford on Amazon for $11.19.

Want some Yandy for Valentine's Day?

**Warning, this review is for married women only, not teens and NOT men**

The Week of Love continues......

Yesterday I shared a book review about being a creative and sensuous lover, and that being God's will for everyone's marriage. That is a gift for us, and something we can give to our husbands.
In the spirit of being sensuous I am reviewing Yandy.com to bring the SPICE into your bedroom.
Yandy is the place to go for Valentine's Day Lingerie as well as for pajamas and robes. (warning, there are very graphic pics on the site, and I would not let my husband go check it out)
Lingerie is a great way to spice up the romance department! Yandy has everything that you could look for. I am not going to put pictures up that I wouldn't want my boys or husband to see because I am a family blog.

I love Yandy's Soybu robes! They are organic material made from soy and bamboo. "Wrap yourself in exquisite luxury with our super-plush SoyBu Cushion Knit Robe. This calf-length robe is made from our signature SoyBu that uses soy and bamboo fibers to create a silky, environmentally friendly and durable fabric. Experience the spa at home with the plump weave that cushions your skin and boasts details like over sized pockets and a shawl collar.
This Organic Super Plush Cushion Knit Robe is $89.95, which to me is expensive, however, don't turn away, because the rest of Yandy is extremely affordable!

I also love their selection of silky smooth robes nightgowns, too. Yandy has many, many choices of attractive and sexy outfits in ever size, even plus sizes. I really appreciate that they would understand that all women can be sensual.
This Plus Size Charmeuse Low Back Sleepwear Babydoll And Matching Robe is only $19.95! Could it get any more affordable than that?

The Valentine's Day Lingerie selections are so cute! Well, some are cute, like this adorable t-shirt and pants set. Most are quite sexy. Gotta love it! But we mom's still need to have something to wear that the kids can see when we make middle of the night trips to their rooms for nightmares and drinks of water.

This "Love Balloons" Cap Sleeve Top & Heart Long Pants is only $23.95.

I love their cute jewelry selections, too. They are adorable and extremely affordable! Their Rhinestone Heart Anklet is only $7.95, and it is very cute.

I also like their Bed of Roses set, which is a shower of 100 scented silk rose petals, four tea lights & a special invitation card for $12.95. That is much less expensive than real roses, and they don't wilt, so you can use them again and again.

I was very impressed with Yandy's great selection and their affordable prices. But their shipping blew me away. It was FAST and the packaging was tasteful and private. Donnie knew I had ordered lingerie, but didn't know that was what was in that package when he got the mail.

I am looking forward to the Day of Love getting here so I can wear what I ordered! (and I am not telling what that was, lol)

Do you ever miss it?

When I was in school I hated lunch most days. But we always looked forward to pizza day! It was always cheese pizza, but it was good. Well, good for school food, not good compared to Papa Johns.

But I kind of miss school pizzas. Those rectangular soggy pieces of red sauce and gooey cheese. Always served with corn. Right?

Now-a-days, our high schoolers get pizza from Pizza Hut, yum! I guess I could go visit the kids at lunch and get my school lunch fix. But Hope-Anne is the only one who would welcome me, lol. I'll have to check their menu plan and stop in and visit her since Donnie is still not working and can watch the little kids.

Word World ~ Early Literacy made fun!

The Week of Love for kids......

Thanks to Family Review Network and WordWorld we got a sweet WordWorld video to watch.
WordWorld is a great animated program that teaches children about words and spelling. Everything in WordWorld is made up of letters. The animals are characters, but their body is made up of the letters that spell what they are. So the children learn the word association so much easier because they see the duck and see the spelling of duck each time they see the duck. In the shows they cast has goofy problems to solve that always end in spelling a word to make an object.

WordWorld is starting their second season on February 13th with a sweet Valentine's episode. The February 13th program features two episodes with a musical short in between.


Episode details:
1. My Fuzzy Valentine: When Sheep decides she wants to make a special Valentine song for her friend Bear, she runs into trouble finding just the right rhyming word. With the help of Fly, she discovers the perfect ending to her song and gives Bear a special Valentine’s Day gift.
2. Fruit Cha Cha: short musical number with Crab and Duck singing a song to Shark about choosing healthy foods as snacks.
3. Love, Bug: Bug wants to sign his name on his Valentine to his special WordFriend, but he doesn’t know how. With lots of help and encouragement from Frog, he learns how to trace letters to spell out his name, and surprises his special WordFriend with a signed Valentine.

Look at the results of this study:

New York, NY (December 11, 2008) - A U.S. Department of Education funded study
found that WordWorld, an Emmy® winning PBS KIDS series, significantly
strengthens early literacy skills in preschoolers, providing the building blocks
essential for learning how to read. The study is part of the Ready To Learn
Initiative that examines the effectiveness of various technologies being used to
enhance the literacy skills of young children. The initial findings conclude
that regular exposure to WordWorld resulted in children experiencing significant
increases in oral vocabulary, reading and recognition of words featured in the
show. WordWorld brings words to life through a patent-pending methodology that
embeds words into the objects they represent, crystallizing the connection
between letters, sounds and words.Overall gains from the study demonstrate that
regardless of demographic, children developed important early literacy skills by
watching WordWorld during the trial period.

Key findings include:

· Children doubled their oral vocabulary skills of words featured in WordWorld

· Children tripled their ability to read specific words featured and built in WordWorld

· Children in disadvantaged households where English is a second language showed
gains in phonemic awareness, as well as oral vocabulary and reading words
featured in WordWorld.

Oh, Sam, you make me happy!

Sam is just the cutest thing ever! Yes, he is also the grossest kid I've ever had, but he makes me laugh so much!

Last night Donnie and I took Sam to bed with us, he hadn't really been acting right, and with all the sick germs floating around, it seemed he could be sick.

Donnie and I were talking in the dark room and Sam got still and his breathing deepened. I couldn't see his face well, so I asked him "Sam, are you sleeping?" He started very vigorously nodding his head up and down! LOL Donnie and I just cracked up!

Then a few hours later the poor baby started tossing and turning and wimpering. Then he started puking in my bed. We went through 3 episodes of that by 7 am. I'll be washing bedding all day. Hopefully I won't be getting more sick than I have been.

Donnie has to take his dad to the doctor today. He has an infection on his elbow and it has swollen to the size of a golf ball with a walnut sized opening that burst last night. His arm is swollen and red from elbow to wrist, too. Donnie doesn't know how he is able to stand the pain that must be causing. It must be bad because he is actually agreeing to go, but only if Donnie takes him, noone else. Someone has to go because he doesn't hear things right and exaggerates some things, so we don't know what is really going on if someone doesn't hear it from the doctor.

Drew has gone 2 full days without calling home now that I have finally mailed his package to him. So I guess the everysingleday phone calls from early January to early February were just to bug us to get his package mailed. I feel so loved. I should text him and tell him I didn't get it mailed, lol.

My favorite Pampered Chef stone baker broke last night. I am so bummed. It is an essential tool in my kitchen. Nothing else holds a meal that feeds my family. I am really sad and dissapointed. The cupboard was packed with pans half-hazardly and the stoneware was on top cock-eyed. Donnie opened the cupboard and out came a ton of pans, glass lids and my pan.

I better go wash some laundry and go love on poor sick Sam.

Intimate Issues~ A book review and giveaway!

Have you ever read a book and loved it, and then later found out that God was using the book to prepare you for something life changing? I have. That book was Creative Counterpart by Linda Dillow. I will never forget that book, or give it away. It will always be special to me.

And that is partly why I jumped at the chance of reviewing this new book Intimate Issues: 21 Questions Christian Women Ask About Sex by Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus. Anything by Linda Dillow is a must read by me.
I was not disappointed. Intimate Issues is a great guide for women who are confused by what is OK in the bedroom. Many Christian women find it very confusing to figure out what God would or would not approve of between a husband and wife. I found the answers to be very Biblical and very helpful. I wish this book had been around 10 years ago!

I loved how the authors went through Song of Solomon in depth and showed how God approves and designed us to love pleasing our husbands in creative ways. He designed us to be sensual lovers and to make our husbands satisfied, no, THRILLED with us.

There were some things that I learned that I just couldn't believe and I confirmed with my husband, and it just blew me away! Great, great information in this book!

I think every wife should read this book and take the lessons to heart to be a creative and sensual lover, no matter how you feel about your body. This book with help you with feelings of inadequacy.

About the book:
Intimate Issues answers the twenty-one questions about sex most frequently asked by Christian wives, as determined by a nationwide poll of over one thousand women. Written from the perspective of two mature Christian wives and Bible teachers - women who you'll come to know as teachers and friends _ Intimate Issues is biblical and informative: sometimes humorous, other times practical, but always honest. Through its solid teaching, warm testimonials, scriptural insights, and experts' advice, you'll find resolution for your questions and fears, surprising insights about God's perspective on sex, and a variety of practical and creative ideas for enhancing your physical relationship with the husband you love.

With warmth and wisdom, authors Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus speak woman to woman: examining the teachings of Scripture, exposing the lies of the world and offering real hope that every woman's marriage relationship can become all it was intended to be in God's design.


I am giving away one copy of this book in honor of The Week of Love. One very lucky reader will win this book, the rest of you should quickly click over the Amazon and order your copy! This is a must-read book! (also available at Christianbook.com )

To win the book leave a comment. That is all. You need be a US resident, sorry!

To gain extra entries you can be a subscriber to my blog for one extra comment, and/or blog about this giveaway and book and link back to this post and leave 3 more comments.

The giveaway ends on February 14th. I will email the winner on the 15th and give him/her 3 days to respond before picking another winner.

Sam and the nap

Samuel is not a fan of taking naps. Indeed, he is very much opposed to them. But Daddy has decided that Sam needs naps every day just so that Daddy can have an hour when Sam is not destroying the house. This is essential to Daddy's state of mind being halfway sane.

Daddy has been putting Sam down for naps. After one afternoon of attempting said naps, Daddy felt he was an expert and glibly gave Mommy advice on how Sam will cry for 10 minutes and then give in. For Mommy, though, it is rarely 10 minutes of crying. Soon after, Daddy discovered that it was a fluke for him, and now Sam screams for at least 30 minutes at naptime. After he runs away and Daddy has to catch him for the nap. But for Mommy it is different.

Sam still runs when nap time is announced, and he still cries when Mommy lays down with him. He fights Mommy, won't allow her to rub his back or put covers on him, but he has to be touching her with his feet or butt. Soon the crying stops. Then the cuddles start.

After crying, Sam's nose runs a bit and he grosses Mommy out by playing with the snot. So he stops. Then he takes Mommy's hand and goes from finger to finger to find just the right one to hold. And then takes that finger and tries to pick his boogers with it.

No, sir, that is NOT going to happen!

So, he rolls over and wipes his nose on the pillow case. Good night!

The Week Of Love Kick Off! Love and Respect

To kick off The Week of Love on my blog I am going to repost what I wrote last year about the single best book for marriage ever written outside of the Bible. This is not a review book, I bought this book a couple of years ago and I have gone to a conference on it. Boy, the conference was HARD! There was a night that I wasn't even speaking to Donnie, and I was glad to have a couch in the hotel room! But in the end, it was amazing, and I think every couple needs this book above all others.


This is the single most effective marriage book ever! It is probably the only book men will enjoy reading to improve their marriage.
Its about giving the love she desperately needs, and giving the respect that he desperately needs. Its a cycle, without love, she acts without respect, without respect, he reacts without love, and on and on it goes. But if you go out of your way to show respect, not love, to your husband, he will MELT with love for you over time. Really! When I tell my husband how much I appreciate his strength and ability to move things I can't move, and how much I admire him for going to work every day if he feels like it or not just to be able to keep me at home with the kids, his chest just puffs right up! And in turn I get lots of love from him, doing those things I hate to do and repairs around the house, and more sweet foot rubs and on and on it goes.
Emerson Eggerichs explains how we hear and see in pink, and men hear and see in blue. I won't ruin his further explanation of that, because it is one of "Oh, wow!" reaction!
I lend my book out all the time. I buy this book for people. I recommend this book and conferences to everyone.
One of my favorite things he says is "My response is my responsibility. Sarah doesn't CAUSE me to be this way, she REVEALS the way I am."
You can see many clips from his conferences on his website loveandrespect.com. This book is worth way more than the cost.
Two years ago for V-day I bought a heart box of candy, and I took out all the candy, and I even ate lots of it, haha. I cut out a colored paper heart for each candy spot and wrote 3 categories on them: things I love about him, things I respect about him, and some coupons for free time on the the computer without nagging, etc. I rolled them up and tied with ribbon and put in the candy slots. Almost a year later he still had some of them! He loved it! And the kids and I enjoyed the candy, lol.
Show your husband respect every day from now until V-day, and watch him melt with love for you!

If you do nothing else for your marriage this week, spend $16 and get Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs by Emerson Eggerichs from Amazon.com. It will change you.

We're In This Boat Together~ leadership book review

Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Examining leadership transition within the multi-generation workplace

Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX—George, Brad, Brianna, and Nate are connected by their jobs; the four of them make up the IT department at Handover Corporation. They also represent four distinct generations: The Silent Generation (1925-1942), Boomers (1943-1960), GenXers (1961-1981), and Millenials (1982-2002). They all have their own specialties, and when the day is done they go their separate ways—that is, until the company sends them on a white-water rafting trip to encourage team building. Surviving the rapids, they return to work to discover that their CEO is stepping down, sending the company into a tumultuous transition. They rely on the skills they just learned in order to survive and remain in the boat together.

This scenario serves as the plot of a unique new book, We’re in This Boat Together: Leadership Succession Between the Generations, by Camille Bishop, Ph.D. A career educator with thirty years of international teaching experience, Dr. Bishop knows exactly why the average business book fails to resonate with readers. “So many business books are full of great information, but they’re boring,” she comments. “I wanted to write something that was interesting and would grab people’s attention, but would also present good information.” The result is a business book that is as engaging as it is informative.

The transfer of power within an organization is rarely easy; however, in light of the looming economic crisis, more American companies have been forced to make difficult decisions regarding personnel. The face of leadership is changing in companies across America, and the stakes have never been higher. In light of these events, this book could not have been better timed.

“As diversity in the workplace increases, with four generations firmly represented, evidence indicates that there are differences in leadership behavior between the generations. And those dissimilarities create turbulence in the workplace like that found in white-water rapids,” Dr. Bishop points out. “But there is a way to navigate through them! We’re in this boat together, and diversity doesn’t have to mean disaster. In fact, appreciating diversity and learning the skills necessary to dialogue with one another can bring the generations together, allowing for tremendous unity and strength to tackle the white water of leadership succession.”

In a crowded business genre, this book is truly a standout from the rest, both in content and delivery. We’re in This Boat Together draws on three solid years of research and on Dr. Bishop’s own perspective as a Boomer who is constantly interacting with members of the other three generations, and she has crafted a cast of interesting and believable characters. As readers observe their interactions and eavesdrop on their mental processes, they will come to appreciate the distinctive strengths and weaknesses that each generation brings to the table.

This book was written to help leaders of all types of organizations—nonprofit agencies, small businesses, large corporations, law firms, clinics, schools, or churches—and those who teach about organizational development in a university setting. The principles in this book are relevant to any reader who can benefit from a greater understanding of others and a framework for dealing with change. In the wake of an historic and divisive election, that includes all of us.

We’re in This Boat Together: Leadership Succession Between the Generations by Camille Bishop, Ph.D.
Authentic Publishers - August 2008
ISBN-13: 978-1-934068-37-3/203 pages/softcover/$14.99
http://www.authenticbooks.com/

We're in this Boat Together: Leadership Succession Between the Generations by Camille F. Bishop is available at Amazon.com for only $10.35.

Qtpies update

The Qtpies house is officially germ infested.

It is driving me crazy! We are constantly sick. One after another. It isn't even the same sickness over and over, so I don't know what is going on. It will not end.

The other day I went through with Clorox wipes and tried to get germs off of all the surfaces we touch. Nothing was safe, even the wood furniture. But still, I got sick again. I'm trying not to lose my coffee this morning. I think Sam is coming down with it, too.

We went to a play land yesterday, so they are bound to get sick this week anyway. That always happens.

Starting tomorrow it is The Week of Love here on Our Seven Qtpies! I have reviews lined up all week, including a giveaway, of books to make your marriage better, and two reviews for spicing up the bedroom! What? If you are married, you should be looking to keep that area interesting and not be ashamed of it. Once you have children, that area gets a little routine "get the job done" kind of thing. Gotta stop that attitude!

I am looking forward to The Week of Love here, and seeing what other people have going on for Valentines Day. I'm not big on the holiday myself, but I think it is a good idea to take a time of year to reflect on your marriage and do something to make it better, and/or spicier. Forget the Hallmark cards, get yourself something that will grow your marriage.

On the job front, one somewhat possible temp job for Donnie, but nothing full-time on the horizon at the moment. The temp job would at least help for a few months! It could also lead to a full time job, two people who used to work with Donnie work at that company now, and at least one works remotely. If Donnie could work from home it would be fantastic! He has his own little room that he could turn into an office easily.

Drew has called us everysingleday since he left after Christmas. Without fail. Every day. "Have you mailed my box yet?" Every day. Friday I mailed the box. Saturday I didn't hear from him. First time since Christmas vacation.

I am very excited about a project I am working on to earn a trip to BlogHer '09! I just have to get the kids to agree to cooperate with it. Or find some kids who want to be on my blog and become famous pretending to be my kids.

Would you vote for Polliwalks to become one of the Leading Moms in Business winners? They are so creative with their shoes and they are very environmentally conscious in their business practices. Go Vote for Polliwalks! You can vote once a day.

Vote for Polliwalks!

I love Polliwalks shoes, and so do Trinity and Samuel! Trinity got two really cute pairs to review recently and we are so happy with them! Samuel loves Trinity's pink puppy shoes, so I've been really wanting to buy him a pair of gray puppies to have for his very own. But with Donnie being laid off I have to put it off for a while.

I went to Polliwalks website today and found some adorable new styles that are coming out! I was thinking maybe Sam would like these pull on puppy shoes instead, since it will be warmer out when I can afford them. But then I saw that they are coming out with T-rex shoes! Sam would flip out for those! I can't snag a pic from their site to show you so you'll have to go HERE if you want to see them.

One of the cuter pairs that are out for spring are fireflies! I love the light up tail!
Then there are the amazing, and incredibly adorable Penguin boots! Tell me you don't want a pair of these for your kiddo! They even come in pink! PINK!!!

This totally unsolicited post is to let you know that you should vote for Polliwalks to become one of the Leading Moms in Business winners. They are so creative with their shoes and they are very environmentally conscious in their business practices.

Go Vote for Polliwalks!

New VeggieTales Movie!

This house is a Veggie Tales house. Big and small, we love them all! My husband started the obsession years ago when he brought home Dave and Giant Pickle. I didn't get it, but he was laying on the floor with the kids laughing. Now we all love the strange humor and the lessons. Many times we have brought up situations on Veggie Tale movies to help the kids through something. (especially the song "God is bigger than the boogie man")

The newest addition, Abe and the Amazing Promise, is available today in Christian book stores! It will be available in other stores February 10.

A lesson in Patience is the theme. And it is a lesson, all right. Watching the first story tried my patience endlessly, LOL! Bob was trying to interview Abe and Sarah about their long awaited promise of a baby. They were endlessly interrupted by spitting camels, an impatient boy wanting his cookies, whiny camera crew, and a crazy nurse. Wow! The lesson was that if you trust God with what He says, you can wait patiently for it. Or trust what your mom says, for that matter! It was a good story, and I love the story of Abe and Sarah waiting on a promised baby!

The silly song, Sneeze if You Need To, did not do it for me. I normally love the silly song, but this one was nothing to sneeze at. (pun intended)

I liked the second part of the video a lot. The Blunders in Boo-Booville was funny, and it taught about patience in a fun way. I think it also taught some good lessons on friendship. That was my favorite part of the new movie.

We had a great time watching Abe and the Amazing Promise together as a family. I enjoy hearing the kids burst out laughing at the slapstick stuff. This movie is great family entertainment.

If you purchase both the Abe and the Amazing Promise DVD and The VeggieTales Bible you can receive a $10 rebate by mail with proof of purchase.

Abe and the Amazing Promise Synopsis:
Bob the Tomato tries to bring the Bible story of Abraham and Sarah and their wait for a promised son to life, but when spitting camels and a film crew of zany French peas get involved, everyone’s patience is tested! Will Bob pull everything together in time to teach a lesson? Whether they’re waiting on a promise from God or cookies from mom, kids will learn that while being patient is never easy, the reward is always worth the wait!

The DVD also features the musical “misadventures” of Blunders in Boo-Boo-Ville where Jacques (Larry the Cucumber) attempts to invent a way to bring back the boo-boo birds and discovers that taking time to do things the right way is the best way!

Bonus Features
● Music and Video: New Silly Song Sing-Along “Sneeze If You Need To”
● Behind the Scenes: How Did We Make A Lesson In Patience? Art Gallery and Commentary
● Video Trivia, Interactive Storybook, Discussion Guide

● Interactive Game, How to Draw Abraham and a Boo-Boo Bird

About Big Idea, Inc.
Big Idea, Inc., an Entertainment Rights group company, is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands. Since 1993, Big Idea’s best-selling animated series VeggieTalesÒ has sold 52+ million videos, 13 million books and more than 7 million CDs. VeggieTalesÒ and Big Idea’s newest property, 3-2-1 Penguins!, are in their third season as top-rated series on NBC Saturday mornings, Telemundo and ION TV via the qubo children’s programming block. The studio's two theatrical releases, Jonah-A VeggieTales Movie (2002), and Universal Pictures' and Big Idea's The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything-A VeggieTales Movie (2008), are distinguished among the top ten most successful faith-based films of all time. Big Idea also maintains an extensive presence in publishing, licensing and live entertainment arenas. For more information on Big Idea, visit: www.bigidea.com.

Thank you to Family Review Network & Veggies Tales for the great movie to review!

My big goal

This year I have a really big goal that I want to accomplish. I really want to double my blog readership this year.
I started my blog because I thought it would be nice to be able to share pictures and stories with the grandparents and to get thoughts out of my head. But I started reading other blogs and enjoying them, and as soon as I got my first comment from someone I didn't know, I was hooked! I love being around people, meeting new friends and learning about people. I have a hard time doing that while stuck in my house. But I really can't go too far from home with the little kids and needing to cart older kids around. Not that I could afford to be involved in much, but it would be fun for me.

My blog is doing great, better than I ever dreamed before. So why do I want to get bigger?

Sure, partly I want to be able to make money to help my family, or bring in more reviews so that I can ease some of the burden of buying things for my husband. But really, I love the interaction with people. I enjoy it when people come here and get a laugh, or feel good about their lives after reading about our poopy problems. (real poop, people, real poop) I enjoy it. And I want to keep moving and growing and having fun.

So, my goal is to double my readership.

How am I going to do that?

Possibly write better. Not sure if I am capable of that, lol.
Have another baby so the poop chronicles continue. Not so sure about that one, either.
Write more targeted posts to bring in readers. Like baby wearing, and co-sleeping.
Go to a blogging conference to learn more and to meet other bloggers. (I'm going to try hard for this one!)
Potty train Sam, that should be good for some laughs at my expense.

So, I have a goal and some plans to reach it.
Next comes winning a scholarship to BlogHer '09! I'm going to work hard for that one. I really want to go, and planned to go, but with Donnie laid off for so long, I just don't see being able to afford any of it even in June.

So, if someone wants to sponsor my trip, I'd be ever grateful!

Do you see my ticker up there?

Yep, thanks to Sensa, I am down 16lbs!

I expect to lose more quickly now, because I am starting a fresh bottle. The end of the month the sprinkles start to lose their efficacy, which is why there are 6 formulas. By the time you are through with the 6 formulas, you are ready for #1 again. You get immune, so you have to spend some time off of them.
Just like any smell, after a time, you get immune and don't smell it anymore.

I have been really blessed to try some amazing products, many of which I keep buying, or really wish I had the funds to keep buying. But Donnie and I both think Sensa has been the product that has had the most impact on us, and I love working with the company.

Donnie has even been won over by Sensa, and he normally ignores most of my review products. But he is liking the slimmer me, and he has a love/hate relationship with the product himself. He loves that it works, but he hates that it keeps him from eating all his food, lol.

One of the things about Sensa that had my girlfriends laughing at me about in the beginning (yes, my friends will just laugh at me, aren't they great? LOL) was the fact that it had coloring in it. Carmine, to be exact. Carmine is a natural food coloring, made basically from boiled bugs. It didn't bother me, but grossed them out and made for lots of teasing. But then I started to lose weight and they are wishing they were reviewing Sensa now.
However! Sensa has removed the food coloring from the product! It is not an active ingredient, it just added color and helped differentiate between the sweet and salty sides. Now it is gone. I will still get teased, because mine has Carmine in it. Which one of you wouldn't eat a beetle if it meant losing 30lbs? How about if you couldn't see or taste or smell the beetle? Yeah, I thought so.

If you are interested in Sensa, you should buy now. The code ROCKETXL is good for 15% off and free shipping, but ends March 1, 2009. That will get you a 6 month supply for just under $200! I think the portions are so generous that it will actually last you a year, or work for two people. Donnie is using my left overs. That is $33.33 a month if you only use it the one month and throw it out. It is $16 a month if you use it twice or for two of you. Can't beat that!

Update!!!
I just got word that the ROCKETXL code is being extended to June! WooHoo! Thanks, Sensa!

Don't you get tired of stupid media?

I get so frustrated with idiotic reports that I have mostly given up on reading news papers, magazines, or watching TV.
What has me all annoyed today?
This little article on Slate, which I read because I happen to be a co-sleeping parent.
Is Sharing Your Bed With Your Baby a Good Idea?

In the article it talks about a report saying that it isn't a good idea. Aside from the fact that Dr. Sears has some amazing research that is the complete opposite, based on research, not altered statistics, this article is very biased and so obviously not good.

The study she is quoting from does not state that it is dangerous to co-sleep, and does not, in fact, differentiate the difference between crib death and co-sleeping death. They call all deaths, including couch, bed and crib, death in bed.

In her article she states that more than half of the infants deaths (that occur in while sleeping, not other types of death) are from co-sleeping. However, it is including deaths from sleeping on a couch but takes out the factor of strangulations from defective cribs. (hmm, that is suspicious) If 80% of those that are not in cribs are from co-sleeping, than actually it is less than half the deaths are from co-sleeping. Which would put not sleeping with parents at a higher risk of death. And, if you remove the deaths that were from drunk or drugged parents, you are going to find a MUCH safer option from co-sleeping.

Here is an article from a different view point that actually shows the researchers notes about not being accurate: Baby In Parent's Bed in Danger?
Nothing in this research really shows that it is more dangerous. There are no stats on how many parents do co-sleep and have babies die compared to the crib sleepers and their death rate. It just isn't done.

What needs be done is safety instructions for co-sleeping. The deaths from co-sleeping tend to come from suffocation from too much pillows and blankets or being trapped between the mattress and wall or frame. If parents were taught how to keep the bed safe as much as they are taught to keep the crib safe, things would be different. Also, if parents did not co-sleep when they were drunk or drugged or have sleeping issues that would prevent a lot of deaths.

Co-sleeping is done around the world. It is actually done more around the world than it is not done.

Education, not stupidity and alarms, is what is needed.

(For the record, I am not telling people how they should parent, just that people shouldn't tell others how to parent using stupid, biased reports)

Party on the Blogosphere!

Extraordinary Mothers is having a launch party from February 9-20! There will be party games and lots of prizes! Do you want to play? I'm going to the party, see you there!

TT answers!

Wow, today was an interesting day! I found some answers and achieved some things.

1. Kaytlin and Hope-Anne are still sick, Kaytlin is really battling a fever, 102.3 tonight. Donnie is not throwing up, too.
2. Yeah, no answers on the ministry front. It is hard.
3. I found out that no one could answer the phone at work because everyone went to Las Vegas except me and one other guy. At least they let me know before hand that I didn't need to come in to work!
4. I managed to get my W2 today. It was clearly by God's mercy, though. I showed up and the place was empty and locked up. I called my boss's cell and told him I needed my W2, like last week. So he called the one other employee who was still in MN, but said it would probably take him awhile to get to the shop. So I pulled the car around to get the sun out of Sam's eye and get out and see Jake pulling into the parking lot before my boss could even call me back! LOL He was coming to take the mail in every day. What timing! It was clearly a God thing. And I give all glory and thanks to God for that!
5. Donnie's employer is giving him the run around about the paper work they are supposed to submit to unemployment. Unemployment as asked for it twice with no response from former employer. Donnie called and emailed, and they kept passing him around. Not good.
6. Unemployment would be nice about now, but thank the Lord that we did get our taxes done and part of them back already!
7. Tax return is partly here, and the rest is coming!
8. I'm still sad about how much unemployment there is going around. I wish we could help everyone.
9. Ugh, no planning done today for the retreat.
10. I did get a bunch of cleaning done today. I don't know how I managed it with 3 sick people, getting taxes done, going to St. Cloud and back, going shopping, and going to the chiropractor today.
11. Yep, we buried our former pastor yesterday. That was sad and happy at the same time!
12. Still don't know how the kids turned out so well, but sometimes they do drive me up the wall.
13. Electric bill will get paid this month! Woo hoo! So excited to keep the heat on!

Thursday Thirteen No More

Thursday Thirteen has passed away. I am bummed. The people who ran it had a granddaughter come up extremely ill and shut down the site. I had hoped that they would pass it to someone, but it is now shut down. I can't find a new site for it, so I am assuming it is done for awhile.
But I don't want to give it up! So, I am going to still make mine occasionally, but I won't have anyone to link to.

Thirteen things I am thinking about this Thursday.

1. These sick germs are really getting ridiculous! We haven't had a solid week of no one being sick in I don't know how long. Can't remember. Kaytlin and Hope-Anne are down with it today, Donnie and I just got over it.

2. Being in ministry is HARD. On so many levels.

3. I wonder why no one is answering the phone at my job all week????

4. I need my w2 so I can file for my taxes, but it isn't here, and I can't get through to my work to see if it is there.

5. Why won't Donnie's former employer send in the paperwork for our unemployment? It was due January 24th.

6. Unemployment would be nice right about last week.

7. Our tax return would be nice right about last week.

8. Our neighbors are now unemployed, too. Several people in our church are unemployed. This is the most I have ever been exposed to. It is a strange new world for me.

9. I have GOT to get planning more of our women's retreat! It is going to be good, if the amount of spiritual attack I am under is any indication. Both of my team members are under attack, too. Very ill family members. Weird, all three of us are dealing with sickness that distracts us from doing our job......... I am also under a weird oppression that feels like an anxiety attack, especially over church things.

10. I need to clean the house, partly for tonight, and a lot for the sake of cleaning, lol. Not to mention that we are going to get a visitor this summer, and hopefully can get a room sheet rocked for him to stay in. (Donnie and our neighbor both with no work? Hmm, that room SHOULD be able to get done)

11. We buried our former pastor yesterday. Wow, he was an amazing dad.

12. I have really good kids. I don't know how they turned out that way, but they are really good.

13. I have to go pay the electric bill, yikes!

I need a printer!

A long time ago our lovely 4 in 1 printer stopped talking to our computer. They just stopped talking to each other, and nothing I did put them on speaking terms again. So, the printer is packed away just in case one day I want to try it again.......(not gonna happen)

I need a printer for so many reasons. I have reports and ideas that I need to print for my women's ministry. I need to print out review information and dates. My children need to do thier homework. (they currently have to email their work to themselves and get out of class to go print out their work) Donnie needs to print his resume for his job hunting. And who wouldn't love to be able to print their photos on top of that? But I can't get one any time soon because Donnie is still laid off, and the economy doesn't have much promise of getting stronger quickly. But a printer would really make things better for my family.

I even have a spot for my future printer.

The soda cans and review books are keeping the spot warm for you, Epson Artisan 800 printer/copier/scanner/fax machine!

I'd love to get a printer for review, but so far I haven't, so I am having to settle for trying to win one, and there is one being given away at A Wrestling Addicted Mommy's blog.

Oh, Cody, What are we going to do with you?

Monday night someone broke a glass jar that holds a nice, big candle. It is the rare lilac scented candle, and it was fairly new, so I didn't want to lose it. Hope-Anne had found it in the bathroom that she was cleaning and had some tiny pieces of glass in her hand so we asked Cody to pick the glass of the candle. He was thrilled, we weren't forcing it, lol.

Well, you can imagine what happened, right?

Yes, he sliced two very big, slightly deep, gouges off the top of two of his knuckles. So much so that I won't even make him wash dishes, it is bad.

Not so bad that he won't go swimming, though.

After going to our former pastor's funeral today, Cody, the die-hard swimmer, asked to be dropped off so he could finish up practice. (Devon stayed to eat pie, which is forbidden during swim season)

When Cody came home tonight, Donnie brought him up to my office and said "Look what happened to your son."

He got his eye gouged out now, too. He is going to have quite the shiner tomorrow.

OH, you want to know how that happened? He was swimming and another kid, by chance a surgeon's son, was swimming the wrong direction and Cody tried to get out of the way, but too late. The kid hit his goggles and it was pretty bad. Lots of blood. Probably not as much as from his fingers, though. He came home with a big bag of ice.

Trusting God

I can remember back when I thought trusting in God was a crutch for people who were weak. Even when I was a young Christian, there were times when trusting God was tough. It is always an act of faith, and not always easy, but always right.
Now when I trust God with our family size, it is easy. But other things seem hard, but really, that is the easy way.
Drew trusted God with his career in the military. Nothing on his wish list was open. Finally, when we was offered Air Traffic Controller, we just prayed over it and Drew applied for it, leaving it to God whether those 7 slots would be open after waiting over night. One was, and Drew was placed there.

I never saw Drew in that career choice. It is stressful, but I know that Drew is not so easily stressed, he is good about finding a way to relax and enjoy life. He can handle that. He is very intelligent, so I know he can learn it. But would he enjoy it?

Drew is loving his career! He got to play on the simulations yesterday and is so happy with the career God placed him in. I still don't see it, but God knows better than I do. I am so glad that Drew knew to seek God for the best path, rather than his own desires.

When we found out that Donnie would probably be laid off of work, we both had complete peace from God, no fear at all. It was easy to trust God. There was a severance package, so it was easy to trust God. Now the package is gone, and while we know that we'll get taxes back and be able to get by a little longer, it is still a matter of trusting God. It gets more and more of a faith and trust issue as the money disappears and the prospect of a job dangles just out of reach.

I panic, for sure. But I keep grabbing onto that peace that God gave me, and hang on to that.

Today, one of my favorite readers emailed me a verse that made her think of me.


Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
~ Romans 12:12, NLT

Thank you, Lisa, for being my faithful friend!

Worldess Wednesday ~ Longing for Spring

Oh, how I wish it was warm enough for butterflies again.

Wrong side of the bed

I did not wake up on the right side of the bed today. I wanted to wake up on the side that isn't sick. OH, well. It seems that the more bugs we banish from our home, the more friends they bring back with them. 

I found out that Ocwen has a BBB rating of an F.

Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of F

Click here for an explanation of BBB Ratings.

Reasons for this rating include:
• Number of complaints filed against business
• Failure to respond to complaints filed against business
• Number of complaints filed against business that were unresolved
• Number of serious complaints filed against business
• Overall complaint history with BBB
• Length of time business has take to resolve complaint(s)
• BBB does not have sufficient background information on this business

Nice, huh? Yep, that is what we are dealing with. What do you think the chances are that they are going to work with us on this being laid off thing? 

I'm getting a little on the stressed side right now. LOL Unemployment is taking forever, due to Donnie's former employer not sending in the paperwork by the 24th of last month. My W2 has not shown up, and neither has our property tax paperwork, so we can't file for taxes, which we desperately need so we can get the portion of Donnie's severance package that the government took. (almost 2 months worth of pay!) So, yes, we're about broke, no interviews recently or set up, so obviously no job offers coming any time soon, and no way to get money quickly. 

We are hitting the faith times now. God will provide and we just need to live where we are and be satisfied with what we have. I just can't imagine what other people are going through in these times. I know so many people have it worse than we've gone through so far.

On a good note: Trinity woke up on the right side of the bed today. She is amazingly lovey-dovey. She is calling us all the best ever, Sam is the best brother ever, I am the best mommy ever, Donnie is the best daddy ever. She is full of hugs and kisses and love and care. She told me that when she is sick she rock-a-bye's her sick germs to feel better, and demonstrated for me so I could do that. She came back to check on me to be sure I rock-a-byed my sick germs. 

I told Donnie he needs to run some interference for me, lol. I am sick, PMS'ing, stressed, and I am not lovey-dovey on a good day. So PLEASE take all the hugs and kisses so I don't blow a gasket! LOL But it is really cute. 

Another amazing thing I want to share. God is just so good!  The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16b

Drew has not found a church in Mississippi yet, and he kind of gave up quickly. I was worried about him and encouraged him to GO TO CHURCH because it is a slippery slope when you stop going. And he has had some interesting things happen to him lately. 

At the retreat we were praying on Sunday morning and I asked for prayer that Drew would start going to church again. We prayed for him. 

A little while later I got a text message from Drew that he had tried Chapel again and that his new roommate would keep him accountable for going every week. Praise God!

So I texted him back that we had been praying for him around 9:30am to go to church.

He texted back "haha That's why I couldn't fall back to sleep at 9:30 so I went to church. THAT'S the power of prayer! lol" 

It made me want to cry tears of joy! Our God is an awesome God and He answers the prayers of the righteous. I am so thankful to the brothers and sisters in Christ that were with us and understood our concerns and genuinely cried out to God on Drew's behalf. And I am ever-grateful to a God who cares enough to wake up one young man and send him to church for his mama. 

That makes the wrong side of the bed issues I am having fade in comparison, doesn't it? 

How has God answered you this week? 

Whew! It is tiring going against big companies!

We've been fighting with our mortgage company for months on end now. I'm starting to think that Ocwen is run by the devil. Just googling them brings up hundreds of people they have destroyed from their mistakes, and their unwillingness to admit to them or make them right. 

We went to the BBB months ago and they didn't respond to the BBB for quite a long time. 

Finally they did remove some of the bad credit reporting they did on our account. (or so they say, I haven't actually gotten a credit report to verify it) But they kept saying that our May payment wasn't made and kept reporting it as out. 

In their files on May 14th they show that I called to make the payment and they went through the whole last year of loan modification payments we'd made and stated that we did not owe a May payment because my April payment was going to be applied to my May payment because of how the modification is going to be applied when they finally get around to fixing it. (months and months later) They stated, in their own records, that my May payment was PAID and that I did not owe them a payment. He would not take one over the phone. 

They ignore that part on the BBB report. So I am still fighting them. 

Are we ever going to get there? I did make the payment, but they should be owning up to their end of this and NOT make me pay it at all. But they definitely should not be penalizing me with bad credit reporting for their mistake. I TRIED to pay it, and they refused it. 

We are also trying to work with them to change our payments so that we can survive this lay off, but they won't help and they won't even drop late fees, nothing. Aren't they supposed to be helping people since the banks got this big pay off from the government to help people not get foreclosed on? 

We are not even getting letters of foreclosure, but we are trying to avoid getting there. They won't work with us so far. Doesn't it hurt them if we lose our house? 

Giveaway Winners!

Here are the winners of my giveaways. If I don't hear back within 3 days, I will choose another winner. 

Never Say Diet book set: 

#4 AmandaSue

Vaseline:

#16 JD

#29 Miranda from Momma is Sweeping

Fruit Rollups:

PiperParadise of Piper Paradise she wins because I am going to steal her idea one day! 

Skin MD:

#3 purple6

 Congratulations everyone! 

I'm back!

The couples retreat was fantastic! I am so glad to be home, but I am in serious need of rest and Advil, so I will keep this update short and sweet, and I will get to my giveaway winners so I can email them.
The first night we played games as a group and snacked into the night. After a round of The Newly Wed Game with 4 couples from the church, we found out my friend and neighbors, Padma and Eric, are sickeningly sweet and we all wanna smack them. They got every answer right, without hesitation!
The next morning, after a lovely catered breakfast, we hit the broom ball court. Normally I am the picture taker because I am scared of balls and getting hurt. Big, burly guys running at me full speed ahead at me is not my idea of FUN. Actually it scares the heck out of me.
But I got brave this year. I decided to play broom ball. That means not only flying ball, AND big burly men heading toward me full speed ahead, but also swinging sticks! And falling. On Ice. And into walls.
Donnie told me that I would not like it. That I would scream and run the other direction. I have to admit, I DID scream. A LOT. But I did not run the other direction! I got hit by a ball and I survived it. I got hit by many big burly men running at me full speed ahead, including a shin to the forehead, and I survived. My fear is conquered! Next is spiders!
I even made a goal. I rock.
Here is a pic of me and my opponent husband. We were on opposing teams, but he still worried about me when I went slamming face first into the wall on my knees. Isn't that sweet? He even quit playing when I actually DID get hurt. I did some pretty good air time and landed on my elbow/shoulder or something. My shoulder feels like it is twisted in the socket a bit, but after some magic from a former medic who helped get my muscles out of shock, and some prayer from a friend, my shoulder pain is much better and the shooting nerve pain from elbow to finger tip has subsided. I'm going to the chiro hopefully tomorrow to make sure my shoulder is in the proper place. After a break and some lunch we went tubing. That was a riot! We got a chain going and pretty much flew like a bobsled and did some wild crashes.

This would be one of those wild crashes. Curt flipped over on top of me, and the rest of our group kept flying. I HATE this picture of me, I must look 8 months pregnant, lol. I like that the snow pants kept me warm, but I really have lost a lot of my stomach, lol. Keeps me humble.

The last day several people went to play floor hockey. I am saving that one for next year. One new thing at a time, mmkay? Look at Donnie knocking the young pup out of his way! (Ok we are really close to the same age, but whatever, lol)

I could only have had more fun if my best girls had come along, too.

Bippity Bop Barbershop Book Review

Sam got this great new book to read called Bippity Bop Barbershop by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley and it is illustrated by E. B. Lewis. It is a great book and it sells for only $6.99 on Amazon.

It is a sweet book about a boy getting his first hair cut. Sam loves the secret knock he has with his dad. "Bippity Be Bop Bop! Bippity Be Bop bop!" I guess the rhythm gets him, but he likes it. 

Summary:

In this companion book to the bestselling I Love My Hair, a young boy, Miles, makes his first trip to the barbershop with his father. Like most little boys, he is afraid of the sharp scissors, the buzzing razor, and the prospect of picking a new hairstyle. But with the support of his dad, the barber, and the other men in the barbershop, Miles bravely sits through his first haircut. Written in a reassuring tone with a jazzy beat and illustrated with graceful, realistic watercolors, this book captures an important rite of passage for boys and celebrates African-American identity.