God In His Saving Grace

My precious Alexander asked Jesus into his heart this morning! How wonderful is that?

Yesterday at dinner Alexander and I had a conversation that went a little something like this:

Alexander: "Where is God?"
Me: "In Heaven."
Alexander: "I want to go there and be with God."
Me(not really knowing what to say): "You can't honey until you die and then you can only get to Heaven if you accept Jesus in your heart."
Alexander: "I want to do that."
Me: Silence

I thought that maybe it was just a 3 year old being curious or something so I praised God for the sweet things he said and sadly did nothing. Until I talked to my Mom this morning and told her about the conversation and she reminded me that God had prompted his heart. That God is calling Alexander early. She also reminded me of the story of Samuel.

So this morning when Alexander got up I reminded him of our conversation yesterday and asked him if he still wanted to accept Jesus in his heart and he said yes. So we prayed and Alexander asked Jesus to come into his heart and save him. I know he probably doesn't know what exactly that means, but he will. And I know God has big plans for him and is indeed calling him early.

I Brought 'Em Back

I brought the kids' toys up from the basement a couple of days ago. They seem to be doing fine with respecting property so I'm hoping the lesson without their toys made an impact.

I guess we'll see.

I Followed Through

When I was a kid we were taught to respect our toys. I think it is such an important lesson for kids to learn. That toys cost money and we work hard for our money.

Last night was the last straw. Derek and I checked on the kids before we went to bed and what I found angered me. They had ripped up a book that Ashley had gotten for her birthday. This was after they had broke Ashley's sing and dance My Little Pony a couple of days ago.

It saddened my heart that I had not emphasized respecting property more. It saddened my heart that my kids were breaking things that were gifts that people had put thought and money into.

So this morning I took every toy they owned and put it in the basement. Alexander's bike and fire truck he got for his birthday are also in the basement. I explained to them why we were doing this and I don't think they really get it right now. I know they will though when it comes time for them to play outside or they get bored and want a toy to play with.

It is at that point that I will explain to them again that we respect toys and the like. Because I refuse to have children that think respecting property is a joke and that toys fall out of the sky.

I'm praying that my children absorb this lesson and learn what I'm trying to teach them. I'm also praying that I stay calm and not go crazy when my kids ask me 50 times where this toy is or that toy is.

A Thought I'm Having And Wondering About

I don't know if I've posted about this before and I'm too lazy to go back through my archives.

I'm a pretty capable person, I can fix a lot of stuff mainly because I like puzzles and I'll sit there until I figure it out. Being raised by a single mother you kinda had to be capable. There weren't any men around to fix stuff for us so we found a way.

If I see a problem around and I can fix it I do. My thought is that Derek works hard all day and the last thing I want him to have to do is come home and try and fix something that might be frustrating. My other thought is that I hope this doesn't make him feel bad. Like maybe he wants to fix stuff because that's his way of taking care of me and the kids. I'd never want to make him feel bad, I just want to help and be an uplifting, encouraging wife.

Those are a couple of thoughts I'm having and wondering about right now.

Thank You All

I just want to thank you all for praying for Derek and I yesterday. He had a really good trip and was safe. Praise God!

The interview went really well and they are going to the next step now. They want to fly him to Seattle to do a ride along to see how a day of the job goes. If he still likes it after that they will write him up an offer.

We are continually praying that God is the One leading in all of this. We want Him to guide each and every step in this process and so far He has. It's just about submitting my will to His. Sometimes I rush ahead and I know that I need not do that. Thanks again for your prayers, they are much appreciated.

6 Quirky Things

Nina at Portugal Bound has tagged me for a meme.

Here are the rules of this meme:
1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag 6 other blogger´s by linking to them.
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.


Here are my 6:

1. I like High School Musical. And yes I am well aware that it is for 13 year old girls

2. When I was a kid I loved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and I had a crush on Leonardo, the turtle with the blue bandanna. Again I'm well aware he was a turtle and the only thing distinguishing him for the other turtles was the color of his bandanna.

3. I hate it when people are rude. There is no excuse at all for being rude.

4. I love to watch old married couples and it brings tears to my eyes every time. I love that they've been married so long that they don't even need to speak, they just know what eachother is thinking and feeling at that very moment.

5. I make Derek crafts that I remember from grade school out of contruction paper. I cut the hearts out and use a glue stick just like we did in grade school. It's the only way I know how to be "crafty"-Yes I do realize I'm a dork.

6. I love to shave my legs and I do it every day. I love the feeling of newly shaved legs and it makes me feel prettier for some reason.

And now for the 6 lucky people...

Amy Beth at Ministry So Fabulous!

Grace at LifePerQs Plus

Rachel at A Heart Assessment

Sarah at A Beautiful Mess

Candee at Marchant Family

Melissa at Send Snail Mail!

Quiet My Anxious Heart

Some prayer would be appreciated for me and my family this week. Derek has an interview with a company on Thursday. The position is in Washington which is great because I miss my family and church family so much.

However, we want to go where God wants us. Please pray that our hearts would not be anxious in this time. That we would be wise. That Derek would be safe when he travels to the interview.

I appreciate all of your prayers and thank you for listening.

Birthday Party Pictures

This is the cake Grandma Kay ordered for Alexander.














This is the cake I made for Alexander.











Alexander and His cakes.

Alexander, Carl, and Andy. Derek lighting the candles.

Alexander opening my Mom's and sister's present-Thomas the train toddler bedding set.

Alexander in his Hulk costume from Uncle Joe. The big hands make noises and say phrases when you "punch".




On his bike.
Alexander and Grandma Kay.


Ashley eating cake.

Happy Anniversary

Happy 10th Anniversary Josh and Sarah! Hope you guys have a great day!

Happy Birthday!!

It is Alexander's birthday today! He is 3 years old. This little boy blesses my heart so much. He has the most giving heart. He's always wanting to help. He also will hug me and tell me he loves me for no reason at all.

The sad thing is that I can't tell him it's his birthday today. We aren't having his party until Sunday and since he probably doesn't understand why he can't have his cake and presents today since it is actually his birthday I'm saving the hoopla for Sunday.

He will finally get his bike, he's been talking about it for months and months. I'm attempting a car cake. I will post pictures after I make it. Let's pray it's a little tastier than Ashley's. The writing gel on her cake, I found out, wasn't actually writing gel-it was food coloring. No writing gel this time, I should be safe.

40 Things You Know, Might Not Know, or Might Not Want To Know

These are in random order as they come to me. I hope that knowing these things doesn't repel you from my blog.

1. I hate ketchup, the smell actually makes me gag.
2. I love to read, absolutely love it.
3. I love electronics, I could go bankrupt buying them just so I could play with them.
4. I'm addicted to puzzles.
5. I can't clean hair out of the drain, it makes me sick.
6. I love to write and have two books started.
7. I'm petrified that my books are terrible and I'm scared to keep writing them.
8. I want a black and white Great Dane someday.
9. I will name him Duke.
10. I secretly wish I had a superpower-I'm a geek, I know.
11. I love football.
12. I'm extremely competitive.
13. I love to run long distances.
14. I have horrible handwriting.
15. I often don't think I'm very pretty.
16. Red is my favorite color.
17. I'm a junk food junkie.
18. I love to cook.
19. I love romance movies, even the teenage ones.
20. I love carnival rides and roller coasters.
21. I cry at Halmark commercials.
22. If I had the money and space I would take in every abused child I could.
23. Large crowds scare me.
24. I'll only drink coffee I make at home.
25. I don't like Starbucks.
26. I like my steak blood rare.
27. I love making lists and crossing things off.
28. I like doing laundry.
29. I love getting up early.
30. I want to start a ministry someday.
31. I want a paint horse
32. I will name him Charlie.
33. I love to bowl, but am terrible at it.
34. I had a dog named Sushi.
35. And a cat named Sam-Daisy.
36. I like black licorice.
37. If I get a present in the mail before my birthday I open it.
38. Derek and I didn't kiss until our wedding.
39. I love the smell of new plastic.
40. I love the smell of tires

My Heart Is Full

My heart feels full right now. You know that full of emotion feeling? I feel like I'm going to cry as I write this.

My sister Sarah and I are finally close and it's wonderful. I can honestly say she is now one of my best friends.

I was catching up on her blog today and for some reason I got emotional. It seemed like she was struggling a bit and I felt like I needed to blog about how great she is even though she doesn't know it. Because honestly I think feeling insecure comes with the mom/housewife territory.

She has such a big heart and loves to help. When she came here to visit I think she did my dishes 500 times. I love her and thank God that He gave us a 50th chance to be more than just two girls who happened to have the same Mom.

I'm telling you Sarah-You are a great mother, wife, friend, and sister. You are doing a great job and I'm praying for you.