Camping

So our family had our very first over night Camping trip, One day only. So today I thought I would upload random pictures that I took. Beware they are pretty random.

 

We camped at Three Rivers State Park. It is beautiful!

I got to choose our campsite. The only thing that was wrong with it is when the Gator's start growling! yikes 

This is how you make coffee after a long night of no sleep.

Coffee is ready when you are.

I wish this could be the view with my coffee every morning.

 

The boys know how to get dirty

Pretty in green

Butterfly on our nature walk

The boys' hillbilly feet after sliding into the mud.

I hope you have enjoyed the random pictures of our camping adventure. I might try and add more pictures to my blog now that I know how easy it is to do. 

Peace Be With You

A Psalm of David.

Sometimes I wonder where I am, what is the right path and have I taken it. Then I look at my boys and wonder what path I am leading them on and worry about when we part if I have done all I could for them. So i look out at my path and pray to God. I pray for strength and guidance.Almost two years ago our life came to a brief stop and when the world started to spin I realized I needed to give my children God. With out knowing it my journey began. Although I am not there yet and I am sure it is going to take time to get there, I know I am more open to see the Lord. After Reading a book called Traveling Light by Max Lucado I found out The Lord is With ME. I didn't find out reading the book, it just lead me there. I was on a bike with my two kids in a trailer behind me. Sweat dripping off of me , the sun hot, and I am peddling home on the nine mile mark a cool breeze cooled my skin, the birds song lightened my heart, and there I found God all at once. For the first time I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was with me. My life changed.

Don't get me wrong I have always believed there was a higher power but this was the fist time I knew. So I would like to post Psalms 23. Take a minute to read it and really feel the message.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell  in the house of the Lord
forever.

I hope that you will come with me on my journey. You are welcome to add your thoughts anytime. My blog will still be random but it is me after all.

Peace be with you 

April Goal update

Family goals

1. No credit use-We are doing pretty well but to be honest we slipped a little this month, but does it count if we paid it off right away? Yes I know it counts and yes I take full credit for the slip. It was my birthday and my husband loves me more then words can say so I got a new phone for the GPS feature. We looked at GPS and he decided the phone was a better deal but it still cost $180. Ouch, It is paid for.



2. To pay off 5 of 6 bills- Starting debt- 17928.61   April debt-11894.34
We still have four bills left to pay off and because we are saving for our big move in July they seem to be looming and Staying the same but we have to save. So far since we found out about our move though we have saved almost $3000. I feel like we are at a standstill. Like we are stuck dragging this debt behind us. We didn't save as much this month because we needed to pay for the new phone which ended up costing an extra $5 by using credit for two or three days. Lame. Next month will be a better month even though it is Rob's Birthday he only wants to go camping so hopefully nothing comes up and we are back on track.


3. Vegetable garden that we can use for meals.- We are moving in 3 of months so we are no longer adding to our garden here. We will be starting a more permanent one in Texas. Rob has started taking the raised beds apart. It is a little sad to see all of his hard work just taken down so easily. The peas are almost 2 feet tall and even though we aren't eating peas yet the boys go out there and pick them as soon as they see a pod. So at least they are eating their veggies.



4. Potty training James. Is on hold until we move to make moving easier for him.


5. Damian reading chapter books, Damian loves reading Chapter books now. He gets so excited when he finishes a whole book.



My goals- Are not going well at all. Maybe I tried to focus on too many things to get done this year.

1. Get Fit with good friends- I am not going to lie, I have fallen off of the wagon a lot.

2. To be able to run 6 miles in 1hour. Well I got back to the treadmill but I have decided to stick to 15 minutes which is just over a mile. I feel good when I get off and I haven't left my children to do to much damage.

3.Be a better mother- I got a bread maker and so I am making fresh bread for sandwiches every day. It is good, the kids love it and I know everything that is in their bread now. I can't wait to be in a position to be more organic by shopping at markets that sell locally. 

4.Be a better house keeper- More to follow...

Pieces of my puzzle

I know that my blogs are sometimes bits of my life, random pieces of me. I am a puzzle forever being put together. Sometimes finding the missing parts to see them fit into me is amazing. I have two sons and when each of them was born I learned great lessons on love and life. They are pieces of my story but one to them I will become a piece of theirs. I wonder what they will think about me when they are grown. How will they explain me to girlfriends and buddies in the future. We all have stories of our mother and father. So I try do the things I want them to think of. I want them to look back at their childhoods and remember love lots of hugs and kisses and fresh baked bread, and apple pies. I read somewhere that we break our children no matter how hard we try to to keep them whole. Some only small cracks and some into fragments. I hope that my faults are forgivable when they are grown. Yes I know they are only 5 and 2 but does it hurt to think of the future now so that the future is a nicer place?
I don’t know the answers and I sometimes wonder about the questions. All we can do is the best we know how. Sometimes we can change what we know and do better. There is hope for all of us and it started with a baby boy I fear I could love completely but I was wrong. Love is a gift and the more you give the more you have. I am blessed to know this and I hope, really hope that I can teach my children that secret. This wish like all things takes time, only will reveal what lays ahead. The best we can do is put it in God’s Hands and push forward and Live.
Be well and Love Freely

New Phone

You may fine the title of this post confusing because this is not about the new phone but about the application I got it for, or rather my husband got for me. The VZ Navigator, GPS my friends where ever you go. Those of you that know me know that I can get lost, really lost in one bad turn and instead of turning around I get even more lost for hours. I have been worried about moving to a major city, afraid that I was going to get really lost. So after much talking and price checking between a mobile with gps or a gps for the car for us the new phone was a better deal.
After pizza and a beer I started thinking about the loss of Adventure. I have a real gift for getting lost. I once drove around the British country side for six hours trying to find something that looked familiar, detours are an adventure waiting to happen, I don’t mind driving and so far I have not been stuck out of gas but sometimes being lost is fun. I wonder if I will become totally dependent on my phone that I might one day forget the thrill of being in a new place and the puzzle of getting back. Take a left turn at the light…
Maybe at the very least I will have a back up way to get unlost and not miss an appointment at the same time.
Here’s to a smooth road and great weather when you are on a lost adventure.

Random survey

Random survey. Could be fun or not but I am going to do it anyway.


HAVE YOU EVER CHEWED A PACK OF GUM ALL AT ONCE?

Yes. The five pack of winter fresh.

DO YOU KNOW ANY JERKS?

Everyone knows a jerk and everyone can be a jerk. Also in my top Five movies The Jerk

IF YOU HAD ONE MAGIC POWER WHAT WOULD IT BE?

House cleaning in the snap of my fingers.

IF YOU HAD ONE STAR TREK DEVICE?

Beam me up Scottie also the only one I know.

DO YOU WATCH CSI?

Not any of them.

HAVE YOU EVER CHASED A CHICKEN?

I have chased a child chasing a chicken does that count?



YOUR HOME LIFE

DO YOU HAVE CARPET IN YOUR ROOM?

Yes.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR LIVING ARRANGEMENTS?

Yes.

DO YOU HAVE A WALK IN CLOSET?

Yes but I can't walk into it at the moment.



PERSONAL QUESTIONS

WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR LOOKS?

My jelly roll could go and I wouldn't miss it.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A WEIRD DREAM ABOUT A GUY OR GIRL?

Yes and how.

WOULD YOU EVER BE A STRIPPER?

A burlesque dancer

WOULD YOU CONSIDER BEING A DANCER IN A MUSIC VIDEO?

Depends on the video and music style and how much I would be paid to make an ass out of myself.

ANYONE EVER TELL YOU THAT YOU HAD A BIG HEAD?

Yes, my husband.

DID ANYONE EVER TELL YOU THAT YOU’RE PRETTY?

Sometimes I even think they mean it.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SCARS?

Yes:



DO YOU HAVE ANY BIRTH MARKS?

Yes, A big freckle on my face and a matching one on my chest.



THE FACTS

EVER DROPPED A CELL PHONE?

Just call me butter fingers! and I have kids nothing is safe.

EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT RING?

Only one and lucky for me it was the right one.



THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON?

My kids, and books even when we are not actively buying them.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

Over the rainbow or Florida for a couple more months. Then the road for a month and with any luck in our own house in Texas.

LAST LIE YOU HEARD?

I am doing my work and not watching tv.

CAN YOU COOK?

Pretty well too.

LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

When my Grandma told how bad my grandpa was doing and realizing that I live 3000 miles away from them. I am missing my little sisters wedding tomorrow.

LAST CONCERT ATTENDED?

Never been to one. We are really to cheap to go and Rob hates loud music. I love musicals and live plays.

ONE THING YOU NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT?

Myself and my id.

DO YOU SMOKE?
No.


LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

I am not really a phone person so I would say my grandma.

WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECIEVED?

Dinner at applebees 6-6:30. It's kid friendly so let me know how many people.

LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID?

Last night Butt Drugs and Cullman Liquidation commercials. I am laughing thinking about them.

LAST TIME YOU TALKED TO A COP?

If  IM counts just now.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND?

I hope the weather is nice because we are doing beach pictures.

ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?

No.

ARE YOU IN A RELATIONSHIP?

Yes.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL?

Yes.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THIS SURVEY?

Post it. Maybe a nap to follow.

WHO DID YOU LAST HUG?

My Sons.

WOULD YOU EVER DYE YOUR HAIR RED?

I did that as a kid and liked it ok but I wouldn't do it now. I love my hair.

WHO DID YOU LAST TALK TO OVER THE COMPUTER?

Stormy..

DO YOU LIKE HUGS?

Big Bear hugs, group hugs, crazy family hugs, all hugs are great.

WHAT DO YOU DO RIGHT BEFORE YOU GO TO BED?

Read, or watch some random T.V. show on instant play on Netflix

RIGHT WHEN YOU GET OUT OF BED?

coffee...

TO WHOM DID YOU LAST GIVE THE FINGER?

I don't give the finger.

IF YOU HAD 1,000 DOLLARS WHAT WOULD YOU BUY?

We are saving, so this would fall under the saving for our move.

WHAT WAS THE LAST BEVERAGE YOU SPILLED ON YOURSELF?

Water

ARE YOU DIFFERENT NOW THAN YOU WERE 6 MONTHS AGO?

Yes, I am a work in progress as my children grow and change so do I. I hope to be a better person six months from today.

BETTER FOR GIRLS TO KISS OR BOYS TO KISS?

My husband to kiss me.

WHEN DID YOU LAST KISS SOMEONE ON THE CHEEK?

Rob on his way to work after lunch. He was still eating.

WHERE WERE YOU LAST NIGHT AROUND 9:30?

The Henslee's watching the Marriage Ref

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF GUYS THAT WEAR EYELINER?

I don't.

HOW MANY HOURS DID YOU SLEEP LAST NIGHT?

8 I guess


50 CENT SHOWS UP AT YOUR DOOR, WHAT DO YOU DO?

How the hell would I know if it was 50 cent or whoever? I don't know that guy. I'd tell him he's lost.

HOW WAS THE LAST EGG YOU ATE PREPARED?

Scrambled with onions, tomatoes, peppers, and cheese.

WHERE DID YOU LAST WEAR SUNGLASSES?

Tuesday was a sunglasses day.

HAVE YOU EVER WORE YOUR UNDERWEAR BACKWARDS?

No.

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON TO SMOKE A CIGARETTE IN YOUR PRESENCE?:

Darlene, is the only smoker I am around and she doesn't really smoke around me much.

WHAT ANIMAL DID YOU LAST PET OR HOLD?

My lab Chaz.

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?

Yeah, I am still in my P J's and will be until after I get a nap. I was cleaning today.

WHAT WAS THE LAST NEWSPAPER YOU READ OR SKIMMED?

Online The New York Times, hard copy The News Herald

WHAT WAS THE LAST WORD WRITTEN ON YOUR HAND?

A book I wanted to check out to read.

WHAT WAS THE LAST HAIR PRODUCT YOU USED?

Conditioner.

WHAT WAS THE LAST MEDICATION YOU TOOK?

I don't take medication. I drives Rob crazy when I am sick or hurting.

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU REALLY LAUGH?

Butt Drugs commercial and Cullman Liquidators look them up.
http://ilovelocalcommercials.com/videos.aspx?vid=287&cl=1

TO WHAT SONG DID YOU LAST SING ALONG?

Butt Drugs. It is really funny.

WHAT WAS THE LAST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT IN YOUR PRESENCE?

Kazoo

WHAT WAS THE LAST SUPERSTITIOUS THING YOU DID?

Threw salt over my shoulder

WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING?

7:30

ARE YOU GLAD THIS IS OVER?

Yes.

Who am I?

It is a funny question on the outside it is easy I am a wife, a mother, a cook, a baker, a painter, a writer, etc. But what about on the inside, the deepest part of the soul. The secret parts. Well I am unlikely to share all my secrets today but maybe ten will be a good start.




1. I love socks, bright colorful socks. They make me happy when I have them on. They are easy to match no matter how many loose pairs there are in a pile. My favorite gift anytime, also my number one request for all present giving days. Socks all is right with a beautiful clean pair of socks. Gloomy day no worries I have sunshine and rainbows.



2. My biggest life lesson is when I held my Eldest son for the first time. I looked in to his cloudy grey eyes and knew for the first time in my life that love was free and didn't hurt. The second was when my youngest son was born (I have two) and I looked in to his bright eyes and knew love grows the more you give it away.



3. My biggest goal in life is to be happy. For the most part I am. When I am asked how I am I always say good. I am good. I am happy. Because even when I am down saying that I am doing well makes me feel better. My children are happy. I am still in love with my husband so what else is there. I am happy.



4.I don't wear make up as a statement of self. I hide behind a mask of make up as a teenager to hide all the hurtful things I heard and knew. When I got my first place I woke up one morning and looked at my self and decided I wasn't going to hide anymore and so I don't wear the mask. Well except for in pictures a girl wants to look good in a photograph that hangs on the wall for all to see.



5. I have a hard time talking to new people. Not because I am shy but a deeper crazier fear enforced in childhood. That once someone finds out who I really am they will leave. Almost every word my mother told me when I was growing up. No one could want me. Don't fret I am out growing it slowly and with difficultly. Old habits die hard. This way I know I am lucky to be loved by all the choose to stick around.



6. I love words. I think they are amazing in all their glory. I love qoutes, and poetry. I lke to sit and read poems over and over until I sink in to the meaning and they are tattooed onto my soul. I love to write poetry when I am was dishes or with washable crayon in the shower. I feel whole when I am writing.



7. I love that my husband likes to research plan out everything he does. I like to lay in bed next to him and listen to him explain permaculture to me. I like to let him take control. It makes me feel safe.



8. I try to see things from different angles. Sometimes I will think about something for hours or days until I have seen it from all angles and can make a informed remark. All stories have two sides, there is never just one. Sometimes I say the wrong thing when I hear something for the first time and wish I could call back and take it back when I have thought of the right thing. This transfers in to what is going on in the world. Take health care I will read five to ten different articles on the same thing just so that I feel like I have all the information that I can to make up my decision on the matter.



9. I want to live a sustainable life for my family. I want a grey water system in my future forever home. I think it is the greatest thing man has invented and want to know why it's not standard in today's buildings. Also solar power is amazing we could all get a couple of panels on our roofs and collect some free sun power. Combine solar power with existing energy we could live sustainably. Also victory gardens from the 1940's should come back minus all the chemicals. Really who said everyone had to grow grass and waste water. Why can't we all grow a vegetable garden in our back yards and be able to save on our grocery bills, and live a healthier life style. Just because you can go to the store to buy junk food doesn't mean you have to give up a cheap healthy snack that keeps giving to your family. Really spend a ten dollars on your favorite vegetable seeds and plant them and watch them grow. Then when it is time to pick a cucumber and all you have to do is rinse it off and eat it still warm from the sun you will know what fresh taste like.



10. I love to read and when Damian was born I decided to read chapter books to him. I thought that we could teach them to love books and avoid having to read the same book over and over. It worked both boys love to be read to. I love to listen to them use their imaginations playing Harry Potter, or Peter Pan. Learning about crazy monsters and watching their eyes light up at the possibility.



I love my life and now you know a little more about me some things that are good and aome that is not so good.



I am who I am and I am a work in progress.