Memorial Day 2010

Thanks to all the troops who fought for our freedom, who are still fighting and will fight in the future...

God Bless the USA!

God Gave Me You...A Shout Out to the Fam!
Musical Monday was yesterday. Dropped the ball. Sorry. (lip) Anyway, here is a sweet song that has graced our air-waves lately. Whenever I hear this song, I think of this book...

The book relates to a parent's relationship with his/her child and the video is more along the lines of the relationship between spouses. Enjoy!

Musical Monday

Luke 10:38-42 says...

"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Are you a busy Martha today or a focused Mary? This is a passage I think we can all admit to struggling with, but God is so good to bring us to His Word and remind us to take each day at a time and focus on JESUS.

This is our temporary home!:)

Musical Monday

Learning how to play a musical instrument is something that can be beneficial to everyone. Not just to the person playing it, but to others around them (Lord-willing, they're a decent player...he he!). Anyway, for those of you who don't know, my husband plays the piano and I used to play the clarinet. I haven't picked up a clarinet in YEARS and listening to me play may not be the best idea! I HAVE always had a desire to play the guitar though. I actually have a guitar, but the funny thing is that it's a children's guitar that I got when I was 8 years old and it's small. I keep it around the house, letting the kids play with it when they want, but truthfully, I've always wanted to pick it back up and learn. I taught myself when I was in elementary school and my mom helped me a bit (she used to play a lot before her four kiddos came around). I've been kidding around with some friends whom I know play guitar, telling them that I want lessons. I usually get a polite smile and a "yeah, right" glance, but that's not stopping me. If no one will teach me, (you know me, I'm a 'if you want it done right, do it yourself' kind of girl) then I'll figure out a way to learn. That leads me to sharing this (below) with you today.

What sort of instruments do you play or used to play and maybe want to pick back up again? Common! I personally know a TON of you used to play. Ever had a desire to play again? Are there those of you out there that have a certain instrument that you want to eventually learn to play before you're 100 years old? :)

Musical Monday

I have to give a shout out to my old college roomie, Jo. (Love you girl!) Jo came to visit for a few days last week and we had so much fun. We took Jo on her very first IKEA trip, went out for coffee/tea and chatted, shopped at the mall and just enjoyed picking up where we left off. She's just one of those friends that I can do that with.

Anyway, when we were in college, we were stuck in a SMALL town of college students in the middle of cornfields in Illinois, and we found entertainment in the strangest places. Here is one of my favorite videos, Mr. Bean. This is not the entire scene, but you get the idea. You can look up more Mr. Bean videos on YouTube.com and laugh your head off. I guess I'm just one of those people that find dry humor halarious. Anyway, enjoy! :)

Musical Monday

Avonlea and Lincoln love the movie(s) Toy Story. (So do Rob and I...shh! Don't tell.)
Anyway, this is the song that Avonlea has been singing all day, nonstop. I do love this song, but it is quite sad. :(

Musical Monday...'Shout Your Fame'

Yes, I know it's not Monday, but I feel as though I owe this song a "Musical Monday" debut. It's a song that was introduced in church awhile back and it's such an awesome song with exciting lyrics. Can you imagine when all belivers are in heaven, singing this song at the top of our lungs to our Savior? What an amazing sight and sound that will be!!!

Musical Tuesday :)...That's What Faith Can Do

Click HERE for your song this Musical Monday (a little late, I know). The official 'embed' wasn't available, but I just had to post this song for today.

The song is by Kutless and when you really listen to the words, they are so genuine and touching. I've been reading in Hebrews 11 about faith. It can be so simple..."faith like a child", "faith like a mustard seed"...and yet complex at the same time. It's something that Dad and I often talked about when I was growing up and still do.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

We know that as believers, our belief in Christ is based on faith. However, I think people can get too flippant with the word itself...faith. "Just have faith that this will happen." It's not a list of things we want out of life and we're supposed to have faith that they will come through. We read in Philippians 4:6,7 that

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Some things that we desire in life may be in God's will and some may not. BUT, if we are truly in Love with Jesus, our desires should be His desires! It's hard at times. We do loose our focus on eternity with the hustle and bustle of life and our distractions away from Him.

If you are truly listening to God, you have searched His Word, He has opened a door in a certain situation and you have faith that this is what He wants you to do, then it is His will. Sometimes, it isn't always something that we want to do either! Moses is just one example in Exodus 3. Chapter 3, verse 11..."But Moses said to God, 'Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?' (12) And God said, 'I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when yo uhave brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship god on this mountain.' "


There are many heroes of faith mentioned in this chapter such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses to name a few. Chapter 13 hits hard when it proclaims that

"All these peope were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."

These people's faith was so strong. They heard God speak to them, they were obidient and they didn't focus on whether they were going to be around when it was time to see the fruit of their faith. Their focus was on heaven and spending eternity in paradise. Pretty amazing stuff!

Musical Monday

Listen to the lyrics!!! Merry Christmas everyone!

Musical Monday

Every night, before we put our children to bed, Rob and I sing to each one of them. I don't know why, but each of them have sort of adopted their own song. Here they are...

The very first night Rob and I brought Avonlea home from the hospital, I remember pacing in the kitchen, holding her and trying to get her to stop crying. I remember that this song came to my mind. I started singing it to her and she immediately stopped crying. Ever since, this has been her song. It fits her too. She's definately my "sunshine girl", joyful and full of life.



Lincoln is our sweet boy with never ending energy and wit. He's our charmer. He's big for his age and can stir trouble at times. He adores the movie Dumbo and he requests this song each night before he goes to bed. At the part where the singer says "You're not much, goodness knows", I substitute in "You're so sweet, goodness knows", because he is so sweet!


Since Norah has been born, so many people comment on what a beautiful baby she is. Some have said that she looks like a little, porcelain doll with her fair skin and dark hair. Almost Snow White-like. Well, she's adopted the song Adelvice from The Sound of Music. An Adelvice is a beautiful, white flower and it reminds me of Norah.

Musical Monday

This has always been one of my favorite hymns, especially around Thanksgiving time. Jars of Clay did it with a modern twist here.

Musical Monday

This one goes out to my hubby...=)

Musical Monday

So I thought I'd be "original" and have a day of the week devoted to the same thing each week ("Wifey Wednesdays", "Tackle It Tuesdays", etc.). I came up with "Musical Mondays". I know, I know, I'm a genius! Anyway, this weekend, our family went to yet another carnival and this one had Tim Hawkins doing a two hour comedy act. We love Tim Hawkins and if you go on You Tube, you can see a bunch of his acts. I know I've posted once about him before, but I know you'll enjoy listening to him again. Here are a few of our favorites...








Happy Monday everyone!