Andru starts to pull himself up!

I'm not sure why God has thought I needed to have a 7 month old pulling himself up already, but here he is! Probably means he will be walking by 9 months! I thought the Christmas tree was going to be safe when Christmas rolls around, I guess that theory is out the window! It is cute and the kids have been so entertained by watching him reach different milestones. What joy a baby brings into a home!

Tips from an amatuer

Just a few decorating tips from and an amatuer. To make
an old cabinet seem like brand new, PAINT!
Also adding new hardware makes an old junky wooden piece of junk,
look like you just bought it from a store! To take off old wallpaper, after
you have peeled off what you can, put some water in a spray bottle with about a 1/4 cup of fabric softner and spray directly to old wallpaper. Use a scaper (credit card works great!) and scrape! It just falls off! It also smells good too! No need to wash off the walls before you repaper, just make sure surface is dry. I would do it the day before you are going to wallpaper. I am a person that likes to get things done in day but it just has not been possible so I have just had to take my time and it actually has helped me. Sometimes just to get it done, I hurry towards the end. Well, with this I just work on it a couple hours a day during nap time and I feel like taking my time and completing it. I do feel like the movie, "Groundhog Day" sometimes when I walk into the bathroom though. I have about 4 more hours to do and I will be glad when it's complete, but what a reward to see the completed project!

New bathroom

Well, I'm back to those who follow my blog daily! I had a very busy weekend and was just to tired to blog in the evening. I redid my bathroom this weekend with my wonderful, helpful, selfless, mother! She helped my wallpaper AND brought us new furniture for our living room! What would we do without our Parents! Even as an adult, their advice and selfless ways are so appreciated! I still have about half a day to finish my bathroom but it sure looks better, and I can say I NEVER want to tackle wallpapering again! I love to paint, but wallpapering, not so much! The thought for the day is to be thankful for all the many blessings our Jesus gives us each day! Don't walk by good things in your life and not thank God for them all! NOTHING happens by chance! We have been given each day as a gift from God and if focused on all the good things instead of the things we don't have, we will always be content and thankful!

Today was a busy end to a busy day. My little Livi broke her arm yesterday and so we have had doctors to see. Today was just the bi-weekly grocery shopping (always a joy!) Actually I am not complaining because when I don't feel like going, I must remind myself that I am so thankful we have a paycheck that will buy groceries and that we GET to go grocery shopping! We have been in the opposite situation and I remember praying I could just go to the store and buy food! So, there is my little tip for the day! Be content! Always a struggle in this materialistic world! I am also thankful that I have the ability to be busy! I was cleaning for an elderly lady today and she was telling my girls and I how she just wishes she could get up and clean her windows herself! She used to love to work and now all she can do is sit! It gave me once again a reality check when I want to complain about all the STUFF I have to do! My part is just praying before I start my day and asking God what He desires from me and that I do nothing less and yes, nothing more!

This Little Light of Mine

Have you ever heard the words, God's Glory? I have said it and heard it! One of the times I remember it is mentioned in the bible is when God brought Moses to the mountain and God's Glory was so bright that Moses could not even look in the direction of God. He had to cover His face because it was so bright! I thought of some words for "God's glory"- brightness, light, perserverence, beauty, lingering brightness, afterglow because of being in the presence of God. Now what does it mean to have others see God's glory in our lives? To have others see His glory means when going through life, be it trials or our convictions, God's "brightness" will shine not only for the moment but others will see the beauty and lingering rements of God in our life. We will make an impact on others because of our faith in Him. So others will not only SEE the Glory of God in our lives, but our obedience will leave an afterglow that will last. Also know, we don't have to do anything to BE in His glory except be where He is. Moses had to obey by going to the cliff, and because of His obedience he was in the presence of God and saw God's glory just because He was there with God. When He returned to the people they saw he had been with God because the brightness and afterglow was still upon him! If we are walking in His glory, we don't need to do anything for others to see His glory in us except obey and trust Him. The path will continue to be "lit" for us to follow. If we truly know what it is like to be in His Glory, to walk away from it would be obvious and painful to our spirit. The darkness would "blind" us and cause us confusion. With God there is NO confusion. Only light! God's glory is ever present. When we try to be proud or boastful, of our faith, (give our own glory to us) it is a struggle to keep it "glowing". WE feel we have to keep doing things to keep the light going. Like keeping a campfire burning. It is work and it takes effort for everyone to benefit from it, however when allowing yourself to be in GOD'S Glory, there is no effort and others will benefit from it just because of Him, not you! You are just there! Allowing His light to be your light. All you do is rest and watch where He desires to lead you. Sing to yourself, 'This Little Light of Mine' to start your day, and remember, it is only because of God, we are light to others! Just obey and trust Him! He loves you with an everlasting love![Photo][Photo]

Our faith, God's size!

Today as my day begins, my life can seem like it has some pretty big obstacles. If I think about them I could get overwhelmed. I am then reminded of Psalm 71:5- For You are my hope Lord God. You are my trust from my youth.
I am to remember that God is bigger than anything I might face today. We should never measure our obstacle's against our own strength but against the size of God. Helps puts things in perspective, huh? Look at David's obstacle! The giant who was over 9 feet tall! He was a small boy and decided to look at the size of God not his obstacle! What lessons can be learned from that example! (Remember though, David was human! He did take 5 stones just in case the first one did not work!) David did go out in faith and put it to the test! Because of that, that little rock hit like a boulder! God was faithful and David's faith was honored! We don'[t stand in victory because of our faith in our spirituality, our victory rests in faith in our GOD! Faith in a living, active God moves mountains, moves our obstacle's, and in David's case, can knock a giant to the ground! Remember that as you face your giants today! But, don't use any other rocks to help you, just the one true ROCK! Jesus!

Say hello!

I have heard this blog has made it's round to some people I might like to contact. Please click on the comment word at the end of the blog and say hello!

It's Apple Day! Yesterday we got about 20 pounds of apples from a friend. We started early this morning and finished around 3:00. The girls and I have decided if we have to cut or slice one more apple it will be to many! We have 8 apple pies, 2 miniuture ones, and 8 quarts of apple sauce. I should have made more applesauce and less pies, but we kept thinking of people who we could give a pie to, so the girls decided that was more important! Only one cut finger and of course that was the adult of the group, me! We have a great Dutch Apple Pie recipe we would like to share:
2 C. flour
1 C. packed brown sugar
3/4 C. butter, melted
1/2 C. quick cooking oats

FILLING:
2/3 C. sugar
3 T. cornstarch
1-1/4 Cups water
3 C. diced peeled tart apples
1 t. vanilla extract

Combine the first four ingredients; set aside 1 cup for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into an ungreased 9-in. pie plate; set aside. For the filling, sombine sugar, cornstarch and water in a saucepan until smooth; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in apples and vanilla. Pour into curst; top with reserved crumb mixture. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until crust is golden brown.