Be Strong and Courageous

This morning our MOPS topic was presented by  Just Say Yes  , we watched a video presented by Mary Flo Ridley that gave Mother's of Preschool age children (well basically talking  age -18 months or so to age 6) the reality of the Sex talk that our little ones need. That our society, it's media, the public grocery store and well yes even just Mommy and Daddy kissing in the kitchen, a pregnant belly of an aquaintance kind of exposure for our little ones leads to questions that we the parent's need to be the first ones to answer. She spoke of being God based in our presentation that our bodies are creations of God and built for a purpose. She spoke of being anatomically correct in our telling our children about their 'parts', and yes she said the words aloud - (I shall not type them out as to not be googled as and offensive site or such). She really emphasized that we the parents are the ones in control of WHAT our children KNOW about sex. All in all...

I have always enjoyed the zoo, I grew up going to the Portland Zoo, now the Oregon Zoo . The Bears have always been one of my favorite exhibits, this was taken in 2007, I am thinking that Andrew is much closer to the height of the bear behind Emma by now. This was taken at sunset on the beach at Fort Stevens Park , in Oregon. I love the silohette of the wrecked ship just coming out of the water.   This was taken at the walk up pier at the tip of the Oregon coast line, where the Columbia meets the Pacific Ocean. Another Place I love to hang out is with the Shepherds, Wish we lived closer so the kids (I of course mean Laurie and I) could see one another more. The Older 2 only being 4 1/2 weeks apart still get along now that they have broken into their teen years. The lilttlest Shepherd 'kissing up' to the camera. Since I was litte I have loved the ocean and along with that the Light houses that  guard their shores. I can't remember how old I was when I learned abo...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwGvfdtI2c0

It started out looking like this - white as can be. Half way done at 10 pm we emptied the machine onto the hall way wall. Sort of Art Deco. The next morning we started with a trip to Home Depot for an extra can. We had picked up 2 gallons and realized it would leave us with no touch up or oops cover paint. And we ran out of blue tape for the woodwork. While we were there we picked up one sheet of the back splash I have been eyeing for month to 'try' it out. I love it!!! now I just need to pick up 5 more sheets of it. That will be a later this spring project. My hubby cleaned up the room while I cleaned up the brushes. Now I cannot wait to paint the dining chairs this summer and refinish the table top. I am thinking of going a totally darker burgandy color or maybe even grey.

So I have been wanting a bookcase big enough to house my scrapbooks for some time (they have out grown their home on the entertainment shelf), and this week Target had the one I have been eyeing on sale. I was going to go with the espresso colored one to match the entry way but in the store changed my mind and went with cherry finish. Since we are painting the kitchen a red brown color (I posted it below - Wooden Wagon by Valspar to be all Martha about it - That's for you Laurie) I thought it would be nice to have the redwood accent. Plus my Mother's curio is in the dining room and is a walnut color. I am even more excited to finish my next album this month.I have completed 56 pages since New years almost done with 2005. Watching Addysen grow on every page I did was bitter sweet with her 5th birthday last week. (but trust me NO Baby cravings from this Mommy!)

I know we get these all the time but they are always so informative. I copied this on froma girlfriend's blog, but it is missing a few question ( notice i did not take the time to renumber them). 1. Were you named after anyone? Not my first name, but my middle - Daris is after my Grandmother 2. When was the last time you cried? 2 weeks ago on learning of yet another suicide 3. Do you like your handwriting? Yes, most of the time 4. What is your favourite lunch meat? Black forest Ham 5. Do you have kids? yes, Andrew -14, Emma - 12 and Addysen - 5 OH MY! 6. If you were another person would you be friends with you? i think so 7. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Me?, Never especially NOT with my Kids - Hello? 8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes 9. Would you bungee jump? I don't think so, but you go right ahead - oops sarcasm 10. What is your favourite cereal? Frosted Shredded Wheat 11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No and it drives my hubby craz...

A look back - Ft Stevens, Oregon 2004 Easter 2007 Family Day at Keith's work August 2007 Their Birthday  Week 2008 Addysen is 3, Andrew is 12 Birthday 2009 Birthday Party (January) 2010 My only son, a joy, a gentle soul, a caring Young Man. (Most Days) He is an avid Reader, loves all things Sci-Fi (wonder where he gets that?), Is kind to every one but his sister, and cousin I suppose (we are working on that). For the most part loves school, and enjoys soccer, in and out of season. Used to want to join the Army, and be an MP Like his dad, but now not so sure. Loves to eat, (his mom's cooking is best - well except for maybe the occasional Red Robin or all you can eat Pasta bowl at Olive Garden). Praying for Him to come to love the Lord more and more, understand and take in the Word of God that is so readily available to him and know for Himself that even as much as his father and I love him, God alone is possible of the greatest love He will ever know. Blessings do ab...

So I am on the right track, for 2 days I have done what I set out to do. I have set out to read the Word, feed my soul and run 2 miles on my eliptical, fix my body. I have done both and pray that I am given to the drive I know that exists in me to conquer what I set me mind to. I really am a driven person, I have just been in Nuetral for way too long about the behaviors that are costing me my LIFE literally. I have this list in my mind of things I would like to accomplish and to do them I need to spend the time it takes to prepare for them. Maybe this week I will write that list out - get it from my mind to the written form and truly put some thought on how to accomlish it. I know that God's plan for me is not to be this unhealthy and disconnected from Him. So on to my journey I go. Can't wait for tomorrow.

I have been convicted over the last few weeks that try as a I may my priorities are not what the need to be. I know that God, self, husband, children, and then others is the road I need to go. I list self first before others because I know that with out carving out time for me to spend with God and take care of my physical self that all other will suffer. I am trying out a new schedule for our days that includes more 'me' time and allows me to choose healthier habits. I hope that in the weeks to come, a great benefit will occur and everyone will see the happier me. Hoping for the Best!

I love my Pampered Chef Tool Turn About - I could use 2 of them I have a whole drawer of utensils I cannot even fit in the thing. I do love my tools. I love the color our Living room. Even though we are land locked here in Central Washington, I love the coast and colors and feel of the coast. So blues and greens just are the natural pick for me. The wall color is Cyprus Grass and well I just love it. I love a made bed.  I think even if the rest of the room is going down hill, if the Bed is made it just helps. My scrapbooking crafting corner. Space enough in our Master Bedroom to have room for our family to get together and be with one another. I cannot wait to paint the walls, this summer. I am thinking of going chocolate and cream with green accents. Our master bath, with Shower and Tub. The double sinks, Never had that before and I do enjoy the convenience of 3 kids being able to brush their teeth with out a fighting for spitting room. having a clean kitchen ...

Addysen and I soaked up her last day as 4 by playing in the morning, meeting up with some friends, visiting our favorite stores (in no paticular order) Home Depot, Petco, Bella scrapbook, and Toys r Us. We woke up the next morning - the BIG day - and decorated her cake to her specific instructions. Pink with flowers, hearts, and Care Bears. Later that night we had her favorite dinner - burgers and fries (we did boiled baby reds - I forgot we were out of fries) and Rasberry soda to drink. A few years back Addysen and Emma started making silly bug faces to one another and it is just the thing to do for the camera!

The New Moon of 2010 and New Beta Fish, his name is Skills 'bob' Paublo Spellman

So we had Yoda soda and Jedi Juice ! Pizza and more Pizza And apparently 14 candles of the non-blow out kind can cause massive smoke - almost setting off the alarm!

So the day had come that I needed to try something with Emma's hair, so off we went to our friend Stefani and voila 2 count them 2 piles like the 1 on the floor. A pure thinning of the mane. We are hoping that this will lessen the need for me to help her keep it under control. Here is just couple of the kiddos - Jillane's eyes are so blueish grey and big!!! Addysen and Donovan both talk about their Brown eyes and how in their reflection you can see your self! Notice that Donovan who is 4 today is nearly 4+ inches taller than Addysen who will be 5 on Wednesday. They always talk about their age and size with one another. Addysen says, " I will always be older," to which Donovan responds, " I will always be bigger!" both are probably completely right.