Green Acres IS THE Place for Me!

No cute pics today, just a simple rambling which I am very good at and for some reason think that others out there want to hear. Deep down I want the farm, the seven kids (yes, seven), the land, the shop my husband has always wanted, the cloth diapers, the large family-sustaining garden, children who have a strong work ethic, respectful children who love mom and dad and grow up to be extremely productive citizens and amazing world changing Christians. I love the scripture that says Abraham died in peace and as crazy as it sounds - that's what I want - to live this amazingly long full life and to die in PEACE.
Now, if all of this sounds good then why isn't it happening? We have had our house up for sale for nine months no takers. It seems like me and my man have the same ideas (except for the seven kids - still workin' on him:) but this mortgage is killing us. Did we bite off more than we can chew? Heck yeah! but we've learned the lesson now can we move on?
I read last night in Haggai, (yes, a random Old Testament book which I am reading Old Testament books at the pleading of a friend whom assures me I can get to know the loving character of my God by reading them) this, "Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? this is what the Lord Almighty says: Consider how things are going for you! You have planted much but harvested little. You have food to eat, but not enough to fill you up. You have wine to drink, but not enough to satisfy your thirst. You have clothing to wear, but not enough to keep you warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! (emphasis added)

So, is this simply because of the economic times my house is delaying sale or is it because me and my man are not currently tithing due to our lack of money? Don't get me wrong, we are surviving where we are and I am enjoying it also. But our dreams are elsewhere. Are they being delayed due to our lack of giving the first fruits? or is it a time where time and patience will sale the house and we will move on?

Hey, What if We go...

Can not believe I forgot to share my family's spontaneous trip! Last week my man was off work and he was helping me make the bed. We were talking about how great it would be to take a trip somewhere since the weather is so BLAH here. At that moment we decided we would head up to Chattanooga! It was awesome! We threw some clothes in a bag and headed out the door. I loved it:) And where did we go you might ask?

The Tennessee Aquarium of course! We found a great and super cheap hotel in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA (a town I had never heard of but it is only 8.6 miles from the aquarium). The whole experience was just what we needed. We went on a Tuesday and no one was at the aquarium so the kids could run wild and it didn't matter.

Would love to show more pictures of our trip but for some reason I can not figure out how to place my pics exactly where I want them on this page and it is driving me crazy. One would think that I would be able to edit my blog the way I want it but NO I have been trying for 20 minutes now to move pics and it simply is not working.

On to the important stuff. Dos and Tres absolutely loved the hotel. They are now the age where they can really enjoy a new environment. Plus this was the only place where I allowed jumping on the bed. It was a real treat!

For the aquarium we all loved it because of so few visitors the workers really took the time to talk to us about the exhibits and the kiddies even got to pet a Sable rabbit. Not sure why the rabbit was in the aquarium but since this place also houses birds, snakes, and butterflies I guess the more the merrier:) When the kids started whining we simply loaded up and went home and they slept on the way back.

I completely enjoyed this trip and hope that we will continue to do drop-of-the-hat type of activities.

Nothing New Under the Sun

I am sure that every blogger questions her motives as to why to start a blog. Me? I am doing so now. Why do I blog? My husband doesn't like the idea of me putting my thoughts and feelings all online. I have told no one I blog except my BFF. And I'm not even transparent in my blog, I keep everything "cutesy and nice" for fear that someone who might read what I have to say might possibly think, "she's not a good Christian". So, why do I blog? What sense of satisfaction comes from strangers reading my thoughts? Do I not have enough people in my life to tend to and maintain relationships as it is already without adding numerous unknowns? (Slightly tickled that I think there are "numerous unknowns" reading my blog)
I had an English teacher who use to say "there is nothing new under the sun" and tonight however depressing it may seem for me, there is nothing new under the sun. Here I am again - overweight, in a time of extreme productivity which means I can not calm down to sleep which will eventually lead to me dropping the ball somewhere then getting behind to attempt to try and catch up with my list and be productive. Is there no happy medium?

Oh, What Fun It Is To Ride...

and what a ride it is! Christmas preparation, participation, and enjoyment is in full swing. I took the kids pictures this weekend and of course it is rare that all three are smiling but I still have the memories:) We had a fantastic weekend with Uno and it was a busy one. Our area actually had its first snow - well, "dusting". We ran out to get the kids pics in it but little missy wouldn't have any of it.

I had envisioned these three perfect children smiling perfectly and everyone who saw the pictures to be in agreement that all was "perfect". No, that is not how it worked out.

Much like everything else in life, imperfection and frustration crept in. At the end of the day (after two hours online trying to find the exact Christmas card and placing the correct order), I was able to say I had completed my task written on the day's list of To Do's. We'll see how the Christmas cards are received (hopefully with oohs and aaahs). Here are some of my favorite shots:

All three kids got along great this weekend and that meant the most to me and Numero Uno. His work Christmas party was yesterday. His work does a great job of trying to make this a wonderful family event. I look forward to getting back the family pictures taken there. His company hires a photographer for the event and each family can have its picture made.

Well today was an exceptionally productive day so I better head to bed so tomorrow will be also:)

-The List Maker

Get Ready, Get Set,...

It's been way too long since I've posted. Want to say I am proud that I now have one follower:) I am slightly tickled at the fact that it is my BFF.

True to my list-loving self, I started mapping out my holiday schedule last weekend and for next month it is going to be one wild ride. I'm trying to remind myself to enjoy each day.

Let me back up first and say, the Auction was a huge success. CCS raised $25,000 in that one night and it was our FIRST ever auction. I'm extremely excited about the future of this event. Here is a pic of Little Man in his school snapshot. These snapshots were sold the night of the auction for $5 a pop. The Saturday after the auction me, Numero Uno, my BFF, and her man all went to Lynchburg, TN to the Jack Daniel's Distillery. It was nice to be away from the kids and no stress for a day.

The weather was beautiful and we ate at Miss Mary Bo Bo's Boarding House. The name is a mouthful but so is the spread that they put on for each person that eats there. You get two dining options: 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. and I love it! Some of the best food you will ever put in your mouth and it is served in the old boarding house fashion (groups of people sharing a meal together around one table).

Going to historical places or any place that has a story to tell is on my "Love It" list. To hear how someone succeeded or the struggles or joys in the journey give me a weird sense of peace.

Now as far as me being off to the races, that is because I have figured out that there is a lot of activities going over the next 39 days. So much happens everyday that I wish I could remember most of it:) For instance, my man decided to get me a washer and dryer (well our broken down dryer really determined the buy) and he tried to sneak in a Christmas present but I found it. And what a find it was - a KitchenAid stand mixer. I kinda feel misplaced, I mean now my clothes are dry on the first cycle of drying time and when I bake something I basically stand there while everything blends together beautifully.

This Thanksgiving I have MUCH to be thankful for: I have an absolutely wonderful husband with whom I love him more now than ever (and not just because of the gifts), three amazingly witty and funny children, a beautiful home, a fantastic extended family, HEALTH, and God who is sweetly merciful in His guidance of me. Please do not mistake my thankful heart for someone who has it all together - no, that is what I have my lists for:)

Today is the Day!

So today is the day! The Holiday Auction. If you are curious as to how I am doing, I am up at 4:00 a.m. trying to finalize my "list" for today. Pray for me that I will not leave anything out:)

Here Comes that Rainy Day Feeling Again.

What is the matter? I am so annoyed, mad, frustrated, want to be left alone yet want someone to sympathize with me.
So, what brought this on? I am SO glad you asked. Last week I thought I would be proactive about the upcoming holidays since being proactive is one of the Seven Steps of Highly Effective people. My brother lives out of state and my sister's in-laws live out of state so my family (mom, dad,& siblings) rotate when and where we spend holidays. In trying to accommodate the traveling brother who would come to Alabama in November then have to come back in January to celebrate Christmas with us I tried to come up with a happy medium. You know what? The whole family agreed to meet him in Memphis. I text him to tell him the good news and guess what? He backs out saying he can't have anybody resenting him so they're traveling. I look at it as he's rejecting a good thing PLUS he's playing the martyr.

My whole family also has decided to go to Disney next year and since this will be a BIG expense we had mentioned that we would not buy gifts but put money toward the trip. Well who do you suppose does not like that idea? My brother. So finally I told my sis who seems to be the one getting the full truth of how my brother feels about my plans, "Fine, just tell me when and where to show up". Then she tells me I'm being a "butt". So, am I? Am I being ridiculous when I was only trying to plan good things for a smooth sailing holiday time? Well that idea is already shot right out of the gate since in the preparations we're all annoyed with each other . My brother and sis make the point they just want to sit around on the holidays and not do really any activities together. You know what my ideas were? For the kids to make crafts and the family to do a service project. No those ideas I guess will rock the boat too much. Yes, I guess my sis is right. I DO like to plan out what we will do. The idea of 17 people sitting around one house with nothing to do does not appeal to me for how I want to spend my Christmas.

How can I put their needs first? I mean isn't that what I am supposed to do? Does that mean I sit and engage them in conversation since there is nothing else going on? I guess I can do what my brother's idea is and go to a movie which by the way is another added expense. I mean is no one else bothered with the cost of a family of five going to the movies these days?

Like I said, I'm frustrated, annoyed, and mad. Lord, what is the right way to handle this? Because right now I know how the holidays will play out - my brother and sis making fun of me saying "Remember when [me] tried to get our kids to make crafts for Christmas?"