If this doesn't work for you, email me and I will send it to you via email. Thanks Jan for sending it my way... I already want to make a bunch of things out of here!!! (butterfingers, candy corn, cheesecake factory key lime pie just to name a few!)
Many blessings for a safe and happy 4th!
Amanda
It has been a week of fun and activities.
MONDAY
The boys and I drove to Albertville to meet my mom and little niece. We had lunch and then went to a local park and played a bit to burn off some energy. Its about a 3 hour drive for my mom and an hour and a half drive for me.
My boys first merry go round ride. We dont see many at the new play parks...
Little niece. This is a rare still moment. But worth it.
My mom and my very happy boys. They do love spending time with grandma.
TUESDAY
I decided to take the kids to the local park, about 10 minutes from our house, that also has a beach. Then I acted all pregnant and had to pee so bad I thought my bladder would burst so we used the big ole family port-a-potty and it was so gross I had to get all our stuff together and go home and wash the kids and me. It was a neurotic moment. I confess. I may have more. You have been warned.
Gift#1 Havin' fun in the sand. He actually kept that hat on the whole time. For some reason he liked it. I thought he looked like a flamboyant kangaroo hunter. Dont ask me where I came up with that. I may be slightly crazy. I blame credit the pregnancy.
Not the happiest expression, I admit. What I am about to discover is that he has a full on wet chunky poopy diaper (swim pant). Its not pretty. Its not pleasant on the nostrils. Its only the beginning.
Gift#2 proceed to have a few (5) more of these very unpleasant and uncomfortable diapers and clung to me all day and night and wouldn't even give daddy a hug when daddy got home. Yup. It was bad.
WEDNESDAY
I decided around 7:30am that I was going to take my kids to a park I had heard about. I decided to call up cousins and see if Hannah (in the future going to be referred to as Sunny-cause shes a little ray of sunshine) would like to come with us. So we were off by about 9:00am.
BTW-biggest outdoor playpark I have been too yet. It was GREAT! I didn't get many pictures of it... but next time I will!
Sunny and G#2 riding the beeeeeeeee.........
G#2, G#1, and Sunny testing out the water. Sunny dove right in. G#2 never really went in. It was a beautiful location and a beautiful day.
I just thought they looked so adorable here. And as these two rug-rats ran along and splashed and laughed until they fell over, G#2 was sitting on the towel with me. At one point he rested his hand on my arm and just looked at me and smiled. Oh man, I was in love.
I think it was at that moment that I said a prayer and thanked God for this amazing day and setting and these kids whom I love so dearly. God is SO good. And so faithful.
Sunny Sunnerson sprouting some sunshine.
THURSDAY
Let me just start by saying that I have overdone it with the boys this week because I think G#2 has sunstroke or sun poisoning or whatever it is. (FYI-I did use my Dr. Mercola all natural ingredient sunscreen at the beach and no one got red.)
And check out this new article on Vit. D and Sunshine
He had a fever of 102* last night and all through the night and up until about 8:30 this morning. How do I know it was all through the night? Because I let my little suffering child sleep with me and he nearly burned my back and side with all his heat. Man that kid was on fire. I loaded him up with water and lifted up his little body to the Lord in prayer. And some tylenol. But that did nothing.
I had Bible study this morning and so off we went by 9:25 and just got home around 12:30.
I'M TIRED.
And tomorrow is the 4th and I want to take the kids to a couple of parades and do some stuff around the house.
We shall see what the Lord has in mind. ;)
Many blessings to you and yours-
Amanda
What are your plans for the big July 4th celebrations??
I got this in a Forward yesterday, and although I have read it about a thousand times by now, as I am sure we all have, it hit me different yesterday.
I think that I am currently really trying to maintain a role of 'servant' in my life... I am trying to squash this insanely disgusting pride of mine and live my life with humility and grace. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE! Well, without Jesus it is impossible. Thank you Jesus for refining me daily so that I may be a better servant to you.
So I share this and pose you this question... What kind of 'servant' are you?
Would you scrub the toilets in your church if there was a need? Would you donate time and money and a completely anonymous capacity? (That one is tough for me...) Would you rub your hubbys feet every night just to ease his burden? Would you get down on your childs level, admit you are wrong, and ask for forgiveness?
Blessings dear sisters in Christ-
Amanda
I showered and shaved... and that's no lie.
I adjusted my tie. I got there and sat
in a pew just in time. Bowing my head in prayer...
As I closed my eyes. I saw the shoe of the man next to me
Touching my own. I sighed.
With plenty of room on either side...
I thought, 'Why must our soles touch?'
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine...
But it didn't bother him much.
A prayer began: 'Our Father'
I thought, 'This man with the shoes…has no pride!
They're dusty, worn, and scratched.
Even worse, there are holes on the side!'
'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on.
The shoe man said a quiet 'Amen.'
I tried to focus on the prayer
But my thoughts were on his shoes again.
Aren't we supposed to look our best
When walking through that door?
'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought,
Glancing toward the floor.
Then the prayer was ended
And the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was loud
Sounding proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters
His hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear
The shoe man's voice from the sky.
It was time for the offering
And what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man reached
into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled out...
what the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft 'clink'
as when silver hits tin.
The sermon really bored me to tears
It was the same for the shoe man
For tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the service
As is the custom here...
We must greet new visitors
And show them all good cheer.
I felt moved somehow
And wanted to meet the shoe man.
So after the closing prayer
I reached over and shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark
And his hair was truly a mess.
But I thanked him for coming
For being our guest.
He said, 'My names' Charlie
I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'
There were tears in his eyes
but he had a huge, wide grin.
'Let me explain,' he said
Wiping tears from his eyes.
'I've been coming here for months
And you're the first to say 'Hi.'' '
I know that my appearance
'Is not like all the rest.
'But I really do try
'To always look my best.'
'I always clean and polish my shoes
'Before my very long walk.
'But by the time I get here
'They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'
My heart filled with pain
and I swallowed to hide my tears
As he continued to apologize
For daring to sit so near.
He said, 'When I get here
'I know I must look a sight.
'But I thought if I could touch you
'Then maybe our souls might unite.'
I was silent for a moment
Knowing whatever was said
Would pale in comparison
so I spoke from my heart and not my head.
'Oh, you've touched me,' I said
'And taught me, in part;
'That the best of any man
'Is what is found in his heart.'
The rest, I thought,
This shoe man will never know.
Like just how thankful I really am...
That his dirty old shoe touched my soul .
I'm trying. Really. I would love one room in my home that is immaculate. And sadly, it is usually my bathroom, the room I spend the least amount of time in...and its clean, but not immaculate. I crave immaculate. The whole pregnant "nesting" thing has nothing to do with it. I think.
I figured I would start small.
For my submission to Tackle It Tuesday I decided to tackle my cork board. I love this board...the ease and total accessibility of it. The quick view of my favorite pictures... the quotes and websites and ideas that I have had on hand for years now...and that I constantly use!
And most importantly, the *beautiful* purple heart that hubby made me that declares his undying love for me.
But it was too full. And cluttered. And contained things that I put there because I had no other place to put them...or should I say, stuff I was too lazy to organize at the time.
So... I put all the pictures together and then got rid of the 'dated' stuff. And mostly, I took down all the cards I had made. The card to Coltons Baptism. (i.e. before I was saved and knew about dedications) The invite to Chads cousins baby shower. A Mothers Day get together invite. Personalized cards. Thank you cards. I made a lot of cards before I had kids!
Well, thats as far as I got. I think it will do for now. Most importantly, there is room to grow.
FYI-If you look closely, you just might see a picture of someone you know!
Have a blessed day dear sisters in Christ!
Amanda
OK...so it is only Sunday and we have had a busy weekend already... but I really felt like I had to share a few pictures with you. Talk about crazy.
Look closely at this picture. Look at the dumpster. Look at the red...thing...in the dumpster.
THATS A CAR. IN A DUMPSTER.
I can't even begin to imagine how this occurred. We drove by this around 10:30 Saturday morning, and it was still there when we drove by again 6:45 Saturday night.
And then there was this...
We took our exit off interstate and got behind a couple traveling on a motorcycle...
See that little brown blog behind the passenger? Look close.
You might have guessed...
ITS A DOG!!
I think I would be terrified of trying something as daring as that... but I tell you, it was one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time. Well. Besides the car in the dumpster.
Blessings for a wonderful Sunday!
Amanda
You Know You’re a Christian Mom When…
You get more excited the first time baby holds hands together to pray then when they get their first tooth.
Your little ones memorized a Bible verse before their ABC’s
Their first sentence is “I Love You Jesus” and you have it on video about 100 times.
Your kids say ‘Please Forgive Me’ instead of ‘I’m Sorry.’
Your kids are fully aware of what a ‘rod’ is and that it gets spared on certain occasions…
When you tell your kids they are going to church, they get excited.
Every time your kids see a picture of a book, they say, “Look Mommy! A Bible!”
Sometimes your little ones have to remind you to pray before bed.
I thought of this list on my way to take the kids to the beach today… but I am sure there are many more to add! If you can think of any… let me know!
God bless-
Amanda
Well, I have written my first article for ehow. It was very exciting for me! I am not sure anyone will ever read it, but I can hope that if someone needs it, they will find it.
Feel free to stop by and rate it (be honest!!) or just let me know what you think.
Many blessings!
Amanda
P.S. I have been wroking in my testimony lately, that is why this topic was on my mind! :)
Love Languages I know I am about 15 years behind everyone else, but I FINALLY decided to figure out my and my hubby’s love language. Better late then never huh?? Either just feel free to share yours or click on the link the (re)discover what makes you tick ‘in love’. And then tell me! (Hubby’s) Love-Words of Affirmation Apology-Accept Responsibility (Me) God bless- Amanda
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
Just an FYI-the beautiful green grass and hill is all my grandparents front yard in Bemidji. I remember rolling down that hill when I was just a little girl... and laying on my back and gazing at the sky, trying to find shapes in the clouds. It was beautiful then, and beautiful now!
And the pictures towards the end...that is the boys with their great-great grandma! She is 94, and full of life! I am so grateful that my boys are getting to spend time with her and get to know the wonderful matriarch of my side of the family.
We experienced too many blessings to count this weekend... that is why I was brave enough to even post pictures of me!
Many blessings to you and yours-
Amanda
Hello and good morning all! Just a few quick notes...I have heard that a few of you are no longer gettting updates to my blog... you may need to just re-sign up. That is, just look to the lower right hand side, find the box with the words SUBSCRIBE TO THE BLOG in it and enter your email address. Sorry about any confusion. I have also entered in a few different blogs and a few different stories in the left hand side bar... feel free to check them out at your convienence. The following is an article on vaccine information and safety... please feel free to check it out, but then do more research if you have kids. And of course, I have many, many pages of research I have accumulated over the years, that I could certainly share. Love and God Bless- Amanda From Dr. Mercola This Vitality Magazine article begins with a wonderful quote by Sandra Steingraber: “From the right to know and the duty to inquire flows the obligation to act.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, and my hat goes off to Dr. Chopra for speaking out in his new book, Corrupt to the Core. I can’t wait to read it when it comes off the press, and I bet a lot of you will too. Vaccines Can Kill Harmless Infants I do not have an anti vaccine position but rather I’m pro vaccine safety. If vaccines are going to be used they simply MUST be used more wisely and cautiously so innocent infants are not sacrificed and killed. You might not be aware that 6,000 infants die every year in the US alone from vaccines. As if this weren’t tragic enough the manufacturers have the system rigged by previously manipulating the government to provide complete and absolute protection from lawsuits. They have ZERO responsibility for any harm, damage, or deaths they cause. The only resource in the US is for a parent to claim damages from the Vaccine Compensation Act, which is virtually impossible to collect on. But even with these rigid, nearly impossible restrictions, over $1.5 BILLION dollars has been paid out to families of children in the US that were injured or killed by vaccines. So if you are a parent, you simply MUST research this issue for yourself and refuse to blindly accept what your pediatrician or other health expert is claiming. There are MANY resources out there and one of the best places to start is the National Vaccine Information Center.
A GREAT Tool to Investigate Adverse Reactions of Vaccines on Your Own
Here’s a great tool you can use for yourself if you’re ever curious about the safety of a vaccine, or want to have a more realistic idea of what the side effects might entail.
Go to the National Vaccines Information Center and search the VAERS database! It’s free and open to anyone with internet access.
As an example, a quick search for adverse effects to the FLU vaccine garnered 33,111 adverse events, and that’s just what’s been reported. It is believed that only about one to four percent of all adverse reactions are ever reported to VAERS.
The reactions just on page one include: two with Guillain Barre syndrome; rash; meningoencephalitis; back pain; neck paresthesia (numbness); and severe confusion to the point that the patient could not find his way home
Just Say NO to Unnecessary Vaccinations
If you follow my proven flu guidelines, you won't need Tamiflu or any other vaccine when flu season rolls around.
And please, before you blindly follow the standard vaccination schedule for your child, do your own homework. You don’t have to reject them all if you truly believe your child can benefit from some of them, however, at least take a look at some more sensible vaccination schedules that will drastically reduce the health risk to your child.
My previous article, The Dangers of Excessive Childhood Vaccinations is a great place to start.
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