Beautiful lights....

We did this the end of last weeek. Earlier than we ever have before....but the lights at night are so beautiful and bright. It adds a beautiful glow to the whole front of our home. I myself could care less about the whole tree in itself...I just love the glow and ligths every evnining and the early morning hours. Nana.....where are your pictures!?!?!

A slimy salamander on our front porch....

I went outside a few days ago in the evening to take our dog out...and this is what I found hanging halfway off our lower patio. Let me just say eeeeewwwww!! A slimy and gross looking salamander. Of course being the mom of 4 boys....I quickly took the dog inside and went and got a container to catch it in.....and brought it inside my home (yes I brought this slimy thing in our house). I scooped it up with the lid and brought it in. The boys just thought it was the coolest thing..they wanted to take it out of the container. Ummmm....no way in the house!!! I could just see one of them dropping it...and it running under the couch or something. So for a half hour....they enjoyed looking at it through a clear plastic container. We then took it back outside and they let it go. It was so slimy looking and its belly/lower half was sure fat. We had a good time examining it and talking about all of it parts...sliminess, webbed looking feet, fat lower section, etc. The kids sure enjoyed it though.

Sharing a little from my heart again today.....(note added below)

The past couple weeks I have been focusing a great portion of my bible study time on my role as a wife. In my time spent with the Lord, I have asked him to open my heart and show me areas I need to improve. It has been some of the most wonderful days of studying, listening to sermons online, and meditation that I have ever had. The level of conviction in my heart has been overwhelming at times. My time of study has opened my heart to see my marriage in a totally different light. As wife, I have always desired to meet my husbands needs and be a Godly wife. But at times I have "half-heartily" been serving him. There have been many times I have done things for my husband because I knew it was the right thing to do...not because my heart had a true desire and delight to serve him. My heart was opened to the fact that although I had been serving my husband..it had not been the way that God would have me to serve my husband. To my husband,..I apologize. And to the Lord I am forever grateful for speaking to my heart. I would love to share some of my notes with you.....nothing organized...just points and verses jotted down quickly as I was listening or reading. Some are just refreshers...and some for me were those type of things where you get that big gulp in your throat..fully knowing the Lord was speaking to me. Again....nothing organized......and this is the only the first two pages of my notes...

In every good marriage you have to do right every day hour and moment

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Wives were created to make husbands complete..not seek personal fulfillment

Gen 2:18 Gen 2:22 Prov 18:22

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If God were to create a special woman that was perfectly suited to be my husbands helper, would I be that woman?

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Do I wake up each and every morning READY to make my husband happy and serve him the best I can?

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Helping your husband=helping Christ

Honoring your husband=honoring Christ

(think of the opposite of these)

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A thankful heart results in joy

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Doesn't take a good man for a woman to have a heavenly marriage...but it does take a woman willing to honor God

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Many women in marriages often follow their feelings and react. Almost always bad outcome

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God will give you wisdom if you ask (James 1:5)

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What God commands of a wife is not dependent on how the husband loves his wife

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No matter how your husband treats his wife...wife cannot be victimized unless reacting outside wisdom of God

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must live in a state of honoring Husband for God

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Wisdom will help you hold your tongue and be thankful when flesh would want to strike back in anger

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Feeling sorry for self is far from the heart of God

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Lack of reverence to husband is sin

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When your husband does wrong, do you pray positively for him instead of withdrawing or complaining

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When he makes a statement, do you EVER put your husband down

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when he acts poorly, do you remain quiet and pray

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when he wants you to do something that you don't want to do, do you cheerfully comply rather than complaining or making him feel bad

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reactions are not premeditated actions coming from our best motives. They are emotional responses breaking loose when we feel hurt

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when he needs a woman to believe in him, admire him, approve of him, accept him always regardless if failures.......do you ALWAYS be that woman

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Prov 31

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a woman beside her man is a spiritual force for both

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women here on earth are showing the heavenly pattern of the Son Submitting to the Father

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Women tend to have minds like old records that are scratched....we take husbands faults and replay them over and over

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You think over 40,000 thoughts in a day. How many negative thoughts do you think in a day?

It is a duty to God to think differently. Prov 16:3 IICor 10:5

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Men treasure their families and like for their homes to be a comfort zone

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Any woman is a fool to truly expect her husband to be a good husband when she is not being the helper and wife that God created her to be

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Reverence is not just how you act...it is how you feel with your body language and words.

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Not enough to just serve him......your body must indicate delight in serving

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men are negatively affected by halfhearted responses from wives

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you don't really love your husband if you don't strive to please him always

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Words used to describe a Godly woman: chaste, quiet spirit, prudent, sober, in subjection, good, modest, obedient, discreet, shamefacedness, kind, keeper of home, meek, virtuous, gracious

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Someone recently shared this with me from Proverbs 31

Traits of a Good Woman:

V 10-A good woman is valuable

V 11-A good woman is honorable

V 12-A good woman is trustworthy, genuine, and wise

V 13-A good woman is willing, eager, hard worker

V 14-A good woman is prudent

V 15-A good woman gets u early and serves others

V 16-A good woman is enterprising

V 17-A good woman does physical labor and is strong

V 18-A good woman is competent

V 19-A good woman is willing to do repetitive boring work

V 20-A good woman is benevolent, she gives to those in need

V 21-A good woman is confident on how she provides for he household

V 22-A good woman is a craftsman

V 23-A good woman's husband has the honor to be a ruler of the home

V 24-A good woman is a merchant

V 25-A good woman is known for her honor and strength

V 26-A good woman studies and shows her wisdom and knowledge to help others

V 27-A good woman is conscious of responsibilities

V 28-A good woman is know by how much her children and husband appreciate her

V 29-A good woman is described by God as a virtuous one who's hard work proves her

V 30-a good woman is not caught up in looking good

V 31-A good woman reaps what she sows....and that is good fruit

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More than one person has emailed me and asked me......so if anyone would like ALL the notes I have these past couple weeks....I would be more than happy to make a copy for you)

taco soup.....yummy.......

I am sure this is a recipe that most of you have already tried....but we love it. Especially this time of year with all the stormy weather....comforting for sure.

Two cans of beans ( I used 1 white and 1 kidney)

Two large cans tomatoes (I used 1 diced and 1 crushed)

two cans of corn (again...I used 1 white and one golden)

one pound cooked ground beef

1 large onion

pack of frozen pepper strips

two packs of taco seasoning

( I think that is all the ingredients)

I simmer this in a crockpot all day...but you can cook it on the stove as well. Just combine all ingredients after you cook the ground beef....and there you go. It is sooooooo yummy....and pretty healthy. If you decide to simmer it in the crockpot......it makes your entire house smell so wonderful.

Happy 97th Birthday to my Dear Grandpa

I have posted about my sweet grandparents before....but I just feel the need to post yet again. Today was my grandpa's 97th birthday. A year ago many people were probably doubting if he would even live to see his next birthday. The last couple years he a greatly changed....but at 97....he is amazing to at least me still. Physically he is doing pretty well....but his mental state is slipping....it has a lot these past couple years. My grandpa has always been such a kind loving man...he would give you the shirt off his back if you ever needed it. He has always been so full of stories....and would welcome anyone who came to their house with open arms. Never in my lifetime have I ever heard him raise his voice at my grandma.I don't believe I have ever heard him speak a harsh word to anyone. He is a hard working man....who has been very talented at everything he has done. Up until the last three years or so.....you would still find him on top of their roof ( a very high two story home)......sweeping and such. Not bad considering he was doing all this at 93 years old. He is an amazing man in so many ways....but what I will forever remember...is his LOVE FOR THE LORD. Grandpa was never shy about his love for God...and he would always be willing to share his wonderful testimony. I don't believe anyone who has come across his path could doubt this love for God and others.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

We Love You!!!

Isaac giving Grandpa birthday hugs
Tyler loves Grandpa
Jacob loves Grandpa

The kids singing happy birthday to Grandpa

Me and my grandpa!!

Welcome to our family get togethers.....umm......wrestling matches....

It never fails.....when our family has a get together....and the men are all there.....an all out wrestling match always seems to break out. When the ties come off and the men change their clothes....watch out everyone else!!! Get out of the way!! It is funny sometimes watching these grown men rolling aorund everyhwere. Of course it is all done out of fun!! We women may not understand...we just get out of the way and let the men do there thing. Just thought I would share a pretty typical family get together in our house.

Our boys being silly.....

The other day our boys were wrestling around and doing headstands and just being goofy. They have finally mastered the headstand idea....so they asked me to take pictures so we could show Daddy when he got home. Here just a few of them......

Jacob doing a headstand while brothers watch

Isaac...hmmm..I can do that too. Well....maybe not afterall. But I tried

The two older boys.....trying out their head stands

Tyler

Jacob and Tyler

Goofballs

Trying to get them together

Oh Isaac!!! He is always a character

I truly LOVE having our home full of boys. It is such an enjoyment to watch them!!

THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR.....

Being the beginning of November...and thus Thanksgiving...I have been working on a list of things I am thankful for. I was originally going to post 25 things...but as you can see I have listed way more here. They are in no way in order.....I was just writing things out as they came to mind. I encourage any of you to do the same...share your list with us on your blog. It has really opened my eyes to some things I often take for granted. This list will be ever changing...and I will probably add to it as I come up with more things


THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
(1)My salvation

(2)My husband who loves me unconditionally

(3)First born son Tyler..very smart little boy. Big helper. Very loving

(4)second son Jacob..Our silly giggly boy. He is adventurous. Also a big helper

(5)Third son Isaac..Oh Isaac!! He is so funny and often a challenge. But very loving at the same time. Very talkative.

(6)Fourth son Nathan..Such a sweet baby. Full of laughs and giggles. A joy

(7)Our beautiful home we were able to have built

(8)That we live close to family. There are four families on my moms side down our driveway

(9)That we only had to pay $43 for our land.

(10)That we have nice reliable vehicles

(11)That we can worship freely in America

(12)For our church home and family that extends beyond the walls

(13)My bibles....that is how God talks to me

(14)The telephone...makes communication so much easier

(15)The Internet..for communication and knowledge

(16)Patti M...She first invited me to church as I was riding her bus as a teenager

(17)Our Pastor....(for those of you who havent been there...the Wednesday lessons have been a huge blessing)

(18)My Grandma and Grandpa S who were/are never afraid to share the Lord and his goodness

(19)Thrift/second hand stores..I love bargain shopping and saving

(20)That God has given me/allowed me to have a giving helping heart. It truly brings joy to my heart to help other people

(21)Overall good health..I am facing some unanswered health concerns...prayer appreciated..but I know many people are facing much worse than I am

(22)Ears to hear all the sounds God has made

(23)Eyes to see such amazing creations

(24)Medical care when needed

(25)People who have a talent for making good Godly music. I enjoy listening to music

(26)My mom...she sacrificed a lot raising her children. She almost always worked more than one job and went without so that we would have what we needed. She helps a lot with the babies now

(27)All my extended family

(28)friends

(29)Ability to say I am sorry

(30)Ability to forgive

(31)the privilege and opportunity to home school

(32)that my husband encourages me to home school

(33)pumpkin spice chai from starbucks (I haven't had one this year yet)

(34)That my dad was able to meet two of our children before he passed away

(35)electricity..life would be difficult without it

(36)Gas prices are down

(37)My washer and dryer. With our large washer and dryer, only laziness will allow me to get behind

(38)The beautiful state we live in

(39)That my husband has a good paying job

(40)Board and card games..We enjoy games as a family

(41)Our treadmill so I can workout at home and try to have a healthier body

(42)water that we don't have to get out of a lake or river

(43)food

(44)The mails system

(45) my crock pots

(46)The ability to write letters/notes

(47)Prayer..being able to talk to God

(48)The ability to learn

(49)That my husband has never been called to active duty and deployed since in reserves

(50)The ability to cook..and the joy of it

(51)Ability to smell

(52)The ability to taste things

(53)Gods amazing grace in this sinners life

(54)The patience of God in my life

(55)My marriage

(56)Jesus Christ...the sacrifice for my (and your) sins

(57)The men and women in the service who sacrifice their lives daily so I may live and worship freely

(58)clothing and shoes

(59)A nice comfortable bed to sleep in

(60)being a stay at home mom

(61)The trials I have gone through. Although they may be some of the hardest times in my life..I know they are important and a necessary part of my walk with the Lord

(62)The ability to read which opens so many opportunities

(63)That I can and do learn from mistakes that I make

(64)When my husband is home

(65)My in-laws (although my mother in law thinks I am fat. lol)

(66)My camera..it has captured so many precious memories

(67) That I am a wife

(68)That I am a mom

(69)The homeschooling freedom that we have in Washington state

(70)That the bible always has the answer to any problem I may face

(71)My older sister who is always there for me

(72)My older brother..we have not always has a good relationship..but we do now

(73)missionaries all over the world that daily sacrifice their lives to spread the gospel

(74)That I can swim

(75)The Holy Spirit...and that still small voice that I often hear

(76)That I truly am never alone

(77)Being able to go to the beach..we love the beach

(78)Memories with my grandma and grandpa every summer at the ocean

(79)Beautiful fall colors

(80)heaven

(81)That Isaac can see and is not blind

(82)Christian friends who will call me out if needed

(83)That I can make mistakes and learn from them

(84)The good old fashioned hymns that we can sing

(85)Going on car rides with my family

(86)Fresh fruits and vegetables

(87)Missionary biographies. They encourage my heart in reading about the sacrifices that many have made

(88)The ability for my family to learn new things

(89)Memories of traveling to other countries

(90)The sweet memories of meeting my husband for the first time

(91)That God doesn't always give me everything I ask for

(92)That we don't live in town anymore

(93)The baby swing that we got for Nathan...for free

(94)That we can provide my mom a safe and healthy place to live

(95)My Websters dictionary

(96)That I can sometimes sneak vegetables into my husbands meals

(97)for our constitution

(98)That my kids desire to learn

(99)The power of prayer

(100)My bible concordance

(101)sunshine/daylight

(102)Nathan now sleeps 2 hours at a time sometimes

(103)Aunt Lisa..Whenever I am struggling....she is always trying to encourage me. And I love finding goodies for her girls

(104)My dear friend giving birth while I was still in the hospital after giving birth

(105)That my husband allows me to do for others

(106)That I have been able to know all my grandparents

(107)The ability to feed our babies

(108)the 30 years of life that the Lord has given me thus far