The First Commandment

Decently and in Order Pt. 6 The Laundry Room

2012-01-27T16:12:00.000-08:00

Our Laundry Room has a nice shelf and cabinets for lots of storage...when there is storage space, I get excited that means there is organizing space!

There are two doors in our laundry room one to the hallway and one to the garage so it was hard to get everything in one photo. This is the best "whole look" of everything pic I could get.

Inside the cabinets I have stain remover, soap, bleach, an iron, and a plastic drawer. The plastic draw holds on top: thread, middle: needles, safety pins, tape measure and on the bottom: buttons. ( Yes this is my complete sewing kit) It is all I need for now all I know how to sew is a button on and maybe a hole...lol. Oh and of course Duck Tape at the top! Just in case needle and thread does not work out for me....j/k =)

In basket #1 I have child safety mabobs.

In Basket #2 I have batteries

In Basket #3 I have light bulbs....I need to buy some more as you can see =)

The shelf has 2 candles and a basket. The basket on the shelf stores dryer sheets ( I got this idea from our pastor's wife)

This is where we put our dirty clothes.

I made this sign with my cricket and some vinyl=)

I have an over the door hook thing, so when I get something out of the dryer and don't want wrinkles to set in I hang it immediately on a coat hanger and hang it behind the door. Our old faithful ironing board we have had since we first got married stands beside the washer =)

We also have our drying rack and steam dryer attachment standing beside the dryer.

That is all for the Laundry room =)

Decently and in Order Pt. 5 The Living Room Cont'd

2012-01-25T07:25:00.000-08:00

Here is the Living room ! The kids are on the couch watching Pink Panther, but you can only see one kid...

Our coat closet has of course coats, my diaper bag/purse, our steam mop, kirby vacuum and accessories, and a stick vacuum that the previous home owners left here...I need to sell it on craigslist because I do not use it!

I love this little cubby shelf! I keep my running shoes by the door at all times to remind me that I NEED to go on a run(more like a slow job but hey it is better than not doing anything)! There is a race car over there in the corner....no matter how organized I think I am there is always a race car out of place somewhere in our house with 3 boys!

We store our hats and gloves and scarves here in the cubby shelf baskets in the winter time =)

Like I said last time our living room serves as an office for my husband. He has alot of paper work with his new job and will get more and more as he serves more clients. We will have to stay on top of everything so things do not get cluttered!

We had to get nicer printer and fax machine for Chris' job too. He really does read all these book on top of the desk too! I think he is reading like 15 different books right now including My Upmost for his Highest, and lots of Bible dictionary and concordance things in addition to daily Bible reading and his Business books. Chris reads alot!

Underneath the desk he keeps two storage totes and the paper shredder.

This is what was in one of the totes....I was being nosey ....lol. There are more boxes: one with wires, one with note cards, the other with envelopes containing receipts keeping track of his business expenses, a business CD and Microsoft Office. The other tote had printer paper, folders, and more business books.

I am thankful for a husband who loves to organize even more than me sometimes =)

Decently and in Order Pt. 4 The Living Room

2012-01-21T09:21:00.001-08:00

Our living room is very multi-functional especially since Chris now has his office at home =) I will focus on the office side next time I post. The three things that are out on this side of the living room are the excersaucer, the bookshelf and Entertainment stand.
All we keep on the entertainment shelf is the wii, wii remotes, wii balance board, and dvd player. It makes it much easier to keep up with dusting only having these items out.
Here is a look into one of our black organizing boxes on the book shelf...you probably guessed there were books in here!!!

I keep a photo album for each child from birth to 2 years old =) I will admit Joshua's is not finished and Rachel's is empty.

The bottom two storage boxes hold the wii accessories, and 3 cd/dvd holding zipper cases that are black and you most likely cannot see in this picture.

On the middle shelf we keep 2 photo albums with the sticky back and pull away clear film to hold larger photos and wallet photo, 2 photo boxes, and a picture frame. I just yesterday organized all the photos in the boxes from 1982-2011!! I also came up with quite a large burn pile (on the right of the photo) mainly from the days before I knew Christ and would never want anyone to see them ever!!

Decently and in Order Pt. 3 The Dining room

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

Well as you can see from the pictures there is not much to organize in my dining room. I love having a clear space! I think of Deuteronomy 11:19
" And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house ...". I believe we should have a clear table to clear our thoughts and focus on what God has given us on our plate. I know some people can think clearly with a ton of things and projects all around the table. They just simply pile them up and make a place for their plate to eat, but that is not me! I have a seriously hard time getting on to the next task with clutter; even if that next task is sitting down to eat. Maybe I should see a psychologist...Anyway all we have in our dining room beside the table and chairs, is a mirror on the wall, blinds, and valences. I am thinking of putting a storage ottoman over there underneath the mirror, and getting some kind of candles and rocks centerpiece on the table =) Also since my last post of keeping all things in the cabinets, I have decided to leave the juicer on the counter just because it is constantly used, washed and drying. I have a hard time getting every little crevice dry all the way so I don't want it in a closed environment. If there is a certain thing or things that is always on your counter please don't beat yourself up about it ;)

Decently and in Order Pt. 2 The Kitchen Continued

2012-01-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

Welcome to part two of my series on home organization read pt. 1 first here
http://logansinmo.blogspot.com/2011/12/decency-and-good-order-pt-1-kitchen.html

The Refrigerator

Our refrigerator is very nice in that it has ample storage space with 3 sliding drawers at the bottom, 3 slide out shelves and a wine rack that I use for eggs =)

The Drawers

I keep like items together, so baking things in one drawer, utensils in another, cloth items in another....you get the picture.

Can Food

This is pretty easy to organize since most cans are a similar size and shape, I put all the like food together too =)

More Drawers

to the right our "junk drawer" with flashlight, rods, tape, scissors, screwdrivers, pens, pencils, stapler, pencil sharpener and other random things that don't seem to have a category of their own. Then my "cloth drawer" where I store bibs and pot holders =)

Small appliances

I even keep most small appliance off of the counter because it looks cluttered with too many things out. Our kitchen fits everything just right, so I don't have to stare at things I only use once a month =)

Cups

I love these cups with the children's names on them so there is never the "this is not my cup, I need to dirty a new one" problem. They only drink water in these cups. The cups are one thing that is constantly on the counter because I want to encourage them to drink as much water as they want =)

Seating

All of our children eat right at the bar in the kitchen so most days I never even have to wipe my dining table =)

2012 Goals

2012-01-07T08:32:00.000-08:00

Wow, 2011 just disappeared into thin air! The birth of our fourth child and first girl, My two sisters got saved, Chris' last half of the Afghanistan deployment, moving from Springfield Virginia back to Whiteman AFB, voluntarily separating from the Air Force, Paying for a home with 100% cash in Springfield, MO, joining a new church, Chris finding a new job as an insurance broker. We had alot of big life changes to say the least, many were unexpected but God directs our steps not me =). I have some personal goals I wanted to write down to hold myself accountable and track progress through out the year. So here they are =)

1) Read through the bible in one year

2)Read 6 books

3)Pass out a gospel tract to every store clerk

4)Eat out only once a week

5) Run 7.5 miles a week

6) In home dvd work out once a week

7)Take vitamins and juice daily

8)Reduce weight to 130 lbs.

9)Keep up with hair cuts quarterly

10) Improve home organization

Well I hope that is an encouragement to someone somewhere, this is the first year I have set goals so I am excited and know that I can do all things through Christ which strenghtheneth me =)

Decently and in Order Pt. 1 The Kitchen

2011-12-13T18:27:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a strong believer in doing everything decently and in order. I love organization! I love staying home with the kids and being a keeper at home. I take my job very seriously and know that my home is a reflection of my family and my savior.
Marrying a military man also helped hone in on my organizing skills and taking ideas from other great keepers at home. We all know that God says things should be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).

When people walk into our home, they almost always say something like "wow you are so organized". God gives me ideas, strength and help to keep everything together =) I know alot of ladies who are even more organized than me, but I know alot more who would like to be more organized. The truth is we all could be more organized. God is the God of Order and not of confusion, and our soul should never be at complete rest until everything is in order. I know there are times when the wife is very sick, just had a baby, is disabled or just had a week of entertaining. Those are times when we should take a rest and not be so uptight about cleanliness and order for our own good. That is not to say to quit completely and wait for your mom to come clean your house! I hope this series will give you some ideas of how to organize your own home. My home is in no way perfect and there are storms of mess from time to time but I make a conscious effort to clean up! My husband might tell you otherwise...but don't listen to him....just kidding!

Anyway here are some of the highlights from my kitchen =)

My awesome pantry organizer from Target it was $39.99!

I love love love baskets! They are usually a little more expensive than plastic but I think it adds character and more concealedness...if that is a word.

Under the sink not as pretty...I know but it keeps things organized and I know where everything is. I like the plastic show off box because it will keep water out, if there happens to be a leak, I store things like gloves and sponges in here.

No organizing materials needed here. Just put like things next to each other.

Tiered spice rack and airtight clear containers make a world of a difference!

Ebay Not as Cool as Craigslist

2011-12-11T19:42:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I decided I would try my hand at ebay. The craigslist responders were just a little on the slow side here in Springfield Missouri; not quite what I was used to in Springfield, VA or Las Vegas, NV. I had put some nice things on Craigslist and nobody had responded in two weeks of having it posted! A Childrens Place peacoat was among other nice things listed I had to offer bargain seekers.
I looked into ebay and thought I had it all figured out: Small flat rate shipping $5, starting your auction at $.99 is free, ebay only charges if your item sells, auctions last a week etc, etc,....So I went on and posted 5 things: 2 old camera battery chargers with batteries, 2 old modems and routers, and the Childrens Place pea coat.
Well the first item to sell was the peacoat .....for $2.25! Crazy I know somebody just got a steal of a deal. Not too excited about letting the coat go for that little but hey it is $2.25 I didn't have before right? ...Wrong we tried to get some small flat rate boxes at the post office but they were out. I notified all of my buyers via email that I would get the boxes asap and even ordered them through the USPS website (however this took a week to get them so I went back to the Post office)
Next time there are boxes at the post office and guess what... the coat does not fit in there! I already had printed out the shipping label through ebay for the small flat rate box....so I thought I could go home and cancel the first label and make a new one...Nope....more than 20 hours had passed since I originally printed it and could not cancel. Again I notify the buyer on the status of the coat. Then I go out again to the post office and of course I forget my clear packing tape at home to affix the label on the box that cost $10.95 to ship! No way am I buying the Post office tape for $4 more since I already am losing $4 to ship the coat in the first place. I take the initiative and notify the buyer again on the status of the coat. I went out to the post office again that same day and had it shipped.
The next day I get this mean email from the buyer accusing me of lying and stating that this is "absurd" and I need to "overnight" the coat and I am going to be "reported to ebay" .....and there are "freezing temperatures" ...Okay lady calm down, it has only been 9 days from the time of purchase to the time of shipment,I kept you informed the whole time and was not avoiding you at all. I wouldn't be complaining either you just got a coat for 98% off of retail value and If your baby is freezing because you are waiting for the peacoat that is not something reporting to ebay can fix.....maybe child protective services can help... I don't know?
In the meantime Craigslisters were calling and texting me nonstop and I made about $80 on craigslist! Then I found this super awesome store called Other Mothers. I took in some baby stuff there and got $46 store credit! The store credit will never expire and their kids clothes go up to size 16. Also Way better than ebay! I will say the old camera batteries most likely will not have sold on craigslist and brought in $18 of profit after shipping charges for me so that was good =) I did put gospel tracts in all my packages and pray that my delayed shipping was not a bad testimony and that God would be glorified in all that I do =)

100% down on a house

2011-10-22T16:32:00.001-07:00

It is official My husband and I are homeowners! God has been way too good to us! Chris has voluntarily separated from the Air Force as of October 1, and God led our final PCS to Springfield, Missouri. The Lord really put it on my husband's heart to pay for a home in cash. I was at first resistant because I thought in our price range we would need a fixer upper. I am so glad we did not take out a mortgage! I love our new home so much. We found the home and 10 days later we closed and moved in! Paying with cash has some serious benefits, closing cost were only $400 ,we got 8% off the asking price, and we don't have to worry about forclosure ever! We even had enough left over in our house budget for brand new appliances!

Our reunion Story !

2011-08-18T11:16:00.000-07:00

It is Thursday and I am Still busy thanking God for bringing Chris home from Afghanistan safe on Tuesday night! We were so excited for him to be coming home and arriving at an airport only an hour away from home. I bought Rachel a patriotic dress and hair bow, the boys wore red shirts and blue jeans, I bought a blue top, red head band and borrowed a white skirt from my sister. We made signs and brought American flags. We were ready. Camara charged, and left home 2 hours early. We got there and of course the plane had been delayed by about 2 hours. The staff at the USO was great we played in the play room, ate cup of noodles, girl scout cookies, and candy. It was getting close to his arrival and we got word that the plane had landed. We headed out to the terminal and I realized my camara was not working!!! Then Noah said he had to potty (too much Sunny D at the USO). I can just imagine what my face looked like at this point. First things first I went to take Noah to the potty back in the USO. Now onto my biggest problem no camara!!! I tried pulling the lens out with my teeth didn't work too well. I remembered passing by a very strange vending machine. It was a vending machine made by Best Buy and had nintendo video games, gps's, and of course camaras!! The problem was the cheapest camara in there was $179.99. I stood there for a minute and contemplated...Would I pay $179.99 for a picture of my children welcoming their daddy home from Afghanistan? My answer: priceless!! So I swiped my debit card and the camara came out of the shoot like a box of candy! I opened it up and put the battery in of course it didn't work b/c it was not charged. I began to scour the airport for an outlet I found one not too far from the terminal and charged it up. Then after much waiting and waiting about 20 people came out of the double doors at about 2-5 minutes apart before my husband came out. Then finally he came out. I saw him looking confused b/c Operation Welcome Home was there clapping and ringing bells and shaking hands with the service members as they came out. Very nice of them to do but I know my husband and he was not looking for any celebration from random patriots he wanted to see us =) So we walked over and exchanged kisses =) He is in Missouri now doing in processing stuff and then Lord willing he will be back here in Va in a few days!

Bouncing Back after Baby

2011-07-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have been eternally pregnant here lately and my body does not know what normal is supposed to be. I have been pregnant and or breastfeeding non stop since June 2005. I know alot of ladies that have more children than me and even closer together so I am not conplaining or making an excuse here...I mean look at Michelle Duggar that lady has 20 kids I think and looks better than some people who never had any kids! When I got married I was about 145lbs. That is what I would say is normal. I am 5'6. After I had Christian I was about 165lbs. That felt a little uncomfortable to me and none of the weight ever came off only more came on. When Christian was 6 month old or so I got pregnant with Noah. Chris deployed when I was 7 months pregnant with Noah and I went to live with Charlotte and ate chocolate every day and would walk through the kitchen to use the bathroom everynight when I woke up to use the bathroom. I think I was close to 200lbs. After I had Noah I was holding steady at 176lbs. This weight also did not come off. I was going on walks doing tae bo eating home made meals with organic meats....Then I read a book called Gods Way to Ultimate Health by George Malkmus. It seems a bit crazy this guy ate only raw fruits and vegetables and juiced them as well for a year and healed his colon cancer. I thought I would give it a try. I lost 40lbs in 3 months and did put any back on until I got pregnant again. I was able to stay under 135lbs I couldn't believe it, I felt so much better and became more active. Joshua's pregnancy was pretty good I got to about 167lbs. After I had him it took about 9 months to loose the weight by just continuing with juicing and trying to add as many raw fruits and veggies in when ever possible and limiting animal products. Rachel's pregnancy was almost the same. She is 5 months old now and I have 10 more pounds to loose. Eating healthy is not a diet it is something that you must do to live a good life. On a typical day I will try and make carrot juice with something green in it too. Have oatmeal or cereal or yogurt and granola. Eat atleast one really big mega salad with spinach leaves. Eat some brown rice/quinoa some samon or lentils, and lots of fruits. There is always junk food around me. I cave in almost always, that is one area I really need to give over to the Lord I know sugar is terrible for your body. I feel like the apostle Paul when he said for the will is present with me but how to perform that whick is good I find not. Today we went to Trader Joes and I bought some chocolate covered almond clusters. I love Trader Joes' constant supply of organic produce but seriously think it would help if they got rid of all those good looking sweets! Lord willing I will be somewhere around 135 when Chris comes home in a few weeks!!!

Northern Virginia Driver Strikes at Last!

2011-07-21T14:58:00.001-07:00

Well within the first few hours of being here in Northern Virginia we noticed that there was a bit of an impatient spirit haunting the roads. I think someone beeped at us at least once a day to tell us to pick up the pace. Parking lots are a fight for the best spot and people will run you over with your baby in your arms to make sure they get the best spot even though they are young and healthy with no kids and could have parked a little further away. I was just saying to myself I cannot believe we have been here for almost a year without some one crashing into us. I spoke too soon because after leaving Target with some friends I came back to my car to find a note on it. The note explained how sorry someone was for their accident of scraping the side of my car. As I was buckling the kids in the lady pulled up next to me and gave me her insurance info and kept asking about someone calling the police on her after she hit the van. God must have been watching out for us because all of my friends were in the store with me when it happened. I don't know if she would have been so kind as to leave her info if someone hadn't stopped and written her license plates down. Well anyway, I remained calm and was not even upset really. I figured I should go ahead and get it fixed as my friends advised incase we wanted to resell it oneday. So I went ahead and had it fixed, I got to ride around in a 2011 mini van for a few days, they cleaned and waxed the car and the car looks better than it did when I dropped it off! Plus they gave me a $50 check for the scratch on the black rubber part on the side of the van that you can't even notice! God is in control of every situation and I am thankful no one was hurt and everything worked out the way it did =)

Adventures on Craigslist

2011-05-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

So, I know it seems like we just moved and it is almost time to move .......again. We have moved 10 times in 6 years...yes that is right 10 times...No I am not exagerating in the least. Move #1We moved from Lackland AFB to a one bedroom in Las Vegas #2then moved to a 2 bedroom since I was pregnant with Christian, #3 then moved to Charlotte's house during Chris deployment to Quatar #4 then moved to a condo in North Las Vegas #5 then moved to base housing at Whiteman AFB #6 then moved to a townhouse off base in Warrensburg, Missouri, #7 then moved to Norfolk with my sister while Chris was going to Iraq, #8 then moved to Hampton VA with my sister while Chris was still gone, #9 then moved to Base housing again in Missouri, #10 then we moved here to Springfield, Virginia. Phew makes me tired just thinking about all those moves.....Anyway, I am trying again to declutter the house in preparation for yet another move and make some cash in the process to beef up our savings in preparation for Chris' upcoming career change........which we are still not sure of what that will be. I found a good amount of stuff not needed anymore......Chris gave me some pretty high value stuff to sell...His old google phone and weights were big ticket items and so far this month we have made $259 on craigslist. I have met some interesting people and got to hand out some gospel tracts to some people in need of a savior =) So it really is an all around win win win situation posting things on craigslist : Decluttering, making money, and sharing the gospel!

He's Here......He's Gone....

2011-05-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

My how the time goes by. Chris came home for 16 days and has already been gone for 3 days.So thankful that he was able to hold his little girl at last. I am so thankful for the time that the Lord gave us to be together; without Chris having to go to work, and nothing to worry about but how we were going to spend time together for the day. So thankful for how God has kept him safe while he was in Afghanistan and how God has kept me sane in 8 months away from him with 4 kids. We made so many memories in the short time he was here, we went out to eat ....alot, went to the movies, Chuck e Cheese, a birthday day party, threw Christian and Joshua a birthday party, had lunch at the Pastors house, went on a run together, and most importantly studied God's word and prayed together. I miss him terribly but have to admit I actually only cried for about 2 seconds when we dropped him off at the airport. I was able to hold it together knowing there were some people starring at us......and that his deployment is 3/4 of the way done and that God is in Control. God uses Chris' deployments for some serious character and strength building for me, and I have seen my sisters get saved at our awesome church her in Virginia. For that I am thankful for his deployment.

She's Here! (Rachel Anne Logan's Birth Story)

2011-02-14T13:10:00.000-08:00

It all started on Wednesday February 9th around 5:30am, I was woken up by an all too familiar feeling of water leaking. I stood up and went to the bathroom and sure enough it was amniotic fluid coming out in small gushes. Most people would probably think it is time to go to the hospital. I was thinking at this time....sure wish I would have paid $4,000 and got that homebirth midwife. Why ? Well the last two children decided to arrive into this world 17 hours and 2.5 days after my water broke. I made the mistake of going to the hospital right after my water broke and the whole time I was harrassed about getting pitocin from about 30 minutes after getting to the hospial and not making any "progress" (cervex dialating). Then they want to hook you up to the fetal monitor and get mad at you when you move and the monitor moves out of place. These monitors are the worst at picking up contractions for me anyway they are seldom accurate and just annoying! Then they want to "help" you along with some pitocin. Oh how they tell you pitocin is just so natural and something your body makes anyway and has no side effects. Well I happen to believe pitocin has some serious side effects on mom and baby. Then they want to start pumping antibiotics into your bloodstream in case of infection. Then they cut your meals off and tell you not to eat anything but crushed ice and broth. When you refuse their "help" then they are offended and start telling you that you and the baby are going to die if you don't do "something" (take their drugs). Knowing all this, I decided to stay home til any painful contractions started. Nothing happened for the first day and I went to bed and woke up the next day...still nothing. My friend from church brought over an electric breast pump to help my body make some oxytocin. I used this took a nap and then used it again after the nap. My body did start making contractions after the pump and then didn't stop. I needed to shower first and make dinner. Then my sisters came over and needed help on their homework. I realized I could not finish dinner or help them on their homework and so I took my shower and got the bags ready for the hospital. My mom met us at my house and my sister drove my van and followed my friend from church to the hospital. It was rush hour so we didn't get on the highway and it took about a half hour to get to the hospital, I walked up to labor and delivery and went to the exam room, I was 10 centimeters dialated already and then they wheel chaired me over to the labor and delivery room. Rachel was born about 5 minutes later. Her cord was around her neck twice and she was purple when they handed her to me. This accompanied with the nurse yapping in my ear about why I should have been at the hospital as soon as my water broke caused my blood pressure to go up a little but other than that everything went very well =)Praise God for a Natural Drug Free childbirth =)

Tow Truck Troubles!

2011-02-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

So this morning I woke up and started getting the kids ready for church. I was in the middle of changing Joshua's diaper when I heard my door bell ring. Very strange for the door bell to ring at 8:30 am on a Sunday morning. I ran down the steps to see my neighbor Carmen at the door saying "I am sorry to tell you but your car was just towed I tried to run after them but I was too late." My car towed....from in front of my house....on a Sunday morning....with all of my carseats....not cool!!!! So I called up the tow company and asked why it was towed and they said I had an expired state inspections sticker since 2009. Very strange that it could be expired since 2009 considering that is when it was first registered in Missouri, and I didn't think someone would give us and expired sticker they day they issued it to us. However the driver insisted that it was a "dead' sticker and he had to tow it. I explained I was unaware of anything being expired on the vehicle, I had 3 small children, 9 months pregnant and my husband in Afghanistan for the year, and asked if they could bring my car back. He told me it was against policy so I had to get a baby sitter for the kids ( my mom came right over) My neighbor gave me a ride to the tow place. I was unable to talk to anyone there because the girl behind the window was on the phone the whole time and just took my liscense, and debit card and then said go to the gate on the left.....I just wanted my car back to get to church since I had already missed sunday school. My mom and I both looked at the sticker which has no expiration date on it and knew they did not have any right to take it away. My car does not need to be inspected until the registration is expired in 2012!! They need to give me my $125.00 back and gas money to give to my neighbor. I called them tonight and no one ever called me back. So I will call again in the morning. I hate to complain but seriously this was not nice!

Where Will God Lead my Husband?

2011-02-04T11:29:00.000-08:00

Time goes by so fast, Chris' deployment is just about half way over already! Thank God for keeping him safe thus far. I am so proud of him and greatful to have a husband that follows after God! He is 99% sure he is getting out of the Airforce upon his return and so that leaves my mind to wonder alot of our future. Where will we go, What will he do, What do I need to do right now to prepare our family? I think we will either stay here in Northern VA, or go back to Las Vegas. Chris wants to be a police officer. I know he will make an excellent police officer, he is a man of integrity, strength, perserverence, knowledge and overall great character. Any Police department would be greatly benefitted by his service. So I looked into Vegas and Fairfax County police Departments. The pay is greater in Las Vegas, and the homes are cheaper (alot cheaper) but we really need to make a decision based on where God wants us to be not on money. I love the church here in Alexandria, there are many opportunities to do outreach for Christ and provoking sermons. There is a great church in Las Vegas too. I could see our family in both places and able to serve Christ. I just have to pray alot for God's direction, and wisdom and for my husband to have an open heart to hear God's call in our lives. So now we are going to be working aggressively to save enough for a 3-6 month money supply and a 20% down payment on a house. So really that means saving a bunch b/c if we needed a 20% down payment in Vegas we need $24,000, if we need a 20% down payment here we need $46,000!! big huge difference so I will try and do my best in honoring God in our finances and not do any foolish spending. I always think of proverbs 27:1 "Boast not thyself of tommorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."

Baby Shower!

2011-01-27T18:54:00.000-08:00

My friend Jessica made the candy bar wrappers, and my other friend whose husband is with Chris in Afghanistan made the diaper cake

My mom made 100's of roll sandwhich's

Charlotte hosted all the games

My Dad even came!

Last Saturday I had a baby shower at Lighthouse Baptist Church for baby Rachel. Everything was so nice, there was a diaper cake, chocolates with our faces on them, chocolate cake, my mother in laws mac n cheese, about 40 people, and a ton of baby girl gifts. I am so greatful for all the things I recieved. I actually got 2 of alot of items and ended up returning enough stuff to buy Christian a new jacket, hoodie, belt and 2 shirts from JCPenny's! I still have a $25 gift card to spend at the PX! It was so fun unpacking all the gifts and putting them in Rachels room. All I need now is our baby!

Natural Birth Plan!

2011-01-18T07:53:00.000-08:00

Lord willing we will be having another Natural Intervention Free Childbirth in just a few weeks, so I have my hospital bag packed, babysitters lined up, a baby shower this weekend, and of course my birth plan!

My little Joshua!

2011-01-03T18:12:00.001-08:00

Well Joshua is not going to be the baby anymore next month! He still does not voluntarilly sleep when put down for bed so the crib is staying up until he starts climbing out of it! I love him so much and he is quite a handful! He has shared a room with Noah for quite sometime but he is going to have a new roomate! Lord willing I will be bringing home Rachel sometime next month. We have a 3 bedrooms with 4 kids(almost). Christian and Noah have been sharing a room together for the last month or so. This leaves Joshua to be the lucky boy to share a room with the girl. I am having my first girl so I don't want to miss out on decorating with girly things, but I also don't like to mitch match stuff . So I was able to find the exact same crib bedding as Joshua on Ebay except for a girl! I think it looks nice together.

Baby Girl!

2011-01-03T17:59:00.000-08:00

I love the shirt that says "little sister" and the layette that says "Daddy's girl"

Our baby is due next month! I had a bath robe 2 dresses, 2 headbands, 5 hair bows, 2 organizing baskets and 2 pairs of socks this morning in my baby girl inventory. Soooo.....I decided I needed to buy some more things for the baby girl. I hate to spend so much money on baby clothes that will only fit for a little while, but I had alot of fun picking out cute girly things even with all 3 boys! God has blessed us with more than enough with all the children and I am so greatful for his provision. So here is what I came home with today =)

$65,000 Paid in Full in 3.5 Years!!

2010-11-12T06:30:00.001-08:00

God is good everyday that He chooses to wake my family and I up, but especially today. Let me rewind back to May of 2007: Chris was getting ready for his first deployment Christian was 13 months old and I was seven months pregnant with Noah. We had two cars but were still paying for 3, 3 student loans, a personal loan, and 2 credit card debts. All together totalling around $65,000!!! I woke up today and realized it was the payday that we would finally be able to pay off our last debt! A $993 dollar payment to Nelnet for a student loan. I logged onto the website and even though it said we didn't owe another payment until 2017 because of how much ahead God has blessed us to pay back, I made the payment in full! What a blessing, it feels almost as good as the day I recieved Jesus Christ as my own personal savior for the debt of sin that owed back in 2004! I realize that not everyone out there is in the same financial situation as we are in but here are some things we did to pay back our 5 figure debt.

1) Put God first! Pay your tithes if you name the name of Christ!

Abraham paid Tithes before the law, the jews paid during the law and Christians did more than just give as their heart directed them to give. It took us a while to figure that one out but if you search the scriptures with an open heart you will see for yourself. This is one of the scriptures God used to guide us into laying aside 10% and then give on top of that as the Lord leads

1 Corinthians 16:2 (King James Version)
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

2) Share a Car with your husband if you are married:

Yes I know it is 2010 and people have places they need to go but if God has given you a husband and an opportunity to be a keeper at home as God commanded in Titus 2:5, then this should not be a problem. We have shared a car for 3 years and have been content in doing so. If I really needed to go somewhere I would put the kids in the stroller the baby in the wrap and walk sometimes 2-3 miles. If there was somewhere I needed to be that I couldn't walk to, I dropped hubby off and took the car or my friend Liz would pick us up in her van =) Not a big deal.

3) Pay on debt first before making any big purchases when you get tax returns:

Yes it is very hard to do when you see the IRS has deposited several thousand dollars into your bank account and your mind begins to wonder and plan out all the things you could buy with that nice chunk of change.....but stop.....Pay Your Debt!

4)Stop buying new stuff, and sell stuff your not using anymore

I take pride in our home being clutter free and do not wish to have a bunch of stuff in our home that just collects dust. I regularly go through our home and find stuff we are not using and see if someone I know needs it possibly if not, I sell it on Craigslist or a yardsale. I have made well over $1000 doing this and have kept our home clutter free!

5)Create a budget:

Well you must know where your money is going. We do one every month on a spreadsheet and just fill in the purchases we make everyday and review for a few minutes so we know how much is left and what still needs to be paid so we don't overspend.

6)Have an emergency fund:

This is very important because something always comes up always! You don't want to have to go and beg from a family member/friend or put your unexpected expenses on a credit card and pay 17% interest when you could have saved a little instead of spending all you had earlier on! The car needs new tires, we want to go visit family/friends in another state, we have another baby, the cat visits the vet, I buy a reclining chair for my mom to sit in, we need a washer and dryer..etc...etc....We need to be good stewards and save in the good years like Joseph did way back in the book of Genesis!

7)Co-habitate:

Okay this one I know not everyone is able to do, but it helped us save a good amount. While chris deployed to Quatar in 2007 and Iraq in 2009 we put our stuff in our generous friends, garages and basements (Thank you Reid, Lawhon, and Pittman Families) and moved in with my sister.

Trip to Costco

2010-11-10T15:42:00.001-08:00

Today we went to Costco and well I couldn't contain myself at first! I wanted to buy so many things. I seriously don't get out much and the marketing at Costco definately trapped me! Within 10 minutes I wanted to buy a train set, toy story bikes, leapster learning games, dresses for my nieces, heated blankets, a leather recliner for my mom to sit in, an old fashioned popcorn maker........didn't even get to the food yet! I had to really think and not be impulsive, a little hard with Joshua throwing a fit losing his shoe on a different aisle, Christian crying about having to share his sample and Noah just being whiny Noah! So since they were not on good behavior that immediately eliminated any of the toys I wanted to buy, the recliner would not fit in my van with 3 carseats, and so I escaped with only buying some glitter scrapbooking kits for my little sisters and two books for the kids that I have never seen before. One to help tell time, and a book with animal x-rays in them. I also bought some bathmats I have been meaning to buy since we moved over 3 months ago, and 2 scrapbooking kits for my little sisters. Then I realized I was going to go out of town for 5 days and shouldn't buy too much food. Glad I came to my senses somewhat and didn't loose control, knowing how close we are to being debt free I have been thinking I can buy so many things for people and some stuff for me too but we are not there just yet!

Maternity fashion show....Not Really

2010-10-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

Love This brown Motherhood sweater I got for $2! Am I glowing yet?

Not sure what kind of face I am making.....

Well Today I am 21 Weeks along with the 4th child =) God is so good. I usually try and avoid maternity clothes until the last trimester just because I don't like looking pregnant. Most maternity clothes fit in such a way that they really accentuate your belly. Oh and not mention when I go into a store with 3 young children the looks and questions I get....."Are they all yours?"....."You've got your handsful." ......"This is the last one right?"

However I got some really great deals on maternity clothes at a yard sale and my sister picked up some shirts at a consignment sale they were having at her YMCA. I figured tommorrow is not promised neither are any more pregnancies, and don't want all the cute clothes to get little use. So I might as well as enjoy my pregnancy despite any discomfort from my varicose veins, tiredness, and having my husband miss the whole pregnancy and birth due to a year deployment. So today I decided to bring out the maternity clothes at just 21 weeks along . I have so much to be thankful for and know so many women out there have heavy hearts because they can't even have one successful pregnancy. I am so blessed and am going to enjoy my growing belly everyday that God gives me =)

Military Hospitals

2010-10-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

So, since someone at the whiteman AFB finance office decided not to process our move and change our housing allowance for the last 2 and half months (over 1 thousand dollar difference) I cancelled with the midwife. I decided I would rather not take anymore from our savings account and focus on paying off one last debt we owe. So that leaves us with another military Hospital experience. The first birth at Nellis AFB went well we checked in so late they had no time to give iv or suggest pitocin. The staff however had some rude comments about us refusing the pitocin after the birth, the erythromycin in the babies eyes, the hep B vaccine, and not getting Christian circumcised. We signed an early release form and left the next day. The 2nd birth at Portsmouth naval hospital was terrible: I didn't have the baby until 17 hours after checking in and was badgered about not recieving pitocin and an epidural for the whole 17 hours! I was needed told to starve and not eat until the baby was born. I had to sneak out and eat at the cafe, ask to use the bathroom during the last part of labor so I could squat and not have to lay down and sit still with that cursed fetal monitor around my belly. So finally after having a natural birth the staff tells me that I have no choice, I have to take pitocin for the next 6-8 hours...ouch with a nursing baby and no drugs. I got two roomates, one left our shared toilet bloody and had a bunch of cursing loud navy friends in and out of the room. I had the side of the room with no window and had to walk across her side of the room to use the toilet. I had to threaten to stay the rest of my visit in the lounge room with the vending machines before getting my own room. The Third baby at a civilian hospital in Missouri was much better. However, since I checked in 3 days early because my water broke I was again interregated as to why I would not take pitocin. Doctors and midwives came and told me how I was going to die and the baby if I didn't take it. So finally I had the baby with no drugs or interventions and the recovery room was great no roomates and I got to leave the next day =) They even let the boys spend the night in the room in the pack n play =)This time around Fort Belvoir Army Hospital will be where I deliver. I have had one appointment so far; aside from it taking 20 minutes circling the parking lot to get a parking spot it went pretty well. I go in for a sonogram on wednesday =) The ladies at church and my mom have been so helpful and reliable for help with the boys. So I think I can survive at most 6 more appointments and 24 hours of military care. Prayerfully our bah will be changed soon and we will be debt free within the year =)

$$$$ Drug Store Deals $$$

2010-09-20T12:08:00.001-07:00

Well since we are in an area that has all 3 drug store competitors I figured I should take advantage of the deals. So Last night I went to Riteaid and my mom stayed in the car with the boys good thing too I was in there for over an half hour making sure I got all the up rewards (riteaid money). I think I threw the machine off because I had more coupons than items. So here is what I bought

3 jumbo packs of Huggies pure and natural diapers (some for Joshua some for new baby)

2 oral B cross action toothbrushes

1 crest toothpaste

2 packs of kotex pads

1 container of quaker oats

2 bottles of windex green works spray

24 pack bottled water

I spent $30 out of pocket got $15 worth of up rewards and will get a $10 riteaid gift card in the mail! So after the rewards and gift card it is like spending $5 on all of the above. So excited tonight I will get 2 free deoderants from CVS and Tommorrow we will head to Walgreens to get 3 free reach toothbrushes!

Really need some rest.

2010-08-29T19:51:00.001-07:00

I have been so sleepy. Maybe it is because I have been staying up past twelve almost every night or the two flights of stairs in our house or the bday party or maybe the extra workload from not having chris to help or maybe from being pregnant I don't know.....I have been in VA for a month now and I can't say I don't miss my friends in Missouri I didn't know how attached I was to those ladies until the day before we left. Chris has been gone for 17 days!! It feels like forever. I get to see my mom alot and am thankful for that I wish she would come and stay with us for the year .....I don't know why she wants to stay in a smelly old apartment. Contimplating on whether or not to find out if I am having a boy or a girl and going to meet with the midwife on friday. I think I might just have a surprise just for fun I am sure by the time I venture out of the house I will have had time to shop online for some clothes I will just get some yellow and white layettes and diapers of course. Okay I am sleepy and going to be it is 11:24 pm....

Deployment #3

2010-08-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

Sigh....Yet another deployment. It seems the deployments get worse and worse each time. the first one to Quatar for 4 months, a relatively safe place and short time period. The next tasking for Iraq for 6 months (2 months completed) after 2 months of training a little less safe and alittle more drama. The next one just 9 months later to Afghanistan for 365 days! So sad and I am 3 months pregnant. However we are still blessed and have no need to complain, we are all alive and well and are getting to spend some time with family in VA. Week one is done though just 51 more weeks to go!

4th of JULY NOW and THEN

2010-07-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

ON GOVERNMENT

"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." President George Washington

"Whatever we once were, we're no longer a Christian nation." OBAMA

ON EDUCATION

"As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam." OBAMA

“What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.” --GEORE WASHINGTON

In Benjamin Franklin's 1749 plan of education for public schools in Pennsylvania, he insisted that schools teach "the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern."

"But we also recognize the importance of good medical care for women, that we’re also recognizing the importance of age-appropriate education to reduce risks. I do believe that contraception has to be part of that education process." OBAMA

George Washington in a speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs May 12, 1779

"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors."

Charles Carroll - signer of the Declaration of Independence Portrait of Charles Carroll" Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments."

ON LIFE

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--

"I think it’s very hard to know what that means, when life begins." OBAMA

Patrick Henry said, "It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” [May 1765 Speech to the House of Burgesses]

"Which passages of Scripture should guide our public policy? Should we go with Leviticus, which suggests slavery is okay and that eating shellfish is abomination? How about Deuteronomy, which suggests stoning your child if he strays from the faith?" OBAMA

Family Photos 2010

2010-06-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

A Trip to the City

2010-06-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Lees Summit and Independance Missouri. We took pictures at Target the boys did so well nobody cried and the photographer got some really great shots. christian smiled so hard his eyes were closed in about half of the pictures so that made it alittle easier to pick out which ones I wanted to buy =) Can't wait to get them back in a couple of weeks =) We took them to the Target cafe to reward them for their excellent behavior then to Costco and then to Chick Fil-A =)

Mountain View

2010-06-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

So Good to see our family at Mountain View Baptist Church =) Love the Postma Family. I really hope we can go back to Vegas and serve the Lord with this church someday =)

Circus Circus

2010-06-04T09:09:00.000-07:00

Circus Circus was alittle dissapointing because we got noah the all day pass but he didnt ride one thing he was so scared.....the only thing he rode was the baby merry go round that you put fifty cents in to ride.....Lesson Learned. Praise the Lord for God's protection Christian almost jumped off a roller coaster as it was starting to go really fast backwards.

Bible Study

2010-06-04T09:07:00.001-07:00

Love Love Love our bible study in Vegas Bro. Matt does such a good job rightly dividing the word of truth! So good to see our old family and sad to see quite a few of them not there anymore =(

Famous Daves

2010-06-04T08:58:00.001-07:00

Christian Stuffed his face really fast so he could get to eat his oreo cookie

The Reids: Our vegas host family

Famous Daves was so yummy I got bbq salmon. Felt so full after leaving.

Visit to Vegas

2010-06-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

Noah driving a plane

Christian working on a car at the Lied Chilrens Museum

Our first adventure was the Childrens museum not sure if museum is the right word for it. It was more like an activity center that cost way too much but it was fun =)

The Miche Purse Party =)

2010-05-14T05:59:00.000-07:00

Miss Angela one of the ladies at our church sells Miche Purses the coolest purses. that can change outfits in a snap. So you buy one purse and can buy different shells to snap on them to change the whole look of the purse. So much fun =)

Malaine, Me, Liz

Me checking out I really want to change my order now to the smaller bag....hopefully I can =)

Jennifer and Liz =)

Rub a dubdub 3 Boys in a tub!

2010-05-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

Christian and Noah are getting nice tans....Look how cute they are!!!

Taking a bath with fresh haircuts from Daddy!

Sunday Nights

2010-04-29T05:08:00.000-07:00

Here the boys are getting ready for evening service. Christian is wearing a Master's Club vest. Christian is doing very well in Master's Club and memorizes about 7 scriptures now. Noah is too young to join=(

Financial Peace

2010-04-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

Yes these are all our credit cards except my macys and kohls because I simply can't turn down those take and extra 20 or 30 percent off when you use your card coupons! I can then pay my card off right at the register with cash or my debit card after I get the discount so I never have a balance =)

A Classic Debate?

2010-03-30T07:31:00.000-07:00

Chris and I have been going to the Officer Christian Fellowship for about a month now thinking it would be a good way to fellowship and encourage one another with fellow believers. But the last two weeks have been more like the officer Calvanist Indoctrination Fellowship. I don't like to argue or debate with people but I could not sit still and not defend God the father and our Lord Jesus Christ as people professing themselves to be wise spewed heresies out of their mouths based on some man's teachings that don't rightly divide the word of truth. The issue at hand: God chooses some people for heaven and some for hell and the people have no choice to decide if they would like to go to heaven or if they would like to go to hell. All from Romans chapter 9 which I agree with completely when you read it in light with other scripture.
2 timothy 2:15 " Study to shew thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth."
1)God choose Jacob to be in the lineage of the savior but he didnt choose him to go to heaven Jacob went to heaven because he looked forward to the promise of the savior nor did he choose Esau for hell. This has nothing to do with heaven or hell.
2)God hardened pharohs heart. Yes I agree but not before God was longsuffering to him, pharoah hardened his own heart against God before God hardened his heart. Pharoah had and opportunity to obey and serve God it was not God's fault. Exodus 8:15 "But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkended not unto them..."
3)God has mercy on who he will have mercy and harden whom he will harden. I dont' have an issue with this verse either God tells us who he will choose to give grace to and who he won't but not arbitrarily James 4:5 " God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble" Again not God's fault that some will not humble themselves by realizing they are sinners deserving of hell and need a savior.
I dont' disagree that God is sovereign I know he could do anything he wants he could force us to go to hell or heaven if he wanted to and I wouldn't have a problem believing that if that is what the bible said. But God says that he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 1 Peter 3:9. so is God not powerful enough that he can't force his will that none should perish and make all go to heaven? No he is powerful enough but he by his grace gives us the opportunity to humble ourselves to repent and believe that gospel and be saved! What a savior I don't claim to know more about the bible that anyone else but I know what truth is and tommy Nelson is not truth.
Thy word is truth!!!

Happy Birthday Christian!!

2010-03-20T20:26:00.000-07:00

Christian getting his face wiped....lol

I was pleased with the decorations! Thanks to Jessica and the French's helping set up!

Today was Christians Bday party!! We invited everyone from church that had children pretty much and had a good turn out despite some snow and wind outside. Christian was so excited! Seeing him smile and have fun makes me so happy! There were close to 30 kids in attendance but Christians favorite friends Vaida and Tyler were not there both of their mommies took them down south to visit family while their daddies are deployed =(

Spring is Here...almost

2010-03-12T09:52:00.001-08:00

Family fun at the playground! so glad it is warming up around here!

Superman swinging

Joshua loves to swing

Noah says "wook at me mommy, wook at me"

Happy BDAY Joshua!!!

2010-03-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

Joshua's First BDAY! It is so amazing how time goes by. My little baby is not a baby any more

=( He is sad because he tried to touch the flame and realized it was hot...He was happy when he got to taste some cake =)

spa night

2010-02-24T10:05:00.001-08:00

We had fun on Monday at Liz's house for a spa night. I bought some warming massage oil can't wait to get it next week

Me and Liz Relaxing

Manuela and Malaine Looking younger already

New Doo

2010-02-18T08:26:00.000-08:00

I got my some bangs and highlights =) I really like them they look better in real life ...I think so any way. Man I look so old in this picture I need to stop getting older I think I like 25. I wish I could stay 25 or better yet maybe the Lord will come back before I turn 26!

Anna P.

2010-02-11T08:45:00.000-08:00

This is my Anna P. She is my great grandmother on my mothers side. She passed away yesterday morning in West Virginia at 98 years old. This is the last time I saw her the summer of 2003 right after I graduated high school. She still appeared very coherent and lively despite her age. 7 years have passed since then and I have not heard much from her. I do love her and hope to God that she turned to Jesus christ for the forgiveness of sins that she may escape the torments of eternity in the place Jesus calls Hell. I am not sure with 100% certainty that she became born again in her life time, and there is nothing I can do now to comfort myself or family grieving her loss. The only thing on my heart is to warn others that death is coming for them and they don't know when or how and that they must be ready for it when it comes. To get ready for death you must recoginze that you have separated yourself from God by sinning against him (lying even "white lies", stealing, taking the Lords name in vain...etc.) Turn to Jesus Christ by faith not simply believing that he existed and died on the cross for the sins of the world. but turning to him and turning away from whatever is that you are trusting in ( water baptism, good works, being a nice person) The bible says that Jesus came to call sinners to repentance not just to believe in him James 2:19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. I am not trying to make salvation conplicated but many are out there today thinking that God forgives everyone without any change of heart and that simply is not so.

Economic Recovery Plan

2010-02-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

Some Ideas for Barrack Obama to help America

1) Unemployment: Keep all the woman who have husbands /parents/children/churches to provide for them at Home. Women if your husband is unemployed and you work switch places with him. That should clear up some job openings! Titus 2:5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

2) Public School Violence/failing education: Since all the women are at home now go ahead and begin a home school program.Deuteronomy 6:7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

3) Health Care: Well since Americans will be taking on the responsibility of taking care of their children/husbands at home again; They can prepare whole foods for them to eat and Stop injecting known neurotoxins into their children's bloodstream via vaccinations and attacking their immune systems causing all types of problems such as asthma, diabetes, adhd, eczema....etc. People save some money in an emergency fund and take a low cost insurance of your choice with a high deductible because you will most likely not need to use your Dr. with the exception of accidents. 1 Corinthians 6:19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,

4) Mortgage crisis: How about people stop taking on debt....Proverbs 22:26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

5) Global Warming: Move all the polar bears to the white house they seem to have more than enough snow there. Hey and I wouldn't worry about some polar bears dying drifting away on big pieces of ice because this world is going to get really hot really soon.
Revelation 20:9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Making a joyful noise

2010-02-04T13:51:00.000-08:00

Chris bought the boys some keyboards from walmart and I think Noah definately has some serious musical potential...he is our little genious. I was sad I couldn't teach them how to play so I went on youtube for some lessons and can now play happy birthday and twinkle twinkle little star =)

Giving

2010-01-25T06:33:00.000-08:00

Let me start by saying how greatly God has blessed our family. First I could have never imagined that I could be so sure of heaven not because of what I have done but because of what God gave, His only begotten son Jesus Christ. Then he gave me a husband almost 5 years ago. If that weren't enough he has given us 3 children all healthy and perfect to me. He has blessed us beyond all measure but he still gives more. Right before Chris' first deployment in May 2007 I remember adding up all of our debt right after getting our minivan. It totalled around 65,000.00!!!! Credit cards, car payments, student loans, more student loans, and more loans!!! It was amazing we had only been married 2 years and had only been a one income household for 1 year. How did this happen......not following Gods economy. God says debt is bad....didn't ever dawn on us that debt was unbiblical. God says to tithe....we had stopped tithing because of a misunderstanding of the new testament commands. God says to give and it shall be given unto you with good measure....we could not honestly say we were giving anything after we stopped tithing about 10 months of our marriage as God does not recognize anything under your tithe as giving. Tithing is not giving.....it is giving God out of our bank account what already belongs to him soley for the purpose of spreading the gospel not to be used on our personal needs. I know all of our money belongs to him when we pay for food, car, clothes we need to honor him too because since we belong to him everything we have belongs to him too. Well once we got back on track and realized that the tithe is for new testament believer our finances have been blessed exceedingly. We have payed off 3 student loans 2 credit cards, 3 loans, and Lord willing at the end of this month our minivan!!! All the while paying tithes and giving over the tithe as the Lord lays on our hearts. Well recently the Lord has laid on our hearts to give even more not to get more out of God but because we look around and realize how blessed we are there are those without jobs, those with sick children (maybe from vaccines but thats another blog for another day) Some forcing their wives to leave the training and nurturing of their children up to a babysitter or heathen public school system because of their finances. I am not boasting as i know God has truly given us everything we have and it is because of him that my husband has the health and strength to go to work everyday and bring home a reward of his labor. I am not claiming health and wealth if you pay tithes and give offerings as it is satans world and some of us will not reap what we have sown until we get to heaven. I am just saying it feels wonderful to honor God with our finances and reap alot of his blessings right now in this present world.

The Kirby

2010-01-16T07:20:00.000-08:00

The Day has finally arrived where crumbs and cat hair and lint balls have no place to hide. Yes that's right folks we have a Kirby vaccuum cleaner and paid only $400.00 for it. I know that sounds like alot but it really is even better than sliced bread because you can slice your own bread and get all the crumbs up with the trusted Kirby =) God is so good to us he sometimes gives us things we don't need but really really would like to have and at a great discount =) The only person dissapointed is Joshua as he likes to eat crumbs and anything else on the floor.

Lord help me to dress right

2010-01-15T09:28:00.000-08:00

Why I don't wear certain things anymore especially pants: this is from the no greater joy website by the Pearls

One more thing...why are some women offended that I don't wear pants anymore I thought they should be happy afterall I am trying to help their husbands not look at my hips, buttcheeks...and crotch area?????

:A woman who does not believe a young man struggles daily against visual temptation is simple. Go look up “simple” in a KJV Bible to see what God thinks of “simple” people. I’ll go ahead and explain from my perspective, of once being sunk in the mire of visual temptation. A man’s eyes are drawn to pleasing shapes: the curves of a Corvette (1971 Stingray, being my favorite), the flowing stream as it goes around a bend, or the hips revealed by a tight clothes, tight enough to reveal whether the “lines” are there or not.As a saved family man, I must adhere to the Bible command to entreat or regard “the younger [women] as sisters, with all purity” (1 Timothy 5:2), even if those sisters are dressed in a way that catches my eye. If I give in to the temptations based on what I see, I am guilty of sinning. However, you women who think you are absolved from responsibility in this area are wrong. Why make it difficult for me and your brothers? Why not love me as a brother in Christ and dress in a way that does not make me conscious of what I used to do and be? Mike has commented in the past about alcoholics who get saved. He admonishes them to stay away from places like bars, because the flesh has been conditioned to enjoy alcohol’s powers. Likewise, as a former porn reader, porn movie viewer who liked self-gratification to satisfy his wild drive, I don’t want to see those curves. I keep my eyes up. My wife edits magazines we get (like Popular Mechanics) which have those kinds of pictures, before I or my sons get to look at them, and that’s the way I want it.I tell my boys about the dangers of a woman who dresses like “Lydia.” My son, 6 years old, sees women in public and observes how they dress. “Daddy, is that a ‘strange lady?” He’s referring to the “strange woman” of Proverbs 7. I answer, “I don’t know if she is, but she certainly dresses like one.” And we have seen them at “church.” Do you want my son to look at you and think of you as a “strange lady”? How about your daughter, would my sons think she is strange? My sons won’t marry a woman who doesn’t respect a man’s propensity to visual temptation. They’ll marry a woman who reveals herself to them and them only.My daughters won’t dress like a strange woman either. Mine, at only 9 years old, knows that she should keep her body from a man’s eyes, reserving it for her future husband. In the grocery store one day, when my daughter was wearing a skirt that flowed around her ankles, she heard another little girl (dressed in shorts) point to my daughter and comment to her own mother, “Look, Mom, she’s beautiful!” Why not dress beautifully rather than like a slut? You should get out of your ignorance before your dinner guest looks at you or your daughter then visits the bathroom. Well, that’s probably already happened.

happy New Year

2010-01-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Well 2010 is here already it sounds so far into the future like we should all be wearing metalic space suits and driving flying cars. But instead in 2010 we live in a town where there is no Target or shopping mall. who would have thought that possible in 2010? We went to church and brought in the new year playing mario kart. Here is Noah trying to learn from his daddy's mistakes so when he grows up and gets married he does not have to loose to his wife.

A White Christmas

2009-12-25T09:41:00.000-08:00

We woke up this morning and the ground was covered in snow! I was very excited and christian was too. Noah was not too bothered about the snow. We made belgian waffles and bacon. We put Joshua down for his morning nap and then all headed to the backyard for fun in the snow! When I say fun I mean trying to dodge all of Daddy's snowballs....We are going to do sugar cookies in a while. and then head to the assistant pastors house for a game night at 7pm if the snow is not too bad. What a fun Christmas....with no Santa, no tree and no coveted presents, no Stress=) Thank God for this wonderful Christmas!

Noah did not last long....after Chris hit him in the face a few times with snow balls he had to come in soon. No I am not trying to look cute in the snow as my husband assumed. I don't have a winter jacket and thought I would do the neighborhood a favor and put something modest over my tights.

Christian did not want to come back in even after taking many snow balls to the face.

Runny Noah

2009-12-18T20:07:00.000-08:00

big boy room

2009-12-03T14:54:00.000-08:00

Christian is no longer in a toddler bed! God allowed us to buy this really nice bed for Christian it has some drawers and a trundle that pulls out so eventually NOah will get a mattress and sleep in here with Christian but for now Christian is enjoying having his own space! He is not scared of the dark or anything I am so proud of him.

Home Sweet Home

2009-12-03T13:37:00.000-08:00

The same day we arrived in Missouri from our raod trip we went to pick up chris from the kansas city airport. it was a late flight so the boys fell asleep and did not wake up to greet him =( except Joshua. I was thrilled to have my husband back =) and still am almost a month later. Deployments are not fun at all!!! We stayed a friends house for a few days while we waited on housing. Thanks Liz =) and finally after not having a real place to call home for 4 months we finally got all our stuff from storage and bought some new things as well. I have never really decorated any of our homes because I always knew we would be moving soon enough...but I am going to do my best not to move any more....on my part... anyhow God is in control of how often we move so if we move again Atleast I will be an experienced decorator =)

Our Road Trip home

2009-12-03T13:30:00.000-08:00

Enjoying the hotel bath tub

Mcdonalds lunch I think in kentucky.....not too sure

God is so good I would have never thought travelling 17.5 hrs with a 3 year old a 2 year old and 8 month old baby could have been so pleasant =) We stopped twice a day once for gas/food and once for a hotel before 6pm each night. The boys were miracously content on the road for almost the whole trip. I can only come to the conclusion that it was an answer to prayer.

heading back to missouri

2009-11-02T18:07:00.000-08:00

Well it looks like the Lord is sending us home early =)

Not the best conditions but hey I get to see my husband the boys get to see their daddy and I don't have to clean up Charlotte's house anymore. Praise the Lord.

so we are getting ready to leave here maybe tommorrow or maybe ten days from tommorrow...We got the car all ready at honda today fun times

at the play place Noah slept in the stroller the whole time =)

Health and Wellness week with Mommy

2009-11-02T17:39:00.001-08:00

Ham is okay.....

Too Many Carbs.....

Mommy jogging off all those carbs!!!

Water is good.....not as good as diet soda is for you....

Too much sugar...

Harvest party

2009-10-24T17:53:00.001-07:00

On Friday we went to Charlly's preschool party the boys had fun Joshua slept most of the time in the moby wrap.

Happy BDAY Charlotte

2009-10-22T16:45:00.000-07:00

My sister Charlotte is 26 years old today! that sounds soooo old....a frigtening thought because she is only 1 year and 5 days older than me! I will 25 on Tuesday ....too close to 30! I made her favorite california pizza kitchen recipee; split pea and barley soup. and pumpkin bread instead of cake =)

hair Cuts

2009-10-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

Noah needed to be held down the whole time

The Boys got haircuts last night our neighbor that supposedly had swine flu came over and cut their hair. I tried to cut Christians hair with our clippers but I didn't seem to be doing too much. thanks Mr. Dion you saved us $20 and some embarrassment at haircuttery.

Swine Flu?

2009-10-11T19:25:00.000-07:00

On tuesday my sister left work early because her body felt weak and sore. she looked awful. she took some garlic, fresh juice from a juicer juiceplus capsules, echinecea tea and even some advil. she recovered from the body aches by the next morning. She noticed our neighbor/charlottes friend from churchs'car still outside during the day she came home early and she called him and asked why he wasn't at work and he said he was sick too. On friday I woke up and felt awful, worse than the worse day of any of my pregnancies or labors. It hurt and dizzied me to stand up for my than a few seconds. I was super hot and sweating and had goose bumps. I felt much better saturday but not 100%. At night I started to feel really bad again so my sister got me some tylenol from the store. I have not taken any manmade pain relief in over 3 years! So I really didn't feel good. today I am okay. But now christian has the same thing please pray for him. Charlottes' friend who lives across the street just called her tonight and said that he went to the dr. and him, his girlfriend and a few others were all diagnosed with swine flu...

New Photos!

2009-10-02T14:41:00.001-07:00

Studio Max came to the BX a few weeks ago and we got the boys photos done. After much crying and some burger king fries this is what came out. I went to pick up the photos today and the lady tried to sell me a 300.00$$$ package I told her I would get no such package and the cheapest package they had started at 90.00 so after I told her I would not be spending 90.00 on pictures she offered me the unseen deal of 60.00 so I went ahead and got 10 pictures for 60.00. I know it is expensive but atleast Joshua looks super cute! Joshua was All smiles as usual

Noah was easy to please

This is the best that came from Christian

new eyebrows

2009-09-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

my eyebrows look much better here is the before and after photos

Store without the moby

2009-09-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

Last Night we went to get our eyebrows waxed and then took a trip to walmart I forgot my moby wrap.....and joshua was getting very very heavy to hold on my hip my forearm was going numb so he had his first shopping cart experience last night he cried a few times and Jayla came to sing him "Jesus Loves Me".

Bush Gardens on a dime

2009-09-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

Giddy Up!

Noah getting readay for a 3D movie

On saturday we went to bush gardens which is only a half hour drive from our home in Hampton. We got free parking from charlotte and free tickets from being military dependants! The kids had alot of fun. We fed them luch before we left and the only thing that I bought was kettle corn for 5.44! Who would have thought you could take 3 kids to bush gardens for the day and only spend 5.44! God is good and gives us handfuls of grace on purpose! however only one bag of kettle corn caused an uproar with christian and charlly who both wanted to hold the bag themselves.

Harris Teether Triple coupons!

2009-09-18T11:38:00.000-07:00

today we went to Harris Teeters! It was very fun I had never been grocery shopping here before. I was glad they had the double steering wheel carts! and they had free samples of fresh produce tomatoes and cucumbers! I got some really super deals! red and green grapes 5.3 lbs for $5.25Thomas enlish muffins BOGO (buy one get one free), Kashi crackers for $1.50 ea. organic baby romaine carton for $1.33 3 4 packs of yocrunch for .75ea 2 spray and wash for $0.13 Wacky Mac FREE Viva paper towel roll FREE teriyaki sauce $0.14 Relish $0.79 Betty Crocker warm delights $0.17ea. nestle choc chip $1.29 5 Gallons of water, some milk not treatedwith BHT, bannanas , 2 packs of tuna and doritos all for 36.06

Baby Food

2009-09-16T22:17:00.000-07:00

JOshua has moved on from his milk only diet..... Hebrews 5:13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Emails

2009-09-09T14:21:00.000-07:00

Here I am waiting for an email from my beloved husband. I love to hear from him and know that he is doing okay in Iraq=)

Home Away from Home

2009-09-09T13:47:00.000-07:00

Here is our room we are staying in until the Lord brings chris back home
I have had fun making it a cozy and organized space for us =) God has been so good to us! I actually like sharing a room with the whole family I think that's what they did in the bible anyhow. I love our room and will probally be taking most everything back to MO with me =) here is our laundry hamper, dresser, lamp, and fur rug.

This is a cute storage ottoman to store toys in while not looking out of place in our bedroom from Target!

I got the photo frame from target and then made pictures with stickers!

I love these vinyl letters!

JOshua

2009-09-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

Look at my little baby he is 6months old already!!! I can't believe it! It feels like we just left the hospital last week. I got this baby walker on craigslist for $10! He can only get it to move backwards ......

Back On the NET!

2009-09-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

okay so I haven't had internet for over 1 month!!

no money saving mom no email no checking our bank account

no FUN!

Well alot has happened Chris came to visit twice in one week.

We miss him so much.

We moved to the new house with charlotte, I painted our room and bathroom and tried to make it like a mini hotel for t he 4 of us....i know what some people are thinking....how are we living in one bedroom with four people...but it is not bad at all. God is good and can make you comfortable no matter how much space or things you have. =)

VA

2009-07-14T09:45:00.001-07:00

We are here in VA we have been in norfolk for a week now. Chris has been gone for 8 days now.
We miss him alot. I can't wait to see him again Lord willing. I miss missouri too despite the heat waves. I will get a picture or two up alittle later.

Packing

2009-06-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

We have almost everything ready for storage with Lables on everything.
What can I say My husband is a logistics officer!

My German Friend

2009-06-22T11:02:00.000-07:00

Here is Manuela She is a good friend from Church She has a really neat stroller from Germany

Mr. Mom

2009-06-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

Chris is such a help at the grocery store What am I going to do when he leaves?

Scrapbooking

2009-06-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

I have Joshua's scrapbook all up to date! Here is one page I really like =)

Baby Blues

2009-06-15T06:56:00.000-07:00

No I am not talking about post partum depression. I am doing pretty well thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ and his word he has left for us to live by. I am talking about Joshuas blue eyes that I know won't last forever.....so I am going to admire them while I can. Isn't he amazing?

Masculine Pink

2009-06-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

Only my husband can wear pink and sport a diapar bag and still look very manly =)

Evidence

2009-06-15T06:49:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the last photos taken off the memory card of my last camara minutes before I found it broken. It proves hands down that Noah broke my camara and not christian or joshua!

Preparing for deployment

2009-06-12T11:14:00.001-07:00

We are all getting ready for Chris' deployment to Iraq =(

God is so good to us Chris was supposed to deploy while I was still pregnant with Joshua but God intervened and redirected his task to another base =) Just 10 days before he was supposed to leave. We are getting ready to go and live in VA while he's gone to help my sister with her girls Jayla and Charlly and God willing save some extra money and pay off our debt =)

Noah broke my camara the other day so I will get a new one this weekend Lord willing =)

Faith

2009-04-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful that after 19 years of a life without God that He would save my soul! I didn't realize that I was on a path to destruction, even though it seemed well on the outside, a dean's list student at Virginia Tech, well liked among my peers and family, healthy and young. Yet my heart was dark with sin and after hearing the gospel at the church my husband invited me to, I answered the call to salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Now my life is much much better than before, but I still am learning and improving everyday by Faith!

Family

2009-04-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

I love love love my family! Having a caring family is pricesless. I am so thankful to have a husband that follows after God! He motivates me and our children to do the same. We look forward to the future to see what else God has in store for our family. As of now we have 4 children

Christian 5 years old

Noah 4 years old

Joshua 2 years old

Rachel 11 months old

Fitness

2009-04-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

I was always taught by my mother that being overweight is genetic, from having babies, or your parents fault for feeding you too much. I grew up with the thought in the back of my head that I would never have a baby for fear of becoming overweight! Thanks to God after 4 babies in less than 5 years I am maintaining a weight that is less than my high school weight! I realize that you must work to maintain a healthy body. I do not use a gym, to save money on membership and time from the commute. I have to get up early before my husband leaves for work and go out for a run even in the rain and cold or do a workout video at home. Remember this scripture does not say that bodily excersice does not profit at all!

1 Timothy 4:8
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Food

2009-04-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

I believe God would have us to nourish our bodies with the food he gives us. As the world grows sicker and sicker despite all the innovations of modern medicine they are beginning to wake up to see that everything we need for our bodies to work properly is what God made from the land. I realize that many are giving thanks to "mother earth" and not God and that makes me sad =(

3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soulprospereth.

2009-04-01T08:13:00.000-07:00

I believe God loved us so much that He gave us a road map in his word on every area of our life. This includes the area of dress. In 1 Timothy 2:9 the bible says that

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel" I know what kinds of fashions that would cause a man to look lustfully, I know very well; I used to dress in that manner. Even after receiving salvation, I dressed ignorantly to conform to the fashion of men. I am so thankful that God would show mercy and reveal to me the right way to dress. I am not condeming anyone does not dress the way I do, in fact it would be hypocritical to dress the way that I do but on the inside your heart does not have that desire. I have had a lot of questions over the years as to why I only wear skirts, here are many of the misconceptions I would like to clear up:

1)I do not think I am holier than anyone for wearing them

2)I do not wear them because my husband makes me

3)I do not wear a skirt because the church forces me to.

4) I do not wear a skirt because I think I may loose my salvation

The Real Reason

1) When wearing pants it accentuates my buttocks, and croch area.

2) I can see other men staring at women as they walk by and they are watching her rear end in jeans, I have never seen it happen to a woman walking past with a long flowing skirt on.

3) The word appearal used in Timothy is from the Greek katastole which means: letting down, I truly believe that there is a certain dress for me and it must be "let down" and not "pulled up" into every crevice of my body