This is Me, Then

College Moms and Working Moms

2012-02-06T21:01:00.000-06:00

I found the following info and wanted to share. I think it pertains to working moms as well.

How To Balance School and Family When Mom Goes Back To College

How to Balance School Life With Family Life

For the busy mom returning to college, the most important ingredient in mixing school life with family life is balance. In order for Mom to return to college to earn a degree or prepare for career advancement, there must be a balance between family life and dedicated school time. It is important to maintain a strong healthy relationship with loved ones while taking the time to study. Whether you choose to learn online or attend a college or university, setting up a schedule will be invaluable in maintaining your sanity and achieving your goals.

College Students Require Time Alone

It is important for the kids and the spouse to realize that the busy student needs alone time to study and complete lessons. A clear and detailed schedule with designated study time and playtime, will help in defining when Mom is available and when she needs to be left alone. Online learning may seem to be an easier way to fit education into raising a family, but it still requires time to accomplish lessons, complete assigned reading and study for tests.

Schedule Time for Study and Play

A schedule posted on the refrigerator with blocked out times when you are studying and will help kids adjust to Mom not being readily available. The balance to this is of course scheduled time for play and family time. For the schedule to be successful, it should be strictly followed. When it's playtime, then play. When it's date night with the hubby, then go out and have a fun without worrying about that paper that needs to be finished or that last chapter you put off reading.

Share What You Learn in School

If you have school-aged children, your school experience can be used as an example to them. Your good study habits will be emulated by your children. Also, you can share what you are learning with your children. Share relevant topics with them at the family dinner table and encourage discussion. By making them a part of your learning experience they will feel more involved and may feel less threatened by your interest in something other than them.

Prepare to be Flexible With Your College Studies

Though the goal is to maintain and follow a set schedule, life inevitably will get in the way at times. When that happens, then flexibility becomes a factor. You should always have a built in 'whoops' in your schedule. Obviously in times of real family emergency, family wins out over school. Lessons can be made-up, but when the kids need you, it can't be put off or ignored. Have backup or standby childcare available. Try and stay caught up on coursework and study ahead if possible. Don't put things off until the last second. Be prepared. Expect the best, but prepare for the worst.

Set Aside Time to Study Alone

Your designated study time should be strictly adhered to by all members of the family. Make it clear that when you are studying, you are to be left alone, baring any real emergencies. You may have to lay out in detail what constitutes an emergency - "Can I have a snack", as opposed to "The toilet is plugged up and overflowing." During mid-terms of finals, this time may need to be expanded. Just make sure the kids know that it is only for a short while, and afterwards the normal schedule will resume.

Family meal - balancing school with family

Game night - balancing school with family

Ice Cream Sundae Night - balancing school with family

Family study time - balancing school with family Set Aside Time for the Family

Family meal time

Meals are a great time to spend with the family. It can start with preparation. Let the kids help in the kitchen and use the time together to talk about the day and any upcoming events that might effect the schedule. Even though the convenience of fast food dinners may seem very appealing, family dinners at home, offer much needed family time.

Game night

Board games, seem a bit outdated these days, but they are a wonderful way to spend time with the family. Many of the popular board games and card games can be played with younger family members but still offer a challenge to the older children and the parents. It can be a fun time for the family to bond together.

Movie night

Let the kids take turns picking out a movie for the family to watch. This can be from your own collection or make a family excursion to your local movie rental store. Share a big bowl of popcorn or similar favorite family snack. If the movie happens to go on beyond the usual bedtime, so much the better.

Ice cream sundae night

Set one night a week aside for ice cream night. Let each child in the family pick out their favorite ice cream flavor and toppings. If the children are old enough, let them build their own sundae. For this one night, don't worry about the mess or the extra sugar intake. Make it a family event.

Go to the theater

If you are attending a college or university, take advantage of the student priced tickets for school performances. Check out the program of upcoming plays or concerts and plan ahead to take the kids to appropriate shows. Not only will this give them something to look forward too, but it may allow them to see live performances that you would not ordinarily be able to afford to take them to.

Study together

If your children are in school also, you can spend time together studying. This can be a better alternative to Mom shutting herself up in her room to study alone. Also you will serve as an example and help instill good study habits.

What Tips Do You Have for Busy Moms?

My tip: Run errands one day a week. It's better to be crazy all in one day running the roads than a little crazy every day.

This is Me, Then.

Valentines and Diplomas!

2012-02-04T20:11:00.000-06:00

Well, my diploma finally came in the mail today.

The anticipation and staring at my empty frame since mid December has just about killed me. Well, it's here, I framed it, yes I have an Associates degree, but I've had one since mid December. Ha! This is just a piece of paper. On to my bachelors degree.

In the midst of homework all day today I've played Words with Friends, ate an early dinner with my boys and made my son's Valentine Cards for his class. I am reading The Love Dare again and starting it tomorrow. My husband and I are in a little "funk" and me nagging him to be nicer to me and more romantic isn't working, SO I am going to do it to him. Do unto others kind of thing! Fingers crossed it works! I will report back in 40 days!

I wanted to share a picture I came across the other day. It's Taylor and her Granny that just passed away, Easter 2005. This was also the day we announced to our entire family that we were going to have a baby! Taylor was 6 years old.

Time is precious.

This is Me, Then.

Confirmation and What it Means

2012-02-03T19:17:00.000-06:00

I am very excited that Taylor has completed her confirmation classes and she, Lance and I will be confirmed next Sunday at our church. This is the next step in our walk with God and becoming Anglican. We believe that children are Baptized as infants or at any time the parents see fit. We also believe that children don't have to ask Jesus into their hearts, he is always there, from the beginning. My children are also blessed with amazing God Parents that love them and will make sure they stay on a Holy Path if anything where to ever happen to us or we lead them astray. Then as a pre-teen or teenager the child is able to confirm their faith in the Lord when they are able to truly understand God's word fully. My husband and I are being confirmed as adults and we were able to take Bible classes last summer to fully understand our confirmation.

Our church and my journey the past 9 months has been a true blessing to my family and I. Below are some definitions I found to explain a little better. I also like to think of our church and anyone's church for that matter like this. We all believe in the same Christian faith, we just take different paths and steps to get there.

This is Me, Then.

Baptism

In baptism, we thank God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledge his love. In the Anglican Church it is common to baptise young children; this is sometimes known as christening.

Baptism is a 'sacrament' (holy ritual to symbolise grace) in the Christian tradition that is traced back to Jesus himself being baptized in the river Jordan.

Confirmation

Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey where those who have been baptised as children make a firm commitment to Christian discipleship.

Through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop, the Church also asks God to give those being confirmed power, through the Holy Spirit, to live the life of discipleship.

Who is Your Valentine?

2012-02-02T12:41:00.000-06:00

Well, I am officially attending a University and I am officially crazy! I want to walk you guys through my wild and wacky world but I don't seem to have time to breath! HA! With that said, I am happy to report that my blood pressure has been running high for nine months and I have slowly removed all the stress and negative things in my life and it was PERFECT at my check up this week. My Dr. was so proud of me for making changes in my life without medication. Now hubby and I are getting healthy! I am not focused on the lbs, I am focused on my well being. Between college, me subbing, our business, church and family, we stay pretty darn busy. Thought you might want to know who my Valentine is this year. He's really my Valentine every year along with his Daddy and Sissy, but this year we decided to take some special pictures while he's still willing (though I did have to promise ice cream afterwards).

This is Me, Then.

The Five Agreements

2012-01-12T20:22:00.000-06:00

This book changed my life last fall. I thank my dear friend Kelley for telling me about it. Now I just need to hang the agreements on my fridge and put them in my Kindle so I remember them in times of need! HA! Enjoy!

The Five Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

January 17, 2010 by Editor

According to don Miguel Ruiz, everything we do is based on agreements we have made — agreements with ourselves, with other people, with God, and with life. But the most important agreements are the ones we make with ourselves. With these agreements we tell ourselves who we are, how to behave, what is possible, what is impossible.

The Five Agreements:

1.BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2.DON’T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

3.DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4.ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST

Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are tired as opposed to well rested. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

5.BE SKEPTICAL, BUT LEARN TO LISTEN

Don’t believe yourself or anybody else. Use the power of doubt to question everything you hear: Is it really the truth? Listen to the intent behind the words, and you will understand the real message.

The Four Agreements slowly helps you to recover your authentic self, and the real you starts to awaken. With The Fifth Agreement comes the complete acceptance of yourself just the way you are, and the complete acceptance of everybody else just the way they are. The reward is your eternal happiness. The Fifth Agreement is made with words, of course, but its meaning and intent is beyond the words. The Fifth Agreement is ultimately about seeing your whole reality with the eyes of truth, without words.

Make the Five Agreements your way of life — love yourself, enjoy life, and make your personal world a dream of heaven. And, by changing your world, you are changing the world.

As don Miguel says, “By practicing the Five Agreements, what you are really doing is respecting everything in creation. You are respecting your dream; you are respecting everybody else’s dream. If you use these tools, your effort is really for everyone, because your joy, your happiness, your peace, and your heaven are contagious. When you are happy, the people around you are happy too, and it inspires them to change their own world.”

This way of life is entirely possible, and it’s in your hands. The change begins with you. Why not start now?

This is Me, Then.

Let 2012 Be Your Year...

2012-01-10T11:30:00.000-06:00

In 2011 I let people in my life dictate my well being, my worth, my me. Not anymore. In my search for answers and why me me me, I realized I wasn't the one with the problem, these people hurting me where the ones with the problem. They are the ones with a low self worth or why else would they find such joy in hurting, not forgiving and punishing me. I turned my sadness into joy and now pray for these people daily and wish them nothing but happiness and success even though they don't feel the same about me. I turned my sorrow into finally finishing my Associates Degree in Elementary Education from Lee College. It was a tough semester with some sacrifices me and my family had to make but WE did it. I then turned my sorrow into getting accepted to the University of Houston Clear Lake and I am proud to say I will begin there next week with a plan to graduate in May of 2014 with my teaching degree. My husband and I made the decision to take out a student loan to pay for these last two years and I am proud to say my husband paid for my associates degree with no help. I applied for and received two grants and one scholarship as well. I have been truly blessed with the MOST AMAZING man on earth, my husband.

I would like to end by tooting a little horn! Everyone should toot their own horn! I was nominated for The National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Alpha Pi. I can not wait to see what the future holds for me and my family.

Mission:We Build Leaders Who Make a Better World.The Society is an organization that helps people discover and achieve their goals. The Society offers life-changing lectures from the nations leading presenters and a community where like-minded success oriented individuals come together and help one another succeed. The Society also serves as a powerful force of good in the greater community by encouraging and organizing action to better the world.

This is Me, Then.

College...Don't Knock It Unless You've Tried It.

2012-01-09T14:36:00.000-06:00

College, if your parents put you through college, stop right now and give them a call and say thank you.

College, if your parents couldn't afford to put you through so they took out loans, donated body parts, whatever, stop right now and call them and say thank you.

College, if your parents were unable to put you through BUT supported you as you put yourself through with words or praise and encouragement and just being there for you, stop right now and call them and say thank you.

If you did or are doing it all on your own with no support from your family, no words of praise, no words of encouragement, stop right now and thank yourself. You are truly amazing!

If not only you are doing it yourself but you are also married with kids at home, a single parent with kids at home, you work, you do anything other than have complete focus and attention on college then you deserve a key to the city!!!! A Parade!!!! A Party!!!! You deserve everything.

If you have a loved one in your life, a friend, a child, a parent, a neighbor, or anyone in your circle that goes to college please remember that not only are they doing something VERY SCARY and out of the box, they are doing something for their family's future. A typical day for them involves the normal routine of a crazy parent and trying to maintain a marriage and/or homelife, but sitting in a classroom with a bunch of teenagers or twentysomethings fresh out of highschool that make you feel SUPER old and refer to you as Mrs. or Mr. instead of "hey you". Then you come home and any free time is spent grocery shopping, bill paying, clothes washing, dishwasher loading and when you finally sit down and try to remember the last time you bathed someone needs help with their homework, folders signed, books read, and then you realize its 10:00 and everyones going to bed. BUT WAIT, you haven't done your homework because your college professor doesnt care what your homelife is, you need to read this, type that, post a response to something by tonight at midnight. And if you WORK too, full time or part time, God Bless You! Its the MOST rewarding and MOST frustraiting thing any adult can take on. SO, please realize if this person you love doesnt make it by to see your new lamp, or meet you for tea, or go shopping, that they really just need a nap or a caserole for tonights dinner. Also, any free time is given to their spouse and children that never get their full attention anymore.

Hats off to returning students of the world! You are amazing!

This is Me, Then.

White Stuff in Your Hair?

2011-09-12T17:47:00.000-05:00

Wow, let's see. Is it Friday yet? I got up at 5:45, hit snooze, got up at 6:00, hit snooze, got up at 6:15, hit snooze, hubby got up at 6:30. HOLY SMOKES, I was supposed to be up 45 minutes ago! Ran to my daughters room, "get up, its 6:30, we slept in". Hair straightening iron goes on, and the day begins. My son sits up in his bed as I walk to the bathroom. "good morning mom" he yawns. I say "lay back down" he replies "I slept a long time, I want to get up".

Let's go back to this weekend and why we were all so sleepy! My hubby and son went to the deer lease for a boys weekend with my hubby's dad, brother, nephew and friend. Had a blast! I stayed home w my daughter, had a blast! Went to church, home to meet the boys and then go bowling w our church and then home to scream at the tv because my husband beat me in week 1 of our fantasy football! URGH! Stayed up until 11:00 hoping for a fantasy football miracle in the form of Santonio Holmes or Dustin Keller, and NOPE! No miracle!

Back to my son this morning! He's up, daughter is up, sausage and biscuits are going, thanks to my amazing husband and I go lay back down until 6:50. Yes, I was that tired!

Hubby says breakfast is ready, we eat and my daughter and I are out the door at 7:05. Get her dropped off and I am back home at 7:30ish but I sit in the car for five minutes listening to the rest of Roula and Ryan's Roses Update on the radio, don't ask, but it involved a hubby cheating on his wife NOT w a female! Tortured story I had to finish!

Back in the house, my AMAZING husband has our son dressed, I look for socks, fill out his fundraiser form, stick it in his back pack and he and I are off! THANK THE LORD he was eating at school today, chicken nuggets and green beans to the rescue! No lunch was needed!

Get him dropped off by 8:00. Home to an important conversation with my best friend as I started a load of clothes and then finished our talk while I enjoyed a slightly cool humid hot breeze outside. I then walk in the house and my husband tells me to follow him 45 minutes away to take my car to a shop we use now since my car is out of warranty and it specializes in my car and is half the price. Ok, so I am off again!

Half way home after all these plans of lunch and grocery shopping together (yes, my exciting life with my husband while the kids are away involves grocery shopping), I realize I am supposed to be at my sons school at 11:00 to take Grandparents Day Pictures as a volunteer. We race home, I throw my dirty hair into a pony tail, change from my "mommy pants" to some fancy "mommy pants". Then I get to his school at 11, stay until 1 taking pics and pulling him out of class while his teacher and I re-measure him for a tux he has to wear in two weeks for his Aunts wedding! (measurements got mixed up). Then I race home, load the dishwasher up and decide to leave a little early to pick my daughter up from school for her Orthodontist appt because my husband had to go look at a job and I was afraid I wouldnt be back in time for my son to get off the bus! So I had my neighbor and friend on stand by and even the bus driver, texting her and telling her just to take him home if noone was outside! She's a friend of the family thank the Lord!

Orthodontist appt. went well, got elastics, don't ask, and then home by 4:00 (got son off the bus) for me to realize I have a math quiz due by midnight and homework due by 8:00 AM tomorrow. So, bootcamp is out, I am staying home, washing clothes and doing math until I pop! Daddy is handling dinner, boiled shrimp and football!

Oh and if you got this far I will save a little tidbit for you: As I sat in the orthodontist office with my slick backed dirty pony tail, my daughter says "you need some head and shoulders, you have white stuff all on the side of you hair". I just sighed and kept playing Words W Friends on my phone.

This is Me, Always.

Really Don't Know What to Blog About Anymore!

2011-09-06T22:04:00.000-05:00

Well, I am at a loss for words. Yes, me! Crazy huh?

I was hurt very badly this past Spring and putting my life out for all to see has been hard for me. Do I stop blogging all together? Do I just blog what we cook? Do I just blog crafts or decorations? Do I just let myself blog whatever is going on that day? These past six months I have had some major ups and downs and my eyes have been opened to numerous things. First off, facebook is a tool used to hurt people. Not everyone does it, not even mean people do it. People in general use Facebook to post about their magical life and all thats in it and what someone else wasn't invited to. People will post about this and that while their friends read it and wonder why in the world they werent invited and then remind themselves that they are adults and this crud shouldnt matter. Then people don't use the private message button to ask someone a question or thank them for something they did because they want the entire world to see! They WANT their friends list to see that not only where they not invited but they had a blast too! LOL!

How did I figure this out? I was doing it! Not only was I doing it, I was reading others posts that hurt my feelings because I didn't understand why they didnt invite me!

So, as hard as it is for me, I have tried to make my status updates about me only and not who I just had dinner with and you didn't! Its a learning curve and I also don't want to give away so much of me that people think they know me just because of my status updates.

Really people need to think! You are posting these things publically because deep down you want people to know you did something fun without them! It hurts! Ha!

So, I am trying to stop doing that myself! I may slip a time or two, but I am trying!

With that said, I want to get back into blogging. I don't know when or how but I want to.

We'll see what happens!

This is Me, Then.

When Life Throws You Lemons, Make a Lemonade Stand!

2011-07-02T15:39:00.000-05:00

I have been out of the blogging loop lately and then I try to jump back in and I fall right back out. Ha! Well, my life has had some wild, sad and amazing turns these past few months and I feel even more blessed than before. To make a long story short we have changed denominations, joined a church, got the kids Baptized, joined the Chamber of Commerce, started selling Advocare (https://www.advocare.com/11068824/) and I have taken control of my life. Getting involved in my community, my church and people that care about me for me has been a huge eye opener.

I am back to being happy in my life and having fun. I am back to standing tall and not letting negative people or things in my life. I am back to being me, all the sparkles and all.

I can't make you love me, forgive me, hate me or like me. Only you can do that!

With that garbage out of the way I am going to finish posting pics of my house this week and I am starting the 24 Day Challenge w Advocare next week and I am SUPER excited to report I have lost 5 lbs in two weeks just by adding Spark to my life. Its a mix in for your water and I LOVE it! I am off all sodas and Vitamin Waters.

Did I also tell you I attended a NKOTBSB concert? If you don't know what that is, dont ask! LOL!

This is Me, Again.

You May Want to Rethink How Long You Want to Punish Someone...Because They May Not Be There When You Are Through.

2011-06-06T15:01:00.000-05:00

RELEASING ANGER AND BITTERNESS

While God desires that we recognize our anger and bitterness toward others, harboring those feelings and refusing to work toward the restoration of broken relationships is contrary to His will. We need to prayerfully confront and confess inner feelings of anger, and then surrender them to the loving healing of our heavenly Father.

God calls us first to confront our own feelings openly and honestly....

Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be king to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving you because you belong to Christ.

Ephesians 4: 31-32 TLB

For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other. For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command: “Love others as you love yourself.” But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always critical and catty, watch out! Beware of ruining each other. Galatians 5: 13-15 TLB

Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. What out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives. Hebrews 12:15TLB

Anyone who says he is walking in the light of Christ but dislikes his fellow man is still in darkness. But whoever loves his fellow man is “walking in the light” and can see his way without stumbling around in darkness and sin. For he who dislikes his brother is wandering in spiritual darkness and doesn’t know where he is going, for the darkness has made him blind so that he cannot see the way.

1 John 2: 9-11 TLB

A man with hate in his heart may sound pleasant enough, but don’t believe him; for he is cursing you in his heart. Though he pretends to be so kind, his hatred will finally come to light for all to see. Proverbs 26: 24-26 TLB

Our heavenly Father calls us to work actively toward forgiving others and restoring broken relationships...

Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you. Matthew 6:14TLB

I am warning you! “Rebuke your brother if he sins, and forgive him if he is sorry. Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.” Luke 17: 3-4 TLB

Follow God’s example in everything you do just as much loved child imitates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to him. Ephesians 5: 1-2 TLB

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too. Mark 11: 25 TLB

Dear brothers, if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humble help him back onto the right path, remembering that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong. Galatians 6: 1 TLB

When you forgive anyone, I do too. And whatever I have forgiven (to the extent that this affected me too) has been by Christ’s authority, and for your good. A further reason for forgiveness is to keep from being outsmarted by Satan, for we know what he is trying to do. 2 Corinthians 2: 10 -11 TLB

BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES

The Scriptures are clear that we are both responsible and accountable to God for our behavior and attitudes:

Yes, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14: 12 TLB

And I tell you this, that you must give account on Judgment Day for every idle word you speak. Matthew 12: 36 TLB

Your words now reflect your fate then: either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned. Matthew 12: 37 TLB

God tolerated man’s past ignorance about these things, but now he commands everyone to put away idols and worship only him. For he has set a day for justly judging the world by the man he has appointed, and has pointed him out by bringing him back to life again. Acts 17: 30-31 TLB

Remember, too, that knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin.

James 4: 17 TLB

God disciplines those He loves in order to bring about a change of behavior or attitude:

Being punished isn’t enjoyable while it is happening -- it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character. Hebrews 12: 11 TLB

And we will never stop thanking God for this: that when we preached to you, you didn’t think of the words we spoke as being just our own, but you accepted what we said as the very Word of God -- which, of course, it was -- and it changed your lives when you believed it. 1 Thessalonians 2: 13 TLB

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from you own experience how his ways will really satisfy you. Romans 12: 2 TLB

When we submit to the loving discipline of our Heavenly Father, He is faithful to lead us toward righteousness:

But if we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. (And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins.) 1 John 1: 9 TLB

Do not let sin control you puny body any longer; do not give in to its sinful desires. Do not let any part of your bodies become tools of wickedness, to be used for sinning; but give yourselves completely to God -- every part of you-- for you are back from death and you want to be tools in the hands of God, to be used for his good purposes. Sin need never again be your master, for now you are no longer tied to the law where sin enslaves you, but you are free under God’s favor and mercy. Romans 6: 13-14 TLB

If you have really heard is voice and learned from him the truths concerning himself, then throw off your old evil nature -- the old you that was a partner in your evil ways -- rotten through and through, full of lust and shame. Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature. Ephesians 4: 21-24 TLB

But when the Holy Spirit controls our live he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws. Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there.

Galatians 5: 22-24 TLB

And I will give you a new heart -- I will give you new and right desires -- and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love. And I will put my Spirit within you so that you will obey my laws and do whatever I command. Ezekial 36: 26-27 TLB

BOUNDARIES

God helps us to establish healthy boundaries through His strength and guidance. Proper mental, emotional, and spiritual boundaries enable us to focus on God’s love for us, as well as the ways in which He can use us to better serve the Body of Christ.

When personal boundaries are weakened from turmoil...

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us -- they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5: 3-5 TLB

He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! Trust in the Lord God always, for in the Lord Jehovah is your everlasting strength. Isaiah 26: 4 TLB

I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world. John 16: 33 TLB

For the Scriptures tell us that no one who believes in Christ will ever be disappointed. Romans 10: 11 TLB

Establishing boundaries under God’s direction...

Lord, I am overflowing with your blessing, just as you promised. Now teach me good judgment as well as knowledge. For your laws are my guide.

Psalms 119: 65-66 TLB

In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Proverbs 3: 5-6 TLB

So ever since we fist heard about you we have kept on praying and asking God to help you understand what He wants you to do; asking Him to make you wise about spiritual things; and asking that the way you live will always please the Lord and honor Him, so that you will always be doing good, kind things for others, while all the time you are learning to know God better and better, We are praying, too, that you will be filled with His mighty, glorious strength so that you can keep going no matter what happens -- always full of the joy of the Lord, and always thankful to the Father who has made us fit to share all the wonderful things that belong to those who live in the Kingdom of light. Colossians 1: 9-12TLB

I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress. Psalms 32: 8 TLB

God’s continuing work in our lives...

And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in His grace until His task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns. Philippians 1: 6 TLB

It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others. Ephesians 2: 10 TLB

I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again I will see His goodness to me here in the land of the living. Don’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and He will come and save you! Be brave, softhearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and He will help you. Psalms 27: 13-14 TLB

Respecting the boundaries of others...

Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing. Philippians 2: 3-4 TLB

Yes, I am Still Here!

2011-06-01T16:47:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am still here, just have had a crazy, stressful few weeks, months, really. All is well and God will prevail like he always does!

I hope to start the summer off with LOTS of new blogs and get back into the swing of things!

This is Me, Then.

My House: Back Porch

2011-04-27T12:32:00.001-05:00

Well, I told you last week I was going to walk you through my entire house. Well, my camera caught a cold (aka, I stuck the wrong memory card in it and it got stuck), but all is well now and we are ready to roll!

I wanted to start with my back porch and end with my front yard because we actually use our back door as our front door. Weird, huh? But it makes perfect sense once you come and visit. So here we go.

Next up is my office/entrance.

This is Me, Then.

Quick Tip to Sneak Some Veggies In!

2011-04-25T15:35:00.000-05:00

*I grated a medium sized zucchini into my ricotta cheese and egg mixture for my homemade lasagna tonight. It gives the mixture a light green tint and the kids won't even notice with all the sauce and cheese on top!

This Is Me, Then.

Please take a moment to read about something.

2011-04-21T21:09:00.000-05:00

Please take a moment to read about something horrible going on in the Houston area and I am sure many other areas as well. Thank you in advance.

Brothels

Baptism Gifts...Shh, It's a Secret.

2011-04-21T14:19:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about getting my kids Baptized. The date will be set soon and we all sat down as a family and chose God Parents. I thought it was going to be hard to decide but our daughter knew exactly who to pick and we all agreed. SO, I have ordered these necklaces above for the God Mothers. One will have my son's birthstone, and his God Mother's birthstone, and the other will have my daughter's and her God Mother's. Then I am having a cross stamped on both circles and the word God Mother. THEN, I ordered one for me with mine and the kids stones and their names on my circle.

I sure hope these two ladies say yes! HA! I am asking them very soon and presenting them with the gifts to wear to the Baptism.

God Bless everyone during this Holy Week and always.

THIS IS ME, THEN.

My time away from facebook

2011-04-20T20:11:00.001-05:00

I gave up Facebook for Lent.

It was a CRAZY decision,

but God sure knew what he was doing.

I have been searching for a church for years now, but really made the decision in the last 6 months to really do it and be done. I found myself in a brand new journey during the season of Lent and my family and I are even changing denonimations with this new path. You can check it out here

My Church

and I hope to bring you blogs about our joining, getting the kids Baptized and becoming Anglican.

Then, I gave up Facebook for Lent and would have never known I would have a major stumbling block occur that involved Facebook. I thank God that I had the strength to not break Lent and reply and put hateful things out on the world wide web.

With that said, its all in the past and I thank God for opening my eyes over this season of Lent and showing me how to stand up for what I believe in. I can't wait to begin this new adventure and building my faith from the ground up. It's all so new and exciting to me!

THIS IS ME, THEN.

*update, my camera has a cold and should be up and running next week to bring you awesome pics of my entire house! I am going to walk you through each and every room!

Cottage Style, I heart you!

2011-04-12T20:10:00.000-05:00

I have finally come to a point in my blog where I need to stop blogging, or blog! I have been so busy with life that blogging has been put on the back burner. Well, I am about to blog it up! I am going to start a series in the next few days and take you on a journey through my home, one room at a time!

Here are some inspirational pics to get your minds a spinning!

Of course these are pics of my home, I wish! LOL!

These are just some wishes!

This is Me, Then.

My Day!

2011-04-07T11:45:00.000-05:00

Let's see. My day M-F goes something like this, unless I get called into work and then the house goes into complete disaster mode! LOL.

THIS WAS MY WEDNESDAY

6:00 am (really, no way, I reset it for 6:40)
6:40 am hit snooze once
6:45 am hit it again
6:50 am seriously, I gotta get up

My Morning Routine Moves Very Quickly. No time for error.

I brush my teeth, throw my hair in a bun, place my sunglasses on top of my head, turn all bedroom lights on and fans off, start a load of clothes, throw some biscuits in the oven, place 5 frozen sausage patties in the pan on low heat, kiss my hubby goodbye, he has an early meeting, and then go back into my daughters room and say "seriously, GET UP" and she always responds, "what time is it" and I scream "7:10, GET UP NOW".
7:10 Sissy is up and she also moves very quickly because we lay our clothes out the night before and bathe.
I made my bed and started working on my bedroom a bit (deep cleaning it this week)
7:25ish Sissy finishes breakfast and makes scrambled eggs and plates our yummy meal!
7:30 I try to wake my son up. He is not having it this morning and I HAVE to get him up because his daddy is at work and he has to ride to take his sissy to school. Oh well, I give up and decide to eat my breakfast warm!
7:35ish I eat and watch 2-3 music videos with my daughter. I notice my Mom's husband drive up a little earlier than he did yesterday, he is doing some work on the outside of our house, and I get an idea! Cash can stay in bed! He will be here in case he wakes up! WOOHOO!
7:50 we jump in my truck!
7:55 we pull up to the grocery store to pick up some bottled waters for lunches.
8:00ish Can't Beat Maria comes on the radio and i try to call and never make it through.
8:10ish I drop my daughter off and head home!
8:25 I pull in and when i walk through the door my son wakes up. He never knew I was gone! YES! Good Mom!
I give his plate a quick 30 seconds in the microwave, make him a milk (he has to take a stool softener daily and milk is the only way I can hide the nasty powder)
8:30 I start another load of laundry and start cleaning my room (which has a sunroom attached which acts as our second living room)
8:40ish I get on the phone with my dear friend and we yap until almost 9:15. I gotta go, i tell her, I gotta clean!
9:15-11:00 I cleaned my bedroom while my son went in and out playing and watching tv (i let him stay home from preschool)
11:00 I made us some yummy canned raviolis!
11:30 I was back in the midst of my bedroom deep clean makeover! I was moving stuff, hanging stuff, taking stuff down, just lots of stuff!
1:30 rolls around and another load of laundry later i started dinner. spaghetti with deerburger. Family fav!
2:00 I take a break on the porch to look at my new Pottery Barn Catalog.
2:30 Back in my bedroom and i must say its looking fantastic by this time but I am feeling funny. Must be the canned meal I devoured for lunch.
3:00 Oh, thats why i feel bad. My monthly visitor showed up, Mr. Period. I know he's a man because no woman would do this to me each and every month!
3:15ish. Still cleaning my room and sunroom. By this time I am mopping and dusting.
4:00ish My daughter gets off the bus, my hubby is home and its a bit of chaos.
4:30 my husband has to leave again for a quick trip, I feel like laying on a heating pad and everyone is screaming they are hungry. We eat at 5:00 around these parts!
4:35 my hubby calls and tells me he hit one of my new pots with his trailer when he pulled out. He will fix it when he gets home, I should not panic. I shockingly say ok, and dont' panic.
5:00ish we are eating, cant wait for daddy and the garlic bread. 5:30 Daddy is home, and he brought ice cream for dessert (love my hubby). So we all venture outside till dark playing volleyball and t-ball and just enjoying the spring time weather.
7:30ish I am back in, I take a shower and tell everyone mommy is off the clock. Dishes can wait, it can all wait. I curl up in bed w my laptop around 8:15 and just VEG OUT!
9:30 the kids come and ask if they can lay with me. I of course say yes, only until Daddy comes to bed. I turn my noise machine on to Oceans and set it for 30 minutes. I don't know when, where or how, but I woke up this morning and they were gone to their bedrooms and I slept like a log!

I live a charmed life, I know! ;o)

This is Me, Then.

"Cash, Want to Ride With Me?" was all it took.

2011-04-04T17:34:00.000-05:00

Field Trip Fun.

This is Me, Then.

In the eyes of a boy

2011-03-29T18:46:00.001-05:00

"hush, now, I see the light in the sky...

Oh, it's almost blinding me...

I can't believe I've been touched by an angel of love..."

"All in the eyes of a boy"

I signed my baby boy up for Kindergarten today.

I thought i had it under control, I don't.

I thought I was handling it well, I'm not.

If your volume is down, turn it up and listen to the words of this song by Celine Dion. My son was a gift sent from heaven and this song kills me everytime.

This is me, then.

Opening Day Of Little League

2011-03-27T15:22:00.000-05:00

The Real Me

2011-03-21T11:13:00.000-05:00

The real me is a city girl that loves the country. I truly LOVE all things homemade, old, seasoned, stories. I love it! I want to go to church and worship God and sit back with a cold one by a fire if I want to. I want to be the REAL me, not a certain me on Sunday mornings, but on a Friday night I am someone else. I don't need constant social gatherings or sitting around talking about how much I just spent on a new pair of jeans or a purse. I need the 3 people in this house to love me and I need my husband for the rest of my life. I need to go to our deer lease even though I would really like to be at a Macy's one day sale. I need to be home baking cookies and watering my plants. I don't NEED all these crazy things I see people needing around me. I truly LOVE spending my Friday and Saturday nights with my husband and kids. I am truly blessed and I thank God every day for those blessings and for taking the glasses off of my eyes and letting me see who my real friends are around me, that want the same things I do. And friends that forgive me when I stumble, not judge me. I am so thankful!

We ended our Spring Break with our son at our deer lease. (Our daughter stayed back with a family friend all weekend). We bathed under the stars, watched the Super Moon, road four wheelers, ate at the County Seat Cafe and just had an amazing East Texas Weekend.

This is Me, Then.

I Love My Life

2011-03-20T21:44:00.001-05:00

This is Me, Always.

Teaching My Kids To Fish

2011-03-17T22:01:00.000-05:00

I found these AWESOME chore charts on etsy.com and found out they have an actual website to go with this system of teaching your child responsibility along with their weekly chores. We aren't a "chore" kind of family. We mainly just scream once we are fed up with stepping over shoes or backpacks.

The two above pictures are my systems that I ordered. I have not hung them up yet. We are starting fresh on Monday. Take a look at the pics below and at the website for the exact system and video details. I will post more details next week when we get started. OH, and say a little prayer for my mom. She is having back surgery on Monday. God Bless!

Fishers Kids

This is Me, Then.

Spring Break 2011 "A Day At The Beach"

2011-03-15T21:12:00.001-05:00

We spent the day in Galveston. I brought my 2 kids, my niece and picked up my daughters friend that lives on the island. We had a great time and I LOVE the beach when its cold and windy. The waves were crashing and I enjoyed just laying on the beach and watching the kids have fun.

This is Me, Then.

Saturday in South East Texas

2011-03-12T10:21:00.000-06:00

I am LOVING the weather lately, my allergies not so much! LOL! I am happy to report I received my first paycheck this week. WOOHOO! It feels good to bring in a little money. Our commercial and residential landscaping business is busier than ever and we feel so blessed. This Spring Break is full of no plans. Just resting, planting flowers, grilling and taking it day by day.

I hope to bring you lots of blogs...

This is Me, Then.

Lent, Me and Crabs...

2011-03-10T22:08:00.000-06:00

Well, it's been almost 48 hours since my last post on facebook and I must say it was easier yesterday when I was up with the most HORRIBLE sinus infection, took some drugs, got my daughter to school, then got my son dressed for western day and dropped off at school, went to get a copy of my marriage license at the county clerks office, shopped at Marshalls, back to pick up my license where the very nice clerk and I discussed places to buy blouses for under $20, then to the social security office to finally change from my maiden name to my married name so I can actually get paid by my new job as a substitute teacher (by the way I have only worked 1 day this week, but I am not upset and these two offices I speak of were in two different towns) then to a lunch with friends and then to the admin office to give them a copy of the receipt from the social security office so I can actually get paid! I think I already said that. This was all before 1:00. Wait, let's back up. Monday my precious baby boy had Kindergarten orientation and I was fine, no tears, no nothing until the very nice "has an accent" counselor mentioned the words "empty nest" and "how many of you will be having your last, first day of Kindergarten with your children" cut to tears, sigh, "mommy why are you crying" you get the picture. Oh, wait, before the orientation I got called to work half a day so I went by my mom's job and told her she had to pick up her grand boy from school. She of course said sure, then I went to orientation, worked half a day, then home to my mom and son outside doing my laundry. yes, my mommy does my laundry when she comes over. Insert SMILE. Then sent my hubby and son to the t-ball practice from hell. Who cares! My daughter and I snuck away for Dairy Queen. Don't tell the boys! Then Tuesday rolled around and I don't really remember what we did except I made a HUGE meal for Fat Tuesday and my son hated it, my husband worked late and my daughter and I devoured it! That was AFTER she and I went to her Junior High Orientation (insert, my mom kept my son again, she adores my little monster and insert we arent talking about her orientation or I will cry again). So we are back to my crazy day yesterday that kept me from thinking about facebook and today I have stayed in my PJ's only long enough to change into sweat pants to drop off my work clothes at the cleaners and pick up a prescription. My allergies are so bad I have resorted to taking 2x my son's prescription Singular. I gotta get my own prescription. and insert I miss facebook!

This is Me, Then.

Oh, the crabs! Look at these dip recipes PW posted! They look AMAZING! Crab Dips

This and That

2011-03-06T09:16:00.000-06:00

I am giving up Facebook for Lent. Yes, I am a Christian, no we don't belong to a church and no, we don't even know what denomination we are. We were both raised Baptist/Assembly of God and we both don't want to be that anymore. Nothing wrong with being Baptist or Assembly of God, it's just not us. My husband is a HUGE history geek, me, not so much. BUT, I am becoming one and actually not caring so much who Brad Pitt is or isn't married to, and more about how the Anglican Church was formed and broke off from the Catholic Church and out sprung all these other church's through the years. It fascinates me! Which denomination is for me? That's the million dollar question! We are on a bit of our own Eat, Pray, Love journey except I don't have to leave the country to do it! (by the way, my father was born near Bali, her Love part, so I kind of feel like I've been there). As I embark on these 40 days of giving up something that has a hold on me I want to share all kinds of wacky things with you like why I suddenly recite the Lord's Prayer each night and feel the need to make the sign of the cross after I am done. Also, how I am put off by people posting things on Facebook all the time about "If you believe in Jesus Christ hit Like" and how some people freak when I slip a curse word here or there (its an illness, I cuss like a sailor, I am working on it) and look at me like they are so perfect when none of us are. These are issues, yes, I have issues! Ha! But, this week I am going to start diving into all kinds of neat things about me, life, history, new pics of my house and a contest!

If I have to give up something for 40 days, you guys are gonna get LOTS of blogging for 40 days!

This is Me, Then.

Want What You Have

2011-03-02T10:43:00.000-06:00

About to head out the door to sub half a day for 3rd grade. Thought I would share a few quick things:

I read ALL the blogs I follow. I don't always post but I read them! So keep on blogging! Its so therapeutic!
My horoscope for today: Break out of your usual routine today. Get a little kooky! Be yourself, without apology or explanation. You've gotta be you, right? Now when I read this I thought in my head "yeah baby" in an Austin Powers voice! :o)
And lastly, take a look at this blog. I find her very inspiring and enjoy her posts!
Want What You Have

This is Me, Then.

That Just Doesn't Work For Me

2011-03-01T13:03:00.000-06:00

Dear Me,

First of all you look very pretty today, now let's get to the reason I am writing. I just wanted you to know it's ok to be you. I know not everyone understands that you don't like to drink or drive after dark. I know to some that may come across as weak, boring, or stuck up. But I in fact know you better than anyone else does and I know that is not the case at all. First off, you enjoy drinking, you don't like to drink and drive in any form or fashion and you are trying to be a role model for your daughter. And of course you know she's not with you at a Moms Night Out or at a party but she's there when you get home, or she's there when the police call and report an accident you've just been involved in. It doesn't matter if the accident is your fault or not, drinking and driving don't mix. Secondly, your little joke about "not driving after dark" is not literal but it's so "taboo" to actually love and enjoy your husband and children. I know that you truly, madly and deeply want to be with them all the time. You, along with your husband, have created a homelife that is actually fun! You aren't being stuck up, you are just a bit shy. You have issues, a chip maybe, that you aren't as educated as others and you are trying to change that. You want so much from this world that sometimes a trip to Starbucks or lunch with a friend seems like a waste of a precious moment that you might miss at home. I get you. Lance gets you and one day your kids will. That's really all that matters. They are the ones that will be holding your hand at the end. No one else. Make deposits in the accounts that count. You are SO good at that. And to all those couples out there that live seperate lives and do all these things without the other, I pray that works for them because I know you want to be with your loved ones all the time! And one day when those kids leave some couples will be left with complete strangers or they will look into their spouses eyes and say "It's about time, lets get this party started".

Love, You

How Many Hats Can One Person Wear?

2011-02-28T16:04:00.000-06:00

When I thought I couldn't possibly put one more hat on...

I did and sometimes I feel like screaming, like today as I am trying to post on the board for my class before 6:00 p.m. about ac's, flowers and coffee grinders (don't ask)...

The picture above struck a chord because my bedroom has a sitting area in it and looks like this most days, a closet explosion mixed with some clean and dirty clothes...

Even the best moms have bad days...right? :o)

This is Me, Then.

This and That and Announcement!

2011-02-27T20:14:00.000-06:00

My life has taken a CRAZY turn this past week. I have gone back to work after 10 years at home raising my youngens!

I am subbing 2-3 days a week in our local school district, the very one I grew up in. It's so surreal. I am enjoying it so far and I am also looking into taking some continuing education classes to further our family business, commercial landscaping. AND I am taking one class right now towards my Bachelors degree that I am in no hurry to get since the state of our nations education system is in the toilet and getting hired as a new teacher is NOT in the cards anytime soon.

With that said I can't WAIT to get my first paycheck, as little as it will be I plan on framing it! Of course a copy, I am cashing that baby! LOL!

Last but not least, the season of Lent is upon us and I have been searching deep for something to give up that would make an impact on me and I have decided to give up Facebook! OUCH, its gonna hurt!

This is Me, Then.

Family Time in the Piney Woods.

2011-02-18T17:10:00.000-06:00

This is Me, Last Week.

Valentine Dinner Part 2

2011-02-16T21:08:00.000-06:00

Why did I set my table like this for Valentine's Day? Because it was Valentine's Day and I wanted my family to know they are special to me and paper plates don't always scream love! We turned the lights out and sat together and listened to the Glee soundtrack and shared some special laughs. My gift to my family was baking brownie cupcakes and homemade Pioneer Woman cookies.

All families deserve a "fancy" way to say Mama loves them.

This is Me, Then.

My 2 Do List This Week

2011-02-16T10:52:00.000-06:00

I love lists. I need them, I want them, I make them in my sleep. Do I always follow them, no? But who cares! Its a start and starting is good. Here's my list this week.

Wash two loads of laundry a day
~~Kitchen deep clean~~
~~Den deep clean~~
Bathroom deep clean
Cash's room (30 minutes of organizing)
Master bedroom (30 minutes of pickup and dusting)
Office (60 minutes of organizing, throwing out papers)
Put away all the clean folded clothes

This is Me, Then.

Jackson Valentines Dinner with Style.

2011-02-15T20:37:00.000-06:00

I will post the final Valentines Night Dinner Table for you tomorrow! I took so many darn pics because as the afternoon went on I walked around the house and kept adding new things to the table. Ha! yes, I bought and arranged those simple little vases. No, I will not do some for you!

This is Me, On Valentine's Day!

This Oklahoma Girl Gets Me!

2011-02-15T08:46:00.000-06:00

Holy Moly I LOVE Ree's new book. Its her love story and I enjoy it because it brings me back to my love story with my man. Sometimes I think I should start writing my story and maybe one day someone may want to listen. Who knows!

Its a MUST read! I am knee deep in their courtship and its so yummy!

If you don't know The Pioneer Woman, you must take a LOOK.

This is Me, Then.

Do I, or Don't I?

2011-02-05T22:37:00.000-06:00

My mind is telling me to get the black one. My heart is telling me to get the green one. Decisions Decisions!

This is Me, Then.

What's Black and White and Brown all Over?

2011-02-04T10:43:00.002-06:00

Me...HA!

As I sit here, hunkered down in South Texas due to the ice and cold I have surfed the web and found some GORGEOUS things I Heart from White House Black Market.

A Girl Can Dream!

And if I renew my vows one day it will be in one of Vera Wangs new Black and White Collection Wedding Dresses.

P.S. My 12 year old daughter wants a black and white wedding like ours was back in 1997.

This is Me, Then.

Tater Tot Surprise!

2011-01-31T11:22:00.000-06:00

Ok, this meal is very easy and very "gross" looking to cook! HA! But, the end result is fun and tasty.

*ground beef

*bag of frozen tater tots

*2 cans of cream of mushroom soup

*1 small sour cream

*shredded cheese

You place the frozen tater tots in the casserole dish, cover it with the cooked and drained meat, then cover that with two cans of cream of mushroom soup and the sour cream (mix those together and then poor over) then I like to pour a cup of milk over the entire dish for something wet (i don't know why i do, i just add milk) lol! Then cover with cheese and some salt and pepper to taste. Bake for 30-45 minutes at 350.

I didn't take a picture because we all dove in. but i promise it was yummy and fun.

you could also take out the sour cream and cream of mushroom soup and add a few cans of chili instead. VERY YUMMY as well.

This is Me, Then.

Easy Valentine's Gift with Heart! (REPOST from 2010)

2011-01-28T06:56:00.000-06:00

2010 Has Brought me to a Place I kind of like!

A simpler, homemade type place! This year for Valentine's Day I wanted to make gifts from my heart! I also want to express how happy I am being me, then! Yesterday I wanted to show you my burlap clipboards, but today I feel I must show you this gift I found on Tater Tots and Jello instead.

(go search her blog for the post and a link to download the coupons. I would give you the exact link but you MUST look at her blog! It's amazing! She is so talented and inspires me.)

I printed coupons out for both of my kids and my hubby

(note, DO NOTE get the coupons mixed up. My kids would not want to read a few for their dad! HA!)

Then I glued them on to old playing cards we had. You could easily run to the Dollar Tree and pick up a new deck.

I punched a hole in the corner of each one!

Then I used some paper flowers, brads and ribbon. You can use ANYTHING you want! Key rings, stickers, glue buttons, or just use them as is!

I am SWEETLY surprised by this craft!

I am thinking of stocking stuffers, Birthday gifts, party favors, recipe cards!

I mean the sky is the limit!

Enjoy and come up with your own ideas that fit your family! OH, and they can redeem 1 ticket a week! Make sure you say that up front! HA!

I had to close with the cutest couple of the year!

My son and B.Jane Brewing's Daughter!

I see my future Daughter in Law!

Valentine Family Craft

2011-01-27T14:50:00.001-06:00

I found this awesome stand at Archivers for $30. Then I bought a package of the flexible chipboard squares that will last for many more projects. I decorated each page w fun scrapbooking papers and accessories. Then after Valentines I will take this set and hang it in my craft shack and make an Easter one. I plan to make a book out of them all through the years.

This is Me, Then.

Working Moms

2011-01-25T20:44:00.000-06:00

This picture caught my eye for SO many reasons. One is because my office looks like this. Two because if I could, I would hide under my desk and let my children do our home bookkeeping, business bookkeeping, my college work and even check my facebook for me. LOL! Now I suddenly have this bright idea to go back to work after a TEN year absence. Yes, its only subbing two days a week, but WOW! What am I thinking?

As scary as it all sounds I cant wait to begin this new adventure of substitute teaching, helping my husband run our business, being a fulltime college student and being a wife and mother.

What scary thing have you done lately?

This is Me, Then.

Winter/Spring Schedule

2011-01-24T23:16:00.000-06:00

Not many people know this about me but I truly want to stay at home and be a "50's Housewife" I do, I really do! I will put the pearls on and wear the apron and high heels. I just love to be home. With that said, another part of me wants to bring in a little money and feel like I am contributing to society and one way I can do that and still be the best wife and mother is by teaching. I am about to start my junior year and believe I have found an online program through a great school that will allow me to take all my classes from home and start to substitute teach. This will allow me a little money to help pay off some debt and give me the flexibility to be there for my children. This semester I will be subbing 2 days a week while my son is at school and hopefully I will get called and stay busy! I am BLESSED w my mom and my hubby that will make sure my son gets to and from preschool on those days.

SOOOOOOOO, this means I need to get on a schedule/routine around here. Now, you may not agree with this but I enjoy cleaning on the weekends when my husband is 100 percent free to help keep the kids occupied and I am not sidetracked with pickups and dropoffs. I am going to be breaking the house up into zones so I can do some deep cleaning but until then I am going to get this house under control!

*oh and my frugal living has taken a DRAMATIC turn in the right direction. We have stopped all eating out and eat all 3 meals a day at home. No more running to Chick Fil A for a tea. I have been making my own!

*I plan on posting pics of my stocked pantry soon. I have been organizing it and I also want to make a "Jackson Family Menu" so I have a place to look at our favorite meals and the items it takes to make them! Gotta get organized so on the days I work we don't miss a beat!

*What will I do with my extra money! Tithe and pay of debt!

This is Me, Then.

Well, we managed 4 years!

2011-01-22T08:46:00.000-06:00

well, we managed 4 years of no organized sports! yes, we have not done one organized sport in 4 whole years! YES YES YES it has been so nice! LOL! Let me give you a run down of what our 12 year old daughter has done since she was born. not many people know she did all this!

beauty pageants:birth-2
ballet and tap: 3-5
competition cheer:4-5
softball:3-6
swim team:6-8
basketball:7-8
soccer:5-8

this is just sports! the girl has done SO many other activities!

right before she turned 9 she said NO MORE! she was done and we didn't fight her. she now competes academically each year and has taken piano lessons off and on and is just an all around AMAZING little lady!

NOW, why did i bring this up? we sign my 5 year old son up for baseball today.

LORD HELP ME!

i am SO not into bickering baseball park drama or coaches SCREAMING at 5 year olds because they arent winning. so if thats you and you are a coach, don't draft my child. HA!

This is Me, Then.

Frugal Living

2011-01-20T09:17:00.000-06:00

I am SO tired of the weather around here in Texas. Its cold, grey, damp and depressing! BUT it sure has kept me in the house and saving money. HA!

I feel so fullfilled now that we have decided to take control of our lives. My husband and I are grabbing our finances by the reigns and never letting go again. I just wish we would have decided this 9 years ago when we started our business. But, I know God has his plan for us and we just needed to make those mistakes to learn and grow.

Things that have changed:

*I have lost 7 lbs now in less than two weeks. Why? not eating out anymore changes you.

*In just two weeks I have fully stocked our freezers w easy meals for those

"I don't feel like cooking"

nights. That way we can easily pop something "healthy" in the oven or microwave and add a salad or fruit.

*We have already found $100 a month between two bills that we can save. Not finished going through and calling all our bills to try and save more.

*found a discount grocery store to start purchasing many of my staples.

This is Me, Then.

Fun with Vinyl

2011-01-17T17:56:00.000-06:00

I found some vinyl mailbox numbers in my office today while cleaning. I couldn't resist some FUN with my rocking chairs.

This is Me, Then.

Changes

2011-01-16T19:28:00.000-06:00

this week my husband and i had a "come to Jesus" meeting as he likes to call it. we really sat down and looked at our goals and our wants and our needs. to achieve the things we have set out in front of us we need to get in control. we need to be in control of our health, our spiritual life, our finances and more.

we decided to achieve those dreams we must get real, real quick. we want to be financially debt free except our home in the next 2-3 years. then in the next 6 years we want to have our home paid off, our daughters college fund saved in full, our sons at least half way there and find our retirement home/farm and purchase it with the intent of having it paid off by the time we are 50.

WOOSH! to do ALL this we need to get with it! Dave Ramsey here we come!

changes we have made this week, small, but a start.

i brought my own water bottle to the movie theater.
we STOPPED eating out or buying drinks on the go, ex. Sonic and Chick Fil A teas.
we ate out after church today w gift cards from Christmas and only spent $11.00 in tip and video games.
i have lost 5 lbs. just buy watching what i eat and choosing healthier options at home. ex. soups, salads, meats w low or no carbs.
called our cable company and knocked $65 a month from our bill.
stopped renting movies off the tv. Netflix only, or we don't watch it!

I will try and post once a week about any changes we have made.

This is Me, Then.

The Weight of the World

2011-01-13T19:54:00.000-06:00

Old North Church in Boston

I am just feeling BLAH today. I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders and I want to go back to being a young 20something with no cares! I feel so overwhelmed with the economy and we are staying afloat but its hard and scary at times. I feel like as soon as I get my head out of the sand another bucket of sand gets dumped on me again.

I feel like running away!

I just have to stay focused on God and my family and the blessings that are all around me. I am truly blessed, stress is stress, it doesn't define me.

This is Me, Then.

Terrific Tuesday Tales...

2011-01-11T11:50:00.000-06:00

On any given weekend night you will find my family around a fire waiting for some yummy food my husband has grilled! I LOVE my family and I LOVE to be home. Do you know why? I don't always feel welcome at other people's homes. I mean, I feel welcome but not "comfy". My house is comfy. If I have 20 people coming over there will be chairs for 20. If I am serving dinner inside for 10, there will be places for 10 people to sit even if I pop up a card table in my bedroom or office (which I have done). There will be candles lit, plenty of ice and cups. Little touches like my chalkboard may have your name on it, or I remembered you don't like beef, you only eat chicken. Those kinds of things that sometimes go unnoticed are always covered by me! I try! When you get to my house you will have my attention and everything will be ready. Do I live in a mansion? No. Does my house built in 1904 need some TLC? yes. Do we only have one bathroom? yes. Does it really suck to only have one bathroom? HA, YES! But what we have is a home, not a house. But what we have is lived in walls with stories to tell, not brand new brick with nothing to say. But what we have is patience and love instead of so much room no one talks.

Thank God for what you have and what your sacrifices have done for your family. My home costs less than HALF of any of the homes around here and its worth MORE than any of them.

This is Me, Then.

Happy Homemaker Wednesday!

2011-01-05T18:26:00.000-06:00

The weather in my neck of the woods:

GROSS! ha! Got to 70 today and its very overcast and blah.

Things that make me happy:

Doing 10 loads of laundry today at the laundry mat. Our dryer is broken and I needed to catch up and it feels SO GOOD to have all these clothes done at once!

Book I'm reading:

Absolutely nothing

What's on my TV today:

Not much lately but I am trying to catch the new OWN channel anytime i can!

On the menu for dinner:

Salad, deerburger steaks w a mushroom gravy (aka cream of mushroom soup), whole wheat penne pasta and fresh tea.

On my To Do List:

Take the Christmas decorations down and the tree! urgh!

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:

I want to make a Julia Child recipe.

In the craft basket:

Going to a scrapbooking retreat this weekend. I go to one twice a year and it gives me a much needed "short" break from life!

Looking forward to this week:

Getting away!

Tips and Tricks:

Give your home a quick straightening before bedtime, things like empty glasses or bowls or whatever laying around, just take them to the sink, even if you don't get to them that evening, it will make clean up easier in the morning and you won't have to wake up to a disaster house.

My favorite blog post this week:

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

*apple nachos! SO GOOD!

This is Me, Then.

Happy New Year 2011!

2011-01-01T09:19:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year everyone! I just wanted to start the new year off with a mission statement. Go a little "Jerry Maguire" on you!

*I have no resolutions this year, nope, not one. But I do want to say that I will live each and every day to its fullest like I have been. I will stretch myself to the limits when it comes to my family and I will bend as much as possible when it comes to my friends. I will keep my eyes on the prize (a degree) and not count the days it takes me to get there (who are we kidding, years it takes me). If I find myself spending more time with neighbors, friends or strangers than I spend with my own family, I will step back and say, "slow down Julie, your family needs you". I will start saying no when I get invited to or expected to throw a party that I truly have no time for and start saying yes when my children beg me to play candy land or watch a movie. I will not judge but try to lead by example in my marriage so I can show my daughter how a strong Christian wife acts and show my son how to treat that wife!

*I do promise to do the following in 2011

1.Get right with God

2.Get right with myself

3.Have Sunday dinners every Sunday with my family of four whether its at our table or a restaurants table. Set the standards HIGH for the future members of this family!

4.and invite my friends and family to those Sunday dinners!

5.Have date night once a month out of this house and once a week in the house (I promise you can have date night once the kids are in bed or tucked away with a new movie)

6.LIVE

I posted all of the above last year and loved it so much I wanted to post again. I am proud to say I have accomplished about 75% of the things I set out to do and I plan on kicking it up a notch in 2011.
This is Me, Then.

Some of My Roots!

2010-12-29T10:23:00.000-06:00

My father was born in Jarkata, Indonesia.

My grandfather owned a tea plantation some what like this picture above.

Most of the people are Hindu.

Maybe this is one of my people? HA!

I hope to visit there one day.

This is Me, Then.

More Random Julie-isms!

2010-12-28T12:13:00.001-06:00

Random Things That You may Not Know about Me!

I enjoy nice long walks on the beach...just kidding, though that does sound nice.
I can't pin-point where my obsession with black and white began but my wedding colors where black, white and silver.
I can't stand what divorce does to people. The effects last a lifetime. BUT if you get a divorce or yiou are already divorced keep the kids first. Remind them you arent divorcing them. Even the grown ones need to hear it! :o)
I have to have noise on at all times, radio, TV something. Even at night I sleep with fan noise.
I love unsweet tea.
I don't understand why people think that both the parents have to work and they have to drive brand new cars and build brand new homes. I don't get it at all.
I think single mothers and fathers that don't have the other parent around are the most amazing people in the world!
I also believe that parents that both choose to work or have to work are the second most amazing people (for sure the moms). being a working mom is SO MUCH!
I sometimes wish I was a single parent so I could have every other weekend off! ha! just kidding, but its a thought.

This is Me, Then.

Random Things About me

2010-12-27T14:42:00.000-06:00

This week I thought I would post RANDOM things about me that not many people know!

*I am a SUCKER for the Bourne Movies! When I hear that song

(turn your speakers up if they arent)

I get "giddy".

Its the one set of "action manly" movies I can watch with my hubby and not think in the back of my mind "did they really just say that cheesy line, and did that car really just blow up when it ran over a stick"? HA!

Its cleaver and exciting and has a story! If you want to "Bond" with your man go and rent all 3 right now!

LOVE them!

This is Me, Then.

My 300th Post! Better Give You Something Crafty!

2010-12-15T12:45:00.000-06:00

The pictures don't give this sweet little banner justice!

It wasnt really for sale. I saw it in a booth at a trade days and HAD to have it! The sweet lady sold it to me for $2.

Of course I could make it myself, but what fun is in that!

This is Me, Then.

What Christmas Means to Me.

2010-12-08T23:03:00.000-06:00

Today was my last day of school this semester and I am looking forward to making the most of this time with my family. While our calendar is filling up with parties, baking, movies, shopping and so much more this time of year also brings great stress to our lives. My husband and I come from divorced parents that all live within 30 minutes of us. I try to see the good in having our parents and step parents so near but with it our chest begins to tighten because four sets of parents means 4 Christmas's and then our siblings are starting to marry and date and that brings more good and stress at the same time. I guess the reason I am posting this is to say to all of you parents out there that deal with the same holiday stresses I do, know you are not alone. Those that still have your parents together, know you are truly blessed.

I just take a deep breath and make the holidays amazing for my family, no matter what the stresses are.

This is Me, Then.

More Blogs I Promise!

2010-12-03T11:46:00.000-06:00

I promise I will blog more over the break!

Until then check out my finished

"chalkboard" fun!

This is Me, Then.

Happy Thanksgiving 2010.

2010-11-25T15:04:00.000-06:00

This year I am thankful for so many things but I am extra thankful for my daughter. As she turns 12 in a few weeks all I see is my little girl with ringlets climbing out of her crib before she turned 1.

I love you!

(i took the following pics over Thanksgiving break)

This is Me, Then.

Thanksgiving Week To Do's!

2010-11-19T09:40:00.001-06:00

Ok, I have some To Do's for this Holiday Week! If you don't mind I will report back on Monday, the 29th and let you know how it goes! Have you made your to do list? Christmas is AROUND the corner!

You gotta have a list!

Put away all fall decor.
Put all my Christmas Decor out (minus the tree, we will do that after the break sometime together. Its a big deal)
Clean the house from top to bottom first!
Make these AWESOME chargers I found at Tater Tots and Jello (I already have all the supplies)
UPDATE: I started the chargers! Gotta let them dry for 24 hrs!
Set the table for the holidays.
Pick up our Advent Calendars.
Talk to all my family and make sure Christmas is set in stone!
Oh, and work on my final for my TECA class!

Whoosh! Its a big list, but i gotta get it done!

This is Me, Then.

Re-post from Dec. 09. Old Shutters are So Much Fun!

2010-11-18T06:19:00.000-06:00

Get ready! The holidays are around the corner. Find your old shutter now! Re-post from December 2009.
I got the idea to use a shutter from Buffy over at B Jane Brewing. She had a GORGEOUS red one!
So, I went to a garage sale and found this one and had to have it!

Well, we began to strip it so I could paint it red and my hubby stopped me and said, "I think it looks good like that, kind of rustic".

I have now decided my husband is a genius or clever!

He no longer had to strip and paint it! HA! But he did paint an entire set of clothespins red for me!

Love it and Love him!

The shutter will spend the other 11 months of the year in my daughters room for her fun pics and invitations!

This is Me, Then!

My Faith

2010-11-17T08:04:00.001-06:00

My family and I are headed into a new spiritual journey, one, that in the past has haunted me. I pray and feel that this time my search is over. I feel like I am at a place I want to be and have found a church that is the perfect fit for ME, not anyone else, ME.

My main concern my entire adult life is that I didn't sit in agreement with any church I attended and I have attended MANY, this is in no way just about one. I don't want to belong to a church that believes one way as a whole, but a small group of people in the church believe another way and just turn a blind eye. I didn't want to belong to a church that has these certain rules yet members of the church openly do it anyway. I am not judging in any way, I am just wondering why they don't attend a church that is accepting and loving of everything they do and believe. But, you all know me, I am very BLACK and WHITE, there is no GREY in my color wheel.

I am a very spiritual person in private and now want to really take my faith to the next level. I want to attend a church in my hometown and I want to sit in agreement with all that is said and preached on Sunday morning! I want to sit at a restaurant and have a glass of wine with my husband and not worry about someone from church seeing us. I want to follow all the rules and the prayers God has set forth for me and man has set forth long ago. I want to get back to the way it all started, not what man has turned it into. I want this for me and my family.

I am attending an Anglican (Episcopal) church and I am VERY happy. I pray that anyone else struggling with a spiritual journey takes the time and researches and even visits many churches like I did before you decide on one. You will know the perfect fit when you are in it.

We are Anglicans

Basics of Anglicanism

What is an Anglican? First and foremost, Anglicans are Christians – sincere, devoted followers of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures, the Apostolic Church, and the early Church Fathers are the foundation of Anglican faith and worship. The basic tenets of Anglicanism are:

•We confess the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired Word of God containing all things necessary for salvation, and the final authority for Christian faith and life.

•We confess the historic catholic faith as it was defined by the early undivided Church in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.

•We celebrate the two sacraments ordained by Christ – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper – with the use of his words of institution and the elements ordained by him.

•We find unity with the early Christian Church through the leadership of godly bishops who stand in an unbroken line reaching back to the Apostles of the Lord.

History

The Anglican Church is one of the oldest branches of the Christian Church stretching back to the earliest days of Christianity. We are the descendants of the ancient Church in England, and because the early name for England was Angle-land, we are called Anglicans. During the Reformation of the sixteenth century, the English Reformers sought to correct errors that had crept into the Church during the Middle Ages. Their goal was to reform the practice of the Church by the teachings of the Bible and return to the ancient and catholic faith. Thus, the Church of England maintained its apostolic ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons. Its form of worship, though translated into English and reformed, nonetheless stood in continuity with the Church’s historical worship. It was during this time that the English Reformers drafted The 39 Articles of Religion which outline many basic Anglican beliefs.

Faith

With all Christians, Anglicans believe in one God who created all things by his Word and Spirit. When humanity and creation became enslaved to sin and death, God formed Israel so that through that people he might bring salvation to all people. In the fullness of time God’s Word became flesh as the faithful Israelite Jesus Christ. Through his life, death, resurrection, ascension and the sending of his Spirit, God has redeemed humanity and established his kingdom. At the last day, God will judge the world through him, finally condemning evil and completing the renewal of His people and all creation.

Sacraments

Just as God’s Word entered creation as Jesus Christ, so God graciously continues to be present and active in his Church through physical signs called sacraments. God makes us and our children members of the Body of Christ through the water of baptism (Romans 6:3f). In the Holy Eucharist—also called the Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper or the Mass—Christ feeds us with the spiritual food of his Body and Blood (John 6:53f). Other important rites commonly called sacraments, include confirmation, holy orders, reconciliation, marriage, and anointing of the sick.

Worship is at the very heart of Anglicanism. Anglicans follow the traditional Church year which celebrates the major events in the life of Jesus Christ. We worship according to the liturgical forms practiced by the early church and preserved in the traditional Anglican Book of Common Prayer. Central to our worship is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. In this offering of prayer and praise, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are recalled through the proclamation of the word and the celebration of the sacrament.

In our worship, we seek to glorify God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. At its best, Anglican worship is beautiful, ordered, reverent, and joyful.

Unity

Anglicans are ecumenical. We acknowledge as Christian brothers and sisters all who share our faith in Jesus Christ and have been baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We welcome all baptized Christians to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. We seek to cooperate with other Christians. And we pray each week for the unity of Christ’s Church throughout the world.

Quick Tip for the Shower!

2010-11-11T07:24:00.000-06:00

If you don't already use Philosophy,

GO, RUN, NOW!

Get you this amazing bottle of shower gel, bubble bath/shampoo for around $16.

So many scents to choose from!

I have been using it for a few years now to shave my legs and the outcome is silky smooth.

You can find Philosophy products at most specialty makeup stores like Sephora or your higher end department stores.

BUT, I just found a lovely bottle of it at Ross for $12.99. WOOHOO!

This is Me, Then.

More Dino-Mite Pictures!

2010-11-09T14:02:00.000-06:00

A DINO-MITE Party!

2010-11-08T19:27:00.000-06:00

My Halloween Cuties!

2010-11-02T07:43:00.000-05:00

Do i really need to say anything? These pictures speak for themselves.

This is Me, Then.

EASY Party Ideas!

2010-10-29T06:57:00.000-05:00

Above is a pic of the after school

"Cupcake Party" Gang!

Spooky Spider Cookies are SUPER easy and extra fun. My son was so PROUD when I walked in with these at his class party. I think you can see what I did! Hint: USE Double stuffed, icing for the eyeball whites and mini chocolate chips for the pupil! SO MUCH fun!

Get a bowl, fill it with "baby ghosts" make a cute tag and bring a scoop! There you go! Oh and as you walk around to each child ask, "Would you like some baby ghosts"? Watch their faces as they check it out, swallow a big gulp and say yes! Giggle! Or say, "those not ghosts, they marshmallows".

PRICELESS Snack!

I knew about the Spooky Spiders years ago and thanks to my friend Heather for the baby ghost idea!

This is Me, Halloween.

Corn Maze Fun!

2010-10-29T06:01:00.001-05:00

Family Fun at a Corn Maze.

This is Me, Then

A Tale of Two Cash's.

2010-10-28T06:23:00.001-05:00

This is Cash

and this little guy in the green dinosaur costume is also Cash (my Cash).

these two little guys live in the same town and their parents run in and out of the same circles but this year is the first time they are actually in preschool together.

My Cash loves the fact that he has met another Cash and they are friends forever

(he tells me).

Children and friendships are gifts from God.

This is Me, Then.

After School Cupcake Party

2010-10-21T14:00:00.000-05:00

After School Cupcake Party for my son!

He had a "Boo-Riffic" Time!

Make it fun and exciting.

A take home snack for each kid's lunch the next day.

My SPOOKY tree!

Tree was $9.99 at Marshalls (had two broken limbs where you could see the brown through, I just used a black sharpie and you can't even tell.) the spider web costs .99 and the crows were $1 each from the Dollar Tree. A few had missing felt on their chest where you could see a tiny peek of the white foam and I again used a sharpie! I LOVE this tree! Very proud of my "cheap" centerpiece that makes a "big" impact.

$1 napkins with the green in my kitchen from the Dollar Tree.

I made dark chocolate cupcakes and did initials of each childs name.

This cut down on the icing and made this sweet treat a little less sweet!

Cupcake Set is from WalMart. I think it was $3.99.

This is Me, at Halloween.

Getting Closer...I think

2010-10-19T09:51:00.000-05:00

If you ever get the chance to go to New York, DO IT! Even if you only go once, you must go. Every move I made, every step, every thought, I always had 9-11 in the back of my head. As i stood at Ground Zero I thought, "did someone lay here hurt, or worse" "was someone standing in this very spot when the planes hit" and so on and so on. New York is full of life, hustle and bustle, and constant movement. At first I couldnt stand it, but as the days went on I began to realize what people loved so much about it, LIFE. Its everywhere. Sometimes when we live in a place where you have your own yard, a fence, privacy, we forget that there is life out there and we need to be in it. I try to stay active and in the "know" not because I am nosey, or want to control something (i do like control though) but I want to experience life ALL THE TIME!

The picture above was taken by me on top of The Empire State Building and you can't help but feel close to God up there. Yes, there is noise, but there is a silence that you don't get on the ground. The wind, the horns far off in the distance, and the movement of people can be ignored as you realize

"I am on top of the world".

I don't know how or why this picture inspires me, but it does and I feel like that trip brought not only my daughter and I closer together but me and God. It reminded me of the pain that was suffered on 9-11 and every day after. It reminded me to hug my family tighter and tell them I love them every day. It reminded me not to waste time. It reminded to learn to say no, choose me and my family over silly things. It reminded me to finally take a leap of faith and follow my heart and get to the root of religion and how it all began. It made me finally realize what was wrong with me the entire time I was searching for a church and God kept putting this same phrase in my head "Find a church that you can sit in agreement with. Not some of it, all of it". I pray that God has his hand on my family in the coming weeks. I think we may have found our church!

THIS IS ME, THEN

Enough serious stuff!

Later this week: Pics of all my Halloween decor!

Music I Love

2010-10-07T12:18:00.003-05:00

I love all kinds of music! Right now this song has me! I LOVE it!

Take a listen.

Nelly "Just a Dream"

This is Me, Then.

My life is pretty amazing!

2010-09-27T17:23:00.000-05:00

I thought I would toot a horn for a minute and tell you I am 35 and pretty darn fabulous! I have an amazing family, awesome husband and great friends! My husband is the reason behind all my fabulousness! He lets me fly, spread my wings, be free to be me. I have been a fulltime stay at home mom for 10 years now and I would not trade one minute of my life. The ups the downs,the twists the turns and the loops. This ride has been amazing and I never want to get off.

Toot your own horn! It feels so good!

This is Me, Then.

My priorities are out of whack!

2010-09-09T12:25:00.000-05:00

Let's see what I want

my priorities to be:

God
Me
Lance
the kids
our office
a secure future
my home
school
my extended family
friends

Let's see what order I

actually put all this in:

the kids
friends
my blackberry
the TV
Lance
a secure future
school
home
our office
Our extended Family
God
me

Somethings Gotta Give!

I am asking the Lord to

help me figure that out!

This is Me, Then.

School is back in, Let the blogging begin.

2010-08-23T10:28:00.001-05:00

My 11 year old is off to 6th grade!

Its 100 Degrees here in Texas and all I can think about is FALL FALL FALL!

I CRAVE all things fall!

If people didn't think I was crazy I would cover my front yard in pumpkins right now!

B.Jane, I think I will break our rule and start putting my fall stuff out before Labor Day! I can't wait any longer!

Bring on FALL, FOOTBALL and FUN!

This is Me, Then.

Giveaway Scout

2010-07-24T10:50:00.000-05:00

I am excited

to be on

Giveaway Scout.

Take a peek!

It's a site where you can see all the latest and greatest giveaways and information out there on the web and in the world of blogging!

Giveaway coming at the end of this week!

(Kari, I need to get you your prize, it's just sitting on my desk!)

This is Me, Then.

What Makes Me Tick?

2010-07-22T11:09:00.000-05:00

Michael Buble' really melts my butter
MUSIC in general brings me to places I can't describe. When I am feeling blue I just turn the radio on so loud there is no way you can be sad!
The treadmill. I am not looking at the pounds anymore. I am just going to walk until they all fall off.
Unsweet Tea.
A GREAT cheeseburger.
Outriggers Fish or Shrimp Tacos.
The beach.
Cash giggling.
Lance's hands.
Taylor smiling when she thinks no one is looking.
The Jonas Brothers "Burnin Up".
95.7 FM HELLO! That station rocks!
My blackberry.
Chalkboards (they are not permanent, they can be whatever you want them to be)

What makes you tick?

This is Me, Then.

What's Wrong With Me?!?!

2010-07-20T09:44:00.000-05:00

I am tired
I am excited
I am blue
I am happy
I am worried
I am calm
I want so much
I have it all
I am mad
I am so in love
I am not happy with me
I think me is pretty good
I want to find a church where I belong
I think I found it
I am a horrible mother
I am a great mother
I need to cut complete ties with people that hurt me
I can never walk away from anyone I love
I will never finish school
I don't care how long school takes
I am fat and unhappy
I feel great at any size
I am a terrible wife
I am a wonderful wife
I think I am going crazy
I am not crazy at all

What does all this mean? Who knows, I just know that my husband and children are my world and as long as we are together I can make it through this crazy thing called life! HA!

This is Me, Today.

Summer Fun Home Idea

2010-07-05T12:35:00.000-05:00

Summer Fun Home Idea!

I have seen this on so many other blogs!

Just take a chalkboard and write down all the fun things you have done or will do this summer!

Then check them off as you do them!

Don't have a chalkboard?

Print them out on your computer and hang them on the fridge, or frame them in a pretty frame, the sky is the limit!

Tween Room Re-do coming at the end of the week!

This is Me, Then.

Eclipse Movie!

2010-07-02T14:34:00.001-05:00

I am very excited to tell you that I was able to attend an 8 pm screening of Eclipse the night before it opened, actually 4 hours before it opened!

Security was tight so no one filmed or took still shots but we had an amazing time!

I am also happy to be a part of
Hale Yeah Events
and we raised over $800 for Cancer Research! Take a peek!

This is Me, Then

Eclipse Party with Friends!

2010-06-30T01:47:00.000-05:00

Giveaway Winner and Vacation pics!

2010-06-25T00:39:00.000-05:00

I thought I would share my TOP 3

favorite pictures and want to

thank you ladies in advance for

sharing your

special moment with me.

this past spring break we had a houston staycation. it just proved to us that it doesn't matter where ya go or what ya do, as long as you are having fun together. we each got a city pass and hit some fun houston spots.

Sarah

We just got back yesterday from an amazing trip to Alaska! We went with my parents on a Holland America cruise through the inside passage of alaska and stopped at 4 great ports. This was while we were cruising through Glacier Bay. I felt so fortunate to not only go to alaska, but spend this time with my family seeing God's creation. It was our first real vacation as a family of 3, but got to experience this with my parents. I hope to one day go back so my son can see it and remember it, rather than just look at the pictures, but if we never get that chance I hope he can look back and see the beauty in the many pictures we took

Kayce

And the WINNER is below. Thank you Kari for sharing something so special with me! I will get your gift card to you ASAP!

This is the last family vacation we went on before my dad passed away. He had throat cancer and could not eat, therefore, he was on a feeding tube the last five months of his life. It’s my mom and dad at The Lady and Sons restaurant…the reason we chose to go to Savannah, GA for vacation that summer… I will never forget this picture… It shows my dad happy and I know that he was able to actually eat food while we were on this trip…

Kari

I Love Vacations and a Giveaway!

2010-06-21T17:22:00.000-05:00

To celebrate summertime and family vacations I want you to send me a picture from one of your family vacations with a short explanation of something wonderful that happened on that vacation! An "aha" moment maybe, or something extra special to your heart about that time.

An Example of what I am looking for is below:

*I will never forget the first time I saw the Statue of Liberty and how it took my breath away. To share that moment with my 11 year old daughter will stay in my heart forever.

Julie, From Crosby, TX

Please submit one picture

and your explanation to me at

juliejackson1975@aol.com

I need all entries by Thursday afternoon at 5:00 P.M. Central Time and Will Submit them all and the winner on Friday morning!

Goodluck and the winner gets a

$50 itunes card to download some

sweet summer sounds!

This is Me, Then

Boston and New York

2010-06-13T12:44:00.000-05:00

I will be back next week with some awesome blogs

and a

SUMMER Giveaway!

But until then I will be walking around one of my favorite cities ever and one that I am sure will become one of my fav's!

Boston and New York City,

here I come!

This is Me, Then.

More wedding pics

2010-06-11T15:51:00.000-05:00

Favorite Wedding Pics!

2010-06-09T09:10:00.000-05:00

My Brother Got Married at the

end of April and

I thought I would share a

few of my

favorite pics!

More to come tomorrow!