Happy 50th Anniversary !!!!

Mom & Dad thanks for being the best parents ever! And for being such a wonderful example! You both are Wonderful! All because of you.... you ended up with all of us!!! We love you!
Happy 50 years! Tony, Gary, Randy & JeriLyn & all of our families!

Mom is Toughest !???

I have always wrestled with my kids......I would "slam them down" sit on them and ask them "Who's toughest?!" and would not let them go until they said: "Mom is toughest!" I have to admit as of the other day my last son can now make Me say, "Jerid is toughest!!!!!! Let me go!" All the while I am screaming my head off, telling him to be careful not to hurt me! The greatest feeling for a young man is to be able to "beat up his mom." So, no more kids at my house.....my last is becoming a great young man.
No raising mamas boys in this house!
Sure glad he knows I'm still the boss even though he can throw me around ! :-) Well, as far as One Tough Mother.......... there is not one at my house any more! And that is a wonderful thing!

Be thankful for each day!

This is one of the families that lost one of their children in a school bus accident. The little girl on the right is Emilee and she is in heaven now. As you see this post say a little prayer for them as it has been a little over a month now. I heard from them a couple of weeks ago and I can't imagine what they are feeling....because I have never lost a child. The heartache must feel unbearable at times. But I can pray even as time goes on that the wonderful memory they have of her will bring a little more happiness with each new day. I can just picture her dancing with Jesus on streets of gold! What a beautiful family. Have you hugged your kids today?!

Happy Easter !!!

Christ the Lord has risen today !!!!

My nephew Cody Pehrson & A dad home for Easter!

Thank you Cody....we are proud of you! And Thank you to ALL our military!I heard about this story on the radio in the car. Made me cry. Thanks to all our military for all they are doing for America! Do you know someone in the military? Even if you don't, pray for them and their families every day! They are AWESOME!

Maj. Michael Sterrett, a 40-year Army veteran, has been stationed for the past six months in Tikrit.Isabella Sterrett and her classmates sent him Thanksgiving cards, and she makes pictures at school that she sends to him.To keep Wednesday's visit a secret, Isabella's kindergarten teacher, Susan West, had the entire class gather by the front steps to greet a "mystery reader" for the class. They also were given small American flags to hold, but were not told why.Isabella led the students in waving the flags and singing "God Bless America" beforehand.She was startled to see her father."Daddy!" she yelled as she ran into his arms Wednesday afternoon.The 40-year-old Army officer is on a two-week break from his second tour of duty in Iraq."I almost can't explain; it was spectacular," he said after holding and hugging Isabella for a moment. "It's wonderful to get to see her and spend time with her."The moment was equally touching for Isabella. She said he's a "good daddy."Isabella knows only that her father is helping people in Iraq with building."I can't imagine being 6 years old and knowing about (war)," her mother said.Maj. Sterrett said he's seeing progress in Iraq and that it is not uncommon for Iraqi schoolchildren to greet him."It's pretty exciting, because we get to go down and talk to local leaders there," he said. "We've seen quite a bit of progress."

Pour another glass!

One of the most important things you can do for your body:

Drink WATER....take your weight and divide by 2.

The answer gives you how many ounces you should drink a day.

For a change add fresh lemon or lime with some of the pulp!

Or a little of your favorite 100% juice, just to add a little flavor.

My new favorite is Dole Pina colada!

Drink up! Your body will thank you!

Thanks Keebler!!!

Keebler Grasshopper mint cookies. Should not buy them or look at them!

Every time I walked by I had to eat one...or 2 or 3 or 4 they are small you know...so 5 won't hurt! Needless to say being home with dayare kids....the box of cookies didn't last long. And I didn't share as many as I should have. They are just to easy and the right size to pop in your mouth and sneek another one! Although the 3 year old kept asking..." What do you have in your mouth? ....candy? " Oh-my!

Won't be buying a box of those for a long time.

Thanks again Keebler!

Better yet, No Thanks! :-)

Go ahead..Put it off until tomorrow!

What does your "to-do" list look like? I am sure it is FULL just like mine! So.....
I will call a friend......tomorrow.

I will have lunch with my each of my kids...tomorrow.
I will bring a treat to the neighbor...tomorrow.
I will spend quality time with Dan.....tomorrow.
I will clean the house....tomorrow.
I will do the laundry...tomorrow.
I will ____________....tomorrow.

I've decided that I am going to make today my "tomorrow" by moving into action. Instead of wasting precious time, I want to look at what I've been putting off until tomorrow and put it in action today.
Will you join me? What changes, goals, or intentions have you been putting off until tomorrow? Take a look at your current "to-do" list and make it a "to-day" list. Not only will you have a sense of accomplishment, but you'll also make a difference today.
Today is tomorrow!

Do you ever ask "Why?"

Asking why. First I will say, I love reading other peoples blogs.....many of them are so encouraging and inspiring! I enjoy working on my own blog...it is fun for me. I try to put in funny things and encouraging things so that I too, can encourage any reader that reads my blog.
But today I need to say I am asking the Why question. Why did both my in-laws die of cancer (along with other people close to me)..Why did four children die in a bus crash in a small town in Minnesota..a town close to my heart because I spent every summer there with grandparents.
Why..I have been praying about something that has to be dealt with daily, for 16 years and still no sign of any answer, makes me wonder if I am totally clueless on what I am supposed to learn through the waiting. Today I feel like saying...."just cut me a little slack" (And I am totally aware that it could be worse! So I really have no right to say that.)
I do know that we live in a fallen world and I must have faith that God will carry every burden as long as I keep giving it to him.....He is in control and He can see the big picture even when I can't. I have to rest in Him and trust that all things work together for good! Because they do!
So today I will attack my "Everyday Tasks" turn on the tunes and try to snap out of it and God will give me the grace to make it through today! I have a lot to be thankful for so I will try to focus on that!

Everyday Tasks

In the midst of smelly laundry, dirty dishes, snotty noses, misplaced keys, overdue library books, bills, and cooking - there is training there. There is character building. There is attitude shaping. There is soul defining. There is heart grounding. All of which must take place for us to become what God intends. Ever feel overlooked by the world? Take heart -- we are handpicked by God. I am not just doing tasks. I am building a legacy. I am shaping God's kingdom. I am in the process of not only discovering my calling but that of my family as well. And I don't know about you, but it sure does make me look at my everyday tasks... even the smelly laundry in a whole different light.

Dream

Day Dream BIG! You never know when your dream will come true.

You know you're a mom when.....

Thought this was cute.

You know you're a mom when... You count the candies on the cupcakes to make sure they are equal.

You know you're a mom when... You only shave one leg at a time.

You know you're a mom when... You hide in the bathroom to be alone, or to eat a treat without having to share it!

You know you're a mom when... You use your own saliva or the child's saliva to clean their face.

You know you're a mom when ... Your kid throws up and you CATCH it! Why do we do that!?

You know you're a mom when... You make up somewhere to go so that.. you can drive the car.

You know you're a mom when... You say at least once a day or every few days that..." I am not cut out for this job." But you know you wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

No matter how long you have been a mom, your kids teach you something new almost everyday!

Know this:
1. Motherhood IS a profession!
2. Our marriage relationship must come first.
3. Maximize the moments we are given, we only get to do it once!
4. Understand our worth and...our value!